faith

Devotional for May 14

May 14, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Be Glad and Sing for Joy

67 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalm 67 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Just because you don’t have what you want right now should in no way cause your faith to wavier. You may not have it when you want it, but God can be depended upon to provide what you need when it is needed. Blessed is the one who is fully persuaded that God is willing and able to do all that He has promised. Blessed is the one who remembers that ultimately God is in control of everything. (Ecclesiastes 8:4; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 2:22; Jeremiah 14:22; Matthew 16:5-12; Galatians 3:3-9; Romans 4:16-21; Isaiah 41:17-20; Deuteronomy 8:2-4; Jeremiah 2:4-7; Psalm 50:15; Psalm 139:1-17; Ephesians 3:20; Mark 11:22-24; Matthew 7:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:13-21)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 23; Psalms 64-65

Isaiah 13; 1 Peter 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for May 13

May 13, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing Praises with Understanding

5 God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. Psalm 47:5-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Right motives will sometimes bring pain, but wrong motives never bring any lasting profit. A talented person can do many things, but apart from Christ we can do nothing. I may be able to sing, but if there is no glorifying of God in the song it is nothing. A strong man rejoices to run his race, but if he has no gratitude in his heart for the great God above by whose grace he is made strong, it is less than nothing. “Vanity of vanities” is the repeating theme of “apart from me ye can do nothing” in the book of Ecclesiastes. The righteous will live by faith in God. Fighting the good fight means rejecting all that is not in accordance with the Word of God. We live by faith and depend on Grace. Our strength, His Grace. Our rule, His Word. Our end, His Glory. (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2; Mark 8:36-38; John 15:1-11; Proverbs 3:5-8; Psalm 19:1-10; Isaiah 5:11-15; James 4:1-8; Hebrews 10:35-39; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Jonah 2; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Psalm 30:12; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 72:19-20)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 22; Psalms 62-63

Isaiah 11-12; James 5

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 12

May 12, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Ponder These Things

31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
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 107:31-43 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Honor your elders whether you think they deserve it or not. Realize that they have been your age before, but you are not guaranteed to ever reach their age. Be wise and learn from them, because even a broken clock is right two times a day. Understand that we all suffer from the same human weaknesses. The first is coming to the reality of our need for the Savior. Continuing on after that is the weakness created from trying to finish in the flesh what was begun in the Spirit. The grace of God has provided a way through these weaknesses. There is no way back for the fallen angels, but God has offered us new life in Christ Jesus. Taste and see that the will of God and our highest good is one and the same. (Ephesians 6:1-4; Proverbs 29:15, 23:22-26, 24:30-34; Matthew 16:21-25; Jude 6; James 2:19; Psalm 34:8-10; John 8:31-34; Romans 6:16; Luke 14:27-33; Romans 6:3-8; Galatians 3:1-3; John 1:17; Romans 6:14, 7:14-8:14, Acts 2:37-39; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; John 20:21-22; Matthew 28:19-20)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 21; Psalms 60-61

Isaiah 10:5-34; James 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 9

May 9, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Standing

24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Psalm 24:1-6 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The final score alone isn’t enough to determine the winners from the losers. Winning is more about how you played the game than it is about the number on the scoreboard. Winning in a sleazy way may put the victor’s cup in the hand, but it will yield no honor for the heart. Always fight the good fight, and you will never lose even when you don’t win. Blessed is the one who comes to know that it is only by grace that we can stand before the living God, the Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth. (Proverbs:1-8-9; psalm 37:16; Mark 8:36; Colossians 3:2; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21; Proverbs 6:16-19; James 4:4; Haggai 1:5-6; Psalm 55:23; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; Psalm 27:4; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Psalm 45:1; Philippians 4:4-8; Hebrews 10:35-36; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 17-18; Psalms 55

Isaiah 7; James 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 8

May 8, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Word of God Brings Peace

49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.
53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts. Psalm 119:49-56 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It can be hard to maintain your chilly in a world full of people who are like hot pots ready to boil over. Turn all, hear the good news….Jesus Christ our Lord lives, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Trust in God is the key to inner peace. While the essential faithful mix for the Christian life is this: facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed, and promises to be enjoyed. Cast your worries upon the Lord because He cares for you, and He will keep you in perfect peace. What is it that ails you? Pray and ask for whatever it is that grace must do for you. Utterly refuse to doubt the goodness of God, and according to your faith will it be done to you. This is the rule and the only limit. (Proverbs 22:24-25; Ephesians 4:17-32; Romans 12:17-21; Proverbs 22:17-21; Hebrews 4:12-16; Matthew 17:19-20; Revelation 3:14-22; Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 14:12-27; John 20:21-22; Psalm 40:1-8; Revelation 22:20-21)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 16; Psalms 52-54

Isaiah 6; Hebrews 13

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 7

May 7, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Ye are Blessed of the Lord

9 O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord. Psalm 115:9-18 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

A better tomorrow is paid for with today’s activities. The past doesn’t determine the future, it merely sets the current conditions. Redeem the time. Profitable work can only be done today, in the now. No one should try to work all the time, neither should all our free time be used only for play. Mental and physical batteries will need re-charging from time to time. A nap is better at doing this than are many other mindless activities like watching TV or scrolling through endless social media posts. Rest when you must, but afterward do not allow yourself to be idle. Lazy rests without being tired. When you step into a pile of lazy, be quick to scrape it off. It is much more profitable to spend a few minutes taking care of a necessary mundane task while singing praises to the Lord in your heart, than it is to sit around doing nothing. It is not for us to know when Jesus Christ will come again, but don’t let Him catch you with your work undone. (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Proverbs 26:14, 24:30-34; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10; Ephesians 5:14-20; Galatians 6:6-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 10:35-39; Matthew 25:14-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Psalm 30:10-12; Jude 1:24-25)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 15; Psalms 51

Isaiah 5; Hebrews 12

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 May 5

May 5, 2024 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

faith

Devotional for May 4

May 4, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Truly My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone

62 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
3 How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
4 They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Weak thoughts don’t build strong bodies, nor do wrong thoughts produce right actions. Times of testing must come, still there is God. Learn to rest in this unchangeable fact. In the mist of everything, always and forever, God is all knowing, all powerful, and all good. And He does not change. Be still and know that our God reigns. (2 Peter 1:1-13; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Philippians 3:2-10; Galatians 4:1-9; Galatians 5:1-9; James 4:7-10; John 3:15-17; Mark 11:27-33; Joshua 1:8-9; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Psalm 27:4; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:17-20)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 11; Psalms 48

Isaiah 1; Hebrews 9

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 3

May 3, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. Psalm 103:15-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It usually takes years of unhealthy living to make us fat and sick. The process can be just as slow in reverse. A flash of lightening with a clap of thunder comes quick, goes quick, and doesn’t happen very often. While the rising sun dawns and gets brighter and brighter until it reaches high noon most every day. It is much slower, lasts much longer, and happens all the time. The purpose of many of the commands of God written in the Holy Bible are to keep us moving toward spiritual maturity and away from disease. How much time it takes to get there is not nearly as important as consistently moving in the right direction. Our part is to fix our eyes on Jesus and guard the heart. God’s part is everything, because apart from God we can do nothing. Complete understanding is not necessary. Belief is enough to keep us moving toward good health. We get there when we get there. (Ecclesiastes 10:1; Proverbs 19:1-2; Proverbs 4:10-27; Hebrews 10:26-29; Isaiah 56:9-12; 1 Timothy 6:11; John 6:27; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Psalm 73:1-20; 3 John 1:2; Proverbs 3:5-8; Hebrews 12:1-2; John 15:5; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Timothy 6:12-16)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 10; Psalms 46-47

Song of Solomon 8; Hebrews 8

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

faith

Devotional for May 2

May 2, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

God is All Knowing, All Powerful, and All Good

139 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:1-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

When the cares of this life are pressing you down, use the saints’ favorite home remedy for relief. Force yourself to count your blessings. When gratitude turns into thanksgiving and praise to the Lord, the rain will have ceased and the clouds will part. We may sometimes lack comfort and ease, but the one who has the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit already has the highest possible good there ever has been, is now, and ever will be. (Isaiah 51:12-13, 41:9-10; 2 Peter 1:3; Ecclesiastes 8:4; Psalm 42:5-6; Romans 8:32-39; Hebrews 13:15-16; Psalm 100:4, 147:1; Ephesians 6:10-18; Psalm 136:1-3; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 9; Psalms 45

Song of Solomon 7; Hebrews 7