Month: April 2016

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

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ACCEPTABLE SABBATH TALK

5/5/09

Screen Shot 2016-03-15 at 11.39.03 AM“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16 ESV).

Admonish one another… It does not mean pointing out specific sins to one another—or specific ways to improve. Yet, this is exactly my tendency when my old nature is ruling me.

It must be that my human nature thinks it can be successful if it dissects the commandments of GOD and works on keeping them one at a time. I make much to-do to be as perfect as possible. I preach to myself (and others). “This is what you should be doing.” I bemoan my sin—making much about my flaws. I never run out of ways to tell myself (and others) how to shape up.

The only thing my old nature can do it work hard, then judge myself better than others. Period. Old-nature-work puts me in the valley by pointing out my failure to help my sisters and brothers.

Admonishing should have nothing to do with specific actions, instead, its keeping my sisters and brothers accountable for their relationship with JESUS—with the intention to increase their affections for JESUS.

May I let all songs and words and actions point to the joy in a relationship with CHRIST. Admonish by making others long for a relationship like you have with CHRIST.

Note: This entry is important direction to myself as I concentrate on acceptable talk with my fellow Christians.

SABBATH

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THE INTENT OF THE SABBATH

“…actual intent of the Sabbath – to bring rest and well-being…” ESV Study Bible (ref#125, p1844, [Matt 12:8]).

GOD rested after creation:

“God entered into Himself again after He had created the world out of Himself, that all created things might enter into Him…and was designed by the strict prohibition of all work to force them to enter into themselves and occupy their minds with God and His word” Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament (ref#68, [Isa 58:13-14]).

“God’s purpose for the earth is that it should become his dwelling place; it is not simply made to house his creatures….The concept of the earth as a divine sanctuary…runs throughout the whole Bible, coming to a climax in the future reality that the apostle John sees in his vision of the ‘new heaven and a new earth’…” ESV Study Bible (ref#125, [Gen 2:1-3]).

JESUS rested after redemption:

“Just as He rested after performing the ultimate sacrifice, He sat down and rested—ceased from His labor of atonement because there was nothing more to be done, ever….Jesus was sent so that we might rest in God and in what He has provided” (ref#172).

I rest in their accomplishments—my faith in them produces my rest. I rest by doing nothing but believing what they have done. The Triune GOD has done all the work. My Sabbath rest and consequent strength for the coming week is realized by a day-long dwelling in the Kingdom of GOD, going around His altar reviewing and proclaiming His mercies.

Seems the result of Sabbath rest is experiencing my faith strengthened—noticing more and more being ruled by GOD. Confirming the dependence on Him thrills my heart—realizing this is what I was created for and finding rest in it.

“In Thy Presence silence best becomes us, but love inflames our hearts and constrains us to speak” A. W. Tozer (ref#117, p6).

SUPPLICATION

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GENERAL SICKNESS

[The majority of our prayers concern physical health. We all know someone who is dealing with the pain of sickness. Here is an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

DECISIONS ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES

Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 3.56.16 PM…FATHER, ____ is searching for the best course to take regarding (his/her) health. Health care now days parallels shopping here and there for the best product. It consists of gathering information—listening to different opinions—then making a decision.

More doctors are expressing their difference of opinion with their own comrades making patients leery of them all. And, the more knowledge ____ gathers, the more tempting it is to use (his/her) carnal mind [that draws logical conclusions] to make (his/her) decision. But FATHER, Your thoughts are higher. They are not like human thoughts. You see the end as well as the beginning. Your opinion is the one ____ should take.

Before ____ makes a decision (he/she) should make You (his/her) decision—not this or that treatment. For You are the one who controls sickness and wellness.

“The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses…the limitation on sickness is wisely adapted to our strength, to the intended purpose of the sickness, and to the grace apportioned. Affliction does not come haphazardly” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, August 17th, PM).

I pray that ____ fix (his/her) mind upon You, FATHER—that eternal, affection You bestow on (him/her). Your tender, unwearied, inextinguishable love will renew ____’s “inward man while the outward is decaying day by day…” Octavius Winslow (ref#61, Oct 18th).

FATHER, You have set ____ apart for Your work, but more exclusively and entirely not only for Your work but for Yourself. ____’s great desire is to glorify You. I pray (he/she) let You select the means which (he/she) may best advance Your glory (ref#61, August 16th).

Show Yourself to ____ as GOD of all grace, love, and power. You have a “balm for every wound, a solace for all anguish, a remedy for every pain, a peace for all disquietude” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p165). Permit (him/her) to commit (himself/herself) to You awake or asleep (ref#76, p165).

“It is very comforting to know that He who has set the boundaries of our habitation has also set the boundaries of our tribulation” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, August 17th, PM).

Motivate ____ to turn (his/her) heart to You—to cast (himself/herself) upon Your bosom by faith and draw from You Your life (ref#33, p20). Then in such closeness, (he/she) will hear plainly Your instruction about (his/her) health.

THANKSGIVING

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YOUR STEADFAST LOVE KEEPS ME FOREVER

Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 3.46.48 PM…FATHER, You have found me and anointed me with holy oil; Your arm establishes and strengthens me so that my enemies cannot outwit me. You crush my foes; Your faithfulness and steadfast love are with me (Ps 89:20-24). You keep me forever and Your covenant stands firm for me (Ps 89:28).

And when I forsake Your laws and don’t walk according to Your rules violating Your statutes and not keeping Your commandments You faithfully punish my transgressions with the rod and my iniquities with stripes (Ps 89:30-32). But, You will not remove Your steadfast love from me or be false to Your faithfulness; You will not violate Your covenant or alter the word that went froth from Your lips (Ps 89:33-34).

FATHER, everlasting thanks to You for keeping me when I do not keep You. My life is like Your chosen Israelites so aptly depicted in the book of Judges—“And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord….Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel…” (Judges 3:7-8 ESV). “But when the people of Israel cried out…the Lord raised up a deliverer…who saved them…” (Judges 3:9 ESV).

You are forever disciplining me with Your rod, then saving me with Your staff (Ps 23:4). And assuring me that by Your holiness I will endure forever; like the moon, I am established (Ps 89:35,37). Sin will not win over me. Hallelujah.

CONFESSION

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DISCIPLINE

Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 3.37.53 PM…FATHER, lead me to the correct understanding of discipline so I may not only appreciate it but joy in it. My first thought when You present me with a painful, difficult, situation is that You are punishing me because You think I should know better.

I am quite aware that I commit many and varied sins, but I don’t need discipline because I’m a sinner, I need to be disciplined because I’m human (ref#5, p40). It is my prideful humanity You are attempting to root out of me; You are not attempting to discourage me from a particular sin.

Keep reminding me Your reproof is an indication that You care enough to teach me (Job 5:17). Certainly at the moment all discipline is painful rather than pleasant but it yields the fruit of righteousness (Heb 12:11).

FATHER, I will praise You because You discipline me in just measure (Jer 30:11). You promise I can always endure whatever circumstances You put me in (1 Cor 10:13). You are with me to save me (Jer 30:11). You give me power to keep myself calm in the days of adversity (Ps 94:13). Enduring the disciplinary trial proves my faith and produces perseverance and steadfastness and patience (James 1:3).

FATHER, commit to my understanding the fact that You issue discipline because You love me (Heb 12:6). When I go astray You call me back to You with discipline. Your steadfast love will not depart from me (2 Sam 7:14-15). You will not be false to Your faithfulness, nor violate Your covenant or alter the word that goes forth from Your lips (Ps 89:33-34). You chasten and scourge me because You cherish me (Heb 12:6).

“Divine love chastens because it sees the necessity for the correction. The Lord’s love is not blind affection…. It is our mercy to know that love marks our iniquity, and that love and not justice, grace and not vengeance, holds the rod and administers the correction….those stripes of His rod are as much…the expression of His love as are the ‘kisses of His mouth’…” Octavius Winslow (ref#61, Jan 16th).

Submitting to Your discipline is good for me so I may share in Your holiness (Heb 12:10). I desire to be trained by it because it yields peaceful righteousness for me (Heb 12:11). Thank You for Your discipline.

ADORATION

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MY NATURE

Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 3.30.11 PM…FATHER, You have created me to be Your image bearer—to look and act like You. Humans are unique beings of Your creation; the rest of Your creation, without instruction, reflects Your glory but You have given mankind the assignment to declare Your excellencies (1 Pet 2:9).

Being human I am different from the rest of Your creation in three ways: (1) I can receive revelation from You (ref#5, p40). (2) You have given me the ability to interpret that revelation (ref#5, p41). (3) And, I am always a worshipper (ref#5, p44).

However, FATHER, soon after You created humans You permitted satan to corrupt them. Thus I was naturally born into a spiritually lifeless condition. My heart was not inclined to love You (ref#1 p38) nor did it listen, reflect, or worship You. Instead I carried in my spiritually dead body the promise from satan that I had autonomous personal wisdom without any need for You or Your revelation.

It was my nature to give into the lies of satan that convinced me I could be self-sufficient, and self-focused (ref#5, p14). It came naturally for me to idolize and worship everything but You (Ezek 14:5).

But, You imprisoned me with a sinful nature so You could offer me an escape by believing in JESUS CHRIST. You bound me so I might see the freedom CHRIST offers (Gal 3:22, Rom 11:32).

I adore You for giving me CHRIST so I now have the ability to triumph over my born-with nature. CHRIST not only saves me from sin but saves me from myself.

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

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WORSHIP REVIVAL

2/7/2016

Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 3.23.03 PMJerry thought I was on my way upstairs to take a nap—that’s what I told him. But, I passed by my office and dediced to read. ”I could try it; if I fall asleep then I’ll nap.”

Sunday afternoons usually consist of trying to read and falling asleep. Feeling exhausted, I figured I was about to repeat the scenario. So far the day was playing out like most Sundays—until…

I chose a book about the HOLY SPIRIT:

“The Church still has a theology of the Holy Ghost but it has no living consciousness of His presence and power….The answer is in the demonstration of a supernatural religion, and the only way to a supernatural religion is in the abiding presence of the Spirit of God” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p18-19).

This knowledge was nothing new but by hearing it again the spiritual coals inside me became a flame. I was no longer tired. I felt ecstatic like I do when I’m confronted with a situation I’ve been longing to repeat.

“Perfect, this is perfect. GOD is meeting me this Sunday. I won’t fall asleep and will have something neat to record in my journal.”

 

And, what happened next? I fell asleep reading; woke and tried to stay awake but after repeating the scenario many times, gave up and went off to nap.

I did eventually get up but walked past my office and the book to set up the keyboard and speaker. With nap over the HOLY SPIRIT was still burning and it was music that drew me.

I had recently discovered a much easier way of learning a new song—playing it with someone else. I would play and sing with the Youtube version. The short pre-nap reading about the HOLY SPIRIT, was influencing me.

Someone who only leads occasionally lead worship this morning. It was a certain song lingered upon that reminded me of my rare abandon worship that only takes place in a large worship gathering where everything is so loud that I cannot hear myself. At that moment I realized how anemic my worship had been lately. Yes, I realized my longing for HOLY SPIRIT inspired worship—a heart revival—something I could dive into with abandon.

Youtube is the music to keep me in worship: steady beat, never stopping because of mistakes, able to continue to the end of the worship song, enabling me to stop singing and just play or stop playing and just sing, and sing any note in the chord… and be one with the Youtube singers. And… SING at the top of my voice! WORSHIP REVIVAL!

SABBATH

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THE SABBATH DEFINED

“…the Sabbath was God’s first act after the earth had been made fit for human habitation,…This day, from the beginning, was a holy day…for the purpose of teaching man that whilst he might lawfully spend six days in worldly employments, he must rest on the seventh day” Archibald Alexander (ref#175).

“The Sabbath is a sign. It points to a truth that we are never to forget. The truth is that God (and not we ourselves) has sanctified us. He has chosen us and set us apart and worked to make us distinct among the peoples of the earth” John Piper (ref#169).

“…the Sabbath is a gift of love to meet man’s need, not an oppressive burden to make him miserable or proud….It should not be governed rigidly by narrow definitions of what is work and what is not. It is a day to focus on the Lord. And now Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath…so it is a day to focus on Jesus. And it is impossible that a day focused on Jesus should be a burden to the believing heart…” John Piper (ref#169).

“As the great object of all religious instruction and worship is to please God and secure His blessing, so let great care be taken that whatever is done be sincere, humble, and fervent” William S. Plumer (ref#183).

SUPPLICATION

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SORROW

[“Blessed are those who mourn…” (Matt 5:4 NASB). We know people who are grieving; let’s pray for them. Fill the name in the blanks to this prayer.]

JESUS WEPT

Screen Shot 2016-02-26 at 3.02.58 PMJESUS wept at the tomb of His friend, Lazarus (John 11:35). When He heard about the death of his cousin, John the Baptist, He withdrew and traveled by boat to a desolate place (Matt 14:13).

FATHER, as Your SON, ____ is in a similar situation. Help (him/her) along in the same way You ministered to JESUS.

____’s soul is bereft of peace and (he/she) has forgotten what happiness is (Lam 3:17). Keep (him/her); remember (his/her) affliction (Lam 3:19). You are (his/her) portion, give (him/her) a hope in You (Lam 3:24). May (he/she) wait quietly for You (Lam 3:26), for Your steadfast love never ceases, Your mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning (Lam 3:22-23).

FATHER, though You cause grief You also have compassion according to the abundance of Your steadfast love (Lam 3:32). Give ____ the measure of faith to understand You do not willingly afflict or grieve.

You are a GOD of all comfort, empower ____ with the ability to take refuge in You (Ps 71:1). Be to (him/her) a rock and fortress (Ps 71:3). You have made (him/her) see calamities but You will revive (him/her) again. From the depths of the earth You will bring (him/her) up again (Ps 71:20). You will comfort (him/her) and (he/she) will again praise You for Your faithfulness (Ps 71:21-22).

You are the FATHER of mercies and You will comfort ____ in (his/her) affliction so that (he/she) will, in Your time, be able to turn and comfort others with the comfort which (he/she) was comforted by You (2 Cor 1:3-4). Uphold ____ until You make it possible for (him/her) to again praise You (Ps 71:22).

THANKSGIVING

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COVENANT OF REDEMPTION

Screen Shot 2016-02-26 at 2.49.19 PM“Theologians speak of…a covenant that is not between God and man, but is among the members of the Trinity. This covenant they call the ‘covenant of redemption.’ It is an agreement among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…On the part of the Father, this ‘covenant of redemption’ included an agreement to give to the Son a people whom he would redeem for his own possession…” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p518).

The Son agreed to “pay blood for blood, suffering for suffering, agony for agony, and death for death on behalf of His people” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, February 27th PM). “When Christ died, he secured for his people not only new hearts but new security. He will not let them turn from him. He will keep them….The blood of the covenant guarantees it” John Piper (ref#92, p47) (John 6:37).

“…the Holy Spirit in the covenant of redemption…agreed to do the will of the Father and fill and empower Christ to carry out his ministry on earth…and to apply the benefits of Christ’s redemptive work to his people after Christ returned to heaven….” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p519).

TRIUNE GOD, I am blessed to possess the understanding of Your “covenant of redemption.” There are not enough words to express my gratitude. Day by day in my personal life I observe Your efforts in fulfilling Your goal decided upon before You set the foundations of the earth.