faith

Devotional for June 12

June 12, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Great is Our God

104 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
31 The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.
35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 104:1-4, 24-35 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

There is no such thing as a muscle fairy. The only thing you will get from putting an iron plate under your pillow at night is a headache in the morning. We have a God that graciously provides us with all things, including the ability to work. There are no short cuts. Putting in the work is not supposed to be easy, and what comes fast often goes just as fast. Work is a gift from God to be received with thankfulness and executed in faithfulness. Honest work is not to be refused, nor is it to be done half-heartedly with murmuring, grumbling, and complaining. There is honor in all honest work done well. Set your heart on hearing our Lord Jesus Christ say to you, “well done my faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master.” He will strengthen you and make you firm. Trust God always. Flee idolatry! Not just sticks and stones, but anything that is exalted above God is a false idol. Some worship strong muscles, others put their faith in science. There be many who make money their idol and food their god. Purify our hearts, O Lord. That we may know and worship Thee the only true God. Jesus Christ our Lord lives! Let the whole earth be full of His glory. Dare to believe the gospel and grieve not the Holy Spirit. (Exodus 32:1-7; Jeremiah 8:9; Psalm 115:4-8; Romans 1:16-32; Psalm 69:22; Proverbs 30:20; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Proverbs 10:5; Matthew 25:14-30; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13; Philippians 2:14-16; Hebrews 10:36; 1 Corinthians 10:1-14; Matthew 6:24; Revelation 2:18-29; 1 John 5:20-21)

faith

Devotional for June 11

June 11, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord be Magnified

8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified. Psalm 40:8,16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Good health is strength, and death is the final form of weakness. Total health inside and out enhances life. While sin causes only weakness, sickness, suffering, and death. God has given each of us the responsibility to choose what is right. Because He holds us accountable for our choices, we must also have the freedom to choose as we will. Since we are held responsible to choose the good, accountable for the choice, and are free to choose as we will, choose strength and life. Diligently guard your heart. The eyes and ears are the gateways to the soul. Good judgment requires evaluating all according to its conformity to the knowledge of Christ. Cast down all that is contrary. And this we will do by the grace of God. What pleases the indwelling Holy Spirit is that we have faith. Know for certain therefore, when we are right with God everything that causes us to doubt is from the enemy. What pleases the devil is unbelief in the heart of a believer. Resist the devil standing firm in faith and he will flee from you. Is there something God has placed in your heart to do? What if you actually believed you could do it? Pray for it, and then get busy working for it until it is achieved. Faith works by love, because it is never difficult to do what you do for love. (Proverbs 2:1-7; Job 17:9, 24:5; Revelation 2:1-7, 3:14-22; Deuteronomy 30:19; Mark 12:30, 11:22; Galatians 5:6; Psalm 119:33-38; Isaiah 11:1-5, 26:4; Romans 6:23; Galatians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Luke 6:40; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Psalm 147:7-11, 135:19-20; Proverbs 3:5-8; 2 Peter 1:3-11; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

faith

Devotional for June 10

June 10, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Stand on the Facts of the Lord

111 Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
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.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalm 111:1-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Knowing which feelings to accept and which feelings to reject is an invaluable skill. The wheat must be separated from the chaff. The grass must be fertilized and the weeds pulled up by the roots. The silver must be passed through the fire to eliminate the dross. So too must the right pains be accepted and the wrong pleasures rejected. Those who are thus training in the practice of discerning right from wrong will grow healthy, wealthy, wise, and strong. (Psalm 119:9-16; Luke 8:4-15; Hosea 10:12; Proverbs 25:4-5; Hebrews 5:12-6:3; 1 Corinthians 10:23; Proverbs 14:9-16; Romans 3:13-18; Philippians 3:19; Romans 14:17-23; John 7:24; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Mark 4:26-29; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Jude 1:17-25)

Daily Writing Prompt

Only…

June 9, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Daily writing prompt

If humans had taglines, what would yours be?

View all responses

Only believe. No one can take a pre-workout supplement and then sit still. Likewise, faith leads to action. Faith is a spiritual pre-work substance. Mix with the Word of God for best results. (Mark 9:23-24; Hebrews 11:1, 6; Mark 5:36; Hebrews 10:23)

faith

Devotional for June 9

June 9, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Our Help and Shield

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
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 33:12-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Fitness, talent, and beauty make life easier, but we only fool ourselves when we think “easier” by itself makes life happier. Money is the answer for everything, but money alone will never be enough. Keep money, and anything else that would raise itself up as an idol, out of the heart. There is nothing wrong with the prayer to change the stones into bread in itself. The wrong or the right depends on whether the motive behind it is to obey God or merely to satisfy the belly. So, set your affections on the things that are above. Be watchful over your thoughts and deeds in order to keep your conscience tender and clear. Be quick to cast down, put off, and turn away from everything that doesn’t conform to the Word of God. Jesus Christ is the Word. Meditate on the Word of God all day long and rely on the power of God always. This will keep us on the narrow path with inner peace and great joy. (1 King 13:11-24; Ecclesiastes 7:2, 10:19, 5:10; Proverbs 23:5; Colossians 3:2; Hebrews 12:2; James 4:1-3; 1 John 2:15-16; Mathew 6:24; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Hebrews 11:32-12:1; Matthew 7:7-11; Romans 8:32-39; 1 John 5:13-15; Matthew 6:31-33; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; John 1: 1-3; Hebrews 11:1-6; Matthew 4:1-11; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for June 8

June 8, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Learn to celebrate the small victories along the way."

Praise God For His Everlasting Lovingkindness

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me. Psalm 86:11-17 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Achieving your fitness goals can be a lot like watching the grass grow. You will find it hard to stay motivated if all you do is dwell on how far you have to go. Learn to celebrate the small victories along the way. Got an extra rep in today? Acknowledge the achievement and give thanks to God for it. Was your diet spot on yesterday? Good for you. Rejoice and praise God for it. We are commanded to be strong and courageous. Acknowledge the source of all victories by giving God the glory, and receive the encouragement needed to keep moving forward toward your high calling in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:1; 1 Samuel 30:1-6; Joshua 1:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24; 1 Corinthians 13:4-13; Philippians 3:3-17; Habakkuk 3:17-18; Psalm 18:31-34; Isaiah 52:7; Psalm 18:28-30, 103:1-5; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 33:16-22; Revelation 7:11-12)

faith

Devotional for June 7

June 7, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Quote by Bruce Coleman: Self-help is no help at all. It's like hiring a fox to guard the chickens.

Praise God For His Everlasting Lovingkindness

The Morning Exhortation

Worry can sometimes seem like a 2,000 pound gorilla jumping up and down on your back. Self-help is no help at all. It’s like hiring a fox to guard the chickens. Take it to Lord in prayer and be confident in His ability as the Good Shepherd to care for you. Fight the good fight of faith and enforce the victory over anything that would spark unbelief in the heart. Be diligent. It is so easy to become distracted by our current circumstances, and thereby take our eyes off Jesus Christ. Without constantly reminding ourselves of the truth of His word and promises, we are likely to forget them at just the time when we need to abide in Him the most. Only by the grace of Jesus Christ are we more than conquerors, and that takes faith which works by love. (Matthew 6:26-34; Matthew 12:38-45; Ecclesiastes 4:5; Proverbs 14:1-3; Isaiah 50:10-11; Proverbs 3:5-8; Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Psalm 103:2-5; Isaiah 26:3; Proverbs 16:3; Galatians 5:6; Romans 8:35-39; 1 John 2:15-17; John 14:15-27; Psalm 23; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

faith

Devotional for June 6

June 6, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Quote by Bruce Coleman: "One key to effective prayer is to never pray for anything unless you believe God will do it. Believe first, then pray."

Remember the Wonderful Works of the Lord

105 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Psalm 105:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We can transform the physical body with diet and exercise. While our whole life can be transformed by the Word of God and faith. The Word of God, which consists of the very thoughts and verbal expressions of God, is the source of unlimited power. The practice of continually thinking God’s thoughts after Him is life transforming. Prayer is our connection to God. Faith is like the powering on of a television or other appliance. The ON/OFF button enables the device to perform as designed. Faith in God is our ON setting, while unbelief is the OFF mode that hinders the flow of grace. One key to effective prayer is to never pray for anything unless you believe God will do it. Believe first, then pray. Faith comes quickest by hearing yourself speak the Word, and unbelief begins as the mind entertains doubt. A doubting thought taken captive and casted down by faith causes no harm. So, doubt your doubts. Hold fast your confession of faith, and let the grace of God have its full flow. (Proverbs 12:10; 1 Timothy 4:8; Romans 12:1-18; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-17; James 1:21; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 11:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; John 17:17; 1 John 5:4-8; 2 Peter 1:3-11; Hebrews 10:19-23; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

faith

Devotional for June 5

June 5, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Quote by Bruce Coleman: Faith comes by hearing. Time and attention given to the Word of God tunes the ears to hear opportunity knocking.

God is Good

107 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.
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, 42-43 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith comes by hearing. Time and attention given to the Word of God tunes the ears to hear opportunity knocking. Every opportunity to doubt is also an opportunity to exercise faith. Remember the command to consider the fiery darts that attack your faith as pure joy. This is easy to do when you first remember the faithfulness of Him who has promised that through perseverance, you will be made strong and complete. The temptation to complain about our current circumstances is one such fiery dart that often goes unnoticed. The Holy Bible tells us that even something as routine as eating and drinking, and as constant as the flow of our thoughts and attitudes should all be consistent with faith in God. Fix the eyes on Jesus Christ and rejoice! He has won this victory for us. Jesus Christ our Lord, the captain of our salvation, is completely faithful, trustworthy, reliable, and all powerful. Christ is our source of everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:4; Revelation 3:22; Ephesians 1:1-21; Revelation 3:20; Ezekiel 36:26; John 14:18-26; Hebrews 10:15-17; Galatians 4:19; John 1:12-17; Hebrews 4:2; Hebrews 11:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15; John 8:31-32; Hebrews 12:1-3; James 1:21-25; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for June 4

June 4, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Quote by Bruce Coleman: Praise and thanksgiving are active expressions of trust in God.

The Glory of the Lord Endures Forever

13 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches
31 The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord. Psalm 104:1-2, 13-15, 19-24, 31-34 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We will see little gains from working out if we don’t eat. It takes sufficient protein and adequate time under tension for growing bigger muscles. Likewise, we also need spiritual nutrition and times of testing to increase our faith. The Word of God is spiritual protein and hearing the Word is like weight training. All who come to God through Jesus Christ have faith at least the size of a mustard seed. O ye of little faith, why stay that way? Faith comes by hearing, therefore be quick to speak the Word of God in your thoughts and in your ears. See the wind and the waves with rejoicing. The eyes are easily deceived and feelings are often just lying vanities. Praise and thanksgiving are active expressions of trust in God. Hold fast the confession of your faith and He will bring you through all in perfect peace. (Romans 10:17; Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Joshua 1:8-9; John 8:31-32; Matthew 14:22-31; Mark 11:22-24; 1 Peter 2:2; James 1:2-4; Psalm 42:5; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 3:15; Hebrews 10:23; Isaiah 26:3; 2 Timothy 2:15, 4:1-5, 2:24-25; Jude 1:17-25)