Heaven Sought By Works

FATHER, it’s possible that ____ sits in church with the same attitude as the rich young ruler had as he sat in the synagogue. That ruler hoped heaven would be his reward for all the good he did (Luke 18:21). But JESUS, knowing his dependence on wealth, required he give it up and follow Him if he wanted everlasting life (Luke 18:22). ____ too, may be bypassing JESUS as (he/she) plans (his/her) entrance to heaven.

“Jesus reveals…the possibility of a demonic faith which produces wonderful works quite indistinguishable from the works of the true disciples, works of charity, miracles, perhaps even of personal sanctification, but which is nevertheless a denial of Jesus and of the life of discipleship” (ref#10, p194).

FATHER, ____ has the ability to change (his/her) outward expression to one which does not come from within and is not representative of (his/her) inner character (ref#37, p433 [2 Cor 11:15]). Satan himself can change his outward expression (2 Cor 11:14). It’s entirely possible that ____ masquerades as CHRIST’s disciple (2 Cor 11:13).

So, LORD, teach ____ what criteria You will accept. For Your call to discipleship is always Your word—Your call— Yours alone (ref#10, p195).

“If we follow Christ, cling to his word, and let everything else go, it will see us through the day of judgment” (ref#10, p195).

The Obedience of JESUS

FATHER, illuminate CHRIST as ____’s example of how to live by obedience to You. Keep (him/her) from thinking just because (he/she) loves You and has walked many years with You that (he/she) knows what You want and proceeds without consulting You day by day. Your Son sums up His way of life on earth in one verse. Aid ____ to fashion (his/her) life after His.

“I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord — but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me” (John 5:30 AMP).

CHRIST Owns Tribulations

This suffering ____ is going through is CHRIST’s sufferings that ____ is to share with CHRIST (1 Pet 4:13). Help (him/her), FATHER, to not twist this circumstance of suffering into what would best suit (him/her).

The logical way of dealing with (his/her) affliction is to find a way to end it as soon as possible. But that is never what You intend, FATHER. The situations You give are not sidetracks in life intended to be navigated quickly—its not about getting back to comfort and productive things.

If ____ is treating this suffering as if it belongs to (him/her), guide (him/her) into making it an instrument of Your intention. It has purpose. The way (he/she) travels through the conflict must put CHRIST on center stage (ref#5, p153).

FATHER, remind ____ of the early church. Their response to suffering affliction was not to pray the affliction be taken away, instead they prayed for freedom to further proclaim the Gospel through it (Acts 4:23-31).

“…grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,” (Acts 4:29 ESV).

LORD, help ____ settle into suffering, looking to You for advice in how to proceed. Remind (him/her) that suffering is an end in itself as is all circumstances. You provide all circumstances as a gift—an opportunity to trust more in Y ou.

Work Out My Own Salvation

FATHER, I don’t want to go to hell. I want to be forgiven and avoid Your wrath and to go to heaven. Reconciliation with You—everybody wants that (if they’re honest with themselves) (ref#93, p28-29).

But, the important question is, “Do I want these things for my own security?” or “Do I want them because they bring me to the enjoyment of You” (ref#93, p29)?

FATHER, only You can change my nature so I’m able to concentrate on You and reject my attention to preserving myself. When You provide a new nature it sets me on the path of working out my own salvation—working out selfishness and working in ever- increasing happiness in You. “[A]s ‘a nail is driven out by another nail, habit is overcome by habit’” Erasmus (ref#130 p49).

“…become shares (partakers) of the divine nature….adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue…knowledge…self-control… steadfastness…godliness…brotherly affection…Christian love” (2 Pet 1:4-7 AMP).

“Wherefore, brethren, exert yourselves the more, and bend every effort to make for yourselves your divine call [into salvation] and your divine selection [for salvation] things that have been confirmed”(ref#37, p559, [2 Peter 1:10]).

Two Entities—Depraved Flesh and the SPIRIT

FATHER, when I bow my knee and ask You to search me for sin clue me that I set two entities into motion: my natural, depraved flesh searches for sin as well as Your SPIRIT (ref#100, p83). Flesh brings to my mind unrighteous actions that I’ve committed; the SPIRIT reveals my unrighteous motives.

The search engine of natural flesh only finds obvious willful sins of rebellion—one or two unholy deeds. These are the sins I feel I can correct myself, with better effort.

The search engine of the SPIRIT scans the heart and finds innate rebellion—obstinate roots imbedded in my very character.

The SPIRIT brings my real fleshly self to my attention, while flesh overlooks itself and attempts to change bad actions. Flesh will not believe that its very self is bad. Therefore, FATHER, “I fall short of the purity thou requirest because in thinking I am holy I do not see holiness, or, believing I am impotent, I do no more” (ref#76, p96).

Motivate me to stay on my knees past admitting a few recent sins. For if I consider my confession done I will have only met with my self—my depraved flesh—and not with Your SPIRIT. My flesh will only prompt me to deal with my symptoms not my sickness. I wish to be obedient to You, FATHER, and wait until a thought enters my mind that requires more than my own efforts to correct.

I thank You, SPIRIT, that You will not only convict, but also correct as You give me solid directions to work beside You for accomplishing the correction. Yes, how I thank You for not only directing but also I thank You for changing my very nature day by day making me able to obey Your commands.

FATHER, in my routine of confession prompt me please to warn myself to not stumble over JESUS, the rock of offense (Rom 9:33) by listening to my flesh and attempting to eradicate sin by working at it in my own strength. Direct me to stumble onto JESUS. For He, working through the SPIRIT, is the only One able to make me righteous. FATHER, increase my faith, not my abilities (Rom 9:30-33).

“…we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment;…Therefore, the reason God seeks our praise is not because He won’t be complete until He gets it. He is seeking our praise because we won’t be complete until we give it. This is not arrogance. It is love” (ref#124, p161-162).

Drawing Water from the Wells of Salvation

You are the MOST HIGH over all the earth;

Your name alone is the LORD (Ps 83:18).

You forever remain the same—
Your years have no end (Ps 102:27).

You, LORD, are the everlasting GOD—

Creator of the ends of the earth.
You do not faint or grow weary;
You’re never fatigued or exhausted (Isa 40:28).

There is no searching Your understanding
You must be infinitely wise.
Your boundless skill is proved
by the works of Your hands (ref#16, [Isa 40:28]).

You are righteous in all Your ways,

Everything You do is true.
Kind, You are, in all Your works,
Yes, Your trademark is love (Ps 145:17).

With joy I will draw water from the wells of Your salvation—

from those ever-flowing fountains from You, the great Giver (Isa 12:3).

CHRIST Justifies, Then Sanctifies

“Thou hast shown me that because thou art mine I can live by thy life, be strong in thy strength, be guided by thy wisdom; and so I can pitch my thoughts and heart in thee” (ref#76, p167).

FATHER, CHRIST does not remove the gap between You and me that sin causes, then sit back and expect me to make and maintain a relationship with You, no—He actually transforms me into a creature that brings You joy (ref#35, p289). He makes me suited to fellowship with You. He makes me…

“He [CHRIST] does not only justify his saints from the guilt of sin, but also sanctify and wash them from the filth of sin….He makes us not only accepted, but acceptable” (ref#35, p 291, [bracket mine]).

He is as a refiner’s fire so whatever in me that is of the SPIRIT, remains and whatever is of my natural self is consumed. CHRIST does not let me be independent. CHRIST never lets me alone to rely on my depraved natural self. In every minute of life He provides new supplies of grace through the SPIRIT. I must have new grace for every new morning. It is He, Himself Who is constantly working in me to will and do His good pleasure (Phil 2:13) (ref#35, p293).

FATHER, I can observe Your magnificence by looking at creation, but Your lovingkindness can only be seen through CHRIST JESUS (ref#35, p185). Give me the countenance to comprehend such adoring provision.

Prayer Facts:

“Prayer is an act of worship inasmuch as it is the prostrating of the soul before Him; inasmuch as it is a calling upon His great and holy name; inasmuch as it is the owning of His goodness, His power, His immutability, His grace, and inasmuch as it is the recognition of His sovereignty, owned by a submission to His will” (ref#152, p136).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You know the secrets of the heart (Ps 44:21), I will wait for You.
Because You do not regard the rich more than the poor (Job 34:19), I will wait for You.

Because You are a shield to those who put their trust in You (Prov 30:5), I will wait for You.
Because You will not abandon Your heritage (Ps 94:14), I will wait for You.

You Satiate

Who is a GOD like You (Mic 7:18)?
You are valid—well-grounded,
able to withstand criticism—
You are sound and effective (ref#110, p1473).

Gracious are You—and merciful (Ps 116:5).

You fill and fully supply—
completely satiate—
satisfy and gratify (ref#110, p1192-1193).

You are a GOD who pardons iniquity;
You do not retain Your anger forever (Mic 7:18).

You are unselfish;
and You are generous (ref#110, p1463).

Because You delight in steadfast love (Mic 7:18)—

You are devoted with deep attachment,
good will and passionate affection—
fondness and concern for me (ref#110, p801).

The Beginning Interaction Between GOD and His Creatures

FATHER, in Genesis, chapter three, is the account of the first human lapse from You and godliness into sin and lostness (ref#56, p13, “The Fall”). Adam and Eve were deceived and sought to decide what was good and evil for themselves disregarding Your direction and in the process determining the destiny of their descendants (ref#56, p13, “The Fall”). But, immediately You, in mercy, altered Eve’s affections away from satan to Yourself (ref#56, p14 [Gen 3:15]). You addressed the snake: “I will put enmity between you and the woman…” (Gen 3:15 ESV).

FATHER, in Your endless mercy You made Eve hate satan and so, I, too, hate satan. Though I sometimes love his ideas, I detest him. It is true that when I find out what I naturally love is provided by satan, I bristle, quickly desiring to be back in fellowship with You (ref#15, [Gen 3:15]). Disliking my enemy and all that he does helps me turn to You. I don’t want him to win. It’s a competition and I hate to lose. Thank You for putting love in me for You, and hate in me for satan.