faith

Devotional for February 18

February 18, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Give Thanks

10 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. Psalm 51:11-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Be quick to eliminate worry, hurry, and fear by the exercise of your faith. God is able work out all things for good for those who love Him. God certainly doesn’t approve of everything in this corrupt world of ours, but whatever He allows to happen He weaves into His divine plan for our salvation (Romans 8:28). There is liberty in that profound truth for all who can accept it. The fact that life seems to be getting more complicated every day hardly needs to be stated. The great robber of our peace comes from worrying about the multitude of things we cannot possibly control. We surely grieve the Holy Spirit with our discontentment caused by unbelief. Rather than worry, fret, murmur, fear, or be discouraged, pray for the needed grace to hold onto the one needful thing of trusting God. Visualize worry and fear rolling off your mind like water off the back of a duck. Otherwise, worry becomes a burden that makes us too heavy to fly and too tired to swim. Enter into the rest of the Lord by faith. Let your one desire be for Christ to dwell in your heart, and He will take care of all the multitude of other needful things. Things are just tools in the hands of God. Don’t give glory to the axe, the saw, or the rod. They are just tools. Give glory to our God who swings, cuts, and shakes them all (Psalm 62:11; Isaiah 10:15; 1 Chronicles 16:28-34; Psalm 29:2, 46:10; 1 John 5:21).

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 1; Luke 4

Job 18; 1 Corinthians 5

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept my prayers; and because in my weakness I can do nothing good without you, give me the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments I may please you in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. The Book of Common Prayer

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Devotional for February 17

February 17, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Give Thanks

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:20-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Understand who we are called to be by God. Be obedient to the sweet heavenly vision given to us in Christ Jesus. Know this as well: our motivation to be conformed to the image of Christ will always be hindered by the measure of belief you yield to all the naysayers around you. Righteousness starts with believing God. This is how all our elders recorded in the Bible obtained a good report. Believe that there is an inheritance keep for us in heaven, and that God will surely keep us here on earth for our heavenly reward. Believe God. God alone is completely trustworthy. Therefore, we can trust that what He commands He will also enable us to do. By faith believe Almighty God has created you anew in Christ Jesus even before you see or feel any evidence of it. Fan your faith until you catch fire, and be all that God means for you to be. (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 2:13)

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 50; Luke 3

Job 16:-17; 1 Corinthians 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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Devotional for February 16

February 16, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Thy Throne, O God, Endures Forever

1 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. Psalm 45:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Mysteries are to be expected when contemplating the infinite God. As magnificent as our abilities to think and reason are, even the brightest of us are still limited. For this reason, God has given us His word and only requires faith (Hebrews 11:1-6). It is impossible for us to fully understand all the mysteries of God, but faith is so easy that even a child can come to know the truth by it (Matthew 18:1-4). All the necessary knowledge about God has been provided for us in the Holy Bible. It is far more important to worship God as He is revealed in the Holy Bible than it is to know all the mysteries beyond our understanding. Knowing God as He has revealed Himself is a grace that is even more essential to the spirit than sleep is to the body. Sleep is an essential component for health and fitness that can’t be stored, caught up on, or ignored. You either accept the need for 7-8 hours of sleep out of every 24, or you will eventually have to pay and suffer for lack of it. Fear not. God has promised to give His beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2). Give thanks for it when it is sweet, and pray for it when it is not. The One who has chosen you to be in Christ Jesus has predestined you to bring forth His fruit. Submit yourself therefore to God, and willingly choose to do His will. When our will is to obey, God provides the way.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 49; Luke 2

Job 15; 1 Corinthians 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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Devotional for February 15

February 15, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Willing People

1 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Psalm 110:1-4 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Only those who have experienced weakness ever learn to truly appreciate strength. Long periods of uninterrupted strength, beauty, sunshine, and the like are easily taken for granted until they are taken away. Too much ease and comfort are the enemies of progress. Growth requires a willingness to step outside of the ease and comfort zones in order to reach higher and dig deeper. This is a requirement for physical progress just as it is for growth in the Christian life. The way higher up in the spiritual life is lower down in humbleness of soul (John 3:26-30). Submit yourself to God. Choose to be conformed to Jesus Christ, who humbled himself and suffered death on the Cross to do the will of the Father. God, who did not spare His only Begotten Son, will certainly do the necessary work in your heart that only He can do. We are responsible for the choice of asking for it in faith, and God is responsible for the result. Our part is to trust God, and God’s part is always everything else. God alone is forever faithful and completely trustworthy. Happy is the one who trusts God to be God.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 48; Luke 1:39-80

Job 14; 1 Corinthians 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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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 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 7

February 7, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Dwell in the Shelter of the Most High

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalm 91:3-7, 14-16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Working for physical beauty alone is like watering cut flowers. Though death may be delayed, there is no lasting life without having roots growing in the love of God. Pursing personal holiness for the love of God is to cultivate an inner beauty that will last forever. Don’t be short sighted. Look past the temporal things of this world and focus on the long game (Hebrews 12:1-2). Then will denying self and living the crucified life in Christ become a joy. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and know His peace, which surpasses understanding (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7).

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 40; Mark 10

Job 6; Romans 10

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 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

faith

Devotional for January 31

January 31, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Upholds All

8 Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. Psalm 132:8-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We may only be able to lift 10 pounds at the start, then progress to 20, and after that maybe 30 or 40. Strength is built in stages over a period of time. Spiritual strength is no different. First comes the lion, then the bear, and then the giant (1 Samuel 17 :33-37). God allows only what we are able to handle at any given moment. Practice remembering this fact when you are tempted to do what you know you should not do, or not do what you know you should. God allows just the right amount of spiritual resistance you need to build more spiritual strength. Have faith in God and be willing to endure the inner work. Don’t seek for relief, excuses, or sedatives. This is what the Bible calls “quit ye like men” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Distractions a plenty you will find in this modern world. Stay focused. It is far better to step up, drive on like a good soldier, and pray for the needed grace of God to patiently endure. He will strengthen you. Arise and let us go forward.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 32; Mark 3

Esther 8; Romans 3

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 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