Friday Morning Prayer….:) September 22, 2016
September 22, 2016 - 7 minutes readIn shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.[1]
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”[2]
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Beloved ‘In Christ,’
Be ye encouraged, especially as we are washed in the blood of the Lamb, hence experiencing the cleansing power of Jesus, fully trusting in His grace every hour. Indeed, “God leads His dear children along.” Rejoice! God through Jesus has ‘circumcised your heart so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.’[3]
A brother referenced Psalm 107 as he was being led through the fire and experiencing sorrow this week. I appreciated the desperate need for prayer, hence a recognition that our sovereign God does hear when we ‘cry out’ in trouble. Our prayerful expectation and constant plea is for those we love to be delivered from their distress. In every circumstance, our God leads and we “…give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds…” whether on the mount or in the valley, we are compelled by the Spirit to “…tell of his works with songs of joy.”[4]
Trials and tribulations cause me to seek comfort from our God. Pain prompts me to engage with God, pursue the saints, and ask brothers/sisters for help through prayer. I am certain there are times when I need to repent and ‘circumcise myself to the Lord, circumcise my heart’[5] so I can find joy in sweet comforting fellowship. God sovereignly calls unto salvation, yet Scripture is clear of our need to participate in the renewing process. Yes, “washed in the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb” therefore, “Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin.”[6]
My prayer for myself and those God has brought into my sphere of influence, especially as a “transforming participant” in the grace of God, is to ‘Be kind and compassionate to others, forgiving without hesitation, just as in Christ God forgave me.’ Moreover, to ‘be imitators of God… and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.’[7] Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, commands us to live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as family, and be compassionate and humble.[8]
Sister/brother, I pray you are encouraged to pursue God in Spirit and truth every day! Our calling is one of co-participation. Therefore, I must discipline myself to pray, seek God through His word, fellowship with the saints, and fulfill the longing to worship my God and enjoy His presence always. I must walk daily by our Savior’s side. You too! Yes! We strive, yet not in our own strength! “…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.”[9]
Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.
Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.
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Sister are meeting to pray! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited! Sisters In Christ meeting to ask, seek, knock… go encourage and be encouraged! It is a joy when diverse gals get together for sweet fellowship and intentional prayer! Get the word out about this refuge of grace among Christian gals. Pray with us for our sisters gathering to pray in Alpine. May the Spirit lead and empower as He determines.
Yes, brothers are meeting too! Bethel Assembly. 1929 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0730.
4th Friday. Thank you Bethel for hosting! Brothers from different fellowships gathering to pray and enjoy our gracious God. You are invited! Just one hour, a truly sweet hour! We fellowship for 15 min or so… then we intentionally pray and allow the Spirit to lead us. Choosing to ‘be humble,’ obedient brothers seeking the Lord. Many times we must embrace the silence in quiet prayer, other times we intercede with various requests, and many times lifting the body of Christ represented through the various churches. Check it out if you can… pray with and for us if you can’t make it. If you have a request, feel free to share.
Your brother ‘In Christ.’
Randall:)….
[1]http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/God_Leads_Us_Along/
[2] James 1:12
[3] Deuteronomy 30:6
[4] Psalm 107:21-22
[5] Jeremiah 4:4
[6]http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Are_You_Washed_in_the_Blood/
[7] Ephesians 4:32, 5:1-2
[8] 1 Peter 3:8
[9] Philippians 2:12b-13
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