Daily Prayer_Today's Reading from Butler's Daily Bible Reading

The End

 

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15)

 

We've come to the end of the year, and our verse speaks of the end for the ungodly. It is not a pretty picture, but is a verse that ought to make everyone sit up and take notice. It deals with the eternal destiny of the ungodly. Nothing is so important as our eternal destiny. The destiny of the ungodly is judgment. Our text tells of the guide for the judgment, the grace in the judgment, and the greatness of the judgment.

Guide for the judgment. "Whosoever was not found written in the book of life." If your name is not written in heaven's book of life, you will be cast into eternal hellfire. There is no exception here. No matter who you are, if your name is not found in the book of life, you will be cast into hellfire. It makes no difference if you are in books of importance in the world or if you are in some church membership book or some other book; but the guide for judgment is if you are in the book of life in heaven. God has provided a way for a person to get included in heaven's book of life. The way is to come to Jesus Christ for your salvation. Without Christ you cannot get in the book of life.

Grace in the judgment. "Whosoever was not found." The word "found" suggests that there was a search made for your name. God will look in the book to see if your name is there. This searching is grace. And it reminds us that Divine judgment is fair. It is according to the facts. "The judgment of God is according to truth" (Romans 2:2).

Greatness of the judgment. "Was cast into the lake of fire." Being cast into the lake of fire says the judgment is indeed great for those not in the book of life. The greatness of the judgment speaks of the greatness of sin. If the judgment is so great, how great must be our sin. Never play down the seriousness of any sin, for sin leads to eternal hellfire. The greatness of the judgment also speaks of the greatness of suffering. "Lake of fire" speaks of the worst suffering possible. The human mind cannot fathom existing in a lake of fire. The suffering is indescribable, but it is the end for the ungodly.

Daily Bible Reading: Sermonettes #1.

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My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

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_December 9, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:16-18 (ESV)
¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. ¹⁷ The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. ¹⁸ Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 7:28-29 (ESV)
²⁸ And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, ²⁹ for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

My observation:

Today we conclude our walk through the Sermon on the Mount. This is also the time that we take a break from writing for the remainder of December. We will be seeking God's direction for our life and our ministry for 2012. We will be back in January.

What a wonderful thing it is for us to be able to sit at the feet of Jesus, and listen to him speak with authority through the word of God. Unlike other religious teachers, they had to cite traditions and authorities in support of their teachings. Jesus didn't need to quote any authorities because he was the authority. He is the original Word, and he is in a class of one.

John 1:1 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you sent Jesus into the world to show us the way to God. Father, I thank you for the grace and mercy of the Lord, and that Jesus is sufficient for all of our needs. Father, I am so glad that Jesus can do anything but fail.

John 1:12-13 (HCSB)
¹² But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, ¹³ who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

My song:

Jesus Never Fails (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6-_jkYb1cc

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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_December 8, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 8:34 (ESV)
Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

Proverbs 8:14 (ESV)
I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:15 (ESV)
My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 7:26-27 (ESV)
²⁶ And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

My observation:

Today's focal passage from Matthew continues the thought that we looked at yesterday. The choice word is foundation. No reasonable person would intentionally build a house on land that was a sink hole. I believe the same applies to building a life. The issue for most people who build their life apart from Jesus being the foundation is that they just don't think about the consequences.

This is where believers can serve a useful purpose. We can be a tool in the hands of Jesus to help people think about their life purpose, and the consequences of building their lives on an inferior foundation. Jesus is real, relevant, and reliable. Jesus is the rock you can build your life upon. Listen to his testimony of what he can do for you.

John 5:24 (ESV)
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that today will be the day when someone takes the time to think about the purpose of life. Father, may they see Jesus as their only hope of eternal life.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

My song:

The Only Hope We Have Is In Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M_NbHxIiGA

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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_December 7, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 7:1 (MSG)
Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:14 (ESV)
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV)
²⁴ "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

My observation:

The choice word for today is foundation. What kind of building materials are you building your life upon? As for me, I have made my choice. You can have the world, but give me Jesus.

1 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV)
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The hymn writer expresses my heart in the lyrics from the hymn, "The Solid Rock".

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

• Refrain:
  On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
  All other ground is sinking sand,
  All other ground is sinking sand.

John 1:12 (ESV)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you sent Jesus into the world to be the foundation on which I can build my life. I am so glad that I can sing, "I'm a child of the King". Father, I ask you to cleanse my heart, and bend my will so that I will be a hearer and doer of the word of God. Father God, make me a wise builder.

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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_December 6, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

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

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:12-13 (HCSB)
¹² Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will show him the way he should choose. ¹³ He will live a good life, and his descendants will inherit the land.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 7:21-23 (HCSB)
²¹ "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only] the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?' ²³ Then I will announce to them, 'I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!'

My observation:

Jesus has previously warned about false prophets. In our focal passage for today he warns about false disciples.

It is not the outward display of power that shows you are a genuine disciple. Rather, it is the inward relationship you have with the living Savior that marks you as a child of God. It is not your mighty works that saves you, it is the might work of God in Christ that saves you. Do you know the Savior?

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the love of God for the world that caused you to empty heaven of your most precious possession to save sinners like me. Thank you Jesus for all that you have done for me. Where would I be if I didn't know the Lord?

John 3:16-18 (HCSB)
¹⁶ "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of 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_December 5, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 5:21 (MSG)
Mark well that God doesn't miss a move you make; he's aware of every step you take.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:11 (ESV)
For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 7:15-20 (HCSB)
¹⁵ "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. ¹⁶ You'll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree can't produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ So you'll recognize them by their fruit.

My observation:

The choice word for today's focal passage from the teaching of Jesus is the word "discernment". In this portion of his teaching Jesus returns to the theme of having the need for balance. He previous taught them not to be quick to judge, but also to beware of being naively accepting.

The Pharisees and the scribes had lots of professions, but Jesus put up a bright warning sign admonishing his followers to beware of false prophets. Today, we must beware of false teachers in the church.

2 Peter 2:1 (HCSB)
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.

Jesus said his disciples should be prepared to be fruit inspectors of those who come proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. Don't just listen to what they say without checking it out in the scriptures. If they are true teachers of the gospel their lives will show the evidence of spiritual fruit. It's not just about the talk, it's about the walk. The destiny of the false teacher is destruction. Listen to Jesus; beware of those you choose to follow.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray for the grace gift of being able to wisely discern those who are false prophets and false teachers among us. Father, surround your people with fruit bearing servants who will love and care for your people with the compassion that you have for us.

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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_December 4, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 4:23 (HCSB)
Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

The Word of God for inspiration:

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

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 1:22-25 (HCSB)
²² For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. ²⁴ Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God's power and God's wisdom, ²⁵ because God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I cry out to you with my voice, and with my whole heart I make my supplication to you. Father, you are my only hope in the land of the dying. You and you alone are the source of life. Father God, I am so grateful that you are a God who answers prayer and is near all who call out to you with integrity. Father, I ask you to help me by your power and wisdom to guard my heart above all else.

--

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_December 2, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 2:1-5 (MSG)
¹ Good friend, take to heart what I'm telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life. ² Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding. ³ That's right—if you make Insight your priority, and won't take no for an answer, ⁴ Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, ⁵ Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; you'll have come upon the Knowledge of God.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:8-10 (ESV)
⁸ Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. ⁹ He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. ¹⁰ All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)
¹³ "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. ¹⁴ But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

My observation:

If you want to know the way to God which way do you choose? Jesus taught his disciples that the choice before them was the narrow way and the broad way. These two ways lead to different destinations; the narrow way to heaven, and the broad way to hell. Jesus reminded his disciples that the way of the Pharisees was not the way to God.

Matthew 5:20 (NLT)
"But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

The narrow way is the only way to God. If your destination is heaven, then Jesus is the only way. The choice you make has eternal consequences. Think about it.

John 14:6 (HCSB)
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 10:10 (HCSB)
A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I thank you for sending Jesus to show us the way, and to be the way to spend eternity with God. Father, I thank you for the narrow way that leads to life. Thank you for Jesus, my Savior, and the Lord of my life.

My song:

He is Lord (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQaolD8FCwQ

--

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_December 1, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 1:7 (MSG)
Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:6-7 (HCSB)
⁶ Remember, Lord, Your compassion and Your faithful love, for they [have existed] from antiquity. ⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth or my acts of rebellion; in keeping with Your faithful love, remember me because of Your goodness, Lord.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 7:12 (HCSB)
Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them—this is the Law and the Prophets.

My observation:

Our focal passage from the Gospel of Matthew opens with the word "Therefore". I have been instructed that when I see this in the scriptures, I should ask the question, "What is the therefore "there for"?" Jesus did not speak the words of our passage in isolation. Let's look at what Jesus said previous to this statement.

Matthew 7:6 (HCSB)
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.

The pearl in this passage is the kingdom of God. The dogs and pigs in this passage can be associated with people who don't value the things of the kingdom. There are some people that you will meet in this world who want to hurt and harm you. How do you avoid being a victim of the schemes of the enemy of your soul? The answer is to pray every day for discernment.

Matthew 7:7-8 (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.

There are some people in this world that you can't apply the golden rule to. Don't give what is holy to dogs and pigs. Yet, we are to be merciful, forgiving, and slow to anger. Now, this should keep us on our knees in constant prayer. We need discernment to know when to move on.

Matthew 10:14 (HCSB)
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I need the wisdom of God to be able to rightly apply the golden rule. Father, give me that wisdom that comes from spending much time in your presence in prayer. Father, without you, I cannot strike the balance between discernment and being slow to judge.

James 1:5 (HCSB)
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given 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.