faith

Devotional for May 24

May 24, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Teach Me Discernment

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. Psalm 119:65-72 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The comfort zone is a sedative for the soul that rocks one to sleep with a false expectation of victory at some unidentified point in the future. You may not always get what you deserve, but never expect to get more than what you have earned in this temporal world. Don’t expect to start at the top, don’t expect to move up by only doing the bare minimum, and don’t expect to get something extra for doing only what is required. Thank God Almighty that through the redemptive work of Christ Jesus, we escape what we truly deserve. Now the children of God need to hunger and thirst for righteousness with the whole heart in full assurance that He who promised that they will be filled is faithful. Wait for the Lord. We are sons and daughters of the God of all comfort, and from Him all blessing flow. (Proverbs 26:14; Ecclesiastes 4:5; Isaiah 51:17; Proverbs 23:29-35; Malachi 4:2; Ephesians 5:14; ; Isaiah 60:1; 1 John 2:15-17; Psalm 75:6-9; 1 Chronicles 29:9-13; Matthew 5:6; Isaiah 23:15-18; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 5:6; Psalm 27:14; Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 94:19; 1 Timothy 6:17-21)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 33; Psalms 78:1-37

Isaiah 25; 1 John 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep me, I pray, from all things that may hurt me, that I, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with a free heart those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

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Devotional for May 23

May 23, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Unfailing Love of the Lord is With Us

31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
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 31:1, 4, 18-21 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Physical beauty, strong muscles, and a wallet fat with money are not bad things until we set our desire for them ahead of our desire for the things of the Spirit. Seek first to know God and then you will be less susceptible to the deceitfulness of all such riches. Make your chief aim to know the living God and He has promised to add to you everything else you may need. (Matthew 6:27-33; Mark 4:2-20; Matthew 23:25-28; Matthew 5:27-28; Isaiah 29:13; John 4:23; Proverbs 6:20-26; 1 Timothy 6:3-11; Romans 6:21; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:39; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Matthew 24:45-51; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 5:14-15; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Colossians 3:2; Proverbs 23:4-8; 2 Peter 3:17-18)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 32; Psalms 77

Isaiah 24; 1 John 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 22

May 22, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

In His Holy Name We Put Our Trust

The Morning Exhortation

Don’t make mountains out of mole hills by worrying and complaining. Remember to be grateful for small blessings to breathe easier and make life sweeter. Perfect feelings would require complete knowledge. Since complete knowledge is not humanly possible, our feelings and perceptions are NOT reliable guides. This is why we are commanded to have faith in God and not to lean on our own limited understanding. Trust the all-knowing and almighty God. Complete knowledge and infinite power are the rod and staff of our Great Shepheard. Perfect peace is reserved for those who know and trust the God of all comfort. (Isaiah 26:3, 41:10; Matthew 6:25-34; Isaiah 50:10-11; Proverbs 3:5-8; Psalm 30:12; Jonah 2:8; Psalm 58:3, 73:23; Philippians 4:4-13; Matthew 28:18; John 14:21-27; Matthew 21:22-27; Psalm 136:1-3; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Philippians 2:14-15; Psalm 23; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 31; Psalms 75-76

Isaiah 23; 1 John 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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Devotional for May 21

May 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Knowledge + Doing = Wisdom

111 Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalm 111 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The more we have to do, the more things we have the opportunity to get done. The less we have to, the more time we tend to spend doing nothing. Sometimes the most obvious truths as plain as the nose on our faces, are the hardest ones to see. Lazy is resting before getting tired. Rest to re-charge, and don’t waste a single opportunity to glorify God. This is proper, right, and pleasing to both God and our own souls. The circle of grace is not complete until we glorify God with thanksgiving and praise. Like a strong man rejoicing to run his race, we are built for this. (Psalm 107:1; Luke 19:10; John 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 13:11-12; James 1:22-25; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:16-21; James 2:19; Revelation 12:1-12; Hebrews 2:3; Revelation 5:9-10; Isaiah 21:5; Ephesians 2:10, 6:10-12; Romans 8:28-39; 1 Timothy 6:3-15; 1 Peter 5:6-9; 2 Peter 3:18)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 30; Psalms 74

Isaiah 22; 2 Peter 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called me to your service, make me worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

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Devotional for May 19

May 19, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Secret of the Lord

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. Psalm 25:4-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Working out six days and resting on the seventh is a good rhythm. Life and music both require rhythm or there will be many weeds and much noise. Understanding the permanency of God and His word is necessary if we are to grow up into our salvation. God alone is the Rock, and the only true sovereign. No matter how long everything else lasts, it is only temporary in comparison to the Most High who lives and reigns forever. Have faith in God, and not the temporal things of this world. Wait on the Lord and put your hope in His word. Guard your heart and walk in His ways. The younger we are when we learn to partake of the grace given to enable us to participate in the divine nature, the sooner we escape the suffering that results from being an enemy against self and God. Put off the old man and walk in the Spirit. Practice the wisdom revealed in the word of God. Repent and cast down all that is contrary. Receive the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and grow healthy, wealthy, and strong. (Exodus 20:9-11; Colossians 3:2; Proverbs 23:5; 1 Corinthians 7:29-34; Matthew 6:19-34; Isaiah 50:10-11; Ecclesiastes 4:5; Psalm 1:1-3; Mark 12:30-31; Colossians 1:9-13; 1 Corinthians 15:45-47; Ephesians 4:21-24; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Romans 6:11-14; Galatians 5:7-8; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:4-14; Galatians 2:20; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; 1 Peter 4:10-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 28; Psalms 72

Isaiah 19-20; 2 Peter 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 18

May 18, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Pray and Work

31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
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.
22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23 O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:1-3, 19-24 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Unless the Lord builds the body, the bodybuilder works in vain. What does it take to be special? Big arms? Six-pack abs? Gluteus to the maximus? To be pretty like her or rich like him? The truth is that none of these things makes a person special. We are all born into this world from a unique combination of Adam and Eve. We are different from all who came before us and different from all those who will come after us. We are born unique, and being the best possible you makes you a better you than anyone else ever could be. It doesn’t matter if your parents never planned to have you, because our Heavenly Father planned you before He created the world. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground by chance or accident. Since we are born to be the sons and daughters of God, we can be sure that we are worth much more than many sparrows in the eyes of God. So, go ahead and be special. Be all that God has created you to be. (Proverbs 16:33; Isaiah 41:9-10; Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 1:4-6; Hebrews 6:19; Matthew 10:29-31; Isaiah 2:22; John 3:27; Proverbs 16:3; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Peter 2:9; Proverbs 3:1-8; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Jonah 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Psalm 139:13-16; Philippians 2:12-16; Jude 1:17-25)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 27; Psalms 70-71

Isaiah 17-18; 1 Peter 5

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 17

May 17, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Hope in His Mercy

13 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
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 33:13-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Correct form is more than going through the right motions. Learn the proper mental focus along with the right movement, then you will be ready to lift heavy. Correct form will produce the best results from both exercise and praying. Praying “in the name of Jesus” is more than adding those words at the end of a prayer. Praying in Jesus’ name is an attitude of heart and intent of mind produced by a life wholly given up to Him. (Hebrews 13:8; Matthew 4:23-5:12; John 4:19-24, 16:23-27; Hebrews 7:25; Luke 11:5-13; Hebrews 4:16; John 15:14-15; Luke 14:15-35; John 6:63; Psalm 40:8, 90:17; Genesis 45:27; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 4:22-24; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:4-9; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 26; Psalms 69

Isaiah 16; 1 Peter 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 13

May 13, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing Praises with Understanding

5 God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. Psalm 47:5-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Right motives will sometimes bring pain, but wrong motives never bring any lasting profit. A talented person can do many things, but apart from Christ we can do nothing. I may be able to sing, but if there is no glorifying of God in the song it is nothing. A strong man rejoices to run his race, but if he has no gratitude in his heart for the great God above by whose grace he is made strong, it is less than nothing. “Vanity of vanities” is the repeating theme of “apart from me ye can do nothing” in the book of Ecclesiastes. The righteous will live by faith in God. Fighting the good fight means rejecting all that is not in accordance with the Word of God. We live by faith and depend on Grace. Our strength, His Grace. Our rule, His Word. Our end, His Glory. (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2; Mark 8:36-38; John 15:1-11; Proverbs 3:5-8; Psalm 19:1-10; Isaiah 5:11-15; James 4:1-8; Hebrews 10:35-39; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Jonah 2; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Psalm 30:12; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 72:19-20)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 22; Psalms 62-63

Isaiah 11-12; James 5

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

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Devotional for May 12

May 12, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Ponder These Things

31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. Psalm 107:31-43 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Honor your elders whether you think they deserve it or not. Realize that they have been your age before, but you are not guaranteed to ever reach their age. Be wise and learn from them, because even a broken clock is right two times a day. Understand that we all suffer from the same human weaknesses. The first is coming to the reality of our need for the Savior. Continuing on after that is the weakness created from trying to finish in the flesh what was begun in the Spirit. The grace of God has provided a way through these weaknesses. There is no way back for the fallen angels, but God has offered us new life in Christ Jesus. Taste and see that the will of God and our highest good is one and the same. (Ephesians 6:1-4; Proverbs 29:15, 23:22-26, 24:30-34; Matthew 16:21-25; Jude 6; James 2:19; Psalm 34:8-10; John 8:31-34; Romans 6:16; Luke 14:27-33; Romans 6:3-8; Galatians 3:1-3; John 1:17; Romans 6:14, 7:14-8:14, Acts 2:37-39; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; John 20:21-22; Matthew 28:19-20)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 21; Psalms 60-61

Isaiah 10:5-34; James 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 11

May 11, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Redeemed!

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
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. Psalm 103:1-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Fitness comes from practicing good nutrition, adequate exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. The knowledge that faith comes from hearing the Word of God is just as basic. Hearing consists in reckoning, that is acknowledging and adhering to, the three essential components of the Word: 1) facts to be believed; 2) commands to be obeyed; and 3) promises to be enjoyed. Those who go to the Bible to determine if they are going to believe it, seldom hear a word of it. Going to the Holy Bible to see what you are to believe is to open your ears to hear. Willingly obeying the commands of God is the understanding of the Word that is the proof of having heard it. It is common for a parent to say to a misbehaving child, “Did you hear what I said?” In the same way the higher meaning of hearing has little to do with receiving the audible sound, and everything to do with understanding what was said. The third component of hearing is enjoying the precious promises. Just as the cart comes after the horses, enjoying the promises follows believing the facts and obeying the commands. He who has promised is good, faithful, and true. All that causes us to doubt is of the enemy that comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. Open our ears to hear Lord, and our mouth to sing your praises. (Proverbs 27:19, 22; Psalm 69:22; 1 Corinthians 6:13; Luke 19:34; Proverbs 27:23; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; James 1:4-6; Galatians 5:6-9; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Mark 4:9; Romans 10:17; James 1:21; Romans 6:11; Proverbs 2722; Psalm 40:6-8; Revelation 22:7-21)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 20; Psalms 58-59

Isaiah 9:8-10:4; James 3