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faith

Devotional for August 11

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Character first, only then can we be trusted with great strength."

Joy in the Presence of the Lord

5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:5-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Start with the end. Before striving for what you think you should be doing, cultivate the character of being that is able achieve such an end. What we should be doing is our calling, but to chase after our calling without first being what it takes to get there, leads only to vexation of spirit. Character first, only then can we be trusted with great strength. The wheat is easily separated from the chaff once “what we are” has been fully realized. The wheat is any activity that produces the desired harvest, while the chaff is anything that distracts, diverts, or derails from the hope of the envisioned end. Be then do. Amen. (Revelation 21:1-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Hebrews 2:10-15; Luke 4:16-21; Colossians 3:2; Ecclesiastes 1:14; 1 John 2:16-17; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:17-25; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Acts 17:28; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Matthew 6:33; Revelation 22:11-21)

faith

Devotional for February 6

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

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