Devotional for August 14

Recount the Praiseworthy Deeds of the Lord

1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. Psalm 78:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Knowledge of the will of God is a divinely given map showing us where to go and where not to go, but alone knowledge is not power. Power comes from the application of knowledge. There can be no application without knowledge and it is equally true there will be no power without application. Blessings follow the proper application of the Word of God to all the heart, body, mind, soul, and spirit. Be determined to do all the will of God and depend on the grace of God to enable you to get it done. We can consistently be a doer of the Word by faith. Be diligent in guarding the heart against deceiving self in this matter. 

Question

What is the purpose of life?

Answer

The purpose of life is to glorify God (Scripture). It is the one thing that we can do now that we will also be doing in heaven (Scripture). Wisdom is knowing that our highest good and the will of God are one and the same (Scripture). To do the will of God, whether it be an archangel or a lowly man, is to glorify God (Scripture).

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

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon all your faithful people your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.