A DEVOTIONAL AND A PRAYER · MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT IN THE NEW LIFE
Τί με δεῖ ποιεῖν ἵνα σωθῶ — Ὁ Θεμέλιος
ΕΙΣΑΓΩΓΗ
The Foundation study answered the great question, what must I do to be saved? This devotional is for the person who has obeyed that answer. Salvation (being saved by God from sin and from death) does not end on the day you are baptized. It begins on that day. This devotional walks with you through one whole day of the new life, morning, noon, and night (Psalm 55:17).
ΩΣ ΑΡΤΙΓΕΝΝΗΤΑ ΒΡΕΦΗ + ΕΠΙΠΟΘΗΣΑΤΕ ΤΟ ΛΟΓΙΚΟΝ ΑΔΟΛΟΝ ΓΑΛΑ → ΙΝΑ ΕΝ ΑΥΤΩ ΑΥΞΗΘΗΤΕ.
(My personal thoughts — this morning, remember that you woke up as a person God has saved, and his compassions are new again this morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Jesus rose up before daylight to pray, so speak to God before you speak to anyone else (Mark 1:35). Then feed on the word of God the way a newborn baby feeds on milk.)
CONTINUING DAILY WITH ONE ACCORD → DID EAT THEIR MEAT WITH GLADNESS AND SINGLENESS OF HEART.
(My personal thoughts — at midday, stop for a short time, because Peter prayed on an ordinary roof at an ordinary hour of an ordinary day (Acts 10:9). The first believers continued daily, not one day of the week (Acts 2:46). Say the morning verse again in your heart, pray a short prayer, and then go back to your work.)
(My personal thoughts — tonight, examine yourself with honest eyes, whether you are still in the faith, and confess any sin to God before you sleep (2 Corinthians 13:5). Jesus is called the vine, which means the living plant that gives life to every branch joined to it, and a branch at night does no work but only stays joined (John 15:4). So stay joined to Jesus, and then lie down in peace, and sleep (Psalm 4:8).)
Morning, noon, and night are not three separate duties. They are one whole walk with God through one day. Salvation begins in the truth. It continues in the truth, one ordinary day at a time. Let the word of God rise with you in the morning. Let it steady you at noon. Let it lie down with you at night. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
ΕΦΑΡΜΟΣΟΝ ΣΗΜΕΡΟΝ
1. This morning, before you eat, read the morning verses out loud one time. Then thank God for one new mercy. A mercy is a kindness from God that you did not earn (Lamentations 3:23).
2. At noon, stop your work for two minutes. Say a short prayer right where you are, the way Peter prayed at the sixth hour (Acts 10:9).
3. Tonight, before you sleep, examine your day. If you find sin, confess that sin to God before you sleep (2 Corinthians 13:5).
4. Tonight, say the memory verse out loud until you can say it with your eyes closed (Psalm 119:11).
Η ΕΥΧΗ
My Father in heaven, I thank you for saving me. I did not earn salvation. You gave salvation to me through Jesus Christ your Son. Hear my voice in the morning. In the morning I will direct my prayer to you, and I will look up. Your compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. Make me hungry for the pure milk of your word, so that I may grow. At noon I will pray, and you will hear my voice. Help me continue daily, with gladness and singleness of heart. At night I will remember you on my bed. Help me examine myself, whether I am still in the faith. If I find sin, help me confess that sin and turn from that sin. Help me stay joined to Jesus, the true vine, because apart from Jesus I can do nothing. I hide your word in my heart, so that I will not sin against you. Keep me from growing lukewarm. Keep my love for you burning, morning, noon, and night. Help me endure to the end, so that I may be saved. You have given me a living hope. You keep me by your power, through faith, to salvation. So I will lay myself down in peace and sleep. You alone, LORD, make me live in safety. Amen.
BEGOTTEN US AGAIN UNTO A LIVELY HOPE → AN INHERITANCE RESERVED IN HEAVEN FOR YOU → KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH FAITH UNTO SALVATION.
(My personal thoughts — God began your salvation, and he keeps it by his own power. So walk with God every morning, every noon, and every night. Your hope is reserved in heaven, and it does not fade away.)
