Posts Tagged ‘grace’
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013
Humility, April 23
We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.
2 Corinthians 6:1-11, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Paul is an example to us of one who has been severely tested, yet faithful in every way. Father, we also know that he persecuted Christians before his life-changing encounter with Jesus. Now here he tells us that “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Father, the contrast between pride and humility is always before us. We have such an inclination to allow our ego to overcome us. Help us, today, to know that it is You we seek to please and that even when we do please You, it is due to the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, not our fleshly spirit. We pray that we can turn our pride into joy as we acknowlege your gifts.
O’ God, we know that serving You requires the death of our “old nature”. Help us be what You desire us to be, 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: dishonor, dying, fasting, God, grace, Holy Spirit, honor, Humility, killed, kindness, live, love, ministers, ministry, offense, patience, purity, salvation, sleeplessness, stripes, tribulations, truth, tumults, vain, workers
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Fidelity, Humility, Perseverance, faith | 22 Comments »
Wednesday, April 10th, 2013
The Narrow Gate, April 10, 2008
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
Ephesians 1:7-10, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, some recoil from the notion that blood must be shed for the forgiveness of sin. Help us learn what You have taught us, many times. Sin is deserving of death or at the very least, it prevents entry into the presence of our Holy Father. Sacrifices of animals, to cover the sins of a believer, were a very serious way of allowing a substitute to die in the place of a sinner.
Jesus, You became the final “substitute” for our sins, because as the Scriptures teach, your blood was shed for the remission, the cleansing, the removal of our sins. No more sacrifices are needed or wanted, by You. Your shed blood has paid the price for our salvation. You have died for our sins, in our place, and now You are at the right hand of the Father, awaiting our arrival, our redemption.
You have now implanted the truth upon our hearts; all wisdom and prudence are available to us by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. You have revealed the mystery of Your will to us. We who worship You in truth and in Spirit will be gathered unto You. How wonderful these words are Jesus. May they become a reality in all of our lives this day, we pray. Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: atonement, blood, forgiveness, grace, mercy, sacrifice
Posted in Christianity, Holy Spirit, Law of God, Providence of God, faith | No 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 »
Thursday, February 14th, 2013
Temple of God, February 14
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
I Peter 5:8-10, www.solascriptura.com
Dear God, sometimes we forget that we who love You have a big target on our back and that Satan is indeed looking for ways to bring us down, to break our faith and to make us doubt that You are there for us. It seems apparent, Father, that Satan does not waste time bringing down those who he thinks belong to him (You have taught us that he has limitations of time and space).
We pray that no one will choose evil over good, Satan over You. You say to resist the devil. How do we do that, given the range of his power that You have granted to him? Your word says we, in and of our own strength, can not resist him. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can withstand the temptations that Satan places before us. Nothing is as insightful as your word…”may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
Thank You for sharing Your wisdom and truth with us. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: adversary, brotherhood, devil, devour, eternal, faith, God, grace, perfect, resist, roaring lion, sober, steadfast, suffering, Temple, vigilant, world
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Perseverance, faith | 87 Comments »
Thursday, January 31st, 2013
Prayer, Part I, January 31 …there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:13-16, www.solascriptura.com Father, we stand before You all day, every day, completely exposed. We have no secret thoughts or actions and You tell us here that we must give an account for our decisions. Sending Jesus to us, to be tempted as we are, and then raising Him up as our eternal High Priest, gives us an advocate unlike any other. Our Jesus knows what we are encountering and is there for us, all the time. We come boldly to You Jesus, seeking Your love and guidance that the grace of God may prevail in our lives. 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: confession, creature, God, grace, heavens, hidden, Jesus, naked, Prayer, Priest, Son, sympathize
Posted in Christianity, God's Children, Inspirtation, Perseverance, Prayer, faith | 116 Comments »
Friday, January 18th, 2013
Temple of God, January 18
…gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:13-16, www.solascriptura.com
Father, what did Peter imply when he said, “be sober”? Does that mean do not be drunk? We know you would never have us out of control intoxicated. You leave the “to eat or not to eat (meat, for instance) or to drink or to not drink (wine for instance)” up to us. You make it clear that if we do anything that seems wrong to us, it is wrong. You teach us that we must have a clear conscience before You.
Being “sober-minded” is another admonition and we know that is different than intoxication from drink. You teach us that we should be orderly in our conduct, to not speak coarsely and to therefore have Your Spirit in us. You also tell us to be full of joy, so to be sober minded must not mean to be long faced and stern in our demeanor.
Father, what a wonderful verse it is when you tell us “rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”; Your grace is brought to us, it is made active, by the revelation of Jesus. In effect, grace lies dormant within us until Jesus sanctifies us through His cleansing of our souls.
How else, O’God, could we be holy? In our natural, unregenerate state we are not holy and absent the redemptive power of Jesus, our sins, which separate us from You, are still with us. We yearn to be released from the power of sin forever but when we stumble, thank You Jesus for lifting us up. We pray, on every occasion, in Your Holy name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: children, Christ, grace, Holy, ignorance, loins, lusts, mind, obedient, rest, sober
Posted in Christianity, Fidelity, Law of God, Providence of God, Religion | 98 Comments »
Sunday, January 13th, 2013
Temptation, January 13
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
… there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 4:13-16, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, all that we think, do and feel is before you. We do not face temptation alone nor do we sin in secret. Your experiences on earth are our experiences as well. You lift us up, as though we had never sinned, into the presence of the Father. Therefore, in Your righteousness, we can be bold in coming to the Father in prayer and boldly seek to serve Him, which is the essence of our purpose.
We are undeserving of your mercy and grace but for reasons known only to You, You seek us out, cleanse us and embolden us to be Your children. Your plan for our lives does exist.
Help us O’ God to discover Your perfect will, this day and every moment of our lives. In Christ’s Holy name and power, we pray. Amen
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: confession, God, grace, heavens, Jesus, naked, Priest, sight, sin, suffered, temptation
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Perseverance, faith | 7 Comments »
Wednesday, October 31st, 2012
Sanctification, October 31
…God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
II Thessalonians 2:13-17, www.solascriptura.com
Father, it could not be more clear. You chose us for salvation. We see that we are sanctified by the Spirit, as we decide to accept Your Son, Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and when we demonstrate our belief in that truth. And what is the truth but Your Holy word. That, Father, is the Good News in a nutshell. Your Spirit, and our spirit, becomes as one and the process of sanctification ensues.
Father, sanctification is such a lofty word and it is surely the highest goal. Through that process we become more and more like You Jesus. Our lives then bring glory to You, the Father and the Holy Spirit. Help us not lose track of the fact stated above; our sanctification is by the Spirit. We endeavor to obey but lacking the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, our works emanate from our initiatives, not Yours. We pray that You will direct us and that our will does not get ahead of Your will.
Since you grant us freedom to decide, moment by moment, about our next thought, our next move, help us always seek Your counsel, your light on our path. We have certainty about our salvation, now help us Father to seek certainty from You about our decisions, our attitude and our demeanor. We know that volition is ours but we pray for Your will in our lives; in Jesus name, amen,
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O.Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: brethern, Christ, epistle, grace, II Thessalonians 2:13-17, Jesus, sanctification, Spirit, traditions, truth
Posted in Christianity, Hope, Inspirtation, Religion, faith | 60 Comments »
Thursday, October 18th, 2012
Revenge, October 18
But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says,’ You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Matthew 5:22-24, Ephesians 4: 29-32, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, You have taught us, many times, that Your presence in our hearts, changes things. Your Spirit overcomes our spirit and we can think as you do. You even say we can have Your mind in us. It is with this in mind that You teach us that anger, hate, name calling and other unloving responses are wrong. These kind of responses are not only wrong but You teach us that we could be brought under judgment for acting this way.
Jesus, it is so hard to not be angry, at times. Here it seems that you are reminding us that Christians shall be known by their love. You are instructing us in a new way, beyond the 6th commandment, “Thou shalt not kill”. We are, as a result of the presence of the Holy Spirit, required to be patient, kind and gentle, full of goodness, loving people who we might not feel like loving. Help us again to move beyond feelings to the fact that Your power, an enabling power, has been sent to us. You are our Comforter, getting us through those times when we may seek revenge. Lead us in paths of righteousness, this 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: anger, Christ, evil, fool, God, grace, grieve, hell, malice, Matthew 5:22-24, Raca
Posted in Christianity, Law of God, Revenge | 47 Comments »
Saturday, October 13th, 2012
God’s Gifts, October 13
Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:5-7, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Paul reminds us once again that it is Your grace, extended to each of us, that enables us to be apostles of obedience, witnessing of Your love to all the nations.
We are told that we are “called” by Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. O’God, how could we refuse this invitation to eternal life and being full of peace and joy forever? Strengthen our resolve to seek You this day.
Paul says we are called to be “saints”. Father, You know how frail and impotent we feel, at times. Help us today, to know that when we are full of the Holy Spirit seeking to be as You Jesus, that we are, in that moment, saints. Not because we, in our own nature, deserve that kind of designation but when we are wrapped in Your righteousness, we are as You. That is our goal Jesus, to be as You. 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: faith, gifts, grace, Jesus Christ, obedience, Rome, saints
Posted in Christianity, Fidelity, God's Gift, Mind of Christ, faith | 83 Comments »