Friday Morning Prayer:)… July 5, 2018

Has your longing for God changed? I came across a prayer I wrote out five months ago.  “I long for you most high and Holy God.”  I asked for help to stay in step with the Spirit.  I recognized my struggles and my need to rely on God and not my own futile strength.  The same type of prayer continues before our most gracious God many times throughout any given day.  Humble before the throne we cry out to God for help to joyfully work out our great salvation.  The psalmist recognized that God searches the heart and knows when we sit and when we rise.  God is familiar with all our ways.  However, the psalmist still prays, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”[3]  Prayer changes things according to God’s sovereign will.  Change begins in my state of mind with an ever-increasing longing for God to a point of enduring hope and healthy trust in our gracious God.

A humble state of mind brings abundant grace that demonstrates God’s power in and through our human weaknesses.  Therefore, we clothe ourselves with humility toward one another.  “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.[4]  Therefore, before an all-powerful God, we choose humble every day in every context.  How do we maintain a state of humility?  It is tough! As we fight the good fight of faith, we rely on the power of God to help us curb pride and regard others as more significant than ourselves.[5]  The call of God to every regenerate heart is to have the same attitude of our Lord Jesus.  God in Christ,”… made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death−even death on a cross!”[6]

The pursuit of humble glorifies God and genuinely reflects God’s power to effectively love others.  The apostle Paul reminds us to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and do whatever is good.  Moreover, I should not slander, but be peaceable and considerate, and show true humility toward everyone.[7]  The test comes as I live daily with my spouse and teenage boys! You know your own struggle and context for prideful temptation.  Nonetheless, “…when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.”[8]

Beloved, I truly pray as I reflect with you this morning that you are encouraged to persevere in our shared faith.  I ask, seek, and knock continually for a contagious joy that overflows to the glory of God!  Pastor Mark encouraged the body to embrace the good things in Christ.  For example, joy in forgiveness and loving others.  Pursue the fellowship of the saints and rely on God’s empowering work through you.  In Christ, we have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and now reside in his wonderful light.  Before our holy God we sing the truth of the old hymn, “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling; naked, come to Thee for dress, helpless, look to Thee for grace: Foul, I to the fountain fly, wash me, Savior, or I die.”

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You are invited to join diverse gals for a short time of intentional prayer and encouragement.  No requirements or expectations, just a humble heart desiring to pray and allow God to love others through you.   Thank you!  Our sisters in Jesus have been faithfulness to gather and pray.

 

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