My Soul Yearns for the Courts of the Lord 

1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.
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. Psalm 84:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Some form of resistance training is essential to maintain strength as we get older, and the fountain of youth is a spirit filled with a child-like faith in God. This too comes by grace, and God forbid that we use grace to fulfil the vain desires of the flesh. Deny the flesh and nourish the soul by glorifying God in every thought, word, and deed. Troubled times are upon us. Seeing is NOT believing. Sight is seeing and faith is believing. It is of the upmost importance in these last days that we keep our focus on the ultimate end, least we be swept away with all that is perishing around us. The time is near when the draw bridge of grace will be withdrawn, and all who are not in Christ will perish. Blessed are those who seek the Lord while He may be found.

Question

What is the difference between physical strength and spiritual strength?

Answer

Physical strength is a required to do physical work (Proverbs 14:4), and spiritual strength is required to bear spiritual fruit (Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 147:9-11; Job 28:28; Proverbs 24:5; Nehemiah 8:10).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

I Will Rejoice in Your Salvation 

11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. Psalm 9:11-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

One basic tactic of our enemy is to get us to doubt the veracity of the Holy Bible. If that persuasion is not resisted, next will come enticements to offer strange fire based on scientific principles and human reasoning rather than worshiping in accordance with the revealed word of God. Fear, uncertainty, and doubt don’t come from the one who has called us. Let us not be like the unbelievers who read the word of God while questioning in their heart, “how could this or that be true?” Woe to those who read the Holy Bible to decide if they are going to believe it. Such a person only receives the letter. The same fire that provides warmth and cooks food, will without being properly handled burn and cause death. Go to the Bible to determine “what to believe” and avoided the heart-hardening snare of  an “if you should believe” attitude. Though there be many mysteries like God making Arron’s dead stick blossom, let the believer answer the question of how can this be like this: “the Lord knows and I know the Lord, therefore my soul is at ease like a weaned child.” Affirm the fact that all necessary knowledge is made plain in the Bible. To know everything without all the other infinite attributes of God would surely only corrupt us (1 Corinthians 13:2). Let us take our place with Christ far above the elementary principles of this world. Be it rain or shine, the soul that knows the peace of God is thoroughly convinced of the goodness of our heavenly Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Be strong in the power of Almighty God.

Question

What place does skepticism have in the believer?

Answer

Be skeptical of anything that contradicts the whole of biblical teaching (2 Timothy 2:15; James 2:19; 2 Peter 3:3-7).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

Bring Me to Your Holy Mountain 

3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43:3-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The nearsighted hangout on the same street corners, talking the same folly year after year, chasing the same vain pleasures until the day they die. Delusion causes them to think they will be happier tomorrow when they haven’t learned the secret of being content today. You must come out from among them. It is impossible to soar with the eagles if you refuse to stop pecking around with the chickens. While straining and pressing forward to walk in your calling from God, pray for contentment regardless of any and every state you may come to in the present. He will never leave nor forsake us. By His grace, the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Question

Does an easy life mean we can float up to heaven on flowery beds of comfort?

Answer

Not at all (Hebrews 11:32-40). Easy for this life comes from believing the truth (Romans 10:16-17), and the simplicity of faith (Acts 17:16-34),  not comfort and ease (Proverbs 21:17; Ecclesiastes 4:6, 12:13-14).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

O God of Our Salvation 

1 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. Psalm 65:1-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Happiness comes from trusting the Lord for good works. Commit the preparation of your heart and the strengthening of your hands to the Lord. Set your mind on heavenly things. Press forward with a childlike faith to know the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Don’t anchor your consistency to feelings which change like the wind. The time will surely come when the wind is contrary. Be ready to put out the oars when necessary and go to work. The Lord is faithful and infinitely bigger than any difficulty that can ever come against us. There is great joy in walking in the truth of the Word. Be willing to love. Choose faith. Live in the light. Walk in the Spirit. This is the will of God for all called to be in Christ Jesus.

Question

How do we get His love (John 15:9-10), His peace (John 14:27), His faith (Galatians 2:20), and His joy (John 17:13)? 

Answer

Having His word abiding in us as we live in Him (John 15:1-11), and in time we will mature to bear His fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25). 

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

Trust in the Lord 

13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. Psalm 31:13-16, 19-21 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God speaks. The hour will come when all will hear. However, right now He has given us the choice to obey or ignore His voice. Some don’t hear God because they don’t believe He will speak to them. Others don’t hear God because they fear being thought of as crazy. Still others don’t hear from God because they don’t want to hear what He has to say to them. A personal word from God would likely be too hard to hear for the soul who doesn’t already love the written word of God. The written word of God is the seed that when sown in the heart is able to save the soul. The roots must first be strengthened, and then the leaves and buds come before the fruit. Even though much of the growth you won’t see, keep working for the eternal gains to which you have been called in Christ Jesus. We persevere in strength, courage, and the assurance of faith because Almighty God, who has commanded us to be so, is forever faithful.

Question

Why is trust in the Lord so important?

Answer

Because the wheat that doesn’t trust the Lord will never fall into the ground to be made fruitful. The soul that lacks trust in the Lord, will never consent to be sown (John 12: 20-26). 

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

Who Is Like the Lord Our God 

5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 113:5-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Living physical forms without flaws are in a tasteless state void of the seasoning of time. Accept your flaws, imperfections, and wrinkles as given by God to create your individually unique flavor. You should know that what makes you beautiful has more to do with the inside than it does with your mere physical appearance. You are a one of a kind original made by the hands of God and set apart for His purpose. Turn from all the tail chasing vanities of the world. Physical flawlessness is not to be desired. Even the physical beauty of youth fads quickly if there is nothing more substantial underneath. As St. Augustine pointed out long ago, our hearts will always be restless until we find rest in God alone. Many are called by God, but only those who are willing to be obedient to His decrees are chosen. The Burger Cains of the world, who want to have it their way, are on the board path that leads to destruction. It is God that initiates, establishes, perfects, and maintains our love for Him from the first to the last on the narrow path. Our part is to submit to the Spirit of Christ within us, lift up our hearts and say, “Abba Father, Thy will be done.” Stop looking for meaning and purpose in any other place or thing, and you are sure to come to the knowledge of God and the fulness of joy in Christ Jesus.

Question

Don’t we have the right to choose how we live and the freedom to pursue whatever makes us happy?

Answer

Yes, but here is the truth the serpent hid from our first parents: Along with the knowledge of good and evil, comes the responsibility to choose the good. Along with this responsibility, comes accountability for whatsoever is chosen. There is no freedom without choice, no responsibility without accountability, and no changing of the law just because you don’t like it. 

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

Sing Praises to God Our King

47 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2 For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
5 God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. Psalm 47 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

What do you do when you wake up feeling like an ugly duckling still in the shell? Remember that feelings are vain and faith creates reality, so get to pecking. That’s what to do. Just as the Israelites in the desert had to lift their gaze off the snake bites and onto the bronze serpent, so do we need to lift our gaze off what is troubling us and onto our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our all sufficient loving Savior, whose name is above every name, and in whose hands are all power and authority on earth and in heaven. Despite any feelings, regardless of the circumstances, we are commanded by the written word of God to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Pharaoh commanded the Israelites to make bricks even while denying them the materials they needed to obey his command. Be fully convinced of the truth that God is righteous and always abundantly supplies the means to accomplish what He commands of us. It doesn’t depend on your strength or your will power. That would be to fall into the trap of trying to do the work of God in the power of the flesh rather than in the power of the Spirit. Deny self if you would know the power of God. The flesh and the Spirit are not compatible. To hold onto one, you must choose to let go of the other. Though the enemy will try to convince you otherwise, it is so easy a child can do it. Only believe. “Have faith in God” is the one command that unlocks all the promises of God. 

Question

Money problems, family problems, health problems, and many more heavy and grievous burdens there are for us to bare in this world. How many of such burdens are Christians to struggle underneath?

Answer

Not a single one! Remember the command of our Lord Jesus Christ who beacons all who are weary under heavy burdens to come take His yoke upon you (Matthew 11:28-30). Give your burdens to Him and He will give you rest (1 Peter 5:6-10). We only need concern ourselves with doing the best we can with each present moment, and in faith release all future results to be determined by the Lord (Matthew 6:25-34). 

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

God Is the Restorer Of My Soul

1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. Psalm 71:1-6 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Complaining only helps the enemy of our soul to feed us discouragement. Submit to God and resist the devil. Be filled with the Spirit, the God of all comfort, and take courage. Remember our God rules. Blessings come in two forms: those that are inherently good and those that are inherently bad. Like any loving parent, God only permits what is best for us at any given moment. If good fortune and pleasure is best for us, than God is sure to grant it. If at any particular point pain and suffering is best for us however, God will allow it. Here is the Word for complete assurance in accepting the sweet and the bitter from the hand of God—God works all things together for good for those who love the Him (Romans 8:28). Move to praise and step up to thanksgiving.  Encouraged yourself in the Lord as  David did when everyone and all the world turned against him (see 1 Samuel 30). The words we speak to ourselves and others may not break bones, but they can cause hurt to the soul just the same as sticks and stones hurt the body. Our words can also be used like a healing balm or soothing ointment. Choose to be obedient to the Word of God. By the faith of Jesus Christ we can always praise, give thanks, and rejoice in the goodness of our God. Bearing this fruit in good times and bad glorifies our Father in heaven.

Question

Why do bad things sometimes happen to good people, and good things often happen to bad people?

Answer

All the world groans waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. In the meantime, the righteous may fall seven times, yet rise again each time. Not so with the wicked, shackled with sin, they fall and perish forever.

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring us again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

In the Roll of the Book It Is Written Concerning Me

6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:6-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God provides the willing heart with the grace to do all that He commands. He who did not spare His only Begotten Son, will surely grant the necessary mercy to all who ask for a heart that willingly loves Him. Let not your soul be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The Word of God is the ultimate power everywhere from everlasting to everlasting. By grace we are saved through faith. Believe first, and then keep the words of Jesus Christ until love brings the full assurance that comes from knowing God. Hope that is not rooted in our Lord Jesus Christ is vain. To wait on the Lord means to hold on by faith alone, through the weeping of the night, until He sends the joy that comes in the morning. Even in ordinary human relationships, it’s an easy thing to believe a promise when you know the one who has promised is trustworthy. The Triune God is infinitely more trustworthy than all the most honorable of men combined. Give no place to the devil by entertaining any doubts born out of so-called knowledge that  is contrary to sound biblical teaching. Rehearse often the lovingkindness of God towards us, be diligent to hold firm the hope of the glory of God to be revealed in us through Christ Jesus. Let the love of God dwell in your heart as you actively seek to grow in Christ to the full spiritual maturity predestined by God for you. How the heart burns within at just the thought of this. 

Question

What could have been the “one thing needful” ( see Luke 10:38-42) Jesus spoke about to Martha?

Answer

Some say this, some say that. But for those in Martha’s time, our time, and for all those yet to come…the simplicity that is in Christ must be maintained as a needful first principle (see 2 Corinthians 11:3).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring us again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

Trust in the Lord

9 O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord. Psalm 115:9-18 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

When all seems dark, when care is pressing you down, when the water rises to your neck, when you want to smile but you can only sigh, move to praise and step up to thanksgiving. Praise and thanksgiving cut through darkness and uplift the soul. Praising and giving thanks to the Lord for His faithfulness, regardless of our current circumstances, releases more of the grace of God to us. Such praise and gratitude comes from a true knowledge of God and self, not circumstances. The youngster thinks in his heart, “I will be strong and young forever,” but the wise are quick to admit, “it is better to fear the Lord than to rely on one’s own understanding and strength.”  To believe you have the right to do anything you please is to be a slave of sin. Just try to make it through one day without breaking any of the Ten Commandments in thought or deed, and you will come to understand just how impossible it is to obey God by the power of our on will alone. “It is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6). We must acknowledge our own inability before we will reach out for the Savior. Thirst for the living God, and know that only in Christ Jesus can true satisfaction be found.

Question

Is there a point where all becomes easy?

Answer

I believe there is…and I will be the first to let you know when I get there.

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring us again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer