Let All the Earth Understand the Fear the Lord

13 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:13-19 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Beware of the old “dangle the bait and hide the hook” strategy of our enemy. The bait is always to entice the senses and stir up the desires with sin that is pleasing to the flesh. The hidden hooks persuade with such thoughts as the wages of sin are either not important, don’t exist, or somehow can be avoided. Those who have no fear of God before their eyes live as if God can be mocked, but He who has said “as you sow, so shall you reap” is faithful and true. The momentary pleasure of sin leads to death. Understand that sin—actions, thoughts, deeds of commission and omission—lead only to death of all types—fast, slow, and eternal. Sin is by definition that which is ultimately harmful to ourselves. Therefore, sin is as hateful to God as any hateful thing would be to a human parent that harms a dearly beloved child. Better to suffer by deny self today than it is to enjoy many pleasures and multiply our suffering in the future. As we sow, so shall we reap—this is a fundamental Kingdom principle. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and to depart from sin is understanding. Choose the narrow more difficult way that leads to eternal life, or by default we will be trapped on the wide and easy way that leads to eternal damnation. Let us not grow weary in doing good. Our eternal reward is sure.

Question

How do we turn from habitual sins?

Answer

Stop fighting the flesh in the flesh. Confess, repent, and call on our Lord Jesus Christ for mercy. Words with Kingdom authority spoken in faith can do all.

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

Our Promise for the Sure Mercies of David

89 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. Psalm 89:1-4 (KJV)

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

The Morning Exhortation

Faith is spiritual muscle. Just as protein provides the essential amino acids necessary to build muscle, so does the Holy Bile provide the essential Word of God necessary to build spiritual life. Complacency is a sedative that causes one to permit what should be resisted. Idleness, despair, and ruin follow it in proportion to the dose shallowed, like a hangover follows strong drink. Christ died to set us free. Now He lives so that we too may live before God in righteousness through our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s free gift of righteousness works in us by our faith in God. We are called to live and walk in the Spirit, predestined to inherit eternal life in the holy city prepared by God for all those who love Him. Let us standfast in the freedom of a willing obedience to God like a sea-washed lighthouse in the mist of the darkness of this present world. The Light of the gospel has shown us the way through this dark world: deny self, pick up your cross, and follow our Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart. 

Question

What is the hearing of faith?

Answer

The hearing of faith is the process of receiving the engrafted Word sown in a receptive heart. Being watered daily, it produces a crop some 30, some 60, some 100 fold. Not all at once. First the blade, then the ear, than the full corn in the ear.

Joy in the Fellowship of God

63 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. Psalm 63:1-7 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Remember to fight the good fight of faith. The world is full of distractions that if not guarded against will cause us to forget. Both sunshine and rain are given and allowed by God to make us stronger, but we must cooperate and engage in the battle. Stop wrestling with God and start resisting all that is contrary to His holiness. Be not like the seed sowed in the shallow soil, which had little roots. Neither be the hare that takes the shortcut to a free lunch, and ends up as the main course in the trapper’s stew. Much better to be like the tortoise that takes the slower more consistent path of righteousness, and in time has a sure reward. Wisdom teaches that the means are just as important as the ends. The value of reaching any great height comes from the patience and endurance it takes to reach it. The longer and harder the struggle, the greater and sweeter the victory. Press on Christian soldier, thy crown of eternal life awaits.

Question

What does “there is no discharge on the ground” mean?

Answer

Everything…body, mind, spirit, and soul will follow what you pay attention to most.

May We Always Remember

78 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: Psalm 78:1-7 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Having the Fountain of Living Water indwelling the soul is more precious than a million dollars, gold jewels, big houses, super cars, vast real estate holdings, and all the fabulous lifestyles of the rich and famous put together.  Just as gains in physical strength must be supported by how the 22 hours or so following the workout are lived outside the gym, gains in godliness and contentment need to be supported by continuing our worship of God outside of the church. We were created to worship God all day every day, not just one or two days a week. Practice the presence of God. Let your favorite songs of praise be the default melody of your heart. Magnify the Lord in your thoughts and speech. We have been called to the joy of praising and adoring the one true God. Be doers of the word and know that goodness and mercy will surely follow you every morning and take you through every night.

Question

“If” or “when,” which is the most important question?

Answer

“If” is the only important question. Settle that based on the truth as revealed by the Word of God. Then hold the decision without doubting, and “when” will always happen in God’s perfect timing.

Your Word Is a Light Upon My Path

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. Psalm 119:105-112 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Waste nothing. This is a kingdom principle. Submit to God and not a single tear is wasted. Neither will a single disciple of Jesus Christ be lost. The flesh desires to eat, drink, and be merry. It’s never hard to do what is fun and feels good. The chief aim of the carnal mind is to get money so that the flesh can enjoy the best of what this world has to offer. Money does increase happiness up to a certain point. Money makes happier when it covers lack, but excess amounts of money beyond what is needful has quite the opposite effect. All who deceive themselves with the love of money, chasing after the desires of the flesh and worldly success, end up only increasing their problems. Contentment with godliness on the other hand, is great gain. The bird that is early to bed and early to work gets the best of the juicy worms. The sloth that stays up late, then gets up long after sunrise and having loss track of time spent scrolling though social media, will be left with only scraps. Win the early morning by drawing close to God first thing, and it will be easier to win the rest of the day by continuing to walk in the Spirit. Submit to God, walk in the Spirit, resist the devil, and you will not fulfil the desires of the flesh. Faith is the victory that overcomes self and the world.

Question

What means the following Scripture? “A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.” Ecclesiastes 10:19

Answer

It is a warning that if the heart is set on any of these things, dullness, debauchery, and poverty of the soul are the logic ends for those with no ability to deny self and moderate what is pleasurable.

Blessed Be the Lord, the God of Our Salvation

7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. Psalm 68:7-10, 17-20 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

We are all born like tiny little baby burger kings wanting to have it all our own way. This is one of the hallmarks of our fallen nature. It is time we put aside such childish ways for good. Will you be made whole? Jesus asks the impotent man as well as every one of us the same question. Rise up and sin no more. Learn to praise God through difficulties and rejoice in the face of your weakness. Contemplate what it means to be weak in self so that you can be strong in the Lord. You have a good understanding when such a thought bring you joy. Only those who reach the end of self ever reach out for God. Know that the command to “rejoice in the Lord always” sweetens even the bitterest moments of life. Grieve when it is appropriate to do so, yet continue to praise and thank God through it all. Not for bad circumstances, rather thank God because He is good and He works all things together for good. Having our name written in the Lamb’s book of life is enough to praise and thank God for even in the face of a long and difficult life at present. Even a long life of 120 years is but a moment when seen in the light of eternity. The more we sincerely praise Him in the least enjoyable and mundane things of life, the more we glorify God as the source from which all satisfaction flows. So rejoice when you can get out of bed in the morning. When brushing your teeth, praise God because you have teeth to brush. There are countless tokens of God’s love for us all around us, all day long, that we either take for granted or simply don’t notice. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice! Praise God our Father because He is good! To Him be the glory and power forever.

Question

What is the difference between happiness and joy?

Answer

Happiness depends on the current circumstances and cools as the situation that causes it remains. Joy comes from trusting God in all circumstances and only increases with each personal experience of the faithfulness of God.

Teach Us To Number Our Days

1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.
4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:1-4, 10-12 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

A fit body with a strong character built up in the wisdom of Jesus Christ is the beginning of true riches. We are so much more than physical. We exercise and care for the body to be good stewards of the grace of God, while our heart pursues God along with all those who call on His name. O Lord, I will love you with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul, and all my strength. Enlarge the borders of my heart and increase my love for you. Then will the ten thousand little problems that are threatening to overwhelm me melt away. Abba Father, I know that you love me, that Christ Jesus is with me always, and that the Holy Spirit will stick closer to me than any brother ever could. 

Question

Love beacons us heavenward. Why do we hesitate?

Answer

The spirit is willing, but the flesh wants to hold back. Trust the Potter’s hands. Work with Him, not against Him.

Open Your Mouth Wide, and God Will Fill It

8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:8-10 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Truth is NOT relative. Something is determined to be true because we can evaluate it in the light of an objective standard. A kilometer is a kilometer because we can measure the distance. While a meter is the objective standard for measuring kilometers, God is the objective standard for determining all moral truth. This is true even for those who choose not to believe it. God has delayed judgement in His mercy making room for repentance, but it will not end well for anyone who decides to exalt themself above the throne of the Most High by determining right and wrong for themselves. Woe to the man or woman that has no fear of God before their eyes. Those who have a deep love and  a reverent awe for the Lord on the other hand, will abhor the misuse of His name in their own speech and that of others. Each of us are filled with the fruit of our lips. Some words we should never use. And some words, like focus, tenacity, faith, hope, mercy, and love we should use constantly. Go ahead and make someone’s day. Having something honest and good to say to someone is like a healing balm for their soul. Strive to always speak in love and kindness for the edifying of others. Every member of the body of Christ is called to strengthen one another according to the measure of grace given to each of us by God.

Question

Why seek God’s truth?

Answer

Because wisdom requires it, and folly is like a feather blown about by the wind until it comes to rest in lowest of places.

Great Are the Works of the Lord 

111 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 Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Amid the storms of life, always choose the path of love and faithfulness that leads to God. The peace this world gives depends on the favorable winds of circumstance. It may last only a season and can be lost in an instant. Very different is the perfect peace our Lord Jesus Christ displayed throughout the four gospels. He was never worried, never bothered, never flustered, and never hurried. “My peace,” said Jesus, “I leave to you.” His perfect peace is such a precious gift in this world filled with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. The peace of God requires simplicity, not favorable circumstances. Just as multi-tasking is an enemy of excellence, so multi-concerning about many things all at once is an enemy of inner peace. Let the hurricanes, earthquakes, and firestorms pass you by. Listen and obey. The ears of the spirit function by faith. Listen for that small quiet voice saying, “be still and know that I am God.” Be still and know that God is with you.

Question

What one promise of God have all saints in both the Old and New Testaments held onto to be strong and courageous in the face of all kinds of circumstances that threated to overcome them with fear, uncertainty, and doubt?

Answer

The promise that God will be with us.

God is My Strength and Portion Forever  

73 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works. Psalm 73:1-3, 21-28 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that I, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear my cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Some live fast and want to die young. Ask them and they will tell you they don’t want to live long enough to get old. For those who choose to saddle that horse, it may very well take them to an early grave. It is just as likely to leave them alone in a nursing home. Everyone gets gray hair, but some end up suffering much more pain than they would have otherwise had it not been for their past years of reckless living. No one knows what specific things tomorrow will bring us, but that’s a good thing. If we knew the beginning to the ending with complete certainty, life would be extremely boring and we would never learn to trust the Lord. It is enough to have the sure hope of everything working out for good for those who love the Lord. This life is a spiritual war. The fact the God has already won is not even a question. It is only a matter of when the second coming of Christ will be. We are to fight against the present darkness of this world until He comes again. He who called you is faithful, and He will complete the new creation He began in you when you were born again. God will surely make of you a fully mature Christian soldier. Be attentive and take these commands: submit to God and resist the devil; watch and pray.

Question

What of the middle part of life?

Answer

The beginning is history. The end is certain. Today represents the middle part of life in which we have another opportunity to glorify God.