Friday Morning Prayer:)… July 6, 2017
July 6, 2017 - 7 minutes readWhat a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.[1]
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.[1]
“Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.”[2]
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Family in Jesus,
Lord Jesus, how can I encourage through written words? Not encouragement for its own sake! No! Encouragement to persevere in Christ and lean on the Everlasting Arms! So often this life is overwhelming, outcomes not as expected, suffering lingers, loved ones hurting, prayers seemingly not answered, depression, anxiety, anger, etc., As the struggle to endure and overcome continues, I need encouragement. You do too.
“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”[3] There is no lasting encouragement without the Spirit of God indwelling. In Christ, we are compelled to lean on the Everlasting Arms! Indeed! Beloved, how necessary for me, you too, to commune with our God, that pursuit, to practice the presence of God, moment by moment, in every context!
The prayerful song encourages us to cry out through our struggles, “Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light….Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall:”[4] Furthermore, I find encouragement through the honesty of the psalmist, a genuine reflection of struggle, yet adoration of our gracious God, who is experienced as distant at times, yet always faithful according to his righteousness! “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”[5]
A brother visited on the 4th. I was encouraged as we spoke about prayer and our sovereign God. My heart has been heavy for a young gal, Carrie. She is family and suffering from “Guillain–Barre (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) syndrome… a rare disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves.”[6] My calling in Christ, yours too, is to wrestle with God in prayer. Pursue God, as he pursues you, and me. We of necessity, pray without ceasing according to his sovereign grace. Sovereign does not mean we be passive or leave it at God’s feet, No! We rest in God and we wrestle in prayer! James writes, “You do not have, because you do not ask God.”[7] Of course we ask, seek, and knock continuously, with great humility, and long for an ever-increasing trust in our gracious God.
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God….’[8] Yet, we in Christ, through the cross, and in supernatural power through the cleansing blood of the Lamb, approach the Throne of Grace with confidence and a humble boldness. “Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer– it does not rise from deceitful lips.”[9]
Please pray for Carrie. She has extreme weakness, partial paralysis, and currently at post-acute care. Truly, may our gracious God draw her through this suffering into his supernatural peace, even as we pray for her complete healing. To God be the glory!
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
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Tonight! Band of Brothers at Bethel Assembly. 1929 Arnold Way. Alpine. 600pm dinner. 700pm a time of worship among faithful brothers.
Sisters are meeting to pray! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited! Gals in Christ joining to encourage and pray. Diverse gals united at the cross. If you have an hour or so to contribute and experience the grace of God, please check it out. No requirements or demands other than a love for others and total dependence on Jesus.
Brothers are meeting too! Grace Fellowship. 2225 West Victoria. Alpine. 0730.
Join brothers to encourage and intentionally pray. Definitely a time of asking, seeking, and knocking before the throne of grace. As the Holy Spirit leads our constant desire is to follow and lean on the Everlasting Arms as we praise, worship, intercede, and many times just earnestly wrestle in prayer in holy silence. Pray with us! If you can’t make it, pray for, and with us as we gather. Through the prayers of many, we are strengthened!
Persevere in his strength!
Your brother,
Randall:)…
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