Posts Tagged ‘honor’

There are only 10 commandments; get this one right!

Sunday, May 26th, 2013

God’s Children, May 26

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
”Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:
”that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-4, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, we notice that Paul said, “Obey your parents, in the Lord.” Help us, today, to know that we need to be “in the Lord” if we are to properly teach our children Your will. Jesus, the concept of children being obedient carries so much more weight when the parents are “in the Lord”.

What Jesus is it, “to be in the Lord”? You have taught us many times that our personal salvation is necessary if we are to be interpreting and teaching our children, Your wisdom, Your expectations. Father, help us each day to add a measure of maturity to our relationship with you by listening to You and speaking to You.

Jesus, even though it is apparent that we need to teach our children, in Your ways, we also need to be very careful to not  provoke our children and to set much higher standards for them than we do ourselves. Help us this day to be a good Godly example in our words, thoughts and actions. Give us wisdom, in you,  and patience with our children. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Christianity, God's Children, Religion | 19 Comments »

Why is pride such a problem? Is there a solution?

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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Posted in Christianity, Courage, Fidelity, Humility, Perseverance, faith | 22 Comments »

Goodness over evil, love over hate, joy over depression…

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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Posted in Christianity, God's Children, God's Gift, Perseverance, Providence of God, Religion, faith | 77 Comments »

Does God search my heart and test my mind?

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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Posted in Christianity, Conscience, Humility, faith | 51 Comments »

When you meet Jesus, will He say, welcome friend…

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

Joy, February 27

In this (inheritance) 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.

1 Peter 1:6-9, www.solascriptura.com

Father, As a result of Your grace and mercy, you promise us that through our faith in the resurrection of Jesus, we have eternal life. From this side we do not completely understand nor appreciate that which awaits but we will. Salvation from sin, suffering and weakness is assured. We know that joy and celebration will characterize heaven.

The tests here, some of which may be very severe, will continue but they too shall cease. Lead us, today, in paths of righteousness even in the presence of turmoil. Give us internal peace known by us and suspected by others. Give us a witness in this place.

We acknowledge that You have beckoned us to Your side. Thank You is an insufficient response. We will be awe struck as we meet, in person, the resurrected Christ, our Savior, Friend and Counselor. Prepare us for that moment. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Perseverance, Worship, faith, joy, salvation | 62 Comments »

Life is not a dead end…God’s grace is a gateway

Wednesday, December 26th, 2012

Prayer, Part I, December 26

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Romans 8:28, Psalm 8:3-5, www.solascriptura.com

Father, many times we feel things are not working out right. You remind us that all things, not some, always work to the good for those that love you, to those that are called according to Your purpose. In the midst of trials we have a hard time believing things are working out for the good.

Help us, this day, to know You are aware of our every circumstance, always, and that You know the Alpha from the Omega. No event in our lives surprises You. If we can but draw near to You, always, we can be assured that things will work out for the good. We move forward in faith, even when we feel lonely. It is never You who have moved away, it is us.

Father, we are reminded by the Psalmist that You who created all things are mindful of us and visit us, individually. The Scriptures say that even the rocks would cry out if we did not tell men about You. Every created thing, including us, acknowledges You. We are undeserving, but grateful for Your love. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O.Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Angels, Christianity, God's Gift, Inspirtation, Prayer | 335 Comments »

Wisdom, an assurance of salvation… Maybe not.

Friday, November 23rd, 2012

Peace, November 23

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all
who retain her.
 
Proverbs 3:13-18, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know that Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, asked You for the gift of wisdom and You granted it. Here we listen to Solomon praising wisdom, using the feminine gender, and considering wisdom in the same nurturing way as a mother is with a child. The gift of wisdom is a great comfort, a reassuring touch from You.

Father, we too seek wisdom, Your wisdom about earthly and spiritual matters. We often feel inadequate and unwise, but we know that as we turn to You that You lead us and teach us, as only You can.
 
These verses teach us that wisdom is more precious than any jewel, any riches or any earthly assets. It is a gift to be desired, a gift that enlightens us and gives meaning to the pursuit of life, whether we are rich or poor. Father, the challenges of life are too much for us, too often. Grant us Your peace and wisdom 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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Posted in Christianity | 18 Comments »