Month: September 2023

faith

Devotional for September 30

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

In the Beginning, O Lord

24  I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee. Psalm 102:24-28 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The hardest exercises in the gym often yield the greatest benefits. It’s the difficult things inside and outside the gym that result in the biggest pay offs. One of the hardest things to do outside the gym are to quit bad habits. It is always easier and faster to fill the tub with water when the drain has first been properly plugged. We all know what habits and behaviors we have that are counterproductive. Choose your worst, take it to the Cross and ask the Lord to crucify you to it and it in you. Now by faith in God, consider yourself to be free, and it to be dead. Whether to live according to what we see, or to trust in the truth of God as revealed in the Word. Each of us must choose to live by one or the other. The testing of that choice will certainly come. The feelings caused by circumstances that collaborate what can be seen are often a part of the testing of faith. Faith is NOT a feeling. Faith is a spiritual fact that we choose to accept. All the elders in Bible that had a good report considered contrary physical evidence as lying vanities. Faith is the bridge between spiritual and physical realities. Ask the Lord for His needed grace, then accept it as a fact. Like a sea washed lighthouse, He will enable you to stand firm. Forsake not the mercy of the Lord and He will turn every contrary tide.

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Kings 2

Galatians 6

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

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Writing Prompt

Workout, Preach, and Teach

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.
View all responses
After workout selfie
After this mornings workout

When (not if) I no longer need to pursue money, I will enlarge my practice of faith and fitness to be a professional bodybuilder, a preacher, and a teacher of the Word full time. Everything by prayer. (2 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Timothy 4:2; Philippians 4:9)

faith

Devotional for September 29

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Safety in Christ 

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. Psalm 91:1-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Physical exercise was of little benefit in days long past when life itself required so much more physical activity just to survive. Working to provide protection from wild beasts while hunting for food and finding shelter, were more than enough exercise for the largest part of human history. Life in the 21st century however, has now made physical exercise essential. We have become so sedentary that we can no longer ignore physical exercise and remain healthy as we get older. Spiritual development is certainly of much greater importance, but wisdom demands that we do not neglect physical exercise. Let us honor our God by making our physical exercise a spiritual practice as well, and not as an end in itself as those with little knowledge of God make it. The good news of the gospel is that our eternal inheritance in heaven has been purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ our Savior, as well as the sanctification of our spirit, soul, and body here on earth in this life. Not by our efforts, but by God’s grace are we saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. 

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Kings 1

Galatians 5

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

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for September 28

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Will Perfect That Which Concerns Me 

138  I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4 All the Kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Take no counsel from your fears. Consider what direction your feelings are flowing, and be quick to swim against the current when faith demands it. You cannot stop the birds from flying over your head, but allow no bird of doubt to build a nest filled with uncertainty in your heart. Chase these ugly birds of prey away by the light of the sword of the Spirit. You are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus to do good works. The Word of God is light, teaching us how to live a life pleasing to God. And God will enable us to do His will if we are willing. Hold firm to the truth that all members of the body of Christ are called to holiness. Submit to the Spirit and walk in accordance with the Word of God. Be blessed, and may God use you to pour His blessings on others. 

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Samuel 24

Galatians 4

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

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for September 27

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Life is Short 

1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
4 Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.
5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. Psalm 39:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It takes years of toil in obscurity to become an overnight success. Let no one deceive you. A continuous buildup of weak thoughts will in time make a person weak physically, mentally, and spiritually. Weakening thoughts come packaged with the entertaining of fear, uncertainty, and doubt. The further we allow the mind to wander from faithful thoughts, the more worry and vexation of soul we tend to experienced. Cast down weak thoughts contrary to faith in God as soon as you become aware of them. Take your thoughts off your feelings, off your circumstances, off the world. Maintain your focus on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Self and all other things change, but Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will strengthen you for all that you need to do. So look up to where your strength comes from, dig deep, and get done what needs to be done. Make no mistake about it. Faith is the spiritual muscle necessary for developing physical strength, mental toughness, and the godliness we desire.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Samuel 23

Galatians 3

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

Grant that I, Lord, may not be anxious about earthly things, but love things heavenly; and even now, while I am placed among things that are passing away, hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for September 26

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

I Will Confess My Transgressions 

3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:3-7 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

In the mist of every difficultly, remember God. When things seem the absolute toughest, that is the opportune time to choose to trust God. Cast your cares upon Him, and take none of them back. Never complain. Instead, praise God for His goodness and find something for which you can be thankful for. Be patient, be real, train hard, love much, pray continuously, give thanks always, and sing praises to the Lord whether you feel like it or not. Do all this and God will cause the rising tides to turn away from you, and the mountains that stand against you to move.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Samuel 22

Galatians 2

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

Grant that I, Lord, may not be anxious about earthly things, but love things heavenly; and even now, while I am placed among things that are passing away, hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for September 25

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

We are Crowned with Thy Goodness 

4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
 Psalm 65:4-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Under privileged, under class, underdogs, late bloomers, underachievers, and all those who have been counted out in this life, rejoice! Know that from such came nearly all the highly favored ones of the Almighty God. So let us fully put away the things of our former life when we walked in the ways of this world seeking to please self rather than please God. Deny self or deny God. It is one or the other. A matter of degree with leaning to one more, and the other less. Who can live to please self without becoming intoxicated by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life? And those with frustrated efforts to please self will never be at peace. Come now, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and be at rest. Those who hold on to the self-denying key to the straight gate in thought, word, and deed, will be blessed with inner peace and happiness. We have been freed by the precious blood of Christ. Press forward into the upward call of God. Our part is to attend to the wings of the soul, which are simplicity of intention and purity of affection toward God. He has provide us with His precious promises and the Spirit so that we may participate in His divine nature to the glory and praise of His name. God is forever faithful, and He will cause us to mount up with wings as eagles.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Samuel 21

Galatians 1

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

Grant that I, Lord, may not be anxious about earthly things, but love things heavenly; and even now, while I am placed among things that are passing away, hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Writing Prompt

The Absolute Best

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
View all responses

“Read a little of the Bible every day,” my father told me when I left home for the very first time at the age of 17. However, I was well over the age of 40 before I started following this sage advice that has literally transformed my entire life. I wish I could have followed it sooner. I would have been able to spare those I love and myself much needless suffering if only I had followed my father’s advice sooner. (Proverbs 21:2; Psalm 119:9; Joshua 1:8; 1 Peter 4:15; Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 19:14)

Daily Writing Prompt

Work, Eat, Sleep, and Repeat

Bruce Coleman2 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What things give you energy?
View all responses

Work is the primary capacity builder for energy. We develop the capacity to do whatever we consistently do. The more time required of us from work, the less of our precious free time we will waste on worthless things. Therefore, the more you have to do, the more you’ll get done. (Proverbs 26:14-15, 20:4; 2 Thessalonians 3:10)

To eat is next to work as a physical and spiritual energy builder. Balance is the key. Too little and we grow weak, too much and we get sluggish. (Ecclesiastes 10:16-18; Psalm 69:22; 1 Peter 2:1-2; Ephesians 4:13)

Next is sleep. Sleep is unique as it re-charges the whole of our being like nothing else can. The candle can be burned at both ends, but that will be short lived. (Proverbs 10:5; Psalm 127:1-2, 75:6-7)

Indeed, there is a time for everything under the sun. Work, Eat, Sleep, and Repeat is a time proven formula for sustaining ample energy to match the number of our days. (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Matthew 24:45-51; Isaiah 40:30-31)

faith · fitness

The Art of Journaling: A Guide to Self-Reflection and Growth

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Journaling is a timeless practice that has been embraced by countless individuals throughout history as a means of self-expression, self-discovery, and personal growth. It offers a safe and private space to record your thoughts, feelings, experiences, hopes, prayers, and dreams. Whether you’re looking to relieve stress, track your personal development, or simply preserve memories, journaling can be a powerful tool. In this post, we will explore the art of journaling and provide you with practical tips to get started on your own journaling journey. 

Why Journal?

Before delving into the “how,” let’s briefly discuss the “why” behind journaling. Journaling offers a plethora of benefits:

  1. Self-Reflection: Journaling provides a platform for introspection. It allows you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences more deeply, helping you gain insight into your own life.
  2. Stress Reduction: Writing about your worries and anxieties can be therapeutic. It can help you release pent-up emotions and reduce stress.
  3. Goal Setting and Tracking: Keeping a journal enables you to set goals, track your progress, and celebrate your achievements. It can keep you motivated and accountable.
  4. Creativity Boost: Journaling can unlock your creativity by allowing you to brainstorm, doodle, or explore new ideas without judgment.
  5. Memory Preservation: Recording your experiences and thoughts helps preserve your life’s story for future reflection or sharing with loved ones.

Now that we have reviewed the benefits of journaling, let’s dive into how to get started.

Getting Started with Journaling

  1. Choose the Right Journal:
    • Select a journal that appeals to you. It can be a blank notebook, a fancy leather-bound journal, or a digital journaling app—whatever suits your style.
  2. Find a Quiet Space:
    • Choose a quiet and comfortable place where you can write without distractions. This could be a cozy corner in your home or a bench in your favorite park.
  3. Set Aside Time:
    • Allocate a specific time each day or week for journaling. Consistency is key to forming a habit.
  4. Begin with a Prompt:
    • If you’re unsure how to start, use prompts to kickstart your writing. Prompts can be questions like, “What am I grateful for today?” or “Describe a recent challenge and how you overcame it.”
  5. Write Freely:
    • Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or structure. Let your thoughts flow freely onto the page. This is your private space to express yourself honestly.
  6. Be Authentic:
    • Write for your older self alone. Doing so will grant your future self a profound gift – insight into the essence of who you are, shaped by the journey of where you’ve been as recorded and expressed in your own words. 
  7. Be Consistent:
    • Make journaling a habit by doing it regularly. Even if you only write a few sentences each day, the cumulative effect can be profound.
  8. Review and Reflect:
    • Periodically review your journal entries to gain insights into your thoughts and emotions over time. This can be a valuable tool for personal growth.
  9. Embrace Creativity:
    • Add creativity to your journal through art, collage, or sketches if you’re so inclined. Your journal is a canvas for your self-expression.
  10. Protect Your Privacy:
    • Take steps to keep your journal secure, as it will contain personal information. This can be done by choosing a secure location, a physical lock, or encrypted digital platform.

In Conclusion

As you embark on your journey of journaling, keep an open heart and mind. Let your journal be a trusted companion on your path to self-discovery and personal growth. May it prove to be as rewarding to you as it has been for me. Happy journaling!

P.S.

The October edition of my book for journaling with a faith and fitness theme is now available on Amazon (click on the image or link below). Each daily entry starts with specially selected Scriptures from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. Then it has an original motivational quote followed by ample room for you to put ink to page and make it your personal journal. The Scriptures and quotes take less than five minutes to read each day, which allows you at least 10 minutes for journaling while still keeping the total time required to about 15 minutes. These books are the journaling tools I wish I had when I first began journaling more than a decade ago. May God use them to bless you.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJDJ7PV7?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860