Friday Morning Prayer:)… January 19, 2017
January 20, 2017 - 6 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]
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.[2]
Beloved in Jesus,
The hymn “Abide with me” was written over 150 years ago by Henry Francis Lyte.[3] Today, as in days past, these words resonate with the genuinely regenerate heart. Why? In Jesus our lives are no longer “I” “me” but Christ is the focal point at every stage and condition of my life. In humble, earnest prayer, we cry out, Abide with me oh Lord, I need Thee desperately every hour. “Oh Thou who changest not, abide with me.”
Pastor Mark opened Sunday service with a heartfelt recognition of his own process, hence, a genuine hunger and thirst for God! “Desiring the presence of the Lord more than anything!” Yes! “I need Thy presence every passing hour.” Do you feel the pull, the struggle? The world and all of its attractions are enticing, attempting to mold and shape into carnal and worldly character. In fact, for us abiding in Jesus, there exists two opposing objects for affection: the world and God.
Indeed, “The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.” The Scripture refers to “world” as a system of evil controlled by Satan. Essentially, all that is wicked and opposed to God on this earth. For example, hatred, immoral pleasures, worldly values, materialism, selfishness, fits of rage, jealousy, envy, etc., are all in contradiction to our call to abide with and live by the leading of the Holy Spirit. In every context, “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”[4] Really? Yes! I have to fight in prayer and cry out, Lord, abide with me every moment of every day. “What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?”
Sister/brother, our gracious God knows what we need. We are not called to worry, but to abide with Jesus and trust God with every aspect of our lives. Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”[5] Our sovereign God is merciful and sought me, you too, and empowers us to pursue him with all our being. Therefore, “Shout for joy to the Lord… Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. It is he who made us and we are his…” “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!”[6]
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.
____________
Sisters are meeting to pray! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
Week after week gals meet to encourage one another and pray before the throne of grace. You are invited! Sisters in Christ representing different churches in Alpine and the surrounding areas. Go check it out if you are free! A great hour of practical love for others and love expressed for our gracious God.
Brothers are meeting too! First Baptist. Third Friday of the month! Alpine. 0730.
If you are reading, please keep Pastor Rollins at First Baptist in your prayers. He was hospitalized and physically struggling. Through the prayers of many, we ask for God to heal our faithful brother. For many years he has pastored the flock there at First Baptist. He has been so very kind to all, faithful in preaching the gospel, and loving with the love of God through his life. Join us Friday morning as we encourage and intentionally pray, as the Spirit leads our time together.
Your brother in Jesus,
Randall:)….
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deJDkU6qiGE
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Abide_with_Me/
[2] Psalm 100:1-3
[3] http://www.challies.com/articles/hymn-stories-abide-with-me
[4] Galatians 5:19-26
[5] Matthew 6:33
[6] Philippians 4:4
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