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

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 8

May 8, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Word of God Brings Peace

49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.
53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts. Psalm 119:49-56 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It can be hard to maintain your chilly in a world full of people who are like hot pots ready to boil over. Turn all, hear the good news….Jesus Christ our Lord lives, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Trust in God is the key to inner peace. While the essential faithful mix for the Christian life is this: facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed, and promises to be enjoyed. Cast your worries upon the Lord because He cares for you, and He will keep you in perfect peace. What is it that ails you? Pray and ask for whatever it is that grace must do for you. Utterly refuse to doubt the goodness of God, and according to your faith will it be done to you. This is the rule and the only limit. (Proverbs 22:24-25; Ephesians 4:17-32; Romans 12:17-21; Proverbs 22:17-21; Hebrews 4:12-16; Matthew 17:19-20; Revelation 3:14-22; Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 14:12-27; John 20:21-22; Psalm 40:1-8; Revelation 22:20-21)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 16; Psalms 52-54

Isaiah 6; Hebrews 13

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 7

May 7, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Ye are Blessed of the Lord

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.
14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord. Psalm 115:9-18 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

A better tomorrow is paid for with today’s activities. The past doesn’t determine the future, it merely sets the current conditions. Redeem the time. Profitable work can only be done today, in the now. No one should try to work all the time, neither should all our free time be used only for play. Mental and physical batteries will need re-charging from time to time. A nap is better at doing this than are many other mindless activities like watching TV or scrolling through endless social media posts. Rest when you must, but afterward do not allow yourself to be idle. Lazy rests without being tired. When you step into a pile of lazy, be quick to scrape it off. It is much more profitable to spend a few minutes taking care of a necessary mundane task while singing praises to the Lord in your heart, than it is to sit around doing nothing. It is not for us to know when Jesus Christ will come again, but don’t let Him catch you with your work undone. (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Proverbs 26:14, 24:30-34; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10; Ephesians 5:14-20; Galatians 6:6-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 10:35-39; Matthew 25:14-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Psalm 30:10-12; Jude 1:24-25)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 15; Psalms 51

Isaiah 5; Hebrews 12

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

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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

faith

Devotional for May 4

May 4, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Truly My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone

62 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
3 How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
4 They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Weak thoughts don’t build strong bodies, nor do wrong thoughts produce right actions. Times of testing must come, still there is God. Learn to rest in this unchangeable fact. In the mist of everything, always and forever, God is all knowing, all powerful, and all good. And He does not change. Be still and know that our God reigns. (2 Peter 1:1-13; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Philippians 3:2-10; Galatians 4:1-9; Galatians 5:1-9; James 4:7-10; John 3:15-17; Mark 11:27-33; Joshua 1:8-9; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Psalm 27:4; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:17-20)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 11; Psalms 48

Isaiah 1; Hebrews 9

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 2

May 2, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

God is All Knowing, All Powerful, and All Good

139 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:1-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

When the cares of this life are pressing you down, use the saints’ favorite home remedy for relief. Force yourself to count your blessings. When gratitude turns into thanksgiving and praise to the Lord, the rain will have ceased and the clouds will part. We may sometimes lack comfort and ease, but the one who has the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit already has the highest possible good there ever has been, is now, and ever will be. (Isaiah 51:12-13, 41:9-10; 2 Peter 1:3; Ecclesiastes 8:4; Psalm 42:5-6; Romans 8:32-39; Hebrews 13:15-16; Psalm 100:4, 147:1; Ephesians 6:10-18; Psalm 136:1-3; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 9; Psalms 45

Song of Solomon 7; Hebrews 7

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

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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

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Devotional for April 25

April 25, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Trust Anchors the Soul

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 33:18-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Change doesn’t come from remaining the same. To improve behavior, thoughts must be improved. To improve body composition, diet must be improved. To improve performance, training must be improved. Improvement by its very nature requires positive change. For all who want a better way to live, the good news of Jesus Christ has remained unchanged for over 2,000 years. Come as you are, but don’t try to stay as you are. (Hebrews 13:8; Luke 4:16-21; Matthew 11:28-30; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Luke 9:23-24; 2 Timothy 3:13; Matthew 12:43-45; Romans 6; Matthew 22:2-14; Revelation 3:14-22; Ephesians 4:22-30; Psalm 32:9; Proverbs 3:5-8; Matthew 7:7-13; Jude 24-25)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 2; Psalms 36

Ecclesiastes 12; Philemon 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