Friday Morning Prayer:)… June 7, 2018

June 7, 2018 - 10 minutes read

Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.

 

Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, oh, leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.

 

Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
Vile and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.[1]

 

“… All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.”[2]

______________

Does my life suggest that Christ is all I want?  Way beyond the enticements, attractions, and temptations inherent in this life, do I find, “More than all” in Thee?  All of us need to be raised and cheered by the lover of our soul.  I am reminded of God’s grace daily as he walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am his own.  Gathering with the body of Christ this week was a joy!  Through the body of Christ is where you and I are encouraged, even cheered as the good news of Jesus the Savior is proclaimed.  The gospel is not ‘man-made’ but received by revelation from Jesus Christ.[3]   Therefore, as servants of Jesus, we hold fast to the gospel as supernaturally revealed and preserved for us in the Scriptures.  

Godfrey (2018) presented an excellent discussion about the nature of the gospel.[4]   Beloved, be encouraged in that the gospel is a gift from God and divine in origin.  The character of the gospel is true, gracious, and glorious.  Our response to this truth is faith and obedience.  The result of the gospel is salvation for all who genuinely believe.  It is the good news of the kingdom and evokes a supernatural hope that motivates us to grow in grace and become more like Jesus. 

 

 As we study the Scriptures, “…we discover that sometimes the word gospel refers broadly to all aspects of the salvation and new life that Jesus gives His people, and sometimes it is used narrowly to refer to what Jesus does for us outside of us.”[5]  We want to be crystal clear in our understanding of the gospel so that when false teachings enter the scene we are able to discern truth from error.  Indeed!  Know the truth and the truth will set you free.  The gospel is the call to repent and worship God.  It is the saving work of Christ for sinners.  All genuine believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit and receive power when the Spirit comes on them.[6]  In the supernatural power of God, we proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth and make disciples, teaching them to hold fast to all that Jesus has taught, to the glory of God.  

 

 As we hold fast to the gospel as presented in and throughout the Scriptures, we recognize there are many false teachings that pervert the gospel of Christ.  Therefore, we pray for supernatural discernment and reject any false representation of the true gospel.  Moreover, with much love and abundant grace we “…contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.”[7]  In our hearts we set apart Christ as Lord.  Our call is to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  We do this with gentleness and respect.[8]  The apostle Peter warns us, there will be false teachers among us who follow their shameful ways and bring the truth into disrepute.  Moreover, in their greed, these false teachers exploit from pulpits and manipulate unsuspecting people out of their money through a different gospel.[9]  This is done under the guise of the “gospel” which is really no gospel at all!  “If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”[10]

 

My prayer is that you are actively involved in a gospel-centered church where the cross is emphasized and the love of God is evident.  The five Solas is certainly a solid foundation to stand on as we grow in grace and proclaim the gospel at every opportunity:

1.      Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”): The Bible alone is our highest authority.

2.      Sola Fide (“faith alone”): We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

3.      Sola Gratia (“grace alone”): We are saved by the grace of God alone.

4.      Solus Christus (“Christ alone”): Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King.

5.      Soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”): We live for the glory of God alone.[11]

 

The Psalmist, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”[12] And, the saying holds, “In the essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things love.”

 

Enjoy the good news about Jesus, the gospel from the book of Colossians:[13]

•        He is the absolute supremacy and sole sufficiency of Jesus Christ.
•          Jesus is God’s Son and he is the object of our faith.
•          Our Lord Jesus is the Redeemer, the image of God and the Lord of creation.
•          Jesus is the head of the church and the reconciler of the universe.
•          In him dwells the fullness of the Godhead and under him, every power and authority in the universe is subjected.
•          He is the essence of the mystery of God and in him, all God’s treasures of wisdom and knowledge lie hidden. 
•          He is the standard by which all religious teaching is to be measured and the reality of the truth foreshadowed by the regulations and rituals of the old covenant.
•          By his cross, he conquered the cosmic powers of evil and following his resurrection he was enthroned at the right hand of God. 
•          Our life now lies hidden with God in Christ, but one day both he and we will be gloriously manifested. 
•  

Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.

_________________

 

 

Sisters are meeting to pray.  First Baptist.  1912 Arnold Way.  Alpine. 0900

You are invited to join diverse sisters in Christ for a time of prayer.  A joy and an absolute necessity to ask, seek and knock to the glory of God.  If you are free on Friday mornings, go check it out.

 

 

Brothers are meeting too!  Alpine Youth Center.  2153 Arnold Way.  Alpine. 0730.

Indeed!  You are invited to pray with diverse brothers in Christ.  We are diverse brothers for sure, yet united at the cross and centered on the gospel.  Don’t hesitate; join for a sweet hour of prayer.