Friday Morning Prayer:)… August 23, 2018

August 23, 2018 - 8 minutes read
He’s my king, and O I dearly love Him,
He’s my king, no other is above Him;
All day long enraptured praise I sing,
He’s my Savior, He’s my king!
 
 
Streams of love around my soul are flowing,
From His heart love’s everlasting spring;
That is why my faith in Him I’m showing,
That is why an endless song I sing.[1]
 
 
“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
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Most want or desire a fulfilled life.  I want to have a sense of fulfillment.  It is not found in materialistic pursuits or fully attained through interpersonal relationships, employment, education, riches, etc.  From a Christian perspective, for the complete fulfillment of our being, we must know God.  Our Lord Jesus said, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”[2]  O the desire to know God relationally, to pursue him, ask, seek, and knock continually for his power, to bring him glory through my life is a never-ending intentional pursuit.   We live and have our being in Jesus; he is our abiding rest in whom we make every effort to enter so that we won’t fall into disobedience.  We are saved by grace through faith and rest in the finished work of Christ on the cross.  However, this living faith calls us to “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”[3]
 
 
I need God’s help to trust and obey.  I have to cry out in prayer daily to resist the temptations inherent in this world.  The intentional pursuit of God is a struggle at times.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  Beloved, you know your own journey with Jesus.  Our human weaknesses are probably similar.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us of our merciful and faithful high priest.  “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help [us] who are being tempted.”[4] Self-discipline to obedience is the process that demonstrates a supernatural love initiated by God and maintained with God to his glory and our good.  Remember, in the power of Christ indwelling, we set our minds on things above, not on earthly things; you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  Rejoice in our hope of glory! When Christ who is our life appears we will with great confidence, appear with him in glory.[5]
 
 
The word of God is living and active and able to penetrate our inmost being.  We share in the heavenly calling and are exhorted to fix our thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.[6]  “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”[7]  Do you find yourself talking with God as you drive?  How about singing praises as the Holy Spirit brings a supernatural joy that has to overflow?  It takes a consistent disciplined effort to pursue God and experience him in Spirit and truth.  Consistent Bible study and hiding the word in my heart, mind, and soul is a necessary discipline to remind me of gospel truth and help me know our gracious God.  “And, this is prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ…”[8]  Through the prayers of many we are strengthened and persevere in our shared faith.  “So, do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”[9]
 
 
He’s my King! That is why an endless song I sing!  Brother/sister, I pray you are fulfilled in Christ all the time.  John Piper writes about our greatest happiness and fullness of joy.  Listen to the full devotion by way of the link below.
 
 
There is the answer — the solution to the apparent egomania of God in demanding us to praise him! It is a demand for our greatest happiness. We praise what we enjoy because the delight is incomplete until it is expressed in praise. If we were not allowed to speak of what we value and celebrate what we love and praise what we admire, our joy would not be full.[10] 
 
 
In His light, I’m going home to glory,
With the souls who trust His saving grace;
Going home to sing and tell His story,
In the blessed sunshine of His face.
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Sisters are meeting to pray.  First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way.   Alpine, 0900.
You are invited.  If you have the morning free this Friday, go enjoy a sweet hour of prayer and encouragement with wonderful gals in Christ.  Diverse gals representing various gospel-centered churches here in town.  Thankful for Christian ladies who faithfully meet week after week and love having sisters in Christ join.  

 
Brothers are meeting too!  Bethel Assembly.  1939 Arnold Way.  0730.
You are invited!  Join faithful to Christ brothers for a time of encouragement and intentional prayer as the Holy Spirit leads our time together.   No requirements or expectations, just a love for Jesus and desire to pray as the Spirit leads.