Tag: psalm-37

faith

Devotional for May 5

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Privileges to Enjoy

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. Psalm 37:23-29, 34-39 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The mother eagle stirs up the nest and makes it uncomfortable for the young ones to motive them to take to the sky. God has worms for every bird, but there comes the time when each little eaglet must grow up and leave the nest. The baby in the natural world that fails to grow would be considered strange and abnormal. So too the believer that fails to grow up in his or her salvation should be considered strange and abnormal. The baby bird only has to open its mouth, but we are not to stay spiritual babies forever. The rule in the kingdom of God is this: if a man will not work, neither shall he eat. And if a man does not eat, he will not grow. Drink deeply from the pure spiritual milk of the word of God, store its truth in your heart, and grow. For this is God’s will for all of us called to eternal life in Christ Jesus. (Proverbs 29:15, 3:11-18; 1 Peter 2:2-10; 1 John 4:13-19; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Isaiah 40:28-31; Judges 13:24-25; Mark 4:26-29; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; James 5:7-8; Hebrews 12:1-13; James 1:22-25; Hebrews 10:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 1:15-23; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 12-13; Psalms 49

Isaiah 2; Hebrews 10

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

I thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered me from the dominion of sin and death and brought me into the kingdom of your Son; and I pray that, as by his death he has recalled me to life, so by his love he may raise me to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 8

Bruce Coleman2 Comments

The Lord Upholds the Righteous

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. Psalm 37:10-17 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

The only true set back is to quit. Everything else, distractions, detours, and obstacles are common to every journey. Being able to give thanks and praise to God locates you spiritually, as surely as longitude and latitude pin points your location physically. Those who find no gratitude in the past are often tempted to lose hope for the future. Learn to live in the will and not in the emotions. Take no counsel from your faithless feelings that would rage like an unruly little child. Such flaming darts take advantage of difficult external circumstances, internal aches of the body, or mental fatigue of the mind. We do well to remember the command of our Lord to possess our soul in patience, and wait on the Lord to calm the seas without and the unruly child within. Temporary circumstances, aches, and fatigue in no way alter the truth of God. Sing praises to God when the winds are favorable, and pull out the oars and row, row, row with praises to God when they’re not. Disruptions caused by the unexpected are to be expected. The destination is only reached by making adjustments whenever needed to stay on course. Be steady and always pray for the needed grace to remain in the center of God’s will.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 8; 3 John 1

Habakkuk 3; Luke 22

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

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory now and for ever. Amen.