Friday Morning Prayer:). September 24, 2015

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee![1]

“Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.”[2]

Faithful In Christ,

I read last night, “Prayer is difficult, and often an arduous work-but it is the life and soul of a Christian. It is not only his incumbent duty—but his most precious privilege.”[3]

The inspired writer of Hebrews assures us that the promise of “entering his rest still stands…”[4] You believe the gospel! Yes! Our God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit abides with us! Our great reality! I don’t want to fall short of it! Nor do YOU! In Christ we have assurance! However, the warning still stands as well. “See to it, brothers, [sisters] that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” NO! “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”[5]

I need encouragement! You do too! I love to encourage brothers and sisters to persevere in our shared faith! A brother texted me early morning yesterday… just to encourage and let me know he was praying for my family and me. It does the heart good to be encouraged! Therefore, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”[6]

Seeking God’s face, an insatiable hunger… thirst… mercy and abundant grace elicits that strong desire to be “Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Lord I need you… oh I need you… every hour I need you! So many distractions, the world system pulling, the good works, family responsibilities, work requirements… we gotta pay the bills, provide, love others, pray, choose to be humble in every circumstance, truly spend time with God through His living Word…it takes serious discipline to keep a healthy balance! Oh Lord! Yes! We, In Christ, with confidence, cry out to our gracious God! He understands and cares about all my problems, struggles, forgives my recurring sins, especially as I pray with the psalmist, “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.”[7]

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received

And You’ve won my heart
Yes You’ve won my heart
Now I can

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross[8]

My Sincere prayer is that you, brother/sister are engaging in the precious privilege of unceasing prayer and pursuing daily intimacy with our gracious God! :).

Sisters are meeting to pray! First Baptist Church. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900. You are invited! Pursue this time of fellowship, prayer, and encouragement with fellow sisters. Be a blessing!

Brothers are meeting at Bethel Assembly. 1926 Arnold Way. 0730. Join brothers from different fellowships for a short hour of prayer. No pressure, no expectations other than humble men seeking our holy God! You are invited!

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

LoVe Others! MUCH!

Randall:).

[1] http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Nearer_My_God_to_Thee/
[2] Psalm 27:7-8
[3] We may have audience with the King of the universe! Jared Waterbury, www.Gracegems.org
[4] Hebrews 4:1
[5] Ibid 3:12-13
[6] Ibid 10:23-24
[7] Palm 28:2
[8] Kathryn Scott – At The Foot Of The Cross (Ashes To Beauty) lyrics
View on www.allthelyrics.com
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