Friday Morning Prayer:)…

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer,
With His blood He purchased me,
On the cross He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free[1]

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures…. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior…”[2] _____________________

His tears shed as he sat there broken, rejected, saying, “this was not fair.” After nearly four years in an as though married relationship, she won’t even respond to his phone calls. It is over. Another fella this week said, “I put all my eggs in that basket, so to speak.” He dated and genuinely “loved” a gal 10 plus years of his life. He expected to marry her, even bought her a ring for when the time was right. She abruptly ended the relationship in pursuit of someone else. After nearly one month, he continues to struggle day after day to keep going. His joy is gone. A 40 something yr. old man expressed longing to visit his aging father. However, a history of chronic conflict among family members, alcohol and drug problems, an absence of Christian principles, especially love and forgiveness keeps the separation and longing for relationship a constant.

Beloved In Christ,

Our gracious God has designed us to be in relationship. We are social beings and need one another. Adam intimately related with God, as did Eve. In relationship with each other and in communion with God, as God designed it. This too reflects the nature of our God. Praise our all-powerful, all-knowing, purposeful triune God who created us in his likeness.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”[3]

The opportunities of suffering. In suffering and pain we readily ask questions like: Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Is God real? If so, does he care about my pain?

We recognize, through Adam and Eve, the consequences of disobedience, hence sin against God, has plagued the entire human race with this original sin against our holy God. Therefore, especially as an active sin-contributor many times over, I have to face the hardships and struggles which this life imposes. However, In Christ, we sing, “There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son, precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One…”[4] Indeed! “Sing, O sing of my Redeemer, with His blood he purchased me; on the cross he sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free.”

Moreover, for each person’s pain mentioned, yours too, there is a Redeemer, supernatural regeneration, transformation, comforter, sustainer, etc., John tells us, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”[5] Furthermore, our sovereign God draws people to himself from every context, especially through our suffering and pain. “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”[6] Wow! We be designed for an intimate, nurturing, comforting relationship with our God. Our merciful God helps, molds, shapes, develops, matures us through our most difficult, even darkest seasons. Jesus, our God,

“For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.[7]

With confidence I know! Therefore, “I will tell the wondrous story, How my lost estate to save, In His boundless love and mercy, He the ransom freely gave.” As I listened through and encouraged perseverance under the suffering this week, I trust God to do the transforming as he determines. We pray, pray, pray for those we love and the many in our churches, families, work-places, etc., who need to be in relationship with Jesus, our first love who gives us wisdom to manage all our varied human relationships. Thank you for your prayers too. Indeed, we help one another through our prayers.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant pow’r I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

____________________

Sisters are meeting to pray this week! First Baptist. 1912 Arnold Way. Alpine. 0900.
You are invited! Invite a sister In Christ or a friend who needs the love of God’s people. Thank you gals for meeting faithfully every week to pray and seek our gracious God. A blessing for sure!

Brothers are meeting too! Grace Fellowship @ Alpine Community Church. 2225 W. Victoria. Alpine. 0730.
Faithful men of God, humble and disciplined to engage in a sweet hour of prayer. Thankful. A joy when brothers meet to encourage, love, spur on, and faithfully pray as the Holy Spirit leads our time together. You are invited! It is always good to see YOU! :).

Your brother In Christ,

Randall:).

[1] https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/305
[2] Titus 3:3a; 4-6.
[3] Genesis 1:26a; 27
[4] http://www.lyricsfreak.com/k/keith+green/there+is+a+redeemer_20077361.html
[5] 1 John 4:10
[6] Acts 17:27
[7] Hebrews 2:17-18

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