Revenge, May 31

Revenge, May 31

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
"But 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.
"Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
"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.

Matt 5:38-48, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we seem to be so ill-equipped to be perfect when we are in our flesh. Our flesh, the domain of evil inclinations, is as our enemy, something to be overcome. You, Father, have even called those who love You, "overcomers". Why Father have You created us in such weakness? We know the answer; so your power can be made manifest in our weakness allowing us to be as You.

Father, loving You, as we look at the wonder of Your creation, and learn of Your love for us, seems relatively easy compared to loving each other. We are "in the flesh" far too often, making it difficult for our children, spouses and friends to easily love us.

Since that seems true Father, help each of us this day to constantly check our demeanor, making it much easier to love and to be loved, to forgive and to be forgiven. There are times Father that we just don't feel like being Spiritually whole. Help us not to follow the lead of our feelings but to follow You. In Jesus' Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Mind of Christ, May 30

Mind of Christ, May 30

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Philippians 2:5, Galatians 3:27, www.solascriptura.com

Father, these words from Paul come to us as a personal plea, urging us to accept a gift of love, asking us to open our hearts that this gift might lead us to an eternal place of joy in Your kingdom.

If we could have but one wish granted here on earth, it would be to have Your mind in us, Jesus, a mind that sees the beginning from the end; a mind that grants mercy when it is undeserved; a mind which lifts us from the burdens of a sinful world into a perfect and eternal heavenly result if we but love You.

Father, we pray this day that You might increase and we might decrease in the affairs of our daily lives. In the Holy name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Satan, May 29

Satan, May 29

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan[b] also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?"
So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"
So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"
And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person."
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know how this story from the Book of Job turned out Job, (after many trials, was greatly blessed) but here we learn some very important facts about Satan, prior to him being cast out of heaven. Satan, a blessed, but eternally fallen angel, became Your enemy and the enemy of all those who love You.

Here we see that Satan has powers to tempt us (to sin), granted by the Father. Father, this excerpt makes a powerful point. Satan is claiming that some men love You who are blessed by You and that if their blessings are taken away, apparently for no good reason, they will abandon their faith in You.

Father, we too face the same temptation. When we lose our resources (home, money, jobs, a loved one, etc.) we are greatly saddened and the test ensues. What will be our response? We know Job's response was one of continued faith and patience, even when Satan was allowed to attack his physical health in a final attempt to break his spirit.

Father, life is a cherished reality and when the quality of this life is threatened, we are severely tested. It is at that time that we pray You will show us the wonders of Your presence and creation and the enduring strength of Your Holy Spirit in us. We know that to be absent from the body is to be present with You, provided we have committed our spirit to be joined with Your Spirit. We do not wish to leave as long as You have things You want us to do.

Help us O'God to focus on Your eternal love when the temporary things, which will not survive anyway, are taken away. Bless us and strengthen us this day. In Jesus' name we pray.

Bruce Caldwell

Peace, May 28

Peace, May 28

... we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

2 Pet 3:13-14 www.solascriptura.com

Father, all of our experiences are here and our points of reference are here, yet, Peter tells us that we are to look for new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells. We know that righteousness, for most people, does not dwell here. Sin abounds.

Help us, today, not to believe that life here is anything like life eternal. We know that perfect peace awaits us if we can but be diligent in our pursuit of a relationship with You. We say "pursuit" because we have learned that perfection awaits, it can not be fully grasped here.

We can only be without spot and blameless, Jesus, because of Your cleansing. We are able to approach the Father as a Friend because we are cloaked in Your righteousness. You, Jesus, are the pivot point upon which all of eternity turns. Without You and the ultimate sacrifice You made for us, our sins would still be with us.

Thank You God for providing such a perfect solution to our dilemma in this place. We pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Courage, May 27

Courage, May 27

...we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Romans 8:24-25 www.solascriptura.com

Father, the Apostles walked with Jesus and we can see from a very large body of evidence that he did indeed live among the people and that they saw the miracles and experienced the teachings of Jesus first-hand.

We base our faith and our hope in things that we did not see nor experience. It is so hard, Father, to be certain in our faith, at times, because we simply can not understand ethereal and spiritual things, perfectly, from this earthly viewpoint. We confess the unevenness of our faith and pray that you will breathe upon us afresh, strengthening our resolve to go forward in hope.

There are some things, Jesus, which we can directly experience. We can experience the renewal of our lives, the uplifting of the Spirit and the counsel of Your Holy word. Yes, Jesus, You do love us, You do hear our prayers and You do attend to our needs. To whom else can we turn? Our hope in is You. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children, May 26

God's Children, May 26

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
"Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:
"that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-4, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, we notice that Paul said, "Obey your parents, in the Lord." Help us, today, to know that we need to be "in the Lord" if we are to properly teach our children Your will. Jesus, the concept of children being obedient carries so much more weight when the parents are "in the Lord".

What Jesus is it, "to be in the Lord"? You have taught us many times that our personal salvation is necessary if we are to be interpreting and teaching our children, Your wisdom, Your expectations. Father, help us today to add a measure of maturity to our relationship with you by listening to You and speaking to You.

Jesus, even though it is apparent that we need to teach our children, in Your ways, we also need to be very careful not to provoke our children and to set much higher standards for them than we do ourselves. Help us today to be a good Godly example in our words, thoughts and actions. Give us wisdom and patience, this day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Narrow Gate, May 25

The Narrow Gate, May 25

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

"And where I go you know, and the way you know."

Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14:1-6 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, Your promises of "many mansions in heaven" gives us a picture to which we here on earth can relate. We also know that You have told us that "mind has not imagined, nor eye seen what God has prepared for those that love Him." Our vision here of what it will be like to be with You is very dim. We look to heaven as looking through a foggy glass but when we are there, You tell us it will be glorious, beyond what we now know.

You have told us that You go to prepare a place for us so that where You are we will be. It was "doubting" Thomas who said, at the time, "we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way." Thank You Jesus for Your response. You are the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through You.

We earnestly pray for our fellow travelers from every nation that the truth of that statement can be widely stated and widely understood. Thank You Jesus for showing us the way, this day. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, May 24

God's Gifts, May 24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Temple of God, May 23

Temple of God, May 23

... you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:8-16 www.solascriptura.com

Father, it is a lot more fun to read the comforting words of the Psalms than to have to be confronted with the words of Paul. We know, Father, that Paul spent 3 years in Arabia learning from You and that he was shown things that he was not even permitted to share with us. Thus, when Paul speaks, though his words are direct, the message is from You.

We are children of light, Your Light, within us, and as such we look to You for direction in all things. Here, again, Paul warns us of the unfruitful works of darkness. We do live in "evil days". Yet, You have told us not to retreat but to love, not to hate but to help.

Father, every sinner is as we have been and if it was not for the Light of Jesus within and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, we would all be in darkness, stumbling about in a sinful world.

You have told us to "arise from the dead" and "redeem the time". Father, help us, today, to be reminded that Your Light in us is life, life eternal. We pray that each day of life You give us is a day in which our love for You and our neighbor is made manifest. Show us how You would have us serve. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, May 22

Prayer, May 22

With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Psalms 119:13-18, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we pray that the words of the Psalmist are our words as well. We pray that we have declared you and rejoiced as we serve You, knowing that Your hope for us is to share in the eternal riches of heaven.

We want to meditate on Your teachings and to contemplate Your ways. We know that Your statutes are pure and that in keeping them there is great reward. Father, we are sometimes focused on the benefits of serving You but help us to never forget that we serve you with a humble and contrite heart, not focused only on the future reward, but on the peace it brings to us right now.

You have dealt bountifully with us in so many ways. Yet, You tell us to bring all of our hopes and aspirations to You as well as the basic needs of those we love. You bless us in good times and bad but it is the latter in which we humbly seek your help. Teach us to bring every single circumstance of our lives to You, asking for Your Holy hand upon us. We pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Forgiven, May 21

Forgiven, May 21

To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: do not be silent to me, lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.

Psalm 28:1-2, Ecclesiastes 7:21, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we cry out, we make requests of You, we seek You in times of trouble. Help us O'God, to develop a balance between asking and praise. We often ask too often and praise too little. Yet, we know You hear all of our words and know all of our thoughts. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us. Where, O'God, would we be without You?

When Solomon said "don't take to heart everything people say" he was reminding us that people sometimes say too much, more than they truly feel. Help us to speak less and to mean more when we do speak and to never say harmful things when they are better unsaid. And when people do say things that are critical, help us not take it to heart but to return kindness when it is not expected or deserved. That is what You have done for us Jesus. You have extended kindness that exceeds understanding when we were yet in our sin. Can we do less for others? In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, May 20

Salvation, May 20

If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

I John 2:1-3, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know there will be a trial on Judgment Day. This will be the day when the saints are separated from the sinners. Since we all have sinned and come short of Your glory Father, there is only one piece of evidence that can either convict us or deliver us to a heavenly destination. We either have been born again, experiencing a Spirit filled conversion that led to or leads to a new life in You Jesus, or we have not. If we have, Your word says "keeping the commandments" will be the evidence of our love.

Father, You have sent Jesus and our response to his offer of salvation makes him our Advocate. What a perfect scenario. We are on trial and the one with the power to convict steps up and says "not guilty". It will be the encapsulating righteousness of the Messiah that will allow us to stand in Your Holy, perfect, eternally blissful presence.

Bruce Caldwell

Hope, May 19

Hope, May 19

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, sometimes we wonder what happens to those who have never heard the Gospel. You provide the answer in the first verse, above. The Grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. You have taught us that our intuitive knowledge of right and wrong is a gift from You.

We thank You Father for sending the Holy Spirit to encourage us and strengthen our resolve to do the right thing. That fact, along with the forgiveness of all confessed sin, due to the redemptive power of Jesus, means we will be without excuse if we say "but I did not know".

Help us, today, to pursue a continual and personal relationship with You, in every circumstance. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Jesus Wept. Why? May 18

Jesus Wept. Why? May 18

The shortest verse in the Bible is, "Jesus wept", John 11:35. Yet that short verse reveals so much that we need to understand. The Apostle John saw Jesus weep when Mary and Martha, the sisters that Jesus knew well, told Him that Lazarus, their brother, had died.

First, we can see that Jesus had compassion upon those who loved Lazarus. That means that his heart ached when theirs did. He felt their loss, their pain, just as He feels our losses and pains. That is how much Jesus loves His children, His friends. When our hearts ache in circumstances of personal loss, such as the death or serious illness, of a loved one, Jesus feels our loss. We never have to go through such sadness alone.

Second, Jesus knew that he would call Lazarus forth from the grave in which he had laid dead for four days. He certainly did not weep because of the death of Lazarus. He wept because the friends and family of Lazarus were grieving. But Jesus did not continue to grieve. He took action.

Listen: "But didn't I tell you that you will see a wonderful miracle from God if you believe?" Jesus asked her. So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing me. (You always hear me, of course, but I said it because of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.)" Then he shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And Lazarus came-bound up in the gravecloth, his face muffled in a head swath. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him go!" John 11:40-44 TLB

It is proper to be sad when we lose a loved one. Jesus was sad but He knew something we should all understand. Not only would he give Lazarus physical life, again, but Jesus knew that Lazarus, because of his faith, would be given eternal life in a perfect place where there are no tears and no suffering.

Listen to a key teaching about death: "The good men perish; the godly die before their time, and no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to realize that God is taking them away from evil days ahead. For the godly who die shall rest in peace." Isaiah 57:1-2 TLB

When we die, we are taken away from evil and delivered to perfection and when those we love die, that is true of them, if they love the Lord. We are simultaneously sad and hopeful. I would have said joyful but that is a word that will fit well when you are reunited with those you love. That is why we tell our family and friends about the love Jesus has for them. We want to be together, in eternity, forever.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who bring the happy news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns. The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for right before their eyes they see the Lord God bring his people home again." Isaiah 52:7-8 TLB

Discuss Isaiah 57:12. Is it still o.k. to grieve when someone we love has been taken away from the evil days ahead? For a Christian, is death the end or the beginning? What is transitional and what is permanent? Discuss the meaning of this quotation: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1Corinthians 2:9 NKJV

Core Christian value: We properly mourn over the death of a loved one but then we are encouraged, knowing that death is physical and not spiritual. Our spirits live on and a reunion of God's children awaits.

Providence of God, May 17

Providence of God, May 17

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.

Colossians 1:13-22, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Paul has clarified that you are One and that You, Jesus came to us from the presence of the Father. Sometimes Father we speak to You and do not think about Jesus and You as One and sometimes Jesus we speak to you as separate from the Father, sent by the Father.

Help us O'God not to worry about such matters but to learn that You are three in one, serving us in distinctive capacities. Thank You Jesus for the redemptive act of the Cross and for sending the Holy Spirit to abide with and in us.

Is it any wonder Father that Jesus and His angels will come to seperate the saints from the sinners? You have extended all power to Him and it is by His shed blood that we will enter into Your presence. You, Yourself Father will judge among the saints, and although that is a comfort, because we will be with You, it reminds us that our salvation was purchased at a great price and that our enthusiastic response of love and obedience is Your expectation.

Our righteousness is as filthy rags. It is your righteousness Jesus that enables us to stand in the presence of the Father. Help us be "overcomers" every moment of every day, turning to You for empowerment and comfort.

Bruce Caldwell

Perseverance, May 16

Perseverance, May 16

And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;
'for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him';
"and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?
"I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
"If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
"Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Luke 11:5-13, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, being taught by You personally is a privilege indeed. To whom else shall we turn? Jesus, these scriptures seem at first to tell us about an insensitive friend who was a neighbor. On closer examination, that part may be true, but Your lesson leads us to understand that perseverance in prayer is encouraged if not always rewarded.

Why Jesus, isn't every prayer answered as asked? Your response seems obvious, given the entirety of Your Word. You have taught us that we must pray in a Spiritual way and seek results that are consistent with Your perfect will.

Jesus, it seems that a prayer not responded to is a prayer that is "on hold", either for a "not now" answer or "no, that is not My will for you at this time." Yet Jesus, you say "ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." What is it that is promised? Thank You for the answer: "how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" It is Your Holy Spirit in us that is promised if we but ask.

Your Spirit in us is our Light and may we content to know You care more than we can possibly understand and that you will direct our steps, daily, if we but ask. We seek to be led by You and serve You. Thank You Father for the reality of Your leading Spirit. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Humility, May 15

Humility, May 15

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18:10-14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we do "works" in Your name of all kinds and we feel proud, at times. Thank You for teaching us that our heart must be right with You for our works to be blessed. You teach us that humility and contrition must precede our efforts to please You.

Father, we each respond so positively when people praise us that we end up, at times, being tempted to take the credit for that which was intended to glorify You. Teach us today that even good works count for nothing if we act as though they stem from our own resources.

Father, bless our efforts but more importantly mold us and make us in Your image, afresh, every day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Industriousness, May 14

Industriousness, May 14

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
"You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

John 15:1-7, www.solascriptura.com

Thank You Jesus for speaking directly to us. Divine instruction, not from the mouths of men, is indeed a treasure. Here You tell us that it is not just You speaking to us but You and the Father are one.

Father, Your word says, "bear fruit" or perish. That sounds harsh but it is only harsh to those who do not seek to bear fruit. We know that You give us different gifts by which to serve You but none of is without a gift. Help us to seek to serve You this day, knowing that the tests and challenges of life serve to bring understanding and growth. You "prune" us, as painful as it may be at times, that we might bear more fruit.

Teach us to see the value of difficult times that we might grow and bear more and better fruit. Jesus, without You we can do nothing that glorifies You and without You we can do nothing that endures. In service to You, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Conscience, May 13

Conscience, May 13

... I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

2 Corinthians 7:9-11, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You have taught us that humility and contrition precede repentance and now we see that it is accompanied by sorrow, genuine sorrow for our sins. This sorrow is not the sort of sorrow the world feels about having made mistakes but it is sorrow leading to repentance and to the joy of a changed heart.

You teach us that this sorrow leads to joy, a cleansing of the spirit, a clear conscience, a zeal to serve You and a sense of no longer being guilty, having been vindicated by You Jesus. Father, we are not always successful in forgiving ourselves for our sins. We tend to forget how much You suffered for our sins, taking them upon Yourself at the Cross.

Help us, this day, to know that our sin is as separate from us as the east is from the west, never to be remembered against us again. If You can, after much suffering, push our sins from Your sight, surely we can acknowledge and accept that cleansing.

The Scriptures say "east from west" because once you head east you will never be headed west unless you turn around and return to your sin. Not so, if You had said "north from south", since if you go north long enough you will eventually be headed south, back to your sin. Thank You for the wisdom of Your Holy word. Keep us in it every day we pray. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Joy, May 12

Joy, May 12,

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance...
And you became followers ... of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of joy in Your presence.

1Thessalonians 1:5-6, Acts 2:28, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Your words to us are unlike the words of the world. Your words enable us to change our lives and our eternal destination. Your words have life changing power. Even if we receive Your words while we are suffering, we know that afflictions are going to be replaced with eternal joy.

You have revealed the secrets and mysteries of life to us if we but read Your word. You would not have us remain as children, understanding only the milk of the word. Help us come to You daily and to joyfully receive Your light into our hearts. Let us never walk in darkness. We pray these things in Jesus' Holy name. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, May 11

Prayer, May 11

God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.
That Your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
Let the people praise You, O God; let all the people praise You.

…pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Psalms 67:3, 1Thessalonians 5:17-18, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when You shine upon us You illuminate our hearts and You are a light unto our path. Help us never to go forward in darkness, without You, Your counsel, and Your love. Father, You give us light that Your word might go throughout all of the world. We praise You for equipping us to serve You.

We are asked to pray without ceasing. Teach us this day how to implement that teaching. Help us to include You in everything we do and think. It is Your will that we enjoy the fruits of Your Holy presence (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control), constantly. Our fleshly instincts take us in the opposite direction, too often. We seek to be like You, more and more. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, May 10

Revenge, May 10

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:17-21

Jesus, we know that You personally taught Paul the wisdom that he brings to us. What a reassuring thing it is to find complete consistency between his words and Yours.

Here we learn that when we are kind and gentle in the face of someone who is angry with us, it confounds them and our kindness, undeserved, actually disarms them. We take no credit for the fruits of the Spirit manifested in our relationships and we do not seek praise from men for being patient and full of self-control.

Teach us today what it means to say, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me". Help us this day to overcome evil with good. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Mind of Christ, May 9

Mind of Christ, May 9

... "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--
"not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
"None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."
In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 8:8-13, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we see that the old covenant, based upon the promises to Israel if they obeyed the law, was replaced by the new covenant. Why? You tell us that Israel did not continue in Your covenant. They sinned and You disregarded them. But thank you Father that was not the end, it was the beginning. You sent Your only Son, Jesus, to live for us and teach us and He died for our sins.

Now every person lives under the new covenant, one in which You have placed Your truth upon our hearts. We no longer need to be taught by man, You are our teacher. We have equal status before You. If we but acknowledge our sin to Jesus and ask for His Light to shine upon our hearts, You have promised to remember our sins no more.

Help us this day to rejoice over the new covenant, one which permits us to have the mind of Christ, in us. In His precious and Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Law of God, May 8

Law of God, May 8

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

Romans 13:1-4, www.solascriptura.com

Father, these words of Paul lead us to know that nothing that goes on in this universe is outside of Your control. An evil person would not draw his first breath if You did not allow it to be so and a king is not a king unless You have allowed it to be so. You have taught us that those in authority, who You have permitted to be in authority, are those we must respect and to the extent that we obey the laws of the land we will not be subject to the penalties of enforcement.

We also know Father, that if the governing authority asks us to deny You and to follow them that we are authorized to resist, even unto death.

Help us to be good and to do good because we know we will be seldom punished for being obedient to those You have allowed to be in power. They, if they err in their leadership, can sometimes be voted against but more importantly, they answer to You.

Give us a trusting spirit in knowing You are ultimately in charge and that You will love and protect Your children from evil consequences. Trials will come but we know You are the final authority. We pray for wisdom in this matter. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, Part 2, May 7

Prayer, Part 2, May 7

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.

I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

Psalms 5:1-3, 116:1-2, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we pray, we know that if we seek Your will for our lives, You listen. Help us understand that You desire to lead us and love us and that Your response to prayers for leadership in our lives is positive and our requests are welcomed. You know our needs better than we do! Father, at times, we seem to be insisting on "our will be done" as though our certainty is warranted. Forgive us when that is the case.

We are encouraged to pray early, Father, just as Jesus did so many times in the Scriptures. Praying about everything all day is Your stated will, but setting aside time with You each morning gives us an opportunity to start the day right, seeking Your blessings and direction.

Father, we give so much time to activities that do not include You. Help us today to resolve to seek Your will, early each day, and to look up and know You are waiting for us to call to You. To whom else can we turn? In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Peace, May 6

Peace, May 6

Flee... youthful lusts... pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 12:14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, some of us are far too old to still be pursuing youthful lusts. Age, in itself, does not point to fewer tests. Will Satan ever stop tempting us? We know the answer. Not only will he persist and we also know that You permit the temptations to come. But, at the same time You promise to get us through the temptations of life, if we will but turn to You and trust You (Go to I Corinthians 10:13 and memorize it!).

There will come a day when Satan is restrained and Your joy will reign in the hearts of men (The Millennium) and there will be an even better day when Satan and his allies are destroyed forever. Then, in heaven, we will find out what is like to enjoy Your peace, happiness and joy eternal.

We seek Your Holiness here, today, feeling that if we persist in unholy acts, behaving as though we never knew You, that we will not be permitted stand in Your presence. We know we all sin and we know it is the cloak of Jesus upon us that permits us to enter Your presence. Lord, bestow upon us Your gifts today that we may be like You, sanctify us now and forever. We pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Courage, May 5

Courage, May 5

... let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

Philippians 1:27-28, Romans 10:11, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, as Paul toured the area and preached he appealed to his listeners to be diligent, whether he was present with them or not. We know many did faithfully follow his teaching concerning You and some lost hope.

Unlike Paul, who could only be in one city at a time, Your Spirit, Jesus, is everywhere. You are always present, always aware of our thoughts, actions and words. May we bravely proclaim You when we might be inclined to keep silent. Jesus, help us to be Your good and faithful servants, constantly.

Empower, us this day, to access the depth of Your presence, Your support and Your love. You are, at the same moment, our Friend, our Lord and our Protector. Bless us as we seek to serve You this day. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children, May 4

God's Children, May 4

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:5-7 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, Peter, who was one of the most outspoken of the disciples, after he had received the gift of the Holy Spirit, became one of Your most effective ministers. He says that young people should be humble in the presence of their elders.

Peter goes on to say that pride, the opposite of humility, is resisted by God. It is "under Your hand", Father, that we are to be truly humble, not some self-imposed portrayal of humility. You promise to exalt the humble in due time, to lift us up.

God, help us today to show our children that our humility, to the extent we have any, is simply a by-product of our commitment to You. Your concern for even our smallest needs humbles us before You. Bless us and our children and grandchildren this day, we pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Narrow Gate, May 3

The Narrow Gate, May 3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
just as 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,
to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:3-6 www.solascriptura.com

Father, You tell us that You chose us and that You choose to bless us with every spiritual blessing. You have adopted us. We are heirs to Your Kingdom.

Here, Paul teaches us that we were predestined to be adopted as Your sons, by Jesus Christ, and that His will to do so gave Him pleasure. His grace to us brings glory to His name and He has made us acceptable in His sight.

First, Father, we know that You and Jesus are as one and that our election, our predestination was known by You. You would not be omniscient if You did not know that we would respond to Your love for us, personally. You knew we would accept Your invitation, Your grace and Your mercy.

Second, when Jesus came here, His life, His death and His resurrection became a pivotal event in history. Where men had been unable to fulfill the Law of the Old Covenant, You taught us, Jesus, that the New Covenant had replaced the Old. We now stand in the presence of the Father, not based on our obedience, but based upon our faith in You and our acceptance of You as savior. We can now stand in the presence of the Father, cleansed of our sin, as sons; sons that He knew would choose to have faith in You Jesus. Perfect! Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, May 2

God's Gifts, May 2

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

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

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

James 1:5-7 www.solascriptura.com

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

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

You offer us a stern warning that we "must believe and not doubt". Father, please help us with the doubts that sometimes come upon us. We feel so imperfect and at times very uninformed. Help us today to realize that is not our perfection that encompasses us when we approach You. We come to You in the righteousness of Jesus, cleansed by Him, led by Him.

Help our belief in You to lead to higher levels of trust in You. Forgive us when we think You have abandoned one of us. You never leave our side. Help us not to doubt that fact! We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Temple of God, May 1

Temple of God, May 1

...do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 5:17-20 www.solascriptura.com

O' God, we do pray for wisdom and discernment, we do pray for Your word to penetrate our hearts and minds. We do seek to fulfill your will for our lives.

Here we are taught that being out of control, whether it is from alcohol or drugs, leads to dissipation. Most of us have seen the ugly effects being drunk or spaced out. What we need Father, is to learn from what we see and then to rely on Your Spirit within us to overcome temptation and to present our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.

Your admonition is completely positive when You tell us to speak to each other in psalms and spiritual songs, making melody in our heart, to You and to the world. When that happens, we simply give thanks to You, in the name of Jesus. What a perfectly natural response to joy, sent to us as a gift.

When disappointments come, and they will not cease to come until we are with You, we do not have joy for the pain, but we are able to have joy as we endure the pain by accessing Your peace and comfort. We are Your temple, You will deliver us; of that we are certain. We pray for Your counsel in our lives in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell