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!

Signs and Wonders

FATHER, I am an ambassador to You for CHRIST that I may bring ____ to Your throne and ask again that (her/she) be reconciled to You (2 Cor 5:20). Because ____ is dominated by (his/her) own personal cravings (he/she) possesses a moral twist which causes (him/her) to believe that which is fictitious (ref#37, p505 [2 Tim 4:4]).

(He/She) may draw up rules and regulations as to how You, FATHER, should give (him/her) mercy. (He/She) may imagine that (he/she) can dictate to You (ref#34, Sept 2nd PM). (He/She) may be waiting for You to deal with (him/her) in ways You deal with others. (He/She) may be looking for signs and wonders—something that would cause (him/her) to believe without having any faith.

“’If I had a dream, or if I could feel a sudden shock or something—I don’t know what—then I would believe…’ ‘I must feel a deep terror in my soul regarding my sins, or I will never believe in Jesus’” (ref#34, Sept 2nd PM).

FATHER, You have as many ways to bring people to CHRIST as You have creatures. Spectacular or not spectacular bring ____ to believing faith.

Bread of Life

“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).

Reasons For Affliction – To Recognize Hope

FATHER, You say it is good for ____ that (he/she) is afflicted, that (he/she) might learn Your statutes (Ps 119:71). Your rules are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted (him/her) (Ps 119:75).

If Your laws are not ____’s delight, (he/she) will perish in (his/her) affliction (Ps 119:92). LORD, keep ____ in Your grasp so (he/she) never forgets Your precepts, for in them You have given (him/her) life (Ps 119:93). Let Your steadfast love comfort ____ according to Your promise to (him/her) (Ps 119:76).

FATHER, though You slay ____, continue to provide for (his/her) strength to hope in You (Job 13:15). I know that because (he/she) is Yours, You will not let (him/her) fall away no matter how well or how badly (he/she) reacts to (his/her) situation or how horrific the situation. Because of (his/her) hope (he/she) will wait in silence for You (Ps 62:5). This is the way (he/she) will bring You honor.

FATHER, Your thundering breakers crash and crush ____ (Ps 42:7). Promise, FATHER, to love (him/her) all day and sing songs to (him/her) at night (Ps 42:8). Help (him/her) find the way to Your sacred mountain—to the place of Your presence (Ps 43:3). Allow (him/her) to enter the place of worship and meet face to face with You (Ps 43:4).

King David’s Prophecies of CHRIST’s Passion

You, FATHER, “…took me (JESUS) from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother’s womb you have been my God” (Ps 22:9-10 ESV).

“Be not far from me, for trouble is near,
and there is none to help.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;…” (Ps 22:11,14 ESV).

“…my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;…” (Ps 22:14-15 ESV).

“…you lay me in the dust of death.
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—“ (Ps 22:15-16 ESV).

“I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
they divide my garments among them,

and for my clothing they cast lots”(Ps 22:17-18 ESV).

“But you, O Lord,
do not be far off!
O you my help,
come quickly to my aid” (Ps 22:19 ESV)!

FATHER, remind me anew that CHRIST was fully human in His flesh and vividly felt the pressure to rescue Himself out of danger, but instead deferred to You for help that He might be able to perform Your will in total, sinless, obedience.