Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, kindness, and consistency. (Galatians 5:19-23)
Devotional for May 14
Be Glad and Sing for Joy
67 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalm 67 (KJV)
The Morning Exhortation
Just because you don’t have what you want right now should in no way cause your faith to wavier. You may not have it when you want it, but God can be depended upon to provide what you need when it is needed. Blessed is the one who is fully persuaded that God is willing and able to do all that He has promised. Blessed is the one who remembers that ultimately God is in control of everything. (Ecclesiastes 8:4; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 2:22; Jeremiah 14:22; Matthew 16:5-12; Galatians 3:3-9; Romans 4:16-21; Isaiah 41:17-20; Deuteronomy 8:2-4; Jeremiah 2:4-7; Psalm 50:15; Psalm 139:1-17; Ephesians 3:20; Mark 11:22-24; Matthew 7:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:13-21)
Today’s Bible Reading
Numbers 23; Psalms 64-65
Isaiah 13; 1 Peter 1
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
Devotional for May 13
Sing Praises with Understanding
5 God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. Psalm 47:5-9 (KJV)
The Morning Exhortation
Right motives will sometimes bring pain, but wrong motives never bring any lasting profit. A talented person can do many things, but apart from Christ we can do nothing. I may be able to sing, but if there is no glorifying of God in the song it is nothing. A strong man rejoices to run his race, but if he has no gratitude in his heart for the great God above by whose grace he is made strong, it is less than nothing. “Vanity of vanities” is the repeating theme of “apart from me ye can do nothing” in the book of Ecclesiastes. The righteous will live by faith in God. Fighting the good fight means rejecting all that is not in accordance with the Word of God. We live by faith and depend on Grace. Our strength, His Grace. Our rule, His Word. Our end, His Glory. (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2; Mark 8:36-38; John 15:1-11; Proverbs 3:5-8; Psalm 19:1-10; Isaiah 5:11-15; James 4:1-8; Hebrews 10:35-39; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Jonah 2; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Psalm 30:12; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 72:19-20)
Today’s Bible Reading
Numbers 22; Psalms 62-63
Isaiah 11-12; James 5
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
Devotional for May 12
Ponder These Things
31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. Psalm 107:31-43 (KJV)
The Morning Exhortation
Honor your elders whether you think they deserve it or not. Realize that they have been your age before, but you are not guaranteed to ever reach their age. Be wise and learn from them, because even a broken clock is right two times a day. Understand that we all suffer from the same human weaknesses. The first is coming to the reality of our need for the Savior. Continuing on after that is the weakness created from trying to finish in the flesh what was begun in the Spirit. The grace of God has provided a way through these weaknesses. There is no way back for the fallen angels, but God has offered us new life in Christ Jesus. Taste and see that the will of God and our highest good is one and the same. (Ephesians 6:1-4; Proverbs 29:15, 23:22-26, 24:30-34; Matthew 16:21-25; Jude 6; James 2:19; Psalm 34:8-10; John 8:31-34; Romans 6:16; Luke 14:27-33; Romans 6:3-8; Galatians 3:1-3; John 1:17; Romans 6:14, 7:14-8:14, Acts 2:37-39; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; John 20:21-22; Matthew 28:19-20)
Today’s Bible Reading
Numbers 21; Psalms 60-61
Isaiah 10:5-34; James 4
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
Devotional for May 11
Redeemed!
103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:1-14 (KJV)
The Morning Exhortation
Fitness comes from practicing good nutrition, adequate exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. The knowledge that faith comes from hearing the Word of God is just as basic. Hearing consists in reckoning, that is acknowledging and adhering to, the three essential components of the Word: 1) facts to be believed; 2) commands to be obeyed; and 3) promises to be enjoyed. Those who go to the Bible to determine if they are going to believe it, seldom hear a word of it. Going to the Holy Bible to see what you are to believe is to open your ears to hear. Willingly obeying the commands of God is the understanding of the Word that is the proof of having heard it. It is common for a parent to say to a misbehaving child, “Did you hear what I said?” In the same way the higher meaning of hearing has little to do with receiving the audible sound, and everything to do with understanding what was said. The third component of hearing is enjoying the precious promises. Just as the cart comes after the horses, enjoying the promises follows believing the facts and obeying the commands. He who has promised is good, faithful, and true. All that causes us to doubt is of the enemy that comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. Open our ears to hear Lord, and our mouth to sing your praises. (Proverbs 27:19, 22; Psalm 69:22; 1 Corinthians 6:13; Luke 19:34; Proverbs 27:23; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; James 1:4-6; Galatians 5:6-9; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Mark 4:9; Romans 10:17; James 1:21; Romans 6:11; Proverbs 2722; Psalm 40:6-8; Revelation 22:7-21)
Today’s Bible Reading
Numbers 20; Psalms 58-59
Isaiah 9:8-10:4; James 3
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
Devotional for May 10
Be Joyful
66 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Psalm 66:1-10 (KJV)
The Morning Exhortation
Addition and subtraction are both important for the material as well as the spiritual life. Little progress comes from going to the gym to get stronger when you are unwilling to let go of the bad habits outside of the gym that only feed weakness. Moreover, never expect to receive justice from the world, but always be ready to give it. Avoid taking advantage, and accept no embarrassment for shout comings. Take no offense, and depend on God to defend you. Who can live up to such standards apart from Jesus Christ? Depend on the grace of God for both the desire and the ability to do the His will. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-46, 5:1-11; Luke 6:22-49; Matthew 16:24-25; John 15:5; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 12:1-3, 4:14-16; Romans 6:1-12; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 4:4-7; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 5:6-11)
Today’s Bible Reading
Numbers 19; Psalms 56-57
Isaiah 8-9:7; James 2
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
Devotional for May 9
Standing
24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Psalm 24:1-6 (KJV)
The Morning Exhortation
The final score alone isn’t enough to determine the winners from the losers. Winning is more about how you played the game than it is about the number on the scoreboard. Winning in a sleazy way may put the victor’s cup in the hand, but it will yield no honor for the heart. Always fight the good fight, and you will never lose even when you don’t win. Blessed is the one who comes to know that it is only by grace that we can stand before the living God, the Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth. (Proverbs:1-8-9; psalm 37:16; Mark 8:36; Colossians 3:2; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21; Proverbs 6:16-19; James 4:4; Haggai 1:5-6; Psalm 55:23; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; Psalm 27:4; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Psalm 45:1; Philippians 4:4-8; Hebrews 10:35-36; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Today’s Bible Reading
Numbers 17-18; Psalms 55
Isaiah 7; James 1
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
Devotional for May 8
The Word of God Brings Peace
49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.
53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts. Psalm 119:49-56 (KJV)
The Morning Exhortation
It can be hard to maintain your chilly in a world full of people who are like hot pots ready to boil over. Turn all, hear the good news….Jesus Christ our Lord lives, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Trust in God is the key to inner peace. While the essential faithful mix for the Christian life is this: facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed, and promises to be enjoyed. Cast your worries upon the Lord because He cares for you, and He will keep you in perfect peace. What is it that ails you? Pray and ask for whatever it is that grace must do for you. Utterly refuse to doubt the goodness of God, and according to your faith will it be done to you. This is the rule and the only limit. (Proverbs 22:24-25; Ephesians 4:17-32; Romans 12:17-21; Proverbs 22:17-21; Hebrews 4:12-16; Matthew 17:19-20; Revelation 3:14-22; Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 14:12-27; John 20:21-22; Psalm 40:1-8; Revelation 22:20-21)
Today’s Bible Reading
Numbers 16; Psalms 52-54
Isaiah 6; Hebrews 13
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
Devotional for May 7
Ye are Blessed of the Lord
9 O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord. Psalm 115:9-18 (KJV)
The Morning Exhortation
A better tomorrow is paid for with today’s activities. The past doesn’t determine the future, it merely sets the current conditions. Redeem the time. Profitable work can only be done today, in the now. No one should try to work all the time, neither should all our free time be used only for play. Mental and physical batteries will need re-charging from time to time. A nap is better at doing this than are many other mindless activities like watching TV or scrolling through endless social media posts. Rest when you must, but afterward do not allow yourself to be idle. Lazy rests without being tired. When you step into a pile of lazy, be quick to scrape it off. It is much more profitable to spend a few minutes taking care of a necessary mundane task while singing praises to the Lord in your heart, than it is to sit around doing nothing. It is not for us to know when Jesus Christ will come again, but don’t let Him catch you with your work undone. (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Proverbs 26:14, 24:30-34; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10; Ephesians 5:14-20; Galatians 6:6-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 10:35-39; Matthew 25:14-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Psalm 30:10-12; Jude 1:24-25)
Today’s Bible Reading
Numbers 15; Psalms 51
Isaiah 5; Hebrews 12
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
I thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered me from the dominion of sin and death and brought me into the kingdom of your Son; and I pray that, as by his death he has recalled me to life, so by his love he may raise me to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
Devotional for May 6
God Is Our Guide Forever
1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:1, 9-14 (KJV)
The Morning Exhortation
Miracles, signs, and wonders are not enough to make a believer. The Israelites who perished in the wilderness are proof of this truth for all who are humble enough to acknowledge that we who live today are no better. It is by faith that we obtain a good report just as all the saints that came before us. The secret of a good report is in maintaining the belief that He who has promised is faithful despite what the eyes may see or heart may feel is true based off our own limited understanding. God has shown us His love and faithfulness in many ways too numerous to count. The greatest proof of God’s love was sending His only begotten Son to die for us on the Cross. By faith our Lord Jesus Christ now dwells in our hearts. By faith we are taken up into the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Wait on the Lord with the faith you have now, and more shall be given to you. Wait on the Lord with the eager expectation that He will reveal the fullness of Christ in you. By faith seek until you find, knock until it is opened, and ask until you receive. He who promised is the only one who is forever faithful. Wait on the Lord until the assurance of faith comes from God as a witness within your soul. It will surely come when God determines it is the proper time. Then you shall know as surely as you know the back of your hand that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord. It is good to praise the Lord for His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night! Rejoice now, and look forward to testifying of your complete salvation in Christ Jesus. (Isaiah 53:1-6; John 12:37; John 1:13-17; Hebrews 11:1-6; Psalm 27:14; Hebrews 11:32-40; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 92:1-2; Philippians 4:23)
Today’s Bible Reading
Numbers 14; Psalms 50
Isaiah 3-4; Hebrews 11
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
I thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered me from the dominion of sin and death and brought me into the kingdom of your Son; and I pray that, as by his death he has recalled me to life, so by his love he may raise me to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
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