Week Thirty-two of Cultivate Delight, where we are actively planning our spiritual endeavors this coming week with the goal of a consistent time spent engaging our hearts with Christ in his word, in prayer, in reflection, and in music. Below are some starting points for reflection, and I hope you find them helpful. The goal is to not just rush through these and then get on with your day. Take your time and reflect throughout the week on these items.
“The happiness which the Lord Jesus procured for believers, includes a perfect freedom from sin, and all afflictive evils, their just consequence, and the fruition of righteousness, peace and joy, in which the kingdom of God consists.”
– William Bridge (1600-1670)
Bible Reading
2 Samuel 13-21
Old Testament
(Two-year plan)
2 Corinthians 7-11
New Testament
(One-year plan)
Liturgy – New City Catechism
Question 32: What do justification and sanctification mean?
Justification means our declared righteousness before God, made possible by Christ’s death and resurrection for us. Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness, made possible by the Spirit’s work in us.
1 Peter 1:1-2
To those who are elect exiles . . . according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Prayer
My precious holy Redeemer.
King of kings and Lord of lords.
You alone are worthy of all praise and worship, glory and honor.
All others are just pretenders and deceivers.
The wrath of God was poured out upon Jesus hanging on the cross.
The full measure of God’s holy wrath was laid upon the Son of God.
My Savior took upon himself all of my sin. Not just in part, but the whole.
He became sin and willing took upon himself the punishment due to me.
Now, I am righteous in the sight of God.
Not because of anything I have done, but only because of what Jesus has accomplished.
When the Father looks at me, he sees only the perfect righteousness of Christ covering me.
He has redeemed me and reconciled me.
More than that, you have made me your own.
Who have brought me into your Kingdom and fellowship.
You have justified me and will justify me.
You have sanctified me and will sanctify me.
Thank you Father for your mercy and grace that you pour out upon me every moment of every day.
Thank you Jesus for the deep deep love you have for this wayward sinner.
Thank you Spirit for dwelling within my heart and interceding before the throne of God for me.
Continue to work in me and through me for your glory alone!
Worship
Oh, The Deep Love of Jesus
O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus,
Vast, Unmeasured, Boundless, Free!
Rolling As A Mighty Ocean
In Its Fullness Over Me,
Underneath Me, All Around Me,
Is The Current Of Thy Love;
Leading Onward, Leading Homeward
To My Glorious Rest Above.
O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus,
Spread His Praise From Shore To Shore!
How He Love, Ever Love,
Change Never, Nevermore;
How He Watches Over His Loved Ones,
Died To Call Them All His Own;
How For Them He Intercede,
Watch Over Them From The Throne.
O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus,
Love Of Every Love The Best;
This An Ocean Vast Of Blessing,
This A Haven Sweet Of Rest,
O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus,
This A Heaven Of Heavens To Me;
And It Lifts Me Up To Glory,
For It Lifts Me Up To Thee.