Tag: psalms

faith

Devotional for March 21

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Only You, Lord, Make Me Dwell in Safety

4 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Tossing a coin into a wishing well pays for nothing. The difference between a goal and a wish is the willingness to pay the price to achieve it. Are you willing to eat better, work harder, and give up all that hinders? To pray for change and not put in the required work dishonors God. Repent and align your heart, head, and hands. The higher the goal, the higher the price. Count the cost before you begin, and be willing to consistently pay the price from start to end. Do this and you will be prepared to do every good work God has placed in your heart. (Proverbs 20:4, 26:15; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Luke 9:23, 14:27-35; 2 Timothy 2:3-22; Philippians 2:13-16; James 1:22-25; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 32; John 11

Proverbs 8; Ephesians 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 March 17

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

May We Always Remember

78 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: Psalm 78:1-7 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Just as gains in physical strength must be supported by how life is lived in between workouts, gains in godliness and contentment need to be supported by continuing our worship of God outside of church services. We were created to worship God all day every day, not just one or two days a week. Practice the presence of God. Let your favorite songs of praise be the default melody of your heart. Magnify the Lord in your thoughts and speech. Be doers of the word with the joy of praising and adoring our God. His goodness and mercy will surely follow you every morning and take you through every night. (Matthew 21:42; John 7:38; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 9:7; Philippians 2:13; Nehemiah 8:10; Acts 4:9-13; 1 Corinthians 3:5-17; Philippians 4:4-8; Psalm 92:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 28; John 7

Proverbs 4; Galatians 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 March 3

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing Praises

59 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. Psalm 59:1-2, 15-17 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Why envy those who only prosper in this world? It’s not the pretty, nor the smart, nor the rich, but the cleansed vessels that are of great worth to God. God looks at the heart. God is not merely handing out jobs, He is enlarging His family. You don’t need a polished resume for the Lord, just come as you are and give Him your whole heart. Listen and you will hear the Lord say, “My son, give me your heart.” Blessed is the one who replies, “My heart, O Lord, do I give.” Trust the Lord. It is His will that we be holy, and if we choose it, He will make it so. We are made holy by earnest prayer and by faith in the blood of the Lamb. Be still and know that He is God. Praise His holy Name. All power belongs to God. Give God the glory and you will see the salvation of our Lord. Happy is the soul that walks in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:3-4; 1 Samuel 16:6-7; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 23:26; Matthew 11:29-30; Galatians 5:16; Revelation 12:10-12; John 3:16-17; Psalm 103:2-5, 20-22)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 15; Luke 18

Job 33; 2 Corinthians 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that I, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear my cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ my 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 14

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Let Us Praise the Name of the Lord

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 148:7-15 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Hardly anyone ever thinks they have too much money, too much strength, too much beauty, or too much influence. These things are desirable, but to pursue them for their own sake is like vainly pouring more and more water into a broken container. The end result is a life filled with less and less satisfaction. On the other hand, the pursuit of God and righteousness through Jesus Christ leads to ever increasing satisfaction. Just how satisfied a soul can become from drinking deep of the living water no one really knows; for the triune God of all creation is like a boundless sea of infinite depth. Have faith in God. Faith is believing the great and precious promises of the holy Scriptures (John 7:37-39; Ephesians 3:14-21).

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 47; Luke 1:1-38

Job 13; 1 Corinthians 1

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 January 29

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Rejoice and Be Glad

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:19-24 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Doing what we already know to be right is more important than gaining more and more unused knowledge. First seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Everything else that is needful will be added after that. Walk by faith not by sight. Don’t give up though the pace seems slow, and never complain. Complaining doesn’t make what is bad any better, it only makes what little good there is in any situation seem even less so. It is far better to find one thing to be thankful for than it is to heap up great stinky piles of gripes and complaints. The Bible shows us the way to be content under any and all circumstances. We are to praise and thank the Lord for His loving kindness when things are going well. When things aren’t going well, we are to praise and thank the Lord for His faithfulness knowing that He will work all things together for good. Rest in the love of God, because He has promised never to leave nor forsake us. Trust, Pray, Expect, Praise, Receive, Rejoice and be Thankful. All this we know already. Now faith is consistently believing and practicing the gospel.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 30; Mark 1

Esther 6; Romans 1

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 16

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Hope in the Steadfast Love of the Lord

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:
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
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 147:1-12 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Difficult circumstances and physical discomforts are often accompanied with temptations to fear and doubt. There are thoughts which have the appearance of truth in the natural, yet clearly contradict the Word of God. Such thoughts do not come from faith. Such thoughts arise from the best guess of the brain’s emotional center, which automatically produces feelings based off what it sees and has experienced in the past. These feelings are easily used to by inner tempter to produce a leaven of persuasive thoughts that draw us to self and the things of this earth rather than toward faith and the things of the Lord. Such thoughts are often attempts to put us in fear so that our faith will be weakened and thereby our work hindered or left undone. Reject and dismiss faithless thoughts without entertaining them. Take heed and refuse the enemy’s bait to trap you running endlessly on the treadmill of human reasoning. Indeed, all the dark forces of this present world conspire to have us live in fear, uncertainty, and doubt. The solution is simple and effective. Trust in the living God and the truth will set you free. Rejoice and trust in God Almighty. He has promised to strengthen your hands to do all He has called you to do. 

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 17; Matthew 16

Nehemiah 6; Acts 16

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 4

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Ascribe to the Lord Glory and Strength

29 Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
7 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
10 The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever.
11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Believe God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength. Jesus has said that the one who obeys Him is the one who loves Him. To obey Him, we must believe Him. To believe Him, we must know Him. There is no substitute for knowing God. We come to know God just as we come to know anyone. We come to know any person we live with by watching what they do and listening to what they say. In time, learn what they like and dislike. We are able to recognize their voice by its tone and manners of speech. Intimate relationship allows us to understand how a person thinks and what they are likely to do and not do. We can have such an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. It starts with the plain matter of fact getting to know Him that comes from watching and listening to Him in the four gospel books of the Holy Bible. Dare to believe that Jesus is Christ, and you will come to know Him without doubt. Almighty God, infinite in wisdom and goodness, can certainly turn any weak link into strength. He will not break a bruised reed that calls upon Him with sincerity. 

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 4; Matthew 4

Ezra 4; Acts 4

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Book of Common Prayer

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Devotional for December 31

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Let All Creation Praise the Name of the Lord

148 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 148 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, so says the holy Scriptures. Everyday life is full of choices. We can do this or that. We can go here or there. Remembering that all that we do is seen by God, our love for God compels us to want to do only what pleases Him. There is also a measure of self-preservation in the fear of the Lord. Just like self-preservation will motivate a person who is allergic to bee stings to avoid being stung at all costs. The fear of bees is strong in all who have had an allergic reaction in the past because they know that if they are ever stung again they could die. Such a person would never say, “it’s just a little bee, no need to avoid it.” So too does the fear of the Lord cause an instant aversion to all sin no matter how big or small. The fear of the Lord functions like a guard rail on the narrow way to keep us in the love of God. A type of automatic sensor that prevents us from descending to the left or to the right. This is wisdom indeed. To all those who are finding the way difficult, bear with it for as long as it takes for the switch to flip. When things get as hard as they can possibly get, realize from that point on they can only get easier. Be strong and courageous. Hold on, trusting in Almighty God. Put all your hope in God alone. Give thanks for His unchangeable goodness toward us. Rejoice and praise the Lord regardless of current circumstances, which are only temporary even though they sometimes linger with no end in sight. O Lord, with the dawn of this New Year, let the words of our mouths and the mediation of our hearts be pleasing to You. And let our prayers be in accordance with Thy will. Let the fear of the Lord always be before our eyes so that we hold firmly to the narrow path of eternal life. Let all that is within us praise Thy Holy Name!

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 36; Revelation 22

Malachi 4; John 21

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

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Devotional for December 17

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Reap with Shouts of Joy

126 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.
3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Pray, because everything depends on God. Work, because everything depends on us. These are NOT contradictory statements. They are opposites sides of the same profound truth. Our part is to pray and work confidently knowing that all power belongs to God.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 19-20; Revelation 8

Zechariah 4; John 7

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

Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and fore ever. Amen.

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Devotional for December 10

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Praise God for His Word and Providence

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:
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. Psalm 147:5-11 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Slick advertisements call out on every street corner that you only need the secrets of this or that high profile celebrity to finally get things done. Do you have the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit or not? If you do, then you already have more than you could ever possibly need. Dare to believe the gospel. Give thanks in all things. Give thanks not just in good times, for even non-believers sometimes practice gratitude, but give thanks to God in bad times as well. For it is written in the holy Scriptures, all things work together for good for those who love the Lord. Just how bad things will work together for good is not our concern. It is the enemy who wants us to think so and lean on our own understanding. Rather than walking by sight, learn to know and trust your God. Nothing takes God by surprise. He has already worked out everything to conform to His good and perfect will. Praise Him in the mist of sorrows, and waste no time reliving past vanities with fondness. In this world there will be sorrow, but God has promised to always turn tears into joy for all those who love Him.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 10; Revelation 1

Zephaniah 2; Luke 24

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.