faith

Devotional for February 10

February 10, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Preserves All Those Who Love Him

18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. Psalm 145:18-20 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Pray for a miracle when the circumstances call for it. At all other times, God may only be waiting for us to put in the work before the needed blessing is released. It’s easy to work hard when it feels good, but knowing only pleasure produces no lasting fruit. The good fight of the Christian must be fought by holding firm to faith in the truth of God, through good times and bad times alike. To leave off praying until one feels like it, is to walk by sight. Just as to go to the gym only when one feels strong, is to walk by sight. To do what is right only when it doesn’t cause pain or hardship, is to be doubleminded. And to do/not to do based solely on how one feels or thinks, will make such a one wishy-washy (James 1:2-8). Make no mistake about it, to walk by faith is something that we have to choose to do hundreds of times each day. Let faith produce the patience and endurance necessary for waiting on the Lord. Troubles will come. Watch without worrying, because God our Father cares for us. Jesus Christ will come at the appointed time. It is not given to any of us to know when, but don’t let Him catch you with your work undone. Watch, work, and be ready.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 42; Mark 12

Job 8; Romans 12

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Set me free, O God, from the bondage of my sins, and give me the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to me in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

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Devotional for February 9

February 9, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Stand in Awe

8 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Psalm 8 (KJV) (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Don’t be afraid to work harder than others. Don’t be overly concerned if you have to wait longer than most for the harvest from your labor. How far, how high, and when all pale in comparison to the assurance of faith. The assurance of faith comes only through prayer. The saying “pray until you pray” essentially means the only way to learn how to pray is by doing it. The one who is too busy to pray is like the man in such a hurry that he thinks he doesn’t have time to stop for fuel when his car is low on gas. Such a one should not be surprised when he is left stranded near the side of the narrow way. Prayer is the last resort for the scoundrel. Therefore, it is far better to let prayer be our first choice. Then can we be sure as we head out that our spiritual tanks are always full of gas.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 42; Mark 12

Job 8; Romans 12

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

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

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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

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Devotional for January 28

January 28, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

God Gives Power and Strength to His People

32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:
33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
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 68:32-35 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Here is wisdom: give up what you cannot keep to gain what you cannot lose. Giving up our selfishness is the only way to enter into the Kingdom of God. The Master has commanded us to deny self, pick up our cross, and follow Him. The only way to obey this is to stop living for our own self-interest. Our secular educational system from elementary to post-graduate is focused on strengthening self while ignoring God. This mindset that holds mankind to be paramount is actually the enemy of our soul, which the Bible calls the flesh. It is deadly because it cannot agree with the Word of God. When the flesh reins in the heart, its counsel is always to walk by sight. Allowing what you see in the mirror to discourage you is a perfect example of the type of persuasion born of the flesh. If the reflection is pleasing on the other hand, the flesh will puff up the heart with pride with equal ease. Who will free us from this body of death? Take your eyes off the proverbial pool searching for evidence of its stirring. Rather, fix your eyes on Jesus Christ, and cast down every thought and imagination that the flesh offers that exalts itself above the Word of God. Go to work with praise and thanksgiving. Cultivate an eager expectation based on the Word, and not on what you see. Know without doubting that what is seen will surely catch up to our faith at the proper time. This is the walking by faith that the Holy Bible teaches us. The rule in the Kingdom is this: according to your faith will it be done unto you. Be strong and courageous.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 29; Matthew 28

Esther 5; Acts 28

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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Devotional for January 27

January 27, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord is My Strength

144 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
3 Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
5 Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; Psalm 144:1-7 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Put your hope in God alone. The peace of God which surpasses understanding comes from knowing that God is in control of everything from the greatest to the smallest. From the tiniest hair on your head to the largest galaxy far-far away, God holds everything in His hand. Why does it seem incredible that Almighty God works everything according to His will? God has decreed that no good thing will He withhold from those who love Him. If easy times will do us good, then easy times we shall have. If pain will do us good, then pain we shall have. Who are you little one, who dares to presume you have better knowledge of what is good than the all-knowing God? Humble yourself. Acknowledge your limitations in every situation and give thanks unto God for His goodness. Trust in God is the only remedy for every uncertainty in this life. Our highest good, and the will of God, are one and the same. Trust in our Rock and Redeemer with all your heart. He has purchased us with His own blood. Jesus Christ is the good shepherd and will certainly take good care of you, me, and all the rest of His flock. Let His peace be upon you.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 28; Matthew 27

Esther 4; Acts 27

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 24

January 24, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Your Servant, Lord, Loves Your Word

137 You are righteous, Lord,
    and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
    they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
    for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
    and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
    I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
    and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
    give me understanding that I may live. Psalm 119:137-144 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Adversity and fatigue are the great tests of our faith. It is easy to have faith in God when all is going well, but do you still believe you have God’s favor when the circumstances of life become cloudy, dark, and tossed about by contrary winds? The storms of this life are meant to drive us deeper into the only safe harbor, which is Jesus Christ. Physical reality is loud and always in our face. The temptations we must overcome are to walk by sight, trust in own limited understanding, and depend on our own strength. To be strong in faith, we must learn to walk in the Spirit, trusting in God, and choose our thoughts and actions based on conformity to the Word of God regardless of any feelings that arise from our current circumstances. The Word of God is Truth. This is our Rock. On Christ Jesus we can always depend, and now is the only acceptable time to do it. Sing songs of praise when you are happy, and pray until every cloud is chased away when you’re not.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 25; Matthew 24

Esther 1; Acts 24

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 23

January 23, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Let the Saving Power of the Lord Be Known

67 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalm 67 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The strongest foundations rest on the bedrock of Truth. Overindulgence in fast food speeds to weakness. Healthy food provides the nutritious building blocks for increasing strength. In the same way, the thoughts we entertain in the mind either weaken or strengthen our faith. Put off the thinking patterns of the old man enslaved to sin, and practice the thoughts of the new man created in Christ Jesus to be holy. Transparency is a good guard to set against hypocrisy. Humble self. Keep the fear of the Lord always before you, because nothing can be hidden from the eyes of the Lord. Mercy and grace be upon all those who ask God for a clean heart in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Receive it now by faith, and joyfully put off the old ways common to our former way of life. Having thus been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, like a man given new clothes, toss out all the old moth eaten rags fit only for the fire. Be diligent about keeping the inside of the cup clean with thoughts that are obedience to Christ, and the sin that so easily defiles will not be able to cling to you inside or without.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 24; Matthew 23

Nehemiah 13; Acts 23

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 22

January 22, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

“I Will Now Arise,” says the Lord

12 Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. Psalm 12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It is impossible to live without trust. Only question is who, or what, to trust? Physical beauty and strength may fade, mental beauty and smarts can be lost, and cash flow often goes faster than it comes. Here is the knowledge and trust that saves from all vanity: JESUS CHRIST LIVES! And He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God is perfectly consistent, and our consistent walking in the Spirit leads to godliness. Our attention represents the eyes of our spirit. When our spiritual eyes are fixed on Jesus, our default way of thinking will be conformed to His image. It is unwise to neglect the command to renew the mind with the Word. Like all the commands of God, they are given for our benefit. Truly His yoke is easy and His burden is light. His commands are not burdensome, so make your calling and election sure. Work out what God has worked in through your new birth. God is holy and Heaven is a holy place. Therefore, let us by the grace of God be willing to be made fit for it. Choose the good part like Mary the sister of Martha. Sit at the feet of Jesus. Open your Bible and hear His word (Luke 10:38-42). His every command is also a promise. All that He commands, He has promised to work in us to will and do (Philippians 2:13). All things are possible if we are willing to believe. The Almighty God of heaven and earth has spoken, and it is written in the Holy Book for our understanding.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 23; Matthew 22

Nehemiah 12; Acts 22

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 20

January 20, 2024January 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

In God We Trust

115 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
9 O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth. Psalm 115:1-15 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

All confidence in wonder pills, breakthrough powders, premier programs, technological marvels, quick-fixes, short-cuts, and self-effort must be shaken. Only with a burning desire for truth is the dross removed from the gold. Convince yourself once and for all of the truth of the Scriptures: power belongs to God. You have been set apart to love the Lord God with all your heart. And you know that no matter what happens, everything works out for good for those who love the Lord. Start with being thankful with what you have and where you are right now. Though things may be difficult for you right now, give all to God and do not take a backward step. Hold fast your faith while God fits you for greater works. Know that all God has foreordained concerning you will come to be if you are willing to believe. Because God is God, you shall be exactly as God wants you to be. It cannot be otherwise for a willing heart that trusts in God.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 21; Matthew 20

Nehemiah 10; Acts 20