Prayer, Part I, January 31, 2009

Prayer, Part I, January 31, 2009

...there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked
and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:13-16, [http://www.solascriptura.com/] www.solascriptura.com

Father, we stand before You all day, every day, completely exposed. We
have no secret thoughts or actions and You tell us here that we must give
an account for our decisions.

Sending Jesus to us, to be tempted as we are, and then raising Him up as
our eternal High Priest, gives us an advocate unlike any other. Our Jesus
knows what we are encountering and is there for us, all the time. We come
boldly to You Jesus, seeking Your love and guidance that the grace of God
may prevail in our lives. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, January 30, 2009

Revenge, January 30, 2009

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
"Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth";
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Pet 2:20-24,www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, our objective is to be like You. We will need a lot of help not to return evil for evil. If people are critical of us, to take such criticism without angrily giving it back to them, doubly for some of us, requires Your Spirit in us.

You suffered for our sins that we might live righteously. Our flesh wants to retaliate; our spirit wants to be like You. Help us to have Your countenance and heart as we experience conflict, whether we deserve criticism or not. In the Holy name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Mind of Christ, January 29, 2009

Mind of Christ, January 29, 2009

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

Ephesians 1:15-19 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we thank You for Paul's ministry. He taught us how to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, who he refers to as saints. We do pray for each other, perhaps not as fervently or constantly as we should, but we know that the prayers of a righteous man availeth much. You hear the prayers of those that love You so we never speak in vain when we bring our needs and hopes to You.

We pray, this day, that You will reveal to us Your wisdom, Your insight, into situations where we feel incompetent. Help us to know that You know our circumstance, that Your thoughts toward us exceed number. What a wonderful truth. Help us respond, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen

Bruce Caldwell

Law of God,January 28, 2009

Law of God,January 28, 2009

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:10-13, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, here we have Your brother, James, clarifying that sin is sin and that there is no hierarchy of sin. Whether we have committed relatively small sins or grievous sins, we are all in the same place. We need Your forgiveness and cleansing and we need to show mercy to others as You have shown mercy to us.

Jesus, James tells us, that we who have been born again now stand in the law of liberty, a position in which "mercy triumphs over judgment". Yes, Jesus, we are cleansed but our renewal is constant and Your mercy is constant because we need forgiveness every day for every action and thought that disappoints You. Help us be like You Jesus. We must decrease but You must increase. In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, January 27, 2009

Prayer, January 27, 2009

LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart;
You have tested my heart; you have visited me in the night; you have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

Psalms 15:1-2, 17:3 www.solascriptura.com

Father, here we learn from David that works of righteousness matter. What we say and do is noticed by You. But, You have taught us elsewhere that Your grace, in calling us to Your side, and that Your mercy and our faith in Jesus, makes our works become a reflection of our faith. We know that without works our faith seems powerless and that works alone hardly distinguish us from being like any other good citizen.

Help us today to be free of self-imposed guilt. We know that You have lifted our guilt from us and that if we try to continue to bear it, we miss the point of Your sacrifice. You have taught us that it is Satan who is the "accuser". We also know it is You who stand as our advocate. We are no longer guilty! We, like David, have been tried and we stand before You, cleansed.

Lead us as we seek to be obedient and righteous, empowered by You. Help us, especially, not to transgress with our mouth. You have taught us that an olive tree should not bear figs and vice versa. Let our words be consistent with our faith. May we glorify You and be an encouragement to others. In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Forgiven, January 26, 2009

Forgiven, January 26, 2009

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:13-16, www.solascriptura.com

Father, no matter whether we are stressed out, cheerful or ill, James teaches us that we are to pray. Help us O'God to learn to pray unceasingly and to include You in all of the details of our life. Your word tells us that not a hair falls from our head without You knowing it. That sort of "presence" deserves/requires a response.

Some of us are very ill or some of the persons in our devotional group are in dire need. We know that if we love You, all things will work out to the good for the faithful. Father, we see that sometimes it means one of us may depart this world to find the glory that You have prepared for us.

Help us O'God not to feel that this life is all there is and that if we lost this life it would be a catastrophe. Certainly Father, our loved ones will miss us but help us all to focus on the fact that this life is the tip of an iceberg. What is seen is not what exists.

While we have time here Father, help us today to declare our love for You. Every day of life is a day of opportunity to serve You. We pray fervently for each other and our loved ones. Thank You for each day, in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Peace, January 25, 2009

Peace, January 25, 2009

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Finally, brethren... Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

James 4:8, 2 Corinthians 13:11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, this simple admonition by James is a verse that constantly reminds us where the initiative must lie. We often lament over our circumstances, we feel alone, deserted and not cared for. Here we are taught by Jesus' brother that when we set out to draw near to You, You will draw near to us. The ball is in our court. It is our responsibility to act rather to complain about feeling impotent, lonely or depressed.

Then, Father, Paul says, "Become complete". Paul did not say "be" complete because we are all in a state of becoming and we will keep seeking sanctification until we are in heaven.

Help us, today, to commit ourselves to taking action that will identify us, unmistakably, as yours; our actions and our countenance bearing witness of our love for You. We stand in a hostile environment but it is Your peace that strengthens us.
May the God of love and peace be with each of us, every moment. We pray Father for Your peace in our hearts. We pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Courage, January 24, 2009

Courage, January 24, 2009

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

I John 4:17-18 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, if we were to visualize what it will be like to stand in Your presence on judgment day, will we feel bold? How can we possibly be bold before You, given our sin? We know the answer and the Apostle John affirms it; if we have sincerely and humbly sought to be as You Jesus, in this life, from the moment of rebirth forward, then we stand before You, wrapped in Your righteousness, not ours and that enables us to do so boldly.

Because of Your love for us, we will not experience the torment of fear and trembling nor grinding and gnashing of teeth, which is what You say will be the experience of those who do not love You.

You teach us that fear is a result of separation from You and that our boldness comes from our dependence upon You. How else could it be? Bless us this day, we pray. We pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children, January 23, 2009

God's Children, January 23, 2009

My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;
For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.
Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way.
Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

Proverbs 23:15-19, 22-26

Father, we can identify with Solomon when he says his heart rejoices when his child's heart is wise and when the child speaks the truth.

We pray that our children will never envy sinners and we are happy when they honor their mother and father. Help us, today, to set a good example for our children. We are so imperfect as parents that few of us can say, "Do as I do".

We pray that our children look to You, Jesus, as the perfect example and that we do the same. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Narrow Gate, January 22, 2009

The Narrow Gate, January 22, 2009

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
"Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
"Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

Matthew 7:13-20 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, Matthew repeats the same admonition that Luke stated. The gate to heaven is indeed narrow. In this instance, where You remind us that few will enter the Kingdom of heaven, You tell us that the kind of fruit our lives bear is critical.

We know we are not to judge each other. Jesus, You have told us that is Your province and we know that You tell us not to try and help with that task. Your word tells us that event will happen in the twinkling of an eye. Judgment day will come upon us when we least expect it. We will either run to You or turn away in fear.

But here You say we will know a person by their fruits. The identity of those who love You and who do not love You, with all their hearts, mind and soul is made evident; we disclose it all day long.

You tell us elsewhere that a brackish well does not yield fresh water and that an olive tree does not bear figs. Help us, today, to yield the kind of fruit that identifies us as Your disciples. That is what we want to be, Jesus; a follower of You who seeks to be to others as You have been to us. Strengthen us, we pray, in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children, January 21, 2009

God's Children, January 21, 2009

You are of God, little children ...because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

I John 4:4, 5:1-5 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know this earth is Satan's domain but here You tell us that You are greater than Satan. We are impotent when it comes to waging war with Satan unless we are in Your hand, filled with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Father, when You told us to bear fruit that gives evidence of our love for You, You made it very uncomplicated. The fruit of one who loves You is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

These qualities are so much more attractive than hate, depression, anger, impatience, being unkind and so on. How is it Father we can drift into such circumstances? We know the answer. When we distance ourselves from You, we draw near to the world and its standards.

It is our faith that overcomes the attraction to sin. Yes, Father, sin is attractive and Satan seems to be winning the numbers game, but being in Your presence and being like Jesus brings permanent peace and joy, not transitory, self centered indulgences. Keeping Your commandments is not burdensome, given the clear conscience and joy that follows. Bless us and strengthen us, this day, we pray. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Narrow Gate, January 20, 2009

The Narrow Gate, January 20, 2009

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
...may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Jude 1:24-25, 1 Peter 5:10-11 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, the gate is narrow, but it is You that pushes it open, it is You that keeps us from stumbling, it is You who joyfully present us faultless to our Father God. It is You Jesus who has taught us, repeatedly, that we can only be "faultless" when Your righteousness envelops us.

Peter reminds us that we will suffer for a time, prior to entering into Your permanent peace, perfected and strengthened in You. Jesus, we are bombarded by sin from every side and we have learned, or are learining, to turn away from it but at the same time it keeps coming.

We come to You as babes, in terms of our Spiritual condition but help us today, to grow quickly in our knowledge and dedication to You. You lift us up, You teach us, You sustain us. Thank You for that reality. In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, January 19, 2009

God's Gifts, January 19, 2009

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 judgement. 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

Temple of God, January 18, 2009

Temple of God, January 18, 2009

...gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

1 Peter 1:13-16 www.solascriptura.com

Father, what did Peter imply when he said, "be sober"? Does that mean do not be drunk? We know you would never have us out of control intoxicated. You leave the "to eat or not to eat (meat, for instance) or to drink or to not drink (wine for instance)" up to us. You make it clear that if we do anything that seems wrong to us, it is wrong. You teach us that we must have a clear conscience before You.

Being "sober-minded" is another admonition and we know that is different than intoxication from drink. You teach us that we should be orderly in our conduct, to not speak coarsely and to therefore have Your Spirit in us. You also tell us to be full of joy, so to be sober minded must not mean to be long faced and stern in our demeanor.
Father, what a wonderful verse it is when you tell us "rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"; Your grace is brought to us, it is made active, by the revelation of Jesus. In effect, grace lies dormant within us until Jesus sanctifies us through His cleansing of our souls.

How else, O'God, could we be holy? In our natural, unregenerate state we are not holy and absent the redemptive power of Jesus our sins, which separate us from You, are still with us. We yearn to be released from the power of sin forever but when we stumble, thank You Jesus for lifting us up. We pray, on every occasion, in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, January 17, 2009

Prayer, January 17, 2009
I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know.
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly.
Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD; let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.
Psalms 40:9-11, www.solascriptura.com
Father, we pray that it is true that each of us has proclaimed the good news of righteousness in our families and churches. Help us never to restrain our lips when the opportunity to share Your love with others arises. Help us to never hide Your righteousness in our heart, but to happily declare our faith.
We do pray for Your tender mercies in our daily walk. Since we never walk alone, help us to ask, constantly that Your direction, Your wisdom and discretion, be ours.
Father, it seems like we have a huge number of decisions to make every day. Teach us that it is Your desire that we place every decision before You, asking for guidance. We know that in the midst of this Satan has been given a license to try and discourage us. You not only permit the test but You provide us with a way out of trouble, if we will but look to You.
Bless us afresh, every moment, we pray. Guide us today; in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Forgiven, January 16, 2009

Forgiven, January 16, 2009

… 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, You know the beginning from the end, the alpha from the omega. Nothing we do surprises You. You "see" what is not yet and our faith and love for You, though it requires an act of faith on our part, was foreknown to You. Thus we are predestined, adopted as sons, Holy and without blame, only because of the cleansing of You, Jesus.
The Scriptures say that it gives You pleasure when we serve You and it grieves You when we disappoint You. The fact that all of our thoughts and intentions lay bare before You should help us to behave, to seek to be sinless and to have our lives bring glory to You. It is such a privilege to be Your child. Bless us as we seek to serve You this day. We pray these things in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, January 15, 2009

Salvation, January 15, 2009

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Gal 2:20, www.solascriptura.com
Father, as you know, this verse has been my personal prayer and a reality that I have hoped to experience in abundance for many years. I know that when "I live" and not you in me, that I am drawing upon my own resources, my own human nature. Father, my personal righteousness is truly as rags and serves as a burden. I want to cast if off but it will not go away as long as I am in this human body.
Father, we all have the same problem. We dwell in the flesh; we are subjected to temptation on all sides, every day. We know as we seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, afresh, constantly, that we draw nearer and nearer to You. Yet, perfection awaits; sanctification is a process, not a done deal but a process, one that we seek but do not fully apprehend this side of heaven.
We seek to be like You Jesus and we search the Scriptures to learn more about what that is like. This verse, written by the Apostle Paul, says his lower nature has been crucified, it is hung on a cross, and the battle for his soul is over. O'Father we each seek such certainty and we see that Paul says his certainty comes from his faith in You Jesus. Increase our faith this day, we pray.

Bruce Caldwell

Hope, January 14, 2009

Hope, January 14, 2009

This is terribly important! This is the wisdom given to a fisherman by the power of the Holy Spirit. It was preserved for you.

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.
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;
knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away,
But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Peter 1:3-25, www.solascriptura.com
Amen and amen.
Bruce Caldwell

Temptation, January 13, 2008

Temptation, January 13, 2008

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
... there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 2:18, 4:13-16

Jesus, all that we think, do and feel is before you. We do not face temptation alone nor do we sin in secret. Your experiences on earth are our experiences as well. You lift us up, as though we had never sinned, into the presence of the Father. Therefore, in Your righteousness, we can be bold in coming to the Father in prayer and boldly seek to serve Him, which is the essence of our purpose.

We are undeserving of your mercy and grace but for reasons known only to You, You seek us out, cleanse us and embolden us to be Your children. Your plan for our lives does exist.

Help us O' God to discover Your perfect will, this day and every moment of our lives. In Christ's Holy name and power, we pray. Amen

Bruce Caldwell

Could blessings become burdens? January 12, 2009

Could blessings become burdens? January 12, 2009

From the Family Bible Study link, www.solascriptura.com

Have you ever thought about the notion that great gifts create great obligations as well as great opportunities? You have heard or you will hear the following statement about great gifts: To whom much is given, much is required. You could look at that statement in reverse and say "if you don't have much, I guess that not much is required of you". Do you feel you don't have much? Is having "much" always about money, real estate or other tangible assets? No, there are persons whose wealth lies in their heart. They have received the gift of love and they are able to give of it freely.
Would you say that "having a heart to give support, love, and care to others" is a gift? What if you do not exercise the gift? Is it still a gift? Suppose the gift is made freely available to you but you decide to "pass", a sort of no thanks to the offer of "receiving a new heart, one that freely gives love and support to others." There are those who yearn to be righteous, to be like Jesus, but who can't seem to get there. One of those persons was Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who came at night when no one would see him and asked Jesus how He could be doing such marvelous things unless He was from God. In effect, Nicodemus wanted to do the things and have the heart for people that Jesus had. Jesus explained:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Jesus went on to say: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'" John 3:3, 6-7 NKJV
The Prophet Ezekiel clarified what it means to be born again, to have a new heart: "…I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:19-20 NKJV
To be born again is to receive a new heart, one that is capable of love beyond the heart we were born with. Ezekiel goes on to say: "…get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." Ezekiel 18:31 NKJV Here we learn that a new heart also means a new spirit, one in which His Spirit and your spirit become as one. King David makes the same point. Listen: "0 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 NKJV
What gifts has God given you? Do you feel that God has heightened expectations of you because of those gifts? Would you rather not have the gift if the expectations are so high? Where do you feel you can turn for the strength to fully utilize your gifts? Does it seem that a gift not utilized might be taken away? (See Mathew 25:14-29)
Core Christian Value: Our talents, wealth and gifts are accompanied by this instruction: To whom much is given, much is required. The capacity to love is a gift freely given by God. Spend this resource

Bruce Caldwell

Providence of God, January 11, 2009

Providence of God, January 11, 2009

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit";
whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."

James 4:13-15, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we do plan our days and our future and we often say, "Lord willing". Let us always know that what is to happen today, tomorrow and forever is known to You. We naturally focus on the days of our lives as important and we sometimes forget that they are as a vapor compared to eternity.

Teach us and lead us to fulfill Your expectations. It seems right to plan and to pray for certain things to happen and You have told us that is Your expectation of us. We pray that our hearts and minds are in sync with You, Your word and Your will. Help us O'God to meditate and pray for Your will to be done in our lives this day and forgive us for our lack or patience. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Bruce Caldwell

Perseverance, January 10, 2009

Perseverance, January 10, 2009

...as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2 Peter 1:3-11, Philippians 4:13, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Your promises are indeed great and precious promises. If we could but thoroughly understand the depth of Your love for us and Your desire for us to be like Jesus, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, we would see no alternative but to claim our gift of grace and love from You.

We can accomplish nothing, that endures, absent Your strength in us. This is our prayer Father; give us an entrance into the everlasting kingdom. Help us O'God to focus on the miraculous circumstance of that prayer. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Humility, January 9, 2009

Humility, January 9, 2009

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:3-11, www.solascriptura.com

You teach us it is o.k. to look out for our own interests but we must esteem the interests of others as highly as we do our own interests. Father, we are instinctively selfish and ambitious. It is hard to imagine being otherwise. But here you teach us that when we obey You, we are doing so in Your power, not ours. Give us a humble and contrite heart as we seek to excel (if conundrum was ever better defined, I have not seen it!)

Father, the very notion that we could have the mind of Christ simply seems too hopeful, too good to be true. But in fact that is Your stated desire for us.

Jesus, You went to the Cross that we might be empowered and enlightened. We pray that You will direct us as servants, doing Your perfect will. We know Jesus that at some point in time every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. We pray that those we know will not wait until that action is accompanied by total fear. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Fidelity, January 8, 2009

Fidelity, January 8, 2009

...reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
These things command and teach.
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Timothy, 4:7-16, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You tell us to reject tales and fables and to exercise our mind in a way that brings us into Your presence. Your word says that exercise of the body profits a little and that exercise of our mind toward godliness profits us in a most complete way. Father, we want to "stay in shape" and You proclaim that as good, but You warn us that if that is our physical goal, absent a more encompassing spiritual goal, then we have a priority problem.

You also tell us to enjoy our youth, being vital, while being full of the Holy Spirit seeking to serve You. Father, let our joy and enthusiasm for life bring us to the center of Your will for our life. Bless us as we seek to draw nearer to You. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Industriousness, January 7, 2009

Industriousness, January 7, 2009

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
"... My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
"For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

James 5:19-20, Isaiah 55:8-12, www.solascriptura.com

Father, witnessing of Your love for us is our privilege but let us not take lightly the possibility that our witness may cause a sinner to return to You for an eternal reward. We have seen the joy of redemption; we have seen lives changed. A changed heart is a miracle to behold.
Your thoughts are higher than ours, Your ways beyond our complete understanding. You are indeed omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.

You have told us that Your word does not return void. Your word is truth. Thank You for these words:

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. Heb 4:12

Bruce Caldwell

Conscience, January 6, 2009

Conscience, January 6, 2009

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, and laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms 139:1-10, 17-18, 23-24, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Your omnipresence in our lives and world is beyond our comprehension. We know you have none of the boundaries of the flesh and that You created each of us. Now You teach us that You search us, You know when we arise and lay down, You know the words on our tongues and the thoughts of our hearts. You encompass us, Your thoughts toward us are greater than the sand, a quantity beyond counting.

Father, if we could but respond to You in the same way and give the same consideration, attention and time back to You that You give to us, that would keep our focus on our source of strength. We have access, all day long, to Your wisdom and presence. Help us to respond, constantly. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Joy, January 5, 2009

Joy, January 5, 2009

(Jesus said)"A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father."
Then some of His disciples said among themselves, "What is this that He says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'; and, 'because I go to the Father'?"
They said therefore, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is saying."
Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, "Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'?
"Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
"A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
"Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

John 16:16-24, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You taught Your disciples of Your impending crucifixion and they, at first, did not understand. We now stand on the other side of that event. You likened the depth of Your pain to childbirth, in that while it seemed unfathomable. Shortly thereafter the joy of birth turned the pain into rejoicing in a new life, a child created in Your image. Jesus, You have gone through pain, disgrace and separation for each one of us and have emerged our risen Savior. Your suffering has led us to the portal of eternal life, to our Spiritual birth. Now we rejoice, not in the suffering, which we too will occasionally experience, but in the resurrection and redemption, first of You, then of us.

You then teach us that as Your children, You want to endow us with gifts. We know, because Your word teaches us, what the gifts of the Holy Spirit are; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faith, goodness and self-control. Father, we beg You to fill us afresh, this day, with the fruits of the Spirit. These attitudes are so unlike the nature of this world. Help us trust and obey. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, Part I, January 4, 2009

Prayer, Part I, January 4, 2009

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
"as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.
"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 17:1-3, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, we acknowledge You as the Son of God, our personal Savior and our Advocate at the time of judgment. We have confidence that our love for You, by the grace given to us by God to be His chosen children, will result in our being with all believers in heaven, rejoicing forever.

Help us this day to be a witness of this extraordinary kind of love, a love that changes lives now and promises eternal life, forever. Oh how we pray that we can grasp the concept of eternity, that we might see how pivotal this short test really is. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, January 3, 2009

Revenge, January 3, 2009

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."
But 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...

1 Peter 3:8-18

Amen and amen. We pray for more of You in our lives this day. Keep us from seeking revenge. It is such a natural reaction Father. We could never be as Jesus was when he prayed for those who killed him if it was not for the power of the Holy Spirit in us.

Thank You Father for not giving us what we deserve but instead welcoming us into Your midst, just as if we had never sinned; justified by Jesus.

Guide us this day, in the Holy name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Mind of Christ, January 2, 2009

Mind of Christ, January 2, 2009

...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we feel weak and ineffective in our witness and in the circumstances of our lives, too often. We know that if we have needs that have not been declared to You or if we set out to do something in our own strength that we are leaving out the one variable that changes everything and that is You.

You tell us that we should be strengthened with might through Your Spirit. What a gracious command. You want Your strength, Your vision, Your courage to be ours.

This day, help us to know that Your love for us surpasses knowledge, it exceeds reason, given our sinful past. We do experience perfection, at times, but it is only when we feel Your Holy presence, guiding us, challenging us and rejoicing with us. Enrich us in every way that we might be a conduit of blessings in service to You. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Law of God, January 1, 2009

Law of God, January 1, 2009

"If you love Me, keep My commandments."

John 14:15 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, this straightforward instruction teaches us of Your expectations. It is by our love that we are known as Your disciples. When we love You and then disobey it is a contradiction that needs correcting. Help us "to trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in You but to trust and obey." That old hymn restates John 14:15 in a perfect way.

Father, we have made many "New Year's" resolutions before. Help us today to focus on a resolution that will change everything, forever. We pray that we will be able to love You with all our hearts, mind and soul, every day of this New Year. There is no downside to that resolution; it is a vow we must keep and by looking to the power of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to overcome temptation. That is our prayer, that we, in your strength respond perfectly to Your commandments.

The second resolution we want to keep this New Year, is to love our neighbor as ourselves. There is another great old hymn that says it well, "They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they will know we are Christians by our love." We know Father that these two "love" commandments encompass the 10 commandments. If we can fulfill these two commandments, we fulfill the entire law. It is only by Your grace that we can do so.

Thank You for placing Your law on our hearts and guiding us in all the details of our life.
We want nothing more Father than to please You and we know that everything that we do that is right in Your eyes, accrues to our own benefit. We are able to enjoy Your blessings now and for eternity.

This day, Jesus, fill us with the joy of serving You and others. Allow our spirit to be witnessed to by Your Spirit that we might know Your peace, kindness and joy. We pray in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell