Teach Me Your Paths, O Lord

1 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Psalm 25:1-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Catch on fire and let all that is contrary to the knowledge of God burn away. Plan “A” is typically seen in the foolishness of youth with the determination to live life just as one’s heart desires, but that leads only to death. God has a plan “B” for anyone willing to choose it. If you want good health, soundness of mind, and righteousness, you have to seek Him who has promised you a new heart. Surrender all to the Lord Jesus Christ. Once you give yourself to God and become His property, take nothing of your offering back. Deny self, pick up your cross daily, and follow the Lord. Exercise your discernment to distinguish between good and evil thoughts within. With spiritual maturity we learn to stand at the ready holding on to what is good and immediately casting down every evil thought. This is at the center of a life that glorifies our God.

Question

Is there such a thing as divine health?

Answer

Youth comes with a certain innocence which doesn’t recognize that health of the body and soul comes from God (Scripture). Correct thinking requires the nourishment provided by the pure spiritual milk of the Word and sanctification by the Spirit (Scripture). Make the best choices for your health that you can (Scripture), and leave time and chance to the God who works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Scripture). Be specific with your supplications to God for your health needs (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Praise God for His Everlasting Mercy

24 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:25-29 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Stop looking for microwave-like shortcuts and big ole easy buttons in life. The same rule applies to all of us. Choose the hard right over the easy wrong, because you shall reap what you have sown. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. These are great truths that need to be accepted by faith for all who believe in Christ Jesus. So, what is keeping you from believing the truth? If the unbelievers who practice mind-over-matter based merely on the elementary principles of this world can achieve much, how much more should the saints achieve who practice faith based on the infallible Word of God? Believe the gospel and the Lord will strengthen your heart. Believe, and the God of all grace be with you.

Question

What is faith?

Answer

Faith is a shield, faith is now, faith is a spiritual substance, and faith is the putting forth the hand to the plow (Scripture).  Better not to go beyond these biblical descriptions into water that is too deep for our finite minds to swim and too high for the tiny wings of our understanding to reach unassisted (Scripture). Faith comes from the knowledge of God made available to all by the gospel of truth written in the Holy Bible (Scripture). To know God is to trust God, and to trust God makes strong the assurance of faith that comes through testing (Scripture). Blessed are those who remember, practice, and live the gospel (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Everlasting Remembrance

4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish. Psalm 112:4-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Procrastination is like a tranquilizer dart of self-deception for the soul. The Holy Bible is the map showing the way to the straight gate and the narrow path that leads to the everlasting celestial city. Think you can do it later? We are not guaranteed to even finish out the day. If it is worth doing, you should step to it right now and get it done. Take the next step while you can. Do not say to yourself that when things are different you will go and serve the Lord. It is precisely because you can’t make things different that you need to turn wholeheartedly to the Lord right now. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Count the costs. A total surrender of all to our Lord Jesus Christ is required. Place your life on the altar, take your hands off, and take none of the self-life back again. Do this and the fire will come. Depend on God to provide you with the will and the ability to get done all that He has prepared for you to do. Reverently acknowledge the Lord and draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. 

Question

What is the cure for weariness and vexation of spirit?

Answer

Getting tired and weary is a part of the infirmity of our flesh (Scripture). For this reason, God gives His beloved sleep (Scripture). Vexation of spirit is striving to grasp the wind through thick clouds of uncertainly all around (Scripture). Many worldly remedies abound: Sleeping pills, music, movies, vacations, games, food, alcohol, various drugs, making money and more (Scripture). There is but one tried and true way to end weariness and vexation of spirit found in the biblical record, and that is prayer (Scripture). Bring everything to God with a contrite heart, seeking to hide nothing (Scriptue).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

He Has Shown His People the Power of His Works  

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

Discouragement happens when we allow our focus on things to become too strong, and our focus on God to become too weak. When we become too focused on the difficulties of our present circumstances, or the traumas in our past, the result is often too much concern about what might be in the future. The past doesn’t determine the future. It merely sets the conditions. Focus your mind in the right direction. Remember the love and power of your God and King. He knows all, can do all, and has showered us with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. He is infinite in goodness, forever faithful, always true, and He loves us. There is nothing too big or too small for God. He alone is worthy of all praise! Be still and stand in awe of Him. When light comes, darkness must flee. When the gaze of the soul is focused on God, so too will the darkness of discouragement flee the light of His countenance.

Question

How to get a second chance and a fresh start?

Answer

The Lord Jesus Christ is the God of second chances and new beginnings (Scripture). With sincere repentance, the Lord saves us from the wages of sin (Scripture). However, the consequences of our evil acts will often remain to be dealt with (Scripture). The mercy of God doesn’t mean we can do as we please and expect God to clean up the mess (Scripture). God is Faithful and True (Scripture). Turn to God with your whole heart and all things will become new (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Happy Are the People Whose God Is the Lord 

11  Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:11-15 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Silently go the grains of time through the hourglass of life. Time is running shorter every day. Forgive all those who have wronged you, and never cover your own mistakes with excuses and reasonings. Confess every sin no matter how big or small. Repent and draw nearer to God. Ask forgiveness from those you have wronged, seek to make amends, and look for ways to minimize the damage of each mistake. Learn your lessons and be determined not to repeat the errors of your past. Having done all this, accept what has been as what has been. Put it behind you and move on in the faith. Be sanctified by the truth and seek the spiritual excellence that comes from the pursuit of holiness. It is holiness, not money, beauty, or success, which is the key to happiness in this life and forever after. Hope in God, looking to the joy that is within you, and let shine the good health of your countenance like a city set on a hill. Sincerely pray for the needed grace to be faithful to God and His word all the days of your life. You can be sure this will be pleasing to the God.  Thus, He will surely grant it. 

Question

When is the most important time in life?

Answer

Now is always the most important time (Scripture). The past is for learning (Scripture). The future can’t be grasped in the hand (Scripture). Only now, in this present moment, can we choose and act (Scripture). Salvation must be for now if it is to be forever (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Perfect Law of Liberty 

17 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:7-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

In the beginning, we create our habits. But by the time our habits become as automatic as our breathing, they have created us. The power of our habits comes from repetition. As you sow, so shall you reap is an elementary God established principle of this life. What you continually do will in time produce in you the consequences of those actions. Good or bad, each can only produce its kind. The compounding effect of small actions, and the rightness or wrongness of the accumulation of tiny thoughts, will in the end draw a sharp contrast between the sheep and the goats. Thorn bushes don’t grow apples, nor do bad habits produce any type of good fruit. It is only by planting good habits that we reap good fruit. We don’t need to understand all the details of what it means to be born again, but we do need to accepted it by faith as a fact as real as anything else in our life. Consider what this means. New life on the inside where it really matters, and not just visible life in the physical world that will one day return to the dust. The more you seek the things of this new life, the less you will care for the desires of the sinful nature and the contrary things of this corrupted world.

Question

How do we put on the new man?

Answer

Pay attention to what you do (Scripture). Pay attention to how you think (Scripture). Set the Holy Bible as your standard of truth and not what you think, see, feel, or want (Scripture). The old man is forever set on the broad way that leads to destruction, wherein he feels he has the right to do whatever he likes (Scripture). Choose the better way and put on the new man by faith just as you would choose to put on a coat against the cold on a stormy day (Scripture). 

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In God I Put My Trust 

8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10 In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word.
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Psalm 56:8-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The opposite of success isn’t failure, its giving up. Somewhere around the age of 20 we all have the ability to either accept or reject the responsibility for our own life. If one chooses not to accept the responsibility for self (blaming parents, the system, the man, or anything else), it doesn’t change the fact that one day we will still be held accountable for the divine spark given to us. None of us have a thing to do with the state and circumstances of our birth, still you alone are responsible for what you do or don’t do with whatever you have been given in this life. Be it little or be it much. Freedom of choice comes with the responsibility to choice wisely, and we must all one day give account for our choices before the judgement seat of Christ. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, because God’s will shall be done. The important question for each of us is whether we decide to obey Him and be rewarded, or go our own way and suffer eternal damnation. Either way, the plans of God cannot be derailed by men nor demons. So choose life. Accept the precious gift of eternal life from God. God forever proved His love for us by sending His Son to pay the price for our redemption on the Cross. There is no way back for the fallen angels, but we have been given grace and mercy through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let all of this rebellious generation that would live be forewarned. The present default setting without Christ is to be casted away into outer darkness where there will be only tears and the gnashing of teeth. 

Question

Is there a sure formula for success?

Answer

The 5 Ps of Faith and Fitness are sure because they depend on God alone: Pray, Plan, Praise, Put in the Work, and Persist (Scripture).  Pray and get your Plan from God (Scripture). Praise God with joy and thanksgiving even before seeing the early and latter rain (Scripture). Put in the Work by sowing with sweat and tears as needed (Scripture). Persist until the fruit ripens, the harvest comes, the new day dawns (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wait Upon the Lord 

34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. Psalm 37:34-42 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Trust God and breathe faith into all circumstances. The proving ground necessary for learning to stand firm in faith happens when your back is against the wall, and you see no way forward; when to your front is a fence, and you see no way over it; when on your left is a steep cliff, and you can’t see the bottom below it; when on your right is a hard place, and it seems to be closing in on you; such is the time, such is the opportune time to choose to trust God. Listen and do not just see. The storms of affliction serve to drive us to the only safe harbor, which is God. Just remember to be watchful during prosperous time as well. Prosperity may be an even harder cross to bear than affliction. Prosperity tends to draw the heart’s affections away from the unseen eternal things to dwell on the pleasurable material things of this visible world, which are only temporary at best. The heart must be properly prepared for prosperity and comfort, least they leave us shipwrecked upon the jagged rocks below the gently flowing waters. Be on guard in both good times and bad in order to keep your heart in the love of God always.   

Question

Should we go to God for small things?

Answer

Consider that to the infinite God all things are small (Scripture). Things are only big or small to us finite creatures (Scripture). God has proved His love for us by sending His only begotten Son to die for us (Scripture). Therefore, prayer and thanksgiving are appropriate for all things big and small (Scripture). The easiest place to find God is in the mundane everyday things of life (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I Will Keep Your Statutes 

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119:1-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To be disciplined with the big things in life, like your health and fitness, practice being disciplined with little things. For example, you will find it much easier to consistently make it to the gym in the morning when you are able to do something as simple as to always make your bed after getting out of it. Discipline is a habit that is built with such routine and seemingly unimportant tasks. It is a wise master-builder who thanks God for this knowledge. It would take an eternity to properly praise God for the all grace bestowed upon us by the Lord Jesus Christ. Among the blessings we are granted through His sacrifice on the Cross, is our freedom and ability to now choose to be obedient to God. The higher the degree of our inner conformity to Christ we come to know, the more we see how important the heart preparation of the gospel is for the salvation of our souls. Trust in God is the preparation of the heart that makes all other blessings possible. What the Lord has said, that has He done and that will He do. As God says, so does God do, always and without fail. This makes God and His word worthy of complete trust. The lips of the wise will praise Him, and the heart of the redeemed will trust in God forevermore.

Question

What to do when feeling blue?

Answer

Recognize the source (Scripture). Examine your thoughts (Scripture). Reverse the downward spirals of thought by focusing on biblical truths rather than future possibilities, current perspective, or past interpretations of events (Scripture). Practice casting with both hands: casting your cares upon the Lord with one, and casting down imaginations that exalt themselves above Almighty God on the other (Scripture). Repeat until you break out into genuine worship and praise, then the blues will run from you (Scripture). Better to be small on earth and great in heaven (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sweeter Than Honey 

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To be fit and live long is good, but to be fit for as long as you live is a much better goal. Sleep is essential for health and fitness. A habitual lack of sleep is an ugly chicken that comes home to roost somewhere around the age of 40. You can only get away with burning the candle at both ends for so long. Sleep is anabolic! You don’t grow in the gym, you grow in your sleep. So, you’re busting your hump in the gym, and that’s good. You’re eating more nutrient dense foods, and that’s great. Now don’t shoot yourself in the foot by staying up late at night doing absolutely nothing of importance. Little good happens past 9 pm anyway. Make it a habit to be in bed early, sleep 8 hours, and then be early to rise. Prioritize sleep. The importance of sleep for health and fitness is hard to overemphasize, and above this know for certain that all is vanity without God. How unfortunate it would be to live a physically healthy and fit long life without knowing God. People who can sleep like babies all their life, but do not know God, are like the beasts that perish. 

Question

What is the difference between little and great faith?

Answer

Little faith is a diseased state in the Christian caused by sin and it is easily recognized by the symptoms of fear, worry, and doubt (Scripture). Great faith is a state of spiritual health in the Christian and is easily recognized by the assurance of faith caused by the knowledge of God and tenacity (Scripture). Start with affirming your love that seeks to please God, then confess and repent from littleness of faith (Scripture). 

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

Almighty God, who has given your only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and an example by his godly life: For the sake of your Son,  I most thankfully receive your forgiveness of all my offenses; and grant me the grace to serve you in newness of life to the glory of your Name; through the same your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.