faith

Devotional for February 7

February 7, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Dwell in the Shelter of the Most High

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.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalm 91:3-7, 14-16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Working for physical beauty alone is like watering cut flowers. Though death may be delayed, there is no lasting life without having roots growing in the love of God. Pursing personal holiness for the love of God is to cultivate an inner beauty that will last forever. Don’t be short sighted. Look past the temporal things of this world and focus on the long game (Hebrews 12:1-2). Then will denying self and living the crucified life in Christ become a joy. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and know His peace, which surpasses understanding (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7).

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 40; Mark 10

Job 6; Romans 10

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for February 6

February 6, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Exercise in Peace

1 Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
3 Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever. Psalm 131 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Learn to roll with the punches and keep moving into the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Unhappy is the ungrateful heart that cries for more, gets it, and then only wants more still (Proverbs 30:15-16). You can be happier in the next five minutes if you will just look around and thank God for some of what He has already given you. The unhappy never learn that contentment with godliness is great gain. The fear of the Lord is so little to be found among unhappy people, so they busy themselves chasing after shiny things that only perish. Why worry and fret over lying vanities that only last a moment? Remember our eternal destination and hold firmly to the narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14).

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 39; Mark 9

Job 5; Romans 9

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Daily Writing Prompt

Pray 4 It

February 5, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Daily writing prompt

Describe your most ideal day from beginning to end.

View all responses

Jesus asked everyone what they wanted Him to do for them. The motives and intentions are our part, everything else belongs to God. We do well to consider this question about our ideal day as a target on which to focus our prayers. Take your time. Make it pleasing to the Lord and let it come to you. (Mark 10:46-52; Matthew 7:7-8; James 4:3; Psalm 51:10)

faith

Devotional for February 5

February 5, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

This is the Blessed Way

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

God is able to provide abundantly more than we could ever need from little or nothing at all. The rate of change in this world is increasing day by day, becoming more and more uncertain every minute. Blessed is the one who builds his house on the Rock. Blessed is the one who is not conformed to this world. Set your affections on the things above. Joyfully give up what you cannot keep to gain what you cannot lose. God has demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Since God is for us, Christ will surely be revealed in us if we believe and desire it with all our heart. He has promised, therefore it cannot be otherwise. Eye has not seen and mind cannot imagine what God has prepared for those who love Him (Luke 23:42-43). A very long life in this world is infinitely shorter than eternity. Even if we are called to spend 120 years suffering for the Lord in this life, it would still be just a short-term pain for an eternal gain.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 38; Mark 8

Job 4; Romans 8

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 4

February 4, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Restore Us, O Lord God of Hosts

80 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. Psalm 80:1-3, 17-19 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The regenerated conscience confirms the rightness of obedience to God. We must choose to set the will to obey God by faith. He strengthens all who are determined to do His will, in the way He has prescribed it to be done. Know that God is (Hebrews 11:6)….regardless of how things look, or how we feel at any given moment. Know this is true as surely as you know that 1 + 1 = 2. Then comes the promised joy from the testing of our faith (James 1:2-4). God waits for us to cultivate our dependence on Him. It is only when we are weak in ourselves, that God makes us strong in Him. Don’t wait to see if what you pray for is so. Sight always follows the testing of faith. Sight never precedes it, as what is seen requires no faith at all. From beginning to end, from faith to faith, all good things are to the praise of the glory of God. Air to breathe and food to eat, every creature needs the rest of creation. If we are to know peace, however, we need more. We need faith to know Christ and His truth shall set us free.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 37; Mark 7

Job 3; Romans 7

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 3

February 3, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Afterwards the Lord Will Take Me Into Glory

21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works. Psalm 73:21-28 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Persistence is the pain that brings the gains. Many things may get you where you want to go, but only if you are willing to keep working at them even though the pace seems slow. Many things may work, but thank God there is only one straight gate and narrow way that leads to eternal life. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. This is the most essential knowledge for every human being on the planet. We have everything when we know this. Without this knowledge, even if a soul has the very best of everything this world has to offer, it will amount to less than nothing in the end. God alone is our Rock. Practice the art of contentment by trusting God. Our own thoughts and feelings are prone to error and sometimes unreliable. The emotional faculty of the brain exists to create meaning out of present circumstance. Feelings are just the brain’s best guest based on our limited sensory perceptions and what has been learned from our past experiences. Feelings are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. Therefore, trust God, rely on His word, and take no counsel from contradictory feelings and the thoughts they spawn. Pray and work. Let feelings be what they may.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 35-36; Mark 6

Job 2; Romans 6

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 2

February 2, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Teach Me Good Judgement

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. Psalm 119:65-72 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Let us first take heed for our own souls, then God can use us to bless others. Pay close attention to your thoughts with constant diligence. Stand firm in your faith by rejecting all thoughts that are not consistent with trust in the name of the Lord. We are not to be overcome by evil, rather we are commanded to overcome evil with good. Therefore, pray, train, eat, sleep, and repeat. Hold to these basic fundaments like a farmer who doesn’t dig up the seeds that have been sown to see if they are growing. Let the word of God grow richly in your heart. Be not afraid, only believe and trust the Lord to bring forth the promised harvest in its due season.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 34; Mark 5

Job 1; Romans 5

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 1

February 1, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Rest in the Shadow of the Almighty

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. Psalm 91:1-7 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The world will cheer when you slay the giant, but the same people will turn against you when Ziklag is burned to the ground (1 Samuel 30:6). Seek the friend who will never forsake you. Jesus Christ is the friend that sticks closer than a brother, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Almighty. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord. He has made all those born again of the Spirit new creations by His glorious power. Have faith in God. Trust Him with all your heart, and He will give you the peace we all desire. The faith that saves is a living faith. Not just of the lips, but also of the heart. A living faith causes the whole life to be ordered according to it. Give up all unbelief if you would have all that God has for you. The Lord instructs us to first count the costs, because nothing of the old ungodly life is to be kept alive. All must be made new. We don’t do good works to be saved, we do good works because we have been saved. The difference is extremely important to understand. Pray, because 100% of the results depends on God. Now go to work with faith greasing the grooves for the grace of God. Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 33; Mark 4

Esther 9-10; Romans 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 31

January 31, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Upholds All

8 Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. Psalm 132:8-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We may only be able to lift 10 pounds at the start, then progress to 20, and after that maybe 30 or 40. Strength is built in stages over a period of time. Spiritual strength is no different. First comes the lion, then the bear, and then the giant (1 Samuel 17 :33-37). God allows only what we are able to handle at any given moment. Practice remembering this fact when you are tempted to do what you know you should not do, or not do what you know you should. God allows just the right amount of spiritual resistance you need to build more spiritual strength. Have faith in God and be willing to endure the inner work. Don’t seek for relief, excuses, or sedatives. This is what the Bible calls “quit ye like men” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Distractions a plenty you will find in this modern world. Stay focused. It is far better to step up, drive on like a good soldier, and pray for the needed grace of God to patiently endure. He will strengthen you. Arise and let us go forward.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 32; Mark 3

Esther 8; Romans 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for January 30

January 30, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Wholeheartedly Follow the Lord

73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. Psalm 119:73-80 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Exercise without a proper diet is lacking. Eternal life without freedom from sin would likewise be an incomplete. If we go about trying to establish what is right or wrong as we see fit, the flesh easily sets self on the throne of the heart. The prayer of faith is the key to experiencing the victorious life over the flesh and sin. Either we repent and accept the offered grace of Jesus Christ as payment for our sin, or we will surely die. It cannot be otherwise. Regardless of what some may say who hold the doctrine of the deceiving serpent who persuaded Eve in the Garden of Eden with the lie about how you surely won’t die. As with all spiritual things of eternal significance, there is nothing new under the sun. Our faith, our righteousness, and our sufficiency is of God, not self. Let us pray and do what is good.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 31; Mark 2

Esther 7; Romans 2