God's Gifts #1

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 www.solascriptura.com

Father, there may not be another single verse in the Bible that says so much about how powerful the Bible is. Thank You for giving it to us.

Your word is a two edged sword bringing both salvation and condemnation. It does cut both ways, revealing truth to Your children and a stern warning to those who doubt You and disobey You.

Your word is alive, it is dynamic. The more we learn of You the more we realize there is so much more to know and to experience. It is powerful, persuasive and permanently true. At the same time, it is gentle, loving and comforting.

Your word pierces to the depth of our soul, it discerns our thoughts and measures the intent of our hearts. What a tragedy it would be to have our Bibles taken from us, something You promise will happen during the Great Tribulation. Will we have stored Your word in our hearts?

Help each of us to commit to spending more and more time in Your Holy, inspiring word this day and every day We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gift #2

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 but right 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

God's Gifts #3

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

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 or 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

God’s Children #3

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:9-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, here Peter points out an important fact: We have received gifts. We sometimes doubt that is true but help us to remember the times in our lives when a person said something kind to us or commended us and we never forgot it. Father, each of us has had someone compliment us or tell us something we really enjoyed hearing.

We know that "flattery" is wrong so help us not to offer insincere compliments. Peter says we should speak using the very words of God, words of assurance and comfort. Help us today to lift the spirit of another person by using Your word as a key element of our praise.

Father, You have taught us that if we say, "God has really blessed You with great talent" that it is much better than saying, "You have it all man, You da man!" We are so vulnerable to praise. Remind us today that, we brought nothing into this world and no matter how cool we are, we will take nothing out. Our only hope is in You. Father, help us today to praise You for our gifts and to exercise them to Your glory. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

James 1:5-7 www.solascriptura.com

Father, James, the half-brother of Jesus, in the beginning, doubted who Jesus was in terms of His being the Son of God and so did the other half- brothers of Jesus. We know Peter denied Jesus three times. In all cases, these men brought the same sort of weakness to the table as we do. We were not always committed to receiving Your grace and we have not always loved Jesus and acknowledged Him as our Savior.

But now, we have the opportunity to ask You to lead us by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can, in all humility and contrition, ask You for wisdom, for comfort, for forgiveness and for perfect fidelity to You and those You have placed in our lives.

You offer us a stern warning that we "must believe and not doubt". Father, please help us with the doubts that sometimes come upon us. We feel so imperfect and at times very uninformed. Help us today to realize that is not our perfection that we wear when we approach You. We come to You in the righteousness of Jesus, cleansed by Him, led by Him. Help our belief in You to lead to higher levels of trust in You. Forgive us when we think You have abandoned one of us. You never leave our side. Help us not to doubt that fact! We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #6

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

… Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:1-4, 12, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul teaches here and elsewhere that the gift of "tongues" is a desirable gift but he also makes it clear that words which are spoken, in Your name, if they are to be useful, must be understood.

Tongues are an example of a gift which can be of no value, in cases where there is not an interpreter present, and that we should seek the higher gift of being able to extend love to all persons and to You.

Father, we know that all gifts of the Spirit are from You and that they differ greatly. Help us to become more aware of our personal gifts and not to doubt that we have gifts. A gift which brings honor and glory to You is the most desirable gift.

Here you tell us the "prophesying" (teaching from Your word) is one of the most useful gifts we can share with each other. Give us a means of sharing Your love and Your word with someone, this day. We pray in Jesus' Holy name. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #7

...love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

1 Corinthians 13:5-10 www.solascriptura.com

Father, this much quoted "love" chapter has some wonderful promises. When we immerse our spirit in Your Spirit, this gift of love lifts us to levels of caring and commitment well beyond anything we can achieve in the flesh.

Help us today to better understand the meaning of these verses as they apply to our everyday relationships. You have told us that love never fails. We know, that when it does, it is not Your love for us that fails, but love seems to fail when we forget to access the power of the Holy Spirit, that one source that is able to cause us to focus on our commitment to the needs of other persons.

We await perfection. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

God's Gifts #8

Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.

1 Corinthians 12:1,4-7,12-14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul was addressing a divided congregation when he taught them these words. They were arguing over such things as which preacher was best, which gift was best and whether some were "in" and others "out". We thank You for Paul's straightforward teaching.

We see that there is one Spirit and when we have You in our heart, we are equal but our differences, in terms of gifts remain. No matter what gift we have, we only have it because of You. Keep us from pride, especially the kind of pride that divides, elevating us to the level of judge.

Father, You do not ask us to abandon our personal identity and the gifts You have given us as we seek to serve You. You have said the opposite; the Body of believers, the Church, is made up of different parts and it is the breadth of our gifts that contribute to the effectiveness of the whole.

We are truly One Body, made up of many parts. Thank You Father for encouraging us to seek our gifts, our special callings, as we seek to serve You.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #9

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

…each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

1 Corinthians 1:7-9, 7:7 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Your word teaches that we lack no spiritual gift, yet, we often feel impotent, spiritually. If the gift is present why do we feel that way? You teach us the answer in many places; You never move away from us but we are free to move away from You and when we do, we disconnect ourselves from Your Spirit in us.

Help us, today, to draw near to You, and You have promised that when we do, You will draw near to us. This profound truth is so easily accessed that it embarrasses us to move away from You and then ask why we feel depressed or impotent.

Father, for Your gifts to us, we are grateful. We pray that those gifts are "enabling" gifts and that we can bring joy to You and to others as we use them to glorify You. Paul has taught us that gifts differ widely but we know that every gift, not utilized, is, in a sense, a liability. We had it but we did not use it. Forgive us when that is true and teach us, today, to use our gifts (at least one of them) to Your glory.

What is it Father that we can do to show our love for You and for each other? The action we decide upon will result in the exercise of a gift and we thank You for that gift. In Jesus' Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #12

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:5-7 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul reminds us once again that it is Your grace, extended to each of us, that enables us to be apostles of obedience, witnessing of Your love to all the nations.

We are told that we are "called" by Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. O'God, how could we refuse this invitation to eternal life and being full of peace and joy forever? Strengthen our resolve to seek You this day.

Paul says we are called to be "saints". Father, You know how frail and impotent we feel, at times. Help us today, to know that when we are full of the Holy Spirit seeking to be as You Jesus, that we are, in that moment, saints. Not because we, in our own nature, deserve that kind of designation but when we are wrapped in Your righteousness, we are as You. That is our goal Jesus, to be as You. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #10

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

…each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

1 Corinthians 1:7-9, 7:7 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Your word teaches that we lack no spiritual gift, yet, we often feel impotent, spiritually. If the gift is present why do we feel that way? You teach us the answer in many places; You never move away from us but we are free to move away from You and when we do, we disconnect ourselves from Your Spirit in us.

Help us, today, to draw near to You, and You have promised that when we do, You will draw near to us. This profound truth is so easily accessed that it embarrasses us to move away from You and then ask why we feel depressed or impotent.

Father, for Your gifts to us, we are grateful. We pray that those gifts are "enabling" gifts and that we can bring joy to You and to others as we use them to glorify You. Paul has taught us that gifts differ widely but we know that every gift, not utilized, is, in a sense, a liability. We had it but we did not use it. Forgive us when that is true and teach us, today, to use our gifts (at least one of them) to Your glory.

What is it Father that we can do to show our love for You and for each other? The action we decide upon will result in the exercise of a gift and we thank You for that gift. In Jesus' Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #11

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:4-8 www.solascriptura.com

Father, it seems clear that there will not be "denominations" in eternity. We who claim Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, as our Redeemer and we who believe You are the Creator of all things, the omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent One, the One who extends Your grace to all who would seek You in Spirit and in truth (and Jesus said, the Word is truth and can not be broken) it is we who make up the Body of Christ, the Church.

What pain it must cause You to see mankind assume the role of judge. You have taught us that Jesus and His angels will judge us and separate the sheep from the goats, the saints from the sinners and that all who Jesus names as faithful will spend eternity with You and the saints.

Here You teach us that our differences are in our gifts, not our means of knowing You. No gift is better than another and we all contribute, to the best of our ability, in making the Church one body in Christ Jesus. Forgive us if we add rules and conditions that are not named by You. Forgive us for suggesting this denomination or that is "in" or "out".

Help us to take care of our own opportunities to seek You and to serve You and not to focus on what others do or do not do. We know, Jesus that You say "they shall know us by our love". That is our objective today, to love others as we love ourselves. It is impossible for us to be as You, Jesus, in and of ourselves. We come to You in all humility and contrition asking for Your Spirit to fill us afresh. We pray in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #13

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You know that when I made a decision to commit my life to loving You and serving You that these words, spoken by You, captured my full attention. I pray these words will be indelibly impressed on the heart of each one of us.

Jesus, we sometimes, in our immaturity, fear committing our lives to following You because we think we are giving up degrees of control, we are yielding our will and our agenda to Your will and Your agenda.

That is not an easy thing for a strong-willed person to do or for any person that fears yielding control. Jesus, when we feel that way, we have clearly misunderstood Your will for us. You declare here that You did not come to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, which is Satan's agenda. You came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

When we yield our hearts to You, the abundant life is guaranteed to follow. We know, Jesus, that abundance here does not mean material things, although You bless us in so many ways. The abundance You provide is both eternal and right now.

You fill us with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and we become equipped to yield the fruit that leads to eternal happiness. This same fruit makes life worth living, here and now. You promise us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When we come to You, we give up nothing of enduring value (and escape from a life leading to eternal suffering) and we gain Your perfection as we experience Your presence. Bless us richly that we might be a blessing to others, we pray in Your name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #14

...we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:28-31 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Our vision is as limited as our certainty of our life span. We can not see very far ahead and we are uncertain of whether we will even be alive tomorrow. We always want to hedge our statements about what we are going to do by saying "Lord willing" I will do such and such. How else could it be? We do not control outcomes yet here You promise us that You do. We can trust in You to lead us if we live "according to Your purpose".

We also can see that if we do not live according to Your purpose we can not be assured that all things will work out as You had willed. You do allow us to run away from Your perfect will.

Yet, in the next verse You teach us that we are "predestined" to be as Jesus. Father, we know that You know who will respond to Your ever-present call. We also know that it is by Your grace that we are saved and not of our own works. Merit badges will not open the door of the kingdom for one who does not know You. It is our faith in Jesus' redemptive act, our cleansing by His shed blood and our will to seek to be like Jesus that saves us, all made possible by Your grace and mercy.

Since You are omniscient Father, knowing all things from the Alpha to the Omega, the beginning and the end, You knew who would place their hand in Yours and become heirs to the kingdom. Yet, in Deuteronomy 31:19, You say: ...I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

O'God, we thank you for Jesus, our Redeemer, our Friend and Comforter. We choose life Father, that each of us and each of our children may live. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #15

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Romans 8:22-27 www.solascriptura.com

Father, in a sense, we love life and all of its opportunities yet we also look forward to perfection, a eternal life without sin and suffering. We who love You and have committed ourselves to Your service wait for the moment in time when we finally see all of that which You have prepared for us. You tell us that eye has not seen nor has mind imagined that which You have prepared for us.

It is this hope that leads to our faith in You Jesus and to our redemption, all made possible by God's grace and mercy.

Paul teaches here that Your Spirit intercedes for us and pleads for us with words that are inexpressible by ourselves. There is no one that is able to present us to the Father in such a manner but You Jesus.

Paul reminds us again that we are saints, awaiting redemption, and that You search our hearts and intercede for us. We can not easily grasp that fact. Help us O'God to know the depth of Your love. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #16

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:25-33, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, to have You, personally, teach us is no small thing. Is there anyone, anywhere whose words could be more important to us.

On many occasions You teach us to be anxious about nothing. Given the number of deep sighs, hands wringing, and perplexed looks we manifest, it seems anxiety and stress are more common than not. But what do You say Jesus, about anxiety? You say, repeatedly, "don't worry" and then You teach us why. When we abide in You and You in us, You fully understand our needs.

You tell us that if we seek a relationship with You, seeking first the kingdom heaven, that all the things we need will be added unto us. You ask us to have faith in the fact that You are there for us, a friend for eternity.

We do not always get everything we want Jesus but we do get everything we need. Help us today to know that if you bless us with much more than we need that Your expectations of our service to others, goes up. Truly, to whom much is given, much is required. We seek both Your blessings and Your Spirit in us, enabling such blessing to inure to the benefit of all. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #17

Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100:3-5, www.solascriptura.com

Father God, You have chosen to make us in Your image. We know, for those that love and obey You, that we are not yet what we will become. Life can seem so long when we are hurting yet You have prepared an eternal place of perfection for us all where we will be neither young nor old and certainly not ill. We look forward to something so perfect that it escapes our ability to fully describe it.

Thank You for the hints about how wonderful it will be to be in Your midst with Your people, rejoicing with the saints of the present and the past. We will truly enter into Your gates with thanksgiving. Our despair and our deficiencies will be behind us and we will be forever joyful as we celebrate perfection.

You alone are good and You alone will be our constant Light. Your mercy to us is too great for us to grasp but thanks be to You, Jesus, for coming to us and making it possible to stand in the presence of our Lord, as if we had never sinned, cleansed and full of joy. Perfect! Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #18

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. But the LORD has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge.

Psalms 94:19, 22, www.solascriptura.com

Father, these brief words remind us that most of us have a multitude of anxieties which distract us from the comfort of Your presence. When, in the midst of anxiety, we are able to step back and remember the transitional nature of most circumstances, we can find comfort in our eternal relationship with You.

You have taught us that everything that is physical will pass away, including us, and that everything of the Spirit will endure forever. We get so caught up in worrying about the present that we sometimes lose sight of the promises of eternity.

Help us today to learn that the present is vitally important in terms of our service to You and to those we meet. Let us not be anxious about what we cannot change and to work diligently to change everything that needs changing, as prescribed by You.

You are truly our Rock, our place of refuge in good times and bad times. Help us to look up when our hearts are heavy and to know You are totally aware of our needs. What a wonderful fact upon which we can rely.

Bless us, this day, in Jesus' Holy name.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #19

Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.

Psalms 86:4-7, www.solascriptura.com

Father, sometimes we find it hard to rejoice, not because You have moved away from us, but because the cares of this world are upon us. It seems, Father, that the only completely reliable relationship in life is with You and therefore we rejoice in that certainty.

You are always good, You never offer mixed messages or guidance that is situational and we can trust You in every circumstance. That is not true of our relationships with people, most of the time, but to the extent we are the ones who are untrustworthy and inconsistent, help us, this day to be more like You.

Teach us to be patient and kind with all people just as You are with us, ready to forgive and to be abundant in mercy.

Father, You do hear our prayers, You even are intervening for us when we do not know where to turn. In our moments of anxiety and trouble, we will turn to You. To whom else can we turn? Your concern for our individual needs is a reality that we cannot fully grasp.

Bless us and guide us, we pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #20

Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

Psalms 51:9-13, www.solascriptura.com

Father, this prayer by David is a wonderful model for each of us. We pray that we commit less and less sin each day because we know You notice. You do promise to blot out our iniquities but help us not to commit the same sins over and over.

When we err Father, do not, we pray, move away from us but instead draw us unto You. We ask that You not be "fair" with us, because we would always be guilty but that You be merciful to us.

When we walk away from sin we have an opportunity to rush to Your side. We know we cannot immerse ourselves in sin and expect You to stand with us. We can not, in our own power, conquer sin but we trust in You to deliver us from the heaviness of guilt, to teach us how much better it is to abide in Your presence.

Father, how can we be a witness to others if we are overcome by temptation? You have promised us that if temptation comes, and it surely comes and keeps on coming, that You permit the test but You simultaneously provide a way to escape that we will be able to bear it.

Father, if we detest sin in ourselves, it is because we are certain that You feel the same way. The "truth" is surely written upon our hearts and the Light never goes out.

Illuminate our path and bless us and keep us in Your Holy hand this day and every day We pray in Jesus' name, amen.



Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #21

The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.

Psalms 33:13-15, www.solascriptura.com

Father, help us, just this moment, to focus on the fact that You are looking down upon us, seeing every one of us. We sometimes feel alone and other times we are surrounded by much noise and activity. You remind us that at all times and in all circumstances, You are there, You are considering our works.

You tell us God that You fashion our hearts, individually. Teach us to acknowledge that fact and remind us that we never walk alone, You are there and in control, if we but seek You and look to You for comfort and guidance.

When we experience despair You do not move away from us. When we are full of joy, You are there. Help us today to respond to Your consistency, Your love and Your mercy and to emulate You in all that we do, think and say. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #22

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Psalms 16:11, 30:11-12 www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we read verses such as these, we realize that a relationship with You is nothing like being apart from You. There is no one else that can show us the path of life. Your presence in our heart, if we would but meditate on that reality, is fullness of joy. We look to being at Your right hand and experiencing eternal pleasures.

You assure us that the disappointments and dilemmas of life will be overcome and we will literally be dancing with joy, unrestrained by weaknesses and handicaps, whether physical or mental. You will have removed the heaviness of anxiety and worry and replaced it with pleasures for evermore.

Father, we will be unable to do anything but sing, as we have never been able to sing before, with silence not being an option. We will praise You forever.

These wonderful promises seem so distant from us in this troubled land except when we are with Your children, celebrating Your presence in our hearts. Draw us unto the company of believers and enrich our worship today. We pray these things in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #23

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalms 19:7-14 www.solascriptura.com

Father, the first five verses of this Psalm are presented as "facts" and they are indeed. They are "sweeter than honeycomb". To taste of the truth is to have it envelop our hearts and minds. Draw us to Your word that we might learn of You, first hand.

You tell us that by these facts we are warned but in keeping them is great reward. We know our errors, there are no secrets with You. Forgive us for our sins and make us blameless, not because of our merit but by the cleansing of our souls via our faith in the risen Christ.

Help us today to say things and to think things which demonstrate our love for You. You are the Rock that anchors our soul and You are the Redeemer of all those that love and obey You. Bless us this day, we pray, in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #24

..."For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.

Isa 65:17-19 www.solascriptura.com

Father, This prophecy from Isaiah quotes You and promises what will happen after the Judgment, during the 1000 years of peace, here on earth. This wonderful time of peace will result in all of the burdens from the past being removed, even the memory of them.

Your promise is one of joy. In other places You teach us that the Temple will be rebuilt by You and that Jerusalem will become the center of worship for the entire world and that during this time, the millennium, Satan will be restrained.

Father, even now, for those who Love You, physical death has been overcome by Spiritual birth, a birth that enables us to exist, with You, forever. You teach us that Your objective for us is joy, joy beyond anything we have experienced in this life. Thank You for the gifts, now and then. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #25

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask! What shall I give you?" And Solomon said: "You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."

1 Kings 3:5-14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Here we are privileged to "listen in" to a conversation between You and King Solomon. Help us to know, today, that the entire Bible offers us this kind of access.

Here King Solomon asks for wisdom and understanding to rule Israel and You grant him that request plus much more. Isn't that the way it always is Father? We ask, which we must do, in order to receive, and You give us more than we had thought possible.

We do pray for wisdom and discernment in our walk with You. We confess that without Your leadership, we are walking in our own strength. Fill us this day with a double portion of the power of the Holy Spirit that we might serve You more effectively. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #26

You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock - the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Deut 28:3-6, 1 Chronicles 16:33-34 www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we read of Your gifts, the blessings that You promise to Your children, we are encouraged. We know that You love us and that You want to shower us with Your blessings.

We also know that we are often weak in our faith, not always in the center of Your will and sort of "going it on our own", far too often.

Here we read that the trees will rejoice, that nature will sing for joy at Your coming, Jesus, on Judgment day. We see that Your love endures forever.

O' Jesus, we are so unworthy but You have taught us this prayer, uttered by John the Baptist; we must decrease but You, Jesus, must increase. That is our prayer today. Help us to be like You Jesus, fill us afresh with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.


Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground - everything that has the breath of life in it - I give every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the sixth day.

Genesis 1:27-31 www.solascriptura.com

Father, what a wonder example of Your love; You created us in Your image. It is incomprehensible that given the billions of people that we are each unique in Your sight, not one being the same. You even gave identical twins different fingerprints. Your word tells us that not a hair falls from our head that You do not know about it and not a bird falls from the sky without Your knowledge.

Father, such knowledge exceeds our understanding. In these verses You tell us to be fruitful and to increase, to enjoy the great variety of foods that You have given us. Everything on this earth was given to us by You, to be used for our sustenance and enjoyment.

We sometimes take the wonders of creation for granted. We eat without thanking You and acknowledging You as the One and only provider, we drink without thinking about the source, we invent things from the resources You give us and we pursue life. Help us to today to look up and around and to thank You, over and over, for Your great gifts. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #28

And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights - the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:14-18 www.solascriptura.com

Father, with our finite minds we simply cannot grasp the magnitude of Your power and wisdom. We can observe what exists and marvel at the beauty, the precision, the predictability of the lights that make up the universe. We see these things as evidence of Your will to give us a planet that can sustain life in this wonderful place that You have prepared for us.

You saw that which You created and said that it was good. We, in our quiet moments with You, look up and we see that which leads to infinity. We say "infinity" because we are not able to see the depth of the universe or the breadth of Your reach. We just see that this creation, in which we are one of the very smallest parts that You created, was made for us. Each of us was created in Your likeness, imperfect and waiting for perfection. We praise You for displaying the lights and for sending the Light, Jesus.

With You, Father, there is no darkness which prevails. It is always replaced by light, a Light that will endure for eternity. Your Light, in us Jesus, is a foretaste of the perfection You promise, for eternity. Bless us, this day, as we seek illumination and understanding. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Heaven #4

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You have taught us that everything on the face of this earth will perish. It is childish prose to say that we cherish that which is going to perish but isn't that the truth?

We also know that the treasures of this earth must be left behind if we die before You return. Here You plainly teach us that laying up treasures here that will not endure is unwise. It is better to lay up treasures in heaven that will endure forever.

But how do we do that? We can not send our assets ahead of us so they will be there when we get there. What is it we store up? You have taught us plainly that good works, which spring from love, endure forever. We know, Jesus, that loving You and loving our neighbor are the two over-arching commandments.

Help us today to use the resources You have freely given us to show others and You how much we care. We pray for more that we can share more. We pray that we can become as a Holy conduit, this day, sharing a smile, giving someone a pat on the back and offering encouragement to a discouraged person. Withholding those gifts would disappoint You, we know. Bless us we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Heaven #5

... I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

..."Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. "Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. "Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. "Last of all the woman died also. "Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her." Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. "But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."

Matthew 8:11, 22:24-32

Jesus, here you refer to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses and You tell us what the Father told them before You came. Then, you use that teaching to remind us that the Old Testament is not irrelevant.

Jesus, help us today to get better acquainted with Your Holy word and the people we hope to someday meet in eternity. You have taught us that we will be different entities in heaven; we will not be as we are here. You have told us that we will not be young or old and here you tell us we will not be marrying or seeing offspring marry.

We won't marry at all, we will be thirtyish and we will not reproduce but instead we will be Spirit filled, like angels of God. It seems Jesus that You showed us, following Your resurrection, what we will be like. Help us today to study Your word diligently and to have a better grasp of what is coming. Maybe it will help us to not overly value the transitory nature of this brief sojourn.

We look forward to sitting down with the descendants of Abraham and with Moses. Help us be prepared for that meeting. In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell