Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16, www.solascriptura.com

Father, We have received Your Spirit and it is a witness, a guide, a light unto our spirit. We have known those who feel that the worship of You is foolish and they ridicule those who choose to follow You.

Your gift to us, a Spirit-filled life, is clearly something that we do not deserve nor are we able to earn it. It is a gift of grace, one that gives us access to the mind of Christ, in us, a promise and a reality that exceeds reason.

Help us this day to accept the breadth and depth of that gift and to exercise the power of that gift as you lead us this day. In the Holy name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

Romans 7:14-19, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we are reminded that You appointed Paul to be a minister to the Gentiles. He was a Jew and a friend of Jews but found that the Jews largely rejected Jesus as Savior. Paul knew the law having been a student of Gamaliel, the great Jewish scholar. Father, You have taught us that it was Paul’s strong belief, before his encounter with Jesus, that it was possible and proper to adhere to the law.

Father, here Paul is teaching us that there is a great struggle going on in the heart of man. Man knows that what is right and true yet he does things that are clearly wrong, as judged by the law. We know that Jesus is the answer to the struggle. It is His Spirit in us that enables us to bring our hopes to action.

Father, we know that adherence to the law is good and we know that we can not do so without Your power in us. Thank You for cleansing us of our past sins, by the redeeming love of Jesus, for us, and help us, this day, to know that You would have us sin no more. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Phillipians 4:3-13 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul was a wonderful messenger and his word rings as true today as it did then. Help us join with Paul in serving You. Strengthen us, every day, to cope with whatever comes and help us trust in Your promised compassion and direction for every circumstance we face.

Jesus, help us this day to focus on what is good, noble, pure, lovely and virtuous. We know that is Your will for us. Remove all temptation and sin from our lives, minds and hearts, we pray, in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

 “I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand;

“For the Lord GOD will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.
He is near who justifies Me; who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me.
Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
”Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his God.

Isaiah 42:6, 50:7-10 www.solascriptura.com

Father, this first verse capitalizes “You”. We know, therefore, that the prophet was saying that You, God, will hold the hand of Jesus during His time with us. Then we notice that all of these verses pertain to Jesus except the last one, wherein You address us.

We are to obey the voice of Your Servant, Jesus. We are to rely upon You God, in the same way Jesus did.

It is You Jesus who will not be disgraced or ashamed in the eyes of the Father; it is You that God justifies. Who can contend with You, who is Your adversary? You Jesus will judge us; You will uphold those that seek You. You and the Father are one and we can be one with You. That is empowerment and a bit beyond our understanding. We simply acknowledge that it is true. In Jesus’ name we come to you, Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

… He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

Ephesians 1:4-5, 11, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, predestination is such a mystery to us. Paul reminds us that You chose us, that is, You knew from the beginning of time which of us would respond to Your call. Does that mean we had no choice? Apparently not, because You repeatedly teach us to seek You, to pray about Your will for our lives to be fulfilled, to pray for the disadvantaged, to proclaim You to the lost.

Jesus, Paul himself was a persecutor of Christians and he certainly declared himself as Your enemy. He did not know that You would come to him and draw him to Yourself.

Father, we too, have choices, but the fact that You know what choices we will make is a mystery to us, but not to You. You will not lose one who seeks You; one who was predestined to respond to Your grace and love.

Help us to be among those that You knew would respond to Your call and thank You, Jesus, for calling us, for claiming us as Your own. Bless us and we seek to know You, better and better. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

2 Timothy 3:1-5, www.solascriptura.com

Father, our traditional Judeo-Christian values are being attacked from within and from without. It seems the core values of the world are as the people described above by Paul in his letter to his young student, Timothy.

It is no surprise to You, Father that things are as they are. You have told us to expect to be inundated with the portrayal of violence, lust, greed and every kind of sinful act, increasingly. Now “portrayal” is setting the stage for imitation and envy, taking Your children further from You.

You have told us that these are signs of the end times, the last days before Jesus returns.  Father, today we pray that You will strengthen our resolve to withdraw from that which glorifies evil. Prepare our hearts to be in Your presence, joyfully. Protect our children and grandchildren, we pray, from evil; in Jesus’ name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
”And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
”You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7, www.solascriptura.com

Father, this is the same commandment Jesus referred to when a lawyer asked him “What is the greatest commandment”. We know Jesus added the other half of the answer in another statement by saying “love your neighbor as yourself”, telling us that these two commandments encompass all of the commandments.

Loving You and our neighbor that much is so right, but it raises the question; do we actually possess that deep, perfect love for You and our neighbor and if so, how does it manifest itself in the course of each day?

We know that this kind of love must result in our sharing it with our children, when we teach them, pray with them and speak of You and when we rise up and when we lie down. You expect us to make Your presence a constant reality in the lives of our children; not a special event but a common event. Help us, this day, to declare to You, our intention to fulfill this commandment; then guide us as we seek to teach our children. We pray in Jesus’ Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

 …be imitators of God as dear children.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Ephesians 5:1-6,  www.solascriptura.com

O’ God, You ask us to be imitators of You, and we know that Jesus was You, incarnate and that if we have seen the Son we have seen the Father. Jesus was the only person who ever lived who never sinned. Your Scriptures say “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Every person, aside from Jesus, has sinned.

Father, we confess we are sinners, saved by grace and that when we reach for a relationship with Jesus, He willingly accepts us, forgives us and cleanses us. Jesus said, I no longer call you servants, but I call you friends because I will reveal to you all that the Father has revealed to Me. How Father, can we know all things concerning You?

Jesus told us the answer. He said I will, by the grace of the New Covenant, write the truth upon the heart of every person and all we must do to learn the truth is to come to the Light within. That, Father, is why You call us saints and tell us we are the temple of the Holy Father.

We feel so distant, at times, from realizing that truth. We sometimes move towards darkness, we move away from You and away from Your Holy word. Forgive us for those occasions and help us grow up,  become sanctified and be as much like You, Jesus, as possible. We pray in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments.
I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments.
I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

Psalm 119:5-8 , www.solascriptura.com

Father, we seek to be obedient, to know Your will and to do it, this day. Strengthen us and teach us to look to You every moment of the day whether we are encountering stress or joy. We know You draw near to us as we draw near to You and that if we choose to walk away from You, we do so at our own peril.

You tell us that being ashamed stems from disobedience. Thank You for giving us a conscience that is active and alive: The Word in us, sharper than a two edged sword, both correcting us and saving us, all at the same time.

Father, we greatly prefer to praise You and acknowledge You before men than to try to “go it alone”, as though our sufficiency was from our strength. Give us the resolve, we pray, to seek Your will in all things. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; you have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Psalm 26:2-3, 27:7-9, www.solascriptura.com

Father, sometimes we want to say, with King David, examine me, try my mind and heart (judge me); but too often we would rather not have you examine us because of our mistakes. Who among us seeks Your judgment? No, it is not Your judgment we seek, it is Your mercy.

Give us, this day, confidence that when we seek You, You do not turn Your face from us. Father, we know that we need to seek You more frequently. When we do so, the ratio of temptations to sin will diminish proportionately.

Our prayers, in the midst of trials, lift us above momentary circumstances. The circumstances pass and we are blessed. Help us know that moment of blessing is Your will being exercised in our lives. Our trials turn into triumphs, righteousness replaces sin and we feel cleansed. Thank You God for presenting us with a “you can count on Me” relationship. In Jesus’ Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064