Friday Morning Prayer:)… September 7, 2016
September 7, 2016 - 7 minutes readWhat a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.[1]
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”[2]
________________________
Beloved,
This week has had its challenges. Whether interpersonal, financial, intrapersonal (within oneself), social, scheduling, work issues, life frustrations, etc., you know your challenges, your struggles, those things that our gracious God uses to form and shape our life In Christ. I read, “No combination of happenings can be termed “bad” for a Christian because of God’s constant superintendence (Rom 8:28).”[3]
Our ever-present God! The reality of this paradox, to be joyful in the midst of our struggles, pain, and suffering, is only explained and experienced “In Christ.” Therefore, I must cultivate, pursue, desperately cry out for God’s presence to influence, even direct my thoughts, feelings, spoken words, and behaviors. Yes, “I” must, but be ye encouraged as we co-participate, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”[4]
You know as do I, for our joy to be “always” we truly “pray continually.” “…the only way to cultivate a joyful attitude in times of trial.”[5] As I, and YOU lean on the everlasting arms, hence our constant dependence on God, we constantly engage in recurring prayer. The body of Christ (Mt. View) and others send out weekly prayer emails to remind us to pray for those struggling in the body. I ask brothers to pray for me and I assure them I too will pray for them as we journey from week to week. Our Friday morning prayer is a joy! Brothers and sisters gathering in obedience to pray.
The Holy Spirit brings to mind, even through prayer request emails or prayer lists, those we bring before the throne of grace. I visited the Hope Coffee Shop here in Alpine today. I was with a brother there on Saturday. He was brought to my mind at that moment, I prayed for my brother. I think of many brothers and sisters through the week and pray. As you are In Christ, you do too! Thank you!
Our goal is to be continually growing in grace! A constant longing for our God! Pursuing Him and enjoying His presence. A cultivated prayer life ensures this end. On the other hand, to neglect prayer is a major cause of stagnation, imbalance, and a joyless Christian. NO! Lean on the “Everlasting Arms” pray continually and pursue the face of the saints daily! Obedience in this way only encourages, especially as the Holy Spirit empowers!
“Prayer is the secret of holiness—if holiness, indeed, has anything secretive about it.”[6] R. C. Sproul reminds us of honorable men of old. John Wesley didn’t think much of pastors who did not pray at least four hours a day. Moreover, Luther prayed for at least an hour daily, but on particularly busy days he’d pray for two hours. Prayer matters! It does make a difference as our sovereign God orchestrates this world, your life and mine according to His grace. May our hours, days, weeks be overflowing with much prayer. Indeed! Your prayers and mine spontaneous, yet constant through our busy schedules.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
I have peace complete with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
__________________
Sisters are meeting to pray! Yes! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited to join our sisters In Christ. Go be encouraged as gals meet to pray and seek the face of God. If you know sisters in the family of Christians, invite them to attend. No pressure or expectations. Just faithful gals from different fellowships joining to encourage and pray. Pass it on! :)…
Brothers are meeting to pray! Mt. View Bible. 2710 Alpine Blvd. Alpine. 0730.
2nd Friday of the month we meet at Mt. View to enjoy brothers for a little while. We intentionally pray and enjoy our gracious God. If you can’t make it, pray for our fellowship. The unity of the brothers is pleasing to our God and most beneficial for us. You are invited. If you are out of fellowship, it is time to seek the face of the saints daily! God knows you need it, I most definitely do too! :)…. Make it happen as the Lord leads. An opportunity to be encouraged and strengthened in our shared faith.
Your brother In Christ,
Randall:)….
[1] https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/558
[2] 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
[3] The expositor’s bible commentary. (1978) F.E. Gaebelein. Vol 11.
[4] Philippians 2:12-13
[5] The expositor’s bible commentary. (1978) F.E. Gaebelein. Vol 11.
[6] The Place of Prayer in the Christian Life
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