Ask for Grace

1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Psalm 122:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Let nothing disturb you (quote by Saint Teresa of Avila). Trust in your God. Know and rely on the love of God. As the Father loves the Son, so God loves us. Be willing to remain in His love. Believe the gospel. All things are possible for God the Almighty. In Christ we can do all things, because Christ can do all things through us. Let us life up our gaze and arise. (John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:10; John 1:17, 15:9-17; Luke 12:32; John 17:17-23, 17:3, 15:1-8; Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 10:23; Philippians 2:13; John 4:35; Joel 3:10; Romans 8:32-39; Philippians 4:13; Psalm 24:7-10; Ephesians 3:14-21)

Not Like the World Gives

7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:7-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It’s easy for most any breeze to bring us peace when our belly is full, our body is pain-free, and the sun is shining. Peace based only on favorable circumstances goes as soon as things become less favorable. Christians doesn’t have to be slaves to vacillating circumstances or disagreeable people though. There is nothing left to chance for the Christian. All that happens to us has been ordained by God. The Bible doesn’t say that everything that happens to us will be good, or that we will be able to see God’s purpose behind whatever bad he allows. What the Bible does say is that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord. Remember this always. Strong in faith is the one who holds on to the knowledge of God without letting it slip. His peace he has given us, which is not like the peace the world gives. His peace is based on the knowledge of the love and power of God. Let nothing disturb you. (Numbers 6:24-26; Philippians 4:7; John 14:27; Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 42:5; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 2:1; Ephesians 6:15; Proverbs 3:5; Jonah 2:8; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Pre-Soak

2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. Psalm 111:2-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Growing up takes time. No one gets to the top of the mountain without going through a few valleys. Muscles get stronger by training them with resistance. Flavor is enhanced in the marinate. The better the pre-wash soak, the cleaner the clothes. A love of ease is the enemy of a mature soul. A love of pain is the fool’s delight. Wisdom is found in the balance. Don’t rush the process. Don’t linger in the valleys. Get plenty of good reps. Be salt and light. Soak for as long as God requires. To know God, is to trust God. To trust God, is to have a weened soul that glorifies God equally come rain or shine. (Isaiah 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Hebrews 12:1-13; 1 Peter 1:3-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:11-13; Isaiah 26:4; Proverbs 3:5-8; Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 131; Philemon 1:25)

Opportunity Cost

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. Psalm 119:9-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Every choice in this life has a cost. The “you can’t have your cake and eat it too” proverb is a good example. Once the cake is eaten, it is gone forever. Therefore, one cost of eating the cake is the lost opportunity to keep it. The salvation of the Lord is a free gift, but the Master has commanded us to first count the cost. We would think it strange for a man clothed in old dirty rags to refuse a free wardrobe of new clean clothes. Or even worse to say “yes” to the new clean clothes, yet insist on keeping his old dirty underwear. The old life, right down to the dirty undergarments, must go if we are to have the new life in Christ Jesus. When you see the choice clearly, you will wonder why it took you so long to reach for it. (Psalms 1; Deuteronomy 30:19; Matthew 6:19-24, 16:24-26; Luke 12:15-32; Zechariah 3:1-5; Romans 8:31-39; Luke 14:28-35; Matthew 7:24-29, 28:18-20; Ephesians 3:14-21)

Know the Lord

20 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Psalm 20:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith comes by hearing the Word. The most fortunate among us will believe immediately after hearing the gospel. Least fortunate are those who only believe after seeing the nail pierced hands of the Lord. The vast majority of the believers under the Bell Curve though, will only believe when they see the effect faith has had on the life of other believers. For this reason, everyone who knows the Lord is called to be salt and light. That is to say, by the effect faith has on how we live in this world, we are to be an example to believers and non-believers alike. Go to the Holy Book to know God. Always begin with what, not if. When you come to know the living God, it is a pure pleasure to live true to His character. (Hebrews 11:1-6; Romans 10:17; Matthew 4:1-11, 16:1-4, 13:12-16; John 14:8-9; Daniel 11:32; John 20:24-29; Matthew 5:13-16; Revelation 12:9-11; Romans 14:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; Romans 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:1-8, 1:12; Revelation 22:17-21)