faith

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 12

February 12, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Has Ordained a Blessing

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Psalm 133 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Let us move forward into who we are to be in our Lord Jesus Christ. Know that He who has begun a good work in you will also see it to completion. The God of all hope and patience will certainly fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and pray for guidance when standing before any fork in the road. No one is surprised by the blind man who drives himself over a cleft. Get out of the driver seat and trust God. Only by faith do we understand what cannot be understood otherwise. God is the source of all blessings small and great. All His spiritual blessings flow into our life by grace through the golden pipe of faith. Give the grace of God its free flow. Let us break down all that hinders grace by trusting God and having a willingness to do the work set before us.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 45; Mark 15

Job 11; Romans 15

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 11

February 11, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Whomever Is Wise Will Ponder These Things

33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. Psalm 107:33-43 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To fight is a determined act of the will to resist what stands in opposition. The good fight of faith is an inner battle requiring the will to hold firm to the decision to believe God. Since it is impossible to please God without faith and whatsoever is not of faith is sin, unbelief is public enemy number one that we must be willing to fight against. Happy is the one who trusts God to grant the victory. Battles are lost when our hearts condemn what our head and hands allow though. Who wants to be fit, yet lives in a lazy boy recliner binge watching streaming episodes of nonsense? Who wants to be lean, yet gulps down sugar by the boat load? Unhappy is the one whose desires and actions are thus divided. Purify your heart and make God your one desire. Some other things are necessary to be sure, but our happiness depends less and less on things the closer we get to God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (1 Chronicles 29:11-13). Be willing to fight the good fight and God will make you strong. Know the Scriptures, understand the power of God, and He will quicken your faith.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 44; Mark 14

Job 10; Romans 14

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 10

February 10, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Preserves All Those Who Love Him

18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. Psalm 145:18-20 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Pray for a miracle when the circumstances call for it. At all other times, God may only be waiting for us to put in the work before the needed blessing is released. It’s easy to work hard when it feels good, but knowing only pleasure produces no lasting fruit. The good fight of the Christian must be fought by holding firm to faith in the truth of God, through good times and bad times alike. To leave off praying until one feels like it, is to walk by sight. Just as to go to the gym only when one feels strong, is to walk by sight. To do what is right only when it doesn’t cause pain or hardship, is to be doubleminded. And to do/not to do based solely on how one feels or thinks, will make such a one wishy-washy (James 1:2-8). Make no mistake about it, to walk by faith is something that we have to choose to do hundreds of times each day. Let faith produce the patience and endurance necessary for waiting on the Lord. Troubles will come. Watch without worrying, because God our Father cares for us. Jesus Christ will come at the appointed time. It is not given to any of us to know when, but don’t let Him catch you with your work undone. Watch, work, and be ready.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 42; Mark 12

Job 8; Romans 12

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 9

February 9, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Stand in Awe

8 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Psalm 8 (KJV) (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Don’t be afraid to work harder than others. Don’t be overly concerned if you have to wait longer than most for the harvest from your labor. How far, how high, and when all pale in comparison to the assurance of faith. The assurance of faith comes only through prayer. The saying “pray until you pray” essentially means the only way to learn how to pray is by doing it. The one who is too busy to pray is like the man in such a hurry that he thinks he doesn’t have time to stop for fuel when his car is low on gas. Such a one should not be surprised when he is left stranded near the side of the narrow way. Prayer is the last resort for the scoundrel. Therefore, it is far better to let prayer be our first choice. Then can we be sure as we head out that our spiritual tanks are always full of gas.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 42; Mark 12

Job 8; Romans 12

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

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 5

February 5, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

This is the Blessed Way

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalm 119:9-16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God is able to provide abundantly more than we could ever need from little or nothing at all. The rate of change in this world is increasing day by day, becoming more and more uncertain every minute. Blessed is the one who builds his house on the Rock. Blessed is the one who is not conformed to this world. Set your affections on the things above. Joyfully give up what you cannot keep to gain what you cannot lose. God has demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Since God is for us, Christ will surely be revealed in us if we believe and desire it with all our heart. He has promised, therefore it cannot be otherwise. Eye has not seen and mind cannot imagine what God has prepared for those who love Him (Luke 23:42-43). A very long life in this world is infinitely shorter than eternity. Even if we are called to spend 120 years suffering for the Lord in this life, it would still be just a short-term pain for an eternal gain.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 38; Mark 8

Job 4; Romans 8

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 February 4

February 4, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Restore Us, O Lord God of Hosts

80 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. Psalm 80:1-3, 17-19 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The regenerated conscience confirms the rightness of obedience to God. We must choose to set the will to obey God by faith. He strengthens all who are determined to do His will, in the way He has prescribed it to be done. Know that God is (Hebrews 11:6)….regardless of how things look, or how we feel at any given moment. Know this is true as surely as you know that 1 + 1 = 2. Then comes the promised joy from the testing of our faith (James 1:2-4). God waits for us to cultivate our dependence on Him. It is only when we are weak in ourselves, that God makes us strong in Him. Don’t wait to see if what you pray for is so. Sight always follows the testing of faith. Sight never precedes it, as what is seen requires no faith at all. From beginning to end, from faith to faith, all good things are to the praise of the glory of God. Air to breathe and food to eat, every creature needs the rest of creation. If we are to know peace, however, we need more. We need faith to know Christ and His truth shall set us free.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 37; Mark 7

Job 3; Romans 7

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for February 3

February 3, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Afterwards the Lord Will Take Me Into Glory

21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works. Psalm 73:21-28 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Persistence is the pain that brings the gains. Many things may get you where you want to go, but only if you are willing to keep working at them even though the pace seems slow. Many things may work, but thank God there is only one straight gate and narrow way that leads to eternal life. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. This is the most essential knowledge for every human being on the planet. We have everything when we know this. Without this knowledge, even if a soul has the very best of everything this world has to offer, it will amount to less than nothing in the end. God alone is our Rock. Practice the art of contentment by trusting God. Our own thoughts and feelings are prone to error and sometimes unreliable. The emotional faculty of the brain exists to create meaning out of present circumstance. Feelings are just the brain’s best guest based on our limited sensory perceptions and what has been learned from our past experiences. Feelings are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. Therefore, trust God, rely on His word, and take no counsel from contradictory feelings and the thoughts they spawn. Pray and work. Let feelings be what they may.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 35-36; Mark 6

Job 2; Romans 6

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