Devotional for October 11

The Throne of the Lord Endures Forever

45 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. Psalm 45:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Success in the gym comes with a new danger. Gym success is defined as feeling better, performing better, and looking better. However, the more we like what we see in the mirror, the more we must guard our hearts against pride. Pride is an affront to God and a deadly enemy of our soul. Pride ascribes undue credit to self while denying the glory due to God. Pride is being pleased in one’s own sight rather than seeking to be pleasing in the sight of God. Pride is a bitter root of all kinds of sin and must never be allowed to grow in a believers heart. Any pride allowed to spring up in the heart will hinder the flow of God’s grace. The Latin phrase “ora et labora” of our fathers means pray and work. It is an excellent reminder of our twin responsibilities in everything, which are to pray and work. The answer to prayer and the results of our work will be according to our faith and the grace of God. God not only provides the increase, but even our faith, praying, and working are also depended upon the grace of God. Blessed is the one with this understanding. To know the Lord is to love the Lord, and to love the Lord is want to know Him better. Do not settle for just knowing about Him. Press on in the way made possible by the grace of Jesus Christ into the presence of Almighty God. Everyone who seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks the door will be opened. The light of the King of Glory will surely come if you will ask for it. Wonderful are the works of the Lord and His timing is perfect! So, pray, work, and expect an abundant harvest from the Lord.

Today’s Bible Reading

Colossians 1

Psalm 97-98

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

Lord, I pray that your grace may always precede and follow me, that I may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.