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 | 114 Comments »
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 | 5 Comments »
Forgiven, February 20
…be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Ephesians 4:32, James 4:8, www.solascriptura.com
Father, You have taught us that there are two overriding commandments. First we are to love You with all of our heart, mind, and strength and second, we are to love our neighbors as our selves.
These two verses, the first by Paul and the second by James, Your half brother Jesus, say precisely that. Paul teaches us that since we have been forgiven, it is only appropriate that we forgive others. How else could it be?
Then Father, James teaches us a verse we should all memorize. If we draw near to You, You will draw near to us. The initiative lies with us to respond but it is Your grace and mercy Father that was first extended to us.
You seek a relationship with us. How many others truly seek a relationship with us and how much more worthy are they than You? Your friendship, counsel, leadership and encouragement can not be matched by any person on earth. Help us today to learn that fact. 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: Christ, forgave, Forgiven, forgiving, God, kind, tenderhearted
Posted in Christianity, God's Children, Hope, Law of God, Providence of God, peace, salvation | 273 Comments »
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 | 97 Comments »
Peace, February 18
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
”Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
”They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
”for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:13-17, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we know that the great tribulation will be a time of extreme testing. There are those who will endure the temptations wherein we are asked to serve someone beside You; but here these saints, whose sins were washed away by the blood of Your perfect Lamb, Jesus, are depicted as an example of what You have in store for the faithful.
We also see that those who are saved will serve You. Father, sometimes we think of our future with You as moments of esteem, where we are honored for our faith. Yes, we will be honored for our faith but our eternal future will be one of being led by You to the living water and the tears we shed here will be remembered no more. We will abide in perfection; no hunger, no thirst, no excess heat, but just joy in serving You, not seeking to be honored but to be led and shepherded by You.
Remove from us our earthly bonds that we might be with You but until then, help us joyfully and faithfully serve others and to love and obey You. 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: blood, day, elders, hunger, Lamb, peace, Revelation 7:13-17, robes, tears, Temple, thirst, throne, washed, waters, white
Posted in Christianity, Courage, End Times, Forgiven, God's Children, God's Gift, Heaven, Perseverance | 43 Comments »
God’s Children, February 17
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
I John 3:2-7, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we know You created us in Your own image. You had other choices! Here, the Apostle John, referred to as “the beloved apostle” by Jesus, teaches us that we have not yet seen what will be revealed. He simply tells us to take comfort that we will be as You.
This is the hope that “purifies”, Father. What a wonderful truth. Hope in You, purifies us. We, too often, feel impure. John says, “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” Help us today to choose righteousness, not sin. Help us look to You. Be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, we pray. Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: children, deceive, God, lawlessness, pure, revealed, righteous, sin
Posted in God's Children, God's Gift, Hope, Providence of God | 13 Comments »
The Narrow Gate, February 16
“… to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
”I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
”So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Revelation 3:14-22, www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, this set of verses may represent the greatest challenge we will ever experience. Your disgust with our being “lukewarm” is graphically clear. We get the point; but, Jesus, help us understand what it is to be “hot”.
We can see that You would even prefer us cold, to being lukewarm. Why is being lukewarm such an awful condition? Jesus, we speculate, but when we are cold, we are not being hypocritical. We simply are voluntarily moving away from You, not claiming any kind of personal relationship with You. Therefore, our actions are truly representative of our situation.
If we are lukewarm, we could be sending mixed signals. We could be viewed as being hypocritical or at least as inconsistent. Yet, being “hot”, all the time implies a level of commitment with which we may be uncomfortable.
Jesus, we have been taught that a new heart means a new start, where we can say “I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” If we live every day, looking to You for guidance, comfort, wisdom and renewal, would we not be considered “hot”? We pray that is so. None of us wants to be lukewarm. Lead us today, Jesus, in paths of righteousness, all day, and every day, we pray. Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: gate, lukewarm, mouth, Narrow, vomit
Posted in Law of God, Religion, salvation | 25 Comments »
God’s Gifts, February 15
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
2 Corinthians 9:15, Galatians 5:22-23, www.solascriptura.com
Father, when Paul uses the word “gift” in this verse, he calls it indescribable. Why would he say “indescribable? One reason may be that you shared some information with Paul that he was told not to share with us. He said they were “inexpressible” words which he was not permitted to utter, after being caught up in what he called “the third heaven”.
Father, if there is a third heaven, is there not a first and second heaven? Paul said he could not tell us but he does say the gift is “indescribable”. O’God, we really do see things “dimly” and we know that what is, is not what will be. The frustrations and difficulties of this life do not compare with the glory You will yet show us.
Father in the midst of the turmoil of this world, Paul reminds us of what we can experience right now. We look forward to no more pain and disabilities for eternity. Here and now You grant us the fruits of the Spirit, freely given to all who seek them; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. No matter how difficult life can be, these promises are to us all, right now. We praise You for Your love for us. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: faithfulness, fruit, gentleness, gifts, God, goodness, joy, kindness, love, patience, peace, self-control, Spirit
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Holy Spirit, Worship, faith, peace, salvation | 8 Comments »
Temple of God, February 14
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
But 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.
I Peter 5:8-10, www.solascriptura.com
Dear God, sometimes we forget that we who love You have a big target on our back and that Satan is indeed looking for ways to bring us down, to break our faith and to make us doubt that You are there for us.
It seems apparent, Father, that Satan does not waste time bringing down those who he thinks belong to him (You have taught us that he has limitations of time and space). We pray that no one will choose evil over good, Satan over You.
You say to resist the devil. How do we do that, given the range of his power that You have granted to him? Your word says we, in and of our own strength, can not resist him. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can withstand the temptations that Satan places before us.
Nothing is as insightful as your word…”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.” Thank You for sharing Your wisdom and truth with us.
We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064
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Tags: adversary, brotherhood, devil, devour, eternal, faith, God, grace, perfect, resist, roaring lion, sober, steadfast, suffering, Temple, vigilant, world
Posted in Christianity, Courage, Perseverance, faith | 7 Comments »
Prayer, February 13
Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened; burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
Then I said, “Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:5-8, www.solascriptura.com
Father, When we look at all You have created, we are overwhelmed with Your omniscience and omnipotence. You are indeed all knowing and all powerful. Here You tell us of Your omnipresence in our lives. Your thoughts towards us exceed number. You are a constant reality. We are truly never alone.
You do not desire sacrifice from us. Jesus has atoned for our sins, once and for all. Without our giving You anything, You have given us everything. We sometimes feel we want to “deserve your love” or “to do works to earn Your love”. Forgive us for trying to add something that You do not require.
The names of Your children are written in the scroll of the book. We know that to be absent from that scroll we would have to have removed ourselves from Your extended hand of love. We pray that each of us not only reaches for You but that we look to the truth that You have written on our hearts as a source of strength and assurance that Your hope for us is eternal. 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: God, heart, law, Lord, numbered, offering, Prayer, Psalm 40:5-8, sacrifice, scroll, sin, speak, thoughts, works
Posted in Christianity, God's Gift, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Religion | 13 Comments »