Gods Children, April 11
God's Children, April 11 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I John 2:1-6, 12, www.solascriptura.com Father, we come to You, cleansed of our sin because Jesus, our advocate, has made it all possible. We know there is no other way to be in Your presence except at the nomination of ourselves by Jesus. Our advocate, the One who appeals to You, Himself, paid the price for our sins. This is true of no one else, therefore all judgment has been assigned to Jesus. We can boldly enter into Your presence because our faith is based on the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of a new heart and a completely new start. The Apostle John speaks plainly about obedience. "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Keeping Your commandments is not easy. We know our walk with You is a little "uphill" but each day of obedience makes the next day's hill, easier. John says, "walk just as He walked." That is our prayer today. Help us be more like you every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Gods Children, March 19
God's Children, March 19 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I John 2:1-6, 12, www.solascriptura.com Father, we come to You, cleansed of our sin because Jesus, our advocate, has made it all possible. We know there is no other way to be in Your presence except by Your grace and merch and at the nomination of ourselves by Jesus. Our advocate, the One who appeals to You, Himself, paid the price for our sins. This is true of no one else; therefore all judgment has been assigned to Jesus. We can boldly enter into Your presence because our faith is based on the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of a new heart and a completely new start. The Apostle John speaks plainly about obedience. "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Keeping Your commandments is not easy. We know our walk with You is a little "uphill" but each day of obedience makes the next day's hill, easier. John says, "Walk just as He walked." That is our prayer today. Help us to be more like You every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Gods Children, February 17
God's Children, February 17 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. I John 3:2-7 www.solascriptura.com Father, we know You created us in Your own image. You had other choices! Here, the Apostle John, referred to as "the beloved apostle" by Jesus, teaches us that we have not yet seen what will be revealed. He simply tells us to take comfort that we will be as You. This is the hope that "purifies", Father. What a wonderful truth. Hope in You, purifies us. We, too often, feel impure. John says, "Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." Help us today to choose righteousness, not sin. Help us look to You. Be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, we pray. Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Gods Children, January 23
God's Children, January 23 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;
For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.
Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way.
Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:15-19, 22-26
Father, we can identify with Solomon when he says his heart rejoices when his child's heart is wise and when the child speaks the truth and that you rejoice when our lips speak the right things. We pray that our children will never envy sinners and we are happy when they honor their mother and father. Help us, today, to set a good example for our children. We are so imperfect as parents that few of us can say, "Do as I do". We pray that our children look to You, Jesus, as the perfect example and that we do the same. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Gods Children, January 21
God's Children, January 21 You are of God, little children ...because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? I John 4:4, 5:1-5 www.solascriptura.com Father, we know this earth is Satan's domain but here You tell us that You are greater than Satan. We are impotent when it comes to waging war with Satan unless we are in Your hand, filled with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Father, when You told us to bear fruit that gives evidence of our love for You, You made it very uncomplicated. The fruit of one who loves You is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These qualities are so much more attractive than hate, depression, anger, impatience, being unkind and so on. How is it Father we can drift into such circumstances? We know the answer. When we distance ourselves from You, we draw near to the world and its standards. It is our faith that overcomes the attraction to sin. Yes, Father, sin is attractive and Satan seems to be winning the numbers game, but being in Your presence and being like Jesus brings permanent peace and joy, not transitory, self centered indulgences. Keeping Your commandments is not burdensome, given the clear conscience and joy that follows. Bless us and strengthen us, this day, we pray. Amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Gods 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
Labels: God’s Children
Gods 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
Labels: God’s Children
Gods 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
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, November 21
God's Children, November 21 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul. Proverbs 28:7, 29:15, 17, www.solascriptura.com Father, we all truly want our children to obey your law and to avoid being unduly influenced by kids who do not know You or at least their habits seem to indicate that they do not have a strong relationship with You. We prefer our children be witnesses of Your love, not victims of poor choices, often promulgated by others. Give our children discernment and the courage to be different, we pray. O'God, our children are under a constant barrage of sinful messages from almost every angle. We try to protect them, to limit their exposure to sin and sinful people but we need Your help in correcting them in a way that brings glory to You. Help us today to be firm in our convictions and to lovingly relay them to our children. Teach us not to be a bad example to our children but to show them, by our words and actions, how much we love them and You. When discipline must come Father, help us to teach our children that a tree pruned is a tree that will bear more fruit. Jesus, help us to be like You in trying to direct our children. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, November 7
God's Children, November 7 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 that if they have a solid foundation to lean upon they will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, be much more able to resist evil. Even though childhood and youth may be "vanity", during these wonderful years when their smiles melt our hearts and their innocence charms us, prepare their hearts to serve You and to trust You in all things. We pray in Jesus' name, amen Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Words of our Mouth, October 26
Words of our Mouth, October 26 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:3-6, www.solascriptura.com Father, we live in an era of disobedience. Far more people seem to remain neutral or negative towards Your law than embrace it. Here Paul gets very specific about what is prohibited. None of us is perfect and we all have been disobedient. None of us are righteous, not one. To the extent that we are able to meet Your expectations, we know that happens as we place our soul, our spirit in Your care. You have told us to expect temptation, that it is common to all men. Father, we pray that you will guide us in our affiliations, our relationships and in the choices we make daily.
Where change is needed, shed Your light upon our lives and help us see what you would have us do. The words, "What would Jesus do?" give us an effective way to evaluate our choices. Help; us ask that question often. We pray that You will give us the resolve to more effectively seek You and serve you, this day. In Jesus' Holy name we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Gods Children, October 23
God's Children, October 23 ...they brought young children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16 www.solascriptura.com Jesus, those who would keep a child from coming to You are as those You scolded in this passage. Help us, as parents, to bring the children to You, to Your Holy word, to prayer and discussion of Your love. You teach us that a child is a perfect example of perfect love, the kind that You hope characterizes our love for You. Jesus, thank You for teaching us that we are to come to You as a child comes, perfect in our faith and our trust. When we observe the purity and innocence of a child, You tell us that these children and their innocence are a representation of persons who will inhabit Your kingdom. How, Jesus, can we ever achieve that kind of innocence? The answer comes from You. "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Amen Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Gods Children, October 14
God's Children, October 14, 2008 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."
Matthew 10:40-42, www.solascriptura.com Jesus, You teach us that there is a domino effect in our relationships. As we receive one of Your children, it as though we were receiving You and when we receive You it as though we received the Father. We know, from other teachings You have given us, that if we do not receive Your children we are rejecting You. What a vital lesson Jesus. Loving others is how we show our love for You. Then, Jesus, again you explain to us that caring for the needs of a child, and doing so from a grateful heart, is an act of kindness that will not go unnoticed. We know every child has their own angel and we have truly entertained angels without being aware. Bless the children and help us show Your love to them. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Gods children, September 27
God's children, September 27 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 www.solascriptura.com Father, this is the same commandment Jesus referred to when a lawyer asked him what the greatest commandment was. We know Jesus added the other half of the answer by saying "love your neighbor as yourself." Loving You that much is so right but it raises the question, do we actually possess that deep, perfect love for You and if so, how does it manifest itself in the course of each day? We know that this kind of love should definitely result in our sharing it with our children, when we teach them, pray with them and speak of You and when we rise up and when we lie down. You expect us to make Your presence a constant reality in the lives of our children. Help us, this day, to declare to You, our intention to fulfill this commandment; then give us the resolve and the wisdom to teach our children Your truth. We pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Gods Children, September 25
God's Children, September 25 "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.
Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
"It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
"
Matthew 18:10, Luke 17:1-2 www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, Your love and protection of our children could not be made more clear. You have assigned an angel to each one and that angel comes from the presence of the Father, to comfort and counsel every child. We know from experience, Jesus, that our children are imperfect. But, it is not their perfect behavior that protects them; they reside in Your righteousness. We know Your desire is that each child grows up to be a person that chooses to serve You, chooses to follow You. Jesus, if we as adults, somehow interfere with the spiritual development of a child, if we turn a child from You, if we do not teach them the Word and speak of how You are the center of our lives, then You say a very harsh thing to us. "It would be better for him if a millstone was hung around his neck, and he was thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." We get the point Jesus. Your children are Yours. You "loan" them to us, in a sense, and then You observe our behavior toward them. Teach us, today, what steps we can take to improve our mentoring of them. Help us teach them Your Core Christian Values, constantly. We confess that we can not do this without Your Spirit guiding us. Bless us and our children this day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
Gods Children September 6
God's Children September 6 Then He said: "A certain man had two sons.
"And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood.
"And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
"But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.
"Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
"And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,
and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."'
"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;
'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.
"Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
"So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
"And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.'
"But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.
"So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.
'But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'
"And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.
'It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'" Luke 15:11-32 www.solascriptura.com Jesus, this sentence, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours." clarifies for us an important principle that You have taught us many times. It is how we finish that counts, whether we are the lifelong loyal child or the one who sinned greatly and finally came back to You. The reward for committing our lives to You is the same whether we serve long or briefly. Just as a small pile of sins does not make us more worthy, neither does a large pile of sins make us less worthy.
Sin is sin and salvation is salvation. All sin, small and large, requires cleansing and let us be happy when our sinful brother or sister is redeemed. The reunion will be less satisfying if any of our loved ones are absent. Fill our hearts with gratitude for the salvation of every soul we pray in Your name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
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 Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, July 9
God's Children, July 9 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 1 Corinthians 13:11, Galatians 4:6-7 www.solascriptura.com Jesus, we know the children are Yours but we also see that they, at some point, must stop thinking as a child. What is it, Jesus, to put away childish things? We can guess; we begin to choose, to seek the truth, to cope with sin and to make decisions about our relationship with You. We stop being hand fed and we begin to invest our lives in bearing fruit in the lives of others. We know this earth is Satan's domain and that You have given him great latitude to bring us and our children down. We are born into sin with hearts of flesh but Father, thank You for sending Jesus to us and teaching us that we can stop being a slave to sin. We are able to become Your children, heirs of Your kingdom. Help us not to waiver in our choice and to wholeheartedly seek a perfect, mature relationship with You, this day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, June 14
God's Children, June 14 … He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, Ephesians 1:4-5, 11, www.solascriptura.com Jesus, predestination is such a mystery to us. Paul reminds us that You chose us, that is, You knew from the beginning of time which of us would respond to Your call. Does that mean we had no choice? Apparently not, because You repeatedly teach us to seek You, to pray about Your will for our lives to be fulfilled, to pray for the disadvantaged, to proclaim You to the lost. Jesus, Paul himself was a persecutor of Christians and he certainly declared himself as Your enemy. He did not know that You would come to him and draw him to Yourself. Father, we too, have choices, but the fact that You know what choices we will make is a mystery to us, but not to You. You will not lose one who seeks You; one who was predestined to respond to Your grace and love. Help us to be among those that You knew would respond to Your call and thank You, Jesus, for calling us, for claiming us as Your own. Bless us and we seek to know You, better and better. Amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, May 26
God's Children, May 26 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
"Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:
"that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4, www.solascriptura.com Jesus, we notice that Paul said, "Obey your parents, in the Lord." Help us, today, to know that we need to be "in the Lord" if we are to properly teach our children Your will. Jesus, the concept of children being obedient carries so much more weight when the parents are "in the Lord". What Jesus is it, "to be in the Lord"? You have taught us many times that our personal salvation is necessary if we are to be interpreting and teaching our children, Your wisdom, Your expectations. Father, help us today to add a measure of maturity to our relationship with you by listening to You and speaking to You. Jesus, even though it is apparent that we need to teach our children, in Your ways, we also need to be very careful not to provoke our children and to set much higher standards for them than we do ourselves. Help us today to be a good Godly example in our words, thoughts and actions. Give us wisdom and patience, this day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, April 11
God's Children, April 11 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I John 2:1-6, 12, www.solascriptura.com Father, we come to You, cleansed of our sin because Jesus, our advocate, has made it all possible. We know there is no other way to be in Your presence except at the nomination of ourselves by Jesus. Our advocate, the One who appeals to You, Himself, paid the price for our sins. This is true of no one else, therefore all judgment has been assigned to Jesus. We can boldly enter into Your presence because our faith is based on the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of a new heart and a completely new start. The Apostle John speaks plainly about obedience. "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Keeping Your commandments is not easy. We know our walk with You is a little "uphill" but each day of obedience makes the next day's hill, easier. John says, "walk just as He walked." That is our prayer today. Help us to be more like you every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, March 19
God's Children, March 19 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I John 2:1-6, 12, www.solascriptura.com Father, we come to You, cleansed of our sin because Jesus, our advocate, has made it all possible. We know there is no other way to be in Your presence except by the grace of God and at the nomination of ourselves by Jesus. Our advocate, the One who appeals to You, Himself, paid the price for our sins. This is true of no one else; therefore all judgment has been assigned to Jesus. We can boldly enter into Your presence because our faith is based on the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of a new heart and a completely new start. The Apostle John speaks plainly about obedience. "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Keeping Your commandments is not easy. We know our walk with You is a little "uphill" but each day of obedience makes the next day's hill, easier. John says, "Walk just as He walked." That is our prayer today. Help us to be more like You every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, February 17
God's Children, February 17 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. I John 3:2-7 www.solascriptura.com Father, we know You created us in Your own image. You had other choices! Here, the Apostle John, referred to as "the beloved apostle" by Jesus, teaches us that we have not yet seen what will be revealed. He simply tells us to take comfort that we will be as You. This is the hope that "purifies", Father. What a wonderful truth. Hope in You, purifies us. We, too often, feel impure. John says, "Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." Help us today to choose righteousness, not sin. Help us look to You. Be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, we pray. Amen.
Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, January 23, 2009
God's Children, January 23, 2009 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;
For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.
Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way.
Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:15-19, 22-26
Father, we can identify with Solomon when he says his heart rejoices when his child's heart is wise and when the child speaks the truth. We pray that our children will never envy sinners and we are happy when they honor their mother and father. Help us, today, to set a good example for our children. We are so imperfect as parents that few of us can say, "Do as I do". We pray that our children look to You, Jesus, as the perfect example and that we do the same. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, January 21, 2009
God's Children, January 21, 2009 You are of God, little children ...because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? I John 4:4, 5:1-5 www.solascriptura.com Father, we know this earth is Satan's domain but here You tell us that You are greater than Satan. We are impotent when it comes to waging war with Satan unless we are in Your hand, filled with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Father, when You told us to bear fruit that gives evidence of our love for You, You made it very uncomplicated. The fruit of one who loves You is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These qualities are so much more attractive than hate, depression, anger, impatience, being unkind and so on. How is it Father we can drift into such circumstances? We know the answer. When we distance ourselves from You, we draw near to the world and its standards. It is our faith that overcomes the attraction to sin. Yes, Father, sin is attractive and Satan seems to be winning the numbers game, but being in Your presence and being like Jesus brings permanent peace and joy, not transitory, self centered indulgences. Keeping Your commandments is not burdensome, given the clear conscience and joy that follows. Bless us and strengthen us, this day, we pray. Amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, December 20, 2008
God's Children, December 20, 2008 ...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
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, December 4, 2008
God's Children, December 4, 2008 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.comFather, 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 to 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 to never punish a child in anger, but if correction is needed, help us to have the intervention fit the circumstance and help us to have shown our love, many times over, before we ever show our disappointment Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, December 3, 2008
God's Children, December 3, 2008 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come...
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.
Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity. Ecclesiastes 12:1, 11:9-10 www.solascriptura.com Father, when we are young, You advise that we remember You, that we store Your words in our hearts, because, as adults, evil days lay ahead. Help us to assist our children in getting to know You now, while they are still young, before they face temptation on every side. Help us to equip them with Core Christian Values. We know that if they have a solid foundation to lean upon they will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, be much more able to resist evil. Even though childhood and youth may be "vanity", during these wonderful years when their smiles melt our hearts and their innocence charms us, prepare their hearts to serve You and to trust You in all things. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, November 21, 2008
God's Children, November 21, 2008 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul. Proverbs 28:7, 29:15, 17, www.solascriptura.com Father, we all truly want our children to obey your law and to avoid being unduly influenced by kids who do not know You or at least their habits seem to indicate that they do not have a strong relationship with You. We prefer our children be witnesses of Your love, not victims of poor choices, often promulgated by others. Give our children discernment and the courage to be different, we pray. O'God, our children are under a constant barrage of sinful messages from almost every angle. We try to protect them, to limit their exposure to sin and sinful people but we need Your help in correcting them in a way that brings glory to You. Help us today to be firm in our convictions and to lovingly relay them to our children. Teach us not to be a bad example to our children but to show them, by our words and actions, how much we love them and You. When discipline must come Father, help us to teach our children that a tree pruned is a tree that will bear more fruit. Jesus, help us to be like You in trying to direct our children. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, November 7, 2008
God's Children, November 7, 2008 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come...
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.
Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity. Ecclesiastes 12:1, 11:9-10 www.solascriptura.com Father, when we are young, You advise that we remember You, that we store Your words in our hearts, because, as adults, evil days lay ahead. Help us to assist our children in getting to know You now, while they are still young, before they face temptation on every side. Help us to equip them with Core Christian Values. We know that if they have a solid foundation to lean upon they will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, be much more able to resist evil. Even though childhood and youth may be "vanity", during these wonderful years when their smiles melt our hearts and their innocence charms us, prepare their hearts to serve You and to trust You in all things. We pray in Jesus' name, amen Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, October 23, 2008
God's Children, October 23, 2008 ...they brought young children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16 www.solascriptura.comJesus, those who would keep a child from coming to You are as those You scolded in this passage. Help us, as parents, to bring the children to You, to Your Holy word, to prayer and discussion of Your love. You teach us that a child is a perfect example of perfect love, the kind that You hope characterizes our love for You. Jesus, thank You for teaching us that we are to come to You as a child comes, perfect in our faith and our trust. When we observe the purity and innocence of a child, You tell us that these children and their innocence are a representation of persons who will inhabit Your kingdom. How, Jesus, can we ever achieve that kind of innocence? The answer comes from You. "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Amen Bruce Caldwell
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God’s Children, October 14, 2008
God's Children, October 14, 2008 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."
Matthew 10:40-42, www.solascriptura.com Jesus, You teach us that there is a domino effect in our relationships. As we receive one of Your children, it as though we were receiving You and when we receive You it as though we received the Father. We know, from other teachings You have given us, that if we do not receive Your children we are rejecting You. What a vital lesson Jesus. Loving others is how we show our love for You. Then, Jesus, again you explain to us that caring for the needs of a child, and doing so from a grateful heart, is an act of kindness that will not go unnoticed. We know every child has their own angel and we have truly entertained angels without being aware of it. Bless the children and help us show Your love to them. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s children, September 27, 2008
God's children, September 27, 2008 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 www.solascriptura.com Father, this is the same commandment Jesus referred to when a lawyer asked him what the greatest commandment was. We know Jesus added the other half of the answer by saying "love your neighbor as yourself." Loving You that much is so right but it raises the question, do we actually possess that deep, perfect love for You and if so, how does it manifest itself in the course of each day?
We know that this kind of love should definitely result in our sharing it with our children, when we teach them, pray with them and speak of You and when we rise up and when we lie down. You expect us to make Your presence a constant reality in the lives of our children. Help us, this day, to declare to You, our intention to fulfill this commandment; then guide us as we seek to teach our children. We pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, September 25, 2008
God's Children, September 25, 2008 "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.
Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
"It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
"
Matthew 18:10, Luke 17:1-2 www.solascriptura.com
Jesus, Your love and protection of our children could not be made more clear. You have assigned an angel to each one and that angel comes from the presence of the Father, to comfort and counsel every child. We know from experience, Jesus, that children our are imperfect. But, it is not their perfect behavior that protects them; they reside in Your righteousness. We know Your desire is that each child grows up to be a person that chooses to serve You, chooses to follow You. Jesus, if we as adults, somehow interfere with the spiritual development of a child, if we turn a child from You, if we do not teach them the Word and speak of how You are the center of our lives, then You say a very harsh thing to us. "It would be better for him if a millstone was hung around his neck, and he was thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." We get the point Jesus. Your children are Yours. You "loan" them to us, in a sense, and then You observe our behavior toward them. Teach us, today, what steps we can take to improve our mentoring of them. Help us teach them Your Core Christian Values, constantly. We confess that we can not do this without Your Spirit guiding us. Bless us and our children this day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God's Children September 6, 2008
Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. "And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. "And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. "But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. "Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. "And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. "So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. "And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. "So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 'But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.' "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 'It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'" Luke 15:11-32 www.solascriptura.com Jesus, this sentence, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours." clarifies for us an important principle that You have taught us many times. It is how we finish that counts, whether we are the lifelong loyal child or the one who sinned greatly and finally came back to You. The reward for committing our lives to You is the same whether we serve long or briefly. Just as a small pile of sins does not make us more worthy, neither does a large pile of sins make us less worthy. Sin is sin and salvation is salvation. All sin, small and large, requires cleansing and let us be happy when our sinful brother or sister is redeemed. The reunion will be less satisfying if any of our loved ones are absent. Fill our hearts with gratitude for the salvation of every soul we pray in Your name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, July 29, 2008
God's Children, July 29, 2008 ... 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 to 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
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, July 9, 2008
God's Children, July 9, 2008 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 1 Corinthians 13:11, Galatians 4:6-7 www.solascriptura.com Jesus, we know the children are Yours but we also see that they, at some point, must stop thinking as a child. What is it, Jesus, to put away childish things? We can guess; we begin to choose, to seek the truth, to cope with sin and to make decisions about our relationship with You. We stop being hand fed and we begin to invest our lives in bearing fruit in the lives of others. We know this earth is Satan's domain and that You have given him great latitude to bring us and our children down. We are born into sin with hearts of flesh but Father, thank You for sending Jesus to us and teaching us that we can stop being a slave to sin. We are able to become Your children, heirs of Your kingdom. Help us not to waiver in our choice and to wholeheartedly seek a perfect, mature relationship with You, this day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, June 14, 2008
God's Children, June 14, 2008 … He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, Ephesians 1:4-5, 11, www.solascriptura.com Jesus, predestination is such a mystery to us. Paul reminds us that You chose us, that is, You knew from the beginning of time which of us would respond to Your call. Does that mean we had no choice? Apparently not, because You repeatedly teach us to seek You, to pray about Your will for our lives to be fulfilled, to pray for the disadvantaged, to proclaim You to the lost. Jesus, Paul himself was a persecutor of Christians and he certainly declared himself as Your enemy. He did not know that You would come to him and draw him to Yourself. Father, we too, have choices, but the fact that You know what choices we will make is a mystery to us, but not to You. You will not lose one who seeks You; one who was predestined to respond to Your grace and love. Help us to be among those that You knew would respond to Your call and thank You, Jesus, for calling us, for claiming us as Your own. Bless us and we seek to know You, better and better. Amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s children, June 12, 2008
God's children, June 12, 2008 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 www.solascriptura.com Father, this is the same commandment Jesus referred to when a lawyer asked him "What is the greatest commandment". We know Jesus added the other half of the answer in another statement by saying "love your neighbor as yourself", telling us that these two commandments encompass all of the commandments. Loving You and our neighbor that much is so right, but it raises the question; do we actually possess that deep, perfect love for You and our neighbor and if so, how does it manifest itself in the course of each day? We know that this kind of love must result in our sharing it with our children, when we teach them, pray with them and speak of You and when we rise up and when we lie down. You expect us to make Your presence a constant reality in the lives of our children; not a special event but a common event. Help us, this day, to declare to You, our intention to fulfill this commandment; then guide us as we seek to teach our children. We pray in Jesus' Holy name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, May 26, 2008
God's Children, May 26, 2008 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
"Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:
"that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4, www.solascriptura.com Jesus, we notice that Paul said, "Obey your parents, in the Lord." Help us, today, to know that we need to be "in the Lord" if we are to properly teach our children Your will. Jesus, the concept of children being obedient carries so much more weight when the parents are "in the Lord". What Jesus is it, "to be in the Lord"? You have taught us many times that our personal salvation is necessary if we are to be interpreting and teaching our children, Your wisdom, Your expectations. Jesus, even though it is apparent that we need to teach our children, in Your ways, we also need to be very careful not to provoke our children and to set much higher standards for them than we do ourselves. Help us today to be a good Godly example in our words, thoughts and actions. Give us wisdom and patience, this day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God’s Children, May 4, 2008
God's Children, May 4, 2008 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7 www.solascriptura.com Jesus, Peter, who was one of the most outspoken of the disciples, after he had received the gift of the Holy Spirit, became one of Your most effective ministers. He says that young people should be humble in the presence of their elders. Peter goes on to say that pride, the opposite of humility, is resisted by God. It is "under Your hand" that we are to be humble, not some self-imposed portrayal of humility. You promise to exalt the humble in due time, to lift us up. God, help us today to show our children that our humility, to the extent we have any, is simply a by-product of our commitment to You. Your concern for even our smallest needs humbles us before You. Bless us and our children and grandchildren this day, we pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: God’s Children
God's Children, April 11, 2008
God's Children, April 11, 2008 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I John 2:1-6, 12, www.solascriptura.com Father, we come to You, cleansed of our sin because Jesus, our advocate, has made it all possible. We know there is no other way to be in Your presence except at the nomination of ourselves by Jesus. Our advocate, the One who appeals to You, Himself, paid the price for our sins. This is true of no one else, therefore all judgment has been assigned to Jesus. We can boldly enter into Your presence because our faith is based on the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of a new heart and a completely new start. The Apostle John speaks plainly about obedience. "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Keeping Your commandments is not easy. We know our walk with You is a little "uphill" but each day of obedience makes the next day's hill, easier. John says, "walk just as He walked." That is our prayer today. Help us to be more like you every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
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God's Children, March 19, 2008
God's Children, March 19, 2008 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I John 2:1-6, 12, www.solascriptura.com Father, we come to You, cleansed of our sin because Jesus, our advocate, has made it all possible. We know there is no other way to be in Your presence except at the nomination of ourselves by Jesus. Our advocate, the One who appeals to You, Himself, paid the price for our sins. This is true of no one else; therefore all judgment has been assigned to Jesus. We can boldly enter into Your presence because our faith is based on the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of a new heart and a completely new start. The Apostle John speaks plainly about obedience. "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Keeping Your commandments is not easy. We know our walk with You is a little "uphill" but each day of obedience makes the next day's hill, easier. John says, "Walk just as He walked." That is our prayer today. Help us to be more like You every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Bruce Caldwell
To be removed click here: http://app.icontact.com/icp/mmail-mprofile.pl?r=10466934&l=19402&s=O8UL&m=161547&c=207588 Labels: God’s Children
God's Children #1
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deut 6:5-7, www.solascriptura.com Father, first you teach us what we must be like if we are to be Your children. It is so easy to say the we love You with all of our heart, soul and strength. Help us, this day, to contemplate what that means. We can see that it reaches a depth that calls for strength and fidelity that seems beyond us. It is in fact, impossible to be perfect in our relationship with You, in our own strength. Teach us what we must do, moment by moment, to draw closer to You. Your word says that if we will draw near to You, You will draw near to us. The initiative clearly lies with us. Then Father, you say we "shall" teach Your words to our children, not "may", but "shall". And when do You say we should do this? ...when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. It is no wonder that my grandchildren say "Oh no, Pappy is going to talk about God again!" Give us wisdom and discernment as to when to share, we pray, in Jesus' Holy name, amen. Bruce Caldwell Labels: God’s Children
God's Children #2
Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. We will not hide them from ... children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; Psalms 78:1, 4-7, www.solascriptura.com Father, very early on You stated a law that persists today. We are to make Your testimony known to our children. O' God, in these times we find it increasingly difficult to teach our children Your ways. All of society, it seems, is pointing our children toward values and behaviors that You tell us are wrong. How can we intervene without losing contact with our kids? Jesus, you are the only person on this earth that never sinned and when the children came to You, You embraced them and told us that the sweet nature of their hearts, the faith of a child was what you required of us. Father, it seems that the first line of defense that we have when we ask our children to know and to live Your word, is for us to know and live Your word. Let our example to our children be acceptable in Your sight. Strengthen our knowledge of You and give us the courage to approach our children wrapped in Your righteousness. Help us to tell our children that we too have experienced temptation and we too have sinned by being disobedient, and then help us to share the word with them, as a family. An old fashioned family Bible reading, arranged as a daily part of every family's schedule, would be a good first step. Help us to choose to teach our children how to follow You, we pray, amen. Bruce CaldwellGod's children, October 31, 2007 Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. We will not hide them from ... children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; Psalms 78:1,4-7, www.solascriptura.com Father, very early on You stated a law that persists today. We are to make Your testimony known to our children. O' God, in these times we find it increasingly difficult to teach our children Your ways. All of society, it seems, is pointing our children toward values and behaviors that You tell us are wrong. How can we intervene without losing contact with our kids? Jesus, you are the only person on this earth that never sinned and when the children came to You, You embraced them and told us that the sweet nature of their hearts, the faith of a child was what you required of us. Father, it seems that the first line of defense that we have when we ask our children to know and to live Your word, is for us to know and live Your word. Let our example to our children be acceptable in Your sight. Strengthen our knowledge of You and give us the courage to approach our children wrapped in Your righteousness. Help us to tell our children that we too have experienced temptation and we too have sinned by being disobedient, and then help us to share the word with them, as a family. An old fashioned family Bible reading, arranged as a daily part of every family's schedule, would be a good first step. Help us to choose to teach our children how to follow You, we pray, amen. Bruce CaldwellGod's children, October 31, 2007 Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. We will not hide them from ... children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; Psalms 78:1,4-7, www.solascriptura.com Father, very early on You stated a law that persists today. We are to make Your testimony known to our children. O' God, in these times we find it increasingly difficult to teach our children Your ways. All of society, it seems, is pointing our children toward values and behaviors that You tell us are wrong. How can we intervene without losing contact with our kids? Jesus, you are the only person on this earth that never sinned and when the children came to You, You embraced them and told us that the sweet nature of their hearts, the faith of a child was what you required of us. Father, it seems that the first line of defense that we have when we ask our children to know and to live Your word, is for us to know and live Your word. Let our example to our children be acceptable in Your sight. Strengthen our knowledge of You and give us the courage to approach our children wrapped in Your righteousness. Help us to tell our children that we too have experienced temptation and we too have sinned by being disobedient, and then help us to share the word with them, as a family. An old fashioned family Bible reading, arranged as a daily part of every family's schedule, would be a good first step. Help us to choose to teach our children how to follow You, we pray, amen. Bruce CaldwellGod's children, October 31, 2007 Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. We will not hide them from ... children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; Psalms 78:1,4-7, www.solascriptura.com Father, very early on You stated a law that persists today. We are to make Your testimony known to our children. O' God, in these times we find it increasingly difficult to teach our children Your ways. All of society, it seems, is pointing our children toward values and behaviors that You tell us are wrong. How can we intervene without losing contact with our kids? Jesus, you are the only person on this earth that never sinned and when the children came to You, You embraced them and told us that the sweet nature of their hearts, the faith of a child was what you required of us. Father, it seems that the first line of defense that we have when we ask our children to know and to live Your word, is for us to know and live Your word. Let our example to our children be acceptable in Your sight. Strengthen our knowledge of You and give us the courage to approach our children wrapped in Your righteousness. Help us to tell our children that we too have experienced temptation and we too have sinned by being disobedient, and then help us to share the word with them, as a family. An old fashioned family Bible reading, arranged as a daily part of every family's schedule, would be a good first step. Help us to choose to teach our children how to follow You, we pray, amen. Bruce CaldwellGod's children, October 31, 2007 Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. We will not hide them from ... children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; Psalms 78:1,4-7, www.solascriptura.com Father, very early on You stated a law that persists today. We are to make Your testimony known to our children. O' God, in these times we find it increasingly difficult to teach our children Your ways. All of society, it seems, is pointing our children toward values and behaviors that You tell us are wrong. How can we intervene without losing contact with our kids? Jesus, you are the only person on this earth that never sinned and when the children came to You, You embraced them and told us that the sweet nature of their hearts, the faith of a child was what you required of us. Father, it seems that the first line of defense that we have when we ask our children to know and to live Your word, is for us to know and live Your word. Let our example to our children be acceptable in Your sight. Strengthen our knowledge of You and give us the courage to approach our children wrapped in Your righteousness. Help us to tell our children that we too have experienced temptation and we too have sinned by being disobedient, and then help us to share the word with them, as a family. An old fashioned family Bible reading, arranged as a daily part of every family's schedule, would be a good first step. Help us to choose to teach our children how to follow You, we pray, amen. Bruce CaldwellGod's children, October 31, 2007 Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. We will not hide them from ... children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; Psalms 78:1,4-7, www.solascriptura.com Father, very early on You stated a law that persists today. We are to make Your testimony known to our children. O' God, in these times we find it increasingly difficult to teach our children Your ways. All of society, it seems, is pointing our children toward values and behaviors that You tell us are wrong. How can we intervene without losing contact with our kids? Jesus, you are the only person on this earth that never sinned and when the children came to You, You embraced them and told us that the sweet nature of their hearts, the faith of a child was what you required of us. Father, it seems that the first line of defense that we have when we ask our children to know and to live Your word, is for us to know and live Your word. Let our example to our children be acceptable in Your sight. Strengthen our knowledge of You and give us the courage to approach our children wrapped in Your righteousness. Help us to tell our children that we too have experienced temptation and we too have sinned by being disobedient, and then help us to share the word with them, as a family. An old fashioned family Bible reading, arranged as a daily part of every family's schedule, would be a good first step. Help us to choose to teach our children how to follow You, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell Labels: God’s Children
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