Friday Morning Prayer:)… January 26, 2017
January 26, 2017 - 7 minutes readDay by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.[1]
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.[2]
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Beloved in Jesus!
In context, Paul was writing to the church at Corinth, informing them that he suffered to the point of despair, even of life. He was convinced he was going to die. Although he could not endure the great pressure, God delivered him. “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”[3] Whatever our plight, those times absolutely too difficult to endure, or that lingering feeling of defeat, the absence of joy, longing for better days, recurring internal conflict, relational problems, wayward son or daughter, infidelity, financial problems, unexpected loss, etc., Through all our difficulties inherent with this life, we rely not on ourselves, but on God!
The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.[4] Day after day we need divine comfort and empowering. And, as we receive this comfort, we in turn comfort others through their troubles. The family of God loving and caring for one another. Yes! We are victorious through Christ, we endure and overcome. However, the struggles continue to come, the trials, the testing, the battle against the flesh, temptations. Therefore, Paul knew and we too know, our prayers matter!
We do not presume on ‘the gracious favor’ of protection, deliverance from harm, shielded from tragedy, even the ability to endure such struggles. Our ‘God of all comfort’ in answer to the prayers of many’ puts the hedge of protection, empowers, delivers, even carries us through loss, tragedy, suffering as he determines, and we rely on him even when we do not completely understand the suffering in us, around us, in those we love. As we pray, earnestly crying out to our God, there is still to come much thanksgiving to our gracious God for his comfort through ‘all our troubles.’
My aunt, whom I have fond memories as a child passed recently. I know many of us family members are hurting, that necessary grieving and mourning that follows the loss of a loved one. Beloved in Jesus, through the prayers of many. Help my family by your prayers. Indeed, in Jesus we endure, on him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.
Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.
Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.
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Sisters are meeting to pray. First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited! Gals who love Jesus! O how we value the prayers of many, sisters in Christ praying for Alpine, our churches, leadership, our youth, etc., as the Holy Spirit leads. A definite time of love and encouragement among family in Jesus. You need that type of fellowship, whether here or through your church, Bible Study group, life group, or whatever means God has given… engage with joy!
Brothers are meeting too! Bethel Assembly. 1929 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0730.
That’s right! Faithful brothers week after week join in prayer! We too pray for our local churches, pray for each other, our families, the body of Christ, our youth, etc., as the Holy Spirit leads, humbly we want to follow. You are invited! No requirements, no expectations, just 15 min or so of encouragement and fellowship and the rest of the hour is devoted to prayer. Brothers pray in silence, out loud… some lead in song as the Spirit prompts, read Scripture, all in the context of reverence before the throne of God.
Alpine, First Baptist Church: Pastor Hal Rollins has had days of improvement. However, he continues to struggle with breathing and remains hospitalized. We pray for the body of believers and the leadership at First Baptist. May the gospel continue to be preached and lived out through the empowering of our sovereign God.
Your Brother in Jesus,
Randall:)…
[1] https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/713
[2] 2 Corinthians 1:10-11
[3] Ibid v. 9b
[4] Ibid v. 3-4
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