Devotional for May 18

Don’t Just Look…See

31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
 19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23 O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:1-3, 19-24 (KJV)
KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Unless the Lord builds the body, the bodybuilder works in vain. Training just to improve physical appearance only puffs up with pride. That would be the equivalent of having a sports car body with a lawnmower size engine in the soul. Like a child left to himself, each of us has the potential to be the chief of all sinners if not for the grace of God. Restrictive circumstance and lack of opportunity are the only things that hinder the masses of people on the broad road that leads  to destruction. Being like a horse or mule with no understanding, circumstance and opportunity function like a bit and bridle preventing them from being worse than the otherwise would be. This too is a type of grace from God. The knowledge of sin came through the law, but saving grace is given to us through Jesus Christ. By the blood of Christ are we cleansed from all unrighteousness. Rest, inner peace, freedom from worry, and sweet sleep are among the promises of God to all those who love Him. God has no “too hard to do” category. He is waiting for you to ask BIG and believe consistently. A doubting thought or a faithless feeling are only doorways to unbelief. It isn’t until we step through the door by entertaining the doubting thought or agreeing with the faithless feeling that we enter into the temptation. Do not come  to the Lord with a Christmas list of desired toys to be used for your pleasures though. Set your mind on the things above. Let your first prayer be for a renewed mind so that you can understand God’s will. Real freedom means being free of wrong desires through sanctification by the Spirit and truth. This is where true life begins.

Question

What does it mean to be converted?

Answer

Living in sin is often compared to blindness in the Bible (Proverbs 4:19; Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 13:15; Romans 6:23). To be converted we must first come to acknowledge, confess, and forsake our sin (John 9:39-41; 1 John 1:8-10; Acts 2:37-39; Romans 6:12-22). We must first come with a childlike attitude willing to believe (Matthew 18:1-3), only then are we able to use our will to be conformed to the Word (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 12:1-2). The spiritual conversion this causes is passing from death in Adam into eternal life in Christ (John 7:37-38; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Revelation 22:21).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called me to your service, make me worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.