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faith

Devotional for October 23

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "As long as we strive in our own strength, we frustrate the grace of God."

Grace Must Do All

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:10-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

With our loving heavenly Father so willing to bless us, what is it that hinders? Regardless of what is upfront and in our face right now, all that hinders can be reduced down to just one thing. As long as we strive in our own strength, we frustrate the grace of God. We struggle, we fight, and we wrestle as long as a spirit of “can-do” is alive in us. It seems a paradox, but it’s not. More like opposite ends of the same truth. When the grace of God does all, we can do all things. Stop wrestling, Jacob, and just hold on to the Word. It is God who works in you both to will and to do what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Jeremiah 18:1-6; Genesis 32:24-32; Hebrews 11:21; Proverbs 3:5-8; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:13, 4:13; Psalm 23:4; 1 Timothy 1:17)

faith

Devotional for October 21

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "The answer to both when and how requires trust in God."

In Christ Alone

112 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:1-7 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God is pleased when we ask the hard thing. Ask for the double portion. The answer to both when and how requires trust in God. Cheerfully do your mundane chores. Learn to excel in ordinary things while waiting on the Lord. Remember the wonderful works of the Lord in the past, hope in the glory of the Lord to come, and joyful commit all your ways to Him in the present. To know such peace, make Jesus Christ your all and all, your Alpha and Omega. (2 Kings 2:9-15; Matthew 7:7-8; John 15:8-16, 17:19-23; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Daniel 6:19-23; Revelation 1:4-8; Psalm 24:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17; Revelation 22:21)

faith

Devotional for October 19

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Faith too is a gift from God."

Give Ear and Listen to God’s Guidance

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:
8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. Psalm 78:5-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Sow to the Spirit and reap all the promises of God. By faith we sow to the Spirit and even this is not from ourselves. Faith too is a gift from God. The more I do the more I realize I can do nothing apart from Jesus Christ. No matter how grand something is in the eyes of others, if it contains none of the love of God, it is vain, nothing, and lighter than dust. Peace flees from us when we are too busy to pray, mentally absorbed with trivial things, stressed out, and too drunk with entertainment to even remember God. This is one of the best laid plans of our enemy and many of us live it all day long. We end up wearied by the burden. Surely there is a better way, and it is more of God throughout the day and less of other things. (Galatians 6:7-9; Mark 4:28-31; Matthew 17:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-9; Matthew 6:31-33; Matthew 11:28-29; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-28)

faith

Devotional for October 17

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Hold fast the way as the reward is sure."

O God, Who Is Like You?

19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt. Psalm 71:19-24 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

All are called, few are chosen, because they are unwilling. The Spirit bids all who are willing to come and drink deeply of the water of life. God would have all of us to be saved, but only those who are willing are the elect of God. Those who aren’t willing are not. Let no one steal your crown. Each of us constructs our own crown from what we build in this life. Those who build with the wood, hay, and stubble of this world will suffer lost when it is tried by the fire. Those who build this life with faith, hope, and love of Jesus Christ fashion precious jewels for their everlasting crown in the Kingdom God. Hold fast the way as the reward is sure. (Psalm 81:10; Matthew 22:14; Matthew 23:37; Matthew 11:28-30; Revelation 22:17; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Revelation 3:11; John 10:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:5, 5:3-10; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

faith

Devotional for October 15

Bruce Coleman2 Comments
Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Happiness depends on our ability to eliminate distractions and time wasters."

Key to the Blessings of God

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Righteousness consists in doing all the good you know and letting go of all that you know is wrong. Both parts are necessary if we are to be whole. The modern world is so noisy. All day every day we are pulled in this direction and then another. Happiness depends on our ability to eliminate distractions and time wasters. Who is sufficient to do this all the time? Not a single one of us apart from the Lord. The sooner you come to that conclusion, the faster the blessings will come. Go to the Holy Bible to learn what to do and what to avoid. Pray for the focus to do and not to do. Then can we be sure the grace of God will bring us the blessings God intends for us to have. (Matthew 5:6; Luke 12:15-32; Romans 8:28-39; 1 John 4:9-10; Philippians 4:5-7; Ephesians 3:20-21)

faith

Devotional for September 15

Bruce Coleman2 Comments
Picture of a young Bruce Coleman circa 1983.

Still Under Construction

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To my faithful subscribers: I thank you and want to give you more. I feel the need to first get more from God. This blog, the labor of love that it is, has been steadily taking more and more of my time each morning. So much time now, that what’s left over for prayer and exercise has become far too little. For these reasons, I’m going to take a sabbatical from posting my daily devotions for a while. I go to seek the fullness of God in Christ Jesus. When I have it, my devotional postings will return. Until then, remember the love of God. (John 3:16-17, 1:1-18; Isaiah 53:1-5; Luke 11:5-13; John 11:40; Acts 3:6-16; John 3:11; Acts 2:37-41; Psalm 51:6-15; Hebrews 11:1-6; Ephesians 3:14-21).

faith

Devotional for September 14

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Life can get better in one year with God than we can make it in 50 years without God."

Remember the Goodness of the Lord

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
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 103:1-5, 19-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Change for the better is possible! Not so much from the 10 Commandments of the Law, but rather from the thousands of promises which are all “yes” and “so be it” in Christ Jesus. Life can get better in one year with God than we can make it in 50 years without God. God is holy. Being with God requires our willingness to be made holy. For us holiness is life and ever increasing strength, while sin is only increasing weakness and death. Humbly come to our Lord Jesus and He will cast that log out of your eye, then you will be able to see the beauty of a changed heart, a transformed mind, and holy hands that do what is pleasing to God. (Hebrews 8:7-12; John 3:16-17; Matthew 7:3-4, 11:25-30; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Romans 6:1-14; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Romans 7:4-7; Acts 2:37-39; Philippians 2:13; 1 Peter 2:2; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Job 28:28; 2 Peter 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:8; 1 Peter 5:5-11)

faith

Devotional for September 13

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "Steak is good for building muscle, but the bread of life is good for the spirit, soul, and body."

Recount the Praiseworthy Deeds of the Lord

1 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:
8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. Psalm 78:1-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Steak is good for building muscle, but the bread of life is good for the spirit, soul, and body. Are you ready? Ready for what? To stop licking up the crumbs with dirt from the floor, and instead be seated at the table to eat an abundance of bread enriched with divine life. Jesus Christ is the bread of life. Question the value of anything without even a crumb of life in it. At best it is a non-nutritious vanity, at worse it is a straight up sugar coated poison. Choose life. (Psalm 118:24; Deuteronomy 30:19-20; John 6:32-35; Matthew 15:21-28; Ephesians 3:1-6; Romans 8:15-18; 2 Peter 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:2-9; Jonah 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:4-11; Ephesians 3:14-21)

faith

Devotional for September 12

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "It can only be reached by those who will not be denied it."

Before the Eyes

2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord:
7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Psalm 26:2-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

There is always a next-level in Christ, because there is no top, no bottom, nor left or right limit in God. It is a wonderful place to live where it is known that no matter how good, or how bad things get, the best is yet to come. This is the glorious hope of the Gospel. To get there, all that is in the world, the flesh, and our natural human strength all must be submitted to the mighty power of God inwardly, so that we can manifest the resurrection power of Christ outwardly. Be willing to press on to this high calling. It can only be reached by those who will not be denied it. (2 Corinthians 4:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Galatians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:6-10; Philippians 3:1-16; Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Hebrews 10:36; Galatians 6:9; Luke 11:5-13; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 22:20-21)

faith

Devotional for September 11

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Quote by Bruce Coleman: "The formula is a simple one: fulfill the conditions and God will fulfill the promise."

To have it…

1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.
6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:1-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Spiritual conditions provide the foundation for natural law. A bad spiritual condition will drain good physical health, and a good spiritual condition will support good physical health. The formula is a simple one: fulfill the conditions and God will fulfill the promise. Conditions and promises are always connected by the words “shall” or “will.” Every “shall/will” belongs to all in Christ Jesus. Sow the conditions with prayer and action, and know the promised blessings will follow. God has said it, therefore it cannot be otherwise. (Psalm 37:1-6; Matthew 5:6; John 7:37-39, 4:14, 4:24-26; Acts 2:37-39; Hebrews 4:16; Matthew 7:7-8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; James 1:22-25; Proverbs 3:5-8; Galatians 6:7-9; Philippians 4:4-9; 3 John 2; Revelation 22:21)