Devotional for August 25

Keep Me as the Apple of Your Eye 

6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. Psalm 17:6-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Muscle is forged in the fire of the will. When it gets uncomfortable and you’re not sure if you can go on, that’s when you have to reach down deep and toss another log of desire into the furnace of your will. To take the discomfort and push through the doubt, you have to have a burning desire to get it done. Physical development seems difficult in the beginning, but with persistence it gets easier over time. Physical and spiritual development are the same in that God is the source of both. Spiritual development starts with the grace of God giving us ears to hear. Spiritual hearing first of all takes being exposed to the word of truth. Lots of people have the truth of Bible knowledge and profess that they believe it is true, but this is of no value to them unless it is acted on in faith. Faith is required to get from believing what the Bible promises to actually knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing about Jesus Christ is a prerequisite, belief is the way, faith is the means, and having a personal relationship with Him is the glorious end. Do NOT stop short. 

Question

Why are we so quick to kill the messenger?

Answer

That which is hard and difficult to take often causes a knee jerk reaction that smites the bearer of news we don’t want to hear (Scripture). More often than not, at the first sign of pain we reach for a pain killer rather than listening to what the pain is saying (Scripture). All pain is not the same (Scripture). Some painful messages should be tolerated (Scripture). Other types of pain require immediate relief (Scripture). Distinguishing between the different meanings of pain is a learned skill that cultivates beauty of body, soul, and spirit (Scripture).

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

Almighty God, who has given your only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and an example by his godly life: For the sake of your Son,  I most thankfully receive your forgiveness of all my offenses; and grant me the grace to serve you in newness of life to the glory of your Name; through the same your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.