Humility, July 19, 2008
Humility, July 19, 2008 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them":
While the sun and the light, the moon and the stars, are not darkened, and the clouds do not return after the rain;
In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow down; when the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows grow dim;
When the doors are shut in the streets, and the sound of grinding is low; when one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of music are brought low;
Also they are afraid of height, and of terrors in the way; when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets.
Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well.
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "All is vanity." Ecclesiastes 12:1-8, www.solascriptura.com Father, life is only futile if we believe that this life is all there is. We know that dust returns to dust and that our physical bodies are as nothing. It is only our spirit, united with Your Spirit, which gives meaning to life now and life forever. If so, Father, teach us this day what it is that matters. Whether we are young or old Father, help us learn why we exist and how our spirit can exist forever. Help us never to experience a day in which we say "we have no pleasure in our days as we grow old". Each day draws us nearer to You and the joy in knowing that fact lifts our spirits, whether we are young or old. Father, thank you for teaching us that life is not about three score and 10 years but instead showing us that it is a "proving ground" where we are able to be tested by You and where You will help us overcome evil spirits, spirits which are as real as you are Father and which we can not overcome by ourselves. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell
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Humility, June 24, 2008
Humility, June 24, 2008 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? The LORD is righteous..., he will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; he never fails, but the unjust knows no shame. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Micah 6:8, Zephaniah 3:5, Psalm 34:18-19, Matthew 11:29-30, www.solascriptura.com Father, You require so little of us and all that You require is good. Help us to choose the good, to take Your yoke upon ourselves and to take comfort in the fact of Your presence. We read that You draw near to those whose spirit is humble and contrite. Keep us this day from prideful behavior and self-serving attitudes. Father, righteousness is always better than evil and love better than hate. Thank You for making the choice so clear. We pray that we may take Your yoke upon us because it is easy and light compared to the one we sometimes choose to bear. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell
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Humility, June 5, 2008
Humility, June 5, 2008 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "... whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 18:2-4, 23:12, www.solascriptura.com Father, we are Your children but we have in most cases lost our innocence. Thank You for teaching us that real innocence is in the heart of a child. You show us that children are trusting and dependent and that You want us to be the same. Help us as parents and grandparents to teach these innocent children, Your gifts to us, how much You love them. The truth is truly written on the heart of every man and we see it in the children. We also know, that as we mature, we are able to erase our names from the Book of Life by drifting from innocence to unforgiven guilt. A name could never be blotted out, by our own actions, Father, unless it was first there. Help us today to reassure our children of their innocence and their opportunities to grow in Your grace. We thank You Father for the simplicity of the Gospel. Help us, this day to humbly enter into Your Holy presence with a faith that is like a child's faith. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell
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Humility, May 15, 2008
Humility, May 15, 2008 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:10-14, www.solascriptura.com Father, we do "works" in Your name of all kinds and we feel proud, at times. Thank You for teaching us that our heart must be right with You for our works to be blessed. You teach us that humility and contrition must precede our efforts to please You. Father, we each respond so positively when people praise us that we end up, at times, being tempted to take the credit for that which was intended to glorify You. Teach us today that even good works count for nothing if we act as though they stem from our own selves. Father, bless our efforts but more importantly mold us and make us in Your image, afresh, every day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell
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Humility, April 23, 2008
Humility, April 23, 2008 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 2 Corinthians 6:1-11, www.solascriptura.com Father, Paul is an example to us of one who has been severely tested, yet faithful in every way. Father, we also know that he persecuted Christians before his life-changing encounter with Jesus. Now here he tells us that "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Father, the contrast between pride and humility is always before us. We have such an inclination to allow our ego to overcome us. Help us, today, to know that it is You we seek to please and that even when we do please You, it is due to the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, not our fleshly spirit. O' God, we know that serving You requires the death of our "old nature". Help us to be what You desire us to be, this day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: Humility
Humility, March 31, 2008
Humility, March 31, 2008 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
...Do not be wise in your own opinion. ..."he who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. Romans 12:3, 16, 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, www.solascriptura.com Father, we truly seek to be commended by You. We long to hear You say, "Well done, good and faithful servant", noticing that the emphasis is on serving. We are so tempted to remind others of how we have served You that it embarrasses us when we reflect on our error. Please turn our tendency to be prideful into joyful humility in serving You. Joyful humility sounds like a non-sequitur but we know that You expect both of us. It is just a little tough to do both at the same time! Help us O'God not to fail in recognizing that You are the Shepherd and we are the sheep, following Your voice. Call us today to do specific good works in Your name, not in order to gain "merit badges" but to honor You. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell
Labels: Humility
Humility #8
He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? The LORD is righteous..., he will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; he never fails, but the unjust knows no shame. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Micah 6:8, Zephaniah 3:5, Psalms 34:18-19, Matthew 11:29-30 , www.solascriptura.com Father, You require so little of us and all that You require is good. Help us to choose the good, to take Your yoke upon ourselves and to take comfort in the fact of Your presence. Father, righteousness is always better than evil and love better than hate. Thank You for making the choice so clear. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell Labels: Humility
Humility #9
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them": While the sun and the light, the moon and the stars, are not darkened, and the clouds do not return after the rain; In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow down; when the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows grow dim; When the doors are shut in the streets, and the sound of grinding is low; when one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of music are brought low; Also they are afraid of height, and of terrors in the way; when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets. Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "All is vanity." Ecclesiastes 12:1-8, www.solascriptura.com Father, life is only futile if we believe that this life is all there is. We know that dust returns to dust and that our physical bodies are as nothing. It is only our spirit, united with Your Spirit, which gives meaning to life now and life forever. If so, Father, teach us this day what it is that matters. Whether we are young or old Father, help us learn why we exist and how our spirit can exist forever. Father, thank you for teaching us that life is not about three score and 10 years but instead showing us that it is a "proving ground" where we are able to be tested by You and where You will help us overcome evil spirits, spirits which are as real as you are Father and which we can not overcome by ourselves. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell Labels: Humility
Humility #10
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears. Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. Surely I am more stupid than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom nor have knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know? If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth. Proverbs 26:12, 26:17, 27:2, 29:5, Ecclesiastes 5:2, Proverbs 30:2-4, 32 www.solascriptura.com Father, we know that Solomon, though wise, sinned many times. Thank you for helping him express his own humility. Father, Surely if the wisest man who ever lived can say these words, then we can look to him and learn, even in the midst of his confessions. Give us more than wisdom alone O'God. Give us discernment Father where we can utilize the power of the Holy Spirit to understand the full meaning of Your hope for us. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell Labels: Humility
Humility #11
Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands. Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of the great; For it is better that he say to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen. It is not good to eat much honey; so to seek one's own glory is not glory. Ps 138:6,8, Proverbs 3:34, 11:2, 25:6-7,27 Father, We thank you for the words of David and Solomon, his son. Just as your mercy perfected that which concerned David, that same mercy is ours. The wisdom of Solomon, which You gave, can be our wisdom as well. Teach us not to seek our own glory but to look to meeting Your expectations of us. It is Your praise that we seek, not the praise of men. Bless us, we pray, in all that we do. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell Labels: Humility
Humility #12
Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am holy; you are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You! Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry to You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me. Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. For You are great, and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. ...You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant... Psalms 86:1-13, 15-16www.solascriptura.com Father, we know King David lived in a time when many false gods were worshipped and he reminds us here that You are the only true and living God. Father, we too live in a time of many false gods and many are simply without any faith in any god. O'God, help us this day to show men who You are by our faith and obedience to You. Give Your strength to Your servant...In Christ's name, amen. Bruce Caldwell Labels: Humility
Humility #13
The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked down to the ground. He does not delight in the strength of the horse; he takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy. The humble shall see this and be glad; and you who seek God, your hearts shall live. When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; you will prepare their heart; you will cause Your ear to hear, The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Psalms 147:6,10-11, 69:32, Proverbs 11:2, Job 5:11, Psalms 10:17, 25:9-11, www.solascriptura.com Father, You have repeatedly told us how important it is to You that we come to You in all humility and contrition. Help us this day to know how humbling it is to stand in Your Holy presence. We often wonder why, given the millions of persons on this earth, that You would notice us, individually. The fact that You do is very humbling indeed. In Jesus' enabling power we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell Labels: Humility
Humility #14
...let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. 1 Corinthians 10:12, Psalms 65:2, 131:1-2, 138:6, www.solascriptura.comFather, You require that we come to you in humility, not proud of ourselves. Help us Father to be joyful as we seek to serve without having our joy turn to self-serving pride. Teach us when to be quiet and when to proclaim Your love and have those who observe our joy in You not see it as pride in ourselves. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen. Bruce Caldwell Labels: Humility
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