Author: Bruce Coleman

I'm passionate about being wholeheartedly devoted to Jesus Christ. Fitness is a beloved tool. Not to compete with faith, only used to support it.
faith

Devotional for August 16

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Have faith in God, and pray for the grace to exercise your faith."

He Has Given Us His Word

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalm 119:9-16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Some things are necessary, and most change according to the season. There are two things however, that always remain essential. Have faith in God, and pray for the grace to exercise your faith. All who have done so have never failed. You can read the record of many of the pioneers who have done so in the Faith Hall of Fame written in Hebrews chapter 11. These are our living examples recorded as shining testimonies for all time. This most excellent glory calls to each of us. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-15; Hebrews 11; John 11:35-40; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:13-25; Exodus 25:40; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Luke 12:32; Ephesians 3:17-19; Psalm 72:17-20)

faith

Devotional for August 15

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "In God we trust, when we reckon the promise and the fulfillment equally sure."

Strengthen by the Lord

20 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Psalm 20:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith that receives knows the promise and the fulfillment are one. Faith comes by hearing a good report. In God we trust, when we reckon the promise and the fulfillment equally sure. As you will feel at fulfillment, cultivate the same with praise and thanksgiving from the promise, and the joy of the Lord will be your strength. (Ephesians 2:1-8; Hebrews 11:1-6; Romans 4:16-25; Colossians 3:2; Romans 14:17-18; James 1:2-4; Hebrews 6:19-20, 7:25; John 14:8-27; Nehemiah 8:10; Romans 8:24-39; Psalm 100:2-5; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

faith

Devotional for August 14

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Physical perfection is only skin deep, while spiritual perfection is a delightful beauty down to the innermost parts of the soul."

Recount the Praiseworthy Deeds of the Lord

1 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:
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 78:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Physical perfection is only skin deep, while spiritual perfection is a delightful beauty down to the innermost parts of the soul. We must be willing to wrestle with this word ‘”perfection” if we are to have a correct understanding of what John Wesley called “Christian Perfection.” Christian Perfection is both a being and a becoming. These are not contradictory, but opposite ends of the same profound truth. Christian Perfection is not about being physically perfect or incapable making mistakes. There is no such lasting physical perfection in this life do to the weakness of the flesh. Christian Perfection is being of the same character of those in heaven, where there is nothing that offends. The becoming part of Christian Perfection will happen upon the resurrection of the just. When the flesh is transformed at the twinkling of an eye into a glorious spiritual body like our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we obtain both ends of this Christian Perfection? It is both hard and easy. It is hard to find, because the way is narrow. It is easy to follow for the same reason, because the way is narrow. Take His yoke upon you and learn the way of Christian Perfection. (Proverbs 6:20-26; Mark 8:36; Psalm 49:6-15; Matthew 5:6; Romans 14:17; Matthew 5:48, 7:7-8, 11:28-30, 7:13-14; Mark 4:26-29; James 5:7; Hebrews 10:36;  Matthew 13:45-46; Philippians 3:8-16; 1 Corinthians 15:39-58; Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:27, 22:10-21)

faith

Devotional for August 13

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Take no backward step before reaching the tipping point were living some in self gives way to living more in Christ."

Proclaim with Me the Greatness of the Lord

34 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Our shortcomings can be ignored, rationalized, or acknowledged. Only one of these leads to victory. Examples of shortcomings are eating something we know we should not have eaten, saying something we know we should not have said, or doing something we know we should not have done. Such shortcomings are like the head, torso, and limbs of what the Bible calls “the body of this death.” Life in self is the problem and Christ is the only answer that leads to certain victory. To cover our shortcomings by ignoring or rationalizing, is to live in total bondage to the desires of self and to be cut off completely from Christ. To acknowledge our shortcomings, is to move in the direction of the victory that comes from being dead to self and alive in Christ. Take no backward step before reaching the tipping point were living some in self gives way to living more in Christ. First comes the blade, then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear. (Proverbs 28:13-14, 27:12; Psalm 34:14-16; Romans 14:22-23, 7:11-25; Psalm 32:5; 1 John 1:9; Mark 4:26-29; Luke 9:62, 17:32; Hebrews 10:36; 2 Peter 1:19; Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6:6-14, 8:36-39; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 2:6-7; Revelation 3:21; John 15:16; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

faith

Devotional for August 12

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Weight training is to body what prayer is to the spirit."

Arise

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)

The Morning Exhortation

Weight training is to body what prayer is to the spirit. Age doesn’t necessary make one weak, but a lack of weight training and prayer certainly will. Lift up your heart to the Lord by acknowledging Him in all your ways. Beware of being stuck in the mud with those who are great in their own eyes. Live in meekness, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (Proverbs 3:5-8; 1 Peter 3:3-4; Psalm 92:12-15, 18:1-3; Isaiah 46:4-5; 1 Chronicles 29:10-12; Psalm 10:4; Proverbs 11:22; James 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 10:12; Numbers 12:3; Exodus 34:29-30; Deuteronomy 34:7; Psalm 90:12; Acts 26:8; Psalm 18:25-36; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Proverbs 16:3; 2 Corinthians 6:3-7; Philippians 4:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18; 1 Chronicles 29:13; 2 Corinthians 13:11-14)

faith

Devotional for August 11

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Character first, only then can we be trusted with great strength."

Joy in the Presence of the Lord

5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:5-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Start with the end. Before striving for what you think you should be doing, cultivate the character of being that is able achieve such an end. What we should be doing is our calling, but to chase after our calling without first being what it takes to get there, leads only to vexation of spirit. Character first, only then can we be trusted with great strength. The wheat is easily separated from the chaff once “what we are” has been fully realized. The wheat is any activity that produces the desired harvest, while the chaff is anything that distracts, diverts, or derails from the hope of the envisioned end. Be then do. Amen. (Revelation 21:1-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Hebrews 2:10-15; Luke 4:16-21; Colossians 3:2; Ecclesiastes 1:14; 1 John 2:16-17; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:17-25; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Acts 17:28; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Matthew 6:33; Revelation 22:11-21)

faith

Devotional for August 10

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Wisdom is the habit of consistently choosing what is best."

The Way to Go

143 Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
7 Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psalm 143:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Wisdom is the habit of consistently choosing what is best. For example, willingly giving up the right to eat donuts every day is a good choice if we want to be lean. There are hundreds of such small choices we make each day. They are the little foxes that spoil the grapes. Every choice follows the God given law of “as you sow, so shall you reap.” This one law is a key to the higher life, yet who among us is sufficient for the task? Relying on willpower alone is a failure trap that activates once enough fatigue has made us vulnerable. Godly wisdom teaches us a better way. Wisdom, just like redemption and restoration, are given by the grace of God and received by faith. Rely on our own limited human strength, and that is all we will have. A better choice is to humble self and trust God. Rely on Him to make us strong for all the little choices required for the higher life. This we can be sure He will do, because God is faithful to fulfill all His promises. (Psalm 92:1-2, 32:1-2; John 8:30-36, 10:10; Galatians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 10:23; Galatians 6:7; Proverbs 26:27, 27:12, 26:3; Psalm 32:9; Proverbs 3:4-8, 2:6; Song of Solomon 2:15; James 3:13-18; 2 Corinthians 3:5; James 1:2-8; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

faith

Devotional for August 9

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Because Christ can do all things through me, I can do all things through Christ."

Lord, My God, How Great Thou Art

16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
19 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.
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. Psalm 104:16-31 
  (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Two people headed in different directions can only walk together if one of them changes course. We are the inner and Adam is the outer in this colossal Russian doll set known as humanity. When Adam walked away from God, we all walked away. Where Adam went, we all went, because we were still in Adam at that time. God mercifully sent Christ to redeem us and bring us back to Himself. To be born again, is to die in Adam, and be made alive to God nested in Christ. How wonderful the mystery of you in Christ and Christ in you! The revelation of this double abiding gives the understanding of the apostle’s testimony of being able to do all things through Christ. Because Christ can do all things through me, I can do all things through Christ. (Amos 3:3; Psalm 53:2-3; John 3:1-18; Romans 6:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 14:20; Hebrews 6:17-7:10; James 2:23; Romans 5:14-19; Colossians 1:25-29; Matthew 28:18-20; Philippians 4:8-13; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for August 8

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Trials of many kinds are sure to come. Remember the faithfulness of God and they will only strengthen the fruit."

Let the Earth Rejoice

97 The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:1-6, 11 
  (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We do well to distinguish the eternal from the temporary. The fruit of the Spirit, which grows from the word of life sown in our heart, is meant to last. Trials of many kinds are sure to come. Remember the faithfulness of God and they will only strengthen the fruit. Also be on guard against the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, because they will surely stunt our spiritual growth if we allow them to dominate the soul. All that our heavenly Father didn’t plant, let it be pulled up and cast away. This world is only a temporary thing. See through the reality of present circumstances to the eternal reality of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our spiritual rock of truth that never changes. As Christ forms His perfect image in our soul, we abundantly bear the fruit of the Spirit. Happy is the day when we believe and abide in Him. (2 Peter 1:1-15; Hebrews 3:7-13; 1 John 2:15-17; Matthew 15:10-19; Luke 17:20-21; Matthew 13:3-23; John 15:1-16; Galatians 5:19-23; James 1:22-25; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:2-8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 9:10; Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 72:18-19) 

faith

Devotional for August 7

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "The way of faith and fitness has multiple targets, therefore a single silver bullet just won’t do."

The True Way

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1  (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

What is good for the spirit, is good for the body. What is good for the body is good for the heart. What is good for the heart is good for the brain. What is good for the brain is good for the muscles. The way of faith and fitness has multiple targets, therefore a single silver bullet just won’t do. Multiple targets and multiple angles, all with just one objective: to be good stewards of all that God has given us. God has provided all. The Word of God is a treasure trove of silver bullets good for everybody, everything, everywhere, yesterday, today, and forever. Load, aim, and fire at will. (John 1:1-3; Hebrews 11:3; Matthew 24:35; Hebrews 13:8; John 15:7-11; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 22:20-21, 6:24; James 2:14-26; John 3:27; Acts 3:4-9; Proverbs 11:25; James 5:7; 1 Corinthians 3:6-8; Acts 3:19-25; John 4:23-26; Revelation 22:1-7; Matthew 6:9-13)