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).

The Beginning of Wisdom

34 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
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 34:1-7, 11-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The cares of this world forge heavy chains and weigh heavily on the soul. Oh, to be free! Unlimited love, peace, and joy are possible when we are free and unchained. If we try to do this with self-effort, we only strengthen that which binds us. Self-effort, self-reliance, self-confidence and all the other hyphenated self-sins are chains that limited us to our own natural strength. God has a plan for our future more glorious than anything we have imagined for ourselves in the past. The more we rely on self to make things happen, the more our trust in God is diminished to the same degree. “Have faith in God” is the truth that sets us free. The measure we rely on God determines the measure we are strengthen by God. Our all is limited, God’s all is infinite. It is either our all or God’s all. Just as it is not possible to go north and south at the same time, we must choose rightly. To give all to get all is to break free from the unbelief that keeps us chained running back and forth. Believe and be free. “In God We Trust” is the right direction, now stay on course. (Isaiah 50:10-11; Jeremiah 45:5; Matthew 16:25; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Luke 17:32; Matthew 6:24; 1 John 2:16; Mark 4:18-19; John 6:27; Proverbs 3:5-8; James 1:5; Luke 9:62; Mark 11:22-24; Psalm 32:9; Proverbs 3:13-18; Hebrews 12:1; Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:13; Isaiah 35:3-5, 41:10; Psalm 46:5; John 8:31-36; Luke 4:18-21; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Stay On Target

5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. Psalm 147:5-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Dare to believe you have faith and brace yourself for the blessings that will follow. Faith is a military-like laser pointer able to guide the grace of God on target. Fight the good fight of faith with this God given target designator built on belief in the Word of Truth. Faith lights up “what is now” so that God can get it out of the way, and bring in “what is not.” It is so easy a child can do it. Just keep faith on target and wait for God to do what only God can do. The problem with us grown-ups is that we have to get our adult scientific reasoning out of the way. We have to get our own best laid plans out of the way. We have to stop relying on other things and giving glory to “lumps of figs” rather than to God. Call on the Lord, keep faith locked on target, and grace will follow. It must be so because God has said it is so. Stay on target and wait for the Lord. (Matthew 7:7-8; Mark 9:15-28; Matthew 17:20-21; 2 Kings 20:1-7; Isaiah 10:15; 2 Chronicles 16:12; Galatians 4:9; Isaiah 42:8; Romans 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:7; Psalm 29:1-2; 1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 10:36; Galatians 6:9; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 27:14; Revelation 22:21)

The Lord Shall Keep You

121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalm 121 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The desire for fitness leads to seeking the light of better nutrition and exercise. The desire for abundant life leads to seeking the light held out in the Word of God. Where the Lord reigns in the heart, there is light. When we come to it, we desire even more of God. Darkness is easily seen as a hell on earth swallowing up all who refuse to believe the Word of God. Do you believe the Gospels? Believing first creates the desire for God in our heart, and then overflows as the desire of God though us toward the world. Take no backward step. God desires to bless you.(John 1:1-4; John 3:16-20; John 10:7-11; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 19:25; Matthew 16:24-25; Mark 12:30-34; 1 John 2:7-11; Matthew 7:24-29; Luke 6:46; Matthew 6:19-23; Matthew 7:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 5:5; Philippians 3:16; Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 40:8; Jeremiah 29:11-13; 2 Corinthians 13:14)