Daily Prayer_October 31, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 31:30 (HCSB)
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 27:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom should I be afraid? ² When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh, my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell. ³ Though an army deploys against me, my heart is not afraid; though a war breaks out against me, still I am confident.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:13-14 (HCSB)
¹³ "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. ¹⁴ "You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

My observation:

I noticed in our focal passage from Matthew that tasteless salt and hidden light are useless.  After his teaching on the beatitudes, Jesus teaches his disciples how to be useful in the work of kingdom building. To be useful as a Christian, you have to be different.

Jesus said to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth", but tasteless salt is valueless. He said, "You are the light of the world", but light must shine to dispel darkness. The Christian to be useful to the Father must be salt and light. We become different and useful as we grow deep in the character traits of the beatitudes. You will be blessed, and be a blessing.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, as I sit at the feet of the Master Teacher, I pray that I will learn by his words and his example how to live a life of total surrender to the Father's will. Father, make my life useful to thee. Father God, by your almighty power, make me salt to season and light to shine in this decaying and dark world.

My song:

Take My Life and Let It Be (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Byp7aK2DA

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Sunday Morning Reflections_October 30, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 30:29-33 (ESV)
²⁹ Three things are stately in their tread; four are stately in their stride: ³⁰ the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any; ³¹ the strutting rooster, the he-goat, and a king whose army is with him. ³² If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth. ³³ For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV)
¹³ For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. ¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

The Word of God 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. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I exalt your name above every other name because you are worthy to be praised. Father, you are great, and your works are wonderful. Father, I marvel at your works in creation and in redemption. Father, I thank you for your loving care for your people from the womb to the tomb.

Father, I thank you for the life and ministry of your servant Jessy Dixon. At the age of 73, you promoted him to his home in the kingdom of heaven on September 26, 2011. Father, I thank you that he is now experiencing the joy of what you showed him in his spirit as he wrote the words to the song, "The Wicked Shall Cease from Troubling, and the Weary Will be At Rest.

My song:

The Wicked Shall Cease from Troubling (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s6pAu2P9H4

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 28, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 28:25-26 (AMP)
²⁵ He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enriched and blessed. ²⁶ He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 111:10 (ESV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:11-12 (ESV)
¹¹ "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

My observation:

Today we conclude our mediation on the beatitudes. The choice word is persecution. Jesus had more to say about this beatitude than any of the others.

Jesus identified the motive of the persecutors. When you live for God, and when you speak for God, the enemies of God will persecute you, revile you, and speak all kinds of evil against you falsely.

Jesus said when you suffer such wrongs for the sake of righteousness; you are in good company because they did the same to the prophets who preceded you. Then Jesus said something that only the Son of God could say, He said they will do it on my account.

John 15:21 (ESV)
But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

Now comes the hard part, the response to the persecution. To respond in this fashion is possible only when it is by the power of God working in you, and through you.

Matthew 5:12 (ESV)
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that the children of God enter the kingdom through the new birth that is provided by the work of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Father, I thank you that we enjoy the blessings of the kingdom by living for those things that please our heavenly Father.

Father God, I pray for an attitude and a life that will reflect the character that Jesus taught in the beatitudes so that I can live rejoicing, glad, happy, and blessed every day. And when my journey on earth is finished, the greatest blessing of all will be to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3 (ESV)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10 (ESV)
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 27, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 27:10 (AMP)
Your own friend and your father's friend, forsake them not; neither go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near [in spirit] than a brother who is far off [in heart].

Proverbs 17:17 (AMP)
A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 111:2 (ESV)
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

Psalm 111:7-9 (ESV)
⁷ The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; ⁸ they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. ⁹ He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:10 (ESV)
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

My observation:

As long as there is evil in this world there will be persecution by the evil doers of those who live for God and do his will. If you live for God and for others don't' expect the applause of the world. The word of God tells us why this is the case.

John 3:20 (ESV)
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

John 7:7 (ESV)
The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.

John 15:19 (ESV)
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 15:21 (ESV)
But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for being a God of compassion and mercy. Father, I would rather have the blessings of God any day, then the applause of man. Father, I pray for the enabling power of the Holy Spirit of God to remain faithful to the end.

James 5:11 (ESV)
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

My song:

Victory in Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_04Ey704MY

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 26, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 26:27-28 (ESV)
²⁷ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. ²⁸ A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 111:2 (ESV)
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

Psalm 111:4-5 (ESV)
⁴ He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. ⁵ He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

My observation:

The choice word in today's beatitude is peacemakers. In this beatitude Jesus did not have an Old Testament scripture that he could draw from. Jesus himself was to be the first peacemaker. It was at the cross of Calvary that Jesus became the great peacemaker.

Romans 5:1 (ESV)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The true peacemakers today are those who have made peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who have been receivers of peace are now to go out and be ambassadors of the great peacemaker.

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 (ESV)
¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you are the God of peace, and that you are able to provide to your people the peace of God. Father, I pray that I will be a faithful ambassador of peace as I represent Jesus in my daily walk.

Philippians 1:2 (ESV)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

My song:

Grace Greater than Our Sin (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Grace_Greater_Than_Our_Sin.html

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 25, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 25:13 (MSG)
Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 111:2-3 (ESV)
² Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. ³ Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:8 (ESV)
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

My observation:

O the joy that floods my soul when I think about looking into the face of my heavenly Father some day. However, the blessing of seeing God can occur every day. Now, we see him by faith. However, there is coming a day when we shall see him face to face.

Hebrews 11:27 (ESV)
By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

1 John 3:2 (ESV)
Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Jesus taught his disciples that only the pure in heart shall see God. How can we be pure in heart? I am so glad that Jesus told us the way, and that he became the way.

John 15:3 (ESV)
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

1 John 1:7 (ESV)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

The hymn writer got it right when he said, "What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus".

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the precious and royal blood of Jesus that washed my sin sick heart, and gave me a new heart, a heart that is pure. O the blessing of seeing you by faith today, and the blessed promise of seeing you face to face on that blessed day when I shall see you in all of your majestic glory. Because I know him, and Jesus knows me, I shall see him in the sweet bye and bye. Hallelujah!

My song:

Face to Face with Christ My Savior (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH5mHXvEawQ&feature=related

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 24, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:13-14 (MSG)
¹³ Eat honey, dear child—it's good for you— and delicacies that melt in your mouth. ¹⁴ Likewise knowledge, and wisdom for your soul— Get that and your future's secured, your hope is on solid rock.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 111:1 (ESV)
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:7 (ESV)
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

My observation:

Today we return to our meditation on the beatitudes, and today our choice word is mercy. We have to be careful in our understanding of this passage, and not get the cart before the horse. We must realize that God is the first giver of mercy. It is only when we have received mercy, that we can grant mercy, thereby, receiving the promise of a blessing from the Lord.

Titus 3:5 (ESV)
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV)
⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

It is clear in scripture that the believer should show mercy because you have received mercy from the Lord. Notice what Jesus said to Peter when Peter wanted a procedure about forgiveness. Jesus did not give him a procedure, but Jesus gave him a principle to live by.

Matthew 18:32-33 (ESV)
³² Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that I can be counted in the number that has already been blessed by receiving grace and mercy from the Lord. Father, I pray for the grace and the gratefulness to be able to show mercy to others. Father, I hunger and thirst for the blessing that awaits me in mercy's court.

My song:

Praise Waiteth Thee in Mercy's Court (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/261

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Sunday Morning Reflections_October 23, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:17-18 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Don't let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord. ¹⁸ For then you will have a future, and your hope will never fade.

Proverbs 23:22 (HCSB)
Listen to your father who gave you life, and don't despise your mother when she is old.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 17:8-9 (HCSB)
⁸ Protect me as the pupil of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings ⁹ from the wicked who treat me violently, my deadly enemies who surround me.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Deuteronomy 8:3 (HCSB)
He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then He gave you manna to eat, which you and your fathers had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

My observation:

It is heartening to see how Jesus handled the temptations that Satan put before him. Satan tempted him three times, and three times used the word of God for his response to the temptation. The above is one example.

It worked for Jesus, and it will work for you and me. We need to know our bible and use the word of God like Jesus used it to respond to the attacks of Satan. He will leave you, but be on guard, he will return on another day to test you again.

Matthew 4:11 (HCSB)
Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him.

Luke 4:13 (HCSB)
After the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I thank you for the power of the word of God, and the presence of the Holy Spirit of God in my life. Father God, I ask that you protect me as the pupil of your eye, and keep me in the shadow of your wings. Father, keep me in the word, and your word in me.

Psalm 119:11 (HCSB)
I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.

My song:

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii8SNOisvUM

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 21, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:3 (HCSB)
Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 17:15 (HCSB)
But I will see Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:6 (HCSB)
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.

My observation:

The choice word for today from the beatitudes is righteousness. The righteousness that Jesus talked to his disciples and followers about is quite different from the righteousness of the religious leaders of the day.

I believe Jesus was talking about his disciples having a hunger and thirst of being filled totally with God that they would completely do God's will. That is the life that Jesus lived before them. He was completely obedient and dependent upon his Father, and he taught his disciples by his talk and his walk that they should follow in his steps.

You say, this is not natural, and I you are right in thinking that.  It is from Christ alone and Christ living in our lives that we can be the person that pleases God.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (HCSB)
But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God's Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (HCSB)
But {it is} from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—{our} righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,

The need then and the need now is for disciples, men and women, who hunger and thirst for righteousness. The need of the church is for people who go deep with God. The need is for total discipleship and total obedience. Shallow Christians and apathetic Christians will not get work of God done.

Take note my dear friends of this teaching of Jesus. What he poured into the lives of those twelve disciples was sufficient for them to accomplish the mission that he gave them. If we hunger and thirst after righteousness, he will enable us to accomplish the mission that he has given us.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you would stir up in me the desire to be filled from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet with the presence and the power of God. Father, I need all of Thee, and I pray that I will be willing to give you access to all of me. Father, fill me so that you can use me for your will, and for your glory.

My song:

Take My Life, and Let It Be (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/445

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 20, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 20:15 (MSG)
Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:11 (HCSB)
But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:5 (HCSB)
The gentle are blessed, for they will inherit the earth.

My observation:

The choice word for today from our focus on the beatitudes is gentle. Jesus taught his disciples that those who are gentle will inherit the earth. When Jesus spoke of the earth he was referring to the future inheritance of the kingdom of God.

What the Lord has in store for his people is much more than anything we could ever obtain on the present earth where we are just pilgrims. This world is not our home; it is just our temporary dwelling place.

God has never promised that he was going to right every wrong down here. Rather, he is preparing his people for a better place. You can read about it in Revelation chapters 21 and 22.

Revelation 21:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. ² I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. ³ Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God's dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.

Revelation 21:7 (HCSB)
The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that you give us now, and for the greater gifts that await us in our home in heaven. Father, I pray for endurance and for perseverance, and for an unwavering faith in the God of my salvation.

Father, I need endurance to be able to stand in the face of the adversity and the troubles in this world. Father, I need perseverance to be able to grow deeper in you and in your Word. Father, I need an unshakeable faith that will stand when everything in this world is shaking like a great earthquake. Father, I thank you I serve a God who is able to deliver me safely to my inheritance. Praise the Lord!

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 19, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 19:3 (ESV)
When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.

Proverbs 19:23 (ESV)
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 17:6-7 (ESV)
⁶ I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. ⁷ Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:4 (ESV)
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

My observation:

There are some times in the life of God's people that things happen that result in them experiencing pain and suffering. The severity of this leads to grief and weeping in the depths of the soul. Whether this mourning is for sin or in suffering, there is a blessed hope of deliverance and relief for God's people.

The teaching of Jesus to the people was rooted in the Old Testament scriptures. In the previous beatitude, Jesus spoke of the poor in spirit. Notice what one of the prophets said about this.

Zephaniah 3:12 (HCSB)
I will leave a meek and humble people among you, and they will take refuge in the name of Yahweh.

In our focal passage for today, Jesus talked about those who mourn. Another of the prophets laments about this personally and for his nation.

Micah 7:1 (HCSB)
How sad for me! For I am like one who— when the summer fruit has been gathered after the gleaning of the grape harvest—{finds} no grape cluster to eat, no early fig, which I crave.

Yes, life is hard down here. However, God is good, and the best is yet to come. Jesus also taught his people to expect problems and difficulties in this world.

John 16:33 (HCSB)
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."

Oh, the peace that floods my soul when I think about the greatness, the goodness, and the grace of the Lord our God. Yes, you can make it if you hold on to God's unchanging hand.

Revelation 7:17 (HCSB)
For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful, and I am so blessed by the blessing I have received from your gracious hands, and by the promises that awaits me. Father, I rejoice for the blessings, but I rejoice even more for the Blessor, my heavenly Father, who is the source of the blessings.

My song:

Through It All (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V2Jzv_h7yo&feature=related

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 18, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 18:10-11 (HCSB)
¹⁰ The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. ¹¹ A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 17:3-5 (HCSB)
³ You have tested my heart; You have examined {me} at night. You have tried me and found nothing {evil}; I have determined that my mouth will not sin. ⁴ Concerning what people do: by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. ⁵ My steps are on Your paths; my feet have not slipped.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:3 (HCSB)
"The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

My observation:

How wonderful it is to sit at the feet of Jesus, and listen to him speak with authority about the Kingdom of God. Jesus came preaching about the Kingdom of God, and people flocked to hear him. They were interested in what he taught.

Matthew 4:17 (HCSB)
From then on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!"

In our focal passage for today, we begin to examine the blessings that Jesus taught about as he began his sermon. Notice that he was talking primarily to his disciples. However, there was a crowd that had gathered around them to soak up what Jesus had to say.

This passage is not a set of rules of how to become Kingdom people. Rather, it describes the character traits of those who are already citizens of the Kingdom of God. Let us listen to the testimony of two of the disciples who were present when Jesus spoke on that day.

Acts 3:6 (HCSB)
But Peter said, "I don't have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!"

Acts 4:13 (HCSB)
When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.

It is only the born again child of God that realizes how truly they are "poor in spirit". When I think about where God has brought me from, I can say with rejoicing in my soul, that I am so blessed. This is what the Apostle Paul said to the saints of the church at Corinth. There is something within us that makes the difference.

2 Corinthians 6:10 (HCSB)
as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the grace of God that reached down from the heights of heaven to rescue a dying and perishing soul like me. Father God, I have nothing to boast about except the Lord Jesus Christ. Father, I am so glad that I belong to Jesus, and that Jesus belongs to me. I'm a child of the King, and because of Jesus, the kingdom of heaven is my inheritance.

John 10:9 (HCSB)
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

My song:

We Are So Blessed (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jREx4JBzR0

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 17, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 17:3 (HCSB)
A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 17:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Lord, hear a just cause; pay attention to my cry; listen to my prayer— from lips free of deceit. ² Let my vindication come from You, {for} You see what is right.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ When He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. ² Then He began to teach them, saying:

My observation:

Where ever Jesus went he drew a crowd of people who were anxious to hear what he had to say. There was a reason for this, he was different.

Matthew 7:28-29 (HCSB)
²⁸ When Jesus had finished this sermon, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, ²⁹ because He was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.

Today I will introduce the topic for our focus this week. I will take my seat at the feet of Jesus, and listen as the Master Teacher open his mouth and I will allow him, by the Holy Spirit of God, to be the teacher, and to shape and mold my heart.

In this sermon that Jesus gives to his disciples and the multitudes that followed him, he taught a different gospel than what the religious leaders of the day were teaching. He used the same bible that they use, but his interpretation was different from theirs. They used the same vocabulary that Jesus used but they did not use the same dictionary.

Jesus looked at the religious leaders and what he saw did not please him. He saw evidence of self-importance, pride, and possessiveness. Jesus knew that his disciples faced the same temptations so he took the time to teach them about what the bible taught about God and his desires for their life. The bottom line of what Jesus taught was that God wanted heartfelt obedience, and not legalistic observance of laws and rituals.

Jesus taught that those who follow him with heartfelt obedience to God and his word will be highly favored, and blessed by the Lord. However, the path to those blessings will encounter mourning, hunger, thirst, and persecution along the way. However, there is a blessing that you are sure to receive, but they are not all in this life. Blessings delayed are not blessings denied. What a time that will be when we arrive at the Father's house to receive our eternal blessings.

My prayer:

Father God, Abba, Father, I delight to sat at the feet of your darling son Jesus, and to listen to him speak about the blessings that you have in store for your people. Father God, I pray that you will find in me a heart that desires above all else to be pleasing to you.

Father God, I am so grateful that you love sinners, and that you sent your son to die for our sins. Father, I pray that when you look at my heart you will see a heart like your servant David, who you found to be a man after your own heart. Like, David, I have my shortcomings, but like David, I love you with my whole heart, and I desire to obey you with my whole heart.

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Sunday Morning Reflections_October 16, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. ² All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives. ³ Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be achieved.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:39-40 (HCSB)
³⁹ The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord, their refuge in a time of distress. ⁴⁰ The Lord helps and delivers them; He will deliver them from the wicked and will save them because they take refuge in Him.

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 12:49-50 (HCSB)
⁴⁹ For I have not spoken on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a command as to what I should say and what I should speak. ⁵⁰ I know that His command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me."

My prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I stand amazed at the power of the Word of God. Father, I pray that I might learn from the example of Jesus by speaking the Word of God over my life. Father, I pray that every time I open my mouth I will speak the words of my heavenly Father just like Jesus did. Father, I pray that you will guide my tongue, and that I will learn to guard my tongue so that I might glorify you with my talk and my walk.

Proverbs 18:21 (HCSB)
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

My song:

Wonderful Words of Life (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Wonderful_Words_of_Life.html

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 14, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:2 (ESV)
Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:34 (ESV)
Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)
¹³ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

My observation:

The Psalmist concluded his meditation with a good and glorious word, that word is our focus for today. It is the word "wait". This word is better than a good word, it is a godly word. There is nothing that should inspire God's people more than the thing that David admonishes the people of God to wait for. What are the people of God waiting for? It is our inheritance God has promised to his believing children. I am convinced and confident that it will be worth the wait.

Psalm 37:11 (ESV)
But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Psalm 37:18 (ESV)
The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever;

Psalm 37:22 (ESV)
for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

Psalm 37:29 (ESV)
The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.

My prayer:

Father God, Abba, Father, I am so grateful and so blessed to be a recipient of eternal life. Father, the extent to which you went to provide and secure this precious gift for me overwhelms me. Father, it is only when I see you face to face, and behold the smile on your face will I begin to comprehend the enormity of the inheritance you have provided for me. Praise the Lord!

My song:

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

http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/tyl.html

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 13, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

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

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:27 (HCSB)
Turn away from evil and do what is good, and dwell there forever.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (HCSB)
¹² So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. ¹³ No 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 observation:

The choice words for today are "turn away". To turn to the Lord implies that there are some things that we will have to turn away from. The following is not an exhaustive list, but it is a significant list of things that every child of God needs to avoid. To be tempted is not sin, but to fall in the trap is to sin. The good news is that with every temptation, God provides a way of escape.

1. Turn from idolatry:

1 Corinthians 10:14 (HCSB)
Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

2. Turn from sinful living:

2 Timothy 2:19 (HCSB)
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and Everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness.

3. Turn from people who practice sinful lifestyles:

Psalm 119:115 (HCSB)
Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God's commands.

4. Turn from a corrupt mouth:

Proverbs 4:24 (MSG)
Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.

Psalm 119:29 (HCSB)
Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me Your instruction.

5. Turn from immorality:

1 Corinthians 6:18 (HCSB)
Run from sexual immorality! "Every sin a person can commit is outside the body." On the contrary, the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you will give me the wisdom and the will to turn away from the things that will cause me to mess up my life. Father, you know the temptations I face daily, and I ask for the strength to take the way out that you provide with every temptation.

My song:

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

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Yield_Not_to_Temptation.html

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 12, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:15 (HCSB)
A fool's way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

Proverbs 12:26 (HCSB)
A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.

Proverbs 12:28 (HCSB)
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:23-24 (HCSB)
²³ A man's steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. ²⁴ Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Psalm 118:8 (HCSB)
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

Job 23:11-12 (HCSB)
¹¹ My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside. ¹² I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food.

My observation:

The choice words for today are "God's way". This is the only way that will get you safely to the place that the bible calls heaven. Who could mind the journey if the road leads to the Father's house? It lifts my spirits and blesses my soul when I think about what Jesus said to his disciples before returning to his Father's home.

John 14:2-6 (HCSB)
² In 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. ³ If 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. ⁴ You know the way {to} where I am going." ⁵ "Lord," Thomas said, "we don't know where You're going. How can we know the way?" ⁶ Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

If you are a Christ follower, don't make a single step on your journey without seeking the will and the way of God. If you delight in the Lord, he will direct your path, and if you trust in him, and follow him, Jesus will surely deliver you to his Father's home.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the solid rock that is Jesus, and that I can trust in him with my whole heart, and know that I will arrive safely at Your home. Father, I have decided to follow Jesus, and I have come too far to turn around now.

My song:

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/298

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 11, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ The righteousness of the blameless clears his path, but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness. ⁶ The righteousness of the upright rescues them, but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:15 (HCSB)
Their swords will enter their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

Psalm 37:17 (HCSB)
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord supports the righteous.

Psalm 37:20-21 (HCSB)
²⁰ But the wicked will perish; the Lord's enemies, like the glory of the pastures, will fade away— they will fade away like smoke. ²¹ The wicked man borrows and does not repay, but the righteous one is gracious and giving.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Proverbs 26:27 (HCSB)
The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone— it will come back on him.

Proverbs 28:10 (HCSB)
The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

My observation:

We started this reflection on Psalm 37 by recalling an important point that the Psalmist made regarding his testimony.  It bears repeating.

Psalm 37:25 (HCSB)
I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread.

The thought running through this Psalm is the confidence that the Psalmist had in the righteousness and the justice of the Lord. The God of the Psalmist still rules and reigns, and he still watches over his people. The wicked may attempt to destroy God's people, but the Lord will deliver his people.

What the wicked intend for the righteous will come back on them. A couple of examples come to mind. Saul wanted to kill David. However, Saul ended up dying by his own sword. Haman built the gallows to execute Mordecai. However, it was Haman who died on the gallows he built.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for being a God who sits high, but looks low. Father, I thank you for the compassion you show for the poor and needy. Father, I am grateful that my life and my destiny are in your hands, and not in the hands of the wicked. Praise the Lord!

--

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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.