Let All Creation Praise the Name of the Lord

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 148:7-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The desire for air when you cannot breathe would be a perfect 10. While a “one” on the bottom of the scale would only be a wishful type of a desire too weak to cause any action towards its fulfillment. A wish may get your hand in the dish, but it takes a stronger desire to bring it up to the mouth. Hunger and thirst for righteousness as if your very life depended on it, because it actually does. The more devoted to Christ we become in this life, the larger the harvest of the fruits of the Spirit. Be on fire with your desire to be obedient to the will of God. When troubling thoughts come, be quick to let them go. No need to be troubled by a train of thought that pulls into the station heading somewhere other than your destination. Recognize them, let them go, and then board the train clearly marked “trust in the faithfulness of God Almighty.”

Question

Why seek to be a flame of fire?

Answer

Our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:18-29; Zechariah 13:9). The bush that was on fire was not consumed because it, and the ground on which Moses stood, was holy (Exodus 3:1-5). Setting the affections on the things above means to have the desire for all we are to be sealed with holiness to the Lord (Exodus 28:36-38; Colossians 3:2-17). Nothing we can do by ourselves, from spark to flame it is all by the grace of God (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:1-4; Philippians 2:13). Ask for it until it is given, seek until you find, knock until it is opened, and God will give the blessing when you refuse to be denied (Luke 11:5-13). Seek to be a flame of fire because it is God’s will for all His children (Psalm 104:1-4, 17:8; John 1:1-17; Revelation 2:18; Leviticus 19:2; Ephesians 3:14-21).

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

O God, you have taught me to keep all your commandments by loving you and my neighbor: Grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart, and united to others with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Glory of God Is Our Refuge

9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:9-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Money is paper thin, people will let you down, and appearances are deceiving. The hyphenated sins of the self-life are full of hard to see jagged edges and dangerous high clefts. Self-reliance, self-confidence, self-esteem, and the like are highly prized by the natural man with no knowledge of God. To trust in self though, is to be led by the blind constantly in danger of a great fall. Let the one who is to be wise first learn to trust in the Word of God. Our only place of safety is in Christ. Sometimes God allows us to be knocked down and skinned up. Such pain is always for the higher purpose of bringing us to the end of our reliance on our human strength, intelligence, and physical resources. We only realize our great need for  Jesus Christ after we reached the end of self. The cup full of our own strength must be poured out if we are to be filled to overflowing with the joy and power of the Spirit.

Question

What is prosperity?

Answer

Ture prosperity has more to do with the state of our soul and our general health than our social influence and wealth (3 John 2; Psalm 118:25-27; Provers 30:8-9; Isaiah 40:28-31). The love of money and the deceitfulness of riches shipwreck many (James 4:1-4; Matthew 19:16-24; 1 Timothy 6:7-10; Mark 4:18-19). Prosperous relationships are more important than wealth (Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 4:1-3; Romans 12:4-5). Our right relationship to God and to others is far more important than wealth (Matthew 22:36-40; Luke 12:13-21; 1 Timothy 6:11-12). Emotional prosperity is also much more important than financial prosperity (John 14:23-27; Matthew 11:28-30; Ephesians 5:18-20; Deuteronomy 31:8; Colossians 3:2; Philippians 4:8). And lastly, once the prosperity of our soul and body are rightly ordered (2 Timothy 1:7, 2:1-7; 1 Corinthians 9:23-27), then our financial prosperity is only important as a means to bless others (Ecclesiastes 9:14-16; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Jude 1:17-23; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

My Help and My Deliverer

40 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Psalm 40:1-4 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

There is nothing quite like getting beat up to motivate you to work harder to prepare for the next fight. Continuous victory doesn’t necessarily come from always winning though. Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and victory will be added to you even from failure and defeat. Endurance develops patience, and patience develops our trust in the faithfulness of God.  

Question

What is the pursuit of God?

Answer

The pursuit of God is the pursuit of Truth (Romans 7:7; Galatians 3: 19; John 1:17; John 4:5-26; Galatians 3:24-26). Truth is not found by examining our feelings (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:6; Isaiah 55:6-13), or listening to the counsel of the beautiful, wise, and strong in the ways of the world (Psalm 1:1; Jeremiah 8:9, 17:5-10; Proverbs 3:5-8). Go to the holy Scriptures to know Truth  (Psalm 119:9; John 17:17; Romans 1:16-17), and hold to the Spirit to live it (2 Thessalonians 2:7-17; Galatians 5:16-26; James 3:14-18; Revelation 22:17-21).

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Key to Happiness

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:
8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:
9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 146:5-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It has been said that the best things in life are free, but that doesn’t mean they are without cost. There is no better example than love. Love cannot be earned nor purchased. Yet pay no attention to it, and instead of it continuing to blossom into more happiness it will shrivel leaving mostly bitter regrets. The world says it’s okay to sow your wild oats and other such foolishness. God says to turn away from sin, not to keep us from having fun, but to protect our health, prosperity, and joy. Christ our Healer says “abide in Me,” and come out from every other place. Deny self and live constantly in the love of Jesus Christ. The wise will heed this instruction of the Lord. If you set the intention of your heart fully on abiding in Christ, His divine power will keep you there. But the foolish refuse this great salvation provided by the Lord. They live in the self-willed deceitfulness of their own hearts, and do suffer for it now and later. They act as one who does not know that in the hereafter everyone will have to give a full accounting of their stewardship of this life. Seek godly wisdom and she will protect you. Sure is the Word of God. Trust the Word to be your ever reliable fixed point and it will never fail you.

Question

What is the key to happiness?

Answer

Holiness is the key to happiness (3 John 1:2; Ephesians 4:24; Psalm 15:1-2, 40:8). If happiness is pursued apart from God, it will flee from you (Isaiah 50:10-11; Proverbs 23:5). Pursue holiness and happiness will find you (Psalm 144:9-15). Cast down evil imaginations (2 Corinthians 10:5), and cultivate creative vibrations instead (Philippians 4:8; Proverbs 16:3). Holiness is to participate in the divine nature of God (Psalm 32:1,1 John 1:9; Psalm 1; Romans 10:10-11), and happiness comes from a heart cleansed by the blood of the Lamb (Isaiah 61:1-3; 2 Peter 1:2-11; Revelation 12:9-11; Ephesians 6:10; 1 Peter 5:6-11).

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Remember the Lord Always

23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28 For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations.
29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this. Psalm 22:23-31 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

With all the easy ways to get six pack abs advertised on television, you would think more people would have six pack abs. These slick advertisements are designed to produce a sight based pseudo-faith in whatever is being sold. The problem with a sight based pseudo-faith is that it is easily convinced to give a thing a try, but rapidly evaporates unless results are seen immediately. True faith comes from believing God before you see any physical evidence of His promise. That feeling of “I can’t do it” loses its sting when it is seen in the light of the Gospel for what it truly is….nothing more than a reminder of our total dependence on Christ our Redeemer. A life lived in one’s own strength is full of weakness even for the strongest man. As we grow in the knowledge of God, our dependence on the indwelling Spirit of Christ becomes greater and greater while our confidence and dependence on anything else becomes less and less. To exchange my weakness for Thy strength? So be it Lord! I humbly accept my total dependence on my God with joy, thanksgiving, and praise. There is no independence without a total dependence on God. Settle the issue once and for all…everything that is contrary to the word of God amounts to a lying vanity. It doesn’t matter how physically real something may be, “Thus saith the Lord…” that is enduring truth. All that offends is destined for the fire. 

Question

Why is faith in God necessary?

Answer

Faith is necessary because it allows us to choose (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). The day will come when each of us will no longer have a choice about whether or not to bow before the throne of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Those who choose to have faith in God during this present life will be rewarded (Hebrews 11:6), and those who refuse will be lost forever (Hebrews 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:11-12; Matthew 13:40-43). Knowing our place in this lower animal kingdom is easy to see, but knowing our place in the higher spiritual kingdom of God requires faith (Ephesians 2:1-9; John 3:30; Psalm 107:2; 2 Corinthians 13:12-14).

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Rest From the Days of Adversity

3 Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
5 They break in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;
13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. Psalm 94:3-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To play with things void of the knowledge of God, is like a child playing with fire. It is far better to prevent the injury than it is to go find treatment after having been burned. We have the freedom to watch anything we like, but not everything we can feed the mind with is nutritious. The slothful child refuses to redeem the time, resting without being tired, and vainly going from one entertainment fix to the next. Enough of such childish things! We all have the need for our hearts to be filled with the love of God, our minds to be fixed with faith in God, and our hands to be diligent as we work toward the hope of our eternal reward in Christ Jesus. The fear of the Lord is a precious gift. To understand it, pray for a revelation of the holiness of God. Pray unceasingly, believe whole-heartedly, and He will keep you enduring joyfully through all the uncertainties of this perishing world. 

Question

How do we put away childish things?

Answer

Consider the end of every choice as to whether it draws you closer to God or pushes you further away (Proverbs 9:10; Ephesians 4:17-18). There are many activities of this world that are believed to be harmless, but they are actually sugar-coated poison pills of folly (Proverbs 7:4-27; Isaiah 65:11-12; Psalm 10:4; Matthew 3:1-12). You will know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:16-20). Learn from the Lord and take no backward step (Joshua 1:8-9; Isaiah 54:13; John 6:45; Matthew 11:27-30). Remember Lot’s wife (Psalm 85:8; 1 Corinthians 13:11-13; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Joshua3:9-10; Jude 1:24-25). 

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Left Up Your Heads

1 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Psalm 24 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

There will be mornings when you wake up feeling like an ugly duckling still in its shell. So what? Nowhere in the Bible does it say we should let our feelings rule us. Quite the opposite. The Bible commands us to walk by faith, not by sight. This beautiful truth will set the swan within you free. In the beginning, the spiritual baby duck has a faith that needs to seek and strive, but it can often seem like there is little progress. Continue wrestling and keep pecking until you breakthrough! Cast down every doubt and uncertainty. Counter with praise and thanksgiving for the goodness and faithfulness of God. Hold on to the knowledge that God means to bless you and keep praising until God grants the assurance of faith that allows your soul to rest with a confident expectation that He has granted the blessing. And then look to Him, even in the mist of contrary winds and the utter darkness of this world swirling all around you, to perform that which He has promised. Have faith in God, trust Him, and He will never fail you. Joyous is the day when at last we are brought to the full assurance that we can trust God to fulfill His every promise.

Question

How do we get the assurance of faith?

Answer

The hinderance is completely on our side (Hebrews 10:22), God is more willing to grant us the full assurance of both His present and future salvation than we are willing to receive it (Romans 8:32; Isaiah 65:2; James 4:1-3). The assurance comes from right motives (Proverbs 16:3), and fighting through the shell of this flesh-oriented world in which we live (Romans 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 10:35-36), which is the necessary testing of our faith (1 Peter 4:12; James 1:2-4). Fight back with affirming your complete trust in your Redeemer in the mist of every storm of doubt (Galatians 2:20). The good fight of faith is won only by steadfastly holding on to the fact that without Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5), and thereby choosing to rely on God alone (Matthew 11:25-30, 16:24-25; 2 Peter 1:2-4). When we accept our weakness (Psalm 115:1) and experientially learn to have no confidence in our own natural strength (Philippians 3:1-3), then can God grant us the assurance of faith that makes us strong (Philippians 3:4-8; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Jude 1:21-25).

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

God the Rock of My Salvation

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Action and intent are always parts of the same tree. The action being the fruit and the intent being the root. The tree is planted in the soil created by the desires of the heart. The Word of God is the seed, but a hard unbelieving heart will produce only the rotten fruit and weeds of this present world. This is true regardless of whether we believe it to be so or not. The love of God (with no other preference before Him) is the condition, the proof, and the reward all in one. Try it and see for yourself. Give Jesus all, and you will get all in return. Let all the intentions of the heart be pure. Let the redeemed of the Lord thirst for the living God and joyfully say, “come, Lord Jesus, come!

Question

What are the flaming darts of the wicked?

Answer

The flaming darts, which if left unchecked will set soul ablaze with coveting (wrong desires) or worry/doubt/fear, are suggestive thoughts based on the circumstances we see, the events we hear about, or the bodily sensations we feel (Romans 7:7; Matthew 4:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:7). What the mind accepts as true, the heart believes, and what the heart believes the body will manifest (Romans 1:16-32; 2 Corinthians 3:5-18). It is righteousness in the heart and the professing of truth with the mouth that sets the enemy fleeing from the fire (Romans 10:5-11; Revelation 11:3-5). Therefore, he who controls what the heart believes is like the captain directing the tiny rudder that controls the entire ship (James 3:3-4; Psalm 32:9-11; 1:1-2). Give not this power over you to the enemy (Ephesians 4:21-30). Therefore, submit yourself to God, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10-18; Hebrews 10:35-39; James 4:7; Romans 8:28-39; Ephesians 3:14-21).

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Remember the Benefits 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.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:1-5, 10-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith must be mixed with the Word to bring forth the bricks to build the body, which is the temple of the living God. Let us not do this with the vain desire to have others look at us with admiration. This will only feed the self-life by inflaming it with pride. Rather, let us labor to be strong in body, soul, and spirit as good stewards and keepers of that which by the blood of Jesus Christ is set apart to be holy. The will must bridle the body to keep it from all that would defile it in order to maintain purity of heart. And this we can do by the grace of Jesus Christ. Shun forever all the ungodly ways of this perishing world. Jesus is coming again soon. Be ready. We are closer today than we were yesterday. Let nothing keep you from your everlasting crown.

Question

What is excellence?

Answer

True excellence isn’t about being better than someone else ( Corinthians 4:7), true excellence is about being the best version of you that God created you to be (Colossians 3). We are blessed so that God may bless others through us (Matthew 25:31-46). Begin with prayer and go to work (Hebrews 4:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 12:1-3; Revelation 22:17-21).

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

Lord, make me have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, fore ever and ever. Amen.

Saved in This Life for the Next

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Psalm 91:1-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Looking and feeling good is great, but holy thoughts and righteous deeds are of far greater importance. Learn to enjoy what it takes. Make the accomplishment of the daily work your goal, and the abiding presence of the Lord your reward. Do this and motivation will never be a problem for you. Stop worrying about tomorrow. It is enough to deal with the problems of today. God has commanded us to be strong and courageous. Have faith in God to be strong, and trust in the Word to be courageous. Love will call you to it.

Question

Why is it so easy to fall into negative thinking?

Answer

Our negativity bias stems from a biological mechanism designed to increase our odds for surviving danger (Psalm 49:20). Negative thinking that keeps you from trying to play with a full grown grizzly bear is a good thing, but living in fear and unbelief is worse than being eaten by a bear (Revelation 21:8). Don’t just let unprofitable negative thinking run amuck in the mind like little foxes with tails on fire (Judges 15:4-5). We cannot stop the birds from swooping down to steal the sacrifice, but we can chase them away (Genesis 15:9-11). Evaluate all thoughts for consistency with love, hope, and faith (2 Corinthians 10:4-6; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Ephesians 6:10-18). Since the mind can only attend to a few things at a time (Philippians 4:8), practice rejecting all thoughts that cannot be framed by faith in God, the love of God, and hope in God (Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; 1 Peter 5:6-10; 2 Corinthians 13:14).  

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

Lord, make me have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, fore ever and ever. Amen.