Posts Tagged ‘church’

Does the idea of blood being shed for your sins bother you?

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

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Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Hope, Providence of God, Worship, faith, salvation | 5 Comments »

Is death the beginning or the end?

Saturday, January 26th, 2013

Forgiven, January 26

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:13-16, www.solascriptura.com

Father, no matter whether we are stressed out, cheerful or ill, James teaches us that we are to pray. Help us O’God to learn to pray unceasingly and to include You in all of the details of our life. Your word tells us that not a hair falls from our head without You knowing it. That sort of “presence” deserves/requires a response.

Some of us are very ill or some of the persons in our devotional group are in dire need. We know that if we love You, all things will work out to the good for the faithful. Father, we see that sometimes it means one of us may depart this world to find the glory that You have prepared for us.

Help us O’God not to feel that this life is all there is and that if we lost this life it would be a catastrophe. Certainly Father, our loved ones will miss us but help us all to focus on the fact that this life is the tip of an iceberg. What is seen is not what exists.

While we have time here Father, help us today to declare our love for You. Every day of life is a day of opportunity to serve You. We pray fervently for each other and our loved ones. Thank You for each day, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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

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Posted in Christianity, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, faith | 55 Comments »

You don’t know me! I gave money, sang in the choir and on and on.

Monday, September 24th, 2012

The Narrow Gate, September 24

 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
”Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
”And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Matthew 7:21-23,  www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, The message of the “narrow gate” is repeated many times in the Scriptures. Theologians teach us that repetition equals importance. Something oft repeated is very important.

Jesus, how could we attend church, give offerings, sing in the choir, and pray without You “knowing” us? The answer is in Your word. “Works” or the performance of duties, customs and rituals, if they could save us, would make the Act of the Cross, of zero importance.
 
It is by Your grace Father that it is our faith, not our works that saves us. Jesus, we know that loving You with all of heart, mind and soul will lead to good works and that some might argue that doing good works will lead us to want to love You. That may be true, but the bottom line is that nothing we can do is of merit in Your eyes if it does not spring from faith.

Help each of us, this day, to embrace and be comforted by the Holy Spirit, accepting our status as Your friend, Your personal friend who seeks to serve You. We know that if we embrace ritual, and seek forgiveness via merit badges, absent the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that we err greatly. Lead us today to a deeper faith and a hunger for Your instruction. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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Posted in Christianity, Heaven, Perseverance, Religion, salvation | 353 Comments »