Posts Tagged ‘Conscience’
Monday, April 29th, 2013
Forgiven, April 29
Now early in the morning (Jesus) came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.
“Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”
This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
John 8:2-11, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, You teach us much in these verses. We pray for wisdom and discernment in understanding. You, again, cite, “early in the morning” as the time You went to the Temple to pray and teach. Prime time with the Father seems to be “early in the morning”.
Then You teach us that the scribes (lawyers) and Pharisees (religious leaders) are in the role of accusers. You did not say they accused falsely, Jesus, You said they too commit sins of various kinds and if any of them thought they were without sin, then step up and cast the first stone in the killing process.
You then teach us that everyone has a conscience that either accuses them or excuses them and that we personally know when we have sinned whether other people know it or not.
Then, in Your mercy, you teach us that adultery is not a sin unto death if one confesses and repents (changes direction). You forgive the woman and you encourage her. O’ God, if we could but have that kind of mercy and hope when we see sin in action. Help us today to be part of the healing process, not one of those who accuse. 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: adultery, condemned, Conscience, convicted, Forgiven, Jesus, law, Moses, pharisees, scribes, sin, stone, stoned, Temple, woman
Posted in Christianity, Conscience, Fidelity, Forgiven, Hope, Providence of God | 8 Comments »
Thursday, April 25th, 2013
April 25, Family Bible Study, from www.solascriptura.com
What I am doing just feels wrong
The Apostle Paul presents a point of view you should consider. He says, “I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to-what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. ROMANS 7:15-16 TLB
Paul is teaching us that we know what we should do and when we do bad things, we knew they were bad. He says our conscience proves to us that what we are doing is wrong.
Then Paul says: So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free. ROMANS 7:23 TLB
What Paul describes as our “deadly lower nature”, is the “default setting” we find ourselves in at birth. You know what a default setting is. For instance, if your new car measures the mileage as miles instead of kilometers, then the factory has preset the odometer to miles. You can take action to change the default setting to kilometers if you want to, but if you do not do so, it will continue to measure the distance you travel in miles.
If you find yourself wanting to change the default setting of your life from dominance by a deadly lower nature, often referred to as the dominance of the flesh, you must take action. You were born in the flesh but God placed in you, a spirit. God wants His Spirit and your spirit to be united, to be as one. When you agree that is what you want as well, you turn to Him ask him to forgive you for all the dumb things (sin) you have done. God promises that He will change the default setting of your heart from one of flesh to one of Spirit, His Spirit in you.
You will still have impulses to revert to your old default setting of “the flesh” but God has promised that he will intervene for you. Listen to His wonderful promise: 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 of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 NKJV
How can you escape? First, understand that temptation does not come from God. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me; “…for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone” JAMES 1:13 NIV. Who is the tempter? Remember when the comedian said “the devil made me do it”. Does blaming the devil let you off the hook?
Can you defeat temptation by your own resolve? In this life will you ever be “not tempted”? Is victory over temptation ever “yours”? Know this: “God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect”.
2 SAMUEL 22:33 NKJV
Do you sometimes feel like there is a tug of war going on inside you? How do you deal with it?
Core Christian value: Our lower nature (flesh) is at war with our spirit. We have a “built-in” knowledge of right and wrong. God wants to unite our spirit and His Spirit. He will strengthen us.
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Tags: Conscience, default, flesh, forgive, sin, slavery, temptation
Posted in Conscience, Family Bible Study, Forgiven, Holy Spirit, Perseverance | 1 Comment »
Saturday, April 20th, 2013
Conscience, April 20
“This is the covenant that I will make with them…says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,”
… brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
and having a High Priest over the house of God,
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:16; 19-23, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we are so grateful that we are no longer judged by the Law. If we were to choose to remain under the Law, our sins would still be with us. For the New Covenant, we are grateful. You not only cleansed us of our sins but You then inscribed the truth on our hearts and minds, forever, and the miracle of being born again with a new purpose in life is ours if we would but love and obey.
We no longer stand outside the Holy of Holies, but we are invited behind the veil, right into Your presence and there You call us friends. Picturing that moment is both difficult and sublime. Such truth is too great for us to fully comprehend.
Let us draw near to You Jesus, our High Priest and more, for cleansing, strengthening, counseling, and comfort. No one on this earth can do for us what You have already done and what You are yet able to do if we but trust and obey.
The refreshment of Your cleansing water in our lives daily is like none other. You are the Living Water. Fill us afresh. 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: blood, boldness, brethern, confession, Conscience, consecrated, covenant, evil, faith, flesh, hearts, Holiest, Jesus, laws, Lord, minds, Priest, veil, washed, write
Posted in Christianity, Conscience, Courage, Fidelity, faith | 13 Comments »
Thursday, March 28th, 2013
Conscience, March 28
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
…I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
1 Peter 2:17-19, Jeremiah 17:10, Revelation 2:23, www.solascriptura.com
Father, honoring You is easy and right for You alone are worthy of our eternal love. Honoring the king, when the king is not honoring You is very difficult, from a human perspective. Thank You for teaching us that we are to be different in that regard. Our obedience to people that You have placed in authority is Your will. While we pray for their souls we must be courteous and obedient to those that enforce the laws of the land and to those You have given authority.
If we only honor the good and gentle we have not distinguished ourselves from others in the world. We are to be known by our love for You and for our neighbor and if our neighbor has been granted authority by You (You, Father are sovereign), so be it. The test is theirs.
You search our minds and our hearts. Our agenda, our thoughts and actions are bare before You. How else could You be omnipresent and omniscient if that were not true? It is true and we pray that this day You will not only be a light unto our paths but we acknowledge You as our constant companion and friend. Help us seek your counsel every moment of the day. 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: Conscience, fear, gentle, God, grief, harsh, honor, King, love, masters, servants, submissive, suffering
Posted in Christianity, Conscience, Humility, faith | 51 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
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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 »
Saturday, February 2nd, 2013
Conscience, February 2 O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:1-10;17-18;23-24, www.solascriptura.com Father, Your omnipresence in our lives and world is beyond our comprehension. We know you have none of the boundaries of the flesh and that You created each of us. Now You teach us that You search us, You know when we arise and lay down, You know the words on our tongues and the thoughts of our hearts. You encompass us, Your thoughts toward us are greater than the sand, a quantity we can not count. Father, if we could but respond to You in the same way and give the same consideration, attention and time back to You that You give to us, that would keep our focus on our source of strength. We have access, all day long, to Your wisdom and presence. Help us respond, constantly. 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: anxieties, Conscience, count, Heaven, hedged, hell, knowledge, known, Lord, presence, Psalm 139:1-10;17-18;23-24, rising, sand, sea, searched, Spirit, thought, tongue, wicked, wings
Posted in Christianity, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Hope, Prayer, Providence of God | 89 Comments »
Thursday, January 3rd, 2013
Revenge, January 3
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
For “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
But 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…
1 Peter 3:8-18, www.solascriptura.com
Amen and amen. We pray for more of You in our lives this day. Keep us from seeking revenge. It is such a natural reaction Father. We could never be as Jesus was when he prayed for those who killed him if it was not for the power of the Holy Spirit in us.
We marvel at the words You have given Peter, a fisherman; the one who personally defended you when you were arrested. Peter, after You were resurrected, became one of the most important men in the history of the Church. Thank You for his ministry that still guides us.
Thank You Father for not giving us what we deserve but instead welcoming us into Your midst, as you did Peter, just as if he had never sinned; justified by Jesus. Guide 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
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Tags: blessing, compassion, Conscience, courteous, evil, lips, love, meekness, Prayer, Revenge, reviling, tenderhearted
Posted in Christianity, Humility, Religion, Revenge | 23 Comments »
Friday, December 28th, 2012
Conscience, December 28
I cried out to God with my voice—to God with my voice; and He gave ear to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed….
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search.
Psalm 77:1-6, www.solascriptura.com
Father, David cried out in the night, stretching his hand toward You, unable to close his eyes, meditating on the songs he had written and searching his heart.
Sometimes Father, we too are so troubled that we cannot sleep. Whether it is our sin or our anxiety that distracts us, it matters not. We simply must learn to lean upon You and to yield our burdens to You. Why God do we often forget that we do not walk alone?
If we could but remember to take Your yoke upon us, for You have no burden, where ours sometimes feels unbearable. We know Father that You see our circumstance and that you have compassion for us. Relieve us we pray, of the tendency to weigh ourselves down when You are willing to lift us up.
Refresh our hearts, this day, and breathe upon us and cleanse us afresh. 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: ancient, complained, Conscience, God, heart, meditate, overwhelmed, search, song, Spirit, troubled
Posted in Christianity, Conscience, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, Religion, faith | 4 Comments »
Thursday, December 13th, 2012
Conscience, December 13
Save me, O God! …
I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.
O God, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You.
Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.
Psalm 69:1; 3; 5, Proverbs 20:11-12, www.solascriptura.com
Father, our sins are truly clear in our own sight. We know we do nothing in secret and that every act and thought is known to You. Help us this day to declare our need for Your cleansing and give us the power to stop making sinful mistakes. It is so hard Jesus to be as You since You are perfect and we are still here in our flesh, constantly tempted to hear, see or commit sin.
We know Father that temptation is delivered to us by Satan and that You permit the test. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit in us that we can over come that which Satan delivers, primarily targeting those who love You. We would estimate that Your joy comes from our victories and Your grief from our failures.
Your word says that even a child knows when they are wrong or right. Father, give us the pure heart of a child before You. Strengthen our will to seek Your will in our lives that we might give glory to 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: Conscience, crying, foolishness, hidden, Lord, Psalms 69:1; 3; 5, pure, sins, weary
Posted in Christianity, Conscience, God's Children, Hope, Prayer | 9 Comments »
Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
Conscience, November 28
”The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
”But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
”No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other…
And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts…
…I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
”I have hope in God…
”This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
Matthew 6:22-24, Luke 16:15, Acts 24:14-16, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we know that at which we choose to look enters into our minds and sometimes invades our hearts. Help us to simply look away from evil and not to hesitate and gaze upon that which You hate.
We know we can not serve two masters, evil and good, and that when we choose to give space in our lives to evil that You not only notice but that it actually grieves You.
Help us O’God to never disappoint You. Lead us in paths of righteousness, every moment of every day, that we might have a clear conscience. We know Father that eternity belongs to those who belong to You. Help us to be Your “Light filled” obedient and trusting children. 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: Conscience, darkness, despise, hate, light, love, loyal
Posted in Conscience, Courage, Fidelity, Perseverance | 7 Comments »