faith

Devotional for February 20

February 20, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

I Will

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 116:5-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Some days will be nice and easy, others will be rough and tough. Push hard when you feel strong, ease up when you don’t. Rest when you must, but never quit doing what is right whether you feel like it or not. Doing what is right is always a matter of faith, never feeling. Feelings result from sight, but faith results from willful obedience to the word of God. Hold to the narrow path that leads to eternal life. The selfish pursuit of happiness leads only to moral decay and much suffering. There is no lasting happiness apart from the pursuit of the Lord and His righteousness. Let us be diligent to do what pleases God, and happiness will follow. Happiness is a fruit found on the branch rooted in the love of God, as are the other fruits of the Spirit such as contentment, gratitude, and peace. Even the elementary principles of this world affirm this teaching of Jesus Christ our Lord: good fruit comes only from a good tree. Not that we can make ourselves good by our own efforts. This impossible work has to be done for us by God and requires our consent and submission. Pray and God grant us the grace to do our part. (Matthew 6:31-33, 12:33-35; John 15:1-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 3; Luke 6

Job 20; 1 Corinthians 7

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept my prayers; and because in my weakness I can do nothing good without you, give me the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments I may please you in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for February 17

February 17, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Give Thanks

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:20-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Understand who we are called to be by God. Be obedient to the sweet heavenly vision given to us in Christ Jesus. Know this as well: our motivation to be conformed to the image of Christ will always be hindered by the measure of belief you yield to all the naysayers around you. Righteousness starts with believing God. This is how all our elders recorded in the Bible obtained a good report. Believe that there is an inheritance keep for us in heaven, and that God will surely keep us here on earth for our heavenly reward. Believe God. God alone is completely trustworthy. Therefore, we can trust that what He commands He will also enable us to do. By faith believe Almighty God has created you anew in Christ Jesus even before you see or feel any evidence of it. Fan your faith until you catch fire, and be all that God means for you to be. (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 2:13)

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 50; Luke 3

Job 16:-17; 1 Corinthians 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 16

February 16, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Thy Throne, O God, Endures Forever

1 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. Psalm 45:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Mysteries are to be expected when contemplating the infinite God. As magnificent as our abilities to think and reason are, even the brightest of us are still limited. For this reason, God has given us His word and only requires faith (Hebrews 11:1-6). It is impossible for us to fully understand all the mysteries of God, but faith is so easy that even a child can come to know the truth by it (Matthew 18:1-4). All the necessary knowledge about God has been provided for us in the Holy Bible. It is far more important to worship God as He is revealed in the Holy Bible than it is to know all the mysteries beyond our understanding. Knowing God as He has revealed Himself is a grace that is even more essential to the spirit than sleep is to the body. Sleep is an essential component for health and fitness that can’t be stored, caught up on, or ignored. You either accept the need for 7-8 hours of sleep out of every 24, or you will eventually have to pay and suffer for lack of it. Fear not. God has promised to give His beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2). Give thanks for it when it is sweet, and pray for it when it is not. The One who has chosen you to be in Christ Jesus has predestined you to bring forth His fruit. Submit yourself therefore to God, and willingly choose to do His will. When our will is to obey, God provides the way.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 49; Luke 2

Job 15; 1 Corinthians 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 12

February 12, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Has Ordained a Blessing

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Psalm 133 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Let us move forward into who we are to be in our Lord Jesus Christ. Know that He who has begun a good work in you will also see it to completion. The God of all hope and patience will certainly fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and pray for guidance when standing before any fork in the road. No one is surprised by the blind man who drives himself over a cleft. Get out of the driver seat and trust God. Only by faith do we understand what cannot be understood otherwise. God is the source of all blessings small and great. All His spiritual blessings flow into our life by grace through the golden pipe of faith. Give the grace of God its free flow. Let us break down all that hinders grace by trusting God and having a willingness to do the work set before us.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 45; Mark 15

Job 11; Romans 15

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Set me free, O God, from the bondage of my sins, and give me the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to me in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; 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 February 10

February 10, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Preserves All Those Who Love Him

18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. Psalm 145:18-20 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Pray for a miracle when the circumstances call for it. At all other times, God may only be waiting for us to put in the work before the needed blessing is released. It’s easy to work hard when it feels good, but knowing only pleasure produces no lasting fruit. The good fight of the Christian must be fought by holding firm to faith in the truth of God, through good times and bad times alike. To leave off praying until one feels like it, is to walk by sight. Just as to go to the gym only when one feels strong, is to walk by sight. To do what is right only when it doesn’t cause pain or hardship, is to be doubleminded. And to do/not to do based solely on how one feels or thinks, will make such a one wishy-washy (James 1:2-8). Make no mistake about it, to walk by faith is something that we have to choose to do hundreds of times each day. Let faith produce the patience and endurance necessary for waiting on the Lord. Troubles will come. Watch without worrying, because God our Father cares for us. Jesus Christ will come at the appointed time. It is not given to any of us to know when, but don’t let Him catch you with your work undone. Watch, work, and be ready.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 42; Mark 12

Job 8; Romans 12

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 8

February 8, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing O, My Soul

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.
21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt. Psalm 71:19-24 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To know the body leads to health. To know self leads to wisdom. To know God leads to life. These three fit together like hand, liner, and glove. But who can keep the body under, who can de-throne self, and who can enter into the brightness of eternal life? Only those who respond appropriately to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Being born again is merely the beginning of the path of this upward call, and the crucified life is but the middle. Press on brothers and sisters. By the grace of God, let us press on.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 41; Mark 11

Job 7; Romans 11

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 7

February 7, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Dwell in the Shelter of the Most High

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.
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 91:3-7, 14-16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Working for physical beauty alone is like watering cut flowers. Though death may be delayed, there is no lasting life without having roots growing in the love of God. Pursing personal holiness for the love of God is to cultivate an inner beauty that will last forever. Don’t be short sighted. Look past the temporal things of this world and focus on the long game (Hebrews 12:1-2). Then will denying self and living the crucified life in Christ become a joy. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and know His peace, which surpasses understanding (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7).

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 40; Mark 10

Job 6; Romans 10

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for February 5

February 5, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

This is the Blessed Way

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalm 119:9-16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God is able to provide abundantly more than we could ever need from little or nothing at all. The rate of change in this world is increasing day by day, becoming more and more uncertain every minute. Blessed is the one who builds his house on the Rock. Blessed is the one who is not conformed to this world. Set your affections on the things above. Joyfully give up what you cannot keep to gain what you cannot lose. God has demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Since God is for us, Christ will surely be revealed in us if we believe and desire it with all our heart. He has promised, therefore it cannot be otherwise. Eye has not seen and mind cannot imagine what God has prepared for those who love Him (Luke 23:42-43). A very long life in this world is infinitely shorter than eternity. Even if we are called to spend 120 years suffering for the Lord in this life, it would still be just a short-term pain for an eternal gain.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 38; Mark 8

Job 4; Romans 8

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 4

February 4, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Restore Us, O Lord God of Hosts

80 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. Psalm 80:1-3, 17-19 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The regenerated conscience confirms the rightness of obedience to God. We must choose to set the will to obey God by faith. He strengthens all who are determined to do His will, in the way He has prescribed it to be done. Know that God is (Hebrews 11:6)….regardless of how things look, or how we feel at any given moment. Know this is true as surely as you know that 1 + 1 = 2. Then comes the promised joy from the testing of our faith (James 1:2-4). God waits for us to cultivate our dependence on Him. It is only when we are weak in ourselves, that God makes us strong in Him. Don’t wait to see if what you pray for is so. Sight always follows the testing of faith. Sight never precedes it, as what is seen requires no faith at all. From beginning to end, from faith to faith, all good things are to the praise of the glory of God. Air to breathe and food to eat, every creature needs the rest of creation. If we are to know peace, however, we need more. We need faith to know Christ and His truth shall set us free.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 37; Mark 7

Job 3; Romans 7

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 3

February 3, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Afterwards the Lord Will Take Me Into Glory

21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works. Psalm 73:21-28 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Persistence is the pain that brings the gains. Many things may get you where you want to go, but only if you are willing to keep working at them even though the pace seems slow. Many things may work, but thank God there is only one straight gate and narrow way that leads to eternal life. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. This is the most essential knowledge for every human being on the planet. We have everything when we know this. Without this knowledge, even if a soul has the very best of everything this world has to offer, it will amount to less than nothing in the end. God alone is our Rock. Practice the art of contentment by trusting God. Our own thoughts and feelings are prone to error and sometimes unreliable. The emotional faculty of the brain exists to create meaning out of present circumstance. Feelings are just the brain’s best guest based on our limited sensory perceptions and what has been learned from our past experiences. Feelings are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. Therefore, trust God, rely on His word, and take no counsel from contradictory feelings and the thoughts they spawn. Pray and work. Let feelings be what they may.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 35-36; Mark 6

Job 2; Romans 6