Forgiven, November 30, 2008

Forgiven, November 30, 2008

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Proverbs 25:21-22, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know it is Your will that we take care of Your children, whether they are being obedient or not, when we have an opportunity and they have a need. You have taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves. You have said elsewhere, "They will know us by our love".

Your word teaches that when we help someone who does not deserve it, by their own judgment, it presents a very perplexing problem for that person. We have responded in love and they were expecting rejection. It is truly better to give than to receive. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, November 29, 2008

Salvation, November 29, 2008
Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.
Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD-- your salvation according to Your word.
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances.
So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever.
My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word.
My eyes fail from searching Your word, saying, "When will You comfort me?"

Psalms 119:40-44, 81-82 www. solascriptura.com

Father, this first verse says "revive me in Your righteousness." How Father, can we be revived, except to have been alive at one time. Father, we know the answer; we are all made alive in Jesus and Your word is written on the heart of every person. We sometimes withdraw from You, even for prolonged periods, but here we learn that revival awaits.

Help us this day to cast aside the sins of the past and to look to You for the strength to be the kind of person You have asked us to be.

Father, take not the word from our mouths as a result of our reluctance to serve You, but instead, fill our mouths with a witness of Your love, Your forgiveness, Your kindness and gentleness, this day. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Conscience, November 28, 2008

Conscience, November 28, 2008

"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
"But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other...
And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts...
...I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
"I have hope in God...
"This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Matthew 6:22-24, Luke 16:15, Acts 24:14-16, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know that at which we choose to look enters into our minds and sometimes invades our hearts. Help us to simply look away from evil and not to hesitate and gaze upon that which You hate.

We know we can not serve two masters, evil and good, and that when we choose to give space in our lives to evil that You not only notice but that it actually grieves You.

Help us O'God never to disappoint You. Lead us in paths of righteousness, every moment of every day, that we might have a clear conscience. We know Father that eternity belongs to those who belong to You. Help us to be Your "Light filled" obedient and trusting children. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Joy, November 27, 2008

Joy, November 27, 2008

... with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Sing to the LORD, for He has done excellent things...
..."Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."

Isaiah 12:1-6, 25:9, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You are the Living Water. When we joyfully and continually drink from the well of salvation, we never thirst again. Help us this day to know that is the offer and that You will surround us with your angels and fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit, constantly, if we but ask.

We rejoice now but at the day of redemption it will be a marvelous reunion with all those that love and obey You. We want to be ready. Teach us how to prepare ourselves for the banquet You have set before us. Equip us with knowledge from Your word and discernment in its application.

We see that singing and rejoicing will characterize our arrival. What a joy filled scene that will be. Help us here and now to not forget that Your will is that we be joyful, knowing You are for us; You are the perfect Advocate. We could never enter into the Father's presence without your advocacy. Your healing Spirit is both our hope and our reality.

Lead and guide us, this day and we will have joy for evermore. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer Part I, November 26, 2008

Prayer Part I, November 26, 2008

"I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments
I have declared my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes.
Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.
My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word.
Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me Your law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth; your judgments I have laid before me.
I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame!
I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart.
Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.

Nehemiah 1:5, Ps 119:26-35

Father, prayer is our lifeline with You. Help us this day to stay connected in the midst of joy or strife. Your word is a light unto our path. You have taught us Your statutes, they are engraved upon our hearts.

When it seems that our soul is melting with heaviness we can become very discouraged and depressed. Help us to know that the difficulties of life are so very brief, though very real, and that we are able to overcome these ill feelings in Your strength, not ours.

Father, when the burdens are most heavy, we lean not upon our own understanding. We know you see both the beginning and end. We trust You when You tell us that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose". Guide us this day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, November 25, 2008

Revenge, November 25, 2008

Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Psalms 37:1-3, 56:3-4, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we see evil people "riding high" we wonder when they will be brought down, by You, and we sometimes envy their success. We know that if they do not repent they will never enter into Your presence, but we also know that we too have experienced sin, been haughty and been overly proud.

Help us to not be envious of material things or judgmental when others achieve notoriety, claiming the victories they earned as entitlement rather than acknowledging You as the source of all that is good. Help every person proclaim You as their Savior and the source of their strength in the midst of their successes.

Father, in your economy, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day. We know that life is very short and eternity is forever but these tiny moments exert more leverage than we sometimes acknowledge. The moments of our lives shape our eternity. That is leverage! Help us be loving and obedient, constantly, in the midst of both our triumphs and our losses.

We trust You Father, and we know that no man can take our souls from us. We belong to You now and forever. Strengthen us and help us not to envy evil or to be the judge of those we feel are against us. We pray for Your counsel, Your perspective, this day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Law of God, November 24, 2008

Law of God, November 24, 2008
"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'
"But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne;
"nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
"Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
"But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Matthew 5:33-37, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You have taught us that the same mouth should not praise You and curse men. We know that swearing an oath is a mistake unless we are certain we can unerringly perform that oath. But swearing has become a way of life in these times. We hear people say "By God, I will do such and such" (it pains me to even quote such persons). You teach us that this is an oath from an empty headed, hard hearted person in terms of their walk with You.

Father, haven spoken such harsh words, I am embarrassed. Most people who swear oaths in that manner have no idea they are greatly offending our Holy Father. Help each of us to be gentle in our response, pointing the way by example, not by criticism.

Others say, "I swear by all that is Holy, I will get even, etc." You teach us here that we should not utter an oath (except to love You with all of our hearts, mind, soul and strength, since if we fail in that oath, we utterly fail). Help us today to simply not swear or to utter oaths when a simple yes or no will do. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Peace, November 23, 2008

Peace, November 23, 2008

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all
who retain her.

Proverbs 3:13-18, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know that Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, asked You for the gift of wisdom and You granted it. Here we listen to Solomon praising wisdom, using the feminine gender, and considering wisdom in the same nurturing way as a mother is with a child. The gift of wisdom is a great comfort, a reassuring touch from You.

Father, we too seek wisdom, Your wisdom about earthly and spiritual matters. We often feel inadequate and unwise, but we know that as we turn to You that You lead us and teach us, as only You can.

These verses teach us that wisdom is more precious than any jewel, any riches or any earthly assets. It is a gift to be desired, a gift that enlightens us and gives meaning to the pursuit of life, whether we are rich or poor. Father, the challenges of life are too much for us, too often. Grant us Your peace and wisdom this day. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Courage, November 22, 2008

Courage, November 22, 2008

It is time for You to act, O LORD, for they have regarded Your law as void.
Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!
Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.
Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Psalms 119:126-130 www.solascriptura.com

Father, sometimes we want You to raise Your hand against the enemy of Your people, now, right now! We know You will, but we see evil conquering good, too often. Give us patience as You allow or cause events to happen on Your timetable.

We love Your commandments and because we do, we dislike evil. Help us to know that evil will be dealt with and help us in the meantime to pray for the salvation of all souls.

We pray, Father, that the entrance of Your word floods our lives with light and understanding this day. Bless us as we seek to serve You, in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children, November 21, 2008

God's Children, November 21, 2008

Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.

Proverbs 28:7, 29:15, 17, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we all truly want our children to obey your law and to avoid being unduly influenced by kids who do not know You or at least their habits seem to indicate that they do not have a strong relationship with You. We prefer our children be witnesses of Your love, not victims of poor choices, often promulgated by others. Give our children discernment and the courage to be different, we pray.

O'God, our children are under a constant barrage of sinful messages from almost every angle. We try to protect them, to limit their exposure to sin and sinful people but we need Your help in correcting them in a way that brings glory to You.

Help us today to be firm in our convictions and to lovingly relay them to our children. Teach us not to be a bad example to our children but to show them, by our words and actions, how much we love them and You.

When discipline must come Father, help us to teach our children that a tree pruned is a tree that will bear more fruit. Jesus, help us to be like You in trying to direct our children. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Last here, first there, November 20, 2008

Family Bible Studies, www.solascriptura.com

November 20, 2008 Last here, first there, disabled here, enabled there.

We all are created equal, in terms of our heavenly opportunity and we all have equal access to God, but some people, on earth, seem to have big advantages (strength, good looks, quick on their feet and with the eyesight of an eagle), while others have none of those things. It is a very easy thing to be "first", to have all of the advantages or at least that appears to be the case. But let's examine what the Bible says about those who have the most advantages.

Listen to the words of Jesus: "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more". Luke 12:48. NKJV

We could look at this teaching and say, "Boy, I am sure glad I don't have much" believing little is expected of you. Money, fame intelligence, speaking ability, and dexterity are all gifts from God. But re-read the words of Jesus up above; do you think all of those gifts carry no particular obligation? What if you were the person with any or all of those gifts? What would you think that God expects of you?

On the other hand, if someone has very few of the visible gifts, does it seem God lets them off the hook? Are they are able to coast along and do nothing, or very little, that would bring honor to God? Can you think of any person who has none or few or these visible gifts, yet they have shown their love for God and man in a very special way?

Yes, there are people who are severely disadvantaged or handicapped here. But listen to how God sees these people: "…God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 7:17. NKJV.

The Apostle Paul expressed the same concept when he said: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18-19. NKJV.

That does not mean that suffering here should seem good. It does mean that God understands and that He has prepared a role for those who are disadvantaged. Listen: "And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.". Luke 13:30. NKJV Discuss what it might mean to be first here and last there and vice versa? When could being first here have a bad ending?

Listen to Jesus: "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted". Matthew 23:11-12. NKJV. "I will make the lame a remnant and the outcast a strong nation; so the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever". Micah 4:7. NKJV

For more on this topic, go to www.jewnumberone.com, ch.37, The Lame, the Deaf and Those Who are "Last" will Emerge as "First".

Core Christian Value: God loves every soul He created, whether we are fast or slow, blind or not blind, lame or not lame, coordinated or not coordinated; we are all equal before God.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, November 19, 2008

God's Gifts, November 19, 2008

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, an eternal life without sin and suffering. We who love You and have committed ourselves to Your service await 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 as this but You Jesus.

Paul reminds us again that we are saints, awaiting redemption, and that You search our hearts and intercede for us. Those are powerful facts and promises that we can not easily grasp. Help us O'God to experience the depth of Your love this day and every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Forgiven, November 18, 2008

Forgiven, November 18, 2008

"... if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
"But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
"...I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
"If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
"And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

Matthew 6:14-15, 5:39-41, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You make it clear that harboring ill feelings towards someone that has wronged us, is prohibited. You did not say it was not a good thing; You said if we do not forgive others, You would not forgive us. That is a very heavy burden for some of us to bear. Help us examine our hearts and see if we are holding any grudges or ill feelings toward someone and then release us from that burden. Surely, Your word says that this is not an option for us, but a requirement.

How Jesus, can we ever turn the other cheek when struck or give a demanding person, not only our sweater, but our coat as well? Such teaching is too hard for us. We want revenge, we want to keep what we feel is ours and we don't want to travel twice as far as we think we should just because someone wants us to.

We know the answer to these concerns. In short, we, in the flesh, can not do as You have commanded. It is only by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in us that we can be as You. Change our hearts, this day, and enable us to be as You, we pray in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, November 17, 2008

Salvation, November 17, 2008

You marched through the land in indignation; you trampled the nations in anger.
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, for salvation with Your Anointed...

Habakkuk 3:12-13 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know that in the end, your righteous indignation with those who did not accept You nor Your Son, is promised. We do not know the specifics of their fate but we do not need to know. All we need to do Father is to be among those who are saved, whose salvation is assured.

You are a God of justice and mercy. Father, we know any punishment for sin is justified and we know that Your mercy is our only hope. None of us are justified in Your sight except as You look at us through the cleansing act of Jesus.

Help us today to realize that our relationship with You is based upon our faith in Jesus and our obedience to Your law. The order is never different than "grace, mercy, faith and obedience" and that sequence can never be reversed.

Our obedience earns us nothing without faith and our faith follows our grasping of Your extended, merciful hand. We are grateful for Your grace and mercy leading us to faithfulness and good works. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Conscience, November 16, 2008

Conscience, November 16, 2008

... for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?
And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
... the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

1 Corinthians 8:6-13, 1 Timothy 1:5, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You emphasize, in several places, that food and drink are gifts to us, to be enjoyed. Here You tell us that we should not let our liberty in your gifts get in the way of our witness to those who believe that certain foods are not to be eaten. We know Father of our liberty; now help us to place our witness and our love for others above our liberty.

You tell us that if we are insensitive to the needs of a weaker brother that we are sinning against You. That is a powerful reason for us to show patience when we are inclined to do otherwise. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Joy, November 15, 2008

Joy, November 15, 2008

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
"And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
"I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Then He said: "A certain man had two sons.
"And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood.
"And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
"But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.
"Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
"And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,
and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."'
"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;
'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.
"Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
"So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
"And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.'
"But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.
"So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.
'But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'
"And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.
'It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"

Luke 15:4-32, www.solascriptura.com

Father, our children are a great blessing from You. They are all different but they have one thing in common. They are children from You to us. We see here that the joy of seeing a child healed and redeemed is greater to the parent than the sibling.
Father, we are Your children and You have taught us that the saints are on tiptoes, so to speak, watching for the arrival of a soul into the kingdom. Your joy in our redemption, made possible by Jesus' cleansing and preparing us for entry into Your presence, is even greater than our joy in our children. Your joy in Your children is eternal. We were once dead but now are alive, forever! What inexpressible joy that brings to the heart of a parent. Thank You in Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, Part I, November 14, 2008

Prayer, Part I, November 14, 2008
Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.
Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—your salvation according to Your word.
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.

Ps 119:40-42, www.solascriptura.com

Father, as we seek to be like Jesus, we find we must know more and more of His words, His instruction and His desire for us. We seek His righteousness that our spirit might be revived by His Spirit. You have taught us that hearts need to be changed for renewal to be real. Lead us away from our instinctive, self serving desires, into a concern for serving You and others.

Then, as we interact today and people see that we love You Jesus, give us answers for those who observe us knowing that we will not always be admired for our faith. Our objective today Father is to seek and to do Your Holy will, in all things.

We pray that You will strengthen those who serve You and place Your hand against Your enemies, those who would harm and destroy all that is good.

Give us a gentle spirit in the midst of chaos, we pray. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, November 13, 2008

Revenge, November 13, 2008

I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense;
My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.
Do not slay them, lest my people forget; scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak.
Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be; and let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth...
But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy.

Psalms 59:9-13, 16-17, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we, in our comfort, seldom encounter an enemy who we ask you to destroy, someone who is trying to kill us and destroy us. King David did have those first hand experiences. But even David knew it was Your power he was relying on, not his own.

Jesus, You taught us that if we do not forgive our enemies You will not forgive us. You said to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Yet when the enemy attacks we are inclined to take matters into our own hands. Give us the courage, we pray, to display patience when our lower nature tempts us to "get even", right now!

Clearly enough, judgment belongs to You and we are not to seek to be the Judge, a role you reserve to Yourself. Instead, You teach us that we are to pray for the and to be steadfast in our obedience, even when our instincts drive us in the opposite direction. This day, please suppress the power of evil, keep aggressors from our door and give us patience in dealing with difficult people. Clearly, not one of us can do this in and of ourselves. Bless us in Jesus Holy name, we pray.

Bruce Caldwell

The Narrow Gate, November 12, 2008

The Narrow Gate, November 12, 2008

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
"For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
"But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

John 3:16-21 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, here we listen to words directly from You. What a privilege it is to be taught by You, our Messiah. Believing in You is the cornerstone of our faith. Thank You for such simplicity. In believing, we are born again, new creatures in You, prepared to live a life of service and to be in eternity with all those that love You.

You are the light, Jesus. As we come to You we are directed and taught, as friends. In seeking You and Your Holy word, fervently, we are voluntarily coming to the light that our lives might be clearly seen as a loving witness of Your presence in us.

We can see from Your word that everyone who practices evil will not reside in Your light now or in eternity. We pray for those whose souls, by their own choice, reside in darkness. Draw them to the light, redeem their souls, we pray, in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Law of God, November 11, 2008

Law of God, November 11, 2008
Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,
"Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."
"Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "
"Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
"These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

Matt 15:1-2, 7-9, 17-20, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, these verses remind us of the phrase "you strain at a gnat and swallow a camel" wherein we focus on obedience in some small matter, in almost a compulsive way, believing that such obedience earns us points with You.

Here You teach us that doing the right thing, such as washing our hands before we eat, does not offset doing the wrong thing; keeping perfunctory rules and failing to understand how these actions mean nothing if we do not declare our love for You. It is sort of like, "no love for You, no credit for our good behavior", at least in the eternal sense. Pride is such a subtle sin!

Help us this day to learn "that which proceeds from the mouth" is pivotal in evaluating our relationship to You. We pray that obedience from a faithful heart marks us as Yours. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Peace, November 10, 2008

Peace, November 10, 2008

A wicked man hardens his face...
If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

Proverbs 21:29, 29:9 www.solascriptura.com

Father, our countenance sometimes tells everything about us. Help us today to try to be as You Jesus. We pray that our countenance will reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We know that list embodies the "fruits of the Spirit". If we could but genuinely feel that we are as a tree, a Christian tree, bearing unmistakably good, plentiful fruit.

We know it confuses our acquaintances when we bear good fruit one day and bad fruit the next. It is consistency for which we pray. Help us to do the right thing, even when we simply do not feel like it. Keep our feelings from dictating our actions, we pray. We know, Father, that we will begin to feel better when we are doing Your will and that when we fail to do Your will, it makes us feel awful.

You also teach us that when we contend with a foolish man there is no peace. Help us today to focus on presenting ourselves as one who is not contending, but as one who is caring. Caring will seldom get us in trouble and we thank You for teaching us how to bear good fruit. Bless us this day, in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Courage, November 9, 2008

Courage, November 9, 2008

Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.
Your testimonies, which You have commanded, are righteous and very faithful.
My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it.
I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, yet Your commandments are my delights.
The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding, and I shall live

Psalms 119:137-144 www.solascriptura.com

Father, the Psalmist proclaims his love and loyalty and then laments over the loneliness of his circumstance because his enemies do not seek You and love You.

Father, give us courage when we feel that our witness is not well received. Give us understanding in the face of rejection, when it occurs. In the eyes of many, we are insignificant. If it were not for Your approval we would feel out of step, not always fitting in.

Help us, today, to know that our purpose in seeking You rises above any earthly, transitional concerns we may have. Encourage us and bless us we pray, in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Hey Sailor! November 8, 2008

Family Bible Study, November 8, www.solascriptura.com

Hey Sailor!

Getting someone to notice us, whether male or female, has become a driving force in our society. We tattoo our bodies, pierce our bodies, and change our bodies and strive very hard to be noticed. Of course, some of the striving is healthy, such as the desire to stay physically fit but some of it is "over the top".

The primary question for a Christian is what motivates us. Are we seeking our personal glory or are we trying to live our lives in a manner that brings glory to God, not ourselves. The Bible offers a key insight to the question of why our body exists and what our mission is.

Listen:
…do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV
Did you ever think of your body as belonging to God, purchased at a price? When you think about that fact, it helps you focus on the responsibility of having our bodies bring honor and glory to God. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. As we move about each day we carry Christ with us into every circumstance.

We are, as it says in another verse, "the temple of the living God". Do you feel your body is the temple of the living God? When you present yourself to the world each day, do you feel you are presenting a person that brings glory to God? What decisions might you be making about your appearance that "would not glorify God"?

The Bible has some harsh words to say to those who appear to be more focused on gaining personal attention than in glorifying God.

Therefore God also gave them up to… the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Romans 1:24-25 NKJV
James, the brother of Jesus, put it another way: "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?

How does God seem to feel if we seek to glorify ourselves? Have you ever thought of God as being jealous? Of what could God be jealous? It is our worship of ourselves, or any other false god, that offends God.

"The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure." Psalms 101:5 NKJV
"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." I Peter 5:5, NKJV
"Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar." Psalms 138:6 NKJV

The next time you feel like glorifying yourself, think about what it is that God expects of you. By the way, you will never win this battle in your own strength!

Core Christian Value: We are each given certain assets such as beauty, strength, wisdom and compassion. The assets tempt us to feel we are really special. Don't live with a "look at me" attitude.
Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children, November 7, 2008

God's Children, November 7, 2008

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come...
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.
Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity.

Ecclesiastes 12:1, 11:9-10 www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we are young, You advise that we remember You, that we store Your words in our hearts, because, as adults, evil days lay ahead.

Help us to assist our children in getting to know You now, while they are still young, before they face temptation on every side. Help us to equip them with Core Christian Values. We know that if they have a solid foundation to lean upon they will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, be much more able to resist evil.

Even though childhood and youth may be "vanity", during these wonderful years when their smiles melt our hearts and their innocence charms us, prepare their hearts to serve You and to trust You in all things. We pray in Jesus' name, amen

Bruce Caldwell

Mind of Christ, November 6, 2008

Mind of Christ, November 6, 2008

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

Psalms 32:8, Proverbs 1:23 WWW.solascriptura.com

Father, when we pray that you will be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, we see here that we are claiming one of Your promises. If we but look to You, You will guide us with Your eye. May we look up and know that you are truly looking down upon us. Help us today to declare our dependence on You and to ask for Your leading in every event of our lives.

You do discipline us at times and we feel Your correction when our heart convicts us. We pray that You will forgive us and pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us afresh. You have promised us that You will make Your words known to us, that You will personally teach us. Such knowledge is too wonderful, too much to expect but absolutely true. Thank You Jesus for allowing us to have the thoughts of Your mind in us. Amen.

A memorial to a fallen warrior…
My uncle Bill, (George W. Stephens) died on this date at 87 years of age. His kindness to me was much needed when I was a youngster. He was a professional baseball player before serving in WW II. Injuries sustained in a battle on Okinawa left him 80% disabled. After dozens of surgeries he went on to be a professional baseball umpire.

I have never known a man whose friends loved him more. May our friends feel that way about us, I pray. May God give rest to a weary warrior this day. In heaven, we are neither young nor old, so Uncle Bill, you have prepared yourself for an eternity of exuberance and joy in a body made perfect. I await a wonderful reunion. Love forever,

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, November 5, 2008

God's Gifts, November 5, 2008

...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

Temple of God, November 4, 2008

Temple of God, November 4, 2008

...you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you."
"I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 www.solascriptura.com

Father, You say we are the temple, the temple in which You reside. It is a humbling thought indeed to believe that we are the building, the body in which You reside.

How Father, should we treat the temple? If we see ourselves, as we move through the day, as a temple in which You reside, how will that effect our interactions?

How Father shall we adorn the temple? Does it matter if we take care to have the body that houses the temple be clean and presentable? What expectations do You have of us for taking care of the temple? Is body piercing and are tattoos alright? Are we too immodest at times? In what ways might we disappoint You as we present ourselves to the world?

O' God, help us today to focus on the fact that we are temples of Your presence. Teach us how You would have us care for our bodies and to know what is acceptable and unacceptable in Your sight. You ask us to "Come out from among them and be separate." In what ways are we to be separate, to be different and yet distinctly Yours?

We pray with questions and look to Your Holy word for answers. Given the fact that You have written the truth upon our hearts, perhaps introspection is all the inspection we need. We know that we must be in the world to be effective but help us not to become "of the world." We pray these things in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Forgiven, November 3, 2008

Forgiven, November 3, 2008

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
"that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
"For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
"And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, When You tell us the rain falls on the just and the unjust, You remind us as long as we are on this earth there will be temptation, trials and tests for everyone. Part of our difficulty lies in personal relationships where some people seem more likable than others. We naturally tend to like those who are like us. But what we seem to miss is the fact that every soul is a soul You created and every person is either moving toward being like You or away from being like You (Your Word already taught us that being lukewarm, trying to drift along without a real commitment is an error).

Help us today, to look at all people as being able to move toward You and guide us as we have opportunities to enrich someone else's life, by pointing them toward You. You call us to perfection. We need Your constant companionship for that to ever be even partially true. In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, November 2, 2008

Salvation, November 2, 2008

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
"No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
"These things I command you, that you love one another.

John 15:9-17 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, here you teach us that keeping Your commandments is a pathway to maintaining our love towards You. We know that disobedience is an error and that You honor our will to serve You in the best possible way. You teach us that Your joy remains in us as we serve You. Would it be true Jesus that in failing to have joy in serving You that we would be missing that which You intended?

You teach us that the most evident thing we can do is to make sacrifices for others, as evidence of our love for them. Surely, Jesus, Your sacrifice for us was the most precious gift You could offer for our redemption. You said, "I call you friends", because all that the Father revealed to You, You have revealed to us. You have drawn us along side You, embraced us and loved us, teaching us by the power of the Holy Spirit, a gift for the here and now that has no equal.

Then You tell us, "I have chosen you" and appointed us that we might bear fruit. We see that the fruit we bear, in Your name will remain. No effort to serve You is ever forgotten. Oh, Jesus, absent Your power we can not bear fruit that endures. Lead us this day, to be fruitful, in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Providence of God, November 1, 2008

The Providence of God, November 1, 2008

God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God.
Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work.
Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple.
By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, you who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of the far-off seas;

Psalms 62:11-12, 65:4-5

Father, the world will witness your power. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that you are Lord, including those who have not yet done so. It is your mercy that we seek. You have chosen us and even now You draw us near to You in spite of our weaknesses.

You have taught us that one day in your court is better than thousands elsewhere. Give us the necessary faith to look to our eternal future with confidence and joy.

We know You provide for us materially but Father, please renew within us a right Spirit, one that responds to your constant presence and love. It is the serenity of Your presence in the midst of challenges that we seek. Help us today to observe Your wonderful creation afresh. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell