Revenge, April 17

Revenge, April 17

" the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them."...
See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Luke 9:-56, 1Thessalonians 5:15, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, Your purpose is to save lives that we might exist in eternity with You. It is Satan that is set on bringing us down and accusing us of sin. Satan wins unless we realize that we need a new heart and a new start. You "save" us when we accept, by God's grace, Your sacrifice on the cross as one which cleanses each of us personally.

Equip us this day to not render evil for evil. Revenge is the province of the unforgiving where they presume to judge others instead of accepting and redistributing Your forgiveness and love.

Strengthen our resolve, this day, to be Your good and faithful servants. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, March 25

Revenge, March 25

... it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power...

II Thessalonians 1:6-9, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, Paul reminds us that when judgment is dispensed it will be a righteous thing because it will be based upon justice. We know Father that the mercy seat sits upon the top of the Ark of the Covenant (the Law) and that mercy will prevail for those who seek it.

Revenge will be taken upon the enemy, not the children of You, Father. We, in sadness and with a sense of despair, see people pursuing sin and running from obedience. Give us, this day, a sense of urgency in our witness to those who seem to be fleeing from You.

The death of a saint is glorious but the death of an unrepentant sinner is an eternal tragedy. Help us focus on the things You would have us do in the face of such circumstances. We know that Your love in us is our only hope in reaching out to others. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, February 25

Revenge, February 25

Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

James 4:11-12

Dear Jesus, Your half-brother James, received a great deal of specific instruction from You. James understood the Law. You taught him and us that to love your neighbor as yourself was a commandment that summarized the last 6 of the 10 commandments. We can not love a person, unsaved or not, and still be their judge. We would ourselves be breaking the Law.

Father, some of us are very good at following the first 4 commandments wherein we are to love You with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Some of us are very weak in loving the unlovely, the down trodden, the disobedient and those who do not love You. If we could but see every person as someone created in Your image, it surely would effect our attitude toward them.

Help us to know, today, that You Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our Counselor, our internal Guide and Strength. Help us to show others we love You by loving them as well. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, January 30

Revenge, January 30

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
"Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth";
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Pet 2:20-24,www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, our objective is to be like You. We will need a lot of help not to return evil for evil. If people are critical of us, to take such criticism without angrily giving it back to them, doubly for some of us, requires Your Spirit in us.

You suffered for our sins that we might live righteously. Our flesh wants to retaliate; our spirit wants to be like You. Help us to have Your countenance and heart as we experience conflict, whether we deserve criticism or not. In the Holy name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, January 3, 2009

Revenge, January 3, 2009

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit...

1 Peter 3:8-18

Amen and amen. We pray for more of You in our lives this day. Keep us from seeking revenge. It is such a natural reaction Father. We could never be as Jesus was when he prayed for those who killed him if it was not for the power of the Holy Spirit in us.

Thank You Father for not giving us what we deserve but instead welcoming us into Your midst, just as if we had never sinned; justified by Jesus.

Guide us this day, in the Holy name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, December 9

Revenge, December 9

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, November 25

Revenge, November 25

Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Psalms 37:1-3, 56:3-4, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we see evil people "riding high" we wonder when they will be brought down, by You, and we sometimes envy their success. We know that if they do not repent they will never enter into Your presence, but we also know that we too have experienced sin, been haughty and been overly proud.

Help us not be envious of material things or judgmental when others achieve notoriety, claiming the victories they earned as entitlement rather than acknowledging You as the source of all that is good. Help every person proclaim You as their Savior and the source of their strength in the midst of their successes.

Father, in your economy, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day. We know that life is very short and eternity is forever but these tiny moments exert more leverage than we sometimes acknowledge. The moments of our lives shape our eternity. That is leverage! Help us be loving and obedient, constantly, in the midst of both our triumphs and our losses.

We trust You Father, and we know that no man can take our souls from us. We belong to You now and forever. Strengthen us and help us not envy evil or be the judge of those we feel are against us. We pray for Your counsel, Your perspective, this day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, November 13

Revenge, November 13

I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense;
My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.
Do not slay them, lest my people forget; scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak.
Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be; and let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth...
But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy.

Psalms 59:9-13, 16-17, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we, in our comfort, seldom encounter an enemy who we ask you to destroy, someone who is trying to kill us and destroy us. King David did have those first hand experiences. But even David knew it was Your power he was relying on, not his own.

Jesus, You taught us that if we do not forgive our enemies You will not forgive us. You said to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Yet when the enemy attacks we are inclined to take matters into our own hands. Give us the courage, we pray, to display patience when our lower nature tempts us to "get even", right now!

Clearly enough, judgment belongs to You and we are not to seek to be the Judge, a role you reserve to Yourself. Instead, You teach us that we are to pray for the enemy and to be steadfast in our obedience, even when our instincts drive us in the opposite direction. This day, please suppress the power of evil, keep aggressors from our door and give us patience in dealing with difficult people. Clearly, not one of us can do this in and of ourselves. Bless us in Jesus Holy name, we pray.

Bruce Caldwell

The Narrow Gate, November 12

The Narrow Gate, November 12

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
"For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
"But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

John 3:16-21 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, here we listen to words directly from You. What a privilege it is to be taught by You, our Messiah. Believing in You is the cornerstone of our faith. Thank You for such simplicity. In believing, we are born again, new creatures in You, prepared to live a life of service and to be in eternity with all those that love You.

You are the light, Jesus. As we come to You we are directed and taught, as friends. In seeking You and Your Holy word, fervently, we are voluntarily coming to the light that our lives might be clearly seen as a loving witness of Your presence in us.

We can see from Your word that everyone who practices evil will not reside in Your light now or in eternity. We pray for those whose souls, by their own choice, reside in darkness. Draw them to the light, redeem their souls, we pray, in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Law of God, November 11

Law of God, November 11

Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,
"Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."
"Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "
"Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
"These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

Matt 15:1-2, 7-9, 17-20, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, these verses remind us of the phrase "you strain at a gnat and swallow a camel" wherein we focus on obedience in some small matter, in almost a compulsive way, believing that such obedience earns us points with You.

Here You teach us that doing the right thing, such as washing our hands before we eat, does not offset doing the wrong thing; keeping perfunctory rules and failing to understand how these actions mean nothing if we do not declare our love for You. It is sort of like, "no love for You, no credit for our good behavior", at least in the eternal sense. Pride is such a subtle sin!

Help us this day to learn "that which proceeds from the mouth" is pivotal in evaluating our relationship to You. We pray that obedience from a faithful heart marks us as Yours. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Peace, November 10

Peace, November 10

A wicked man hardens his face...
If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

Proverbs 21:29, 29:9 www.solascriptura.com

Father, our countenance sometimes tells everything about us. Help us today to try to be as You Jesus. We pray that our countenance will reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We know that list embodies the "fruits of the Spirit". If we could but genuinely feel that we are as a tree, a Christian tree, bearing unmistakably good, plentiful fruit.

We know it confuses our acquaintances when we bear good fruit one day and bad fruit the next. It is consistency for which we pray. Help us to do the right thing, even when we simply do not feel like it. Keep our feelings from dictating our actions, we pray. We know, Father, that we will begin to feel better when we are doing Your will and that when we fail to do Your will, it makes us feel awful.

You also teach us that when we contend with a foolish man there is no peace. Help us today to focus on presenting ourselves as one who is not contending, but as one who is caring. Caring will seldom get us in trouble and we thank You for teaching us how to bear good fruit. Bless us this day, in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, October 28

Revenge, October 28

He rules by His power forever; his eyes observe the nations; do not let the rebellious exalt themselves...
O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?
Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs—O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render punishment to the proud.
LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?
They utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.

Ps 66:7, Ps 94:1-23, Ps 74:10-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, the enemy does blaspheme Your Holy name. Help us never speak Your name and the name of Jesus except reverently. Your hand is not shortened that it can not both heal and destroy. We seek the healing of our hearts and minds this day that we might say, do and think that which is acceptable in Your sight.

Father, pride and boasting represent a mistake for us. You tell us they are insolent, sinful mistakes yet we persist in this error. Forgive us and let us not be the enemy upon whom You will exercise judgment. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, October 2

Revenge, October

He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, he who teaches man knowledge?
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, and teach out of Your law,
That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked.
For the LORD will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.
But judgment will return to righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence.

Psalms 94:9-17, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know that You formed all things, including us. We acknowledge that you are ever present. We thank You for both teaching us and correcting us.

You give us a constant choice as to whether to declare You to men or to stand in silence. We know that adversity is coming. We choose this day to leave judgment to You and to stand as witnesses in the midst of a world filled with iniquity. May our acquaintances this day know we are Christians by our love? Your response to our question is a resounding yes!

In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, September 11

Revenge, September 11

Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts.
Give to them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them according to the work of their hands; render to them what they deserve.
Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, nor the operation of His hands, he shall destroy them and not build them up.

Psalms 28:3-5, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know there are wicked people who treat us well to our face and think ill of us when we are not present. Such two-faced persons will be dealt with by You. They will be rendered what they deserve by You. Keep us from the temptation to "bring them down". Strengthen our resolve to trust You as we encounter such persons.

Give us a peaceful, gentle and wise reaction when evil comes into our midst, not a vengeful, angry heart. We all have a little "I will show you" in our hearts, but since You are willing to forgive us, we know we must not be vengeful with others.

Ultimately we do not want them to get what they deserve because seeing others destroyed, by You, would be a pitiful, painful sight. Give us wisdom as we deal with hate-filled people who simply have not accepted a new heart and a new start. It is by Your grace that we take our next breath. Help us today not to contribute to the pain others must be feeling when they disobey You.

In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, August 24

Revenge, August 24

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, August 3

Revenge, August 3

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, June 20

Revenge, June 20

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.
Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked;
For there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

Proverbs 24:17-20, www.solascriptura.com

Father, the Wisdom of Solomon tells us that we should take no pleasure in the failure of people who do not like us and that if we do, it displeases You.

Help us this day not to act as though we are responsible for judging the affairs of evil people. We pray for their salvation. Seeing the lamp of an evil person put out is to see them suffering in darkness forever.

We too once were disobedient (and we still are, at times). Thank You for preserving our opportunity to be saved even while we were yet sinners. We pray that Your enemies and our enemies will yet become Your forgiven children. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, May 31

Revenge, May 31

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
"But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
"If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
"And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
"Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
"that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
"For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
"And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matt 5:38-48, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we seem to be so ill-equipped to be perfect when we are in our flesh. Our flesh, the domain of evil inclinations, is as our enemy, something to be overcome. You, Father, have even called those who love You, "overcomers". Why Father have You created us in such weakness? We know the answer; so your power can be made manifest in our weakness allowing us to be as You.

Father, loving You, as we look at the wonder of Your creation, and learn of Your love for us, seems relatively easy compared to loving each other. We are "in the flesh" far too often, making it difficult for our children, spouses and friends to easily love us.

Since that seems true Father, help each of us this day to constantly check our demeanor, making it much easier to love and to be loved, to forgive and to be forgiven. There are times Father that we just don't feel like being Spiritually whole. Help us not to follow the lead of our feelings but to follow You. In Jesus' Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, May 10

Revenge, May 10

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:17-21

Jesus, we know that You personally taught Paul the wisdom that he brings to us. What a reassuring thing it is to find complete consistency between his words and Yours.

Here we learn that when we are kind and gentle in the face of someone who is angry with us, it confounds them and our kindness, undeserved, actually disarms them. We take no credit for the fruits of the Spirit manifested in our relationships and we do not seek praise from men for being patient and full of self-control.

Teach us today what it means to say, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me". Help us this day to overcome evil with good. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, April 17

Revenge, April 17

" the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them."...
See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Luke 9:-56, 1Thessalonians 5:15, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, Your purpose is to save lives that we might exist in eternity with You. It is Satan that is set on bringing us down and accusing us of sin. Satan wins unless we realize that we need a new heart and a new start. You "save" us when we accept, by God's grace, Your sacrifice on the cross as one which cleanses each of us personally.

Equip us this day to not render evil for evil. Revenge is the province of the unforgiving where they presume to judge others instead of accepting and redistributing Your forgiveness and love.

Strengthen our resolve, this day, to be Your good and faithful servants. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, March 25

Revenge, March 25

... it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power...

II Thessalonians 1:6-9, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, Paul reminds us that when judgment is dispensed it will be a righteous thing because it will be based upon justice. We know Father that the mercy seat sits upon the top of the Ark of the Covenant (the Law) and that mercy will prevail for those who seek it.

Revenge will be taken upon the enemy, not the children of You, Father. We, in sadness and with a sense of despair, see people pursuing sin and running from obedience. Give us, this day, a sense of urgency in our witness to those who seem to be fleeing from You.

The death of a saint is glorious but the death of an unrepentant sinner is an eternal tragedy. Help us to focus on what You would have us do in the face of such circumstances. We know that Your love in us is our only hope in reaching out to others. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, February 25

Revenge, February 25

Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

James 4:11-12

Dear Jesus, Your half-brother (Mary was his mother too but he had a different Father) James, received a great deal of specific instruction from You. James understood the Law. You taught him and us that to love your neighbor as yourself was a commandment that summarized the last 6 of the 10 commandments. We can not love a person, unsaved or not, and still be their judge. We would ourselves be breaking the Law.

Father, some of us are very good at following the first 4 commandments wherein we are to love You with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Some of us are very weak in loving the unlovely, the down trodden, the disobedient and those who do not love You.

Help us to know, today, that You Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our Counselor, our internal Guide and Strength. Help us to show others we love You by loving them as well. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, January 30, 2009

Revenge, January 30, 2009

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
"Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth";
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Pet 2:20-24,www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, our objective is to be like You. We will need a lot of help not to return evil for evil. If people are critical of us, to take such criticism without angrily giving it back to them, doubly for some of us, requires Your Spirit in us.

You suffered for our sins that we might live righteously. Our flesh wants to retaliate; our spirit wants to be like You. Help us to have Your countenance and heart as we experience conflict, whether we deserve criticism or not. In the Holy name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, January 3, 2009

Revenge, January 3, 2009

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit...

1 Peter 3:8-18

Amen and amen. We pray for more of You in our lives this day. Keep us from seeking revenge. It is such a natural reaction Father. We could never be as Jesus was when he prayed for those who killed him if it was not for the power of the Holy Spirit in us.

Thank You Father for not giving us what we deserve but instead welcoming us into Your midst, just as if we had never sinned; justified by Jesus.

Guide us this day, in the Holy name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, December 9, 2008

Revenge, December 9, 2008

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, November 25, 2008

Revenge, November 25, 2008

Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Psalms 37:1-3, 56:3-4, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we see evil people "riding high" we wonder when they will be brought down, by You, and we sometimes envy their success. We know that if they do not repent they will never enter into Your presence, but we also know that we too have experienced sin, been haughty and been overly proud.

Help us to not be envious of material things or judgmental when others achieve notoriety, claiming the victories they earned as entitlement rather than acknowledging You as the source of all that is good. Help every person proclaim You as their Savior and the source of their strength in the midst of their successes.

Father, in your economy, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day. We know that life is very short and eternity is forever but these tiny moments exert more leverage than we sometimes acknowledge. The moments of our lives shape our eternity. That is leverage! Help us be loving and obedient, constantly, in the midst of both our triumphs and our losses.

We trust You Father, and we know that no man can take our souls from us. We belong to You now and forever. Strengthen us and help us not to envy evil or to be the judge of those we feel are against us. We pray for Your counsel, Your perspective, this day. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, November 13, 2008

Revenge, November 13, 2008

I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense;
My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.
Do not slay them, lest my people forget; scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak.
Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be; and let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth...
But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy.

Psalms 59:9-13, 16-17, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we, in our comfort, seldom encounter an enemy who we ask you to destroy, someone who is trying to kill us and destroy us. King David did have those first hand experiences. But even David knew it was Your power he was relying on, not his own.

Jesus, You taught us that if we do not forgive our enemies You will not forgive us. You said to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Yet when the enemy attacks we are inclined to take matters into our own hands. Give us the courage, we pray, to display patience when our lower nature tempts us to "get even", right now!

Clearly enough, judgment belongs to You and we are not to seek to be the Judge, a role you reserve to Yourself. Instead, You teach us that we are to pray for the and to be steadfast in our obedience, even when our instincts drive us in the opposite direction. This day, please suppress the power of evil, keep aggressors from our door and give us patience in dealing with difficult people. Clearly, not one of us can do this in and of ourselves. Bless us in Jesus Holy name, we pray.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, October 28,, 2008

Revenge, October 28,, 2008

He rules by His power forever; his eyes observe the nations; do not let the rebellious exalt themselves...
O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?
Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs—O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render punishment to the proud.
LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?
They utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.

Ps 66:7, Ps 94:1-23, Ps 74:10-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, the enemy does blaspheme Your Holy name. Help us never to use Your name and the name of Jesus except reverently. Your hand is not shortened that it can not both heal and destroy. We seek the healing of our hearts and minds this day that we might say, do and think that which is acceptable in Your sight.

Father, pride and boasting represent a mistake for us. You tell us they are insolent, sinful mistakes yet we persist in this error. Forgive us and let us not be the enemy upon whom You will exercise judgment. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, October 2, 2008

Revenge, October 2, 2008

He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, he who teaches man knowledge?
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, and teach out of Your law,
That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked.
For the LORD will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.
But judgment will return to righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence.

Psalms 94:9-17, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know that You formed all things, including us. We acknowledge that you are ever present. We thank You for both teaching us and correcting us.

You give us a constant choice as to whether to declare You to men or to stand in silence. We know that adversity is coming. We choose this day to leave judgment to You and to stand as witnesses in the midst of a world filled with iniquity. May our acquaintances this day know we are Christians by our love? Your response to our question is a resounding yes!

In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, September 11, 2008

Revenge, September 11, 2008

Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts.
Give to them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them according to the work of their hands; render to them what they deserve.
Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, nor the operation of His hands, he shall destroy them and not build them up.

Psalms 28:3-5, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know there are wicked people who treat us well to our face and think ill of us when we are not present. Such two-faced persons will be dealt with by You. They will be rendered what they deserve by You. Keep us from the temptation to "bring them down". Strengthen our resolve to trust You as we encounter such persons.

Give us a peaceful, gentle and wise reaction when evil comes into our midst, not a vengeful, angry heart. We all have a little "I will show you" in our hearts, but since You are willing to forgive us, we know we must not be vengeful with others.

Ultimately we do not want them to get what they deserve because seeing others destroyed, by You, would be a pitiful, painful sight. Give us wisdom as we deal with hate-filled people who simply have not accepted a new heart and a new start. It is by Your grace that we take our next breath. Help us today not to contribute to the pain others must be feeling when they disobey You.

In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, August 24, 2008

Revenge, August 24, 2008

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, August 3, 2008

Revenge, August 3, 2008

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, July 14, 2008

Revenge, July 14, 2008

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.
"Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.'
"And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'"
Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said.
"And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
"I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

Luke 18:1-8 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, here You teach us that fervent, constant prayer, from we who cry out to You, day and night, in the midst of our persecution, is commended. You tell us You will avenge, speedily, but we know from other things that You have told us that with You, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day. Help us keep the time we spend here in perspective. It is but a moment compared to eternity.

We sometimes act as though whatever we want will be addressed immediately when, in fact, You are using our circumstances to teach us to be patient. Your word says, "Wait, wait I say, upon the Lord". There are times, Father, when we thought there was something we really wanted You to do, and as it turns out, it is something that we are glad you did not do.

Teach us to not lose heart when events here seem hopelessly difficult. Help us, this day, to trust in Your judgment, to keep the faith and to know that You have shown us how much You care. We never go through trials, as Your children, alone. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, June 20, 2008

Revenge, June 20, 2008

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.
Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked;
For there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

Proverbs 24:17-20, www.solascriptura.com

Father, the Wisdom of Solomon tells us that we should take no pleasure in the failure of people who do not like us and that if we do, it displeases You.

Help us this day not to act as though we are responsible for judging the affairs of evil people. We pray for their salvation. Seeing the lamp of an evil person put out is to see them suffering in darkness forever.

We too once were disobedient (and we still are, at times). Thank You for preserving our opportunity to be saved even while we were yet sinners. We pray that Your enemies and our enemies will yet become Your forgiven children. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, June 8, 2008

Salvation, June 8, 2008

… We who first trusted in Christ...

In Him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:12-14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul was a Jew speaking to Jews, at first, (but many rejected Jesus as Messiah) and here in his letter to the Ephesians, a Gentile area, Paul teaches us that those who love You and obey You are "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise". Father, for this degree of certainty, we are grateful.

Our inheritance is guaranteed. It was purchased by the blood of Jesus, whose redemptive act guarantees our standing before You. Help us, this day, to fully grasp what has happened, what was foreknown to You before it ever happened and that which was clearly declared by Your prophets, hundred of years before it happened. Prophecy fulfilled; adding certainty where doubt could arise. You, Father, are the guarantor of our salvation. Perfect! Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, May 31, 2008

Revenge, May 31, 2008

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
"But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
"If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
"And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
"Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
"that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
"For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
"And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matt 5:38-48, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we are so ill-equipped to be perfect when we are in our flesh. Our flesh, the domain of evil inclinations, is as our enemy, something to be overcome. You, Father, have even called those who love You, "overcomers". Why Father have You created us in such weakness? We know the answer; so your power can be made manifest in our weakness allowing us to be as You.

Father, loving You, as we look at the wonder of Your creation, and learn of Your love for us, seems relatively easy compared to loving each other. We are "in the flesh" far too often, making it difficult for our children, spouses and friends to easily love us.

Since that seems true Father, help each of us this day to constantly check our demeanor, making it much easier to love and to be loved, to forgive and to be forgiven. There are times Father that we just don't feel like being Spiritually whole. Help us not to follow the lead of our feelings but to follow You. In Jesus' Holy name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, May 10, 2008

Revenge, May 10, 2008

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:17-21

Jesus, we know that You personally taught Paul the wisdom that he brings to us. What a reassuring thing it is to find complete consistency between his words and Yours.

Here we learn that when we are kind and gentle in the face of someone who is angry with us, it confounds them and our kindness, undeserved, actually disarms them. We take no credit for the fruits of the Spirit manifested in our relationships and we do not seek praise from men for being patient and full of self-control.

Teach us today what it means to say, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me". Help us this day to overcome evil with good. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Revenge, April 17, 2008

Revenge, April 17, 2008

" the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them."...
See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Luke 9:-56, 1Thessalonians 5:15, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, Your purpose is to save lives that we might exist in eternity with You. It is Satan that is set on bringing us down and accusing us of sin. Satan wins unless we realize that we need a new heart and a new start. You "save" us when we accept, by God's grace, Your sacrifice on the cross as one which cleanses each of us personally.

Equip us this day to not render evil for evil. Revenge is the province of the unforgiving where they presume to judge others instead of accepting and redistributing Your forgiveness and love.

Strengthen our resolve, this day, to be Your good and faithful servants. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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Revenge, March 25, 2008

Revenge, March 25, 2008

... it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power...

II Thessalonians 1:6-9, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, Paul reminds us that when judgment is dispensed it will be a righteous thing because it will be based upon justice. We know Father that the mercy seat sits upon the top of the Ark of the Covenant (the Law) and that mercy will prevail for those who seek it.

Revenge will be taken upon the enemy, not the children of You, Father. We, in sadness and with a sense of despair, see people pursuing sin and running from obedience. Give us, this day, a sense of urgency in our witness to those who seem to be fleeing from You.

The death of a saint is glorious but the death of an unrepentant sinner is an eternal tragedy. Help us to focus on what You would have us do in the face of such circumstances. We know that Your love in us is our only hope in reaching out to others. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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Revenge #17

‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

It is God who avenges me, and subdues the peoples under me; He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above

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

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

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