Devotional for September 22

There is Life in the Way of the Lord

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. Psalm 119:33-40 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

There is no need to be concerned with genetics. Skid row is full of people with all kinds of talents and skills without the attitude, effort, and patience it takes to fully develop them. Only God knows what the world has missed out on because of a lack of willingness. Don’t use the fact that it comes easier for someone else as an excuse for you not putting in the work required to do what you need to do. Start with the inside. Work out that which Christ Jesus has worked in you. Depend on the grace of God to enable you to cultivate what is good, and turn from what is not. The love of God compels us to pursue righteousness, because just as the Westminster Shorter Catechism states, our chief end is to glorify God. The appointed means is our wholehearted cooperation with the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish His good and perfect will. Every command of God comes packaged with the promised that He will enable us to do all that He requires. All have the need for patience. God is forever faithful and His timing is absolutely perfect. Set your heart therefore, to do His will and you can be sure it shall be done. Though it seem to tarry, wait on the Lord. All that have waited on the Lord have never been disappointed.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Samuel 18

2 Corinthians 11

Ezekiel 25

Psalm 73 

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

Grant that I, Lord, may not be anxious about earthly things, but love things heavenly; and even now, while I am placed among things that are passing away, hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.