January 5, 2011

• Advent reflections - Jesus Christ has come my exceeding & everlasting Delight! | letter 99 on joy

  Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

  We recently celebrated the first Advent, Christ's coming into the world. All the saints can look forward with a sure hope to the second Advent when Jesus Christ will come again on the clouds of heaven in power and great glory (Matthew 24:30-31). But let us not be deceived by the devil or neglect this glorious truth: Jesus Christ seeks to come to all the saints in power and great glory each and every day in our hearts!

  Ephesians 3:14  For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15  from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16  that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
  
  20  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

  "Visit then this soul of mine,
  Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
  Fill me, Radiancy divine,
  Scatter all my unbelief;
  More and more Thyself display,
  Shining to the perfect day."

  (from Charles Wesley's hymn, "Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies")

  Have you ever prayed such prayers?

  Visit then this soul of mine!
  Fill me, Radiancy divine!
  More and more Thyself display,
  Shining to the perfect day.
  
  Jesus Christ, You came the first time to be my ransom.
  And though I am looking forward to Your coming again one Day,
  will You be gracious and come to me and dwell in my heart THIS day
  so I might know Your love!

  O, my Savior, Lover of my soul, come today and fill me with all the fullness of God!

  Have you ever even thought to pray such prayers?

  Do you understand that Christ whose glory fills the skies wants to fill ALL the saints – including you – with all the fullness of God?

  May His Spirit give us understanding and ears to hear and a heart to seek our God.

  Psalm 65:4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
  to dwell in your courts!
  We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
  the holiness of your temple!

  * * *

  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!

  the Cloud
  above the gloom
  Your Eye
  gazing brightly
  through the night
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Lamb
  beyond the grave
  Your Arm
  mighty gathering
  no more scattering
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Wings
  above the shadow
  Your Mercy
  footsteps pursuing
  grace wooing
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Voice
  behind my flight
  Your Love
  heart breaking
  self forsaking
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Door
  behind the knocking
  Your Embrace
  rapture colliding
  fears subsiding
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Face
  through the glass
  Your Lips
  perfumed kiss
  most holy Bliss!
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Stone
  beneath the temple
  Your Song
  joyous melody
  welcomes me home
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Confidence
  breaks the division
  Your Blood
  ransom given
  full reconciliation
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Communion
  inside the veil
  Your Peace
  countenance shining
  anxieties flying
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Surety
  beyond ev'ry accusation
  Your Spirit
  divinely given
  sweet circumcision
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Blaze
  inside the hearth
  Your Fire
  inspired breath
  divine holiness
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Feast
  filling the cup
  Your River
  life everlasting
  knees collapsing
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, praise Him! He is my God!

  the Rejoicing
  above all asking
  Your Joy
  grace bestowing
  pleasures overflowing
  Jesus Christ has come
  my exceeding and everlasting Delight!
  begone, away now,
  devilish and fleeting delights
  O, my soul, praise Him! He is my God!

  Isaiah 40:11 (KJV) He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
  

  ---

  Related:

  my other letters on assurance & fighting for joy including:

  • the laborer's lamentation and affirmation
  • Letter 1 on assurance and fighting for joy
  • Letter 10 on assurance and fighting for joy (joy is for ALL!)
  • Letter 18 on assurance and fighting for joy (my testimony of joy)
  • Letter 25 on assurance and fighting for joy (a strong craving ≠ His joy)
  • "I thirst! I thirst!" Whitefield's experience of joy (letter 51 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  • dear devil/dear flock of God (day in, day out): Letter 63 on assurance & joy
  • John 3:36a Whoever believes in the Son HAS eternal life (letter 64 on assurance & joy)
  • "give me also springs of water" - Will you be an Achsah? (letter 66 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  • Doubting one, do you know Me as a rewarder? | letter 78 on assurance & fighting for joy
  • Devil, I know | Lord, You know (letter 81 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  • asking a hard thing (letter 84 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  • "But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish." Isaiah 9:1-7 | letter 92 on assurance & joy
  • Communion Joy | letter 94 on assurance & fighting for joy

  Links to my series "Dealing with Past Sins & Guilt"
  Why not pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
  update w/ excerpt: Lloyd-Jones' sermons on the role of experience in Christianity
  Blaise Pascal: This day of Grace (November 23, 1654) "Fire...Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy."
  our yearnings & desires and God's mission (Isaiah 26:9)
  As a deer pants ... Is your soul panting for God? (Psalms 42 & 43)
  postcards from England: are we excited over a dead fish and a car wreck?
  Advent #1 WHY HAS JESUS COME? that we might have life & life more abundantly
  what's your price? (Bible reading - Matthew 26:14-16)
  Things To Look for in a Church, 9: "Pearl Freaks" (a.k.a. a Kingdom-Obsessed People)
  Naphtali News: Songs about "What *I* Want," part 5: If the Curly Fry Doesn't "Satisfy," What Does?
  the two yokes

  Scripture quotations unless otherwise indicated are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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