Tag: jesus-christ

faith

Devotional for December 16

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

113 Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 113 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Oil and water don’t mix. The only way to mix two such incompatible substances is for one of them to change. Since God is perfect and does not change, that means we are to come to God as we are and know that we are expected to change. If we come to God half stepping, wanting to follow Jesus while still living to please self, that will not work. The beginning of the necessary total life transformation in Christ doesn’t happen by growth. One can grow in grace, but one cannot grow into grace. Just as a flower in the crack of a sidewalk cannot grow into the flowerbed. It must first be planted in the flowerbed and then it can grow in it. God will grant this grace of being planted in Christ the moment we ask for it and then accept it as fact by faith. Once having done this, the next thing to do is to throw off the old man at once and turn wholeheartedly to the Lord for complete deliverance. Who would buy a house and then allow the seller to retain possession and use of it as if the seller still owned it? No one, and not even a single room would be given over to the seller. Neither does God. We have been bought by the broken body and precious blood of Jesus Christ. Not so we can have the right to do as we please, but rather so that we can be adopted as obedient children of God. Christ freely gave us all. And if we would have Christ, we must freely give Him all. Know that your offering of yourself is accepted by God as soon as you give it. Place your all on the alter before God and take none of it back The transfer of the title deed is done. Accept this now by faith. This is the glorious beginning of experiential gospel. All who call on the name of the Lord, and remain in faith, will in due time attain to the full measure of it.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 18; Revelation 7

Zechariah 3; John 6

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

faith

Devotional for December 15

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Arise, O God

82 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. Psalm 82 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Focus makes both light a laser and faith a conqueror. Temptations are thoughts and feelings that distract the focus from some truth as revealed by the Word of God. We cannot walk on water if we focus on the wind and waves rather than our Lord Jesus Christ. Distraction keeps faith small by disconnecting the mind from God by scattering attention. In order to fix our eyes on Jesus, the first thing to do is willingly offer Him your whole being, and then you only need to believe that He accepts you. He has commanded us to deny self, pick up your cross, and follow Him. If we willingly choose to do this, we can be sure the offering will be accepted. Chose God’s way to meet His conditions and He will always fulfil His promises. Jesus Christ is faithful and true. He has given us eternal life and His presence enables us to live out His word. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing but sin, and our own highest good is to do His will. Blessed are all who come to know and do this.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 17; Revelation 6

Zechariah 2; John 5

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.