CONFESSION

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IMITATING MY ELDER BROTHER, JESUS

screen-shot-2017-02-18-at-4-20-18-pm…FATHER, in Your Word You command many things of me. But if I look at Your commands as just something I need to do I am in the wrong frame of mind. I do not say, “I believe in JESUS” and then add hard work to my faith.

“Martin Luther’s old formula still sums things up nicely: ‘We are saved by faith alone [not our works], but not by faith that remains alone.’ Nothing we do can merit God’s grace and favor, we can only believe that he has given it to us in Jesus Christ and receive it by faith. But if we truly believe and trust in the one who sacrificially served us, it changes us into people who sacrificially serve God and our neighbors” Timothy Keller (ref#123, p123-124).

“Desire without knowledge is not good,…” (Prov 19:2 NRSV). “Sincerity and energy by themselves miss the mark (Rom 10:2)” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p903 [Prov 19:2]).

“Religion operates on the principle of ‘I obey therefore I am accepted by God.’ The basic operating principle of the gospel is ‘I am accepted by God through the work of Jesus Christ—therefore I obey’” Timothy Keller (ref#123, p114).

Religion is “the default mode of my heart.” I have to deliberately and repeatedly set my heart to gospel-mode (ref#123, p114-115). I do that not by willfully doing good works but by feeding on the Gospel, digesting it so it becomes my motivating energy.

When the Apostle Paul gives a command, he doesn’t pressure directly on the will or on emotions but draws his listeners back to CHRIST and the work He did. As the hours go by in the day, if I keep thinking about how CHRIST lived out His life, I will soon realize how much His sacrificial love did for me—I will soon want to similarly sacrifice for others—be a comparable “elder brother.” In this mind-set I will complete jobs not to get them “checked off” but to do them because it is a joy to “do” for the One I love.

“Our problems arise largely because we don’t continually return to the gospel to work it in and live it out” (ref#123, p119). Let me repeat that: “Our problems arise largely because we don’t continually return to the gospel to work it in and live it out” Timothy Keller (ref#123, p119).

Looking through the lens of the Gospel my responsibilities named in Scripture become not heavy burdens but privileges to enjoy. There is no higher privilege than to work and suffer for CHRIST (ref#10, p244). It doesn’t get any better than that.

ADORATION

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Chord Progression: (C G7 Am Dm/F) (G Am/G G7 C)

 

BESIDES GOD THERE IS NO OTHER

screen-shot-2017-02-18-at-4-15-30-pmIs there a GOD besides my GOD?

There is no other Rock, not any (Isa 44:8).

You are the first and the last;

besides You there is no GOD (Isa 44:6).

 

You are GOD, there is none like You (Isa 46:9),

declaring the end from the beginning,

letting me in on Your plans—

accomplishing all Your purpose (Isa 46:10).

 

Saying, “My counsel shall stand.”

“I have spoken;

I will bring it to pass;

I will do it” (Isa 46:10-11).

 

You are the Strong GOD—the Almighty.

Help me walk before You,

blameless and wholehearted—

Living entirely before You (Gen 17:1).

 

There is none who can deliver from Your hand;

You work and no one can turn it back—

None can hinder or reverse it (Isa 43:13).

You are the LORD, my Redeemer (Isa 43:14).

PRELUDE TO PRAYER

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Prayer Facts:

“…don’t hunt for a feeling in prayer. Deep in our psyches we want an experience with God or an experience in prayer. Once we make that our quest, we lose God. You don’t experience God; you get to know him. You submit to him. You enjoy him. He is, after all, a person”  Paul E. Miller (ref#62, p21).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You dwell in the high and holy place, but with him also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit bruised with sorrow for sin (Isa 57:15), I will wait for You.

Because You have loved me with an everlasting love, and with loving-kindness have drawn me and continue Your faithfulness to me (Jer 31:3), I will wait for You.

Read Through the Bible in a Year: March 11th – 17th

Mar 11            Deut 19-21; Mark 4

Mar 12            Deut 22-24; Ps 15

Mar 13            Deut 25-27; Mark 5

Mar 14            Deut 28-29; Mark 6

Mar 15            Deut 30-31; Ps 16

Mar 16            Deut 32-34; Ps 18

Mar 17            Josh 1-2; Mark 7

SUPPLICATION

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SICKNESS Life Threatening

[The majority of our prayers concern physical health. We all know someone who is dealing with a life-ending disease. Here is an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

A LIMIT TO SICKNESS

screen-shot-2017-02-18-at-4-03-24-pm…FATHER, remind ____ of Your sovereignty. As with waves (Job 38:11), You set a limit to sickness; it must obey You.

“The ultimate end of sickness is restrained, and beyond which it cannot go….Wisdom hangs up the thermometer at the furnace mouth, and regulates the heat” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Aug 17th PM).

GOD, You will provide for ____ as You did for Elijah. “You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there’” (1 Kings 17:4 ESV). You will provide for ____ as You did for Zarephath. “The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord…” (1 Kings 17:16 ESV).

Ground ____ in the truth, LORD, that (his/her) sickness (even if it leads to the death of (his/her) body) is but a moment in (his/her) eternity and works in (him/her) “a dependence on Christ that makes heaven’s promises surer and more precious” Bryan Chapell (ref#66, p62).

THANKSGIVING

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Chord Progression: (C  F  Bdim  Em)  (Am  Dm  G7  C)

INCONCEIVABLE

screen-shot-2017-02-18-at-3-46-32-pm…FATHER, no one is like You,

majestic in holiness (Ex 15:11)—

refulgent—

radiant and resplendent (ref#110, p1129).

 

The fullness of the earth is Yours (1 Cor 10:26).

You rise above—

being supremely remarkable.

You are supereminent (ref#110 p,1343).

 

You are awesome in glorious deeds (Ex 15:11)—

unusual to a striking degree.

You are spectacular and (ref#110, p1288)

distinguished above all (ref#110, p1343).

 

Who is a GOD like You, doing wonders (Ex 15:11)?

You are unconceivable—

too great to be imagined (ref#110, p1464);

You are beyond human expression (ref#110, p1463).

CONFESSION

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DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

screen-shot-2017-02-18-at-3-42-25-pm…FATHER, You are not only the Maker of the world, but the Maker of difficult and frightening circumstances. My goal is not to succeed or conquer in such circumstances. Nor should it simply be to “get through it.” You have a purpose, and it is to strengthen my faith. When CHRIST comes may He find faith on the earth in me (Luke 18:8).

It’s true that I need to stand firm and see Your salvation (2 Chron 20:17), but I need to be prepared that You may make me a failure in situations; You create circumstances for Your glory, not mine. So, help me be as clay in Your hands (Isa 64:8) and content with how You present the situation and its outcome.

My human efforts always want success. Realizing my spiritual weakness and consequently submitting to You gives more glory to You than my efforts that succeed. It’s my attitude in going through the situation that glorifies You, not being successful in its challenge.

For the sake of CHRIST I resolve to be content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak , then I am strong in divine strength (2 Cor 12:10). LORD, I ask for more faith to defer to You in difficult and frightening circumstances.

ADORATION

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Chord Progression: (C Cdim C Gdim) (Dm G7 Cdim C)

   PSALM 61

screen-shot-2017-02-18-at-3-34-44-pm“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;

from the end of the earth I call to you

when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,”

 

“for you have been my refuge,

a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!…”

 

“For you, O God, have heard my vows;

you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Prolong (my life)

may (my) years endure to all generations!”

 

“May (I) be enthroned forever before (You);

appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over (me)!

So will I ever sing praises to your name,

as I perform my vows day after day” (Psalm 61 ESV).

PRELUDE TO PRAYER

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Prayer Facts:

“Conformity, to live one with God, is a far higher and more divine life than to live simply in submission to God. To pray in conformity—together with God—is a far higher and more divine way to pray than mere submission” E. M. Bounds (ref#54, p51,52).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You lift up the humble and downtrodden (Ps 147:6), I will wait for You.

Because You deliver the afflicted in their affliction and open their ears to Your voice in adversity (Job 36:15), I will wait for You.

Because You set on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn You lift to safety (Job 5:11), I will wait for You.

Because You have delivered and drawn me to yourself out of the control and dominion of darkness and transformed me into the kingdom of the Son You love (Col 1:13), I will wait for You.

Read Through the Bible in a Year: March 4th – 10th

Mar 4  Deut 1-2; Acts 26

Mar 5  Deut 3-4; Acts 27

Mar 6 Deut 5-6; Acts 28

Mar 7  Deut 7-9; Ps 14

Mar 8  Deut 10-12; Mark 1

Mar 9  Deut 13-15; Mark 2

Mar 10 Deut 16-18; Mark 3

SUPPLICATION

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GENERAL TRIBULATION

[We all can think of a Christian sister or brother experiencing so much affliction they may not be able to pray for themselves. Here’s an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

ARMOR OF GOD

screen-shot-2017-02-03-at-3-33-31-pm…FATHER, help ____ gird (his/her) “loins in the sphere of truth” Kenneth S. Wuest (ref#37, p457, [Eph 6:14]). Remind (him/her) that Truth is not found anywhere in the GOD-ignoring air of this world.

Help (him/her) clothe (himself/herself) with the breastplate of righteousness (Eph 6:14)—that is the sinless righteousness of CHRIST, full of power—power like You FATHER, exerted in raising CHRIST from the dead (Gal 1:1).

Help ____ sandal (his/her) feet with a firm foundation in the Gospel (Eph 6:15) by preaching it to (himself/herself) every day making it as much of a reality as the physical world (he/she) sees.

Cause (him/her) to remember to hold in front of (him/her) the shield of faith (Eph 6:16,17) and prod (him/her) to put on the helmet of (his/her) assurance of salvation.

Propel (him/her) to wield the sword of the SPIRIT that is Your infallible Word (Eph 6:17). (His/Her) shield, (his/her) helmet, (his/her) sword—surely this in where (he/she) will find (his/her) strength.

With all this armor that You, SUFFICIENT ONE, provide, (he/she) should be more than able to stand saying, “He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

THANKSGIVING

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LAVISH

Chord Progression:  (Am  D  F  Esus)    (Am  F  G  Am)

 

screen-shot-2017-02-03-at-3-24-35-pmFATHER, You are not a GOD far off (Jer 23:23).

You are long-suffering—

bearing injuries and insults—

enduring trouble for a long time (ref#110, p797).

 

You are a GOD who practices steadfast love (Jer 9:24).

You are good-hearted (ref#110, p581)—

gracious and pleasant (ref#110, p743)—

kind and generous (ref#110, p581).

 

You are a GOD at hand (Jer 23:23).

You pay attention—

You are observant—

considerate and devoted (ref#110, p88).

 

You practice righteousness in all the earth (Jer 9:24).

You are extravagant—

giving more than enough;

You are lavish (ref#110, p765).