Month: September 2023

faith

Devotional for September 8

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord God Almighty Will Sustain Me

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. Psalm 51:10-19 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God is forever faithful. He will take you where He has created you to be in His perfect timing. Your part is not to worry about when or how. Your part is to trust in God, keep your hand on the plow, shoulder to the wheel, and continue the good fight of the faith. To wait on the Lord means to remain in the ready state of the prepared heart, which is filled with love, faith, and hope in God. Ask God to fully prepare your heart, abide in the Heavenly Vine, and God will bring forth His fruit in you at just the right time. 

Question

What is the rest of God?

Answer

In the rest of God, there is fullness of Christ in the spirit  (Scripture), which comes from the full assurance of understanding (Scripture), and results in peace and joy (Scripture). You must first believe that God loves you before you can come to know that you love God (Scripture). You bring you and God will bring the rest (Scripture).

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

Grant me, O Lord, to trust in you with all my heart; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for September 7

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Hear, O My People

1 The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee.
18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. Psalm 50:1,14-23 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The first thing to do after being relieved of a big headache is to stop hitting yourself in the head with the hammer that caused the headache. It sounds a little silly, yet those of us who have suffered from an addiction know how hard it is to stop inflicting yourself with a bad habit. The grace of God is more than sufficient for breaking every addiction though. Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered death on the Cross to free us from all such bondage to sin. The beginning of deliverance is to confess our own powerlessness and in humility call out to God for mercy. Pray and depend on God to enable you to stop. It may not be easy, but we can be sure it is the will of God to destroy all the works of the devil. Take the discomfort that comes with quitting what you know you should. Hold on and be quick to get back up on the wagon after every fall. Have faith in God and He shall set you free. O Lord, save us from the delusion of our own self-sufficiency. 

Question

What is the biblical principle of the measure?

Answer

The measure given will determine the measure received (Scripture). Give none of self and none of Christ will be received (Scripture). To give some of self will mean receiving only some of Christ (Scripture). Give all of self and receive all of Christ (Scripture). Give zero trust to self and receive complete trust in God (Scripture). So, bind the sacrifice to the altar, the fire will fall, and the rain will come (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; 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 6

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Teach Me Your Paths, O Lord

1 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
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. Psalm 25:1-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Catch on fire and let all that is contrary to the knowledge of God burn away. Plan “A” is typically seen in the foolishness of youth with the determination to live life just as one’s heart desires, but that leads only to death. God has a plan “B” for anyone willing to choose it. If you want good health, soundness of mind, and righteousness, you have to seek Him who has promised you a new heart. Surrender all to the Lord Jesus Christ. Once you give yourself to God and become His property, take nothing of your offering back. Deny self, pick up your cross daily, and follow the Lord. Exercise your discernment to distinguish between good and evil thoughts within. With spiritual maturity we learn to stand at the ready holding on to what is good and immediately casting down every evil thought. This is at the center of a life that glorifies our God.

Question

Is there such a thing as divine health?

Answer

Youth comes with a certain innocence which doesn’t recognize that health of the body and soul comes from God (Scripture). Correct thinking requires the nourishment provided by the pure spiritual milk of the Word and sanctification by the Spirit (Scripture). Make the best choices for your health that you can (Scripture), and leave time and chance to the God who works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Scripture). Be specific with your supplications to God for your health needs (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; 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 5

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Praise God for His Everlasting Mercy

24 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:25-29 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Stop looking for microwave-like shortcuts and big ole easy buttons in life. The same rule applies to all of us. Choose the hard right over the easy wrong, because you shall reap what you have sown. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. These are great truths that need to be accepted by faith for all who believe in Christ Jesus. So, what is keeping you from believing the truth? If the unbelievers who practice mind-over-matter based merely on the elementary principles of this world can achieve much, how much more should the saints achieve who practice faith based on the infallible Word of God? Believe the gospel and the Lord will strengthen your heart. Believe, and the God of all grace be with you.

Question

What is faith?

Answer

Faith is a shield, faith is now, faith is a spiritual substance, and faith is the putting forth the hand to the plow (Scripture).  Better not to go beyond these biblical descriptions into water that is too deep for our finite minds to swim and too high for the tiny wings of our understanding to reach unassisted (Scripture). Faith comes from the knowledge of God made available to all by the gospel of truth written in the Holy Bible (Scripture). To know God is to trust God, and to trust God makes strong the assurance of faith that comes through testing (Scripture). Blessed are those who remember, practice, and live the gospel (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; 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 4

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Everlasting Remembrance

4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish. Psalm 112:4-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Procrastination is like a tranquilizer dart of self-deception for the soul. The Holy Bible is the map showing the way to the straight gate and the narrow path that leads to the everlasting celestial city. Think you can do it later? We are not guaranteed to even finish out the day. If it is worth doing, you should step to it right now and get it done. Take the next step while you can. Do not say to yourself that when things are different you will go and serve the Lord. It is precisely because you can’t make things different that you need to turn wholeheartedly to the Lord right now. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Count the costs. A total surrender of all to our Lord Jesus Christ is required. Place your life on the altar, take your hands off, and take none of the self-life back again. Do this and the fire will come. Depend on God to provide you with the will and the ability to get done all that He has prepared for you to do. Reverently acknowledge the Lord and draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. 

Question

What is the cure for weariness and vexation of spirit?

Answer

Getting tired and weary is a part of the infirmity of our flesh (Scripture). For this reason, God gives His beloved sleep (Scripture). Vexation of spirit is striving to grasp the wind through thick clouds of uncertainly all around (Scripture). Many worldly remedies abound: Sleeping pills, music, movies, vacations, games, food, alcohol, various drugs, making money and more (Scripture). There is but one tried and true way to end weariness and vexation of spirit found in the biblical record, and that is prayer (Scripture). Bring everything to God with a contrite heart, seeking to hide nothing (Scriptue).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; 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 3

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

He Has Shown His People the Power of His Works  

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. Psalm 111:2-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Discouragement happens when we allow our focus on things to become too strong, and our focus on God to become too weak. When we become too focused on the difficulties of our present circumstances, or the traumas in our past, the result is often too much concern about what might be in the future. The past doesn’t determine the future. It merely sets the conditions. Focus your mind in the right direction. Remember the love and power of your God and King. He knows all, can do all, and has showered us with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. He is infinite in goodness, forever faithful, always true, and He loves us. There is nothing too big or too small for God. He alone is worthy of all praise! Be still and stand in awe of Him. When light comes, darkness must flee. When the gaze of the soul is focused on God, so too will the darkness of discouragement flee the light of His countenance.

Question

How to get a second chance and a fresh start?

Answer

The Lord Jesus Christ is the God of second chances and new beginnings (Scripture). With sincere repentance, the Lord saves us from the wages of sin (Scripture). However, the consequences of our evil acts will often remain to be dealt with (Scripture). The mercy of God doesn’t mean we can do as we please and expect God to clean up the mess (Scripture). God is Faithful and True (Scripture). Turn to God with your whole heart and all things will become new (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; 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 2

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Happy Are the People Whose God Is the Lord 

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

Silently go the grains of time through the hourglass of life. Time is running shorter every day. Forgive all those who have wronged you, and never cover your own mistakes with excuses and reasonings. Confess every sin no matter how big or small. Repent and draw nearer to God. Ask forgiveness from those you have wronged, seek to make amends, and look for ways to minimize the damage of each mistake. Learn your lessons and be determined not to repeat the errors of your past. Having done all this, accept what has been as what has been. Put it behind you and move on in the faith. Be sanctified by the truth and seek the spiritual excellence that comes from the pursuit of holiness. It is holiness, not money, beauty, or success, which is the key to happiness in this life and forever after. Hope in God, looking to the joy that is within you, and let shine the good health of your countenance like a city set on a hill. Sincerely pray for the needed grace to be faithful to God and His word all the days of your life. You can be sure this will be pleasing to the God.  Thus, He will surely grant it. 

Question

When is the most important time in life?

Answer

Now is always the most important time (Scripture). The past is for learning (Scripture). The future can’t be grasped in the hand (Scripture). Only now, in this present moment, can we choose and act (Scripture). Salvation must be for now if it is to be forever (Scripture).

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; 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 1

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Perfect Law 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

In the beginning, we create our habits. But by the time our habits become as automatic as our breathing, they have created us. The power of our habits comes from repetition. As you sow, so shall you reap is an elementary God established principle of this life. What you continually do will in time produce in you the consequences of those actions. Good or bad, each can only produce its kind. The compounding effect of small actions, and the rightness or wrongness of the accumulation of tiny thoughts, will in the end draw a sharp contrast between the sheep and the goats. Thorn bushes don’t grow apples, nor do bad habits produce any type of good fruit. It is only by planting good habits that we reap good fruit. We don’t need to understand all the details of what it means to be born again, but we do need to accepted it by faith as a fact as real as anything else in our life. Consider what this means. New life on the inside where it really matters, and not just visible life in the physical world that will one day return to the dust. The more you seek the things of this new life, the less you will care for the desires of the sinful nature and the contrary things of this corrupted world.

Question

How do we put on the new man?

Answer

Pay attention to what you do (Scripture). Pay attention to how you think (Scripture). Set the Holy Bible as your standard of truth and not what you think, see, feel, or want (Scripture). The old man is forever set on the broad way that leads to destruction, wherein he feels he has the right to do whatever he likes (Scripture). Choose the better way and put on the new man by faith just as you would choose to put on a coat against the cold on a stormy day (Scripture). 

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

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.