faith

Devotional for October 19

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

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)

Morning Exhortation

Faith is a spiritual substance just as real as any physical substance. Faith is as essential to spiritual life as water is to physical life. Where we are weak, He is forever strong. To cover our poverty and need, Jesus has provided His faith and love for our breastplate. His salvation is our helmet. Teach us to live by the faith of the Son of God. We affirm and confirm the Word of God in all our speech and actions. Almighty God our Father loves us dearly. As beloved children, He will always care for us. God is good. Therefore, we have a sure anchor for our hope that all will be well for us. He has given to us all things pertaining to life because He cares for us with a love so great that He suffered the Cross to redeem us. Not a single one of His promises will ever fail. Thus saith the Lord, therefore it is so. Receive the good news that to the one who asks it will be given. To the one who seeks, he shall find. And to the one who knocks, the door shall be opened. We need to pray for what we need, and then rejoice for it with continuous thanksgiving and eager expectation. Wait for the Lord and know that He will always fulfil His word. Sometimes the needed grace seems slow in coming, but God is always right on time. All who wait for the Lord are never disappointed. Great is our God! And all things are possible to the one who believes in Him. Believe the God of all comfort and the peace of God will keep your heart and soul.

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 5

Psalm 108-109

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

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for October 18

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Let the Righteous Be Joyful

1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.
5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. Psalm 68:1-5 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

“Protect yourself at all times” is normally the final instruction the referee gives to each fighter just before the bell rings to begin the fight. From the opening bell in the first round, to the final bell in the last, each fighter remains on guard to defend and strike. The fighter who doesn’t ready himself for the battle is sure to lose. In a similar way, the gospel of peace prepares us to stand ready against the spiritual forces of wickedness all around us. Know that even the slightest bit of discouragement doesn’t come from Him who has called you. Don’t allow the things that are common to life in this fallen world to dismay you. Instead, we are commanded by the word of God to rejoice. The trying of our faith is as necessary as is the refining of gold is in order to purify it and bring out its natural brilliance. Let the trials of this life, and the temptations to doubt that they bring, increase your dependence and confidence in Almighty God. This is the divine order for making the path of the righteous shine brighter and brighter until the fullness the image of Christ shines forth. Believe this and learn to rejoice in the midst of every trial and temptation. Because God is, all must be well with the soul fully committed to Him. Let the redeem say so, go forth, and live it.

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 4

Psalm 107

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

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for October 17

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

O God, Who Is Like You?

19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt. Psalm 71:19-24 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

God with us means that all must go well concerning us. As a father loves and cares for his child, so our God loves and cares for us. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. This is such a wonderful revelation of the double blessing of those in Christ Jesus. Choosing to obey God in all things out of reverence and respect for Him as the ultimate good and loving Father, which the Bible calls simply “the fear of the Lord,” is not at all burdensome. Those who don’t choose the fear of the Lord in this life will have no choice but to be afraid of Him on judgment day. As the days past, the love of many in this world is growing colder and colder just as the holy Scriptures have revealed would happen in the last days. Because judgment is delayed, these cold hearts are fully set to do evil. Without Christ, the everlasting Rock, it is easy to be sweep over the cliff by the mainstream of this world and dragged into the deep abyss below. So, draw from the over abundant well of the grace of God as needed. Keep yourself in the love of God. Put on truth. Resolve to stand firm in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Live and walk in the Spirit by faith.

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 3

Psalm 106

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

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Writing Prompt

The Principle Thing

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What principles define how you live?
View all responses

Wisdom is the principle thing from which every good thing grows. Not all wisdom is equal though. Being wise in one’s own eyes is a mistake, and being wise only in the ways of the world breeds many flies. Godly wisdom on the other hand, brings peace. (Ecclesiastes 10:1; Proverbs 4:7, 3:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:18-20; Psalm 32:9; Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 94:19)

faith

Devotional for October 16

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

God Is My Strength and Portion Forever

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 73:24-28 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

To err is human because in our own strength we will always be limited in knowledge and finite in power. Take up what God has provided by His grace to equip us for all that is to come. Put on the whole armor of God. Set your heart fully to stand firm in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Consider it all joy to fight the good fight of the faith, which means to resist the devil and the fiery thoughts of unbelief slung at us by lifting up the shield of faith with praise and thanksgiving to God. Do this and the enemy will flee from you. Be on guard against him sneaking back in when given an opportune moment to entice you into turning your thoughts out of the way of faith. It is to the enemy’s advantage if he can get you to focus only on your feelings, on your problems, on your circumstances, or on the difficulties set against you. Getting us to believe in accordance to how we feel rather than what God has said is one of the devil’s favorite tactics. Fight the good fight of faith as God has commanded, and God will give us the victory every time. Let us encourage one another to stand firm in faith, praising and thanking God. So let it be just as it is written, we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. 

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 2

Psalm 105

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

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Writing Prompt

IF Now

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What have you been putting off doing? Why?
View all responses

I have known for weeks now that is it time for me to start intermittent fasting (IF). I know from personal experience that IF is the most effective way I’ve found to get rid of visceral fat. Excessive visceral fat is responsible for the thickening of the midsection, which is a tell-tale sign of the beginning of the end of youth. IF has worked for me in the past, but I’ve been dragging my feet. Several reasons for this: 1) Just like most things, it is hard to get started; 2) I just started a new job and don’t need the added stress of dealing with hunger and the low energy that starting IF will bring; and 3) It will be better to start once things slow down for me. I’m glad I took the time to think about this writing prompt today. I see how I have only been making excuses. There is only one difference between an excuse and a reason. A reason provides comfort for the soul making it easier NOT do what needs to be done in order to reach the goal. Now is the time. (Proverbs 22:13; Matthew 26:41; 1 Peter 5:10-11)

faith

Devotional for October 15

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Has Commanded the Blessing

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)

Morning Exhortation

God has provided everything we need to live for Him if only we will choose to do so. On the great day of the Lord, all will have no choice other than to bow before the Most High with reverence and awe. Those who have refused to take hold of the salvation in Christ Jesus will bow in terror and go into eternal damnation. Those of us who do willing love the Lord God with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul, and all our strength will on that day enter into an eternal reward. Not because some man has said so, but because the one and only true God has said it will be so.

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 1

Psalm 104

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

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Writing Prompt

Ordinary Means

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Hindsight that sees forward
Daily writing prompt
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?
View all responses

Looking back I can see that I began to grow up when I stopped praying for miracles and instead started praying for the strength to do the ordinary things and mundane work needed to produce a harvest from seed to fruit. Not that I have already attained to a fully grown measure in Christ. I press toward it though. The foolishness of youth often makes a miracle necessary, and God is merciful to all who come to Him in sincerity. It is just with wisdom and gray hairs, God expects us to thrive by the ordinary means of grace. (Psalm 126:6; 2 Timothy 2:22; Proverbs 20:29; 1 Peter 2:2-3; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:12-14; Colossians 4:12)

faith

Devotional for October 14

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Has Commanded the Blessing

1 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:19-29 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Sugar loaded junk food is the normal man’s kryptonite. Superman may be just a cartoon character, but there really are superfoods. And it takes super, not junk, to spell superior nutrition. Good food for the body is important, but guarding against feeding the mind with junk food disguised as entertainment is of even greater importance. You must watch yourself while you are watching any popular form of entertainment these days. Watch yourself and evaluate the fruit. The fruit are the thoughts and feelings aroused by what you are watching. By the fruit you will be able to know the wholesome and recognize the junk. The more you saturate your mind with the Word of God, the easier this will become for you to do. Saturating the mind with the Word of God causes the affections of the heart to grow toward godliness while the current of the mainstream world only pushes one steadily in the opposite direction. If we walk in the Spirit, we shall bear much fruit to the glory of God. This is a glorious promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only one way to walk in the Spirit, and that is by the grace of God received by faith. He beckons us to draw near. May all things praise Him now and forevermore.

Today’s Bible Reading

Colossians 4

Psalm 103

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

Lord, I pray that your grace may always precede and follow me, that I may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for October 13

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Steadfast Love of the Lord Endures Forever

1 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:19-29 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Imagine how much better your life would be if you prayed more and believed better. Do not fool yourself, we all act in accordance with what we really believe to be true. Saying you believe God means nothing if you don’t step out with the faith to act accordingly. Hold fast the first principle of the law of liberty, which is according to your faith will it be done unto you. Money, worldly wisdom, scientific knowledge, and technological marvels are all useful and good when they are kept in their proper place as servants. However, when they are exalted and relied upon more than the living God, they become idols. Modern idolatry has no graven image as in ages long past. Today idolatry is hardly recognized as it is cloaked and often hidden under the appearance of wisdom. Let us rather fear God, and all ungodly fears will cease. Then will His peace rein in your heart. Trust God and the perfect peace which surpasses understanding will sustain you in the way come what may.

Today’s Bible Reading

Colossians 3

Psalm 102

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

Lord, I pray that your grace may always precede and follow me, that I may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.