Tag: bible

faith

Devotional for January 3

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Tremble, O Earth, at the Presence of the Lord

114 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters. Psalm 114 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We must be willing to be humble and acknowledge our own weakness before our prayers for strength from God will avail much. Grace is offered to all, but only faith receives it. Daily we must feed on the Word. We spend years in schools learning the ways of the world that don’t profit the soul at all. The scientific worldview has come to dominate all aspects of daily life. We are constantly surrender by advertising and entertainment that draws us to the things of this world. Such worldly influences void of the knowledge of God have both immediate and delayed consequences. Perhaps all of these things are examples of the flood from the serpent’s mouth spoken of in Revelation 12:15. Who will save us from all that is set against us to cause us to be carried away by the ways of this world? Let us humbly turn to God with all our heart and receive the grace of Lord we so desperately need. We can do all things though Christ only because of the love God has for us. By faith, which is setting of our will to refuse all that is contrary to faith in Him, are we saved to the uttermost. We believe the witness of men we deem trustworthy. How much more should we accept the witness of the living God who loves us. The only reason we can love Him is because He has first loved us. Remain in His love, set your mind right, fix your eyes on Jesus, and seek to know Him better. This is His will for us in Christ Jesus. 

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 3; Matthew 3

Ezra 3; Acts 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 31

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Let All Creation Praise the Name of the Lord

148 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 148 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, so says the holy Scriptures. Everyday life is full of choices. We can do this or that. We can go here or there. Remembering that all that we do is seen by God, our love for God compels us to want to do only what pleases Him. There is also a measure of self-preservation in the fear of the Lord. Just like self-preservation will motivate a person who is allergic to bee stings to avoid being stung at all costs. The fear of bees is strong in all who have had an allergic reaction in the past because they know that if they are ever stung again they could die. Such a person would never say, “it’s just a little bee, no need to avoid it.” So too does the fear of the Lord cause an instant aversion to all sin no matter how big or small. The fear of the Lord functions like a guard rail on the narrow way to keep us in the love of God. A type of automatic sensor that prevents us from descending to the left or to the right. This is wisdom indeed. To all those who are finding the way difficult, bear with it for as long as it takes for the switch to flip. When things get as hard as they can possibly get, realize from that point on they can only get easier. Be strong and courageous. Hold on, trusting in Almighty God. Put all your hope in God alone. Give thanks for His unchangeable goodness toward us. Rejoice and praise the Lord regardless of current circumstances, which are only temporary even though they sometimes linger with no end in sight. O Lord, with the dawn of this New Year, let the words of our mouths and the mediation of our hearts be pleasing to You. And let our prayers be in accordance with Thy will. Let the fear of the Lord always be before our eyes so that we hold firmly to the narrow path of eternal life. Let all that is within us praise Thy Holy Name!

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 36; Revelation 22

Malachi 4; John 21

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 30

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Holiness Adorns His House Forever

1 The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
4 The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever. Psalm 93 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The Bible tells us that when the world was young, mankind’s thoughts were only of evil. All would have perished had Noah not found favor in the eyes of God. The hour of God’s judgement came and Noah was 75 years in preparing the ark as God commanded. It had one door. God closed the door sealing Noah, his family, and the animals inside. After which, the flood came suddenly wiping the earth clean. Only those in the ark lived. Now we have come full circle. The earth is once again filled to the brim with those who only think of evil constantly. God, in His mercy, has provided another ark to save those who know that judgement is coming. This latter day ark of God is Jesus Christ. Just as non-believers were sweep away suddenly by the flood, so too will those who have not taken refuge in Jesus Christ perish when the last trumpet sounds. The judgement day of the Lord draws near, and only those who are in Christ Jesus will be saved. So says the Holy book. Jesus is the only door and the only way. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life have the boarding pass for eternal life. Let us press on then to make our calling and election sure by receiving the true freedom that comes through an inward obedience to the word of God in Christ Jesus.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 35; Revelation 21

Malachi 3; John 20

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 29

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

I Love You, O Lord

1 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
31 For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Psalm 18:1-2, 31-32 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

A life of too much comfort and ease will tarnish the golden years with weakness. This weakness starts with small things. Watch yourself as you watch popular entertainment. Beware of the influence of social media. By accident or design, they tend to conform us to ungodly ways of thinking and kindle ungodly desires within us. The popular culture of our day is a tool of the thief that comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. The man-made light coming from big and small screens conditions the mind little by little unless the heart is diligently guarded against it. Anything that dishonors God, or contradicts the word of God as written in the Holy Bible, is to be rejected. Do not be deceived. The pursuit of happiness for its own sake is as vain as a dog chasing its own tail. Life is more than having a good time. A good life is more than what we eat, more than what we do, more than what we wear, more than what we have, more than where we go, more than where we live, and more than who we are with. The good life is made possible only by allowing the manifold grace of God to shine forth into all of our life. Without knowing Jesus Christ, life is just a bubble waiting to burst. Seek to know Him better, because the single most important thing in this life is a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is alive and we can know Him. Thus are we commanded: “Be still and know that I am God.”

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 34; Revelation 20

Malachi 2; John 19

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 27

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

It is Good to Tell of His Lovingkindness in the Morning

92 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Psalm 31:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Life gets harder unless we keep things simple. Sniffing glue makes stupid; cookie dough makes fat; and the less one moves, the less one will be able to move. We may be in this world, but we don’t have to be of this world. By faith we can be in Christ. Everyone understands what it means to be in the Army. Being in Christ is a total lifestyle change similar to being in the Army, only with different means and ends. In Christ there is healing for the brokenhearted, freedom for the captive, recovery of sight for the blind, liberty for the oppressed, and the favor of the Lord is made available to all who choose to believe. Not because we deserve it. Grace is poured upon us from above only because of the lovingkindness of the Lord. Call on the name of the Lord, and ask for what you need. Why does anyone think it strange that the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth does the impossible? All power and might belongs to God and nothing is too hard for Him. Remember the Lord did no mighty work in Nazareth because their unbelief unplugged them from the power of God. When thinking of God, think big. Think BIGGER! Who can imagine the size of the universe? Still, our God is infinitely bigger than the physical universe. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 32; Revelation 18

Zechariah 14; John 17

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

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Devotional for December 25

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Shout with Joy to the Lord!

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)

Morning Exhortation

Jesus Christ is beauty without end. He is Lord, Immanuel, King, Savior, God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, the Captain of Salvation, Head Over All, Teacher, Friend, Brother, Husband, Bread of Life, Water of Life, Holy One of God, All and All, Word of Life, the Resurrection and Life, the Good Shepherd, the Gate and Way to Salvation, Truth, Light, my Strength, Keeper of my Soul, the True Vine, my Shield and Reward, my Hope, my Salvation, my Rock, my Heart, the Pearl of Great Price, the Bringer of Life, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Faithful and True, the Alpha and the Omega, before Whom every knee shall bow, and every mouth shall confess that JESUS IS LORD!

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 30; Revelation 16

Zechariah 12-13:1; John 15

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

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in me the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and, that I may obtain what you promise, make me love what you command; 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 December 20

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Eye of the Lord is Upon Those Who Fear Him

13 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
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 33:13-22 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Exercise is important, but do we perfect the body for personal pride, the adoration of women, and the praise of men? May God forbid. Just as the Lord had need of the donkey, we have need of the body in this life. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. Therefore, we are commanded by God not to be conformed to it. Each of us is to present the body as a living sacrifice set apart as a chosen vessel in the service of the Lord. The Lord is our shepherd. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. If we believe that He does not speak to us, we call Him a liar. God forbid we do this just because there has always been those who falsely claimed to have heard Him speak. This fact in no way invalidates the Scriptures about the Good Shepherd speaking to His sheep. How can we hear if we don’t believe He speaks? There are many strange voices in the world today to be sure. Some say do this, some say do that, some say live like this, and some say live like that. We all need to decide who we are going to trust. First choose to believe the Word of God. Next hold on by faith through the testing of it, and the assurance of knowing that we know Him who is Faithful and True comes later. This is the divine order. We come to know the voice of people close to us by the character, quality, and tone of his or her voice. We come to know the Lord in just the same way.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 24; Revelation 11

Zechariah 7; John 10

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 19

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Who Can Stand in His Holy Place

24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Psalm 24:1-6 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Some may be helped by being told how to eat better and how to exercise properly. Many more are likely to be helped by following a living example of how to eat and how to exercise. Talk without action really is cheap. Few will hear unless the talk is also seen in the walk. If this be true with things that are easily seen like diet and exercise, how much more so is it true for the unseen things of God that we profess to believe. We come to know the only true God through the Holy Scriptures, and faith must precede understanding. Truth in the inward parts is meant to be a like a lit candle set on a candlestick for all to see. True light shines through love expressed in deeds. To make love known, it must be made visible through actions. May the love of God in us be seen by all of those around us through all we say and do. In this way, we glorify God through Christ Jesus who loves us and gave Himself for our redemption.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 22-23; Revelation 10

Zechariah 6; John 9

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 18

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

You, O God, Have Heard Me

1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Psalm 61:1-5 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Life in this present world is just preparation for what will last forever. Even if one should live to be 120 years old, this life would still represent just one tiny grain of sand on the endless beach of eternity. Not everyone believes this though. Unbelievers will think it strange when you don’t care for talking about the filth they have been watching, or the rhythm and profanity they continually blast in their cars that can be heard 50 feet away. It has been said that birds of a feather flock together. It is true. Thus, it is necessary to leave the chickens pecking around in the dirt behind, if you would soar with the eagles. Leave all those so-called friends that want you to join them in poisoning the body, polluting the mind, and defiling the spirit. Woe unto those who refuse to believe. If they repent not, only darkness and suffering shall be their portion. The end will suddenly come upon them like a thief in the night, when the last trumpet sounds, the books will be opened, and then everyone will be rewarded accordingly. Woe to them, but blessed are those who have been converted by belief in Jesus Christ kept with a child-like faith. They shall know the truth and the truth shall set them free. This is the promise for this life, and in the next there will be a warm welcome into paradise for all eternity.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 21; Revelation 9

Zechariah 5; John 8

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 17

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Reap with Shouts of Joy

126 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.
3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Pray, because everything depends on God. Work, because everything depends on us. These are NOT contradictory statements. They are opposites sides of the same profound truth. Our part is to pray and work confidently knowing that all power belongs to God.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 19-20; Revelation 8

Zechariah 4; John 7

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.