Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING

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COVENANT OF REDEMPTION

Screen Shot 2016-02-26 at 2.49.19 PM“Theologians speak of…a covenant that is not between God and man, but is among the members of the Trinity. This covenant they call the ‘covenant of redemption.’ It is an agreement among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…On the part of the Father, this ‘covenant of redemption’ included an agreement to give to the Son a people whom he would redeem for his own possession…” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p518).

The Son agreed to “pay blood for blood, suffering for suffering, agony for agony, and death for death on behalf of His people” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, February 27th PM). “When Christ died, he secured for his people not only new hearts but new security. He will not let them turn from him. He will keep them….The blood of the covenant guarantees it” John Piper (ref#92, p47) (John 6:37).

“…the Holy Spirit in the covenant of redemption…agreed to do the will of the Father and fill and empower Christ to carry out his ministry on earth…and to apply the benefits of Christ’s redemptive work to his people after Christ returned to heaven….” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p519).

TRIUNE GOD, I am blessed to possess the understanding of Your “covenant of redemption.” There are not enough words to express my gratitude. Day by day in my personal life I observe Your efforts in fulfilling Your goal decided upon before You set the foundations of the earth.

THANKSGIVING

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THE HOLY SPIRIT BEARS WITNESS TO MY SPIRIT

Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 12.07.25 PM…FATHER, may these words be like the pile of stones the people of Israel assembled on the other side of the Jordon River to forever remind them that Your hand is mighty (Josh 4:20,24).

The enemy is constantly waiting for opportunities to insinuate that I am not Your heir. Therefore, I offer up this thanksgiving because of the witness Your SPIRIT provides that I really am Yours and will be eternally.

FATHER, I thank You that Your SPIRIT puts in me the divine nature. According to Your mercy Your SPIRIT washes me clean by regeneration (Titus 3:5) and makes His home in me. He, Himself then is the foretaste of the complete possession of my inheritance (Eph 1:14). I am fully and comfortably assured of Your divine adoption because Your SPIRIT bears witness to my spirit that I am Your child (Rom 8:16).

And, LORD, I praise You that Your SPIRIT then makes my inheritance more sure by culturing and planting spiritual seeds in me so I produce the fruit of righteousness (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control) (Gal 5:22-23). How marvelous it is FATHER, that when I look at myself, I do discover some of these good effects of the SPIRIT’s activity. I look forward to producing more of His fruit.

I thank You, too, LORD that the SPIRIT speaks to me regarding my salvation by drawing me toward the desire to be holy. “The panting after divine conformity is the Spirit’s inspiration” Octavius Winslow (ref#61, Sept 14th), isn’t it? O FATHER, it’s true, I no longer have as my goal to serve myself.

“By…begetting in us the divine nature, by producing in us spiritual fruits, and by breathing in our souls a desire for holiness, the Spirit conducts us to the rational conclusion that we are born of God” Octavius Winslow (ref#61, Sept 14th).

 

THANKSGIVING

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IMPORTANCE OF CORPORATE PRAYER

Screen Shot 2016-02-03 at 2.58.00 PM…FATHER, how profusely I thank You for the institution of corporate prayer (Matt 18:20). Praying with one another not only heightens my concentration, making me learn to be more articulate, but it causes me to be more disciplined, that I might linger longer in Your presence. I can think better and be still longer when I am with others.

But, the most joyous advantage of corporate prayer is to be ushered into the spiritual world by hearing others testify, FATHER, of Your interaction with them. Their witness strengthens my faith and gives me courage.

If I didn’t submit myself to the time of corporate prayer, I would have very little experience with what really goes on in Your spiritual world. My experience plus hearing the experience of others pushes me out of the physical world. The more I think about the spiritual world, the more real it becomes.

I also thank You for corporate prayer for the obvious reason—gathering a long list of prayer requests. This gives me the opportunity to add to my list the names of people others pray for.

Corporate prayer unites me with my brothers and sisters in CHRIST. And Your presence becomes more sure and real as I participate on a regular basis. This kind of prayer does not trumpet its worth until it is experienced. Thank You, FATHER, for the grace of corporate prayer.

THANKSGIVING

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CHRIST’S VICTORY OVER SATAN

 Screen Shot 2016-01-28 at 12.22.50 PM…FATHER, satan began his spiritual war with mankind by deceiving Eve, but his beginning was his end. As soon as the devil revealed himself, You, FATHER, prophesied his demise.

“I will make you and the woman enemies to each other. Your descendants and her descendants will be enemies. One of her descendants will crush your head, and you will bite his heel” (Gen 3:15 NCV).

“Christ baffled Satan’s temptations, rescued souls out of his hands, cast him out of the bodies of people…by his death, he gave a fatal and incurable blow to the devil’s kingdom, a wound to the head of this beast, that can never be healed” Matthew Henry (ref#18, [Gen 3:14-15]).

You, FATHER, established a perpetual overthrow of the devil and will shortly cast him into the lake of fire where he will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev 20:10). Praise to You, FATHER, for overwhelmingly assuring me that You were, are, and always will be in complete control of my arch enemy.

THANKSGIVING

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IMPERCEPTIBLE

Screen Shot 2016-01-28 at 9.39.27 AMYour throne, FATHER, is established from of old (Ps 93:2).

You are immeasurable—

“without…bounds”—illimitable (ref#110, p672).

You are not translatable (ref#110, p1453).

 

You are from everlasting (Ps 93:2)—

immutable and consistent.

You are changeless (ref#110, p234)

and no one can restrain You (ref#110, p1462).

 

You are the King of ages—immortal, invisible (1 Tim 1:17).

You are not limited or restricted (ref#110, p1162).

You are imperceptible and indiscernible (ref#110, p688)

and no one can hold You back (ref#110, p1162).

 

To You be honor and glory forever (1 Tim 1:17).

As You are impenetrable (ref#110, p676),

unfathomable and inscrutable (ref#110, p676, 698),

undecipherable and mysterious (ref#110, p1453, 698).

THANKSGIVING

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MY RESPONSIBILITY

Screen Shot 2016-01-27 at 11.51.27 AM…FATHER, even though Your work “of salvation is wholly sovereign and gracious…the reality of the human response in believing and receiving is never cancelled” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1509, [John 1:13]). Peter tells me I should be diligent to make my calling and election certain (2 Peter 1:10)—that is, certain to me.

“…simply to say that we are trusting in God instead of acting responsibly is sheer laziness…” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p335). FATHER, I am known by the fruits I produce as I labor (ref#56, p1630, “Election and Reprobation”). Paul observed spiritual fruits in the Thessalonians: “We give thanks to God always for…your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes 1:2-3 ESV).

In Your sovereign will, FATHER, You have designed me to be “a means You use to bring about the changes in the world” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p 334). Thank You for giving me this opportunity to be a part of Your activities.

 

THANKSGIVING

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YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LOVE ME

Screen Shot 2016-01-26 at 2.21.41 PM…FATHER, I desire to spend time collecting my thoughts on Your everlasting tenderness and compassion. Please help me focus.

Even though in Yourself You are all-sufficient, yet from eternity You laid in Your bosom a design for my happiness. You love me because You “will” to love me—freely, without any obligation. Because of Your great love, You have seated me with CHRIST in order to show Your immeasurable riches and kindness toward me (Eph 2:7).

How is it You love me when You don’t have to? When I look at Your heavens and the work of Your fingers, who am I that You care for me (Ps 8:3-4)? I do not know why You pass by millions of people who do not differ from my nature (Eph 2:3) and choose me to love (Isa 43:4).

You promise to forever dwell with me for You have desired it (Ps 132:14). I am Your resting place forever. You cannot leave me for You are captivated by my beauty. You are in love with all my charms—the charms that You continually provide for me in CHRIST (Gal 5:22-23). You love me so You literally bind Yourself to me. Because of what You give me, my head flows with locks of purple and You are bound in my tresses (ref#35, p126 [Song 7:5-6]).

Mine is the joy to meditate on Your everlasting tenderness and compassion. As I recognize Your charms in me my gratitude to You increases.

THANKSGIVING

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MY DEFAULT

Screen Shot 2016-01-14 at 2.45.48 PM…FATHER, I can do nothing worthwhile—that, You have to do. But I can always praise and worship You. In fact, You have formed me to express honor to You (Isa 43:21). Whether I’m overwhelmed with difficult circumstances or come face to face with Your great acts, when I think of You, my heart defaults to praising and worshiping You.

You grant to me my heart’s desire and fulfill all my plans (Ps 20:4). Therefore, I will set up my banner by Your name, for You fulfill all my petitions (Ps 20:5).

O soul, be not downcast, for with a little reflection I can say, “You, GOD, are my refuge and my fortress. I abide under Your shadow—in the secret place of You, the Most High” (Ps 91:1,2).

I will declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness every night (Ps 92:2). For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the work of Your hands (Ps 92:4).

FATHER, I ask You allow me to bear fruit continually—even to old age; refresh me and make me flourish so I may declare Your uprightness (Ps 92:14,15). I have set my love on You (Ps 91:14); honor me with a life able to see Your salvation (Ps 91:16). Because Your work makes me glad, (Ps 92:4) I will sing praises to Your name, O MOST HIGH (Ps 92:1).

THANKSGIVING

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PSALM 89:15-18

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 2.33.51 PM…FATHER, how blessed and happy I am, yes, how fortunate and to be envied for I understand and appreciate Your spiritual blessings. I have accepted Your invitation to walk in the light of Your face (Ps 89:15).

With Your favor my walk is stately and self-assured (ref#68, [Ps 89:15]). I feel in my conscience that You are my FATHER (ref#67, [Ps 89:15]). I shall live in Your acts of kindness and enjoy Your smiles (ref#16, [Ps 89:15]).

Because of You, I rejoice; because of Your righteousness You exalt me (Ps 89:16). You justify me freely from all things; You purify me from all unrighteousness. I am growing in grace and in the knowledge of JESUS now, and at last will be exalted to Your right hand to reign with You forever (ref#15, [Ps 89:16]). In the enjoyment of Your divine favor I grow more wise, more holy, more powerful, and, consequently, more happy (ref #15, [Ps 89:17]).

All I am and have I owe to You (Ps 89:18). All that I rely on as a defense belongs to You or is of You (ref#16, [Ps 89:18]). Since You are my ruler, You are my defender; and who is he then that can harm me (ref#18, [Ps 89:18])?

I am blessed to know the joyful sound—to know I am convened to the place of Your worship (ref#16, [Ps 89:15]).

 

I am blessed to know the festal shout,

I walk, O LORD, in the light of Your face,

I exult in Your name all the day

and in Your righteousness I’m exalted (Ps 89:15-16).

 

For You are the glory of my strength;

by Your favor my horn is exalted.

For my shield belongs to You, O LORD,

my very self to the Holy One of Israel (Ps 89:17-18).

 

I know the festal shout

For I walk in the light of Your face,

You are the glory of my strength

My shield belongs to You, O LORD.

 

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Amen

THANKSGIVING

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THE SACRAMENTS

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 11.50.58 AM…FATHER, how You care for my needs—You know I need regular reminders of what the Gospel is and that I’m truly a part of it. You have set up Baptism and the LORD’s Supper to be visible signs, ordained by You and instituted by CHRIST, to do just that (Matt 28:19, 1 Cor 11:23-26). They are the tangible evidence of the grace and blessings of Your covenant The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1411, “The Sacraments”).

“As the preaching of the Word makes the gospel audible, so the sacraments make it visible. Sacraments strengthen faith by correlating Christian beliefs with the testimony of our senses” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p 1411, “The Sacraments”).

Baptism:

“…is a sign of the believer’s death and resurrection with Christ (Rom 6:3),…to increase our…realization of death to the power and love of sin…and to increase our experience of the power of new resurrection life in Christ…” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p954).

The LORD’s Supper:

“…is a fellowship with Christ, in his presence and at his table” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p954-955). “…God’s aim has been to bring his people into fellowship with himself, and one of the great joys of experiencing that fellowship is the fact that we can eat and drink in the presence of the Lord” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p989-990).