Devotional for September 25

We are Crowned with Thy Goodness 

4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
 Psalm 65:4-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Under privileged, under class, underdogs, late bloomers, underachievers, and all those who have been counted out in this life, rejoice! Know that from such came nearly all the highly favored ones of the Almighty God. So let us fully put away the things of our former life when we walked in the ways of this world seeking to please self rather than please God. Deny self or deny God. It is one or the other. A matter of degree with leaning to one more, and the other less. Who can live to please self without becoming intoxicated by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life? And those with frustrated efforts to please self will never be at peace. Come now, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and be at rest. Those who hold on to the self-denying key to the straight gate in thought, word, and deed, will be blessed with inner peace and happiness. We have been freed by the precious blood of Christ. Press forward into the upward call of God. Our part is to attend to the wings of the soul, which are simplicity of intention and purity of affection toward God. He has provide us with His precious promises and the Spirit so that we may participate in His divine nature to the glory and praise of His name. God is forever faithful, and He will cause us to mount up with wings as eagles.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Samuel 21

Galatians 1

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.