Daily Prayer_April 30, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:15-16 (NLT)
¹⁵ Only simpletons believe everything they're told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
¹⁶ The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 102:1-2 (MSG)
¹ A prayer of one whose life is falling to pieces, and who lets God know just how bad it is. GOD, listen! Listen to my prayer, listen to the pain in my cries.
² Don't turn your back on me just when I need you so desperately. Pay attention! This is a cry for help! And hurry—this can't wait!

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 1:35-37 (NLT)
³⁵ The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples.
³⁶ As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!"
³⁷ When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)
¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
¹¹ Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

My observation:

I am so glad that God is still in the business of calling people to follow Jesus. Today's reading from the New Testament  came together beautifully to powerfully speak into my heart.

I am so thankful that during this transitional period in my life that the voice of God is speaking so clearly and powerfully into my heart.

For this to be an "AHA" moment for me, I must do like Pastor Randy said in his sermon yesterday, I must take action. It is not enough to be awaken and honest; to have a truly "AHA" experience, I must do something immediately and continuously. I must do like the two disciples of John did when they met Jesus.

John 1:37 (NLT)
³⁷ When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the gifts that you give to each person that you call to follow you.

Father God, I pray for the faith and the obedience to take action in response to the call of God upon my life. Father, I pray that I will be willing to develop and deploy the gifts that you have given to me.

Father God, may I never forget that the purpose of the gifts are to serve others, and through that service to bring glory to God. Amen.

My song:

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

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

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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_April 29, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:13 (NLT)
¹³ Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 101:1-8 (NLT)
¹ I will sing of your love and justice, LORD. I will praise you with songs.
² I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.
³ I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.
⁴ I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
⁵ I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.
⁶ I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.
⁷ I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.
⁸ My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the LORD from their grip.

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 1:1-5 (ESV)
¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
² He was in the beginning with God.
³ All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

My prayer:

O sovereign Lord, the giver of every good and perfect gift, how my heart yearns for leaders in our day like King David. Father, what I would pray for our leaders, I would pray for myself.  Father, help me to live my life in such a way that I would be seen in your eyes to be blameless.

Father, we know that nothing is too difficult for you. Father, I pray that we as your people will not be negligent in our responsibility to pray for all of our leaders, not just those we agree with. Father, help us to not forget to pray for one another. Surely, if we ever needed the Lord; we sure do need you now. 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_April 27, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:9-10 (MSG)
⁹ The stupid ridicule right and wrong, but a moral life is a favored life.
¹⁰ The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 99:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Exalt the LORD our God; bow in worship at His footstool. He is holy.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 24:1-8 (HCSB)
¹ On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.
² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
³ They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
⁴ While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes.
⁵ So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men.
⁶ "He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
⁷ saying, 'The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day'?"
⁸ And they remembered His words.

Luke 24:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.

My observation:

There is not a celebration in the Christian church that is greater than Resurrection Sunday. I delight to exalt the Lord every day. Our God is worthy to be praised; Holy is the Lord, he is God almighty, and in a class all by himself.

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

Are you looking for Jesus? He is alive, and just like he promised that death could not keep him in the grave, so shall he keep his promise that he would come again.

We need to stay in the word so that we will be able to remember the precious promises of our promise-keeping God. Consider this to be your encouragement to remember the words that the Lord has spoken to his people in his word.

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

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for all that you have done to demonstrate your love for the lost and the least.

Father, I am so glad that death could not keep Jesus in the grave. Father, I am so hopeful because you are not in the cemetery with the dead, but that you are alive, and that we can meet you in the Sanctuary. I am so glad that I serve a Risen Savior, and Jesus is his name. 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_April 26, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:7-8 (NLT)
⁷ Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge on their lips.
⁸ The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 97:11-12 (NLT)
¹¹ Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.
¹² May all who are godly rejoice in the LORD and praise his holy name!

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 23:39-43 (HCSB)
³⁹ Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: "Aren't You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!"
⁴⁰ But the other answered, rebuking him: "Don't you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment?
⁴¹ We are punished justly, because we're getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong."
⁴² Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!"
⁴³ And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise."

My observation:

The selected passage from Luke provides hope and a warning. The hope is that it is never too late to receive deliverance from eternal separation from God.

However, we should not be inclined to put off doing today while we have life and opportunity to make the right choice. Notice that only one of the criminals asked for deliverance.

Luke 23:42 (HCSB)
⁴² Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!"

Now, notice that salvation does not take a long time to be effective; it begins immediately. Notice what Jesus told the criminal who sought salvation.

Luke 23:43 (HCSB)
⁴³ And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise."

The deliverance by the seeking criminal just prior to his death should not be an encouragement to delay coming to Jesus for deliverance.

As someone has said, "one was saved at death's door so none would despair, but only one so none would delay."

Jesus will do for anyone who asks him what he did for the repentant criminal.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for this timely message of the importance of making the right choice concerning where we will spend eternity.

Father, one of the criminals on the cross railed at Jesus, and one of the criminals received Jesus. One died condemned, and the other died delivered. Oh, the cost of unbelief.

Father God, I pray that you would open the eyes of any that cannot see the condition of their soul without Jesus in their life. Lord, I thank you for loving us, even to the very end. Father, you are the only God who was willing to die for the sake of rebellious sinners like me. All I can say is "Thank you Lord for saving my soul". In Jesus' name, 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_April 25, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:5-6 (MSG)
⁵ A true witness never lies; a false witness makes a business of it.
⁶ Cynics look high and low for wisdom—and never find it; the open-minded find it right on their doorstep!

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 95:6 (HCSB)
⁶ Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 22:54-60 (HCSB)
⁵⁴ They seized Him, led Him away, and brought Him into the high priest's house. Meanwhile Peter was following at a distance.
⁵⁵ They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, and Peter sat among them.
⁵⁶ When a servant saw him sitting in the firelight, and looked closely at him, she said, "This man was with Him too."
⁵⁷ But he denied it: "Woman, I don't know Him!"
⁵⁸ After a little while, someone else saw him and said, "You're one of them too!" "Man, I am not!" Peter said.
⁵⁹ About an hour later, another kept insisting, "This man was certainly with Him, since he's also a Galilean."
⁶⁰ But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

My observation:

The first two verses in the passage from Luke give us an answer to two key issues that contributed to the denials of Peter.

Peter got into trouble because of the crowd he was following, and the people that he was fellowshipping with.

The first Psalm warns us of the peril of sitting down with ungodly people. Be alert to the perils that would lead you to deny the Lord.

Psalm 1:1 (HCSB)
¹ How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers!

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that I know where to find the wisdom of God. Father, I know that the safest place for me is to come and sit at your feet. As for me and my house we will come to Jesus, and sit at his feet. Amen.

Isaiah 17:7 (HCSB)
⁷ On that day people will look to their Maker and will turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.

--

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_April 24, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:3-4 (MSG)
³ Frivolous talk provokes a derisive smile; wise speech evokes nothing but respect.
⁴ No cattle, no crops; a good harvest requires a strong ox for the plow.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 94:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ The LORD knows man's thoughts; they are meaningless.

Psalm 139:2 (HCSB)
² You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 22:35-38 (HCSB)
³⁵ He also said to them, "When I sent you out without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Not a thing," they said.
³⁶ Then He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn't have a sword should sell his robe and buy one.
³⁷ For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in Me: And He was counted among the outlaws. Yes, what is written about Me is coming to its fulfillment."
³⁸ "Lord," they said, "look, here are two swords." "Enough of that!" He told them.

My observation:

The words that Jesus spoke to his disciples before his departure from this earth are as timely for us today as it was for them on the occasion when he spoke them. The message of Jesus to his disciples was to be prepared for trouble.

Our circumstances are constantly changing. Therefore, to be prepared we need to be ready to change our methods to meet the new challenges. Keep the message the same, but adapt your methods to the new reality on the battlefield.

The good news about our circumstances is that troubles don't last forever. The scriptures predicted the suffering of Jesus. The things concerning Jesus had an end.

Luke 22:37 (HCSB)
³⁷ For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in Me: And He was counted among the outlaws. Yes, what is written about Me is coming to its fulfillment."

Jesus predicted that his followers would have troubles in this world. However, we have the blessed promise that Jesus has overcome the world. Our troubles will have an end.

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

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, O how blessed we are to have the peace in knowing that the troubles that we encounter in the world are not predictive of our destiny.

Although storm clouds may rise and strong winds may blow, we have an anchor that is sure and secure, and Jesus will lead his children safely to the shore.

Father God, I thank you for giving us peace in the midst of our troubled and storm tossed lives. Lord, thank you for being a God in whom I can trust with my whole heart. 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_April 23, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
² 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 93:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; The LORD is robed, enveloped in strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.
² Your throne has been established from the beginning; You are from eternity.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 22:31-34 (HCSB)
³¹ "Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat.
³² But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
³³ "Lord," he told Him, "I'm ready to go with You both to prison and to death!"
³⁴ "I tell you, Peter," He said, "the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know Me!"

My observation:

The warning that Jesus gave to Simon is a warning that we should all pay close attention to. We need to be alert to the desire and the design of Satan. He had a desire for Simon, and his design was to sift him like wheat. Just like Satan wanted to test Simon, he wants to test you. He wants to prove that you are a phony.

The good news is that Jesus knows his schemes, and Jesus knows what it takes to overcome the schemes of Satan.

However, be alert because you are no match for Satan in your own strength. Simon Peter tried, and he failed. Peter's pride got the best of him. He thought he could be faithful, but he failed the faith test.

The blessed hope in this story is that Satan does not have the last word. I am so grateful to God that Jesus had the last word concerning Simon Peter. Jesus could see repentance in Peter's future; Peter turned around.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that we have an advocate in heaven who is praying for us. Father, I pray that pride would not blind me to the desires and the design of Satan. Father, help me to stay on the lookout for Satan; help me to always remember that I need to watch and pray that my faith will not fail.

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

 

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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_April 22, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:24 (HCSB)
²⁴ The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 29:15 (HCSB)
¹⁵ A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a youth left to himself is a disgrace to his mother.

Proverbs 29:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Discipline your son, and it will bring you peace of mind and give you delight.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 90:1 (HCSB)
¹ Lord, You have been our refuge in every generation.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 21:34-36 (HCSB)
³⁴ "Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly
³⁵ like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth.
³⁶ But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man."

My observation:

Now is the time for Godly parents and grandparents to cry out to God for our children. For those who are single, cry out for the children who don't have anyone praying for them. Let's send up unceasing prayer for our children until they come to know God for themselves.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that as I look back over my life I can see that you have been our God in every generation.

Father God, I pray that this pattern will continue. Father, I realize that you don't have any grandchildren so I pray that every generation will be first generation children of God.

Father God, I pray that my children and my grandchildren will know you for themselves. Father, I pray that you will make this generation holy, and that you will make them wholly your sons and daughters. 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_April 20, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:17-19 (TLB)
¹⁷ An unreliable messenger can cause a lot of trouble. Reliable communication permits progress.
¹⁸ If you refuse criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism, you are on the road to fame.
¹⁹ It is pleasant to see plans develop. That is why fools refuse to give them up even when they are wrong.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 89:15-18 (HCSB)
¹⁵ Happy are the people who know the joyful shout; Yahweh, they walk in the light of Your presence.
¹⁶ They rejoice in Your name all day long, and they are exalted by Your righteousness.
¹⁷ For You are their magnificent strength; by Your favor our horn is exalted.
¹⁸ Surely our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 20:34-38 (HCSB)
³⁴ Jesus told them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.
³⁵ But those who are counted worthy to take part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.
³⁶ For they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are sons of God, since they are sons of the resurrection.
³⁷ Moses even indicated [in the passage] about the burning bush that the dead are raised, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
³⁸ He is not God of the dead but of the living, because all are living to Him."

My observation:

Today's focal passage from Luke is a good follow-up to the passage we looked at yesterday. The Sadducees in their question of Jesus about marriage got more than they bargained for. The wisdom of man is so inferior to the wisdom of God.

In his wisdom Jesus acknowledges and quickly disposes of the question about marriage. Then, he shows the superiority of his wisdom, and shows to them the reality of the resurrection of the dead. Jesus used the scriptures that they believed in to teach them a truth that they did not believe in.

I am so glad for the clever question of the Sadducees because it provided Jesus the opportunity to give us a picture of what heaven will be like for the redeemed who die in Christ. Even the clever men whose motive was to discredit Jesus had to praise him for his Godly wisdom.

Luke 20:39 (HCSB)
³⁹ Some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, You have spoken well."

Psalm 76:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Even human wrath will praise You; You will clothe Yourself with their remaining wrath.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I marvel and stand in awe of your greatness, and your Godly wisdom.

Father God, I have no clever questions for you. Rather, the desire of my heart is to exalt your name, and to tell others of your greatness and your goodness.

Father God, I just want to point people to Jesus who is the only one who can make them worthy to be sons and daughters of the resurrection. 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.

.

 





 

Daily Prayer_April 19, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:15-16 (MSG)
¹⁵ Sound thinking makes for gracious living, but liars walk a rough road.
¹⁶ A commonsense person lives good sense; fools litter the country with silliness.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 89:1-2 (NLT)
¹ I will sing of the LORD's unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.
² Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 20:20-22 (HCSB)
²⁰ They watched closely and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so they could catch Him in what He said, to hand Him over to the governor's rule and authority.
²¹ They questioned Him, "Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You don't show partiality, but teach truthfully the way of God.
²² Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

My observation:

One thing I notice about the selected passage from Luke is that Jesus always looks at the motives of a person.

We can't see into the heart of people like Jesus. However, we do have His abiding presence living within us. We also have the aid and the help of the Holy Spirit of God to teach us, and to help us in knowing and doing the will of God.

If people attempted to deceive Jesus, we can be sure that they will try to deceive us who are Christ followers.

Notice that these people wanted to catch Jesus by asking him questions filled with deception. They also used flattery to hide their true motives.

It takes Godly wisdom and an abundance of discernment to be able to deal with people who have bad motives. God will give us what we need, but we need to stay in the word of God, and we need to be unceasing in our prayer life.

My prayer:

Father God, in these evil days, we need your abiding presence every moment of the day and the night. There is never a time when we do not need the Lord.  Father, grace and mercy suits our case.  Father, the only way we can make it is to stay in your word, and on our knees.

 Lord, grant your people a double portion of Godly wisdom, and discernment to meet the deceivers that we encounter who try to catch us like that tried to catch Jesus. 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_April 18, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:12-14 (MSG)
¹² Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.
¹³ Ignore the Word and suffer; honor God's commands and grow rich.
¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so, no more drinking from death-tainted wells!

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 88:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out before You day and night.
² May my prayer reach Your presence; listen to my cry.
³ For I have had enough troubles, and my life is near Sheol.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 19:47-48 (HCSB)
⁴⁷ Every day He was teaching in the temple complex. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to destroy Him,
⁴⁸ but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.

My observation:

Today I have chosen to comment on the Psalm. Perhaps this is one of the saddest of the Psalms. However, the Psalmist was not without hope; the Lord was the God of his salvation.

The Psalmist had access to the Sovereign God of the universe, and he took advantage of his position as a child of God to cry out to God about his predicament.

I am so glad that the God of our salvation is able and willing to help us to get through the troubles that we face in this fallen world. Nothing we will ever face is too small or too large to take to him in prayer.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you will watch over your dear children, and meet their pressing needs out of your riches in glory.

Father God, you have demonstrated your amazing love for us by sending Jesus into world to die for our sins. Surely you love us, and I know that you have the compassion and the power to help us.

Lord, help us to learn to pray about everything, and to not worry about anything. Father, I long for the peace that only you can give. Father, I open my hands and my heart to receive your blessings. Amen.

Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB)
⁶ Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

--

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_April 17, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:11 (NLT)
¹¹ Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 87:1-4 (NLT)
¹ On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the LORD.
² He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel.
³ O city of God, what glorious things are said of you! Interlude
⁴ I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me— also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!

Revelation 21:27 (NLT)
²⁷ Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 19:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."

My observation:

I am so glad for the report by Luke of the encounter of Zacchaeus with Jesus on the Jericho road. What a glorious time that will be when the saints of the ages gather in the New Jerusalem.

Every day I wake up I know that I am closer to that day then I have ever been before. Think about this question. Are you ready, as the old hymn says, "I want to be ready to walk into Jerusalem just like John"?

Have you received the gift of salvation that Jesus came to provide for you?

John 1:12 (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.

Luke 10:20 (HCSB)
²⁰ However, don't rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Is your name in the Lamb's Book of Life?

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, O the joy of knowing that when Jesus Christ died on the cross at Calvary that my sins were marked in the Bank of Heaven, "Paid in Full".

Oh, the joy and the confidence of knowing that I have an eternal home prepared for me by my Maker and Redeemer. Amen.

John 14:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.
² In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you.
³ If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.

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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_April 16, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:9-10 (NLT)
⁹ The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
¹⁰ Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 86:1-4 (NLT)
¹ Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help.
² Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God.
³ Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly.
⁴ Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 18:27 (HCSB)
²⁷ He replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

My observation:

The scripture that leaped off the page and into my heart this morning is the verse from Luke 18:27. What a wonderful promise to meditate on.

I must remind myself frequently that the people of God live by the promises of God, and not what we experience with our senses. Our senses can deceive us, but God will never fail us or forsake us. You can trust him and never doubt him, and he will surely do what your senses tells you is impossible. However, you must trust in him to meet all of your needs.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;
⁶ think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.

Consider this passage as food for thought. Jesus taught his disciples that when you ask him to help you he can do the things that are impossible in your eyes.

Luke 9:13-17 (HCSB)
¹³ "You give them something to eat," He told them. "We have no more than five loaves and two fish," they said, "unless we go and buy food for all these people."
¹⁴ (For about 5,000 men were there.) Then He told His disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about 50 each."
¹⁵ They did so, and had them all sit down.
¹⁶ Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them. He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
¹⁷ Everyone ate and was filled. Then they picked up 12 baskets of leftover pieces.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that I will take away from today's bible reading that the key to unlocking the promises in the word of God is to have faith in God. Father, help me to remember that the child of God lives on promises not explanations.

Father God, I ask you to increase my faith in You, for you are a God who specializes in doing things that appear to be impossible. Amen.

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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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Obituary for My Wife _ Anchorage Daily News

Rosemary Cotton

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Rosemary Amos Cotton died on March 15, 2012 at Baton Rouge General Medical Center at Bluebonnet. She was born December 23, 1940 in New Orleans, LA. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1958 and Dillard University in 1962. She resided in New Orleans until 1965, when she moved to Anchorage, AK to join her husband who was stationed at Ft Richardson, AK. They remained in Alaska until 2009 when her husband pursued a business career and they raised their family.

Rosemary taught grades 1-3 for a total of 20 years; 3 years in New Orleans, and 17 years in Anchorage at both Mt. View and Baxter Elementary Schools. While working in Alaska she earneda Master of Education degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

Rosemary accepted the Lord as her Savior at an early age. She was a faithful member of Amozion Baptist Church, New Orleans, Grandview Baptist Church, Anchorage, Alaska, and Greater First Church-Baptist, Baker, Louisiana. She was active in the teaching ministry to children, and in the women ministry of the church.

Rosemary is survived by her husband of 47 years, Herbert Louis Cotton of Baton Rouge; daughter April Ransum (Teo Ransum) of Anchorage, AK; son Timothy Cotton, of Hoquiam, WA; brother Dr. Alvin Amos (Carol Amos), of Hockessin, DE; granddaughtersTamicia and Tamera of Anchorage, AK; as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and many cherished friends.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, Thelma and Rev.Herbert Amos, Sr., brother Herbert Amos, Jr., and grandmother Lily Madison.

Memorial services will be begin at 11:00am on Saturday, April 21 at Grandview Baptist Church, 1300 Columbine St in Anchorage and a potluck will be held at the church immediately after the service. Pastor Randy L. Graham, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Greater First Church-Baptist, 4669 Groom Road, Baker, LA 70714, in memory of RosemaryAmos Cotton, for the Mortgage Reduction Fund.

Published in adn.com from April 15 to April 16, 2012

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=rosemary-cotton&pid=156970743#storylink=cpy

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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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Sunday Morning Reflections_April 15, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:7-8 (MSG)
⁷ A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.
⁸ The rich can be sued for everything they have, but the poor are free of such threats.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 85:1-7 (HCSB)
¹ LORD, You showed favor to Your land; You restored Jacob's prosperity.
² You took away Your people's guilt; You covered all their sin. Selah
³ You withdrew all Your fury; You turned from Your burning anger.
⁴ Return to us, God of our salvation, and abandon Your displeasure with us.
⁵ Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger for all generations?
⁶ Will You not revive us again so that Your people may rejoice in You?
⁷ Show us Your faithful love, LORD, and give us Your salvation.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 18:1-8 (HCSB)
¹ He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged:
² "There was a judge in a certain town who didn't fear God or respect man.
³ And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'
⁴ "For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or respect man,
⁵ yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn't wear me out by her persistent coming.'"
⁶ Then the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.
⁷ Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [to help] them?
⁸ I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on earth?"

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you are a God who welcomes the persistent prayers of your people.

Father God, the words of the Psalmist speaks into the depths of my heart this morning. My cry echoes the cry of the Psalmist; O God, we need a revival of your people.

Father God, quicken our hearts to repent, and turn to you. Father, send us a heaven sent, Holy Spirit revival to cleanse our hearts, and turn your people back to God.

Lord God Almighty, give your people the faith to pray until you send revival to sweep our homeland, so that your people may rejoice in You.  Amen and Amen.

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.

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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_April 13, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)
⁴ Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 83:1 (NLT)
¹ O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 17:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
⁶ "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed," the Lord said, "you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

My observation:

When faced with a mountain size problem we would probably make the same request that the disciples of Jesus made. We all can say to the Lord, "Increase our faith".

The response of Jesus gives us insight into the kind of faith it takes to accomplish the difficult things that is required to do the will of God in our daily lives.

It is not the quantity of faith that makes the difference. Rather, it is the object of our faith, and the genuineness of our faith that matters.

The test of genuine faith is that it is alive and growing. A mustard seed is small, but it is alive and it is growing. That is the kind of faith, when placed in a "BIG" God that will accomplish what seems to our eyes as mission impossible.

How big is your God? How alive and growing is your faith?

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I come to your throne room of grace today to ask you to increase my faith. Father, I pray for the measure of faith that I need to meet the challenge of being obedient to do whatever it takes for me to fulfill the will of God for my life.

Father God, I pray for an overcoming faith that will be able to say to the mountain of circumstances that stand between my will and thy will, and for anything that would sidetrack me from fulfilling my God ordained purpose for being alive, "Be moved in Jesus name". Amen.

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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_April 12, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:2-3 (NLT)
² Wise words will win you a good meal, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
³ Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 82:1-4 (NLT)
¹ God presides over heaven's court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:
² "How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked? Interlude
³ "Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
⁴ Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

Psalm 82:8 (NLT)
⁸ Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 16:9-11 (HCSB)
⁹ And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous money so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings.
¹⁰ Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.
¹¹ So if you have not been faithful with the unrighteous money, who will trust you with what is genuine?

My observation:

If God has blessed you with financial resources in this world it is possible to earn returns on the wise investment of those resources. The systems of the world may not return you a large reward, but your heavenly Father will if you use your wealth wisely.

This passage informs us that the wise use of money won't gain you an entrance to heaven, but it will render benefits that will be stored up for you in heaven. Now this type of investment is safer than any investment you will ever make in this world in any asset class.

Investing in the work of bringing people into the kingdom of God, and helping those who are needy will yield a huge rate of return, and pay rich dividends. Also, God honors and blesses faithful stewards regardless of the size of your portfolio. I am so glad that God blesses not just the wealthiest among us, but the faithful.

Luke 16:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you will find in me a servant that will use wisely all that you entrust into my hands. Father God, help me, by your divine power, to be a person who loves people, and uses the things entrusted to me for the glory of God, and the blessing of others. Amen.

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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_April 11, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:1 (NLT)
¹ A wise child accepts a parent's discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 81:8-10 (NLT)
⁸ "Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen to me!
⁹ You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god.
¹⁰ For it was I, the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 15:1-7 (HCSB)
¹ All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him.
² And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!"
³ So He told them this parable:
⁴ "What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it?
⁵ When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders,
⁶ and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!'
⁷ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don't need repentance.

My observation:

I am so glad that God is a God who loves people that are lost. That is the message of Easter that we just celebrated last Sunday. It is clearly on display for all to see in Luke 15.

Jesus told three parables to illustrate this truth; the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost sons. Yes, I say sons because I think both of them were lost, but it different ways.

Jesus loves sinners, the Holy Spirit draws sinners to Jesus, and the Father welcomes sinners to live in his home forever. Read this passage and think about how much God loves you, even when you have rejected him.

If you are not in the household of faith, God is waiting for you to come to him through Jesus, and find rest for your weary soul.

Luke 15:20-24 (HCSB)
²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.
²¹ The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son.'
²² "But the father told his slaves, 'Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
²³ Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let's celebrate with a feast,
²⁴ because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' So they began to celebrate.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that your love for sinners is personal. Father, I am so grateful that you died for me on that cross. Father, I thank you that Jesus arose from the grave on the third day for me. Father, I will never get over how much God loves a lost sinner like me. All I can say is, "Lord, I thank you for my blessings every day". Amen.

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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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