Friday Morning Prayer:). March 3, 2016
March 3, 2016 - 5 minutes readBlessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.[1]
“I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.[2]
Beloved,
I was reminded this week of God’s redeeming and sustaining love. The assurance of God’s forgiveness came through the voice of a gal struggling with severe depression complicated by her bitter memories. Week after week I observed, sensed, and listened to expressions of hopelessness, pessimism, and worthlessness. However, when I asked, “do you feel as though you can’t be forgiven? Are you beyond redemption?” She paused and thought for a moment. She replied, “No, I think God forgives me and I can be redeemed.” Thank you, praise you, our most gracious and redeeming God!
We know from scripture that the Israelites exiled to Babylon suffered, grieved, longed for Zion. “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.”[3] In fact, the psalmist probably wrote post exile, struggling with his memories of old. God did forgive and restored the Israelites to their homeland. However, for years to come they had to contend with difficult emotions, witnessing the aftermath of Jerusalem, the desolation of the temple, even after being released.
In the midst of our troubles of all types, help me Lord to do like the psalmist, pray unceasing and give praise for answered prayer. Beloved, I pray you find yourself praising our great God all the time. He sustains, protects, restores, every day. More specifically, what a joy when we can gather on Sunday and even mid-week to praise and worship together! Indeed! “May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.”[4] Moreover, be encouraged in knowing when you call to God in fervent prayer, he answers. Blessed assurance, our God cares, he alone is life-giving and supernaturally empowers those who genuinely believe. Therefore, my sister/brother know that [you], we have a role to serve in God’s overall purpose. I love to be reminded and encouraged that our God will accomplish his will, as it pertains to your life, my life, our goals, ambitions, etc., all to his glory!
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.”[5]
Tonight! Band of Brothers! Join us at Bethel Assembly. 1929 Arnold Way. 6pm dinner. 7pm worship and teaching.
You are invited! Invite a friend. Diverse brothers from different churches meet once a month.
Sisters are meeting to pray! You are invited:). Friday morning prayer@ First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
What a joy when sisters get together to love one another and pray together! If you know gals who need to be encouraged, invite to your church! And, invite them to join for Friday morning prayer with gals from different churches. No better places to be on Sunday and Friday mornings! :).
Brothers are meeting to pray too! Grace Fellowship @ Alpine Community Church. 2225 W. Victoria. Alpine. 0730.
Brother! You are invited! No pressure, just ‘choosing to be humble’ guys meeting to trust and obey in prayer together. We always want to encourage brothers In Christ. Our constant goal is to be sensitive to and led by the Holy Spirit. We pray from 0745 to 0830 and allow praise and worship to flow as brothers devote to a ‘sweet hour of prayer!’
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Your brother In Christ,
Randall:).
[1] http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Blessed_Assurance/
[2] Psalm 138:2-3
[3] Psalm 137:1
[4] Psalm 138:5
[5] Psalm 138:8
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