Friday Morning Prayer…:). May 31, 2018
May 31, 2018 - 7 minutes readRedeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.[1]
“He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”[2]
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What does it take to encourage someone? For some a smile is all that is needed, others might need a positive word or two. I guy came to my office this week and encouraged me with a big smile and a song. He started singing, “This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Then I was encouraged to sing this upbeat song with him! It was fun! Many times people are encouraged because we make the time to listen and even encourage them to tell us about what is going on in their life. It is most encouraging to me when opportunities are given to talk about the power of our gracious God manifest in everyday life. You know those experiences when the Spirit is moving you to love more and overflow with joy to another. That is our indwelling God-directing as promised. Sanctified we are in Christ! Set apart for the glory of God. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
We are compelled to encourage others because we are, “Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy.” Beloved, I pray as you are encouraged by the light of his presence, for with you he doth continually dwell, you too will overflow with encouragement as the Spirit leads you to others. In whatever context God has you and me, our call is to live at peace with each other[3] and spur one another on toward love and good deeds.[4] I was talking to a sister this week at work. The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control came up as we recognized the difficulties inherent in living in the midst of other people. We know the text; however, I need the power to live-out the text through genuine relationships.
Genuine believers are in Christ, even marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. However, to effectively encourage and genuinely be empowered we need to pray for a continual filling and overflowing of the Holy Spirit. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”[5] As we humbly, yet confidently and boldly pray for the Spirit to fill us continually, we then can sing and worship with supernatural power! Moreover, we love well and rejoice always. The desire to encourage and build others up in our shared faith happens at every turn because the Spirit is orchestrating, helping you and me to submit to, love, and encourage one another out of reverence for Christ.
We are encouraged by the words of Jesus, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”[6] Brothers and sisters, I absolutely love engaging with folks who long for Jesus and his indwelling power. I sincerely pray for you to know and experience the reinvigorating power promised through the supernatural event(s) of being filled with the Spirit. We help one another through prayer. So, let’s pursue God and pray for the necessary “go on being filled” to the glory of God. In you, today, may the Spirit produce a genuine exhilaration to encourage you, and help you to effectively encourage others with much love and overflowing joy
I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.
I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
I know there’s a crown that is waiting
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.
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Sisters are meeting to pray! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited! Invite a sister in Christ. Gals are gathering for a time of necessary prayer. Thank you sisters for your faithfulness to pray week after week, a joy!
Brothers are meeting too! Alpine Youth Center. 2153 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0730.
If you are a brother in Jesus, you are invited. This is a time for the brethren to intentionally pray, ask, seek, and knock as the Spirit leads. It is a time to carry one another’s burdens, pray for the body of Christ, and sometimes just allow the presence of God to manifest through the silence. No agenda, no expectations other than surrender all at the cross and allow the Spirit to help us effectively pray.
[1] http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Redeemed_How_I_Love_to_Proclaim_It/
[2] 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11
[3] Romans 12:18
[4] Hebrews 10:24
[5] Ephesians 5:18
[6] Luke 11:9, 13
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