Posts Tagged ‘Hope’
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Prayer, May 22
With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
Psalm 119:13-18, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we pray that the words of the Psalmist are our words as well. We pray that we have declared You and rejoiced as we serve You, knowing that Your hope for us is to share in the eternal riches of heaven.
We want to meditate on Your teachings and contemplate Your ways. We know that Your statutes are pure and that in keeping them there is great reward. Father, we are sometimes focused on the benefits of serving You but help us never forget that we serve you with a humble and contrite heart, not focused only on the future reward, but on the peace it brings to us right now.
You have dealt bountifully with us in so many ways. Yet, You tell us to bring all of our hopes and aspirations to You as well as the basic needs of those we love. You bless us in good times and bad but it is the latter in which we humbly seek your help. Teach us to bring every single circumstance of our lives to You, asking for Your Holy hand upon us. 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: Father, Heaven, Holy, Hope, law, peace, Psalms 119:13-18, servant
Posted in Hope, Inspirtation, Prayer, Providence of God, Religion | 4 Comments »
Sunday, May 19th, 2013
Hope, May 19
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14, www.solascriptura.com
Father, sometimes we wonder what happens to those who have never heard the Gospel. You provide the answer in the first verse, above. The Grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. You have taught us that our intuitive knowledge of salvation, our sense of right and wrong, is a gift from You. You have also taught us that it is Your desire that all men be saved. Since all means all, we take heart in Your stated hope for our souls.
We thank You Father for sending the Holy Spirit to encourage us and strengthen our resolve to do the right thing. That fact, along with the forgiveness of all confessed sin, due to the redemptive power of Jesus, means we will be without excuse if we say “but I did not know”.
Help us, today, to pursue a continual and personal relationship with You, in every circumstance. 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: denying, God, Godly, grace, Hope, lusts, men, purify, redeem, righteously, salvation, Savior, soberly, teaching, ungodliness, worldly, zealous
Posted in God's Gift, Hope, Law of God, Perseverance, Religion, faith, salvation | 2 Comments »
Sunday, May 5th, 2013
Courage, May 5th
… let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Philippians 1:27-28, Romans 10:11, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, as Paul toured the area and preached he appealed to his listeners to be diligent, whether he was present with them or not. We know many did faithfully follow his teaching concerning You and some lost hope.
Unlike Paul, who could only be in one city at a time, Your Spirit, Jesus, is everywhere. You are always present, always aware of our thoughts, actions and words. May we bravely proclaim You when we might be inclined to keep silent. Jesus, help us be Your good and faithful servants, constantly.
Empower, us this day, to access the depth of Your presence, Your support and Your love. You are, at the same moment, our Friend, our Lord and our Protector. Bless us as we seek to serve You this day. Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin, TN 37064
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Tags: frightened, Hope, impotentadversaries, perdition, servant, shame, terrified
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Perseverance, Religion, salvation | 8 Comments »
Saturday, April 27th, 2013
Hope, April 27
… we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:3-7, www.solascriptura.com
We thank you Father for sending the Holy Spirit, a constant source of Your Holy presence in us. O’God, Your thoughts toward us exceed number. That is a reality we have a hard time grasping. Can we do any less but to look to You, all day, in every circumstance. We truly never need to walk alone.
You came that we might have abundant life. Thank You Father for helping us understand that it is Your desire that we experience goodness and mercy, at Your hand, even if others try to discourage us. Help us to be an encourager to such people, we pray.
May we draw near to you, constantly, even in the midst of earthly disappointments? We know that we can if we but shift our focus from that which is transitory to that which is eternal! Help us today to notice the flowers, the clouds, the animals and all of your wonderful creation, provided for our pleasure and use. May we dwell “in Your presence”, even today. 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: deceived, disobedient, envy, foolish, God, hateful, hating, Holy Spirit, Hope, kindness, love, lusts, malice, mercy, regeneration, renewing, saved, Savior
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Hope, Inspirtation, Perseverance, faith, joy, peace, salvation | 8 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 »
Friday, April 12th, 2013
Courage, April 12
… though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:6-10, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Paul was a lot like us. He wanted to boast of his good works in Your name but he knew that was not Your will. You allowed him to experience many difficulties and You told him it was for his own good.
We too do not always have smooth sailing in our Christian walk. The difference between us and Paul is immense, in terms of outreach and effectiveness, but he too experienced physical weakness and pain. It is his Spiritual strength that captures our attention.
You, at the same time, gave him challenges and successes and taught him and now us, that his successes, even in a weakened physical condition, are proof that You can use anyone, no matter how weak they are as long as they trust in You.
Jesus, we are weak, in so many ways. Here we learn that it is in our recognition of our inadequacies, that You empower us to serve. It is in Your strength that we go forward. How else could it be without our pride becoming a burden? Take away any trace of arrogance in our lives, we pray in Your Holy name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: burden, Christ, Hope, Jesus, persection, Satan, truth
Posted in Christianity, Courage, God's Children, Holy Spirit, faith, peace, salvation | No Comments »
Saturday, April 6th, 2013
Forgiven, April 6
… as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Colossians 3:12-13, www.solascriptura.com
Father, it is so right to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control) and so wrong to be the opposite of these words. We do not need anyone to tell us when we are bearing bad fruit, those behaviors which are clearly not within Your will for our lives.
If we yield the fruits of the Holy Spirit, we will be as “sanctified”, a posture we seek but which eludes us too often. Father, we need to be more consistent. We know, Jesus, that being like You, in our relationships, is Your desire for us. You equip us to do so when we ask. For Your forgiveness and empowerment, we are grateful.
Help us today to be forgiving towards people just as you are constantly there for us, always forgiving. 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: anger, forgiveness, gentleness, hating, Hope, impatience, joy, patience, peace, self-control
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Forgiven, peace | 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 »
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 »
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 »