Friday Morning Prayer:). February 25, 2016
February 25, 2016 - 7 minutes readSavior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the Guardian of our way; Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.[1]
Faithful In Christ,
As we examine, study, and meditate on the Word of God, humbly seeking intimacy with our God, we begin to understand God as Savior, Father, Shepard, and Friend. Throughout the Psalms we see God as very much involved in the experiences of the faithful. Today, In Christ, our God cares about you, me, the process of our lives, our relationships, our struggles, etc., God in our midst, indwelling, empowering, comforting, healing, restoring…. Our God is good, truly one who can be trusted and loved. The old hymn we rightly sing, “Yes, God is good; in earth and sky, From ocean depths and spreading wood, Ten thousand voices seem to cry, God made us all, and God is good.”[2]
“Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”[3] Our Lord seated on His throne, “Above him were seraphs… they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”[4] Yes! God is unique and separate from all of creation. Unlike the depravity of mankind, God is absolute purity. “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, you cannot tolerate wrong.”[5] “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;”[6] “God’s perfection is the standard for our moral character and the motivation for religious practice. The whole moral code follows from his holiness.”[7]
I fail every day in thought, word, or deed. However, my failures do not excuse my lack of pursuit of a holy lifestyle. No! I pray with fervency and great desperation, believing our good God hears my prayers. In awe, reverence, and silence before our holy God, we choose to pursue holiness. Peter, inspired by God, wrote, “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ “[8]
Beloved, be encouraged today! Our God has revealed Himself to us through His living Word. Knowing God is beyond a lifetime pursuit, but a necessary pursuit full of joy and blessings. John reminds us that God is love.[9] Jesus is incarnate love. Indeed! I am encouraged in knowing that God loves us with an unselfish interest in us for our sake; He hears our prayers and relates with us. Grace! Unmerited, undeserved favor based on God’s goodness and generosity. Mercy—God’s tenderhearted, loving compassion for his people. From the goodness of God, mercy is bestowed to relieve the misery of sin stricken people. “Thus, ‘mercy’ presupposes sin.”[10]
We pray all the time for abundant grace. We cry out for mercy, Lord open the eyes of the blind, soften the hard hearted, grant salvation to the spiritually dead in sin. Not my will, but Thy will be done. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”[11] Sister/Brother, may the grace of God overflow into your daily life and through your life to those needing to experience the mercy of God unto salvation.
Sisters are meeting to pray! Join faithful sisters at First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
Thank you gals for meeting to pray together! A joy!
Brothers In Christ are meeting too! Bethel Assembly. 1929 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0730
You are invited! Come join brothers for an hour of prayer. We seek our benevolent God for our communities, local and surrounding churches, youth center, schools, etc., as the Holy Spirit leads our time together.
Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and pow’r to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior, with Thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Peace and Joy In Christ,
Your Brother,
Randall:).
[1] http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Savior_Like_a_Shepherd_Lead_Us/
[2] http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/y/g/i/ygisgood.htm
[3] Exodus 15:11
[4] Isaiah 6:2-3
[5] Habakkuk 1;13
[6] James 1:13
[7] Christian Theology. (1985) M.J. Erickson.
[8] 1Peter 1:14-16
[9] 1 John 4:8
[10] The Attributes of God. (1975). A.W. Pink.
[11] Matthew 6:9-10
0 Comments