Tag: christianity

faith

Devotional for July 2

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Every overnight success comes out of obscurity after years of sweat and toil."

Lift Up Your Heads

1 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.
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Psalm 24 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Every overnight success comes out of obscurity after years of sweat and toil. Great achievements take years of hard work, often while being ignored, rejected, and unappreciated. Better to expect a reward tomorrow from doing much work today, than it it to expect a reward today after having done only the bare minimum yesterday. (Proverbs 9:1; 1 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:1-11; James 1:21; Isaiah 28:9-10; Galatians 6:7-9; Zechariah 4:10; Habakkuk 2:1-3, 2:4; Luke 8:11; Psalm 126:6; James 5:7;  Psalm 27:14; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 30:11-12, 103:1, 89:52)

faith

Devotional for July 1

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Get out there and fight the good fight."

God the Rock of My Salvation

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

The horse trapped in the starting gate will never win the race no matter how fast it can run. Without actually running the race, there is no possibility of wining. Get out there and fight the good fight. Cut the cords, remove the blocks, turn loose the brakes, and run the course set before you with joy! (Proverbs 20:4, 22:13, 30:20; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Joshua 1:8-9; Hebrews 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:7; James 3:3; Psalm 32:9-11, 1:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-30, 6:10-18; Hebrews 10:35-39; James 4:7; Romans 8:28-39; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for June 28

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Being ready is by far more important than being concerned about when opportunity will knock."

Rejoice In the Name of the Lord

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?
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. Psalm 89:5-8, 14-17 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

When time and circumstances converge to create an opportune moment, where will you be? When the bell rings, will you still be in a daze on the sofa in front of the TV? When your ship comes in, will you be up early in the morning standing on the dock with your bags packed and boarding pass in hand? The unprepared are always overly concerned about the question of when. Prepare your field, then you will be ready to build your house when the time is right. Being ready is by far more important than being concerned about when opportunity will knock. (Proverbs 24:27, 10:4-5; Acts 1:6-7; Matthew 24:37-39; Romans 2:4; Proverbs 6:6-11; Matthew 3:4-12; Psalm 95:6-11, 19:7-11; Acts 19:11-16; Matthew 7:21-23, 25:1-13; James 4:5-10; Romans 13:11; 1 John 5:20-21)

faith

Devotional for June 27

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Anything that causes doubt in the promises of God is a lie of the devil."

Let the Lord Be Magnified

9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
10 All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Psalm 35:9-10, 27-28 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We can have total assurance that our prayers will be answered. This assurance is based on one fact: The promise of “ask for whatsoever you want” is for all those who are totally devoted to doing the will of Christ Jesus. It is not for those who are still enslaved by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. To ask for something to satisfy a covetous desire is to ask amiss. However, when our prayers are for what is needful in our labor for the bread which does not perish, you can have perfect assurance it will be granted. Anything that causes doubt in the promises of God is a lie of the devil. When faith grabs hold of this fact, we grow up in our salvation. (James 4:1-3; 1 John 2:15-17; Mark 14:1-9; 2 Corinthians 2:15-17; 1 John 5:14-15; 2 Timothy 2:1-7; Hebrews 10:15-23; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9; Jude 1:5-13; 1 John 2:26-27; John 15:1-11; Hebrews 12:12-29; Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 18:1; Mark 11:25; Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 7:9-11; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for June 24

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: 'Feel the fatigue and joyfully get done what needs to be done anyway."

I Delight to Do Your Will, O My God

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:4-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Everyone gets tired, the great secret is not to let it control you. Feel the fatigue and joyfully get done what needs to be done anyway. Let the one who wants a lean, hungry look, not shy away from hard work nor hunger pangs. Better to suffer from a little diligence and discipline while climbing the path of greatness, than it is to suffer from an abundance of pleasure and leisure while sliding into the pit of nothingness. (1 Peter 4:1-5; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Peter 3:13-18; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Psalm 127:1-2, 4:8; John 16:24-33; Proverbs 4:20-27; Ephesians 6:16-18; 2 Corinthians 2:11; James 5:13; Proverbs 18:14; Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 42:5, 118:19-29; Nehemiah 8:10; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for June 23

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord is the Stronghold of My Life

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. Psalm 27:1-4 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith is reckoning the divine truth of the Word of God as being more important than the tangible truth of what can be seen and felt. Where the two contradict, faith will always prevail as it is based on the highest form of unchangeable truth. The tangible, transient truths of this world will always come in line with divine truth sooner or later. The Word of God gives faith a sure rock to take hold, and faith provides the substance in which hope grows. Blessed is the one who takes hold with a mustard seed size faith in God. Jesus Christ is the Word and the Word is God. Be strong and live in this light. Be cleansed by the washing of the Word of all deceit, pride, and pretense. Be free to be what you portray and to practice what you preach. Mix a little faith with the Word and the amazing grace of God will set you free to the glory of His name. (Hebrews 11:1-6; John 1:1-18; John 8:31-36; John 15:1-20; 1 John 1:5-10; Isaiah 53:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 4:2; John 6:28; Mark 11:22-24; John 6:63; Revelation 22:14-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

faith

Devotional for June 22

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Blessed Are Those Who Know

9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;
13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it. Psalm 94:9-15 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Blessed are all who come to know that God is their everlasting strength and shield. Blind are those who cannot see the hand of God Almighty. They go through life leaning on an arm of flesh (be it the natural strength of self or someone else, some miracle drug, some magic potion, chance, luck, coincidence, or something else), rather than relying on the Most High God. God is the Alpha and Omega. He is the source of all good things and all grace needs to return back to Him with glory. We impede grace when we steal glory due to God by keeping it for ourselves. Those who are not willing to crown Jesus Christ as Lord in their heart and life, only frustrate the flow of the power of God through unbelief and selfishness. A spiritual conductor of grace on the other hand, will find that the flow of grace increases as they boomerang the grace of God back to him with glory to His name. (Psalm 63:1-4; Genesis 28:16; Romans 1:18-22; Jeremiah 2: 12-13; 2 Chronicles 16:12-13, 32:8; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 13:14-16; John 3:27; Isaiah 26:4; John 7:38; Isaiah 12:3; Psalm 66:16-20; Proverbs 16:33; Philippians 1:19; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 28:7, 103:19-22; Romans 8:32; Revelation 1:8; Ephesians 2:1-10; James 1:17-25; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 4:4-8; Revelations 22:21)

faith

Devotional for June 16

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Omnipotence and Omniscience of the Lord Comforts Me

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Balance is easy to take for granted when young. Better to create the habit of training to maintain balance from youth rather than waiting to start training to regain it once it has been lost. The untrained aged among us are constantly in fear of falling down and breaking a hip. The secret of balance is avoiding the extremes. If you are at an extreme, and you get pushed further in that direction, you will surely fall. If you are somewhere in the middle however, you can get pushed in either direction and still maintain your balance. Balance is ease throughout the range of motion between extremes. Temperance is mental balance. Overindulgence in pleasure, food, comfort and ease is so common these days that any citizen of Sodom and Gomorrah would feel right at home in the world today. To keep the body and its fleshly desires under control, the Lord has commanded us to deny self. Denying self means to practice stopping short of being completely full. One slice of pizza tastes good, but it unwise for anyone to eat half the pie at one sitting. Stop while you still want more. Denying self is a safe guard allowing us to partake of what is good without losing our balance and falling into the ditch of overindulgence. (Jude 1:17-19; Psalm 69:22; Jude 1:20-21; Matthew 16:24; Titus 2:11-12; Philippians 4:4-13; Romans 13:14; 2 Timothy 1:7; Galatians 5:16; 1 Corinthians 9:23-27; Revelation 22:21)

faith

Devotional for June 15

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: Nothing is greater than God.

The Fear of the Lord Is Pure and Enduring Forever

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God is great. God is good. Praise Him morning, noon, and night. Don’t worry about today, nor be afraid of what may come tomorrow. Nothing is greater than God. Stop trying to dictate to the Lord the terms and the form of the blessings you receive. Remember the Lord your God is perfect, and that He loves you so much that He sent His son to die for you. He knows what you need before you ask. The moral government of God requires that we have the freedom to choose what is right and reject what is wrong. Both good and bad choices have consequences, therefore not everything that happens is good. Sometimes bad things happen to good people because of the bad choices of other people. God is all powerful though, and He has promised that all things will work together for the good of those who love Him. Know for certain that every good gift is from above, and that God will nullify every snake bite and poison pill that would harm those who are called according to His purpose. Trust God with your whole heart and the Scriptures say that He will show Himself strong on your behalf. He will keep you in perfect peace. Dare to believe the gospel until the revelation of Christ reigns supreme in your heart. (Psalm 147:1, 92:1-2, 18:1-3, 23:4, 78:5-11, 78:41; Jeremiah 45:5; Galatians 3:13-14, 5:19-26; Proverbs 23:4; Galatians 6:7; Romans 8:28; James 1:17; Matthew 6:25-34; Numbers 21:5-9; John 3:14-21; Acts 17:22-31; Matthew 13:17; Acts 26:27; 2 Peter 1:19; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for June 14

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Incline My Heart to Your Testimonies, O Lord

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. Psalm 119:33-40 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Remember God when your physical appearance improves as you consistently workout and eat better. Prosperity presents hidden dangers that we must guard the heart against. The natural inclinations of having plenty to eat, an abundance of luxuries, and lots of ease is to be overcome with slothfulness and puffed up with pride. Never forget that it is God who has enabled you to eat well, given you the desire work hard, and He alone is the source of all growth. From God come the gains. Hold fast to the Word of life. Cast down every imagination that is contrary to faith in God. This is the way to fight for your trust in God. Let His staff and His rod comfort you. Hold on until you know that God is guiding you with His eye. Hold on until you know His voice. Hold on until God renews your youth like the eagle. The abundant life comes to us only by the grace of God. It is through Jesus Christ that we have the sure mercies of David to the praise of His holy name. Worship God, and know for certain that all power and all glory belongs to God (Luke 12:16-21; Proverbs 6:16-19; Psalm 75:4-7; Proverbs 27:21; Psalm 10:4; Isaiah 55:3; Revelation 3:13-22; Galatians 4:19; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Hebrews 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Psalm 23:4; Proverbs 3:5-8; Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-16; James 4:4-10; 1 Peter 5:7-10; 2 Corinthians 13:14)