Devotional for October 3

A Hymn of the Messiah

110 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.  Psalm 110:1-4 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Lasting change that is good comes from above, and it proceeds from the inside-out. It is a great mystery how we are 100% dependent on God for everything, while at the same time being 100% responsible for our choices. They are not contradictory opposites, but rather complementary truths. The state of your health 20 years from now can best be predicted by how you live and what you do today. Just as your current body condition is a result of your past thoughts, habits, and lifestyle choices. Don’t expect much change from your exercise and diet efforts if you are still going to think the same, do the same things, go to the same places, and live the same way that created the need for change in the first place. The call of the gospel is to come as you are, not stay as you are. The mind set on gratifying the flesh is not capable of making lasting changes for the better, but the mind set on the things of the Spirit is renewed from the inside-out. Lasting change happens first in the inner man’s heart and affections, which are the source of every choice to do or to not do. God will change the heart as you consistently seek to renew the mind with the Word of Life. Accept the divine order: first the blade, then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear. Transformation is certain because God is faithful to perform His unchangeable word whenever we meet the conditions. Only believe. O Lord, I believe! Say it aloud and keep saying it until your “Amen” is made strong by the Spirit.

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Kings 6

Ephesians 3

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

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon your church the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.