Tag: worship

faith

Devotional for May 20

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Let the Name of the Lord Be Praised

113 Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 113 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Patience is a virtue, and persistence is a must. Together these two are the wonder twins of achievement. No matter where you look, the one who succeeds is the one who keeps working and refuses to quit. And this we can do by the grace of God. Just as the spirit must return to the God who has given it, so too is it proper for the grace of God to be returned to God with our gratitude and praise. Never look back at your former sinful way of life with fondness, least your heart be drawn back to the mud from which Christ has made you clean. Neither look with envy on the ungodly who seem to prosper in their sins, least the tempter use the opportunity as a snare to rob you of your joy and contentment. Consider the sure ends of both the wicked and the righteous. Willingly take Christ’s yoke of love upon you. Be a good branch and rest in the true Vine. Submit all your ways to the will of God and He will lead you. Our only requirement is to do the best we can with what we have and trust the results to God. God has promised to work all things together for good even when all seems lost. So, take comfort in knowing that in the end, He will make everything right. (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:3-11; Hebrews 3:8-19, 10:35-36, 11:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; John 1:17; James 1:2-8, 4:6; 2 Timothy 1:7; John 14:31-15:16; Hebrews 4:16; Isaiah 42:8-10; Psalm 50:23; Revelation 3:20; John 6:63, 4:24; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Numbers 29; Psalms 73

Isaiah 21; 2 Peter 2

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called me to your service, make me worthy of your calling; 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

faith

Devotional for February 19

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

The Lord Takes Pleasure in His People

1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Psalm 149:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The temperature outside may be dropping. You may be cold, hungry, and sore. Be thankful and happily go to work anyway. Be comforted by the knowledge that even one small step in the right direction is never taken in vain. Doing the will of God, though it may sometimes be hard work, is always profitable when it is proceeded by prayer. Seldom can we see far ahead clearly, but that’s okay. It is enough to be able to see the next right step, and then to take it in faith. Make sure whatever you do is to please God rather than to please self or someone else. Do this, and you can be sure that your steps, no matter how big or small, will always be to the glory of God. Only those who lose their life for the Lord’s sake ever find it. Spiritual fruit grows in bunches. God is not nearly as concerned about us being kept comfortable as He is about us being made holy. (Galatians 5:19-24; Luke 9:23-24; John 10:10; Zechariah 4:6; Mark 5:36)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 2; Luke 5

Job 19; 1 Corinthians 6

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept my prayers; and because in my weakness I can do nothing good without you, give me the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments I may please you in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for December 21

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Wait on 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)

Morning Exhortation

The illusion of youth is that being young will last forever. Looking young and being youthful are not necessarily the same thing. We can try as hard as we like to look young forever, but little by little it will only slip through the fingers with each passing year. It is far better to work to maintain youthful function and to not be unduly concerned with our wrinkles and gray hairs. Physical perfection in the prime of youth may be pleasing to the eye, but it does not make beautiful. Let the beauty of the Lord shine from within, and what was once considered the physical effects of aging can be cheerfully embraced and enhanced. The carnal mind, being spiritually blind, judges only by the outward appearance. We are re-created in Jesus Christ to be holy and without blemish. Such beauty is pleasing to the Lord and of much greater worth than mere outward appearance.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 25; Revelation 12

Zechariah 8; John 11

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.