Month: December 2023

faith

Devotional for December 22

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

He Holds Our Souls in Life

8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Psalm 66:8-13, 17-20 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Hope is the fuel that keeps the candle of the spirit shining bright in the soul. Hope is a firm conviction that future grace and mercy will be. Difficulties and troubles are common in this world, and hope makes it possible to bear and pass through them all. Stand firm then, with faith and love as your body armor, hope as your helmet of salvation, and keep your right hand in the hand of Almighty God. Be strong.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 26; Revelation 13

Zechariah 9; John 12

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

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in me the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and, that I may obtain what you promise, make me love what you command; 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 December 21

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Wait on the Lord

147 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
2 The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
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 147:1-12 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

The illusion of youth is that being young will last forever. Looking young and being youthful are not necessarily the same thing. We can try as hard as we like to look young forever, but little by little it will only slip through the fingers with each passing year. It is far better to work to maintain youthful function and to not be unduly concerned with our wrinkles and gray hairs. Physical perfection in the prime of youth may be pleasing to the eye, but it does not make beautiful. Let the beauty of the Lord shine from within, and what was once considered the physical effects of aging can be cheerfully embraced and enhanced. The carnal mind, being spiritually blind, judges only by the outward appearance. We are re-created in Jesus Christ to be holy and without blemish. Such beauty is pleasing to the Lord and of much greater worth than mere outward appearance.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 25; Revelation 12

Zechariah 8; John 11

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 20

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Eye of the Lord is Upon Those Who Fear Him

13 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm 33:13-22 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Exercise is important, but do we perfect the body for personal pride, the adoration of women, and the praise of men? May God forbid. Just as the Lord had need of the donkey, we have need of the body in this life. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. Therefore, we are commanded by God not to be conformed to it. Each of us is to present the body as a living sacrifice set apart as a chosen vessel in the service of the Lord. The Lord is our shepherd. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. If we believe that He does not speak to us, we call Him a liar. God forbid we do this just because there has always been those who falsely claimed to have heard Him speak. This fact in no way invalidates the Scriptures about the Good Shepherd speaking to His sheep. How can we hear if we don’t believe He speaks? There are many strange voices in the world today to be sure. Some say do this, some say do that, some say live like this, and some say live like that. We all need to decide who we are going to trust. First choose to believe the Word of God. Next hold on by faith through the testing of it, and the assurance of knowing that we know Him who is Faithful and True comes later. This is the divine order. We come to know the voice of people close to us by the character, quality, and tone of his or her voice. We come to know the Lord in just the same way.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 24; Revelation 11

Zechariah 7; John 10

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 19

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Who Can Stand in His Holy Place

24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Psalm 24:1-6 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Some may be helped by being told how to eat better and how to exercise properly. Many more are likely to be helped by following a living example of how to eat and how to exercise. Talk without action really is cheap. Few will hear unless the talk is also seen in the walk. If this be true with things that are easily seen like diet and exercise, how much more so is it true for the unseen things of God that we profess to believe. We come to know the only true God through the Holy Scriptures, and faith must precede understanding. Truth in the inward parts is meant to be a like a lit candle set on a candlestick for all to see. True light shines through love expressed in deeds. To make love known, it must be made visible through actions. May the love of God in us be seen by all of those around us through all we say and do. In this way, we glorify God through Christ Jesus who loves us and gave Himself for our redemption.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 22-23; Revelation 10

Zechariah 6; John 9

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 18

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

You, O God, Have Heard Me

1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Psalm 61:1-5 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Life in this present world is just preparation for what will last forever. Even if one should live to be 120 years old, this life would still represent just one tiny grain of sand on the endless beach of eternity. Not everyone believes this though. Unbelievers will think it strange when you don’t care for talking about the filth they have been watching, or the rhythm and profanity they continually blast in their cars that can be heard 50 feet away. It has been said that birds of a feather flock together. It is true. Thus, it is necessary to leave the chickens pecking around in the dirt behind, if you would soar with the eagles. Leave all those so-called friends that want you to join them in poisoning the body, polluting the mind, and defiling the spirit. Woe unto those who refuse to believe. If they repent not, only darkness and suffering shall be their portion. The end will suddenly come upon them like a thief in the night, when the last trumpet sounds, the books will be opened, and then everyone will be rewarded accordingly. Woe to them, but blessed are those who have been converted by belief in Jesus Christ kept with a child-like faith. They shall know the truth and the truth shall set them free. This is the promise for this life, and in the next there will be a warm welcome into paradise for all eternity.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 21; Revelation 9

Zechariah 5; John 8

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

Daily Writing Prompt

Plan Well and Take it As it comes

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?
View all responses

Grass grows slow when all you do is sit around watching it. It’s funny how much quicker each year seems to pass the older I get. This time last year I pictured I would be an IFBB pro by now. That’s going to take a little longer. I also pictured that I would blog daily. With only a handful of days in the year left, by the grace of God that one is nearly accomplished. However, I didn’t picture publishing a series of journals with writing prompts this time last year. I’m very thankful for being able to publish these journals, and I’m pushing hard to have the series completed by the turn of the new year. Neither was I expecting a new job this time last year. Sometimes unexpected blessings are the best kind of all.

To quote a line from one of my favorite poems: “Life is funny with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns.” Plan the best course you can. Work it until the door closes. Then look around for the next best way and step to it. That’s how living is done.

(1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Matthew 24:42-51)

faith

Devotional for December 17

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Reap with Shouts of Joy

126 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.
3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Pray, because everything depends on God. Work, because everything depends on us. These are NOT contradictory statements. They are opposites sides of the same profound truth. Our part is to pray and work confidently knowing that all power belongs to God.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 19-20; Revelation 8

Zechariah 4; John 7

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

Daily Writing Prompt

The Art of Kindness

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What skills or lessons have you learned recently?
View all responses

Not that I have mastered or perfected kindness, but I have been forced to pursue it more eagerly in the past week. A perfect storm at work left one of my co-workers in tears and hurt from something I said. This puzzled me as it was not a threat, I never raised my voice, it was not said in anger, and it was certainly not meant to hurt her. After praying about this incident, I’ve come see now that the situation required more calm than I had at that very moment. Though I was not angry, my intensity level was cranked up to about 10. I was at no time out of control, but what I didn’t realize is that my high arousal state was being broadcast by my posture, my facial expression, and all my non-verbal communication. At that point, it mattered little what I said. My normal cool energy was red hot and it burned her. Hindsight has enabled me to see that the kindest thing I could have done in that situation was to walk away without saying anything. It would have been far better to confront her later after my normal state of peace had returned.

If there is a key to kindness, it is being sensitive to the needs of others. This is something that has never been easy or natural for me to do. My co-worker has the same need to feel safe at work just like all the rest of us. When I reflect on the incident and try to see if from her point of view, I see how she could have taken my intensity for anger and my posture as threatening. Had I been more concerned about her need than I was about letting my solution to the problem being known, the resulting fractured relationship could have been avoided.

Now my thoughts dwell on how I can make amends come Monday morning.

(Ephesians 4:29-32; Matthew 7:12)

faith

Devotional for December 16

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

113 Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 113 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Oil and water don’t mix. The only way to mix two such incompatible substances is for one of them to change. Since God is perfect and does not change, that means we are to come to God as we are and know that we are expected to change. If we come to God half stepping, wanting to follow Jesus while still living to please self, that will not work. The beginning of the necessary total life transformation in Christ doesn’t happen by growth. One can grow in grace, but one cannot grow into grace. Just as a flower in the crack of a sidewalk cannot grow into the flowerbed. It must first be planted in the flowerbed and then it can grow in it. God will grant this grace of being planted in Christ the moment we ask for it and then accept it as fact by faith. Once having done this, the next thing to do is to throw off the old man at once and turn wholeheartedly to the Lord for complete deliverance. Who would buy a house and then allow the seller to retain possession and use of it as if the seller still owned it? No one, and not even a single room would be given over to the seller. Neither does God. We have been bought by the broken body and precious blood of Jesus Christ. Not so we can have the right to do as we please, but rather so that we can be adopted as obedient children of God. Christ freely gave us all. And if we would have Christ, we must freely give Him all. Know that your offering of yourself is accepted by God as soon as you give it. Place your all on the alter before God and take none of it back The transfer of the title deed is done. Accept this now by faith. This is the glorious beginning of experiential gospel. All who call on the name of the Lord, and remain in faith, will in due time attain to the full measure of it.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 18; Revelation 7

Zechariah 3; John 6

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 15

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Arise, O God

82 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. Psalm 82 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Focus makes both light a laser and faith a conqueror. Temptations are thoughts and feelings that distract the focus from some truth as revealed by the Word of God. We cannot walk on water if we focus on the wind and waves rather than our Lord Jesus Christ. Distraction keeps faith small by disconnecting the mind from God by scattering attention. In order to fix our eyes on Jesus, the first thing to do is willingly offer Him your whole being, and then you only need to believe that He accepts you. He has commanded us to deny self, pick up your cross, and follow Him. If we willingly choose to do this, we can be sure the offering will be accepted. Chose God’s way to meet His conditions and He will always fulfil His promises. Jesus Christ is faithful and true. He has given us eternal life and His presence enables us to live out His word. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing but sin, and our own highest good is to do His will. Blessed are all who come to know and do this.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 17; Revelation 6

Zechariah 2; John 5

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.