“Gratitude is an inward expression of the soul, involuntarily arising therein, while thanksgiving is the voluntary expression of gratitude” (ref#64, p37).

GOD All-sufficient

“KING OF GLORY, DIVINE MAJESTY,
Every perfection adorns thy nature and sustains thy throne;

“The heavens and earth are thine,
The world is thine and its fullness.
Thy power created the universe from nothing;
Thy wisdom has managed all its multiple concerns,…” (ref#76, p216).

Thy goodness is unlimited;
so I will wait on thee.
I have everything supplied by thee,
and I am satisfied in thee (ref# 76, p 216).

“GLORIOUS GOD,
It is the flame of my life to worship thee,
the crown and glory of my soul to adore thee.”
It is “…heavenly pleasure to approach thee…” (ref#76, p196).

Give me thy Spirit to help me worship,
that I may overlook the world—
so You can bring me into fullness of life—
that I may be refreshed, reassured and set apart (ref#76, p196).

“KING OF GLORY,
DIVINE MAJESTY,
Every perfection
adorns thy nature…” (ref# 76, p 216).

Covenant of Works

“Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners….” (Rom 5:19 NLT). “This divinely chosen arrangement whereby Adam determined the destiny of his descendants, has been called the ‘covenant of works,’…” (ref#56, p13, “The Fall”).

My natural-born condition of wanting to decide for myself what is good or bad is the reason this covenant exists. FATHER, I am prone to establish for myself a collection of activities I consider good and bad and then work to do the good. Left to myself, without Your input, FATHER, it makes sense to me that if I work at being good You will bless me; this is the “covenant of works.” My part is to be as good as I can, Your part is to bless me and invite me into heaven—I hope—if I can just do enough good to satisfy You…

You, FATHER, established the “covenant of works” with Adam and Eve in the Garden. You were to be their GOD and they were to be Your people; You gave commands and they were to follow them. And You warned them about the consequences if they did not follow Your commands: “…you shall surely die’” (Gen 2:17 ESV).

The “covenant of works” requires obedience (Lev 18:5); perfect obedience leads to life (ref#63, p517). But now, as with Adam, if I break this covenant “the punishment…is still in effect…death” (ref#63, p518).

Since I do not have the ability to obey every one of Your commands, my only choice is to give up directing my own life and put myself under the Lordship of CHRIST. If I trust Him to fulfill all Your covenant requirements for me, then I shall live forever and never die. For this I am humbled, LORD GOD; JESUS is my escape from the covenant of works that I cannot keep. You are Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider.

“O HEAVENLY FATHER,
Teach me to see…that Christ does not desire me…to live in self-confidence in my own strength…” (ref#76, p57).

“…the human heart would much rather offer to God its works, no matter how costly, than humble itself to confess sin. That is the reason why man is always predisposed to go the way of works;…” (ref#100, p 80).

Prayer Facts:

“As the Son began His prayer by making clear His relation to the Father, pleading His work and obedience and His desire to see the Father glorified, do so too. Draw near and appear before the Father in Christ….Say that you too have given yourself to finish the work the Father has given you to do, and to live alone for His glory….” (ref#19, TWENTY-SEVENTH LESSON).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You do not faint or grow weary (Isa 40:28), I will wait for You.
Because You are faithful to sanctify me completely (1 Thes 5:23-24), I will wait for You.

The Bride of CHRIST
“My beloved is mine, and I am his;…” (Song 2:16 ESV).

FATHER, CHRIST is mine, “I possess him, I have interest in him, as my head and my husband; and I am his, possessed of him, owned by him, given up unto him: and that as to my Beloved in a conjugal relation” (ref#35, p153). CHRIST and I are far from equal— He never sins, I do—but I am part of His bride, the church, and will attend the “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev 19:9).

FATHER, remind me that CHRIST and I always stand facing each other holding hands in mutual resignation like couples in a marriage service. He takes me to be His, to love and care for me; I take Him to be mine giving myself up to be His in obedience.

He says, “…I know by experience those that are mine, and those that are mine know me by experience, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…” (ref#37, p238, [John 10:14-15]). And so, CHRIST, if I love You, then I am known by You (1 Cor 8:3). You make rich provision for my needs, You pay all my debts and I can share in Your wealth and You even allow me to assume Your name (ref#34, July 22nd AM). My sin is covered by my Bridegroom. His puts on me His very own comeliness that makes me beautiful—even perfect (ref#35, p156).

And, on my part it is to consent to accept all He gives—to “receive, embrace, and submit unto the Lord Jesus, as…husband, Lord, and Savior—to abide with him…and be ruled by him forever” (ref#35, p157).

FATHER, I thank You that You have made me prefer CHRIST counting everything else as rubbish compared to Him (Php 3:8). Thank You for my heart change so I am willing to give myself up to Him. I desire He see my face and hear my voice and count it as sweet and lovely (Song 2:14).

“He is…your Husband, never seeking a divorce; your Friend, sticking closer than a brother; your Shepherd, with you in death’s dark vale. He is your help and your deliverer; your castle and your high tower; the horn of your strength, your confidence, your joy, your all in all…” (ref#34, April 19th PM).

Plants That Do Not Produce a Crop

FATHER, a backslider is like most of the scattered seeds in the “Parable of the Sower” (Matt 13:1-8). They, for a time, grow well but then something inhibits them. The attention of backsliders is often diverted by tribulation or persecution that arises from following CHRIST, or they are held back by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches (Matt 13:21-22). And, the subtlest and probably the most prevalent way a plant is attacked is the disease of pride. And all, like tender sprouts, their plight must be quickly reversed or they will die without yielding the fruit of eternal life.

FATHER, I fear the arrogance of ____’s heart is deceiving (him/her) (Jer 49:16). (His/Her) overconfidence gets (him/her) into trouble; making (him/her) unable to listen to Biblical teaching, or hear admonitions and warnings.

CHRIST dealt with pride in His Apostles (Matt 26:33). Peter said he would lay down his life for CHRIST (John 13:37). But, CHRIST knew that would not happen. So, since Peter would not listen to His teachings or hear His warnings CHRIST turned to prayer (Luke 22:32).

FATHER, I know You may give satan permission to sift ____ like wheat, as You did Peter, before You poured out mercy on (him/her) (Luke 22:31-32). But, through JESUS’ prayer Peter came to posses enough faith to turn and help others.

So, I come with a similar prayer for ____. Move ____ to see (his/her) sin and return like Peter with enough faith to grow into a plant that bears fruit and yields 30, 60, or hundredfold (Matt 13:23).

Telling Others of Personal Suffering

FATHER, since it is very common for conversations to include stories of suffering, school ____ to culminate (his/her) “suffering” stories by speaking of CHRIST’s help through them. ____ can “speak in such a way that the worth of ‘Christ crucified’ is seen and savored” (ref#2, p55).

I pray that interruptions not happen when (he/she) tells (his/her) story, for what (he/she) says needs to be a complete story including not only the difficult situation, and (his/her) struggle in it, but also how CHRIST intervened in the situation (ref#5, p155).

May the SPIRIT lead ____ in highlighting Your grace in (his/her) weakness. May (he/she) be willing to expose (his/her) sin so (he/she) can tell of Your redemptive glory (ref#5, p156).

As (he/she) talks help (him/her) keep the over-all thought of “it is Your story,” in all (he/she) says. Let (him/her) voice facts of (his/her) helplessness and the resources (he/she) finds in CHRIST (ref#5, p156).

FATHER, the hard part for ____ may be to not make herself hero of the story. If rightly told ____’s story will encourage (his/her) listener to trust CHRIST and not develop an unhealthy dependency on (him/her) (ref#5, p157).

I pray ____ stand next to (his/her) listener and tell amazing stories of Your love and care, sharing the things (he/she) has learned from You. I also pray that ____ be quick to let (his/her) listener know that (he/she) is willing to walk beside (him/her) in (his/her) suffering (ref#5, p147).

His Yoke Is Easy

FATHER, cause it to be known to ____ that (his/her) responsibility is to let CHRIST do His work through (him/her). CHRIST will see to the completion of His work as well as bind up ____’s infirmities and strengthen (his/her) weaknesses so (he/she) is able to reflect CHRIST’s character (Ezek 34:16).

____ is equal to every lot through the help of CHRIST who gives (him/her) inward strength (Phil 4:13). When (he/she) grows weary—to the point of exhaustion with burdens that humble (him/her) beneath their weight, CHRIST alone will cause (him/her) to cease from (his/her) labor and He alone will take away (his/her) burdens and refresh (him/her) with rest (Matt 11:28-29).

By drawing near and resting—by quietness and trust ____ shall become mighty (Isa 30:15). For CHRIST’s yoke is easy and the load He gives (him/her) is light (Matt 11:30).

I pray the above for ____, knowing that You give what You promise for the asking and I am asking that You pour out Your witness of CHRIST through ____.

Storming Heaven

“Convince me that I can have no peace at death, nor hope that I should go to Christ, unless I intend to do his will and have his fullness while I live” (ref#76, p167).

FATHER, heaven is not obtained except I violently take it by force (Matt 11:12). Since getting into CHRIST’s presence is never my natural desire, in the mundane or easy days I must power myself into CHRIST’s kingdom.

I default to the control of myself in a thousand different ways as I look for contentment. But, Oswald Chambers makes a statement that I must consider: “…we do not want to realize Jesus Christ, but only our enjoyment of Him” (ref#7, July 10th).

I can use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of my enjoyment. I can serve the church for my own well-feelings. In honesty, I must ask myself, “Am I a Christian because it is pleasurable?”

FATHER, always clue me I am on the broad path that leads to destruction (Matt 7:13) if I avoid being stirred up or am not willing to face “injustice and meanness and ingratitude and turmoil” (ref#7, July 10th). I have to believe storming heaven will mean physical stress, but because of my willful resolve and determination I will reap a joy superior to all joy—a joy that cannot be found anywhere else but in fellowship with You (ref#16, [1 Cor 2:9]).

“Faith makes things possible, but not easy” (a church marquee).

Sin Does No Permanent Damage

FATHER, I know sin has consequences, but it does no permanent damage. Sin has put me in shambles; I am like the rubble of a building but through my acceptance of CHRIST’s work on the cross the HOLY SPIRIT will purify and refine me back into a building gloriously enough for You to dwell in. No matter how horrific my sin or how horrific someone has sinned again me, You provide the way for my whole soul to be restored (ref#15, [Acts 9:31]).

Sin is a past issue with You. And, it may be too, with me, once I roll the situation over to You. To nullify sin’s damage, LORD, You require, by faith, I prove CHRIST conquered sin by putting the incident behind me, as You have put it behind You. Yes, I may deal with a consequence of sin everyday but it does not need to trigger a flash back to the original sin. I need to purposefully break the circle of returning to negative thoughts.

Direct me, FATHER, to fixing my eyes on JESUS (Heb 12:2), recalling His love for me that is stronger than death (Song 8:6), praying He bestow such love on me so that I’m able to bestow it on myself and the ones I have sinned against or the ones that have sinned against me. This becomes the entrance into restoration.

LORD, hand out enough faith to me that I know Your forgiveness heals the damage of sin; You will restore (Isa 57:14-19); this is Your promise! Be with me as I prove Your healing by letting You tear away habits of old hurtful thoughts and permitting You to replace them with new habits of thinking.

I must willingly let You work even though I, quite possibly, will not have any recognizable changed feelings. (Proper feelings may never come, but freedom will and the joy of following truth will easily override any lack of feelings I long for.)

To help me anchor the renewed mind You give me, FATHER, I ask for faith to perform the below commands:

1. Never bring up the subject of the sin and its situation to the one who has wronged me or to the one I have wronged.
2. Never again bring it up in conversations with other people.
3. Never dwell on it again in my own mind.

“Thou hast given me the ordinance of song as a means of grace; Fit me to bear my part in that music ever new, which elect angels and saints made perfect now sing before thy throne and before the Lamb” (ref#76, p159).

GOD, You Are Good and Righteous Altogether

FATHER, You are upright and good, instructing me in my way (Ps 25:8).

You are abundant in mercy and
ready to forgive when I call (Ps 86:5).

O LORD, be gracious to me;
I wait for you.
Be my arm every morning,
my salvation in the time of trouble (Isa 33:2).

As a faithful Creator,
I commit my soul to You.
You made me and
You will never fail me (1 Pet 4:19).

There is nothing compared to You

inasmuch as there is none like You,
O LORD, You are great, and

Your name is great in might (Jer 10:6).

FATHER, You reign You sit enthroned above the cherubim (Ps 99:1).

Your work is honorable and glorious,
and Your righteousness endures forever (Ps 111:3).

You are uncompromisingly righteous;
You will not do iniquity.
Every morning You bring Your justice to light; You fail not (Zeph 3:5).

You are righteous in all Your ways
and kind in all Your works (Ps 145:17).
The sum of Your word is truth,
and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever (Ps 119:160).