Acting Upon What We Pray

I prayed this morning for my attitude.  I prayed that my every thought, desire, motive, and word would be to the glory of God. I prayed that my every action would give Him glory and uplift His holy name.

Then why I am surprised when I am faced with situations and circumstances that test and try that?  

By praying for such things, I am admitting that I struggle with bringing my every thought, intent, motive, action, and word in to alignment with that which would glorify and magnify His name.  By praying for such things, I am acknowledging that  I AM GOING to face cirucmstances in which I will be included to contend for supremacy (pride) with God and to glorify myself and serve myself instead of God.  

If I pray such prayers, I ought to actively prepare for those opportunities which I know are going to come in which I will be provided with the opportunity to put off the old self and put on the new; in which I will have the opportunity to kill pride and cultivate humility; in which I will have the opportunity to bring myself low and magnify God to that position which only He deserves.

What is the use in praying such a pray if I know it is not going to be a struggle?  Indeed, what I did was pray the prayer and leave the preparations at that.  I prayed and acknowledged to God that it was going to be a struggle and that I needed His help with it, but then I made no further preparations for WHEN I will face that circumstance in which I will be tempted to promote self and bring low the God of the universe.  How foolish!  If I am going to pray for God's help to bring every thought, intent, action, motive, and word to that with promotes God, then I better be on the watch for those situations; I better have scripture prepared and on hand; I better have accountability close by; I better be on guard and not foolishly think that just because I prayed the prayer, I will be safe!  Prayer is not some luck charm that will protect me just because I said the words.

God, forgive me for abusing prayer and for treating it so dispassionately and carelessly.  Prayer is my window of connection to You, to Your throne room of mercy, love, grace, forgiveness, and strength.  How dare I treat something so valuable, so indescribable, so priceless, with such careless and foolish ease and frivolity.  

Help me to give careful attention to the words I pray and then act as if I intend and believe that what I am praying for will actually be tested and tried.

Emotions and the Aim Preaching

Emotions and the Aim of Preaching

Posted: 10 May 2009 11:35 PM PDT

(Author: John Piper)

Here is one of the most insightful and influential quotes on preaching I ever read. It's from Jonathan Edwards:

I don't think ministers are to be blamed for raising the affections of their hearers too high, if that which they are affected with be only that which is worthy of affection, and their affections are not raised beyond a proportion to their importance, or worthiness of affection.

I should think myself in the way of my duty to raise the affections of my hearers as high as possibly I can, provided that they are affected with nothing but truth, and with affections that are not disagreeable to the nature of what they are affected with.

Desiring God Blog

Do Not Forsake Your Mother's Teaching Posted: 09 May 2009 11:50 PM PDT (Author: John Piper) The following is adapted from the sermon, "Do Not Forsake Your Mother's Teaching." The book of Proverbs begins, "The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel." He was a great king and the son of a great king. That means he was famous and powerful and supreme in all the realm. People bowed in his presence. They did what he said. He had immense authority and honor. How did he treat his mother in this exalted role? You recall his mother was Bathsheba. She had married his father David under very ugly circumstances—very displeasing to God. But she was his mother, and this is what it says in 1 Kings 2:19, Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king arose to meet her, bowed before her, and sat on his throne; then he had a throne set for the king's mother, and she sat on his right. Then they had their conversation. He rose for her. He bowed to her. And he called for a throne to be put beside his for their conversation. She was his mother. Even kings should stoop when their mothers enter the room. Solomon wrote in the first chapter of Proverbs, Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9) As sons and daughters—whether old or young—let's remember that the deep satisfaction that comes from honoring all the truth that our mothers taught us also comes back to them as a crown of joy and honor and blessing in their later years. Do not despise your mother when she is old. (Proverbs 23:22). Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you. (Proverbs 23:25). Do not forsake the teaching of your mother. It will be a wreath of grace to your head and a crown of joy upon hers.

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Lesson from children

I was having a discussion with one of my children the other day and made a comment to them that the Holy Spirit later used to convict and challenge me greatly.  I was addresses an attitude of entitlement; one that believes it deserves everything they have and more that they don't have.   I was communicating that they will spend their entire life striving after that which they think they deserve and in the end, the life will have been a waste because it was done for themselves and not for God.

I made the comment that even if I were a poor pauper, living out of dumpster for my meals, I would have more than I deserved.  The Holy Spirit struck me with this later and reminded me of the time earlier that day in which I was very angry and upset with our financial situation. He reminded me of all the times recently that I have gotten mad or upset with God for not seemingly provided where I saw a perceived need.  The Holy Spirit used the words He prompted me to share with my child, against me!  

I have FAR more than I deserve.  I deserve nothing but condemnation and Hell, and yet, I am a child of God; forgiven; redeemed; reconciled; and blessed with more grace and mercy than I know what to do with.  On top of that, I have more physical possessions that I know what to do with and yet I have the audacity to whine and complain.  The next time I was tempted to get frustrated, I remembered this and was able to trust God with His things.  Now, to only keep this lesson near and dear for as long as I live.  

I am His.

All I have is His.

Bought undeserving by the blood of His Son's death.

Even I were a poor pauper eating out of a dumpster for my meals, I would have more than I deserve.

Fwd:

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
"The Loveliness of Christ!"
A powerful recording of our best quotes
on the loveliness of Christ (57 minutes)

  ~  ~  ~  ~

Petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Be careful to devote yourself to good works." Titus 3:8

"Avoid foolish questions." Titus 3:9

Our days are few, and are far better spent in

devoting ourselves to good works, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. Incessant discussion of subjects of no practical value, do a world of mischief. Our churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said--neither party is any the wiser! Therefore, the discussion no more promotes knowledge, than love! It is foolish to sow in so barren a field.

Questions upon . . .
  points wherein Scripture is silent;
  mysteries which belong to God alone;
  prophecies of doubtful interpretation;
  modes of observing

mere human ceremonies
--are all foolish! Wise men will avoid them! Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions--but to avoid them altogether! If we observe the apostle's precept to be careful to devote ourselves to good works--we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business--to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings!

There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish--which we must not avoid--but fairly and honestly answer, such as these:
  Am I growing in grace and Christ-likeness?
  Does my life adorn the doctrine of my Savior?
  What more can I do for Jesus?
Such inquiries as these, urgently demand our attention!

If we have been at all given to arguing and disputing, let us now turn to a service so much more profitable. Let us endeavor to lead others, both by our precept and example, to "avoid foolish

questions."

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Have you seen Jesus lately?

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
"The best Physician!"
Thomas Watson, Choice!

  ~  ~  ~  ~

Have you seen Jesus lately?

(Charles Spurgeon)

"But they did not know who He was." Luke 24:16

The disciples ought to have recognized Jesus, they had heard His voice so often, and gazed upon that marred face so frequently, that it is amazing that they did not know Him. Yet is it not so with you also? Have you seen Jesus lately? You have been to His table--and you have not met Him there. You are in a dark trouble, and though He plainly says, "It is I--do not be afraid," yet you do not recognize Him. Alas! our eyes are blinded! We know His voice; we have looked into His face; we have leaned our head upon His bosom--and yet, though Christ is very near us, we are saying, "O that I knew where I might find Him!"

We should know Jesus, for we have the Scriptures to reflect His image. Yet how frequently we open that precious book--and have no glimpse of our Well-beloved! Dear child of God, are you in that state? Jesus walks through the glades of Scripture, and desires to commune with His people. Yet you are in the garden of Scripture--but cannot see Him, though He is always there!

Make it your prayer, "Lord, open my eyes--that I may see my Savior present with me!" It is a blessed thing to desire to see Him. But oh! it is better far to gaze upon Him! To those who seek Him--He is kind; but to those who find Him--He is precious beyond expression!

  ~  ~  ~  ~

Grace Gems for the month of APRIL are now available in one file!

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Sovereign Grace Treasures (choice PRINTED books)

The Stone Chair

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The Stone Chair

In The Lord of the Rings Tolkien writes about a kingdom called Gondor which for many years has had no king. While waiting for the rightful heir to come and claim his throne, a series of stewards has been placed in charge of the land. The steward in charge at the time of the events described in the book is named Denethor and he has two sons, Boromir and Faramir, both of whom figure prominently in the story (and subsequently, in the movie). As steward of the land, Denethor had the power of the king but without the title and without the full measure of honor. He was able to make decisions and to pass judgment. He received the respect and admiration of the people of the land. His primary task was to do whatever was best for the land in the absence of its rightful ruler. In all he did he was to remember his position--to remember that he was not and never would be the king. As a constant reminder of his temporary position he was forbidden to rule from the king's throne.

"...awe fell upon him as he looked down that avenue of kings long dead. At the far end upon a dais of many steps was set a throne under a canopy of marble shaped like a crowned helm; behind it was carved upon the wall and set with gems an image of a tree in flower. But the throne was empty. At the foot of the dais, upon the lowest step which was broad and deep, there was a stone chair, black and unadorned, and on it sat an old man gazing at his lap."

That man, of course, was the steward. Where the king was allowed the full honor of sitting upon the throne, surrounded by splendor, the steward was consigned to rule from a plain, unadorned chair that sat at the foot of the throne.

Denethor was not a very good steward. He dreaded the day the king would return, for he knew that with the return of the king would come his own return to obscurity. He jealously guarded the power that had been given him and did not look forward to the day when he will have to relinquish the kingdom to its rightful owner. This attitude affected his every decision, and he often ruled based on his own desire for preservation rather than on the basis of what would be best for the kingdom he was sworn to protect. We find him saying:

"...the Lord of Gondor is not to be made the tool of other men's purposes, however worthy. And to him there is no purpose higher in the world as it now stands than the good of Gondor; and the rule of Gondor, my lord, is mine and no other man's, unless the king should come again." To this Gandalf replied "Unless the king should come again? Well, my lord Steward, it is your task to keep some kingdom against that even, which few now look to see."

The steward was failing in his duty to properly care for what had been entrusted to him. We learn later t...

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