Working Out My Own Salvation

FATHER, move me to work out my own salvation—but not on my own. Keep me always accepting what You give. I wish to let You set me apart.

“The one marvelous secret of a holy life lies not in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfections of Jesus manifest themselves in my mortal flesh” (ref#7, July 23rd).

FATHER, Your mystery of sanctification is JESUS. All His sinless perfection You pour into me. And as You pour, I continually change slowly and surely into holiness (2 Cor 13:4).

If there is any effort on my part to be exerted it is to seek to know CHRIST better—“in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal advent” (ref#34, Jan 4th AM). The reason You have made me one with

JESUS is so His disposition will rule my disposition (ref#7, Feb 8th). This “working out my own salvation” is to let You, FATHER, more quickly change me. Allow me to experience the closeness of JESUS, FATHER, so that His presence pushes anxious thoughts away that I may see clearly Your direction before me.

Satan Stands Before GOD and Accuses Me

FATHER, it bothers me greatly that satan stands before You and accuses me day and night (Rev 12:10). Even though he hates Your presence, he is willing to appear before You to accuse me (ref#18, [Rev 12:1-11]). And his accusations are true! He lies to me but speaks truth to You. Day and night—continually, he gives me a bad name before You—day and night! How is it that You can 24-7 insist on loving me against all the facts?

This prosecutor, satan, has the evidence to convict me and I have no arguments in my defense for I do go through each day a sinner just as he says. It is an absolute necessity to have CHRIST represent me. Impress upon me the seriousness of my inability to stop sinning and the seriousness of depending on CHRIST. By the “blood of the Lamb” You, FATHER, set me free (Rev 12:11). You cast satan out of

Your court, crushing his indictments (ref#18, [Rev 12:1- 11]). So, I commit my cause to CHRIST, my Advocate (ref#18, [Rev 12:1-11]). In confession, CHRIST, You are my Savior; and because You are my Savior I gladly make You my LORD.

“Worship is always extravagant: Elders throw down their crowns, Mary pours out precious ointment, people prostrate themselves” (ref#79, p156).

Psalm 61

“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;

from the end of the earth I call to you

when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,”

“for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!…”

“For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Prolong (my life) may (my) years endure to all generations!”

“May (I) be enthroned forever before (You);
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over (me)!

So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day” (Psalm 61 ESV).

GOD Strengthens My Soul

To You wise GOD, be glory

forevermore through CHRIST!
Through CHRIST I praise You,
the incomparably wise GOD (Rom 16:27).

You are gracious, LORD,

and righteous altogether,

Yes, and merciful, compassionate, and kindhearted (Ps 116:5).

When I call You answer;
You strengthen me with might—
making me inflexible to temptation
so my strength of soul is increased (Ps 138:3).

Engage me to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,

announcing Your love each daybreak,
and singing of Your faithful presence
all through the night (Ps 92:2).

Prayer Facts:

“There is nothing more difficult than to ask. We will long and desire and crave and suffer, but not until we are at the extreme limit will we ask….” (ref#7, June 9th). “Prayer is weakness leaning on omnipotence” W. S. Bowden (ref#55, p129).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because all Your promises find their answer in CHRIST (2 Cor 1:20), I will wait for Y ou.
Because Your Son is holy, blameless, unstained by sin, separated from sinners and exalted higher than the heavens (Heb 7:26), I will wait for You.

Because You sent Your Son into the world so that I might live through Him (1 John 4:9), I will wait for You.