Day: April 25, 2021

Eternal Rock of Ages

In Isaiah 24-27, the redeemed ones
vindicated at last, break forth
in spontaneous song, exalting
the Lord. Though often downcast,
the people of God now have some
-thing truly worth singing about:
refuge, deliverance and ultimate
triumph in the Holy One of Israel.

All Praise to the Rock of Ages:
You will keep in Perfect Peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they Trust in You.
Trust in the Lord forever, for
the Lord, the Lord Himself is
the Rock eternal (Isaiah 26:3-4).
O upright One, You make the way
of the righteous smooth. Yes Lord,
walking in the way of Your laws,
we Wait for You (v7-8). Amen.

Lord, You promise Peace to those
who Trust in You & set their minds
on You. Lord, You are my rock, You
are dependable and worthy of my
full trust. And I know as long as
I look to You, I cannot be shaken.
Though my heart may be troubled,
I choose to focus on You, believe
Your Word, pray Your Word & stand
on it. Help me make Your promises
the foundation each day. Amen.

Rock of Ages, Thank You for Your
promise that Your perfect peace
will guard my heart and mind.
In Christ I can be relaxed and be
at peace in the midst of confusion
and perplexities of this life. I need
Your peace as the list of tasks
and challenges replay in my head.
Help me do these things and trust
You with all my heart. And keep me
praying instead of worrying. Amen.

Lord, in accordance to Your Word,
I can have peace about the future
because I Wait upon U. Although
I don’t know the details about
what is to come, You know every-
thing & my future is in Your hands.
Help me to walk faithfully with
You each day in Your Word and
in prayer so that I can move into
the purposes You have for my life.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Perspectives on Liberty (Apr 25)

Beginning with chapter 7, Paul
answers a series of questions
raised by the believers in Corinth:
Is celibacy better than marriage?
Is it permissible for Christians
to eat meat offered to idols?
Is it proper for a minister of
the gospel to derive his living
from the ministry? If an action is
lawful, is it therefore permissible?
Building on Old Testament quotations
and Christ’s teachings, Paul
sets forth God’s perspective on
marriage and Christian liberty.

Paul in 1Cor 7–10 taught freedom
of choice on practices not
expressly forbidden in Scripture.
We are free in Christ, yet we must
not abuse our Christian freedom
by being insensitive to others; or encourage others do wrong; but
instead let love guide our behaviour.
Lord, we Let Go Abusive Indulgences;
we Seek fruit of Self-Control; and
we purpose to Flee Idolatry. Amen.

Lord, we Let Go Abusive Indulgence:
Those who use the things of
the world should not become
attached to them. For this world
as we know it will soon pass away.
I want you to be free from the
concerns of this life (1Cor 7:31-32)
I am saying this for your benefit,
not to place restrictions on you.
I want you to do whatever will help
you serve the Lord best, with as
few distractions as possible (v35).
Lord, whether married or single,
one can only find contentment
in Christ; for one can’t expect even
loved ones to meet our every need.
Lord Jesus, excess and concerns
of this life can cause me to stumble.
Give me what I need to surrender
those things that are my appetite’s
abusive indulgences. Amen.

Lord, we Seek fruit of Self-Control:
Do you not know that those who
run in a race all run, but only one
receives the prize? Run in such
a way that you may win. And
everyone who competes in the
games exercises self-control in
all things. They then do it to receive
a perishable (prize) but we an
imperishable (1Cor 9:24-25).
Lord, thank You for helping me
to press on. I proclaim that I am
exercising self-control in all
things in order to win the prize.
Help me not to give way to
negative thoughts and help me
to run the race with endurance.
And Father, engrave Your Son
Christ Jesus in my heart that I may
bring forth the fruit of holy living
to the honour of Your name, Amen.

Lord, we purpose to Flee Idolatry:
Therefore let him who thinks
he stands take heed lest he fall.
No temptation has overtaken you
except such as is common to man;
but God is faithful, who will not
allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the
temptation will also make the way
of escape, that you may be able
to bear it. Therefore my beloved
flee from idolatry (1Cor 10:11-13).
Lord, we need Your help to order
our loves so that our desires
will not become demands.
To get rid of our idols, we need
Your help in identifying them.
Use whatever means You see
fit to reveal to us what we have
come to love and depend on more
than You Lord. In Jesus’ name.