October 2007

Giving Ourselves to Truth

LAYING HOLD ON the love of the Truth brings us into a relationship with the Lord and His Kingdom. When this love dwells in us, it gives the Holy Spirit a handle on which to hold us as we face the enemy in our hour of desperation and trial.

Day 1—Words of Hope from Moses and from the Prophet Samuel:

Deuteronomy 32 (4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.

Deut 32:4 He is the Rock. His works are perfect. All of his ways are right. He is faithful. He doesn’t do anything wrong. He is honest and fair.NIRV®

Next is a Word of Hope from the Prophet Samuel, drawing the people of Israel back to the Lord.

I Samuel 12:20 “Don’t be afraid,” Samuel replied. “It’s true that you have done all of those evil things. But don’t turn away from the Lord. Serve Him with all your heart. (21 “Don’t turn away and worship statues of gods. They are useless. They can’t do you any good. They can’t save you either. They are completely useless. (22 “But the Lord will be true to His great Name. He won’t turn His back on His people. That’s because He was pleased to make you His Own people. (23 “I would never sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. I’ll teach you to live in a way that is good and right. (24 “But be sure to have respect for the Lord. Serve Him faithfully. Do it with all your heart. Think about the great things He has done for you. (25 But don’t be stubborn. Don’t continue to do what is evil. If you do, both you and your king will be swept away.”NIRV®

DEAR LORD, I have all these people heavy on my heart. My longing is that they will turn to You in their pain and suffering. Please reveal to them that You are a God of Truth and Mercy. Show them that they can know Your Truth and Mercy.

David prays that God will forgive the sins of his Youth and show him the ways of His Covenant.
—Ps 25:1-22

Day 2—Knowing the Truth of God’s Kingdom comes at a price.

Matt 13:44 The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (45 Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: (46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine (a symbol of the Holy Spirit) and milk (a symbol of God’s Word) without money and without price.

LORD, I know these things mean more than what the words say on the surface. Teach me what it means to buy the field. Teach me what it means to buy the Truth. Teach me what it means to buy wine and milk. Only You can negotiate these matters. Please do this for me—and for these.

They are all more to be desired than much fine gold.—Ps 19:7-14

Day 3—God’s Tender Mercy, Loving- kindness and Truth  preserve us.

Psalm 40:11 Withhold not thou Thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth continually preserve me.

Isaiah 58:10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: (11 and the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

FATHER, teach me the way of being merciful to others. Teach me to give even when I know not where my own supply will come from. Teach the Truth of Your Kingdom. Let me not become unbalanced. Keep me from being seduced from what is right for Your Kingdom.

 The Truth of God’s ways are learned in humility.—Isaiah 57:15; Pro 22:4

Day 4—Our Redeemer is the Lord God of Truth and Faithfulness.

Psalm 31:5 Into Thine hand I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of Truth.

II Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself.

Hebrews 6:18 ...By two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we ... have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us

GREAT REDEEMER, everyday I discover more and more of Your faithfulness and of Your Truth. Yet, it seems I am still inclined to worry. I have to work hard at turning things over into Your hands. So, I am pleading with You once again to please take into Your authority these matters that oppress me, personally, and in my family.

  God’s faithfulness reaches all generations.—Ps 89:1-4

Day 5—God’s Love and Truth work together to keep us safe.

Psalm 40:11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

Psalm 57:3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and His truth.

DEAR LORD, how I praise You for Your tender mercies. I praise You for the Truth into which You are leading me. I praise You for knowing me, and for making me know that You know me. Here are these who need to know Your mercy and Your Truth. Please draw them to Yourself.

God’s Love and Mercy became known in His Word when He became flesh and dwelt among us.
—John 1:14-18

Day 6—The Truth of the Lord is the Standard of our triumph.

Psalm 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the Truth.

Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love.

Exodux 17:15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi (“Jehovah, my Banner,” my Standard under which I face the enemy).

DEAR FATHER, because of the Truth You have given us, we can face the enemy. Our families can face the enemy and become overcomers. The company of believers with whom we fellowship can face the enemy in the day of trouble, and stand firm in the conquest!

Iniquity and sin will keep us from the triumph that could be ours.—Isa 59:1-5

Day 7—From the Depths, a Prayer for the Truth of God’s Salvation

Psalm 69:12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards. 13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. 14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. NIrV—Those who gather in public places make fun of me. Those who get drunk make up songs about me. (13 But Lord, I pray to You. May this be the time You show me Your favor. God, answer me because You love me so much. Save me, as You always do. (14 Save me from the trouble I’m in. It’s like slippery mud. Don’t let me sink in it. Save me from those who hate me. Save me from the deep water I’m in.NIRV®

HEAVENLY FATHER, it is only because the Truth of Your Salvation reached me, when I was sinking in the mire of sin, that I am still alive. Oh, let my life be a testimony of Your Truth! Let these who are sinking all around me see Your Truth at work in me.

They took Him from the Cross, but God raised Him from the Dead.—Acts 29-37

Day 8—God’s Truth and Faithful Love meet together.

Psalm 85:10-11 Mercy and TRUTH are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. NIrV—God’s truth and faithful love join together. His peace and holiness kiss each other.  His truth springs up from the earth. His holiness looks down from heaven.

DEAR GOD, Your mercy, Your Truth, Your love, Your righteousness! Oh, and Your grace that brought them all to me! It’s almost more than I can believe. Except, I did believe, and it all became mine. Now, DEAR FATHER, let all this, beginning with Your mercy, flow from me to these I hold before You.

Obeying the Truth purifies our souls.—I Pet 1:22-25

Day 9—God prepares our heart to walk in His Truth.

Psalm 86:11 Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth: unite  my heart to fear Thy Name  (join all the purposes, resolutions, and affections of my heart together, to fear and to glorify thy name).

I Corinthians 20:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

Hosea 14:9 If you are wise, you will realize that what I’ve said is true. If you have understanding, you will know what it means. The ways of the Lord are right. People who are right with God live the way He wants them to. But those who refuse to obey Him trip and fall.NIRV®

MY DEAR FATHER IN HEAVEN, in a new way, I give my heart over to you today. Search me and try me. See if there be any way in me that displeases You. Lead me in the way of all truth. Place within my heart a new love for your Truth.

The Promise of a New Heart—Jer 31:33; Ezk 11:19

Day 10—In the time of danger God’s Truth will be  our protection.

Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psalm 91:3-5 He will certainly save you from hidden traps and from deadly sickness. (4 He will cover you with his wings. Under the feathers of his wings you will find safety. He is faithful. He will keep you safe like a shield or a tower. (5 You won’t have to be afraid of the terrors that come during the night. You won’t have to fear the arrows that come at you during the day.NIRV®

DEAR LORD, since I have given my way over to You completely, I am finding a peace I never knew. I praise You for Your abiding presence. Please bring upon these loved ones a new moving in of Your Spirit that will cause them to trust You in the time of trouble.

Lord, I will look to you.—Ps 27:1-14

Day 11—The Truth of the Lord endures for all generations.

Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 145:9-11 The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.All Thy works shall praise Thee, O LORD; and Thy saints shall bless Thee.They shall speak of The glory of Thy Kingdom, and talk of Thy power...

LORD, please let the generations of my family embrace Your Truth. I hold before Your Throne  these ones who are kin to me. Let this day become a day when they trust in You, and in the Truth of Your Gospel. Here, now, are these others. I hold them before You also.

The Truth of the Lord endures forever—Ps 117:1,2

Even after years of walking with the Lord, some souls come to see there is still some ground in them that the enemy wants to maintain for his work. The moves we are making now are toward these grounds being removed.

Day 12—We choose the way of Truth.

Psalm 119:29-31 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me Thy Law graciously.I have chosen the way of truth: Thy judgments have I laid before me.I have stuck unto Thy Testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.

John 3:20-21 “Everyone who does evil things hates the light. They will not come into the light. They are afraid that what they do will be seen. But anyone who lives by the truth comes into the light. He does this so that it will be easy to see that what he has done is with God’s help.”NIRV®

DEAR LORD, for too long lying has held me in bondage. By now, I have renounced it. I have prayed that it will have no stronghold over me. But, it keeps trying to take back over. I do not want it in my life—at all! Oh, LORD, let Your Spirit burn in me like a fire. Consume this evil way brought into the world by the serpent.

Take note of the “if’s” in this passage.—I John 1:6-10

Day 13—Truth is costly, but exceedingly valuable.

Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth (faithfulness, reliability), and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.“When once acquired, let no consideration deprive thee of it. Cleave to and guard it, even at the risk of thy life.”-Adam Clarke

Revelations 12:11 And they overcame him (Satan, the father of lies) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

HEAVENLY FATHER, I once held on to lying because I was afraid of the truth. But, no longer! I am learning to love Your Truth! And I am learning that it is costly, but not near as costly as holding on to lies. Please give me, and these I hold before You, the grace to never take up lying again—even for one instant.

The Cost of Becoming a Kingdom Person—Matt 13:44-46

Day 14—Honesty is a Kingdom value.

Isaiah 33 (14 The sinners in Zion are terrified. They tremble with fear. They say, ‘Who of us can live through the Lord’s destroying fire? Who of us can live through the fire that burns forever?’  (15 • A person must do what is right. •He must be honest and tell the truth.• He must not get rich by cheating others. •His hands must not receive money (bribes)  from those who want special favors. •He must not let his ears listen to plans to commit murder. •He must close his eyes to even thinking about doing what is evil. (16  A person like that will be kept safe. It will be as if he were living on high mountains. It will be as if he were living in a mountain fort. He will have all of the food he needs. And he will never run out of water.”NIRV®

DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, teach us the ways of Your Kingdom. My family has lived for so long by our own standards, that it is difficult for some of us understanding what Kingdom living would be like. Please convict us of what is not right. Please lead us into what is right.

We are called out of darkness into light.—I Peter 2:1-16

Day 15—A Prophecy about the Kingdom Jesus Shall Bring

Isaiah 42:1-4 Behold My Servant (a prophecy of Christ), Whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in Whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him:•He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. •He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. •A bruised reed shall He not break, and •the smoking flax shall He not quench: •He shall bring forth judgment unto truth (justice in truth). •He shall not fail nor be discouraged, •till He have set judgment (justice) in the earth: and the isles shall wait for His Law. [Matthew applied this prophecy directly to Christ and to the Kingdom He heralded when He came and brought healing to the multitudes—Matt 12:14-21.]

PRECIOUS LORD, lead us in the ways of Your Kingdom. Let the light of Your Kingdom shine upon our path. Let the Truth of Your Kingdom fill our hearts. Let the power of Your Kingdom become manifest among us. Let the authority of Your Kingdom prevail against the forces of darkness and evil that would take us over.

A Prophet tells of the high standard for God’s Kingdom.—Zechariah 8:16,17

Day 16—The last Prophet of the Old Testament issues a warning.

Malachi 2:1 “Now I am giving a warning to you priests. (2 Listen to it. Honor me with all your heart,” says the Lord who rules over all. ... (5 “My Covenant promised Levi life and peace. So I gave them to him. I required him to respect Me. And he had great respect for My Name. (6 True teaching came from his mouth. Nothing but the truth came from his lips. He walked with Me in peace. He did what was right. He turned many people away from their sins. (7“The lips of a priest should guard knowledge. People should look for true teaching from his mouth. After all, he is My messenger.

DEAR LORD, as we are drawn into the service of Your Kingdom on earth, please bring forth righteousness in us. Let TRUTH reign in us. Let Your light shine from us into the dark places. Let others see You in us.

How We Know We Are of the Truth—I John 3:19-20

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