Friday Morning Prayer:). December 17, 2015
December 17, 2015 - 6 minutes readI’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.[1]
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.[2]
Beloved In Christ,
Advent: simply defined as “the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.”[3] Yes indeed! Gods’ abundant grace, our redemption spoken by the prophets of old, fulfilled in our Lord Jesus. Micah prophesied, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.”[4] Moreover, Isaiah foretold, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”[5]
We celebrate Jesus! His birth, death, and resurrection! Beloved, the greatest gift has been given, and continues to overflow! Peter encourages us with supernatural truth! “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”[6]
Concerning this salvation, already and not yet. Therefore, I must search intently with the greatest care as did the prophets of old, the Scriptures. Our sovereign God has not left us! No! Immanuel, “God with us.” We pray, cry out to our God daily, even moment by moment, for wisdom, comfort, healing, mercy unto salvation for the calloused, discernment, Holy Spirit power to walk humbly with our God, a constant desire to reflect: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness… to His glory!
Be encouraged! “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man [woman too] of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”[7] My challenge, especially as I wait for the “not yet” is to “do [my] best to present [myself] to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” We can do it! In Christ! “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”[8]
Sing with me! What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer![1] Indeed! “For faith has caught the joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground!” Persevere my brothers and sisters! Our living faith knows no other way… Today we know the birth of Christ! Joy! The cross! Our redemption! More joy! Yes! We wait with great confidence, blessed assurance, and anticipation… even as we prepare our minds for action, the return of Jesus! “Not yet,” but as certain as the glorious birth! Such a great salvation! Rejoice! :).
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Sisters are meeting to pray! First Baptist Church. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited! Join our faithful sisters In Christ as they gather to pray: asking, seeking, knocking continually week after week! Thank you! If you have been considering joining sisters for a sweet hour of prayer, please do and be encouraged!
Brothers are meeting too! First Baptist. 0730.
Men from various fellowships gathering to encourage, pray, pray, pray, worship and enjoy our God together! You are invited! If you can’t make it, please keep us in your prayers. Alpine and the surrounding communities, mercy unto salvation for many in our midst, our churches, our witness as the united Body of Christ. Thank you! Your prayers matter in God’s sovereign plan. Absolutely!
Your Brother In Christ,
LoVe You! MUCH!
Randall:).
[1] http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Higher_Ground/
[2] 1 Peter 1:10-11
[3]https://www.google.com/#q=advent+meaning
[4] Micah 5:2
[5] Isaiah 7:14
[6] 1 Peter 1:8-9
[7] 2 Tim 3:16-17
[8] Ibid. 1:7
[9] What a Friend We Have in Jesus > Lyrics | Joseph M. Scriven
0 Comments