Devotional for June 8

Exalt the Lord

5 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
8 Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy. Psalm 99:5-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The abundant life is for those in Christ Jesus who are made sons of God planted in the house of the Lord. While scarcity dictates life for the natural man who is cut off from God, the source from whom all blessings flow. Always remember the almighty power of God and His infinite love and goodness toward us. Everyone called to glorify God has found it hard at the beginning, tough going in the middle, full of many difficulties to the very end, and filled with joy through it all. The greater the struggle the more valuable the reward. Accept this, because it will be no different with you and me. Pray, work, and trust the Lord. Those who wait on the Lord in hopeful expectation of the fulfillment of His word will never be put to shame.

Question

Are we to pursue holiness in this lifetime?

Answer

Yes, yes, and yes (1 Peter 1:15-16; Jude 1:21-23). To be born again and fail to pursue holiness is to live in a perpetual back and forth of sometimes walking with the Spirit and other times falling back again into the sinful nature of the flesh (Romans 7:16-24; Galatians 5:17). To not pursue holiness gives the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27-29), allows the flesh to remain in the heart uncrucified (Romans 8:13), and defiles the conscience producing a wavering faith (1 Timothy 4:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; James 1:8). To walk in the Spirit is to participate in the divine nature by faith, which is holiness (1 John 3:1-3; 2 Peter 1:2-11; Hebrews 12:14). Jesus Christ is able to save us from the curse and bondage of sin (Hebrews 7:25), and the end of this present life will bring no change of heart (Revelation 22:11). By faith having been made kings and priests (1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 11:6), let us willingly accept the gift of a clean heart (1 John 1:9), and having been sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), hold firmly to the priestly motto “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” (Revelation 7:1-3; Exodus 28:36; Ephesians 1:12-14; Ephesians 3:14-21).

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

Holy Father, creator and sustaining wisdom of all that is, both in heaven and on earth, take from me those thoughts, actions and objects that are hurtful. Give me instead those things that are profitable for me and all who seek rightly to praise you. I ask this grace in the company of all believers and through the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is, with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.