Category: faith

faith

Devotional for December 13

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

God Rules Forever

5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. Psalm 66:5, 7-9 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

We are surrounded by things which help the maundering horde of wrong thoughts that would conform us to this world. These wrong thought instigators are in our popular music, on our television, swirling around the Internet, in our movies, and in the constant bombardment of advertising campaigns that seek to sell us all manner of things we don’t really need. No sooner than one wrong thought is cast down, another springs up bent on defiling the soul to press the inner assault. The Word of God is a shield and the antidote. Minimize the intake of the poisons of this world and instead continually focus on the cure provided by the pure spiritual milk of the Word. We are free to choose what we focus our thoughts on. Know then, that in this way, faith is a choice. Blessed is the one who chooses to have faith in God. God is light, and where there is light, darkness must leave. Set your mind on God and you will find that His help is never far away.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 14-15; Revelation 4

Haggai 2; John 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and for ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 12

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Will Fulfill

138 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Believe and remember the Scriptures. To watch means to be on guard for the multitude of distractions that would draw us away from God and toward the things of this world. Why do we stay up late at night watching entertainment, playing video games, or scrolling through social media posts? Consider that this is a sinister trap laid by the enemy of our soul to make it harder to get up early every morning. Only kids think staying up late at night makes them grown up. Truth is, hardly anything good happens past 9 p.m. for most of us. You can stay up late and get up early for a while, but if you continually burn the candle of your youth at both ends like that, you will get old before your time. Better to go to bed early, get up early to keep the morning watch, and get in some exercise before first light. Find ways to redeem the time typically wasted by the young. Consistently do this and you will be more fruitful.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 13; Revelation 3

Haggai 1; John 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and for ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 11

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

His Mercy Is Great

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)

Morning Exhortation

We should never mistake not being able to hear God as His approval or disapproval. The mistake of the unbeliever who practices the things the Bible speaks against is in assuming that it’s okay, simply because the judgement of God is delayed. It is likewise easy for the believer to mistake the difficultly of the way, as signs showing the disapproval of God. When the clouds of doubt surround you and the night seems very dark, when God seems distant and you can’t see His hand anywhere, there is only one thing to do. Make sure you are in accordance with the written Word and then hold to the course God has set you on despite the difficulty of the way. Faith must be tested. Thoughts and feelings are the reigns of the heart. The will and faith are the hands that must hold the reigns. To wait on the Lord means to keep the thoughts and feelings in check by the will and faith alone, through the weeping of the night, until God sends the joy that comes in the morning.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 11-12; Revelation 2

Zephaniah 3; John 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and for ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 10

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Praise God for His Word and Providence

5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. Psalm 147:5-11 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Slick advertisements call out on every street corner that you only need the secrets of this or that high profile celebrity to finally get things done. Do you have the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit or not? If you do, then you already have more than you could ever possibly need. Dare to believe the gospel. Give thanks in all things. Give thanks not just in good times, for even non-believers sometimes practice gratitude, but give thanks to God in bad times as well. For it is written in the holy Scriptures, all things work together for good for those who love the Lord. Just how bad things will work together for good is not our concern. It is the enemy who wants us to think so and lean on our own understanding. Rather than walking by sight, learn to know and trust your God. Nothing takes God by surprise. He has already worked out everything to conform to His good and perfect will. Praise Him in the mist of sorrows, and waste no time reliving past vanities with fondness. In this world there will be sorrow, but God has promised to always turn tears into joy for all those who love Him.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 10; Revelation 1

Zephaniah 2; Luke 24

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and for ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 9

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

I Will Sing Praise

1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Sometimes you just won’t feel like praising the Lord. That is a sure indication of exactly when you need to praise the Lord the most. It is easy to praise the Lord when you are feeling great and everything is going well, but be quick to realized that when everything seems to be falling apart as an opportune moment to praise God for who He is. The sacrifice of praise can only be offered to God when feelings and circumstances are less than favorable. All of creation groans waiting for the manifestation of the children of God, and our taking hold of the royal priesthood to which we are called. Nothing is accomplished without consistency though. Don’t anchor consistency to feelings or circumstances. These often change like the wind. This is why we are commanded to walk by faith, not by sight. The time will surely come when the wind is contrary. Jesus Christ has won the war for us, and praising God in the mist of the fight is how winning our personal battles gets done.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 9; Jude 1

Zephaniah 1; Luke 23

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and for ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 8

Bruce Coleman2 Comments

The Lord Upholds the Righteous

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.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. Psalm 37:10-17 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

The only true set back is to quit. Everything else, distractions, detours, and obstacles are common to every journey. Being able to give thanks and praise to God locates you spiritually, as surely as longitude and latitude pin points your location physically. Those who find no gratitude in the past are often tempted to lose hope for the future. Learn to live in the will and not in the emotions. Take no counsel from your faithless feelings that would rage like an unruly little child. Such flaming darts take advantage of difficult external circumstances, internal aches of the body, or mental fatigue of the mind. We do well to remember the command of our Lord to possess our soul in patience, and wait on the Lord to calm the seas without and the unruly child within. Temporary circumstances, aches, and fatigue in no way alter the truth of God. Sing praises to God when the winds are favorable, and pull out the oars and row, row, row with praises to God when they’re not. Disruptions caused by the unexpected are to be expected. The destination is only reached by making adjustments whenever needed to stay on course. Be steady and always pray for the needed grace to remain in the center of God’s will.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 8; 3 John 1

Habakkuk 3; Luke 22

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and for ever. Amen. 

faith

Devotional for December 7

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Trust in the Lord

9 O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord. Psalm 115:9-16; 18 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Eternal life starts on this side of eternity. Continue to exercise the body without neglecting to work out your salvation. Faith and unbelief are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Both can coexist in the same heart even though they oppose one another. Faith makes all things possible. Unbelief is the ally of the enemy who only wants to kill, steal, and destroy. Set the will to hold on to faith and guard the heart against unbelief. Faith is like spiritual muscle. Saturating the mind with the written Word and persevering through testing, are to faith what protein and weight training are to muscle. God has already provided you with both faith and muscle. Development of both, either, or neither is your choice. No one else can workout for you. There is no need to get more until you have worked what you already have been given to a high degree of perfection. Only you can chose to believe the truth for you.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 7; 2 John 1

Habakkuk 2; Luke 21

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, give all of us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. 

faith

Devotional for December 6

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. Psalm 37:1-7 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Deciding who you are going to trust is important, because we all must trust something, someone, or self. Blessed are all those who trust in the Lord because the grace of God is the only true power for lasting change. Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is the one sure path to peace, happiness, health, and eternal life.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 6:12-42; 1 John 5

Habakkuk 1; Luke 20

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, give all of us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. 

faith

Devotional for December 5

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

My Soul Thirsts for God

1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Psalm 42:1-7 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

The world would have you believe a happy meal consists of a burger, shake, and fries. The truth, however, is there is no lasting happiness without the knowledge of God, the Bread of Life, and the Living Water. God is love, Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life, and the indwelling Holy Spirit is the Living Water. When the Bible says that God dwells within us and we dwell in Him, we are to believe it. We are to accept it as fact by faith alone. Not based on what we think, feel, or see, but simply because the Word of God says it is so. To do otherwise is unbelief and amounts to tying up the truth and hiding it away in a napkin. Jesus is the chief cornerstone laid in Zion. Blessed is the one who believes in Him. If you want to reach your high heavenly calling, cut loose the unbelief that drags you down, and trust in the Lord Jesus with your whole heart. Dare to believe the gospel and your heart will be strengthen by grace.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 5-6:11; 1 John 4

Nahum 3; Luke 19

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, give all of us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. 

faith

Devotional for December 4

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Send Out Your Light and Your Truth

3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43:3-5 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Regardless of your current need, grab hold of a promise from God to meet it. Knowing the character of God provides the necessary reason upon which to base our expectation of the fulfillment of all the promises of the written Word of God. Continue therein, without giving in to the temptation to doubt, and the full assurance of faith will come. God is faithful and true. Therefore, His word is faithful and true. A paper check only has value when there is a bank that stands behind it, when the account number is valid, and it carries an authorized signature. How much more reliable is our Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Saving faith cashes the checks and receives the promises. Unbelief does not comprehend the value of the promissory notes of God and never bothers to take them to the bank, stand in line, and cash them. Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord with all his heart, and is able to praise God for what he has asked for in prayer even before seeing it. Such a faith produces prayers that avail much.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 3-4; 1 John 3

Nahum 2; Luke 18

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, give all of us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.