You and I have a Creator Who loves us, has a specific good plan for our lives and wants fellowship with us. When you and I receive Jesus as Lord and Savior we have 24/7 access to Him. King David in the 10^th century BC identified 3 different ways to access Jesus. Perhaps it is because our circumstances differ and access needs to adapt to the need.

Call

Psalm 55:¹⁶As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

We can call upon Jesus. He is always there. There will be no “hold please”. There will be no “call back later please”. He is always there.

Psalm 145:¹⁸ The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Hebrews 4:¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. ¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Call – to ask or request

Cry

Psalm 55¹⁷Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. ¹⁸He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. ¹⁹God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. ²⁰He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. ²¹The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Sometimes the problem is too great, the pain is too much and the difficulty too overwhelming to articulate. We just cry out to Jesus.

Cry – to call loudly; to yelp

Psalms 145: ¹⁹He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Romans 8:¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. ¹⁸For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Galatians 4:⁴ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, ⁵To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. ⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. ⁷Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Cast

Psalm 55²²Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Cast – to throw or hurl

1 Peter 5:⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: ⁷Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Sweet Hour of Prayer –William W. Walford, 1845

1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care,
   And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known.
   In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief,
   And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
   Of those whose anxious spirits burn With strong desires for thy return!
   With such I hasten to the place Where God my Savior shows His face,
   And gladly take my station there, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

3. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear
   To Him whose truth and faithfulness Engage the waiting soul to bless.
   And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace,
   I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

4. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share,
   Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight.
   This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise To seize the everlasting prize,
   And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti