Friday Morning Prayer:)… August 25,2016
August 25, 2016 - 7 minutes readDown at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!
Glory to His Name,
Glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name![1]
Another precious hymn!
*He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.[2]
“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.”[3] “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice…. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;”[4]
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Brothers and Sisters In Christ,
The psalmist in these texts is struggling with oppression and betrayal unique to the context. However, his reaction to difficult circumstances does generalize and gives the reality of the desperate human condition in need of our gracious God. Yes the regenerate heart sings, “Down at the cross where my Savior died, Down where for cleansing from sin I cried, There to my heart was the blood applied; Glory to His Name!” The gospel truth! Nonetheless, because of life circumstances, burdens really, we continue to hurt, feel betrayed, experience sorrow, our hearts ache with piercing pain many times through this life! Therefore, we look to Scripture, even the psalms for direction, comfort, a soothing through the Living Word from our ever-present God.
“For God so loved the world [YOU, ME] that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”[5]
The cross! God identifies with our brokenness, our suffering, agony, despair, weakness, and sorrows. In the midst of pain the cross demonstrates God’s love for us. In the enduring moments of pain and suffering God loves you. Moreover, there is a purpose. Beloved, take hold of this truth, apply and be comforted. Let’s pray for opportunities to share this with the many hurting folks around us, especially those in the body of Christ.
Our brother Gary lost his son-in-law this week. Our brother is hurting. His daughter and grandson are grieving, in shock at the abrupt heart attack and loss of her husband and Sebastian, his dad. Sebastian is a young vibrant man attending Purdue. He spent a month with Gary and attended weekly our Friday Morning Prayer group. May our God of all comfort sustain him, form and shape him through this very difficult time of suffering. Please cry out to God on their behalf.
We know that God rejoices over us, even with singing![6] I am certain that God weeps over us as well. Not only over us but with us, carrying us through our struggles, sorrows, and heart aches. “Jesus wept.”[7] There are those times when all to do is cry, allowing the tears to roll and the sorrows to be expressed. A necessary process, especially for me to heal through my pain and suffering. Moreover, many times the Spirit moves me to cry for the pain and suffering being endured by others. I’d like to think that our God indwelling, the God of all comfort, Jesus who identifies with our pain, cries with and for the grieving, suffering heart.
In the end, we run to Scripture. In grace we stand! “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”[8] Yes!
*When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
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Sisters are meeting to pray!:) First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited to join gals from different fellowships. They join to unite at the cross in prayer! Very cool! Share with gals who have the free time to join on Friday mornings. Moreover, a definite time of sweet fellowship and intentional prayer. No expectations or undo requirements, just Christian gals joining to cry out to our gracious God as the Holy Spirit leads. Thank you! We very much appreciate our sisters heeding and joyfully seeking the face of the saints in order to pray together.
Brothers are meeting too! Bethel Assembly. 1929 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0730.
Yes, YOU are invited! Christian brothers, diverse “for shore!” :)… It is a joy to have a refuge of diverse brothers to join in prayer week after week! Check it out! May the circle be unbroken! Glory to His Name!
Your brother In Christ!
Randall:)…
[1] http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Glory_to_His_Name/
[2] http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/He_Giveth_More_Grace/
[3] Psalm 54:4
[4] Ibid. 55:17; 22a
[5] John 3:16
[6] Zephaniah 3:17
[7] John 11:35
[8] Romans 5:2b-5
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