Christianity Is Foolishness Until…

FATHER, we are spiritually dead until we receive the HOLY SPIRIT. “…the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God…” (1 Cor 2:14 ASV). Self-initiated faith is lifeless, boring and unsatisfying.

Move ____ to speak to that problem with others. INITIATING FATHER, discharge ____ to tear down myths and tell the Truth. “The majority of people have their morality well within their own grasp, they have no sense of need of the Gospel” (ref#7, Dec 17th). Lead ____ to paint a picture of understanding about the fallacy of bringing one’s self to Christianity.

The golden rule of preaching is “preach CHRIST, not the experience.” “It is never personal testimony that save men” (ref#7, Dec 17th). Propel ____ to not go to the right or left of focusing on CHRIST and His life. Cause (him/her) to remember that “once Jesus Christ is lifted up, the Spirit of God will create a conscious need of Him” (ref#7, Dec 17th). “The Gospel of God creates a sense of need of the Gospel” (ref#7, Dec
17th).

“The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can’t receive the gifts of God’s Spirit. There’s no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness….” (1 Cor 2:14 MSG).

In conversation with others and even in talking to (himself/herself) keep ____ thinking about the reasons CHRIST is “needed” in life.

Benefiting from CHRIST’s Affliction

FATHER, ____, because (he/she) is in affliction, has the opportunity to recognize CHRIST’s activity in (his/her) life. It is true, this affliction will make (him/her) look to CHRIST for help in it, but also, affliction makes CHRIST’s activities more vivid. (He/She) will understand without a doubt that CHRIST takes a personal interest in (him/her).

____ will undoubtedly come to CHRIST begging to be free from (his/her) affliction. But, help (him/her) LORD, look for something better than being affliction-free. For CHRIST’s business is strengthening (his/her) being, animating (his/her) spirit further, and continually adding love to (his/her) heart (ref#61, July 7th).

CHRIST may allow the affliction to remain, for His promise is that He will provide enough strength for each day (Deut 33:25). His grace is sufficient for anything He allows in ____’s life (2 Cor 12:9).

FATHER, it’s possible that this suffering is severe enough it will push ____ to the point of longing for nothing but You. Let this pain make (him/her) behave as a child— willing to completely trust You. Simplify (his/her) life. Reduce (his/her) existence to one relationship—You and (his/hers) (ref#7, July 29th).

Obedience

“His timing is perfect, His will is our hiding place. Lord Jesus keep me
in Your will. Don’t let me go mad by poking about outside it” (ref#84, p218).

FATHER, being obedient to You sounds simple enough, but how do I know it is You giving the orders instead of my flesh desiring to be spiritual? Can I not hear the same words from both You and my flesh?

No prerequisite is required for fleshly desires to enter my head. They are stand-alone commands rising from my depraved nature. They masquerade as important spiritual ideas appealing to my sense of logic. They beg to be put into action.

“Carnal pleasure, worldly profit and honour, the things of sense and time, are the things of the flesh…The favour of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit” (ref#18, [Rom 8:5]).

FATHER, draw me into submission. Make me wait on You to receive Your revelation in my intuition otherwise my flesh will assert itself (ref#101, p43). If I sense I’m being the boss over any spiritual project, I can be sure it is my flesh directing me. You FATHER, do not delegate authority over the control of Your work (ref#101, p42).

“Despite a great revival in Samaria, Philip was not responsible for the follow-up labor of strengthening. He must leave immediately for the desert in order that a “heathen” eunuch might be saved….All acts are in the hands of the Spirit; believers simply obey. Had it been left to human thoughts and wishes, many places which ought to be visited would not have been, and many others would have been visited which ought not to be. These experiences from Acts inescapably tell us that we too must follow the guidance of God’s Spirit in our intuition and not follow our thoughts, reasons or wishes”(ref#101, p 42-43).

“Jesus takes us over for His enterprises, His building schemes entirely, and no soul has any right to claim where he shall be put” (ref#7, May 7th).

Anger

“…whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17 ESV)

Anger is my announcement to myself that I am seeking my own way and not Yours, FATHER. And the announcement makes me madder—it tells me I’m failing at being righteous—the very thing I want to be known for.

You have taught me so much. I know so much of the right things to do. I’m irritated that I know so much which proclaims to me how often I fail. Ah, but anger clues me that I have fallen into the devil’s ploy of trying to be spiritually ambitions (ref#105, p68).

“The massive interest in self-esteem and self-worth exists because it is trying to help us with a real problem. The problem is that we really are not okay. There is no reason why we should feel great about ourselves. We truly are deficient” (ref#106, p29).

“When a man really sees himself as the Lord sees him, it is not the abominable sins of the flesh that shock him, but the awful nature of the pride of his own heart against Jesus Christ” (ref#7, March 8th).

Pride makes me angry. But how can I let my selfishness upstage CHRIST? CHRIST a continual servant—excepting life as it came—never getting His way—never.

“All He did was for others. When He came from heaven, it was for others. When He laid down His life, it was for others….when He was raised again… it was…to justify others…the position He occupies…now in heaven is for others,…” (ref#100, p139).

“For every one look at myself I must take ten looks at Jesus” (ref#106, p67). Anger begs a “time-out.” And a productive “time-out” is to squelch anger by looking to JESUS.

“Turn your eyes away from all else to Him, even to the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. Consider Him only, and render Him glory” (ref#104, Day 10).

Psalm 35

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;

fight against those who fight against me.
Take hold of shield and buckler
and rise for my help.

Draw the spear,

draw the javelin against my pursuers!
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation” (Ps 35:1-3).

You have seen, O LORD,

be not silent O LORD, be not far from me.
Awake and rouse Yourself for my cause,

my God and my LORD (Ps 35:22-23).

Vindicate me, O LORD,

according to Your righteousness.

Let none rejoice over me (Ps 35:24).

But, let them be put to shame (Ps 35:4).

Then my soul, yes, my soul will rejoice in You,

LORD— exulting in Your salvation.
All my bones shall say,
O LORD, who is like You? (Ps 35:9-10).

Shout for joy and be glad,
and let me say, “Great is the LORD” (Ps 35:27-28).

My tongue shall tell of Your righteousness
and of Your praise all the day long (Ps 35:28).

Scripture Written so I Might Know GOD

FATHER, You, a GOD who needs nothing from me, puts at my disposal word-pictures that I might acquaint myself with Your majesty and love. You reveal Yourself through the Bible.

“…when we understand the words used, the historical background, and the cultural conventions of the writer and his readers, we are well on our way to grasping the thoughts that are being conveyed”
(ref#56, p844, “Understanding the Word of God”).

Without the SPIRIT’s help I will read the Bible from my vantage point, looking for facts that will help me know and achieve what I want. So, FATHER, I desire the SPIRIT to generate in me a passion for You.

May I seek You as I read noting Your attributes so I might strengthen my trust and love for You “not reading the Bible looking for information like an academic subject or trivia or doctrines, but a Person…” (ref#141, Basking In the Light of the Glory of Christ, (sermon notes) Jan 1, 2005).

Prayer Facts:

“Prayer is affirming God’s sovereignty, righteousness, and majesty and seeking to conform our desires and our purposes to His will and glory” (ref#36. p375).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because all things originate with You and come from You; all things live through You and all things center in and tend to consummate and end in You (Rom 11:36), I will wait for You.
Because You are trustworthy and faithful and mean what You say (2 Cor 1:18), I will wait for You.

Because You are among us—a mighty and terrible GOD (Deut 7:21), I will wait for You.

How Precious Are Your Thoughts to Me

“How precious and weighty…are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them” (Ps 139:17 AMP)!
“…You did form my inward parts;
You did knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Ps 139:13 AMP).

“O LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly]
and have known me….
You understand my thought afar off….
You are acquainted with all my ways….” (Ps 139:1-3 AMP).

“You drew near on the day I called to You; You said, Fear not” (Lam 3:57 AMP).

“You heard my voice…” (Lam 3:56 AMP). “O Lord,
You have pleaded the causes of my soul…” (Lam 3:58 AMP)

“If I ascend up into heaven,
You are there;
if I make my bed in…(the place of the dead), behold, You are there” (Ps 139:8 AMP).

O GOD, how precious and weighty
are Your thoughts toward me.
How vast is the sum of them (Ps 139:17).

O GOD, You know me!

Begging To Bring My Friends With Me

FATHER, You multiply mercy and peace and affection to those You dearly love. You set them apart and keep them for CHRIST (Jude 1-2). How I’d love to have ____ in CHRIST, growing in peace and love.

“DADDY, can I bring ____ with me? My enjoyment of Your glory—the blessings that You give me through CHRIST will not be so joyful if (he/she) can’t enjoy Your presence with me.”

I will only be completely happy at the “supper of the Lamb” if all my family and friends are around the table. DADDY, You are the only one who can give consent for them to come with me. To You, DADDY, I will beg and bagger (Luke 11:8) and wear You down (Luke 18:5) in hopes You will relent so they can come. I’m not one of Your constantly obedient children, but remember You have said that even

if I’m not a perfect child, if I persist You will answer me (Luke 11:8-10).

DADDY, remember You are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth, and…You forgive iniquity (Ex 34:6-7). I look at You and see no reason why You would not let ____ come with me. DADDY, I will continually beg and bagger You about this.

Scripture Memory to Encourage Believers

“…God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Cor 9:8 ESV).

FATHER, I pray that ____ be comforted by the following verses or that (he/she) show comfort to someone else with the following verses:

“…the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thes 3:3 ESV).

“…he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence” (Ps 91:3 ESV).

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Pet 4:12-13 ESV).

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,” (Col 1:11 ESV).

FATHER, You are able to do far more abundantly than all that ____ asks or thinks. You do this by working within (him/her)—by Your SPIRIT working deeply and gently within (him/her) (Eph 3:20). Grant ____ an abundant supply of riches in CHRIST JESUS (Phil 4:19).