My Soul Longs for You, O Lord 

1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:1-7, 11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Focus on doing what you can with what you have, and what you can’t do or don’t have will become less and less important (Proverbs 20:4; Ecclesiastes 11:4; 1 Samuel 14:6-7) Great is our God! There are second chances with our God, but it is foolish to take the grace of God in vain (Proverbs 27:11-12; Romans 2:4-11). Be wise (2 Corinthians 5:10). Time to get rid of everything that hinders (Colossians 3:1-3). The love and faithfulness of God will certainly establish each of us in Christ Jesus if we willingly choose it (Philippians 2:13). Our Lord Jesus Christ lives (John 20:24-31), and blessed be our Rock (Hebrews 13:8). Let the God of our salvation be exalted and all that is within us praise His holy name (Psalm 103:1-5). Truly, to know our Lord Jesus Christ is what is best in life (Philippians 3:7-14). To receive the Spirt of Christ is so essential that God has made it a command, not a suggestion (John 20:19-22). Let no one deceive you: if you ask, you will receive (Matthew 7:7-8). This you must believe or forsake your own mercy by inadvertently calling God a liar (Luke 11:11-13). 

Question

How can we have a beautiful life?

Answer

A beautiful life requires one thing, and that’s a beautiful heart (Proverbs 27:19; Proverbs 12:10; 1 Samuel 16:6-7; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Peter 3:3-4). A beautiful heart requires love, faith, and hope (Romans 5:1-5). The life in Christ Jesus has all these things and more (1 Corinthians 1:20-31).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread; Open the eyes of my faith, that I may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Lord is a Shield About Me 

1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

There is a high place where the spiritual life become easier (Matthew 22:36-39). The cruising altitude of a commercial aircraft is a good earthly example. Typical cruising altitude is 35,000 feet above sea level where the thinner air produces less resistance and turbulence. That means cruising altitude requires less fuel and provides a smoother ride. The cruising altitude for the spiritual life has been identified by the Westminster Shorter Catechism as the chief end of man. According to the saints at Westminster, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Revelation 4:4-11; Psalm 147:1). Obtaining to this chief end of man now in this life is to live at a spiritual cruising altitude. It requires much speed, power, and fuel for a plane to break through the lower altitudes as every frequent flier knows. So too does it require much faith, love, and hope to rise spiritually (Proverbs 26:10-12; Proverbs 23:4; John 6:27-35). We must set our hearts on the desire to endure until we reach the higher life (Titus 2:11-12; James 5:7). Spiritual cruising altitude only comes after rising up from the low lands and traveling through the mist covered valleys filled with trials, temptations, and tribulations (2 Timothy 3:12; Revelation 2:10). See to it that you don’t give up before you get there (Hebrews 10:36-40). Simply abide in our heavenly Vine (Matthew 11:28-30) and God will sanctify you completely (1 Peter 5:6-10).

Question

How do we rise spiritually?

Answer

Be kind and helpful (1 Thessalonians 5: 14-15) keeping the fear of God always before our eyes because it is never hard to do what we love (Numbers 21:5-9; John 3:14-16; Hebrews 12:1-3). Joyfully pray for God to sanctify and keep your whole spirit, soul, and body blameless for this life and forever (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; 1 Peter 5:11).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread; Open the eyes of my faith, that I may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

Those in Whom the Lord Has Pleasure 

147 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
2 The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. Psalm 147:1-7, 11-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The definition of a good day is one spent pressing toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). Stop trying to figure out all the mysteries of God with your head and pray for God to reveal Himself to you in your heart (Psalm 131; John 14:21). Strengthen the good tree, eat the fruit thereof, and wait on the Lord (Luke 13:6-9; Proverbs 18:21; Luke 8:15). God has given us faith, now let us also ask Him for the hunger and the thirst necessary to pursue a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 12:3; Matthew 5:6). Let knowing about Christ blossom into the mature fruit of an intimate knowledge of Christ to the praise and glory of God (Ephesians 3:14-19). Jesus Christ, the same sovereign Lord yesterday, today, and forever, can be known personally be each of us (Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:8, 3:20). This is the very heart of the gospel and nothing in life is more important (Colossians 1:25-28; Mark 8:38). To know our Lord Jesus Christ, this is the one essential (Isaiah 42:3; Luke 10:42; John 6:37). Get out of your own head and call out to Jesus with your whole heart (Acts 17:16-33).

Question

How can we know Jesus Christ?

Answer

Repent and believe the good report of the gospel (Matthew 28:1-8; 1 John 1:9-10; Romans 10:5-17). We must believe first, only then can we come to know Him (Hebrews 11:6).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread; Open the eyes of my faith, that I may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

He Holds Our Souls in Life 

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.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. Psalm 66:5-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Skipping  workouts is NOT the way to grow strong. The spiritual equivalent of skipping workouts is refusing to fight the good fight of the faith (Psalm 78: 1-11). The Bible says we are to put on faith and love as the spiritual body armor protecting our heart. And for the surety of our safety in every battle, we are also to put on as a helmet the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8). The battlefield is the mind and like a champion assured of victory (Romans 8:31-39), we are to resist the enticements of the inner tempter to leave the narrow way that leads to eternal life (2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Matthew 7:13-14; James 4:7). The enemy hurls flaming darts of wrong thoughts that reek like dead flies (Ephesians 6:16; Ecclesiastes 10:1). If left unchecked, they will produce a burning stench of wrong desires in heart (Isaiah 55:7-9; Matthew 5:27-29). Let us humble ourselves and trust in the loving care of our heavenly Father (1 Peter 5:7). Fix your eyes on the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and remember that our old self with its evil desires has been crucified with Him (Hebrews 12:2; Galatians 6:14). We are no longer slaves to sin . Thanks to God Almighty, we are now free to choose to live by faith in the Son of God (Romans 6:15-23). And this is the strength of the Lord God that we are to accept and show forth to others (Philippians 2:15). Take hold of the sword of the gospel (Ephesians 6:17; Isaiah 55:10-11), and fight (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Question

When do we lose the fight of the faith?

Answer

A battle is lost when we take the bait to entertain doubt because of what we feel and rely on our own understanding based on what we see (2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Hebrews 10:38). Such temptations will be completely reasonable to the carnal mind given the circumstances, but such persuasion does NOT come from the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:7-8; Romans 8:6-16; Proverbs 3:1-8). Practice the awareness to know the opportune moment to stand firm in faith (1 Peter 5:8-9). Faith can only be exercised when God allows the temptation to doubt (James 1:2-4). This is the spiritual equivalent of weight training by which we grow stronger (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

Be Filled With the Joy of the Lord 

3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.
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 81:3-5, 8-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The burning sensation in your muscles with the last few reps of a really intense bodybuilding exercise is just your body’s way of testing your mind’s resolve to get bigger and stronger. Learn to patiently endure. In the same way, our faith must be tested if we are to grow spiritually bigger and stronger (Hebrews 10:36). The word of God says we are to rejoice when the trials that test our faith come, because they lead to an expected end and the victory is sure (James 1:2-4). Nothing is impossible with a properly placed faith in God (Matthew 17:19-20). We must actively seek to conform the whole inner life to the pattern established for us by our Savior Jesus Christ in order to grow in grace (Romans 12:1-2). Strengthen the heart in this way, and the head and hands will follow (Proverbs 4:23).

Question

What is the difference between happiness and joy?

Answer

Happiness in this world depends on favorable circumstances and good feelings, which can change like the wind (Proverbs 27:1; Proverbs 25:28). Joy on the other hand, is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Joy depends on a right relationship with Jesus Christ and remains even when the winds of circumstances and feelings change bringing persecution and suffering (John 3:36; Hebrews 11:24-27; 1 Peter 5:6-11).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

For God Alone My Soul Waits in Silence 

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. Psalm 62:5-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Brucie, Brucie, Brucie, how does your garden grow? With a heart full of love for the Lord (1 John 4:19), with a mind set on faith in God (Mark 11:22-24), with honest sweat on the brow (Proverbs 20:4), with prayer on knees bent low (Ephesians 3:14-19), with hands fixed on the plow (2 Thessalonians 3:10), and with eyes on the heavenly prize (Matthew 6:19-21). Praying in the name of Jesus because He told us to do so (John 16:20-24). There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain (Luke 4:18-19). We pray in His name out of obedience to our Lord and not in as a punctuation mark or magic invocation Matthew 6:7; 1 Samuel 15:22-24).  Knowledge of the truth is required to grow up in our salvation (1 Peter 2:2; Romans 10:13-15; James 1:21).

Question

How do we become the good ground? (see Matthew 13:1-9)

Answer

We become the good ground by seeing, hearing, and understanding (Matthew 13:10-15). Seeing is the gaze of the soul obtained by believing the witness of God and the testimonies of the saints recorded in the Holy Bible (Isaiah 53:1; Matthew 13: 16-17). Hearing is listening for the voice of God with the intention to fully obey His word (Psalm 50:16-23). Understanding is to depart from all evil (Proverbs 22:17-21; Job 28:27-28). Hear then the meaning of the parable about the sowing of the Word of God (Matthew 13:18-23).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

Set a Guard Over My Mouth, O Lord 

1 Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. Psalm 141:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Sweeter than honey and more precious than gold is the word of God (Psalm 119:103-104). To build one’s life on any word of man is to build life on a foundation of sand (Matthew 7:24-29). Woe to the man who thinks in his heart that he can determine what is best on his own (Revelation 22:14-15; Proverbs 21:2-4). For the one who settles on right and wrong apart from the word of God becomes unable to see their own faults, yet are they quick to point out the tiniest of faults in everyone else (Matthew 7:3-5). They are inclined to become murmurers, grumblers, and complainers (Jude 8-19). They are like agitated waters, constantly bringing up the muck on the bottom of the river of life. Better to build on the solid Rock of the word of God (Jude 20-21; Colossians 3:16). Troubles will still come in this world (Matthew 5:44-45). The storms of life give the believer an opportunity to practice the longsuffering needed to bring the soul to spiritual maturity (Philippians 2:12-15). Have faith in God, walk in the light of His word, and the peace of God that surpasses understand will protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:9). 

Question

Why are our words important?

Answer

Words are the expression of the soul (James 3:2-13). With them we can bless or curse, help or hurt, confirm or transgress, tell the truth or lie (Proverbs 18:21).  Just as our physical hands are used to do things in the material universe, our words are the spiritual hands that do things in both the spiritual and material realms (Romans 10:9-10; Luke 9:61-62). Lastly, our words are important because God has clearly said so (Matthew 12:33-37).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

Know That the Lord Is God 

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Falling down, distractions, detours, obstacles, and other such things are common to every journey (John 16:33). Such things often take us by surprise, but nothing surprises God. God has already worked out all things for good from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10). The victory that overcomes the world is our faith (1 John 5:4). Here’s how to do it: God has promised, we ask God to fulfil His promise, then we receive the promise (Matthew 7:7-8). The battleground where the good fight of faith takes place is in between the asking and the receiving (James 1:2-8). The helmet of salvation is our assurance of ultimate victory in the war, but there are daily battles still left to be won. Receive the whole armor of God by faith (Ephesians 6:10-18). It is not something we can earn, nor do any of us deserve such a divine super suit. It is a promised gift of God. The Holy Bible is our belt of truth (John 17:17). The righteousness of Jesus Christ is our bulletproof vest (1 Corinthians 1:30), the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God living within us (Hebrews 4:12). The knowledge of the gospel makes us stand ready to resist the devil by raising the shield of faith. All who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ are destined by God to work in faith, to labor in love, and to be patience in hope. The work of faith is the salvation of souls. The labor of love is to bring all to know the living God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. The patience in hope is for the promised inheritance of an eternity where only righteousness dwells. Praise the Lord all you who have been delivered from the wrath to come by our Savior Jesus Christ. Who alone deserves every bit of love and reverence our heart can muster. He will provide you with the power to get His will done. Know the will of God as revealed in His Word and be determined to do it (Romans 12:1-2). Trust and depend on God. Be convinced of the truth, step up into the full armor of God, and take your place in the ranks of the saints (Ezekiel 37:1-10). 

Question

How do we resist the devil?

Answer

By knowing his tactics. His enticements to sin are targeted to each individual to take full advantage of the timing, circumstances, and level of spiritual maturity (James 4:7-10). Satan will not come blowing a trumpet and announcing that such temptations, which are common to all of us (James 4:1-4), are from him (Galatians 5:7-9). The inner tempter will come cloaked in your own thoughts (Isaiah 55:7). Such thoughts become easy to spot once we have totally given ourselves up to Christ (Galatians 6:14). When we are alive to God in Christ and dead to sin in this world (Colossians 3: 1-3), any thoughts not worthy of Christ are to be rejected as not our own (1 Corinthians 2:16), and therefore are to be resisted (2 Corinthians 10:4-6). Fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12-16). Fight, fight, and fight on to the end!

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

In His Name We Put Our Trust 

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm 33:18-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It is better to be a small flicker of genuine flame than it is to be a great cloud of smoke and mirrors. The fear of the Lord is to love truth and hate lies/hypocrisy/deceit/every false way (Psalm 111:10). Receive with meekness the word of God implanted and rooted in your heart (James 1:21), which enables us to abide in the Spirit of Christ that dwells within (John 15:4-8). Jesus Christ is our King, our Savior, and our God! Purity of heart comes from the will to love Him. The will to love, and the faith to believe, are gifts from God (2 Timothy 1:7). Love is increased by faith as we submit to Him in all our ways (Proverbs 3:5-7), and with this hope we are filled with light (Matthew 6:22-23). This true light is not blinding (2 Timothy 3:1-7). Rather, it is like the dawning sun in a clear sky shining brighter and brighter until the full brilliance of the noonday (Proverbs 4:14-22). Such is the true knowledge of God (Psalm 1). Wisdom must choice it, faith must believe it, and the hands will surely do it as we depend on God for the ability (Philippians 2:13).

Question

What does it mean to depend on God?

Answer

Being humble enough to know that as a hammer or saw we have much less to do with any outcome than the hand of the Carpenter who fashions and wields each tool (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Utterly refuse to worry (1 Peter 5:6-7), and let God be God (Philippians 4:6).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Faithfulness of the Lord Endures Forever 

1 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 117 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Distance to the destination may be far, still joyfulness is the mode of travel and not just to be enjoyed at the destination. Joy comes from being thankful and trusting in the Lord every step of the way. We are commanded to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), thus we can still be joyful in the mist of both sorrow and happiness. The love of God makes this is easy to do. We are also command to let the peace of God rule in our heart (Colossians 3:15-17), which is also easy to do. He who watches over us is the sovereign Lord of all. Since these things be true, only those who are in Christ Jesus really have a valid and truly dependable reason for having no worries (Romans 8:28). We are created anew and reconciled to God in Christ Jesus. So let us submit our understanding to the truths of God, submit our will to follow His precepts, and submit our affections to be more ready to pursue good rather than to experience the sinful pleasures of this world that only hinders His grace that works within us (Hebrews 12:1-2). Submit to God and resist the inner temptations to revive the ways of the sinful nature in which we used to walk before we came to know Christ (1 Peter 5:6-10). To be who we are, is to seek to be now who we will be in heaven. Pause and read that one again.

Question

Why is obeying God easy for us to do?

Answer

Because faith is simply believing the truth (Colossians 1:4-13). Grace is so amazing because the one essential thing of believing God is so simple that even a child can do it (Hebrews 11:6).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer