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

CONFESSION

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PLACING MYSELF ABOVE OTHERS

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 2.04.09 PM“Anger is always an attack on the brother’s life, for it refuses to let him live and aims at his destruction….Every idle word which we think so little of betrays our lack of respect for our neighbor, and shows that we place ourselves on a pinnacle above him and value our own lives higher than his. The angry word is a blow struck at our brother, a stab at his heart: it seeks to hit, to hurt and to destroy….When a man gets angry with his brother…when he…insults or slanders him, he is guilty of murder…He erects a barrier not only between himself and his brother, but also between himself and God. He no longer has access to him: his sacrifice, worship and prayer are not acceptable in his sight. For the Christian, worship cannot be divorced from the service of the brethren,…God will not be separated from our brother: he wants no honor for himself so long as our brother is dishonored….There is therefore only one way of following Jesus and of worshipping God, and that is to be reconciled with our brethren” Dietrich Bonhoeffer (ref#10, p127-129).

FATHER, Your love for everyone in Your creation is so great that You refuse to commune with me any further if I am the least bit critical of anyone. I cannot be as sweet water, worshipping You and, at the same time, bitter water and angry at my bother. If I’m not sweet to my brother, You will be bitter toward me. How greatly grieved You are when my words, even in jest, speak negatively of someone.

The Apostle Paul says, “…I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor 9:27 ESV). Paul knows how easy it is to put himself above others with angry or idle words. He knows he must subdue his corrupt tendencies and thus warns himself (and me). (ref#16, [1 Cor 9:27]).

So, today, FATHER, I ask that You make me aware of how I dishonor people. I surely desire to not lose Your presence because of saying and thinking unkindness toward someone.

ADORATION

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SPONTANEOUS WORSHIP

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 1.58.40 PMI ascribe to You, GOD, THREE IN ONE, the glory due Your name even though I’m a creature only able to recognize or express a tiny bit of Your glory.   You are perfect and pure (Rev 15:4). My spirit, so inclined to sin, falls prostrate before Your feet to pay honor to You (Rev 19:10). With fear and trembling (Ps 96:9) I gaze upon Your beauty—Your delightful loveliness—Your sweet attractiveness (Ps 27:4).

You bless me by choosing me and causing me to come near that I may dwell in Your presence. You make me satisfied by fearful and glorious things—these things that terrify the wicked but make me sing praises (Ps 65:4,5). Truly, a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere (Ps 84:10). I spontaneously worship in the splendor of Your holiness (Ps 29:2).

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

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I HAVE FALLEN TO INDEPENDENCY

10/26/12

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 1.49.25 PMFATHER, I woke up frightened about what I was thinking. “I can’t wait for You, FATHER. It’s foreign to me, I don’t know how.” I was in panic mode facing another week of care-giving.

I am so vulnerable now—trying to get my footing on the Rock but knowing I don’t have the wherewithal. Re-reading a couple entries of my years-ago journal I find I’m in the same place I was many times before. This did not help my panic, however, at breakfast I read, “…By ourselves we will not be able…” (Neh 4:10 ESV) and considered my condition.

As changeable as I am I do not change. Some days I’m for You, some days I’m against You and You, the Unchangable GOD, will continue to fulfill Your promise—to draw me back. So it is that You have created me to fall away from You and I do it well. It is not so much sinning that causes me to fall away; I just fall away. You have created me with such a nature to be dependent on You (ref#5, p40).

I am as Joshua in filthy garments standing before You with satan beside me accusing me. But You say, “Remove the filthy garments from him, I will clothe him with pure vestments” (Zech 3:1-4). And this unchangeable act You do for me as many times as I fall away from You. I do not change by being changeable. You do not change by being unchangeable.

Under the direction of Nehemiah, the people rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem knew they would not be able. But Nehemiah reminded them not to be afraid, to remember the LORD who is great and awesome and who would fight for them (Neh 4:14,20).

PROMISE-KEEPING, UNCHANGEABLE GOD, as changeable as I am You will always draw me back; You will never stop fighting for me. This is why You made me changeable so You can showcase Your unchangeableness.

 

You have brought me, GREAT FATHER again,

To stand before You in filthy garments.

Created to be dependant, LORD,

I have fallen into independency…independent.

 

By myself I am unable.

Unable… unable…

By myself I am unable.

Fallen in my independency…

 

But, You…

But, You…

SABBATH

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THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE SABBATH

“There is no other Sabbath rest besides Jesus. He alone satisfies the requirements of the Law, and He alone provides the sacrifice that atones for sin. He is God’s plan for us to cease from the labor of our own works. We dare not reject this one-and-only Way of salvation (John 14:6). God’s reaction to those who choose to reject His plan is seen in Numbers 15. A man was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath day, in spite of God’s plain commandment to cease from all labor on the Sabbath. This transgression was a known and willful sin, done with unblushing boldness in broad daylight, in open defiance of the divine authority. ‘Then the LORD said to Moses, “The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp”’ (verse 35). So it will be to all who reject God’s provision for our Sabbath rest in Christ” (ref#172).

“…whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (James 2:10 NASB). The 10 Commandments are a “summary of fundamental duty; and…is binding on us all, in all its precepts alike, because they all alike are from God and publish His holy will” Benjamin B. Warfield (ref#180).

“For most people the Sabbath command is really a demand to repent. It invites us to enjoy what we don’t enjoy and therefore shows us the evil of hearts, and our need to repent and be changed” John Piper (ref#169).

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 (like cancer).  Here is an opportunity to pray for them.]

WHAT CANCER CAN’T DO

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 12.06.31 PMCancer is so limited…

It cannot cripple love

It cannot shatter hope

It cannot corrode faith

It cannot eat away peace

It cannot destroy confidence

It cannot kill friendship

It cannot shut out memories

It cannot starve courage

It cannot reduce eternal life

It cannot quench the Spirit

It cannot lessen the Power of the resurrection.

Author Unknown

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).

CONFESSION

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KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 11.42.58 AM…FATHER, make me realize that my earthly wisdom only corrupts me. I can know the truth of Your justice, and what righteousness You require but my knowledge does nothing to save me or put me in communion with You. I can ponder Your patience, goodness, forbearance, and mercy but knowledge alone does not lead me to repentance (ref#35. p197).

Whatever discovery I have of truth, (without it coming from CHRIST’s mouth, through the SPIRIT), I hold captive under unrighteousness (Rom 1:18). O GOD, how guilty I am for engaging my mind in learning Christianity instead of humbling myself before CHRIST and waiting for Him to teach my heart. FATHER, impede me from thinking the Scriptures give me eternal life (John 5:39). I am like a “brute beast” if my wisdom corrupts me (ref#35, p197, [Jude 10]).

If there be anything that will do me good, CHRIST is interested in dispensing it to me. Until I desire to make Him captain of my salvation (Heb 2:10) I will be led by the futility of my own wisdom. FATHER, help me be satisfied with only knowing CHRIST and not just knowing about Him (ref#35, p199).

FAVOR DISPENSING GOD, it is amazing to consider that all my Scripture learning, my choices of what is doctrinally correct, and my efforts to abide by my good morals do not make me a genuine Christian. Help me recognize my own efforts toward spiritually and the way I use then for my glory instead of Yours.

ADORATION

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REASONS OF WAITING FOR GOD

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 11.34.43 AM“…His [CHRIST’s] mediation on the throne is as real and indispensable as on the cross….it engages all His time and powers, is His unceasing occupation at the right hand of the Father” Andrew Murray (ref#19, TWENTY-SIXTH LESSON) (brackets mine).

Because in CHRIST the whole fullness of Deity continues to dwell in bodily form giving complete expression of the divine nature (Col 2:9), I will wait for You.

Because Your Son is able to save to the uttermost—completely, perfectly and for all time and eternity those who come to Him (Heb 7:25), I will wait for You.

Because CHRIST is always living to make petition to You and intercede with You and intervene for me (Heb 7:25), I will wait for You.

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

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EVERY STEP OF MY LIFE HE’S PLANNED

1/2/2016

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 11.26.04 AMIn the prayer closet this morning I was singing and the SPIRIT illuminated for me the following phrase: “Ev’ry step of your life He planned” (A. H. Ackley, A Heart That Can Understand, © 1933 by Robert H. Coleman). It precipitated the thought that my FATHER not only knows my future but also plans it!

Only the SPIRIT can reveal so much in a seven-word phrase. It takes away my anxiousness about doing well in the upcoming days. Concerning my fear of not knowing what to write in my journal posts about the Sabbath, He will provide or He won’t provide. It’s His to plan.

And so what if things do not go as I expect. I don’t have to strive to change them and I don’t have to accept any shame for the way the situation plays out. What I deem “unsuccessful” can be and is many times very much part of GOD’s plans.

Reading about Abram waiting for GOD (Gen 15:9-21), I could think how unsuccessful he was in waiting. He did well by following GOD’s command to assemble an offering and he did well as he waited by shooing away the birds of prey when they attempted to eat the animals he placed on the altar. But then, “…a deep sleep fell upon Abram…” and, “…terror and great darkness fell upon him…” (Gen 15:12 NASB).

My thought about this passage is, “shame on Abram for allowing himself to fall asleep; he deserves to have nightmares.” Abram could have brow-beat himself for falling asleep. I’m sure since he shooed away the birds once, he intended to continue doing it until his waiting for the LORD was over. He was doing what he knew he should; but it was GOD’s plan that he falls asleep.

For this is the exact condition Abram happens to be in when GOD chooses to end his wait and speak to him. “Unsuccessful” to Abram or me is not necessarily “unsuccessful” to GOD.

Of course, the disclaimer is that the plans of GOD do not cancel out my responsibility to keep on doing what I know I should—I can’t be lax in my responsibility. I’m not to sin because I’m under grace (Rom 6:1-2).

Obviously GOD had planned out Abram’s falling asleep as well as his nightmares. And GOD has my days planned out as well. Hallelujah I get to walk through all that He puts in place for me knowing He has planned my future in love. And LORD, help me not judge any of it; I want to simply walk in faith hand in hand with You not letting any of my after-thoughts of the situation drag me down.