The Character of Those Who Dwell With the Lord 

15 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15 (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

Never quit pursuing the good that God has placed in your heart to do. Live according to the word of God, and you will be fit for both this life and the next. We are made sufficient for this only by the blood of Jesus Christ. By His grace are we redeemed from this perishing world. He is the one who enables us to keep our hand on the plow working for His harvest. This is our privilege and pleasure. Keep your affections set on God, and come what may, all will be well with the soul that is close to the Lord. His love and mercy endure forever.

Question

What is a true test of a person’s character?

Answer

How they treat people who can do nothing for them, nor anything to harm them.

The Lord Never Forsake His Faithful Ones 

28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Psalm 37:28-33 (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

Impatience only makes waiting harder to bare. There is an appointed time for everything. Learn to be content in all circumstances. Remember the God of Peace will never leave nor forsake you. Feelings ebb, and feelings flow, like the high and low tides of the sea. Faith is the sure anchor to our God: the everlasting Rock who is perfect in love, power, and majesty forever. Ask for what you need in prayer and trust our heavenly Father who has lovingly promised to care for you. Submit to God and resist the inner tempter. Work in faith and reject doubt. Depend on grace and deny self. Earnestly expect God to do great things and He will. May all things praise and bless His glorious name.

Question

What is wisdom, and how do we show understanding?

Answer

The fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding (Job 28:28).

The Lord Is My Shepherd 

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23 (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

There is but one key to life. One essential for every circumstance. One needful thing for today and tomorrow. It can’t be purchased with money, it can’t be borrowed from another, indeed there is only one way to get this key. The one needful thing in this life is an experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ. The scale goes up, and the scale goes down, but there is COMFORT and JOY in the knowledge that God is in control of every aspect of life. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, His promises are better than money in the bank. Even 1000 years is as only one day when compared to eternity. 

Question

How is a livestock guardian dog made useful?

Answer

By submitting to the Good Shepherd’s training, and then calling attention to anything that could be harmful to the flock.

The Eyes of the Lord are on the Faithful

6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord. Psalm 101:6-8 (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

Everyone would like to sail through life and right into heaven under a sunny sky and a favorable breeze. Not likely to happen that way though. Stormy weather afflicts every soul at one point or another as a consequence of life in this fallen world. The storms of life are meant to drive the elect into the only safe harbor, which is Jesus Christ. Self-help is no help at all. No man can save himself. Consider our end. Dying with a great abundance of possessions will be meaningless. Dying with superstar-like fame will be worthless. Dying with trophies, records, and esteemed titles well all be useless in the grave. The only hall of fame that is not vain is found in Hebrews Chapter 11. In the end, the only life lived well is the one written in the Lamb’s book of life. Let us make our calling and election sure. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and wisdom is spiritual strength. Sow your weakness at the Cross, and in due season reap true strength.

Question

When will the second coming of Jesus Christ be?

Answer

It is not given to any of us to know, but don’t let that day catch you with your work undone.

He Guides the Humble in Doing Right

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.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:6-10 (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

Money can’t buy the essential immaterial things of life. He who doesn’t know this is like the beasts that perish. Self-discipline is just one of these essential things that money can’t buy. All great things are accomplished with self-discipline. The higher life requires more than self-discipline though. The higher life requires the grace of God. The chief means of grace for physical fitness are diet and exercise. While the chief means of grace for spiritual wellbeing are Bible intake and prayer. Just as the body denied its daily bread will eventually starve, so the soul not fed daily with the Word of God will be too weak to bear fruit. To bear fruit, the branch need only abide in the vine. We are the branches and to abide in our heavenly Vine we need to be intentional about having His word living in us. “Living in us” means that we obey it. Let no one deceive you about it being enough to know the Bible without having a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. He has promised to manifest Himself to all who choose to be His disciples. Pray for it, and wait with eager expectation of its fulfillment. He will make Himself known in answer to faith. Then will your thanksgiving for the abundant grace of God showered upon you rebound to the glory of God.

Question

How do we grow?

Answer

By faith with time and patience.

To Be a Fruitful Tree

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 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

Godliness is for spirit, soul, and body. Chickens are divided into parts for frying, but God gives us wholeness for full salvation. Stagger not at the promises of God through unbelief. The tip of true happiness begins here in this life and will be fully manifested in paradise forever. Be whole. Physical perfection with lameness of spirit reduces a man to little more than a piece of meat, and to neglect care of the body as some are taught is to tempt God. The slothful and the wasteful alike abide in darkness still. Our physical bodies seem to be insignificant when compared to our soul, however, the physical body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The body is the primary resource God has given us for His service in this life. Live for the day when you will hear the Lord say, “well done faithful steward, enter into the joy of your Master.”

Question

What is the difference between folly and wisdom?

Answer

Folly is like the physical world in that it is overbearing, loud, and insistent. Wisdom, on the other hand, is gentle, quiet, and peaceful.

The Hope of the Faithful

16 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Psalm 16:1-9 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, our Father, Thou Searcher of human hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural. Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretense ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. based on the West Point Cadet Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Our strength flows from the heart. Let the heart be established by grace and guarded by faith. Faith always counsels what is best and leads to strength. One of the inner tempter’s devices is to get us to focus on fear or worry instead of faith. When faith is left unattended, it can be plucked off like a feather from the wing and then blown about and tossed in the wind. If you choose faith, consider the decision settled forever. Never look back, and faith will never fail you. Focus on faith and let fear starve to death. Let the love of God be a purifying fire in your heart. The lukewarm of heart, not really awake, not really dreaming, breeds only murmuring, suffering, and unhappiness. The way of the burning heart on the other hand, is like a champion rejoicing to run a difficult race. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to be champions of anything. It is God who has made us, who heals us, sustains us, and leads us. To Him be the glory and power forever. 

Question

How can we get rid off worry and fear?

Answer

Control attention, focus, and re-focus. Faith must take worry and fear to the Savior and leave them there with Him. If they come back, give them over to Him again and again as often as necessary.

To You, O My Strength, Will I Sing Praises

59 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. Psalm 59:1-2, 15-17 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, our Father, Thou Searcher of human hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural. Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretense ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. based on the West Point Cadet Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Happy is the soul that walks in the Spirit and lives in the Kingdom of God. Thoughts, mental images, feelings, and deeds are the food, drink, rest, and training of the soul. Why envy those who only prosper themselves in this world? It’s not the pretty, nor the smart, nor the rich, but the cleansed vessels that are of great worth to God. An employer seeks to know a candidates skills and qualifications to determine his or her fit for a particular job, but God isn’t concerned with our talents and skills. God looks at the heart. God is not merely handing out jobs, He is enlarging His family. You don’t need a polished resume for the Lord, just come as you are and give Him your whole heart. Listen and you will hear the Lord say, “My son, give me your heart.” Blessed is the one who replies, “My heart, O Lord, do I give.” Trust the Lord. It is His will that we be holy, and if we choose it, He will make it so. We are made holy by earnest prayer and by faith in the blood of the Lamb. Be still, know that He is God, and praise His holy Name. All power belongs to God. Give God the glory and you will see the salvation of our Lord.

Question

How is the fight of faith like sailing?

Answer

Grace is the wind, physical circumstances the current, belief the sails, and faith the rudder. Trim the sails, hold steady the rudder, and sail straight ahead allowing the current to be as it may.

O Lord, May We Walk in the Light of Your Presence

14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
18 For the Lord is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king. Psalm 89:14-18 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, our Father, Thou Searcher of human hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural. Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretense ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. based on the West Point Cadet Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

“Mo money, mo problems” said the rags to riches mega-supa-dupa-rap-star when he was on the top of the charts. A truth so profound and simply stated about how more money and more free time only ruins those who seek more fun and more pleasure. Money by itself is neither good nor bad. What more money will do is make a person more of what they are already. If a mean person, more money will make them meaner. If an unhappy person, more money will make them unhappier. If a kind person more money will make them kinder. And if a generous person, more money will make them more generous. Better to have the little of the righteous than it is to heap up piles of gold only to end up losing the soul. The love of money is to love this world death. To love life is to be fully devoted to Christ, fighting the good fight of the faith. Wait on the Lord. The promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit will be granted to you if you ask, believe, and wait with eager expectation for His manifestation. Keep the iron of your expectation red hot with prayers of thanksgiving and praise. Don’t depend on feelings before you will believe that you have the Spirit. Depend on the truth of the word of God and refuse to doubt it. Get busy extinguishing all the fiery darts of the wicked one with the shield of faith. Believe first and stand firm in faith. God has promised to confirm, settle, and establish you. He will suddenly come to His temple and then you will know.

Question

How does having more money reveal a person’s character?

Answer

By providing more time and opportunity for its expression.

The Lord Strengthen You

1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.
6 Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call. Psalm 20 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, our Father, Thou Searcher of human hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural. Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretense ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. based on the West Point Cadet Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

It is so easy these days to spend hours glued to the tube, thrilled at the cinema, or gaming until the cows come home. Our money flows towards satisfying our desires stimulated by what captures our attention most often. Therein lies the insidious danger. It’s bad to give up of our money for things we don’t need, or to waste our time doing what amounts to nothing, Worst of all though, is being conformed to the likes, dislikes, and standards of this fallen world. You avoid junk food, and that is good. Be even more careful about what you feed your mind. You are free to choose whatever entertainment the world offers, but know there are some things that leave you worst off for having seen and heard them. Watch yourself while you are watching TV, listening to music, or scrolling through social media. All so called entertainment that draws the soul away from God are better to be scrapped off into the garbage rather than savored in the mind. It takes a conscious choice and diligence if the mind is to properly guard the heart. Let only what is of faith, hope, and love remain. Against such things there is no law. Pray in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, and live in the Spirit.

Question

How should we live?

Answer

We are spiritual beings in a physical body. Orient the mind towards the spiritual life or we end up enslaved to the material world.