Saturday, March 31, 2012
Resting in His Sovereign Grace
Philippians 4:6-7
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Personalize it method (Rick Warren- 40 days in the word):
Jeff, do not worry or fear any circumstances. I am the sovereign Lord and have authority over all things. Nothing exists except that which I hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Jeff, There is nothing outside of my reign. Know that I will always work good in your life, that you may be conformed to my image. The troubles that have you worried are completely within my control and I am using them to teach you, to grow you.
Romans 8:28-29
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
So with that understanding come to me in prayer when you feel troubled by these trials or circumstances. Come to me with thanksgiving because I have already told you the outcome, the result, will be for your good. If you do this, I will grant you my peace. Jeff, my peace is like no other. My peace surpasses anything you think you can envision. My peace will guard your heart and mind. My peace will calm your entire being. Rejoice in the understanding that I am in control and am doing a work in you through all circumstances that I allow in your life.
Also know Jeff, that I do not promise prosperity and comfort. Do not presume the outcome that would bring you momentary comfort or relief. See that I return peace when you pray in the midst of your anxiety...I do not return the elimination of the suffering! Count therefore not on the elimination of the suffering, but on the hope that is produced in you as you stand in my grace. I may not take away the suffering, I may not heal your child, I may not stop you from losing your job, I may not stop the other car from hitting you...but you can yet rest in my sovereign grace, knowing that I am in control and I am working all things together for your good.
Romans 5:1-4
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Pray then, Jeff, not for elimination of all suffering or trials, but for peace in the midst of them and be thankful for the amazing work I am doing in and through you. This prayer I will answer in abundance! Let your heart be pure in this request and experience this peace that is beyond comprehension. Come to me with discontent, anger, entitlement, expectation of relief, and you will not find this peace. What sort of peace is it that is present when there is no suffering? Any peace suffices for that...mine is not just any peace.
O how powerful is the prayer offered in spirit and truth, the prayer offered in the name of Jesus!
Application:
Today I am to cast my concerns on the Lord and pray for peace, independent of the outcome.
Today I am to rejoice that the Lord is sovereign and will accomplish the work he began in me
Today I will rest in His truth that He loves me and is producing character and hope in my life
Prayer:
Thank you Lord for the faith displayed by Shadrach Meshack and Abednego as they lived this truth so long ago. Please give me this type of faith to completely surrender to your sovereign grace.
Daniel 3:13-18
Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Soli Deo Gloria!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Surpassing Value
Philippians 3:12
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Personalize it, pray it methods:
Jeff, I am not finished with you yet, not by a long shot. But with the understanding that my Son has purchased you at great cost and has made you His own, that you are now sharing in His righteousness and have been set on this path of sanctification where I am forming you into his likeness, you should join me in this work. I certainly will accomplish the work that I have begun but you will have such greater joy and blessing if you make attaining Christ likeness your own pursuit. If you simply seek first the kingdom and let the other concerns of your life fall into place as I promise they will... If you would simply set your mind on Me rather than this place where you are visiting for a time.
Romans 8:29
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Colossians 3:2-3
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Paul writes these words in his letter to the Philippians after many years of ministry and being the vessel used by the Lord to draft the majority of the new testament. Paul wanted to make it clear that he was still not perfect and that he was still called to strive for Christ likeness. How much more then, am I still imperfect and in need of this striving?
Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Jeff, there is nothing of greater value available to you than to know me. Paul understood this and he considered everything in his life secondary to this relationship with me. Paul had a life marked by surrender of everything for the sake of my son. Jeff- Do you understand that I surrendered this Son for you to be able to know me? The very thing that I am telling you is most valuable, I gave up on the cross for you to have access to this relationship? Do you believe that this relationship is indeed the highest thing in life? Jeff, let each day you live be marked by this truth. Let each day you live evidence that your top aim is to know my son and to be transformed into His likeness. Are you wasting time? Are you wasting breath? There is so much joy and fulfillment to be found...don't return to a mediocre life marked by self.
Jeff, do you count your efforts to advance in your career as loss? Do you count your efforts to build a comfortable life as loss? Do you count your recreation and hobbies as loss? Do you even count your knowledge of the bible and your understanding of doctrine as loss? Paul counted his religious track record as loss.
Jeff- Does the value of knowing Christ Jesus surpass the value of every other thing in your life? (Phil 3:8)
Jeff- Have you surrendered everything that would compete with your relationship with Christ as if it was rubbish? (Phil 3:8)
Jeff- How do you deal with rubbish in your home? Do you not quickly dispose of it?
Application:
Today I am to surrender anything that would take the place of knowing Christ
Today I am to surrender anything that would take the place of knowing Christ
Today I am to surrender anything that would take the place of knowing Christ
Prayer:
Lord please teach me the ways that I may know you. Please help me break free of my preconceptions regarding what it is to know you. I am only recently diving into meaningful alone time with you in your word and I am deeply blessed. Please show me the other ways I have been neglecting my relationship with you. Please build the passion in me for scripture memorization. Please let me know what it is to pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Please let me commune with you throughout my day and may prayer be a continuos conversation with you as you are not found only in this quiet place. Lord, please put on my heart whatever you desire of me that would bring me onward in this striving to Christ likeness. Thank you for drawing near to me and thank you for revealing yourself to me in your word. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Soli Deo Gloria!
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Personalize it, pray it methods:
Jeff, I am not finished with you yet, not by a long shot. But with the understanding that my Son has purchased you at great cost and has made you His own, that you are now sharing in His righteousness and have been set on this path of sanctification where I am forming you into his likeness, you should join me in this work. I certainly will accomplish the work that I have begun but you will have such greater joy and blessing if you make attaining Christ likeness your own pursuit. If you simply seek first the kingdom and let the other concerns of your life fall into place as I promise they will... If you would simply set your mind on Me rather than this place where you are visiting for a time.
Romans 8:29
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Colossians 3:2-3
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Paul writes these words in his letter to the Philippians after many years of ministry and being the vessel used by the Lord to draft the majority of the new testament. Paul wanted to make it clear that he was still not perfect and that he was still called to strive for Christ likeness. How much more then, am I still imperfect and in need of this striving?
Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Jeff, there is nothing of greater value available to you than to know me. Paul understood this and he considered everything in his life secondary to this relationship with me. Paul had a life marked by surrender of everything for the sake of my son. Jeff- Do you understand that I surrendered this Son for you to be able to know me? The very thing that I am telling you is most valuable, I gave up on the cross for you to have access to this relationship? Do you believe that this relationship is indeed the highest thing in life? Jeff, let each day you live be marked by this truth. Let each day you live evidence that your top aim is to know my son and to be transformed into His likeness. Are you wasting time? Are you wasting breath? There is so much joy and fulfillment to be found...don't return to a mediocre life marked by self.
Jeff, do you count your efforts to advance in your career as loss? Do you count your efforts to build a comfortable life as loss? Do you count your recreation and hobbies as loss? Do you even count your knowledge of the bible and your understanding of doctrine as loss? Paul counted his religious track record as loss.
Jeff- Does the value of knowing Christ Jesus surpass the value of every other thing in your life? (Phil 3:8)
Jeff- Have you surrendered everything that would compete with your relationship with Christ as if it was rubbish? (Phil 3:8)
Jeff- How do you deal with rubbish in your home? Do you not quickly dispose of it?
Application:
Today I am to surrender anything that would take the place of knowing Christ
Today I am to surrender anything that would take the place of knowing Christ
Today I am to surrender anything that would take the place of knowing Christ
Prayer:
Lord please teach me the ways that I may know you. Please help me break free of my preconceptions regarding what it is to know you. I am only recently diving into meaningful alone time with you in your word and I am deeply blessed. Please show me the other ways I have been neglecting my relationship with you. Please build the passion in me for scripture memorization. Please let me know what it is to pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Please let me commune with you throughout my day and may prayer be a continuos conversation with you as you are not found only in this quiet place. Lord, please put on my heart whatever you desire of me that would bring me onward in this striving to Christ likeness. Thank you for drawing near to me and thank you for revealing yourself to me in your word. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tremble at my word
Philippians 2:12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Personalize it, Pray it Methods:
Jeff- Apart from your pastor or any mentor, wholly on your own, I call you to labor and focus on your sanctification. With holy fear, with the highest respect, with the understanding that you are a sinful man in my holy and glorious presence, you are to humbly work at obedience to me- at absolute surrender of all that you are. Don't you know that it is me, the great I am, who performs this work of sanctification in you? You work out your sanctification in action but know that it is I who grant you both the desire and then also the ability to take action on that desire. The entire process of your salvation and sanctification is orchestrated by me. I do this work in you because it brings me great pleasure and satisfaction to see you progress in your journey of absolute surrender to me. See what is written in Isaiah 66...
Isaiah 66:1-2
1 Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? 2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Jeff- There is no building or mountaintop or anything else under all of my creation where I desire to dwell more than in the heart of the believer who is humble and contrite before me and is fearfully captivated by my word. The one who faces the depravity of his condition and is broken before me. The one who digests my word as it were his sustenance. The one who understands the gravity of my word and that it must cause action...my word is no novel written for your comfort or pleasure. My word will destroy your preconceptions, my word will expose your sinful ways, my word will eradicate your errant thoughts and beliefs, my word will destroy strongholds in your life, my word is the most powerful thing you can ever experience. Did you hear me Jeff? My word is the most powerful force that may be experienced by anything that is or is not yet. Did you hear me Jeff? My word has all power and authority over everything in existence...and even over that which I have not yet created, as it is by my word that I choose to bring it into existence- solely and completely for my own good pleasure. Jeff, if my word does not make you tremble, then you do not yet understand what it is that you are reading. Oh that you would surrender. Why do you not hold my word in your heart as the most treasured thing you can possess? Jeff, what shall you read...with whom will you seek counsel...who among my creation can direct you or teach you as I can?
Application:
Today I am to fearfully labor at my surrender to the Lord.
Today I am to praise God for granting me the will and the ability to surrender
Today I am to hide His word in my heart as it is the most powerful thing I could ever experience
Today I am to value my study and application of His word over every other way I might seek Him
Prayer:
Lord God please forgive me for not recognizing what you have given me in your word. May I never forget what power you have given over to me for my sanctification. Forgive me for not memorizing your word and for not fearfully applying it in my life. Please give me both the will and the ability to take action on surrendering my mind to you. Please draw me into your word and cause me to value it for what it really is.
Lord please work in me today as I walk, work in me today as I work, work in me today as I lead my family, work in me today as I am a friend, work in me today as I serve, Lord please continue your sanctifying work in me today. Let me not get in the way.
In Jesus name I pray, amen.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Personalize it, Pray it Methods:
Jeff- Apart from your pastor or any mentor, wholly on your own, I call you to labor and focus on your sanctification. With holy fear, with the highest respect, with the understanding that you are a sinful man in my holy and glorious presence, you are to humbly work at obedience to me- at absolute surrender of all that you are. Don't you know that it is me, the great I am, who performs this work of sanctification in you? You work out your sanctification in action but know that it is I who grant you both the desire and then also the ability to take action on that desire. The entire process of your salvation and sanctification is orchestrated by me. I do this work in you because it brings me great pleasure and satisfaction to see you progress in your journey of absolute surrender to me. See what is written in Isaiah 66...
Isaiah 66:1-2
1 Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? 2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Jeff- There is no building or mountaintop or anything else under all of my creation where I desire to dwell more than in the heart of the believer who is humble and contrite before me and is fearfully captivated by my word. The one who faces the depravity of his condition and is broken before me. The one who digests my word as it were his sustenance. The one who understands the gravity of my word and that it must cause action...my word is no novel written for your comfort or pleasure. My word will destroy your preconceptions, my word will expose your sinful ways, my word will eradicate your errant thoughts and beliefs, my word will destroy strongholds in your life, my word is the most powerful thing you can ever experience. Did you hear me Jeff? My word is the most powerful force that may be experienced by anything that is or is not yet. Did you hear me Jeff? My word has all power and authority over everything in existence...and even over that which I have not yet created, as it is by my word that I choose to bring it into existence- solely and completely for my own good pleasure. Jeff, if my word does not make you tremble, then you do not yet understand what it is that you are reading. Oh that you would surrender. Why do you not hold my word in your heart as the most treasured thing you can possess? Jeff, what shall you read...with whom will you seek counsel...who among my creation can direct you or teach you as I can?
Application:
Today I am to fearfully labor at my surrender to the Lord.
Today I am to praise God for granting me the will and the ability to surrender
Today I am to hide His word in my heart as it is the most powerful thing I could ever experience
Today I am to value my study and application of His word over every other way I might seek Him
Prayer:
Lord God please forgive me for not recognizing what you have given me in your word. May I never forget what power you have given over to me for my sanctification. Forgive me for not memorizing your word and for not fearfully applying it in my life. Please give me both the will and the ability to take action on surrendering my mind to you. Please draw me into your word and cause me to value it for what it really is.
Lord please work in me today as I walk, work in me today as I work, work in me today as I lead my family, work in me today as I am a friend, work in me today as I serve, Lord please continue your sanctifying work in me today. Let me not get in the way.
In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Live Worthy, the price was great
Philippians 1:27
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Personalize it, Pray it method:
Jeff- Be certain that you conduct yourself in light of the message that you take forth for my name's sake. Whether you are in public or private, let me see that you are standing firm and laboring together with your band of brothers for the active faith needed to spread my message to the unbelievers and to make disciples. Be sure you do not allow your old nature to rule you and do not be double minded because that is not what I have called you to and does not further my message, but rather that lifestyle will damage the kingdom.
And more Jeff- I sent my only Son to die on a cross for your sake. He suffered at the hand of His creation and He was separated from Me on the cross. I had to turn my back to Him in order to buy your salvation. I am the Holy God of all creation and I need do nothing but my good pleasure. Yet, it pleases me to bring you into relationship with me and I made great sacrifice to accomplish that. So tell me- what does a life "worthy" of my message of grace look like? Do you suppose that I want you to be nice to people and to watch your language and to remember to tithe? Do you think I want you to try to fit my message into your life? Is it your life that you live? How is it that you are breathing right now? Who has provided every good thing and your actual existence?
Jeff- A manner of life worthy of the gospel of Christ is a life fully surrendered to me. A life that considers all things secondary to Me.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
That is the life worthy of the gospel that I have called you to. You need to partner with other godly men to truly attain this and to daily stand on top of this wall.
Pray it:
Lord please grant me faith to walk uprightly in the path that you lead me. May I never allow double-mindedness or the flesh have rule over me again, but may I yield to your Holy Spirit according to 2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles 30:8
Do not now be stiff- necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you.
Lord please bond me together with the surrendered men around me that we may together strive for your gospel to make disciples and bring surrender to more hearts for your glory.
Lord thank you for the sacrifice you made in order to bring this gospel message. Let me take seriously the gospel message in my life that I would daily surrender my comfort, my schedule, my ambitions, my plan, my being to your Lordship.
Application:
Today I am to consider the gospel message in everything I do so that I am certain to live worthy of the message of Christ, the message of grace by faith as a gift from God.
Today I am to invest in other men around me and partner with them for your glory. I will be an encourager and I will strive to bring the band shoulder to shoulder walking in the path you give us.
Today I am to take every thought captive in order to not let false teaching or sin reign in me or in my brothers around me according to 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Prayer:
Lord let me apply this directive today. Please empty me and fill me with your Spirit that you may reign in me. Thank you Lord for the joy and satisfaction that you bring as I surrender to you and as I look with open eyes at my life. Please fill me with boldness and resolve to stand firm as the price paid for the message you have given me is great.
Thank you Lord for choosing me for your service. Please empower me and equip me to go and spread your gospel message as the striving of my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Personalize it, Pray it method:
Jeff- Be certain that you conduct yourself in light of the message that you take forth for my name's sake. Whether you are in public or private, let me see that you are standing firm and laboring together with your band of brothers for the active faith needed to spread my message to the unbelievers and to make disciples. Be sure you do not allow your old nature to rule you and do not be double minded because that is not what I have called you to and does not further my message, but rather that lifestyle will damage the kingdom.
And more Jeff- I sent my only Son to die on a cross for your sake. He suffered at the hand of His creation and He was separated from Me on the cross. I had to turn my back to Him in order to buy your salvation. I am the Holy God of all creation and I need do nothing but my good pleasure. Yet, it pleases me to bring you into relationship with me and I made great sacrifice to accomplish that. So tell me- what does a life "worthy" of my message of grace look like? Do you suppose that I want you to be nice to people and to watch your language and to remember to tithe? Do you think I want you to try to fit my message into your life? Is it your life that you live? How is it that you are breathing right now? Who has provided every good thing and your actual existence?
Jeff- A manner of life worthy of the gospel of Christ is a life fully surrendered to me. A life that considers all things secondary to Me.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
That is the life worthy of the gospel that I have called you to. You need to partner with other godly men to truly attain this and to daily stand on top of this wall.
Pray it:
Lord please grant me faith to walk uprightly in the path that you lead me. May I never allow double-mindedness or the flesh have rule over me again, but may I yield to your Holy Spirit according to 2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles 30:8
Do not now be stiff- necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you.
Lord please bond me together with the surrendered men around me that we may together strive for your gospel to make disciples and bring surrender to more hearts for your glory.
Lord thank you for the sacrifice you made in order to bring this gospel message. Let me take seriously the gospel message in my life that I would daily surrender my comfort, my schedule, my ambitions, my plan, my being to your Lordship.
Application:
Today I am to consider the gospel message in everything I do so that I am certain to live worthy of the message of Christ, the message of grace by faith as a gift from God.
Today I am to invest in other men around me and partner with them for your glory. I will be an encourager and I will strive to bring the band shoulder to shoulder walking in the path you give us.
Today I am to take every thought captive in order to not let false teaching or sin reign in me or in my brothers around me according to 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Prayer:
Lord let me apply this directive today. Please empty me and fill me with your Spirit that you may reign in me. Thank you Lord for the joy and satisfaction that you bring as I surrender to you and as I look with open eyes at my life. Please fill me with boldness and resolve to stand firm as the price paid for the message you have given me is great.
Thank you Lord for choosing me for your service. Please empower me and equip me to go and spread your gospel message as the striving of my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Bring your son to work day!
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Personalize it, pray it method:
Be assured, Jeff, I have begun a good work in you that I will see through to completion by the full measure of my power. This work will not be simple and you will be challenged, but I promise you that I am in control of all things and I will bring you across the finish line complete, lacking in nothing. Jeff, it is I who began this work and it is I that will sustain it. Who do you suppose can stop me? Then do not fret, and do not be concerned with your performance. Merely put your trust in me and surrender daily to the direction that I give you. You will have opportunity each day to partner in this work I am doing in you by your surrender, your obedience.
I am sure of this Lord God, that it IS you who begun this work in me and that it IS you who sustains it. It IS your good pleasure and your grace that pulls me along and I pray that you would grant me the faith to fully surrender each day to the work you lay out before me toward this end of bringing me to the finish line complete, lacking in nothing. Let me not fear this partnership and let me recognize the work that you bring me into that I may engage and enjoy seeing you at work...for it is YOU who is accomplishing your will in me, not myself.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
Thanksgiving
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Philippians 2:12-13
Lights in the World
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Application:
Today I am to trust only in you to sustain the work you are doing in my heart and in my family and all around me. I shall not rest on my ability or on my performance or on my emotions (good or bad) to be my assurance of this. Rather, I shall rest upon your promise in Philippians 1:6. I will rest in your sovereign grace knowing that you will work your good pleasure in me.
Today I am to labor along side you Lord and I shall enjoy getting dirty with full knowledge that you're at the wheel. You merely let me join in the labor with you but it's like bring your son to work day, every day!
Today I am to face my responsibilities at work with confidence that, while I am working at what seems unrelated to my relationship with you, you are at work in me and I can lean on your faithfulness each moment. I am also to respond obediently to those things you have put on my heart to accomplish this day...to contact Jay about the resolution, to complete the coordination of Ushers for Easter, to email the prayer requests. In all these things I need not worry about my performance or the result but I can enjoy the fact that you allow me to participate in the work you are doing. Let me be faithful with what you prepare for me Lord.
Prayer:
Thank you Lord for bringing me into this work and for capturing my heart. Please let me not get in the way of what you are doing in me or with me. Pease let there be more of you and less of me each day as you grant me the faith to be a doer. As you let me hear your voice Lord, please give me the trust to immediately act in assurance that it is not about me. May it not be me who lives, but Christ who lives in me...daily.
Lord let me be guiltless concerning this work in me as you describe in 1Corinthians above. Let me have absolute confidence in your power, but let me come before you with fear and trembling knowing that I come with sin and imperfection before a holy God. Grant me humility and let me not lose sight of my depravity and inability to accomplish this work in myself.
Thank you for this day ahead of me Lord, please continue to reveal to me where I am to surrender and let me hear your voice as I walk. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Personalize it, pray it method:
Be assured, Jeff, I have begun a good work in you that I will see through to completion by the full measure of my power. This work will not be simple and you will be challenged, but I promise you that I am in control of all things and I will bring you across the finish line complete, lacking in nothing. Jeff, it is I who began this work and it is I that will sustain it. Who do you suppose can stop me? Then do not fret, and do not be concerned with your performance. Merely put your trust in me and surrender daily to the direction that I give you. You will have opportunity each day to partner in this work I am doing in you by your surrender, your obedience.
I am sure of this Lord God, that it IS you who begun this work in me and that it IS you who sustains it. It IS your good pleasure and your grace that pulls me along and I pray that you would grant me the faith to fully surrender each day to the work you lay out before me toward this end of bringing me to the finish line complete, lacking in nothing. Let me not fear this partnership and let me recognize the work that you bring me into that I may engage and enjoy seeing you at work...for it is YOU who is accomplishing your will in me, not myself.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
Thanksgiving
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Philippians 2:12-13
Lights in the World
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Application:
Today I am to trust only in you to sustain the work you are doing in my heart and in my family and all around me. I shall not rest on my ability or on my performance or on my emotions (good or bad) to be my assurance of this. Rather, I shall rest upon your promise in Philippians 1:6. I will rest in your sovereign grace knowing that you will work your good pleasure in me.
Today I am to labor along side you Lord and I shall enjoy getting dirty with full knowledge that you're at the wheel. You merely let me join in the labor with you but it's like bring your son to work day, every day!
Today I am to face my responsibilities at work with confidence that, while I am working at what seems unrelated to my relationship with you, you are at work in me and I can lean on your faithfulness each moment. I am also to respond obediently to those things you have put on my heart to accomplish this day...to contact Jay about the resolution, to complete the coordination of Ushers for Easter, to email the prayer requests. In all these things I need not worry about my performance or the result but I can enjoy the fact that you allow me to participate in the work you are doing. Let me be faithful with what you prepare for me Lord.
Prayer:
Thank you Lord for bringing me into this work and for capturing my heart. Please let me not get in the way of what you are doing in me or with me. Pease let there be more of you and less of me each day as you grant me the faith to be a doer. As you let me hear your voice Lord, please give me the trust to immediately act in assurance that it is not about me. May it not be me who lives, but Christ who lives in me...daily.
Lord let me be guiltless concerning this work in me as you describe in 1Corinthians above. Let me have absolute confidence in your power, but let me come before you with fear and trembling knowing that I come with sin and imperfection before a holy God. Grant me humility and let me not lose sight of my depravity and inability to accomplish this work in myself.
Thank you for this day ahead of me Lord, please continue to reveal to me where I am to surrender and let me hear your voice as I walk. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Humility; not optional but required
James 4:6-10
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “ God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double- minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Paraphrase it method:
God requires only that we acknowledge our depraved state and then offers His amazing grace. Repent not only of the actions but in drawing near to the Lord let your heart be changed (purified) such that you weep over your sin and that it makes you sick. May the things that you secretly or overtly reveled in turn to a source of mourning and gloom. Drawing near to God when you are a sinner should quickly become frightening...like Peter when He experienced Jesus filling their nets with fish to the point it was sinking their boats...
Luke 5:8-9
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus 'knees, saying, “ Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,
Let us not come before God in any way but on our face in humility due to our sin. Can we approach the heat of a raging fire that can quickly consume us if we were but to step too close in any way but with our heads down seeking lowness and recognizing that we are wholly at it's mercy when we come close?
May we then experience what is the fear of the Lord as Peter, and others did. Let us not fight off or hold back the tears but be wholly broken before Him and let him reach out His mighty hand and lift us to our feet- humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you (lift you up). In the context here I cannot possibly read this as be a humble person and the Lord will give you honor...the context I see here is more like drop to your face for fear of your life as your sin burns your face and eats your flesh while you draw near to the Lord. When you recognize and acknowledge the gravity of your situation (depravity of your condition before a holy God) He will restore you and give you hope. This picture is different than "think more of others so I might be rewarded with honor". The former is a picture of surrender...
Verse 7 above said "submit yourselves therefore to God" and then gave the picture of repentance where you resist the devil (turn away from him) and draw near to God (now facing your Lord). Surrender yourself to God.
Application:
Today I am to see my sin as God sees it and recognize that I make myself His enemy when I allow the old man (sin nature) to fight with jealousy against the Holy Spirit that the Lord has given me.
James 4:4-5
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
I am at war within myself and as Andrew Murray suggested, I must choose to deny myself or to deny Christ every day...every moment. Throughout my day today I will face opportunities to grant my flesh reign over me or to yield to the Holy Spirit. I am called to absolute surrender to the Lord and He promises to lift me up.
Today I cannot look at sin and examine it or contemplate it...I must turn and face my holy God and then see that the thought of sin falls to the ground and is consumed by the fire. And then He lifts me up.
Prayer:
Lord please give me eyes to see that I might not deceive myself into thinking that my sin is anything but vile and wretched. Please bring recollection of this truth and let me turn immediately away from that option and fearfully turn to you with true humility. May your grace abound Lord in my humility.
Thank you Lord that when you lift me up from that place of mourning over my sin, over even my consideration of sin, that you do lift me up and you let me experience the joy of your grace. You let me rest in your glorious sovereignty. Mourning over sin is far overcome by the richness that comes from abiding in you.
Thank you Lord that you turn our sinful state into a glorious inheritance purchased on the cross and evidenced by the empty tomb!
Ephesians 1:17-21
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Wisdom to Act
James 3:13
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
Paraphrase it method:
One who is wise will demonstrate such wisdom through the actions of living out their saving faith in humility. Based upon James 2:17-18 this saving faith means they will not merely make statements or have "beliefs" but they will surrender and allow the Lord to manifest their faith in their daily activities/priorities.
My study bible (MacArthur study bible) suggests that the description of the person who is wise and understanding is referring to someone very skilled at living, at the practical application of the wisdom of God.
The next verse discusses the need to refrain from boasting if there is bitter jealousy or self entered ambition in your heart...this is contrasted to wisdom "from above" and so equates to wisdom from somewhere else; namely self.
Application:
Today I am to seek wisdom from above as described here and I know that I receive this wisdom by asking it from the Lord...
2 Chronicles 1:10-12 (King Solomon prays for wisdom)
Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” 11 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
So here God makes it clear that He grants the wisdom and knowledge because of the purity of Solomon's heart in the request. Solomon did not ask for wisdom and knowledge in all things...he asked for wisdom and knowledge in the area of the responsibility and the calling that God put in Solomon's life. This would be like me asking for wisdom and understanding in leading my family, serving in TEAM and Men's ministry, Ushering, being a leader in my workplace. I should not ask God for sick bull fighting skills...or wisdom in how to get rich, or wisdom in how to be more comfortable, or wisdom in how to become popular. But notice that God freely gave these things to Solomon because Solomon was asking with sincerity only for the wisdom he needed to fulfill the call that God had given him. Solomon also did not have a mind to be better at this leadership thing than the guy next to him for selfish ambition or due to bitter jealousy. Rather, he was looking out for God's people. He knew they needed wise leadership and he did not exalt himself to suppose he was all that. He recognized he was not and asked God, for the sake of the people, for this wisdom.
God's response is amazing and so encouraging. He makes it clear what it means to ask "in Jesus name". We need to ask for things that glorify our Lord, for things that we need to further His kingdom, for things we need out of a sense of service, for things we need not for our self but so that we may bless others. This is anything but a prosperity gospel!!!! Praise the Lord.
More on application- Today I am to apply the wisdom He grants me by taking action in those areas of my calling, those areas where I have been given responsibility. So I am to bless my family, I am to love and lead my wife, I am to invest the wisdom God grants into ministry and into my workplace. I cannot merely receive wisdom and knowledge and then ignore it because I prefer to remain comfortable or because I need to go count my money or something. If this was my heart, God would not have granted His wisdom in the first place and therefore whatever wisdom I thought I had would be from myself...
Prayer:
O Lord let me be as Solomon and desire only that you would give me wisdom and understanding to fulfill your calling in my life and to manage the areas of responsibility that you have granted me. Lord let me not cease in asking and seeking from you this wisdom that you desire to give me. Please give me faith and let me completely trust in your goodness and your sovereignty, that you would give me this wisdom generously according to your word in James 1:5-6.
James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Lord please give me such wisdom and understanding that I might be fully equipped to lead my family. To teach my children and to love and lead my wife. To humbly serve in TEAM, Men's, and the Ushers ministries as you have called me. To humbly serve in the leadership role you have placed me in at work. Please help me to not be double minded but to keep a pure heart in these areas that there would be no bitter jealousy or selfish ambition in me, Lord. Let me not hope for personal gain or glory in any fashion Lord but to you alone be the glory from this filling from your abundant wisdom- Soli Deo Gloria.
Thank you Lord for revealing to me what I am to do with your word. Thank you for teaching me how to meditate on your word. Let me dwell on these things throughout the day and let me recognize opportunities to surrender to you today Lord. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
Paraphrase it method:
One who is wise will demonstrate such wisdom through the actions of living out their saving faith in humility. Based upon James 2:17-18 this saving faith means they will not merely make statements or have "beliefs" but they will surrender and allow the Lord to manifest their faith in their daily activities/priorities.
My study bible (MacArthur study bible) suggests that the description of the person who is wise and understanding is referring to someone very skilled at living, at the practical application of the wisdom of God.
The next verse discusses the need to refrain from boasting if there is bitter jealousy or self entered ambition in your heart...this is contrasted to wisdom "from above" and so equates to wisdom from somewhere else; namely self.
Application:
Today I am to seek wisdom from above as described here and I know that I receive this wisdom by asking it from the Lord...
2 Chronicles 1:10-12 (King Solomon prays for wisdom)
Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” 11 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
So here God makes it clear that He grants the wisdom and knowledge because of the purity of Solomon's heart in the request. Solomon did not ask for wisdom and knowledge in all things...he asked for wisdom and knowledge in the area of the responsibility and the calling that God put in Solomon's life. This would be like me asking for wisdom and understanding in leading my family, serving in TEAM and Men's ministry, Ushering, being a leader in my workplace. I should not ask God for sick bull fighting skills...or wisdom in how to get rich, or wisdom in how to be more comfortable, or wisdom in how to become popular. But notice that God freely gave these things to Solomon because Solomon was asking with sincerity only for the wisdom he needed to fulfill the call that God had given him. Solomon also did not have a mind to be better at this leadership thing than the guy next to him for selfish ambition or due to bitter jealousy. Rather, he was looking out for God's people. He knew they needed wise leadership and he did not exalt himself to suppose he was all that. He recognized he was not and asked God, for the sake of the people, for this wisdom.
God's response is amazing and so encouraging. He makes it clear what it means to ask "in Jesus name". We need to ask for things that glorify our Lord, for things that we need to further His kingdom, for things we need out of a sense of service, for things we need not for our self but so that we may bless others. This is anything but a prosperity gospel!!!! Praise the Lord.
More on application- Today I am to apply the wisdom He grants me by taking action in those areas of my calling, those areas where I have been given responsibility. So I am to bless my family, I am to love and lead my wife, I am to invest the wisdom God grants into ministry and into my workplace. I cannot merely receive wisdom and knowledge and then ignore it because I prefer to remain comfortable or because I need to go count my money or something. If this was my heart, God would not have granted His wisdom in the first place and therefore whatever wisdom I thought I had would be from myself...
Prayer:
O Lord let me be as Solomon and desire only that you would give me wisdom and understanding to fulfill your calling in my life and to manage the areas of responsibility that you have granted me. Lord let me not cease in asking and seeking from you this wisdom that you desire to give me. Please give me faith and let me completely trust in your goodness and your sovereignty, that you would give me this wisdom generously according to your word in James 1:5-6.
James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Lord please give me such wisdom and understanding that I might be fully equipped to lead my family. To teach my children and to love and lead my wife. To humbly serve in TEAM, Men's, and the Ushers ministries as you have called me. To humbly serve in the leadership role you have placed me in at work. Please help me to not be double minded but to keep a pure heart in these areas that there would be no bitter jealousy or selfish ambition in me, Lord. Let me not hope for personal gain or glory in any fashion Lord but to you alone be the glory from this filling from your abundant wisdom- Soli Deo Gloria.
Thank you Lord for revealing to me what I am to do with your word. Thank you for teaching me how to meditate on your word. Let me dwell on these things throughout the day and let me recognize opportunities to surrender to you today Lord. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Saving faith; not in my strength but by your spirit
James 2:15-19
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “ Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “ You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!
Paraphrase it method:
To tell someone to go in peace and be filled without taking action to actually accomplish that is not only a lack of true compassion but it is obvious the person is not a doer of the word and is deceived. So faith that does not put my feet to action, faith that does not change my life, faith that does not manifest itself daily in me is not saving faith...it is nothing more than an acknowledgement of truth (like even the demons offer). A faith that stops at acknowledging the truth about God without responding in obedience to it's call is dead and is not a faith that saves.
Knowing that we are not justified by works this idea of saving faith comes full circle to the works being simply an evidence that the faith is more than a spoken word (go and be warm) but it is a manifested reality (today I will give you my coat). So likewise, let the statement of my faith and belief in the Lord manifest itself "daily" rather than only in some statement about what my "life" is about. Let my faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ in my life not be a confession of my lips (Lord Lord) but a reality plainly event by my choices every day.
Application:
I must be to be sure that I am putting action to my faith and meeting with God each morning to hear His voice is one step to that end. I further need to walk through my day with open eyes and a listening ear for the guidance of the Holy Spirit so I might do His will rather than simply state that I desire His will in my life.
Prayer:
Lord please search me and know me, reveal to me the ways that I am not living my faith and the ways that I am still denying you in favor of myself. Please produce this saving faith in me that I may glorify you.
Lord, yesterday you put on my heart that every one I ran into needs to surrender to you and be filled with your joy. You brought me just short of tears singing "I've got peace like a river, I've got love like an ocean, I've got joy like a fountain in my soul" at Anna's preschool. Please continue to grant me this joy that can only come from you and may you give me the active faith that will allow me to share that potential with others so they too can be fully surrendered, and freed.
Lord please help me continue to figure out how to best commune with you in the morning that I may not be discouraged by my performance, but rather be transformed by your grace. I am already too conscience of the blog thing and I sincerely do not want to be distracted like that in my time with you. Please show me how best to deal with what I felt was your call but that is seeming to be a challenge...these words are making sense as I speak. So you give me a call to action now I am discouraged because it is not easy and I fail at my first effort. Lord God you are amazing and gracious. Thank you for opening my eyes each day! Please grant me the strength, by your Holy Spirit, to walk in the calling you have given me to spread your message of surrender. Please teach me not to lean on my ability to answer that call but on your ability to accomplish your will through me. It is you who acts Lord, not me. Let me be an empty vessel Lord that I do not try to serve from myself but from the power of your indwelling spirit.
Zechariah 4:6
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."
Lord let me not attempt to walk in surrender by my own power or will but in every moment, even this moment, may I yield to you and may it not be I who lives but Christ who lives in me. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Be a doer
Being my first post, it is fitting that it begin with the verse that was most responsible for pushing me through my self deception and into absolute surrender...
Paraphrase it: Doer of the word James 1:22-25
Do not hear the word (by reading, by hearing God's call, by hearing a sermon, by receiving a truth from a faithful friend) without immediately doing what the Lord has asked. You deceive yourself if you think you know who you are when you deny Christ and do not respond to His guidance. I am deceived if I think I believe the word of God without surrendering to do what He asks. Like Rick Warren put it "You only believe the parts of the bible that you actually do".
Thank you Lord for giving me ears to hear, despite my hardened heart, and revealing this truth to me. Coupled with Matthew 6:33
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This truth has brought me to Andrew Murray's claim that we each choose to deny self or to deny Christ each day.
Lord, you have shown me that I have been deceived for so many years and I have failed to see what I look like; who I am. I have hidden myself behind broad claims of my beliefs and convictions that, if examined, are not manifested in my daily life (routine). I can no longer accept lies about what I am living for or what is important to me and I must be a doer each day I wake. Thank you Lord for showing me this life changing truth and I pray that each day, as I seek first your kingdom and your righteousness, you will reveal to me the areas where I still need to surrender to you.
Lord, the absolute surrender that I believe you call me to is one that includes surrender of all that I am. My eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet (and everything these body parts represent), goals, desires, ambitions, perceived rights, emotions, resources, time...everything must be fully surrendered for the sake of seeking first your kingdom and your righteousness. Let everything I ever think, say, or do be done in surrender to your Lordship. Please show me what this looks like and provide me with the resolve to walk in this path. I am already overcome with joy and I am assured by your word that you will bless me- James 1:25 "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." So therefore Lord, please bless me in my doing and let me know you and experience you; let me abide in you.
Lord please lead me to a mentor that has lived like this for many years and can help me gain perspective and keep me from deception. A man like this I would love to follow and gain from his wisdom. Please make it clear to me who this person is and may you place it on their heart to mentor me. Perhaps I am yet deceived Lord, but I think there are many sincere christian men, but few fully surrendered men. May my surrender to your Lordship manifest itself in the priority and activities of my day, every day, until I am bodily in your presence. And may I teach this lifestyle to my family according to your perfect will.
Lord it is amazing how much time there is in a day when I am seeking you first; when I am surrendered. That is a clear blessing according to your word in James 1:25!
Paraphrase it: Doer of the word James 1:22-25
Do not hear the word (by reading, by hearing God's call, by hearing a sermon, by receiving a truth from a faithful friend) without immediately doing what the Lord has asked. You deceive yourself if you think you know who you are when you deny Christ and do not respond to His guidance. I am deceived if I think I believe the word of God without surrendering to do what He asks. Like Rick Warren put it "You only believe the parts of the bible that you actually do".
Thank you Lord for giving me ears to hear, despite my hardened heart, and revealing this truth to me. Coupled with Matthew 6:33
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This truth has brought me to Andrew Murray's claim that we each choose to deny self or to deny Christ each day.
Lord, you have shown me that I have been deceived for so many years and I have failed to see what I look like; who I am. I have hidden myself behind broad claims of my beliefs and convictions that, if examined, are not manifested in my daily life (routine). I can no longer accept lies about what I am living for or what is important to me and I must be a doer each day I wake. Thank you Lord for showing me this life changing truth and I pray that each day, as I seek first your kingdom and your righteousness, you will reveal to me the areas where I still need to surrender to you.
Lord, the absolute surrender that I believe you call me to is one that includes surrender of all that I am. My eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet (and everything these body parts represent), goals, desires, ambitions, perceived rights, emotions, resources, time...everything must be fully surrendered for the sake of seeking first your kingdom and your righteousness. Let everything I ever think, say, or do be done in surrender to your Lordship. Please show me what this looks like and provide me with the resolve to walk in this path. I am already overcome with joy and I am assured by your word that you will bless me- James 1:25 "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." So therefore Lord, please bless me in my doing and let me know you and experience you; let me abide in you.
Lord please lead me to a mentor that has lived like this for many years and can help me gain perspective and keep me from deception. A man like this I would love to follow and gain from his wisdom. Please make it clear to me who this person is and may you place it on their heart to mentor me. Perhaps I am yet deceived Lord, but I think there are many sincere christian men, but few fully surrendered men. May my surrender to your Lordship manifest itself in the priority and activities of my day, every day, until I am bodily in your presence. And may I teach this lifestyle to my family according to your perfect will.
Lord it is amazing how much time there is in a day when I am seeking you first; when I am surrendered. That is a clear blessing according to your word in James 1:25!
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