Teach Us To Number Our Days

1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.
4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:1-4, 10-12 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

A fit body with a strong character built up in the wisdom of Jesus Christ is the beginning of true riches. We are so much more than physical. We exercise and care for the body to be good stewards of the grace of God, while our heart pursues God along with all those who call on His name. O Lord, I will love you with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul, and all my strength. Enlarge the borders of my heart and increase my love for you. Then will the ten thousand little problems that are threatening to overwhelm me melt away. Abba Father, I know that you love me, that Christ Jesus is with me always, and that the Holy Spirit will stick closer to me than any brother ever could. 

Question

Love beacons us heavenward. Why do we hesitate?

Answer

The spirit is willing, but the flesh wants to hold back. Trust the Potter’s hands. Work with Him, not against Him.

Open Your Mouth Wide, and God Will Fill It

8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:8-10 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Truth is NOT relative. Something is determined to be true because we can evaluate it in the light of an objective standard. A kilometer is a kilometer because we can measure the distance. While a meter is the objective standard for measuring kilometers, God is the objective standard for determining all moral truth. This is true even for those who choose not to believe it. God has delayed judgement in His mercy making room for repentance, but it will not end well for anyone who decides to exalt themself above the throne of the Most High by determining right and wrong for themselves. Woe to the man or woman that has no fear of God before their eyes. Those who have a deep love and  a reverent awe for the Lord on the other hand, will abhor the misuse of His name in their own speech and that of others. Each of us are filled with the fruit of our lips. Some words we should never use. And some words, like focus, tenacity, faith, hope, mercy, and love we should use constantly. Go ahead and make someone’s day. Having something honest and good to say to someone is like a healing balm for their soul. Strive to always speak in love and kindness for the edifying of others. Every member of the body of Christ is called to strengthen one another according to the measure of grace given to each of us by God.

Question

Why seek God’s truth?

Answer

Because wisdom requires it, and folly is like a feather blown about by the wind until it comes to rest in lowest of places.

Great Are the Works of the Lord 

111 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. Psalm 111:2-9 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Amid the storms of life, always choose the path of love and faithfulness that leads to God. The peace this world gives depends on the favorable winds of circumstance. It may last only a season and can be lost in an instant. Very different is the perfect peace our Lord Jesus Christ displayed throughout the four gospels. He was never worried, never bothered, never flustered, and never hurried. “My peace,” said Jesus, “I leave to you.” His perfect peace is such a precious gift in this world filled with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. The peace of God requires simplicity, not favorable circumstances. Just as multi-tasking is an enemy of excellence, so multi-concerning about many things all at once is an enemy of inner peace. Let the hurricanes, earthquakes, and firestorms pass you by. Listen and obey. The ears of the spirit function by faith. Listen for that small quiet voice saying, “be still and know that I am God.” Be still and know that God is with you.

Question

What one promise of God have all saints in both the Old and New Testaments held onto to be strong and courageous in the face of all kinds of circumstances that threated to overcome them with fear, uncertainty, and doubt?

Answer

The promise that God will be with us.

God is My Strength and Portion Forever  

73 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works. Psalm 73:1-3, 21-28 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that I, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear my cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Some live fast and want to die young. Ask them and they will tell you they don’t want to live long enough to get old. For those who choose to saddle that horse, it may very well take them to an early grave. It is just as likely to leave them alone in a nursing home. Everyone gets gray hair, but some end up suffering much more pain than they would have otherwise had it not been for their past years of reckless living. No one knows what specific things tomorrow will bring us, but that’s a good thing. If we knew the beginning to the ending with complete certainty, life would be extremely boring and we would never learn to trust the Lord. It is enough to have the sure hope of everything working out for good for those who love the Lord. This life is a spiritual war. The fact the God has already won is not even a question. It is only a matter of when the second coming of Christ will be. We are to fight against the present darkness of this world until He comes again. He who called you is faithful, and He will complete the new creation He began in you when you were born again. God will surely make of you a fully mature Christian soldier. Be attentive and take these commands: submit to God and resist the devil; watch and pray.

Question

What of the middle part of life?

Answer

The beginning is history. The end is certain. Today represents the middle part of life in which we have another opportunity to glorify God.

The Character of Those Who Dwell With the Lord 

15 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that I, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear my cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Never quit pursuing the good that God has placed in your heart to do. Live according to the word of God, and you will be fit for both this life and the next. We are made sufficient for this only by the blood of Jesus Christ. By His grace are we redeemed from this perishing world. He is the one who enables us to keep our hand on the plow working for His harvest. This is our privilege and pleasure. Keep your affections set on God, and come what may, all will be well with the soul that is close to the Lord. His love and mercy endure forever.

Question

What is a true test of a person’s character?

Answer

How they treat people who can do nothing for them, nor anything to harm them.

The Lord Never Forsake His Faithful Ones 

28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Psalm 37:28-33 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that I, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear my cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Impatience only makes waiting harder to bare. There is an appointed time for everything. Learn to be content in all circumstances. Remember the God of Peace will never leave nor forsake you. Feelings ebb, and feelings flow, like the high and low tides of the sea. Faith is the sure anchor to our God: the everlasting Rock who is perfect in love, power, and majesty forever. Ask for what you need in prayer and trust our heavenly Father who has lovingly promised to care for you. Submit to God and resist the inner tempter. Work in faith and reject doubt. Depend on grace and deny self. Earnestly expect God to do great things and He will. May all things praise and bless His glorious name.

Question

What is wisdom, and how do we show understanding?

Answer

The fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding (Job 28:28).

The Lord Is My Shepherd 

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that I, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear my cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

There is but one key to life. One essential for every circumstance. One needful thing for today and tomorrow. It can’t be purchased with money, it can’t be borrowed from another, indeed there is only one way to get this key. The one needful thing in this life is an experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ. The scale goes up, and the scale goes down, but there is COMFORT and JOY in the knowledge that God is in control of every aspect of life. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, His promises are better than money in the bank. Even 1000 years is as only one day when compared to eternity. 

Question

How is a livestock guardian dog made useful?

Answer

By submitting to the Good Shepherd’s training, and then calling attention to anything that could be harmful to the flock.

The Eyes of the Lord are on the Faithful

6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord. Psalm 101:6-8 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that I, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear my cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Everyone would like to sail through life and right into heaven under a sunny sky and a favorable breeze. Not likely to happen that way though. Stormy weather afflicts every soul at one point or another as a consequence of life in this fallen world. The storms of life are meant to drive the elect into the only safe harbor, which is Jesus Christ. Self-help is no help at all. No man can save himself. Consider our end. Dying with a great abundance of possessions will be meaningless. Dying with superstar-like fame will be worthless. Dying with trophies, records, and esteemed titles well all be useless in the grave. The only hall of fame that is not vain is found in Hebrews Chapter 11. In the end, the only life lived well is the one written in the Lamb’s book of life. Let us make our calling and election sure. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and wisdom is spiritual strength. Sow your weakness at the Cross, and in due season reap true strength.

Question

When will the second coming of Jesus Christ be?

Answer

It is not given to any of us to know, but don’t let that day catch you with your work undone.

He Guides the Humble in Doing Right

6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:6-10 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that I, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear my cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Money can’t buy the essential immaterial things of life. He who doesn’t know this is like the beasts that perish. Self-discipline is just one of these essential things that money can’t buy. All great things are accomplished with self-discipline. The higher life requires more than self-discipline though. The higher life requires the grace of God. The chief means of grace for physical fitness are diet and exercise. While the chief means of grace for spiritual wellbeing are Bible intake and prayer. Just as the body denied its daily bread will eventually starve, so the soul not fed daily with the Word of God will be too weak to bear fruit. To bear fruit, the branch need only abide in the vine. We are the branches and to abide in our heavenly Vine we need to be intentional about having His word living in us. “Living in us” means that we obey it. Let no one deceive you about it being enough to know the Bible without having a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. He has promised to manifest Himself to all who choose to be His disciples. Pray for it, and wait with eager expectation of its fulfillment. He will make Himself known in answer to faith. Then will your thanksgiving for the abundant grace of God showered upon you rebound to the glory of God.

Question

How do we grow?

Answer

By faith with time and patience.

To Be a Fruitful Tree

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that I, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear my cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Godliness is for spirit, soul, and body. Chickens are divided into parts for frying, but God gives us wholeness for full salvation. Stagger not at the promises of God through unbelief. The tip of true happiness begins here in this life and will be fully manifested in paradise forever. Be whole. Physical perfection with lameness of spirit reduces a man to little more than a piece of meat, and to neglect care of the body as some are taught is to tempt God. The slothful and the wasteful alike abide in darkness still. Our physical bodies seem to be insignificant when compared to our soul, however, the physical body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The body is the primary resource God has given us for His service in this life. Live for the day when you will hear the Lord say, “well done faithful steward, enter into the joy of your Master.”

Question

What is the difference between folly and wisdom?

Answer

Folly is like the physical world in that it is overbearing, loud, and insistent. Wisdom, on the other hand, is gentle, quiet, and peaceful.