faith

Devotional for March 15

March 15, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Blessed Be the Lord, the God of Our Salvation

7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. Psalm 68:7-10, 17-20 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The power of a laser comes from a single point of focus. The hungry cat that runs into the middle of the heard and gets distracted by every darting beast, is likely to remain hungry. Multitasking is for amateurs. To reach the heights of whatever mountain you want to climb requires the ability to focus. Use some horse sense, put on your blinders, and go to work. Distraction is a favorite tactic of the enemy to get you focused on what you see, and thereby upset the divine order of faith first then feelings. To remain firm, our thoughts must be continually refocused on faith in God rather than on what we see, what we imagine, and how we feel. To allow your thoughts to be tossed about by faithless feelings based on current circumstances, is to build on shifting sand. Stand firm in faith by depending on wisdom, the word of God, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let feelings be what they may. Make no requirement that feelings always be good and you will be free. (Hebrews 11:1-6; Matthew 7:24-29; Luke 9:61-62; Hebrews 10:38-39; John 8:31-32; James 1: 2-8; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Galatians 5:7-8; James 1:12-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 26; John 5

Proverbs 2; Galatians 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; 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 February 13

February 13, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Acceptable Time is Now

12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.
13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
16 Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. Psalm 69:12-18 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The effect of most poisons are dose dependent. A little may be tolerated without much harm, but too much is often fatal. Just because it tastes good doesn’t mean it’s not poison. Just because it looks good, doesn’t mean it’s not bad. Therefore, the Master has commanded us to deny self. Wisdom often requires us to limit, restrict, and unplug. Limit the amount of what is pleasing to the taste, but void of any nutritional value for the body. Restrict the programed cool, sexy, and glamorous by turning off the TV, or little by little it will conform your affections after the things of this world. Regularly unplug from the constant stream of tailor made information we are feed on our personal devices, created from the tiny bits of collected personal data designed to manipulate and influence us. These are but a few examples of our necessary outside work though. Inside the cup must also be made and kept clean as well. That is to say, we need sanctification by the Holy Spirit in our inmost being where our will, thoughts, and affections live. Now is the acceptable time. True freedom is the ability to choose what is right. Not just doing what is right in the eyes of the world, but also living what is right within the hidden inner parts of the soul. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Let this be the loudest and most frequent message you allow yourself to hear in this world (John 14:1-7).

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 46; Mark 16

Job 12; Romans 16

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Set me free, O God, from the bondage of my sins, and give me the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to me in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; 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 February 8

February 8, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing O, My Soul

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.
21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt. Psalm 71:19-24 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To know the body leads to health. To know self leads to wisdom. To know God leads to life. These three fit together like hand, liner, and glove. But who can keep the body under, who can de-throne self, and who can enter into the brightness of eternal life? Only those who respond appropriately to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Being born again is merely the beginning of the path of this upward call, and the crucified life is but the middle. Press on brothers and sisters. By the grace of God, let us press on.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 41; Mark 11

Job 7; Romans 11

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 2

February 2, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Teach Me Good Judgement

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

Let us first take heed for our own souls, then God can use us to bless others. Pay close attention to your thoughts with constant diligence. Stand firm in your faith by rejecting all thoughts that are not consistent with trust in the name of the Lord. We are not to be overcome by evil, rather we are commanded to overcome evil with good. Therefore, pray, train, eat, sleep, and repeat. Hold to these basic fundaments like a farmer who doesn’t dig up the seeds that have been sown to see if they are growing. Let the word of God grow richly in your heart. Be not afraid, only believe and trust the Lord to bring forth the promised harvest in its due season.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 34; Mark 5

Job 1; Romans 5

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; 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 January 30

January 30, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Wholeheartedly Follow the Lord

73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. Psalm 119:73-80 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Exercise without a proper diet is lacking. Eternal life without freedom from sin would likewise be an incomplete. If we go about trying to establish what is right or wrong as we see fit, the flesh easily sets self on the throne of the heart. The prayer of faith is the key to experiencing the victorious life over the flesh and sin. Either we repent and accept the offered grace of Jesus Christ as payment for our sin, or we will surely die. It cannot be otherwise. Regardless of what some may say who hold the doctrine of the deceiving serpent who persuaded Eve in the Garden of Eden with the lie about how you surely won’t die. As with all spiritual things of eternal significance, there is nothing new under the sun. Our faith, our righteousness, and our sufficiency is of God, not self. Let us pray and do what is good.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 31; Mark 2

Esther 7; Romans 2

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

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Devotional for January 25

January 25, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Blessed Are Those Who Do What Is Right

The Morning Exhortation

Diet and training are but course corrections made in faith. How easy it is to deceive ourselves if we do not observe the left and right limits set by the Word of Truth. What we love severs as our autopilot. Without the love of the Truth, we fall into the ditches of self-love and self-interest on the sides of the straight and narrow path that leads to life. Thank God the way is straight and narrow, so it is easy to follow and difficult to lose the way as long as we keep our eyes fixed straight ahead on Jesus. Let us not forget that happiness is to have the pursuit of God as our chief love. Let Jesus Christ alone be enthroned in our heart as King, Ruler, and Lord. This is God’s will for all His children. Receive the adoption with a childlike faith, and wait with an eager expectation for the promise of the Father. The promise of God’s empowering presence has been given before the foundation of the world, and it will surely be manifested to all who seek Him by denying self, picking up their cross daily, and following Jesus Christ.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 26; Matthew 25

Esther 2; Acts 25

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 23

January 23, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Let the Saving Power of the Lord Be Known

67 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalm 67 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The strongest foundations rest on the bedrock of Truth. Overindulgence in fast food speeds to weakness. Healthy food provides the nutritious building blocks for increasing strength. In the same way, the thoughts we entertain in the mind either weaken or strengthen our faith. Put off the thinking patterns of the old man enslaved to sin, and practice the thoughts of the new man created in Christ Jesus to be holy. Transparency is a good guard to set against hypocrisy. Humble self. Keep the fear of the Lord always before you, because nothing can be hidden from the eyes of the Lord. Mercy and grace be upon all those who ask God for a clean heart in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Receive it now by faith, and joyfully put off the old ways common to our former way of life. Having thus been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, like a man given new clothes, toss out all the old moth eaten rags fit only for the fire. Be diligent about keeping the inside of the cup clean with thoughts that are obedience to Christ, and the sin that so easily defiles will not be able to cling to you inside or without.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 24; Matthew 23

Nehemiah 13; Acts 23

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 19

January 19, 2024January 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Accepts My Prayer

106 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise?
3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.
6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.
48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 106:1-10, 47-48 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Strength is not renewed by diet, exercise, and rest alone. Strength is also a spiritual fruit. Make the spiritual tree good and the fruit will be good as well. Do not be content with a secondhand knowledge of God. Taste and see that the Lord is good for yourself. Working out our salvation has to do with willfully practicing the change of heart God has created within us into our everyday life and way of living. This is the working out of what God has worked within. The greatest gains are made by standing firm in the face of the resistance provided by the wickedness of this fallen world. Faith grows strong with testing, with preservice, and with patience. Trust in God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He asks each of us just as He did the blind men: “Do you believe I am able to do this?” We must first choose to believe that God is able, and then to acknowledge the fact that He is also willing to grant all that He has promised. The chief of our faculties is the will. The will must learn to hold faith in God as the default rule of the heart. It is natural for the emotions to respond automatically to what the eyes see, which will often leave us suspectable to evil thoughts from within. Still, being born again by the Spirit makes us free to exercise our will in order to keep the heart firm in faith. Assurance of the truth comes in time. The essence of the Gospel promise is this: come to the Lord just as you are, be transformed, and all things will become new. Trust the Lord. Be strong and courageous. The God who has commanded us is almighty and forever faithful. The promise “ask and you shall receive” belongs to those who choose to please God.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 20; Matthew 19

Nehemiah 9; Acts 19

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for January 18

January 18, 2024January 21, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

O Lord, Give Strength to Your Servants

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me. Psalm 86:11-17 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

There is only so much that can be achieved by working to strengthen the physical body alone. We certainly have need of our physical strength and good health in this life, but these profit little unless the inner life is set right before the eyes of God as well. Funerals and the grave are stark reminders of our physical limitations in this life. Go first to God, but not for His gifts. Seek God simply as a child desiring to know his Father. Our first priority must be in restoring our proper relationship with God. This will bring healing for the inner life as well as provide health to the body and nourishment to the bones. Only in Christ Jesus does life have true hope and death loses its sting.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 19; Matthew 18

Nehemiah 8; Acts 18

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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