Month: October 2024

faith

Devotional for October 31

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Strong muscles without spiritual strength is like a toothless dog that can’t hunt."

My Keeper

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Strong muscles without spiritual strength is like a toothless dog that can’t hunt. Be strong in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to have both a bark and a bite. The goal is to be whole in spirit, soul, and body. Depend on the grace of God to make you so. He who has promised is faithful. (Hosea 6:1-6; Genesis 4:3-9; Proverbs 18:24; John 15:15-16, 26-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:1, 1:7; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 10:23, 11:4; Proverbs 2:6-8; Ephesians 6:10; Jude 1:17-26)

faith

Devotional for October 29

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Faith is hearing the Word of God and reckoning it to be true."

The Blessing

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. Psalm 40:4-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith is hearing the Word of God and reckoning it to be true. Reckoning is a mathematical accounting that requires no particular feelings or special circumstances. Just as 1+1=2 whether you feel good about it or not, whether the sun is shining or not, so too is the Word of God true regardless of how you feel or what you see. Acting in accordance with the Word is the substance of the hope set before us. Do you want the blessing of Abraham? Believe the gospel and you have it. Put on the gift of righteousness. Focus on inner peace and victory over sin. God will send the joy the old saints testify about according to His own perfect timing. (Genesis 12:1-3; Ephesians 1:11; Galatians 3:10-14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 13:12, 5:1-8, 6:11; Psalm 32:1-2; Hebrews 11:1-6; Romans 10:17; Psalm 119:103-107, 97:11; Jude 24-25)

faith

Devotional for October 27

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman:"Pray, work, and give thanks."

Do You Believe?

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:20-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Before you bring any petition to God in prayer, answer the Lord’s question:  “Do you believe I am able to do this?” From faith to faith do we hear both the question and the answer. God must do all, from the new birth to full spiritual maturity in Christ, and only faith can receive it. Our responsibility is to pray like 100% of the results depends on God, as well as to work like 100% of the work depends on our willingness to get it done. Both parts of this confession are equally true. God alone brings the results of our prayer and work. Therefore, to God alone belongs the glory. Pray, work, and give thanks. He will certainly make of you all that He created you to be. (Matthew 5:6; Psalm 107:9; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Daniel 12:1-3; Philippians 3:8-10; Romans 1:17; Galatians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24; Matthew 9:28; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Psalm 115:1; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for October 25

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Build on the unchangeable truth."

Trust the Lord

117 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 117 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Life is a poka-yoke so easy a child can do it. God, in His infinite wisdom, hasn’t created a million different ways, but only one way. Nor does that one way require a Samson-like strength to do it, but it is easily obtainable by all who are willing. Such is the goodness of God toward us that the way is straight, and the key to obtain this everlasting life is faith in Jesus Christ. Build on the unchangeable truth. (Matthew 7:13-27; Hebrews 13:8; Matthew 23:37, 11:28-30, 18:3; Isaiah 55:1-3; John 7:37-38; John 17:3; Mark 4:26-29; Galatians 6:9; Revelation 22:17; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

faith

Devotional for October 23

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "As long as we strive in our own strength, we frustrate the grace of God."

Grace Must Do All

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 103:10-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

With our loving heavenly Father so willing to bless us, what is it that hinders? Regardless of what is upfront and in our face right now, all that hinders can be reduced down to just one thing. As long as we strive in our own strength, we frustrate the grace of God. We struggle, we fight, and we wrestle as long as a spirit of “can-do” is alive in us. It seems a paradox, but it’s not. More like opposite ends of the same truth. When the grace of God does all, we can do all things. Stop wrestling, Jacob, and just hold on to the Word. It is God who works in you both to will and to do what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Jeremiah 18:1-6; Genesis 32:24-32; Hebrews 11:21; Proverbs 3:5-8; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:13, 4:13; Psalm 23:4; 1 Timothy 1:17)

faith

Devotional for October 21

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "The answer to both when and how requires trust in God."

In Christ Alone

112 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:1-7 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God is pleased when we ask the hard thing. Ask for the double portion. The answer to both when and how requires trust in God. Cheerfully do your mundane chores. Learn to excel in ordinary things while waiting on the Lord. Remember the wonderful works of the Lord in the past, hope in the glory of the Lord to come, and joyful commit all your ways to Him in the present. To know such peace, make Jesus Christ your all and all, your Alpha and Omega. (2 Kings 2:9-15; Matthew 7:7-8; John 15:8-16, 17:19-23; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Daniel 6:19-23; Revelation 1:4-8; Psalm 24:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17; Revelation 22:21)

faith

Devotional for October 19

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Faith too is a gift from God."

Give Ear and Listen to God’s Guidance

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:
8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. Psalm 78:5-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Sow to the Spirit and reap all the promises of God. By faith we sow to the Spirit and even this is not from ourselves. Faith too is a gift from God. The more I do the more I realize I can do nothing apart from Jesus Christ. No matter how grand something is in the eyes of others, if it contains none of the love of God, it is vain, nothing, and lighter than dust. Peace flees from us when we are too busy to pray, mentally absorbed with trivial things, stressed out, and too drunk with entertainment to even remember God. This is one of the best laid plans of our enemy and many of us live it all day long. We end up wearied by the burden. Surely there is a better way, and it is more of God throughout the day and less of other things. (Galatians 6:7-9; Mark 4:28-31; Matthew 17:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-9; Matthew 6:31-33; Matthew 11:28-29; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-28)

fitness

Workout Log October 18

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

This morning was a repeat of Wednesday’s pressed for time workout. My wife had an emergency and sent me to the store at 6 am to get sugar and coconut milk. Cut into my workout time, but it is just as well. I felt a lot of soreness with my normal Kettlebell warm-up. A sure sign that I’m not fully recovered from this week’s heavier work. Starting to experiment with filming and uploading some video. Even a no frills video like this takes time as well. Please let me know if you think it is worth the effort.

Workout log October 18, 2024