Providence of God, August 31

Providence of God, August 31

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; he shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalms 105:15, 108:12-13, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You have taught us to "look up" as we seek You, that Your glory is in the heavens. There is a lot of stuff to look at as we look down, but even the beautiful flowers will wither. We appreciate the beauty of all Your creation, but help us as we seek to focus on the eternal, the heavenly reward that has been prepared for those who love You.

Here You teach us that in heaven, the sun will not strike us in the day or the moon by night. You have taught us elsewhere that there will be no night and day in eternity. You, Father, will be the Light eternal in this place of eternal joy.

We also learn that in that place we will not encounter evil, our souls will be preserved forever and Your hand will protect us as we move about in this place of eternal peace.

Thank You Father for slipping Your testimony about heaven into a Psalm, teaching us that we must study all of Your word to get the complete picture of what You have prepared for us. You have greatly blessed us and we thank You. In Jesus Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Perseverance, August 30,

Perseverance, August 30

How long, LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire?
Remember how short my time is; for what futility have You created all the children of men?
What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?

Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You,
For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore!
Remember His marvelous works which He has done, his wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,

Psalms 89:46-48, 56:12-13, 105:1-5, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we are young, time goes too slowly and as we get older, times goes too quickly; your word teaches us that this life span is as a moment in time compared to eternity. At times we feel we are performing acts of futility, acts that do not make a difference. But You Father record every word, notice every action and are aware of all of our motivations. The record that exists is ours and we are actively creating it every day.

Purify our hearts afresh. Help us bring glory to your name. Our feelings can mislead us and our fleshly hearts often lead us to disappointing behavior. Teach us O'God to be renewed in the Spirit, constantly, knowing that Your Spirit abides in us forever. Teach us today that "feelings" are not facts. We know the facts concerning Your expectations. We are told to "crucify the flesh" that Your Spirit may live in us. This is not a possibility for lukewarm believers!

Help us never make a vow that we are not able to keep. It is only by Your Spirit in us that we can serve and obey You. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Humility, August 29

Humility, August 29
Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.
When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of the great;
For it is better that he say to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
It is not good to eat much honey; so to seek one's own glory is not glory.

Ps 138:6,8, Proverbs 3:34, 11:2, 25:6-7,27

Father, we thank you for the words of David and Solomon, his son. Just as your mercy perfected that which concerned David, that same mercy is ours. The Wisdom of Solomon, which You gave, can be our wisdom as well.

Father, is there any sin more likely to be in our lives than pride? It seems not as we observe the actions of some of your most committed people. Help us notice how pride can creep into our lives. Show us how to convert prideful tendencies into joy in Your presence, joy in victories made possible by You. We are so tempted to "seek the best seat" but here you teach us how embarrassed, before You, we will be when we are asked to yield that seat to another.

Teach us not to seek our own glory but to look to meeting Your expectations of us. It is Your praise that we desire. Boy, is it hard not to be proud! Bless us, we pray, in all that we do. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Industriousness, August 28

Industriousness, August 28

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler,
Provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep--
So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.
A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth;
He winks with his eyes, he shuffles his feet, he points with his fingers;
Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord.
Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.

Psalms 126:5-6, Proverbs 6:6-15, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Help us learn from the lowly ant. He who would eat, must work. We know Father of the exceptions for those who can not work physically but even in their case you have provided a capacity to love and to receive love. Help us not only to be industriousness as we are able but to do everything knowing that You are noticing our motives and efforts.

Father, if we could just do "all things as unto You" the quality and consistency of the days of our lives would be improved. We know we can only be our best when it is You in us, guiding and teaching us. We indeed have our bad moments. Forgive us and renew us this day. In Christ's presence and power we pray. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Heaven, Part 2, August 27

Heaven, Part 2, August 27

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, we sometimes do not focus on the fact that You are at the right hand of God, observing, caring and loving us as friends. We may be looking in the wrong places too many times as we seek Your comfort and presence in our lives. Help us to look up and know that what appears to be infinity to us is in fact where you are, far beyond the heavens that we see.

We have no idea how your omnipresence is as it is. We get a hint of it when the gentle breeze moves around us, encircling us at times, reminding us that You told Nicodemus that the Holy Spirit is as the wind, you don't know where it comes from and you do not know where it is going.

Father, at times it is critical that we set our minds on things above because down here there can be some very cruel circumstances, brought on by sin and neglect, wherein Satan is permitted to tempt us to not look to You. You have told us that You permit the test but that You will provide a way to escape that we may be able to bear it.

Jesus, escaping to Your side is our hope and our aim. We know that when You appear, we will then appear with You, safely comforted and shielded from all sin, all suffering and every weakness that troubled us here. Help us today to set our minds on You, knowing that the present suffering can not be compared to the glory that awaits. Bless us we pray in Your Holy name. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Heaven, August 26

Heaven, August 26

"For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one accord.
You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name.
"He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Zeph 3:9, Isa 62:2, Rev.3:12

Father, where we now speak many different languages we see that when we are with You in heaven we will all speak one pure language. It will be a heavenly language, perhaps unlike any language we now understand. That fact, in itself, gives us additional understanding that heaven will be something much different than we have ever experienced.

We also see that we will be called by a new name, which You will give to us. We can't help but wonder why you will choose a particular name for each of us. Since that name is already chosen we wonder will there be any duplicates? Probably not but is that because there are not that many citizens of heaven? You have told us before that any of us who acknowledge Your grace and mercy and who place their faith in Jesus, will be "overcomers". We will be as a "pillar" in Your temple. Now we know where the phrase "pillar of the community" comes from…

Finally Jesus, You tell us that we will have the name of God, Your new name and the name of New Jerusalem written upon us. We are very uncertain how that will all look but we do know right now that we have Your truth written upon our hearts. You have marked us for eternity! Bless us as we wait for that moment. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, Part I, August 25, 2008

Prayer, Part I, August 25, 2008

Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who seek to destroy my life; let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor who wish me evil.
Let them be confounded because of their shame, who say to me, "Aha, aha!"
Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!"
But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.

Psalms 40:14-17, www.solascriptura.com

Father, At times we feel embattled, pressured by our daily circumstances and needs. We have learned to flee from sinful reactions to pressure because You are pleased to deliver us, to lift us up in that moment, if we but turn to You. We know that our willingness to be in a relationship with You transports us from helplessness to dependence on You. Our peace and our comfort come from You as we look up and contemplate Your presence.

Father, help us not to be as a foxhole Christian, one that only seeks You when we are being attacked. Instead, enwrap us afresh with the presence, comfort and power of the Holy Spirit. Absent a relationship with You we are spiritually bankrupt, the worst possible way to exist. Give us an eternal perspective and keep us from feelings of despair. Our hope is in You. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, August 24

Revenge, August 24

Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns; the world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved; he shall judge the peoples righteously."
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD.
For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth.

Psalms 96:10-13, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we see evil having its way in the hearts and minds of people, we get impatient, wanting You to intervene and to restore obedience and love for one another and You. Father, teach us to cope with such feelings while maintaining an inner peace that You are present, You are witnessing the thoughts and actions of evil people. You are coming, Jesus, to judge the earth.

We sometimes want You to destroy evil now, forgetting that we, before our relationship with You was sealed, were evil as well. Father, help us not to judge evil but to look for ways to be a light in a dark place. A soul that is perishing is a devastatingly sad thing to watch. Give us the courage to try, in Your strength, to help others see You as we see You, our Father, Savior, Comforter, Counselor and Refuge.

The field of flowers and the trees and all that is created shout of your joy, if we could but listen. Help us look up and acknowledge your majesty when we are inclined to hang our head, bearing burdens you would have us give to You. We pray for renewal this day, in Jesus' Holy name. Amen

Bruce Caldwell

Mind of Christ, August 23

Mind of Christ, August 23

... I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools,
and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

Romans 1:16-25, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we say we are not ashamed of the Gospel, help us to be much more than not ashamed and to boldly, and in Your righteousness, proclaim You to men.

We know Your wrath will be revealed against the unrighteous and that it will be just and fair because You have revealed Yourself to all men and those who reject You will be without excuse.

Father, help us today not to hide our Light under a bushel, knowing that when we witness of Your love, made manifest at the Cross, we are witnessing to Your children, created in Your image and that You will that not one single person perish, no not one. In the Holy name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Law of God, August 22

Law of God, August 22

"The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.
"And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

"... let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
"and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

John 1:17, Luke 16:16-17, Acts 13:38-39 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, again You teach us that the law, given to Moses, has not changed. The 10 commandments count! Now we are reminded that through You, Father, comes grace and truth. The law counts but since every man has sinned, absent Your grace and forgiveness, we are lost.

Jesus, help us not to look past the fact that Your word is truth. Cause us to seek the truth, daily, as we seek to know You on a personal basis, one that leads to our spending eternity with You and those that love You.

We know, Jesus, that as we love God, completely, and our neighbors as ourselves, that we are no longer judged by the law but we are judged by You. The straight edge of the law magnifies our sins and we need to stop sinning, but Jesus we can not do so in our own strength and wisdom. We seek to serve You and be led by You, every day. In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Joy in the midst of trials? August 21

Joy in the midst of trials? August 21

How can I feel joyful when my life and the world around me are falling apart?

First, let's understand what God prescribes in a Psalm from David: "…let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield." Psalms 5:11-12 NKJV

In the midst of difficult circumstances, how can you possibly be "full of joy"? If you are not a Christian, empowered by the Holy Spirit in you, the answer is that, in all probability, you can not. Look carefully at the verse above. Those who put their trust in the Lord, rejoice. Those who are defended by God shout for joy. Those who love the name of God are joyful, in Him. The verse says that the Lord will bless the righteous and surround you with a shield and favor you. Yes, trials will come but you are never going through them alone if you love the Lord. What can you focus on if you feel alone and are hurting?

People who are depressed and sad, even though they love the Lord, are sometimes experiencing pain, mental and/or physical and the pain is real. Jesus experienced pain and rejection. Listen:

"…(Jesus Christ) 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 2:7-11 NKJV

He who suffered for us, joyfully presents us to the Father, cleansed of our sin. These verses tell it all: "… when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ." Acts 5:40-42 NKJV

"Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…….. Romans 8:33-39. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8 NKJV

Jesus knows our circumstances. Do you feel His presence in all things at all times? Whether you do or not, His Spirit is always present. Is it o.k. to feel sad? Listen to James, Jesus' brother: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Yes we will feel sad and depressed but the power of the Holy Spirit will lift your spirit.

Core Christian Value: Joy is the condition of a believer's life. Not joy in suffering or rejection, but joy in knowing that through every circumstance the Holy Spirit is with you, comforting and guiding you.

Peace, August 20

Peace, August 20

"... these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

"But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?'

"But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

"And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

"of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

"of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;

"of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

"He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

"All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

John 16:4-15 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, for this wonderful set of facts, we are so grateful. You tell us, in the first person, that the Holy Spirit, having been sent, will convict the world of sin. Your crucifixion and resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to strengthen and teach us, is also a turning point in Your relationship with every person. You have planted the truth in our hearts, You have turned on a Light that either accuses us or excuses us.

We know, as a result of the Holy Spirit being sent, the truth, and if we seek the truth we will be set free. We also know that we are now without excuse before You. Our thoughts and actions are all known to You. The Holy Spirit either lifts us up, assuring us of Your presence, love and confirmation of our faith or the Holy Spirit convicts us, making us know for certain when we are disappointing You.

You tell us, Jesus, that the Holy Spirit will guide and teach us the truth. Your word is truth and it is a light within us. Help us to be what we could never be without You. In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Courage, August 19

Courage, August 19

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens;
By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.
My son, let them not depart from your eyes—keep sound wisdom and discretion;
So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck.
Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.

Proverbs 3:19-26, www.solascriptura.com

Father, the magnificence of Your creation is constantly before us. You tell us that the clouds are as dust to Your feet and that You have named every star. Solomon advises us to never lose sight of Your omnipotence, Your omniscience and Your omnipresence. You have created every thing that exists, You are in complete control.

The wonder of it all is as grace to our neck, as a gentle refreshing breeze.

Solomon make us feel that our love of You will keep us from failing, from falling prey to wickedness. We know that means that our relationship with You will keep us from the sort of fear that grips non-believers. We will fear evil and embrace goodness and You, Father, will help us through even the worst of circumstances here and You will deliver us to Your side, forever. Bless us we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Hope, August 18

Hope, August 18

O God, do not be far from me
... I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day, for I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, your power to everyone who is to come.
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, and my soul, which You have redeemed.
My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long...

Psalms 71:12, 14-18, 23-24

O' Father, is it ever true that You would be far from us? Is it not we who would have moved? Sometimes, Father, we are under such pressure, regarding the issues that are upon us, that we act as though we need to plea for Your attention to our needs.
You have told us that your thoughts toward us exceed number, that not a hair falls from our head that You do not know it. It is so hard for us to realize those facts. We carry the burden when You have told us to shift it to You.

Father, we know that it is only possible to go forward, as Your disciples, with Your hand upon us, Your strength within us and Your righteousness filling us. Whether we are gray-headed, bald, old, young or ill, we are beautiful in Your sight, You have promised to not forsake us. We will declare Your marvelous works and we will rejoice in Your divine presence. Our hope is in You. In Jesus Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Narrow Gate, August 17

The Narrow Gate, August 17

... I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Rom 1:16-21 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we too are not ashamed of the Gospel. We gratefully accept Your grace and mercy, by the shed blood of Jesus, the final sacrifice for sin, and we willingly proclaim You before everyone we know. We live by faith in the facts, given to us by Your Holy word.

Father, when Jesus went to the cross and then was resurrected, He told us that He was the Deliverer of the New Covenant. We know that one facet of the New Covenant is that the truth about You was written on the heart of every person. No more wondering about Your existence, Your creation, and Your love for us. These truths have been made self-evident to us.

Father, we have seen mankind, try turn off the Light within. You do give us a choice and some, as You say here, have hearts that have been darkened. What a sad circumstance, Father, to have a soul reject Your love. To whom can they turn for eternal life? Help each of us to lovingly intervene when possible to tell such persons of Your love. Bless us, this day, as we seek to serve You. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, August 16

God's Gifts, August 16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Temple of God, August 15

Temple of God, August 15

Now Moses called all Israel and said to them: "You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land
"the great trials which your eyes have seen, the signs, and those great wonders.
"Yet the LORD has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day.
"And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet;
"you have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or similar drink; that you may know that I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 29:2-6 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Your chosen people have experienced firsthand what it is to be the temple of the living God. You did miracles in their midst, giving them manna every day, giving them water where none should have existed and leading them in the paths You wanted them to go.

They saw how they were redeemed from captivity as Moses confronted Pharaoh with miracle after miracle showing him that You Father, were in total control. These people were walking examples of Your glory.

Yet, disobedience persisted. They had eyes that did not see and ears that did not hear and their hearts were not full of discernment.

Father, we, and everyone in the world, have been chosen by You to receive Your grace. Jesus, when He went to the cross and was raised again told us that His death and resurrection established a New Covenant, one in which the truth is written on the heart of every man, whereby no one is without at least some Light.

We are Your temples and You are our Lord. The evidence of Your love has been verified. Help us and every person in every nation to respond to Your grace. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, August 14

Prayer, August 14

He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people.
... he does not forget the cry of the humble.

Psalms 9:8-12

Father, the one thing we can depend upon is Your righteous judgment. You will judge the world fairly and You have taught us the basis of Your judgment. How can we know what You expect? You teach us every day to look to Your word for guidance and wisdom. Everything seems transitional as we observe the changing values of the world. Thank You, Father, for being our rock, our never changing anchor.

O'God, we trust You and we turn to You. We not deserve Your grace and mercy; You simply offer it to us, in spite of ourselves. We sing praises to Your name, in our heart, all day and when we forget to do so, remind us of Your presence in all things and in all our experiences.

You do not forget the cry of the humble. We see that this is a promise and a warning. Keep us from pride and a sense of self-sufficiency. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children, July 29

God’s Children, July 29

... as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Romans 8:14-17 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, we know that those who do not proclaim their love for You, will experience fear when You judge them. On the other hand, if we love You, we have a Spirit of adoption. You are our Savior, our Friend.

Your Spirit bears witness to our spirit, confirming Your presence. We may or may not be suffering for having declared our faith in You, but if we do, and it seems we will, we know that is confirmation of the fact that we are heirs with You. You suffered for us and if we suffer for You, we should consider it as an opportunity to bring glory to You.

Jesus, we never want to suffer but help us take the risks associated with declaring You before our family, friends and neighbors. It is our great privilege to do so. We pray in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Narrow Gate, July 28

The Narrow Gate, July 28

Professing to be wise, they became fools,
and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.


Romans 1:22-25 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Here the Apostle Paul describes how some of mankind changed Your glory into images of man, birds, four-footed animals and creeping things. Since Paul wrote these words, men have invented additional images to worship.

Paul says, “You gave them up”; You allowed them to pursue their own form of worship wherein they worshiped and served things that you created, instead of You.

Father, help us today to examine ourselves and see if we are lifting up anyone or anything above You. Do we, in a sense, worship success, money, acclaim and the achievements of others, more than You? Help us not to elevate anything or anyone above our relationship with You. We pray in Jesus’ Hoy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts July 27

God’s Gifts, July 27

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Temple of God, July 26

Temple of God, July 26

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

1 Corinthians 3:16, 17 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul reminds us that we are the temple of God. He teaches that if we defile the temple that You will destroy us.

What is it that we might do Father to defile the temple? That is a question that each of us needs to answer as individuals. If we were to make a list of things that we think “defile the temple”, what would our list include?

God, help us know what it is that You would have us stop doing. We pray for the Holy Spirit in us to give us the resolve to make any changes in our lifestyle and habits that are necessary. Help each of us to be Holy in Your sight; we pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Who is your hero? July 25

Who is your hero? July 25

Is there someone you really want to be like? Do you remember who your first hero was? Probably the trash man (Just love that big noisy truck), a fireman, policeman et.al. When did you switch over to a famous athlete, "Idol" star, or NASCAR driver? Do you know if your heroes love God with all their heart, mind and soul? It would be great if you knew the answer to that question. Those successful people that give God the credit for the wonderful talent and skill they possess are usually worth looking up to.

There are some really important people in the Bible that are "eternal" heroes, that is, they were counted by God, as faithful. Their place in heaven is assured. Therefore, let's look at some things they had to say about their relationship with the Lord. First, James and Jude, two half-brothers of Jesus said almost identical sentences in the opening verse of the books they wrote. "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" and then "Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James". They called themselves, bondservants. That meant that they volunteered to dedicate themselves to serving the Lord for the rest of their lives.

When we talk about being servants of our Lord, we may think of that as "not such a great thing, to be a servant." First, service to the Lord is as worship. When you worship, respect and love someone (even your heroes of the past), it is a natural thing to want to be with those that you worship and to attend to their needs and to be a world class fan.

Listen to the words of Jesus: You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:14-15 NKJV

Then Jesus made a commitment to His friends: And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God…" Luke 8:10 NKJV
Daniel was a man who Jesus commends to us several times because of his faith. Daniel 2:23 "I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might,…" NKJV

These verses make it clear that Jesus reveals mysteries and gives wisdom and strength to His friends. James 2:23 says "...Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.

Do you feel Jesus is your personal friend? Discuss the things that would indicate that He is your friend. If you have to have a hero in this life, think of one person that you count worthy. What is there about that friend that is unique? Who is the one true friend that will never leave you or forsake you, One that was sinless and the perfect role model? Remember the WWJD motto? Of course it stood for What Would Jesus Do and that motto works. You can ask Jesus for advice and leadership in your life, constantly.

Core Christian Value: Jesus, sinless from birth, God's innocent child, lived without sin. It is His perfection we seek; it is Jesus we seek to emulate. He called us friends. Be His friend

Heaven, July 24

Heaven, Part 2, July 24

...now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

Phil 1:20-24, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul, who once was a notorious persecutor of Christians, following his miraculous rebirth, became one of Your trusted communicators, more effective than he ever may have expected.

Here he makes it very clear that his life is dedicated to serving You and that his death will be gain, not loss. We sometimes fear death but we are being taught that being with You will be better and permanent. You have prepared a place for us and You will draw us to You in the twinkling of an eye.

Father, none of us want to die before our appointed time and none of us will. The day of our departure is known by You, controlled by You and here we learn that being with You will be far better than any place that we could be.

Paul’s final sentence explains his motivation for living on, for continuing to serve in this place. It is his witness that he wanted to sustain and here, two thousand years later, we are still listening to that which You led him to share. We too have some time left and we too want to use it as a witness of Your love in our lives. Sustain our witness, we pray, in Jesus’ name.

Bruce Caldwell

Forgiven, July 23

Forgiven, July 23

...forgive all my sins.
Keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You.

Psalms 25:18, 20-21, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when King David asked you to forgive all his sins, he meant all. That includes thoughts and actions of every kind which he knew displeased You.

We too, Father, have committed sins of every imaginable type. There is no way we cannot be ashamed but we know from other references that David trusted You to remove his sins from him as far as the east is from the west, never to be remembered against him again.

That being done, in the case of a repentant believer, we too can say, "let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you". Help us today to understand Your expectations better and better. Sanctify us we pray, in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, July 22

Salvation, July 22

For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

"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.

Romans 10:13, 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, www.solascriptura.com

Father, This topic of Salvation is both pivotal and challenging. The scriptures leave us no "wiggle room". We are either in Your Holy hand, being cared for, for eternity, or we remain what we may have considered a safe distance. Father, we know You would rather have us hot than cold in our Spiritual life and that you detest a lukewarm response. Detest, seems like too strong a word but Revelation 3:16 says it so graphically as to not need repeating.

Your counsel Father is to have us not conform to the world's standards but instead to look to Your eternal standards for direction. Father, it is not easy to conform to Your expectations all of the time. We pray for wisdom and discernment in our daily lives so our witness may be seen as a positive thing, not a negative thing, by our friends, family and co-workers.

Father, we do want to join with believers everywhere and to be able to say "I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me". It is truly a miracle that You have allowed us to take on Your Spiritual nature, at times. Help us to get to that point more and more often. Sanctify us, this day, we pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Providence of God, July 21

Providence of God, July 21

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments.
His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
...How precious... 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 112:1-4, 139:17, 18, 23-24


Father, Your promises are both complex and wonderful. Help us each day O’God to know You as You know us. Draw us to Your well of knowledge and wisdom, Your Holy Word, daily. Clarify Your expectations of us, individually, that we might serve You.

Keep us from anxieties and depression we pray. Help us know that Your thoughts towards us are greater than the sand. When we tend to drift away from You, allowing the world around us to establish our agenda, forgive us. Teach us to seek Your will in every circumstance.

Keep us from evil relationships and a worldly focus that we might serve You in the perfection of Jesus. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Perseverance, July 20

Perseverance, July 20

My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation and Your righteous word.
Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!
Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.
Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments.
Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts.
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law.
Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.
Your testimonies, which You have commanded, are righteous and very faithful.
My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it.

Psalms 119:123-140, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Your Son came and was the Word and dwelt among us. It was Jesus, who when He was about to be crucified for our sins, that told us that when He went to be with You, that the Holy Spirit would be sent to us.

Father, this pivotal event makes us able to come to You in the righteousness of Christ. Your word teaches us that our righteousness is as filthy rags. We are able to approach you as a friend of Jesus, our Advocate, as disciples seeking to serve. Oh that our eyes would fail because we spent so much time in Your word.

Thanking you for the reality of Your Holy presence is much too trite a response. Breathe upon us afresh and empower us this day to be like You, Jesus. In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Humility, July 19

Humility, July 19

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”:
While the sun and the light, the moon and the stars, are not darkened, and the clouds do not return after the rain;
In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow down; when the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows grow dim;
When the doors are shut in the streets, and the sound of grinding is low; when one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of music are brought low;
Also they are afraid of height, and of terrors in the way; when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets.
Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well.
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
”Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.”

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8, www.solascriptura.com

Father, life is only futile if we believe that this life is all there is. We know that dust returns to dust and that our physical bodies are as nothing. It is only our spirit, united with Your Spirit, which gives meaning to life now and life forever.

If so, Father, teach us this day what it is that matters. Whether we are young or old Father, help us learn why we exist and how our spirit will exist forever, united as one with You. Help us never experience a day in which we say “we have no pleasure in our days as we grow old”. Each day draws us nearer to You and the joy in knowing that fact lifts our spirits, whether we are young or old.

Father, thank you for teaching us that life is not about three score and 10 years but instead showing us that it is a “proving ground” where we are able to be tested by You and where You will help us overcome evil spirits, spirits which are as real as you are Father and which we can not overcome by ourselves. It is in Your strength that we endure. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Conscience, July 17

Conscience, July 17

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

I John 3:18-24, www.solascriptura.com

Father, help us this day, not to publicly portray ourselves as Your children and then privately, in our hearts, go right on thinking wrong thoughts and doing things in private that are clearly sinful, as judged by our own hearts.

It is so hard Father to be “perfect” and none of us are. You have taught us that it is the perfection of Jesus, in whom we abide, that makes us acceptable in Your sight. Teach us to meditate on Your truth, Your commandments and Your compassion for our circumstance as we move through this day. It seems a miracle Father that You would love us at all, given our sinful nature. Without the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit in us, we stand no chance of pleasing You.

Help us this day to love You with all of our hearts, mind and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Joy, July 16

Joy, July 16

... 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,

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

...I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Eph 5:18-19, Phil 4:4, 2 Corinthians 12:10, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Your word says rejoice always. Sometimes Father we feel that true rejoicing in the midst of the trials of this earth is nearly impossible. Thank You for reminding us that we rejoice in the victory of Your presence in all situations. We never suffer or go through trials alone.

Father, we expect our joy in You not to always be accepted by others. Help us not take offense if our pursuit of a relationship with You makes others feel we are rejecting their values and beliefs. We seek to share Your love. Help us, this day, to honor You, no matter how “out of step” we appear to be. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Forgiven, August 13

Forgiven, August 13

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him.
You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, who remembers You in Your ways. You are indeed angry, for we have sinned-- in these ways we continue; and we need to be saved.

But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
And there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us, and have consumed us because of our iniquities.
But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.

Do not be furious, O LORD, nor remember iniquity forever; indeed, please look-- we all are Your people!

Isaiah 64:4-9, www. solascriptura.com

Father, indeed, ear has not heard not eye seen, Your equal. Those who pursue false gods are looking in the wrong places. You, Father, have revealed Yourself to all mankind; we all are Your people. Your truth is written upon our hearts and it is revealed and made known to us if we would but seek You.

Help us, this day, to be joyous about Your presence in our hearts and righteous in our attitudes and works, seeking to be like You, Jesus. Our righteousness is as filthy rags, a verse we should never forget. When we do well, as good and faithful servants, it is because we have been blessed with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, a gift of immeasurable value when the difficulties of life are upon us. None of us feel worthy. Help us be more dependent upon You, hungering and thirsting for Your Word. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, August 12

Salvation, August 12

... do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:3-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, this teaching of Paul is perhaps the pivotal issue in our endeavor to experience Your grace and mercy. You say that our heart of flesh must die in the same way that Jesus died on the Cross. It is clear to us now, that if Jesus had not gone to the Cross, our sins would still be with us.

So too, if our old nature is not crucified, then our sins of the past are still with us. Jesus, our Spiritual birth is only available to us because of You. We could never enter into the Holy Father's presence if our sins had not been forgiven.

That is why, Jesus, You have shown us that this is the most important teaching. Our faith in the fact of Your life and Your redemptive act allows us to have a new Spirit filled heart and a new earthly start leading to an eternal reward. All of our past sins were permanently removed, never to be remembered against us again when we came to You in all humility and contrition, seeking a new life in You.

Now, Jesus, we know that even after we experience salvation, we still have a heart of flesh that will be continually challenged. You teach us that the difference is that, because of our faith in You, You have sent the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, to counsel and comfort us and to continue to forgive us daily as we seek to be more like You. Thank You Jesus for teaching us Your word, every day. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Hope, August 11

Hope, August 11

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,
where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever.

Hebrews 6:19-20, www.solascriptura.com

Father, first You have called us saints and now You invite us to enter into Your Holy Presence, a place where only the High Priest could enter once a year, behind the veil.

We know than when Jesus was crucified, the veil was torn from the top to the bottom, making access available, by the shed blood of our Savior, to each of us. Jesus, it was Your sacrifice that made it possible for these things to be so. Father it was You who ripped the veil open, from the top, inviting us into You Holy presence.

These thoughts are too much to comprehend and Your perfect plan too great to be fully understood or to have been conceived by man. We humbly beg for wisdom and discernment. We beg You to be patient with us as we seek to become mature in our faith. In Jesus' holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Providence of God, August 10

Providence of God, August 10

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; he shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.
...This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

Psalms 121:1-8, 102:18, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Your eyes are always fixed upon Your people; You do not slumber or tire of reaching out to help us, to comfort us. Help us know that we always stand in the shadow of Your love even when we feel distant from You.

Help us realize that when we feel distant from You that it is not You that have moved. Strengthen our resolve to draw near to You when we feel so alone. What a friend we have in You, Jesus.

Lead us as we seek to know Your will this day and help us to simply do it. "Just do it" is more than a slogan. It is a call to action. In Jesus Holy name, invigorate us to act, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Perseverance, August 9

Perseverance, August 9

A good man deals graciously and lends; he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is established; he will not be afraid...

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!
They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.
You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently.
Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments.
I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments.
I will keep Your statutes...
With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Psalms 112:5-8, 119:2-10, www.solascriptura.com

Father, help us this day to be generous in sharing Your love with others. Whether we are rich or poor, we can share Your love. You have taught us that the truth is written upon our hearts. We are equipped to witness!

Father, we never seem to feel that we have enough stuff. We strive to achieve and to make gains of every sort. Help us know that You will see us through the good times and the difficult times. Teach us to persevere in doing good, even when things seem stacked against us.

Refresh us, we pray, with the presence, and power of the Holy Spirit, in us. Help us diligently seek You, to notice You in all that is created, no matter what else is happening at the moment. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Humility, August 8, 2008

Humility, August 8, 2008

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.

Surely I am more stupid than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom nor have knowledge of the Holy One.

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know?
If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth.

Proverbs 26:12, 26:17, 27:2, 29:5, Ecclesiastes 5:2, Proverbs 30:2-4, 32 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know that Solomon, though wise, sinned many times. Thank you for helping him express his own humility. Father, surely if the wisest man who ever lived can say these words, then we can look to him and learn, even in the midst of his confessions.

Give us more than wisdom alone O'God. Give us discernment Father wherein we can utilize the power of the Holy Spirit to understand the full meaning of Your hope for us. Let us never flatter, to gain advantage, nor lack humility as we seek to serve You and our fellow man. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Industriousness, August 7

Industriousness, August 7

The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin.
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy man to those who send him.

A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man's hands will be rendered to him.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men.

Proverbs 10:16, 26, 12:14, 24, 21:25, 22:29, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Solomon, in his wisdom, made many observations about the futility of life if one focuses on "life here is all there is". We know You want us to work and to work well, all to Your glory.

You tell us that there is a tandem truth; the fruit of our mouth, what we say, and the fruit of our labor, what we do, will be rendered (delivered) to us. We know You are a just God but oh how we lean upon Your mercy. Our imperfections are ever before us.

Keep us from becoming self-satisfied with our efforts and help us remember that every asset we have, every thing that you made that we get to use in life, is a gift. Thank you and guide us in the use of Your gifts. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Conscience, August 6, 2008

Conscience, August 6, 2008

...our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God...

... as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek."
Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!

2 Corinthians 1:12, 1Thes 2:4, Psalms 27:8, 14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we are each so prone to boast. We even have pride in serving You. Your word tells us that You expect us to boast, but not about our fleshly achievements, but instead about how Your grace to us leads us to joyful feelings of having been Your person, this day. It is a joy to know that You love us and empower us to serve You.

Even as we tell others of our love for You and Your Holy word we see that You have entrusted us with this role, not to please men, but to pass the test of focusing on Your presence in the process. Our personal righteousness is truly as filthy rags. We seek to be covered in Your cloak yet we feel so unworthy. Help us understand that it is never our worthiness that counts, but it is Your Spirit in us that counts. May we wait upon You to lead us this day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Joy, August 5

Joy, August 5

Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven...

"Nevertheless do not rejoice... that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Luke 6:22-23, Luke 10:20

Father, what a wonderful truth; if we are reviled by men because of our witness of You, it is a moment of joy, not of persecution. Help us understand that we are never to consider persecution due to our witness to be a problem, just the opposite. Unwarranted persecution is a confirmation of our love. It is a fact Jesus that Your love will grow deeper for us as we declare You before men.

Even in our witness, we seem empowered by You to speak boldly but keep us Father from pride. Help us not to think, even for a minute, that the grace and love we extend to others is from our personal resources. It is You in us that makes it possible for us to transfer that same love You have willingly given to us. Thank You for Your love. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, Part I, August 4

Prayer, Part I, August 4

Hear me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good; turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.

HEAR my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalms 69:16, 61:1-2 www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we pray to You, we have assurance that You hear. Teach us to seek Your will this day, in all that we do; to include You in our decisions and to have our countenance be as Yours, Jesus.

You are the Rock, our Redeemer and You lift us to a higher place. Father, we await Your intervention, that moment when we will stand in Your Holy presence. Help us know that the time You give us here amounts to an asset that we must invest wisely, seeking to bring glory and honor to Your name.

Hear our prayers O'God and strengthen our resolve to serve You. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, August 3

Revenge, August 3

Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer.
Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
As he loved cursing, so let it come to him; as he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him.
As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, so let it enter his body like water, and like oil into his bones.
Let it be to him like the garment which covers him, and for a belt with which he girds himself continually.

Psalms 109:1-5, 17-19, www.solascriptura.com

Father, As we try to be a light in the darkness, we sometimes feel rejected, criticized, taunted and teased. Give us Your strength in these moments and help us be patient and kind rather than angry and judgmental.

In addition, when we are surrounded by cursing, seemingly from every direction, help us to never join in or to appear as one who endorses cursing. Cursing is so alien to Your nature Father. We know it will all cease one day but in the interval, help us to help others to move closer to Your will in every way. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Mind of Christ, August 2

Mind of Christ, August 2

...for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,
who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them
in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Romans 2:13-16, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we acknowledge that simply hearing Your words and Your law is insufficient. We must do that which You command of us. Thank you for not making it difficult to know what You expect of us. You tell us the law is written upon our hearts.

Father, our thoughts and actions are under Your constant examination. We realize we will be without excuse if we fail to heed Your word. We admit we are weak at times and imperfect.

Thank You Jesus for teaching us that we never go forward in our perfection, but instead we clothe ourselves with Your cloak of righteousness, seeking to be like You, all day, every day. In the Holy name of Jesus we pray for complete fidelity to You, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Law of God, August 1

Law of God, August 1

Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Rom 7:4-6, www.solascriptura.com

Father, here the Apostle Paul is telling us how the law, if enforced to the letter, leaves us all guilty. He says that when we were "in the flesh" and were not Spiritually born again, that the law was convicting us and that our flesh was bearing fruit unto death. We know Father that our flesh will perish and that only our spirit, united with Your Spirit will survive.

This marriage, the union of our spirit and Yours, allows us to bear fruit unto life, life eternal. It is Your will that our old nature die and that the fruits of the Holy Spirit, mark us as Yours. Help us to commit this list of the fruits of the Spirit, not only to memory, but to a reality, daily; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.(as a mnemonic device, think, love, joy and peace and then say "PKGFGS", package figs; patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) What a perfect way to live. Help us to do so, every day, forever. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell