The Reformation Study Bible

CONFESSION

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FLESH TOO BUSY

Screen Shot 2016-05-17 at 4.48.33 PM…FATHER, Richard Lovelace has labeled the world as our “corporate flesh” (ref#108, p86). The world’s a busy place—people actively doing what seems best in their own eyes—displeasing You, FATHER, whether they are displaying open rebellion toward You or simply ignoring You.

My “private flesh” is busy, too—busy ignoring You to the point of exhaustion. In attempting to please You my flesh can never work hard enough. The laws the Pharisees created for Sabbath observance is a good example of flesh too busy.

 “…the Pharisees…hedged it (the Sabbath) with repressive regulations so as to avoid the possibility of breaking the Sabbath” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1464, [Luke 6:1]).

Paul accuses the Galatians of observing days, months, season and years all in an effort to train the flesh to please You (Gal 4:10).

When I find myself exhausted it is because I overextend myself—trying to perform beyond my capacity (ref# 101, p122). “Permit me not to labour at work which thou wilt not bless…” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p134). Motivate me to obey Your voice, not my flesh. Motivate me to obey what I hear from You today—only today. You do not strap heavy burdens on my back—You do not require the hectic pace the world requires.

THANKSGIVING

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THE BEGINNING INTERACTION BETWEEN GOD AND HIS CREATURES

Screen Shot 2016-05-16 at 1.18.59 PM…FATHER, in Genesis, chapter three, is the account of the first human lapse from You and godliness into sin and lostness (ref#56, p13, “The Fall”). Adam and Eve were deceived and sought to decide what was good and evil for themselves disregarding Your direction and in the process determining the destiny of their descendants (ref#56, p13, “The Fall”). But, immediately You, in mercy, altered Eve’s affections away from satan to Yourself (ref#56, p14 [Gen 3:15]). You addressed the snake: “I will put enmity between you and the woman…” (Gen 3:15 ESV).

FATHER, in Your endless mercy You made Eve hate satan and so, I, too, hate satan. Though I sometimes love his ideas, I detest him. It is true that when I find out what I naturally love is provided by satan, I bristle, quickly desiring to be back in fellowship with You (ref#15, [Gen 3:15]). Disliking my enemy and all that he does helps me turn to You. I don’t want him to win. It’s a competition and I hate to lose. Thank You for putting love in me for You, and hate in me for satan.

CONFESSION

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THE BATTLE OF SANCTIFICATION

Screen Shot 2016-05-16 at 1.09.00 PM“Believers find within themselves contrary urgings. The Spirit sustains their regenerate desires and purposes, but their fallen instincts (the ‘flesh’ obstruct their path and drag them back. The conflict of these two is sharp. Paul says he is unable to do what is right, and unable to restrain himself from doing what is wrong (Rom 7:14-25). This conflict and frustration will be with Christians as long as they are in the body. Yet by watching and praying against temptation, and cultivating opposite virtues, they may through the Spirit’s help ‘put to death’ particular bad habits (Rom 8:13; Col 3:5)” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1650, “Sanctification: The Spirit and the Flesh”).

FATHER, I learn the severity of my battle from the Apostle Paul in Romans 7. How humble You make me when I realize I can do nothing right and must depend on the SPIRIT to rescue me.

My plight may be pathetic but I can always be rescued. The SPIRIT has the victory as I cling to Him. “The Lord will draw me to himself away from every pernicious work actively opposed to that which is good, and will keep me safe and sound for His kingdom, the heavenly one, to whom be the glory forever and forever…” Kenneth S. Wuest (ref#37, p507, [2 Tim 4:18]). Life may seem as if I am tossed too and fro by overpowering waves, but forever under me is Your everlasting arms (Deut 33:27).

Because of Your great rescue, FATHER, I want to be pleasing to Your penetrating gaze. I want to be habitually keeping with solicitous care all Your commands (ref#37, p571, [1 John 3:22]). I don’t want to summons the SPIRIT only when I feel an overwhelming battle coming. Guide me FATHER, to walk continually with the SPIRIT so You can continually keep me (Gal 5:16).

ADORATION

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COVENANT OF WORKS

Screen Shot 2016-05-16 at 11.49.35 AM“Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners….” (Rom 5:19 NLT). “This divinely chosen arrangement whereby Adam determined the destiny of his descendants, has been called the ‘covenant of works,’…” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p13, “The Fall”).

My natural-born condition of wanting to decide for myself what is good or bad is the reason this covenant exists. FATHER, I am prone to establish for myself a collection of activities I consider good and bad and then work to do the good. Left to myself, without Your input, FATHER, it makes sense to me that if I work at being good You will bless me; this is the “covenant of works.” My part is to be as good as I can, Your part is to bless me and invite me into heaven—I hope—if I can just do enough good to satisfy You…

 “…the human heart would much rather offer to God its works, no matter how costly, than humble itself to confess sin. That is the reason why man is always predisposed to go the way of works;…” Roy and Revel Hession (ref#100, p 80).

You, FATHER, established the “covenant of works” with Adam and Eve in the Garden. You were to be their GOD and they were to be Your people; You gave commands and they were to follow them. And You warned them about the consequences if they did not follow Your commands: “…you shall surely die’” (Gen 2:17 ESV).

The “covenant of works” requires obedience (Lev 18:5); perfect obedience leads to life (ref#63, p517). But now, as with Adam, if I break this covenant “the punishment…is still in effect…death” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p517-518).

Since I do not have the ability to obey every one of Your commands, my only choice is to give up directing my own life and put myself under the Lordship of CHRIST. If I trust Him to fulfill all Your covenant requirements for me, then I shall live forever and never die.

For this I am humbled, LORD GOD; JESUS is my escape from the covenant of works that I cannot keep. You are Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider.

“O HEAVENLY FATHER,

Teach me to see…

that Christ does not desire me…

to live in self-confidence in my own strength…”

The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p57).

CONFESSION

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BE DEPENDENT

Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 11.56.40 AM“…the issue was whether Adam would let God determine what was good and bad, or would seek to decide that for himself, in disregard of what God had said” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p13, “The Fall”).

“The demanding of my own will is the singular force that smothers out joy—nothing else” Ann Voskamp (ref#130, p177). “Am I a pauper toward God? Do I know I cannot prevail in prayer;…I cannot alter my disposition; I cannot lift myself nearer to God” Oswald Chambers (ref#118, p16,17)?

FATHER, help me keep my arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of CHRIST. This is the unending life (Jude 21). Move me to relish all circumstances that drive me to depend on CHRIST. LORD, You can’t keep me if I don’t keep dependent on You. I desire to seek You LORD, and Your strength, to yearn for and seek Your face and to be in Your presence continually (1 Chron 16:11). Determine for me what is good and bad.