Praise God for His Everlasting Mercy 

24 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:25-29 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Look at what steals your peace and joy. It will always be fear, uncertainty, and doubt triggered by thoughts that come without effort. Thoughts that cause fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) are fiery darts from the wicked one. There is no need to read the mind. Humans can read body language, dogs can sense a person’s emotional state, and the wicked one can shoot just the right thought to set the whole imagination on fire with FUD if you let him. The good fight is the art of counter-punching with faith, assurance, and boldness (FAB). This goes without saying that one has to be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit to experience the manifestation of the promises in Christ Jesus. Thus prepared we are to question the origin of every fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Don’t be so quick to accept the thoughts that cause these feelings as your own. If you can be deceived to believe these thoughts come from you, you will not resist them. The gospel of peace makes us ready to stand with all the Armor of God to defend. Never allow anything to make you afraid. Act boldly on the Word of God and assurance will strengthen faith. (1 John 4:2-4; Romans 13:11-14; 1 Timothy 6:12; Ephesians 6:10-20; Jude 1:17; John 10:10; James 4:7; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 John 4:7-21; Proverbs 28:1; Nehemiah 8:10; Philippians 4:6-9; 1 Peter 5:7-10; Ephesians 6:23-24)

Everlasting Remembrance 

4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish. Psalm 112:4-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God wants us to be ready for Him to bless us beyond what we can ask or think. If God blesses, will we spend it on our pleasures? If God blesses, will we be puffed up with pride? If God blesses, will we use it as an opportunity to sin more? First ask God to purify your heart, and then your chief joy will be to do His will. Ask God for a humble heart. When the heart is humble, lack will cause no shame and abundance will cause no pride. Ask God for a new heart clothed in the new man. Then your affections will be set on those things that are above, and all that is sin will become repulsive to you. This is how we are made ready for His blessings. Are you willing for God to make you ready? (James 4:1-3; 1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4-9; Ecclesiastes 7:2-6; James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 4:17-32; Colossians 3:2; Galatians 5:16-26; Hebrews 4:12; John 15:22; Hebrews 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 3:5; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Proverbs 4:23;Ephesians 3:14-21)

The Power of His Works  

2 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 Morning Exhortation

“When” is often the most difficult question in life to answer. It is also the most irrelevant. There are so many unknown variables to compose even the simplest of things. Keep the faith. Hold tight to the way and know that it takes as long as it takes to get there. It is enough to know the starting point and to be sure of the destination. All that is needed in between is faith in the map, the compass, and the guide. (Hebrews 13:8; John 15: 1-11; Acts 1:7; Mark 4:26-32; James 5:7; Hebrews 13:5; Proverbs 16:3; James 5:10-11; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Hebrews 10:36; Revelation 22:6-21)

Happy People

11  Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:11-15 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Happy is the one who finds the right thing, then sticks and stays with that. Stick and stay is not a message you will often hear today. Mostly we hear try this new thing and all problems will sweetly melt like lemon drops on the top of the tongue. So we run and try this new thing. After which, when its hope is gone, we’re off to find the next new thing. Trying everything and failing over and over again leads to much discouragement. Beware of the scrolling hand and movie watching eye for you leave the gate wide open. What has been seen can’t be unseen. It is better to keep evil things without then it is have to fight them once they have been let within. To be about the Father’s business, that is the secret that causes one thousand and one useless options to melt away. (Ecclesiastes 1:9, 7:15-18; Luke 2:40-52; Matthew 24:3-27; Luke 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:24-27; Proverbs 4:23, 25:28; 2 Chronicles 16:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:10; 1 Timothy 6:13-21)

The Light of Liberty 

17 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
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 19:7-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We become fit the moment we make a clean break with the unhealthy habits that cause weakness. This is true on both physical and spiritual planes. This is also the only way to the Olympic Games for each athlete. When the difference between a gold medal and nothing at all are the tiniest of margins, everything that hinders must go. Life is far more important than any game, but the rules for winning are the same. As you sow, so shall you reap, and eliminate all that hinders. Life in our time can easily be defined as the age of too much wrong and too little right. Too much eating, too much drinking, too much TV, too much social media, and too much of many other things that only distract and hinder. And to make matters worse, there is also too little exercise, too little Bible reading, too little prayer, and too little believing that only give place to all those other things that distract and hinder. Everywhere we look in this world we find only too much and too little. In contrast, everywhere we look in the Holy Bible we find it only gives light to a single way. If we live in the world, we become more worldly. If we live in the Bible, we become more like Jesus. The better way is thus made clear and simple. (Ezekiel 37:1-10; 1 Corinthians 9:7-10; Galatians 6:7-9; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:1-7; Genesis 4:7; 1 Corinthians 9:23-27, 2:16; Luke 9:23; Matthew 6:22-23; Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Matthew 7:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 3:14-21)

Trust God

8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10 In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word.
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Psalm 56:8-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

All the promises of God are “yes” in Christ Jesus. Victory over what you are struggling with right now is among the “all things” God has promised. The entire Holy Bible can be summed up in this one sentence: God means to bless us. Not against our will though, because love that is forced is not love at all. Be willing to believe God. Press on to higher heights. Dive in to deeper depths. Strive to increase in Christ by decreasing reliance on self or anything else. Know that feelings are for consideration, and it is impossible not to hear them. However, regardless of how real our feelings are about a current situation, they in no way change the Word of God. Feeling are sometimes loud and boisterous like a playground bully out to steal your lunch money, or in case of negative and fearful feelings, steal your faith. Stand up to every trial by quoting the Word of God and watch the inner bullies flee. (Romans 8:28-32; John 3:16, 15:16; James 1:2-4; Philippians 2:14-16; Hebrews 10:36; 2 Corinthians 1:19-22; Matthew 16:24-25; James 4:7-10; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. Psalm 103:12-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

If you only do fitness to look good to others, you will end up dying a thousand little deaths with each passing year. If you add fitness to your faith, you will add more abundance to eternal life starting here and now. How we look in the eyes of others is irrelevant. How we look in the eyes of God is everything. Fitness must be done under the anointing of the Spirit. By “under the anointing of the Spirit,” I mean as an expression of our faith and devotion to God through the physical act of exercise. When fitness becomes an act of worship to God, then it ceases to be a practice to gain a perishable trophy, and instead it helps to fashion a far more valuable incorruptible crown. (John 10:1-10; Mark 4:26-29; Hebrews 3:17-4:7; John 5:44; 2 Corinthians 10:12; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, 10:31; 1 Timothy 4:8; Proverbs 3:5-8; Jude 1:17-25)

Come to Believe God

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119:1-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The enemy cannot read our thoughts. Only what we say and do. This is why praising God before we see what we have prayed for is so effective for getting the enemy to flee. The devil is the father of lies and heeding the lying vanities of the flesh will cause one to forsake the receiving of the needed blessing. The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. Those who are deceived by the thief are bond to suffer sadness, sorrow, and depression. On the other hand, those who are willing to enter in through the narrow gate of believing God are led by the Holy Spirit with joy, gladness, and peace. The Holy Bible is the strait gate. The only way to enter the strait gate is to come to the Bible already determined to believe God. (1 Corinthians 2:11; John 11:40; Psalm 100:4; James 4:7; Jonah 2:5-8; Matthew 7:13-14; 1 Peter 2:2-3; John 10:10; Matthew 16:19, 7:7-8; Mark 11:23-24; Psalm 40:8; Matthew 25:21, 28:17-20)

Sweeter Than Honey

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The hardest places are launch pads for lifting us into the grace of God. Difficult circumstances, troubling feelings, unfortunate mishaps, and other such things are opportunities to gain more glory for Jesus by the manifestation of His power. Doubt and unbelief see the signs and symptoms, while faith hears the Word of God. The Word is more than a match for all that the flesh, the world, and the enemy can throw at us. Take your eyes off the trouble and look to Jesus by remembering His word. This is how we walk by faith, not by sight. If a thought tends to the sickness, it is of the flesh. If a thought agrees with the Word and the Spirit, it is of Christ. Jesus lives! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus Christ has all power in heaven and earth. Do you believe God? He will manifest his power when we dare to take Him at His word. And this is the word of wisdom today for both you and me. (James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Matthew 14:26-32; Romans 10:17; John 1:14; Matthew 28:18; Isaiah 61:1-3; Hebrews 13:8; 1 John 5:7-15; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; John 14:18-27; James 5:13-18; 2 Peter 1:15-21; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Galatians 3:3, 5:16; Hebrews 10:23; Ephesians 3:14-21)

Apply the Heart to Wisdom

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.
13 Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.
16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Psalm 90:10-17 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Never miss an opportunity to do good when it is in the power of your hand to do it. It is in blessing others that we ourselves are most easily blessed. Try it and see. There is no such thing as a lessor fruit of the Spirit. Sad is the one who has never seen, nor has ever shown, kindness. Such a one is like an ugly duckling stuck in its shell, cut off from the giving and receiving of kindness to and from others. The shell of the status quo, no matter how unprofitable, is so familiar and comfortable that it becomes harder and harder to put forth the effort necessary to break out of it the longer it is maintained The double call of the gospel is come just as you are, and be willing to change once you’ve come. May your heart judge rightly what you hear. If it is worth doing, do it now. To wait for tomorrow is to risk missing the last boat. Step out in faith and expect to be totally transformed by the power of God. (Galatians 3:13-14; Genesis 22:17-18; Proverbs 3:27-28; Luke 10:25-37; Galatians 5:14-23; John 7:37; Revelation 21:6; Isaiah 55:1-3; Proverbs 9:1-11, 24:30-34; Matthew 7:24-29, 24:37-51; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Isaiah 55:6-7; Matthew 11:28-30; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-24; Zechariah 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6-10; Romans 16:20).