The Sacraments

FATHER, how You care for my needs—You know I need regular reminders of what the Gospel is and that I’m truly a part of it. You have set up Baptism and the LORD’s Supper to be visible signs, ordained by You and instituted by CHRIST, to do just that (Matt 28:19; 1 Cor 11:23-26). They are the tangible evidence of the grace and blessings of Your covenant (ref#56, p1411, “The Sacraments”).

“As the preaching of the Word makes the gospel audible, so the sacraments make it visible. Sacraments strengthen faith by correlating Christian beliefs with the testimony of our senses” (ref#56, p 1411, “The Sacraments”).

Baptism:

“…is a sign of the believer’s death and resurrection with Christ (Rom 6:3), …to increase our…realization of death to the power and love of sin…and to increase our experience of the power of new resurrection life in Christ…” (ref#63, p954).

The LORD’s Supper:

“…is a fellowship with Christ, in his presence and at his table” (ref#63, p954-955). “…God’s aim has been to bring his people into fellowship with himself, and one of the great joys of experiencing that fellowship is the fact that we can eat and drink in the presence of the Lord” (ref#63, p989-990).

Prayer Facts:

“…His [CHRIST’s] mediation on the throne is as real and indispensable as on the cross….it engages all His time and powers, is His unceasing occupation at the right hand of the Father. And we participate not only in the benefits of this His work, but in the work itself….” (ref#19, TWENTY-SIXTH LESSON) (brackets mine).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because in CHRIST the whole fullness of Deity continues to dwell in bodily form giving complete expression of the divine nature (Col 2:9), I will wait for You.

Because the Son is the sole expression of Your glory and is the perfect imprint and very image of Your nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding the universe by His mighty word of power (Heb 1:2-3), I will wait for You.

Because Your Son is upright, just and Who conforms to Your will in every purpose, thought and action (1 John 2:1), I will wait for You.

Because Your Son is able to save to the uttermost—completely, perfectly and for all time and eternity those who come to Him (Heb 7:25), I will wait for You.

Because CHRIST is always living to make petition to You and intercede with You and intervene for me (Heb 7:25), I will wait for You.

“…’The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,” (2 Sam 22:2 ESV).

FATHER, You are a “vanguard.” You go ahead, lead (ref#110, p1475).

You are a “protector.” You are a guardian and defender (ref#110, p1081).

You are “watchful.” You are vigilant, alert, wakeful and unsleeping (ref#110, p1508).

You “provide.” You make available, supply, furnish, and support (ref#110, p1083).

You are a “solace.” You comfort, ease, relieve, and console (ref#110, p1275).

You are a “sanctuary.” You are a preserve, a hiding place, secret place—a retreat (ref#148, p275-276).

“my God…my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior…” (2 Sam 22:3 ESV).

Vigilant

FATHER, You are a rock and fortress (2 Sam 22:2)— my sanctuary.
You are a preserve—
my hiding place (ref#110, p275-276).

You are LORD, the deliverer (2 Sam 22:2). You provide for me,
You make available (ref#110, p1083),
for You are my vanguard (ref#110, p1475).

You are a shield and horn of salvation (2 Sam 22:3). You are my protector—
a guardian and defender (ref#110, p1081)—
and for me, alert and vigilant (ref#110, p1508).

You are a stronghold and refuge—my Savior (2 Sam 22:3). You are a solace—
You comfort—You ease,
You relieve and console me (ref#110, p1275).

The FATHER’s Love—Fruitfulness, My Love—Thankfulness

“The Father communicates…his love…through Christ; and we make no return of love…but through Christ. He is the treasury wherein the Father disposes all the riches of his grace, taken from the bottomless mine of his eternal love…” (ref#35, p117).

FATHER, all Your fullness You poured into CHRIST. It pleased You that all divine fullness should dwell in Him permanently. (Col 1:19). And I receive that fullness of Your love from Him by faith—communing responsively to You through the treasury of CHRIST.

Because You love me You bless me with all spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3). These blessings are an ever-flowing fountain. Your love descends on me in bounty and fruitfulness. These blessings are absorbed into me and create goodness in me (ref#35, p118). Your love descends through CHRIST and I experience growth.

My love, on the other hand, ascends to You in thankfulness (ref#35, p119) for Your provisions. My love also ascends to You in the duties I perform in response to Your love. Your presence demands I behave. But,
behaving becomes a duty of joy for me because of Your presence through CHRIST.

Yes, because of Your love, I gladly give You Your due as my FATHER. What can I do to honor You (Mal 1:6)? I do not love You for no reason—I love You for the “excellency, loveliness, and desirableness” that is You (ref#35, p120). It becomes my joyous work to follow, running along behind You with CHRIST (ref#10, p 58).