Archive for the ‘joy’ Category
Saturday, April 27th, 2013
Hope, April 27
… we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:3-7, www.solascriptura.com
We thank you Father for sending the Holy Spirit, a constant source of Your Holy presence in us. O’God, Your thoughts toward us exceed number. That is a reality we have a hard time grasping. Can we do any less but to look to You, all day, in every circumstance. We truly never need to walk alone.
You came that we might have abundant life. Thank You Father for helping us understand that it is Your desire that we experience goodness and mercy, at Your hand, even if others try to discourage us. Help us to be an encourager to such people, we pray.
May we draw near to you, constantly, even in the midst of earthly disappointments? We know that we can if we but shift our focus from that which is transitory to that which is eternal! Help us today to notice the flowers, the clouds, the animals and all of your wonderful creation, provided for our pleasure and use. May we dwell “in Your presence”, even today. In Jesus’ Holy name, we pray, amen
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O.Box 302 Franklin, TN 37064
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Tags: deceived, disobedient, envy, foolish, God, hateful, hating, Holy Spirit, Hope, kindness, love, lusts, malice, mercy, regeneration, renewing, saved, Savior
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Hope, Inspirtation, Perseverance, faith, joy, peace, salvation | 8 Comments »
Friday, April 19th, 2013
Joy, April 19
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophecies.
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Abstain from every form of evil.
1Thessalonians 5:16-22, www.solascriptura.com
Father, in 5 sentences, Paul teaches us the basics in the exercise of our faith. We are equipped by You to rejoice always, in good times and in bad times. It is Your Holy presence with us and in us that enables us to raise our eyes and hearts to you when everything around us seems to be a severe weight upon our shoulders.
We often fail to pray unceasingly but here we see it is Your will that we never stop acknowledging Your presence in every small and every large event of our lives. Not a hair falls from our head that You do not notice. Help us observe You with equal attention and ask You into every circumstance of our lives.
We do not always give thanks when we are being challenged but again, it is Your will we do so because You are allowing us to be tested. We do not enjoy the test but we do look forward to an eternal victory as You lead us through what sometimes feels like an unsolvable problem.
We know that to quench the Spirit is to remove You from the situations we encounter. Father, we acknowledge that absent the presence of the Spirit, we are depending upon ourselves. In such cases we are going it alone. We pray that is never the case.
Father, despising teaching is the path of a self centered, self directed person. Help us learn from the prophets and from You Jesus. Your word is truth and it abides forever.
Help us this day to abstain from evil, to flee from it, never to gaze upon that which is sinful. It feels so good to do the right thing and we feel so weak, so impotent when we allow sin to fill our mind and our eyes. We feel tricked by Satan, the great deceiver, when we entertain sin. We simply want to be as You Jesus. In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: abstain, Christ, despise, evil, God, Jesus, pray, prophecies, quench, rejoice, Spirit, test, thanks
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Hope, Prayer, faith, joy, peace | 11 Comments »
Sunday, April 7th, 2013
Prayer, April 7
I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth– praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.
Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Psalm 40:1-4, www.solascriptura.com
Father, sometimes we feel that nothing is going right. This Psalm tells us that when we patiently wait upon You, in the midst of struggles, you do incline Your ear to us; You do hear our cry.
You take us from the feeling of being alone and lost to being lifted up, comforted and encouraged. You put a new song in our heart when we turn to You. Nothing in this world can comfort us as You can and no one understands our needs as You do. Lead us to that quiet zone of Your presence when we feel impotent.
Your word says blessed is the man who trusts You and does not look to other persons here for the kind of leadership and comfort that only You can give. Help us today to seek You in all things, at all times. In Jesus’ Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: comforted, impotent, Lord, praise, proud, rock, trust
Posted in Hope, Inspirtation, Prayer, faith, joy, peace | No Comments »
Sunday, March 31st, 2013
Humility, March 31
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
…Do not be wise in your own opinion.
…”he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
Romans 12:3; 16, 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we truly seek to be commended by You. We long to hear You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”, noticing that the emphasis is on serving.
We are so tempted to remind others of how we have served You, that it embarrasses us when we reflect on our error. Please turn our tendency to be prideful into joyful humility in serving You. Joyful humility sounds like a non-sequitur but we know that You expect both of us. It is just a little tough to do both at the same time!
Help us O’God not to fail in recognizing that You are the Shepherd and we are the sheep, following Your voice. Call us today to do specific good works in Your name, not in order to gain “merit badges” but to honor You.
In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project P.O.Box 302 Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: faith, glory, God, grace, Humility, Lord, measure, opinion, soberly, wise
Posted in Christianity, Fidelity, Humility, joy | 40 Comments »
Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
Joy, March 27
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4, www.solascriptura.com
Father, it seems that the only way we could possibly feel joyful about experiencing trials, is to know that You permit the trial and that the trial will force our faith to be stronger.
Patience in the midst of a trial is the perfect work that You bestow upon us. It is the Spirit in us that permits our faith to remain strong even when the evidence all around us is making us feel persecuted, guilty or abandoned.
Enable us, we pray, to know, this minute and always, that trials will come but the trials will test and strengthen our faith and that we can, through You, endure and be patient. That is a miracle not available to someone who does not call on You.
We feel joyful Father, not about the trial but about Your grace to us that we might endure the test without falling apart. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project P.O.Box 302 Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: brethern, complete, faith, James 1:2-4, joy, patience, perfect, testing, trials, work
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Hope, Prayer, joy | 26 Comments »
Friday, March 22nd, 2013
Prayer, Part 2, March 22
I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2, www.solascriptura.com
Dear Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we do praise You from the depths of our soul. There is no one or nothing that deserves our praise and our attention like You.
We look to all that You have given us that we are able to use and enjoy. We rejoice in Your omniscience for no one but You could have conceived such a perfect circumstance for us to know You and experience Your presence, constantly.
Jesus, help us take nothing for granted in terms of the gifts You have given us. Help us use those gifts to bring glory to Your Holy name. Such gifts, freely given were paid for by You, Jesus, yet they are absolutely free to us. That news is too wonderful not to share. In Your name we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: heart, Lord, praise, Prayer, rejoice, sing, works
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Fidelity, Hope, Inspirtation, Prayer, Worship, joy | 15 Comments »
Thursday, March 21st, 2013
Peace, March 21
…where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:16-18, www.solascriptura.com
Father, James, the half brother of Jesus, taught us some wonderful things and we are so grateful for his words. Here he reminds us that envy and self-seeking lead us into evil and confusion. We know, Father, that all people naturally seek to have more and better stuff. That instinct leads us into very immature behavior, at times.
We do seek Your blessing but help us know why You have blessed us and why You will yet bless us. You have taught us that to whom much is given, much is required. Your blessings to us should cause us to want to be a blessing to others. That seems so right and so natural compared to being envious or self-seeking.
It is Your wisdom we seek, Your gentle and peaceful nature rendered to us without partiality. Help us be helpful to others today, to deliver peace where there is strife and to trust You in all things. We pray in Jesus’ Holy name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: envy, evil, fruits, gentle, mercy, partiality, peace, peaceable, pure, self-seeking, wisdom, yield
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Inspirtation, faith, joy, peace | 28 Comments »
Wednesday, February 27th, 2013
Joy, February 27
In this (inheritance) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:6-9, www.solascriptura.com
Father, As a result of Your grace and mercy, you promise us that through our faith in the resurrection of Jesus, we have eternal life. From this side we do not completely understand nor appreciate that which awaits but we will. Salvation from sin, suffering and weakness is assured. We know that joy and celebration will characterize heaven.
The tests here, some of which may be very severe, will continue but they too shall cease. Lead us, today, in paths of righteousness even in the presence of turmoil. Give us internal peace known by us and suspected by others. Give us a witness in this place.
We acknowledge that You have beckoned us to Your side. Thank You is an insufficient response. We will be awe struck as we meet, in person, the resurrected Christ, our Savior, Friend and Counselor. Prepare us for that moment. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: Christ, faith, genuineness, glory, gold, grieved, honor, Jesus, joy, love, perishes, praise, rejoice, salvation, tested, trials
Posted in Perseverance, Worship, faith, joy, salvation | 62 Comments »
Saturday, February 23rd, 2013
Law of God, February 23
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
”But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
”If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
”And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Matthew 5:38-41, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, this teaching goes against our nature. We seek revenge when we are wronged, as a natural instinct of the flesh. Why, Jesus, would You have us act in this way? The answer is clear enough in all of Your teaching; one can not say they love You and continue hating their brethren.
Jesus, only by Your strength in us can we behave as You have instructed. We must set aside our fleshly instinct and rely upon Your Spirit for guidance. Your word tells us that when we befriend someone that does not deserve it, that person feels a weight upon them. Our supportive actions confuse them and they feel as though our kindness is as “coals of fire heaped upon their head”.
Jesus, we do not intend for our kindness to those who do not deserve it, to be an act that brings glory to us. Help us to say “I live, yet not I, but You live in us” so we can endure praise without falling victim to pride.
We know this is a “love your neighbor as yourself” circumstance. We will need Your Spirit in us to do so. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: cheek, cloak, compels, evil, God, law, resist, slaps, tooth, tunic
Posted in Christianity, Flattery, Forgiven, Humility, faith, joy | 32 Comments »
Friday, February 1st, 2013
Joy, February 1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life– the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us– that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
I John 1:1-4, www.solascriptura.com
Father, The beloved apostle John was a disciple, witness and friend of Jesus. John saw Jesus, listened to Him speak and touched Him. Here we learn again that Jesus was with You in the beginning and that He was a manifestation of You to us. Father, we know that Jesus said, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father”. Thank You Father for providing us with a tangible reality, Your living Son. Father, we pray that this quotation from C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity is helpful to us all.
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. … Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God”.
We pray and declare these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bruce Caldwell The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: beginning, C.S.Lewis, eternal, Father, joy, witness, word
Posted in Christianity, Inspirtation, Religion, joy, peace | 53 Comments »