Friday Morning Prayer:)… August 4, 2016

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
___________

Most beloved,

How necessary that one’s perception, understanding, and experience of God is consistent with Scripture. Of course to know God is a lifetime pursuit. From glory to glory! “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” A person’s view of God largely influences his or her behavior toward God. If God is a cold distant ruler there is no intimate pursuit. Whether influenced by tradition, authoritarian parenting, or even from the Bible, misunderstanding hinders the joy of one’s salvation.

On the other hand, we encourage with great enthusiasm, know God accurately, through the Spirit we proclaim, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

Charles Spurgeon boldly writes about our “In Christ” position. All things are in the cross and by this we conquer, live, and are purified. “Ye are complete in Him.” Sister/brother, be encouraged in this “undoubted truth and unmingled comfort.” Moreover, “Now, I am as sure as I am of my own existence that wherever God the Holy Ghost awakens the poor sinner by His mighty grace, and imparts spiritual life in his heart, nothing will every satisfy that poor sinner but a believing assurance of eternal union with Christ.”

On a plane this week, reading Spurgeon, I overheard two ladies talking. “It seems as though time is short, evil is pervasive.” I was encouraged to hear their reference to Jesus and the peace that surpasses all understanding, even through our circumstances and the evil all around us. I pray you are able to “…boast continually in the completeness of our salvation in Him…” Jesus! In the midst of it all, we strive to “..live up to our great and inestimable privilege! “Let worldlings see that our Jesus is indeed a sufficient portion.”

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
______________

Sisters are meeting to intentionally pray! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.

Thank you gals! A few or many, the prayers of the saints… invaluable! YOU are invited. We are calling out to Christian ladies to join in prayer with diverse sisters who share a love for Jesus. If you are free for an hour on Friday mornings, go be encouraged and encourage others. Brothers, we encourage our wives, share in our fellowships. As the Holy Spirit leads, we share about and encourage gals to join in prayer.

Brothers are meeting too! Grace Fellowship. 2225 W. Victoria Drive. Alpine. 0730.

Week after week faithful brothers seek the face of God. Humble we cry out and trust our God to do as He determines in our midst. We join to intentionally pray. As the Spirit leads we sing praises, listen, even in silence, and humbly pray. You are invited!
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.”

Your brother In Christ,

Randall:).