faith

Devotional for January 17

January 17, 2024January 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

God Is Our Help and Shield

33 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2 Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4 For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.
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 33:1-4, 18-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Whenever we make the decision to get fit, we must resist the temptation to look for shortcuts. Lasting fitness doesn’t happen in a few weeks, and working out doesn’t get easier in only a few days. Just consistently do the work and fruit will grow with faith and patience in due time. God has granted all spiritual blessings to those who are in Christ Jesus. It has already been granted. First seek the leading of the Spirit to know what you should ask. Learn what is pleasing to God. Be determined to do nothing, nor entertain any thoughts, that are contrary to the known will of God. Then ask God in faith, go to work, and at just the proper time you will receive. That order is important to understand. Get right with God first, ask in faith and what can be seen will always come after. Ask God and wait with an eager expectation of seeing your prayer’s fulfillment. God has promised, and there are no details too small, nothing too big, nor anything too hard for the Lord. No good thing will He withhold from those who love Him.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 18; Matthew 17

Nehemiah 7; Acts 17

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for January 16

January 16, 2024January 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Hope in the Steadfast Love of the Lord

147 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
2 The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. Psalm 147:1-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Difficult circumstances and physical discomforts are often accompanied with temptations to fear and doubt. There are thoughts which have the appearance of truth in the natural, yet clearly contradict the Word of God. Such thoughts do not come from faith. Such thoughts arise from the best guess of the brain’s emotional center, which automatically produces feelings based off what it sees and has experienced in the past. These feelings are easily used to by inner tempter to produce a leaven of persuasive thoughts that draw us to self and the things of this earth rather than toward faith and the things of the Lord. Such thoughts are often attempts to put us in fear so that our faith will be weakened and thereby our work hindered or left undone. Reject and dismiss faithless thoughts without entertaining them. Take heed and refuse the enemy’s bait to trap you running endlessly on the treadmill of human reasoning. Indeed, all the dark forces of this present world conspire to have us live in fear, uncertainty, and doubt. The solution is simple and effective. Trust in the living God and the truth will set you free. Rejoice and trust in God Almighty. He has promised to strengthen your hands to do all He has called you to do.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 17; Matthew 16

Nehemiah 6; Acts 16

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 14

January 14, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The God of My Salvation

25 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 25:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

There is a difference between “eating to live” and “living to eat.” The main motive when living to eat is the pleasure that comes from what tastes good. Eating only what tastes good in this modern age will only make you sick. This is because today there are literally thousands of highly delicious food-like stuff filled with fat/sugar/salt and void of nutrients in grocery stores, restaurants, and convenience stores everywhere. Our food has been scientifically engineered to taste good and leave the body craving for more. The modern table has become a snare to us. As a result we are the fattest and sickest generation in history. It’s a consequence of our food producers being a for profit industry, and the use of modern science to hijack our taste buds to get at our dollars. Many Pilgrims traveling through the forest are enticed off the straight path by the deceiver’s sugary coated persuasions to avoid all hardship and eat only what is delicious. Running from the promised tribulations of a righteous life will surely stunt the Christian’s growth. This will keep them a breast sucking babe long after the time when they should have be a fully develop flame of fire. Strive to be conformed to the Word of God in all you do, say, and think. Deny the taste buds, choose to walk by faith regardless of how hard the way may seem. Though the forest may be dark at times, there is a shining city up ahead. The Holy Guest is more than able to get you there safely.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 15; Matthew 14

Nehemiah 4; Acts 14

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into His Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for January 13

January 13, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Unto Thee, O Lord, I Lift Up My Soul

2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:2-15 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Sometimes the fork in the road is only identified after having already passed by that way many times before. You will know you’ve reached the fork in the road when unless you choose to turn in faith, you will be stuck going round-n-round in the same old rut. Faith can be seen as actions inspired by belief in the truth. First we must come to believe the truth of the gospel, and then comes the testing of faith as we step out by ordering our life according to the pattern given to us in the Holy Bible. Without the testing of our faith, our conversion is incomplete. You believe the truth that the Lord will take care of you, and so the word of God affirms. Step out on that truth, hold it tight, and turn from worrying and being afraid. All who believe in their heart Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins, and that God has raised Him from the dead, have faith at least the size of a mustard seed. Your faith is more than big enough as long you fix your will to believe the truth and simply refuse to doubt. This is the proper use of our God given will power. Rejoice to step out in faith, because victory follows close behind. The enemy will try to scare you from it. To prevent this, it is wise never to take the counsel of your fears that are contrary to word of God. Be of good cheer. The testing of faith is necessary in order for us to experience the victory that overcomes the world. The victory won for us by our Lord Jesus Christ with the Cross and with His resurrection. Ultimate victory is sure and nearer today than it was yesterday.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 14; Matthew 13

Nehemiah 3; Acts 13

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 12

January 12, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

I Will Make Known to This Generation Your Power and Strength

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
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. Psalm 71:17-20 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To be physically fit you must trust the process and not give up. The only effective program is the one followed with consistency. Faith also requires trust and consistency. It is especially necessary to walk by faith when it is difficult to do so. God has promised that even those things which appear to be bad in the present moment will work together for good for all those who love Him. Since we have no way of knowing for sure what will happen even a few minutes from now, it is unreasonable to expect to be able to always see how God will turn what looks like the water of affliction into celebration wine. Accept this most natural of human limitations and let God be God. When good things happen, praise Him for His goodness. When bad things happen, praise Him for His faithfulness. Be steady. This is the will of God for all his children, and He will surely enable us to do it. The bricks on the high road that leads to eternal life in Christ Jesus are made from such a consistent trust in the faithfulness of God. Bless the Lord and praise His name always. Trusting God to faithfully keep His precious promises honors God. And God has promised to honor those that honor Him.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 13; Matthew 12

Nehemiah 2; Acts 12

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 9

January 9, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

O God of Our Salvation

65 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea: Psalm 65:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God is able to heal by miracle or by pill. To expect a miracle when the ordinary means of grace have already been provided is to tempt God. When you have a headache, don’t pray for it to be miraculously relieved when God has already given you the bottle of aspirin in your hand. Give thanks for the aspirin, bless it in the name of the Lord, and then take the proper dose knowing that it is just the means by which the Lord heals you. Blessed is the one who is able to see the invisible hand of God in all things. From everlasting to everlasting, God is good. Let this be the bedrock of your faith and trust in the Lord. Do what good you can with what you have right now, and every day you will be walking in your calling. It’s not fancy, but it works when you believe.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 9-10; Matthew 9

Ezra 9; Acts 9

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 7

January 7, 2024January 7, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

He Has Shown the Wonders of His Unfailing Love

19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. Psalm 31:19-21 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Fitness has two parts: things we need to do, and things we need to stop doing. Most everyone already knows which is which. The universal human condition is not so much a lack of the knowledge of what is right, as it is a lack of the ability to do what is known to be right. Now if we don’t do what we know to be right, that is what the Bible calls sin. To be free from this invisible bondage of sin requires a power higher than self. All that is in the world tends to be over-hyped, but there are no limits in God. It is impossible to even comprehend all the goodness that is God. Woe to the one who refuses the love of God, sad is the one who lingers, and tragic is the one who turns back. Ask the Lord to search your heart to make known to you any wrong in what you eat, what you do, or what you think. Then confess, repent, and believe for the power to do the will of God. Do not fear the consequences. That is only the last ditch effort of the enemy of our soul trying to turn us away from our salvation. Trust in God. Come what may, hold firmly to the assurance of faith that His staff and His rod will take care of you. Be courageous and rest under the mighty hand of God. Walk in the newness of life provided by the grace of Jesus Christ to the glory of our Heavenly Father.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 7; Matthew 7

Ezra 7; Acts 7

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 January 2

January 2, 2024January 7, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Give Glory to His Name

105 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: Psalm 105:1-5, 8-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The brain is the sense making organ of the flesh, and the heart is the meaning ascribing organ of the spirit. Some of the most intelligent of this world profess that only what is seen is real. Therefore, it is impossible for them to understand the evil desires of their own hearts. The believer on the other hand, has the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to enlighten his or her view of the world. It’s only by choosing faith in God over what we see and feel which enlightens our experience in this life. It is just not possible to determine how best to live using the scientific method alone. Truth had to be revealed to us by the written word of God. Faith without reason is incomplete, but reason without faith leads only to death. Believe first, then let reasoning provide support. This will allow faith to grow strong like the Centurion who reasoned that Jesus could heal his servant with just a word because of His divine authority.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 2; Matthew 2

Ezra 2; Acts 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 1

January 1, 2024January 7, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing to the Lord a New Song

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)

The Morning Exhortation

Calling yourself fat after having prayed for fat loss tempts God and negates your faith. Don’t expect an instant miracle when the ordinary means of grace and patience are all that are necessary. The one who petitions God without trusting Him to grant the request, is like a feather blown about and tossed by the wind. After having prayed and put in the days required work, look at your present condition without discouragement and say, “by faith I’m getting healthier, leaner, and stronger every day.” The Holy Book reminds us that “first the blade, then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear” is the divine order for the ordinary means of grace. Pray for the grace you need and consider it done before the mirror or scale reflects the change. Now go to work for it. Believe in the faithfulness of God, and be willing to consistently put in the work. It is wrong to ask God for a miracle to compensate for not following the natural and spiritual laws God has ordained. Turn from all foolishness and hold firmly to the simplicity that is in Christ. According to your faith, so will it be done unto you. Why should anyone think it strange that God Almighty heals with equal ease by miracle as He does by a pill? Believe the gospel. For the Lord has said nothing shall be impossible for us. Trust Him and He will make your Amen strong.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 1; Matthew 1

Ezra 1; Acts 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for December 29

December 29, 2023January 7, 2024 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