Sharing the Word: December 2010

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 21, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:31 (HCSB)
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the Lord.

Proverbs 21:31 (MSG)
Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust God to bring victory.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 35:9-10 (HCSB)
⁹Then I will rejoice in the Lord; I will delight in His deliverance. ¹⁰My very bones will say, "Lord, who is like You, rescuing the poor from one too strong for him, the poor or the needy from one who robs him?"

Psalm 35:27-28 (HCSB)
²⁷Let those who want my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them continually say, "The Lord be exalted. He takes pleasure in His servant's well-being." ²⁸And my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness, Your praise all day long.

My observation:

The focal passage for today is a wonderful one to close out my sharing with family and friends this year. I will take time off from writing for the rest of this month. However, I will be back in January. It is good to know as we prepare for a New Year that we don't have to face a single day worrying about the future, and what it might bring. Whatever we have to face we don't have to face it alone. We can do our best, and trust God to bring victory.

Here are two examples from the Old Testament that tells us how knowing this truth, and heeding it brings victory. The first example is David the writer of today's focal Psalm. In addition to the focal passage, David also said this on another occasion.

Psalm 27:3 (HCSB)
Though an army deploys against me, my heart is not afraid; though a war breaks out against me, still I am confident.

David never lost sight of this truth. He was not perfect, but he served a perfect God. David trusted in the Lord with his whole heart no matter what he encountered in life.

Asa is another who knew this truth, and he started out well, and the Lord blessed him, and gave him many victories. However, he did not end well.

2 Chronicles 14:11 (HCSB)
Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God: "Lord, there is no one besides You to help the mighty and those without strength. Help us, Lord our God, for we depend on You, and in Your name we have come against this large army. Yahweh, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal hinder You."

2 Chronicles 16:9-10 (HCSB)
⁹For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His. You have been foolish in this matter. Therefore, you will have wars from now on." ¹⁰Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison because of his anger over this. And Asa mistreated some of the people at that time.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You watch over your people. David and Asa provide wonderful examples for us. Father, I would rather put my trust in the King of Heaven like David than in the kings of this world like Asa did in the latter years of his reign as king. God's servant tried to warn Asa, but he would not listen.

Father God, I pray that I will be quick to repent when I am wrong. Lord, I want to be included in the choir with David, and those who rejoice because of the victories that the Lord is faithful to give to his people who trust in him. Lord, I want to be with those who go the distance with the Lord, those who never give in or give up.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and have a BLESSED NEW YEAR.

My song:

Hallelujah Chorus (Click on link below to listen to this classic):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org

Current topic: A Proverb a day for wisdom, and a Psalm a day for inspiration.

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 20, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 20:27 (HCSB)
The Lord's lamp ⌊sheds light on⌋ a person's life, searching the innermost parts.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 35:1-3 (HCSB)
¹Oppose my opponents, Lord; fight those who fight me. ²Take Your shields—large and small— and come to my aid. ³Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers, and assure me: "I am your deliverance."

Psalm 35:11-12 (HCSB)
¹¹Malicious witnesses come forward; they question me about things I do not know. ¹²They repay me evil for good, making me desolate.

Psalm 35:23-24 (HCSB)
²³Wake up and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my Lord! ²⁴Vindicate me, Lord my God, in keeping with Your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me.

My observation:

Todays focal passage from the Psalm presents two problems that David sought the help of the Lord. The first was his attackers and the second was his accusers. You and I will have to deal with these types of foes at some point in our Christian life. Our chief foe is Satan, and he would like to murder all of God's children if he could. He is behind those who attack and accuse God's children.

John 8:44 (HCSB)
You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars.

However, we don't have to be discouraged or despondent. The Lord is our helper and our defender, and he will not allow Satan to have the upper hand over his children. We can take comfort in knowing that the Lord is our deliverer. Whether it is your foes on the battlefield, or your accuser in the courtroom, the Lord will fight for us.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, the words of the psalmist is a comfort to my heart today. The struggle of living in a fallen world gets tiring, and it is a battle that you never intended for your people to fight.

Father God, I thank you that you provide deliverance for your people from their attackers and their accusers. Father, like your servant David, when we are under attack we need to hear those calming words from your mouth, "I am your deliverance".

My song:

No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_No_One_Ever_Cared.html

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Sunday Morning Reflections_December 19, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 20:5 (HCSB)
Counsel in a man's heart is deep water; but a man of understanding draws it out.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 90:9-12 (HCSB)
⁹For all our days ebb away under Your wrath; we end our years like a sigh. ¹⁰Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away. ¹¹Who understands the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear that is due You. ¹²Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.

The Word for inspiration:

Isaiah 9:6 (HCSB)
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Romans 8:35-39 (HCSB)
³⁵Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. ³⁷No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. ³⁸For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, ⌊hostile⌋ powers, ³⁹height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that the Promised Messiah has come, and that he finished the work you sent him to do. Father God, I thank you that Jesus is alive today. Father, I thank you that because of Jesus, nothing can separate us from you or from our precious Savior.

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 17, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 17:17 (HCSB)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:22 (HCSB)
The Lord redeems the life of His servants, and all who take refuge in Him will not be punished.

My observation:

The entire Psalm up to this verse is an acrostic in the original language. This verse stands alone, and is a summary of what the Lord will do for his believing people.

The Lord redeems his people. David's habit was to give praise when praise is due, and praise is due to the Lord. If you have a story of personal redemption, you ought to give the Lord some praise. My story is really his story. If it had not been for the Lord, and what he did for me, I would not have a story.

Psalm 107:1-3 (HCSB)
¹Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. ²Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe ³and has gathered them from the lands— from the east and the west, from the north and the south.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I will be forever grateful that because of my faith in Jesus, my Savior, that I can say that I am redeemed. Thank you Lord for doing for me what I could not do for myself. Without the Lord in my life I would surely be guilty; without hope and without a helper. But, with Jesus I have everything I need today and forever.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB)
He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

My song:

Without God I Could Do Nothing (Click on link below to listen to Bishop G.E. Patterson sing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkjKvs-35D4&feature=related

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 16, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:19 (HCSB)
Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.

My observation:

When you think about adversity it comes in many forms. However, I have observed that it comes eventually into the lives of everyone. It comes in the lives of the old, but it also visits the lives of the young. The rich and the poor have to face and deal with adversity.

Today's Psalm is a reminder to us that the righteous have to face adversity. However, there is a big difference in how the Lord deals with adversity faced by the unrighteous and the righteous. First, notice how he deals with the unrighteous.

Psalm 34:16 (HCSB)
The face of the Lord is set against those who do what is evil, to erase all memory of them from the earth.

Conversely, notice how the Lord deals with the righteous when they have to face adversity in their lives.

Psalm 34:17 (HCSB)
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them from all their troubles.

The Lord has set the criteria by which he will respond in the times when we face adversity.

Psalm 34:18 (HCSB)
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.

David understood this criteria and he embraced it. He chose to seek the nearness of God, and to do it God's way.

Psalm 51:17 (HCSB)
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.

Psalm 51:1-2 (HCSB)
¹Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. ²Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the graciousness that is exhibited by the loving favor that you give freely to your obedient children. Lord, I know that I can make it through any adversity when the Lord is near me to deliver me from all of my troubles.

My song:

Close to Thee (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/386

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 15, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:8-9 (HCSB)
⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. ⁹The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:16-18 (HCSB)
¹⁶The face of the Lord is set against those who do what is evil, to erase all memory of them from the earth. ¹⁷The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. ¹⁸The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.

My observation:

When you look out over our world, you come to the conclusion that life is hard. Yes, that is true. However, there is a greater truth, God is good, and the best is yet to come. Life is even more difficult if we try to live and manage it our way in defiance of living life the way our Maker has laid out for us in the bible.

God is for us. That is good news, and the enemy of your soul seeks to get you to discount that message. God loves you so much that he was your friend even while you were still his enemy. The Psalmist spoke truth when he said this about who the Lord will hear when they call upon him.

Psalm 34:18 (AMP)
The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.

The Word for encouragement:

Romans 5:6-11 (HCSB)
⁶For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. ⁸But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! ⁹Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. ¹⁰For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, ⌊then how⌋ much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! ¹¹And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have now received this reconciliation through Him.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am overwhelmed by the thought of how much you love sinners, and the extent that you have gone to provide for the salvation of the ungodly. Lord, during this Christmas season, I am especially mindful of the reason for the season. Father God, I believe in and rejoice in the Christ of Christmas.

John 1:12 (HCSB)
But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name.

My song:

Joy to the World (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91brmsKeqcQ&feature=related

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 14, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:30 (AMP)
A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:15-17 (HCSB)
¹⁵The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry for help. ¹⁶The face of the Lord is set against those who do what is evil, to erase all memory of them from the earth. ¹⁷The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them from all their troubles.

My observation:

David had some good news and some blessed assurances for God's people in today's focal passage from the Psalms.

There are three things from this passage that should delight the heart of every child of God. David not only wanted his generation, but the next generation to know these truths. We should do the same. When we receive a blessing from the Lord, we should rejoice and tell somebody how good and gracious our God is.

The first assurance that David was happy to pass on was that God sees your need. We see this in verse fifteen, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous". The second assurance is also in verse fifteen, the Lord hears your prayer, "and His ears are open to their cry for help". The third assurance is in verse seventeen, and it is that the Lord delivers his people; He "delivers them from all their troubles".

It is true that troubles come into the lives of the righteous and the wicked. However, there is a difference in God's provisions. God's provides a complete protection plan for the righteous. Notice that the word says in verse seventeen, "and delivers them from all their troubles". David didn't stop there in describing God's complete protection plan; he went further in verse twenty.

Psalm 34:20 (HCSB)
He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I rejoice in knowing that you are a God who sees the needs of your people, your ears hear the prayers of your people, and that by your almighty power you deliver your people from all of their troubles. Father God, these are the kind of promises that I can stand on, and rest in. Lord, I bless you, and praise you for your wonderful promises.

My song:

Standing on the Promises (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/340

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 13, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:21 (HCSB)
Disaster pursues sinners, but good rewards the righteous.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:11-14 (HCSB)
¹¹Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ¹²Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good? ¹³Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. ¹⁴Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.

My observation:

The featured Proverb for today reminds me of the passage I read yesterday from the Psalms. So I decided to return to it and reflect on it today. In this portion David gives some wisdom instruction based on his personal experience. David was a man who sought the Lord, and found him to be a strong tower which he could run to for help and find shelter during the storms of life.

Psalm 34:4 (HCSB)
I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:10 (HCSB)
Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.

There are a lot of wisdom instructions in the Proverbs and in the Psalms, but to do you any good, you must first learn to fear the Lord, and do what he tells you to do. God is a good God, and you can trust him with your whole life.

Proverbs 13:18 (AMP)
Poverty and shame come to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof is honored.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the blessings that you give to those who fear the Lord, and walk in your ways. Father, I pray that I will have ears to hear, a heart that receives, and feet that are quick to walk in the pathway of truth and righteousness. I pray that I will be willing to follow everywhere my Savior leads me.

My song:

Follow On (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/461

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Sunday Morning Reflections

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:14 (HCSB)
A man will be satisfied with good by the words of his mouth, and the work of a man's hands will reward him.

The Word for inspiration:

The Word for encouragement:

1 Kings 3:5-10 (HCSB)
⁵At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask. What should I give you?" ⁶And Solomon replied, "You have shown great and faithful love to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today. ⁷"Lord my God, You have now made Your servant king in my father David's place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. ⁸Your servant is among Your people You have chosen, a people too numerous to be numbered or counted. ⁹So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" ¹⁰Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this.

1 Kings 3:12-14 (HCSB)
¹²I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again. ¹³In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no man in any kingdom will be your equal during your entire life. ¹⁴If you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, as we enter this season of giving and receiving, I am so grateful for your generosity. Father, it is a blessing to be the recipient of the grace gifts from my loving Lord. Father God, give me a heart for giving that will use the gauge for my giving the measure that you use for giving to me.

Luke 6:38 (HCSB)
Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."

My song:

You Can't Beat God Giving (Click on link below to listen to this Doris Akers classic):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XP_zMJXc9g

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 10, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 10:9 (HCSB)
The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:8-10 (HCSB)
⁸Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him! ⁹You who are His holy ones, fear Yahweh, for those who fear Him lack nothing. ¹⁰Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.

My observation:

When you think about the goodness of God, the child of God can't help but do like David, and burst out in singing praise to the Lord.

There are some things in life that you have to experience for yourself. One of those things is the blessings of the Lord. God has a blessing that is custom made just for you. All of God's children are special in the heavenly Father's eyes. As one of my friends is fond of saying, "God don't make any junk".

Psalm 139:14-16 (MSG)
¹⁴I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! ¹⁵You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. ¹⁶Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

It is good to end the week reflecting on our focal passage from Psalm. It is good to pause and just think about the goodness of the Lord in your own life. Has God been good to you?

Psalm 34:8 (MSG)
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I have personally experienced your blessings in my life. Father God, I thank you because I have tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord. Your praise shall continue to flow from a grateful heart all the days of my life. My story and my song is, "God is So Good".

My song:

God is So Good (Click on link below to listen to Mahalia Jackson sing this song so sweetly):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1yOl5DCntI&feature=related

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 9, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 9:6-9 (MSG)
⁶Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning." ⁷If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins. ⁸So don't waste your time on a scoffer; all you'll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that's different—they'll love you for it! ⁹Save your breath for the wise—they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know—they'll profit from it.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:7 (HCSB)
The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.

My observation:

Today's verse from the Psalm gives another reason why David had reason to bless the Lord. In this verse it is the presence of the Lord, and his keeping power. In the Old Testament there were appearances of Jesus as the Angel of the Lord. But, when you come to the New Testament you don't see the Lord appearing as an angel because he became a man and lived among his people for a brief period of time. He is now gone back to his Father's house, but he left his people with his abiding presence.

Matthew 28:20 (HCSB)
teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB)
Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.

Because of the abiding presence of the risen Christ in your life you are able to live in faith and without fear of anything or anyone that may come against you in this world.

Hebrews 13:6 (HCSB)
Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so blessed that I can wake up every day, and be comforted in knowing the Lord is my savior and my keeper. Father, I thank you that every day is a happy day for me because the Lord in me is greater than anything or anyone that will come against me. I can rejoice every day because I am so blessed.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB)
¹⁶Rejoice always! ¹⁷Pray constantly. ¹⁸Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

My song:

Oh Happy Day (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfQLfur1eXM

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 8, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 8:1 (NLT)
Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!

Proverbs 8:4 (NLT)
"I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people.

Proverbs 8:6-7 (NLT)
⁶Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, ⁷for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:4-6 (HCSB)
⁴I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. ⁵Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. ⁶This poor man cried, and the Lord heard ⌊him⌋ and saved him from all his troubles.

My observation:

When faced with problems and difficulties, there are many places that we can turn for help. It is important what voice we listen to. We know by instinct that we should listen to the wisest voice. David did not do at first what he knew to be the wisest choice.

There are two powerful things that determine who we listen to in our day of trouble. The natural response to trouble is fear. That is okay, but it should not be our only response. It is a built in response to alert us to danger. Our response to the alert is important. This is where, for the believer, our faith in the Lord should kick in.

David learned his lesson. Turning to the enemy was not a wise choice. Why seek the aid of the enemy when you can ask the Lord to help you? When David made the wise choice he discovered that when you call upon the Lord in faith that he saves you from all your troubles.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that I don't have to succumb to my fears, but that I can seek the aid and assistance of my Savior in my day of trouble. Father God, I am so happy that you sent Jesus to be my Savior, and that with him nothing is impossible.

My song:

When I Call on Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz8P96myUZk&feature=related

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 7, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 7:1 (HCSB)
My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:1-3 (MSG)
¹A David psalm, when he outwitted Abimelech and got away. I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. ²I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: ³Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out.

My observation:

David spent a great deal of time running from King Saul. The introduction to this Psalm indicates that it was after one of his successful escapes that he wrote this Psalm. You can read about this episode in David's life in 1 Samuel 21.

The theme of this Psalm is that God is able and willing to provide protection and provisions for his people if they will put their trust in him. You don't have to lie about your situation to help God out. David discovered that there is always someone who knows the truth, and they will reveal it at the most inconvenient time for the one who uses lies as a means of protection.

1 Samuel 22:9 (HCSB)
Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul's servants, answered: "I saw Jesse's son come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

Proverbs 12:22 (HCSB)
Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight.

When you are facing trying times in your life or dealing with difficult people in your life, be encouraged that you don't have to face trouble alone. If you trust in the Lord, you can have hope because you have a helper who will walk through your troubles with you. The Lord will be your deliverer, and you will have a reason to speak a good word about the Lord.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I don't have to look back very far in my life to have a reason for saying a good word about my heavenly Father. Lord, I pray that I will never feel so squeezed by the enemy that I will have to resort to lying lips to protect me. I don't need to resort to lying when I put my whole life in the hands of my Savior. Lord, may I never cease to lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus. In the arms of Jesus I am safe and secure from all alarms.

My song:

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/558

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Daily Prayer_December 7, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 7:1 (HCSB)
My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands.

The Word for inspiration:

My observation:

1 Samuel 22:9 (HCSB)
Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul's servants, answered: "I saw Jesse's son come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

Proverbs 12:22 (HCSB)
Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight.

My prayer:

My song:

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/558

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 6, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 6:23 (HCSB)
For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective discipline is the way to life.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 33:20-22 (HCSB)
²⁰We wait for Yahweh; He is our help and shield. ²¹For our hearts rejoice in Him because we trust in His holy name. ²²May Your faithful love rest on us, Yahweh, for we put our hope in You.

My observation:

The concluding words of this Psalm are a great encouragement to me. I am glad to be able to associate myself with the Psalmist, and with the saints of the ages who have put their trust in God's word, and their life in the hands of the central figure of God's word, the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can never go wrong when you put your hope in the Lord. The words of the Lord that created life are fully capable of redeeming life, and sustaining that life eternally.

This Psalm concludes by pointing out three things that characterize the life of those who trust in and hope in the Lord. The three characteristics are waiting on the Lord, rejoicing in the Lord, and praying unto the Lord.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the unfailing love of the Lord for his people. Father God, in Psalm 33 we have seen how you have demonstrated your power in creation, in history, and in the life of your people. Father God, my trust and my hope is in you alone.

Psalm 33:22 (AMP)
Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.

My song:

Pray Unto the Lord (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6WsiqoaXA4

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Sunday Morning Reflections

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 5:21 (HCSB)
For a man's ways are before the Lord's eyes, and He considers all his paths.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 33:22 (AMP)
Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.

The Word for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 4:1-5 (HCSB)
¹Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. ²Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God's message, but commending ourselves to every person's conscience in God's sight by an open display of the truth. ³But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are lost. ⁴In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus.

John 3:16 (HCSB)
"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

My prayer:

Father God, I am so thankful that the God that I serve and to whom I pray is greater and more powerful than our chief enemy, who is the god of this age. The enemy of our soul seeks to blind, but the Lord seeks to open blind eyes so that they can see the truth and know the truth. Lord, I know that you can and you will open the eyes of those who the god of this age has blinded to the truth that Jesus is the Savior of the world.

My song:

Open My Eyes, That I May See (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Open_My_Eyes_That_I_May_See.html

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 3, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; ⁶think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 33:13-19 (HCSB)
¹³The Lord looks down from heaven; He observes everyone. ¹⁴He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth from His dwelling place. ¹⁵He alone shapes their hearts; He considers all their works. ¹⁶A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be delivered by great strength. ¹⁷The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power. ¹⁸Now the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him— those who depend on His faithful love ¹⁹to deliver them from death and to keep them alive in famine.

My observation:

Of all the reasons for praising the Lord, this one for me is the most compelling. The all seeing God who is the creator of everything, although he sits enthroned on high, he condescends and looks low. He cares about every living being that he made.

I agree with what the Apostle Paul said when he contemplated the love of our Savior, and his response to divine love.

2 Corinthians 5:14 (HCSB)
For Christ's love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died.

It is the love of God that motivates me to come to this place of prayer each day. It is here that I hear a word from the Lord. It is here that I get to listen to his counsel, and act upon what he tells me to do. It is here that I get to intercede for others, and tell him about my troubles.

What a blessing it is to know that the Lord watches over me, and what a privileges it is to exalt his name in private and in corporate worship. Just pause and think about this verse. Isn't this wonderful?

Psalm 33:18 (HCSB)
Now the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him— those who depend on His faithful love.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, you are wonderful, and all your works are breathtaking to see. Father, it is so comforting to know that from your throne in heaven you are keeping your all seeing eyes upon your beloved people. Father, such amazing love stimulates, encourages, and inspires me to worship you in spirit and in truth. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Hallelujah!

My song:

All Praise to Him who Reigns on High (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/79

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 2, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 2:6-8 (HCSB)
⁶For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. ⁷He stores up success for the upright; ⌊He is⌋ a shield for those who live with integrity ⁸so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 33:10-12 (HCSB)
¹⁰The Lord frustrates the counsel of the nations; He thwarts the plans of the peoples. ¹¹The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. ¹²Happy is the nation whose God is Yahweh— the people He has chosen to be His own possession!

My observation:

Today's portion of the Psalm provides a second reason why God's people should sing praises to the Lord. Here the Psalmist extols the effects of the power of the words and works of the Lord among the nations of the world.

There is no nation or no leader regardless of their wealth and their power who can thwart the plans of the Lord. The nations are powerless in preventing God's plan from succeeding. God's plans will prevail.

The wise thing for any nation or any person to do is to consider the words of the Lord from today's Proverb. To exclude the Lord from the life of a nation or the life of an individual is futile, and doomed for defeat.

Isaiah 8:10 (HCSB)
Devise a plan; it will fail. Make a prediction; it will not happen. For God is with us.

It is far better for a nation and an individual to have God in their life. If you have God in your life, be thankful and give him the highest praise.

Psalm 33:12 (NASB)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

My prayer:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we give you the highest praise that our heart can discern, and our lips can sing. Father God, if you find in me any resistance to your will and plans for my life, I ask that you remove it with your compassionate heart and your tender hands. Father, by faith, I ask that you help me to follow you, and live every day under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1-2 (HCSB)
¹The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. ²I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

My song:

Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57vzYWUW3ro&feature=related

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Daily Prayer_December 1, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 31:10 (AMP)
A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

Proverbs 31:26 (AMP)
She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].

Proverbs 1:7 (AMP)
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 33:4-9 (HCSB)
⁴For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is trustworthy. ⁵He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the Lord's unfailing love. ⁶The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth. ⁷He gathers the waters of the sea into a heap; He puts the depths into storehouses. ⁸Let the whole earth tremble before the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. ⁹For He spoke, and it came into being; He commanded, and it came into existence.

My observation:

Our focal Psalm begins with a call to worship, which we looked at yesterday. Today's passage looks at one of three reasons why God's people should worship the Lord.

The Psalmist makes the case for worshipping God in the first sentence, "For the word of the Lord is right". He continues to make the case for the word of the Lord in verses six and nine. The Lord is worthy of praise for all that he says, and for everything that he does. Everything that the Lord says, he is faithful to do. Who else can you say this about? The Lord is on a short list, and he is on that list by himself.

Everything that we see in our world is a result of the word of the Lord. Notice his creative power in verses six through nine. Every living being on the planet owes a debt of gratitude to the Lord. He is our maker.

Psalm 100:3 (HCSB)
Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Psalm 79:13 (HCSB)
Then we, Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will thank You forever; we will declare Your praise to generation after generation.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the vastness of your person and your power. Father, there is no one who can speak, and by their words create such wonderful works. Lord, you are so wonderful that it makes me want to sing an old song with new appreciation for you and your wonderful works.

My song:

To Me It's So Wonderful (Click on link below to listen to this classic gospel song by Mahalia Jackson):

YouTube - Mahalia Jackson - It's So Wonderful (to Know That Jesus is Mine)

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.