Friday Morning Prayer:)… February 20, 2020

February 20, 2020 - 8 minutes read

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul![1]

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.[2]

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What thrills your heart most? My twin brother reading through the book of John and asking questions is a joy! A fella at work assured me he was staying the course and daily praising the Lord. Moreover, the love of Christ in him overflows to the elderly at a residential home downtown most days out of the week—The joy and love overflowing! Michael at the gym brought a greeting in the Lord; a resonating connection in Jesus shared is joyful! Praying with my friend, recognizing the glory of God after we accomplish another early morning work-out is good. I could go on and on about brothers who love me and I love them or my precious sons and their friends attending winter camp, youth groups, and my oldest son Luke now 18 yrs. going to a college group every week—Solid biblical teaching and healthy relationships developing! I am thrilled by what God has done and continues to do, namely our God has mercy and sustaining equipping grace.

Horatio Spafford wrote the hymn “It is well with my soul” after losing his four-year-old son to pneumonia and four daughters ages 11, 9, 5, 2 drowned at sea. Conrey (2016) recounts the history and expresses well the life-changing sustaining power of God. He wrote,

“Some of us understand how Horatio was able to do what he did because we have had a glimpse of the power and the excellence of Christ. You see, when a person encounters Christ, something happens. Something magnificent. Their eyes are opened and they behold the glory of something far greater than themselves or anything else in all creation. Jesus Christ eclipses and transcends even the deepest sorrows of this world.”[3]

Tears of thankfulness, tears of joy, and many times tears of brokenness and heartache readily flow because of Jesus. We can sing with confidence, “Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.”[4]

Your salvation, my salvation and our “life in Christ” is because of God’s mercy. His sovereign call has brought you into his glory, changed you and me from darkness to light to reflect his glory. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”[5] My heart is thrilled at the opportunity to engage with others and hear about and observe the progressive transformation of the regenerate heart.

I pray you, brother/sister are growing in grace and understanding more and more the magnificence of Jesus! Piper (2011) said, we see stunningly glorious beautiful things about God, “And, it’s the beauty of them that changes us: beholding the glory, we are being changed.”[6] You know what God has done in your life and continues to do. I know too! A supernatural change that keeps changing us! We are genuinely new in Christ and helping one another to stay the course, bearing the burden, taking up my cross, cry out for help, praying, praising, encouraging and overflowing love in the power of the Spirit.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

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Sisters are meeting to pray together. First Baptist, 1912 Arnold Way, Alpine, 0900

You are invited to join gals representing various local churches for a time of prayer and fellowship, encouragement, love, and joy! Thanks for glorifying the Lord Jesus!

Brothers are meeting too! First Baptist, 3^rd Friday. 0730.

The joy of meeting and encouraging one another in Jesus; we rely on the Spirit of Jesus to lead us and overflow through us. You are always welcome to join diverse brothers who love Jesus and love the brethren! Hope to see you!

[1] https://www.praisecharts.com/songs/details/28270/it-is-well-sheet-music