Friday Morning Prayer:). September 17, 2015
September 19, 2015 - 7 minutes readAmazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.[1]
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.[2]
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see….And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”[3]
Faithful In Christ,
I pray you, brother/sister, friend… are growing in grace, enjoying our God …found in Him… our only crown is knowing Him! We sing, “…Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.” [4] Yes! Amazing Grace! Nothing but the blood! I have embraced, responded to the gracious call of our Holy God… His wounds have paid my ransom! You too! Exciting! Therefore, In Christ, in the midst of it all there is peace like a river… whatever my lot it is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul![5]
A recurring theme this week has been “balance” our need to have a healthy balance in our Christ life. There are so many “good” things to pursue. A faithful brother encouraged and challenged me to reflect on the necessity of staying balanced. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”[6]
How necessary to examine myself, daily…crying out for wisdom to recognize, discern, pursue, God’s perfect rest… for all who humbly come to Christ. In Christ we rely on supernatural power to ease our way from under the burdens of this life and of the legalistic duties we think we have to maintain.
My hunger, thirst… excitement and energy…intense love for Jesus, the brokenhearted, and the gospel has to be realized in the true Sabbath-rest offered by our Lord. Not “my” works! No! The work of God! “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”[7] Moreover, be encouraged! This supernatural “rest” is for all who will humbly come to Jesus in faith. “There remains, then a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.”[8] Therefore, we strongly encourage folks, especially myself, to enter God’s rest!
Our daily pursuit is to love the Lord our God with all we got! Our whole being crying out to our gracious God! Moreover, we love people, all types of people. The hurting, broken, those appearing to have it “all together.” We love the family of God… those like and unlike us too! The outcast, the drug addict, the mentally ill, the homeless, co-workers, etc., I can’t be balanced outside of Christ. Therefore, I must pursue God every day, morning, noon, and night, to experience healthy balance in my life. You too!
I intentionally pray for my brothers and sisters, my church family, leadership, my community…folks receiving this email…YOU! I need to engage with fellow believers, pray together, carry burdens of those struggling, share my burdens… That’s how I pursue balance. I very much enjoy listening to worship and praise music… adoring our God in prayer… confessing my sins before our Holy God, intentionally taking every thought captive and striving to maintain an attitude of gratitude, with thanksgiving… God’s abundant grace every day!
I know God cares for you and your struggles… He loves us way beyond our understanding… therefore, I can bring many prayers and petitions…concerns, heartaches, difficulties… along with my adoration and praise!
I encourage you this day and always, to enjoy our God! Through prayer and study of the Living Word… we come to know intimately His love, His lead, His empowerment to do the works He has prepared in advance for us to do!
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.[9]
Sisters are meeting to pray! You are invited! Join our faithful sisters at First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900. JOY!
Brothers are meeting at First Baptist too! 0730! Come join us for a short hour of prayer! You are invited! Pass along the invite! If you can’t make it, we do appreciate your help through your prayers.
Overflow!
LoVe YOU! MUCH!
[1] http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Amazing_Grace/
[2] http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/b/nbtblood.htm
[3] Hebrews 11:1, 6
[4] http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/a/l/faljesus.htm
[5] http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul/
[6] Matthew 11:28-30
[7] Ephesians 2:10
[8] Hebrews 4:9-10
[9] Be Thou My Vision > Lyrics | Dallan Forgaill
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