Posts Tagged ‘Forgiven’
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Forgiven, May 21
To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: do not be silent to me, lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your Holy sanctuary.
Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.
Psalm 28:1-2, Ecclesiastes 7:21, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we cry out, we make requests of You, we seek You in times of trouble. Help us O’God, to develop a balance between asking and praise. We often ask too often and praise too little. Yet, we know You hear all of our words and know all of our thoughts. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us. Where, O’God, would we be without You?
When Solomon said “don’t take to heart everything people say” he was reminding us that people sometimes say too much, more than they truly feel. Help us to speak less and to mean more when we do speak and to never say harmful things when they are better unsaid. And when people do say things that are critical, help us not take it to heart but to return kindness when it is not expected or deserved. That is what You have done for us Jesus. You have extended kindness that exceeds understanding when we were yet in our sin. Can we do less for others? 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: cursing, Father, Forgiven, God, Jesus, Lord, pit, Psalm 28:1-2, Solomon, supplications
Posted in Christianity, Forgiven, Religion, peace, wisdom | No Comments »
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 »
Tuesday, March 12th, 2013
Forgiven, March 12
… Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4:6-7, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we have learned that “Abba” is translated as Daddy, a term of endearment we use to express love and trust. Has anyone that has embraced a child not understood what a privilege it is to be as “Daddy or Mommy” to a child? There is nothing more tender than a child absorbing the love and embrace of their father or mother.
This scripture teaches us of Your love. It is a scripture that says we are no longer slaves, but we are Your children, You are our Father, who tenderly loves us. You say we are heirs to Your throne because Jesus has cleansed us and we are now encapsulated in His purity. We do not come into Your presence Father on our own merit. We are only able to enter into Your presence because we have been regenerated from sinner to son, from failures in the flesh, to sons and daughters able to radiate Your love.
When we see the purity of our children, our babies, we see a picture of how we appear to You. Innocent, even though guilty, cleansed even though we need daily renewal. Bless us as we seek Your perfection. 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: Christ, Father, Forgiven, God, hearts, heir, slave, Son, sons, Spirit
Posted in Christianity, Forgiven, God's Children, Holy Spirit, Religion | 45 Comments »
Wednesday, February 20th, 2013
Forgiven, February 20
…be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Ephesians 4:32, James 4:8, www.solascriptura.com
Father, You have taught us that there are two overriding commandments. First we are to love You with all of our heart, mind, and strength and second, we are to love our neighbors as our selves.
These two verses, the first by Paul and the second by James, Your half brother Jesus, say precisely that. Paul teaches us that since we have been forgiven, it is only appropriate that we forgive others. How else could it be?
Then Father, James teaches us a verse we should all memorize. If we draw near to You, You will draw near to us. The initiative lies with us to respond but it is Your grace and mercy Father that was first extended to us.
You seek a relationship with us. How many others truly seek a relationship with us and how much more worthy are they than You? Your friendship, counsel, leadership and encouragement can not be matched by any person on earth. Help us today to learn that fact. 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: Christ, forgave, Forgiven, forgiving, God, kind, tenderhearted
Posted in Christianity, God's Children, Hope, Law of God, Providence of God, peace, salvation | 291 Comments »
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
Forgiven, February 12 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? 2 Corinthians 13:4-5, www.solascriptura.com Father, we know that when Jesus went to the cross He could have, by Your Holiness in Him, destroyed every person responsible for his being crucified. He chose to do Your will Father and was crucified. His enemies thought they had won the day. In fact, His choice and His subsequent resurrection paved the way for the redemption of all who will believe. No crucifixion and no resurrection and we would all still be alienated from You, God. Here You tell us to examine ourselves, to look into our hearts and ask ourselves if the Holy Spirit, Jesus in us, actually exists. The answer, if we are to be saved, is yes, yes, He lives in my heart and every time I turn to Him I am making the right decision, the right move. Bless each of us and help us as we seek to know You better. 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: Christ, crucified, examine, faith, Forgiven, God, Jesus, power, test, weakness
Posted in Christianity, Conscience, Forgiven, Perseverance | 98 Comments »
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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Tags: church, elders, Forgiven, oil, pray, sick, sing, suffering
Posted in Christianity, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, faith | 55 Comments »
Wednesday, January 16th, 2013
Forgiven, January 16
… 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
Father, You know the beginning from the end, the alpha from the omega. Nothing we do surprises You. You “see” what is not yet and our faith and love for You, though it requires an act of faith on our part, was foreknown to You. Thus we are predestined, adopted as sons, Holy and without blame, only because of the cleansing of You, Jesus.
The Scriptures say that it gives You pleasure when we serve You and it grieves You when we disappoint You. The fact that all of our thoughts and intentions lay bare before You should help us to behave, to seek to be sinless and to have our lives bring glory to You. It is such a privilege to be Your child. Bless us as we seek to serve You this day. We pray these things in Jesus’ name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: adoption, chose, Forgiven, Holy, inheritance, Jesus, love, predestined, world
Posted in Christianity, Forgiven, God's Children, Providence of God, Religion, salvation | 61 Comments »
Sunday, December 30th, 2012
Forgiven, December 30
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer…
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin…
Psalm 32:1-5, www.solascriptura.com
Father, when we stand before You, guilty of sin, we are truly blessed to have our sins forgiven. We know that in this life we have sinned against not only You but other people as well. We pray they are as generous in forgiving us as You have been. Father we too must forgive and forget the past sins of others. We must render to them the type of grace and mercy You have shown us.
Help us, this day, to recognize the power of forgiveness. Without it we are lost forever and it is certain that unforgiven sins against each other separate us from the love and mutual support that You intend.
It is painful to grow old in silence, brought on by unconfessed guilt. Give us the courage to confess and the vitality that comes from knowing we are forgiven.
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, confess, Forgiven, iniquity, Lord, Psalm 32:1-5, sin, Spirit, vitality
Posted in Courage, Forgiven, Law of God, Prayer | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, December 18th, 2012
Forgiven, December 18
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD;
Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning– yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
Psalm 130:1-6, www.solascriptura.com
Father, most of us have not faced the despair that King David describes here. When such moments come, and they surely will come to those who do not love You on judgment day, help us know now, while we still have choices available, we should choose You.
How true that complete forgiveness is beyond our understanding. We seek revenge and if You thought like we do, we would be in big trouble.
Our souls truly wait upon You during the trials we face each day and when we awake to a new day, You are there. We learn from Your word, over and over, that “early in the morning” Your prophets and Your people have sought You. Why “early” each day? Perhaps it is because we can be alone with You before our hectic schedules begin. How can we seek You, Father? The answer is also repeated over and over; prayer and reading Your word is a personal encounter with You.
Teach us today that those who wait upon You will be comforted in a way that is unmatched by any thing or any one else. Lead us to Your word, 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: feared, Forgiven, iniquities, Lord, Psalm 130:1-6, soul, voice
Posted in Christianity, Fidelity, Hope, Prayer | 400 Comments »
Friday, December 7th, 2012
Peace, December 7
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
… let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
Romans 12:18, Romans 14:19, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we can not keep people from not liking us or wanting to do harm to us. But when efforts at peace depend upon us, regardless of the actions of another person, You tell us to seek to live peaceably with all men. Is there any redemptive power in being angry and revengeful? No, Father, it is clearly a sin to try to help You correct the sinner.
Help us remember that each of us have sinned in different ways and that You, in Your mercy, have forgiven us. Help us this day to forgive someone that, up to now, we have been unable to forgive.
As we pursue peace with others we, according to Your word, actually edify and build up the other person. We, in fact, get the opposite of what anger would have yielded. Your way is always the best way. 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: angry, edify, Father, Forgiven, Jesus, mercy, peace, redemptive, Romans 14:19, sin
Posted in Christianity, Religion, peace | 6 Comments »