Sharing the Word: January 2011

Monday, January 31, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 31, 2011

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.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 150:6 (HCSB)
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 11:27-28 (HCSB)
²⁷As He was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "The womb that bore You and the one who nursed You are blessed!" ²⁸He said, "Even more, those who hear the word of God and keep it are blessed!"

My observation:

As I was reading through the gospel with my eyes alert for Jesus teaching on prayer today's focal passage leaped off the page.

What I saw in this passage portrayed for me a picture of a Christ like person of prayer. The comment of the woman presented Jesus with an opportunity to teach one of life's most important lessons. This woman thought of how wonderful it would be to have the privilege of being the mother of Jesus. For her that would be the ultimate blessing.

I am so glad that she asked that question. Jesus responded by saying that the greatest blessings are given to those who hear the word of God and keep it.

John 14:21 (HCSB)
The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him."

1 John 3:22 (HCSB)
and can receive whatever we ask from Him because we keep His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray for the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to keep me in the Word, and submissive to the Word of God. Father, I desire to have the intimate and obedient relationship that Jesus had with you. Father, help me to be a person who hears and keeps the word of God so that I can receive the greatest blessings that comes to those who hear and keep Your Word.

My song:

There Shall be Showers of Blessing (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/260

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.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 28, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 28:9 (HCSB)
Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law— even his prayer is detestable.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 149:5 (HCSB)
Let the godly celebrate in ⌊triumphal⌋ glory; let them shout for joy on their beds.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 11:11-13 (HCSB)
¹¹What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

My observation:

Today we conclude our focus on (Luke11:1-13). The center of this passage is Jesus teaching his disciples how to pray like he prayed. This is a passage that I intend to return to often so that I can reach the depth in my relationship with the Lord where I can commune with my heavenly Father the way that Jesus did.

I am so glad that we can depend upon our heavenly Father to be who is and to do what he says he will do. He is a good God, and he gives his children good gifts. He is a God of abundance, and he gives to his children generously.

James 1:17 (HCSB)
Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.

The ultimate demonstration of his care for us is the gift of the Holy Spirit that he gives to us at our spiritual birth. God who is good has given us himself.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (HCSB)
¹³When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. ¹⁴He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.

The glorious thing about this promise is that he gives the Holy Spirit to every one of his children. Your prayers don't have to go very far to reach him because he abides within us always. I am so glad that God is a forever God. When you have God in your life, count your blessing. If you need something, ask the Father.

Romans 8:9 (HCSB)
You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I delight to join with the Apostle Paul in singing the refrain, "to the praise of His glory". I gleefully join with the psalmist in celebrating in triumphal glory. Father, I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit to every believer in Jesus.

Romans 8:15-17 (HCSB)
¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!" ¹⁶The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children, ¹⁷and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

My song:

I Am Praying for You (Click on link below for lyrics and to listen to this song):

http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/I_Am_Praying_for_You/midi/

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, January 27, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 27, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 26:28 (MSG)
Liars hate their victims; flatterers sabotage trust.

Proverbs 27:6 (MSG)
The wounds from a lover are worth it; kisses from an enemy do you in.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 149:4 (HCSB)
For Yahweh takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 11:5-8 (HCSB)
⁵He also said to them: "Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don't have anything to offer him.' ⁷Then he will answer from inside and say, 'Don't bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can't get up to give you anything.' ⁸I tell you, even though he won't get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his ⌊friend's⌋ persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

My observation:

Today our focus will be on the latter passage from Luke. The former passage will allow us to see the comparison Jesus made between earthly fathers, and the heavenly Father.

This passage lays out very clearly the role of the heavenly Father in prayer. Jesus makes the point that if our earthly fathers give good gifts to us, how much more our heavenly Father will give even better gifts to us.

Notice the contrast between our earthly fathers who are evil, yet they know how to give good gifts to their children, and the heavenly Father. Our heavenly Father who is perfect will certainly hear our prayers and meet our needs.

Tomorrow, I will comment further on this passage, and conclude this extended teaching of Jesus on prayer.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. The thought of knowing that my heavenly Father is satisfied with me is overwhelming when I consider the meaning of that for my future.

Father, I am acutely aware that your pleasure with me is because of the unspeakable gift of salvation that you gave to me.

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:

Thank You Lord (Click on link below to listen to this song):

YouTube - Don Moen thank you Lord

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, January 26, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 26, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 26:17 (HCSB)
A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that's not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 149:1 (HCSB)
Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the godly.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 11:9-10 (HCSB)
⁹"So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

My observation:

Jesus concludes his illustration on the believer's role in prayer with an exhortation. Then he gives them the point of the sermon. If we want to know what our role is in prayer we need only read and heed what Jesus said in this parable. The result will be answered prayer, sweet communion with the heavenly Father on a daily basis, and getting all of our needs met by the only one who is able and willing to meet our needs.

However, we must pray. If Jesus had to pray, then surely we need to pray. God is not a reluctant Father. Rather, he is a loving and caring Father who delights to commune with his children. What a blessing it is to be able to have so much face time with our maker and redeemer.

Proverbs 8:17 (HCSB)
I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me.

Jeremiah 29:13 (HCSB)
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, what a blessing it is to be able to hear from the lips of Jesus this encouragement to pray.

Father, I pray that you would create in my heart the continuous desire to pray and not fret. Father, I pray that I will always remember the point that Jesus made in his little talk with his disciples.

Luke 11:10 (AMP)
For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.

My song:

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LMQfOp9w8k

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, January 25, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 25, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 25:20 (HCSB)
Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day or like ⌊pouring⌋ vinegar on soda.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 148:13 (HCSB)
Let them praise the name of Yahweh, for His name alone is exalted. His majesty covers heaven and earth.

The Word for encouragement:

My observation:

Jesus continues his teaching on prayer by using a parable to describe our responsibilities in prayer. When I say our responsibility, I am referring to the children of God. When you pray to the Father, in this fashion, you need to know that he is your Father, and you are his child. Here is how you can know that you are a child of God.

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.

In the parable recorded by Luke, Jesus taught his disciples that perseverance and endurance are important components of the child of God when you come to the Father in prayer. The Father needs to know that you sincere and serious. God is not a reluctant Father, and he delights to have his children approach him in prayer anytime they have a need. The Father never sleeps. He is always available. He cares and he meets all of his children's needs.

Sometimes the answer may be no, but it is because what we ask is not the best for us. However, we never go away empty handed when we allow him to give us what we need. Always expect God to meet your needs because he has promised that he would.

Isaiah 65:24 (HCSB)
Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that you are never weary by the frequency or the length that your children come to you in prayer. Father, I thank you that you are not reluctant to provide for the needs of your children. Rather, you will sometimes answer while we are still asking, and often you answer before we even ask. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 145:18 (HCSB)
The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity.

My song:

Count Your Blessings (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Count_Your_Blessings.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.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 24, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:19-20 (HCSB)
¹⁹Don't be agitated by evildoers, and don't envy the wicked. ²⁰For the evil have no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 148:1 (HCSB)
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights.

Psalm 148:11-12 (HCSB)
¹¹kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, ¹²young men as well as young women, old and young together.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 11:4 (HCSB)
And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us. And do not bring us into temptation."

My observation:

Today we return to the second request in the passage from the gospel of Luke. We will face temptation and testing in our lives. God may test us, but he never tempts us.

James 1:13 (HCSB)
No one undergoing a trial should say, "I am being tempted by God." For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn't tempt anyone.

This teaching of Jesus on prayer is to encourage his disciples to ask for help from the Father in dealing with temptations and trials. Our Father in heaven is able and willing to help, and we should pray that he will spare us from difficult circumstances that would tempt us to sin.

Luke 22:40 (HCSB)
When He reached the place, He told them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (HCSB)
¹²So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. ¹³No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that I don't have to face temptations and trials in my strength alone. Father, I thank you that you are willing to help me when I turn to you, seek your directions, and follow you.

Father, the enemy is too strong, and I am too weak and prone to go astray without the help of the Lord in my life. Father, all of your children are in the same boat, and we all need to ask the Savior to help us, strengthen, and keep us on the path of righteousness, and to protect us from ourselves and the evil one.

Luke 11:4 (MSG)
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil."

My song:

Yield Not to Temptation (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Yield_Not_to_Temptation.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, January 21, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 21, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:4 (HCSB)
The lamp that guides the wicked— haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—is sin.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 147:6 (HCSB)
The Lord helps the afflicted but brings the wicked to the ground.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 11:4 (HCSB)
And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us. And do not bring us into temptation."

My observation:

There are two prayers in our focal verse for today in Luke. We will examine the first request today, and the second one next week.

Jesus concludes the model prayer by teaching his disciples that they should pray for forgiveness. He continues to emphasize the importance of the "our" in prayer. The issue is not just that I am prone to sin, but there is sin everywhere in our fallen world. God has the world on his heart, and we should have the world on our heart.

There are some prerequisites for receiving forgiveness. Jesus taught his disciples that the receivers of forgiveness must first be dispensers of forgiveness.

Matthew 6:14-15 (HCSB)
¹⁴"For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. ¹⁵But if you don't forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.

There is also another important element in forgiveness, and that is faith. You must believe that God is able to forgive sin, and that he is willing. Jesus had previously taught his disciples this vital truth.

Luke 7:47-50 (HCSB)
⁴⁷Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that's why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little." ⁴⁸Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." ⁴⁹Those who were at the table with Him began to say among themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?" ⁵⁰And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I extol you for your burden and concern for the world, and your desire that none should perish. Father, give me more love and faith so that I might be a faithful follower who has a heart for the world that reflects your heart.

Father God, I pray that my love for God and others, and my faith in you would create in me a burning desire to intercede for the sins in others, and not just in myself. Father, may I learn how to pray daily, "Forgive us our sins".

Mark 11:25 (HCSB)
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.

My song:

Our Father Who Art in Heaven (Click on link below to listen to this song):

YouTube - Don Moen - Our Father who art in heaven

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, January 20, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 20, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 20:4 (HCSB)
The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 147:12-14 (HCSB)
¹²Exalt the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion! ¹³For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your children within you. ¹⁴He endows your territory with prosperity; He satisfies you with the finest wheat.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 11:3 (HCSB)
Give us each day our daily bread.

My observation:

One of the things I noticed about this pattern of prayer that Jesus taught his disciples is the inclusion of "us" and not "me". One of the most important and potent resources we have as a believer is to have other members of the family of God praying for us.

The people of God should never go wanting for the basic physical necessities of life. We have a Father in heaven who loves us supremely, and who cares for us dearly.

If we are lacking could it be a symptom of prayerlessness? How long has it been since you had a conversation with the Father? Are you spending time daily with him, and asking him to meet your needs each day? Is the Father in heaven your source?

Why worry when you can pray? Why trust in other sources when you can trust wholly in the Lord? God is able to help you, and God is willing to help you.

Matthew 6:31-34 (HCSB)
³¹So don't worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' ³²For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. ³⁴Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

My prayer:

Father, I am so glad that you are bigger than any need or problem that I will ever encounter in my life. Lord, I am so blessed to know that you love and care for your children each day. Father, I pray that you will keep me close to you for you know that the flesh is weak and tends to stray.

Father, I delight to declare my dependence upon you. I look to you alone as the source of my daily bread, and not just for me, but for all of your beloved children. Father, I thank you that there is not a moment that we are not loved, kept and cared for by your all seeing eyes, compassionate heart, and powerful and tender hands.

My song:

Moment by Moment (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Moment_by_Moment.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.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 19, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 19:9 (HCSB)
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies perishes.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 147:5 (HCSB)
Our Lord is great, vast in power; His understanding is infinite.

Psalm 150:6 (HCSB)
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 11:2 (AMP)
And He said to them, when you pray, say: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done [held holy and revered] on earth as it is in heaven.

My observation:

Yesterday we looked at the first part of the verse in Luke's gospel, and today we will focus on the second part. It was the pattern of Jesus to begin his prayers by saying Father. Here is an example of how he prayed on another occasion.

Luke 10:21 (HCSB)
In that same hour He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure.

Since God is also our Father, we have the liberty to address him as Father also. God is so good to his children that we owe it him to thank him every time we enter his presence. He so great and highly exalted that he deserves our praise every time we call upon his name. I agree with the Psalmist when he said everybody ought to praise the Lord.

Psalm 150:6 (HCSB)
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!

When we pray we should put God's interest first. To hallow God's name is to set his name apart. God is holy and righteous in all his ways. He is worthy of our praise.

The second request, putting God's interest first, is for God's kingdom to come on the earth. When we pray for God's kingdom to come on earth we are aligning ourselves with the saints of all the ages. We are voicing the message that Jesus and his followers proclaimed.

To pray using this pattern given by Jesus to his disciples is to pray like Jesus prayed. Prayer is about getting God's will accomplish in earth, and not about getting our will done in heaven.

My prayer:

Father, I thank you that I can address you as Father, and I praise you for the blessed hope that heaven is my eternal home.

Father, I delight to lift up your name, and give you the praise, honor, and glory that is due to you alone. There is none like you, no not one.

Father, I also pray for the faith that would enable me to rely completely upon you because of the knowledge that I have that you will care for me, and never forsake me. Lord, may this knowledge free me to put the interest of your kingdom first in my life and in my prayers. Father, I want to be more like Jesus when I pray.

My song:

I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG4H1b4IyiU

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, January 18, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 18, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 18:10 (HCSB)
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 147:1 (HCSB)
Hallelujah! How good it is to sing to our God, for praise is pleasant and lovely.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 11:2-4 (HCSB)
²He said to them, "Whenever you pray, say: Father, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. ³Give us each day our daily bread. ⁴And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us. And do not bring us into temptation."

Luke 11:2 (AMP)
And He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done [held holy and revered] on earth as it is in heaven.

My observation:

Today we will begin to look at the components of the model prayer that Jesus used to teach his disciples how to pray like he prayed.

We will break this down into bite size pieces. Today we will focus on a portion of verse two. When you pray the object of your prayers is the heavenly Father. When you approach him you ought to come before him with thanksgiving and praise on your lips.

Jesus taught his disciples that there are two things that you are to thank him for. This is a prayer for those who are in the family of God so you thank him for making it possible for you to be his daughters and sons.

The second thing that you are to thank the Father for is heaven. This is the place where God lives, it is his home, and one day it will be our home. Heaven is a very special place, and it is a prepared place for all of God's beloved children.

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.

John 14:2-3 (HCSB)
²In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. ³If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I delight to come into your presence with thanksgiving and praise on my lips. Father God, I thank you for what you did to make it possible for me to be a part of your family.

Father God, I thank you for heaven. Oh the wonder of knowing that there is a place that Jesus has prepared for me and it is in the neighborhood where God lives, and where Jesus lives. Father, I thank you that I can say that heaven is my eternal home.

My song:

When We All Get to Heaven (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_When_We_All_Get_to_Heaven.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.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 17, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 17:15 (HCSB)
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just— both are detestable to the Lord.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 146:8-10 (HCSB)
⁸The Lord opens ⌊the eyes of⌋ the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous. ⁹The Lord protects foreigners and helps the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. ¹⁰The Lord reigns forever; Zion, your God ⌊reigns⌋ for all generations. Hallelujah!

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 11:1 (HCSB)
He was praying in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples."

My observation:

On the occasion of our focal passage from Luke today we come to one of the most extensive and important passages on prayer in the bible.

In this passage one of the disciples caught Jesus doing something that he often did in his earthly ministry. This disciple saw something in the way that Jesus prayed that he wanted for himself, and for the other disciples of Jesus.

There is a pattern that we see in this verse. Luke tells us that in addition to Jesus being a man of prayer that John the Baptist was also a man of prayer. If you look deeply into the lives of the great men and women of God, you will find that all of the great servants of God have been people of prayer.

The speaker at our church service yesterday has written extensively about the life of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King. Doctor King was a preacher of the Gospel of Christ before he was a civil rights leader. However, this historian has also discovered in his research that Doctor King was a man of prayer, and what he found was enough information to write a book about the prayer life of Doctor King.

Jesus is still praying. You can ask him to do for you what that disciple asked, "Lord, teach us to pray". He is already praying for you, and he will surely answer that prayer.

Romans 8:34 (HCSB)
Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

My prayer:

Lord Jesus, I feel so much the need to have the kind of intimate prayer life that you had with your heavenly Father during your earthly ministry. Master, I ask you to teach me how to connect with the Father the way you connected with him. "Lord, teach us to pray".

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, January 16, 2011

Sunday Morning Reflections_January 16, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:2 (HCSB)
All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 73:25-26 (HCSB)
²⁵Who do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. ²⁶My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.

The Word for encouragement:

Job 42:1-6 (HCSB)
¹Then Job replied to the Lord: ²I know that You can do anything and no plan of Yours can be thwarted. ³⌊You asked, ⌋ "Who is this who conceals ⌊My⌋ counsel with ignorance?" Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. ⁴⌊You said, ⌋ "Listen now, and I will speak. When I question you, you will inform Me." ⁵I had heard rumors about You, but now my eyes have seen You. ⁶Therefore I take back ⌊my words⌋ and repent in dust and ashes.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for all of your wonderful and generous provisions. Lord, I pray that I might learn from the lesson of Job's life by turning from fear, and going all the way by trusting wholly in the Lord in every situation. Lord, remove all my fears from me so that Satan will not have an opening to introduce adversity into my life by his hands.

Job 3:25 (HCSB)
For the thing I feared has overtaken me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.

My song:

Simply Trusting Every Day (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/569

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, January 14, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 14, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:26 (HCSB)
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 146:5 (HCSB)
Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God,

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 9:28-29 (HCSB)
²⁸About eight days after these words, He took along Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became dazzling white.

My observation:

Today is the end of the second week in our journey through the gospel of Luke with the focus on what the writer wrote about prayer.

In this passage we see that Jesus approached the last days of his ministry on earth with a heavy heart. He was intensely aware of his divine appointment at Calvary.

Jesus was also acutely aware that his time with his disciples was growing short, and there was so much that he needed to impart to them before his departure from this world.

In a time like this, Jesus retreated to the mountains to pray, and he took with him Peter, John, and James.

What happened on that mountain was an amazing event to behold. God showed up in power and revealed his glory. The heavenly Father answered the prayer of Jesus for himself and for his disciples.

What happened here lifts my spirit and encourages my heart. It is a reminder to me that when God's people come to him in prayer with concentration and intensity that the things that we ask for will happen.

The Father in heaven who heard the prayer of Jesus will hear your prayer. Our prayers will find a welcome ear when we bring our pressing needs to the Father with intensity and concentration. We have to believe that God can and that God will hear us when we pray. He'll do for us what he did for Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (HCSB)
We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that there is nothing in life or in death that is beyond the reach of prayer.

Father God, I am so grateful that prayer changes things, but I am more thankful that prayer changes me. Father, every time I think about your greatness and your goodness my faith is strengthened. Father God, I ask that by your Spirit, you would shine upon me with your grace, and reveal on my face your glory.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (MSG)
All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

It Is No Secret What God Can Do (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JENtEy9I9wk

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, January 13, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 13, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:4 (HCSB)
The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 146:3-4 (HCSB)
³Do not trust in nobles, in man, who cannot save. ⁴When his breath leaves him, he returns to the ground; on that day his plans die.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 9:16-18 (HCSB)
¹⁶Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them. He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd. ¹⁷Everyone ate and was filled. Then they picked up 12 baskets of leftover pieces. ¹⁸While He was praying in private and His disciples were with Him, He asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"

My observation:

The passage from the Psalms today reminds us of the relationship between praise and faith. When you lack faith, your level of praise will be low or nonexistent. When your level of praise is high, your faith will increase.

When we come to the passage in Luke today we see what faith in God can do. The disciples could never have done what Jesus did in feeding that crowd with the resources that they had. It is amazing what the Lord can do if we have the faith to give him what we have, and trust in him to supply our needs.

If you have needs in your life, take that need to the Lord in prayer. Tell him how much you trust in his almighty power to help you. As your praises go up to him your faith in him will increase. To demonstrate your faith in God, open your hands and lift them toward the heavens to receive your blessing. Let the words of this Charles Wesley hymn encourage you to increase your praise and strengthen your faith in your heavenly Father.

Father, I stretch my hands to Thee,
No other help I know;
If Thou withdraw Thyself from me,
Ah! whither shall I go?

Author of faith! to Thee I lift
My weary, longing eyes:
O let me now receive that gift!
My soul without it dies.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I delight to lift up and exalt your name to the highest reaches of heaven. It is a blessing to know that the more I praise you the more my faith in you will grow.

Father God, I come to your throne of grace and mercy today to present to you my problems and my cares. Father, I give them to you, and I ask you to fix them for me. Lord, I believe that you can do what no other person or power can do.

Father, I come with clean hands, because I come in the name of Jesus, and I come with empty hands as evidence of my complete dependence upon you.

My song:

Father I Stretch My Hands To Thee (Click on link below to hear Dorothy Norwood sing this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSG4VrxGsaA&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, January 12, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 12, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵The thoughts of the righteous ⌊are⌋ just, but guidance from the wicked ⌊leads to⌋ deceit. ⁶The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 146:1-2 (HCSB)
¹Hallelujah! My soul, praise the Lord. ²I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I live.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 6:20 (HCSB)
Then looking up at His disciples, He said: You who are poor are blessed, because the kingdom of God is yours.

Luke 6:27-28 (HCSB)
²⁷"But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

My observation:

In his teaching Jesus was in a class all by himself. He taught with the authority of God because he was the Son of God. The words that Jesus spoke in this message were not easy to receive because it goes against the very nature of man.

Our focus today in on his words in Luke concerning praying for those who mistreat you. Notice that Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, and to those who would listen.

You might ask the question why should I love my enemies and pray for those who mistreat me. The response is why not? What profit is there if you hate your enemies and curse them?

Why not commit your enemies and those who mistreat you into the hands of God. He is able to do something that will benefit them and you. We demonstrate that we are truly Christ followers when we show grace and mercy to sinners. When we pray for wrongdoers we exhibit to a watching world that we have a confident trust in a Sovereign God.

Our prayers have the power to change the wrongdoer, and to change us. The wrongdoer can be forgiven and find deliverance. We can find peace where there has been discord. Our prayers will provide the benefit of delivering us from being reactionary, hostile and bitter.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I needed to hear this word from you so much today about praying for those who mistreat you. Lord, I love you with my whole heart, and I am confident that the words you spoke to your disciples then are the words I need to hear and obey today. Lord, I give all of my cares to you. Hallelujah! You can turn our sorrows into joy.

My song:

Give Them All to Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWTcUTuL-n4

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, January 11, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 11, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:20 (HCSB)
Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord, but those with blameless conduct are His delight.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 145:19 (HCSB)
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry for help and saves them.

Psalm 145:21 (HCSB)
My mouth will declare Yahweh's praise; let every living thing praise His holy name forever and ever.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 6:12-13 (HCSB)
¹²During those days He went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God. ¹³When daylight came, He summoned His disciples, and He chose 12 of them—He also named them apostles:

My observation:

There came a time in the ministry of Jesus when he had to make a momentous decision where the stakes were extremely high. He had to decide who he would entrust with the responsibility of taking the gospel of Christ to the whole world. Jesus had many disciples, but who among them could he select for this essential mission.

Jesus did what he often did; he decided to spend some time alone with God. This decision was so weighty that he went away and climbed a mountain where he could be away from the crowd. He needed to be alone with the Father, and he needed to have an extended time with God. He spent all night in prayer. He needed to talk to his Father, and he needed to hear from his Father.

Failure was not an option in the selection of the twelve disciples that he would appoint as Apostles. Jesus knew that these men frail humans and that in their flesh that could not accomplish the mission he would give them.

Notice the list of twelve men that Jesus chose. The first on the list is Peter who denied he knew Jesus, but later repented, and the last was Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Luke 6:14 (HCSB)
Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

Luke 6:16 (HCSB)
Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

The twelve were not perfect, but they learned from Jesus how to connect with the Father in heaven who is perfect. It is impossible to do the work of God without spending much time in the presence of God. We speak to him in prayer, and he speaks to us through his word. He empowers his people with his presence and his power to do the work of God.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that I can bring every need that I have to you in prayer, and have the assurance that you will hear my cry for help. Father, you know that I am weak, and in my strength alone, I can do nothing that would be pleasing to you.

Lord, I thank you for the promise of the Word that says in, Psalm 145:18 (HCSB)
The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity.

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, January 10, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 10, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 10:23 (HCSB)
As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool, so wisdom is for a man of understanding.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 145:18 (HCSB)
The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 5:15-16 (HCSB)
¹⁵But the news about Him spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. ¹⁶Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.

My observation:

Jesus was enormously popular during his earthly ministry. Everywhere Jesus went the crowds came to hear him. The people came to hear him teach because he taught with the authority that they had not seen in other teachers. They came to him with all kinds of infirmities because they had not seen anyone else with the power to heal like he possessed.

However, there was something distinctly different about Jesus. His authority and power came from his Father in heaven.

Luke 3:21-22 (HCSB)
²¹When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying, heaven opened, ²²and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son. I take delight in You!

Jesus recognized the source of his authority, message, and power. Therefore, as seen in our focal passage from Luke for today we see Jesus taking time to get away from the crowds, and seek time alone with his heavenly Father. O the blessings and the favor that God is willing to give to those who avail themselves of the opportunity to seek the face of the Lord in prayer.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the desire that you have in your heart to have communion with your beloved children. Father God, I thank you for the privilege that you grant to your children to have unlimited face time with you in prayer.

Father, sometimes I need to have a little talk, but there are times I need to have a big talk with you. In either case, you are always available to meet with me in prayer.

My song:

Have a Little Talk with Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVpF4GOYIGc

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, January 9, 2011

Sunday Morning Reflections_January 9, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 9:10-12 (HCSB)
¹⁰"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. ¹²If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear ⌊the consequences⌋."

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 145:1-2 (HCSB)
¹I exalt You, my God the King, and praise Your name forever and ever. ²I will praise You every day; I will honor Your name forever and ever.

The Word for encouragement:

Job 23:8-12 (HCSB)
⁸If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. ⁹When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him. ¹⁰Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold. ¹¹My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside. ¹²I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food.

Psalm 139:7-12 (HCSB)
⁷Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? ⁸If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. ⁹If I live at the eastern horizon ⌊or⌋ settle at the western limits, ¹⁰even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me. ¹¹If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night"— ¹²even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to You.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you are a God who is always with and that you always care for your people.

Father, I thank you for being a God in whom I can trust no matter what may come into my life and no matter where I may be in this world. It is comforting to know that there is a God in heaven who watches over and cares for me.

Father, I thank you for being a shelter in which I can find safety from the storms of life, and for being the rock on which I can build my life upon.

My song:

Does Jesus Care (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzNCa03fk_s

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.