Friday Morning Prayer:)… January 21, 2022
January 21, 2022 - 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 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[1]
And, in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.[2]
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By God’s mercy and grace, we are saved from the eternal ramifications of sin. In Christ, those who genuinely believe, have been freed from the clutches of the sinful nature. The inherent hostility toward God, even hatred, is supernaturally changed to love for God and people, with an ever-increasing desire to grow in grace, and continually fight against the sin that so easily entangles. The continual pursuit is to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Stephen was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. He spoke boldly accusing Israel of their failure to recognize Jesus as Messiah, betraying and murdering him.[3] The unregenerate, ‘cut to the heart’ with hostility, the hate-filled heart was revealed, “When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him…. they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.”[4]
Peter and the other apostles said to leaders and high priest of their day, “We must obey God rather than men!” Peter recognized although they killed Jesus by hanging him on a tree, “God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”[5] The reaction of the hostile, unregenerate heart leaders was, ‘cut to the heart’ manifest in fury, wanting to put Peter the apostles to death.
Beloved, your regenerate heart, and mine too responded differently to gospel truth! So did those Peter spoke to when the Spirit of God came at Pentecost. Peter said, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart….”[6] Unlike, those furious, hence ‘cut to the heart’ with evil intentions, God, through the preaching of the gospel, the Holy Spirit, ‘cut to the heart’ revealed in humility of heart. They asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
To live continually in the power of the Holy Spirit requires my choosing to be humble, relying on the power of God indwelling at every difficult turn, this life brings. Tonight, at the men’s group, the question was asked, ‘how does God speak to his own?’ Another question was asked, ‘do I listen to the Spirit?’ God has spoken and continues to speak through the living Word of God. The Spirit and Word of God work in tandem as we pray for ears to hear. What about speaking to you or me personally? I am convinced, the more time I spend in God’s presence in prayer, in the word, listening and thinking about God, worshipping, asking about daily things, ideas, etc. the more I am able to recognize the Spirit of God directing, answering, and helping through this life. The more I meditate on the Word, read and digest biblical truth, the more evident is the scripture, being brought to mind when needed. The Lord has been prompting me to contact two brothers I haven’t seen in a while. I obeyed and was blessed as a result. Thank you, Lord.
The natural reaction is a hostile heart toward God vs the supernatural is God’s mercy, softening and granting a humble heart to respond in obedience, ever-increasing desiring to pursue this life in the power of the Holy Spirit. In obedience we do what Peter said, repent, be baptized, and rest assured in the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for all those the Lord our God will call. Be encouraged as you walk humbly, intentionally pursuing, and spending time with our gracious God. My prayer for myself and you is that the Spirit of God manifests His power in and through your life, all the time!
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee
In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me
Abide with me, abide with me
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Friday Morning Prayer:)… First Baptist Church 1912 Arnold Way, Alpine,
Sisters meeting at 0900
Brothers meeting at 0730
Join us, if your schedule allows. It is, truly, always a joy to see the brothers!
Men’s Breakfast! Saturday 0800 @ First Baptist Church. Diverse brothers, humble in Christ, Welcome!
[1] https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/370
3 HOURS of Classic Acapella Hymns – Gospel Songs – A capella Hymns #GHK #JESUS #HYMNS
3 HOURS of Classic Acapella Hymns – Gospel Songs – A capella Hymns #GHK …
[2] Ephesians 2:22
[3] Acts 7:51-52
[4] Ibid v. 54, 57-58
[5] Acts 5:29-32
[6] Ibid 2:36
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