Daily Prayer_September 30, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:13-14 (NLT)
¹³ My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.
¹⁴ In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 73:26 (NLT)
²⁶ My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

Psalm 73:28 (NLT)
²⁸ But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Philippians 1:27 (HCSB)
²⁷ Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith [that comes from] the gospel,

Philippians 2:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
² fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.
³ Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
⁴ Everyone should look out not [only] for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

My observation:

There is no joy that compares to the joy that a parent have for their children then to see them living in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. The people in the church at Philippi brought joy to the heart of the Apostle Paul.

When you love someone you care for them, encourage them, and you serve them. It takes humility to think of others, and to consider others as more important than yourself.

You are in good company when you learn to live like this; you are walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Let's get those joy bells ringing in the hearts of our spiritual parents. You will not only be pleasing them, but you will be pleasing your heavenly Father.

Philippians 2:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you will birth in me the attitude of Christ Jesus. Father, I pray that you will give me the heart of a servant; a heart like Jesus had for others. In Jesus name, Amen.

3 John 1:4 (HCSB)
⁴ I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

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

Philippians 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Daily Prayer_September 28, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:10 (KJV)
¹⁰ If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 71:3 (KJV)
³ Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Philippians 1:21 (HCSB)
²¹ For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

My observation:

Paul writes this letter to the church at Philippi from his prison cell in Rome. He writes with at least two purposes in mind; one to thank the church for their love gift to him, and second, to encourage them to work together with the aim of being one in Christ.

In this first chapter, Paul leaves no doubt that Jesus is first in his heart, and that Jesus is on his mind. I counted the occurrences that he mentions Jesus in the first chapter, and it is eighteen (18) times. I selected one of those verses for the focal verse today; it is verse twenty one (21). Here is what I know.

If Christ is your life,

You don't have to fear death.

Another theme that runs throughout this letter is joy. You don't have to have perfect circumstances in your life to have joy. What matters most is the source of your joy. Jesus was the source of Paul's joy. He did not allow prison or people to rob him of his joy. If you rejoice in the Lord, he will be your strength regardless of the difficult people in your life or your difficult circumstances.

Philippians 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Nehemiah 8:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Then he said to them, "Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your stronghold."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that Jesus will in fact be Lord in my life. Lord, my heart's desire is to enthrone you as Lord of all, and Lord over all of me. As I learn to rejoice in the Lord always, I can expect that the Lord will be my stronghold in every circumstance. O, give praise to the Lord, for he is so good to his people. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Philippians 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Daily Prayer_September 27, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:8 (HCSB)
⁸ The one who plots evil will be called a schemer.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 70:4 (HCSB)
⁴ Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, "God is great!"

The Word of God for encouragement:

Ephesians 6:10-18 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.
¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.
¹² For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
¹³ This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,
¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
¹⁶ In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word.
¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

My observation:

In today's focal passage the Apostle Paul has some final words to the people in the church at Ephesus. He warns them about the dangers that they face as they live out their relationship with Christ in a hostile environment.

The world around us, and the ground that we walk on, is a battleground and not a playground. We expose ourselves to great danger if we don't take seriously the strategy and the strength of Satan. Remember this about the devil.

1 Peter 5:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

However, in these final words, the Apostle Paul has some encouraging good news of how we can survive and succeed in this fallen world.

We have all of the weapons that we need in our arsenal; we just have to use them. We need to use what God has provided for his people every day. We need to dress for strength and we will have success. To seal the deal, we must use every day, in every way, and all the time, the weapon of supplication. We must pray without ceasing. I didn't make this up; notice verses 10, 13, and 18, and you will find these words leaping off the page: strength, success, and supplication. To stand successfully, you must put on the full armor of God.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that our hearts will not grow weak and discouraged by the strategy and the strength of the enemy that comes against us. Father, help us to realize and put to use the weapons that you have provided us to overcome the forces that are aligned against us.

Father, I thank you for providing so abundantly for all that we will ever need to fight the good fight of faith, and finish the course that you have laid out for your people. Give us the faith to believe in the promises of God, and to use the provisions of God to stand and succeed. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Ephesians 1:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 26, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:7 (NLT)
⁷ Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 69:33 (NLT)
³³ For the LORD hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Ephesians 5:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children.
² And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.
Ephesians 5:8 (HCSB)
⁸ For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. Walk as children of light—

Ephesians 5:15 (HCSB)
¹⁵ Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—

My observation:

In chapters one through three, the Apostle Paul wrote about doctrine. In chapters four through six he writes about duty.

Chapter four and five starts with the word "Therefore". I have been taught that when you see therefore in the scripture, you should pay attention; examine what the therefore is there for.

In this case, the therefore is to encourage us, who are in Christ, how we should walk in our daily life. Since God is our Father, we should be imitators of God, and imitators of Jesus.

Paul list three major areas describing how we as Christ followers should live.

1.       Walk in love (Eph 5:2).

2.       Walk as children of light (Eph 5:8).

3.       Walk carefully; walk in wisdom (Eph 5:15).

How do you walk like this? It is not possible to live like this in the flesh. However, you can live like this by walking in the Spirit of God.

Galatians 5:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶ I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Ephesians 5:18 (HCSB)
¹⁸ And don't get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray for the grace to walk in a manner that will be pleasing to you.

Father, I ask for the aid of the Holy Spirit to enable me to imitate you, and Jesus, in my talk and in my walk. O how blessed I am to be dearly loved by God, and to be called your child. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Ephesians 1:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 25, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ A wise warrior is better than a strong one, and a man of knowledge than one of strength;
⁶ for you should wage war with sound guidance— victory comes with many counselors.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 69:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶ Answer me, LORD, for Your faithful love is good; in keeping with Your great compassion, turn to me.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Ephesians 4:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,
² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love,
³ diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds [us].
⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—
⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

My observation:

God has made each of us who are "in Christ" one. However, there is an enemy of our soul whose scheme is to divide and destroy us.

Galatians 3:28 (HCSB)
²⁸ There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Luke 22:31 (HCSB)
³¹ "Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat.

In our focal passage for today the Apostle Paul calls the people of the church at Ephesus to be the people that God had remade them to be.

God, in Christ, has made us one people. However, we must endeavor to make that oneness a practical reality in our daily lives.

God wants to have his will and way in our lives, but the enemy of our souls, Satan, wants to divide and destroy us. The enemy uses people who want to have their own way; so we need to be alert to his schemes. Paul's shows us how later in this letter.

Ephesians 6:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray this prayer knowing that I can ask it in agreement with the prayer that Jesus prayed for us; that we would be one.

Father, would you form and fix in our hearts a burning desire to love one another, and that spiritual unity would be a reality in our lives. Father, I repeat the words that Jesus prayed for us. In Jesus name, Amen.

John 17:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one as We are one.

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

Ephesians 1:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 24, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:3-4 (ESV)
³ By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
⁴ by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 68:35 (ESV)
³⁵ Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!

The Word of God for encouragement:

Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV)
¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

My observation:

Paul's prayer for the saints at Ephesus is an expansive prayer. It is a prayer for an enlarged vision, and the spiritual power to carry out that vision. Notice the far reaching sphere of his concerns.

Ephesians 2:21 (ESV)
²¹ in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 3:15 (ESV)
¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

Ephesians 4:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 3:18 (ESV)
¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)
¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

It is good to examine our lives to see if we are being too narrow in our sphere of concerns, and too weak in our efforts to build up one another. Let's pray for one another, and expand our concern and prayers to include all the saints. God is a BIG God, and he is capable of doing BIG things.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray this prayer of the Apostle Paul for all of your beloved people.

Father, I pray that all of your people would be able to appropriate the greatness of your love and power, and our potential to shine as bright lights in this world to dispel the darkness that is everywhere.

Father, give power and strength to your people like you did for your people that the Psalmist referred to in Psalm 68:35. Praise the Lord!

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

Ephesians 1:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 23, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:1-2 (NLT)
¹ Don't envy evil people or desire their company.
² For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 68:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds — His name is Yahweh—and rejoice before Him.
⁵ God in His holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Ephesians 2:4-9 (HCSB)
⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us,
⁵ made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
⁶ Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens,
⁷ so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through [His] kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
⁸ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift—
⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast.

My observation:

When I read the second chapter of Ephesians my cup overflows with thanksgiving to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I bow in awe as I read about what God has done to save the lost. I am so glad that God's net includes sinners like me.

John 3:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for your amazing love, that you loved us enough to empty heaven of your most precious possession. Father, I thank you for sending Jesus into the world to save sinners like me.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Father God, I thank you that Jesus has done the work that you require for sinners to be made righteous in your eyes. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Ephesians 1:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 21, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:25-26 (HCSB)
²⁵ Let your father and mother have joy, and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.
²⁶ My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 66:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Shout joyfully to God, all the earth!
² Sing about the glory of His name; make His praise glorious.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Ephesians 1:3-8 (HCSB)
³ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
⁴ For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love
⁵ He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will,
⁶ to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.
⁷ We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
⁸ that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

My observation:

If you are a child of God, by the grace of God, you have so much to be thankful to God for. Paul reminded the people who received this letter how blessed they were.

There is nothing more precious as the blessing of salvation. The author of our salvation is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice the author of your salvation and the period of your salvation.

Ephesians 1:4 (HCSB)
⁴ For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love.

God is the person in the ordaining. The period of the ordaining is before the creation of the world. The foreordaining took place before this.

Genesis 1:1 (HCSB)
¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

There is so much to appreciate in this brief passage. However, I will pause here, and give the Lord a hand clap of praise for doing for me what I could not do for myself. Wow! Christ in me, the hope of glory.

Ephesians 1:6 (HCSB)
⁶ to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I lift my hands, I bow my knee, I surrender my whole heart to you for who you are, and for what you have done for your beloved people. Father, the grace of God, is beyond anything that my mind could have ever conceived, and my hands could have ever performed.

Ephesians 1:7-8 (HCSB)
⁷ We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
⁸ that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Father God, may the thought never enter my mind that I could do enough good works to earn the forgiveness of my sins. Father, I believe and accept your plan of salvation. Father, I trust your wisdom and understanding above the wisdom and understanding of man.

Father, I gladly confess that I am not capable of being a law keeper, but thank God I am capable of being a grace receiver. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Ephesians 1:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 20, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Don't let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the LORD.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 65:5 (HCSB)
⁵ You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas.

Psalm 65:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Galatians 6:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won't be tempted.
² Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
³ For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
⁴ But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else.
⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.

My observation:

Today we come to the conclusion of our walk through Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia. Paul deals with the heartbreaking issue of wrongdoing. He exhorts them to be caring, and to guard their own hearts.

I notice this phase in Paul's instruction, "You who are spiritual". This is a revelation of truth that how you respond to one who has fallen reveals something about your own walk with the Lord. The response of one who is spiritual shows a person who is meek, gentle, and humble.

I recall a pastor, who was the bible hour speaker at a Gideons International convention that I attended, share his experience of dealing with men who he personally knew who were caught up in wrongdoing.

He said he had a notebook that he kept, that had the names of 80 men. He said he used this list to pray for these men, and to remind himself that I would be on this list except for the grace of God. He shared this with a broken heart as a warning and an encouragement to us to guard our hearts.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you have a compassionate heart for those who commit wrongdoing.

Father, I ask that you give me a compassionate heart; one that is meek, gentle, and humble so that I might be in the class that Paul addressed in his letter as, "You who are spiritual". Father, cover me and shield me with your grace. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Galatians 1:3-5 (HCSB)
³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁴ who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
⁵ To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Prayer_September 19, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:24 (HCSB)
²⁴ The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 64:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ The righteous one rejoices in the LORD and takes refuge in Him; all those who are upright in heart will offer praise.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Galatians 5:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶ I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22-23 (HCSB)
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

My observation:

The key take away from this chapter is that Christ followers should walk (live) like the one they follow. Our focal passage gives nine attributes that are a picture of Christ.

You cannot live like this by keeping the law. You can only live like this by the Spirit of God. The law works by force; grace works by faith. Why look to the law for what it cannot do. Rather, look to Christ for what he has already done. Think about this.

Galatians 5:7 (HCSB)
⁷ You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?

Open the doors of your heart, and allow the fruit of the Spirit to flow out of you and into the lives that you encounter on your daily journey through this life. Never forget that God's grace is sufficient for all of your needs.

If Christ is in you, by faith, allow him to flow out of you to touch this world for the glory of God. Don't be a container, be a channel of the fruit of the Spirit.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the gift of the fruit of the Spirit that you give to your believing children.

Father, I pray that my life will be a channel of distribution of the fruit of the Spirit flowing from within me, and into the lives of others. Father, I pray that the giver of the fruit will enable me by his power to be a channel and not a container of the fruit of the Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Galatians 1:3-5 (HCSB)
³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁴ who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
⁵ To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Prayer_September 18, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:22 (HCSB)
²² Listen to your father who gave you life, and don't despise your mother when she is old.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 63:1 (HCSB)
¹ God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.

Psalm 63:3 (HCSB)
³ My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Galatians 5:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery.
² Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all.
³ Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law.
⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.
⁵ For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.

My observation:

Never is truer the statement, "Freedom is not free", then when it comes to the salvation of lost sinners. The hymn writer captured this truth in a line that says, "Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; he washed it white as snow".

Paul admonishes the Galatians to not make the error of mixing law with grace for in doing so you deny Christ.

Galatians 5:2 (HCSB)
² Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all.

The law can never provide you with the hope that you have in Christ alone for your salvation. The faith that saves is able to give you hope that God will complete what he begins in his believing children.

Galatians 5:5 (HCSB)
⁵ For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

Those who trust in God can gladly put their hope in Christ alone; you will never be disappointed. If you have been set free, don't be enslaved by adding anything to your salvation.

Galatians 5:6 (HCSB)
⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful and thankful to you for the love of God and the grace of God that found me, and delivered me from the penalty of my sins, which is eternal separation from God. Father, I dare not add any works that I could possible do to the work that Jesus has already done.

Father, like your servant David, may I join him in saying, "with my lips and my life, I will glorify you". In Jesus name, Amen.

--

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

Galatians 1:3-5 (HCSB)
³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁴ who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
⁵ To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Prayer_September 17, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:19 (HCSB)
¹⁹ Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 62:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him.

Psalm 62:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah

The Word of God for encouragement:

Galatians 3:23-29 (HCSB)
²³ Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.
²⁴ The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith.
²⁵ But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
²⁶ for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
²⁷ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ [like a garment].
²⁸ There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise.

My observation:

Paul asked the Galatians a question that demands our thoughtful consideration. The false teachers had come into the church and taught another gospel.

Galatians 3:2 (NLT)
² Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.

The false teachers wanted the Christ followers to go back to Moses. However, Paul reminded them that going back to Moses was not far enough, they needed to go back to Abraham.

Genesis 15:6 (HCSB)
⁶ Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

The purpose of the law is to be our tutor not our savior. The law points us to Christ, who is our only Savior. Are you standing on the promises of God?

Galatians 3:24-25 (HCSB)
²⁴ The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith.
²⁵ But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that, by faith in God, I am safely in the arms of Christ my Savior. Thank you Jesus for doing for me what the law cannot do. The law is a mirror that reveals my sins. However, Jesus is the Savior who cleanses my sins. Yes, I know it was the blood of my Savior that washed away my sins. In Jesus name, Amen.

"I know it was the blood,
I know it was the blood,
I know it was the blood for me.

One day when I was lost
He died upon that cross,
I know it was the blood for me."

--

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

Galatians 1:3-5 (HCSB)
³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁴ who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
⁵ To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Prayer_September 16, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:17-18 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Don't let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the LORD.
¹⁸ For then you will have a future, and your hope will never fade.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 61:1-4 (HCSB)
^{1 .}God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer.
² I call to You from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me,
³ for You have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy.
⁴ I will live in Your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of Your wings. Selah

The Word of God for encouragement:

Galatians 3:10-14 (HCSB)
¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed.
¹¹ Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith.
¹² But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them.
¹³ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written: Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.
¹⁴ The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.

My observation:

I am so glad to align myself with those who owe a debt to the grace of God. The law showed me my condition, but grace provided the way out of my condition.

I will be forever grateful for the life giving power of the Spirit of God that led me to the way of salvation, by faith. I rest in the blessed assurance that, by faith, that same Spirit of God will enable me to continue to walk in God's way and will for my life.

Romans 8:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus,
² because the Spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the power of the life giving Spirit that has set me free from the law of sin and of death. Father, I thank you for the gift of faith that resulted in my salvation, and for that same gift of faith that will enable me to live for the God of my salvation. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

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

Galatians 1:3-5 (HCSB)
³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁴ who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
⁵ To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Prayer_September 14, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:15-16 (HCSB)
¹⁵ My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will indeed rejoice.
¹⁶ My innermost being will cheer when your lips say what is right.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 59:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ To You, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold— my faithful God.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Galatians 2:19-20 (HCSB)
¹⁹ For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ
²⁰ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

My observation:

In chapter two of Galatians the Apostle Paul deals with doctrine, and doctrine is not milk but meat. In eating meat you have to chew it, and that takes time.

However, in this space, I have selected a portion that is one of my favorite passages that I have committed to memory. I invite you to chew on this.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

In this passage I see three key words that speak into my heart concerning the great doctrine of grace. These words are: crucified, conduct and compassion.

I am so glad that at Calvary Jesus covered my sins. My conduct; Christ lives in me. O, what compassion of God for sinners. He really loves you and me.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I stand in awe, and bow in reverence when I consider how great, how good, and how gracious you are. Father, I will never get over the awe and the wonder of your amazing grace that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see. Yes, it's all about grace. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

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

Galatians 1:3-5 (HCSB)
³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁴ who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
⁵ To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Prayer_September 13, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:12 (HCSB)
¹² Apply yourself to discipline and listen to words of knowledge.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 58:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ Then people will say, "Yes, there is a reward for the righteous! There is a God who judges on earth!"

The Word of God for encouragement:

Galatians 1:6-10 (HCSB)
⁶ I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ [and are turning] to a different gospel—
⁷ not that there is another [gospel], but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good news about the Messiah.
⁸ But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!
⁹ As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!
¹⁰ For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.

My observation:

Today we continue our journey of reading through the bible in one year. We have been commenting for the most part on the New Testament books. Today we begin with Paul's letter to the Galatians.

Paul writes this letter to correct what the false teachers were teaching concerning the gospel. It is always bad news when trouble makers show up in God's house.

Galatians 1:7 (HCSB)
⁷ not that there is another [gospel], but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good news about the Messiah.

Galatians 5:12 (HCSB)
¹² I wish those who are disturbing you might also get themselves castrated!

As you can see from the above; these false teachers were troubling and disturbing God's people. O, how we need to be vigilant in remembering what is truth, and rejecting that which is false.

John 8:31-32 (HCSB)
³¹ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples.
³² You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the word of God, and the Holy Spirit of God, who leads and guides us to know the truth. Father God, I am so grateful for what Jesus did to make it possible for me to have a personal relationship with the God of my salvation. Lord, I praise and thank you for the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, my Redeemer and my friend. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

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

Galatians 1:3-5 (HCSB)
³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
⁴ who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
⁵ To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Prayer_September 12, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:10-11 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Don't move an ancient boundary marker, and don't encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
¹¹ for their Redeemer is strong, and He will take up their case against you.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 57:2-3 (HCSB)
² I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills [His purpose] for me.
³ He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. Selah God sends His faithful love and truth.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 13:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Test yourselves [to see] if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.

2 Corinthians 13:11-13 (HCSB)
¹¹ Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
¹² Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
¹³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

My observation:

Today we come to the close of our walk through Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth. What a blessing to experience the love that Paul had for the Lord, and for His people. It is true what the bible says about God's amazing love.

1 Peter 4:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.

In this closing chapter I note two things; one that is instructive in verse five, and the second that is inspiring in verses eleven through thirteen.

Paul encourages the members of the church to examine their lives to see if they were authentic and truly in the faith.

Then in the closing benediction, Paul addresses those who are true brothers and sisters in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. He encouraged them to be perfect, that means to be mature. No matter how long you have been a Christian, you should never stop growing and glowing.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that in Christ we have everything that we need to run the race of life successfully.

Father God, I pray that your people will find in Christ all that they need to live a life that is pure, peaceful, and powerful. Father, that each of us will fulfill our God ordained purpose; that we will glorify God, and be a blessing in the lives of others. In Jesus name, 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.

Daily Prayer_September 11, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:6-8 (HCSB)
⁶ Don't eat a stingy person's bread, and don't desire his choice food,
⁷ for it's like someone calculating inwardly. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
⁸ You will vomit the little you've eaten and waste your pleasant words.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 56:3 (HCSB)
³ When I am afraid, I will trust in You.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 12:14-15 (HCSB)
¹⁴ Now I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
¹⁵ I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
2 Corinthians 12:19-21 (HCSB)
¹⁹ You have thought all along that we were defending ourselves to you. [No], in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.
²⁰ For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and I may not be found by you to be what you want; there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
²¹ I fear that when I come my God will again humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented of the moral impurity, sexual immorality, and promiscuity they practiced.

My observation:

In our focal passage for today we see the shepherd's heart of the Apostle Paul. His focus was not on himself, but upon God's people in the church at Corinth. Like a loving father, Paul wanted to visit Corinth for the third time, but he feared what he would find upon his arrival.

He would have hoped for his visit to be a time that would be joyful, but he feared that because of their sins it would be a time when he would have to meet out discipline. However, even this would be an expression of his love for them.

When we mess up the best thing that we can do is to fess up.

Acts 3:19 (HCSB)
¹⁹ Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

1 John 1:9 (HCSB)
⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you will instill in the hearts of your children a heart of compassion for others. Father, may our goal be that those who are sinning would turn from their sins, and turn to you for forgiveness and cleansing. In Jesus name, 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.