faith

Devotional for January 2

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Give Glory to His Name

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;
8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: Psalm 105:1-5, 8-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The brain is the sense making organ of the flesh, and the heart is the meaning ascribing organ of the spirit. Some of the most intelligent of this world profess that only what is seen is real. Therefore, it is impossible for them to understand the evil desires of their own hearts. The believer on the other hand, has the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to enlighten his or her view of the world. It’s only by choosing faith in God over what we see and feel which enlightens our experience in this life. It is just not possible to determine how best to live using the scientific method alone. Truth had to be revealed to us by the written word of God. Faith without reason is incomplete, but reason without faith leads only to death. Believe first, then let reasoning provide support. This will allow faith to grow strong like the Centurion who reasoned that Jesus could heal his servant with just a word because of His divine authority.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 2; Matthew 2

Ezra 2; Acts 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for January 1

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing to the Lord a New Song

98 O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2 The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. Psalm 98 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Calling yourself fat after having prayed for fat loss tempts God and negates your faith. Don’t expect an instant miracle when the ordinary means of grace and patience are all that are necessary. The one who petitions God without trusting Him to grant the request, is like a feather blown about and tossed by the wind. After having prayed and put in the days required work, look at your present condition without discouragement and say, “by faith I’m getting healthier, leaner, and stronger every day.” The Holy Book reminds us that “first the blade, then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear” is the divine order for the ordinary means of grace. Pray for the grace you need and consider it done before the mirror or scale reflects the change. Now go to work for it. Believe in the faithfulness of God, and be willing to consistently put in the work. It is wrong to ask God for a miracle to compensate for not following the natural and spiritual laws God has ordained. Turn from all foolishness and hold firmly to the simplicity that is in Christ. According to your faith, so will it be done unto you. Why should anyone think it strange that God Almighty heals with equal ease by miracle as He does by a pill? Believe the gospel. For the Lord has said nothing shall be impossible for us. Trust Him and He will make your Amen strong.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 1; Matthew 1

Ezra 1; Acts 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 31

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Let All Creation Praise the Name of the Lord

148 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 148 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, so says the holy Scriptures. Everyday life is full of choices. We can do this or that. We can go here or there. Remembering that all that we do is seen by God, our love for God compels us to want to do only what pleases Him. There is also a measure of self-preservation in the fear of the Lord. Just like self-preservation will motivate a person who is allergic to bee stings to avoid being stung at all costs. The fear of bees is strong in all who have had an allergic reaction in the past because they know that if they are ever stung again they could die. Such a person would never say, “it’s just a little bee, no need to avoid it.” So too does the fear of the Lord cause an instant aversion to all sin no matter how big or small. The fear of the Lord functions like a guard rail on the narrow way to keep us in the love of God. A type of automatic sensor that prevents us from descending to the left or to the right. This is wisdom indeed. To all those who are finding the way difficult, bear with it for as long as it takes for the switch to flip. When things get as hard as they can possibly get, realize from that point on they can only get easier. Be strong and courageous. Hold on, trusting in Almighty God. Put all your hope in God alone. Give thanks for His unchangeable goodness toward us. Rejoice and praise the Lord regardless of current circumstances, which are only temporary even though they sometimes linger with no end in sight. O Lord, with the dawn of this New Year, let the words of our mouths and the mediation of our hearts be pleasing to You. And let our prayers be in accordance with Thy will. Let the fear of the Lord always be before our eyes so that we hold firmly to the narrow path of eternal life. Let all that is within us praise Thy Holy Name!

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 36; Revelation 22

Malachi 4; John 21

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 30

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Holiness Adorns His House Forever

1 The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
4 The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever. Psalm 93 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The Bible tells us that when the world was young, mankind’s thoughts were only of evil. All would have perished had Noah not found favor in the eyes of God. The hour of God’s judgement came and Noah was 75 years in preparing the ark as God commanded. It had one door. God closed the door sealing Noah, his family, and the animals inside. After which, the flood came suddenly wiping the earth clean. Only those in the ark lived. Now we have come full circle. The earth is once again filled to the brim with those who only think of evil constantly. God, in His mercy, has provided another ark to save those who know that judgement is coming. This latter day ark of God is Jesus Christ. Just as non-believers were sweep away suddenly by the flood, so too will those who have not taken refuge in Jesus Christ perish when the last trumpet sounds. The judgement day of the Lord draws near, and only those who are in Christ Jesus will be saved. So says the Holy book. Jesus is the only door and the only way. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life have the boarding pass for eternal life. Let us press on then to make our calling and election sure by receiving the true freedom that comes through an inward obedience to the word of God in Christ Jesus.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 35; Revelation 21

Malachi 3; John 20

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 29

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

I Love You, O Lord

1 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
31 For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Psalm 18:1-2, 31-32 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

A life of too much comfort and ease will tarnish the golden years with weakness. This weakness starts with small things. Watch yourself as you watch popular entertainment. Beware of the influence of social media. By accident or design, they tend to conform us to ungodly ways of thinking and kindle ungodly desires within us. The popular culture of our day is a tool of the thief that comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. The man-made light coming from big and small screens conditions the mind little by little unless the heart is diligently guarded against it. Anything that dishonors God, or contradicts the word of God as written in the Holy Bible, is to be rejected. Do not be deceived. The pursuit of happiness for its own sake is as vain as a dog chasing its own tail. Life is more than having a good time. A good life is more than what we eat, more than what we do, more than what we wear, more than what we have, more than where we go, more than where we live, and more than who we are with. The good life is made possible only by allowing the manifold grace of God to shine forth into all of our life. Without knowing Jesus Christ, life is just a bubble waiting to burst. Seek to know Him better, because the single most important thing in this life is a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is alive and we can know Him. Thus are we commanded: “Be still and know that I am God.”

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 34; Revelation 20

Malachi 2; John 19

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 28

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Our Eyes Look to the Lord Our God

123 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud. Psalm 123 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

A bookworm can be made by reading alone, but disciples are best made by following the example of their teacher. Strive to have your life show by every thought and every deed that you are a true disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not the one who knows the most that will be saved, but he who has enough faith to do all the truth he knows that will enter the kingdom of heaven. Everyone reaps what they have sown whether it’s good or bad. This is one of the first principles of the kingdom of God. So, let us not grow weary of doing good. We may sow with tears, but we are promised to reap with joy.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 33; Revelation 19

Malachi 1; John 18

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 27

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

It is Good to Tell of His Lovingkindness in the Morning

92 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Psalm 31:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Life gets harder unless we keep things simple. Sniffing glue makes stupid; cookie dough makes fat; and the less one moves, the less one will be able to move. We may be in this world, but we don’t have to be of this world. By faith we can be in Christ. Everyone understands what it means to be in the Army. Being in Christ is a total lifestyle change similar to being in the Army, only with different means and ends. In Christ there is healing for the brokenhearted, freedom for the captive, recovery of sight for the blind, liberty for the oppressed, and the favor of the Lord is made available to all who choose to believe. Not because we deserve it. Grace is poured upon us from above only because of the lovingkindness of the Lord. Call on the name of the Lord, and ask for what you need. Why does anyone think it strange that the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth does the impossible? All power and might belongs to God and nothing is too hard for Him. Remember the Lord did no mighty work in Nazareth because their unbelief unplugged them from the power of God. When thinking of God, think big. Think BIGGER! Who can imagine the size of the universe? Still, our God is infinitely bigger than the physical universe. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 32; Revelation 18

Zechariah 14; John 17

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 26

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Into Your Hands Lord, I Commit My Spirit

1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Psalm 31:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Everyone does what they believe will make them happy. Most are like the man who sticks his head in the refrigerator looking for something eat, but he doesn’t really know what will satisfy his appetite. He grabs this, then that. This is how the majority of us pursue happiness in life, trying this and trying that. The reality for each of us is that there simply is no lasting happiness, peace, or satisfaction without Jesus Christ. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and remember that knowing the way and walking in the way are both equally important. There is no profit in knowing what is right unless the hands are put forth to do it. The body must be strengthened and health protected. The heart must be guarded by carefully choosing what the mind is fed. The spirit must abide in the True Vine. Life has become so full of distractions clamoring and competing for our limited attention and focus. The longer our eyes are drawn away from the straight and narrow path, the harder it becomes to walk it.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 31; Revelation 17

Zechariah 13:2-9; John 16

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 25

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Shout with Joy to the Lord!

98 O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2 The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. Psalm 98 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Jesus Christ is beauty without end. He is Lord, Immanuel, King, Savior, God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, the Captain of Salvation, Head Over All, Teacher, Friend, Brother, Husband, Bread of Life, Water of Life, Holy One of God, All and All, Word of Life, the Resurrection and Life, the Good Shepherd, the Gate and Way to Salvation, Truth, Light, my Strength, Keeper of my Soul, the True Vine, my Shield and Reward, my Hope, my Salvation, my Rock, my Heart, the Pearl of Great Price, the Bringer of Life, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Faithful and True, the Alpha and the Omega, before Whom every knee shall bow, and every mouth shall confess that JESUS IS LORD!

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 30; Revelation 16

Zechariah 12-13:1; John 15

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

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in me the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and, that I may obtain what you promise, make me love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.