Posts Tagged ‘truth’
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
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 | 11 Comments »
Monday, April 23rd, 2012
Humility, April 23
We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.
2 Corinthians 6:1-11, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Paul is an example to us of one who has been severely tested, yet faithful in every way. Father, we also know that he persecuted Christians before his life-changing encounter with Jesus. Now here he tells us that “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Father, the contrast between pride and humility is always before us. We have such an inclination to allow our ego to overcome us. Help us, today, to know that it is You we seek to please and that even when we do please You, it is due to the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, not our fleshly spirit. We pray that we can turn our pride into joy as we acknowlege your gifts.
O’ God, we know that serving You requires the death of our “old nature”. Help us be what You desire us to be, 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: dishonor, dying, fasting, God, grace, Holy Spirit, honor, Humility, killed, kindness, live, love, ministers, ministry, offense, patience, purity, salvation, sleeplessness, stripes, tribulations, truth, tumults, vain, workers
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Fidelity, Humility, Perseverance, faith | 20 Comments »
Thursday, April 12th, 2012
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: abundance, boast, buffet, Courage, exalted, flesh, fool, grace, infirmities, perfect, power, refrain, Satan, strength, thorn, truth, weakness
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Inspirtation, Perseverance, faith | 52 Comments »
Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
God’s Children, April 11
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
I John 2:1-6;12, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we come to You, cleansed of our sin because Jesus, our Advocate, has made it all possible. We know there is no other way to be in Your presence except at the nomination of ourselves by Jesus.
Our Advocate, the One who appeals to You, Himself, paid the price for our sins. This is true of no one else, therefore all judgment has been assigned to Jesus. We can boldly enter into Your presence because our faith is based on the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of a new heart and a completely new start.
The Apostle John speaks plainly about obedience. “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Keeping Your commandments is not easy. We know our walk with You is a little “uphill” but each day of obedience makes the next day’s hill, easier. John says, “walk just as He walked.” That is our prayer today. Help us be more like you every day. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: advocate, children, Christ, commandments, Father, Forgiven, Jesus, liar, love, perfected, propitiation, righteous, sin, truth
Posted in Christianity, Forgiven, God's Children, Hope, faith, peace, salvation | 28 Comments »
Friday, March 16th, 2012
God’s Gifts, March 16
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him.
1 John 2:18; 20; 27, www.solascriptura.com
Father, John, the beloved Apostle, tells us what is repeatedly made clear; the antichrist is coming.
We know that with You Father, a thousand years is as a day and a day as a thousand years. We sometimes over rate these few years we have on earth, not realizing they are less than a speck of sand on the beaches of eternity.
But, even if we do not fully grasp the concept of eternity, we do know that this small allotment of years is all that we have to work with in terms of accepting Your grace and mercy to us. Life seems long to some and too brief to others but You have taught us it is as a vapor that disappears.
Your word says that Jesus, when He died for our sins and rose again, said You would send the Holy Spirit to all men. Jesus said that the truth would be written on our hearts and that those who do not acknowledge that truth will be without excuse.
Here, John clearly makes the same point. We need to look no further than our own hearts to know You. We enjoy being taught by others but here John says You are our teacher, it is Your anointing, Your healing hand upon us that saves us if we will but respond to Your love. May we each receive Your wonderful gift of anointing this day, afresh. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: antichrist, children, counterfeit, God's gifts, Holy, know, taught, teach, truth
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Holy Spirit, Mind of Christ, Religion, faith | 11 Comments »
Tuesday, March 6th, 2012
Perseverance, March 6
I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word.
My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word.
Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O LORD, revive me according to Your justice.
They draw near who follow after wickedness; they are far from Your law.
You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are truth.
Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.
Consider my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes. Great are Your tender mercies, O LORD; revive me according to Your judgments.
Many are my persecutors and my enemies, yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.
I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, because they do not keep Your word.
Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.
The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word.
I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.
I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law.
Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:147-164, www.solascriptura.com
Father, in this busy life of ours, we find that our will to spend time with You is preempted by the affairs of life. We are stretched too far and we are doing important things, some time, but Father, we know that failing to look to You, to notice Your love for us, to thank You for all that You have provided, is a mistake.
Help us find time, every day, to focus on Your presence and Your Holy word. May we never stand before You and say we were too busy to talk to You, acknowledge You and seek to know You better. In Christ’s enabling power, guide us to the foot of the Cross that we might worship You in Spirit and in truth. Amen
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: commandments, dawning, help, justice, meditate, redeem, revive, truth, watches, wickedness
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, Religion | 28 Comments »
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
Obedience, February 8
“Please, let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night,
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.
And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts.
Nehemiah 1:6-8; 10-11, www.solascriptura.com
Father, our prayer that You listen and be fully observant of us is accompanied by the reality that is exactly what You do. You hear us and see us, constantly. We do not understand how that can be true, given our finite capabilities, but we have faith that You know when a bird falls from the sky or when a hair falls from our head.
We “reach” for ways to understand, knowing that every living thing is Yours, including the air we breath and the water we drink. You had a dove descend and say, “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased”. You tell us the trees clap their hands, the clouds collide, the earth trembles and the stars are beyond counting. God we simply confess that Your declarations are true and we do not have to explain the phenomena that we observe and experience.
We now possess the Living Word, Your Scriptures and we look back on what the Old Testament prophets proclaimed. Your word enriches, encourages and illuminates. What a marvelous resource You have given us.
You say, we walk in liberty because we seek Your precepts. Father, is the opposite also true, that if we walk in darkness, there is no true liberty? Father, we want to keep Your law forever and forever. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: day, ear, forever, law, liberty, mouth, obedience, ordinances, Prayer, precepts, servant, truth
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Providence of God, faith | 43 Comments »
Friday, January 27th, 2012
Prayer, January 27
LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart;
You have tested my heart; you have visited me in the night; you have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Psalm 15:1-2; 17:3, www.solascriptura.com
Father, here we learn from David that works of righteousness matter. What we say and do is noticed by You. But, You have taught us elsewhere that Your grace, in calling us to Your side, and that Your mercy and our faith in Jesus, makes our works become a reflection of our faith. We know that without works our faith seems powerless and that works alone hardly distinguish us from being like any other good citizen.
Help us today to be free of self-imposed guilt. We know that You have lifted our guilt from us and that if we try to continue to bear it, we miss the point of Your sacrifice. You have taught us that it is Satan who is the “accuser”. We also know it is You who stand as our advocate. We are no longer guilty! We, like David, have been tried and we stand before You, forgiven and cleansed.
Lead us as we seek to be obedient and righteous, empowered by You. Help us, especially, not to transgress with our mouth. You have taught us that an olive tree should not bear figs and vice versa. Let our words be consistent with our faith. May we glorify You and be an encouragement to others. 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: heart, Holy, Lord, Prayer, Psalm 15:1-2; 17:3, righteousness, tabernacle, tested, transgress, truth
Posted in Christianity, Fidelity, Prayer, Providence of God, faith | 61 Comments »