faith

Devotional for April 10

April 10, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord is a Shield

1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Building muscle and developing character both take time. Choosing shortcuts only slows the process. Don’t be so quick to reach for the easy way out just because things are currently hard. Hard times may linger, but tough people are those who develop the discipline it takes to endure. What comes without discipline never lasts. The sooner we learn that there is no lasting satisfaction for the pursuit of happiness apart from God the better. The preparation of the gospel of peace is for developing discipline, wisdom, righteousness, patience, and fitness for every good work. Such is the straight and narrow way that leads to eternal life. (Proverbs 20:21, 24:30-34; Luke 8:17; Hebrews 12:1-17; James 1:5-6; Matthew 7:7-14; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Ephesians 6:15; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 6:1-12; 2 Timothy 2:15; Jude 1:17-25)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 14; Psalms 17

Proverbs 28; 2 Thessalonians 2

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 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

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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 6

April 6, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

For God Alone My Soul Waits

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.
9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. Psalm 62:5-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Diet and exercise are but means to an end. Pray for the means, have faith in God, and patiently endure while putting in the work. This is the solution for 99% of all problems. The remaining 1% will require a miracle outside of the elementary principles of the world. Miracles are meant to be the exceptions, not the general rule. Be it diet and exercise, a piece of wood thrown into the water, a bronze serpent raised on a pole, or a bandage laced with figs, have faith in God the source of all power. Everything else is just the means. (Psalm 14:2; Habakkuk 1:15-2:4; Psalm 62:11; Mark 11:22-24; Hebrews 10:35-39; Proverbs 23:23-26; Hebrews 1:1-3, 11:1-6; Galatians 4:9; Mark 10:24; Psalm 9:9-11; Exodus 15:22-26; Numbers 21:4-9; 2 Kings 20:1-7; Psalm 90:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Psalm 44:1-8)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 9; Psalms 10

Proverbs 24; 1 Thessalonians 3

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 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

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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

faith

Devotional for April 2

April 2, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Forever Faithful is the Lord

1 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 117 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Distance to the destination may be far. Still, joyfulness is a mode of travel and not to be delayed until reaching the destination. Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness first, then will the joy of the Lord become your strength every step of the way. Elijah was a man just like us is a remarkable statement in the Scriptures considering how mightily he was used by God. Elijah is a shining testament to wholehearted devotion to God and the effectiveness of prayer. With these two swords there will be boundless joy in good times as well as joy in adversity, joy in suffering, and joy in difficulties. There is always joy in the presence of the Lord. Enter into His courts with praise and thanksgiving. Especially do this when times are tough. So, let us submit our understanding to the truth of God, submit our will to follow His precepts, and submit our affections to be more ready to pursue good rather than to experience sinful pleasures that only hinder His grace working within us. Submit to God and resist the inner temptations to revive the ways of the sinful nature in which we used to walk before we came to know Christ. To be who we are, is to seek to be now who we will be in heaven. (1 Kings 18:21-39; James 5:13-18; Colossians 3:15-17; Romans 8:28; Psalm 100:4, 16:7-11; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Luke 22:38)

Today’s Bible Reading

Leviticus 5; Psalms 3-4

Proverbs 20; Colossians 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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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

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 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

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

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Devotional for March 26

March 26, 2024 Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing Praises to God Our King

47 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2 For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
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 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Finding motivation to workout is only a struggle before you learn to like it. Once that switch is flipped however, nobody has to struggle to do anything they love. Find a form of exercise that you like. Start easy and stick with it until you come to love it. Don’t expect that to happen overnight. Here is the secret of great endurance: If you hold on when it has gotten as hard as it can possibly get, from that point on it can only get easier. (Malachi 3:1; Proverbs 12:23-28; Luke 7:36-47; Matthew 22:35-40; 2 Timothy 2:1-7; 1 Peter 4:12-16; 1 Peter 3:13-17; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 10:36; James 1:2-4; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Hebrews 12:4; 1 Peter 5:4-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 37; John 16

Proverbs 13; Ephesians 6