Posts Tagged ‘power’
Friday, May 17th, 2013
Providence of God, May 17
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.
Colossians 1:13-22, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Paul has clarified that you are One and that You, Jesus came to us from the presence of the Father. Sometimes Father we speak to You and do not think about Jesus and You as One and sometimes Jesus we speak to you as separate from the Father, sent by the Father.
Help us O’God not to worry about such matters but to learn that You are three in one, serving us in distinct capacities. Thank You Jesus for the redemptive act of the Cross and for sending the Holy Spirit to abide with and in us.
Is it any wonder Father that Jesus and His angels will come to separate the saints from the sinners? You have extended all power to Him and it is by His shed blood that we will enter into Your presence. You, Yourself Father will judge among the saints, and although that is a comfort, because we will be with You, it reminds us that our salvation was purchased at a great price and that our enthusiastic response of love and obedience is Your expectation.
Our righteousness is as filthy rags. It is your righteousness Jesus that enables us to stand in the presence of the Father. Help us be “over comers” every moment of every day, turning to You for empowerment and comfort.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: blood, church, creation, cross, darkness, dominions, firstborn, flesh, forgiveness, God, image, invisible, kingdom, love, peace, power, principalities, Providence, reconcile, redemption, sins, Son, thrones, wicked
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Hope, Providence of God, Worship, faith, salvation | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013
Courage, March 20
… I …, 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
which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Ephesians 1:15-21, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, this is the perfect prayer that we should offer for each other. Paul says he continues in prayer for these children of God. Can we do less? Help us today to focus on praying for each other and to encourage each other in the faith.
Paul says witness of who Jesus was and why He matters in your life. His name is above every name! We pray that His name and our Lord’s Holy name is only spoken in fear and reverence. Forgive those who believe Your name, O’ God, is an exclamation point. How Father did we become so irreverent?
Have mercy on the souls of those who are disobedient, we pray. Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: Christ, Courage, enlightened, Ephesians 1:15-21, faith, Father, glory, God, Jesus, Lord, love, power, prayers, riches, saints, Spirit, thanks, wisdom
Posted in Christianity, Courage, God's Gift, Hope, Inspirtation, Perseverance, faith, salvation, wisdom | 14 Comments »
Tuesday, February 19th, 2013
Courage, February 19
… God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
Let all that you do be done with love.
2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we seldom experience the kind of fear that is being felt by those who are in war zones and those who are being discriminated against, every day. We pray for them, we pray that You will give them peace and comfort. Where death prevails, life eternal is promised for all those that love You Jesus.
We know from Your word that perfect love casts out fear. That is why, Father, we can approach You and the challenges of life with confidence. Help us remember that neither man nor evil circumstance can do anything that would destroy Your love for us or our love for You.
Help us to be helpful, kind, considerate and loving so that Your love for us shines through. 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: brave, Courage, fear, God, love, mind, power, Spirit, strong
Posted in Courage, Fidelity, Industriousness, Perseverance, faith | 128 Comments »
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
Forgiven, February 12 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? 2 Corinthians 13:4-5, www.solascriptura.com Father, we know that when Jesus went to the cross He could have, by Your Holiness in Him, destroyed every person responsible for his being crucified. He chose to do Your will Father and was crucified. His enemies thought they had won the day. In fact, His choice and His subsequent resurrection paved the way for the redemption of all who will believe. No crucifixion and no resurrection and we would all still be alienated from You, God. Here You tell us to examine ourselves, to look into our hearts and ask ourselves if the Holy Spirit, Jesus in us, actually exists. The answer, if we are to be saved, is yes, yes, He lives in my heart and every time I turn to Him I am making the right decision, the right move. Bless each of us and help us as we seek to know You better. 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: Christ, crucified, examine, faith, Forgiven, God, Jesus, power, test, weakness
Posted in Christianity, Conscience, Forgiven, Perseverance | 98 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 »
Sunday, January 20th, 2013
The Narrow Gate, January 20
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
…may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25, 1 Peter 5:10-11, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, the gate is narrow, but it is You that pushes it open, it is You that keeps us from stumbling, it is You who joyfully present us faultless to our Father God. It is You Jesus who has taught us, repeatedly, that we can only be “faultless” when Your righteousness envelops us.
Peter reminds us that we will suffer for a time, prior to entering into Your permanent peace, perfected and strengthened in You. Jesus, we are bombarded by sin from every side and we have learned, or are learning, to turn away from it but at the same time it keeps coming.
We come to You as babes, in terms of our Spiritual condition but help us today, grow quickly in our knowledge and dedication to You. You lift us up, You teach us, You sustain us. Thank You for that reality. 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: dominion, faultless, gate, glory, God, joy, majesty, Narrow, perfect, power, Savior, strengthen, stumbling, suffered, wise
Posted in Christianity, Courage, God's Gift, Hope, Inspirtation, Perseverance, faith, joy | 20 Comments »
Thursday, January 10th, 2013
Perseverance, January 10
…as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
2 Peter 1:3-11, Philippians 4:13, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Your promises are indeed great and precious promises. If we could but thoroughly understand the depth of Your love for us and Your desire for us to be like Jesus, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, we would see no alternative but to claim our gift of grace and love from You.
We can accomplish nothing, that endures, absent Your strength in us. This is our prayer Father; give us an entrance into the everlasting kingdom. Help us O’God to focus on the miraculous circumstance of that prayer. 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: corruption, divine, faith, glory, godliness, lust, nature, Philippians 4:13, power, promises, virtue
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Perseverance, faith | 75 Comments »
Tuesday, November 13th, 2012
Revenge, November 13
I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense;
My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.
Do not slay them, lest my people forget; scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak.
Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be; and let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth…
But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy.
Psalm 59:9-13, Psalm 59:16-17, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we, in our comfort, seldom encounter an enemy that we ask you to destroy, someone who is trying to kill us and destroy us. King David did have those first hand experiences. But even David knew it was Your power he was relying on, not his own.
Jesus, You taught us that if we do not forgive our enemies You will not forgive us. You said to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Yet when the enemy attacks we are inclined to take matters into our own hands. Give us the courage, we pray, to display patience when our lower nature tempts us to “get even”, right now!
Clearly enough, judgment belongs to You and we are not to seek to be the Judge, a role you reserve to Yourself. Instead, You teach us that we are to pray for the enemy and to be steadfast in our obedience, even when our instincts drive us in the opposite direction. This day, please suppress the power of evil, keep aggressors from our door and give us patience in dealing with difficult people. Clearly, not one of us can do this in and of ourselves. Bless us in Jesus Holy name, we pray.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O.Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: cursing, enemies, God, Lord, lying, mercy, power, pride, Revenge, sin, strength
Posted in Christianity, Law of God, Revenge, faith | 22 Comments »
Thursday, November 1st, 2012
The Providence of God, November 1
God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God.
Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work.
Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple.
By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, you who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of the far-off seas;
Psalm 62:11-12, Psalm 65:4-5, www.solascriptura.com
Father, the world will witness your power. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that you are Lord, including those who have not yet done so. It is your mercy that we seek. You have chosen us and even now You draw us near to You in spite of our weaknesses.
You have taught us that one day in your court is better than thousands elsewhere. Give us the necessary faith to look to our eternal future with confidence and joy.
We know that You provide for us materially but Father, please renew within us a right Spirit, one that responds to your constant presence and love. It is the serenity of Your presence in the midst of challenges that we seek. Help us today to observe Your wonderful creation afresh. 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: earth, God, goodness, Lord, mercy, power, Providence, Psalms 62:11-12, Psalms 65:4-5, salvation, sea, Temple, work
Posted in Christianity, Courage, God's Gift, Hope, Providence of God | 51 Comments »