mushrooms

SUPPLICATION

Posted by

0

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.]

ETERNITY IN OUR HEARTS

screen-shot-2016-10-21-at-2-22-43-pm…LORD, You have planted eternity in ____’s heart (Eccl 3:11). And so You have had to set the cherubim and a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen 3:24) lest (he/she) eat from the tree and live forever in (his/her) fallen nature. It is (his/her) human desire to live forever. ____ would like to always be healthy. But if (his/her) present body would become immortal it would mean eternal torment. You have not created (his/her) present bodies to last forever.

This world is in bondage to decay (Rom 8:21). It will not endure. At CHRIST’s second coming, the material elements of the universe will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up (2 Pet 3:10).

____’s body is (his/her) earthly home. The Apostle Paul calls bodies tents for they are only temporary (2 Cor 5:1). In this (he/she) groans because (he/she) is encompassed with many infirmities (2 Cor 5:2).

FATHER, how my sympathies want You to rise up and help ____ become well again. The desire to live forever is so strong that my first prayer request is always to ask You to heal. I know life isn’t the best here or earth, but it appears a lot better than death. And, so I pray for ____. But, my sympathies do not equal Your compassion.

LORD, guard ____ from deceptive and self-destructive means of temporary escape. And guard me from going no further in prayer than to ask You for more of this temporary life. I do not want to pray for only the pain and inconvenience to go away.

Give ____ enough faith to commit (his/her) way to You—to trust You (Ps 35:5). I pray ____ place (his/her) hope in You (Rom 15:13). Help (him/her) to embrace true Christian maturity (2 Cor 13:9) for godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come (1 Tim 4:8).

Aid ____ to resist the urge to desire this temporary life to be permanent. Prod (him/her) to prepare for the life to come by living each day of this week from faith to faith (Rom 1:17).

CONFESSION

Posted by

0

THOUGHTS IN MY HEAD–SATAN’S OR GOD’S?

screen-shot-2016-10-21-at-2-06-23-pm…FATHER, my natural inclination is when life is easy to take life easy. Thus, it often does not occur to me to be resolute in the investigating of spiritual matters. You command me to “test everything” (1 Thes 5:21). I know I have power through the HOLY SPIRIT to test everything that enters my life. Let this prayer remind me that the evil one continually hurls lies at me (ref#101, p137-138).

Conviction that is real is conviction from the HOLY SPIRIT that leads to holiness while satan’s conviction leads to discouragement because he continually accuses (ref#101, p140). Asking for the precious cleansing blood (1 John 1:9) to purify me stops all accusation. If I am still assaulted with indictments I know they are from the devil (ref#101, p139). “…the Holy Spirit never reproves further if the sin is cleansed by the precious blood and forsaken” Watchman Nee (ref#101, p140).

“If the reproof is of a nagging nature—that is, blaming, without any end to it—and if it is a vague and general reproof rather than clearly specific, then we may know it to be, as a rule, the accusation of Satan. If the reproof is clear and specific, and if we instinctively know that we have only to be willing to say yes and repent to have peace and comfort, then we may be assured that it is the voice of the gracious Holy Spirit…and we may safely obey His convictions and turn to Calvary” Roy and Revel Hession (ref#100, p96-97).

How sly the enemy is to make his convictions only slightly uncomfortable so that I can be lazy and only a bit discouraged. FATHER, too often I let accusations free to roam in my head for lengthy periods. Prod me, FATHER, that I may recognize conviction and deal with it immediately. All praise to You who conquers all Your enemies.

ADORATION

Posted by

0

THE POWER OF THE BLOOD

screen-shot-2016-10-21-at-12-54-58-pm…FATHER, by His blood, CHRIST ransomed people for You from every nation on earth (Rev 5:9). The precious blood of JESUS has ransomed me from the futile ways inherited from my forefathers (1 Pet 1:18-19). And He purified me by His blood in His suffering (Heb 13:12).

I was once far off but now brought near by the blood of JESUS (Eph 2:13). The precious blood of JESUS frees me to confidently enter the Holy of Holies (Heb 10:19) of Your presence and live there all the day (ref#97, p92).

By the power of His blood there is peace between You and me (Col 1:20). By the power of His blood, I have fellowship with You (1 John 1:7). CHRIST’s blood is true drink and if I abide in Him He abides in me (John 6:55-56).

FATHER, I have been justified by His blood and saved from Your wrath (Rom 5:9). By its power I have eternal life and CHRIST will raise me up on the last day (John 6:54). By the blood CHRIST shed, satan is overcome (Rev 12:11).

FATHER, This blood of JESUS cleanses me from all sin (1 John 1:7).   In Him I have redemption and forgiveness of my trespasses through His blood (Eph 1:7). His blood sets me free from the tyranny of an evil conscience (ref#97, p92). His blood purifies my conscience from dead works and lifeless observances to serve You (Heb 9:14). FATHER, I desire to wash my robe and made it white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14).

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

Posted by

0

PRIDE, LOVE OF SELF

6/26/2016

screen-shot-2016-10-21-at-1-58-45-pmMy Sabbath day was going pretty well until 10:00PM. The afternoon was particularly satisfying as I was pulled into a good book—a commentary on the Song of Solomon. So good the reading was that I continued into the evening.

Instead of the usual commentary depicting CHRIST and His church, the writing is an allegory of CHRIST and a single member of His church. It reads so personal that it brought out my own heart’s desire and I pretended I was the “bride” and it was my interaction with CHIRST.

The “bride” in the book was so in love with CHRIST that she followed Him everywhere, satisfied with every stage of their developing relationship. It reminded me of a quote:

“Sometimes there is nothing to obey, the only thing to do it to maintain a vital connection with Jesus Christ…” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, March 25th).

The author of the commentary alluded that obeying commands can be done outwardly—without being changed inwardly, but being in love with JESUS changes everything. Obeying commands are not even thought of, they are followed without any thought.

Being in love with JESUS made the “Bride” think of nothing but her “Bridegroom.” She thought no more about caring for herself; she would not take her eyes off her lover. She died to herself, becoming lost in CHRIST.

I fancied I had obtained that goal in my Christian walk and was happily brushing my teeth before bed when GOD dropped in my conscience a small request that made me recoil. Immediately my dreams of succeeding in my relationship with CHRIST vanished.

I was back with my eyes on myself! I did not want to do what He asked. My resistance not only destroyed my imagined delightful relationship with CHRIST but it put me all the way back to willfully resisting obeying.

Well, after a short amount of thinking I did do what He asked. But that did not restore my thoughts about a good relationship with Him. The “bride” in the Song of Songs did a lot of assuming she was ready for marriage only to find out the “bridegroom” had more to teach her.

So, I end this Sabbath day being further behind in my relationship with CHIRST than I thought. However, His mercy has not let me fall off the foundation He is building in our relationship but He has certainly humbled me by pointing out my pride.

I could be discouraged but His unseen assurance keeps me in pursuit of Him. I am glad for this Sabbath even though I’ve been justly convicted of my love to self, more than love of GOD.

THANKSGIVING

Posted by

0

LEANING ON GOD

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-4-09-44-pm…FATHER, my enemy is strong and persistent, while I am weak and lazy. But, yoked with CHRIST I am able to overcome the devil. You have given me a Godlike heart and enabled me to walk beside CHRIST to work my heart’s righteousness out through my members (Rom 6:13). Thank You for giving me commands and making me able to keep them.

When my soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your Word. When I have told You of my ways, You will answer me (Ps 119:25,26). Teach me Your statutes; make me understand the way of Your precepts, so that I will meditate on Your wonders (Ps 119:27).

When You will enlarge my heart, I’ll run the way of Your commandments (Ps 119:32). So, FATHER, enlarge my heart, I pray.

I weep because of grief. Strengthen me—remove the false way from me, then I will not be ashamed (Ps 119:28-29). You have ordained Your precepts that I should keep them diligently. Oh, that my way be established to keep Your statutes (Ps 119:4-5)!

When I look upon You—when I keep Your statutes, I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart (Ps 119:2). I will be blessed and give thanks when You will enlarge my heart (Ps 119:32). I will wait for You—enlarge my heart, please.

Deal bountifully with me that I may live and keep Your Word. Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things (Ps 119:17-18). Crush my soul with longing after Your ordinances; make Your testimonies my counselors and my delight (Ps 119:20,24).

May Your lovingkindness comfort me according to Your Word; may Your compassion come to me that I might live (Ps 119:76-77). My eyes fail with longing for Your Word; my soul languishes for Your salvation. I wait for Your Word (Ps 119:82,81).

Revive me according to Your lovingkindness so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth (Ps 119:88). Sustain me according to Your Word that I may live. Do not let me be ashamed of my hope (Ps 119:116).

Establish my footsteps in Your promise; don’t let iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from oppression that I may keep Your precepts (Ps 119:133-134). Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that my soul may live—that I may praise You (Ps 119:144,175).

I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek me for I do not forget Your commandments (Ps 119:176).

VALLEYS TO MOUNTAINTOPS

Posted by

0

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.

THANKSGIVING

Posted by

0

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).

ADORATION

Posted by

0

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

Posted by

0

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!

THANKSGIVING

Posted by

0

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).