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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

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 8

April 8, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Narrow Way

5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
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.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. Psalm 66:5-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Everyone believes that exercise and healthy eating are necessary for physical fitness, but belief alone is not enough. Fitness comes only to those who practice what they believe, and so it is with the things of the spirit as well. Faith is the practice of what we believe. We are called to live by faith and depend on the grace of God to press toward the call heavenward in Christ Jesus. Now faith is the evidence of our hope in the promises of God. Turn from lessor things and seek God. He has promised to make himself known to those who hunger and thirst for His righteousness. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Can anything in life be more important than knowing Him? Stop demanding a burning bush, a light brighter than the sun, or to put your hand into His side. Believe the gospel, enter into it by faith, and expect to be strengthened by grace. (Exodus 3:1-6; Acts 26:8-29; John 20:24-29; Hebrews 11:1-6; Hebrews 13:9; Matthew 5:6; Psalm 81:10; James 2:15-19; Hebrews 10:38; James 1:2-4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 13:5; John 14:1-7; Matthew 28:19-20)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 11-12; Psalms 13-14

Proverbs 26; 1 Thessalonians 5

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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Devotional for April 5

April 5, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

On Guard

1 Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. Psalm 141:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

No champion is crowned by avoiding struggle. It takes heat and cold to temper steel. Too much luxury and ease are precursors to weakness. To fight for the sake of fighting is foolishness. To refuse to fight when a fight is called for is tragic. Victory favors the bold, but stripes are reserved for fools. When, why, and how we fight are far more important than winning every battle. Always fight the good fight, and even if you don’t win, you will never lose. (Ezekiel 37:1-14; Hebrews 4:12, 11:6; 2 Timothy 2:14-16; 2 Timothy 2:1-7; Proverbs 27:17; 1 Corinthians 9:23-27; Proverbs 19:29, 28:1; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Timothy 6:12; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Revelation 3:11-13, 22:20-21)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 8; Psalms 9

Proverbs 23; 1 Thessalonians 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

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Devotional for April 4

April 4, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Jesus is Lord

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Age is much more than just a number. The perfect age has less to do with the number of years and all to do with being old enough for the vain desires of youth to have passed away while still being young enough to pursue what is really important in life. Work hard, recover well, and grow stronger. The maxim “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is a half-truth. It is just as likely that what doesn’t kill you will actually leave you weaker. It’s only what you can recover from that actually makes you stronger. Falling down, distractions, detours, obstacles, and other such things are common to every journey. Such pitfalls often take us by surprise, but nothing surprises God. Set your affections on the things above and He will keep you in perfect peace through both seasons of ease and difficulties. (Proverbs 29:15; Proverbs 22:6; Ecclesiastes 4:13; Proverbs 24:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 1 Peter 4:12; Philippians 4:10-13, 3:13-14; Revelation 3:14-22; John 16:33; 1 John 5:4; Isaiah 26:3; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 7; Psalms 7-8

Proverbs 22; 1 Thessalonians 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for April 3

April 3, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Trust God

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

Willingly suffer the soreness that comes from time to time from lifting weights and working out. By such the body is hardened and the mind is strengthened. We must also be willing to suffer the testing of our faith to strengthen us spiritually. What God has worked in, we are to work out. Salvation through Jesus Christ releases us from bondage to sin and gives us the power to live for God. The freedom that comes from our salvation is not to be used as license to continue to practice those things that lead only to death though. Rather, we are to make the fear of the Lord our rule, which is to love truth and hate every false way. This is a safeguard as we learn to live in the righteousness purchased for us by Jesus Christ. Testing and cleaning up after the ox is not fun. The maxim “no pain, no gain” applies to both. It is by testing we are made strong. (Matthew 11:28-30; Proverbs 14:4; John 15:14-16; Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Peter 2:1-5; Romans 6:11-14; 1 Peter 4:12-13; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 1:15-23; Psalm 18:29-35; Revelation 22:21)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 6; Psalms 5-6

Proverbs 21; Colossians 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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Devotional for April 1

April 1, 2024 Bruce Coleman2 Comments

The Soul Yearns

1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Psalm 84:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Some form of resistance training is essential to maintain strength as we get older, and the fountain of youth is a spirit filled with a child-like faith in God. How was it that Daniel was found ten times better than everyone else? It wasn’t his training as we are told in the Scriptures that it was the same as everyone else. It was the water and vegetables, right? The real secret of Daniel being ten times better came from his willingness to deny the flesh and nourish the soul by glorifying God in every thought, word, and deed. This is what it means to love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength. We may not be able to be ten times better like Daniel, but we can certainly be blessed like Daniel if we are willing to love God like Daniel. (Matthew 18:1-4; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 John 5:4; Hebrews 11:6; Daniel 6:10-28; Proverbs 16:13-20; Romans 12:1-2; Mark 12:30; Proverbs 3:5-8; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 4; Psalms 1-2

Proverbs 19; Colossians 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for March 31

March 31, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Rejoice in Your Salvation

11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. Psalm 9:11-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Pray for the blessing of God to be upon the means, then go to work. Plant and water, but God must grant the increase. Where did Samson get his great strength? It certainly wasn’t from anabolic steroids, or some ancient super hype pre-workout powder. It was the hair, right? Not really. His hair was a symbol of his being right with God. Samson was strengthen by grace. The same amazing grace that is available for us today to enable us to do the will of God. Thanks be to Christ Jesus! His death on the Cross was the payment for our sins, and His resurrection is our guarantee for newness of life. A life lived in accordance to the Word is our equivalent of Samson’s hair. You will know it by its fruit. (Judges 16:16-31; Psalm 62:11; 1 Corinthians 3:6-8; Matthew 16:24-26; , 7:21-23, 22:36-40; John 15:9-11; Romans 8:1-16; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; 1 Corinthians 1:18-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 2-3; John 21

Proverbs 18; Colossians 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring us again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

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Devotional for March 30

March 30, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Bring Me to Your Holy Mountain

3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43:3-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Growth requires resistance. It is not the absence of resistance or adversity that brings physical strength and spiritual maturity. On the contrary, without some challenge and testing we sleep and become weaker over time. Endurance through resistance, in the gym as well as in life, is essential for strength and peace. No need to be impressed with those who boast about how they can tear it up when they feel good. Those who can still get it done when they don’t feel like it are by far more impressive. (Proverbs 14:4; Proverbs 10:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-9; 1 John 2:24-29; Psalm 33:16-22; Luke 4:16-21; Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 95:8-11; Hebrews 6:9-20)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 1; John 20

Proverbs 17; Philippians 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for March 29

March 29, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

O God of Our Salvation

1 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. Psalm 65:1-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Distance to the destination doesn’t really matter when you can enjoy every step of the way. God is always in-charge. It’s easy to sit down and throw a pity party when things aren’t going your way. Life being full of ups and downs is such a common experience that it hardly needs to be stated. There will be days when you move forward with smashing through to a new personal best, just as there will be other days that set you a few steps back. Such is the pulse of life. Happiness comes from trusting the Lord through it all. Don’t anchor your consistency to feelings which change like the wind. The time will surely come when the wind is contrary. Be ready to put out the oars when necessary and go to work, holding onto the hope set forth in the Gospel. Be willing to love. Choose faith. Live in the light. Walk in the Spirit. This is the will of God for all who are called to be in Christ Jesus. (Isaiah 52:7; Psalm 30:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Luke 9:62; John 16:33; Matthew 5:13-16; Philippians 2:14-16; Romans 8:28; 1 John 5:4-5; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Romans 8:35-39, 16:25-27)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 40; John 19

Proverbs 16; Philippians 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for March 28

March 28, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Trust in the Lord

13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
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 31:13-16, 19-21 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Healing balm in the hand is useless as long as the mind is preoccupated with dis-ease producing thoughts. We all have to learn to deal with doubts, worries, fears, negativity, lust, pride, and plenty of other such unprofitable thoughts. This is where all error of the heart begins. Unchecked unprofitable thoughts breed only unwanted emotions and unprofitable behaviors. Stop the downward spiritual by rejecting all such thoughts as soon as you become aware of them. Cast down and reject faithless thoughts and imaginations. Do NOT accept such thoughts by allowing them to run amuck and pull on the heart strings as they please. Such thoughts are NOT inspired by God. Refocus on right things by meditating of the Word of God. If the same unwanted thoughts keep returning and you can no longer continue the fight, admit your helplessness. Awaken the Lord. Pray and ask for the grace to be still. He is merciful and He will quiet the storm for you. (Psalm 10:4; 58:3; Matthew 12:43-45; Hebrews 3:10; Isaiah 55:7; Mark 4:37-41; Isaiah 50:10-11; Psalm 81:10-14, Hebrews 4:12, 11:3; Psalm 1:1-3; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Hebrews 11:6; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:8-9)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 39; John 18

Proverbs 15; Philippians 2