VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

Posted by

1

MONDAY MORNING BLUESScreen Shot 2015-10-20 at 2.57.17 PM

Took stock of my Sabbath. Pronounced myself very lacking. Honestly, with the Apostle Paul (Rom 7:14-25), I decided my actions did not attest to my heart’s desire.

So, how do I do better next Sunday?

I thought of the next chapter Paul wrote after he admitted failure:

“…if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom 8:13 ESV).

I began to think of what I might “put to death” next Sunday—certainly not give myself permission to take a 3-hour nap like I did yesterday!

With that thought my meditation stalled out. I retreated back into Rom 7; even by the SPIRIT I know I cannot put to death all my sin.

Oh, I could push ahead and make a list of certain activities to engage in next Sunday but that would translate into following laws. With this thought my meditation came to a final halt.

But, later in the day I read the first chapter of 1 Peter. The following phrases were illuminated to me:

“…he has caused us…” (1 Pet 1:3 ESV).

“…by God’s power…” (1 Pet 1:5 ESV).

“…grace that will be brought to you…” (1 Pet 1:13 ESV).

“…you were ransomed…” (1 Pet 1:18 ESV).

“…you have been born again…through the living and abiding word of God…” (1 Pet 1:23 ESV).

Ah ha, Paul’s word in Romans chapter 8 does answer my Romans 7 complaint. It is what the SPIRIT does, not what I do. The SPIRIT is always successful; I am never successful.

So, I’m not worrying anymore about what I should do next LORD’s Day. GOD shall give me rest and enough strength to conquer the weekdays if I focus on reviewing His activities toward me and trust Him with the details.

“…’What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent’” (John 6:28-29 ESV).

 

SABBATH

Posted by

0

THE SABBATH DEFINED

“…remembering the Sabbath by keeping it holy is integral to…life as the people who are sanctified (or ‘made holy’) by the Lord…” (ref#125, p 196, [Ex 31:12-17]).

“…actual intent of the Sabbath – to bring rest and well-being…” (ref#125, p1844, [Matt 12:8]).

“The Sabbath is given as a gift to man (for physical and spiritual refreshment)” (ref#125, p 1897, [Mark 2:27-28]).

“…the Sabbath was not meant to be a day of total idleness, and of entire cessation from all kinds and sorts of work. ‘The Sabbath was made for man,’ for his benefit, comfort, and advantage” (ref#13, Vol. Three, p280, [John 5:17]).

“Our Lord’s reply…’Though my Father rested on the seventh day from His work of creation, He has never rested for a moment from His providential government of the world, and from His merciful work of supplying the daily wants of all His creatures….I do not break the fourth commandment when I heal the sick, anymore than my Father breaks it when He causes the sun to rise and the grass to grow on the Sabbath’” (ref#13, Vol. Three, p277, [John 5:16-23]).

“The Sabbath is a covenant sign that represents a lifestyle of devotion to the Lord, for it requires the practical reorganization of every week around him (cf. Ex 31:12-17; Ezek 20:18-20)” (ref#125, p1342, [Isa 56:2]).

SUPPLICATION

Posted by

0

PSALM 41

Screen Shot 2015-10-12 at 7.00.48 AMFATHER, You have placed ____ in a situation that makes (him/her) poor and helpless. Yet, FATHER, You pursue ____. You find (him/her) out, and look into (his/her) circumstances. You will not neglect, pass by, or be indifferent to ____’s plight (ref#16, [Ps 41:1]).

(He/She) is blessed because You rescue (him/her) in the day of trouble. In (his/her) distress You dignify (him/her) (Ps 41:1). FATHER, like a mother tending to a sick child, You make ____’s bed of pain tolerable for (him/her) causing (him/her) to bear the affliction with patience, and making (him/her) cheerfully wait the result. ____’s soul shall be, by Your grace, made to dwell at ease even when (his/her) body lies in pain (ref#18, [Ps 41:1-4]).

FATHER, I know that You will be gracious to ____. I know You are pleased with (him/her) and any enemies will not triumph over (him/her) because of (his/her) integrity that You have placed in (him/her). You joyfully keep (him/her) forever in Your presence (Ps 41:11-12).

You, O LORD, will not restrain Your mercy toward (him/her). Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness will ever preserve (him/her) (Ps 40:11). What effect can a mere illness or injury have on ____ when You uphold (him/her)? In the sight of You, ____’s affliction shrinks to nothing. I praise You who are all steadfast love.

FATHER, please note—I am not the ruler of my life asking for Your help. I am recognizing Your lordship and resting my trust in You for ____.

THANKSGIVING

Posted by

0

THE FATHER: THE SON

Screen Shot 2015-10-12 at 6.47.03 AMFATHER, I am “…vulnerable, fragile and exposed” (Ezek 16:7, MSG). For no reason I can come up with, You pass by and see that I am unable to help myself and You have compassion on me. It’s as if I am the only one in the world and You, being all love, turn aside and made a marriage covenant with me. You care for and protect me; You take me for Yourself (Ezek 16:8).

You take me as Your bride and live as if everyday is Your wedding day. You dispose Yourself to rear me for my advantage. You delight in me, gaining much joy and pleasure. Amid Your exultation You rest and are complacent (Zeph 3:17), having no interest in seeking a greater joy.

CHRIST, You delight to make me a friend ( John 15:14,15)—telling me secrets that the FATHER had not revealed until You came as the Son of Man (ref#35, p231). You open Yourself to me so I can find out everything about You (ref#35, p232). I am able to see You as “altogether lovely.”

And, You allow me to make my heart known to You. However, in order that I might be intimate with You, You must assist me. You supply the SPIRIT (Rom 8:26,27). When I am inclined to hide myself You call for the SPIRIT to bring me back into communication with You (ref#35, p233). You provide the SPIRIT to keep me continuing in our relationship. So it is that You delight in my prosperity, which makes me delight in our give-and-take fellowship (ref#35, p245).

FATHER, so CHRIST has taken me into His care and rejoices in me (ref#35, p230). As You, Yourself love me, so also CHRIST (John 16:27).

 

CONFESSION

Posted by

0

STORMING HEAVEN

Screen Shot 2015-10-12 at 6.28.52 AM“Convince me that I can have no peace at death, nor hope that I should go to Christ, unless I intend to do his will and have his fullness while I live” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p167).

FATHER, heaven is not obtained except I violently take it by force (Matt 11:12). Since getting into CHRIST’s presence is never my natural desire, in the mundane or easy days I must power myself into CHRIST’s kingdom.

I default to the control of myself in a thousand different ways as I look for contentment. But, Oswald Chambers makes a statement that I must consider: “…we do not want to realize Jesus Christ, but only our enjoyment of Him” (ref#7, July 10th).

I can use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of my enjoyment. I can serve the church for my own well-feelings. In honesty, I must ask myself, “Am I a Christian because it is pleasurable?”

FATHER, always clue me I am on the broad path that leads to destruction (Matt 7:13) if I avoid being stirred up or am not willing to face “injustice and meanness and ingratitude and turmoil” (ref#7, July 10th). I have to believe storming heaven will mean physical stress, but because of my willful resolve and determination I will reap a joy superior to all joy—a joy that cannot be found anywhere else but in fellowship with You (ref#16, [1 Cor 2:9]).

“Faith makes things possible, but not easy” (a church marquee).

ADORATION

Posted by

0

“O Lord, how I long for Thee to bring me face to face with Thyself!  My soul thirtieth for Thee, for the touch of Thy grace, the breathing of Thy Spirit” Oswald Chambers (ref#27, p38).

THE SECRET THINGS

Screen Shot 2015-10-10 at 2.18.34 PMI cannot find out the deep things of You, GOD,

nor Your limit, Almighty.

I cannot explore Your depths,

or ascend to Your heights,

 

I cannot extend to Your breadths,

or comprehend Your infinite perfection.

No, I cannot explain the mystery of You,

nor diagram my GOD (Job 11:7).

 

The secret things belong to You, LORD,

but the revealed things are my business

and my children’s forever

that we may follow Your laws (Deut 29:29).

 

For who has a GOD so near,

as the LORD is to me.

For whatever reason I may call upon Him;

He is always ready to listen (Deut 4:7).

 

You are great in counsel and mighty in deed;

to my ways Your eyes are open,

rewarding me according to my work,

according to the fruit of my deeds (Jer 32:19).

 

 

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

Posted by

0

SCRIPTURE DID IT

9/18/13

Screen Shot 2015-09-26 at 9.59.53 AMToday my FATHER has encouraged me greatly. Let me record the scenario here.

The enemy of my soul gave me a thought of listing my present failures. I quickly named four. And the rest of the morning was spent confirming them in my head.

Influenced by such thinking I made the decision to give up writing the daily devotional book I was working on. It wasn’t going well anyway.

I was at a pivotal point in writing. With the first draft finally completed, I really looked forward to using it in my devotions while working on the next draft.

But, after the first week’s use, I did not experience the great awesome joy of the LORD I was expecting. Confidence shaken, I continued with the second week’s pages only to, after working and re-working, throw out two of them.

How many others would I have to throw out? How could I, at the end of the year, have enough written to complete a devotional book?

Little did I know as I went off to prayer meeting that GOD had already determined to change my thinking. The following Scripture was read:

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,” (2 Thess 1:11 ESV).

FATHER, You have turned my heart with Your life-giving Word! I know You have called me to write. Today—right now, I gladly resolve to write.

Have You called me to write a complete book so You can draw Yourself to others with my words? I don’t know. But, today, with a great amount of happiness, I’ll continue to pursue writing.

And, by the way, I DO have faith in Your power. So, I will think no more about not having enough pages to complete the book.

Desk chair here I come!

SABBATH

Posted by

0

THE SABBATH, OUR JOY AND DELIGHT

Screen Shot 2015-09-26 at 11.00.53 AM“The LORD’s Day is supposed to be holy and honorable…need to protect the LORD’s Day from improper activities. Calls us to careful, thoughtful use of our time…not a day for idleness or simply doing as we please but neither is it to be a burden…because it is an exquisite delight…a day for reverential thoughtful use…coupled with genuine joy and the determining factor of our conduct…does this or that activity defile or honor the sanctity of the Day” Alistair Begg (ref#164, Series: The Sabbath, Sermon# 2098, “The Gift of the Sabbath” July 18, 1999).

“What is the chief end of man? It is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever” John Piper (ref#164, Series: The Sabbath, Sermon# 2098, “The Gift of the Sabbath” July 18, 1999).

Consider yourself, what are your feelings about observing the Sabbath? Does it make you happy that GOD commands your attention on His Day?

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16 ESV).

If you are willing to obey the command but not happy about it, you need to consider if you are only acting like a Christian instead of being a real Christian. If you suspect that might be a little true or a lot true, GOD provides a way for you to find joy in Him. In the Scripture below He gives the means. Repentance is always accepted.

“…If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me….” (Jeremiah 15:19 ESV).

And, if you think lightly of the Sabbath command, you will want to read Jeremiah 17:19-27.

SUPPLICATION

Posted by

0

TO BE PURPOSEFUL

Screen Shot 2015-09-26 at 10.48.05 AMFATHER, prompt ____ to strip off and throw aside every encumbrance and let (him/her) run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before (him/her), looking away from all that will distract, to JESUS (Heb 12:1-2).

ATTENTIVE FATHER, allow ____ to discover the unnecessary things that are just occupying (his/her) time. Show (him/her) the things to do that are most worthwhile (ref# 81, July 29). In all (his/her) affairs may (he/she) distinguish between the important and the urgent.   May (his/her) character and not (his/her) circumstances chiefly engage (him/her) (ref# 76, p78). May (his/her) desires for a good self-image be replaced with glory-making for You alone. Soli Deo Gloria—To GOD alone the glory.

Embolden ____’s cowardly hesitation (Rev 21:8). You say the one who conquers will possess Your heritage (Rev 21:7).   Remind (him/her) repeatedly to be actively persistent—to be purposeful in (his/her) daily activities (Heb 12:1).

The one fact CHRIST mentions to all seven churches He addresses in the book of Revelation is if they overcome He will grant them fellowship (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26: 3:5, 12, 21). I pray for ____, FATHER, to prevail over the tangents on the race set before (him/her) whether they come in moments of urgency or during the mundane tasks of life.

 

THANKSGIVING

Posted by

0

O MOST HIGH

Screen Shot 2015-09-26 at 10.39.38 AMO MOST HIGH, I will give thanks,

With my whole heart; I will thank You.

I will recount all Your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and exult in You (Ps 9:1-2).

 

Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD,

Or declare all His praise (Ps 106:2)?

Full of splendor and majesty is all His work (Ps 111:3).

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so (Ps 107:2).

 

He remembers His covenant forever (Ps 105:8).

All His precepts are trustworthy (Ps 111:7).

He satisfies the longing soul,

And the hungry soul He fills with good things (Ps 107:9).

 

You have turned for me…

My mourning into dancing;

You have clothed me with gladness (Ps 30:11).

I will sing Your praise and not be silent (Ps 30:12).

 

I give thanks to You, for You are good,

Your steadfast love endures forever (Ps 136:1).

I will sing praise to Your name,

O MOST HIGH (Ps 9:2).