Sharing the Word: August 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 31, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:14 (HCSB)
¹⁴The mouth of the forbidden woman is a deep pit; a man cursed by the LORD will fall into it.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 45:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷I will cause your name to be remembered for all generations; therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 5:12-16 (HCSB)
¹²We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance rather than in the heart.
¹³For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we have a sound mind, it is for you.
¹⁴For Christ's love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died.
¹⁵And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.
¹⁶From now on, then, we do not know anyone in a purely human way. Even if we have known Christ in a purely human way, yet now we no longer know [Him in this way].

My observation:

Anything of value that we do in life requires motivation. I have to remind myself frequently that life is hard, God is good, and that the best is yet to come. A pastor shared those words of encouragement as a guest on my radio program in Alaska many years ago.

When you serve others in this world you will find that life is composed of joys and sorrows. Paul expresses these two realities throughout his letter to the Corinthians.

In our focal passage for today the Apostle Paul reveals one of his highest motivations for serving the Lord and his people. Paul's motivation was love. Paul knew the truth that there is nothing greater than love. On another occasion he prayed this great pastoral prayer for God's people.

Ephesians 3:17-19 (HCSB)
¹⁷and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. [I pray] that you, being rooted and firmly established in love,
¹⁸may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth [of God's love],
¹⁹and to know the Messiah's love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, my prayer for my family, friends, and me is the same prayer that Paul had for your people; it is that they may experience your love and power in their lives on a daily basis. Father, we need to be filled with all you, and less of us.

Father God, I pray that you would look beyond our hunger and thirst for what we want, and give us what we need the most. Father, give us more love for you, and more love for one another. In Jesus name, Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (HCSB)
²⁰Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—
²¹to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 30, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:13 (HCSB)
¹³The slacker says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!"

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 44:8 (HCSB)
⁸We boast in God all day long; we will praise Your name forever. Selah

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (HCSB)
⁷Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.
⁸We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;
⁹we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.
¹⁰We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
¹¹For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus' life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.
¹²So death works in us, but life in you.

My observation:

The life and ministry of the Apostle Paul presents such an amazing contrast to those who opposed and oppressed him. He was willing to pay the price of standing in the gap, and being faithful to the will, way, and word of God. The way of compromise may lead to safety, but Paul chose to go the way of sacrifice; he chose to go the way that Jesus chose to go; the way of the cross.

Paul was willing to endure suffering, sacrifice, and scars for the sake of the gospel of Christ, and for the salvation of the lost. He was willing to follow in the steps of Jesus, who gave his life for you and me. Paul was willing to give his life for their sake. O that we would each have such love for God, and such love for others that we would be willing to give of ourselves for the sake of others.

2 Corinthians 4:15 (HCSB)
¹⁵Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God's glory.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that you bless abundantly your servants who are willing to put you first in their life, and who are willing to suffer and sacrifice for the benefit of others. Father, make me more like Jesus and like Paul as he imitated Jesus.

Father God, I pray that an avalanche of thanksgiving will ascend to your throne room, as your people learn to serve by suffering and sacrifice. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 28, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:8 (NLT)
⁸Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 43:5 (NLT)
⁵Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 3:6 (HCSB)
⁶He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit produces life.

My observation:

There are some people who proudly boast that they are self-made. However, this was not the case of the Apostle Paul.

Those who God call into his service he equips them to do the work to which he has called them. When God calls he also enables.

Those who God calls, he also gives a message. Notice that God gave Paul a message, and the superiority of that message. Notice not only the content of the message, but notice also the character of the message. The message changed Paul's life, and it changed the lives of those he preached and taught the message.

2 Corinthians 3:2 (HCSB)
²You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, recognized and read by everyone.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that our ability to serve you comes from you. Father, I willingly declare my dependence upon you.

Father God, I thank you for the anointing of the Holy Spirit of God that you pour out upon your people, and for the power of the Holy Spirit that uses the word of God to change the lives of your people from the inside first, and then the outside. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Monday, August 27, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 27, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:7 (NLT)
⁷Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 42:1-2 (NLT)
As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.
²I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 2:12 (NLT)
¹²When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.

Job 28:23-24 (NLT)
²³"God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found,
²⁴for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens.
Job 28:28 (NLT)
²⁸And this is what he says to all humanity: 'The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'"

My observation:

Today the reading from the Old Testament book of Job is the one that leaps off the page, and grips my heart.

For many years I have been using the abbreviation, "WIYWR?" in my prayer journal. It is a question I ask in search of God's will. The abbreviation stands for, "What is your will regarding".

As I was writing in my journal on Saturday morning I found myself substituting the word wisdom for will as I prayed seeking God's direction in a matter.

God is the source of all wisdom. He delights to give us wisdom if we come to him in prayer, and ask for it. There is nothing more priceless and precious than the wisdom of God. Think about this.

Job 28:20 (NLT)
²⁰"But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so delighted to know that you delight in giving the gift of wisdom to your believing people.

Father, I can't know the future, but I am so glad that I know and believe in a God who knows the future, and that you are willing and able to guide your people who seek and follow your will, wisdom, and way. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 26, 2012 (Revised)

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)
⁶Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 41:1-4 (NLT)
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The LORD rescues them when they are in trouble.
²The LORD protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies.
³The LORD nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.
⁴"O LORD," I prayed, "have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you."

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 2:1-4 (HCSB)
In fact, I made up my mind about this: [I would] not come to you on another painful visit.
²For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?
³I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn't have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will [also] be yours.
⁴For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart—not that you should be hurt, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.

My observation:

I have a friend who reminds me often that this place where we are living is only our temporary home; this is the world, and not heaven. Jesus reminded his disciples of this truth.

John 16:33 (HCSB)
³³I 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."

Paul reminded his son in the faith, Timothy, of this truth, and warned him that things will get worse and not better in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:1 (HCSB)
But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days.

However, in today's focal passage we see that in spite of troubles, the believer's response to trouble should be compassion and not anger. There are things that happen in life that will greatly disappoint us, but they don't have to defeat us.

The behavior of the immoral man in the church greatly disappointed Paul. However, his response moved from rebuke to love. Notice his compassion and love for the man and for the church. Paul delayed his visit to them because he did not want to come with a heavy heart. Rather, when he came he wanted to come with a happy heart.

Oh, that we would learn and practice such abundant love for one another.

John 13:35 (HCSB)
³⁵By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, in the midst of disappointment and heavy hearts, I pray that you would give your people compassionate hearts. Father, may repentance and not rebuke be the purpose of our heart.

Father God, help us to give grace to those who have caused our hearts to be heavy, and to love one another as you have loved us. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Daily Prayer_August 26, 2012

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

Friday, August 24, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 24, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:1 (NLT)
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 40:1 (NKJV)
I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NKJV)
¹³Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
¹⁴Let all that you do be done with love.
1 Corinthians 16:23-24 (NKJV)
²³The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
²⁴My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

My observation:

Today we come to the conclusion of our walk through the book of 1 Corinthians. Paul closes this letter with a benediction and a blessing.

There is nothing more needful in the church today than the gifts of grace and love. Paul had to rebuke this church because of their wrongdoings. His act of benevolence is a rebuke to many of us today. Rebuke and love go together. We focus far too much on rebuke, and too little on love.

Revelation 3:19 (NKJV)
¹⁹As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Notice that the Apostle Paul loved all the saints; even those who needed to be rebuked. If we want to "hate the sin", a good place to start is the sin in our own lives. We would do will to spend more time loving one another.

John 15:12 (NKJV)
¹²This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 13:35 (NKJV)
³⁵By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Preach and teach the word of God. The Lord knows the whole story, and he is better at the rebuking than we are.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the love, grace, and the forgiveness that you have given to me.

Father God, may I have the will and the way to give to others what I have received from you. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

1 Corinthians 1:2-3 (HCSB)
² To God's church at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord—⌊both⌋ their Lord and ours.
³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 23, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:30-31 (MSG)
³⁰Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived, can get the better of GOD.
³¹Do your best, prepare for the worst—then trust GOD to bring victory.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 39:6 (NLT)
⁶We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 15:58 (Phillips NT)
⁵⁸And so brothers of mine, stand firm! Let nothing move you as you busy yourselves in the Lord's work. Be sure that nothing you do for him is ever lost or ever wasted.

My observation:

Our life and our service to God can sometimes cause us to become downhearted and discouraged. However, when this happens, take your eyes off of your present results, and lift your eyes up to the Savior.

Child of God, when you look up you will see that Jesus is no longer in the grave. Let this truth lift your downcast spirit, "He is risen indeed!"

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)
⁵⁷But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that nothing that we do in service to our Lord Jesus is ever wasted.

Father God, I praise you and thank you for the blessed hope that the servant of God has because of what happened on the third day. Because Christ lives our service is not in vain. In Jesus name, Amen.

My song:

Because He Lives (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH56-aEQlcc

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

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 22, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:28-29 (MSG)
²⁸A lying witness is unconvincing; a person who speaks truth is respected.
²⁹Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 38:1 (HCSB)
¹LORD, do not punish me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.

Psalm 38:22 (HCSB)
²²Hurry to help me, Lord, my Savior.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (HCSB)
¹Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it.
²You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed for no purpose.
³For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
⁴that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

My observation:

The gospel message was of first importance to the Apostle Paul; He preached it to the Corinthians, and he preached everywhere he went on his missionary journeys.

Paul was a man of the book; he preached the word of God. Notice that the content of his preaching was, "according to the Scriptures".

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, and neither should we. Just preach it, and the Holy Spirit of God will do His office work in the lives of those who receive it.

Romans 1:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.

2 Timothy 4:2 (HCSB)
²Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the gospel of Christ. Father, I thank you that Jesus is alive, and has won the victory over sin, death, and the grave. Father God, I am so thankful that when, by faith, we receive Christ, that we receive resurrection life, we receive life that is eternal. For this I shall forever be grateful to you. In Jesus name, Amen.

John 5:24 (HCSB)
²⁴"I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

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

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 21, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:32 (AMP)
³²The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing and calamity, but the [consistently] righteous has hope and confidence even in death.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:37 (HCSB)
³⁷Watch the blameless and observe the upright, for the man of peace will have a future.

Psalm 37:39 (HCSB)
³⁹The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD, their refuge in a time of distress.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Job 1:21 (HCSB)
²¹saying: Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Praise the name of Yahweh.

Job 13:15 (HCSB)
¹⁵Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways before Him.

My observation:

Yesterday my Old Testament reading took me to the book of Job. While driving to an appointment I heard a radio minister speaking on the book of Job. This morning when I turned on my phone there was an email daily devotional on a passage from the book of Job. So, I went back and reviewed the reading from yesterday in Job chapters one through three.

I had Job 1:21 underlined. The thing that stands out for me in my reading of Job is that we can be faithful to God even in the toughest of times. Faith, placed in God, can stand the strongest testing and temptations we will ever have to face in this world.

Job was able to overcome the testing that God allowed Satan to bring against him. It would have been easier if Job had been aware of the conversation between God and Satan in heaven, but he was not. He had to stand on the promises of God, and trust in the God that he knew to be an all wise, all knowing, all loving, and all powerful God.

Therefore, Job, by faith, was able to say these very difficult words in the midst of great pain, and the worst circumstances any man has ever had to endure.

Job 1:21 (KJV)
²¹And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Many can say, "the Lord gave", and some can say in faith, "the Lord hath taken away". However, it takes a person who really knows God, and has trust in God with his whole heart to be able to say in Job's circumstances, "blessed be the name of the Lord".

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that each day my knowledge of you will grow deeper, and my faith stronger in the God of my salvation.

Father God, I pray for a faith that will not falter or fail when the strong winds of adversity blow into my life.

Father God, help me to remember that the God on the mountain is also the God of the valley, and that you are God everywhere, and that you are God all the time. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Monday, August 20, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 20, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:25 (NLT)
²⁵Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:30 (NLT)
³⁰The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 14:12 (HCSB)
¹²So also you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.

My observation:

The Apostle Paul admonished the Corinthian church that the best gift was love. Then he described it in chapter thirteen.

1 Corinthians 12:31 (HCSB)
³¹But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

However, when he comes to chapter fourteen, he encouraged them to not neglect the other gifts. Paul believed and taught that all of the gifts are important for the health of the body.

1 Corinthians 12:21 (HCSB)
²¹So the eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" Or again, the head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you!"

In the church members should not be seen as big I and little you. The ground at the foot of the cross is level ground, and we should never forget that we are who we are in Christ, and what he did on the cross at Calvary. This knowledge should keep us humble.

If you want to do the most for your church, then use your God given gifts to excel in building up the church.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you will give me a burning desire to use my God given gifts to excel in building up the body of Christ. In Jesus name, and for the sake of the spread of the gospel of Christ, Amen.

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

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 19, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:23 (NKJV)
²³Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)
⁴Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:7 (NKJV)
⁷Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV)
⁴Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
⁵does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
⁶does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
⁷bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

My observation:

There is nothing more powerful and persuasive than love. Also, there is nothing more important than love; therefore, Jesus commands us to love one another.

John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
³⁴A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
³⁵By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

In our focal passage for today the Apostle Paul writes this great hymn of love in which he describes the attributes of love. This is a song that we should delight to sing. However, the real benefits accrue to those who live out the attributes of love in their daily living.

Give the gift of love to one another. It is the superior gift, and it will last forever. You are never more like Jesus than when you love others in the manner that he has loved you.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)
¹³And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, will you stir the hearts of your people by the reading and meditating on these words of encouragement from the pen of the Apostle Paul. Father, my prayer for all of God's people is that you would give us more love for thee, and for one another. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Friday, August 17, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 17, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:20 (HCSB)
²⁰Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 35:28 (HCSB)
²⁸And my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness, Your praise all day long.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 12:7 (HCSB)
⁷A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial:

1 Corinthians 12:11-12 (HCSB)
¹¹But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills.
¹²For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.

My observation:

The church of God, of which Christ is the head, is a wonder to behold. God loves the church, and so should we.

In the twelfth chapter of 1 Corinthians the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of the proper use of spiritual gifts.

The Spirit of God gives to each member of the church spiritual gifts. The purpose of these gifts is to benefit the community of believers.

It is a misuse of spiritual gifts if the aim to win the applause of the crowd. A right goal for use of spiritual gifts is to benefit others, and to bring glory to the giver of the gifts. Let's give the Lord a hand clap of praise by using our gifts to benefit others.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the gifts that you give to each member of the Body of Christ. Father God, I pray that we will use our gifts appropriately so that all can benefit. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 16, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

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

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 35:10 (NLT)
¹⁰With every bone in my body I will praise him: "LORD, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?"

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 11:1 (HCSB)
¹Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.

My observation:

Paul prefaces his discussion of a couple of problems with this appeal to the church at Corinth. It is not an appeal for followers, but an appeal to be imitators of him as he imitates Christ. This was not the first time he made this appeal.

1 Corinthians 4:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

Not many men or women could say what Paul said, and be truthful. I am afraid that many are like the leaders that Jesus warned about.

Matthew 23:3 (HCSB)
³Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe [it]. But don't do what they do, because they don't practice what they teach.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that you have planted within each of your children the seed to be imitators of Christ.

Father God, align our mouths and our deeds so that our message will be more believable and powerful in doing your work. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 15, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:15 (NLT)
¹⁵Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 34:12-14 (NLT)
¹²Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?
¹³Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
¹⁴Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (HCSB)
²³"Everything is permissible," but not everything is helpful. "Everything is permissible," but not everything builds up.
²⁴No one should seek his own [good], but [the good] of the other person.

1 Corinthians 10:31-32 (HCSB)
³¹Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory.
³²Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God,

My observation:

The key thought that I take away from today's reading in 1 Corinthians is that we should put our priority and passion behind these two truths:

First, in everything, seek the glory of God. Second, seek not to be rude to the conscience of anyone.

In this way, you will glorify God, and be a blessing in the lives of others.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I ask that you grow in me the desire to give glory to you in everything, and to be a person that builds up others for their good, and your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 14, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:13 (HCSB)
¹³The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 34:7 (HCSB)
⁷The Angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.

The Word of God for encouragement:

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

My observation:

The faithfulness of God to his people is evident in all of the scriptures passages that I read this morning. Let's open our hearts to what the Lord has to say to us from his word.

What a blessing it is to know that when we face temptations and trials in this world that there is a God in heaven who watches over his beloved people. God knows us, and he cares for us more than anyone else in the whole world. You can trust him to provide a way of escape; you can trust him to provide an open door.

No matter what you are going through, you can rest in the blessed assurance that God is bigger than any of your problems. Let go of fear and the failure of self-help, and give everything to God in prayer.

Psalm 91:11 (HCSB)
¹¹For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.

Hebrews 1:14 (HCSB)
¹⁴Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I know and serve a God who is able to do what he says he will do, and is faithful to do it.

Father God, I am so grateful for your loving care, tender mercies, and amazing grace that you shower so abundantly upon your believing people. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Monday, August 13, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 13, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:11 (MSG)
¹¹Simpletons only learn the hard way, but the wise learn by listening.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 33:20-22 (NLT)
²⁰We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield.
²¹In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
²²Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 9:12 (HCSB)
¹²If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don't we even more? However, we have not made use of this right; instead we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:15-18 (HCSB)
¹⁵But I have used none of these rights, and I have not written this to make it happen that way for me. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast!
¹⁶For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because an obligation is placed on me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
¹⁷For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a stewardship.
¹⁸What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my authority in the gospel.

My observation:

When I open my bible each day, this is the prayer that I pray in my heart. In the depths of my heart, I want to hear a word from God.

Psalm 119:18 (KJV)
¹⁸Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

What I saw with my eyes, heard with my ears, and felt in my heart is the purpose, priority, and the passion that the Apostle Paul had for the ministry that God had given him.

The Apostle Paul was willing to give up his right to compensation by the church for the sake of advancing the gospel of Christ.

Paul's compensation did not come from a paycheck. Rather, it came from something far more valuable, and money cannot buy what Paul valued most.

1 Corinthians 9:18 (HCSB)
¹⁸What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my authority in the gospel.

Paul got his reward from preaching the gospel free of charge, and not taking advantage of the church by the full exercise of his Apostolic authority. The servant of the Lord has the freedom to give up their rights. Paul did, and he encouraged others to do the same.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I ask that you form in me the character traits that I see in the life of the Apostle Paul in today's bible reading. Father, give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and feet that are quick to obey your will and do your work. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 12, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:4 (HCSB)
⁴The lamp that guides the wicked— haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—is sin.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 33:10-11 (HCSB)
¹⁰The LORD frustrates the counsel of the nations; He thwarts the plans of the peoples.
¹¹The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 8:1-6 (ESV)
¹Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.
²If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
³But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
⁴Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one."
⁵For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"—
⁶yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

My observation:

In this passage we see the danger of knowledge when it is misused. The example of the problems in the church at Corinth demonstrates the high cost of the misuse of knowledge.

Paul commended the members of this church for having knowledge.

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 (ESV)
⁴I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
⁵that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—

Knowledge is a good thing, and when used properly it can build up people. However, if it is misused it can tear people down. Paul had to admonish them about the misuse of knowledge.

1 Corinthians 8:1 (ESV)
¹Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the love of God for the dispossessed and the outcast. Father, you have demonstrated in your love for us that you love the unlovely.

Father God, I pray that you would stir up in your people love for others, and that we would temper our knowledge with love.

Father God, form us from the inside out with your love so that we would build up and not tear down one another. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 11, 2012

Title: Are you Willing to be a Savior Lifter?

Text:

John 16:33 (HCSB)
³³I 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."

Observation:

In this world we will face trials and temptations; there may seem to be trouble everywhere. However, Jesus told his disciples then, and he tells us today through his word to expect to have trouble in this world. You are not alone; suffering is the common lot of people everywhere.

However, we who belong to Jesus have hope. We have the happy privilege of being able to lift up Jesus to the world as the only hope for a brighter tomorrow. Let us commit to being "Savior Lifters".

John 12:32 (HCSB)
³²As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all [people] to Myself."

Would you be willing to become a "Savior Lifter" by lifting up Jesus to our nation and the world as the only hope of our deliverance?

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I praise and thank you for being a God with a love for all people. Father, since you have the world on your heart, I pray that we as your people will have the world on our hearts. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Friday, August 10, 2012

Daily Prayer_August 10, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:4 (NLT)
⁴Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 31:19 (NLT)
¹⁹How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.

Psalm 31:24 (NLT)
²⁴So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD!

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Corinthians 7:10-16 (HCSB)
¹⁰I command the married—not I, but the Lord—a wife is not to leave her husband.
¹¹But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband—and a husband is not to leave his wife.
¹²But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not leave her.
¹³Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not leave her husband.
¹⁴For the unbelieving husband is set apart for God by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart for God by the husband. Otherwise your children would be corrupt, but now they are set apart for God.
¹⁵But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to [live in] peace.
¹⁶For you, wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Or you, husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?

My observation:

One of the things I take away from this passage is how marriage can be a ministry. Paul deals with the couple who become unequally yoke after the marriage because both were unsaved when they were married. In this circumstance, there is a ministry opportunity for the saved spouse.

Christian spouses have a ministry opportunity to each other. Paul shows the way in Ephesians 5:22-33. Also, I like this quote by Warren Wiersbe.

"Success in marriage involves much more than finding the right mate. It also requires being the right mate".

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that for the sake of the gospel, and the purpose of marriage, that believers would get back to the bible view of marriage. Father, help husbands and wives to be the right mate. In Jesus name, Amen.

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