Archive for the ‘Worship’ Category
Friday, May 17th, 2013
Providence of God, May 17
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.
Colossians 1:13-22, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Paul has clarified that you are One and that You, Jesus came to us from the presence of the Father. Sometimes Father we speak to You and do not think about Jesus and You as One and sometimes Jesus we speak to you as separate from the Father, sent by the Father.
Help us O’God not to worry about such matters but to learn that You are three in one, serving us in distinct capacities. Thank You Jesus for the redemptive act of the Cross and for sending the Holy Spirit to abide with and in us.
Is it any wonder Father that Jesus and His angels will come to separate the saints from the sinners? You have extended all power to Him and it is by His shed blood that we will enter into Your presence. You, Yourself Father will judge among the saints, and although that is a comfort, because we will be with You, it reminds us that our salvation was purchased at a great price and that our enthusiastic response of love and obedience is Your expectation.
Our righteousness is as filthy rags. It is your righteousness Jesus that enables us to stand in the presence of the Father. Help us be “over comers” every moment of every day, turning to You for empowerment and comfort.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
Email This Post
Tags: blood, church, creation, cross, darkness, dominions, firstborn, flesh, forgiveness, God, image, invisible, kingdom, love, peace, power, principalities, Providence, reconcile, redemption, sins, Son, thrones, wicked
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Hope, Providence of God, Worship, faith, salvation | 5 Comments »
Thursday, May 9th, 2013
May 9
And God spoke all these words, saying:
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image — any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Ex 20:1-6
Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the Lord all that night.
Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor… 1 Sam 15:10-12
www.solascriptura.com
Father, here we read the first two of the ten commandments. We are not to have any other gods and we are not to make carved images of anything in the heavens, the earth, or the water beneath the earth. Do those words not cover every dimension of our physical existence?
Then we read of Saul, the first King of Israel who, after much success, set up a monument to himself, not unlike Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, who erected a giant golden statue of himself, commanding the people to worship the statue when specific music was played.
Father, do we not build monuments, statues and worship objects and art that amount to images of men, animals or gods? Is this as serious a sin as it was to King Saul and King Nebuchadnezzar? Give us wisdom we pray in grasping the gravity of the first and second commandments. To the extent that we look to any graven image with the honor and respect that is due only You, we are sorry. Help us move from sorrow to repentance and to make whatever changes are necessary as we seek to obey You.
Father, we seek to worship and glorify You and You only. It Is too small a thing to say that You are without equivalent because it implies comparison. You are incomparable, not better, but incomparable. Bless us as we seek to understand how much it disturbs You when we elevate man, images, animals and objects to a level that suggests worship. In Jesus Holy name and in His service we pray. Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P. O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
Email This Post
Tags: Carved images, God's law, idolater, idols
Posted in Christianity, Law of God, Worship | 7 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
Email This Post
Tags: heart, Lord, praise, Prayer, rejoice, sing, works
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Fidelity, Hope, Inspirtation, Prayer, Worship, joy | 15 Comments »
Thursday, February 28th, 2013
Conscience, February 28
…sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
1 Peter 3:15-18;21-22, www.solascriptura.com
Father, You have called us saints and yet our hearts convict us. Here You tell us to sanctify our hearts, an active process of cleansing and renewal by You, that in good conscience we might provide others with a good defense of our love for You in meekness and fear, avoiding arrogance or the suggestion of appearing judgmental.
If we suffer due to our witness Father, we read here that Christ also suffered, dying for the sins of each of us, that we might enter Your presence, not as sinful flesh, but made alive in the Spirit just as Jesus.
You then teach us water baptism cleanses and that it is good but it is standing before Jesus with a clear conscience, renewed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, which saves us when Jesus, who has all authority, will judge all things.
Again God, we feel so unworthy when the flesh rules our lives. Please help us to be as Jesus this day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
Email This Post
Tags: alive, ashamed, baptism, Christ, Conscience, death, evil, fear, flesh, God, hearts, Heaven, Hope, Lord, meekness, revile, sanctify, Spirit, suffer
Posted in Christianity, Conscience, Courage, Hope, Perseverance, Worship, faith, peace | 19 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
Email This Post
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 »
Tuesday, February 26th, 2013
Prayer, Part I, Febrary 26
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
”But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
”And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
”Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:5-8, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, we thank You for these specific teachings. We read Your word because it is a lamp unto our feet. You guide us in paths of righteousness. Here You make it clear that prayer is not a performance, to be seen by others, nor a vain repetition of words that are repeated over and over.
Teach us Jesus to be comfortable talking with You all day, privately and in public (Paul tells us to pray unceasingly about every circumstance and to be grateful for every gift, and to see You in all that is created, constantly).
We know that You know our needs but we also see that You want us to express them to You. Help us be open to Your leading and give power to our prayers. What a great thought You express when You tell us that what we pray in private You will reward openly. And when You do answer our prayers, give us a sense of humility and gratitude. Our joy is in Your presence. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
Email This Post
Tags: heathen, hypocrites, love, men, openly, pray, Prayer, repetitions, reward, room, secret, seen, shut, streets, synagogues, vain
Posted in Christianity, Humility, Law of God, Prayer, Religion, Worship, faith | 190 Comments »
Friday, February 15th, 2013
God’s Gifts, February 15
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
2 Corinthians 9:15, Galatians 5:22-23, www.solascriptura.com
Father, when Paul uses the word “gift” in this verse, he calls it indescribable. Why would he say “indescribable? One reason may be that you shared some information with Paul that he was told not to share with us. He said they were “inexpressible” words which he was not permitted to utter, after being caught up in what he called “the third heaven”.
Father, if there is a third heaven, is there not a first and second heaven? Paul said he could not tell us but he does say the gift is “indescribable”. O’God, we really do see things “dimly” and we know that what is, is not what will be. The frustrations and difficulties of this life do not compare with the glory You will yet show us.
Father in the midst of the turmoil of this world, Paul reminds us of what we can experience right now. We look forward to no more pain and disabilities for eternity. Here and now You grant us the fruits of the Spirit, freely given to all who seek them; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. No matter how difficult life can be, these promises are to us all, right now. We praise You for Your love for us. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
Email This Post
Tags: faithfulness, fruit, gentleness, gifts, God, goodness, joy, kindness, love, patience, peace, self-control, Spirit
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Holy Spirit, Worship, faith, peace, salvation | 14 Comments »
Friday, December 14th, 2012
Prayer, November 14
Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.
Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—your salvation according to Your word.
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.
Psalm 119:40-42, www.solascriptura.com
Father, as we seek to be like Jesus, we find we must know more and more of His words, His instruction and His desire for us. We seek His righteousness that our spirit might be revived by His Spirit. You have taught us that hearts need to be changed for renewal to be real. Lead us away from our instinctive, self serving desires, into a concern for serving You and others.
Then, as we interact today and people see that we love You Jesus, give us answers for those who observe us knowing that we will not always be admired for our faith. Our objective today Father is to seek and to do Your Holy will, in all things.
We pray that You will strengthen those who serve You and place Your hand against Your enemies, those who would harm and destroy all that is good.
Give us a gentle spirit in the midst of chaos, we pray. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302 Franklin TN 37064
Email This Post
Tags: Lord, mercies, Prayer, precepts, righteousness, salvation, trust
Posted in Christianity, Prayer, Worship, salvation | 22 Comments »
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012
Prayer, Part I, October 3
In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness.
Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.
Psalm 31:1-3, www.solascriptura.com
Lord and Father, it is not a small thing to say that we put our trust in You. We do not know what the next moment will bring but we know that You do. Help us never to be ashamed of our “dependence” on You. To whom other than You could we turn? We seek Your righteousness, in each of us, this day.
We know Father that we can not have it both ways, our worthiness, our wisdom, our independent achievements and at the same time Your righteousness. We confess that our lower nature doggedly pursues us. It is Your perfection in us that we seek.
Help us not only lean upon You but to be lifted by You to a heavenly nature here in this earthly place. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
Email This Post
Tags: ashamed, ear, fortress, Prayer, righteousness, rock
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Hope, Prayer, Worship | 17 Comments »
Monday, September 17th, 2012
Providence of God, September 17
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
And gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; they found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses.
And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.
Psalm 107:1-9, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we have felt like life was a journey too difficult, at times. Your guidance and Your mercy, in the midst of our troubles, is undeserved, your grace is beyond rational thought.
How O’God do you look at this sea of humanity with an eye toward each of us individually? We do cry out for Your Presence, for Your leadership of our lives. When we say to You that we are never alone, that is literally true. Our hearts are the host of Your heavenly Presence. Help us look to the Light within and to be comforted.
Let us, every day, proclaim Your goodness to someone. Let the redeemed, say so and help us reflect Your love even when things seem to be going wrong. Thank You for being an unchangeable constant in our lives. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
Email This Post
Tags: enemy, hungry, Lord, mercy, soul, thirsty, wilderness
Posted in Christianity, Prayer, Providence of God, Worship, peace | 4 Comments »