Posts Tagged ‘Jesus’

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The antidote for anxiety…

Sunday, June 16th, 2013

Peace, June 16

And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Phillipians 4:3-13 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul was a wonderful messenger and his word rings as true today as it did then. Help us join with Paul in serving You. Strengthen us, every day, to cope with whatever comes and help us trust in Your promised compassion and direction for every circumstance we face.

Jesus, help us this day to focus on what is good, noble, pure, lovely and virtuous. We know that is Your will for us. Remove all temptation and sin from our lives, minds and hearts, we pray, in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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

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Posted in Christianity, Inspirtation, Religion, joy, peace | 4 Comments »

Danger ahead: Who would you like to hold your hand?

Saturday, June 15th, 2013

Courage, June 15

 “I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand;

“For the Lord GOD will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.
He is near who justifies Me; who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me.
Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
”Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his God.

Isaiah 42:6, 50:7-10 www.solascriptura.com

Father, this first verse capitalizes “You”. We know, therefore, that the prophet was saying that You, God, will hold the hand of Jesus during His time with us. Then we notice that all of these verses pertain to Jesus except the last one, wherein You address us.

We are to obey the voice of Your Servant, Jesus. We are to rely upon You God, in the same way Jesus did.

It is You Jesus who will not be disgraced or ashamed in the eyes of the Father; it is You that God justifies. Who can contend with You, who is Your adversary? You Jesus will judge us; You will uphold those that seek You. You and the Father are one and we can be one with You. That is empowerment and a bit beyond our understanding. We simply acknowledge that it is true. In Jesus’ name we come to you, Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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

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Posted in Christianity, Courage, Hope, Religion, peace | 4 Comments »

Predestination…does that mean we don’t have a choice?

Friday, June 14th, 2013

God’s Children, June 14

… 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

Jesus, predestination is such a mystery to us. Paul reminds us that You chose us, that is, You knew from the beginning of time which of us would respond to Your call. Does that mean we had no choice? Apparently not, because You repeatedly teach us to seek You, to pray about Your will for our lives to be fulfilled, to pray for the disadvantaged, to proclaim You to the lost.

Jesus, Paul himself was a persecutor of Christians and he certainly declared himself as Your enemy. He did not know that You would come to him and draw him to Yourself.

Father, we too, have choices, but the fact that You know what choices we will make is a mystery to us, but not to You. You will not lose one who seeks You; one who was predestined to respond to Your grace and love.

Help us to be among those that You knew would respond to Your call and thank You, Jesus, for calling us, for claiming us as Your own. Bless us and we seek to know You, better and better. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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

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Posted in Christianity, God's Children, Hope, Law of God, Religion, salvation | 3 Comments »

Why would I ever be severely punished?

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

End Times, July 13

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

2 Timothy 3:1-5, www.solascriptura.com

Father, our traditional Judeo-Christian values are being attacked from within and from without. It seems the core values of the world are as the people described above by Paul in his letter to his young student, Timothy.

It is no surprise to You, Father that things are as they are. You have told us to expect to be inundated with the portrayal of violence, lust, greed and every kind of sinful act, increasingly. Now “portrayal” is setting the stage for imitation and envy, taking Your children further from You.

You have told us that these are signs of the end times, the last days before Jesus returns.  Father, today we pray that You will strengthen our resolve to withdraw from that which glorifies evil. Prepare our hearts to be in Your presence, joyfully. Protect our children and grandchildren, we pray, from evil; in Jesus’ name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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

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Posted in Christianity, End Times, Fidelity, Law of God, Perseverance | 109 Comments »

Who has never sinned? He is our perfect example!

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013

Temple of God, June 11

 …be imitators of God as dear children.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Ephesians 5:1-6,  www.solascriptura.com

O’ God, You ask us to be imitators of You, and we know that Jesus was You, incarnate and that if we have seen the Son we have seen the Father. Jesus was the only person who ever lived who never sinned. Your Scriptures say “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Every person, aside from Jesus, has sinned.

Father, we confess we are sinners, saved by grace and that when we reach for a relationship with Jesus, He willingly accepts us, forgives us and cleanses us. Jesus said, I no longer call you servants, but I call you friends because I will reveal to you all that the Father has revealed to Me. How Father, can we know all things concerning You?

Jesus told us the answer. He said I will, by the grace of the New Covenant, write the truth upon the heart of every person and all we must do to learn the truth is to come to the Light within. That, Father, is why You call us saints and tell us we are the temple of the Holy Father.

We feel so distant, at times, from realizing that truth. We sometimes move towards darkness, we move away from You and away from Your Holy word. Forgive us for those occasions and help us grow up,  become sanctified and be as much like You, Jesus, as possible. We pray in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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

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Posted in Christianity, Religion, Temple of God | 22 Comments »

We seek Your mercy, not Your judgment

Sunday, June 9th, 2013

Forgiven, June 9,

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; you have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Psalm 26:2-3, 27:7-9, www.solascriptura.com

Father, sometimes we want to say, with King David, examine me, try my mind and heart (judge me); but too often we would rather not have you examine us because of our mistakes. Who among us seeks Your judgment? No, it is not Your judgment we seek, it is Your mercy.

Give us, this day, confidence that when we seek You, You do not turn Your face from us. Father, we know that we need to seek You more frequently. When we do so, the ratio of temptations to sin will diminish proportionately.

Our prayers, in the midst of trials, lift us above momentary circumstances. The circumstances pass and we are blessed. Help us know that moment of blessing is Your will being exercised in our lives. Our trials turn into triumphs, righteousness replaces sin and we feel cleansed. Thank You God for presenting us with a “you can count on Me” relationship. In Jesus’ Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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

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From innocence to guilt; growing up is hard to do.

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

Humility, June 5, 2008

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
”Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“… whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 18:2-4, 23:12, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we are Your children but we have in most cases lost our innocence. Thank You for teaching us that real innocence is in the heart of a child. You show us that children are trusting and dependent and that You want us to be the same.

Help us as parents and grandparents to teach these innocent children the truth concerning Your gifts to us and how they belong to You. The truth is truly written on the heart of every man and we see it in the innocence of the children. We also know, that as we mature, we are able to erase our names from the Book of Life by drifting from innocence to unforgiven guilt. Our names could never be blotted out of the Book of Life by our own actions, Father, unless it was first there. Help us today to reassure our children of Your protective Hand and to teach them of their opportunities to grow in Your grace.

We thank You Father for the simplicity of the Gospel. Help us, this day to humbly enter into Your Holy presence with a faith that is like a child’s faith. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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Posted in Christianity, God's Children, Heaven, Inspirtation, Providence of God, Religion | 7 Comments »

Joy perfected; just trust and obey, for there is no other way…

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

Joy, June 4

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
”As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
”If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
”These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:8-11, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You have taught us that God is glorified as we bear fruit as Your disciples. It is Your love for us, just as it was the Father’s love for You, that is the enabling factor. Help us, this day, to trust and obey and to abide in Your love in such a way that it is obvious to everyone that we seek to serve You. The result you promise is that Your joy will fill us and that our joy will be complete.

There is no way to have joy in this troubled world, Jesus, but to seek to be Your disciples, no matter what happens. The world will perish that a more perfect existence may come to all of those who name You as their personal Savior and in clinging to that fact we are able to possess joy. 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, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspirtation, Religion, joy, salvation | 13 Comments »

A built in lie detector…a painful truth!

Monday, June 3rd, 2013

Conscience, June 3

… it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight.

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 4:6, Proverbs 26:2, 2 Corinthians 7:1, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You, who created light in the darkness also gave us the Light that abides in us. You call it the “light of knowledge”. Help us know today that Your knowledge is in us if we would but turn to that Light within. Your Light is like a built in lie detector wherein every thought, action and vision is evaluated by You and taught to us. We are truly without excuse when we fail to turn to the Light.

You have taught us that curses, like a flying bird, do no light on people without a cause. Help us this day to be obedient to your laws and to receive blessings, not curses.

Your promises are to those who seek You. May we flee from sinful thoughts or deeds knowing that if our own heart condemns us we will have brought our own problems upon ourselves. Please perfect Your Holiness in us this day, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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

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Posted in Christianity, Conscience, God's Gift, Holy Spirit, Religion | 31 Comments »

Is there any reason God won’t listen to me?

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

Prayer, Part I, June 1

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.
I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.
But certainly God has heard me; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!

Psalm 66:16-20,  www.solascriptura.com

Father, the way that David states this Psalm makes it seem like only those who fear You can be heard by You. Is this true? Father, we do fear You but not in the way people usually define fear.

We know that when You created the earth, flooded the earth, shook the earth and parted the seas for Your people that Your power is beyond our understanding and that when we enter into Your presence we are approaching the only One who is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent, words that we can define but not truly grasp. Our fear will be as awesome reverence. Those who do not serve You, will, on the other hand be truly fearful.

What a wonderful truth – that Your mercy endures forever – for those that trust You. You extend Your loving hand, even when we were and are in sin. Father, we want to be more like Jesus and for sin to move farther and farther from us. Sanctify us this day and every person we know. We will testify of Your love 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, Holy Spirit, Humility, Prayer, Religion | 2 Comments »

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