Posts Tagged ‘inheritance’
Wednesday, May 8th, 2013
Salvation, June 8
… We who first trusted in Christ…
In Him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:12-14, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Paul was a Jew speaking to Jews and here in his letter to the Ephesians, a Gentile area, Paul teaches us that those who love You and obey You are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”. Father, for this degree of certainty, we are grateful.
We are Your “purchased possession”. Father, we sometimes forget to focus on what You paid for our salvation. Jesus suffered immeasurably, not just at the Cross, but in his descent into the bowels of hades, which removed him temporarily from Your presence. We know You will not allow sin or sinners into Your presence, but that is exactly why Jesus came…to comingle with us and to save sinners and that includes every human being in history. He paid a great price for our personal salvation.
Father, Chuck Smith, one of Your more effective servants offers the following clarification about this complex thought of Jesus being separated from You. “Through the eternity past, He has always been one with the father, never separated. But when God laid on Him the iniquities of us all, because God can not look in agreement upon sin, there came that separation, as He tasted for a moment that separation from God, in order that you would not have to be separated from God eternally. God laid on Him the iniquities of us all. And when the sin’s of the world were laid on Jesus, He was forsaken of God. And thus that cry, that rang out; my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me.”
We are Your purchased possession, cleansed by Jesus. You, Father, are the guarantor of our salvation. Perfect! Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: believed, Christ, Ephesians 1:12-14, glory, Gospel, Holy Spirit, inheritance, possession, promise, purchased, redemption, salvation, sealed, trusted, truth, word
Posted in Christianity, Forgiven, Holy Spirit, Religion, salvation | 21 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 »
Monday, March 18th, 2013
The Narrow Gate, March 18
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, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:11-14, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, again we hear the word “predestined” to describe what is the reality of a born-again believer, One that You knew in the beginning would turn to You, trusting You, depending upon You in even the smallest things.
You teach us here that the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts is Your seal upon our souls, our guarantee of an inheritance so indescribably perfect that we can not even visualize it.
How are we to know that the seal of the Holy Spirit is upon us? Your word answers that question in so many ways but it seems to always come back to this verse: “You shall know them by their fruits.” If we say we love You, let our thoughts, choices and actions confirm that truth. Help us, this day, to seek You, to learn from You and to experience Your presence and friendship, all day. We are Your “purchased possession”. Is there anyone else we would like to commit our future to besides You?
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: Christ, counsel, Ephesians 1:11-14, gate, glory, Holy, inheritance, Narrow, praise, predestined, promise, purchased, purpose, salvation, Spirit, trusted
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Law of God, Perseverance, faith | 14 Comments »
Friday, March 1st, 2013
Industriousness, March 1
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
… we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;
that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
Ephesians 4:28, Colossians 3:23-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we know that your desire is that we are fruitful. You have taught us that one of the reasons to accumulate assets is to share them with those in need. Help us know that assets, granted to us by You, make us a custodian, one who administers benefits to others.
Working with enthusiasm and joy is your hope for us. Again Father, help us know that what we do, for and unto men, should be as if we were doing it for You personally. We work and serve, not to our glory, but to Yours. How tempting it is Father to take credit for dispensing Your gifts. Even the gift of love and caring, though free to us, came at a great cost to You. Help us this day to freely give that which we have been given.
In the material sense, most of us lack nothing that we truly need. Help us be spiritually satisfied by Your word and presence and to generously share 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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Tags: aspire, brethern, Christ, Industriousness, inheritance, labor, Lord, partiality, quiet, repaid, steal, working, wrong
Posted in Conscience, Industriousness, Law of God, Perseverance | 20 Comments »
Sunday, February 24th, 2013
Mind of Christ, February 24
… 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, in another place, Your Holy word says that You knew Jeremiah before he was in his mother’s womb. Here we learn that You chose us as well, having predestined us to adoption as Your children, enabled by the willing sacrifice of Jesus, to enter into Your presence.
Yet Father, we have choices. We have been given the power of volition. We are not puppets. How then Father, can we be predestined to be Your children? Thank You for teaching us that You are never surprised by anything we do, say or think because you are omniscient, knowing the beginning from the end. You see what is unseen, by us, You know what is unknown by us and what choices we will yet make.
Father, we earnestly pray that You will help us in what seems like an unending quest, punctuated by tests, permitted by You. If our journey seems uncertain, in terms of events and goals, we have assurance that all things work to the good for those that love You and obey You. Your grace is sufficient in all things. Give us comfort this day that You are present and that You care, constantly. Your love is made manifest in everything we see. 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: adoption, Christ, counsel, foundation, Holy, inheritance, Jesus, love, mind, predestined, purpose, sons, world
Posted in Christianity, God's Children, Mind of Christ, Providence of God, salvation | 183 Comments »
Thursday, February 21st, 2013
Prayer, Part 2, February 21
Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You.”
As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god
O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; you maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance.
Psalm 16:1-6, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we know that our goodness, absent the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, is more than just inadequate. When our fleshly instincts take over, we know we are running away from Your presence. Your word tells us that You delight in your saints, a designation none of us feel able to accept, yet it remains Your expectation. What is a saint, Father, but one whose life reflects Jesus? Help us this day to be more consistent in our walk with You.
You, Father, are not a transitory, undependable, father made of flesh. You are our permanent Heavenly Father, thus we do have a good inheritance. We are, gratefully, Your children. Your love for us exceeds human boundaries. What a wonderful designation….Your child. Amen and Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: excellent, God, goodness, inheritance, Lord, Prayer, preserve, Psalm 16:1-6, saints, sorrows, soul, trust
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Hope, Inspirtation, Prayer, Providence of God, faith | 15 Comments »
Monday, February 11th, 2013
Salvation, February 11 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands… and purify your hearts… 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. James 4:8, 1 Peter 1:3-5, www.solascriptura.com Father, we can see that this simple promise is the key to our salvation. If we draw near to You, You will draw near to us, The opposite probably is true as well. If we distance ourselves from You, You shouldl distance Yourself from us. The fact that You continue to extend Your hand to us, even in our sin, is beyond our comprehension. We know from many scriptures that our sins grieve You. It seems our neglect of You, as we live our lives, does the same. Help us today to focus on the fact that our inheritance, in You, is incorruptible, that our spirit, united with Your Spirit, will endure forever. May we cling to You when everything the world offers seems to be pulling us away. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: dead, Father, God, hearts, Heaven, incorruptible, inheritance, Jesus, Lord, mercy, power, purity, reserved, salvation, undefiled
Posted in Christianity, Forgiven, Hope, faith, peace, salvation | 36 Comments »
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013
Mind of Christ, January 29 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power Ephesians 1:15-19, www.solascriptura.com Father, the words we have just read are now a part of us. Your word has invaded our hearts, whether by a small amount or in a life changing way. Your word is never able to be stamped void. It is alive and active, giving us discernment and hope or convicting us. We truly respect and treasure Your word. Father, we thank You for Paul’s ministry. He taught us how to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, who he refers to as saints. We do pray for each other, perhaps not as fervently or constantly as we should, but we know that the prayers of a righteous man availeth much. You hear the prayers of those that love You so we never speak in vain when we bring our needs and hopes to You. We pray, this day, that You will reveal to us Your wisdom, Your insight, into situations where we feel incompetent. Help us know that You know our circumstance, that Your thoughts toward us exceed number. What a wonderful truth. Help us respond, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen Bruce Caldwell The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: Christ, Ephesians 1:15-19, faith, glory, God, Hope, inheritance, Lord, mind, power, saints, Spirit, thanks, wisdom
Posted in Christianity, Inspirtation, Mind of Christ, Providence of God, salvation, wisdom | 210 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 »