faith

Devotional for December 8

The Lord Upholds the Righteous

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. Psalm 37:10-17 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

The only true set back is to quit. Everything else, distractions, detours, and obstacles are common to every journey. Being able to give thanks and praise to God locates you spiritually, as surely as longitude and latitude pin points your location physically. Those who find no gratitude in the past are often tempted to lose hope for the future. Learn to live in the will and not in the emotions. Take no counsel from your faithless feelings that would rage like an unruly little child. Such flaming darts take advantage of difficult external circumstances, internal aches of the body, or mental fatigue of the mind. We do well to remember the command of our Lord to possess our soul in patience, and wait on the Lord to calm the seas without and the unruly child within. Temporary circumstances, aches, and fatigue in no way alter the truth of God. Sing praises to God when the winds are favorable, and pull out the oars and row, row, row with praises to God when they’re not. Disruptions caused by the unexpected are to be expected. The destination is only reached by making adjustments whenever needed to stay on course. Be steady and always pray for the needed grace to remain in the center of God’s will.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 8; 3 John 1

Habakkuk 3; Luke 22

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

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and for ever. Amen. 

faith

Devotional for December 6

Take Delight in the Lord

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalm 37:1-7 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Deciding who you are going to trust is important, because we all must trust something, someone, or self. Blessed are all those who trust in the Lord because the grace of God is the only true power for lasting change. Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is the one sure path to peace, happiness, health, and eternal life.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 6:12-42; 1 John 5

Habakkuk 1; Luke 20

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

Almighty God, give all of us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.