God’s Gifts, April 9,

God's Gifts, April 9, 2008

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:9-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, here Peter points out an important fact; we have received gifts. We sometimes doubt that is true but help us remember the times in our lives when a person said something kind to us or commended us and how we never forgot it! Father, each of us has had someone compliment us or tell us something we really enjoyed hearing.

We know that "flattery" is wrong so help us not offer insincere compliments. Peter says we should speak using the very words of God, words of assurance and comfort. Help us today to lift the spirit of another person by using Your word as a key element of our praise.

Father, You have taught us that if we say, "God has really blessed You with great talent" that it is much better than saying, "You have it all man, You da man!" We are so vulnerable to praise. Remind us today that, we brought nothing into this world and no matter how cool we are, we will take nothing out. Our only hope is in You.

Father, help us today as we praise You for our gifts and exercise them to Your glory. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, March 16

God's Gifts, March 16

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him.

1 John 2:18, 20, 27

Father, John, the beloved Apostle, tells us what is repeatedly made clear; the antichrist is coming.

We know that with You Father, a thousand years is as a day and a day as a thousand years. We sometimes over rate these few years we have on earth, not realizing they are less than a speck of sand on the beaches of eternity.

But, even if we do not fully grasp the concept of eternity, we do know that this small allotment of years is all that we have to work with in terms of accepting Your grace and mercy to us. Life seems long to some and too brief to others but You have taught us it is as a vapor that disappears.

Your word says that Jesus, when He died for our sins and rose again, said You would send the Holy Spirit to all men. Jesus said that the truth would be written on our hearts and that those who do not acknowledge that truth will be without excuse.

Here, John clearly makes the same point. We need to look no further than our own hearts to know You. We enjoy being taught by others but here John says You are our teacher, it is Your anointing, Your healing hand upon us that saves us if we will but respond to Your love. May we each receive Your wonderful gift of anointing this day, afresh. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, February 15

God's Gifts, February 15

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2 Corinthians 9:15, Galatians 5:22-23 www.solascriptura.com

Father, when Paul uses the word "gift" in this verse, he calls it indescribable. Why would he say "indescribable? One reason may be that you shared some information with Paul that he was told not to share with us. He said they were "inexpressible" words which he was not permitted to utter, after being caught up in what he called "the third heaven".

Father, if there is a third heaven, is there not a first and second heaven? Paul said he could not tell us but he does say the gift is "indescribable". O'God, we really do see things "dimly" and we know that what is, is not what will be. The frustrations and difficulties of this life do not compare with the glory You will yet show us.

Father in the midst of the turmoil of this world, Paul reminds us of what we can experience right now. We look forward to no more pain and disabilities for eternity but right now You grant us the fruits of the Spirit, freely given to all who seek them; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. No matter how difficult life can be, these promises are to us all, right now. We praise You for Your love for us. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, January 19

God's Gifts, January 19

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 www.solascriptura.com

Father, there may not be another single verse in the Bible that says so much about how powerful the Bible is. Thank You for giving it to us.

Your word is a two edged sword bringing both salvation and judgement. It does cut both ways, revealing truth to Your children and a stern warning to those who doubt You and disobey You.

Your word is alive, it is dynamic. The more we learn of You the more we realize there is so much more to know and to experience. It is powerful, persuasive and permanently true. At the same time, it is gentle, loving and comforting.

Your word pierces to the depth of our soul, it discerns our thoughts and measures the intent of our hearts. What a tragedy it would be to have our Bibles taken from us, something You promise will happen during the Great Tribulation. Will we have stored Your word in our hearts?

Help each of us to commit to spending more and more time in Your Holy, inspiring word this day and every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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

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

God’s Gifts, November 19

God's Gifts, November 19

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Romans 8:22-27 www.solascriptura.com

Father, in a sense, we love life and all of its opportunities yet we also look forward to perfection, an eternal life without sin and suffering. We who love You and have committed ourselves to Your service await the moment in time when we finally see all of that which You have prepared for us. You tell us that eye has not seen nor has mind imagined that which You have prepared for us.

It is this hope that leads to our faith in You Jesus and to our redemption, all made possible by God's grace and mercy.

Paul teaches here that Your Spirit intercedes for us and pleads for us with words that are inexpressible by ourselves. There is no one that is able to present us to the Father in such a manner as this but You Jesus.

Paul reminds us again that we are saints, awaiting redemption, and that You search our hearts and intercede for us. Those are powerful facts and promises that we can not easily grasp. Help us O'God to experience the depth of Your love this day and every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, November 5

God's Gifts, November 5

...we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:28-31 www.solascriptura.com

Father, our vision is as limited as our certainty of our life span. We can not see very far ahead and we are uncertain of whether we will even be alive tomorrow. We always want to hedge our statements about what we are going to do by saying "Lord willing" I will do such and such. How else could it be? We do not control outcomes yet here You promise us that You do. We can trust in You to lead us if we live "according to Your purpose".

We also can see that if we do not live according to Your purpose we can not be assured that all things will work out as You had willed. You do allow us to run away from Your perfect will. Yet, in the next verse You teach us that we are "predestined" to be as Jesus. Father, we know that You know who will respond to Your ever-present call.

We also know that it is by Your grace that we are saved and not of our own works. Merit badges will not open the door of the kingdom for one who does not know You. It is our faith in Jesus' redemptive act, our cleansing by His shed blood and our will to seek to be like Jesus that saves us, all made possible by Your grace and mercy.

Since You are omniscient Father, knowing all things from the Alpha to the Omega, the beginning and the end, You knew who would place their hand in Yours and become heirs to the kingdom. Yet, in Deuteronomy 31:19, You say: ...I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

O'God, we thank you for Jesus, our Redeemer, our Friend and Comforter. We choose life Father, that each of us and each of our children may live. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, October 21

God's Gifts, October 21

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You know that when I made a decision to commit my life to loving You and serving You that these words, spoken by You, captured my full attention. I pray these words will be indelibly impressed on the heart of each one of us.

Jesus, we sometimes, in our immaturity, fear committing our lives to following You because we think we are giving up degrees of control, we are yielding our will and our agenda to Your will and Your agenda.

That is not an easy thing for a strong-willed person to do or for any person that fears yielding control. Jesus, when we feel that way, we have clearly misunderstood Your will for us. You declare here that You did not come to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, which is Satan's agenda. You came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

When we yield our hearts to You, the abundant life is guaranteed to follow. We know, Jesus, that abundance here does not mean material things, although You bless us in so many ways. The abundance You provide is both eternal and right now.

You fill us with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and we become equipped to yield the fruit that leads to eternal happiness. This same fruit makes life worth living, here and now. You promise us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When we come to You, we give up nothing of enduring value (and escape from a life leading to eternal suffering) and we gain Your perfection as we experience Your presence. Bless us richly that we might be a blessing to others, we pray in Your name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, October 13

God's Gifts, October 13

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:5-7 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul reminds us once again that it is Your grace, extended to each of us, that enables us to be apostles of obedience, witnessing of Your love to all the nations.

We are told that we are "called" by Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. O'God, how could we refuse this invitation to eternal life and being full of peace and joy forever? Strengthen our resolve to seek You this day.

Paul says we are called to be "saints". Father, You know how frail and impotent we feel, at times. Help us today, to know that when we are full of the Holy Spirit seeking to be as You Jesus, that we are, in that moment, saints. Not because we, in our own nature, deserve that kind of designation but when we are wrapped in Your righteousness, we are as You. That is our goal Jesus, to be as You. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, September 23

God's Gifts, September 23

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:4-8 www.solascriptura.com

Father, it seems clear that there will not be "denominations" in eternity. We who claim Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, as our Redeemer and we who believe You are the Creator of all things, the omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent One, the One who extends Your grace to all who would seek You in Spirit and in truth (and Jesus said, the Word is truth and can not be broken) it is we who make up the Body of Christ, the Church.

What pain it must cause You to see mankind assume the role of judge. You have taught us that Jesus and His angels will judge us and separate the sheep from the goats, the saints from the sinners and that all who Jesus names as faithful will spend eternity with You and the saints.

Here You teach us that our differences are in our gifts, not our means of knowing You. No gift is better than another and we all contribute, to the best of our ability, in making the Church one body in Christ Jesus. Forgive us if we add rules and conditions that are not named by You. Forgive us for suggesting this denomination or that is "in" or "out".

Help us take care of our own opportunities to seek You and to serve You and not to focus on what others do or do not do. We know, Jesus that You say "They shall know us by our love". That is our objective today, to love others as we love ourselves. It is impossible for us to be as You, Jesus, in and of ourselves. We come to You in all humility and contrition asking for Your Spirit to fill us afresh. We pray in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, August 16

God's Gifts, August 16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts July 27

God’s Gifts, July 27

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts July 7

God's Gifts, July 7

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:25-33, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, to have You, personally, teach us is no small thing. Is there anyone, anywhere whose words could be more important to us?

On many occasions You teach us not to be anxious about anything. Given the number of deep sighs, hands wringing, and perplexed looks we manifest, it seems anxiety and stress are more common than not. But what do You say Jesus, about anxiety? You say, repeatedly, "don't worry" and then You teach us why. When we abide in You and You in us, You fully understand our needs.

You tell us that if we seek a relationship with You, seeking first the kingdom heaven, that all the things we need will be added unto us. You ask us to have faith in the fact that You are there for us, a friend for eternity.

We do not always get everything we want Jesus but we do get everything we need. Help us today to know that if you bless us with more, much more than we need that Your expectations of our service to others, goes up. Truly, to whom much is given, much is required. We seek both Your blessings and Your Spirit in us, enabling such blessing to inure to the benefit of all. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, July 5

God's Gifts, July 5

...love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

1 Corinthians 13:5-10 www.solascriptura.com

Father, this much quoted "love" chapter has some wonderful promises. When we immerse our spirit in Your Spirit, this gift of love lifts us to levels of caring and commitment well beyond anything we can achieve in the flesh.

Help us today to better understand the meaning of these verses as they apply to our everyday relationships. You have told us that love never fails. We know, that when it does, it is not Your love for us that fails, but love seems to fail when we forget to access the power of the Holy Spirit, that one source that is able to cause us to focus on our commitment to the needs of other persons.

Help us today not to be envious, prideful, rude, possessive, argumentative, lustful, or envious of sin. Let us rejoice in Your word, be kind and patient, hopeful, and able to endure difficult people and circumstances. Surely they will know us by our love.

We await perfection. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, May 24

God's Gifts, May 24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, May 2

God's Gifts, May 2

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

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

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

James 1:5-7 www.solascriptura.com

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, April 9,

God's Gifts, April 9, 2008

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:9-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, here Peter points out an important fact; we have received gifts. We sometimes doubt that is true but help us to remember the times in our lives when a person said something kind to us or commended us and how we never forgot it! Father, each of us has had someone compliment us or tell us something we really enjoyed hearing.

We know that "flattery" is wrong so help us not to offer insincere compliments. Peter says we should speak using the very words of God, words of assurance and comfort. Help us today to lift the spirit of another person by using Your word as a key element of our praise.

Father, You have taught us that if we say, "God has really blessed You with great talent" that it is much better than saying, "You have it all man, You da man!" We are so vulnerable to praise. Remind us today that, we brought nothing into this world and no matter how cool we are, we will take nothing out. Our only hope is in You.

Father, help us today to praise You for our gifts and to exercise them to Your glory. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, March 16

God's Gifts, March 16

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him.

1 John 2:18, 20, 27

Father, John, the beloved Apostle, tells us what is repeatedly made clear; the antichrist is coming.

We know that with You Father, a thousand years is as a day and a day as a thousand years. We sometimes over rate these few years we have on earth, not realizing they are less than a speck of sand on the beaches of eternity.

But, even if we do not fully grasp the concept of eternity, we do know that this small allotment of years is all that we have to work with in terms of accepting Your grace and mercy to us. Life seems long to some and too brief to others but You have taught us it is as a vapor that disappears.

Your word says that Jesus, when He died for our sins and rose again, said You would send the Holy Spirit to all men. Jesus said that the truth would be written on our hearts and that those who do not acknowledge that truth will be without excuse.

Here, John clearly makes the same point. We need to look no further than our own hearts to know You. We enjoy being taught by others but here John says You are our teacher, it is Your anointing, Your healing hand upon us that saves us if we will but respond to Your love. May we each receive Your wonderful gift of anointing this day, afresh. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, February 15

God's Gifts, February 15

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2 Corinthians 9:15, Galatians 5:22-23 www.solascriptura.com

Father, when Paul uses the word "gift" in this verse, he calls it indescribable. Why would he say "indescribable? One reason may be that you shared some information with Paul that he was told not to share with us. He said they were "inexpressible" words which he was not permitted to utter, after being caught up in what he called "the third heaven".

Father, if there is a third heaven, is there not a first and second heaven? Paul said he could not tell us but he does say the gift is "indescribable". O'God, we really do see things "dimly" and we know that what is, is not what will be. The frustrations and difficulties of this life do not compare with the glory You will yet show us.

Father in the midst of the turmoil of this world, Paul reminds us of what we can experience right now. We look forward to no more pain and disabilities for eternity but right now You grant us the fruits of the Spirit, freely given to all who seek them; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. No matter how difficult life can be, these promises are to us all, right now. We praise You for Your love for us. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, January 19, 2009

God's Gifts, January 19, 2009

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 www.solascriptura.com

Father, there may not be another single verse in the Bible that says so much about how powerful the Bible is. Thank You for giving it to us.

Your word is a two edged sword bringing both salvation and judgement. It does cut both ways, revealing truth to Your children and a stern warning to those who doubt You and disobey You.

Your word is alive, it is dynamic. The more we learn of You the more we realize there is so much more to know and to experience. It is powerful, persuasive and permanently true. At the same time, it is gentle, loving and comforting.

Your word pierces to the depth of our soul, it discerns our thoughts and measures the intent of our hearts. What a tragedy it would be to have our Bibles taken from us, something You promise will happen during the Great Tribulation. Will we have stored Your word in our hearts?

Help each of us to commit to spending more and more time in Your Holy, inspiring word this day and every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, December 19, 2008

God's Gifts, December 19, 2008

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 to 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

God’s Gifts, December 1, 2008

God's Gifts, December 1, 2008

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

God’s Gifts, November 19, 2008

God's Gifts, November 19, 2008

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Romans 8:22-27 www.solascriptura.com

Father, in a sense, we love life and all of its opportunities yet we also look forward to perfection, an eternal life without sin and suffering. We who love You and have committed ourselves to Your service await the moment in time when we finally see all of that which You have prepared for us. You tell us that eye has not seen nor has mind imagined that which You have prepared for us.

It is this hope that leads to our faith in You Jesus and to our redemption, all made possible by God's grace and mercy.

Paul teaches here that Your Spirit intercedes for us and pleads for us with words that are inexpressible by ourselves. There is no one that is able to present us to the Father in such a manner as this but You Jesus.

Paul reminds us again that we are saints, awaiting redemption, and that You search our hearts and intercede for us. Those are powerful facts and promises that we can not easily grasp. Help us O'God to experience the depth of Your love this day and every day. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, November 5, 2008

God's Gifts, November 5, 2008

...we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:28-31 www.solascriptura.com

Father, our vision is as limited as our certainty of our life span. We can not see very far ahead and we are uncertain of whether we will even be alive tomorrow. We always want to hedge our statements about what we are going to do by saying "Lord willing" I will do such and such. How else could it be? We do not control outcomes yet here You promise us that You do. We can trust in You to lead us if we live "according to Your purpose".

We also can see that if we do not live according to Your purpose we can not be assured that all things will work out as You had willed. You do allow us to run away from Your perfect will.
Yet, in the next verse You teach us that we are "predestined" to be as Jesus. Father, we know that You know who will respond to Your ever-present call.

We also know that it is by Your grace that we are saved and not of our own works. Merit badges will not open the door of the kingdom for one who does not know You. It is our faith in Jesus' redemptive act, our cleansing by His shed blood and our will to seek to be like Jesus that saves us, all made possible by Your grace and mercy.

Since You are omniscient Father, knowing all things from the Alpha to the Omega, the beginning and the end, You knew who would place their hand in Yours and become heirs to the kingdom. Yet, in Deuteronomy 31:19, You say: ...I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

O'God, we thank you for Jesus, our Redeemer, our Friend and Comforter. We choose life Father, that each of us and each of our children may live. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, October 21, 2008

God's Gifts, October 21, 2008

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You know that when I made a decision to commit my life to loving You and serving You that these words, spoken by You, captured my full attention. I pray these words will be indelibly impressed on the heart of each one of us.

Jesus, we sometimes, in our immaturity, fear committing our lives to following You because we think we are giving up degrees of control, we are yielding our will and our agenda to Your will and Your agenda.

That is not an easy thing for a strong-willed person to do or for any person that fears yielding control. Jesus, when we feel that way, we have clearly misunderstood Your will for us. You declare here that You did not come to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, which is Satan's agenda. You came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

When we yield our hearts to You, the abundant life is guaranteed to follow. We know, Jesus, that abundance here does not mean material things, although You bless us in so many ways. The abundance You provide is both eternal and right now.

You fill us with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and we become equipped to yield the fruit that leads to eternal happiness. This same fruit makes life worth living, here and now. You promise us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When we come to You, we give up nothing of enduring value (and escape from a life leading to eternal suffering) and we gain Your perfection as we experience Your presence. Bless us richly that we might be a blessing to others, we pray in Your name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, October 13, 2008

God's Gifts, October 13, 2008

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:5-7 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul reminds us once again that it is Your grace, extended to each of us, that enables us to be apostles of obedience, witnessing of Your love to all the nations.

We are told that we are "called" by Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. O'God, how could we refuse this invitation to eternal life and being full of peace and joy forever? Strengthen our resolve to seek You this day.

Paul says we are called to be "saints". Father, You know how frail and impotent we feel, at times. Help us today, to know that when we are full of the Holy Spirit seeking to be as You Jesus, that we are, in that moment, saints. Not because we, in our own nature, deserve that kind of designation but when we are wrapped in Your righteousness, we are as You. That is our goal Jesus, to be as You. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, September 23, 2008

God's Gifts, September 23, 2008

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:4-8 www.solascriptura.com

Father, it seems clear that there will not be "denominations" in eternity. We who claim Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, as our Redeemer and we who believe You are the Creator of all things, the omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent One, the One who extends Your grace to all who would seek You in Spirit and in truth (and Jesus said, the Word is truth and can not be broken) it is we who make up the Body of Christ, the Church.

What pain it must cause You to see mankind assume the role of judge. You have taught us that Jesus and His angels will judge us and separate the sheep from the goats, the saints from the sinners and that all who Jesus names as faithful will spend eternity with You and the saints.

Here You teach us that our differences are in our gifts, not our means of knowing You. No gift is better than another and we all contribute, to the best of our ability, in making the Church one body in Christ Jesus. Forgive us if we add rules and conditions that are not named by You. Forgive us for suggesting this denomination or that is "in" or "out".

Help us to take care of our own opportunities to seek You and to serve You and not to focus on what others do or do not do. We know, Jesus that You say "they shall know us by our love". That is our objective today, to love others as we love ourselves. It is impossible for us to be as You, Jesus, in and of ourselves. We come to You in all humility and contrition asking for Your Spirit to fill us afresh. We pray in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, August 16, 2008

God's Gifts, August 16, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, July 27, 2008

God's Gifts, July 27, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, July 7, 2008

God's Gifts, July 7, 2008

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:25-33, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, to have You, personally, teach us is no small thing. Is there anyone, anywhere whose words could be more important to us?

On many occasions You teach us not to be anxious about anything. Given the number of deep sighs, hands wringing, and perplexed looks we manifest, it seems anxiety and stress are more common than not. But what do You say Jesus, about anxiety? You say, repeatedly, "don't worry" and then You teach us why. When we abide in You and You in us, You fully understand our needs.

You tell us that if we seek a relationship with You, seeking first the kingdom heaven, that all the things we need will be added unto us. You ask us to have faith in the fact that You are there for us, a friend for eternity.

We do not always get everything we want Jesus but we do get everything we need. Help us today to know that if you bless us with more, much more than we need that Your expectations of our service to others, goes up. Truly, to whom much is given, much is required. We seek both Your blessings and Your Spirit in us, enabling such blessing to inure to the benefit of all. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, July 5, 2008

God's Gifts, July 5, 2008

...love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

1 Corinthians 13:5-10 www.solascriptura.com

Father, this much quoted "love" chapter has some wonderful promises. When we immerse our spirit in Your Spirit, this gift of love lifts us to levels of caring and commitment well beyond anything we can achieve in the flesh.

Help us today to better understand the meaning of these verses as they apply to our everyday relationships. You have told us that love never fails. We know, that when it does, it is not Your love for us that fails, but love seems to fail when we forget to access the power of the Holy Spirit, that one source that is able to cause us to focus on our commitment to the needs of other persons.

Help us today not to be envious, prideful, rude, possessive, argumentative, lustful, or envious of sin. Let us rejoice in Your word, be kind and patient, hopeful, and able to endure difficult people and circumstances. Surely they will know us by our love.

We await perfection. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, May 24, 2008

God's Gifts, May 24, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Gifts, May 2, 2008

God's Gifts, May 2, 2008

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

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

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

James 1:5-7 www.solascriptura.com

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts, April 9, 2008

God's Gifts, April 9, 2008

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:9-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, here Peter points out an important fact; we have received gifts. We sometimes doubt that is true but help us to remember the times in our lives when a person said something kind to us or commended us and how we never forgot it! Father, each of us has had someone compliment us or tell us something we really enjoyed hearing.

We know that "flattery" is wrong so help us not to offer insincere compliments. Peter says we should speak using the very words of God, words of assurance and comfort. Help us today to lift the spirit of another person by using Your word as a key element of our praise.

Father, You have taught us that if we say, "God has really blessed You with great talent" that it is much better than saying, "You have it all man, You da man!" We are so vulnerable to praise. Remind us today that, we brought nothing into this world and no matter how cool we are, we will take nothing out. Our only hope is in You.

Father, help us today to praise You for our gifts and to exercise them to Your glory. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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God's Gifts, March 16, 2008

God's Gifts, March 16, 2008

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him.

1 John 2:18, 20, 27

Father, John, the beloved Apostle, tells us what is repeatedly made clear; the antichrist is coming.

We know that with You Father, a thousand years is as a day and a day as a thousand years. We sometimes over rate these few years we have on earth, not realizing they are less than a speck of sand on the beaches of eternity.

But, even if we do not fully grasp the concept of eternity, we do know that this small allotment of years is all that we have to work with in terms of accepting Your grace and mercy to us. Life seems long to some and too brief to others but You have taught us it is as a vapor that disappears.

Your word says that Jesus, when He died for our sins and rose again, said You would send the Holy Spirit to all men. Jesus said that the truth would be written on our hearts and that those who do not acknowledge that truth will be without excuse.

Here, John clearly makes the same point. We need to look no further than our own hearts to know You. We enjoy being taught by others but here John says You are our teacher, it is Your anointing, Your healing hand upon us that saves us if we will but respond to Your love. May we each receive Your wonderful gift of anointing this day, afresh. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell
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God's Gifts #1

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 www.solascriptura.com

Father, there may not be another single verse in the Bible that says so much about how powerful the Bible is. Thank You for giving it to us.

Your word is a two edged sword bringing both salvation and condemnation. It does cut both ways, revealing truth to Your children and a stern warning to those who doubt You and disobey You.

Your word is alive, it is dynamic. The more we learn of You the more we realize there is so much more to know and to experience. It is powerful, persuasive and permanently true. At the same time, it is gentle, loving and comforting.

Your word pierces to the depth of our soul, it discerns our thoughts and measures the intent of our hearts. What a tragedy it would be to have our Bibles taken from us, something You promise will happen during the Great Tribulation. Will we have stored Your word in our hearts?

Help each of us to commit to spending more and more time in Your Holy, inspiring word this day and every day We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gift #2

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2 Corinthians 9:15, Galatians 5:22-23 www.solascriptura.com

Father, when Paul uses the word "gift" in this verse, he calls it indescribable. Why would he say "indescribable? One reason may be that you shared some information with Paul that he was told not to share with us. He said they were "inexpressible" words which he was not permitted to utter, after being caught up in what he called "the third heaven".

Father, if there is a third heaven, is there not a first and second heaven? Paul said he could not tell us but he does say the gift is "indescribable". O'God, we really do see things "dimly" and we know that what is, is not what will be. The frustrations and difficulties of this life do not compare with the glory You will yet show us.

Father in the midst of the turmoil of this world, Paul reminds us of what we can experience right now. We look forward to no more pain and disabilities for eternity but right now You grant us the fruits of the Spirit, freely given to all who seek them; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. No matter how difficult life can be, these promises are to us all, right now. We praise You for Your love for us. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #3

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him.

1 John 2:18, 20, 27

Father, John, the beloved Apostle, tells us what is repeatedly made clear.

The antichrist is coming. We know that with You Father, a thousand years is as a day and a day as a thousand years, We sometimes over rate these few years we have on earth, not realizing they are less than a speck of sand on the beaches of eternity.

But, even if we do not fully grasp the concept of eternity, we do know that this small allotment of years is all that we have to work with in terms of accepting Your grace and mercy to us. Life seems long to some and too brief to others but You have taught us it is as a vapor that disappears.

Your word says that Jesus, when He died for our sins and rose again, said You would send the Holy Spirit to all men. Jesus said that the truth would be written on our hearts and that those who do not acknowledge that truth will be without excuse.

Here, John clearly makes the same point. We need to look no further than or own hearts to know You. We enjoy being taught by others but here John says You are our teacher, it is Your anointing, Your healing hand upon us that saves us if we will but respond to Your love. May we each receive Your wonderful gift of anointing this day, afresh. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God’s Children #3

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:9-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, here Peter points out an important fact: We have received gifts. We sometimes doubt that is true but help us to remember the times in our lives when a person said something kind to us or commended us and we never forgot it. Father, each of us has had someone compliment us or tell us something we really enjoyed hearing.

We know that "flattery" is wrong so help us not to offer insincere compliments. Peter says we should speak using the very words of God, words of assurance and comfort. Help us today to lift the spirit of another person by using Your word as a key element of our praise.

Father, You have taught us that if we say, "God has really blessed You with great talent" that it is much better than saying, "You have it all man, You da man!" We are so vulnerable to praise. Remind us today that, we brought nothing into this world and no matter how cool we are, we will take nothing out. Our only hope is in You. Father, help us today to praise You for our gifts and to exercise them to Your glory. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #5

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

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

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

James 1:5-7 www.solascriptura.com

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

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

You offer us a stern warning that we "must believe and not doubt". Father, please help us with the doubts that sometimes come upon us. We feel so imperfect and at times very uninformed. Help us today to realize that is not our perfection that we wear when we approach You. We come to You in the righteousness of Jesus, cleansed by Him, led by Him. Help our belief in You to lead to higher levels of trust in You. Forgive us when we think You have abandoned one of us. You never leave our side. Help us not to doubt that fact! We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #7

...love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

1 Corinthians 13:5-10 www.solascriptura.com

Father, this much quoted "love" chapter has some wonderful promises. When we immerse our spirit in Your Spirit, this gift of love lifts us to levels of caring and commitment well beyond anything we can achieve in the flesh.

Help us today to better understand the meaning of these verses as they apply to our everyday relationships. You have told us that love never fails. We know, that when it does, it is not Your love for us that fails, but love seems to fail when we forget to access the power of the Holy Spirit, that one source that is able to cause us to focus on our commitment to the needs of other persons.

We await perfection. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

God's Gifts #8

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #12

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:5-7 www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul reminds us once again that it is Your grace, extended to each of us, that enables us to be apostles of obedience, witnessing of Your love to all the nations.

We are told that we are "called" by Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. O'God, how could we refuse this invitation to eternal life and being full of peace and joy forever? Strengthen our resolve to seek You this day.

Paul says we are called to be "saints". Father, You know how frail and impotent we feel, at times. Help us today, to know that when we are full of the Holy Spirit seeking to be as You Jesus, that we are, in that moment, saints. Not because we, in our own nature, deserve that kind of designation but when we are wrapped in Your righteousness, we are as You. That is our goal Jesus, to be as You. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

God's Gifts #10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell