Month: February 2021

“Absorbed in Prayer and Praise”

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD, PRAYER, TRUTH5 Comments

Everyone is absorbed in something. It may only be “self.”

It is no secret that our minds and hearts soak in what we see, read, hear, and think. Without a desire for what is good and the means to attain it, we are continually saturated with the things of the world. These are our gods ~ second to self ~ and rule our lives. This lifestyle is one of oppression that suppresses all that is good and true and leads to depression and destruction.

But, life does not have to be this way.

God, our Creator, planned a beautiful life for fellowship with Him. Though our first parents rejected Him choosing a life of sin and rebellion, we have a new life provided for us in His Son, Jesus Christ.

He gives us His Spirit and His Word whereby we can know Him and receive all He planned for us. He promises to share his bountiful kingdom with us (Luke 12:32).

Through our study of His Word, we are led by His Holy Spirit to communicate with him in prayer and supplication. He continues to pour out His blessings upon us as we acknowledge Him as our Father and Redeemer.

We Do Not Know How to Pray
Romans 8:26-27  teaches us that though we do not know how to pray, His Holy Spirit intercedes through us. Prayer is a matter of commitment and discipline of time with our heavenly Father, seeking His Spirit, His presence, and His will. He calls us to fellowship with Him in His Word so as to know what we should ask.

We ask, believing what He has promised, thanking Him as we wait for Him to fulfill His promise. When we come to Him, in humility and gratitude for who He is, speaking His Word, and interceding for others, we know He hears us. In the process, our faithful and fervent prayers turn to praise.

“But you are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.”
Psalm 22:3

 We cannot but praise Him when we live in fellowship with Him. The more we pray in the Spirit and with understanding of His Word, the more we will praise Him.

Our praise is a witness of Him to others. We can share the joy we have in Him even and especially, through adversity.

The phrase, “absorbed in prayer and praise” is found within the lyrics of the hymn Crown Him with Many Crowns by Matthew Bridges 1851.

Crown him the Lord of peace!
Whose power a scepter sways,
From pole to pole,–that wars may cease,
Absorbed in prayer and praise:
His reign shall know no end,
And round his pierced feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend
Their fragrance ever sweet.

At times, His presence may be overwhelming ~ it may seem as if heaven is opened to reveal a glimpse of His glory. This is a taste of heaven ~ a precious and joyful communion with Him.

More time in prayer and praise leads to a habitual lifestyle of obedience, continual trust, and dependence on Him. It may take years before we experience the depth and height of this life in Christ, but it is worth the practice and the wait.

Gracious Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Make us know your presence and power as we daily seek your kingdom and your righteousness. Let us not miss anything you have prepared for us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran

Images: Google

Facing Christ in our Sin

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE1 Comment

Praise God for his love and mercy, for sending his Son into the world to save sinners, for the perfect, unassailable, all-sufficient righteousness we have through Jesus Christ’s obedience imputed to us;
praise our Savior for giving the good confession when we have denied God’s claims upon our lives;
praise him for his steadfastness in the hour of severest testing and shame;

praise God that he is the Judge of all the earth and will do right; watches over us with unceasing vigilance, and is working all things for our good and his glory;
praise our Savior that all authority is given to him in heaven and earth, that he rules over all things for his church, and that his name is the WORD OF GOD who is marching and making war;
praise and bless the Lord that the great and mighty King is our merciful and sympathetic High Priest, interceding for us at the Father’s right hand. Pastor Strevel.

Pastor Strevel’s sermon on Peter’s denial
 
 
 

 

 

Where Jesus Is

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD, QUOTES, TRUTH5 Comments

We are excited to publish our granddaughter’s first art book Where Jesus Is.

Today through Friday, you can download and share the kindle version free.
Next week it will be listed for $5.99.
It will be available soon in paperback and hardbound.
We hope to do versions for men and children and audio.

Used as a means for memorization and meditation, we trust the Holy Spirit to use God’s Word in and through us to conform us to His image.

Daily doses serve to prepare us for the rule of Christ within us.

One volume is not enough to express all Christ is and does in us ~ this is only a beginning. Volumes II and III will be available later, Lord willing.

Please pray that we, as God’s children and followers of Christ, will use this little book personally, and with our families, to arm ourselves against temptation and the powers and principalities of this world. He lives forever ruling in heaven ~ and by His Holy Spirit and Word within us, we are His kings and priests in this world. 

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When America was “Great”

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, THE LORD'S DAY (SABBATH)5 Comments

The following email was from a friend.

The subject:
Super Bowl 14 Years ago. – this will bring a tear.

This may be the last time you’ll ever see something like this at an NFL game.   Super Bowl 2005…..

This video was shot 14 + years ago. There has been quite a change since then. 

PLEASE CLICK HERE

 

After watching the video, my thoughts flashed back to the beginning and the sequence of the change. My comments are below.

Thank you for sharing this.
 
Yes, it brought a tear.
But more tears have been shed over losing our devotion to God.
 
Before there was a Super Bowl, an American flag, and patriotism, there was a church that met every Sunday.
 
Sunday was observed as a holy day. 
That day was hollowed and observed as the Lord’s Day.
  
Before there was football, there was loyalty and obedience to God.
 
Now, the doors are closed to the worship we once knew.
 
We need to cry for what we lost before America lost her greatness.
We need to repent and in faith, find our way back to God.
 
“Rivers of waters run down my eyes,
because they do not keep your law.”
Psalm 119:136
Gracious Father, have mercy upon us and save us. You are our only hope. Turn us back to you ~ we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power;”
Psalm 110:3