Month: November 2023

faith

Devotional for November 4

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

In the Light of the Living

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.
12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? Psalm 56:10-13 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

It does no good to be born with world-class speed if you don’t develop it. In the same way, simply being born again is not enough. We must be willing to make our election sure by growing up into our salvation. Not from a compulsion to obey the rules, but voluntarily as love must be. We love because God first loved us. God proved His love for us by giving His only begotten Son to die for us when were lost in sin. Come to Christ just as you are, but don’t stay that way. The baby Christian can be slapped about by strong winds and easily deceived by the candy-coated poisons of this world. Our God is the God of all comfort, but a Christian who keeps one foot in the world and one foot in Christ will find much discomfort. Maturity comes from learning to stand firm in faith by believing the Word of God. Happiness comes from a childlike faith that reads “God is love” and then simply believes and affirms the truth through all the ups and downs of current circumstances. His yoke is truly easy when we maintain a total dependence on God for everything. Jesus Christ is the Captain of our soul. No captain can ferry a passenger across the sea if that passenger refuses to let go of the shore and get completely on board the ship. Let go of the land of unbelief and take your assigned place fully on the ark of Christ with the only acceptable boarding pass of simple child-like faith. Christ won our eternal salvation for us with His humility and dependence on God the Father, and in like manner it is by our child-like humility and dependence on God that we grow up in our salvation.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 17; Titus 3

Hosea 10; Psalm 129-131

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

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, I may purify myself as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, I may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

faith

Devotional for November 3

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Daily Remember the Goodness of the Lord

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Let no one deceive himself by saying, “if only I saw a burning bush, or a blinding light brighter than the noonday sun, then I too would be wholly devoted to God.” The Bible record shows otherwise. God led the Israelites out of Egypt by the hand of Moses. They all saw the mighty power of God. They all experienced His presence with them in a cloud by day and a fiery pillar by night. Those who perished in the wilderness heard God speak from a quaking mountain filled with smoke and fire, yet still they were unfaithful to Him. And let us not forget Judas Iscariot, who was one of the 12 that lived and walked with Jesus for three years. Judas still betrayed Him even after seeing all the miraculous signs and wonders performed by Jesus. Clearly the decision to believe or not to believe doesn’t depend on seeing miraculous manifestations of the power of God. Those who will not believe the Holy Scriptures are not likely to be persuaded by the manifested power of God either. Choose the fear of the Lord now and be glad at His coming. The day of the Lord draws near. On that day there will no longer be a choice. Every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. On that day the bridge of mercy will be withdrawn just like in the days of Noah. Then it will be too late for the unbelievers. Better to be born with little and choose the fear of the Lord, than to be born with much and live without the fear of God. We must all stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give account for what we have chosen to do with what we are given in this life. Remember Lot’s wife.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 16; Titus 2

Hosea 9; Psalm 126-128

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

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, I may purify myself as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, I may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Daily Writing Prompt

How to be Happy

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

What’s something you believe everyone should know.

More money only makes one happier when it covers lack. For example, it you can’t put food on the table or pay your bills, more money will make you happier. Money in excess however, only increases the things that eat away at happiness. When you are in pain, removing the source of the pain will make you happier until the next pain comes along. If we don’t like where we live, moving will make us happier for a short time until we get settled again. This world is full of problems, pain, and difficulties. More money, being pain free, and not having a problem in the world are temporary. So, if your happiness depends on any physical thing, your happiness will increase and decrease with the wind. Lasting happiness doesn’t come for external things or the elimination of all problems and tough times. Lasting happiness comes only from within and doesn’t depend on the weather. (Psalm 62:10; Proverbs 23:5; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Matthew 7:24-27; Proverbs 3:13; John 15:11; John 14:27; Philippians 4:7)

faith

Devotional for November 2

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Everlasting Strength

4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:4-10 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Strength is built as the technique is practiced over time. Faith, just like our muscles, must be tested or proved under resistance to grow strong. Bodily exercise builds physical strength just as exercising the gift of faith builds spiritual convictions. Here is the understanding that leads to unshakable spiritual convictions: things are not true because they are written in the Bible, things are written in the Bible because they are known to be true. This is an enormously important difference. When the Bible states that God is good, it is merely stating a known fact worthy of all acceptation. Therefore, we can believe and trust it as surely as any other known fact. Know without a doubt that all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have been given faith at least the size of a mustard seed. The only question is whether or not we are willing to plant our faith firmly in God so that we fully grow up into our salvation.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 15; Titus 1

Hosea 8; Psalm 123-125

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

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, I may purify myself as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, I may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

faith

Devotional for November 1

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Strengthen You

20 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Psalm 20:1-5 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

God will make a way where there is no way for all who are called according to His purpose. Big achievers are big dreamers, but only if the sleeper awakes and takes the first step in faith. The second and third steps are always easier, but unless the first step is taken the next steps will remain forever out of reach. Sometimes it seems that life is like a platform connected to a maze of stairways that go off in every direction to where we are not always able to clearly see. Therefore, the first step must be chosen with great care. Make the first step obedience to the written word of God, and your next step will surely be in the right direction.  

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 14; 2 Timothy 4

Hosea 7; Psalm 120-122

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

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, I may purify myself as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, I may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.