Longing of the Soul

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.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Psalm 84:1-5, 11-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Why give thanks before each meal? Think you feed yourself by your own hand do you? “I work for the money that pays for my food,” you say. Sure, but how did you get the job? Finish school? Get into school? Live pass puberty? Wake up this morning? And there are countless other things, great and small, that have got you to where you are now “earning your own bread.” Thoughtless pride will make fools out of many, but wisdom understands that the source of all good things is God.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Samuel 17

2 Corinthians 10

Ezekiel 24

Psalm 72 

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

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule my heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Thoughts and Speech in Your Sight

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:12-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Bodybuilding is such a misleading term. At best we are like farmers. We plant the seeds for muscle growth with weight training. What we eat and drink provide the fertilizer and water, but it is God who gives the growth. There be many that do bodybuilding just to win a perishable trophy, to be envied in the eyes of others, or because they are already puffed up with pride. The righteous on the other hand, do bodybuilding because the body is the necessary physical capitol given to us by God to do good works. We workout to honor God as faithful stewards of the physical body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The body, as well as everything else we have, is for the Lord.  

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Samuel 16

2 Corinthians 9

Ezekiel 23

Psalm 70-71 

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

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule my heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord is My Strength and Shield

1 Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
5 Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
6 Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8 The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever. Psalm 28 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The body is not a like a car that wears out with use. Quite the contrary. The body wears away from non-use. Both exercise and non-use can cause the body pain. The difference is that one strengthens and the other weakens. Some days will be as easy as taking candy from a baby. Other days will be hard like trying to take a lamb chop out of the mouth of a hungry lion. Kiss the baby, or fight the lion, whichever way it comes. That’s life. Learn to flow with it. Be determined to always fight the good fight of the faith. Refuse to return to the old ways of thinking, living, and existing in the flesh like a young one who doesn’t know the Lord. Walk in the light of understanding your new life in Christ. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, depend on the living water within, and let the Cross finish the endless self-powered striving to overcome sin. Accept the truth that your sinful nature has been crucified with Christ, and your spirit resurrected with Him by faith. Now you are reborn a new creation dead to sin and alive to God forever more. This is the glorious promise of the gospel. Trust in God with all your heart and the truth shall set you free. 

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Samuel 15

2 Corinthians 8

Ezekiel 22

Psalm 69 

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

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule my heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Fear of the Lord Is To Walk In Divine Wisdom

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaKing guile.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:10-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Be glad when the day comes when you don’t feel like going to the gym. You’ve reached a milestone. It happens to all of us who have made a commitment to improve our health and fitness. Such a commitment must be tested. Passing the “I don’t feel like it today” test is a big part of what separates those who reach their goals from those who don’t. Christian faith must likewise be tested. The testing of faith takes the spiritual substance of things hoped for and allows them to be manifested into the physical world. Trials, temptations, and testing are various types of weight training for building faith. The assurance that what is hoped for is granted comes only after faith has been exercised with resistance. Knowing that God is more willing to give us all that He has promised is the essential understanding necessary to receive the assurance of faith. God is far more willing to bless us with all things according to His will than we are oftentimes willing to receive it. For this reason, the Bible tells us to consider it all joy when our faith is tested. The true fight with the devil consists in the exercise of faith. Consider thoughts, imaginations, and doubts as the spiritual equivalents  of barbells, plates, and weights that provide the resistance to strengthen the inner man for every good work.

Question

Why the fear of the Lord?

Answer

The fear of the Lord is the highest level of understanding (Scripture). A total lack of awareness and understanding is ignorance (Scripture). Understanding based off of little knowledge or error is the fear of the unknown (Scripture), but the fear of the Lord is an understanding of the one and only eternal fixed point, which is God (Scripture). With the fear of the Lord, everything that is incompatible with God becomes repulsive (Scripture). The fear of the Lord works as an early warning system by causing a dissonance in the soul that turns us away from all that would grieve the Holy Spirit (Scripture). 

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

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule my heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Pray for Forgiveness, Protection, and Guidance

25 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Psalm 25 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Physical fitness is no indication of spiritual fitness. Pursuing holiness, however, will enable both inner and outer fitness. Stop seeking the power to do this from the worthless remedies of the world. Acknowledge the Most High in all things and allow your heart to be filled with gratitude. God grants this needed grace only to the humble in heart. Beware of worry or anxiety, which is often just a slimy film that hides pride and unbelief in the heart. Who do you think you are when you can’t even make one hair white or black? Sure you can dye it, but you only deceive yourself if you believe that changes anything other than the surface, and even that for only a short period of time. Such deception is no different than the digital smoke and mirrors of any Hollywood blockbuster. The Word admonishes us that since we cannot do something as simple as control one single hair, neither should we worry about our lack of control of greater things. Repent for taking heed to the flaming darts of the enemy shot at the heart from unseen places that are disguised as your own thoughts. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. Acknowledge the power of the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse away all the slime of unrighteousness and break up the hard packed ground of pride and unbelief. Pick up your cross, knowing that NOW is the time to trust God completely. Peace will come after having done this, and joy will follow.

Question

What is the secret of the Lord?

Answer

The secret of the Lord is the ability to see Him who is invisible (Scripture). Acknowledging the infinite greatness of Almighty God is a prerequisite (Scripture), knowing God is the result (Scripture), and prayer is the way (Scripture). To the fighter in training for the good fight of the faith (Scripture), prayer is the training camp that ensures the victory (Scripture).

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

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule my heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Excellency of Dwelling Together in Unity

133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Psalm 133 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Not everybody who steps into the gym will become, or even wants to become, a bodybuilding champion. The beautiful thing is that everyone who lifts weights consistently will receive benefits. In the same way, don’t think only full-time ministers are called to serve the Lord. The most basic way for every believer to serve the Lord is by doing the small everyday things for God that we used to do only for ourselves. We, the elect of God, are called to such devotion. As one reads this, the inner tempter will likely whisper: “How do you know you are among the elect of God?” This is a favorite tactic of the serpent first recorded in the book of Genesis when he asked Eve about the fruit in the garden. There is no need to entertain such thoughts, nor to doubt the fact of your election. It is already been settled before the foundation of the world. If you have chosen to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He came into the world to save us, you are called by God. Only those who refuse to believe the gospel leave their calling by God still in doubt. Cast down every thought, no matter how small, that is contrary to the word of God, and you will give the enemy no place to stand. Resist the inner tempter by keeping your faith in God firm, and the peace of God that surpasses understanding will rule in your heart.

Question

How can we stop judging others?

Answer

Catch, hold and cast away (Scripture). Load, fire and reload (Scripture). Sitting as a judge comparing others with self is a deadly cup of hemlock (Scripture). The royal law is to look at others only as being equally worthy of love (Scripture). Expressing love is the opposite of passing judgment (Scripture).  Bless in thought first, then in deed (Scripture).

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

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule my heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Majestic Is the Name of the Lord

8 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Psalm 8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Can you do what they say can’t be done? Are you even good enough to do what others have already done? It is all up to you and at the same time it totally depends on the will of God. Only by grace are we able to grasp both of these facts simultaneously, which enables us to live in the light at the balance point of the truth. The full revelation of the Holy Bible is absolutely essential. All power belongs to God and apart from Him we can do nothing. It is also written that as a man sows so shall he reap and we are accountable to God for our actions. These facts don’t contradict each other with the one being true and the other false. Rather, they are different sides of the truth. Coins in US currency have a head on one side and the other side is known as the tail. The tail is no less a part of the coin because it is not the head, and the head alone is just one side of the coin. In like manner, “we can do nothing without God” and “we are responsible for our every action” are but different sides of the truth. God feeds every animal. Still, every big cat knows that not every chase will end in a kill. The cat who says: “wow, those wildebeest are too fast, so I’ll just wait until God sends one walking into my den,” will surely starve to death. Recognize the fear of failure is like a big cat that won’t hunt. Better to drop dead while in the heat of the chase, than it is to be found among the faithless cats starving in the dark of their own cave. Step out in faith after prayer, diligently ordering your steps according to the word of truth. Run the course the Lord has set before you in love. Acknowledge that from Him, through Him, and for Him are all things. We are all called in Christ Jesus to know this, to do this, to help others to see this, and thereby all will come to glorify His name.

Question

What is the will of God?

Answer

The will of God is the power and authority that governs everything known and unknown (Scripture). We humans are created lower than the angels, but like angels we are moral beings having been given the freedom to choose between right and wrong (Scripture). To live contrary to the will of God, is to be spiritually cut off from our divine power source (Scripture). Without being reconciled to God, we live in a low power mode having physical life only until even that is taken away (Scripture). Blessed are those who understand (Scripture). Far from being something we should run from, instead we should be eagerly running toward the will of God with all our might (Scripture). The will of God is in effect the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Scripture). 

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

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule my heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.