Devotional for July 13

God Is Our Only Dependable Refuge 

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 73:21-28 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The two greatest dangers in the gym are mirrors and yoga pants. You must look at your reflection in the mirror as does a steward who knows he is working for the glory of the Lord. God is the one who enables us to work, and from Him alone comes the growth. The new man created in Christ Jesus correctly perceives that we are stewards, and rejects the claim of ownership held by the old man. The new man praises God while the old uncrucified man is easily pumped up with his muscles by a corresponding degree of pride. And as for the yoga pants that have found their way out of the gym and on to every street corner these days, you must be quick to look away before even the tiniest spark of lust is kindled in your heart. Deny your eyes a second taste, and train yourself not turn to check her form after she passes. Don’t take this lightly. Just as eating too much sugar causes tooth decay, unchecked eye candy will surely cause rot in the soul.

Question

What is a muscular faith?

Answer

A muscular faith is based on the gospel truth of Jesus Christ and not an external obedience to the law (…). We do good works not to be saved, on the contrary, we do good works because we have been saved (…). It is necessary for faith to be frequently exercised in all things (…), without any accompanying support from pleasant feelings (…). Just as time under tension builds bodily strength, a strong muscular faith in God also requires frequent exercise with resistance (…).

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

O God, you have taught me to keep all your commandments by loving you and my neighbor: Grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart, and united to others with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.