Do you want to represent yourself on judgment day?
Our advocate, the One who appeals to You, Himself, paid the price for our sins. This is true of no one else; therefore all judgment has been assigned to Jesus. We can boldly enter into Your presence because our faith is based on the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of a new heart and a completely new start.
How can we know that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit?
Jesus, again we hear the word “predestined” to describe what is the reality of a born-again believer, One that You knew in the beginning would turn to You, trusting You, depending upon You in even the smallest things.
How critical is it that we “finish well”?
Father, we confess our dependence on You. You have taught us that to know You and then abandon You is a grave error. Those who do so are like the thorns and briars that will be destroyed in the end. But we who love You and all the works we do in Your name will not be forgotten.
How do you know who is telling the truth about God?
Your word says that Jesus, when He died for our sins and rose again, said You would send the Holy Spirit to all men. Jesus said that the truth would be written on our hearts and that those who do not acknowledge that truth will be without excuse.
I know right from wrong…right?
Father, these verses capture feelings we all have at times. Our "lower nature" is a reality. Temptation is real and persistent. We are born with a "default setting" wherein we can easily be a slave to sin, as described by Paul.
Fear God…an appropriate response but not if He knows you.
Father, indeed, we who love You with all our heart, mind and soul and love our neighbor as ourselves, are not appointed to Your wrath. We know that does not mean that we are protected from the wrath of mankind, where people are capable of heinous crime.
Distress is as certain as the sunrise, too often.
Father, You tell us, over and over, that if we draw near to You, You will draw near to us. Yet, when are facing difficult circumstances, we cry out for your help, forgetting at times, that You completely understand the anguish we are feeling.
How can we possibly be as pure as a newborn?
Father, we have learned that "Abba" is translated as Daddy, a term of endearment we use to express love and trust. Has anyone that has embraced a child not understood what a privilege it is to be as "Daddy or Mommy" to a child? There is nothing more tender than a child absorbing the love and embrace of their father or mother.
New Covenant, Old Covenant, what is the difference?
You have taught us that the New Covenant is not “in addition” to the Old Covenant, but that it replaces the Old Covenant, yet, we who love You will naturally obey the commandments of our Lord. We do not obey in order to be saved, we obey because we love You and we are saved.