Bless the Lord, O My Soul

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. Psalm 103:15-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Since we come to feel in accordance with the thoughts that dominate our minds, we must diligently choose what thoughts we accept and what we are to reject in order to obey the command of God to guard our heart. Perfect peace is promised to those whose minds dwell on God. Delight in meditating upon His word. Lifting up your heart to God with a little remembrance and adoration throughout the day is like precious ointment upon the head with the soothing hope of salvation that runs down to sustain the breastplate of faith and love. Give all to Jesus Christ and take no part back. Know that after having done this, any persuasion to do for self comes not from the one who has called you to salvation. Ask God to establish you as a called, chosen, and faithful disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. Believe that you are as soon as you have requested this in prayer, because He has promised it. Now come what may, stand firm by refusing every thought that doubts it. 

Question

What does it mean to meditate on the Word?

Answer

To think, to ponder, to consider so that we may learn to apply (Psalm 119:101; Psalm 1). The more we do this, the more we are transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). If we neglect meditating on the Word (Proverbs 10:5), the vacuum will be filled with all the things that God hates by the distractions and entertainments of our modern world (Proverbs 6:16-19). Turn off the TV, put down the smart phone, and instead choose one or two verses of Scripture to savor (Genesis 24:63; Psalm 46:10, 57:5). This is how God fulfills the new covenant by putting His law into the mind and writing them on the heart (Hebrews 8:7-12). The more we practice meditating on the Word, the more vanities lose  their power to appeal (Psalm 119:103, 9, 99). Persist and take no backward step (Luke 11:5-13). There will come a day when your heart will say with great joy, “my Lord and my God” (John 20:26-31; Philippians 2:13, 1 Peter 5:10-11).

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. from the Book of Common Prayer

God is All Knowing, All Powerful, and All Good

139 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:1-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Exercise the grace of faith by waiting on the Lord with eager expectation for His fulfillment of His precious promises. Hunger and thirst to have Christ live in your heart. Stop wrestling with the Lord and go to work resisting the devil by faith putting on the whole armor of God. Lift up your heart to the Lord and seek the light of His countenance in all things. Then ask God for what you need. He will knock flat the walls that hinder you, cleanse your heart and mind from destructive thoughts, and be your strength and shield. Ask, and let the thoughts of your mind, the words of your mouth, and the meditation of your heart be pleasing to God. Ask, and believe that He will fulfill your request because of His righteous character revealed in your heart, which produces in you the obedience of faith to His everlasting Word. We may sometimes lack comfort and ease, but the one who has the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit already has the highest possible good there ever has been, is now, and will ever be.

Question

What is strength?

Answer

Strength is the ability to do and re-do as necessary (Isaiah 40:30-31). Rely on your own strength, and the Lord has warned us that it must eventually fail (Proverbs 24:10; Matthew 7:24-29; Proverbs 20:27-29, 18:14). Rely on your own strength, and that is all you will have (Isaiah 50:10-11). Deny self, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:25). Do not be like the horse or mule that have no understanding (Psalm 32:8-9). Make the joy of the Lord your strength (Philippians 3:13-15) and do all for the glory of God (Nehemiah 8:10; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

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. from the Book of Common Prayer

Yearning For God

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?
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
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 42:1-3, 9-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Receive the gospel and believe the good news, all you who desire to know God. Understand that the will of God for us and our highest good are one and the same. Do not be conformed to this world, rather we are to renew the mind by saturating it with the Word of God. Whatever thoughts we allow to dominate our mind will shape the affections of your heart. Those who worry a lot will be fearful. Those who constantly dwell on the concerns of this world will never be happy, but those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. Delight to do God’s will and even when you appear not to win, you will never lose. Therefore, cast not away your confidence in the amour God has provided for you. Remember the eternal faithfulness of God Almighty! The worst that God allows us to suffer is only temporary, and He shapes all things ultimately for our good. In this knowledge take comfort and joy, our God reigns now and forever more!

Question

How do we find the narrow path that leads to eternal life?

Answer

Those who insist on doing whatever they want, who believe they have the right to live anyway they see fit, and are determined to seek their own happiness, will not turn to God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Psalm 10). Do not be doubleminded (James 1:5-8). If God has granted you repentance, move forward on the narrow path and take no backward step with any of those worthless things that only lead to destruction (Colossians 3:1-10; 2 Peter 1:3-11). To seek righteousness according to God is wisdom, and to turn from evil is proof of a good understanding (Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 50:16-22; Job 28:28; Proverbs 22:3; Matthew 7:13-14; Psalm 111:10).

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. from the Book of Common Prayer