The Final Judgment

FATHER, speed Your grace and mercy to ____ as (he/she) speaks on Your behalf. I pray (he/she) puts into practice what Your Word declares.

“The only message with power is that which is preached from a pure heart…” (ref#138, p45). A message with power also must come from a person with clean hands (ref#138, p45). Pierce ____ with the imperative to be holy and blameless before (he/she) attempts any speaking to others. Witnessing does not off-set the need to be holy.

Yes, give ____ incentive to thoroughly describe the judgment seat of CHRIST. “All people of all times will be raised for the judgment and take their place before Christ’s throne” (ref#56, p1404, “The Final Judgment”) (Rom 2:6).

“The regenerate, who…have learned to love righteousness and desire the glory of heaven,…and on the basis of Christ’s merit…will be awarded the righteousness they seek” (ref#56, p1404, “The Final Judgment”). “The rest will go to…a place assigned to them on the basis of their own demerit” (Rom 2:6-11) (ref#56, p1404, “The Final Judgment”).

Balance ____’s message of judgment with the following truth: “…God has granted repentance that leads to life’” (Acts 11:18 ESV). “…a message by which you will be saved,…” (Acts 11:14 ESV). “…Jesus…is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead….that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name’” (Acts 10:38,42-43 ESV).

Reasons For Affliction – To Be Drawn Back to GOD

FATHER, moving into Your house is ____’s happiness in this hurt. Before (he/she) was afflicted (he/she) went astray (Ps 119:67) but Your “chastisement must be felt to be grievous before the tenderness and sympathy of Jesus will be sought” (ref#61, Aug 30th). Don’t allow ____ to deny the compassion JESUS holds out to (him/her).

As much as ____ resists pain, still it’s true “the infliction of sorrows harmonizes the mind to the fear of God…” (ref#16, [Haggai 1:12]). Therefore, I pray for all Your strength, even to the measure of Your divine majesty, till ____ attains “to all enduring patience and forbearance, which exults under suffering” (ref#38, p165, [Col 1:11]).

The Battle of Sanctification

“Believers find within themselves contrary urgings. The Spirit sustains their regenerate desires and purposes, but their fallen instincts (the ‘flesh’ obstruct their path and drag them back. The conflict of these two is sharp. Paul says he is unable to do what is right, and unable to restrain himself from doing what is wrong (Rom 7:14-25). This conflict and frustration will be with Christians as long as they are in the body. Yet by watching and praying against temptation, and cultivating opposite virtues, they may through the Spirit’s help ‘put to death’ particular bad habits (Rom 8:13; Col 3:5)” (ref#56, p1650, “Sanctification: The Spirit and the Flesh”).

FATHER, I learn the severity of my battle from the Apostle Paul in Romans 7. How humble You make me when I realize I can do nothing right and must depend on the SPIRIT to rescue me.

My plight may be pathetic but I can always be rescued. The SPIRIT has the victory as I cling to Him. “The Lord will draw me to himself away from every pernicious work actively opposed to that which is good, and will keep me safe and sound for His kingdom, the heavenly one, to whom be the glory forever and forever…” (ref#37, p507, [2 Tim 4:18]). Life may seem as if I am tossed too and fro by overpowering waves, but forever under me is Your everlasting arms (Deut 33:27).

Because of Your great rescue, FATHER, I want to be pleasing to Your penetrating gaze. I want to be habitually keeping with solicitous care all Your commands (ref#37, p571, [1 John 3:22]). I don’t want to summons the SPIRIT only when I feel an overwhelming battle coming. Guide me FATHER, to walk continually with the SPIRIT so You can continually keep me (Gal 5:16).