Law of God, December 31

Law of God, December 31

"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

II Chronicles 7:14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, this oft quoted verse quotes a truth for all generations and all nations. We have had Your hand of grace and mercy extended to us and now we hear a pivotal word that enables or disables our relationship with you; "if". We read many times in the Bible about conditional promises. If we will do such and such, then You will fulfill a promise.

Father, here you give us some very specific instructions; if we humble ourselves, if we pray, if we seek Your face and if we turn from our wicked ways, then You will hear, You will forgive our sins and You will heal our land. We know that the healing of our land will happen sooner if our individual hearts are healed.

Father, as we wind up a year of activity and we are about to embark upon a New Year, we want to claim Your promise by obeying You. We, by Your grace and mercy, can receive a new heart, we are able to be forgiven as a result of Jesus most humbling and painful sacrifice, made for us and next year can be better than the last year.

We know, Father, that is Your perfect will for us. You want us to respond to the enabling power that accompanies obedience. Help us we pray to love and obey, better than ever before. Bring us to Your word and continue to reach out and teach us, we pray. Give us, this day, the resolve to make each day a better day, one in which we feel the gentle touch of Your Spirit lifting us up. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Forgiven, December 30, 2009

Forgiven, December 30, 2009

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer...
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave the iniquity of my sin...

Psalms 32:1-5 www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we stand before You, guilty of sin, we are truly blessed to have our sins forgiven. We know that in this life we have sinned against not only You but other people as well. We pray they are as generous in forgiving us as You have been. Father we too must forgive and forget the past sins of others. We must render to them the type of grace and mercy You have shown us.

Help us, this day, to recognize the power of forgiveness. Without it we are lost forever and it is certain that unforgiven sins against each other separate us from the love and mutual support that You intend.

It is painful to grow old in silence, brought on by unconfessed guilt. Give us the vitality now that comes from knowing we are forgiven.

In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, December 29

Salvation, December 29

Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; his right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
The LORD has made known His salvation; his righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Psalms 98:1-3 www.solascriptura.com

Father, when You tell us to "sing a new song", that implies that it is not a song we know. Is that what heaven is like Father, a place of new songs, new understandings?
We can not, from this side, gain an appreciation of what heaven will be like. You have promised us that it will be beautiful, unlike anything our hearts and minds have imagined or seen.

What we know for sure, Father, is that we who love You will be greatly esteemed, because of our faith in Jesus and His redemptive act and our obedience to You. You have revealed the truth to us and You are continuing to reveal the truth. Bless us as we seek You. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Conscience, December 28

Conscience, December 28

I cried out to God with my voice—to God with my voice; and He gave ear to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed....
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search.

Psalms 77:1-6 www.solascriptura.com

Father, David cried out in the night, stretching his hand toward You, unable to close his eyes, meditating on the songs he had written and searching his heart.

Sometimes Father, we too are so troubled that we can not sleep. Whether it is our sin or our anxiety that distracts us, it matters not. We simply must learn to lean upon You, to yield our burdens to You. Why God do we often forget that we do not walk alone?

If we could but remember to take Your yoke upon us, for You have no burden, where ours sometimes feels unbearable. We know Father that You see our circumstance and that you have compassion for us. Relieve us we pray, of the tendency to weigh ourselves down when You are willing to lift us up.

Refresh our hearts, this day, and breathe upon us and cleanse us afresh. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Joy, December 27

Joy, December 27

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Ps 100:1-5, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we worship You we sometimes feel self conscious about showing too much enthusiasm in our worship. We know that whatever we do, we must glorify You and not ourselves. There seems to be a time and a place for exuberance and a time and a place for serenity. Give us comfort with both circumstances, we pray.

In this Psalm You teach us that we should worship with joy and gladness. We will one day enter into Your courts with gladness, celebrating our redemption.

Help us remember today what eternity will be like. We will enter Your presence with singing and praise (Celebrate good times!). We will rejoice in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer, Part I, December 26

Prayer, Part I, December 26

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Romans 8:28, Psalms 8:3-5

Father, many times we feel things are not working out right. You remind us that all things, not some, always work to the good for those that love you, to those that are called according to Your purpose. In the midst of trials we have a hard time believing things are working out for the good.

Help us, this day, to know You are aware of our every circumstance, always, and that You know the Alpha from the Omega. No event in our lives surprises You. If we can but draw near to You, always, we can be assured that things will work out for the good. We move forward in faith, even when we feel lonely. It is never You who have moved away, it is us.

Father, we are reminded by the Psalmist that You who created all things are mindful of us and visit us, individually. We are undeserving, but grateful for Your love. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Christmas devotion, December 25

Christmas devotion, December 25

...there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
"And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

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

Father, we celebrate the birth of Jesus as a nation and in many parts of the world. We pray that the physical birth of Christ will lead to the Spiritual birth of our loved ones and a renewed vow by each of us to seek a relationship with You more and more, each day.

As we approach a new year, we pray for higher levels of commitment and more of Your wisdom. We acknowledge You as our personal Savior, Jesus, and we praise Your Holy name among all persons. We pray for peace in our strife filled world. We pray for Your comfort and joy in our hearts and family this entire season.

Father, Your Holy word teaches us that life can only be eternal if we acknowledge Your Son, Jesus, as Lord of our life. We pray that the names of every person we know remain written in the Book of Life. We praise Your Holy name, this day, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Mind of Christ, December 24

Mind of Christ, December 24

"... know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalms 17:15, www.solascriptura.com

Lord and Father, what a wonderful promise. If we seek You we shall find You; but what is it to forsake You? When Jesus, do we abandon You, when do we leave You out of the moments of our life? We admit it is far too often. You tell us that You search our hearts and know the intents of our heart. Lord, we hide nothing because nothing can be hidden from You.

This day, help us know what it is to be like You, to have Your mind in us, Your Holy Spirit guiding us. We are, in a sense, blind about the events of the next few moments. But, You tell us Your Spirit, which knows all things, past and present, is with us if we but ask. We do ask, in all humility and contrition, for Your hand upon us and every member of our family on this Christmas Eve day. May Your Holy name be greatly praised, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Law of God, December 23

Law of God, December 23

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.'
"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
"If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
"And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
"Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'
"But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

Matthew 5:27-32 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, again, Your teachings are not unclear; demanding but not unclear. Why Jesus do You place such emphasis on fidelity? Is it because marriage between a man and woman, where two become as one, is a parallel of our fidelity to You, where Your Spirit lives in us and if we were to show infidelity towards You, it would be a great offense? We know that infidelity towards You, after Your Spirit has been united with our spirit, is the only unforgivable sin.

Jesus, many have failed in keeping their marriage vows and You teach here that it is Your will that marriages be sustained and that families remain in tact. Jesus, we know that infidelity to one another is one of the worst things that can happen to a relationship. Where we have failed, forgive us. Renew in us a will to be persons of faith and integrity, now, even if we have failed before.

Jesus, sexual sin is pervasive in our times. Help us flee from such persons and activities. Turn our eyes, not to matters of the flesh of others, but to our marriage mates, the only persons with whom we have perfect sexual freedom. If we could but adhere to Your expectations Jesus, our marriages to each other would last and our fidelity to You and what You have taught us would endure.

Lead us to perfection in You we pray. Where we have failed to be obedient before, now cleanse us and lead us in paths of righteousness. What a miracle, that You are willing to do so, regardless of our past. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Peace, December 22

Peace, December 22

Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.
LORD, I hope for Your salvation, and I do Your commandments.
My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.
Let my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.
Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word.
My lips shall utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes.
My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.
Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts.
I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight.

Psalms 119:165-174 www.solascriptura.com

Father, to such wonderful words we can only say "amen" and then read them over and over. Your peace, that feeling that is unmatchable without Your presence, is our circumstance if we but seek You and love You. In Jesus' Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Courage, December 21

Courage, December 21

Be surety for Your servant for good; do not let the proud oppress me.
My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation and Your righteous word.
Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, and teach me Your statutes.
I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.

Psalms 119:122-125 www.solascriptura.com

Father, You are our guarantor, the One who stands in the gap for us, the One who lifts us up in times of trouble.

Oh if it were true that our eyes failed us as a result of our continually seeking Your word and Your righteousness.

We beg of You, teach us Your statutes. Help us, today, to know that the initiative to learn is ours. The truths, Your statutes, lie before us. Give us understanding, peel back the uncertainty and reveal Yourself afresh, we pray in Jesus name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children, December 20

God's Children, December 20

...a wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
"Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it.

Proverbs 10:1, 5, 8:32-33, www.solascriptura.com

Father, such wisdom seems obvious to us but we do experience both grief and joy as parents. Help us, today, with those circumstances wherein children are alienated from us as parents. We are so tempted to blame the child when they misbehave but it is the heart of the child that has lost focus.

Father, we want to be effective, in our role as parents, to train up our children in the way of the Lord so that they may not depart from Your will when stressful situations come upon them. We surely will be held accountable by You for teaching them Your word.

We pray for wisdom and understanding within our families and for Your hand upon every aspect of our lives and our children's lives. Bless us this day, in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, December 19

God's Gifts, December 19

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
But the LORD has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge.

Psalms 94:19, 22, www.solascriptura.com

Father, these brief words remind us that most of us have a multitude of anxieties which distract us from the comfort of Your presence. When, in the midst of anxiety, we are able to step back and remember the transitional nature of most circumstances, we can find comfort in our eternal relationship with You.

You have taught us that everything that is physical will pass away, including us, and that everything of the Spirit will endure forever. We get so caught up in worrying about the present that we sometimes lose sight of the promises of eternity.

Help us today to learn that the present is vitally important in terms of our service to You and to those we meet. Let us not be anxious about what we cannot change and to work diligently to change everything that needs changing, as prescribed by You.

You are truly our Rock, our place of refuge in good times and bad times. Help us look up when our hearts are heavy and to know You are totally aware of our needs. What a wonderful fact upon which we can rely.

Bless us, this day, in Jesus' Holy name.

Bruce Caldwell

Forgiven, December 18

Forgiven, December 18

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD;
Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning-- yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

Psalms 130:1-6 www.solascriptura.com

Father, most of us have not faced the despair that King David describes here. When such moments come, and they surely will come to those who do not love You on judgment day, help us know now, while we still have choices available, we should choose You.

How true that complete forgiveness is beyond our understanding. We seek revenge and if You thought like we do, we would be in big trouble.

Our souls truly wait upon You during the trials we face each day and when we awake to a new day, You are there. We learn from Your word, over and over, that "early in the morning" Your prophets and Your people have sought You. Why "early" each day? Perhaps it is because we can be alone with You before our hectic schedules begin. How can we seek You, Father? The answer is also repeated over and over; prayer and reading Your word is a personal encounter with You.

Teach us today that those who wait upon You will be comforted in a way that is unmatched by any thing or any one else. Lead us to Your word, this day. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, December 17

Salvation, December 17

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Temptation, December 16

Temptation, December 16

"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
"Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
"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.

Revelation 3:10-12, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know that trials will come on the Day of Judgment; but here You promise us we shall kept, by You, from that hour of trial. You have taught us Father that in the interim we will be tested and that each test is intended to strengthen us, to get us in spiritual shape to handle what is coming.

Father, we know to train for a race or to prepare for a recital and that such conditioning is prescribed; but please help us prepare for the most important test of our life, one in which we stand before You.

You promise us that Your name will be inscribed upon us, we will belong to You forever and that Your name will be a name that is new to us, a name by which we will address You for eternity.

Father, there is so much we do not yet understand, but this we know. Your love for us will prevail and You will protect us and claim us as Your children, Your friends and servants forever. We seek to be like You Jesus and in Your Holy name we pray these things, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Humility, December 15

Humility, December 15

...let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come.
LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.

1 Corinthians 10:12, Psalms 65:2, 131:1-2, 138:6, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You require that we come to you in humility, not proud of ourselves. Help us Father to be joyful as we seek to serve without having our joy turn to self-serving pride.

When it is time to stand before You we know we will do so in humility or not at all. Pride is such a subtle sin Father and surely one of Satan's best devices. Give us wisdom and discernment about this matter while enabling us to experience the joy set before us.

Teach us when to be quiet and when to proclaim Your love and have those who observe our joy in You not see it as pride in ourselves. Help us today to find a way to declare our love for You, afresh. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Heaven, December 14

Heaven, December 14

"... whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
"But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

Matt 10:32-33, Matt 18:10, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, sometimes Your teaching gives us no hedge room. We would like to say we "sort of tell people we love You" but here you seem to be saying, "do it". What form would You have our confession take? We know that we are to love our enemies and we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, so how can we witness to others without the risk of offending people who just do not want to hear it?. Perhaps the answer lies in the second verse.

You tell us that "these little ones" always see Your face. The children are a special treasure in Your eyes. What is it Father that we adults lack? Do we lack the forthright nature of a child? Their innocence is genuine, not contrived. Their faith in Your love and the love of those around them is not like our faith as we mature. Our faith in other adults is usually conditional, based on how things are going at the moment.

Help us today to see that the faith of a child, towards others and toward You, is an enabling factor. It makes telling other people we love You much easier if we have the faith of a child.

As to "denying You before men", we know that behavior would greatly grieve You. We would actually be putting our souls at risk, forever, if we were to do so. Strengthen our witness and our faith this day, we pray, in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Conscience, December 13

Conscience, December 13

Save me, O God! ...
I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.
O God, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You.
Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.

Psalms 69:1, 3, 5, Proverbs 20:11-12, www.solascriptura.com

Father, our sins are truly clear in our own sight. We know we do nothing in secret and that every act and thought is known to You. Help us this day to declare our need for Your cleansing and give us the power to stop making sinful mistakes. It is so hard Jesus to be as You since You are perfect and we are still here in our flesh, constantly tempted to hear, see or commit sin.

We know Father that temptation is delivered to us by Satan and that You permit the test. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit in us that we can over come that which Satan delivers, primarily targeting those who love You. We would estimate that Your joy comes from our victories and Your grief from our failures.

Your word says that even a child knows when they are wrong or right. Father, give us the pure heart of a child before You. Strengthen our will to seek Your will in our lives that we might give glory to You. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Joy, December 12

Joy, December 12

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!
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.
I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, and I keep Your law.
Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.
Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

Psalms 119:1-2,14-16,55,111,162,165, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You teach us that if we walk in obedience and trust You with all our hearts, mind, soul and strength that You will bless us. We seek Your blessings and confess that without faith in You, life would truly be a dead end.

We rejoice in Your precepts, laws and instruction and thank You for making our path to redemption very clear. We depend upon You for the strength to follow You. You lead us in paths of righteousness. Your will for our lives is not only made clear but you are the great Enabler, the Counselor, the Comforter.

The fact that You care about us, individually, brings joy to our hearts and hope that reigns eternal. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

One very bad mark, 666, one good mark; choose! December 11

One very bad mark, 666, one good mark; choose! December 11

Family Bible Study, www.solascriptura.com

Three and one half years into the Tribulation Period, after the temple in Jerusalem has been rebuilt and after treaties have been executed with the opponents of Judaism, the anti-Christ will announce that all sacrifices at the temple will cease and the temple will be destroyed. To more fully understand this prophecy please read, The Unmistakable Events which Chronicle the Tribulation (Chapter 22 of the www.jewnumberone.com website).

When the temple is destroyed, the prince (the anti-Christ) assumes world leadership and insists on subservience from all people. He achieves that through immense persuasive power and logical exhortation (not as a lunatic dressed in a devil's costume). To make sure that all people comply with his leadership, he ordains that every person must receive the "mark of the beast". Again, he won't call it that and he will not appear to be crazy but without the mark, persons cannot "buy and sell". In other words, the mark would function as a scannable imprint, or a chip imbedded under the skin. We have that technology now as implants in animals. Listen to Merriam-Webster's definition and the idea will be made clear: Scannable: to pass an electron beam over and convert (an image) into variations of electrical properties (as voltage) that convey information electronically. When you go to the market that is how the "scanner" works.

Now listen to how the Bible describes the scenario: "He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666." Revelation 13:16-18 NKJV

Then, the Bible makes it clear that accepting the mark is a huge mistake: …"If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Revelation 14:9-11 NKJV

It will not be a simple matter to say "no" to the mark. Listen to the fate of those who refused and then understand what God has in store for His faithful servants: "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads." Revelation 20:3-4, 22:4 NKJV

Since this is an "end times" situation, you may never face the choice of accepting the "mark". But, do you feel you have the imprint of Christ on your heart now? Have you decided not to follow those who are disobedient? Can people "see" the mark of Jesus on your life? How courageous must your love of God and your neighbors be? Can you withstand temptation, of all kinds, on your own?

Core Christian Value: Choosing to be obedient and faithful to God is a right choice, for eternity. If, in the end, you accept the mark of the beast, in order to buy and sell, you lose. It is God's mark you want!

Bruce Caldwell

Prayer part I, December 10

Prayer part I, December 10

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; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!
How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!
Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes!
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.

Ps 119:5-18, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Our hearts rejoice when we know we are doing Your will and being perfectly obedient. On the other hand, when we disobey and turn from Your word and counsel we feel a burden that can only be relieved by confession and repentance. There is no teaching as rich and fruitful as Your word.

Bring us to the wisdom of the Holy Scriptures daily and bless each of us and our loved ones this day. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, December 9

Revenge, December 9

'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
It is God who avenges me, and subdues the peoples under me;
He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above.

Leviticus 19:18, Ps 18:47-48, www.solascriptura.com

Father, it is so difficult not to seek revenge when we are offended. We instinctively react in an aggressive manner whether we know the offender or not. That Father is not Your way. You have told us not to hold a grudge about new or old offenses and to love others as ourselves. There is no way we can do that unless we are filled with Your Holy Spirit. To be like You is to forgive as we have been forgiven.

Help us today to know that You are in charge and where offenders need retribution, we do not have to be their judge. It is You that subdues the aggressor and it is You that lifts each of us up. This is one of the very difficult lessons to learn Father and we ask You today to show us Your way, Your patience, and Your kindness in the midst of trials where we are tempted to avenge. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Law of God, December 8

Law of God, December 8

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 5:17-20 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, we sometimes think of the Law as being something that Moses received, as a Jew, for the Jews, carved in stone a long time ago. We see that our entire culture more or less rejects large portions of that Law.

Here Jesus, You tell us that, no, the Law is not based on ancient traditions but that it is alive today and that we are to obey it to the very letter. Worse, perhaps, than not obeying is to teach others that the Law no longer applies. Then You tell us that if we adhere to the Law and teach others to do so as well, that we will be honored by You and welcomed into Your eternal kingdom.

Finally we see that people who "keep the Law" but whose hearts remain unhealed are a people whose judgment awaits. Help us this day to not only trust and obey but to do so in the strength of Your Spirit. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Peace, December 7

Peace, December 7

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
... let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Romans 12:18, 14:19 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we can not keep people from not liking us or wanting to do harm to us. But when efforts at peace depend upon us, regardless of the actions of another person, You tell us to seek to live peaceably with all men. Is there any redemptive power in being angry and revengeful? No, Father, it is clearly a sin to try to help You correct the sinner.

Help us remember that each of us have sinned in different ways and that You, in Your mercy, have forgiven us. Help us this day to forgive someone that, up to now, we have been unable to forgive.

As we pursue peace with others we, according to Your word, actually edify and build up the other person. We, in fact, get the opposite of what anger would have yielded. Your way is always the best way. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Courage, December 6

Courage, December 6

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.

Psalms 119:131-136 www.solascriptura.com

Father, will we ever open our mouth and pant, as one trying to sustain life while in pursuit of Your commandments? Here the Psalmist does so, begging You to fulfill his need for Your instruction, presence and compassion.

If in a moment of gasping for Your air, Your mercy lies ahead of us, would it not be when the end seems near, when fear has taken hold of us? Do we need to wait Father for dire circumstances before we seek the refreshment of Your Holy Spirit? No, Father, it is frequently in times of despair that we turn our eyes to You. If we only look to You when we are in trouble, what pitiful Christians we would be. Help us today to make you the center of all our experiences, not just when things are not going well. We look to You because there is no other perfect Friend.

The Psalmists laments, with tears, because men do not keep Your law. Give us a heart for the lost, Father, and help us, this day, to show Your love to others. We pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Angels, December 5

Angels, December 5

The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Psalms 103:19-21, www.solascriptura.com

Father, here we learn that Your angels excel in strength. We sometimes feel the obstacles of life are insurmountable, but we forget that we do not have to accomplish everything in our own strength. It has been said that what we begin in our own strength, we must finish in our own strength and that is a formula for failure, in the long run.

We do not fully understand what kind of power the angels have but since they do Your good pleasure it seems safe to assume they can do anything You want them to do. We often limit our hopes by placing our own earthly perspective on things that simply exceed our understanding and sometimes exceed our faith.

Help us know afresh that Your love for us is greater than our understanding and that as we look to You, constantly, that You take joy in our having done so. We truly never walk alone. Bless us this day, in Jesus name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children, December 4

God's Children, December 4

He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.

Proverbs 13:24, 22:6, 15, 23:13-14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, as parents, we instinctively want to correct our children when they make errors and we want to praise them when they do well. Help us select the proper approach to discipline, considering the age, circumstances and the emotional make-up of the child or young person.

We know, Father, that as adults, we experience "correction" from You and that our hearts either convict us or excuse us as we move through the day.

Help us, today, to help our children and young people to look to You and Your Spirit in them as yardsticks for judging their behavior, just as Your Spirit in us teaches us to know right from wrong.

Help us never punish a child in anger, but if correction is needed, help us select the intervention that fits the circumstance and help us to have shown our love, many times over, before we ever show our disappointment

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children, December 3

God's Children, December 3

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

The Narrow Gate, December 2

The Narrow Gate, December 2

The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.
God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
Every one of them has turned aside; they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one.

Psalm 53:1-3 www.solascriptura.com

Father, King David felt completely abandoned when he sought to serve You. He felt there was none who does good, not one.

Today, Father, we look around and see those who profess their love for you and are grateful we are not alone. We do not, for the most part, feel the persecution and loneliness that David felt but Christians and Jews are experiencing intense spiritual warfare all over the world.

In these difficult times, help us realize that our commitment to You needs to be bold and consistent. Keep us from wavering as the world's values, in terms of Your expectations, are in a steep decline. Given the profusion of sin, the gate to heaven may indeed be narrow. Help us not be inconsistent in our love for You and our witness to the world. You have stated that it is Your will that all men be saved. That is our hope as well.

Bless us we pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, December 1

God's Gifts, December 1

Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100:3-5, www.solascriptura.com

Father God, You have chosen to make us in Your image. We know, for those that love and obey You, that we are not yet what we will become. Life can seem so long when we are hurting yet You have prepared an eternal place of perfection for us all where we will be neither young nor old and certainly not ill. We look forward to something so perfect that it escapes our ability to fully describe it.

Thank You for the hints about how wonderful it will be to be in Your midst with Your people, rejoicing with the saints of the present and the past. We will truly enter into Your gates with thanksgiving. Our despair and our deficiencies will be behind us and we will be forever joyful as we celebrate perfection.

You alone are good and You alone will be our constant Light. Your mercy to us is too great for us to grasp but thanks be to You, Jesus, for coming to us and making it possible to stand in the presence of our Lord, as if we had never sinned, cleansed and full of joy. Perfect! Amen.

Bruce Caldwell