Friday Morning Prayer:). March 24, 2016
March 24, 2016 - 6 minutes readI have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.[1]
“…’Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”[2]
Faithful In Christ,
“But dad, hundreds if not millions of people are doing it.” I prayed for wisdom as I heard these words from my fourteen year old son. We agreed days before he would not pursue or watch movies online through questionable websites. His friends were doing it. No regard for payment, highly questionable movies for developing hearts and minds, and these movies are not even out on DVD yet, it is called piracy and it is morally wrong. To my relief, Luke affirmed that he was not engaging in that behavior anymore, but his friends continued.
A great opportunity to explore his heart and hear his motivations to avoid worldly behavior. I certainly desire and appreciated him obeying my instruction. However, I was more pleased to hear his desire to walk in obedience to our gracious God than follow the example of his friends. Jesus was very clear that many people, “…hundreds if not millions…” are on a broad road to destruction, living and pursuing disobedience through every worldly opportunity. In Christ, we are compelled to walk humbly and pursue obedience—“I have decided to follow Jesus” on the narrow path leading to eternal life. You too? “No turning back, no turning back.”
I do not want to “wonder” or drift into disobedience, nor do you, especially as our gracious God has transformed your heart. “… to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”[3]
“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree….’ ”[4] In the midst of persecution before those in the Sanhedrin, we read, “they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord’…”[5] “They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.”[6] On this Maundy Thursday we remember the Lord ’s Supper, the garden of Gethsemane, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.”[7] We decide to walk humbly, to resist temptation, and pray unceasing, in full awareness that I desperately need to “Watch and pray….The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”[8]
Good Friday. God’s grace through the cross. Jesus crucified, killed, for my sins, yours, and for all those called to obedience. I read this morning, “When we consider the future significance of present obedience, we can say with Paul, “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).”[9]
Resurrection Sunday! We celebrate! Jesus exalted! Prince and Savior who gives repentance and forgiveness of sins. Indeed! We have experienced the mercy of God and we pray unceasing that many will heed the call and receive the gift of repentance. Moreover, the empowering, indwelling, intimacy with the Holy Spirit, “whom God has given to those who obey him.”[10]
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
As we pursue obedience every day, there are events occurring to keep you motivated!
First Baptist is having Friday morning service. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0630.
Bethel Assembly is having a Friday service. 1929 Arnold Way. Alpine. 1200 noon.
Sisters are meeting to pray! First Baptist Alpine. 0900.
You are invited! Join faithful sisters to encourage and love one another. How good and pleasant it is when sisters meet to pray together. A joy and blessing! Invite a friend and check it out.
Brothers are meeting to pray too! Bethel Assembly. 0730.
Join us at First Baptist at 0630 for a time of worship and transition right over to Bethel across the street to pray and pursue our gracious God. An encouraging time as brothers meet to express our love, thanks, humble before our mighty God.
Your Brother In Christ,
Glory to God!
Randall:).
[1]http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/I_Have_Decided_to_Follow_Jesus/
[2] Acts 4:19
[3] 1 Samuel 15:22b
[4] Acts 5:29-30
[5] Acts 4:24
[6] Ibid v. 28
[7] Mark 14:36b
[8] Ibid. 14:38
[9]http://www.denisonforum.org/cultural-commentary
[10] Acts 5:32b
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