Friday Morning Prayer:)… October 15, 2020
October 15, 2020 - 12 minutes readI know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.
I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.[1]
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”[2]
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It is encouraging and comforting that ‘it is God who makes you and me stand firm in Christ.’ “He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”[3] We read the Apostle Paul’s inspired words and agree, relate, consume, and digest gospel truth! Our gracious merciful God has sovereignly grabbed you—a letter of divine authorship written by the Spirit of the living God and inscribed on your heart and mine too.[4] This supernatural letter is evidenced by life-changing, character-forming gospel truth overflowing from a regenerate heart. “Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.”[5] “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”[6]
How is this ever-increasing glory realized? Paul contrasted the glory of the old covenant through Moses with the glory of the superior new covenant in Christ. In the new covenant, all truly regenerate Christians behold and then reflect the glory of Jesus. Under the old covenant, the law is read with veiled hearts. However, you, me, and every genuine Christian embracing gospel truth reflect the Lord’s glory inwardly from a regenerate heart through an ever-transforming character.
“…we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”[7] We love others, endure trials, overcome ridicule, and impending persecution because God through his mercy “…made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”[8] It’s not about me or you, “…but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as [your] servants for Jesus’ sake.”[9] Be ye encouraged, ‘we do not lose heart’ even when outwardly we are struggling, even wasting away, “yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”[10] Our troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all, ”…provided [ or, since] we keep our eyes fixed…“[11] not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”[12]
The Apostle Paul encourages us in that we have been given spiritual eyes to recognize our heavenly dwelling and even long for it. We live by faith, not necessarily by sight. We are confident and would prefer to be in heaven with Jesus in a glorified state. Nonetheless, the Lord is present with us through the indwelling Holy Spirit and we enjoy fellowship and rely on Jesus every moment of every day. However, when that glorious day comes, we expect even greater person-to-person communion with Christ. In fact, Paul encourages us as he did before, “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.”[13]
It is our goal in this life to please the Lord while we reside in these jars of clay, our physical bodies.[14] “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”[15] It is comforting to know, ”…there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…”[16] However, ‘we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our deeds whether good or bad. Jesus said, ”There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known.“ To be reminded that all my deeds, words, reactions, thoughts will be revealed on that day elicited pause. I am in Christ cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. I rejoice in gospel truth—the Spirit empowers me and I have been given gifts to serve. By God’s grace, I sense supernatural enjoyable fellowship with God and strive in his strength to glorify him. On my best day, I still sin and fall short of the glory of God. Hoekema (1979) stated that the failures and shortcomings of believers will be exposed on the Day of Judgement. “But—and this is the important point—the sins and shortcomings of believers will be revealed in the judgment as forgiven sins, whose guilt has been totally covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.“[17]
We pray and ask God to illuminate the Scriptures to our minds, to mature us, and help us work-out this great salvation with fear and trembling. The realization that I will have to give an account of everything I have done in word, deed, and thought serves as an incentive to fight the good fight of faith! Yes! Let us encourage one another to fight against sin and be conscientious disciples of Christ who live our redeemed lives different from the worldly system and unregenerate pagan lifestyles. I pray for ever-increasing godly motivation to pursue holiness, to cry out to the Lord for help more often, to redirect thoughts, to spend more time in prayer, more motivated to ask God if I am where he wants me.
Bringing the judgment seat of Christ to mind and realizing that at any moment I could be before our holy, holy, holy God for evaluation and receive my rewards for works done while living out my Christ-life. I expect to suffer loss for things done in the flesh and reliance on self. Yes, it is vital that you and me too are careful in how we build. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Insist and discern by God’s grace to build your Christ-life using gold, silver, and costly stones. The wood, hay, and straw I’ve used will be shown for what it is on that Day. “It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s [and woman’s] work.”[18] If my work survives, I get a reward, if not I suffer loss. This gospel truth has definitely caused self-examination, an honest look at complacency, recurring habits, worldly pleasures, time-management, discipline, obedience, etc. It is cool when those flesh driven reactions are quickly altered and the Spirit of God is helping me because of my persistence in asking for his help in secret and corporate prayer.
Beloved, be ye encouraged to persevere in Christ and anticipate with confidence that Day.
I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.
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Sisters are meeting for a time of prayer. First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way, Alpine, 0900
You are welcome to join faithful gals for a time of encouragement and prayer. Thank you, sisters, in Jesus!
Brothers are meeting too. Mt. View Bible 2710 Alpine Blvd, Alpine, 0730
Join us if your schedule allows. A time to surrender all before the throne of grace, love and encourage one another and pray as the Spirit of God leads our sweet hour of prayer.
Zoom will be accessible too.
[1] https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/I_Know_Whom_I_Have_Believed/
I Know Whom I have Believed | Fountainview Academy | God so Loved the World
I Know Whom I have Believed | Fountainview Academy | God so Loved the World
[2] 2 Corinthians 4:7
[3] 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
[4] Ibid 3:3
[5] Ibid 3:4
[6] Ibid 3:18
[7] Ibid 4:7
[8] Ibid v. 6
[9] Ibid v. 5
[10] Ibid v. 16
[11] Expositor’s Bible Commentary (1976). F. E. Gaebelein (ed.) Vol. 10
[12] 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
[13] Ibid 5:5
[14] Ibid 5:9
[15] Ibid 5:10
[16] Romans 8:1
[17] Hoekema, Anthony A. The Bible and the Future (1979) Eerdmans Publishing Co.
[18] 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
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