Month: September 2016

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

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SINGING WITH GOD

5/6/09

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 4.03.01 PMIn prayer today I thought of this wonderful scene—me reaching, Him plucking me out of the death-trap-world and both of us singing.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zeph 3:17 ESV). GOD sings a continual song over me!

My son and his family have experienced five-star treatment in a five-star lodging. All the attention was a bit unnerving because they were not use to it.

The times I’m aware and lift my hands for Him to rescue me, I can sing with Him—harmonizing to His song—knowing I’m at one with Him. But, I’m not use to it. Yet is that not a wonderful truthful thought—having GOD’s constant attention? My heart rejoices exceedingly as I make this my goal: to recognize His song and sing with Him.

SABBATH

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SATURDAY NIGHT WORSHIP

“For those of you who are free in your conscience to extend your holy exercises…into Saturday night, let’s dream together of new ways to sanctify Sunday morning. Could it be that the Lord is leading you to new dimensions of prayer, or new hours of personal Bible study, or new deeds of mercy for the poor, or Sunday morning visitation to a shut-in, or perhaps a home evangelistic Bible study for neighbors who would not come to church but might come to your home” John Piper (ref#169).

SUPPLICATION

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NON CHRISTIAN Pursuers

[We all have friends and family that sit in our churches but only act like they are Christians. It is up to us to pray for their salvation. Here’s an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

DESTITUTE AND HELPLESS

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 2.03.00 PM…FATHER, Your Son did not come to call men righteous in character—ones who satisfy themselves by doing good things. He calls those who (know they) are sinners by nature (ref#37, p21, [Matt 9:13]). LORD, Your Son is moved with compassion by those who are exhausted by their troubles and their long aimless wanderings, and have thrown themselves to the ground in an utterly prostrate condition as sheep not having a shepherd (ref#37, p23, [Matt 9:36]).

As long as ____ is successful and independent or hanging on to even a thread of self-respect, (he/she) will not turn to consider giving (his/her) life over to You. But, when (his/her) pride is shattered and (his/her) life is ready for love (he/she) will not escape Your notice, will (he/she) (Ps 51:17)? You do not despise a broken and repentant heart. In (his/her) distress, when (he/she) seeks You, You will be found by (him/her) (2 Chron 15:4).

It is CHRIST who will cause ____ to cease pursuing a righteousness for (himself/herself) and it is CHRIST who will take away (his/her) burdens and refresh (him/her) with rest (Matt 11:29).   FATHER, You know what circumstances (he/she) needs; bring (him/her) to Yourself. Your promise is: “…I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the dessert” (Isa 43:19 AMP).

THANKSGIVING

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THE SUPERIORITY OF THE SON

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 1.53.32 PM“In the beginning the Word was existing….And the Word was as to His essence absolute deity. This Word was in the beginning in fellowship with God the Father. All things through His intermediate agency came into being, and without Him there came into being not even one thing which has come into existence. In Him life was existing” Kenneth S. Wuest (ref#37, p209 [John 1:1-3]).

“…the believing Hebrews were so favored beyond their fathers, to have the best revelation of God in Christ made to them…Christ…is his bosom Son, nearest his heart…” Matthew Poole (ref#21, p809).

“…he is…an engraven image of the Father, every way like him” (ref#21, p810). “Jesus is not merely an image or reflection of God…he is the absolutely authentic representation of God’s being” The NIV Study Bible (ref#96, p1858). “…he is the visible representation of him” (ref#21, p810).

“…the Son…provided purification for sins through his redeeming death on the cross” (ref#96, p1858). “…by himself purged our sins…” (ref#21, p209). “…by his satisfaction and merit, removing both the guilt and stain of sin; so as God, the injured Lawgiver, could be just as well as merciful in pardoning it; and justifying those who believe and plead it from the condemnation they were liable to for it…” (ref#21, p810).

“Jesus Christ is not the best human being, He is a Being Who cannot be accounted for by the human race at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate, God coming into human flesh, coming into it from outside. His life is the Highest and the Holiest entering in at the Lowliest door” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Dec 25th).

“…you are Son of God by virtue of your participation in the divine essence…” (ref#37, p136 [Luke 4:9]). “…in Him the whole fullness of…(the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form…” (Col 2:9 AMP).

“Let the One who comes in the Name of the Lord be eulogized” (ref#37, p53 [Matt 21:9]).

CONFESSION

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CONVICTION OF SIN

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 12.16.47 PM“My sins, my sins, my Saviour, How sad on Thee they fall” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Dec 7th).

“SEARCHER OF HEARTS, It is a good day to me when thou gives me a glimpse of myself;…I have cause to loathe myself, and not to seek self-honour, for no one desires to commend his own dunghill….sinners bring judgment in thinking sins are small…” The Valley of Vision  (ref#76, p69).

Yet, FATHER, keep me from being disgusted though, with my blunders (ref#7, Dec 7th).

“The only explanation of the forgiveness of God and of the unfathomable depth of His forgetting is the Death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is merely the outcome of our personal realization of the Atonement which He has worked out for us….” (ref#7, Dec 8th). “The entrance into the Kingdom is through the panting pains of repentance crashing into a man’s respectable goodness” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Dec 7th).

ADORATION

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THE INERRANCY OF THE BIBLE

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 12.05.05 PM“…the word of the Lord remains forever…’” (1 Pet 1:25 ESV).

FATHER, Your Bible does not and cannot have errors: the sinless CHRIST cannot error. He says the Bible is Your Word, therefore the Bible cannot error (ref#95).

CHRIST, GOD INCARNATE, in Your earthly ministry You advocated what had been written of the FATHER previous to Your coming. Time after time You preface Your subject with the words, “it is written” (Matt 4:4,7,10). You did not come to abolish what had been written, but to fulfill what had been written (Matt 5:17-18).

You say Yourself that the Scriptures cannot be set aside or annulled (John 10:35). Even the hard-to-believe Scriptures You confessed as true. Jonah was indeed three days in the belly of a great fish (Matt 12:40). Your FATHER’s word is truth and without error (John 17:17).

“My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right” (Ps 119:172 ESV).

The Bible does not and cannot have errors: OMNIPOTENT, HOLY, PERFECT FATHER, You cannot error. You say the Bible is Your Word, therefore the Bible cannot error (ref#95).

The sum of Your Word is truth and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever (Ps 119:160). You never lie (Titus 1:2); it is impossible for You to lie (Heb 6:18).

You are true even if we are all liars (Rom 3:4)—even if we are faithless, You remain faithful for You cannot deny Yourself (2 Tim 2:13). Your Word is Truth (John 17:17). The audacity of Your creatures to accuse You of allowing an errant book to represent You!!

You revealed Yourself in words and resided over them as they were written in an earthly Book for all generations to read. The Bible is the prime testimony of Your compassion and caring.

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

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PRIDE

5/8/2016

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 11.57.35 AMA friend once said that she had to solve the problems of the world before she could fall asleep. I liked that reasoning and stole her comment for I often take as long as two hours to fall asleep. Through the years that comment has become my input in any sleep conversation. I even said it today.

This evening’s piano playing energized me so lying in bed did nothing to help falling asleep. I thought of my pat comment about solving the problems of the world but just as quickly wondered what I was really thinking. GOD quickly summarized it for me: pride. And, it didn’t take me long to admit it.

Weaving scenarios of how I can impress people keeps me awake, not solving the world’s problems. And the more scenarios I come up with the more awake I get. Piano playing went well tonight; with that happy thought I wander here and there pretending to speak and act graciously, perfectly, with authority, etc. in all kinds of situations.

I am ashamed now that GOD has made me aware of my actions—and, more ashamed than usual because of my afternoon reading. Samuel Chadwick, in his book, The Way To Pentecost, informs me that the HOLY SPIRIT and I are not completely separate entities.

“The Spirit of God…indwells sanctified men and women. He becomes the spirit of their spirit, the mind of their mind, the heart of their heart, the strength of their strength, and the life of their life” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p97).

CHRIST, fully man, was indwelled by the SPIRIT as He walked the earth. He was tempted by sin but unlike me He never sinned. I sin and my sin grieves the SPIRIT that lives with me. He does not separate Himself from me, but must endure the grief.

Sorry, I’m so sorry, SPIRIT who loves me enough to bond with me…

As you see, I’m at my desk writing instead of remaining in bed entertaining myself with all-about-me scenarios. GOD has my focus on pride so I will confess more of it:

You know if I did not play the piano well tonight I would be lying in bed downhearted. I’d be thinking about how I un-impress people. My propensity for pride would be creating scenarios about what I could do alone where I would be sheltered from making mistakes people would see. Again, it would be all about me. I’d be shunning the SPIRIT who is the One who can show me how to focus on GOD and not myself.

Just a little thought concludes that pride separates. I either see myself better and aloof from others or worse and hiding from others. And sadder yet pride breaks my relationship with the Triune GOD.

So, please forgive me SPIRIT, and lead me to the FATHER and SON that You and I might fall asleep tonight united in purpose.

(Now if I can just go back to bed and not think about how good this journal entry is…)

SABBATH

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SATURDAY PREP

NOTE: The below quotes seem out of touch with our modern world. Yet, the words of warning GOD Himself speaks concerning the Sabbath, causes me to pause. Since 9/11 falls on a Sunday this year, Eugene H. Peterson’s contemporary language of the Bible quote is something to be taken very seriously. It appears at the end of this days blog.

“Never leave work for Sunday that can be done on Saturday. The day does not belong to us, and should not be encroached upon with secular things which, by foresight and method, can be done on another day” George Rose (ref#174). “Let every thing then be so arranged in your household, beforehand, that there may be no interruption to religious duties, and to attendance on the means of grace” Archibald Alexander (ref#175).

“Strictly speaking, Saturday evening is not part of the Lord’s Day, but there are good reasons to use it for preparation….We are about to have special dealings with God on Sunday. Reverence requires special preparation for this…God does not love our rushing into His presence without the right attitude….It is not enough to show reverence with our bodies; we must gain a reverent frame of mind” John Owen (ref#176).

“Dwell on God’s majesty, holiness, and greatness. Remember Him as the Author of our sabbatical rest. Remember His work that brings about our celebration of His ordinances, especially redemption through our Lord Jesus Christ. Ponder the importance, the reasons, and the purposes of the Lord’s Day to follow. Reflect on its holy privileges, advantages, and duties” John Owen (ref#176).

“Prayer is the main way we express dependence upon God in Christ. Prayer is necessary for bringing our hearts to a sense of our own spiritual poverty and our desperate need of God’s grace. A season of prayer prior to the Lord’s Day is an indispensable means for the greatest blessing” John Owen (ref#176).

“Workdays can desensitize us to the things of God….We ought to rid our minds of secular, earthly business as much as we can each Saturday evening….Faithfulness on Saturday promotes blessing on Sunday” John Owen (ref#176).

“These are intended as helpful directions, not strict rules….If we are truly unable to do these things on a particular Saturday evening, we should not think we have sinned, but only that we have lost a good opportunity” John Owen (ref#176).

“‘This is God’s Message. Be careful, if you care about your lives, not to desecrate the Sabbath by turning it into just another workday…Don’t use the Sabbath to do business as usual. Keep the Sabbath day holy…” (Jer 17:21-23 MSG)

“‘But if you won’t listen to me, won’t keep the Sabbath holy, won’t quit using the Sabbath for doing your own work, busily going in and out of the city gates on your self-important business, then I’ll burn the gates down. In fact, I’ll burn the whole city down, palaces and all, with a fire nobody will be able to put out!’” (Jer 17:27 MSG)

SUPPLICATION

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SICKNESS – LIFE THREATENING

 

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 11.41.02 AM“…do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:18 NKJV).

FATHER, I pray for ____. Since much of the hope for help in the physical world is exhausted, I plead You come to (his/her) assistance.

Give (him/her) trust enough to see Your Son as He is—(his/her) beloved Physician. As ____ trusted (his/her) earthly doctors by handing the pharmacist an unreadable prescription, favor (him/her) to rely on (his/her) heavenly Physician. For it is ____’s business to trust and JESUS’ business to prescribe (ref#34, Aug 14th PM).

Cause ____ to have no desire “to analyze all the medicine or evaluate all the symptoms” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Aug 14th PM). “When a believer is sick, he must place his comfort in the following truth: he may not be able to see the end result, but Jesus knows all” (ref#34, Aug 14th PM).

FATHER, let ____ “be content to know only what You choose to reveal” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Aug 14th PM). And, content (him/her) with You.

THANKSGIVING

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CARING FOR ALL I CARE FOR

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 11.30.53 AMThank You, FATHER, for taking care of my loved ones. I get discouraged just naming them all in prayer. The process overwhelms my old nature which proves that it has no power to do any good.

I gladly lean upon You for nothing is too difficult for You (Jer 32:17). You are love (1 John 4:16); You do all that pleases You (2 Sam 10:12). Therefore, with joy, I defer to You all my worldly concerns.

FATHER, Your steadfast love endures all through the day—through all the circumstances You give me and my loved ones (Ps 52:1). Therefore I will praise You among the nations and sing praises to Your name (2 Sam 22:50).