faith

Devotional for August 6

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Prayer is to faith what exercise is to fitness."

Know the Lord

6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
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.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Psalm 103:6-19  (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Prayer is to faith what exercise is to fitness. Too little prayer and too little exercise are both ruinous to the spirit, soul, and body. To pray is to practice the presence of God. The more you pray the easier and more natural it becomes. A life of prayer begins with God, looks for opportunities to mix prayer in throughout the day, and ends with God. Prioritizing prayer prepares us to be better conductors of the grace of God. Pray not with endless lists like the leech or fire that never gets enough, nor with vain repetition like the heathen. O Lord, help us to pray so that we may come to know you better. (Proverbs 30:15-16; James 4:1-4; 1 John 2:16-17; Matthew 26:41; Proverbs 23:5; 1 Timothy 6:6-11; Matthew 6:5-15, 7:7-11, 21:22; John 14:13-14; John 12:20-26; Matthew 16:24; Ephesians 2:1-7; 2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 42:2-4; Isaiah 55:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-25; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for August 5

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "God is more willing to give than we are to receive."

God Gives Power and Strength to His People

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:
34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. Psalm 68:19-22; 34-35 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith in God is required from beginning to end. God is more willing to give than we are to receive. God is willing to give more abundantly than we can ask or think. Our Lord Jesus Christ has provided us with the ability to meet the conditions, which is to take His yoke upon us so that we can learn from Him. We have to stand firm in faith long enough to get to a point where the narrow way that leads to eternal life becomes so enjoyable that it eliminates the desire for all that is contrary. The love of God compels us to do this from within, and not just from the external motive of outward conformity to a set of religious rules. All who hold fast to the gospel long enough will come to the place where there is an eagerness to turn away from lesser external things to obtain the much greater spiritual blessings. We gladly give up the old life trapped in sin for the much greater new life lived in the freedom purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ. We can be sure that if we are willing, He will fulfill His promise to lead us into all righteousness. Praise and glory be to God for His love and faithfulness, which endures forever. (Ephesians 1:3-21; Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Psalm 94:19; Romans 1:16-17; 1 John 1:9; Mark 1:21-22, 2:13, 6:2; Luke 20:2-8; Matthew 7:21-23, 23:37, 11:28-30; John 14:18-23; Revelation 3:20; Mark 4:1-2; John 15:16; Matthew 13:18-23, 6:9-13)

faith

Devotional for August 4

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Joy comes with the personal revelation that God is."

My Expectation is from the Lord

121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalm 121 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We humans are capable of doing many wonderful things in our own strength, but apart from God they are nothing. The grace of God falls like the sunshine and rain on the righteousness and the wicked. Sad and unfortunate are all those who have never known the love of a human father. Blessed and beloved are those come to know the father heart of God. Joy comes with the personal revelation that God is. Ask and you shall receive. (Psalm 10:4; Proverbs 30:20; Psalm 62:9; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 2 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; John 12:27-28; Isaiah 55:7-9; John 15:5-8; Proverbs 16:3; 1 John 1:9-10; Luke 15:11-24; Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 7:7-8; Philippians 2:13; Mark 9:24; Mark 5:36; John 14:21; John 14:31; Psalm 33:16-22; Psalm 20:7; Psalm 44:6; Psalm 62:5; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

faith

Devotional for August 3

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "The answer is what the Bible calls “faith.”"

This is the 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

Riddle me this: What is so simple a child can use it, yet so wonderful it cannot be defined? The answer is what the Bible calls “faith.” The effects of a little child’s faith in loving parents are easily seen. The child is carefree, trusting that all it needs will be met. The child is happy, confident that it will be protected from harm. The child is well behaved, desiring to please the parents. Faith in their caregivers comes naturally, because a child can do nothing to care for itself. Being a child of God is a privileged position that must be willingly accepted by faith to be seated in that place of honor. We are not left spiritual orphans. Christ in the person of the Holy Spirit, is a fountain of living water springing up to the highest places of the soul. O child of the Most High, have faith in your God. (Judges 14:14; Revelation 5:4-14; Jeremiah 2:7-13; John 4:14; John 14:18; Revelation 3:20; Romans 10:17; John 6:28; Mark 11:22; Matthew 18:3; Hebrews 11:1-6; John 15:5; James 1:21; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 John 5:21)

faith

Devotional for August 2

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Life in this world isn’t about what you get, it’s about what you give."

I Will Take Refuge in the Shadow of Your Wings 

57 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. Psalm 57:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Life in this world isn’t about what you get, it’s about what you give. Everyone will applaud you when you do well for yourself, but people will love you when you do well for others. Buildings with your name on them will pass away with the rest of this world, but make a positive impact on the life of just one person and it will ripple throughout all eternity. (Proverbs 23:1-6; Psalm 49:11-20, 10:4, 62:4-12; 1 John 2:16; Psalm 50:22; Isaiah 50:10-11; Luke 4:16-21; Matthew 11:28-30, 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; 3 John 2; Acts 20:32-36; 1 Peter 4:1-10; 1 Timothy 6:13-16)

faith

Devotional for August 1

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Discomfort rightly handled is often the way we are made fit for greater works."

Blessed With Peace

29 Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
7 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
10 The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever.
11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:1-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The peace in the eye of the storm comes from learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. It is a skill like any other. It comes from within and requires lots of practice. Complaining against a wrong that can be made right is the correct thing to do, but the squeaky hinge that continues to squeak after being properly greased will be discarded all together. Excessive complaining trains us to want to avoid the difficulties of the way. There is a reason why every story needs a hero that goes through tough times and overcomes them. Discomfort rightly handled is often the way we are made fit for greater works. Complaining in such a case, what the elder’s called speaking against God, makes us like the stubborn horse or mule. See difficulties and discomforts in this light and you will find peace in the mist. Let whining, grumbling, and murmuring be far from you. However, if after we have received a prayed for blessing we allow the mediation of the heart and words of the mouth to echo only gripes and complaints, doing so will only make what is already difficult even harder to bear. (Acts 6:1-5; Psalm 32:9; Hebrews 11:32-40; Matthew 15:16-19; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Psalm 19:14; Ephesians 6:12-13; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Philippians 2:14; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Timothy 6:8; Matthew 6:26-34; Hebrews 10:36; Philippians 4:4-9; 1 Peter 5:6-11).

faith

Devotional for July 31

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "What we think, what we say, and what we do are the gatekeepers of the heart."

The Lord Will Keep You

27  Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Psalm 37:27-33 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The three amigos of the normal Christian soul please God with what we think, what we say, and what we do. What we think provides the substance for what we believe. What we say gives expression to what we think, and what we do is the physical representation of what we think and what we believe. What we think, what we say, and what we do are the gatekeepers of the heart. It is for this reason God has graciously given us the Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. (Psalm 84; Isaiah 55:7-9; Luke 17:20-21; Luke 12:32; Ephesians 1:5-9; Colossians 1:26-27; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 3:1-3; 2 Genesis 4:7; Corinthians 6:17-18; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Matthew 28:18; Proverbs 4:23; John 15:16; Matthew 28:19-20)

faith

Devotional for July 30

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Through the sunshine and the rain comes the harvest."

The Faithfulness of the Lord is All Around Us

8 O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Psalm 89:8-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Everything God commands He does or provides. We are to put our hand to the plow, fix our eyes on Jesus, and eagerly expect a bountiful harvest from the precious promises of God. Take no backward step. Don’t turn around to longingly gaze at the vanities left behind. Break up the hard ground. Plant the precious seed. Through the sunshine and the rain comes the harvest. (Romans 8:32; Matthew 7:11; 2 Peter 1:3-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Luke 9:61-62; Luke 17:32-33; Genesis 19:15-26; 1 Peter 4:3; Mark 8:36; Hebrews 12:1-2; James 5:7; Hosea 10:12; Luke 8:5-15; Malachi 3:1; Hebrews 10:36, Hebrews 11:32-40, 11:1-6; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for July 29

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Our part is to be willing, and the promise is that God will make us so."

The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength

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

Things look different from afar than they do closer up. To know better requires drawing close enough to see the finer details. God bids each of us to draw near and know Him. To know about salvation is to see Jesus Christ from afar. To know the Lord intimately requires the working out of salvation with true humility and deepest respect. For two to walk together they must agree. God is holy, therefore we must be willing to be made so if we are to draw near. Jesus Christ lives! Expect to be changed as you come to know Him better, and expect real help from the Holy Spirit as you do. When one asks Christ to be Lord of his or her life, drawing near with a consistent focus over time to the written word of God is necessary for spiritual growth. Consistent focus over time is the fundamental requirement of paying attention for worshiping in spirit and truth. We don’t need to rely on our own strength to do this. Our part is to be willing, and the promise is that God will make us so. (Leviticus 19:2; Matthew 23:37; Psalm 32:9; James 4:8; Luke 6:46; Joshua 1:8; Jeremiah 29:13; Psalm 1; Philippians 3:4-16; Amos 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 4:23-24, 14:31; Philippians 2:12-13; Revelation 22:6-21)

faith

Devotional for July 28

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Choose to believe that He will do just as His word promises."

Happy Are Those Who Delight In the Word the Lord

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

Guard the affections of the heart by turning from evil, praying for grace, and working for good. The double portion of the Spirit of God, that is Christ in us and we in Him, is now available to all through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. It is God who works in you. Choose to believe that He will do just as His word promises. Be quick to dismiss what you see and feel that appear to stand against the knowledge of God as the mere temporary things that they are in truth. Physical realities determined by our natural senses will always change with the shifting sand through the hourglass. Better to put your trust in the word of God and build your house on the only rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ. That which God has spoken does not change and will always stand. (Numbers 11:29; 2 Kings 2:9; Luke 4:14-21; Colossians 1:26-28; 1 John 5:20; 1 Corinthians 3:5-17; James 1:21-25; Matthew 7:16-27; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Romans 8:31-39; John 6:28-29, 14:12, 1:1; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; John 17:17; Revelation 22:17; Philippians 4:13; John 15:3-11; Ephesians 3:14-21)

Surely all who can say “Amen” to this shall be blessed.