Friday Morning Prayer:)… January 3, 2019

January 17, 2019 - 7 minutes read
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
 
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
 
For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
 
And now complete in Him,
My robe, His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.[1]
 
So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.  But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life−not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.[2]
_____________________
 
 
This New Year is 365 days of opportunity to reflect Jesus and boldly share gospel truth with all people God sovereignly brings into our sphere of influence.   I am certain that I need abundant grace with supernatural power to see clearly the various opportunities orchestrated by God to love others deeply, to be clear minded and self-controlled so I can effectively pray.  Every regenerate heart is called to use whatever gift received from our gracious God to serve others and faithfully administer God’s grace in its various forms.  In fact, we serve in the strength God provides and even confidently speak as though speaking the very words of God.[3]   Every day, even every moment of every day, we call on the name of the Lord and readily proclaim: “To him be the glory and the power forever and ever.  Amen.”
 
 
Is your resolution to know, to truly know our gracious God intimately?  A constant pursuit and longing to experience God with greater confidence, sensing his presence, comfort, and empowering love, encouragement as we work-out this great salvation with fear and trembling.  I exclaimed to a brother recently how I hope for more of the same this New Year in the power of the Spirit.   The emphasis is more, more, more, greater depth, degrees, and pursuits of the same as far as fervent prayer, deliberate love, enjoying our gracious God!  You know as do I, each of us are led by the Spirit to pray more, give more, work more, love more, in humble obedience to the call of God unto salvation.
 
 
Yesterday, I had an opportunity to discuss this gospel truth with a brother.  With mutual respect, we listened and spoke as the Holy Spirit led our conversation.  The Divine answer to the deepest needs of humanity comes through the gospel as given in the Bible.  God’s Word sheds unique light and illuminates the narrow path in a dark world.  The cross is the beginning of our born-again life.  “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”[4] God’s grace alone through faith alone initiates salvation.    God changes the heart of stone to a heart of flesh.  In Christ, we readily heed the words, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Moreover, we pursue Jesus according to the Scriptures, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”[5] Therefore, pursue his mercy, cry out in humbleness of heart and trust the Lord Jesus for salvation.[6]
 
 
Beloved, my joy, and excitement is your encouragement to grow in grace and overflow the love of God in every context!  As God gives opportunity, I will strive in his strength to encourage and love you through written words and deeds of action as God determines.  This New Year is truly 365 days, (minus 2) of opportunity to be led by the Holy Spirit further along the narrow path toward the “Celestial Kingdom.”[7]  We need each other to encourage, spur on toward love and good deeds, to persevere, fight the good fight, resist the Devil, submit to God, join with fellow believers, preach the gospel, and pray unceasing in the power of the Spirit.
 
 
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots 
And melt the heart of stone.
 
 
When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.
 
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.
_______________
 
Sisters are meeting to pray.  First Baptist.  1912 Arnold Way.  Alpine, 0900.
 
You are invited to join Christian gals for a sweet hour of prayer.  As this New Year begins, I pray you to have a refuge of like-minded folks to gather and pray with.  These gals join week after week and represent various gospel-centered churches here in the Alpine area.  You can expect this to be a time of love and encouragement where God is intentionally sought through humble prayer.
 
Brothers are meeting too!  Mt. View Bible.  2710 Alpine Blvd.  Alpine, 0730.
 
Join us if your schedule allows.  No pressure, just a sincere invitation to join with brothers for a sweet hour of prayer.  Various churches represented with a deliberate unity around the cross of Christ.   It is always good to see brothers and encourage as the Holy Spirit leads our time together.
 
 
 
 

[2] 2 Timothy 1:8-9
[3] 1 Peter 4:7-11
[4] John 1:29
[5] Luke 3:8, 16
[6] Romans 5:8, 10:13
[7] Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan