Posts Tagged ‘heart’
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
Temple of God, May 1
…do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:17-20, www.solascriptura.com
O’ God, we do pray for wisdom and discernment, we do pray for Your word to penetrate our hearts and minds. We do seek to fulfill your will for our lives.
Here we are taught that being out of control, whether it is from alcohol or drugs, leads to dissipation. Most of us have seen the ugly effects being drunk or spaced out. What we need Father, is to learn from what we see and then to rely on Your Spirit within us to overcome temptation and to present our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.
Your admonition is completely positive when You tell us to speak to each other in psalms and spiritual songs, making melody in our heart, to You and to the world. When that happens, we simply give thanks to You, in the name of Jesus. What a perfectly natural response to joy, sent to us as a gift.
When disappointments come, and they will not cease to come until we are with You, we do not have joy for the pain, but we are able to have joy as we endure the pain by accessing Your peace and comfort. We are Your temple, You will deliver us; of that we are certain. We pray for Your counsel 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: dissipation, drunk, Father, heart, hymns, Jesus, Lord, melody, singing, songs, Spirit, Temple, understand, unwise, wine
Posted in Christianity, Forgiven, Holy Spirit, Perseverance, Prayer, faith | 8 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 13th, 2013
Peace, April 13
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Romans 15:4-5, Hebrews 13:8, www.solascriptura.com
Father, this says that whatever was written in the Scriptures was written for our learning. Oh how we need to read Your word as persons dying of thirst for more knowledge of You. Your prophets tell us that the day will come when the Word is no longer available. Here it is at our fingertips Lord. Help us, today, to commit to a plan of reading Your word daily.
You tell us that it is the Scriptures that give us hope. Would it be true Father that if we do not have Your word stored in our heart that, in times of need for Your instruction, we would be without hope? We all have some knowledge of the Scriptures, Father, but we know You would not have us remain as babes in that regard.
Strengthen our resolve to “listen to You” and to speak with You many times a day. You are the same, yesterday, today and forever. You are our Light, You are the Word in our hearts. Bless 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: heart, Hope, Jesus, light, listen, Lord, same, Scriptures, word
Posted in Hope, Prayer, peace, salvation | No Comments »
Thursday, April 4th, 2013
Hope, April 4
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Hebrews 3:12-15, www.solascriptura.com
Father, at times we behave as though we have the heart of an unbeliever. Is Satan allowed to test our resolve, our level of committment? Since every true believer is saved forever, we need Your help in seeking Your perfect will in every situation. You see the end of every circumstance in our lives and we are standing in the fog of the present, unsure of what may happen the next moment. Father, increase our faith in You and decrease our dependence on our will. Father, help us deal with uncertainty where we wish we could be more certain.
Father, keep us from the blame game wherein we fail to act when we could and fail to be obedient when we should. Help us, today, not to blame You for the sins of mankind and for our personal failures. Give us hope when there appears to be none and courage where we feel weak and impotent. Our hope and our strength to endure lies in You. To whom else can we turn?
Give us the steadfast faith that comes from a closer walk with You. Help us hear Your voice more clearly. How Father, can we improve our hearing? We know the answer. How can we learn but to turn to Your Holy word? This day, teach us Your ways, 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: brethren, Christ, deceitfulness, evil, exhort, God, hardened, heart, Hope, rebellion, sin, unbelief
Posted in Christianity, Fidelity, Hope, Perseverance, faith | 14 Comments »
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
Temptation, April 3
”If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder,
”and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘ and let us serve them,’
”you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
”You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.
… You, O God, have tested us; you have refined us as silver is refined.
Deuteronomy 13:1-4, Psalsm 66:10, www.solascriptura.com
Father, teach us the truth and help us not to be drawn into schemes or ideas that are contrary to Your word and Your revealed will. Help us turn to You for counsel being aware that the Holy Spirit utters prayers on our behalf of which we are unaware.
Keep us from trying to relate to so-called secret religious groups who feel there are hurdles one must leap in order to be associated with them. Help us not to be intrigued by those claiming to have some special knowledge, only available to them, and to members of their group. Help us never add or subtract a single word from Your Holy word.
Dear God, let us listen to Your word diligently (read, read, read, as a man dying of thirst) that we may never be led astray. 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: commandments, dreamer, dreams, fear, God, heart, Lord, prophet, refined, sign, silver, soul, temptation, testing, wonder
Posted in Christianity, Fidelity, Law of God, faith | 30 Comments »
Friday, March 22nd, 2013
Prayer, Part 2, March 22
I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2, www.solascriptura.com
Dear Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we do praise You from the depths of our soul. There is no one or nothing that deserves our praise and our attention like You.
We look to all that You have given us that we are able to use and enjoy. We rejoice in Your omniscience for no one but You could have conceived such a perfect circumstance for us to know You and experience Your presence, constantly.
Jesus, help us take nothing for granted in terms of the gifts You have given us. Help us use those gifts to bring glory to Your Holy name. Such gifts, freely given were paid for by You, Jesus, yet they are absolutely free to us. That news is too wonderful not to share. In Your name we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: heart, Lord, praise, Prayer, rejoice, sing, works
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Fidelity, Hope, Inspirtation, Prayer, Worship, joy | 15 Comments »
Wednesday, February 13th, 2013
Prayer, February 13 Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened; burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, “Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:5-8, www.solascriptura.com Father, When we look at all You have created, we are overwhelmed with Your omniscience and omnipotence. You are indeed all knowing and all powerful. Here You tell us of Your omnipresence in our lives. Your thoughts towards us exceed number. You are a constant reality. We are truly never alone. You do not desire sacrifice from us. Jesus has atoned for our sins, once and for all. Without our giving You anything, You have given us everything. We sometimes feel we want to “deserve your love” or “to do works to earn Your love”. Forgive us for trying to add something that You do not require. The names of Your children are written in the scroll of the book. We know that to be absent from that scroll we would have to have removed ourselves from Your extended hand of love. We pray that each of us not only reaches for You but that we look to the truth that You have written on our hearts as a source of strength and assurance that Your hope for us is eternal. 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: God, heart, law, Lord, numbered, offering, Prayer, Psalm 40:5-8, sacrifice, scroll, sin, speak, thoughts, works
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Religion | 77 Comments »
Wednesday, February 6th, 2013
Providence of God, February 5 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. …If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? My son, eat honey because it is good, and the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; if you have found it, there is a prospect, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 4:23; 24:10-14, www.solascriptura.com Father, Solomon, according to Your word, was the wisest man who ever lived. We know his wisdom was a gift from You. He tells us that “from our heart” all the issues of life come forward. He says that we must warn others and that You notice when we do not. We read that if we faint when we encounter adversity, something You promise will persist, then we are weak. We pray that as we face challenges this day, and is there ever a day that we do not face challenges, that we will remember that it is Your strength in us and available to us that will carry the moment. Father, the wisdom from You, freely given to those who ask, makes witnessing of Your love, a sweet experience. We read of our individual accountability and ask You to help us O’God to seek and to do Your will every 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: adversity, death, diligence, heart, hearts, honey, issues, Proverbs 4:23; 24:10-14, soul, strength, stumbling, sweet, weighs, wisdom
Posted in Christianity, Law of God, Providence of God, faith | 53 Comments »
Sunday, January 27th, 2013
Prayer, January 27 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; You have tested my heart; you have visited me in the night; you have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Psalm 15:1-2; 17:3, www.solascriptura.com Father, here we learn from David that works of righteousness matter. What we say and do is noticed by You. But, You have taught us elsewhere that Your grace, in calling us to Your side, and that Your mercy and our faith in Jesus, makes our works become a reflection of our faith. We know that without works our faith seems powerless and that works alone hardly distinguish us from being like any other good citizen. Help us today to be free of self-imposed guilt. We know that You have lifted our guilt from us and that if we try to continue to bear it, we miss the point of Your sacrifice. You have taught us that it is Satan who is the “accuser”. We also know it is You who stand as our advocate. We are no longer guilty! We, like David, have been tried and we stand before You, forgiven and cleansed. Lead us as we seek to be obedient and righteous, empowered by You. Help us, especially, not to transgress with our mouth. You have taught us that an olive tree should not bear figs and vice versa. Let our words be consistent with our faith. May we glorify You and be an encouragement to others. 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: heart, Holy, Lord, Prayer, Psalm 15:1-2; 17:3, righteousness, tabernacle, tested, transgress, truth
Posted in Christianity, Fidelity, Prayer, Providence of God, faith | 105 Comments »
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
God’s Children, January 23
My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;
For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.
Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way.
Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
Proverbs 23:15-19; 22-26
Father, we can identify with Solomon when he says his heart rejoices when his child’s heart is wise and when the child speaks the truth and that you rejoice when our lips speak the right things.
Father, it brings us great joy when our children please You and sorrow when they do not. Is it the same with us Father? Yes, Your heart rejoices when we please you and You have taught us that it grieves You when we willfully sin.
We pray that our children will never envy sinners and we are happy when they honor their mother and father. Help us, today, to set a good example for our children. We are so imperfect as parents that few of us can say, “Do as I do”.
We pray that our children look to You, Jesus, as the Savior, counselor, guide and comforter and that we do the same. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: children, envy, Father, fear, glad, God, heart, Hope, lips, Lord, mother, rejoice, Son, wise
Posted in God's Children, Law of God, Perseverance, wisdom | 104 Comments »