Month: July 2017

CONFESSION

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SPIRIT CHECK—ASSURANCES OF SALVATION

…FATHER, when I say, “I confess, with my mouth, that JESUS is Lord and believe in my heart that You raised him from the dead,” (Rom 10:9) I want to know positively that You accept my faith and have made Your home in me (John 14:23), for my heart can be deceived and my mouth can speak words without understanding (Rom 10:10).

Does Your SPIRIT bears witness with my spirit that I am Your child (Rom 8:16)? Let me examine myself to see if I am in the faith (2 Cor 13:5). For You give me assurances:

  • Do I trust CHRIST (Heb 3:6)?
  • Am I obedient to You (Matt 7:21)?
  • Am I growing in holiness—am I always attempting to purify myself as CHRIST is pure (1 John 3:3)?
  • Do I possess the fruit of the SPIRIT (Gal 5:22,23)?
  • Do I have a love for other Christians (1 John 3:14)?
  • Do others see my good works and glorify You (Matt 5:16)?

“If one desires to know whether he is regenerated or not, he simply need ask himself one question: Have I come to the cross as a helpless sinner and received the Lord Jesus as Savior” Watchman Nee (ref#33, p77)?

ADORATION

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Chord Progression: (Am G Fmaj Em) (Dm Em Fmaj G) (resolve to C)

THE EARTH IS FULL OF GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE

“Forever…your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

you have established the earth,

and it stands fast” (Ps 119:89-90 ESV).

 

“The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;…” (Ps 119:64 ESV).

“…there is no God like you,

in heaven above or on earth beneath,

keeping covenant and showing steadfast love…” (1 Kings 8:23 ESV).

 

“O Lord, how many and varied are Your works!

In wisdom have You made them all;

the earth is full of Your riches…” (Ps 104:24 AMP).

“Blessed be the Lord forever!…” (Ps 89:52 ESV).

 

“How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord of hosts!

For a day in your courts is better

than a thousand elsewhere…” (Ps 84:1,10 ESV).

PRELUDE TO PRAYER

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Prayer Facts:

“What do I lose when I have a praying life? Control. Independence. What do I gain? Friendship with God. A quiet heart. The living work of God in the hearts of those I love. The ability to roll back the tide of evil. Essentially, I lose my kingdom and get his. I move from being an independent player to a dependent lover. I move from being an orphan to a child of God” Paul E. Miller (ref#62, p125-126).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You keep guard over knowledge, and overthrow the words of the treacherous (Prov 22:12), I will wait for You.

Because all Your decrees and precepts are sure (fixed, established, and trustworthy) (Ps 111:7), I will wait for You.

Because Your works stand fast and are established forever and ever (Ps 111:8), I will wait for You.

Read Through the Bible in a Year: July 15th – 21st

July 15      Joel 1-3; Rom 2

July 16      Jonah 1-4; Rom 3

July 17      2 Kings 13-14; 2 Chron 25; Rom 4

July 18      Amos 1-3; Rom 5

July 19      Amos 4-6; Rom 6

July 20     Amos 7-9; Ps 44

July 21      Isa 1-3; Rom 7

SUPPLICATION

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NON CHRISTIAN – Backsliders

[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.]

PLANTS THAT DO NOT PRODUCE A CROP

FATHER, a backslider is like most of the scattered seeds in the “Parable of the Sower” (Matt 13:1-8). They, for a time, grow well but then something inhibits them. The attention of backsliders is often diverted by tribulation or persecution that arises from following CHRIST, or they are held back by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches (Matt 13:21-22). And, the subtlest and probably the most prevalent way a plant is attacked is the disease of pride. And all, like tender sprouts, their plight must be quickly reversed or they will die without yielding the fruit of eternal life.

FATHER, I fear the arrogance of ____’s heart is deceiving (him/her) (Jer 49:16). (His/Her) overconfidence gets (him/her) into trouble; making (him/her) unable to listen to Biblical teaching, or hear admonitions and warnings.

CHRIST dealt with pride in His Apostles (Matt 26:33). Peter said he would lay down his life for CHRIST (John 13:37). But, CHRIST knew that would not happen. So, since Peter would not listen to His teachings or hear His warnings CHRIST turned to prayer (Luke 22:32).

FATHER, I know You may give satan permission to sift ____ like wheat, as You did Peter, before You poured out mercy on (him/her) (Luke 22:31-32). But, through JESUS’ prayer Peter came to posses enough faith to turn and help others.

So, I come with a similar prayer for ____. Move ____ to see (his/her) sin and return like Peter with enough faith to grow into a plant that bears fruit and yields 30, 60, or hundredfold (Matt 13:23).

THANKSGIVING

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Chord Progression  (C  Bb/D  C  Bb/D)  (F  Eb/G  F  Eb/G)

DEPENDABLE

…FATHER, You keep love forever (Ps 89:28).

You are constant and do not change—

unyielding and established—

You are steadfast (ref#110, p1311).

 

Your covenant will stand firm (Ps 89:28).

You are devoted—faithful.

You are dedicated (ref#110, p360)—

“characterized by foresight” (ref#110, p1083).

 

You will not violate Your covenant (Ps 89:34).

You are dependable—reliable.

And, You are trustworthy (ref#110, p1436);

And, You speak the truth (ref#110, p1482).

 

You will not alter the words from Your mouth (Ps 89:34).

You are “honest and forthright”—

authentic and sincere—

You, O LORD, are altogether genuine (ref#110, p563).

CONFESSION

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STORMING HEAVEN

“Convince me that I can have no peace at death, nor hope that I should go to Christ, unless I intend to do his will and have his fullness while I live” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p167).

FATHER, heaven is not obtained except I violently take it by force (Matt 11:12). Since getting into CHRIST’s presence is never my natural desire, in the mundane or easy days I must power myself into CHRIST’s kingdom.

I default to the control of myself in a thousand different ways as I look for contentment. But, Oswald Chambers makes a statement that I must consider: “…we do not want to realize Jesus Christ, but only our enjoyment of Him” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, July 10th).

I can use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of my enjoyment. I can serve the church for my own well-feelings. In honesty, I must ask myself, “Am I a Christian because it is pleasurable?”

FATHER, always clue me I am on the broad path that leads to destruction (Matt 7:13) if I avoid being stirred up or am not willing to face “injustice and meanness and ingratitude and turmoil” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, July 10th). I have to believe storming heaven will mean physical stress, but because of my willful resolve and determination I will reap a joy superior to all joy—a joy that cannot be found anywhere else but in fellowship with You (ref#16, [1 Cor 2:9]).

“Faith makes things possible, but not easy” (a church marquee).

ADORATION

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Chord Progression: (Am E Am E7) (Am E Am E7)

THE LORD TENDS HIS SHEEP

You are the eternal GOD—my dwelling place,

and underneath are Your everlasting arms— (Deut 33:27).

arms with unconquerable power— (ref#15, [Deut 33:27]).

arms to console and protect me (ref#18, [Deut 33:26-29]).

 

I am oppressed, but not overwhelmed

even in the greatest straits,

and even under the heaviest burdens,

Your everlasting arms support me (ref#18, [Deut 33:26-29]).

 

Like a shepherd, You will tend me,

gathering me in Your arms,

carrying me in Your bosom,

leading me to good pasture (Isa 40:11).

 

My Redeemer is gentle and tender,

has kind regard and real interest in me,

has special concern since I am feeble,

has deep interest for all His children (ref#16, [Isa 40:11]).

 

You are the Shepherd and Overseer,

Guardian and Keeper of my soul (1 Peter 2:25).

to whom be glory and glory

forever and ever. Amen (Heb 13:21).

PRELUDE TO PRAYER

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Prayer Facts:

“It is quite useless knocking at the door of heaven for earthly comfort; it’s not the sort of comfort they supply there.” C. S. Lewis (ref#31, p62).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You are extraordinarily patient toward me (2 Pet 3:9), I will wait for You.

Because You earnestly wait longing to be gracious to me (Isa 30:18), I will wait for You.

Because You discipline and instruct me (Deut 8:5), I will wait for You.

Because You exact less than my guilt and iniquity deserve (Job 11:6), I will wait for You.

Read Through the Bible in a Year: July 8th – 14th

July 8       1 Kings 22; 2 Chron 18-19; 1 Thes 5

July 9       2 Kings 1-3; Ps 41

July 10      2 Kings 4-5; 2 Thes 1

July 11       2 Kings 6-7; 2 Chron 20; 2 Thes 2

July 12      2 Kings 8-9; 2 Chron 21; 2 Thes 3

July 13      2 Kings 10; Rom 1; 2 Chron 22-23

July 14      2 Kings 11-12; Ps 43; 2 Chron 24