VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

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ALL EVENTS THE SAME

6/1/12

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-3-49-57-pmMy valleys are rising and my mountaintops are falling. I am reaching a plateau where I am able to regard all events the same—constantly possessing that perfect peace staying my mind on Thee (Isa 26:3).

Calamities do not put me in the valley and days of rest no longer put me high on the mountain. Everyday is becoming the same—a day to call upon the LORD for help so I might praise Him for what He gives in that day.

Am learning to take my hands off manipulating the day and reminding myself that thoughts of future comfort to my human nature is useless. There is no happiness in longing for something that may never be.

Calamities have taught me. Because in them I am convinced I cannot carry myself through. In the past I have sat tight and endured calamities by looking forward to better times. But as each calamity comes and goes the realization sets in that my life will never possess constant “better times.”

Reality has set in and I make a habit of calling on the LORD continually. I desire His presence in the good times and bad. I choose Him for my constant companion and look very much forward to seeing Him face to face.

NOTE: As I post this the thought of it seems like priggish piousness. True, I would love to embrace everyday with no anticipation of it being good or bad, but if I was there in 6/1/2012, I am not there now. But, maybe now I am spiritually deeper in others areas than I was in 2012.

This journal entry proves that GOD is longsuffering and is not put off to continually teach me. And it proves the importance of journaling and rereading the journal. If I was there then, I can again get back there.

SABBATH

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THE SERIOUSNESS OF KEEPING THE SABBATH

“If you value your lives, don’t do any work on the Sabbath….” (Jer 17:21 CEV).

“Take heed to yourselves; the Hebrew is, Take heed to your souls, intimating to us that the sanctification of the Sabbath is a great thing, where in the welfare of our souls is concerned” Matthew Poole (ref#112, p550, [Jer 17:21]).

“This message has life-or death consequences. The Sabbath is a day of ceasing from work, thus a time for physical and spiritual renewal and a gift to mankind” ESV Study Bible (ref#125, p1406-1407, [Jer 17:21]).

“Earth, spoiled of Sabbaths is a rapid road to hell” Henry Law (ref#214).

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.]

FACING DEATH

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-3-02-47-pm…O LORD, are You not a GOD in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In Your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you (2 Chron 20:6).

____ is afflicted and facing death. As an intercessor, LORD, empower me to stand firm. As the inevitable looms give me the fortitude to stand before You and cry out to You in ____’s stead for You will hear  (2 Chron 20:9).

____ is powerless, but, FATHER, keep (his/her) eyes on You (2 Chron 20:12). I know the battle that is before (him/her) is not (his/hers), but Yours (2 Chron 20:16). (He/She) will not need to fight in this battle but only to stand firm—to hold (his/her) position and see Your salvation on (his/her) behalf. (He/She) will not need to be afraid or be dismayed, for You, LORD, will be with (him/her) (2 Chron 20:17). I pray CAPTAIN OF HOSTS, that You give (him/her) this understanding.

Power belongs to You, FATHER, (Ps 62:11). You who made the heaven and earth, (his/her) help is in Your name (Ps 124:8). Show Yourself in mighty acts that will greatly enlarge (his/her) faith in You.

THANKSGIVING

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THANKS FOR ASSURANCES

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-2-52-30-pm…FATHER, You have created an entire book describing the specific ways You approach Your lover (Song of Songs). You do everything but stand on Your head to get my attention. A devotional could not hold all the words of assurance You write attempting to prove Your love toward me. But, let me name a few that it may jog my memory and cause me to thank You for Your love that is as strong as death (Song 8:6).

Your love never wanes. When I am happy with myself or when I am disappointed with my actions, it doesn’t affect our relationship for You continually accept me. When I look within I exclaim there is nothing acceptable there but You look at me through CHRIST where everything is acceptable. I am Your “divine delight” (Eph 1:6) Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Sept 23rd AM).

When my poor faith concludes I am a “baby Christian,” You assure me that I have just as much right to covenant mercies as advanced believers. I am completely justified—my justification is not a thing of degrees.

“…your right to covenant mercies lies not in your growth, but in the covenant itself. Your faith in Jesus is not the measure, but the token of your inheritance in Him” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Oct 19th AM).

FATHER, I did not choose You, You chose me (John 15:16). True, I did commit to You but You had my name written in Your book of life before You formed the world.

You have drawn me and will continue in Your faithfulness toward me. Your love is an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). You commit to me forever providing justice, fairness, love and kindness. You will be forever faithful to me no matter what I do (Hos 2:19-20)!

I thank You for all Your assurances You add to Scripture. Even if I am the weakest Christian, in JESUS I am Your child (Gal 4:7).

CONFESSION

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WRATH

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-2-46-17-pm“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty….” (Nah 1:2-3 ESV).

FATHER, I can think, act, and feel humble—actually fall on my knees before You, but if I’m not routinely pleading for JESUS to forgive my sins, I stand before You prideful, not humble and Your wrath is upon me. You cannot tolerate the pride of man (Prov 8:13).

You did not spare angels when they sinned, but committed them to chains to be kept until the judgment (2 Pet 2:4). You did not spare the ancient world, but preserved only Noah and seven others (2 Peter 2:5). You turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, condemning them to extinction making them as an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly (2 Peter 2:6).

I am always unholy, standing in the way of Your wrath. I am a city like Sodom if I do not continually grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord, JESUS (2 Pet 3:18). “This knowledge is the ever-deepening experience of Christ and understanding of His truth” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1825, [2 Pet 3:18]).

FATHER, may I understand the seriousness of Your wrath. Instead of a city like Sodom, I must be like the city of Nineveh. Nineveh fasted and prayed and turned from evil so that You relented of the disaster that You said You would do (Jonah 3:7-10).

You say, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay;” You will judge people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living GOD (Heb 10:30-31), for You are a consuming fire (Heb 12:29).

Please remind me often that I naturally stand in the way of Your wrath the moment I turn my head away from JESUS. I default to living my life using my own resources.  Sober me against that. You accept nothing but my spirit submitting to Your SPIRIT (Zech 4:6).

ADORATION

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POWERFUL IS YOUR ARM

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-2-37-48-pm “I…submit to Your unfathomable judgments, Lord;

You alone are truly great.

Immeasurable greatness!

Uncrossable sea” Thomas a ‘Kempis (ref#147, p149)!

Powerful is Your arm! Strong is Your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength (Ps 89:13).

Not only is Your arm and hand mighty and strong to save Your people, but also to destroy Your enemies. None can resist the force of Your mighty hand. Not one of Your enemies shall flee away. Even if they climb up to heaven You will bring them down (Amos 9:2). Your lifted right hand is a signal of Your power. Your right hand does valiantly (Ps 118:15).

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants (Ps 89:14). Righteousness and judgment inhabit Your throne. Your rules of equity and wisdom never vary. Mercy and truth go before You. These are all Yours in perfection (ref#18, [Ps 89:14]).

Powerful is Your arm to save. “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me” (Ps 138:7 ESV).  I will meditate on Your strength.

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

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WORSHIP IS TO PLEASE GOD

7/18/2016

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-2-32-11-pmI’m certainly proving that I can do nothing without the LORD. I survived the last three weeks of daily socializing by looking forward to these next two weeks of setting at my desk researching, organizing and writing in the LORD’s presence.

Today I start. I will spend it alone—totally with Him but I am quickly realizing I’m not prepared. I’m lonely; I’m out of practice using my mind. I’m remembering that desk work is work, and the work is overwhelming with papers from the last three weeks piled high.

And then there is music. I’m pursuing songwriting yet have no desire to play and sing anything. My body is in pain, my mind so very sluggish, and I have no desire to pursue what GOD is calling me to. Looking forward to this day for the last three weeks has kept me going but it has arrived and I’m disappointed. How much this situation screams that I can do nothing without GOD.

Thus I chuck my plans and go to the prayer closet to sit. Though I feel it not, I know there is unending joy for me embedded in the privilege of His attention. And I have proof in my memory that His covenant promises to me will never be broken. Just the promise of eternal life with Him—someday being free of these earthly struggles… These things are enough to find the needed strength to face this day with energy.

Suddenly I’m on the mountaintop. I don’t necessarily feel it but these thoughts have given me enough gumption to begin. I can walk out of this prayer closet—put one foot in front of the other with anticipation. Here I go, and the first step is toward the piano.

As I approach I am thinking two thoughts about the piano: (1) all I see behind and ahead of me is failure: no progression in talent, no opportunity to preform. I feel I should give it up and concentrate my expression of worship with just words and not song.

The other thought is just the opposite: (2) I should continue with songwriting and piano, remembering how GOD, periodically over 30 years, has encouraged me at the piano. Yet…

30 years He has strung me along. My flesh wants to quit. I, with pleasure, will admit defeat instead of taking more embarrassment, but my heart cries with just the thought of ending. I’m in the valley with my mind’s logic to quit yet my heart refuses to listen to common sense.

Before I arrived at the piano I picked up the guitar and sang with a three-week, out-of-practice voice. My ears heard something unpleasant but the LORD heard not my voice but my heart. I had forgotten this songwriting desire was for the pleasure of GOD not that I might get good and please others or myself.

All my writing has been to help me draw close to GOD even though it is available to the public. And so my music should also be to help me draw close to GOD. Is there anything better than to be close enough to sing Him praise?

I do love to express my love for GOD in music. I love to please Him in song—magnifying Him. Song is certainly a higher way to magnify Him than words.

Seeing that my spiritual gift is encouragement, it makes sense that it should spill over into my interaction with the LORD through song.

“…the great object of…worship is to please God…” William S. Plumer (ref#183). From GOD’s perspective: He waits for me to bring Him joy. He created me that I might bring Him pleasure (Rev 4:11).  Now I’m really on a mountaintop!

SABBATH

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A SIGN OF THE COVENANT

“Blessed is the man who refuses to work during my Sabbath days of rest, but honors them; and blessed is the man who checks himself from doing wrong” (Isa 56:2 TLB).

“Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, To minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord, To be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the Sabbath And holds fast My covenant; Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer” (Isa 56:6-7 NASB).

“Keeping the Sabbath was a sign of the covenant” The NIV Study Bible (ref#96, p1099, [Isa 56:4,6]). “Covenant union with God defines the true people of God and their true worship” ESV Study Bible (ref#125, p1343, [Isa 56:6]).

These Scriptures in Isaiah 56 convey to us our part of GOD’s covenant with us—“the duties which men owe to God…” Matthew Poole (ref#112, p454, [Isa 56:1-8]). We must prepare ourselves if we are to be included in the covenant and benefit by it. We are to avoid evil (v 2), keep justice and do righteousness (v 1).

“The Sabbath is a covenant sign that represents a lifestyle of devotion to the Lord, for it requires the practical recognition of every week around him” ESV Study Bible (ref#125, p1342, [Isa 56:2]).

We are not only instructed to keep the Sabbath, but be “resolute and constant in so doing; that not only begins well, but perseveres in it”  Matthew Poole (ref#112, p455, [Isa 56:2]). The Sabbath keeping “is an eminent part and the bond of all the rest” to GOD’s covenant (ref#112, p454, [Isa 56:1-8]).

If we desire the blessings of GOD we need to make the Sabbath rest part of our every week. “Sanctify My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God’” (Ezek 20:20 NASB).

SUPPLICATION

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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 their name or your name in the blanks.]

THE RADICAL GOSPEL

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-1-25-25-pm…FATHER, guide ____ to always make You the hero of anything (he/she) says. The accomplishments and goals of life do not come from human efforts as non-Christians think. Christians have a radical view of life and care nothing about earthly success.

“This view of life is that we are a people chosen by a sovereign, loving, God who, in Christ, has forgiven us and adopted us into his family. He is at work in each situation to conform us to the image of his Son, supplying all that we need to do what he has called us to do….we are weak vessels of clay that have been filled with the all-surpassing power of God’s presence” Paul David Tripp (ref#5, p297).

“The saint who is intimate with Jesus will never leave impressions of himself, but only the impression that Jesus is having unhindered way…” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Jan 7th).

THANKSGIVING

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HEIRS OF GOD’S PROMISES AND GOD HIMSELF

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-1-20-39-pm…FATHER, my irrepressible joy comes from the consciousness of Your favor and protection (Ps 97:11). I thank You not only for everything Your covenant promises but for You. You are my portion and inheritance (Num 18:20). You adopt me into Your family. You are my share (Lam 3:24). Therefore I have an infinite interest in every perfection of Your divine nature Octavius Winslow (ref#61, Sept 12th).

In You, FATHER, there is “an all-sufficiency of love to comfort us; an all-sufficiency of strength to uphold us; an all-sufficiency of power to protect us; an all-sufficiency of good to satisfy us; an all-sufficiency of wisdom to guide us; an all-sufficiency of glory to reward us; and an all-sufficiency of bliss to make us happy here, and happy to all eternity” Octavius Winslow (ref#61, Sept 12th).