Eternal Blessings

You have called me according to Your purpose, and predestined me to be conformed to the image of CHRIST JESUS (Rom 8:28-29). Your words do not return to You void (Isa 55:11). No matter how You infuse Your goodness into me, it cannot be snatched away.

When misunderstandings come in relationships and I am deeply hurt by trusted friends who have been a great conduit for Your mercy to me, Your mercy remains even if the relationship is destroyed. Ultimately the relationships You work through to conform me into the image of CHRIST is of no lasting consequence —only the conforming matters. My earthly relationships will always be tainted with sin, misunderstandings will abound, but Your Word that comes to me through those relationships will remain forever (1 Pet 1:25).

FATHER, my life here is fluid—forever changing. I ebb and flow as Your great seas. But You are my foundation—never changing, never. Anything that is spiritually attested is eternal. As You subject me to fluctuating circumstances of this earth, I thank You for protecting the Christlikeness You have already poured into me and the Christlikeness You will continue to pour into me.

Saving Faith

FATHER, though I did not know it, You sought me long before I sought You, enabling me to believe in You. You worked in my heart in a mysterious way, making possible my belief before I trusted You (ref#63, p 708).

Having chosen me, You called me to come to You, and when I came, You declared me ‘not guilty,’ filled me with CHRIST’s goodness, gave me a right standing with Yourself and promised me Your glory (Rom 8:30).

I have come, but I perceive ____ has not. But, if You have chosen (him/her), (he/she) will come. Not only will (he/she) come but come turning away from (his/her) former pattern of living, seeking to have (his/her) sin and guilt removed, and looking forward to entering into a genuine relationship with You that will last forever (ref#63, p710).

FATHER, I pray these three requests for ____:

1. 1.)  That (he/she) obtain basic knowledge of the facts of the Gospel and approve of what (he/she) hears (ref#63, p712).
2. 2.)  That (he/she) trust in CHRIST knowing that He is the only way to You (ref#63, p712).
3. 3.)  And that all this leads to a decision of (his/her) will to depend on and put (his/her) trust in CHRIST as (his/her) Savior (ref#63, p712).

Thomas, the Apostle, did not make a personal decision to trust CHRIST wholeheartedly in the years he was CHRIST’s disciple or even immediately after CHRIST’s resurrection (John 20:24-28). I pray in hope that You will cause ____ to, in (his/her) time, reach the point of willfully choosing to enter into a relationship with CHRIST.

“…whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves. These are the God-begotten,…not flesh-begotten…” (John 1:12-13 MSG).

Presenting the Gospel to Both the Goats and the Sheep

FATHER, Christianity will always be perceived negatively to the general population. No one walks into a church or crusade without an initial drawing from You. No one seeks You on their own (Ps 14:1-3) so any words ____ speaks about You in public will fall on the ears of those who are naturally prejudiced against Christianity. “The once born never understand the twice-born…” (ref#103, p40).

At best, (his/her) words will be foolishness to them. It is just as hard to witness in the middle of a Muslim nation as it is in a western country. FATHER, unless You change hearts ____’s words will be met with hostility.

CHRIST’s words divided the crowds. To His sheep (the ones who listened), His words brought a softness and an intrigue; but to the goats (the self-righteous and independent) His words spurred violence toward Him.

____’s mission field that You have given (him/her) are the ones whose road leads to hell and they don’t know it. Mobilize (him/her) for truth-speaking that will blast people off the destructive road. FATHER, make ____’s words like fire—like a hammer that breaks rock into pieces (Jer 23:29). Drive ____ to speak so truthfully that immediately (he/she) will be able to recognize the sheep from the goats.

Seeing JESUS

FATHER, grant ____ a vision of the suffering CHRIST. Help (him/her) see all the actions of CHRIST—from His willingness to leave heaven, to His earthly life of suffering, to His triumph over evil. Remind ____ about CHRIST’s reliance on the HOLY SPIRIT and not His born-with abilities (Isa 11:2-3).

Help ____ contemplate the joy CHRIST had ascending into heaven to send the SPIRIT to earth (John 16:7). Fill ____ with thoughts of CHRIST’s earthly actions that gave Him the opportunity to live in the SPIRIT.

FATHER, guide ____ to perceive the love JESUS has for (him/her). Guide (him/her) to perceive the great ability and willingness JESUS has to take (him/her) through this affliction as well as all coming afflictions.

CHRIST, impress Your love on ____ so strongly that (his/her) affliction grows strangely dim. May Your great love and sacrifice for (him/her) make (him/her) ashamed to even think of (his/her) momentary affliction. Make it possible for ____ to comprehend and feel Your great love. Stay ____’s mind on You (Isa 26:3).

Two Natures

FATHER, Your SPIRIT is teaching me to understand myself. This makes me responsible for how I conduct my life. So, let me warn myself about the battle that starts in my mind.

Since the SPIRIT resides in me, I admire righteousness. This admiration comes from the new nature You have given me. But my old unrighteous nature still has the ability to influence my mind—thus the battle.

My mind is in the habit of accepting input from my “flesh”—which is sense and reason without the HOLY SPIRIT. Thus my old nature gladly takes up the challenge to become righteous. This “flesh,” with its carnal thoughts and purposes, cannot please or satisfy You or ever be acceptable to You because it is obsessed with self (Rom 8:6-8). My mind is not renewed so as to change my conduct if I just try hard to act righteous (ref#33, p110).

Therefore, let me warn myself about my “flesh:” “…flesh not only can produce sin but can also perform good” (ref#33, p110). I can read and preach the Bible, hear and believe the Scriptures in the strength of my flesh and not depend at all on the HOLY SPIRIT Who guides my new nature (ref#33, p113). I can serve You over-zealously like the Pharisees all with my natural strength.

“That which is born of flesh…is flesh, and can never be ‘unfleshed.’ Whether it be the flesh in the pulpit…the flesh in prayers…the flesh in reading the Bible, the flesh in singing hymns, or the flesh in doing good—none of these…can avail…” (ref#33, p119)

My flesh will try to establish another righteousness outside of CHRIST. Flesh left to itself will lead me down Israel’s path—pursuing righteousness based on works (my doings) and not faith (Rom 9:32).

Because I attempt to follow You in faith, I know that You have gifted me with a new nature that is opposite my unrighteous, fleshly nature. I do not want to walk in the natural, easy ways of my flesh, but desire to follow You in the newness of life that You give. Keep me aware of these two natures within me

and provide strength so my actions are in keeping with my new nature.

I make a decisive dedication of my members and faculties to be devoted and well-pleasing to You. Therefore, I determine, with Your SPIRIT’s help, to put to death by neglect my natural thinking.

Panic

…if…you will not do all my commandments…then I will do this to you: I will visit you with panic… (Lev 26:14-16 ESV)

FATHER, as naturally and surely as Your lightening starts forest fires and hurricanes produce devastation, disobedience brings panic. The cause will always yield the same results. Whether I am presumptions or naive about disobeying the result will be panic.

FATHER, it is frightfully easy to move myself from Your rule back to operating under my rule. Not paying attention is enough to do it. Problems start when I go days not realizing I’m hearing nothing from You to obey. When I’m not in Your Word, or in accountable fellowship, or in honest prayer, I am not exposed to Your commands and thus, not obedient to them. But, ignorance of the law is no excuse whether it’s civil law or Your law. Forgive me for walking away from You.

Whenever I deduce I can’t handle a present or upcoming circumstance, FATHER, remind me that it is because I have drifted away from Your care and power over my life. Call me back, blanket me in Your presence, cause me to delight again in obedience. Only You can dissipate panic.

“Lord, increase my certainty that I am taken up into Thy consciousness, and not that I take Thee into mine. ‘For in all the world there is none but thee, my God, there is none but thee’” (ref#27, p67).

Psalm 19:7-11 NKJV

VERSE ONE:
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps 19:7 NKJV).

REFRAIN:
“More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey
and the honeycomb” (Ps 19:10 NKJV).

“Moreover by them
Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is
great, great, great, reward” (Ps 19:11 NKJV).

VERSE TWO:
“The statutes of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps 19:8 NKJV); REFRAIN

VERSE THREE:
“The fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether” (Ps 19:9 NKJV). REFRAIN

CHRIST’s Intercession

“Immanuel, God with us…—in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph…” (ref#34, Dec 25th AM).

FATHER, how thankful I am that CHRIST is not come to You as He left, but now comes to You not only as the “Son of GOD” but also as the “Son of Man.” Because He ascended as the “Son of Man,” I can follow Him straight into Your holy of holies.

“As the Son of Man Jesus Christ deliberately limited omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience in Himself. But since His ascension these qualities are His in absolute full power” (ref#7, May 17th). He has all power at Your throne. He is now King of kings and Lord of lords (ref#7, May 17th). And as King He does not just rest on His throne:

“…the essence of Christ’s intercession is intervention in our interests rather than supplication on our behalf…” (ref#56, p1505, “The Ascension of Jesus”). “He sits at the Father’s right hand—not to rest, but to rule. The picture is not of inactivity but of authority” (ref#56, p1572, “Jesus’ Heavenly Reign”).

From His throne He sends the HOLY SPIRIT and equips me for service. I now have at my disposal all the benefits that His suffering won for me (ref#56, p 1505, “The Ascension of Jesus”).

“Jesus provides his righteousness for our sin, his strength for our weakness, and his relationship with the Father to replace our alienation (2 Cor 5:21)” (ref#66, p87).

Prayer Facts:

“Prayer cannot request too much because the Father desires to glorify his Son as much as possible” (ref#66, p97).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You have given me the Word of Truth and the Gospel of my salvation in CHRIST (Eph 1:13), I will wait for You.
Because You, FATHER, have blessed me in CHRIST with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm (Eph 1:3), I will wait for You.

Because You caused CHRIST to suffer by being tempted, therefore He is able to run to my cry as I am being tempted and exposed to suffering (Heb 2:18), I will wait for You.

Praise Never Ceases

The only thing I can possess that lasts eternally is praise to the Triune GOD. I feebly praise here on earth and it encourages my soul magnificently but in this world I am side- tracked and burdened with so many things…

But when You, FATHER come to take me out of this world, I will lose these burdens and be glorified to a state where I think only of praising You. Even now I realize that a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere (Ps 84:10). What joy it will be to be continually serving You as the sons of Levi served in Your earthly house (1 Chron 23:32).

King David assigned 6,000 Levites to have charge of the work in the house—to be officers and judges. He assigned 4,000 gatekeepers and 4,000 to offer praises (1 Chron 23:4-5). I would love to minister night and day to You…

You are able to fill me with joy on this earth by satisfying me with the ability to embrace short spurts of praise to You—for this I am exceedingly thankful. But, what greater joy will I experience when I am able to think of nothing else but serving You!