Salvation, March 11

Salvation, March 11

... Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,

how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Hebrews 9:11-15, 28, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You teach us here how Jesus replaced the Old Covenant and how the animal sacrifices Jews made for their sins were no longer sufficient.

You, Jesus, are the Mediator of the New Covenant, redeeming the souls of all who accept You as the Son of God. Sacrifice for sin is finished. You, Jesus covered all sin for all time with Your act of atonement.

You have taught us that the New Covenant is not "in addition" to the Old Covenant, but that it replaces the Old Covenant, yet, we who love You will naturally obey the commandments of our Lord. We do not obey in order to be saved, we obey because we love You and we are saved.

Eternal life is ours, thanks to the grace of You Father and the enabling act of sacrifice by You, Jesus.

We await Your glorious, triumphant return!

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, February 11

Salvation, February 11

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands... and purify your hearts...
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

James 4:8, 1 Peter 1:3-5 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we can see that this simple promise wherein if we draw near to You, You will draw near to us, is the key to our salvation. The opposite probably is true as well. If we distance ourselves from You, You will distance Yourself from us. We know from many scriptures that our sins grieve You. It seems our neglect of You, as we live our lives, does the same.

Help us today to focus on the fact that our inheritance, in You, is incorruptible, that our spirit, united with Your Spirit, will endure forever. May we cling to You when everything the world offers seems to be pulling us away. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, January 15

Salvation, January 15

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Gal 2:20, www.solascriptura.com

Father, as you know, this verse has been my personal prayer and a reality that I have hoped to experience in abundance for many years. I know that when "I live" and not you in me, that I am drawing upon my own resources, my own human nature. Father, my personal righteousness is truly as rags and serves as a burden. I want to cast if off but it will not go away as long as I am in this human body.

Father, we all have the same problem. We dwell in the flesh; we are subjected to temptation on all sides, every day. We know as we seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, afresh, constantly, that we draw nearer and nearer to You. Yet, perfection awaits; sanctification is a process, not a done deal but a process, one that we seek but do not fully apprehend this side of heaven.

We seek to be like You Jesus and we search the Scriptures to learn more about what that is like. This verse, written by the Apostle Paul, says his lower nature has been crucified, it is hung on a cross, and the battle for his soul is over. O'Father we each seek such certainty and we see that Paul says his certainty comes from his faith in You Jesus. Increase our faith this day, we pray.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, December 29

Salvation, December 29

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

Psalms 98:1-3 www.solascriptura.com

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, December 17

Salvation, December 17

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, November 29

Salvation, November 29

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

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

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

Help us this day to cast aside the sins of the past and to look to You for the strength to be the kind of person You have asked us to be. Let us perceive and focus on what can be instead of what was.

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

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, November 17

Salvation, November 17

You marched through the land in indignation; you trampled the nations in anger.
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, for salvation with Your Anointed...

Habakkuk 3:12-13 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know that in the end, your righteous indignation with those who did not accept You nor Your Son, is promised. We do not know the specifics of their fate but we do not need to know. All we need to do Father is to be among those who are saved, whose salvation is assured.

You are a God of justice and mercy. Father, we know any punishment for sin is justified and we know that Your mercy is our only hope. None of us are justified in Your sight except as You look at us through the cleansing act of Jesus.

Help us today to realize that our relationship with You is based upon our faith in Jesus and our obedience to Your law. The order is never different than "grace, mercy, faith and obedience" and that sequence can never be reversed.

Our obedience earns us nothing without faith and our faith follows our grasping of Your extended, merciful hand. We are grateful for Your grace and mercy leading us to faithfulness and good works. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, October 9

Salvation, October 9

"... as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
"They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
"Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
"but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
"Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
"In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back.
"Remember Lot's wife.
"Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
"I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.
"Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.
"Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left."
And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

Luke 17:26-37, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You teach us that it will be business as usual on the day that You take your saints to Your side. You also teach us that wherever we are in our relationship with You, on that day, that will be the basis upon which we are judged. If we choose to disobey You, as Lot's wife did, Your judgment will be rendered and it will all happen in the twinkling of an eye.

Jesus, it is also clear, from this teaching, that some will look back, trying to hold on to that which they have accumulated here. You tell us that trying to hold on to earthly treasures, earthly relationships, is a mistake. Our eyes, at that moment, must turn to You. You teach us that we must immediately recognize what is happening and that we must look only to You and cling to You, not our earthly circumstances.

Jesus, we will be very frightened when the moment of Your arrival signals our departure from all that we have known and experienced. Our faith will be severely tested, due to our lack of understanding, our inability to grasp what is happening. Help us in that moment to know that You have called us to Your side and that our eternity with You is at hand.

Jesus, we still have time to sort all of this out by turning from sin, studying Your word and praying for discernment. We know we will never succeed in grasping the entire scope of this without the power and clarity of the Holy Spirit in us. That is what we pray for today, Jesus, is more of You in our lives. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, September 1

Salvation, September 1

"Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled." But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

John 17:1-19 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, here You pray to the Father that none of us who choose You and obey You will be lost. You, in this situation, and for all time, are our Advocate. We know that Judas, the son of perdition, chose badly and that he suffered for his choice. Jesus, help us not to choose badly but to in fact be loyal and loving toward You and the Father, forever.

Jesus, You tell the Father that You gave us the Word, Your personal testimony. Your Word is a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path. Jesus, help us, this day, to know Your word, to store it in our hearts that we might not sin against You.

You have told us that You have chosen to not take us out of this world, yet, so we could serve You in proclaiming the Word. We have been "sent" by You. You have prayed to the Father that the evil one will be kept from us. What a bonus, Jesus; Satan held at a distance from Your children. Help us this day to find ways to bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, July 22

Salvation, July 22

For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Romans 10:13, 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, www.solascriptura.com

Father, This topic of Salvation is both pivotal and challenging. The scriptures leave us no "wiggle room". We are either in Your Holy hand, being cared for, for eternity, or we remain what we may have considered a safe distance. Father, we know You would rather have us hot than cold in our Spiritual life and that you detest a lukewarm response. Detest, seems like too strong a word but Revelation 3:16 says it so graphically as to not need repeating.

Your counsel Father is to have us not conform to the world's standards but instead to look to Your eternal standards for direction. Father, it is not easy to conform to Your expectations all of the time. We pray for wisdom and discernment in our daily lives so our witness may be seen as a positive thing, not a negative thing, by our friends, family and co-workers.

Father, we do want to join with believers everywhere and to be able to say "I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me". It is truly a miracle that You have allowed us to take on Your Spiritual nature, at times. Help us to get to that point more and more often. Sanctify us, this day, we pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, August 12

Salvation, August 12

... do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:3-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, this teaching of Paul is perhaps the pivotal issue in our endeavor to experience Your grace and mercy. You say that our heart of flesh must die in the same way that Jesus died on the Cross. It is clear to us now, that if Jesus had not gone to the Cross, our sins would still be with us.

So too, if our old nature is not crucified, then our sins of the past are still with us. Jesus, our Spiritual birth is only available to us because of You. We could never enter into the Holy Father's presence if our sins had not been forgiven.

That is why, Jesus, You have shown us that this is the most important teaching. Our faith in the fact of Your life and Your redemptive act allows us to have a new Spirit filled heart and a new earthly start leading to an eternal reward. All of our past sins were permanently removed, never to be remembered against us again when we came to You in all humility and contrition, seeking a new life in You.

Now, Jesus, we know that even after we experience salvation, we still have a heart of flesh that will be continually challenged. You teach us that the difference is that, because of our faith in You, You have sent the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, to counsel and comfort us and to continue to forgive us daily as we seek to be more like You. Thank You Jesus for teaching us Your word, every day. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, June 28

Salvation, June 28

...do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Rom 13:11-14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, now we know where the expression, "it is high time we did so and so" came from. It is indeed "high time" to wake up because our salvation is nearer than we first believed. In some cases, mine in particular, the time allotted is far spent. In other cases, the lives of some of these loved ones who share in this prayer has hardly begun. Each allotted day of our lives is a day in which we can either bring glory to You or not. We thank You Father for teaching us that "finishing well" matters, no matter when we start the journey.

Help us this day to put on the armor of Light, to yield to the illumination You are offering. What a precarious thing it is to walk in total darkness. We can visualize how difficult it would be to extend our hands and "feel" our way through each day. That is how You portray one who chooses to walk in sin, as one agreeing to walk in darkness.

Even worse, Father, is to be standing in the Light, then quickly stepping into darkness. The contrast is truly blinding! Bless and lead us this day and have Your Light guide us. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Satan, May 29

Satan, May 29

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan[b] also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?"
So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"
So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"
And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person."
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know how this story from the Book of Job turned out Job, (after many trials, was greatly blessed) but here we learn some very important facts about Satan, prior to him being cast out of heaven. Satan, a blessed, but eternally fallen angel, became Your enemy and the enemy of all those who love You.

Here we see that Satan has powers to tempt us (to sin), granted by the Father. Father, this excerpt makes a powerful point. Satan is claiming that some men love You who are blessed by You and that if their blessings are taken away, apparently for no good reason, they will abandon their faith in You.

Father, we too face the same temptation. When we lose our resources (home, money, jobs, a loved one, etc.) we are greatly saddened and the test ensues. What will be our response? We know Job's response was one of continued faith and patience, even when Satan was allowed to attack his physical health in a final attempt to break his spirit.

Father, life is a cherished reality and when the quality of this life is threatened, we are severely tested. It is at that time that we pray You will show us the wonders of Your presence and creation and the enduring strength of Your Holy Spirit in us. We know that to be absent from the body is to be present with You, provided we have committed our spirit to be joined with Your Spirit. We do not wish to leave as long as You have things You want us to do.

Help us O'God to focus on Your eternal love when the temporary things, which will not survive anyway, are taken away. Bless us and strengthen us this day. In Jesus' name we pray.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, May 20

Salvation, May 20

If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

I John 2:1-3, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know there will be a trial on Judgment Day. This will be the day when the saints are separated from the sinners. Since we all have sinned and come short of Your glory Father, there is only one piece of evidence that can either convict us or deliver us to a heavenly destination. We either have been born again, experiencing a Spirit filled conversion that led to or leads to a new life in You Jesus, or we have not. If we have, Your word says "keeping the commandments" will be the evidence of our love.

Father, You have sent Jesus and our response to his offer of salvation makes him our Advocate. What a perfect scenario. We are on trial and the one with the power to convict steps up and says "not guilty". It will be the encapsulating righteousness of the Messiah that will allow us to stand in Your Holy, perfect, eternally blissful presence.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, April 28

Salvation, April 28

... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13 www.solascriptura.com

Father, You continually teach us that we each bear our own responsibilities in relation to You. Our relationship is personal. It is not a relationship we are able to inherit or claim as a member of an organization or as a member of a Christian family. We come to You as individuals, seeking to do Your will, knowing that it pleases You immensely when we do so.

What things would you have us do to "work out" our salvation? We know the answer. We only can develop that which You have given us, the potential you intended when You extended Your grace to us. It is Jesus who is now our Master Teacher, who by the power of the Holy Spirit, illuminates our path.

We must look to Your words, Your heartfelt guidance and Your unending spiritual resources, which are readily available to us. Help us today to be part of the solution in bringing words of reassurance to those we meet.

Bless us this day as we draw near to You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, April 5

Salvation, April 5

"Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--

"not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD.

"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Jeremiah 31:31-33, www.solascriptura.com

Father, this Old Testament prophecy signaled the coming of the Messiah, the One who would cause the relationship of every human being to change as it pertains to You. The Old Covenant was a promise to Israel, Your chosen people. It did not surprise You that they would fail to comply with Your commandments, but You, in Your mercy and grace, provided a solution, a Savior, Your only begotten Son, the Messiah, Jesus.

Father, Your prophet tells us here that a New Covenant was coming, wherein all mankind would have Your laws written on their hearts and minds. Father, each of us are recipients of the New Covenant and we praise You for not requiring us to be redeemed by our adherence to the Law, something Israel could not do and something we are unable to do. The straight edge of the Law simply clarifies the extent of our sins.

Yes, we are still to obey the Law, but there is a new Law in place, wherein Your grace, and our faith in Jesus, leads us to want to obey You and this is the best part Father; Jesus not only paid for our sins but He said the Holy Spirit would come to comfort us, teach us and give us counsel after He was resurrected and taken to Your side.

We are Your people Father and You are our God. Thank You just doesn't quite cover the gratitude we feel. How can we adequately respond to the promise of eternal life? We know the answer, because Jesus told us: Love You with all of our heart, mind and soul and love our neighbor as ourselves. Help us to do so, today. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, March 11

Salvation, March 11

... Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,

how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Hebrews 9:11-15, 28, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You teach us here how Jesus replaced the Old Covenant and how the animal sacrifices Jews made for their sins were no longer sufficient.

You, Jesus, are the Mediator of the New Covenant, redeeming the souls of all who accept You as the Son of God. Sacrifice for sin is finished. You, Jesus covered all sin for all time with Your act of atonement.

You have taught us that the New Covenant is not "in addition" to the Old Covenant, but that it replaces the Old Covenant, yet, we who love You will naturally obey the commandments of our Lord. We do not obey in order to be saved, we obey because we love You and we are saved.

Eternal life is ours, thanks to the grace of You Father and the enabling act of sacrifice by You, Jesus.

We await Your glorious, triumphant return!

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, February 11

Salvation, February 11

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands... and purify your hearts...
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

James 4:8, 1 Peter 1:3-5 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we can see that this simple promise wherein if we draw near to You, You will draw near to us, is the key our salvation. The opposite probably is true as well. If we distance ourselves from You, You will distance Yourself from us. We know from many scriptures that our sins grieve You. It seems our neglect of You, as we live our lives, does the same.

Help us today to focus on the fact that our inheritance, in You, is incorruptible, that our spirit, united with Your Spirit, will endure forever. May we cling to You when everything the world offers seems to be pulling us away. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, January 15, 2009

Salvation, January 15, 2009

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Gal 2:20, www.solascriptura.com
Father, as you know, this verse has been my personal prayer and a reality that I have hoped to experience in abundance for many years. I know that when "I live" and not you in me, that I am drawing upon my own resources, my own human nature. Father, my personal righteousness is truly as rags and serves as a burden. I want to cast if off but it will not go away as long as I am in this human body.
Father, we all have the same problem. We dwell in the flesh; we are subjected to temptation on all sides, every day. We know as we seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, afresh, constantly, that we draw nearer and nearer to You. Yet, perfection awaits; sanctification is a process, not a done deal but a process, one that we seek but do not fully apprehend this side of heaven.
We seek to be like You Jesus and we search the Scriptures to learn more about what that is like. This verse, written by the Apostle Paul, says his lower nature has been crucified, it is hung on a cross, and the battle for his soul is over. O'Father we each seek such certainty and we see that Paul says his certainty comes from his faith in You Jesus. Increase our faith this day, we pray.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, December 29, 2008

Salvation, December 29, 2008

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

Psalms 98:1-3 www.solascriptura.com

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, December 17, 2008

Salvation, December 17, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, November 29, 2008

Salvation, November 29, 2008
Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.
Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD-- your salvation according to Your word.
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances.
So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever.
My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word.
My eyes fail from searching Your word, saying, "When will You comfort me?"

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

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

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

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

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, November 17, 2008

Salvation, November 17, 2008

You marched through the land in indignation; you trampled the nations in anger.
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, for salvation with Your Anointed...

Habakkuk 3:12-13 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know that in the end, your righteous indignation with those who did not accept You nor Your Son, is promised. We do not know the specifics of their fate but we do not need to know. All we need to do Father is to be among those who are saved, whose salvation is assured.

You are a God of justice and mercy. Father, we know any punishment for sin is justified and we know that Your mercy is our only hope. None of us are justified in Your sight except as You look at us through the cleansing act of Jesus.

Help us today to realize that our relationship with You is based upon our faith in Jesus and our obedience to Your law. The order is never different than "grace, mercy, faith and obedience" and that sequence can never be reversed.

Our obedience earns us nothing without faith and our faith follows our grasping of Your extended, merciful hand. We are grateful for Your grace and mercy leading us to faithfulness and good works. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, November 2, 2008

Salvation, November 2, 2008

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
"No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
"These things I command you, that you love one another.

John 15:9-17 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, here you teach us that keeping Your commandments is a pathway to maintaining our love towards You. We know that disobedience is an error and that You honor our will to serve You in the best possible way. You teach us that Your joy remains in us as we serve You. Would it be true Jesus that in failing to have joy in serving You that we would be missing that which You intended?

You teach us that the most evident thing we can do is to make sacrifices for others, as evidence of our love for them. Surely, Jesus, Your sacrifice for us was the most precious gift You could offer for our redemption. You said, "I call you friends", because all that the Father revealed to You, You have revealed to us. You have drawn us along side You, embraced us and loved us, teaching us by the power of the Holy Spirit, a gift for the here and now that has no equal.

Then You tell us, "I have chosen you" and appointed us that we might bear fruit. We see that the fruit we bear, in Your name will remain. No effort to serve You is ever forgotten. Oh, Jesus, absent Your power we can not bear fruit that endures. Lead us this day, to be fruitful, in Your Holy name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, October 9, 2008

Salvation, October 9, 2008

"... as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
"They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
"Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
"but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
"Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
"In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back.
"Remember Lot's wife.
"Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
"I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.
"Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.
"Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left."
And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

Luke 17:26-37, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, You teach us that it will be business as usual on the day that You take your saints to Your side. You also teach us that wherever we are in our relationship with You, on that day, that will be the basis upon which we are judged. If we choose to disobey You, as Lot's wife did, Your judgment will be rendered and it will all happen in the twinkling of an eye.

Jesus, it is also clear, from this teaching, that some will look back, trying to hold on to that which they have accumulated here. You tell us that trying to hold on to earthly treasures, earthly relationships, is a mistake. Our eyes, at that moment, must turn to You. You teach us that we must immediately recognize what is happening and that we must look only to You and cling to You, not our earthly circumstances.

Jesus, we will be very frightened when the moment of Your arrival signals our departure from all that we have known and experienced. Our faith will be severely tested, due to our lack of understanding, our inability to grasp what is happening. Help us in that moment to know that You have called us to Your side and that our eternity with You is at hand.

Jesus, we still have time to sort all of this out by turning from sin, studying Your word and praying for discernment. We know we will never succeed in grasping the entire scope of this without the power and clarity of the Holy Spirit in us. That is what we pray for today, Jesus, is more of You in our lives. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, September 18, 2008

Salvation, September 18, 2008
Jesus... lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, "as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
"I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
"Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.
"For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
"I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
"And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.

John 17:1-26, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, this prayer, to the Father, clarifies for us, Your mission. You came to declare the truth to all nations. We know, Jesus, that You have been given all authority and that in the end, mankind will be judged by You.

Jesus, since God knew who would respond to His love, because of His Omniscience, knowing all things, knowing the beginning from the end, You have told us here that not one soul will be lost who responds to the message of salvation. We also see that the ball is in our court. It is our volition that permits us to choose righteousness over evil, love over hate and fidelity over infidelity.

Help us this day to exercise the right of choice and to choose wisely, knowing that the choice we make is of eternal significance. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, September 1, 2008

Salvation, September 1, 2008

"Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled." But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

John 17:1-19 www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, here You pray to the Father that none of us who choose You and obey You will be lost. You, in this situation, and for all time, are our Advocate. We know that Judas, the son of perdition, chose badly and that he suffered for his choice. Jesus, help us not to choose badly but to in fact be loyal and loving toward You and the Father, forever.

Jesus, You tell the Father that You gave us the Word, Your personal testimony. Your Word is a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path. Jesus, help us, this day, to know Your word, to store it in our hearts that we might not sin against You.

You have told us that You have chosen to not take us out of this world, yet, so we could serve You in proclaiming the Word. We have been "sent" by You. You have prayed to the Father that the evil one will be kept from us. What a bonus, Jesus; Satan held at a distance from Your children. Help us this day to find ways to bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, August 12, 2008

Salvation, August 12, 2008

... do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:3-11 www.solascriptura.com

Father, this teaching of Paul is perhaps the pivotal issue in our endeavor to experience Your grace and mercy. You say that our heart of flesh must die in the same way that Jesus died on the Cross. It is clear to us now, that if Jesus had not gone to the Cross, our sins would still be with us.

So too, if our old nature is not crucified, then our sins of the past are still with us. Jesus, our Spiritual birth is only available to us because of You. We could never enter into the Father's presence if our sins had not been forgiven.

That is why, Jesus, You have shown us that this is the most important teaching. Our faith in the fact of Your life and Your redemptive act allows us to have a new Spirit filled heart and a new earthly start leading to an eternal reward. All of our past sins were permanently removed, never to be remembered against us again when we came to You in all humility and contrition, seeking a new life in You.

Now, Jesus, we know that even after we experience salvation, we still have a heart of flesh that will be continually challenged. You teach us that the difference is that, because of our faith in You, You have sent the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, to counsel and comfort us and to continue to forgive us daily as we seek to be more like You. Thank You Jesus for teaching us Your word, every day. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, July 22, 2008

Salvation, July 22, 2008

For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Romans 10:13, 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, www.solascriptura.com

Father, This topic of Salvation is both pivotal and challenging. The scriptures leave us no "wiggle room". We are either in Your Holy hand, being cared for, for eternity, or we remain what we may have considered a safe distance. Father, we know You would rather have us hot than cold in our Spiritual life and that you detest a lukewarm response. Detest, seems like too strong a word but Revelation 3:16 says it so graphically as to not need repeating.

Your counsel Father is to have us not conform to the world's standards but instead to look to Your eternal standards for direction. Father, it is not easy to conform to Your expectations all of the time. We pray for wisdom and discernment in our daily lives so our witness may be seen as a positive thing, not a negative thing, by our friends, family and co-workers.

Father, we do want to join with believers everywhere and to be able to say "I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me". It is truly a miracle that You have allowed us to take on Your Spiritual nature, at times. Help us to get to that point more and more often. Sanctify us, this day, we pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, June 28, 2008

Salvation, June 28, 2008

...do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Rom 13:11-14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, now we know where the expression, "it is high time we did so and so" came from. It is indeed "high time" to wake up because our salvation is nearer than we first believed. In some cases, mine in particular, the time allotted is far spent. In other cases, the lives of some of these loved ones who share in this prayer has hardly begun. Each allotted day of our lives is a day in which we can either bring glory to You or not. We thank You Father for teaching us that "finishing well" matters, no matter when we start the journey.

Help us this day to put on the armor of Light, to yield to the illumination You are offering. What a precarious thing it is to walk in total darkness. We can visualize how difficult it would be to extend our hands and "feel" our way through each day. That is how You portray one who chooses to walk in sin, as one agreeing to walk in darkness.

Bless and lead us this day and have Your Light guide us. 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

Salvation, May 20, 2008

Salvation, May 20, 2008

If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

I John 2:1-3, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know there will be a trial on Judgment Day. This will be the day when the saints are separated from the sinners. Since we all have sinned and come short of Your glory Father, there is only one piece of evidence that can either convict us or deliver us to a heavenly destination. We either have been born again, experiencing a Spirit filled conversion that led to or leads to a new life in You Jesus, or we have not.

Father, You have sent Jesus and our response to his offer of salvation makes him our Advocate. What a perfect scenario. We are on trial and the one with the power to convict steps up and says "not guilty". It will be the encapsulating righteousness of the Messiah that will allow us to stand in Your Holy, perfect, eternally blissful presence.

Bruce Caldwell

Salvation, April 28, 2008

Salvation, April 28, 2008

... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13 www.solascriptura.com

Father, You continually teach us that we each bear our own responsibilities in relation to You. Our relationship is personal. It is not a relationship we are able to inherit or claim as a member of an organization or as a member of a Christian family. We come to You as individuals, seeking to do Your will, knowing that it pleases You immensely when we do so.

What things would you have us do to "work out" our salvation? We know the answer. We must look to Your words, Your heartfelt guidance and Your unending resources, which are readily available to us. Help us today to be part of the solution in bringing words of reassurance to those we meet.

Bless us this day as we draw near to You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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Salvation, April 5, 2008

Salvation, April 5, 2008

"Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--

"not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD.

"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Jeremiah 31:31-33, www.solascriptura.com

Father, this Old Testament prophecy signaled the coming of the Messiah, the One who would cause the relationship of every human being to change as it pertains to You. The Old Covenant was a promise to Israel, Your chosen people. It did not surprise You that they would fail to comply with Your commandments, but You, in Your mercy and grace, provided a solution, a Savior, Your only begotten Son, the Messiah, Jesus.

Father, Your prophet tells us here that a New Covenant was coming, wherein all mankind would have Your laws written on their hearts and minds. Father, each of us are recipients of the New Covenant and we praise You for not requiring us to be redeemed by our adherence to the Law, something Israel could not do and something we are unable to do. The straight edge of the Law simply clarifies the extent of our sins.

Yes, we are still to obey the Law, but there is a new Law in place, wherein Your grace, and our faith in Jesus, leads us to want to obey You and this is the best part Father; Jesus not only paid for our sins but He said the Holy Spirit would come to comfort us, teach us and give us counsel after He was resurrected and taken to Your side.

We are Your people Father and You are our God. Thank You just doesn't quite cover the gratitude we feel. How can we adequately respond to the promise of eternal life? We know the answer, because Jesus told us: Love You with all of our heart, mind and soul and love our neighbor as ourselves. Help us to do so, today. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

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Salvation, March 11, 2008

Salvation, March 11, 2008

... Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,

how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Hebrews 9:11-15, 28, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You teach us here how Jesus replaced the Old Covenant and how the animal sacrifices Jews made for their sins were no longer sufficient.

You, Jesus, are the Mediator of the New Covenant, redeeming the souls of all who accept You as the Son of God. Sacrifice for sin is finished. You, Jesus covered all sin for all time with Your act of atonement.

You have taught us that the New Covenant is not "in addition" to the Old Covenant, but that it replaces the Old Covenant, yet, we who love You will naturally obey the commandments of our Lord. We do not obey in order to be saved, we obey because we love You and we are saved.

Eternal life is ours, thanks to the grace of You Father and the enabling act of sacrifice by You, Jesus.

We await Your glorious, triumphant return!

Bruce Caldwell

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Salvation #24

... 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession.

Psalms 2:7-8 www.solascriptura.com

Father, we know the Psalmist is referring to Jesus here but we also know from many references that we are Your sons, Your children and that our birth was no surprise to You.

You have told us that Jesus has been given all authority when it comes to separating the saints from the sinners, the sheep from the goats and we see here that Jesus possesses everything that exists, now and forever. Our future is in Your care Jesus. When we have been claimed by You by responding to Your love, we belong to the Father. You and the Father are One.

Help us this day to look to You for guidance, comfort and counsel. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell