God Is Our Only Dependable Refuge 

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 73:21-28 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The two greatest dangers in the gym are mirrors and yoga pants. You must look at your reflection in the mirror as does a steward who knows he is working for the glory of the Lord. God is the one who enables us to work, and from Him alone comes the growth. The new man created in Christ Jesus correctly perceives that we are stewards, and rejects the claim of ownership held by the old man. The new man praises God while the old uncrucified man is easily pumped up with his muscles by a corresponding degree of pride. And as for the yoga pants that have found their way out of the gym and on to every street corner these days, you must be quick to look away before even the tiniest spark of lust is kindled in your heart. Deny your eyes a second taste, and train yourself not turn to check her form after she passes. Don’t take this lightly. Just as eating too much sugar causes tooth decay, unchecked eye candy will surely cause rot in the soul.

Question

What is a muscular faith?

Answer

A muscular faith is based on the gospel truth of Jesus Christ and not an external obedience to the law (…). We do good works not to be saved, on the contrary, we do good works because we have been saved (…). It is necessary for faith to be frequently exercised in all things (…), without any accompanying support from pleasant feelings (…). Just as time under tension builds bodily strength, a strong muscular faith in God also requires frequent exercise with resistance (…).

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

O God, you have taught me to keep all your commandments by loving you and my neighbor: Grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart, and united to others with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Divine Protection

91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. Psalm 91:1-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The ultimate goal of fitness is wholeness of body, soul, and spirit. Looking good and feeling good are a part of it, but fitness requires more than performance and appearance to be complete. To be fit is to be able to stand like a rock, or move like a mighty river, as the situation dictates. This completeness, this wholeness, this oneness of body, soul, and spirit, is fitness. Know that God has created you to be fit and thrive in Christ Jesus.. God the Father is our husbandman. We need only trust and wait on Him to do what only He can do. Lift up your head and see that through Christ Jesus we have been blessed with the precious opportunity to participate in His divine nature. God has given us His word for this purpose. The Word is spiritual seed planted in our hearts when we choose to believe it. We water and nurture it by meditating on it and speaking in accordance with it. Then in due time the seed produces fruit as we act on it in faith with praise and thanksgiving to God. Almighty God, whose name alone is excellent and worthy of praise, from the tiniest particles of quantum mechanics to the infinite vastness of the cosmos, how great Thou art, O God! All else pales in comparison to knowing Thee.

Question

What is the assurance of faith?

Answer

It is an elementary level of knowing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt. Just as when we learn (1 + 1 = 2) no amount of contrary information presented to us will cause any doubt, and such is the assurance of faith. What mathematical principles are to the material, the Word of God is to the spiritual. Thus, the assurance of faith depends on three conditions:

1. The exercise of believing faith based solely on the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (…).
2. A complete consecration to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (…).
3. The prayer of faith for complete sanctification (…).

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

O God, you have taught me to keep all your commandments by loving you and my neighbor: Grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart, and united to others with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord Is a Friend to Those Who Fear Him

12 Who are those who fear the Lord?
    He will show them the path they should choose.
13 They will live in prosperity,
    and their children will inherit the land.
14 The Lord is a friend to those who fear him.
    He teaches them his covenant.
15 My eyes are always on the Lord,
    for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. Psalm 25:11-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

One of the surest roads to unhappiness for a Christian is to want to live for Christ and still allow self to take pleasure in sin. Having been cleansed from past sins by the precious blood of Christ, never allow yourself to look back with fondness at any of the sins in your former way of life. To do so allows the adversary of our soul to gain a foothold. Accepting a single wrong thought in the mind seems like a little thing, but great wild fires often start with a single spark. This is why Scripture instructs us to be diligent about guarding our hearts. Guard the heart by using conformity to the Word of God as the standard to determine the rightness or wrongness of every thought. Hunger and thirst for righteousness. Accept what is good, cast away what is not. This is the narrow road of the joyful Christian life.

Question

Why is the Holy Bible so important?

Answer

Because it is just what it says it is (…). God has magnified His word above all (…). Rather than listening to the fiery darts from the wicked (…), make Satan listen to your high sounding praises to God (…). Temporary physical symptoms and current circumstances amount to lying vanities when they stand contrary to faith in the word of God (…). Let what God has said settle it every time (…). That’s what father Abraham did (…). Abraham refused to dwell on the physical facts that he was nearly a hundred years old and Sarah was well past childbearing age (…). Instead, he focused on God and believed His promise (…). Hinder not the grace of God by unbelief (…). Pray knowing that you are bringing your request to the King of kings and Lord of lords (…). The greatness of His power and grace is so far beyond what we can imagine that you cannot ask too much (…). 

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

O God, you have taught me to keep all your commandments by loving you and my neighbor: Grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart, and united to others with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessings of Those Who Fear the Lord

1 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5 The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel. Psalm 128 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Taking the easy way out leads only to lost opportunity and regret. Many people don’t choose the best way in life because it looks hard and painful. Judge only by appearances, and a seemingly pleasurable, easy, fun-loving way of life will be chosen every time. Righteous judgement doesn’t shy away from what looks difficult, and is not repulsed by the temporary hardness of the way. All who rely on sight will make the difficulty of the way something they will want to avoid. This is why we are commanded to walk by faith and rely on God for all things. Know that our God is always faithful and good. So, put your hands to the plow with joy. Only in this life can we work for eternal rewards. There is nothing more any of us can do in the grave. How we are at death will determine how we will be for eternity. Wisdom demands that we be well prepared for whatever comes first, either the return of our Lord Jesus Christ or His calling us home.

Question

Why do we train?

Answer

Training is everything and everything is training (…). Train the way you will fight (…), because you will fight the way you have trained (…). Training for the metabolic conditioning of the soul requires three things: denying self (…), picking up your cross (…), and following Jesus Christ (…).

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

O God, you have taught me to keep all your commandments by loving you and my neighbor: Grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart, and united to others with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

God Is My Strength and My Portion Forever

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 73:25-28 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To have strength equal to the number of our days is the single most important reason to exercise. Workout like you will live forever, and walk in the light that it is all going to come to an end in an instant. These are the last days and Jesus Christ is coming again soon. It is not for us to know when exactly the end will come. It is more important to know to be ready than it is to know when. All who conform to the pursuit of our own happiness standards of this world, will perish just as the people who laughed at Noah did before the great flood. Don’t get so caught up chasing what you want that you forget to live in light of what the holy Scriptures tell us is sure to come. First and foremost remember that a personal relationship with Christ Jesus is the one present necessity in this life. The Word has been brought close to you. Know by faith that Christ in you, and His word dwelling in you, are one and the same. Don’t look for any particular feelings or supernatural experiences. Only believe that Christ lives in you because the word of God says it is so. All will prove to be vain and foolish in the end without Christ our Redeemer. On that day, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. While for those of us who have been prepared by the gospel of peace, there will be great joy at the coming of our Lord! 

Question

What of pride and despair?

Answer

Pride comes from glorifying our own greatness (…), and despair comes from dwelling on our own shortcomings (…). Fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ is the remedy for both of these maladies (…). By a simple focus on Christ, and sincerity of godly intentions with every act, we are joined with all of creation in glorifying God (…).

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

O God, you have taught me to keep all your commandments by loving you and my neighbor: Grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart, and united to others with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let All Creation Praise the Name of the Lord

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 148:7-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The desire for air when you cannot breathe would be a perfect 10. While a “one” on the bottom of the scale would only be a wishful type of a desire too weak to cause any action towards its fulfillment. A wish may get your hand in the dish, but it takes a stronger desire to bring it up to the mouth. Hunger and thirst for righteousness as if your very life depended on it, because it actually does. The more devoted to Christ we become in this life, the larger the harvest of the fruits of the Spirit. Be on fire with your desire to be obedient to the will of God. When troubling thoughts come, be quick to let them go. No need to be troubled by a train of thought that pulls into the station heading somewhere other than your destination. Recognize them, let them go, and then board the train clearly marked “trust in the faithfulness of God Almighty.”

Question

Why seek to be a flame of fire?

Answer

Our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:18-29; Zechariah 13:9). The bush that was on fire was not consumed because it, and the ground on which Moses stood, was holy (Exodus 3:1-5). Setting the affections on the things above means to have the desire for all we are to be sealed with holiness to the Lord (Exodus 28:36-38; Colossians 3:2-17). Nothing we can do by ourselves, from spark to flame it is all by the grace of God (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:1-4; Philippians 2:13). Ask for it until it is given, seek until you find, knock until it is opened, and God will give the blessing when you refuse to be denied (Luke 11:5-13). Seek to be a flame of fire because it is God’s will for all His children (Psalm 104:1-4, 17:8; John 1:1-17; Revelation 2:18; Leviticus 19:2; Ephesians 3:14-21).

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

O God, you have taught me to keep all your commandments by loving you and my neighbor: Grant me the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart, and united to others with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Glory of God Is Our Refuge

9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:9-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Money is paper thin, people will let you down, and appearances are deceiving. The hyphenated sins of the self-life are full of hard to see jagged edges and dangerous high clefts. Self-reliance, self-confidence, self-esteem, and the like are highly prized by the natural man with no knowledge of God. To trust in self though, is to be led by the blind constantly in danger of a great fall. Let the one who is to be wise first learn to trust in the Word of God. Our only place of safety is in Christ. Sometimes God allows us to be knocked down and skinned up. Such pain is always for the higher purpose of bringing us to the end of our reliance on our human strength, intelligence, and physical resources. We only realize our great need for  Jesus Christ after we reached the end of self. The cup full of our own strength must be poured out if we are to be filled to overflowing with the joy and power of the Spirit.

Question

What is prosperity?

Answer

Ture prosperity has more to do with the state of our soul and our general health than our social influence and wealth (3 John 2; Psalm 118:25-27; Provers 30:8-9; Isaiah 40:28-31). The love of money and the deceitfulness of riches shipwreck many (James 4:1-4; Matthew 19:16-24; 1 Timothy 6:7-10; Mark 4:18-19). Prosperous relationships are more important than wealth (Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 4:1-3; Romans 12:4-5). Our right relationship to God and to others is far more important than wealth (Matthew 22:36-40; Luke 12:13-21; 1 Timothy 6:11-12). Emotional prosperity is also much more important than financial prosperity (John 14:23-27; Matthew 11:28-30; Ephesians 5:18-20; Deuteronomy 31:8; Colossians 3:2; Philippians 4:8). And lastly, once the prosperity of our soul and body are rightly ordered (2 Timothy 1:7, 2:1-7; 1 Corinthians 9:23-27), then our financial prosperity is only important as a means to bless others (Ecclesiastes 9:14-16; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Jude 1:17-23; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

My Help and My Deliverer

40 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Psalm 40:1-4 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

There is nothing quite like getting beat up to motivate you to work harder to prepare for the next fight. Continuous victory doesn’t necessarily come from always winning though. Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and victory will be added to you even from failure and defeat. Endurance develops patience, and patience develops our trust in the faithfulness of God.  

Question

What is the pursuit of God?

Answer

The pursuit of God is the pursuit of Truth (Romans 7:7; Galatians 3: 19; John 1:17; John 4:5-26; Galatians 3:24-26). Truth is not found by examining our feelings (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:6; Isaiah 55:6-13), or listening to the counsel of the beautiful, wise, and strong in the ways of the world (Psalm 1:1; Jeremiah 8:9, 17:5-10; Proverbs 3:5-8). Go to the holy Scriptures to know Truth  (Psalm 119:9; John 17:17; Romans 1:16-17), and hold to the Spirit to live it (2 Thessalonians 2:7-17; Galatians 5:16-26; James 3:14-18; Revelation 22:17-21).

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Key to Happiness

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:
8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:
9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 146:5-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It has been said that the best things in life are free, but that doesn’t mean they are without cost. There is no better example than love. Love cannot be earned nor purchased. Yet pay no attention to it, and instead of it continuing to blossom into more happiness it will shrivel leaving mostly bitter regrets. The world says it’s okay to sow your wild oats and other such foolishness. God says to turn away from sin, not to keep us from having fun, but to protect our health, prosperity, and joy. Christ our Healer says “abide in Me,” and come out from every other place. Deny self and live constantly in the love of Jesus Christ. The wise will heed this instruction of the Lord. If you set the intention of your heart fully on abiding in Christ, His divine power will keep you there. But the foolish refuse this great salvation provided by the Lord. They live in the self-willed deceitfulness of their own hearts, and do suffer for it now and later. They act as one who does not know that in the hereafter everyone will have to give a full accounting of their stewardship of this life. Seek godly wisdom and she will protect you. Sure is the Word of God. Trust the Word to be your ever reliable fixed point and it will never fail you.

Question

What is the key to happiness?

Answer

Holiness is the key to happiness (3 John 1:2; Ephesians 4:24; Psalm 15:1-2, 40:8). If happiness is pursued apart from God, it will flee from you (Isaiah 50:10-11; Proverbs 23:5). Pursue holiness and happiness will find you (Psalm 144:9-15). Cast down evil imaginations (2 Corinthians 10:5), and cultivate creative vibrations instead (Philippians 4:8; Proverbs 16:3). Holiness is to participate in the divine nature of God (Psalm 32:1,1 John 1:9; Psalm 1; Romans 10:10-11), and happiness comes from a heart cleansed by the blood of the Lamb (Isaiah 61:1-3; 2 Peter 1:2-11; Revelation 12:9-11; Ephesians 6:10; 1 Peter 5:6-11).

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Remember the Lord Always

23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28 For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations.
29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this. Psalm 22:23-31 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

With all the easy ways to get six pack abs advertised on television, you would think more people would have six pack abs. These slick advertisements are designed to produce a sight based pseudo-faith in whatever is being sold. The problem with a sight based pseudo-faith is that it is easily convinced to give a thing a try, but rapidly evaporates unless results are seen immediately. True faith comes from believing God before you see any physical evidence of His promise. That feeling of “I can’t do it” loses its sting when it is seen in the light of the Gospel for what it truly is….nothing more than a reminder of our total dependence on Christ our Redeemer. A life lived in one’s own strength is full of weakness even for the strongest man. As we grow in the knowledge of God, our dependence on the indwelling Spirit of Christ becomes greater and greater while our confidence and dependence on anything else becomes less and less. To exchange my weakness for Thy strength? So be it Lord! I humbly accept my total dependence on my God with joy, thanksgiving, and praise. There is no independence without a total dependence on God. Settle the issue once and for all…everything that is contrary to the word of God amounts to a lying vanity. It doesn’t matter how physically real something may be, “Thus saith the Lord…” that is enduring truth. All that offends is destined for the fire. 

Question

Why is faith in God necessary?

Answer

Faith is necessary because it allows us to choose (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). The day will come when each of us will no longer have a choice about whether or not to bow before the throne of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Those who choose to have faith in God during this present life will be rewarded (Hebrews 11:6), and those who refuse will be lost forever (Hebrews 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:11-12; Matthew 13:40-43). Knowing our place in this lower animal kingdom is easy to see, but knowing our place in the higher spiritual kingdom of God requires faith (Ephesians 2:1-9; John 3:30; Psalm 107:2; 2 Corinthians 13:12-14).

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.