Tag: christianity

faith

Devotional for July 4

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Make excellence and hard work every day habits."

Remember the Lord Always

26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28 For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations.
29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this. Psalm 22:26-31 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Make excellence and hard work every day habits. It’s too late to cook up bullets when you’re in the trenches with enemy paratroopers dropping out of the sky all around you. Just as it will be difficult to do well and work hard on that really important thing that comes along if you are unaccustomed to always doing your best and working hard. (Ecclesiastes 9:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Colossians 3:22-24; 2 Timothy 2:15; Proverbs 22:1; Ecclesiastes 7:1; Proverbs 31:10-31; Revelation 3:7-13; Galatians 6:9-18)

faith

Devotional for July 3

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "To walk in the Spirit, trust God for what will be by keeping your right hand in His."

Rest From the Days of Adversity

3 Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
5 They break in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
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. Psalm 94:3-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The value of a great idea doesn’t come from its conception. The thinker must willingly suffer the labor pains required to bring it to life. Full maturity brings forth the sweetest of fruit only after being nourished by love, shaped by discipline, and seasoned with time. To walk in the Spirit, trust God for what will be by keeping your right hand in His. (Isaiah 41:13; John 14:15-27; Galatians 5:16-23; Romans 8:6-18; John 14:31; 1 Corinthians 15:45-58; John 16:21; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 3:14-21)

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)