THIRTY ONE DAYS OF PRAYER AND THE WORD:JANUARY 1-31, 2015 THEME: "ABIDE"

DAY FOUR:
VERSE: 
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me....(Galatians 2:20)
PRAYER:

Oh Most Heavenly and Gracious Father, in my weak estate I look up to You with hope for understanding of what this positional condition of really means! Lord, that the Ancient of Days would step down from Eternity to live as a man for 33 years among the heathen, and even His Half-brothers and sisters who did not believe in Him while He was alive (*until the Resurrection) ....that this King of Creation would be crucified by You for my sake is beyond comprehension. Even more so, oh Ever-loving, Ever-merciful God, is that sinners like we who follow Christ, can have our old sinful nature crucified on that instrument of death, call the Cross, with the Savior and be in a permanent condition of rest, because of it!

Such knowledge is too high, I cannot attain  unto it, Father. But I do willingly, wonderfully and wisely accept my condition of being in the Eternal Kingdom NOW, as one abiding in eternity with the God of Eternity - Three persons, One in Essence! Because of that positional salvation which You have given all who name Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, it is no longer me calling the shots, but the Holy Spirit - God and Counselor - with Whom You have sealed me until that Day! But as the Gentleman and freedom-loving God You are, You have also given me the free will to mess that relationship up and even grieve Your Spirit, which too many of Your people do, and which I have personally done in the past. Lord, take my will. Not my will, but Thy will be done. Christ lives in me, may I be so completely His in the natural as well as the Inner Man, that the world may know and see Him through my thoughts, words, actions and prayers.

May the Christ who abideth in me, through the Power of the Paraclete, the Source called the Spirit and the Oracles of all Knowledge strengthen my faith and wonder and awe of You, that my dying flesh and earthly man will live the life, the life of abundance in Christ, because You have done exceedingly and above abundantly more than I can ever imagine. But help me to stay in this zone 24/7 when the distractions of the natural and the flesh threaten to take me away, that I may not sin by commission or omission but keep my eyes on my position in Christ, the Crucified Whose love for me kept Him there until Your propitiation was accomplished. Lord this truth, this fact that the Savior, that YOU loved ME and the whole world, that You gave up God the Son emboldens, encourages, enlightens, energizes and brings me to knees....nay, by face before Your Throne in gratitude as I contemplate and think on these things, act on these things and live daily for You, who gave us Christ as Lord, and it is in His Powerful and Almighty Name, I pray, amen.

GUEST WRITER WEEK: CATHERINE FRUISEN

sharp edges

A hostile world! I call to God, I cry to God to help me. ~ Psalm 18:6, The Message ♥

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Catherine Fruisen

Not every child is shown proper love; the ripple-effects of mistreatment in childhood are far-reaching and stubborn. Abuse is cyclical. Jesus Christ glues broken people back together, but while we remain stuck on earth, sharp edges poke through. No one behaves perfectly all of the time, not even believers who have followed Christ for decades; for some, though, the battle is up a steeper hill. If you have close associations with a person from this group—your boss, your best friend, your husband—you live out biblical principles that others only ponder theoretically. 

You can't gloss over Peter's instruction for wives to submit to husbands even as slaves to masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh, (1 Peter 2:18). As a concept, turning the other cheek has special meaning to you. While your office mate complains about the dip in her 401K and a recent trip to the dentist, you hold back tears because someone you love is blind to his own "anger management issues."

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The topic of abuse and how to handle it is bigger than any blog post. If you need help, see a Christian counselor, and read Boundaries. Yes, Jesus tells us not to resist an evil person (Matthew 5:39), but he did not put you on this earth to be anyone's verbal punching bag. True biblical love does not enable abuse or any other sin. God is your protector, and part of his protection includes wise counsel. Get help. Sharp edges really can be softened, over time.

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If you have no idea what this post is about, thank God! And then, show an extra measure of grace to the people you encounter today. Heaven only knows what went on before they walked out the door.

(Illustration by Catherine Fruisen!)