Friday Morning Prayer:)… October 08, 2020

October 9, 2020 - 10 minutes read

Redeemed, 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.

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.[1]

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.[2]

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What matters most to you, to me, in this life? Every truly regenerate heart confidently sings, “Redeemed, redeemed, His child and forever I am.” With ever-increasing confidence and overflowing joy, your sincere passionate ability, and strong conviction to proclaim, “Not the same, I am changed Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb by His grace, I am saved I’m His child, forever, I am. Hallelujah! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb….”[3] To cry out to Jesus, confessing him as Savior and Lord from your heart—your whole being changed: spiritual, intellectual, volitional redeemed by the blood of the Lamb is what matters most! Moreover, to work-out this great salvation with vigor, fear, and trembling before our holy, holy, holy God is necessary evidence of genuine redemption and will be greatly rewarded. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works…” You and me are God’s workmanship created to live strong, mature, and be strengthened throughout our Christ life. I can’t conjure up “good works” or figure this out in my own strength! You can’t either. Humble, thankful before the throne of grace, “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.[4]

We sing the African American spiritual, “Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart… Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart… Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart… Lord, I want to be more like Jesus in my heart…”[5] “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”[6] The Apostle Paul goes on to encourage believers, you and me, who are rooted and established in love, he prays for us to have power together with all the saints—a prayer to grasp the depths of Christ’s love and be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.[7] To be more loving, holy, more like Jesus is our high calling and realized as you, and me too, are filled with the fullness of God all the time. What? How? What does this look like? It seems to me that every truly regenerate heart strives in Holy Spirit power to grow and mature in love for God and other people. Our purpose to glorify God with our lives and enjoy Him forever has to begin and be sustained with a disciplined pursuit to truly experience and enjoy God in Spirit and truth.

To pursue God in the power of the Spirit looks like: “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”[8] Moreover, Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men [and women] will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”[9] What might be evident? The love of God “…does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”[10] How we relate interpersonally matters and the words that come out of my mouth reflect what is going on in my heart. Therefore, we pray and commune with God asking for help all the time. I need Thee every hour! Practically, at the basic new life in Christ, maturing and overcoming level I heed truth in Jesus, learn and grow in gospel truth, and strive in his strength to apply it in thought, words, affections, behaviors. Let’s pray for one another and even stay accountable with those you are growing in love with—the church is the family of God, small groups, meaningful Christ-centered relationships with mature believers helps me, and you too, especially as we work-out our salvation and fulfill God’s purpose for our redeemed lives.

Be ye encouraged to stay the gospel course! “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body whether good or bad.”[11]

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 together. First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way, Alpine 0900

You are invited to join gals for a time of encouragement and prayer. Sisters in Jesus representing local churches join Friday mornings to enjoy our God and pray powerfully and effectively as the Spirit leads. Thank you, sisters!

Brothers are meeting too! Mt. View Bible. 2710 Alpine Blvd. Alpine. 08730Join us if your schedule allows. It is always good to get together to encourage and seek our gracious God for help. If you haven’t been in a while, you are missed! Pray with us where ever God has you this Friday morning. We know that the prayers of the righteous in Christ are powerful and effective and we are definitely strengthened by the prayers of many. Peace.
Zoom available.

[1] https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Redeemed_How_I_Love_to_Proclaim_It/