Tuesday’s prayer

ADORATION

Posted by

0

THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Screen Shot 2016-03-26 at 2.36.30 PM…FATHER, as a Christian my life is an impossible life to live without drawing on Your SPIRIT for “The Spirit of God shatters every power in the world, the flesh and the devil, every power of sin and the domination of Satan” Oswald Chambers (ref#157, June 15th).

“The Spirit…is Christ without the limitations of the flesh and the material world. He can reveal what Christ could not speak. He has resources of power greater than those Christ could use, and he makes possible greater works than his” Samuel Chadwick (ref#161, p18).

“He is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of witness, the Spirit of conviction, the Spirit of power, the Spirit of holiness, the Spirit of light, the Spirit of adoption, the Spirit of help, the Spirit of liberty, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of revelation, the Spirit of promise, the Spirit of love, the Spirit of meekness, the Spirit of sound mind, the Spirit of grace, the Spirit of glory, and the Spirit of prophecy” Samuel Chadwick (ref#161, p18,19).

FATHER, all Christians have the SPIRIT resident in them but I desire to be “full” of Him—desiring He control me to the point that I am “distinct and observable in some way” to others (ref#161, p109). When I feel my heart warmed with joy, and I’m supported in peace, and established in obedience, let me give Him the praise due Him (ref#35, p422).

ADORATION

Posted by

0

 

I AM A PLANT IN HIS GARDEN

Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 10.23.16 AM…FATHER, CHRIST, as the Son of GOD, did absolutely everything for Your sake, but as the Son of Man, He did absolutely everything for my sake. For my sake He took my nature upon Himself (1 Tim 3:16). “He took on…a life of prayers, tears, fears” and suffering like me but unlike me He took on all this in perfect obedience “with cheerfulness and delight” (Heb 10:7-8) (ref#35, p249).

For my sake He was obedient to death. He dedicated Himself as a sacrifice—to be killed (John 17:19). What a fearful cup he tasted so I might never have to taste it (Matt 26:39). FATHER, it was a cup full of the curse of the law (Gal 3:13), Your wrath (1 Thes 1:10), and most of all the loss of Your presence (Ps 22:1). He left “his glory, his riches, his ease,” His very life, “to undergo loss, shame, wrath, curse,” and death for me (ref#35, p250). For me!

His interest is that I should be His—that I become a partaker of His glory (1 Pet 5:1). And now He proves His love by His continual care in all my deliverances and afflictions—in all my conditions of sinning and suffering. I am “the apple of his eye, his jewel, his diadem, his crown” John Owen (ref#35, p250).

I am a plant in His garden while the unbelieving world is wilderness. Even if I am “the meanest, debased, weakest and poorest believer on earth,” CHRIST prizes me more than all the rest of the world (ref#35, p251).

“Lord, unto Thee from my full heart my prayers ascend;

To thee will I sing praise….

And for Thy loving grace and truth which hath no end

Will thank Thee all my days” Arthur S. Way (ref#38, p468, [Ps 138:1-2]).

ADORATION

Posted by

0

THE SPIRIT’S ILLUMINATION

Screen Shot 2016-03-15 at 3.16.13 PM…ALL-GIVING FATHER, I extol You for supporting the SPIRIT as He provides illumination to me. Sin attacks my mind and will in such ways that I miss or resist the force of Your Word (ref#56, p1646, “Illumination and Conviction”).

Praise to You, SPIRIT; You reveal Scripture in an understanding way. By reading Scripture on my own I become familiar with its content but cannot apply it to my life. You, SPIRIT, set me on the wave of truth that flows into my heart (ref#56, p1646, “Illumination and Conviction”) where it can be applied to my life.

SPIRIT, I am also humbled by Your ability to bring me to repentance and satisfy me with the FATHER’s assurance of His grace and certainty of His everlasting favor (ref#56, p1646, “Illumination and Conviction”). I thank You for Your constant care of my needs; You surprise me by Your closeness the moment You illuminate sin that I am not aware of.   I will find You through the Word, prayer, meditation, and as I battle to live by the light You give (ref#56, p1646, “Illumination and Conviction”).

“I am bell and He is sure wind, and He moves and I am rung and I know it for what it is…” Ann Voskamp (ref#130, p60).

ADORATION

Posted by

0

CHRIST – RULER OF KINGS

Screen Shot 2016-03-15 at 11.45.30 AM…FATHER, You decreed CHRIST to be the firstborn from the dead (Rev. 1:5)—so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the chief place (Col 1:18).

“Having died a martyr to his testimony, and given his life an offering for sin, he was restored to life again, as all the Scriptures witness and became ‘the first fruits of the resurrection,’…”The Apocalypse: Exposition of the Book of Revelation (ref#70, [Rev 1:4-8]). He is Your first-born, higher than the kings of the earth (Ps 89:27).

CHRIST rules the kings of the earth (Rev 1:5). From “him they have their authority; by him their power is limited and their wrath restrained; by him their counsels are over-ruled, and to him they are accountable” Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible (ref#18, [Rev 1:3-8]). Every king, from the foundation of the earth, in their absolute authority over millions of subjects, are all kings over which CHRIST is the King of kings (ref#16, [Rev 1:5]).

Being faithful, His love is ever present. Having justified and sanctified me, He makes me too, a king FATHER, for Your glory (Rev 1:6).

With the SPIRIT of CHRIST’s enabling power, as a king, I rule my own spirit, possess the ability to conquer Satan, and am privileged to work with You in prayer, as well as cooperate with You in judging the world. CHRIST, You give me access to You, enabling me to enter into the holiest place and to offer spiritual sacrifices (ref#18, [Rev 1:6]).

To CHRIST be glory and dominion forever and ever (Rev 1:6). I shall show all praise and honor to my Redeemer. He reigns as King of kings continually. I desire that He exercise strength and power and authority over me through all eternity (ref#16, [Rev 1:6]).

ADORATION

Posted by

0

MY NATURE

Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 3.30.11 PM…FATHER, You have created me to be Your image bearer—to look and act like You. Humans are unique beings of Your creation; the rest of Your creation, without instruction, reflects Your glory but You have given mankind the assignment to declare Your excellencies (1 Pet 2:9).

Being human I am different from the rest of Your creation in three ways: (1) I can receive revelation from You (ref#5, p40). (2) You have given me the ability to interpret that revelation (ref#5, p41). (3) And, I am always a worshipper (ref#5, p44).

However, FATHER, soon after You created humans You permitted satan to corrupt them. Thus I was naturally born into a spiritually lifeless condition. My heart was not inclined to love You (ref#1 p38) nor did it listen, reflect, or worship You. Instead I carried in my spiritually dead body the promise from satan that I had autonomous personal wisdom without any need for You or Your revelation.

It was my nature to give into the lies of satan that convinced me I could be self-sufficient, and self-focused (ref#5, p14). It came naturally for me to idolize and worship everything but You (Ezek 14:5).

But, You imprisoned me with a sinful nature so You could offer me an escape by believing in JESUS CHRIST. You bound me so I might see the freedom CHRIST offers (Gal 3:22, Rom 11:32).

I adore You for giving me CHRIST so I now have the ability to triumph over my born-with nature. CHRIST not only saves me from sin but saves me from myself.

ADORATION

Posted by

0

THE FATHER: THE SON

Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 11.47.52 AM…FATHER, 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).

 

ADORATION

Posted by

0

GOD GIVES WHAT HE COMMANDS

Screen Shot 2016-02-03 at 2.34.43 PM… “THOU ART THE BLESSED GOD,

happy in thyself,

source of happiness in thy creatures,

my maker, benefactor, proprietor, upholder.

Thou hast produced and sustained me,

supported and indulged me,

saved and kept me,…” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p115).

FATHER, how vast is the ways You demonstrate Your love. You stand so majestic over Your creatures and yet go to such great lengths to establish relationship. We are like sheep—created needy. You are a Shepherd—life-sustaining.

You are so very high—holy and righteous and command me to rise up to a similar position. Since I cannot, You reach down and bring me up. You call Your covenant with me an “everlasting covenant” (Gen 9:16), because it is kept by You keeping Your part as well as mine.

The Psalmist knows very well his weakness when he writes: “I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart” (Ps 119:32 ESV)! Or: “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant…” (Ps 119:176 ESV).

I reminisce with joy that covenant keeping does not depend on me. You say: “I will remember my covenant that is between me and you…” (Gen 9:15 ESV). You do not ask me to remember for I am prone to forget, but You remember.

“It is not my remembering God and my laying hold of His covenant, but it is God’s remembering me and His covenant’s laying hold of me” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Aug 13th PM). Truly, “in His sovereign grace He gives what He commands and delights in the result (Phil 2:13)”  The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1739, “Pleasing God”).

ADORATION

Posted by

0

Prayer Facts:

Screen Shot 2016-01-28 at 12.08.08 PM“Conformity, to live one with God, is a far higher and more divine life than to live simply in submission to God. To pray in conformity—together with God—is a far higher and more divine way to pray than mere submission” (ref#54, p51,52).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because in CHRIST I have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of my trespasses (Eph 1:7), therefore I will wait for You.

Because in CHRIST I am set free from the law of sin and death and given the law of the Spirit of life (Rom 8:2), therefore I will wait for You.

Because in CHRIST I am a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Cor 5:17), therefore I will wait for You.

Because in CHRIST neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from His love (Rom 8:38,39), therefore I will wait for You.

ADORATION

Posted by

0

CHRIST’S PROVISIONS

Screen Shot 2016-01-28 at 9.23.26 AM “Thy throne of grace

is the pleasure ground of my soul

Here I obtain mercy in time of need,

Here see the smile of thy reconciled face,…” (ref#76, p150).

FATHER, without CHRIST, You would consume me. But, through Him I have access to You. By Him I receive the ability to fellowship with You. And the affect of that reconciliation is that I’m no longer hostile to You but now have the ability to speak and listen to You peaceably (ref#15, [Rom 5:11]). CHRIST provided this mercy to me by His death—reconciling me to You by the doctrines which He taught and by His intercession in heaven by which I can approach You through Him in His name (ref#16, [Eph 2:18]).

It is CHRIST that gives me an understanding of who You are (1 John 5:20) (ref#35, p217). CHRIST is the One who acquaints me with Your love and kindness, and patience, grace and pardoning mercy. CHRIST is the medium that supports all communication between You and me (John 14:6). Not only do I get to know You through CHRIST, but through CHRIST flows all my returns of love and delight back to You (ref#35, p218).

O LORD, constrain me from taking any steps toward You without CHRIST. For though CHRIST’s work allows me to walk with You, FATHER, I have nothing in common with You. I am darkness; You are light. Remind me again that without CHRIST I would be like dry straw and You a consuming fire. It would be disastrous to approach You without affirming an agreement with You by CHRIST’s blood (ref#35, p216).

FATHER, still me now that I may take in Your provided provisions given to me in CHRIST. Make it my delight to learn more and more of Your gifts through Him.

ADORATION

Posted by

0

SCRIPTURE – GOD’S SELF-DISCLOSURE

Screen Shot 2016-01-27 at 11.29.37 AMFATHER, my worship of You rests on You revealing Yourself to me. I would not know the truth about You or be able to relate to You in a personal way, had You not made Yourself known to me. The themes running throughout the Bible are about You, Your attributes, and godliness. It is “the record, interpretation, and expression of Your self-disclosure” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p141, “The Word of God: Scripture as Revelation”).

“Here I see thy greatness and thy grace, thy pity and thy rectitude, thy mercy and thy truth, thy being and men’s hearts; Through it thou hast magnified thy name, and favored mankind with the gospel” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p192).

This Word of Yours is as true as Your own existence. You and Your Word do not change; everything You have spoken has and will happen (ref#34, July 27th, AM). “I do not need signs and wonders to believe, For thy Word is sure truth” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p164).

The availability of the Bible makes ignorance no excuse for my actions. Draw me toward Your Holy Scriptures where I may find reason to adore You and live in honor to You, for recalling Your loving activities leads me into worship.