faith

Devotional for March 22

March 22, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

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.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
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. Psalm 37:1-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Absolutely wonderful is the hope set before us. Keep it simple. Begin with the end in mind. Each day make any necessary course corrections, then focus on taking little steps in the direction of the desired end. Press on toward the goal for as long as necessary, and your desired destination will become your destiny. (Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Matthew 12:33-35; Mark 7:20-22; Matthew 15:11; Proverbs 18:21; Psalm 51:10; John 15:3-8; Exodus 33:14; Romans 8:3-8; Galatians 5:16-25; James 4:5-10; Psalm 18:1-3; Philippians 4:23)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 33; John 12

Proverbs 9; Ephesians 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring us again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for March 21

March 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Only You, Lord, Make Me Dwell in Safety

4 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Tossing a coin into a wishing well pays for nothing. The difference between a goal and a wish is the willingness to pay the price to achieve it. Are you willing to eat better, work harder, and give up all that hinders? To pray for change and not put in the required work dishonors God. Repent and align your heart, head, and hands. The higher the goal, the higher the price. Count the cost before you begin, and be willing to consistently pay the price from start to end. Do this and you will be prepared to do every good work God has placed in your heart. (Proverbs 20:4, 26:15; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Luke 9:23, 14:27-35; 2 Timothy 2:3-22; Philippians 2:13-16; James 1:22-25; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 32; John 11

Proverbs 8; Ephesians 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

Daily Writing Prompt

All Day, Everyday, for Life

March 20, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Daily writing prompt

What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

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If I could go back in time 40 years or so and talk to my younger self, I would caution me against putting on permeant ink that is cool in the moment. Tattoos can be changed or covered, but never erased. Consider the possibility of the “future you” not liking the choice, and the fact that there will be no options to undo the decision. (Exodus 20:25; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

faith

Devotional for March 20

March 20, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Let All the Earth Understand

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. Psalm 33:13-19 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

How you play your cards is more important than the cards you have been dealt. How you live is more important than where you live, and what you seek is more important than what you have. All that we have, and all that we are, will serve the desires of the heart. The desires of our heart direct our feet toward God and the things above, or toward self and the things of this world. Obey the Sprit, or you will be enslaved by the flesh. There is no third possibility. (Mathew 6:19-24; Colossians 3:2; Romans 8:5-8; Mathew 5:6; Luke 12:15; Galatians 5:16-17; Romans 6:16; Matthew 7:13-14, 16:24-25; John 17:3, 17:17; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 3:13-26)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 31; John 10

Proverbs 7; Galatians 6

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for March 19

March 19, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Our Promise for the Sure Mercies of David

89 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. Psalm 89:1-4 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith is spiritual muscle. Even the things of the natural world teach us that everything which is seen comes from what is unseen. The masterpiece cannot be seen on the blank canvas. The priceless work of art cannot be seen within the block of marble. The corn cannot be seen in the kernel of grain, and the fully grown adult cannot be seen in the baby. Only in the eyes of the artist, the sculptor, the farmer, and the Creator is that which is unseen commanded to come forth. Birth pains are sure to come, but don’t abort the vision. The journey of 1000 steps will never be reached if one turns back after taking only 999. (Hebrews 11:1-3; Proverbs 29:18; Hebrews 4:12; John 12:20-26; Hebrews 10:36-39, 4:2; Mark 4:24-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 30; John 9

Proverbs 6; Galatians 5

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for March 18

March 18, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Remember thy God

63 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. Psalm 63:1-7 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Wisdom teaches that the means are just as important as the ends. Remember to fight the good fight of faith. The world is full of distractions that if not guarded against will cause us to forget. Both sunshine and rain are given and allowed by God to make us stronger, but we must cooperate and engage in the battle. Stop wrestling with God and start resisting all that is contrary to His holiness. Be not like the seed sowed in the rocky soil, which had little roots. Neither be the hare that takes the shortcut to a free lunch, and ends up as the main course in the trapper’s stew. Much better to be like the tortoise that takes the straight path of consistent hard work, and in time has a sure reward. The value of reaching any great height comes from the patience and endurance it takes to reach it. The longer and harder the struggle, the greater and sweeter the victory. Press on. Victory awaits. (Luke 8:4-15; Hebrews 10:36; Proverbs 20:21; James 1:2-6; James 4:7; 1 John 5:4;1 Timothy 6:12; Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 29; John 8

Proverbs 5; Galatians 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for March 17

March 17, 2024March 17, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

May We Always Remember

78 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: Psalm 78:1-7 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Just as gains in physical strength must be supported by how life is lived in between workouts, gains in godliness and contentment need to be supported by continuing our worship of God outside of church services. We were created to worship God all day every day, not just one or two days a week. Practice the presence of God. Let your favorite songs of praise be the default melody of your heart. Magnify the Lord in your thoughts and speech. Be doers of the word with the joy of praising and adoring our God. His goodness and mercy will surely follow you every morning and take you through every night. (Matthew 21:42; John 7:38; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 9:7; Philippians 2:13; Nehemiah 8:10; Acts 4:9-13; 1 Corinthians 3:5-17; Philippians 4:4-8; Psalm 92:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 28; John 7

Proverbs 4; Galatians 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Daily Writing Prompt

Who and How

March 16, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Daily writing prompt

Who is the most confident person you know?

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The one whose reliance on shakable things has been transcended, and only complete trust in God remains. (Judges 14:12-14; Psalm 119:9; Proverbs 28:26, 3:5-6; Psalm 147:9-11; Psalm 81:10; Hebrews 12:25-27; Psalm 119:103; Proverbs 28:1; Judges 14:16-18)

faith

Devotional for March 16

March 16, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Your Word Is a Light Upon My Path

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. Psalm 119:105-112 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Fitness enhances quality of life. Take care how you build your earthbound house of fitness though. Dig down pass the shaky ground of vanity. Don’t put it together with the mortar of self-obsession. You may succeed in building a beautiful house with such, but it will be cold and lonely inside. The bedrock on which to build fitness is good health, not vanity. Work for it and return all the glory to God. We are the temple of the living God, and our true treasure of incomprehensible worth is God dwelling within us. (Luke 17:12-21, 11:27-28; Colossians 1:26-27, 3:2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Matthew 6:31-33; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Luke 14:15; Revelation 4:10-11, 5:1-12, 22:8-21)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 27; John 6

Proverbs 3; Galatians 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for March 15

March 15, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Blessed Be the Lord, the God of Our Salvation

7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. Psalm 68:7-10, 17-20 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The power of a laser comes from a single point of focus. The hungry cat that runs into the middle of the heard and gets distracted by every darting beast, is likely to remain hungry. Multitasking is for amateurs. To reach the heights of whatever mountain you want to climb requires the ability to focus. Use some horse sense, put on your blinders, and go to work. Distraction is a favorite tactic of the enemy to get you focused on what you see, and thereby upset the divine order of faith first then feelings. To remain firm, our thoughts must be continually refocused on faith in God rather than on what we see, what we imagine, and how we feel. To allow your thoughts to be tossed about by faithless feelings based on current circumstances, is to build on shifting sand. Stand firm in faith by depending on wisdom, the word of God, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let feelings be what they may. Make no requirement that feelings always be good and you will be free. (Hebrews 11:1-6; Matthew 7:24-29; Luke 9:61-62; Hebrews 10:38-39; John 8:31-32; James 1: 2-8; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Galatians 5:7-8; James 1:12-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 26; John 5

Proverbs 2; Galatians 1