Daily Prayer_March 30, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:9 (MSG)
⁹ Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 72:18-19 (NLT)
¹⁸ Praise the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things.
¹⁹ Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!

The Word of God for encouragement:

 Luke 9:23 (ESV)
²³ And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

My observation:

The words of Jesus, in our focal verse from Luke 9:23, reminds us that there is a price for being a disciple of Christ. Although, the cost is high, the benefits are out of this world.

Jesus breaks the cost of discipleship down for us. The principles found in the words to his followers then still apply to Christ followers today. Here are the five principles:

1.       Desire: "If anyone would come after me".

2.       Denying: "Let him deny himself".

3.       Duty: "Take up his cross".

4.       Dedication: "Daily".

5.       Devotion: "Follow me".

Have you counted the cost of being a disciple of Jesus? Think about it, the cross precedes the crown".

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that when you look into my heart that you will find a person who is willing to pay the price to be a disciple of Jesus.

Father God, I am so grateful that success is not dependent upon my ability, but upon my availability. Father, you want people who are willing. You are able to do amazing things in the lives of those who you call and equip.

Father God, I am so grateful that you provide to your followers the ability, authority, and the message that we are called to proclaim. However, you remind us that we don't get the power until we obey the call.

Luke 9:1-2 (ESV)
¹ And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,
² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

Luke 9:6 (ESV)
⁶ And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Father God, help me to be willing to "Depart", and go where you send me. Father, I thank you for the enabling power you give to those who obey. Amen.

--

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

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

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Daily Prayer_March 29, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:5-7 (NLT)
⁵ The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
⁶ The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
⁷ The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 71:12 (NLT)
¹² O God, don't stay away. My God, please hurry to help me.

Psalm 71:14-16 (NLT)
¹⁴ But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.
¹⁵ I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.
¹⁶ I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 9:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Summoning the Twelve, He gave them power and authority over all the demons, and [power] to heal diseases.
² Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Luke 9:6 (HCSB)
⁶ So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

My observation:

The message from the word that resonates in my spirit is that no matter how old our bodies may be, if we are still alive, God still has a purpose and a plan for our life. I have seen how even in death that God still works through the life of those who die in Christ.

How God does this is a mystery to us. However, we do know that nothing is too difficult for God. Doing the impossible is what God specializes in.

The bottom line for me, based on the message God has spoken into my heart from His word, is that I need to pursue His purpose and plan for my life with passion.

Jesus has left us an example of what living with passion looks like by His willingness to give His all to fulfill the purpose for which He came into the world.

Luke 9:22 (HCSB)
²² saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you would form in me a heart that will be imbued with the spirit of self-giving.

Father God, give me a burning desire that will result in a passion to fulfill the purpose and the plan of God for my life.

Father God, in response to your unending love for me, I have a debt and a duty to be obedient to the call of God, the purpose of God, and the plan of God for my life. With  passion and your  help, I cannot fail. I have hope because I have a helper who is able.

Philippians 4:13 (HCSB)
¹³ I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

--

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

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

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Daily Prayer_March 28, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:4 (NLT)
⁴ A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 70:4 (NLT)
⁴ But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!"

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 8:23-25 (HCSB)
²³ and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger.
²⁴ They came and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to die!" Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm.
²⁵ He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, "Who can this be? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey Him!"

My observation:

I can witness to the truth expressed in the selected passage from the gospel of Luke. No matter how deep the troubled waters you may be in, Jesus will not take you where he cannot and will not keep you from drowning.

When the fierce winds blow upon and into your life, know that there is a God in heaven who is watching over His dear people. Jesus promised that He would never leave you or forsake you. Live by His promises, and you will never be disappointed.

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

Anchor your faith in God, and when the strong winds of adversity blow, and the fierce storms flood your life, know that you have a helper. Watch and listen for His voice saying to the storms, "Peace, be still".

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you are God all the time, and that you are always a God who is on time.

Father God, I thank you for being my rock, shelter, and my deliverer. Lord, thank you for being my all in all, and that when I place my faith in you, I can rest in the assurance that everything is going to be all right. Amen.

--

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

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

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Daily Prayer_March 27, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:2-3 (NLT)
² The LORD approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
³ Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 69:32-34 (NLT)
³² The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged.
³³ For the LORD hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.
³⁴ Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 8:9-15 (HCSB)
⁹ Then His disciples asked Him, "What does this parable mean?"
¹⁰ So He said, "The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that Looking they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
¹¹ "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
¹² The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
¹³ And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, welcome the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing.
¹⁴ As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit.
¹⁵ But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, bear fruit.

My observation:

It is important to guard our hearts. We are limited in our ability to evaluate the worth of a person because we can only see that which they display on the outside. However, God has no such limitation; He sees what is in our hearts.

The key that I take from a reading of this entire eight chapter of Luke is that Jesus is concerned about the spiritual condition of the hearts of people.

When we examine our hearts there are two things that we should pay close attention to. It is important to hear God's word. However, we have not rightly heard God's word until we obey the word. Let us each hear the word of God, and do it.

Luke 8:18 (HCSB)
¹⁸ Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him."

Luke 8:21 (HCSB)
²¹ But He replied to them, "My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that when you look into my heart you will find a servant with a heart that is spiritually well. Father, I pray that you will be able to say that your servant is one who listens and obeys the word of God.

--

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Daily Prayer_March 26, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:1 (NLT)
¹ To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 69:16 (NLT)
¹⁶ Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.

The Word of God for encouragement:

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

My observation:

During the past twenty seven days I have experienced an extraordinary walk with the Lord. I have found him to be more than able to meet my every need. This scripture has truly been real in my life.

Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Like the psalmist, I have found God's love to be unfailing, and wonderful to experience down deep in the depths of my soul. I have found that God does take care of his children, and that his mercy is overflowing with grace that is greater than my largest needs.

You will never be able to convince me that believing in an invisible God, and praying to him in faith is the activity of a fool. I know that God is real because he hears and answers my prayer. He has given me a peace that that has filled my soul with joy in the most difficult time of my life.

Joshua 24:14-15 (KJV)
¹⁴ Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
¹⁵ And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that you reward those who are not ashamed to look up to you, and to put their trust in your darling son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and the Lord of my life. Father, I am so grateful that you are a God who hears and answers prayer.

Father God, I am so thankful that because Jesus lives in me that there is never a moment that I ever have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death alone.

Father God, I am so aware, even at this present moment, the overwhelming presence of peace with God, and the peace of God. Father, I will tell the world that Jesus lives, and that I know he lives because he lives in me. The words of Jesus, spoken in the verse below, is still true for us today.

John 14:27 (KJV)
²⁷ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 
--

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Sunday Morning Reflections_March 25, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:29-31 (NLT)
²⁹ Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise.
³⁰ The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.
³¹ If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners?

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 68:19-20 (NLT)
¹⁹ Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Interlude
²⁰ Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign LORD rescues us from death.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Deuteronomy 6:1-2 (ESV)
¹ "Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it,
² that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.

Ephesians 6:1-4 (ESV)
¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
² "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise),
³ "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."
⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

My prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, Abba Father, You, and You alone are the source of life, and the sustainer of life. Father, I delight to give praise, honor, and glory to your precious name. Lord, there is none like you, no not one.

Father God, I thank you for being my rock, a solid foundation upon which I can build my life. I tremble to think of where I would be without the Lord in my life. Surely, I would be lost and undone; without hope in this world or the world to come.

Father, I thank you for being my anchor and my rock for the past twenty five days during the hospitalization of my wife, and her homecoming on March 15, 2012. Father, I thank you that Rosemary has arrived in that land where there is no sickness or death.

Father God, I don't know what the future holds for me, but I can rest in the blessed assurance that my Lord and my God will be holding my hand. Lord, I love you, and I will obey you with my whole heart. Father, you will always be the source and the strength of my life.

Father, will you tell Rosemary that I will see her in the morning. Lord, when you call me I will be somewhere listening for my name.

--

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Homegoing of My Wife of 47 Years _ Rosemary Amos Cotton

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=rosemary-amos-cotton&pid=156593716&fhid=11239

 

This will explain my absence from your email box with the daily prayer devotional. For those of you who have heard of her home going, I thank you for every expression of concern, and especially for your prayers. May our Lord richly bless you, my beloved.

 

In His Grip,

Herb

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Daily Prayer_March 16, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:15 (NLT)
¹⁵ There's danger in putting up security for a stranger's debt; it's safer not to guarantee another person's debt.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 60:5 (NLT)
⁵ Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 2:36-37 (HCSB)
³⁶ There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
³⁷ and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.

My observation:

When I went to bed last night, I looked at the clock, and the empty space in the bed next to me. I noticed that I had been awake for 24 hours. My day started at 1:00 AM with a call from the hospital seeking my consent for a blood transfusion for my wife. Later yesterday at 12:15 PM l was holding her hand, and releasing her to go home to her heavenly Father who loaned her to me for over 47 blessed years together.

I love the selected verses from Luke chapter two. The prophetess Anna was a woman of prayer. My wife, Rosemary, and Anna will probably run into each other in heaven as they zip around the streets of their eternal home.

They share something in common. They were both women of faith and prayer. The passage did not mention Anna's faith, but I know that it takes faith in God to be a woman or man of prayer.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for giving me as my life mate a woman full of love, faith, and prayer.

Father God, I am so comforted, and blessed to know that Rosemary made the transition from holding my hand to holding the hands of her Savior yesterday at 12:15 PM CT.

I am convinced that she heard Jesus speak to her words similar to these words written in the gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 25:23 (HCSB)
²³ "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!'

Addendum:

I just went to my study bible to verify something before hitting the send key, and I noticed this gem from a note I wrote in my bible. Don't know exactly the source of this wisdom.

Speaking about Anna, it said "She had known pain, but she was not harsh and bitter. She was limited but not useless".

My wife often said in her testimony that "I don't focus on what I can't do, but I focus on what I can do". Our pastor leads us every Sunday in closing our services by saying, "I can't do all things, but I can do some things. What I can do, God expects me to".

Rosemary, you always gave God your best, and you gave me your best.

--

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Daily Prayer_March 15, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

 Proverbs 11:14 (NLT)
¹⁴ Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 59:16-17 (NLT)
¹⁶ But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.
¹⁷ O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 2:9-11 (HCSB)
⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
¹⁰ But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
¹¹ Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.

My observation:

I am up really early this morning. I got a call from the hospital in the middle of the night about my wife's treatment. These have been difficult days, and now a difficult night for me.

Reading the word was just what I needed at this hour. Reflecting upon God's word and writing is therapeutic for me.

I needed the words written by the psalmist in ancient times to comfort and bless my soul. The Lord, right now is to me what he was to the psalmist when he wrote, "My refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress".

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I delight to sing the praises of your unfailing love for me, and for all who will allow you to have a home in their life.

 Father, I give you not a tiny guest room in my life, but I give you my whole life. Father, I want you to occupy all of me so that a watching world will see more of you and less of me.

Father God, I thank you for coming into this world as Mary's baby, and because Jesus was your only begotten son, he was able to be my Savior, and the Lord of my life.

My song:

Ancient Words (Click on link to listen):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIaiXt-fSwk

--

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Daily Prayer_March 14, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:12-13 (NLT)
¹² It is foolish to belittle one's neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.
¹³ A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 58:11 (NLT)
¹¹ Then at last everyone will say, "There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth."

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 1:67-70 (HCSB)
⁶⁷ Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
⁶⁸ Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
⁷⁰ just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets in ancient times;

My observation:

I have observed a common theme that runs through this first chapter of Luke. The thing that caught my eye is the people who have a song to sing. When Jesus has done something for you it gives you something to sing about. That was the case of Zechariah, and for the nation of Israel.

You may not think that you have anything to sing about because of your present circumstances. The weight of your problems may be pressing you down, but don't give in, and never give up as long as you have life and breathe.

There was a young Jewish woman who was pregnant, and engaged to a poor Jewish young man. Looking at her condition do you think she had anything to sing about? This was the song that she sang from the depths of her soul.

Luke 1:46-49 (HCSB)
⁴⁶ And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
⁴⁷ and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹ because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that in the throne room of my life you are in first place.

Father God, I will never cease to praise your most holy and righteous name. Only you are a God who takes nobodies and make them somebody.

Father, you are great, and greatly to be praised. My heart will be singing your praises all the day long. Father, I am taking my umbrella with me today because I am praying for rain. Not the rain storm we got a few days ago, but a pouring out of blessings on your people in answer to their fervent prayers.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (HCSB)
³ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.
⁴ He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

--

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Daily Prayer_March 13, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:9-11 (NLT)
⁹ With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.
¹⁰ The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die.
¹¹ Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 57:1 (NASB)
¹ Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 1:37 (NASB)
³⁷ "For nothing will be impossible with God."

My observation:

The word that spoke into my heart and blessed me this morning was the verse from Psalm 57:1. It is comforting to my heart to know this truth; "For my soul takes refuge in You".

When the fierce winds of the storms blow into our lives, the redeemed of the Lord have an anchor that is sure and steadfast, a God in whom we can trust to deliver us.

Mary found this to be true in her life, and so can you and me.

Luke 1:37 (AMP)
³⁷ For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the time I have each morning to open my bible, and allow the word of God, and the Holy Spirit of God, to speak into my soul. O, how my soul loves God. This will be my theme song as I go through the storm that I am currently facing.

Father, the winds were blowing hard yesterday, but I am so thankful that I could take refuge in the shadow of the wings of my dear Father in heaven.

--

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Daily Prayer_March 12, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:8 (HCSB)
⁸ The righteous one is rescued from trouble; in his place, the wicked one goes in.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 56:4 (HCSB)
⁴ In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Psalm 56:10-11 (HCSB)
¹⁰ In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,
¹¹ in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 1:10-13 (HCSB)
¹⁰ At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.
¹¹ An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear.
¹³ But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

My observation:

I am so glad that I worship and serve a God in whom I can trust with my whole heart. David was a man like that, and I want to be a man like that. Think about it. Is there a better foundation on which to build your life?

In our focal passage today from the NT I begin my walk though the gospel of Luke. There is one profound thought that gripped my heart as I read this chapter.

Zechariah was in the Temple praying. God dispatched his angel to give Zechariah a message. The message was that God has heard your prayer. God hears and answers prayer. How profound is that?

Now that is something to pause and thank God for. If God has heard your prayer, then give the Lord a prayer of thanks.

In order for God to answer our prayers, we must pray.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the prayers that I have seen answered in the lives of those who have asked me to pray for them.

Father God, I am so thankful that you have called me to the ministry of praying for others. What a joy it is to take the needs of people to the Lord in prayer, and leave the burdens of the people in Your almighty hands.

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Sunday Morning Reflections_March 11, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:7 (NLT)
⁷ When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Psalm 55:22 (KJV)
²² Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Daniel 6:3-5 (HCSB)
³ Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm.
⁴ The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
⁵ Then these men said, "We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God."

My observation:

Daniel is one of my heroes in the bible. The sixth chapter of Daniel reinforces why he is one of my role models.

I notice these sterling aspects of his character in the selected verses:

1.       Extraordinary spirit (v.3).

2.       Trustworthy (v.4).

3.       Blameless in God's eyes (v.5).

Another of my heroes is the Apostle Paul. Here is something from his testimony that shows what it is like to be blameless in God's eyes.

Acts 24:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶ I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I am so thankful for the grace and mercy of God that you have poured out into my life so abundantly.

Father God, I pray that you will continue to do in me what only you are capable of doing. Make me a man like Daniel and Paul.

Father, I desire to be a man with an extraordinary spirit, trustworthy, and blameless in the eyes of God and man.

My song:

Jessy Dixon singing, "I Can't Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv6rLqdNDBc&list=PLD86770FEEB073E50

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Daily Prayer_Prepared for the Alaska Governors Prayer Breakfast

Closing Prayer for March 10, 2012 Governors Prayer Breakfast

Herb Cotton, Baton Rouge, LA via Skype

 

Father God, our maker and sustainer. We come before your throne of grace as an empty pitcher before a full fountain.

 Father, we ask you to give us what we need, and not what we want in these perilous last days. Father God, we need an abundant outpouring of grace and mercy to make it through these difficult days.

Our problems are too big for solutions by the Government alone. However, our destiny is in the hands of God and not Government.

Father, my prayer today is that the people of God assembled in this place will return to the God of their salvation. God is the only hope for a brighter tomorrow. Lord, send a revival, and let it begin in me.

I close with this thought from the OT scriptures of a conversation between King Solomon, and the King of Kings. The Lord said to Solomon "I have heard your prayer". Then God said:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
¹⁴ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Father, send us forth to be people who will pray like Solomon prayed. Even the wisest among us need to pray; If Jesus needed to pray surely we need to pray. Prayer is the life blood of God's people. May we leave this place, and continue to pray for Alaska, and America. Amen.

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Daily Prayer_March 9, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:4 (HCSB)
⁴ Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath, but righteousness rescues from death.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 53:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ The fool says in his heart, "God does not exist." They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good.
² God looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God.
³ All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Mark 14:58 (HCSB)
⁵⁸ "We heard Him say, 'I will demolish this sanctuary made by [human] hands, and in three days I will build another not made by hands.'"

My observation:

Today's reading is Mark 14:53-72. My comments are on just one of those verses. In this verse the Sanhedrin Council decided to pick the false testimony of the witnesses to charge Jesus. They did this because the liar's testimony did not agree. My choice verse is Mark 14:58, above.

Mark 14:56 (HCSB)
⁵⁶ For many were giving false testimony against Him, but the testimonies did not agree.

Jesus did not say what his accusers testified before the court. The gospel of John records what Jesus actually said.

John 2:19 (HCSB)
¹⁹ Jesus answered, "Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it up in three days."

Don't be quick to believe everything you hear about people. There are wicked and corrupt people in the world.  When people tells lies about you, do as the Psalmist did in Psalm 53, cry out to God. Always remember that God will have the last word.

They crucified Jesus, but on the third day God raised him from the dead. As the hymn that we sing on Resurrection Sunday says, "I serve a risen Savior".

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You have the last word. Father, I am so blessed because of what Jesus did for me when he completed his work on the third day. Father, I thank you that because Jesus lives I shall live also.

Father, I thank you for teaching me how to live rejoicing every day, and that even in my season of trouble I can rejoice in the Lord who is the center of my joy.

--

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

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Daily Prayer_March 8, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:1-3 (NLT)
¹ The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.
² Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
³ Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 52:8-9 (NLT)
⁸ But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God's unfailing love.
⁹ I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Mark 14:18 (HCSB)
¹⁸ While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, "I assure you: One of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me!"

 My observation:

In today's meditation I was impressed to focus on Judas, who Jesus referred to at the gathering of the Last Supper in the above verse.

Here are some things we know about Judas:

He was a betrayer.

Luke 22:48 (HCSB)
⁴⁸ but Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

He was a thief.

John 12:6 (HCSB)
⁶ He didn't say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.

Jesus knew that his life of evil would not change.

John 6:70 (HCSB)
⁷⁰ Jesus replied to them, "Didn't I choose you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is the Devil!"

My prayer:

Psalm 52:2-3 (HCSB)
² Like a sharpened razor, your tongue devises destruction, working treachery.
³ You love evil instead of good, lying instead of speaking truthfully. Selah

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that I will not be like the people that the Psalmist spoke of, and I pray that I will not be like Judas who Jesus chose to be one of the twelve disciples. Father God, I want to be like the Psalmist.

Psalm 52:8 (HCSB)
⁸ But I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I trust in God's faithful love forever and ever.

 

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

.

 





 

Daily Prayer_March 7, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 10:31-32 (HCSB)
³¹ The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
³² The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate, but the mouth of the wicked, [only] what is perverse.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 51:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.
² Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.
³ For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.

Psalm 51:10-13 (HCSB)
¹⁰ God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit.
¹³ Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 12:6-7 (HCSB)
⁶ Aren't five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight.
⁷ Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows!

My observation:

Psalm 51 is my focus in today's meditation. David pours out his heart to God in recognition of the great sins he had committed.

All of us have the same need for repentance and forgiveness that David had. It is because of our DNA. The prophet said this also.

Jeremiah 17:9 (HCSB)
⁹ The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?

After doing the wrong thing, David did the right thing. He confessed to God his transgressions, and God did what only He can do, he cleaned the heart of David, and restored him to useful kingdom service.

God will do for you what He did for David. However, it requires repentance from sins and a turning to God so that He can do for you what no other power can do.

Romans 7:24-25 (HCSB)
²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body?
²⁵ I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the grace of God, and that you are a God who graciously gives the repentant sinner a second chance. Father God, I am so glad that those you deliver, you are also able to keep.

Father, I thank you that you keep those who you deliver from the wages of sin, and that are the blood bought children through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jude 1:24-25 (HCSB)
²⁴ Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy,
²⁵ to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.

--

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

.

 





 

Daily Prayer_March 6, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 10:29-30 (NLT)
²⁹ The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.
³⁰ The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 50:14-15 (NLT)
¹⁴ Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
¹⁵ Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory."

The Word of God for encouragement:

Mark 13:37 (HCSB)
³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert!"

My observation:

In the thirteen chapter of Mark there is not any portion that I can take out of context and comment on today and do it justice.

However, on the subject of the second coming of Christ the last word in the chapter gives us the proper response to the teaching of Jesus.

At all times we need to "Be alert".

Also, the poem of the Psalmist, Psalm 50, is a blessing to my heart. It reminds us of the importance of being thankful in all the seasons of our life.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray for the enabling power of the Holy Spirit so that I may be alert watching and praying as I look for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Surely, in these perilous times it could be any day.

Father God, I pray that when Jesus returns he will find me alert. Father, I pray that he would find me doing what I am doing now; reading the bible, praying, and applying the word of God to my life to bring it into agreement with the  will and purposes of God for my life.

Father, I am so thankful to be a child of God. I have no complaints about the storms my family is currently going through, because I know that Jesus is in control, and my faith is rooted firmly in the God of my salvation.

Father God, I know that in the fullness of time, and on time, you will speak to the storm and say, "Silence, be still". Father, today I am looking for a miracle of grace and mercy in the midst of the storm.

Mark 4:39 (HCSB)
³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Silence! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

 

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

Mark 4:20 (ESV)
²⁰ But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

.