Author: bonniefaurote

SUPPLICATION

Posted by

0

CHRISTIAN

[Because we are Christians and live in the world we will always need prayer for our walk and for witnessing to others about CHRIST.  Here’s an opportunity to pray for others or even ourselves.  Fill the name in the blanks.]

BREAD OF LIFE

Screen Shot 2016-03-18 at 3.55.10 PM“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35 ESV).

FATHER, not only does Your Son take away ____’s sin, and become (his/her) righteousness, but He continues to be active in (his/her) life. CHRIST must daily feed (him/her) (John 6:56). ____ must live off Him. You were the bread of life to JESUS, as JESUS must be the bread of life to ____ (John 6:57).

SPIRIT, awaken ____ to understand how to wait for Your instructions. Satisfy (his/her) desire to possess the planted-firm faith that JESUS had and not panic with thoughts of situations present and future. Empower ____ with a cool head void of (his/her) own planning and empower (him/her) with ears that wait for Your directions. You, SPIRIT, will supply the bread from JESUS to (him/her). Quicken ____ to open wide and let JESUS feed (him/her) (Ps 81:10).

THANKSGIVING

Posted by

0

PRAISE NEVER CEASES

Screen Shot 2016-03-18 at 3.50.30 PMThe 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 also 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!

CONFESSION

Posted by

0

 

NO MORE GUILTY CONSCIENCE

Screen Shot 2016-03-18 at 3.41.06 PM…MY COMPASSIONATE SOVEREIGN, I easily discourage myself by believing I am sin because I am the one who is doing the sinning. But to the contrary, it is sin that uses the member’s of my body to work through (Rom 7:17).

CHRIST dwells in me (Gal 2:20) as well as my sinful nature (Rom 7:17,20) (ref#56, p1624, [Rom 7:14-25]). Help me LORD, to never forget that You have made me a saint yet because I’m a mortal creature I still am susceptible to sin. I am a saint who still has a sinful nature that indwells me. So, regarding sin, “…no longer is it I who do it, but the sinful nature which indwells me;…” Kenneth S. Wuest (ref#37, p363, [Rom 7:17]).

Remind me that possessing the nature of CHRIST I am no longer willingly habitually disobedient. It is I, in CHRIST, who makes me desire very much to be obedient even when I’m knowingly sinning (Rom 7:14-25).

And, even as I’m sinning the blood of JESUS cleanses all guilt from my conscience (Heb 10:22). So I should never feel guilty for sinning! You say, “…THEIR ERRORS AND THEIR BREACHES OF THE LAW WILL I SURELY NOT REMEMBER ANY MORE’” Arthur S. Way (ref#38, p242, [Heb 10:17]). There is absolute forgiveness of sins (Heb 10:18). I have been washed clean with pure water (Heb 10:22). Help me remind myself of that often, FATHER, for satan loves to bring my failures to remembrance.

When sin entangles me (Heb 12:1) and uses me for its evil purposes—when You, LORD, witness me aiding and abetting evil—when I’m caught in the crime of offending You—how exceedingly sorrowful I am for my participation in assaulting You. Sorrowful yes, but my faith in CHRIST eliminates guilt.

Again, it’s not I who sin but the sinful nature that still indwells me. Help me always make my confession thorough and quick so I may have the freedom again to praise You. I am always in CHRIST and clean (Heb 10:22). Do not let me wallow in self-pity because I find myself involved in sin. Keep me always from a guilty conscience. And encourage me with the fact that while sin still accompanies my new identity eventually my “new identity will result in the final triumph over indwelling sin (Rom 6:2-14)” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1624, [Rom 7:15]).

 

ADORATION

Posted by

0

GRATEFUL WORSHIP

Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 10.44.07 AM…FATHER, it must have seemed like a dream, too good to be true, to the exiles given permission to return to Zion (Ps 126:1). Or when the angel woke Peter in prison and his chains fell off. He thought he was seeing a vision it was so unreal to him (Acts 12:7,9).

With the work You’ve done in my life, FATHER, I should have the same reaction.   As I remember Your holy activity toward me, I should feel like I need to pinch myself.

Do not thoughts of You set my hearts vibrating? Is there not a sound of song in the distance? If I ponder long enough, doesn’t the music grow louder?

Nehemiah dedicated the wall around Jerusalem with gladness, with thanksgivings, with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres (Neh 12:27). The people gathered offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for GOD had made them rejoice with great joy (Neh 12:43). Doesn’t GOD make me rejoice because of all He’s done?

FATHER, stir me to rejoice; rivet my attention to the rising music in my soul which is the response to Your blessings to me. Lift my eyes to You—You, Who did all for me. Oh soul, rejoice in the LORD, again I say, rejoice (Phil 4:4). Shout for joy (Ps 66:1). In grateful worship, break forth into joy oh my soul!

“Break forth into joy o my soul. Break forth into joy o my soul,

In the presence of the LORD there is joy forevermore,

Break forth, break forth, into joy, o my soul” Composer Unknown.

And LORD, continue to do great works in me. I need Your rain in my drought-stricken life (Ps 126:4). I am like Isaiah looking at You high and lifted up (Isa 6:1). Realizing I am Yours, yet unclean (Isa 6:5). I weep because of my sin, I cry under Your discipline. I plant my crops in sin’s entanglement and despair but in the end I’ll shout hurrahs at the harvest (Ps 126:5).

With pleas for mercy I shall come, and You will lead me back to You (Jer 31:9). So my heavy soul will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing. (Ps 126:6). For all this, LORD, I shout again for joy in grateful worship to You,

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

Posted by

0

A CHEERLEADER FOR THE SABBATH

3/1/2016

Screen Shot 2016-03-18 at 3.22.17 PMAnother Sabbath came and went with nothing to report. All is quiet on the Sabbath front—not even a lone chipmunk running across the dry landscape. Seems I’ve just begun making my Sabbath holy and now everything is dried up. The path forward has evaporated.

I’m wandering. I identified it this morning. Taking my mind back through recent history, I see I’ve been moving away from my daily routine.

I could blame the start of drifting on no longer lighting a candle in the prayer closet. (My closet scent is no longer manufactured and I haven’t decided on a new fragrance.) I no longer get up ½ hour before the start of my day to spend it with the LORD. Since my daily “work” is with the LORD, I have rationalized closet time not a must-do.

But, my “work” has lately been too much replaced with other obligations making me a little nervous about my approaching blogging deadlines. I’m even allowing myself to entertain the stressful thought of not having anything to post about the Sabbath.

I keep saying to myself I’ve got to get back organized but just as the day ends and I’m too tired to do my exercises, I find I’m still not keeping up with my “work.”

But then there is GOD—the One Who surprises me and I react in irrepressible joy.  So He started with me today.

I had not met Him in the prayer closet but was, out of habit, reading Scripture while eating breakfast. (There is something to say about habits. For me, more often than not, Scripture over breakfast is the door He comes through to meet me.)

So there was Joshua, the Old Testament leader of Israel after the death of Moses. He knew he was GOD’s chosen:

“And the LORD commissioned Joshua…’Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you’” (Deut 31:23 ESV).

With the LORD’s words fresh in his ears, he led the people across the Jordon River and into their first battle victory over Jericho by specifically following the LORD’s commands. Then Joshua sent men to spy out the next town, Ai. He anticipated another battle victory as the spies came back with an optimistic estimate of the challenge.

Not. They were soundly defeated (Josh 7:4). Why? “…there was…the apparent negligence of Joshua…in failing to seek divine direction for the Ai campaign…” (ref#125, p404, [Josh 7:10-12]).

I thought, “how quickly he forgets.” But then I have forgotten GOD, too, by moving away from my daily routine.

Before I finished breakfast I received a text from my friend. Periodically she will text me saying she is praying for me. Today I text back a prayer request about my retreat from the LORD. So now I have made myself accountable therefore I am spurred to address my drifting. I smile as I understand the LORD’s orchestration of my situations.

***

Now it’s 4:30PM. I have just come from my prayer closet. Wondering why it is I ever resist the morning time with my FATHER. I have emerged totally psyched—totally refreshed—enough to get me through the rest of the week, I’m sure. I had no idea I was so spiritually cracked and dry until my DADDY recharged me. He has given me enough strength and faith and reason to get back on schedule. Boy, do I feel better—and I didn’t even know I felt bad!

And, moreover, I know that rejuvenation is one of the very important reasons GOD initiated the Sabbath. Indeed, because of His leading today I can again be a cheerleader for keeping the Sabbath.

“…The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27 NASB).

SABBATH

Posted by

0

THE SABBATH IS FOR PRAISING GOD

“Let my highest creature, the one in my image, stop every seven days and commemorate with me the fact that I am the creator….Let him stop working and focus on me, that I am the source of all that he has. I am the fountain of blessing. I have made the very hands and mind with which he works. Let one day out of seven demonstrate that all land and all animals and all raw materials and all breath and strength and thought and emotion and everything come from me. Let man look to me in leisure one day out of seven for the blessing that is so elusive in the affairs of this world” John Piper (ref#169).

SUPPLICATION

Posted by

0

NON CHRISTIAN Resisters

[We all have friends and family that do not want anything to do with Christianity so it is up to us to pray for their salvation.  Here’s an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

BENEFITS OF MISERY

Screen Shot 2016-03-18 at 3.05.19 PM…FATHER, cause ____ to remember that Your heart has been broken over all the sin (he/she) has done. Cause ____ to be loathsome in (his/her) own sight for the evils that (he/she) has committed—for all (his/her) abominations (Ezek 6:9).

FATHER, I praise You that You sovereignly work all things so that even the misery of ____ may lead to (his/her) eternal security. Allow (his/her) desperation guide (him/her) into union with You (ref#66, p62).

I pray that ____ give up the fight of resisting You. Dole out to (him/her) no respite and no resting place for the soles of (his/her) feet, instead give (him/her) a trembling heart and failing eyes and a languishing soul (Deut 28:65). Make (his/her) life itself hang in doubt—that (he/she) dread night and day (Deut 28:66). Make (his/her) suffering so oppressive that Your promises contrast (his/her) plight so strongly that the hope of Your promises drives (him/her) to acceptance.

FATHER, exhaust (him/her) with the guilt of (his/her) sin then offer the refreshment of CHRIST (Matt 11:28-30). Give (him/her) the uplifting option of starting over.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor 5:17 NASU).

 

THANKSGIVING

Posted by

0

PSALM 86

Screen Shot 2016-03-18 at 3.00.54 PMI will praise You, O LORD my GOD,

with my whole heart (Ps 86:12).

For You incline Your ear and answer me

in my distress (Ps 86:1).

 

I ask You to preserve my life

since I am dedicated to You,

since I trust in You, my GOD,

save Your servant (Ps 86:2).

 

You are merciful and gracious to me,

O LORD;

make Your servant to rejoice

for I lift myself up to You (Ps 86:3-4);

 

Teach me that I may walk

and live in Your truth;

direct my heart to reverently fear

and honor Your name (Ps 86:11).

 

You, O LORD, are good

and ready to forgive my trespasses;

I call and You send my sins away—

gone completely and forever (Ps 86:5).

 

Great is Your mercy

and loving-kindness toward me;

You deliver me

from the depths of affliction (Ps 86:13).

 

You are great and work wonders!

You alone are GOD (Ps 86:10).

You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness,

and I will glorify Your name forevermore (Ps 86:5,12).

CONFESSION

Posted by

0

GOING TO THE CROSS

Screen Shot 2016-03-15 at 4.51.02 PM…FATHER, what would happen if I willed myself to look into the face of JESUS on the cross? Could the SPIRIT reveal something in my heart that I’m unaware of and have been avoiding?

Can I let CHRIST’s self-forgetful love—His longsuffering and forbearance flow into my self-remembering heart? I see His wounded hands and feet—His face crowned with thorns (ref#97, p48)—“the bruised body, the dying cries” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p41). I remember how He lived—what He did—what He didn’t do. This cross scene is not something in the past; the Cross still stands! His precious blood still flows for my sin (ref#97, p29)! Do I comprehend the magnitude of that?

“…let us go…in all our rags and poverty and defilement of our natural condition. Let us clasp that cross and look into His eyes. Let us bathe in that fountain filled with blood.  Then we will have our first love restored to us.  Once again we will experience the simplicity of our faith and the tenderness of our hearts” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, March 30th PM).

ADORATION

Posted by

0

SCRIPTURE AND THE SPIRIT

Screen Shot 2016-03-15 at 4.42.33 PM…FATHER, the words You have set in Your Bible are encased in human language but they are not limited to what the human mind can perceive (ref#79, p150). I recognize biblical writings as informative, intriguing, or entertaining but my mind can do nothing to connect me with the words—nothing to change the condition of my heart. Only by the SPIRIT does the words become personal.

“God’s language in his book is alive and full of power. Sharper than a two-edged sword, it cuts open the very thought life of people. It exposes and interprets what they think and feel” Will Metzger (ref#79, p150).

The SPIRIT’s witness to Scripture is not revealing new information but shedding light on what is already written. With the SPIRIT present to interpret the precious words for me my whole being is impressed upon. I am able to react to the words in the same way I sense taste and color (ref#56, p1677, “The Authentication of Scripture”). “As I saturate my life with the Word, I give the Spirit a vocabulary to personalize the Word to me” Paul E. Miller (ref#62, p246). Surely the inward work of the HOLY SPIRIT persuades and assures me that what I’m reading is written for me.

“We read the Scriptures in vain unless we come to them earnestly desiring a better knowledge of God’s will for us…” Arthur W. Pink (ref#152, p173).