Friday Morning Prayer:)… December 31, 2020
January 1, 2021 - 7 minutes readAbide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.[1]
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—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.”[2]
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What to resolve as 2020 ends and 2021 begins? What have I determined necessary? Will your course of action change this new year, will mine, as we work-out our great salvation? In general resolutions fade and old habits die hard. However, your life long supernatural resolve and mine too is to glorify God with our lives, obediently striving in his power according to his good purpose. Therefore, hold fast every day to God abiding, helping, glorifying himself through your new life in Christ. We, the body of Christ, are equipped, strengthened, motivated as God leadeth us to ‘continue’ with even greater intensity, zeal, and determination, displaying a truly regenerate heart, crying out for, and relying on God’s empowering grace.
Do I believe, really believe, help me, Lord, to overcome my unbelief. To believe is beyond mental or intellectual assent. To truly believe is to trust God for redemption through the blood of Christ shed on the cross. Jesus is my Savior and my Lord. Hear my humble cry and help me and all those reading today to trust you with our redeemed, transformed, daily renewing in Christ lives, even when life hurts. We sing the hymn of old, “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.”[3] I want to do better and continually ask for an ever-increasing desire to walk humbly, love deliberately, serve readily, and trust God’s abiding presence, his gift of discernment, the continual filling of his Spirit, and real life-changing fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.)[4] to be manifest more and more through every circumstance and context.
The writer of Hebrews, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal [Holy] Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”[5] We live this life through an eternal perspective. God who has always been and always will be has cleansed us from dead works, even recurring, unrepentant sinful ways that lead to death. Why? So, we may serve the living God! Beloved, may the daily pursuit this new year give you ever-increasing confidence to enter the holy of holies as a new creation in Jesus and offer worshipful service! You, and me too, reside anew as living sacrifices at the throne of grace—our purpose is to enjoy God, his love, comfort, and empowering grace all the time. Truly, be ye encouraged and echo the psalmist,
“You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.”[6]
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I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
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Sisters are meeting to pray together! First Baptist, 1912 Arnold Way, Alpine, 0900
You are invited to join sisters in Jesus who represent various local churches for a sweet hour of prayer. If you need contact information, just send me an email and I will get you connected. Thank you, sisters.
Brothers are meeting too! Mt. View Bible 2710 Alpine Blvd. Alpine, 0730
Please pray for our brother Jon Lutz (Pastor @ Mt. View) he is in recovery after major neck surgery. He and the leadership team (Eric, Bob, other gifted men) graciously allow us to meet together at Mt. View and pray before the throne of grace. As the Spirit leads we definitely rely on His leading and trust God who has Jon in his hand.
Join us if your schedule allows this New Year’s day. It is always good to see you! 🙂
[1] https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Abide_with_Me/
[2] Philippians 2:12-13
[3] https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Trust_and_Obey/
[4] Galatians 5:22
[5] Hebrews 9:14
[6] Psalm 119:57-58
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