The Valley of Vision

SUPPLICATION

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NON CHRISTIAN Pursuers

[We all have friends and family that sit in our churches but only act like they are Christians. It is up to us to pray for their salvation. Here’s an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

EMBRACING SELF-MADE RELIGION IN IGNORANCE

screen-shot-2017-01-28-at-3-40-37-pm…FATHER, “Let not those…who are amiable, moral, attractive, fall short of heaven at last;…” (ref#76, p113). Good is the enemy of the best. Sin can produce death through what is good (Rom 7:13).

I know ____, for like (him/her) I have, in times past, suppressed the truth as (he/she) is presently doing (Rom 1:18). I knew about You but choose to conduct my life the way I thought to be satisfying to You. And, in so doing worshipped and served me, the creature, rather than the Creator (Rom 1:25). And, in so doing did not honor You or give You thanks (Rom 1:21). It made sense to choose how to show my support, but yet my conscience caused suffering; I felt Your accountability for the wrongs I had done (ref#56, p1613 [Mankind’s Guilty Knowledge of God]).

I pray ____ not smother or quench (his/her) awareness of You. I pray You lead (him/her) to a broad place where (he/she) can see (his/her) ignorance—that is the ignorance of (his/her) own choosing of how to be a Christian.

FATHER, suppress (his/her) human wisdom and give (him/her) enough faith to long for, above all else, a relationship with You. Draw ____ right out of (himself/herself) and (his/her) thinking. Give (him/her) a peaceful conscience that (he/she) may know You have forgiven (him/her) and desire close fellowship with (him/her).

“Grant that the promising appearances of a tender conscience, soft heart, the alarms and delights of thy Word, be not finally blotted out, but bring forth judgment unto victory in all whom I love” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p113).

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.]

PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS

Screen Shot 2015-09-04 at 6.21.02 PM…FATHER, reveal to ____ why death is so precious to You. It is so important and not a light matter because it is connected with Your “great plans, and…there are great purposes to be accomplished by it” Barnes’ Notes (ref#16, [Ps 116:15]).

A Purtain believer said, “I am not afraid to look the king of terrors in the face, for I know I shall be drawn, not driven, out of the world” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p205). Cause ____ to realize You, FATHER, have thought long and hard about such a great decision. The death of a saint is an act of great deliberation on Your part (ref#16, [Ps 116:15]).

Death is important because, (1) one more successful race is won, (2) “a new triumph of the work of redemption—showing the power and the value of that work” has occurred (ref#16, [Ps 116:15]), and (3) it is living proof of Your reality, better than any abstract argument” (ref#16, [Ps 116:15]). Keep ____ aware that You celebrate when a saint moves forever from earth to heaven as well as when a sinner trusts in JESUS (Luke 15:7).

CONFESSION

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DAILY RENDERING FLESH INEFFECTIVE BY FAITH

screen-shot-2016-10-21-at-12-59-48-pm“Give me to view a discovered sinfulness, to know that though my sins are crucified they are never wholly mortified. Hatred, malice, ill-will, vain-glory that hungers for and hunts after man’s approval and applause, all are crucified, forgiven, but they rise again in my sinful heart” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p71)

FATHER, sensitize me of the truth about myself so that I might, by faith, deal with myself correctly. The consequence of the fall is that I am wicked, corrupt, and fleshly. I have indwelling sin, which is the infection of my nature (ref#15, [Rom 6:6]). Correctly I am as truly slain as CHRIST was crucified in order that I am as truly raised from a death of sin to a life of righteousness as the body of CHRIST was raised from the grave (ref#15, [Rom 6:6]).

As much as this is true, remind me, LORD that this “destroyed” flesh still resides in me (ref#33, p103).

“The flesh with its fleshly nature abides perpetually in the believer. Whenever opportunity is provided for its operation, it at once will spring into action” Watchman Nee (ref#33, p103).

Flesh is forever flesh even though CHRIST delivered me from it. The moment I cease believing that in faith and fail to let the HOLY SPIRIT lead me, I do not walk by the SPIRIT as Romans 8 talks about. As soon as I make a decision without consulting the SPIRIT I am immediately engulfed in the experience of Romans 7 (ref#33, p102) and not able to triumph. Only by constantly appropriating the cross will I be liberated from the power of the flesh (ref#33, p101).

If I am to be freed from the oppression of the flesh, I must ‘put to death the wicked deeds of the body and walk according to the Holy Spirit” (ref#33, p102). FATHER, provide the faith I need to believe CHRIST’s deathblow to my flesh for I desire to take on the responsibly to give my flesh no further attention.

“…loved one…be constantly holding yourselves back from the passionate cravings which are fleshly by nature [fleshly in that they come from the totally depraved nature], cravings of such a nature that, like an army carrying on a military campaign, they are waging war, hurling themselves down upon your soul” (ref#37, p552, [1 Peter 2:11]).

ADORATION

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THE VERIFICATION OF THINGS BY THE SPIRIT

“May thy Spirit speak in me that I may speak to thee” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p73).

screen-shot-2016-10-19-at-4-29-34-pmFATHER, I comprehend the Word and Your witness of CHRIST only by revelation. Christianity is only understood through revelation. You are higher than I so it stands to reason You must reveal Yourself to me; I cannot find You on my own.

It does me no good to gather facts and make my decision on what I gather. The scientific method of discovery does not work in pursuing Christianity.

FATHER, teach me that You impress Yourself on me with my senses, not by passing facts through my mind. When I put a piece of chocolate in my mouth I sense the taste of it. When I look at a flower I perceive its color (ref#56, p1677 “The Authentication of Scripture”). When Your SPIRIT apprehends I understand Your Word spoken or read.

May I never forget that I have, and always will have on this earth, a darkened mind—one that can’t comprehend spiritual matters. I need Your SPIRIT to reveal spiritual affairs. Come SPIRIT and bear witness in my heart.

“The Spirit shines in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6),…also the light of His glory in the teaching of Holy Scripture”  The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1677 “The Authentication of Scripture”).

And, too, FATHER, remind me that even though Christianity is You revealing Yourself, You do not impart new information about Yourself through the SPIRIT. There is nothing You want me to comprehend other than what is in Your Word.

“The Spirit’s witness to Scripture…is not a matter of imparting new information, but of enlightening…darkened minds to discern divinity through sensing its unique impact…” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1677 “The Authentication of Scripture”).

FATHER, send Your SPIRIT in a way as direct and immediate as the way tastes and colors impress themselves on my senses (ref#56, p1677 “The Authentication of Scripture”).

Praise to You, SPIRIT. I love Your enlightening.

CONFESSION

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A TRUE PICTURE OF MYSELF

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-1-12-27-pm“O MY LORD, Forgive me for serving thee in sinful ways – by glorying in my own strength, by forcing myself to minister through necessity, by accepting the applause of others, by trusting in assumed grace and spiritual affection, by a faith that rests upon my hold on Christ, not on him alone, by having another foundation to stand upon beside thee; for thus I make flesh my arm” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p182).

FATHER, there is no soundness in my flesh (Ps 38:3,7)—that part of me that is under the control of ordinary impulses. I have no health or rest when I pamper my flawed, damaged, evil nature. Loathsome and corrupt wounds sprout because of my foolishness in looking for comfort within my HOLY SPIRIT-less nature (Ps 38:5). I become feeble and crushed, faint and quite worn out from such effort; I groan be reason of the disquiet and moaning of my heart (Ps 38:8).

When I allow my depraved nature to rule me, my iniquities go over my head—like waves of a flood—they become a heavy burden weighing too much for me (Ps 38:4). My heart throbs, my strength fails me and the sparkle in my eyes disappear (Ps 38:10). My pain and sorrow are ever before me (Ps 38:17).

When I sin by making my own carnal-minded, prudent-seeming, decisions I ignite Your indignation, triggering Your discipline (Ps 38:3). Your arrows stick into me, and Your hand comes down on me (Ps 38:2).

FATHER, when, with rebukes, You correct and chasten me for sin, the beauty, vigor, and strength of my “first Adam” nature is marred and destroyed. Anything that is the object of my desire or delight (“strength, beauty, possessions, life itself”) disappears with Your expression of displeasure (ref#16, [Ps 39:11]). Your discipline causes me to see my natural nature as it is—not beautiful or strong.

Drive me to my knees; showcase my wretchedness; make me see how prudent it is to repent and stop relying on my old nature.

“Only in the Lord shall one say, I have righteousness (salvation and victory) and strength [to achieve].…” (Isa 45:24 AMP).

ADORATION

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ADORATION

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 4.06.41 PMAdore – to worship, honor highly, love greatly, revere, idolize, respect, prize, treasure, esteem, love to distraction, cherish, admire—these words I read and store in my mind, they all reflect my attitude toward You, FATHER. Morph my thoughts of Your divine perfection into experience that I may actually fellowship with You.

“O LORD,

Help me to approach thee…

Thou inhabitest eternity,

and my life is nothing before thee;

 

Thou dwellest in the highest heaven

and this cannot contain thee;…

Thy power is almighty;…

Thy understanding is infinite;…” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p84).

FATHER, “interpret Thyself to me…” Oswald Chambers (ref#27, p66). I want to experience You, not concentrate on finding a method to meet You (ref#103, p34).  “Adoration is not seeking the divine presence, but is conscious of it to an unutterable degree, and therefore full of awe and peace…” Charles Spurgeon (ref#104, Day 10). The stars lose themselves in Your glory not making a sound (Ps 19:3). “Be silent, for that is the Absolute” Soren Kierkegaard (ref#137, page xi).

“It [adoration] is the eloquent silence of a soul that is too full for language. To prostrate yourself in the dust in humility, and yet to soar aloft in sublime thought; to sink into nothing, and yet to be so enlarged as to be filled with all the fullness of God; to have no thought and yet to be all thought; to lose yourself in God; this is adoration” Charles Spurgeon (ref#104, Day 10) (brackets mine).

FATHER, manifest Yourself to me (John 14:21). I want the experience of You “happening” to me instead of me just reflecting good thoughts of You and calling it adoration A.W. Tozer (ref#103, p34).

CONFESSION

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CONVICTION OF SIN

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 12.16.47 PM“My sins, my sins, my Saviour, How sad on Thee they fall” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Dec 7th).

“SEARCHER OF HEARTS, It is a good day to me when thou gives me a glimpse of myself;…I have cause to loathe myself, and not to seek self-honour, for no one desires to commend his own dunghill….sinners bring judgment in thinking sins are small…” The Valley of Vision  (ref#76, p69).

Yet, FATHER, keep me from being disgusted though, with my blunders (ref#7, Dec 7th).

“The only explanation of the forgiveness of God and of the unfathomable depth of His forgetting is the Death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is merely the outcome of our personal realization of the Atonement which He has worked out for us….” (ref#7, Dec 8th). “The entrance into the Kingdom is through the panting pains of repentance crashing into a man’s respectable goodness” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Dec 7th).

ADORATION

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CHRIST – MY HIGH PRIEST

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 6.17.01 AM…“O SAVIOUR OF SINNERS, Thy name is excellent, thy glory high, thy compassions unfailing, thy condescension wonderful, thy mercy tender” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p58). FATHER thank You for Your Son.

“The work of our Lord as Priest was two-fold—atonement and intercession. The one He accomplished upon the cross, the other He now transacts upon the throne” Octavius Winslow (ref#61, July 14th).

“There is one…way human beings can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who is himself human” (1 Tim 2:5 NCV). “God sent him to buy freedom for us…so that he could adopt us as his very own children” (Gal 4:5 NLT). “…our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (Heb 10:12 NLT).

“…He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb 9:26 NKJV). “…He offered himself…as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will make our consciences pure from useless acts so we may serve the living God” (Heb 9:14 NCV). “…he set us free from sin forever” (Heb 9:12 NCV).

“Christ…went into heaven…and is there now before God to help us” (Heb 9:24 NCV). “For this reason Jesus had to be made like his brothers in every way so he could be their merciful and faithful high priest…Then Jesus could bring forgiveness for their sins” (Heb 2:17 NCV). “Jesus is the kind of high priest we need. He is holy, sinless, pure, not influenced by sinners, and he is raised above the heavens” (Heb 7:26 NCV). “And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself suffered and was tempted” (Heb 2:18 NCV). “For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. When he lived on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin” (Heb 4:15 NCV). “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25 NKJV).

“Christ…is our go-between with God. His obedience and suffering were so perfect that God will not turn him away. Therefore, if we go to God through him, God will not turn us away either” John Piper (ref#92, p72).

“Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our…faith in Him]” (Heb 4:14 AMP).

CONFESSION

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SPIRIT CHECK

Screen Shot 2016-07-18 at 6.01.39 PM“Let me faithfully study my character, be willing to bring it to light, observe myself in my trials, judge the reality and degree of my grace, consider how I have been ensnared or overcome” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p84).

FATHER, “sin is…my viper born in my birth, alive all my life, strong in my character, dominating my faculties, following me as a shadow, intermingling with my every thought…” (ref#76, p41). I recognize it is only Your compassion that I am not consumed (ref#76, p39). Therefore I wish to be searched to find and confess the wicked ways in me (Ps 139:23-24).

  • Have I flattered You, FATHER, with only my lips (ref# 76, p39)?
  • Do I set before myself some pleasure or profit or even striving for Your acceptance (ref#35, p150)?
  • Do You live in my thoughts (ref#35, p151)?
  • Do I covet by hoarding, improvidently squander, and not consecrate everything to You (ref#76, p87)?
  • Do I go this way then that with various thoughts and ways, dreaming in my imaginations (ref#35, p150)?
  • Do I resist “rebukes of conscience, admonitions of friends, leadings of providence” (ref#76, p192)?
  • Am I settled yet experiencing peace and resting in Your “assurance of everlasting blessedness” (ref#35, p151)?
  • Do I ungratefully receive Your benefits—forgetting to praise and thank You (ref#76, p192)?
  • Have I really found CHRIST who will never grieve or trouble me (ref#35, p151)?
  • Do I misuse my faculties, neglect opportunities, use words ill-advised (ref#76, p180)?
  • Do I really know You in Your “excellency and desirableness” (ref#35, p151)?
  • Do You have Your due place in my heart (ref#35, p151)?
  • Are You my all in all (ref#35, p151)?

“I repent of my folly and inconsiderate ways, my broken resolutions, untrue service, my backsliding steps, my vain thoughts” (ref#76, p180).

ADORATION

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COMFORTS OF THE SPIRIT

Screen Shot 2016-07-18 at 5.51.07 PM…FATHER, the SPIRIT is my Comforter—comforting me as I become aware of my sin. Without the SPIRIT, satan and the law could accuse me of being an object of Your hatred because I am always sinning. But the SPIRIT bears witness with my spirit that I am Your child (Rom 8:16). Afflictions, too, would become overwhelming and I’d learn to despise hard times if it was not for the SPIRIT convincing me of Your good reasons for such circumstances (ref#35, p408).

The SPIRIT also comforts in the whole course of my obedience. Without the consolations of the SPIRIT, Christian duties would puff me up with pride. Prosperity would make me carnal and sensual and weaken me when adverse trials come. I would not be interested in the church’s problems or successes (ref#35, p408). On my own I would find no need to lean on You.

Without the SPIRIT’s intervention within, I “shall have wisdom for no work, peace in no condition, strength for no duty, success in no trial, joy in no state—no comfort in life, no light in death.” John Owen (ref#35, p 408) FATHER, I am able to continue in this world because the SPIRIT comforts me by Your love.

“Be pleased to live and move within me, breathing in my prayers, inhabiting my praises, speaking in my words, moving in my actions, living in my life, causing me to grow in grace” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p160).