Tag: psalms

faith

Devotional for August 1

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Discomfort rightly handled is often the way we are made fit for greater works."

Blessed With Peace

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 29:1-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The peace in the eye of the storm comes from learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. It is a skill like any other. It comes from within and requires lots of practice. Complaining against a wrong that can be made right is the correct thing to do, but the squeaky hinge that continues to squeak after being properly greased will be discarded all together. Excessive complaining trains us to want to avoid the difficulties of the way. There is a reason why every story needs a hero that goes through tough times and overcomes them. Discomfort rightly handled is often the way we are made fit for greater works. Complaining in such a case, what the elder’s called speaking against God, makes us like the stubborn horse or mule. See difficulties and discomforts in this light and you will find peace in the mist. Let whining, grumbling, and murmuring be far from you. However, if after we have received a prayed for blessing we allow the mediation of the heart and words of the mouth to echo only gripes and complaints, doing so will only make what is already difficult even harder to bear. (Acts 6:1-5; Psalm 32:9; Hebrews 11:32-40; Matthew 15:16-19; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Psalm 19:14; Ephesians 6:12-13; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Philippians 2:14; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Timothy 6:8; Matthew 6:26-34; Hebrews 10:36; Philippians 4:4-9; 1 Peter 5:6-11).

faith

Devotional for June 26

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "It is not the greatness of the work that pleases God. It's the spirit in which the work is done."

Rest in the Lord

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

Everybody in the world is ready to be rich, beautiful, and famous. Anyone who asks God to fulfill any such selfish ambitions will be greatly disappointed. We are all ready to be superstars for Jesus, but not many of us ever consider humbling self to wash the feet of the saints. We only deceive ourselves when we use work for God as a cloak to hide the seeking of glory for self. It is not the greatness of the work that pleases God. It’s the spirit in which the work is done. Better a little with righteousness in all things, than great riches, flawless beauty, and billions of social media followers yet perish like the beasts. (Psalm 37:16; 49:16-20; James 4:1-4; 1 Peter 2:11-17; Mark 11:25; Psalm 66:16-20; Proverbs 24:27; Haggai 1:2-11; Luke 17:7-10; Philippians 2:3-4; John 6:27-29; Psalm 119:36; Matthew 13:45-46; Matthew 16:24-26; 1 Timothy 6:6-16)

faith

Devotional for June 24

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: 'Feel the fatigue and joyfully get done what needs to be done anyway."

I Delight to Do Your Will, O My God

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:4-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Everyone gets tired, the great secret is not to let it control you. Feel the fatigue and joyfully get done what needs to be done anyway. Let the one who wants a lean, hungry look, not shy away from hard work nor hunger pangs. Better to suffer from a little diligence and discipline while climbing the path of greatness, than it is to suffer from an abundance of pleasure and leisure while sliding into the pit of nothingness. (1 Peter 4:1-5; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Peter 3:13-18; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Psalm 127:1-2, 4:8; John 16:24-33; Proverbs 4:20-27; Ephesians 6:16-18; 2 Corinthians 2:11; James 5:13; Proverbs 18:14; Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 42:5, 118:19-29; Nehemiah 8:10; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for June 22

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Blessed Are Those Who Know

9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;
13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it. Psalm 94:9-15 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Blessed are all who come to know that God is their everlasting strength and shield. Blind are those who cannot see the hand of God Almighty. They go through life leaning on an arm of flesh (be it the natural strength of self or someone else, some miracle drug, some magic potion, chance, luck, coincidence, or something else), rather than relying on the Most High God. God is the Alpha and Omega. He is the source of all good things and all grace needs to return back to Him with glory. We impede grace when we steal glory due to God by keeping it for ourselves. Those who are not willing to crown Jesus Christ as Lord in their heart and life, only frustrate the flow of the power of God through unbelief and selfishness. A spiritual conductor of grace on the other hand, will find that the flow of grace increases as they boomerang the grace of God back to him with glory to His name. (Psalm 63:1-4; Genesis 28:16; Romans 1:18-22; Jeremiah 2: 12-13; 2 Chronicles 16:12-13, 32:8; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 13:14-16; John 3:27; Isaiah 26:4; John 7:38; Isaiah 12:3; Psalm 66:16-20; Proverbs 16:33; Philippians 1:19; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 28:7, 103:19-22; Romans 8:32; Revelation 1:8; Ephesians 2:1-10; James 1:17-25; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 4:4-8; Revelations 22:21)

faith

Devotional for June 21

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Excuses are manufactured in the mind and always make provision for taking the easy way out."

Praise God for Your Salvation

65 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. Psalm 65:8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Don’t go grocery shopping when you are hungry and you will be less likely to fill your cart with all the sugar filled no-good-for-you-goodies on every aisle. Start every scheduled workout. Sometimes just making it through the gym door is enough to knock the laziness off your butt. Excuses are manufactured in the mind and always make provision for taking the easy way out. Sometimes it will be a struggle just to finish your warm-up. Remember fitness is a long game whenever that happens. Don’t be afraid to stop and save it for another day if the juices aren’t flowing by the end of your warm-up. There is a big difference between skipping a workout and recognizing when you need to rest. Wisdom is profitable to direct. (Matthew 10:16; Ecclesiastes 10:10; 2 Corinthians 8:21; Galatians 5:13-16; Romans 13:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:12; Ephesians 4:17-32; Job 17:9; Psalm 32; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 92:1-2; Psalm 1; Matthew 7:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

faith

Devotional for June 19

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Planted in the House of the Lord

92 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:
2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,
3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
4 For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
15 To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Even the tiniest small thing is more than enough for multitudes with God, and a mega overabundance of all things cannot satisfy even a few without God. All things work with God, and nothing works without God. Things are just tools in the hand of God. To whom do you think should be given the glory? The tool or the hand that wields it? A banana is a poor choice to drive a nail. Pray for a proper tool, expect God to provide it, and start looking for a hammer. He who has promised is faithful. Therefore, you can thank and praise God for the tool even before He puts it in your hand. This is how our elders earned a good report. (Hebrews 11:1-2; John 6:3 -13; Acts 14:8-18; Habakkuk 1:5-16; Psalm 17:13; Psalm 10:4; Isaiah 10:15; Ecclesiastes 7:13-14; Psalm 75:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2; Psalm 144:12-15; Nehemiah 9:4-21; Palm 92:1-2; Psalm 104:10-15; James 1:5-8; Philippians 4:19-20)

faith

Devotional for June 18

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "God has promised to lead us if we will just stop grabbing at the wheel and keep our right hand in His."

Trust the Lord, O My Soul

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.
40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. Psalm 37:34-42 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Who’s in charge of your life? The default belief on this side of the garden of Eden is that self is in charge. Amazing when you consider that most people can’t even bring themselves to make their bed when they get out of it each morning after have made the decision to do so. “That’s because I changed my mind,” they will say. And the river of denial flows on and on. One thing you learn pretty early on in the military is that two people cannot be in charge at the same time. They end up stepping on each other and pulling the team apart. The same is true for each of us individually. The Holy Spirit and self can’t both be in charge of your life. Since we are limited in both knowledge and ability, doesn’t it make more sense to choose the leadership of Almighty God? God has promised to lead us if we will just stop grabbing at the wheel and keep our right hand in His. (Isaiah 41:10, 13; Psalm 32:8-11; Matthew 11:28-30; Matthew 6:24; Mark 3:25; Psalm 81:10-12; Amos 2:11-12; Matthew 16:24-25; Romans 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Jude 1:19-25)

faith

Devotional for June 14

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Incline My Heart to Your Testimonies, O Lord

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. Psalm 119:33-40 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Remember God when your physical appearance improves as you consistently workout and eat better. Prosperity presents hidden dangers that we must guard the heart against. The natural inclinations of having plenty to eat, an abundance of luxuries, and lots of ease is to be overcome with slothfulness and puffed up with pride. Never forget that it is God who has enabled you to eat well, given you the desire work hard, and He alone is the source of all growth. From God come the gains. Hold fast to the Word of life. Cast down every imagination that is contrary to faith in God. This is the way to fight for your trust in God. Let His staff and His rod comfort you. Hold on until you know that God is guiding you with His eye. Hold on until you know His voice. Hold on until God renews your youth like the eagle. The abundant life comes to us only by the grace of God. It is through Jesus Christ that we have the sure mercies of David to the praise of His holy name. Worship God, and know for certain that all power and all glory belongs to God (Luke 12:16-21; Proverbs 6:16-19; Psalm 75:4-7; Proverbs 27:21; Psalm 10:4; Isaiah 55:3; Revelation 3:13-22; Galatians 4:19; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Hebrews 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Psalm 23:4; Proverbs 3:5-8; Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-16; James 4:4-10; 1 Peter 5:7-10; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

faith

Devotional for June 11

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord be Magnified

8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified. Psalm 40:8,16 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Good health is strength, and death is the final form of weakness. Total health inside and out enhances life. While sin causes only weakness, sickness, suffering, and death. God has given each of us the responsibility to choose what is right. Because He holds us accountable for our choices, we must also have the freedom to choose as we will. Since we are held responsible to choose the good, accountable for the choice, and are free to choose as we will, choose strength and life. Diligently guard your heart. The eyes and ears are the gateways to the soul. Good judgment requires evaluating all according to its conformity to the knowledge of Christ. Cast down all that is contrary. And this we will do by the grace of God. What pleases the indwelling Holy Spirit is that we have faith. Know for certain therefore, when we are right with God everything that causes us to doubt is from the enemy. What pleases the devil is unbelief in the heart of a believer. Resist the devil standing firm in faith and he will flee from you. Is there something God has placed in your heart to do? What if you actually believed you could do it? Pray for it, and then get busy working for it until it is achieved. Faith works by love, because it is never difficult to do what you do for love. (Proverbs 2:1-7; Job 17:9, 24:5; Revelation 2:1-7, 3:14-22; Deuteronomy 30:19; Mark 12:30, 11:22; Galatians 5:6; Psalm 119:33-38; Isaiah 11:1-5, 26:4; Romans 6:23; Galatians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Luke 6:40; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Psalm 147:7-11, 135:19-20; Proverbs 3:5-8; 2 Peter 1:3-11; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

faith

Devotional for June 8

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Learn to celebrate the small victories along the way."

Praise God For His Everlasting Lovingkindness

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me. Psalm 86:11-17 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Achieving your fitness goals can be a lot like watching the grass grow. You will find it hard to stay motivated if all you do is dwell on how far you have to go. Learn to celebrate the small victories along the way. Got an extra rep in today? Acknowledge the achievement and give thanks to God for it. Was your diet spot on yesterday? Good for you. Rejoice and praise God for it. We are commanded to be strong and courageous. Acknowledge the source of all victories by giving God the glory, and  receive the encouragement needed to keep moving forward toward your high calling in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:1; 1 Samuel 30:1-6; Joshua 1:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24; 1 Corinthians 13:4-13; Philippians 3:3-17; Habakkuk 3:17-18; Psalm 18:31-34; Isaiah 52:7; Psalm 18:28-30, 103:1-5; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 33:16-22; Revelation 7:11-12)