Thursday, November 2, 2017 The Acts of Submission Part 2 – Submission to the Scriptures: The Discipline of Submission, Part 5 (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Thursday, November 2, 2017

The Acts of Submission Part 2 – Submission to the Scriptures: The Discipline of Submission, Part 5 (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Scripture:

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Luke 6:47-48

Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

Luke 11:28

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Psalm 112:1

Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!

Psalm 119:1-6

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!

1 John 3:21-24

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Psalm 119:103

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Devotional:

Mmmmmm. God’s Word.  After years of loving His Word, I can truly say with joy that God’s Word is sweeter than honey to me. I am overwhelmed with joy that when the paths in the road diverged, I followed the path of submitting my life to the Word of God. What a joy, honor and delight to wrap my life around His Word and His precepts! I truly believe there is no other way.

Trust and obey

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus

Than to trust and obey.

The words of the familiar hymn provide a simple foundation and place of rest and safety for us. It is all in there, friends. Answers for every doubt, fear, dilemma, need. He has provided for all of it in His Word. There are many ways of thinking, many ways of living. I truly believe that to dedicate our lives to knowing God’s Word, choosing to elevate it above our own ideas and allow Him to show us the rightness of His Way when we do not understand, is the Answer everyone is looking for.

It is worth the time it takes, sweet friends. His Word provides the sweet, it provides the depth we are craving, it provides the safety we are desperate for. He is speaking to and loving us through His Word every day. Blessed be His Name!

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:

Father, I thank You for Your Word! You have provided for all the needs of this life by sharing Your heart through Your Word. I thank You that I live in a country where Your Word is not censored at this time. I pray for believers all over the world who risk their lives for Your Word today. Thank You for the many martyrs who gave their lives for the upholding of Your Word and Your Gospel. I thank You that I have the freedom and astounding convenience of ready access to That Word. I love You, Lord.

Confession:

I lift my heart and soul to You today for confession. I thank You that it is possible to have a clear conscience before You! Remove shame and condemnation. Thank You that I am in Christ and a new creation. I thank You that the old has passed away, and the new has come! (Take time for reflection and confession. Mine today: You have brought to mind some past hurts that are still popping up in my soul. I pray to release those to You today. I do not want to have unforgiveness in my heart. Release the people involved. Forgive me for harboring these hurts. Heal the hurt and help me not to be bitter or resentful toward others.)

Supplication:

Take time to pray over personal needs. (Mine today: Thank You for helping me with the needs of my business. I pray over the time I will spend on the business today, and ask that You will guide me. Help me to order my time well. Help me to complete orders in a timely fashion. Help me to work well with my husband.)

Intercession:

Lord, thank You for these children You have given me. Help us today to have a great day! Let routines go smoothly. Let the kids wake rested. Help us to have a kind and cheerful countenance toward them to model Your Way and Your grace and love. (Take time to journal needs for each child. Make note of progress and victories. For Chloe today: Thank You that she is learning not to wake the family when she wakes in the middle of the night. I pray that You will help us to continue to be a team and train her lovingly. Help her to catch on to what is needed. Help her to sleep all night. I pray her sleep will be established for life and that she will not have trouble sleeping into adulthood. You have promised to give Your beloved sleep and to keep us safe from harm. Bless Chloe at night. Bless her at school today as she will be taking part in the lunch hour for the first time. For Christian today: It is two days until he is 6! What an exciting time. 6 years ago You gifted me with this amazing treasure. Oh, Father, thank You for Christian! He is my darling boy. Increase our love for him and show us the way to nurture him and his talents. Let him flourish and blossom in his giftings. Give him a rich and full life with love, a family, a joyful career, and enjoyment for Your creation. Thank You for my wonderful son!)

Thanksgiving and Consecration:

Father, I thank You for this time in Your Word and learning about Your desire for us as believers. Continue to bless this time as we learn from You. I love You, Lord! Cover and seal the prayers and confessions represented here today. You are worthy of praise and honor! In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.