faith

Devotional for May 10

May 10, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Be Joyful

66 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Psalm 66:1-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Addition and subtraction are both important for the material as well as the spiritual life. Little progress comes from going to the gym to get stronger when you are unwilling to let go of the bad habits outside of the gym that only feed weakness. Moreover, never expect to receive justice from the world, but always be ready to give it. Avoid taking advantage, and accept no embarrassment for shout comings. Take no offense, and depend on God to defend you. Who can live up to such standards apart from Jesus Christ? Depend on the grace of God for both the desire and the ability to do the His will. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-46, 5:1-11; Luke 6:22-49; Matthew 16:24-25; John 15:5; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 12:1-3, 4:14-16; Romans 6:1-12; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 4:4-7; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 19; Psalms 56-57

Isaiah 8-9:7; James 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for May 9

May 9, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Standing

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)

The Morning Exhortation

The final score alone isn’t enough to determine the winners from the losers. Winning is more about how you played the game than it is about the number on the scoreboard. Winning in a sleazy way may put the victor’s cup in the hand, but it will yield no honor for the heart. Always fight the good fight, and you will never lose even when you don’t win. Blessed is the one who comes to know that it is only by grace that we can stand before the living God, the Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth. (Proverbs:1-8-9; psalm 37:16; Mark 8:36; Colossians 3:2; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21; Proverbs 6:16-19; James 4:4; Haggai 1:5-6; Psalm 55:23; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; Psalm 27:4; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Psalm 45:1; Philippians 4:4-8; Hebrews 10:35-36; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 17-18; Psalms 55

Isaiah 7; James 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 6

May 6, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

God Is Our Guide Forever

1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:1, 9-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Miracles, signs, and wonders are not enough to make a believer. The Israelites who perished in the wilderness are proof of this truth for all who are humble enough to acknowledge that we who live today are no better. It is by faith that we obtain a good report just as all the saints that came before us. The secret of a good report is in maintaining the belief that He who has promised is faithful despite what the eyes may see or heart may feel is true based off our own limited understanding. God has shown us His love and faithfulness in many ways too numerous to count. The greatest proof of God’s love was sending His only begotten Son to die for us on the Cross. By faith our Lord Jesus Christ now dwells in our hearts. By faith we are taken up into the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Wait on the Lord with the faith you have now, and more shall be given to you. Wait on the Lord with the eager expectation that He will reveal the fullness of Christ in you. By faith seek until you find, knock until it is opened, and ask until you receive. He who promised is the only one who is forever faithful. Wait on the Lord until the assurance of faith comes from God as a witness within your soul. It will surely come when God determines it is the proper time. Then you shall know as surely as you know the back of your hand that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord. It is good to praise the Lord for His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night! Rejoice now, and look forward to testifying of your complete salvation in Christ Jesus. (Isaiah 53:1-6; John 12:37; John 1:13-17; Hebrews 11:1-6; Psalm 27:14; Hebrews 11:32-40; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 92:1-2; Philippians 4:23)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 14; Psalms 50

Isaiah 3-4; Hebrews 11

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

I thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered me from the dominion of sin and death and brought me into the kingdom of your Son; and I pray that, as by his death he has recalled me to life, so by his love he may raise me to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for May 5

May 5, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Privileges to Enjoy

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. Psalm 37:23-29, 34-39 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The mother eagle stirs up the nest and makes it uncomfortable for the young ones to motive them to take to the sky. God has worms for every bird, but there comes the time when each little eaglet must grow up and leave the nest. The baby in the natural world that fails to grow would be considered strange and abnormal. So too the believer that fails to grow up in his or her salvation should be considered strange and abnormal. The baby bird only has to open its mouth, but we are not to stay spiritual babies forever. The rule in the kingdom of God is this: if a man will not work, neither shall he eat. And if a man does not eat, he will not grow. Drink deeply from the pure spiritual milk of the word of God, store its truth in your heart, and grow. For this is God’s will for all of us called to eternal life in Christ Jesus. (Proverbs 29:15, 3:11-18; 1 Peter 2:2-10; 1 John 4:13-19; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Isaiah 40:28-31; Judges 13:24-25; Mark 4:26-29; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; James 5:7-8; Hebrews 12:1-13; James 1:22-25; Hebrews 10:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 1:15-23; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 12-13; Psalms 49

Isaiah 2; Hebrews 10

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 3

May 3, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. Psalm 103:15-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It usually takes years of unhealthy living to make us fat and sick. The process can be just as slow in reverse. A flash of lightening with a clap of thunder comes quick, goes quick, and doesn’t happen very often. While the rising sun dawns and gets brighter and brighter until it reaches high noon most every day. It is much slower, lasts much longer, and happens all the time. The purpose of many of the commands of God written in the Holy Bible are to keep us moving toward spiritual maturity and away from disease. How much time it takes to get there is not nearly as important as consistently moving in the right direction. Our part is to fix our eyes on Jesus and guard the heart. God’s part is everything, because apart from God we can do nothing. Complete understanding is not necessary. Belief is enough to keep us moving toward good health. We get there when we get there. (Ecclesiastes 10:1; Proverbs 19:1-2; Proverbs 4:10-27; Hebrews 10:26-29; Isaiah 56:9-12; 1 Timothy 6:11; John 6:27; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Psalm 73:1-20; 3 John 1:2; Proverbs 3:5-8; Hebrews 12:1-2; John 15:5; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Timothy 6:12-16)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 10; Psalms 46-47

Song of Solomon 8; Hebrews 8

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 30

April 30, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Safety of the Abiding Presence of the Lord

91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalm 91 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Truth will set you free while falsehood only enslaves, kills, steals, and destroys. Truth with a capital “T” cannot be determined by how we feel or what we see. We come to know Truth by believing the revealed Word of God. Feelings and circumstances are pleasant when they support Truth, but they are as unreliable as shifting sand when they are contrary to Truth. To be in Christ, is to be in Truth. All persuasion to doubt the veracity of the Word of God doesn’t come from God. The Truth of God never changes. Therefore, it can be trusted come rain or shine, morning or night, now and forever. Do what is right according to the Truth and you never have to fear the consequences that come from doing wrong. Punishment for doing wrong is quite natural. Even still, rejoice if you suffer for doing good. Great is the reward for all who commit the keeping of their soul to the Lord. (Psalm 119:9; Romans 3:3-9; John 17:17; John 8:30-34; Psalm 34:12; John 15:1-8; Ecclesiastes 8:11-12; 1 Peter 4:12-16; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:19-20; 1 Peter 3:13-14; Psalm 50:7-23; Proverbs 16:1-5; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Proverbs 29:25; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18; 1 Peter 4:17-19; Romans 8:28; Psalm 41:11-13)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 7; Psalms 42-43

Song of Solomon 5; Hebrews 5

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 28

April 28, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Love of the Lord Is Everlasting

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. Psalm 103:13-18 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Eat well and work hard for fitness while always prioritizing the more important things for faith. Faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, consists of facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed, and privileges to be enjoyed. Remember the love of God and His truth are the great tenderizers of the heart and soul. It is a lack of these two that have filled the world with so much suffering. Without love the heart becomes hardened with selfishness. Without holding to the truth the soul becomes steeped with envy, pretense, and pride. Christ Jesus died on the Cross so we could be free from the bondage and burden of all errors of the heart and soul such as these. Wisdom comes from being in a right relationship with God. Only then can we escape the vanity in the world being driven by lust. Fix your eyes on Jesus by faith working through love, and a sure hope in God will see you all the way home to our eternal dwelling in heaven. Faith, love, and hope filling the heart sets the fear of the Lord as the default setting in the mind. Don’t confuse being “afraid (or having no fear) of God” with “the fear of God.” The former is the state of sinners and the later pertains to saints. The fear of the Lord causes a carefulness to avoid anything that is offensive to God out of a sincere desire to please Him who our soul loves. Keeping the fear of the Lord before our eyes acts as a protective boundary through a fully functional conscience that helps to guard us along the way. And these are the signs of those who love the Lord: they obey His commandments and they bear the fruits of the Spirit. (Proverbs 27:20; Romans 3:13-18; Proverbs 9:12, 12:10, 27:23; Matthew 25:14-30; Isaiah 50:10-11; Hosea 10:12; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Hebrews 11:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 4:10-13; 2 Peter 1:2-11; Philippians 4:23)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 5; Psalms 39

Song of Solomon 3; Hebrews 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that I, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for April 26

April 26, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

His Mercy Endures Forever

136 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1-9, 25-26 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Getting started is usually not fun. The shortest cut to attaining anything is to accept the fact that everything requires effort and will seem hard in the beginning. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Tough times come and go. Endure the purifying process on the straight path through the narrow gate, and God shall bring forth your righteousness brighter and brighter until the full light of the noon day. Make the will of God your delight, wait on the Lord, and let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Nothing is able to take away your joy if you only believe. Trust the Lord. The power that spread out the stars like a curtain, the power that brought forth Jesus Christ up from the grave, that same power is at work in each of us who are born again in Christ. Believe the gospel! (Ecclesiastes 7:8, 11:4; Psalm 37:16-20; Matthew 6:19-34; Psalm 32:8-11; Matthew 5:6; Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 94:19, 37:1-13; Proverbs 4:18; Matthew 7:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; John 14:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:17; James 5:7; Mark 4:26-29; 1 John 5:5-15; Ephesians 2:10; John 14:27; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 3; Psalms 37

Song of Solomon 1; Hebrews 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 24

April 24, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Blessings for All

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. Psalm 115:1-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Keep working out and don’t be overly concerned about when you will see the results. Sometimes physical changes seems to happen gradually like a dawning day, and other times a personal best is surpassed suddenly like a clap of thunder out of a clear blue sky. Recognize the importance of the physical body to the spiritual life. The body is meant to be an instrument of righteousness rather than a stumbling block. Once the journey on the narrow path has begun, let go and never look back with desire for the old unhealthy ways. It’s not given to us to know all that today or tomorrow will bring. Time and chance happens to everyone, and these are completely out of our control. Still, there is reason for hope for those who love the Lord. Time and chance are both completely under the dominion of God. There really is no need to worry about anything if you will only believe the gospel. The will of God is our highest good. It will happen when all is ready, when the proper season has come, when the time is right, and when the dues have been paid in full. (Proverbs 27:1; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 9:10-11; Psalm 147:5-11; Hebrews 6:19-20; Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:25-34; Proverbs 4:18; Acts 1:7; Psalm 27:14; James 5:7-11; Mark 11:22-25; Galatians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 6:1-3; Philippians 2:13; 1 Peter 5:11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 1; Psalms 35

Ecclesiastes 11; Titus 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 23

April 23, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Whole World is His

93 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

Understand how the multitudes were fed. We miss the abundant life promised by Christ when we allow ourselves to be convinced that we need God and ________ . It doesn’t matter what you fill in the blank with, it will be like a ball and chain that keeps you from the fullness of God in Christ Jesus. God alone is our exceeding sufficient provision and reward. Better to endure hardness as good soldier of Jesus Christ than it is to feast, drink, and chase after all that is shiny and best in this life. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. All else is vanity says the preacher, and all is counted as dung compared to knowing Jesus Christ says the apostle. God says, “I am.” We are to say, “God is.” The understanding heart will know that this is the answer and response to every difficult question in life. (Habakkuk 1:5; Mark 6:34-52; 1 Corinthians 12:1; Ephesians 1:3-23; Philippians 4:8-13; Ecclesiastes 7:2-6; Philippians 3:7-15; 2 Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Peter 4:12-19; Romans 8:13-19; Exodus 3:13-15; John 1:1-12; Hebrews 11:1-6; Colossians 1:23-29; Ephesians 3:14-21)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 27; Psalms 34

Ecclesiastes 10; Titus 2