Daily Prayer_November 30, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 30:7-9 (NLT)
⁷ O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. ⁸ First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. ⁹ For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?" And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. ⁵ Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 7:7-11 (HCSB)
⁷ "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. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ⁹ What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

My observation:

The choice word for today is prayer. As a child of God, we are so blessed to have unlimited access to our heavenly Father. Whatever we need our heavenly Father is able and willing to provide. However, for prayers to be answered they must be prayed.

The words of one of my favorite hymns speaks about the consequences of neglecting to pray. Think about it.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, we come to your throne room of grace this morning as needy people. We come as an empty pitcher before a full fountain. Father, will you fill my cup with what I need today; Lord, not my will, but thy will be done in me. What I ask for myself, I also ask for my family and my friends.

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

--

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_November 29, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:20 (NLT)
There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:3 (HCSB)
No one who waits for You will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 7:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ "Do not judge, so that you won't be judged. ² For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ³ Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but don't notice the log in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and look, there's a log in your eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ⁶ Don't give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.

My observation:

In our focal passage for today from the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches his disciples an important lesson about how to deal with a brother or sister in Christ who stumbles. He warns about judging, but does not completely prohibit it. Rather, he called for self-examination and eye surgery on self first.  God expects you to have discernment, and he will give it to you. Notice the admonition of Jesus in verse six.

As a Christian we all stumble. However, the good news is that we belong to a God who loves us supremely, and is a God of unending mercy. Where would you and I be without the grace of God? As for me, grace and mercy suits my case. Think about these scriptures:

Isaiah 63:9 (MSG)
In all their troubles, he was troubled, too. He didn't send someone else to help them. He did it himself, in person. Out of his own love and pity he redeemed them. He rescued them and carried them along for a long, long time.

Galatians 6:1 (MSG)
Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you would help me to align my attitude, and my activity with that of Jesus. Father, give me an attitude that is motivated by love, and activities that demonstrate love in action. Father, if you find in me a condemning spirit toward those who stumble, I ask that you replace it with a spirit of redemption.

--

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_November 28, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 28:20 (NLT)
The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:1-2 (ESV)
¹ To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. ² O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:31-34 (ESV)
³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ³⁴ "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

My observation:

We take up today where we left off on Friday. Our Lord continues to teach his disciples about the kingdom principle of the disciples of Christ having faith in God. If we have constant anxiety in our life we need to examine our faith.

Matthew 6:30 (ESV)
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

The surest and clearest path to living without anxiety is to put God first in our life, and to learn to trust in God to supply all of our needs. We can trust in God to meet all of our needs, all the time, and on time. That is how good and how generous my God is.

There is an old wise saying that says, "Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday". Being anxious about tomorrow won't change the outcome.

Matthew 6:34 (ESV)
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that I have a God in whom I can trust in for today, and for all of my tomorrows. Father, I am so thankful that my creator knows about all of my needs, and that includes the material things that are necessary for life. Father God, if you find my faith to be defective, will you fix it so that I will learn to trust in you absolutely and always.

--

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_November 27, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 27:9 (MSG)
Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 116:18-19 (MSG)
¹⁸ I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it in company with his people, ¹⁹ In the place of worship, in God's house, in Jerusalem, God's city. Hallelujah!

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 John 2:5 (NLT)
But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.

1 John 2:10 (NLT)
Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.

1 John 2:15 (NLT)
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I thank you for the love of God who lives and abides in me by the presence of the Holy Spirit who is love. Father, help me by your divine power to love you with my whole heart, and to love others with your love.

Romans 5:5 (NLT)
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

 

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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_November 25, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 25:28 (MSG)
A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 116:16-17 (HCSB)
¹⁶ Lord, I am indeed Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your female servant. You have loosened my bonds. ¹⁷ I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of Yahweh.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:25-30 (HCSB)
²⁵ "This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the sky: They don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they? ²⁷ Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying? ²⁸ And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don't labor or spin thread. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! ³⁰ If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't He do much more for you—you of little faith?

My observation:

In our focal passage for today Jesus teaches his disciples a very important truth that flows from his prior teaching about God and possessions. The choice word is worry. The choice verse for me in this passage is this one.

Matthew 6:26 (HCSB)
Look at the birds of the sky: They don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they?

Yes, I know how much I am loved and cared for by my heavenly Father. For me to worry is to lack faith in him. Worry is my enemy, but God in my friend. As for me, I will trust in the Lord; in his promises and in his provisions.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that there is a God in heaven who is able to keep every promise in the Word of God. Father God, I thank you for every promise in the book, and for every provision that you give freely to your believing children. Father, I choose the master over money. Father, I believe that you will do much more for me if I seek you first and trust in you.

Matthew 6:24 (HCSB)
"No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.

--

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_Happy Thanksgiving

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:27 (HCSB)
Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field; afterward, build your house.

John 9:4 (HCSB)
We must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 116:12-14 (NASB)
¹² What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me? ¹³ I shall lift up the cup of salvation And call upon the name of the Lord. ¹⁴ I shall pay my vows to the Lord, Oh may it be in the presence of all His people.

The Word of God for encouragement:

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

HAPPY THANKSGIVING – MAY YOUR CUP OVERFLOW WITH BLESSINGS FROM THE LORD TODAY AND EVERY DAY.

 

My prayer:

Psalm 100:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth. ² Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. ³ Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture. ⁴ Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. ⁵ For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

 

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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_November 23, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ Don't wear yourself out to get rich; stop giving your attention to it. ⁵ As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 116:5-7 (HCSB)
⁵ The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate. ⁶ The Lord guards the inexperienced; I was helpless, and He saved me. ⁷ Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:24 (HCSB)
"No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.

My observation:

Our focal verse for today summarizes the teaching of Jesus about God and possessions. The key point is that the believer belongs to one master. We are slaves of God, and not employees. Peter got it right when he asked this question.

John 6:68 (HCSB)
Simon Peter answered, "Lord, who will we go to? You have the words of eternal life.

When it comes to serving God there is no room for divided loyalty. A slave must provided exclusive service to their master.

Galatians 1:10 (HCSB)
For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.

James 4:4 (HCSB)
Adulteresses! Don't you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world's friend becomes God's enemy.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, since you have paid in full my sin debt, I belong to you exclusively. Father, help me, by your divine power, to live my life fully surrendered to you. Father, my life's goal is to please God.

My song:

Fully Surrendered – Lord, I Would Be (Click on link to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/442

--

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_November 22, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:1 (HCSB)
A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.

Proverbs 22:4 (HCSB)
The result of humility is fear of the Lord, along with wealth, honor, and life.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 116:3-4 (HCSB)
³ The ropes of death were wrapped around me, and the torments of Sheol overcame me; I encountered trouble and sorrow. ⁴ Then I called on the name of Yahweh: "Yahweh, save me!"

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:22-23 (HCSB)
²² "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness—how deep is that darkness!

My observation:

It is hard to keep the main thing the main thing. It requires spiritual vision to see life from God's point of view.

Matthew 6:33 (HCSB)
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

You can know that you have poor spiritual eyesight when the love of things becomes the main thing in your life. We need things, but they should not be our master. The person with good eyesight is the person who has fixed their eyes on Jesus, and put him first in their life.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I have the gift of faith that enables me to call you my Father. So then, with that same measure of faith, I can say, "Thy will be done on earth, and in me". Father, I am so grateful that I can look to my heavenly Father to supply all of my needs. What a blessing and a peace I have in knowing that the Lord is my shepherd, and I shall not want for anything today or tomorrow. In my Father's house are blessings overflowing with love.

Psalm 23:6 (HCSB)
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

--

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_November 21, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:17 (MSG)
You're addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 116:1-2 (NASB)
¹ I love the Lord, because He hears My voice and my supplications. ² Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:19-21 (HCSB)
¹⁹ "Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

My observation:

In today's focal passage from the Sermon on the Mount Jesus talks about the topic of possessions. Jesus knew love of things would consume us if we did not have the proper attitude toward them. Someone has said that we should love people and use things. Many get this backwards; they use people and love things.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you would help me to get my heart in the right place. Father, you are a good God, and you provide abundantly for your people who put their trust in you. Father, help me to be like the Psalmist who experienced the dark day of trouble in his life, but found that God was right there in the midst of his day of distress. Father, may I respond with a heart of gratitude like the Psalmist did. Father, I thank you for being a God of mercy who cares for those who take refuge in you.

Nahum 1:7 (HCSB)
The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; He cares for those who take refuge in Him.

 

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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_November 20, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 20:5 (ESV)
The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 119:1-2 (ESV)
¹ Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! ² Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 15:12-15 (HCSB)
¹² This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are My friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn't know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am in awe of the privilege and power that we have because of our personal relationship with a God who resides in the hearts of his believing children. What a privilege we have to make deposits of love in the lives of others for their good and your glory. Father, help me to share what you have made known to me.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV)
¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 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.

 

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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_November 18, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

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

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 30:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ Sing to Yahweh, you His faithful ones, and praise His holy name. ⁵ For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:16-18 (HCSB)
¹⁶ "Whenever you fast, don't be sad-faced like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so their fasting is obvious to people. I assure you: They've got their reward! ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you don't show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

My observation:

Today we conclude our focus on the teaching of Jesus concerning the subjects of giving, praying, and fasting. In contrast to how the Pharisees did these things, Jesus emphasized secret giving, praying, and fasting.  The Pharisees did each for the eyes of other people. What Jesus said about fasting in today's focal passage, he also said about giving and praying.

Matthew 6:4 (HCSB)
so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:6 (HCSB)
But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that my giving, praying, and fasting will be acceptable in your eyes. Father, I want to be like Jesus in everything I say and in everything I do. Lord, my aim is for thy will to become my will.

Psalm 19:14 (HCSB)
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

My song:

Take My Life, and Let It be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee (Click on link below for the lyrics and to listen):

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_November 17, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 17:9 (HCSB)
Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 30:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ I will exalt You, Lord, because You have lifted me up and have not allowed my enemies to triumph over me. ² Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. ³ Lord, You brought me up from Sheol; You spared me from among those going down to the Pit.

The Word of God for encouragement:

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

My observation:

Before moving from the model prayer, we look today at these additional words that Jesus said about forgiveness. Jesus started this instruction on prayer by stressing the importance of putting the concerns of God first when we pray.

Matthew 6:10 (HCSB)
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus completes this teaching on prayer by putting the emphasis on forgiving others. Notice, however, that Jesus is not saying that God forgives sinners on the basis of how we forgive others. God forgives sinners on the basis of what Jesus did on the cross.

Ephesians 4:32 (HCSB)
And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

The point Jesus is making to his disciples is that in order to have an effective, personal, and intimate relationship and fellowship with God, we must have a heart that is willing to forgive others. If we are going to be sincere in our prayer life, then we must mean it when we pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Our Father in heaven forgives sinners, and so should we forgive others.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I am a forgiven child of God. Father, I thank you for this firm warning from Jesus about the importance of God's children being willing to forgive others as they have been forgiven. Father, help me to never forget how much you have forgiven me in Christ Jesus my Savior, and the Lord of my life. Father, give me a kind and compassionate heart that loves and forgives others because I have been loved and forgiven by God.

--

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_November 16, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:17 (HCSB)
The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 29:10-11 (HCSB)
¹⁰ The Lord sat enthroned at the flood; the Lord sits enthroned, King forever. ¹¹ The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)
⁹ Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread, ¹² and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

My observation:

We have seen this week how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. He admonishes them that prayer should be secret and sincere. Today he adds another principle, and that is that prayer should be systematic. He gives them a model for praying. He said to them when you pray use this as your format. The disciples had seen Jesus pray, and they wanted to learn how to pray like he prayed. I'm glad that disciple asked the question.

Luke 11:1 (ESV)
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the privilege of being able to have an audience with you, the sovereign God of the universe. Father, your name is a wonderful name. Lord, I bow low at your feet, and I exalt your name. Oh, how precious is the name of the Lord. Father, there is no place I would rather be than in the presence of my Lord, and my God.

Psalm 145:18 (ESV)
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

 

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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_November 15, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:8 (HCSB)
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Proverbs 15:29 (HCSB)
The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 29:3-4 (HCSB)
³ The voice of the Lord is above the waters. The God of glory thunders— the Lord, above vast waters, ⁴ the voice of the Lord in power, the voice of the Lord in splendor.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:7-8 (HCSB)
⁷ When you pray, don't babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they'll be heard for their many words. ⁸ Don't be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.

My observation:

In our focal passage for today Jesus continues to teach his disciples how to pray. Yesterday's lesson was on secret prayer. Today Jesus addresses the topic of sincerity and simplicity in prayer. We can be specific in our prayers without using superfluous words. God already knows our needs. However, he wants us to pray because he wants to be near us. He wants intimacy rather than information from us. We need to pray because the influence of the Father in us in our times of prayer will change our lives for our good and God's glory. The more we are near him the more we become like him.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you will give me a hunger and thirst deep in my heart and soul to be near my God in frequent , sincere, and simple prayer. Father, sometimes I need a little talk, and sometimes I need to have a big talk with you. Lord, I need your smile and I need your strength that I get when I am near the side of my Lord in secret prayer.

My song:

Draw Me Nearer (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/387

--

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_November 14, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:2 (HCSB)
Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 29:2 (HCSB)
Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due His name; worship Yahweh in the splendor of His holiness.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ "Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. I assure you: They've got their reward! ⁶ But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

My observation:

Jesus taught his disciples that prayer is a matter between a person and God. The motive for prayer is to communicate with God. The Pharisees motive in prayer was to put the focus of people upon their personal righteousness.

The focus of the child of God should be to get alone with God, and worship him in the beauty of his holiness. The unseen God will see you, and he will reward your secret and sincere prayer.

John 1:18 (HCSB)
No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son— the One who is at the Father's side— He has revealed Him.

1 Timothy 1:17 (HCSB)
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

My prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, Abba, Father, I stand amazed in the quietness of this holy hour to be able have an audience with the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. What an awesome thing it is to know that the Father of Jesus is also my heavenly Father. The one who knew Jesus knows me, and loves me. Father, I am so thankful that you listen to the prayers of those who listen to the words of your Son.

Luke 9:35 (HCSB)
Then a voice came from the cloud, saying: This is My Son, the Chosen One; listen to Him!

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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_November 13, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:3 (HCSB)
The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 55:22 (HCSB)
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Nahum 1:7 (HCSB)
The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; He cares for those who take refuge in Him.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that you are a God who is faithful and unchanging. Father, I ask that you would grant me the grace to have the faith to be able to stand on the precious promises of God, and of Christ my Savior, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Father God, I am so thankful that I am, "Greatly blessed and highly favored, imperfect, but a forgiven child of God".

My song:

Standing on the Promises of God (Click on link below for the lyrics and to listen to this song):

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

--

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_November 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 28:9 (HCSB)
Save Your people, bless Your possession, shepherd them, and carry them forever.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:5 (HCSB)
"Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. I assure you: They've got their reward!

My observation:

In today's focal passage from the Sermon on the Mount Jesus deals with the issue of public prayer. This is not a prohibition against public prayer. Rather, it is an admonition about the motive in public prayer. Jesus on occasions prayed in public.

Matthew 14:19 (HCSB)
Then He commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the crowds.

The issue in public prayer is the motive, and Jesus had strong words to say about the motives of the religious people of his day. Think about this as you examine your motive concerning public prayer. Do I pray more in public then I do in private. There is no reward from praying like the hypocrites except the praise of people.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I ask that you would help me to enrich my private prayer life. Father, teach me to pray like you taught your disciples to pray. Above, all I pray that you will hear and answer my prayers in secret and in public.

My song:

Prayer is the Incense of a Holy Heart (Click on link below for the lyrics and to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/762

--

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_November 10, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:10 (HCSB)
When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices, and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 28:7-8 (HCSB)
⁷ The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song. ⁸ The Lord is the strength of His people; He is a stronghold of salvation for His anointed.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. ² So whenever you give to the poor, don't sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. I assure you: They've got their reward! ³ But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

My observation:

In the previous chapter we saw Jesus' teaching about how to possess righteousness. In this chapter our Lord deals with how to practice righteousness.

1 John 2:29 (HCSB)
If you know that He is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right has been born of Him.

In the living out of what God has deposited in us we must be sure to have the right motives when we practice our righteousness. Today our focus is the motive for giving. In our focal passage Jesus compares the motives of the Pharisees in their giving, and the praise that they received.

The Pharisees announced their giving by sounding a trumpet. They gathered a crowd because they wanted the crowd to see them giving to the poor. They sought the praise of people, and that is all the reward they would get.

Jesus described how those who possess the righteousness of God should practice their righteousness before an audience of one. You can only get one reward for your giving. Do you want the reward of people or the reward of God?

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that when I give, and every time I give, I will have pure motives. Father, I acknowledge that everything comes from you. Therefore, all of the praise belongs to you. Father, teach me how to give so that in my giving I might bring glory to God.

--

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_November 9, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 9:11 (HCSB)
For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 28:6 (HCSB)
May the Lord be praised, for He has heard the sound of my pleading.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:43-48 (HCSB)
⁴³ "You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don't even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

My observation:

Today we conclude this portion of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus continues to correct some common misinterpretations of the Old Testament by the people of that day. We have seen several instances where he introduced those corrections by saying, "You have heard that it was said". This should be a big red flag to us that you can't believe everything that you have heard that the scriptures says. There are some things that you need to check out for yourself.

Jesus corrected the disciples by reminding them that the Old Testament scriptures never commanded them to hate their enemies. We have observed this week that the way we use words should be different, and the way we respond to wounds should be different. Today, we learn that the way we respond to wrongs should be different.

We cannot meet the standards taught by Jesus as long as we live in this fallen world. We can never grow toward meeting them in our strength alone. There is no self-help program that you can follow to achieve the standard set out in this sermon by Jesus. We need Jesus in us to be pleasing to God. Then, by faith, we can allow him to love others through us. This is not a self-help lesson, it is a God dependent lesson taught and empowered by our Savior.

Matthew 5:48 (HCSB)
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that the heavy lifting has already been done by Jesus to make me holy and righteous in your eyes. Father, help me to be willing to bend the knee, and to submit to the will of my heavenly Father.

My song:

I Can't Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv6rLqdNDBc&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_November 8, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 8:32 (NKJV)
"Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.

Proverbs 8:14 (NKJV)
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 28:3 (HCSB)
Do not drag me away with the wicked, with the evildoers, who speak in friendly ways with their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:38-42 (HCSB)
³⁸ "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. ³⁹ But I tell you, don't resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. ⁴¹ And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and don't turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

My observation:

Today we return to the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In this portion of the sermon Jesus is teaching his disciples how they should be different then the Pharisees. He taught them that they should measure themselves by the standards of the Father. Yesterday we saw how they should measure their words. Today's focal passage is about the disciples' response to wounds.

The principle I take away from this passage is that Christ followers are people who are willing to go the second mile to win the peace in personal relationships. I have to constantly remind myself that God is not going to right every wrong in this world until his kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven. The best way to handle wrong doers is to put them in the hands of the Lord. Notice how Paul handled the wrong done to him. The highest example of this is Jesus, and we can't go wrong by walking in his steps.

2 Timothy 4:14 (HCSB)
Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works.

1 Peter 2:23 (HCSB)
when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He was suffering, He did not threaten but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you would create in me the desire to be a peacemaker and not a troublemaker. Father, help me to be humble and selfless in my response to perceived wrongs that I encounter in this fallen world. Father, help me to learn to entrust myself to the care and protection of my heavenly Father who is the only one capable of judging justly.

Romans 12:19 (HCSB)
Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says 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_November 7, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 7:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands. ² Keep my commands and live; protect my teachings as the pupil of your eye. ³ Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 28:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Lord, I call to You; my rock, do not be deaf to me. If You remain silent to me, I will be like those going down to the Pit. ² Listen to the sound of my pleading when I cry to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 5:33-37 (HCSB)
³³ "Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. ³⁴ But I tell you, don't take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God's throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, because it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Neither should you swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. ³⁷ But let your word 'yes' be 'yes,' and your 'no' be 'no.' Anything more than this is from the evil one.

My observation:

The way that a follower of Christ lives in the world should be different then the way other people live their lives. Jesus asked his disciples a very penetrating question that bears our paying attention to. He said to them, "What do you do more than others?" Jesus reminded his disciples that the standard is not what others do, but what the Father says in the word.

Matthew 5:48 (HCSB)
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

In today's focal passage Jesus applied this standard to the disciple's words. The Pharisees were notorious for making vows. However, they had all kinds of exceptions to the vows that they made so that they could avoid keeping them. Jesus said his followers should be different. In fact, he said you should not even make vows. Just say what you mean, and let your life backup your words. Our Lord's brother caught this lesson from Jesus, and repeated it in his epistle that bears his name.

James 5:12 (HCSB)
Now above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. Your "yes" must be "yes," and your "no" must be "no," so that you won't fall under judgment.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, our Lord Jesus has taught us that the standard for the life of Christ followers is holiness. Father, the only way I can meet the standard, and be pleasing in your eyes is if you hold my hand, and guide each step that I take, and guard each word that I speak. Father, I can't, but you can, so hold my hand dear Lord.

My song:

Hold Thou My Hand: So Weak I Am and Helpless

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/388

--

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.