Friday Morning Prayer:)… March 2, 2017
March 2, 2017 - 7 minutes readRock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.[1]
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.[1]
_________________
Beloved in Jesus,
How necessary it is to sing and make music with all my soul before our gracious God. “Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me, Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.” Yes! “Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!”[3] Indeed, “Nothing in my hand 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.”
Sunday, at communion time, a brother used the phrase “continually washed” which highlighted our process and maturing relationship with our holy God. I sin daily in thought and deed and thankful when the Holy Spirit brings conviction. Many times, “E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me…” “I must tell Jesus…” even confessing my sin at the foot of the cross, yes, “Wash me, Savior, or I die.” The hymns of old, illuminated words to help us hold fast to gospel truth! Foul, I to the fountain fly!
Brothers! & Sisters! Be ye encouraged to hold fast to the transforming gospel! All else is sinking sand! Culture, psychology, trends, etc., are useful and many times necessary to know in order to be most effective in helping the hurting. I need to be sensitive to distinctions, norms, mores, etc., The Apostle Paul, “…I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” The key in my understanding and engagement in culture, psychology, etc., is “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”[4]
We gather Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays to become equipped. To know the gospel so I can discern gospel truth from falsehood so prevalent today, even in the church. Therefore, my prayer for you and me, help me Lord to know you intimately and accurately as your word teaches. We are called, hence urged “… to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.”[5] Why? Because false teachers had slipped in among the family of God. It is serious! We are exhorted to recognize that “…even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!”[6] Moreover, we, like Timothy have to watch our life and doctrine closely. “Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”[7]
Finally, for the sake of gospel truth and the salvation of many there is an increasing desire to, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”[8] Therefore, O Lord increase my hunger and thirst for knowing you intimately through the Scripture, help me to rightly divide the word of truth. My God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit! Indeed, my life, yours too, our life long process to enjoy our God!
Beloved, wherever you are at in this life long journey, you are valued by our gracious God! I can’t live this life, I can’t! Jesus can through me! And, through you too! Our empowering indwelling God!
Nothing in my hand 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.
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.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
__________________
Sisters are meeting to pray and encourage one another! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited! Faithful gals joining week after week to love and express total dependency on our indwelling God! A blessing and necessity before the throne of God. Thank you sisters!
Brothers are meeting too! First Baptist. Gary and Darryl out of town, yet with us in spirit and in our prayers. 0730.
Join faithful brothers from various churches to cry out in humility and necessary anticipation/expectation for our gracious God to move as he determines in response to the prayers of many. A sweet hour of prayer!
Events this week to strengthen your walk with Jesus!
Band of Brothers Bethel Assembly. Thursday 6pm dinner 7 worship teaching
Napal Missionary Thomas Bolz (host) Friday 7pm Human Trafficking (email me)
Men’s Breakfast Mountain View Saturday 0800
Peace!
Randall:)…
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Rock_of_Ages/
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Nearer_My_God_to_Thee/
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