Faith is Now

8 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. Psalm 19:8-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

If all you do is what comes easy or what is necessary, what more do you do than the lazy and unmotivated? Do everything without grumbling, because God will provide you with the power to do all that is according to His will. Comfort and convenience are sweet to the taste, but only plaque up and rot the teeth. Faith and prayer are the brush and floss by which the teeth of our affections are cleaned. The true light of the kingdom view has been given to us through the grace and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ. God calls all of us to love Him. Reject the poison cup of the popular worldview perpetrated by the darkness of this world that denies the living God. Give your whole life over to God. Ask our heavenly Father to fill you with the fullness of Christ. Such a prayer is pleasing to God and we can be sure it will be granted. Take no backward step. Be thankful and praise God for the blessing as you wait on the Lord for the inner witness of the Spirit. Wait on the Lord, and by faith the cleansing fire will burn away all that remains of your corrupt inner affections.

Question

What are 30 second prayers?

Answer

The Holy Spirit is right at home in a soul that is a house of prayer, but grieved when we make it a den of thieves whose only desire is to profit self (Matthew 21:12-13). We are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19). And like the homing pigeon released from the cage, as soon as our attention is freed from the necessities of the moment, our thoughts should return home to God. Practice then, throughout the day, whenever you can find 30 seconds or so, short prayers to God such as: Acknowledge the reverence of His name (Matthew 6:9); Affirm your devotion (Matthew 6:10); Admit your dependency (Matthew 6:11); Practice forgiveness, trust in God, praise and gratitude (Matthew 6:12-13). Great are the promised rewards (Proverbs 3:5-8). Try it and see. Beyond words to explain, it must be experienced (Psalm 145:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; Isaiah 26:1-12; Proverbs 16:3; Ephesians 3:17-21).

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

Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep me, I pray, from all things that may hurt me, that I, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with a free heart those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Teach Me Discernment

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. Psalm 119:65-72 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The comfort zone is a sedative for the soul that rocks one to sleep with a false expectation of victory at some unknown point in the future. You may not always get what you deserve, but never expect to get more than what you have earned in this temporal world. Don’t expect to start at the top, don’t expect to move up by only doing the bare minimum, and don’t expect to get something extra for doing only what is required. Thank God Almighty that through the redemptive work of Christ Jesus, we escape what we truly deserve. Now the sons of God need to hunger and thirst for righteousness with the whole heart in full assurance that He who promises that we will be filled is faithful. Wait for the Lord. We are sons of the God of all comfort, and from Him all blessing flow. 

Question

Why do we suffer?

Answer

Suffering is a consequence of sin (Romans 8:19-22, 5:8-12; 1 John 1:9-10) and this broken world will hobble on until the end (Habakkuk 2:2-4; Isaiah 25:8-9, 19:21-25, Mathew 25:32-46). Suffering is indeed unavoidable in this present world (Ecclesiastes 9:2-4; Romans 7:24-25; 1 Peter 4: 1-2, Hebrews 5:8; Galatians 5:16-17). The best we can do is to choose our suffering wisely (Proverbs 24:27; Psalm 127:1; Ecclesiastes 9:10; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:15-19). Be of good cheer (Romans 8:18; 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18; Revelation 21:4-6). The children of God are destined not just to bare suffering and affliction, but to thrive right through it all (James 1:2-4; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Matthew 11:28-30; Ephesians 6:10; Psalm 92:13-15; Ephesians 3:14-21).

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

Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep me, I pray, from all things that may hurt me, that I, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with a free heart those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Unfailing Love of the Lord Is With Us

31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. Psalm 31:1, 4, 18-21 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Jesus Christ came from the Father to provide us the true light of the kingdom view. This world we currently live in is passing away, bur love, faith, and hope will abide. Love the Lord your God with all your heart. Love not the things of this world. Have faith in God, because God alone is worthy. Hope in the full salvation of Christ to be revealed with eager expectation, because vain is the hope in anything else. Strive to enter in through the straight gate, and let us not grow weary of following the narrow path. God has never failed anyone who has placed his love, faith, and hope in Him. God is true. His mercy and goodness endures forever. The Father calls. Keep your head up, shoulders back, chest out, and eyes fixed upon Christ Jesus. Rest, O ye branches, in our heavenly Vine and bear much fruit. Now go to work in absolute dependence on God to make of you all that He created you to be and do. 

Question

How can we love God when we can’t see Him?

Answer

Love doesn’t depend on physical sight (Colossians 3:2; Matthew 6:21; 1 John 2:15-17). Love depends on an intimate knowledge of the person loved (1 John 2: 3-5).  The best source for the knowledge of God is the entire Holy Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Go to Bible determined to find out WHAT to believe and it will be opened to you (Revelation 3:20). The one who goes to the Bible to decide IF they are going to believe it, will find it to be closed like a locked door without a key (John 20:24-29, 14:21-24). Start with the four gospels of Jesus Christ (John 1:1-17; Mark 10:46-52). Know that every command of God is also a promise (Matthew 22:36-40). The commands of God require our willingness to obey (Psalm 18:1), and from God comes the promise to enable us to obey (Philippians 2:13). Both the Bible and the Holy Spirit have been given to fulfil the prophecy spoken long ago (Jeremiah 31:31-34; 1 John 2:21-29). Whoever hears and believes, shall receive the blessing (Matthew 13:9-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

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

Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep me, I pray, from all things that may hurt me, that I, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with a free heart those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

In His Holy Name We Put Our Trust

31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. Psalm 31:1, 4, 18-21 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Where are you? What are you doing here? Probing questions from God to the wayward heart designed to encourage self-reflection. Vain is trying to hide in the darkness away from God, and running away from the good fight of faith does not please the Captain of our salvation. In both cases, the old man must be crucified along with his fears so that the new man can live through Christ Jesus in newness of live and love. The light of Christ arising in the heart reveals the truth of who we are born to be…the sons of God. The best answer to “where are you” is “in Christ.” Like the prodigal son we were all gone astray from our heavenly Father. Jesus Christ, our holy elder brother, has paid the price to bring us back home to the Father. And now the only good response to “what are you doing here” is “glorifying God.” Yes, this is pleasing to both God and to our own soul. Abba, Father. Search my heart. Remove all wickedness from without and within me. Lead me in thy everlasting light.

Question

What is the good fight of the faith?

Answer

The primary fight for us is always against sin, and it is won or lost from within (Genesis 6:5; John 3:16; Psalm 103:10; 1 Peter 3:18-4:5). All that leads to sin is to be resisted (Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 4:7; 1 John 3:8). There is our own carnal mind and fleshly nature that would make us a slaves to sin (Romans 8:1-7; Romans 12:1-2). Then there is this modern world full of the darkness of sin that we currently live in, which spiritually is no different from Sodom and Gomorrah before its destruction (2 Peter 2:4-9). And lastly, we fight against the forces of spiritual wickedness that would tempt us to sin (2 Peter 2:4-9; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:2-4). The good fight of the faith is to protect a godly heart from which flows a godly life (John 4:23-24; Proverbs 4:20-27; Ephesians 6:13-20; 2 Timothy 4:7-8, 18).

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

Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep me, I pray, from all things that may hurt me, that I, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with a free heart those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Let the Name of the Lord Be Praised

111 Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
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.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalm 111 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Sometimes the most obvious truths, that are as plain as the nose on our faces, are the hardest ones to see. The more we have to do, the more things we have the opportunity to get done. The less we have to, the more time we tend to spend doing nothing. Lazy is defined as resting before getting tired. Rest to re-charge, and don’t waste a single opportunity to glorify God. This is proper, right, and pleasing to both God and our own souls. The circle of grace is not complete until we glorify God with thanksgiving and praise. Like a strong man rejoicing to run his race, we are built for this.

Question

What is a good understanding?

Answer

Not perfect, as all questions will be answered only once this life is done and we step into eternity (1 Corinthians 13:12; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18). A good understanding is to recognize God (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:16-21), the goodness of God (Psalm 107:1), our need (Luke 19:10), and the means provided by God (John 3:16-17). There is no way back for the devil and his angels (Revelation 12:1-12; James 2:19). The fact that as beloved children of the Father, God has sent His only begotten Son to redeem us is more than enough reason to praise Him forever (Revelation 5:9-10; Hebrews 2:3; Isaiah 21:5; 1 Timothy 6:12-15; 1 Peter 5:6-9; 2 Peter 3:18).

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

Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep me, I pray, from all things that may hurt me, that I, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with a free heart those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Let the Name of the Lord Be Praised

113 Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 113 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Patience is a virtue, and persistence is a must. Together these two are the wonder twins of achievement. No matter where you look, the ones who succeed are the ones who don’t stop until they do. Just as the spirit must return to the God who has given it, so too is it proper for the grace of God to be returned to God by our gratitude and praise. Never look back at your former sinful way of life with fondness, least your heart be drawn back to the mud from which Christ has made you clean. Neither look with envy on the ungodly who seem to prosper in their sins, least the tempter use the opportunity as a snare to rob you of your joy and contentment. Consider the sure ends of both the wicked and the righteous. Willingly take Christ’s yoke of love upon you. Be a good branch and rest in the true Vine. Submit all your ways to the will of God and He will lead you. Our only requirement is to do the best we can with what we have and trust the results to God. God has promised to work all things together for good even when all seems lost. So, take comfort in knowing that in the end, He will make everything right.

Question

How were the saints of old able to praise God in tough times and through all types of sorrows?

Answer

By cultivating the joy of the Lord within that doesn’t depend on outward circumstances, possessions, or events (Romans 14:17-19). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), and is cultivated the same as the other fruits of the spirit by first of all appropriating the promises by faith  (Romans 15:13; 1 John 1:4). After appropriating the promise, meditate on the word holding it in your mind and heart until you have gotten all the sweetness and nourishment that is within it; thereby your faith will grow stronger (1 Peter 2:2-3; Psalm 119:103; Psalm 1:1-2; Proverbs 24:3-5). Lastly, cultivate joy by exercise. Joy is exercised by praising God for His goodness, kindness, faithfulness and love regardless of the circumstances (Psalm 92:1-2). Many quench their joy by focusing only on the things of this world (Colossians 3:2). This causes a temporary nearsightedness that loses sight of God (John 5:44; Matthew 6:21). Repent, lift up your heart to the Lord (Lamentations 3:41), sing (Ephesians 5:12-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-19), shout when the Spirit moves you (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Judges 13:25; Romans 8:14-16; Philippians 2:13-15), and God will see to it that you will always have a good reason to praise Him (1 Peter 3:15; Philippians 4:4-8; 1 Peter 4:11). 

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

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called me to your service, make me worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Secret of the Lord

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. Psalm 25:4-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Understanding the permanency of God and His word is necessary if we are to grow up into our salvation. God alone is the Rock, the only true sovereign. No matter how long everything else lasts, it is only temporary in comparison to the Most High who lives and reigns forever. Have faith in God, and not the temporal things of this world. Wait on the Lord and put your hope in His word. Guard your heart and walk in His ways. The younger we are when we learn to partake of the grace given to enable us to participate in the divine nature, the sooner we escape the self-inflicted suffering that results from habitual sins. Everything that does not come from faith is sin. Sin promises pleasure, ease, and enjoyment, but in the end only brings pain, suffering, and death. Like the compounding interest of money that either works for you or against you, good habits over time will increase wealth and strength while sinful habits will leave you broke and busted. Put off the old man and walk in the Spirit. Practice the wisdom revealed in the word of God. Repent and cast down all that is contrary. Receive the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and grow healthy, wealthy, and strong.

Question

How often do we need to confess our sin and repent?

Answer

There is the initial repentance that places us on the narrow path that leads to eternal life (Acts 17:16-31), and then we must learn to maintain the course and stay on the path (James 4:1-7). Sometimes we may stumble and fall only being able to recognize the danger afterward (Proverbs 27:12; Romans 8:26-27). This is way it is so important that the conscience be kept clear (Acts 24:16). The Holy Spirit will use our conscience to convict of sin to lead us to confession and repentant (John 16:7-11; Romans 2:4).  The enemy will shoot flaming darts of condemnation to spark guilt and discouragement (Ephesians 6:16; 1John 3:20-21, 1:9, Romans 8:1) . Be quick to wash your hands as often and as soon as you find them dirty (James 4:8-10). Draw close to God and be determined not to return to the mud ever again (Ephesians 6:10; Hebrews 7:25-26; Romans 6:1-2; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Jude 1:17-25).

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

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called me to your service, make me worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Don’t Just Look…See

31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
 19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23 O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:1-3, 19-24 (KJV)
KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Unless the Lord builds the body, the bodybuilder works in vain. Training just to improve physical appearance only puffs up with pride. That would be the equivalent of having a sports car body with a lawnmower size engine in the soul. Like a child left to himself, each of us has the potential to be the chief of all sinners if not for the grace of God. Restrictive circumstance and lack of opportunity are the only things that hinder the masses of people on the broad road that leads  to destruction. Being like a horse or mule with no understanding, circumstance and opportunity function like a bit and bridle preventing them from being worse than the otherwise would be. This too is a type of grace from God. The knowledge of sin came through the law, but saving grace is given to us through Jesus Christ. By the blood of Christ are we cleansed from all unrighteousness. Rest, inner peace, freedom from worry, and sweet sleep are among the promises of God to all those who love Him. God has no “too hard to do” category. He is waiting for you to ask BIG and believe consistently. A doubting thought or a faithless feeling are only doorways to unbelief. It isn’t until we step through the door by entertaining the doubting thought or agreeing with the faithless feeling that we enter into the temptation. Do not come  to the Lord with a Christmas list of desired toys to be used for your pleasures though. Set your mind on the things above. Let your first prayer be for a renewed mind so that you can understand God’s will. Real freedom means being free of wrong desires through sanctification by the Spirit and truth. This is where true life begins.

Question

What does it mean to be converted?

Answer

Living in sin is often compared to blindness in the Bible (Proverbs 4:19; Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 13:15; Romans 6:23). To be converted we must first come to acknowledge, confess, and forsake our sin (John 9:39-41; 1 John 1:8-10; Acts 2:37-39; Romans 6:12-22). We must first come with a childlike attitude willing to believe (Matthew 18:1-3), only then are we able to use our will to be conformed to the Word (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 12:1-2). The spiritual conversion this causes is passing from death in Adam into eternal life in Christ (John 7:37-38; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Revelation 22:21).

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

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called me to your service, make me worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Our Soul Waits for 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.
20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm 33:13-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Beginning faith may be little, but it is enough to hold on to the light you have right now until God bestows the gift of faith that brings the full assurance that comes from knowing by personal experience what at first can only be believed. Wait on the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit knows when a soul is ready to be clothed with power from on high. Stop trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit. Stop trying to do things your way, and in your own natural strength. Our activity must be enabled by the God’s power. Every jagged stone of self-reliance must be removed and forsaken to make smooth the way of the Lord. Humble yourself, accept the power that comes from God, wait for the blessing with eager expectation, and this shall be done for you. Throw off every sinful thing that hinders, and ask God in faith for the grace you need. He is our faithful Father, and will provide all to those who submit themselves to His righteousness and His timing.

Question

Does waiting on the Lord mean that we have nothing more to do?

Answer

Waiting on the Lord is to be at peace, while doing nothing is to be asleep (Proverbs 26:14; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Ephesians 5:14; Matthew 5:6; Luke 11:11-13; Matthew 6:33). Waiting on the Lord means to live ready (Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Psalm 68:28). Our weakness is the perfect receptor site for the power of Christ (Philippians 3:4-10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:13). To believe means to refuse to look back, think back, or act back (Luke 17:32; Luke 8:13-14, 12:32; 2 Peter 1:3-11; Hebrews 10:38). The stronger the connecting bond between our weakness and the power of God becomes, the more love compels us to do  (Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:13; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

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

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called me to your service, make me worthy of your calling; 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

9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. Psalm 118:9-16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Choose wisely what you will love. We will be rewarded in this life and beyond accordingly. The Bible states that the love of money is the root of all evil. Better to have a little bread with peace, than a mountain of gold with a constant fearful looking over the shoulder. Love money and it will never love you back. It promises to be the answer for everything, but at its best it is just a covering not a cure. Money provides no saving health for the soul. Better to be strengthen by grace rather than by money, strong drink, or pharmaceuticals. We are made strong and courageous when we get right with God and ask Him to make us so. Have faith in God. He has promised grace to strengthen the inner man of all who come to Christ Jesus. The love of God is the only real harbor of safety that brings long-term peace and wellbeing. 

Question

How do we stay strong as we age?

Answer

The foundation for strengthening the outer man includes weight training, nutrition, and lifestyle (3 John 2; Deuteronomy 33:25; Philippians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 4:4-5). We are more than physical though, the inner man must also be strengthen with wisdom, or we rot from within (Matthew 23:25-27; 1 Timothy 4:8; Proverbs 24:5; Psalm 1:4-6; Ephesians 3:14-21).

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

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called me to your service, make me worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.