Daily Remember the Goodness of the Lord

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Let no one deceive himself by saying, “if only I saw a burning bush, or a blinding light brighter than the noonday sun, then I too would be wholly devoted to God.” The Bible record shows otherwise. God led the Israelites out of Egypt by the hand of Moses. They all saw the mighty power of God. They all experienced His presence with them in a cloud by day and a fiery pillar by night. Those who perished in the wilderness heard God speak from a quaking mountain filled with smoke and fire, yet still they were unfaithful to Him. And let us not forget Judas Iscariot, who was one of the 12 that lived and walked with Jesus for three years. Judas still betrayed Him even after seeing all the miraculous signs and wonders performed by Jesus. Clearly the decision to believe or not to believe doesn’t depend on seeing miraculous manifestations of the power of God. Those who will not believe the Holy Scriptures are not likely to be persuaded by the manifested power of God either. Choose the fear of the Lord now and be glad at His coming. The day of the Lord draws near. On that day there will no longer be a choice. Every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. On that day the bridge of mercy will be withdrawn just like in the days of Noah. Then it will be too late for the unbelievers. Better to be born with little and choose the fear of the Lord, than to be born with much and live without the fear of God. We must all stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give account for what we have chosen to do with what we are given in this life. Remember Lot’s wife.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 16; Titus 2

Hosea 9; Psalm 126-128

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

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, I may purify myself as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, I may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Everlasting Strength

4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:4-10 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Strength is built as the technique is practiced over time. Faith, just like our muscles, must be tested or proved under resistance to grow strong. Bodily exercise builds physical strength just as exercising the gift of faith builds spiritual convictions. Here is the understanding that leads to unshakable spiritual convictions: things are not true because they are written in the Bible, things are written in the Bible because they are known to be true. This is an enormously important difference. When the Bible states that God is good, it is merely stating a known fact worthy of all acceptation. Therefore, we can believe and trust it as surely as any other known fact. Know without a doubt that all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have been given faith at least the size of a mustard seed. The only question is whether or not we are willing to plant our faith firmly in God so that we fully grow up into our salvation.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 15; Titus 1

Hosea 8; Psalm 123-125

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

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, I may purify myself as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, I may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

The Lord Strengthen You

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)

Morning Exhortation

God will make a way where there is no way for all who are called according to His purpose. Big achievers are big dreamers, but only if the sleeper awakes and takes the first step in faith. The second and third steps are always easier, but unless the first step is taken the next steps will remain forever out of reach. Sometimes it seems that life is like a platform connected to a maze of stairways that go off in every direction to where we are not always able to clearly see. Therefore, the first step must be chosen with great care. Make the first step obedience to the written word of God, and your next step will surely be in the right direction.  

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 14; 2 Timothy 4

Hosea 7; Psalm 120-122

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

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, I may purify myself as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, I may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Willingly Choose to Live a Blameless Life

1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.
2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Psalm 101:1-5 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Being clean both inside and out is pleasing to God. Don’t just sit there with crumbs on your face feeling sorry for yourself. Self-pity is pride’s ugly twin sister. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. Get right with God and guard your heart. Call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ with sincere repentance and turn from all that is wrong. Courageously depend on God alone and He will make you strong. Confront the problem. Fight the good fight of faith. Trust God and win!

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 13; 2 Timothy 3

Hosea 5-6; Psalm 119:145-176

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

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that I may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Storm Be Still

23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. Psalm 107:23-32 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Free time is better than money. You can spend it chasing entertainment and pleasure, or you can invest it in education and the practice of discipline. The former costs and the latter pays. The compounding interest of the choice reveals the folly or the wisdom of each choice with the passing of time. No one should be working all the time, but consider the importance, the privilege, and the benefits of discipline. Saturating the mind with the word of God and prayer are chief among disciplines. Righteousness is bestowed on us through the merits of Jesus Christ alone. The fruits of a godly lifestyle though, require our willingness to practice the disciplines (God appointed means of grace) that increase our love for God. Be faithful. Know that we are called to this. To walk in the Spirit, we must be in agreement with the Word in all things. And the Holy Spirit will guide and enable all who choose to hold on tightly to the narrow path that leads to life. We do not prevail by struggling against the Word. We prevail in this life by agreeing with the Word, conforming to it, and being transformed by it. Blessings flow from our efforts performed in willing cooperation with the Spirit.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 11-12; 2 Timothy 2

Hosea 3-4; Psalm 119:121-144

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

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that I may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wonderful Works

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:4-5 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Wonderful is the knowledge that nothing is too big or too small for God. God is good. He knows all, can do all, can manage all, and has proved His love for us by sending Jesus Christ to redeem us. All things are upheld by His tender mercies. Suffering in this fallen world is a fact of life. Some indulge every appetite and later suffer for having done so. Others choose to deny self and later reap good health because of it. All suffer and go down to the grave. This is undisputable, but the suffering we choose determines how we get there and what happens after we get there. Life is lived daily at the crossroads of choice. We choose our way with a multitude of small choices made each day. Often the choice is between a path that is difficult or easy, right or wrong, for self or for God. All of us have a holy calling given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began. Predestined by God, yet still we must choose it. Let not the difficulty or slowness of the way deter you. Our God is trustworthy. The afflictions of this life are promised to be next to nothing compared to the riches of the life to come for all who come to God through Jesus Christ. Be of good cheer. Our ultimate salvation is nearer today than it was yesterday.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Timothy 1

Psalm 119:97-120

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

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that I may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. Psalm 103:20-22 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

As wickedness increases all over the world, all who don’t know God will be increasingly filled with fear, uncertainly, and doubt. But peace shall be upon the people of God who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. By believing the Word of God we are able to receive the gifts of grace promised to Abraham through faith in Jesus Christ. Stick to the good fight of faith and expect the enemy to come at you the hardest when you feel the strongest, when you feel the weakest, and when you least expect it. Rest and contentment are among the effects of God’s gift of righteousness on this side of eternity. The gospel of salvation is Christ living within us. Faith receives the promise, and all the promises are quickened by the love of God. There is peace, quietness, and confidence in the presence of God, even in the midst of raging storms. The way out of the wilderness into the promised land is paved with thanksgiving and praise. Do the will of God by rejoicing always, praying as you go about the day’s business, and giving God thanks and praise regardless of circumstances.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 9, 1 Timothy 6

Hosea 1, Psalm 119:73-96

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

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in me the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and, that I may obtain what you promise, make me love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Abiding Upon Your Holy Hill

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:20-22 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Our souls will normally be at ease when we have eaten well, when our sleep has been good, when we are pain free, and when we are surround by physical comforts. The real test comes in the absence of these things though. If we truly believe the kingdom principle that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord, then come what may our soul will dwell in the comfort of the Lord even in the mist of physical discomforts. Train yourself to never complain. The Bible calls complaining about present difficulties speaking against the Lord. To do so doesn’t please the Lord, and it only makes what is already hard even harder to bear. Our loving heavenly Father has commanded us to keep our tongue from speaking evil for our own good. Deceit, gossip, and slander all roll of the tongue way too easy unless we guard our heart against it. Keep the conscience tender and be quick to repent of such sins. A lack of a reverent fear of the Lord is a dark river filled with complaining and fault finding that leads only to spiritual death. God must do all. From the new birth to full spiritual maturity, God must do all. Our responsibility is to pray like 100% of the results depends on God, as well as to work like we are 100% responsible for our willingness to endure and do the work. For both are equally true, and to God alone belongs the results of our prayers and work. Therefore, to God belongs all the glory. Trust God, pray, work, and give thanks. He will certainly make of you all that He created you to be.

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Timothy 5

Psalm 119:49-72

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

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in me the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and, that I may obtain what you promise, make me love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Offer a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:20-22 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Resist the urge to rush to the finish line like a jackrabbit be it a single workout or a lifelong goal. Start slowly and build momentum little by little all the way to the finish. This is the sure way of the tortoise that wins in the end. One does not reach spiritual maturity all at once. First the blade, then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear. Our heavenly Father is our husbandman giving the early and later rains to nourish the faith that brings forth His precious spiritual fruit in all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ. Great is the reward for the child who steadily holds to the narrow path that leads to eternal life. Hearing is more than the mechanical perception of sound. Hearing requires understanding what God has said, and then daring to believe His truth by conforming how we live. This is the type of hearing that increases faith. Just listening without hearing is of little profit. The ugly birds of prey are quick to snatch up the Word that falls upon the hard packed soil of the unbelieving heart. Chase those fowls away. Our God is mighty to save. We have His spoken word in the Holy Book by grace. Quicken us Lord to believe and live it.

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Timothy 4

Psalm 119:25-48

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

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in me the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and, that I may obtain what you promise, make me love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Trust the Lord

1 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. Psalm 125:1-3 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Sugar and artificial sweeteners have become snares in our food dragging people all over the world into the bondage of addition and sickness. The effects of sugar, just like any poison, depends largely on the dose. The more sugar consumed the fatter and sicker we become as a result. Sugar will only be restricted at the table when we realize how necessary doing so is for our good health. The world takes sugar and sin far too lightly. Sin, unlike sugar though, has no safe dose. Sin is the foolishness of a short-term pleasure that only produces suffering and eternal damnation. To ignore or hide sin only hardens the heart leaving the soul troubled in this life and unfit for the next. Sin must first be confessed before one can turn from it and receive the forgiveness found only in Christ Jesus. We must turn from sin and be born again as first principles. The blood of Jesus restores the original glory we were created to reflect. Our bodies are made up of trillions of tiny cells each designed to praise the Lord. It is a rightness that can be felt when all of these of these trillions of tiny cells obey our command to “Praise the Lord, O my soul, let all that is within me praise His holy name.”

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Timothy 3

Psalm 119:1-24

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

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in me the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and, that I may obtain what you promise, make me love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.