faith

Devotional for January 15

January 15, 2024January 21, 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

Those things that make us fit and healthy are also the same things necessary for keeping us fit and healthy. Just as the same mustard-seed-size faith required to be born again in Christ Jesus is the same faith necessary for removing mountains. Daily we must stay in the Word of Truth. This is an important lesson from all the saints down throughout the ages. Letting the truth slip through cracks of neglect causes us to have to re-fight battles that have already been hard won. Our own forgetfulness aids the thief that comes only to kill, steal, and destroy what was once known and now left unguarded. The way to slowly lose fitness is to forget the diligence, consistency, and patience it takes to get it in the first place. Forgetting causes us to cry when we should be reaping. Forgetting will leave us stuck in the wilderness when we should be bearing fruit in the promised land. Blessed is the one who diligently guards his heart by always remembering the loving-kindness of the Lord in the daytime, and the faithfulness of the Lord in the night.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 16; Matthew 15

Nehemiah 5; Acts 15

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 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

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 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 11

January 11, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord is My Strength and My Defense

8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. Psalm 118:8-16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

First seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness in all things. Stay on the narrow way that leads to eternal life. Keep to the fundamentals of good health, and fitness will improve steadily. Put away all that weakens and fight the good fight of the faith against the inner tempter. Practice denying self rather than giving into its emotionally charged appeals to gratify every desire. Pick up your cross daily by refusing to live by the burger king’s maxim to do things your own way. Follow Jesus by doing all to the glory of God, and all that is necessary will be added to you.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 12; Matthew 11

Nehemiah 1; Acts 11

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 10

January 10, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

My Heart Rejoices in His Salvation

13 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Happiness doesn’t come from ease, and from luxury happiness will fly away. Enjoyment for its own sake becomes less and less pleasurable over time just like the tire on a car with slow leak. If we only eat what tastes good, and only do what feels easy, what more do we do than those who rot on the couch like a potato in front of the TV? This is why youth is wasted on the young, because with such vanities they waste so much of their time. God has not called us to be like rotting couch potatoes. He has called us to be conformed to the image our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. That is our God-given destiny. He has set us on His narrow path. His grace is sufficient to make our faith firm. Refuse all that would pull you off into the ditches on the left and right sides of the way of righteousness. Fix your eyes on Jesus and walk with your right hand in His. The seeds of joy may be sowed with tears, yet the bountiful harvest is sure to come with rejoicing in the Lord.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 11; Matthew 10

Ezra 10; Acts 10

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 8

January 8, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing of the Steadfast Love of the Lord

89 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
8 O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Psalm 89:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

When light enters, darkness must go. It is impossible to be filled with both gratitude and pride at the same time. A person can be filled with gratefulness or bitterness, but not with both at the same time. One can express thankfulness or despair, but not with the same exhale. Remembering who God is, remembering who you are in Christ, and counting your blessings always brings light. Who is like our God? He has declared the end from the beginning. From the smallest subatomic particles to the furthest unknown cosmic phenomena, all things are in His hand. From everlasting to everlasting, God is much bigger than the any universe we can know or imagine. He is God the Most High and we are His children. We are loved by God with the same love the Father has for the Son. Such knowledge by itself is incredible. Still, there is more. We have been given all spiritual blessings through the blood of Jesus Christ. Set your hope on God alone in both times of plenty and times of need. There is no enemy that can withstand Him, no storm that is able to continue raging when He commands it to be still. The mind of the child of God is weaned by remembering the goodness of God and His love for us. We may not be able to stop the birds from flying above us, but we certainly don’t have to let them build a nest on top of our heads. Fully expect to chase away every ugly bird of fear, anxiety, and doubt by faith in God. And the peace of God that surpasses understanding will rule in your heart. This is how our elders received a good report.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 8; Matthew 8

Ezra 8; Acts 8

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 3

January 3, 2024January 7, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Tremble, O Earth, at the Presence of the Lord

114 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters. Psalm 114 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We must be willing to be humble and acknowledge our own weakness before our prayers for strength from God will avail much. Grace is offered to all, but only faith receives it. Daily we must feed on the Word. We spend years in schools learning the ways of the world that don’t profit the soul at all. The scientific worldview has come to dominate all aspects of daily life. We are constantly surrender by advertising and entertainment that draws us to the things of this world. Such worldly influences void of the knowledge of God have both immediate and delayed consequences. Perhaps all of these things are examples of the flood from the serpent’s mouth spoken of in Revelation 12:15. Who will save us from all that is set against us to cause us to be carried away by the ways of this world? Let us humbly turn to God with all our heart and receive the grace of Lord we so desperately need. We can do all things though Christ only because of the love God has for us. By faith, which is setting of our will to refuse all that is contrary to faith in Him, are we saved to the uttermost. We believe the witness of men we deem trustworthy. How much more should we accept the witness of the living God who loves us. The only reason we can love Him is because He has first loved us. Remain in His love, set your mind right, fix your eyes on Jesus, and seek to know Him better. This is His will for us in Christ Jesus.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 3; Matthew 3

Ezra 3; Acts 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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