Posts Tagged ‘faith’
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013
Prayer, April 30
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, James, the half-brother of Jesus, seems to be one of the more direct persons in proclaiming Your will for us. He speaks clearly and bluntly and always with a sense of urgency concerning our salvation. May we listen intently to the words You gave him.
Here we are reminded of the power of prayer. Father, we sometimes keep our needs, both spiritual and physical, to ourselves. We know that is not recommended although personal and private time with You is still very important.
When we share our concerns and needs with each other You tell us that is good. How Father can we be blessed if we do not ask? Help us, today, to ask for Your intervention and help us ask our family and friends for prayer, especially when there is a specific need. In asking, we declare our hope in You.
We pray that we will be alert to the needs of others, intervening with sincerity and optimism, believing in the power of Your grace and mercy to us all. Heal the sick and broken-hearted and rejoice with those that rejoice, praising You for Your loving care. 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: confess, elders, faith, fervent, healed, Lord, oil, pray, Prayer, sick, sing, suffering, trespasses
Posted in Christianity, Forgiven, Hope, Prayer, Providence of God, faith | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013
Perseverance, April 24
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.
”Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’
”And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
’yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”
Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.
”And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
”I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Luke 18:1-9, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, Again, You tell us to persevere and show us that even the unbelieving judge yielded to the continual pleas of the widow. Then Jesus, You teach us that if an unbelieving judge can be influenced by persistence, we can depend upon our God to listen to our cry day and night.
We see that we can not despise others and say we trust in You. We pray for fidelity and consistency. In difficult times we have no one to cry out to except You. We trust You to lead us in paths of righteousness, even in our struggles.
Jesus, You are the judge of all mankind and You ask the question, “Will You really find faith on earth?” Thank You for teaching us that positive responses are reserved for those who diligently seek You. Help us Jesus to persistently seek the will of the Father, every moment of the day. We are only able to do so because we approach our Father, wrapped in Your righteousness. We know He will not hear us if we persist in sin and then expect blessings. We pray for discernment. In Your Holy name, lead us we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: adversary, despised, elect, faith, fear, God, heart, judge, justice, parable, pray, righteous, troubles, widow
Posted in Christianity, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, Revenge, faith | 16 Comments »
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 »
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013
Providence of God, April 2
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this 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.
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you…
Peter 1:3-10, www.solascriptura.com
Father, You have told us that you have reserved a place for us in heaven. We do not know a lot about heaven, but this we know. It will be a place of perfection, in You, reserved for us because of Your grace and mercy and the enabling atonement of Jesus.
You called us and we responded. We choose righteousness over evil, joy over depression and love over hate. Following You is so obviously right. You have taught us that we have a physical self that will perish and a spiritual self that will live forever.
Help us not to get too caught up in nurturing the physical while casually or seldom seeking Your Spirit to witness afresh, every day, to our spirit. 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: blessed, Christ, dead, faith, Father, God, grieved, Heaven, honor, Hope, incorruptible, inheritance, Jesus, Lord, love, mercy, perishes, praise, prophets, Providence, resurrection, salvation, tested, undefiled
Posted in Christianity, God's Children, God's Gift, Perseverance, Providence of God, Religion, faith | 77 Comments »
Sunday, March 31st, 2013
Humility, March 31
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
…Do not be wise in your own opinion.
…”he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
Romans 12:3; 16, 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we truly seek to be commended by You. We long to hear You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”, noticing that the emphasis is on serving.
We are so tempted to remind others of how we have served You, that it embarrasses us when we reflect on our error. Please turn our tendency to be prideful into joyful humility in serving You. Joyful humility sounds like a non-sequitur but we know that You expect both of us. It is just a little tough to do both at the same time!
Help us O’God not to fail in recognizing that You are the Shepherd and we are the sheep, following Your voice. Call us today to do specific good works in Your name, not in order to gain “merit badges” but to honor 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: faith, glory, God, grace, Humility, Lord, measure, opinion, soberly, wise
Posted in Christianity, Fidelity, Humility, joy | 40 Comments »
Friday, March 29th, 2013
Industriousness, March 29
… He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Your word has made it clear. Every Christian must do their share if the body of believers is to grow. You have taught us that we are to seek to be mature in our relationship with You, no longer being as children who are deceived by the cunning of evil.
Father, we see that there are different ways to serve You and that You want to equip us to be as Jesus among men. Teach each of us what Your expectations are this day and every day and then enlighten us and lead us as we seek to serve You.
The presence of our fleshly, sinful instincts must decrease and Your perfect presence must increase. 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: Apostles, Christ, deceitful, doctrine, edifying, equipping, evangelists, faith, Industriousness, ministry, pastors, prophets, saints, Son of God, teachers, unity
Posted in Christianity, Industriousness, Law of God, Perseverance, Providence of God, Religion | 29 Comments »
Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
Joy, March 27
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4, www.solascriptura.com
Father, it seems that the only way we could possibly feel joyful about experiencing trials, is to know that You permit the trial and that the trial will force our faith to be stronger.
Patience in the midst of a trial is the perfect work that You bestow upon us. It is the Spirit in us that permits our faith to remain strong even when the evidence all around us is making us feel persecuted, guilty or abandoned.
Enable us, we pray, to know, this minute and always, that trials will come but the trials will test and strengthen our faith and that we can, through You, endure and be patient. That is a miracle not available to someone who does not call on You.
We feel joyful Father, not about the trial but about Your grace to us that we might endure the test without falling apart. 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: brethern, complete, faith, James 1:2-4, joy, patience, perfect, testing, trials, work
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Hope, Prayer, joy | 26 Comments »
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013
Courage, March 20
… I …, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Ephesians 1:15-21, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, this is the perfect prayer that we should offer for each other. Paul says he continues in prayer for these children of God. Can we do less? Help us today to focus on praying for each other and to encourage each other in the faith.
Paul says witness of who Jesus was and why He matters in your life. His name is above every name! We pray that His name and our Lord’s Holy name is only spoken in fear and reverence. Forgive those who believe Your name, O’ God, is an exclamation point. How Father did we become so irreverent?
Have mercy on the souls of those who are disobedient, we pray. Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: Christ, Courage, enlightened, Ephesians 1:15-21, faith, Father, glory, God, Jesus, Lord, love, power, prayers, riches, saints, Spirit, thanks, wisdom
Posted in Christianity, Courage, God's Gift, Hope, Inspirtation, Perseverance, faith, salvation, wisdom | 14 Comments »
Saturday, March 9th, 2013
Hope, March 9
… Beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:9-12, www.solascriptura.com
Father, You expect more from those that love You because You empower them. You remind us that You will not forget our work of love that we have advanced in Your name.
Father, You have also taught us that the works that we do in Your name must spring from our faith, not our sense of duty. Thank You for teaching us that our works are in response to Your love. O’ God, is there any option for Your children but to respond to Your love?
We do pray for the strength and the endurance to persist in faithful endeavor even when we are tired and frustrated. Father, when we hang our head, we are looking the wrong way. Help us look up, seeking Your guidance in all things. We pray these things in the name of Jesus, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: beloved, better, faith, God, Hope, labor, love, ministered, patience, saints, salvation, things
Posted in Christianity, Hope, Perseverance, faith | 41 Comments »
Saturday, March 2nd, 2013
Fidelity, March 2
I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus who dwells in us.
That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
2 Timothy 1:12-14, www.solascriptura.com
Father, not only is this verse from a wonderful old song, but it is a statement of truth. You will help us keep the faith to which we have committed. You will help us see that our commitment is a response to Your commitment. We never walk alone.
Father, You ask us to hold fast to the sound words You have taught us. This day, we pray that You will help us commit to a pattern of reading Your word that matches your expectations. It is so hard, given the everyday pressures of family life, to make “listening to You” a priority.
Father, we know that each day that passes is either an opportunity realized or an opportunity we passed up. Help us to be diligent in our response to Your love. We know that good works should spring from our faith and that our faith should produce good works. Teach us and guide us and comfort us with the indwelling Holy Spirit, Your Light within us.
In thy Son’s Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: ashamed, believed, Christ, committed, faith, fidelity, Holy Spirit, Jesus, love, persuaded
Posted in Courage, Fidelity, God's Gift, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspirtation, Perseverance, faith | 23 Comments »