Angels, February 29, 2008
Angels, February 29, 2008 "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. "The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. "Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, "and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matt 13:38-43, www.solascriptura.com Jesus, You used parables to teach us the fundamentals of our faith, very often. We see here that there are good seeds, sons of the kingdom, and tares (bad seeds) sons of the wicked one. You tell us the devil sowed the bad seeds and that they will be reaped by the angels at the end of the age, burned in fire. The bad seeds were sown among the good seeds but when the seeds bear fruit, one bears good grain (fruit) and the other bad. We understand that as we mature we will be known by the kind of fruit we bear. You teach us that You, Jesus, will send out the angels to gather those who offend and who practice lawlessness. Then, after that, the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of the Father. Jesus, we do have ears and we do hear. The warning is too ominous to ignore. We want to be sons of light, Your Light in us. Help us today to be the righteous persons You have called us to be. In Your Holy name we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Conscience February 28, 2008
Conscience February 28, 2008 ...sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. 1 Peter 3:15-18,21-22 Father, You have called us saints and yet our hearts convict us. Here You tell us to sanctify our hearts, an active process of cleansing and renewal by You, that in good conscience we might provide others with a good defense of our love for You in meekness and fear, avoiding arrogance or the suggestion of appearing judgmental. If we suffer due to our witness Father, we read here that Christ also suffered dying for the sins of each of us that we might enter Your presence, not as sinful flesh, but made alive in the Spirit just as Jesus. You then teach us water baptism cleanses and that it is good but it is standing before Jesus with a clear conscience, renewed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, which saves us when Jesus, who has all authority, will judge all things. Again God, we feel so unworthy when the flesh rules our lives. Please help us to be as Jesus this day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
Joy February 27, 2008
Joy February 27, 2008 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Pet 1:3-9, www.solascriptura.com
Father, You promise us that through our faith in the resurrection of Jesus, we have eternal life. From this side we do not completely understand nor appreciate that which awaits but we will. Salvation from sin, suffering and weakness is assured. We know that joy and celebration will characterize heaven.
The tests here will continue but they too shall cease. Lead us, today, in paths of righteousness even in the presence of turmoil. Give us internal peace known by us and suspected by others. Give us a witness in this place. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
Prayer, Part I, February 26, 2008
Prayer, Part I, February 26, 2008 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ”But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. ”And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. ”Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:5-8, www.solascriptura.com Jesus, we thank You for these specific teachings. We read Your word because it is a lamp unto our feet. You guide us in paths of righteousness. Here You make it clear that prayer is not a performance nor a vain repetition of words that are repeated over and over. Teach us Jesus to be comfortable talking with You all day, privately and in public (pray unceasingly in your heart about every circumstance and be grateful for every gift, for all of creation, constantly). We know that You know our needs but we also see that You want us to express them to You. Help us to be open to Your leading and give power to our prayers. What a great thought You express when You tell us that what we pray in private You will rewarded openly. And when You do answer our prayers, give us a sense of humility and gratitude. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Revenge, February 25, 2008
Revenge Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
James 4:11-12 Dear Jesus, Your half-brother (Mary was his mother too but he had a different father) received a great deal of specific instruction from You. James understood the Law. You taught him and us that to love your neighbor as yourself was a command that summarized the last 6 of the 10 commandments. We can not love a person, unsaved or not and still be their judge. We would ourselves be breaking the Law. Father, some of us are very good at following the first 4 commandments wherein we are to love You with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Some of us are very weak in loving the unlovely, the down trodden, the disobedient and those who do not love You. Help us to know, today, that You Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our Counselor, or internal Guide and Strength. Help us to show others we love You by loving them as well. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Mind of Christ, February 24, 2008
Mind of Christ … 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,
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will... Ephesians 1:4-5, 11, www.solascriptura.com
Father, Your Holy word says that You knew Jeremiah before he was in his mother's womb. Here we learn that You chose us as well, having predestined us to adoption as Your children, enabled by the willing sacrifice of Jesus, to enter into Your presence.
Yet Father, we have choices. We have been given the power of volition. We are not puppets. How then Father, can we be predestined to be Your children? Thank You for teaching us that You are never surprised by anything we do, say or think because you are omniscient, knowing the beginning from the end. You see what is unseen, by us, You know what is unknown by us and what choices we will yet make.
Father, we earnestly pray that You will help us in what seems like a quest to us, an effort to follow You. If our journey seems uncertain, in terms of events and goals, we can have assurance that all things work to the good for those that love You and obey You. Give us comfort this day that You are present and that You care, constantly. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
Conscience #1
O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, | |
