Posts Tagged ‘trust’
Thursday, May 9th, 2013
The Narrow Gate, May 9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
just as 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,
to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:3-6, www.solascriptura.com
Father, You tell us that You chose us and that You choose to bless us with every spiritual blessing. You have adopted us. We are heirs to Your Kingdom.
Here, Paul teaches us that we were predestined to be adopted as Your sons, by Jesus Christ, and that His will to do so gave Him pleasure. His grace to us brings glory to His name and He has made us acceptable in His sight.
First, Father, we know that You and Jesus are as one and that our election, our predestination was known by You. You would not be omniscient if You did not know that we would respond to Your love for us, personally. You knew we would accept Your invitation, Your grace and Your mercy.
Second, when Jesus came here, His life, His death and His resurrection became a pivotal event in history. Where men had been unable to fulfill the Law of the Old Covenant, You taught us, Jesus, that the New Covenant had replaced the Old. We now stand in the presence of the Father, not based only upon our obedience, but based upon our faith in You and our acceptance of You as savior. Yes, Father the old hymn, Trust and Obey, does sum it up. We can now stand in the presence of the Father, cleansed of our sin, as sons; sons that He knew would choose to have faith in You Jesus. Perfect! Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: Christ, Ephesians 1:3-6, God, Jesus, Lord, narrow gate, obey, omniscient, predestined, resurrection, sin, trust
Posted in Christianity, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Religion | 16 Comments »
Sunday, April 7th, 2013
Prayer, April 7
I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth– praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.
Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Psalm 40:1-4, www.solascriptura.com
Father, sometimes we feel that nothing is going right. This Psalm tells us that when we patiently wait upon You, in the midst of struggles, you do incline Your ear to us; You do hear our cry.
You take us from the feeling of being alone and lost to being lifted up, comforted and encouraged. You put a new song in our heart when we turn to You. Nothing in this world can comfort us as You can and no one understands our needs as You do. Lead us to that quiet zone of Your presence when we feel impotent.
Your word says blessed is the man who trusts You and does not look to other persons here for the kind of leadership and comfort that only You can give. Help us today to seek You in all things, at all times. 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: comforted, impotent, Lord, praise, proud, rock, trust
Posted in Hope, Inspirtation, Prayer, faith, joy, peace | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013
Prayer, Part I, March 26
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; in You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
In Your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am Your servant
Psalm 143:8-12, www.solascriptura.com
Father, if King David, a man after Your own heart, said, “teach me, lead me, revive me”, we surely want to look to his example and do the same. Our lives are so full of decision-making opportunities from very minor things to life-changing things, that we confess we need Your direction, Your counsel.
We are knocked about by evil influence and angry people. Our souls are troubled and our faith is tested by the circumstances of our lives. Help us O’God to know that You are present, every moment and give us peace as we go about Your business this day. We say “Your business” because our lives ultimately have no enduring meaning if we do not seek to do Your will.
Show us today what we can do to draw nearer to You and surely You will draw nearer to us. 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: deliver, enemies, Lord, lovingkindness, Prayer, Psalm 143:8-12, shelter, soul, Spirit, teach, trust, uprightness
Posted in Christianity, God's Children, Hope, Inspirtation, Prayer, faith, peace | 192 Comments »
Friday, February 22nd, 2013
Law of God, February 22
…we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,
knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,
according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
1 Timothy 1:8-15, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Paul is teaching us, in this letter to his young protégé, Timothy, that the law, when adhered to, does not present a problem. It is law breakers that will feel the rod of correction, sometimes physically, and sometimes in ways that simply convict us and make us feel terrible.
We know that the wages of sin is death and that we all have sinned. Thank You, Jesus, for making it possible to have every sin that we have ever committed to be expunged from our record, gone forever.
Every one of us, Father, can say, with Paul, “I am a sinner and except for You, Jesus, my sins are still with me.” But thank You God, that the confession of our sins, in all humility and contrition, and our will to sin no more, separates our sin from us as far as the east is from the west. What a relief to stand before You, Father, as if we had never sinned. Your mercy and grace make it so. 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: fornicators, God, Gospel, kidnappers, law, lawfully, lawless, liars, ministry, murderers, perjurers, profane, righteous, sinners, sodomites, trust, ungodly, unholy
Posted in Christianity, Law of God | 148 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 »
Sunday, February 10th, 2013
Hope, February 10 My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us… Psalm 62:5-8, www.solascriptura.com Father, as we look about and decide who it is we can depend upon and who it is we can trust, our hearts and mind turn to You. You are the unchanging, ever-present force in our lives. Our expectations and hopes are centered upon You, not upon transitional persons or images made by man. You alone are our rock and our salvation. We look to You in times of trouble and we love it when You make our heart joyful with incomparable blessings; eternal blessings! We pour our heart out to You in hope and in praise. Help us today not to become depressed by the sin and pain all around us but to instead seek You and Your will for the lives of all the persons in the world. We love You in good times and in difficult times and we know Your eyes are constantly upon us. We pray in the Holy name of Jesus. Amen. Bruce Caldwell The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: expectation, glory, God, Hope, refuge, rock, salvation, soul, trust
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Providence of God, faith | 53 Comments »
Tuesday, January 8th, 2013
Fidelity, January 8
…reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
These things command and teach.
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:7-16, www.solascriptura.com
Father, You tell us to reject tales and fables and to exercise our mind in a way that brings us into Your presence. Your word says that exercise of the body profits a little and that exercise of our mind toward godliness profits us in a most complete way. Father, we want to “stay in shape” and You proclaim that as good, but You warn us that if that is our physical goal, absent a more encompassing spiritual goal, then we have a priority problem.
You also tell us to enjoy our youth, being vital, while being full of the Holy Spirit seeking to serve You. Father, let our joy and enthusiasm for life bring us to the center of Your will for our life. Bless us as we seek to draw nearer to You. 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: despise, faithful, fidelity, labor, living God, love, reproach, Savior, Spirit, trust, youth
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Fidelity, Hope, Perseverance, faith, salvation | 2 Comments »
Monday, December 17th, 2012
Salvation, December 17
Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.
Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD– your salvation according to Your word.
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances.
So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever.
My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word.
My eyes fail from searching Your word, saying, “When will You comfort me?”
Psalm 119:40-44, Psalm 119:81-82, www. solascriptura.com
Father, this first verse says “revive me in Your righteousness.” How Father, can we be revived, except to have been alive at one time. Father, we know the answer; we are all made alive in Jesus and Your word is written on the heart of every person. We sometimes withdraw from You, even for prolonged periods, but here we learn that revival awaits.
Help us this day to cast aside the sins of the past and to look to You for the strength to be the kind of person You have asked us to be.
Father, take not the word from our mouths as a result of our reluctance to serve You, but instead, fill our mouths with a witness of Your love, Your forgiveness, Your kindness and gentleness, 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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Tags: law, Lord, mercies, precepts, righteousness, salvation, soul, trust, truth
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Fidelity, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer | 4 Comments »
Friday, December 14th, 2012
Prayer, November 14
Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.
Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—your salvation according to Your word.
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.
Psalm 119:40-42, www.solascriptura.com
Father, as we seek to be like Jesus, we find we must know more and more of His words, His instruction and His desire for us. We seek His righteousness that our spirit might be revived by His Spirit. You have taught us that hearts need to be changed for renewal to be real. Lead us away from our instinctive, self serving desires, into a concern for serving You and others.
Then, as we interact today and people see that we love You Jesus, give us answers for those who observe us knowing that we will not always be admired for our faith. Our objective today Father is to seek and to do Your Holy will, in all things.
We pray that You will strengthen those who serve You and place Your hand against Your enemies, those who would harm and destroy all that is good.
Give us a gentle spirit in the midst of chaos, we pray. 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: Lord, mercies, Prayer, precepts, righteousness, salvation, trust
Posted in Christianity, Prayer, Worship, salvation | 22 Comments »
Sunday, November 25th, 2012
Revenge, November 25
Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 37:1-3, 56:3-4, www.solascriptura.com
Father, when we see evil people “riding high” we wonder when they will be brought down, by You, and we sometimes envy their success. We know that if they do not repent they will never enter into Your presence, but we also know that we too have experienced sin, been haughty and been overly proud.
Help us not to be envious of material things or judgmental when others achieve notoriety, claiming the victories they earned as entitlement rather than acknowledging You as the source of all that is good. Help every person proclaim You as their Savior and the source of their strength in the midst of their successes.
Father, in your economy, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day. We know that life is very short (described as a vapor) and eternity is forever but these tiny moments exert more leverage than we sometimes acknowledge. The moments of our lives shape our eternity. That is leverage! Help us be loving and obedient, constantly, in the midst of both our triumphs and our losses.
We trust You Father, and we know that no man can take our souls from us. We belong to You now and forever. Strengthen us and help us not to envy evil or to be the judge of those we feel are against us. We pray for Your counsel, Your perspective, this day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
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Tags: afraid, envy, evil, Father, Savior, trust, vapor
Posted in Christianity, Perseverance, Providence of God, Religion, Revenge | 3 Comments »