Month: June 2024

faith

Devotional for June 30

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: 'Excellence is being all that God created you to be, and this requires faith."

Remember the Benefits 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.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:1-5, 10-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

True excellence isn’t about being better than anyone else. True excellence is about being the best version of you. Excellence is being all that God created you to be, and this requires faith. Faith must be mixed with the Word to bring forth the bricks to build the body, which is the temple of the living God. Let us not do this with the vain desire to have others look at us with admiration. Such desires create a soft spot for the enemy’s flaming darts seeking to set the heart ablaze with pride. Rather, let us labor to be strong in body and soul as good stewards of that which by the blood of Jesus Christ has set apart to be holy. We are blessed so that God may bless others through us. Begin with prayer and go to work. The will must bridle the body to keep it from all that would defile it, and this we can do by the grace of Jesus Christ. Shun forever all the ungodly ways of this perishing world. Jesus is coming again soon. Let us be well prepared for it. We are closer today than we were yesterday. Let nothing keep you from your everlasting crown. (Proverbs 6:16-19; Psalm 62:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:7, 5:6-8; John 4:23-24; Galatians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 4:9; Colossians 3:1-17; Hebrews 4:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 12:1-3; Revelation 22:17-21)

faith

Devotional for June 29

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Love will call you to it."

Saved in This Life for the Next

1 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. Psalm 91:1-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Looking and feeling good is great, but holy thoughts and righteous deeds are essential. Learn to enjoy what it takes. Make the accomplishment of the daily work your goal, and the abiding presence of the Lord your reward. Do this and motivation will never be a problem for you. Jesus said we are to stop worrying about tomorrow. This doesn’t mean don’t plan. Planning ahead is smart and we are to use all the wisdom God has given us. It’s just enough to deal with the today’s happenings without the additional burden of being overly concerned with the possible problems of the future. God has commanded us to be strong and courageous. Have faith in God to be strong, and trust in the Word to be courageous. Love will call you to it. (Psalm 49:20; Genesis 4:7; Galatians 5:9; Revelation 21:7-8; Genesis 15:9-11; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Romans 6:3-11; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 3:8-19, 10:35-36; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14;Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 5:6-10; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Daily Writing Prompt

Up Early

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Daily writing prompt
What are your daily habits?
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Up early in morning long before the sun. Win the morning and it becomes much easier to win the day. Front loading Bible reading, prayer, and then exercise has become my habitual way of preparing for today and tomorrow. It’s not something I have to decide to do each day, it has become as natural as breathing. Not so in the beginning. Stick to it though, and it will become that way in due time. (Mark 1:35-42)

faith

Devotional for June 28

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Being ready is by far more important than being concerned about when opportunity will knock."

Rejoice In the Name of the Lord

5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
8 O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. Psalm 89:5-8, 14-17 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

When time and circumstances converge to create an opportune moment, where will you be? When the bell rings, will you still be in a daze on the sofa in front of the TV? When your ship comes in, will you be up early in the morning standing on the dock with your bags packed and boarding pass in hand? The unprepared are always overly concerned about the question of when. Prepare your field, then you will be ready to build your house when the time is right. Being ready is by far more important than being concerned about when opportunity will knock. (Proverbs 24:27, 10:4-5; Acts 1:6-7; Matthew 24:37-39; Romans 2:4; Proverbs 6:6-11; Matthew 3:4-12; Psalm 95:6-11, 19:7-11; Acts 19:11-16; Matthew 7:21-23, 25:1-13; James 4:5-10; Romans 13:11; 1 John 5:20-21)

faith

Devotional for June 27

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Anything that causes doubt in the promises of God is a lie of the devil."

Let the Lord Be Magnified

9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
10 All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Psalm 35:9-10, 27-28 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We can have total assurance that our prayers will be answered. This assurance is based on one fact: The promise of “ask for whatsoever you want” is for all those who are totally devoted to doing the will of Christ Jesus. It is not for those who are still enslaved by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. To ask for something to satisfy a covetous desire is to ask amiss. However, when our prayers are for what is needful in our labor for the bread which does not perish, you can have perfect assurance it will be granted. Anything that causes doubt in the promises of God is a lie of the devil. When faith grabs hold of this fact, we grow up in our salvation. (James 4:1-3; 1 John 2:15-17; Mark 14:1-9; 2 Corinthians 2:15-17; 1 John 5:14-15; 2 Timothy 2:1-7; Hebrews 10:15-23; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9; Jude 1:5-13; 1 John 2:26-27; John 15:1-11; Hebrews 12:12-29; Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 18:1; Mark 11:25; Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 7:9-11; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for June 26

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "It is not the greatness of the work that pleases God. It's the spirit in which the work is done."

Rest in the Lord

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. Psalm 62:5-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Everybody in the world is ready to be rich, beautiful, and famous. Anyone who asks God to fulfill any such selfish ambitions will be greatly disappointed. We are all ready to be superstars for Jesus, but not many of us ever consider humbling self to wash the feet of the saints. We only deceive ourselves when we use work for God as a cloak to hide the seeking of glory for self. It is not the greatness of the work that pleases God. It’s the spirit in which the work is done. Better a little with righteousness in all things, than great riches, flawless beauty, and billions of social media followers yet perish like the beasts. (Psalm 37:16; 49:16-20; James 4:1-4; 1 Peter 2:11-17; Mark 11:25; Psalm 66:16-20; Proverbs 24:27; Haggai 1:2-11; Luke 17:7-10; Philippians 2:3-4; John 6:27-29; Psalm 119:36; Matthew 13:45-46; Matthew 16:24-26; 1 Timothy 6:6-16)

faith

Devotional for June 25

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Work and depend on God for the increase."

See This and Rejoice

1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. Psalm 107:1-3, 8-9, 42-43 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God has promised fantastic things for those who believe, yet nothing more than He intends to fulfill. Every good promise is for all who believe. Seek to know God and not just to receive His gifts. Let the one who believes, pray. Let the one who prays, work and depend on God for the increase. Nothing is too big for prayer, because nothing is too big for God. Nothing is impossible to the one who believes, because nothing is impossible for God. Do NOT be like the horse or mule without understanding. Let the believer pray and work for the glory of God. (2 Peter 1:-11; Mark 9:23; Luke 1:37; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:16-17; Psalm 32:8-11; Mark 11:22-24; Matthew 6:28-33; James 5:17; Psalm 90:17; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Colossians 4:12; Ephesians 6:5-8; Luke 12:42-46; Ecclesiastes 10: 18; Ecclesiastes 5:18-19; 1 Peter 4:10-11)

faith

Devotional for June 24

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: 'Feel the fatigue and joyfully get done what needs to be done anyway."

I Delight to Do Your Will, O My God

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:4-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Everyone gets tired, the great secret is not to let it control you. Feel the fatigue and joyfully get done what needs to be done anyway. Let the one who wants a lean, hungry look, not shy away from hard work nor hunger pangs. Better to suffer from a little diligence and discipline while climbing the path of greatness, than it is to suffer from an abundance of pleasure and leisure while sliding into the pit of nothingness. (1 Peter 4:1-5; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Peter 3:13-18; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Psalm 127:1-2, 4:8; John 16:24-33; Proverbs 4:20-27; Ephesians 6:16-18; 2 Corinthians 2:11; James 5:13; Proverbs 18:14; Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 42:5, 118:19-29; Nehemiah 8:10; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for June 23

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord is the Stronghold of My Life

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. Psalm 27:1-4 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith is reckoning the divine truth of the Word of God as being more important than the tangible truth of what can be seen and felt. Where the two contradict, faith will always prevail as it is based on the highest form of unchangeable truth. The tangible, transient truths of this world will always come in line with divine truth sooner or later. The Word of God gives faith a sure rock to take hold, and faith provides the substance in which hope grows. Blessed is the one who takes hold with a mustard seed size faith in God. Jesus Christ is the Word and the Word is God. Be strong and live in this light. Be cleansed by the washing of the Word of all deceit, pride, and pretense. Be free to be what you portray and to practice what you preach. Mix a little faith with the Word and the amazing grace of God will set you free to the glory of His name. (Hebrews 11:1-6; John 1:1-18; John 8:31-36; John 15:1-20; 1 John 1:5-10; Isaiah 53:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 4:2; John 6:28; Mark 11:22-24; John 6:63; Revelation 22:14-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14)