faith

Devotional for April 21

April 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Abundance Even in Days of Famine

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. Psalm 37:10-19 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Everyone is as fit as they really want to be. The proof is in what they do, not what they say. A person will be just as fit as they believe they can become. Belief sets the limit by determining the level of commitment. Commitment and trust develop consistency and perseverance, which in turn develops patience. Patience and due time brings the mature fruit to harvest. This is the way of both fitness and faith alike. We will be just as close to Jesus Christ as we want to be, as we believe is possible, and as long as we are willing to keep our right hand in His. Truth rings true in both the physical and spiritual realms for all who are willing to hear it. Blessed are all who have a love for truth. (Everyone is as fit as they really want to be. The proof is in what they do, not what they say. A person will be just as fit as they believe they can become. Belief sets the limit by determining the level of commitment. Commitment and trust develop consistency and perseverance, which in turn develops patience. Patience and due time brings the mature fruit to harvest. This is the way of both fitness and faith alike. We will be just as close to Jesus Christ as we want to be, as we believe is possible, and as long as we are willing to keep our right hand in His. Truth rings true in both the physical and spiritual realms for all who are willing to hear it. Blessed are all who have a love for truth. (James 1:2-8, Matthew 6:33; John 4:7-14, 14:21-23; Romans 13:24; Philippians 2:5; Psalm 40:8, 30:12; Luke 11L22-13; John 4:19-24; Hebrews 13:5-9; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-17; Galatians 5:16; Philippians 2:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 25; Psalms 32

Ecclesiastes 8; 2 Timothy 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty and everlasting God, grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; 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

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Devotional for April 20

April 20, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Forgiveness

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. Psalm 33:13-19 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Be quick to let go of anger and emotional pain. Remember that vengeance belongs to the Lord. Forgiving those who have hurt you can be harder to endure than even the toughest of workouts. It is futile to try to forgive a serious wrong committed against you in your own strength. Turn to our Lord, who has commanded us to forgive. All that God has commanded, He will also enable us to do. The God of all comfort will grant the needed change of heart in answer to the prayer that sincerely seeks to obey His will. This we can be sure, because God has been revealed to be Faithful and True. Just as you want the Lord to remember his mercy and not your sins, discipline your own thoughts about whomever has hurt you. Trusting in the Lord is a healing balm that never fails. Repent and confess to the Lord that you can’t forgive on your own. Sincerely ask the Lord to enable you to forgive the offender, then persist in the exercise of giving them forgiveness in your thoughts, and you will be able to let the hurt go in due time. Do this for your sake, especially when the offender is undeserving of forgiveness. The burden will be released, the wrong will lose its sting, and the peace of God will rule your heart. (Proverbs 22:24-25; Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:26-27; Revelation 19:9-16; Psalm 29:11; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 12:20; Isaiah 55:11; Isaiah 55:7; Psalm 28:6-9; 1 Peter 5:7; Romans 12:19-20; Luke 6:32-36; Galatians 3:26-28; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Philippians 2:13; Matthew 11:28-30; John 14:27; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Philippians 4:23)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 24; Psalms 31

Ecclesiastes 7; 2 Timothy 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 19

April 19, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Eyes of the Lord

The Morning Exhortation

According to the 80/20 rule, roughly 80% of the harvest comes from 20% of the seed sown. Diet is the sowing of the 20% that determines the 80% of the body composition harvest, and exercise is the 20% that yields the 80% of physical performance. Eating only what tastes delicious for every meal is counter-productive for all who would be lean. On the other side, those who only workout when they feel like it will lack the consistency necessary to make steady improvement from year to year. Pray for the ability to sow the vital 20% of what you know you need to do, and trust God for the bountiful harvest. Wait on the Lord and take counsel from faith. The wishy-washy take counsel from their feelings, which change like the wind. Diet and exercise are but the means. Body composition and physical performance are the ends. Pray for the means, and trust God for the ends. (Mark 4:3-29; Hosea 10:12; Galatians 6:7; Luke 9:61-62; Psalm 90:12-17; James 1:5-6; Psalm 27:17; Jonah 2:8; Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 3:20-21)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 23; Psalms 30

Ecclesiastes 6; 2 Timothy 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 18

April 18, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Purpose

138 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Late to bed, late to rise, thus the morning routine is sometimes disrupted. Life happens. Getting upset about it won’t help. It’s better to flow around it like water. Adjust, compensate, let go of the “can’t do” created by current events, and get busy with what can be done with the present circumstances. Live by faith, depend on grace, and the peace of God will sustain you. (Isaiah 53:1-5; Luke 4:16-21; Isaiah 43:2, 19-21; John 20:27-31; Hebrews 11:3-6; John 20:22, 14:27; Philippians 4: 1-7; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 22; Psalms 28-29

Ecclesiastes 5; 2 Timothy 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 17

April 17, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Proclaim His Righteousness

1 The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. Psalm 50:1-6 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Thinking of quitting? It happens to us all from time to time. Take a deep breath. Inhale slowly, and exhale even slower. Be still, and remember your God. Life is full of a multitude of twists, turns, and people that can frustrate, vex, and stress us out. All these things ultimately work for good for those who love the Lord. This is because God is good, all knowing, all powerful, and always in control. So, all that God permits us to experience is a part of our individual divine curriculum designed to increase our godliness and patience. Rather than praying for relief, pray for the strength to endure. God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted or afflicted with more than you can handle. Praise Him for His wonderful goodness, remember these things, and patiently endure. (Ecclesiastes 1:14; Mark 8:36; 1 Corinthians 13:11-13; Psalm 23:1-4; Psalm 46:10; Psalm 62:11; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Galatians 6:9; James 1:2-4; Nehemiah 8:10; Proverbs 24:10; 1 Corinthians 10:13-14; Psalm 92:1-2; Hebrews 10:36; Matthew 28:18; 2 Timothy 2:3; 1 Peter 5:8-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 21; Psalms 26-27

Ecclesiastes 4; 1 Timothy 6

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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Devotional for April 15

April 15, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Living in the Eye of the Storm

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.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. Psalm 37:23-31(KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Never take the easy way out. Mental toughness comes from being able to get “hard to do things” done. Always remember: when things get as hard as they can get, from that point on they can only get easier. Learn to endure. Mental toughness is a fruit that grows from prevailing prayer. Prevailing prayer is not about continually asking. It is more about continually believing that after you’ve prayed you will receive it. Once it is in the mail you don’t have to keep asking for it to be sent. Be joyful like Abraham. Praise God and be thankful while you wait to receive it. (Proverbs 1:10-19; Proverbs 10:2-5; Luke 9:61-62; Hebrews 11:8; Romans 4:20-25; Genesis 32:24-28; 1 Kings 18:41-46; James 5:13-18; Matthew 7:7-8, 21:22; Hebrews 11:11; Mark 11:24; Isaiah 53:1; Mark 9:23)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 19; Psalms 23-24

Ecclesiastes 2; 1 Timothy 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 12

April 12, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Praise Our God

5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
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 66:5, 7-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The fire of youth is a marvelous thing. It can be wasted chasing after good times, or it can be invested striving after good works. What we are left with when youth is gone depends largely upon how we chose to spend it. (1 Peter 2:2; James 1:21; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Ecclesiastes 11:10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 2:1-10; James 1:2-4; Hebrews 6:1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Psalm 16:6-8)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 16; Psalms 19

Proverbs 30; 1 Timothy 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread; Open the eyes of my faith, that I may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

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Devotional for April 11

April 11, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Soul Longs for the Lord

1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:1-7,11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Focus on doing what you can with what you have, and what you can’t do or don’t have, will become less and less important. Good enough executed right now is better than perfection executed too late. Procrastination gives birth to a complacency well known to miss every opportune moment. Don’t despise small beginnings and slow progress as long as you are moving forward in the right direction. One small step of faith taken today and tomorrow consistently will over time change everything. (Hebrews 13:9; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Matthew 7:15-20; Galatians 6:7; Isaiah 32:6; Psalm 17:11-15; Zechariah 4:10; 2 Chronicles 16:9; James 4:1-10; 2 Chronicles 7:14; 2 Peter 1:2-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 2 Peter 3:17-18)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 15; Psalms 18

Proverbs 29; 2 Thessalonians 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 10

April 10, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord is a Shield

1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Building muscle and developing character both take time. Choosing shortcuts only slows the process. Don’t be so quick to reach for the easy way out just because things are currently hard. Hard times may linger, but tough people are those who develop the discipline it takes to endure. What comes without discipline never lasts. The sooner we learn that there is no lasting satisfaction for the pursuit of happiness apart from God the better. The preparation of the gospel of peace is for developing discipline, wisdom, righteousness, patience, and fitness for every good work. Such is the straight and narrow way that leads to eternal life. (Proverbs 20:21, 24:30-34; Luke 8:17; Hebrews 12:1-17; James 1:5-6; Matthew 7:7-14; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Ephesians 6:15; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 6:1-12; 2 Timothy 2:15; Jude 1:17-25)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 14; Psalms 17

Proverbs 28; 2 Thessalonians 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 9

April 9, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Blessed

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:
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 147:1-7, 11-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Keep working. It is destiny for the bird to sing and the butterfly to dance, but only after working through the egg or cocoon. Skipping workouts is NOT the way to grow strong. The spiritual equivalent of skipping workouts is refusing to fight the good fight of the faith. Once we have broken free of our spiritual cocoon, the striving will cease. We only need to stand in a right relationship with God, put on the complete armor God has provided, and remain in the love of God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Victory is assured, because the battle is the Lord’s. (Psalm 78: 1-11; Zechariah 13:9; James 4:7-10; Proverbs 16:3; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; 2 Chronicles 20:15-22; Ephesians 6:11-18; Romans 8:26-39; John 15:3-11; Hebrews 11:32-40; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 13; Psalms 15-16

Proverbs 27; 2 Thessalonians 1