faith

Devotional for January 19

January 19, 2024January 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Accepts My Prayer

106 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise?
3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.
6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.
48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 106:1-10, 47-48 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Strength is not renewed by diet, exercise, and rest alone. Strength is also a spiritual fruit. Make the spiritual tree good and the fruit will be good as well. Do not be content with a secondhand knowledge of God. Taste and see that the Lord is good for yourself. Working out our salvation has to do with willfully practicing the change of heart God has created within us into our everyday life and way of living. This is the working out of what God has worked within. The greatest gains are made by standing firm in the face of the resistance provided by the wickedness of this fallen world. Faith grows strong with testing, with preservice, and with patience. Trust in God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He asks each of us just as He did the blind men: “Do you believe I am able to do this?” We must first choose to believe that God is able, and then to acknowledge the fact that He is also willing to grant all that He has promised. The chief of our faculties is the will. The will must learn to hold faith in God as the default rule of the heart. It is natural for the emotions to respond automatically to what the eyes see, which will often leave us suspectable to evil thoughts from within. Still, being born again by the Spirit makes us free to exercise our will in order to keep the heart firm in faith. Assurance of the truth comes in time. The essence of the Gospel promise is this: come to the Lord just as you are, be transformed, and all things will become new. Trust the Lord. Be strong and courageous. The God who has commanded us is almighty and forever faithful. The promise “ask and you shall receive” belongs to those who choose to please God.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 20; Matthew 19

Nehemiah 9; Acts 19

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

faith

Devotional for January 17

January 17, 2024January 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

God Is Our Help and Shield

33 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2 Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4 For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm 33:1-4, 18-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Whenever we make the decision to get fit, we must resist the temptation to look for shortcuts. Lasting fitness doesn’t happen in a few weeks, and working out doesn’t get easier in only a few days. Just consistently do the work and fruit will grow with faith and patience in due time. God has granted all spiritual blessings to those who are in Christ Jesus. It has already been granted. First seek the leading of the Spirit to know what you should ask. Learn what is pleasing to God. Be determined to do nothing, nor entertain any thoughts, that are contrary to the known will of God. Then ask God in faith, go to work, and at just the proper time you will receive. That order is important to understand. Get right with God first, ask in faith and what can be seen will always come after. Ask God and wait with an eager expectation of seeing your prayer’s fulfillment. God has promised, and there are no details too small, nothing too big, nor anything too hard for the Lord. No good thing will He withhold from those who love Him.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 18; Matthew 17

Nehemiah 7; Acts 17

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 15

January 15, 2024January 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The God of My Salvation

25 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 25:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Those things that make us fit and healthy are also the same things necessary for keeping us fit and healthy. Just as the same mustard-seed-size faith required to be born again in Christ Jesus is the same faith necessary for removing mountains. Daily we must stay in the Word of Truth. This is an important lesson from all the saints down throughout the ages. Letting the truth slip through cracks of neglect causes us to have to re-fight battles that have already been hard won. Our own forgetfulness aids the thief that comes only to kill, steal, and destroy what was once known and now left unguarded. The way to slowly lose fitness is to forget the diligence, consistency, and patience it takes to get it in the first place. Forgetting causes us to cry when we should be reaping. Forgetting will leave us stuck in the wilderness when we should be bearing fruit in the promised land. Blessed is the one who diligently guards his heart by always remembering the loving-kindness of the Lord in the daytime, and the faithfulness of the Lord in the night.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 16; Matthew 15

Nehemiah 5; Acts 15

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 14

January 14, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The God of My Salvation

The Morning Exhortation

There is a difference between “eating to live” and “living to eat.” The main motive when living to eat is the pleasure that comes from what tastes good. Eating only what tastes good in this modern age will only make you sick. This is because today there are literally thousands of highly delicious food-like stuff filled with fat/sugar/salt and void of nutrients in grocery stores, restaurants, and convenience stores everywhere. Our food has been scientifically engineered to taste good and leave the body craving for more. The modern table has become a snare to us. As a result we are the fattest and sickest generation in history. It’s a consequence of our food producers being a for profit industry, and the use of modern science to hijack our taste buds to get at our dollars. Many Pilgrims traveling through the forest are enticed off the straight path by the deceiver’s sugary coated persuasions to avoid all hardship and eat only what is delicious. Running from the promised tribulations of a righteous life will surely stunt the Christian’s growth. This will keep them a breast sucking babe long after the time when they should have be a fully develop flame of fire. Strive to be conformed to the Word of God in all you do, say, and think. Deny the taste buds, choose to walk by faith regardless of how hard the way may seem. Though the forest may be dark at times, there is a shining city up ahead. The Holy Guest is more than able to get you there safely.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 15; Matthew 14

Nehemiah 4; Acts 14

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into His Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for January 13

January 13, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Unto Thee, O Lord, I Lift Up My Soul

2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:2-15 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Sometimes the fork in the road is only identified after having already passed by that way many times before. You will know you’ve reached the fork in the road when unless you choose to turn in faith, you will be stuck going round-n-round in the same old rut. Faith can be seen as actions inspired by belief in the truth. First we must come to believe the truth of the gospel, and then comes the testing of faith as we step out by ordering our life according to the pattern given to us in the Holy Bible. Without the testing of our faith, our conversion is incomplete. You believe the truth that the Lord will take care of you, and so the word of God affirms. Step out on that truth, hold it tight, and turn from worrying and being afraid. All who believe in their heart Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins, and that God has raised Him from the dead, have faith at least the size of a mustard seed. Your faith is more than big enough as long you fix your will to believe the truth and simply refuse to doubt. This is the proper use of our God given will power. Rejoice to step out in faith, because victory follows close behind. The enemy will try to scare you from it. To prevent this, it is wise never to take the counsel of your fears that are contrary to word of God. Be of good cheer. The testing of faith is necessary in order for us to experience the victory that overcomes the world. The victory won for us by our Lord Jesus Christ with the Cross and with His resurrection. Ultimate victory is sure and nearer today than it was yesterday.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 14; Matthew 13

Nehemiah 3; Acts 13

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 12

January 12, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

I Will Make Known to This Generation Your Power and Strength

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
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. Psalm 71:17-20 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To be physically fit you must trust the process and not give up. The only effective program is the one followed with consistency. Faith also requires trust and consistency. It is especially necessary to walk by faith when it is difficult to do so. God has promised that even those things which appear to be bad in the present moment will work together for good for all those who love Him. Since we have no way of knowing for sure what will happen even a few minutes from now, it is unreasonable to expect to be able to always see how God will turn what looks like the water of affliction into celebration wine. Accept this most natural of human limitations and let God be God. When good things happen, praise Him for His goodness. When bad things happen, praise Him for His faithfulness. Be steady. This is the will of God for all his children, and He will surely enable us to do it. The bricks on the high road that leads to eternal life in Christ Jesus are made from such a consistent trust in the faithfulness of God. Bless the Lord and praise His name always. Trusting God to faithfully keep His precious promises honors God. And God has promised to honor those that honor Him.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 13; Matthew 12

Nehemiah 2; Acts 12

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 11

January 11, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord is My Strength and My Defense

8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. Psalm 118:8-16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

First seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness in all things. Stay on the narrow way that leads to eternal life. Keep to the fundamentals of good health, and fitness will improve steadily. Put away all that weakens and fight the good fight of the faith against the inner tempter. Practice denying self rather than giving into its emotionally charged appeals to gratify every desire. Pick up your cross daily by refusing to live by the burger king’s maxim to do things your own way. Follow Jesus by doing all to the glory of God, and all that is necessary will be added to you.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 12; Matthew 11

Nehemiah 1; Acts 11

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 10

January 10, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

My Heart Rejoices in His Salvation

13 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Happiness doesn’t come from ease, and from luxury happiness will fly away. Enjoyment for its own sake becomes less and less pleasurable over time just like the tire on a car with slow leak. If we only eat what tastes good, and only do what feels easy, what more do we do than those who rot on the couch like a potato in front of the TV? This is why youth is wasted on the young, because with such vanities they waste so much of their time. God has not called us to be like rotting couch potatoes. He has called us to be conformed to the image our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. That is our God-given destiny. He has set us on His narrow path. His grace is sufficient to make our faith firm. Refuse all that would pull you off into the ditches on the left and right sides of the way of righteousness. Fix your eyes on Jesus and walk with your right hand in His. The seeds of joy may be sowed with tears, yet the bountiful harvest is sure to come with rejoicing in the Lord.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 11; Matthew 10

Ezra 10; Acts 10

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 9

January 9, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

O God of Our Salvation

65 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea: Psalm 65:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God is able to heal by miracle or by pill. To expect a miracle when the ordinary means of grace have already been provided is to tempt God. When you have a headache, don’t pray for it to be miraculously relieved when God has already given you the bottle of aspirin in your hand. Give thanks for the aspirin, bless it in the name of the Lord, and then take the proper dose knowing that it is just the means by which the Lord heals you. Blessed is the one who is able to see the invisible hand of God in all things. From everlasting to everlasting, God is good. Let this be the bedrock of your faith and trust in the Lord. Do what good you can with what you have right now, and every day you will be walking in your calling. It’s not fancy, but it works when you believe.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 9-10; Matthew 9

Ezra 9; Acts 9

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 8

January 8, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing of the Steadfast Love of the Lord

89 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
8 O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Psalm 89:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

When light enters, darkness must go. It is impossible to be filled with both gratitude and pride at the same time. A person can be filled with gratefulness or bitterness, but not with both at the same time. One can express thankfulness or despair, but not with the same exhale. Remembering who God is, remembering who you are in Christ, and counting your blessings always brings light. Who is like our God? He has declared the end from the beginning. From the smallest subatomic particles to the furthest unknown cosmic phenomena, all things are in His hand. From everlasting to everlasting, God is much bigger than the any universe we can know or imagine. He is God the Most High and we are His children. We are loved by God with the same love the Father has for the Son. Such knowledge by itself is incredible. Still, there is more. We have been given all spiritual blessings through the blood of Jesus Christ. Set your hope on God alone in both times of plenty and times of need. There is no enemy that can withstand Him, no storm that is able to continue raging when He commands it to be still. The mind of the child of God is weaned by remembering the goodness of God and His love for us. We may not be able to stop the birds from flying above us, but we certainly don’t have to let them build a nest on top of our heads. Fully expect to chase away every ugly bird of fear, anxiety, and doubt by faith in God. And the peace of God that surpasses understanding will rule in your heart. This is how our elders received a good report.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 8; Matthew 8

Ezra 8; Acts 8