Archive for the ‘peace’ Category
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Forgiven, May 21
To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: do not be silent to me, lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your Holy sanctuary.
Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.
Psalm 28:1-2, Ecclesiastes 7:21, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we cry out, we make requests of You, we seek You in times of trouble. Help us O’God, to develop a balance between asking and praise. We often ask too often and praise too little. Yet, we know You hear all of our words and know all of our thoughts. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us. Where, O’God, would we be without You?
When Solomon said “don’t take to heart everything people say” he was reminding us that people sometimes say too much, more than they truly feel. Help us to speak less and to mean more when we do speak and to never say harmful things when they are better unsaid. And when people do say things that are critical, help us not take it to heart but to return kindness when it is not expected or deserved. That is what You have done for us Jesus. You have extended kindness that exceeds understanding when we were yet in our sin. Can we do less for others? 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: cursing, Father, Forgiven, God, Jesus, Lord, pit, Psalm 28:1-2, Solomon, supplications
Posted in Christianity, Forgiven, Religion, peace, wisdom | No Comments »
Monday, May 13th, 2013
Conscience, May 13
… I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
2 Corinthians 7:9-11, www.solascriptura.com
Father, You have taught us that humility and contrition precede repentance and now we see that it is accompanied by sorrow, genuine sorrow for our sins. This sorrow is not the sort of sorrow the world feels about having made mistakes but it is sorrow leading to repentance and to the joy of a changed heart.
You teach us that this sorrow leads to joy, a cleansing of the spirit, a clear conscience, a zeal to serve You and a sense of no longer being guilty, having been vindicated by You Jesus. Father, we are not always successful in forgiving ourselves for our sins. We tend to forget how much You suffered for our sins, taking them upon Yourself at the Cross.
Help us, this day, to know that our sin is as separate from us as the east is from the west, never to be remembered against us again. If You can, after much suffering, push our sins from Your sight, surely we can acknowledge and accept that cleansing.
The Scriptures say “east from west” because once you head east you will never be headed west unless you turn around and return to your sin. Not so, if You had said “north from south”, since if you go north long enough you will eventually be headed south, back to your sin. Thank You for the wisdom of Your Holy word. Keep us in it every day we pray. 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: contrition, Father, fear, Humility, Jesus, joy, repentance, sin, sorrow, zeal
Posted in Christianity, Humility, Inspirtation, Perseverance, Religion, peace, salvation | 1 Comment »
Monday, May 6th, 2013
Peace, May 6
Flee… youthful lusts… pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 12:14, www.solascriptura.com
Father, some of us are far too old to still be pursuing youthful lusts. Will Satan ever stop tempting us? We know the answer. Not only will he persist and we also know that You permit the temptations to come. But, at the same time You promise to get us through the temptations of life, if we will but turn to You and trust You. Father, help us memorize this verse: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way to escape, that you may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13).
There will come a day when Satan is restrained and Your joy will reign in the hearts of men (The Millennium) and there will be an even better day when Satan and his allies are destroyed forever. Then, in heaven, we will find out what is like to enjoy Your peace, happiness and joy eternal.
We seek Your Holiness here, today, knowing that if we persist in ungodliness, we will never stand in Your presence. Lord, bestow upon us Your gifts today that we may be like You, now and forever. 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: Holiness, II Timothy 2:22, Lord, peace, Satan, temptation
Posted in Christianity, Courage, End Times, Perseverance, Religion, peace | 12 Comments »
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 »
Saturday, April 13th, 2013
Peace, April 13
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Romans 15:4-5, Hebrews 13:8, www.solascriptura.com
Father, this says that whatever was written in the Scriptures was written for our learning. Oh how we need to read Your word as persons dying of thirst for more knowledge of You. Your prophets tell us that the day will come when the Word is no longer available. Here it is at our fingertips Lord. Help us, today, to commit to a plan of reading Your word daily.
You tell us that it is the Scriptures that give us hope. Would it be true Father that if we do not have Your word stored in our heart that, in times of need for Your instruction, we would be without hope? We all have some knowledge of the Scriptures, Father, but we know You would not have us remain as babes in that regard.
Strengthen our resolve to “listen to You” and to speak with You many times a day. You are the same, yesterday, today and forever. You are our Light, You are the Word in our hearts. Bless us we pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: heart, Hope, Jesus, light, listen, Lord, same, Scriptures, word
Posted in Hope, Prayer, peace, salvation | No Comments »
Friday, April 12th, 2013
Courage, April 12
… though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:6-10, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Paul was a lot like us. He wanted to boast of his good works in Your name but he knew that was not Your will. You allowed him to experience many difficulties and You told him it was for his own good.
We too do not always have smooth sailing in our Christian walk. The difference between us and Paul is immense, in terms of outreach and effectiveness, but he too experienced physical weakness and pain. It is his Spiritual strength that captures our attention.
You, at the same time, gave him challenges and successes and taught him and now us, that his successes, even in a weakened physical condition, are proof that You can use anyone, no matter how weak they are as long as they trust in You.
Jesus, we are weak, in so many ways. Here we learn that it is in our recognition of our inadequacies, that You empower us to serve. It is in Your strength that we go forward. How else could it be without our pride becoming a burden? Take away any trace of arrogance in our lives, we pray in Your Holy name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: burden, Christ, Hope, Jesus, persection, Satan, truth
Posted in Christianity, Courage, God's Children, Holy Spirit, faith, peace, salvation | No 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 »
Saturday, April 6th, 2013
Forgiven, April 6
… as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Colossians 3:12-13, www.solascriptura.com
Father, it is so right to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control) and so wrong to be the opposite of these words. We do not need anyone to tell us when we are bearing bad fruit, those behaviors which are clearly not within Your will for our lives.
If we yield the fruits of the Holy Spirit, we will be as “sanctified”, a posture we seek but which eludes us too often. Father, we need to be more consistent. We know, Jesus, that being like You, in our relationships, is Your desire for us. You equip us to do so when we ask. For Your forgiveness and empowerment, we are grateful.
Help us today to be forgiving towards people just as you are constantly there for us, always forgiving. 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: anger, forgiveness, gentleness, hating, Hope, impatience, joy, patience, peace, self-control
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Forgiven, peace | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013
Prayer, Part I, March 26
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; in You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
In Your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am Your servant
Psalm 143:8-12, www.solascriptura.com
Father, if King David, a man after Your own heart, said, “teach me, lead me, revive me”, we surely want to look to his example and do the same. Our lives are so full of decision-making opportunities from very minor things to life-changing things, that we confess we need Your direction, Your counsel.
We are knocked about by evil influence and angry people. Our souls are troubled and our faith is tested by the circumstances of our lives. Help us O’God to know that You are present, every moment and give us peace as we go about Your business this day. We say “Your business” because our lives ultimately have no enduring meaning if we do not seek to do Your will.
Show us today what we can do to draw nearer to You and surely You will draw nearer to us. 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: deliver, enemies, Lord, lovingkindness, Prayer, Psalm 143:8-12, shelter, soul, Spirit, teach, trust, uprightness
Posted in Christianity, God's Children, Hope, Inspirtation, Prayer, faith, peace | 192 Comments »