Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.[1]
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”[2]
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Beloved,
As struggles persist in this life I can rejoice “…in the hope of the glory of God.” Although suffering hurts and the comfort of your presence, maybe just silence, or the act of coming along side to mourn is needed, Paul encourages us “…because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”[3] In our reconciled state with God, we be justified through faith, experience the joy of being right with God, even are at peace through our Lord Jesus. In Christ we look forward, a blessed assurance, that day when every genuine believer will enjoy fully the presence of God, his Shekinah-glory. Today, be ye encouraged reconciled sister/brother, “…we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”[4]
In the midst of trials, suffering and turmoil God is forever present molding and shaping my life into the image of Jesus. Help me Lord to recognize your design to produce the qualities of constancy, character, and convinced hope. O the need to be weaned from the world, to reflect the holiness of our gracious God. Ultimately, my hope, yours too, is based in God’s love. Indeed! The Holy Spirit continuing to open my blinded eyes, and awaken my dead heart to understand better and experience greater the sacrificial love at the cross.
Our indwelling God. In awe, humbly we go, move and have our being. Controlled by the Spirit, putting to death the misdeeds of the body, living in Christ. Yes! Children of God crying out, “Abba, Father.” “…we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” In fact, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”[5] Therefore, we persevere!
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”[6] Beloved, God knows you through Jesus. We all fall short of the glory of God, yet are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. In fact, “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”[7] In Christ, we have fellowship with God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. We pray, sing, love, encourage, overflow, because our holy, holy, holy God indwells, even pursues us, molding and shaping into the likeness of Jesus, even through our sufferings.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.
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Sisters are meeting to pray! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited sister! Gals from various churches gathering to unite in prayer. Invite a friend and experience a sweet hour of prayer.
Brothers are meeting at First Baptist too! 0730.
Our brother Robert is out of town. Keep our faithful brother in prayer. Brothers gathering to live out our calling! Men of God joining to pray. Humble before the throne. You are invited! Diverse for sure, always united at the cross! :).
Joy!
Randall:).
[1] http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh064.sht[2] Romans 5:5
[3] Ibid. 5:3b-4
[4] Ibid. 5:2b-4 [5] Ibid. 8:17b
[6] Ibid. 8:28
[7] Romans 3:23-25a