Friday Morning Prayer:). December 3, 2015
December 3, 2015 - 6 minutes readFairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.[1]
“He who was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”[2]
Beloved,
As I think of Advent, I think of God’s unconditional love; a supernatural love that has penetrated my heart and continues to stir, mold and shape the heart of every person In Christ… even reconciling many because of love and abundant grace! I read recently,
“Advent reminds us that God being God does not end with judgment but seeks reconciliation. The heart of God is to bring us back to himself so that we might “regain our perspective” and fulfill all that he has designed us to be.”[3]
Jesus, our God Messiah, Savior, Redeemer…incarnate love! We proclaim with joy and glad tidings! Our God became a man in the person of Christ. His enduring love for us took Him to the cross. My sin, yours too, inherited through Adam, manifest in willful disobedience, rebellion, selfishness…. Jesus, we celebrate His birth, understanding He was born to die for the sin of mankind.
Mercy dictates my response, humble and broken in dire need of reconciliation…. Grace is bestowed, my heart softened and prompted to cry out for forgiveness, even recognizing that my wickedness and depravity has to be appropriated, hence surrendered at the cross.
Joy! Joy! Joy! My sin and all who are In Christ, remedied by way of the brutal cross before our holy God. “For just as through the disobedience of the one man [Adam] the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man [Jesus] many will be made righteous.”[4] Yes!
Therefore, we can sing with much joy!
Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day[5]
Beloved, as I have experienced the unconditional love of God for the forgiveness of my sin, I have been reminded many times this week that I must with great determination hold fast, embrace, cry out for, pursue intently, pray without ceasing for this supernatural love to manifest in every encounter, interpersonal relationship, transaction, etc., My failures remind me of this necessity!
As Advent reminds us of Jesus, rejoice! I will say it again rejoice! Incarnate love manifest in Jesus! Certainly, He is the most excellent way! He is patient, kind, no envy there, no boasting, no being proud, or rude, certainly not self-seeking, nor easily angered, and there is no keeping records of wrong.
Brothers and sisters, be encouraged today! Jesus indwells and empowers all who have surrendered at the cross, even daily surrender! Therefore, In Christ, love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth! We always hope and persevere! Love never fails![6]
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heav’n can boast.
All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.
Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine.
Sisters In Christ are meeting together to pray! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited! A sweet hour of prayer. Join gals from various churches gathering to love one another, support and encourage…:). A necessity and a blessing!
Brothers are gathering too! Grace Fellowship@ Alpine Community Church. 2225 W. Victoria. Alpine. 0730.
Yes! Men who love Jesus and one another are gathering to pray and seek our gracious God! You are invited! Join us, casual and humble guys with a strong desire to walk in obedience and be empowered daily to love well! Therefore, we pray… trusting our God through the process, relying on Holy Spirit power to lead our time together.
LoVe YOU! MUCH!
Randall:).
[1]http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Fairest_Lord_Jesus/
[2] John 1:10-13
[3]2015 Gordon-Conwell Advent Devotional, Day 4 Meditation
[4] Romans 5:19
[5] http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/castingcrowns/gloriousdaylivinghelovedme.html
[6] 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
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