Daily Prayer_December 21, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 31:10-12 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels.
¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good.
¹² She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 141:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ LORD, I call on You; hurry to [help] me. Listen to my voice when I call on You.
² May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
³ LORD, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 4:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."
² Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne,
³ and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne.
⁴ Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads.
⁵ Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.

My observation:

In our reading today the scene moves from earth to glory; O what a day that will be when God's people get to heaven.

John looked up and what he saw was an open door to heaven. Now, that it is an open door that would cause anyone to leap for joy and run to enter. Regretfully, anyone could, but not everyone will. Thankfully, the door is still open.

A key word in this chapter is "throne". What happened next is beyond the ability of John to describe with words. John did the best he could to describe what and who he saw.

Revelation 4:2-3 (HCSB)
² Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne,
³ and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne.

There is no doubt who John saw, and there is no doubt who rules over the universe. The one who holds the whole world in his hands can surely hold you and me in his hands.

Psalm 103:19 (HCSB)
¹⁹ The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

The Savior is waiting to enter your heart. If you have not, why not open the door to your heart, and let Jesus come in.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the gift of salvation that gives your children the privilege of one day walking through that open door to our eternal home in heaven. O, what a wonderful day that will be; when we all get to heaven. Hallelujah, He shall reign forever! Amen.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Here is wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a Joyful New Year. I will be taking the next two weeks off from writing.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 20, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 30:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ As for the eye that ridicules a father and despises obedience to a mother, may ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures eat it.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 140:13 (HCSB)
¹³ Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will live in Your presence.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 3:14-22 (HCSB)
¹⁴ "Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: "The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God's creation says:
¹⁵ I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.
¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.
¹⁷ Because you say, 'I'm rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,' and you don't know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked,
¹⁸ I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see.
¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent.
²⁰ Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.
²¹ The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne.
²² "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."

My observation:

Today we examine the last of the seven letters to the churches. This letter is to the church in Laodicea. Here Jesus is described as, "The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God's creation". Who wouldn't listen to a God like this?

This is the only church that Jesus had nothing to commend them for. This church did not realize their true condition. The truth that Jesus spoke to them is that they were lukewarm. This is something that got my attention; Jesus was outside of the church, and he wanted to get in. Notice Jesus said, "If anyone" in verse 20. One person could have made a huge difference in this church. I will take you and Jesus to be a winner in any set of conditions.

Are you committed to Jesus? If so stay with Jesus; if not, repent and open the door of your life to Jesus. Just as he has won the victory, you will win the victory.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that it doesn't take a big crowd to get God's work done in the church. Rather, what it takes are individuals who will listen, and open the door for Jesus to come into their heart.

Father, I pray that you will awaken my heart to listen to what Jesus has to say to the church, and to open the door of my heart to let him come in, and do his work in me and through me; I pray this for all of God's people. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 19, 2012

My observation:

In this letter to the church in Philadelphia, Jesus is described as, "The Holy One, the True one, who has the key of David".

This is a church that Jesus loved. Jesus commended them for patiently enduring, keeping God's word, and not denying God's name. Notice that these were people with limited strength, but they trusted in a God who had great strength.

God opened a door for them, and by faith, they walked through it. Jesus encouraged them to, "Hold on to what you have".

The way to run well and to finish well is to hold on to God's unchanging hand. To those who endure and finish the race; they will receive the crown of life.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that even those with limited strength can be God pleasers; we can know your word, keep your word, and not deny your name.

Father, I thank you that when you open doors for your people, no power on earth can shut them. Lord, I pray that my faith will not falter or fail to walk through the doors that you open. Lord, lead me in the everlasting way, and keep me for the sake of your name. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 18, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 30:14 (HCSB)
¹⁴ There is a generation whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, devouring the oppressed from the land and the needy from among mankind.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 138:8 (HCSB)
⁸ The LORD will fulfill [His purpose] for me. LORD, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 3:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ "Write to the angel of the church in Sardis: "The One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says: I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.
² Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God.
³ Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you.
⁴ But you have a few people in Sardis who have not defiled their clothes, and they will walk with Me in white, because they are worthy.
⁵ In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels.
⁶ "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

My observation:

Today we examine the letter of Jesus to the church in Sardis. To this church Jesus is described as, "The One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars". This one thing I notice in all of the seven letters to the churches; it is said about Jesus that, "He knows".

It pays to remember that Jesus knows who you are, and he knows everything that you do. He knows our works; good and bad. He knows our hearts; clean or dirty.

When Jesus looked at this church he found a discrepancy between their reputation and their reality. He said of them, "You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead". Your reputation is what people say about you. However, your reality is what God says about you.

Jesus found the majority to be lacking; these he rebuked, and admonished them to repent. However, he found a few to be pure and faithful, and these he commended. Jesus knows our reality. Stay pure and faithful to our Savior.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I rest in the blessed assurance that my Father in heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ knows me and everything about me.

I am so thankful that Jesus, who is the sweetest name I know; this Jesus, your only begotten Son, knows my name. And, because He lives, I shall live and never die. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 17, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 30:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Don't slander a servant to his master or he will curse you, and you will become guilty.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 137:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ How can we sing the LORD's song on foreign soil?
⁵ If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget [its skill].

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 2:18-29 (HCSB)
¹⁸ "Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: "The Son of God, the One whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze, says:
¹⁹ I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first.
²⁰ But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.
²¹ I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.
²² Look! I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her practices.
²³ I will kill her children with the plague. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
²⁴ I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven't known the deep things of Satan—as they say—I do not put any other burden on you.
²⁵ But hold on to what you have until I come.
²⁶ The one who is victorious and keeps My works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations—
²⁷ and he will shepherd them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery— just as I have received [this] from My Father.
²⁸ I will also give him the morning star.
²⁹ "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

My observation:

The message to the church in Thyatira describes Christ as, "The One whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze".

Jesus commends this church for their growing love that in evident by deeds of service.  They looked pretty good in verse 19. But, Jesus rebuked them for lacking discernment and for tolerating heresy.

The way out for them is this, for the faithful, "Hold on until Jesus comes". For the unfaithful; repent, and hold on until Jesus comes.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that in these last days that you will look down from your throne in heaven and see an army of faithful saints who are holding to the truth.

Father, I plead that the faithful and the unfaithful will listen to what Jesus is saying to the church.  In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 16, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 30:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 136:1 (HCSB)
¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love is eternal.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 2:12-17 (HCSB)
¹² "Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: "The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword says:
¹³ I know where you live—where Satan's throne is! And you are holding on to My name and did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness who was killed among you, where Satan lives.
¹⁴ But I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.
¹⁵ In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
¹⁶ Therefore repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
¹⁷ "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

My observation:

Today we examine the church in Pergamum. Christ is "The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword". You do well to listen to what he has to say because He can discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (HCSB)
¹² For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

Notice the commendation; they were holding fast to Christ's name, and not denying their faith. But, notice the rebuke for tolerating false teachers. The truth matters.

The remedy for the rebuke is to repent.

Revelation 2:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶ Therefore repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, our lives are an open book that you are able to read and know the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

Father God, by faith, I repent of anything that you see in me that is not pleasing in your eyes. Father, I plead the blood of Jesus, and I ask for grace to cover all my sins. I thank the Lord Jesus for paying my sin debt. I am forever grateful for the grace and mercy of my God. In Jesus name, Amen.

Psalm 51:7 (HCSB)
⁷ Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:9 (HCSB)
⁹ Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt.

 

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 14, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 30:4 (HCSB)
⁴ Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— if you know?

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 134:2 (HCSB)
² Lift up your hands in the holy place and praise the LORD!

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 2:8-11 (HCSB)
⁸ "Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: "The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says:
⁹ I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. [I know] the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
¹⁰ Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
¹¹ "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death.

My observation:

To this church Jesus is described as, "The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life". Notice that Jesus did not have a word of rebuke for this church.

The church in Smyrna was a persecuted people. This church provides hope for any church or people that are facing persecution because of their faith in Christ, and the proclamation of the gospel of Christ. This is the hope; even in a chaotic world, the servant of God can find a place of peace, and have joy in the midst of hard circumstances.

This is the choice verse:

Revelation 2:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the peace that you give to calm our fearful hearts. Father, I thank you that the risen Christ is the source of our peace in the midst of the storms of life.

Lord, I thank you that no matter what we are going through in this world we can still find a place of quiet rest, and in that place, we can rejoice in the Lord.

Father, in every circumstance I encounter in this world, I ask you to help me to be faithful, and not fearful. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 13, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:26 (HCSB)
²⁶ Many seek a ruler's favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 133:1 (HCSB)
¹ How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 2:1-7 (HCSB)
¹ "Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: "The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says:
² I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars.
³ You also possess endurance and have tolerated [many things] because of My name and have not grown weary.
⁴ But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love [you had] at first.
⁵ Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
⁶ Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
⁷ "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God's paradise.

My observation:

Today we begin our reading of what Jesus has to say to the seven churches of Asia; which I remind you are a message to the churches of every age. You will note that he has something good, and something bad to say about each church. The key phrase is this, "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches".

This is one thing I heard loud and clear; "You have abandoned the love {you had} at first". This is a strong warning that nothing we do for God is a substitute for loving God. The Apostle John knew what kind of love the Spirit was talking about. Love and obedience are inseparable.

1 John 5:2 (HCSB)
² This is how we know that we love God's children when we love God and obey His commands.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you would help your people to love you with their whole heart.

Father God, help us to remember that no amount of sacrifice or service is enough to compensate for abandoning our love for God. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 12, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:25 (HCSB)
²⁵ The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 132:7 (HCSB)
⁷ Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 1:18 (KJV)
¹⁸ I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 1:18 (HCSB)
¹⁸ and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.

My observation:

Today our focus is on one verse in Revelation chapter one. In the book of Revelation, Jesus has many names; one of those names is the Living One.

I am so thankful that we serve a God who is alive. I like that song that we sing in the church, "He Lives"; another song that blesses my soul is, "Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow".

Jesus, the Living One, has conquered death. We who know Jesus as Savior never have to fear the future because of what Jesus did on the cross at Calvary. Moreover, what he did on the third day after they laid him in the grave, seals the deal. Death has been defeated. Because Jesus lives forever, we shall live forever. You can endure anything if you remember this promise.

Revelation 21:4 (HCSB)
⁴ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, our cup of blessing is overflowing, and we are just at the first of twenty-two chapters in our reading of Revelation. Father, truly you are a God who is great and gracious to your people.

Father God, I thank you that the dearest people in my life; my father, mother, grandmother, and wife; are now enjoying a life free of pain, and filled with praise. I am so thankful that so many family and friends of over 70 years are now enjoying perfect peace. Father, you are worthy of our highest praise. We thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 11, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:23 (HCSB)
²³ A person's pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 131:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me.
² Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; I am like a little child.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 1:9-18 (HCSB)
⁹ I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God's word and the testimony about Jesus.
¹⁰ I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet
¹¹ saying, "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."
¹² I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven gold lampstands,
¹³ and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe and with a gold sash wrapped around His chest.
¹⁴ His head and hair were white like wool—white as snow—and His eyes like a fiery flame.
¹⁵ His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of cascading waters.
¹⁶ He had seven stars in His right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth, and His face was shining like the sun at midday.
¹⁷ When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last,
¹⁸ and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.

My observation:

There are two pictures that are stuck in my head from the reading of this passage. One is the picture of John, and the other is the picture of Jesus.

We find that John was on the island of Patmos.  He was not there for pleasure but because of persecution. It is comforting to know that God is with us in our pleasure and in our pain. When you face difficult circumstances, remember that you are not alone. Like John, you can be in the Spirit everyday because God is the Maker of them all. Look up and rejoice in the Lord.

The other picture I see is of Jesus. Reading the book of Revelation will challenge your mental picture of Jesus. Notice the picture of his white hair; it represents his wisdom, and his divine nature (Rev 1:14). See also this from Daniel.

Daniel 7:9 (HCSB)
⁹ "As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of His head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, in this Christmas season, I ask that you help us to see Jesus through the eyes of John as we read through Revelation. Father, keep us close to you, and in the Spirit of God every day. Lord, I thank you for my blessings every day. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 10, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:21-22 (HCSB)
²¹ A slave pampered from his youth will become arrogant later on.
²² An angry man stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered man increases rebellion.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 130:3-4 (HCSB)
³ Yahweh, if You considered sins, Lord, who could stand?
⁴ But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be revered.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 1:4-6 (HCSB)
⁴ John: To the seven churches in Asia. Grace and peace to you from the One who is, who was, and who is coming; from the seven spirits before His throne;
⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood,
⁶ and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—the glory and dominion are His forever and ever. Amen.

My observation:

In these opening remarks John's greeting includes the triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This month as we celebrate the birth of Jesus we should not lose sight of the reason why he came to the earth.

He came for a purpose, and he fulfilled his purpose at Calvary. He came in a cradle, but his reason for coming was to give his life on an old rugged cross to set us free from our sins by the shedding of His blood.

Revelation 1:5 (HCSB)
⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood,

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so blessed when I read of how Jesus came into the world to rescue me from my sins. Father, I agree that I was a sinner who needed a Savior. Father, your word says all have sinned, and that includes me.

Romans 3:22-23 (HCSB)
^{22 b} since there is no distinction.
²³ For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Father, I thank you for Jesus, the faithful witness. Father, help me by your power to be faithful in completing my God assigned purpose. In Jesus name, Amen.

Revelation 3:6 (HCSB)
⁶ "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 9, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:20 (HCSB)
²⁰ Do you see a man who speaks too soon? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 129:3-4 (HCSB)
³ Plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.
⁴ The LORD is righteous; He has cut the ropes of the wicked.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Revelation 1:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave Him to show His slaves what must quickly take place. He sent it and signified it through His angel to His slave John,
² who testified to God's word and to the testimony about Jesus Christ, in all he saw.
³ The one who reads [this] is blessed, and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near!

My observation:

Today I begin reading the last book of the bible. My focus will be reading this book with the purpose of reviewing the past, living obediently and faithful in the present, and looking with hope and anticipation to the future.

My ultimate goal is to discover and apply what I read to becoming more and more like the person that God purposed me to be. Every one of us has a God ordained purpose for being alive. What he did for Jeremiah, he also did for you and me.

Jeremiah 1:5 (HCSB)
⁵ I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

There is a blessing for those who read and heed this book; I want to open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and my heart to obey all that God says to me in his word, and by his Spirit.

Revelation 1:3 (HCSB)
³ The one who reads [this] is blessed, and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near!

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for all of the blessings I have received from your heart and your hands. Father, I shudder to think about where I would be without the Lord in my life.

Father God, as I read this blessed book, I pray that I will read it with an attitude of gratitude for all that you have done for me in the past; what you are doing in the present, and for what you will do in the future.

Revelation 22:20-21 (HCSB)
²⁰ He who testifies about these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
²¹ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 7, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶ When the wicked increase, rebellion increases, but the righteous will see their downfall.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 127:1 (HCSB)
¹ Unless the LORD builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the LORD watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Jude 1:1 (HCSB)
¹ Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James: To those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:20-21 (HCSB)
²⁰ But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit,
²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.
Jude 1:24-25 (HCSB)
²⁴ Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy,
²⁵ to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.

My observation:

Today's reading is another brief letter; the author is Jude, the half-brother of Jesus. Notice that he claims to be "a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James". He acknowledges that he is a brother of James, but does not mention he is a brother of Jesus.

Jude warns his readers about the danger of false teachers. God's people of every age during these last days should be alert to the warnings contained in this letter.

Jude 1:4 (HCSB)
⁴ For some men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.

When things get tough some may lose heart, but we who belong to Jesus should never lose hope. Jude writes that we should stay in the word of God, and in your faith in God. Notice Jude 1:20-21. Heed the warnings, and enjoy the blessings.

My prayer:

Father God, I thank you that you have called us, and that you love us with an everlasting love.  Father God, O the peace that floods my soul when I think about all that Jesus has done, and continues to do for his believing people.

Father, I shall forever be grateful to you, and will continually give praise and thanks to your most holy name. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 6, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:12 (HCSB)
¹² If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 126:5-6 (KJV)
⁵ They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
⁶ He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

The Word of God for encouragement:

3 John 1:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ The Elder: To my dear friend Gaius: I love you in the truth.
² Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually.
³ For I was very glad when some brothers came and testified to your [faithfulness] to the truth—how you are walking in the truth.
⁴ I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 1:9-12 (HCSB)
⁹ I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not receive us.
¹⁰ This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.
¹¹ Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
¹² Demetrius has a [good] testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. And we also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.

My observation:

John writes this letter to a friend by the name of Gaius. This brother had to deal with some difficult people in the church. This is another letter in which the Apostle emphasizes the topic of truth, and making it a practical and practicing part of our daily life.

As you look around your circumstances you will find people like Diotrephes; these are people who do evil, and tear apart God's people and God's work. On the other hand, you will find people like Demetrius; these are people who have a testimony of doing good, and building up the people of God, and the work of God.

The key thought to take away from this letter is this. Encourage someone who is in a difficult circumstance with this truth.

3 John 1:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the grace of God that enables and empowers your people to walk in truth. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 5, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 125:1 (HCSB)
¹ Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 John 1:4-6 (HCSB)
⁴ I was very glad to find some of your children walking in the truth, in keeping with a command we have received from the Father.
⁵ So now I urge you, dear lady—not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
⁶ And this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love.

My observation:

This brief letter is a personal letter. It was to a woman who had extended Christian hospitality to God's people. You could say that she hosted a house church. Her home was a gathering place for worship and fellowship. Some of the most blessed times occur at small gatherings like this in the homes of God's people.

John summarizes his purpose for writing this letter in this verse.

2 John 1:3 (HCSB)
³ Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

John was elated to discover that some of her children were walking in the truth, and were obeying the commandment to love one another.

Knowing the truth and the commandments are not enough. We must also practice the truth, and obey the commandments of God. God expects us to walk in truth, and to walk in love.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that when you look at my life that you will see that I am walking in truth, and loving others as you have commanded your people to do. Father God, help me to be love to others as, by faith, I love them with the love of the Lord, who lives in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Prayer_December 4, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:6 (HCSB)
⁶ An evil man is caught by sin, but the righteous one sings and rejoices.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 124:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Our help is in the name of Yahweh, the Maker of heaven and earth.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 John 5:1 (HCSB)
¹ Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him.

1 John 5:13-15 (HCSB)
¹³ I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
¹⁴ Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
¹⁵ And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.

My observation:

Up to this point in the letter John has been writing primarily about love. However, in chapter five he transitions to writing about faith.

Love is essential, but in order to have love you must be born of God, and to be born of God you must have faith in God. When you are born of God you are born to love; to love God, and to love others.

There are so many benefits of having a faith that saves and a faith that will keep you forever. There is a confidence that comes in knowing that God loves you, and will never let you go back to what you used to be.

John closes the letter with the amazing and astonishing thing that he says about prayer. In your Christian journey from earth to glory you can be sure of this one thing; God hears and answers the prayers of his people.

Surely we don't get everything we ask for in prayer. But, we get everything we need when we talk to the Father in prayer. This is the greatest benefit of prayer; communion with God.

1 John 5:14 (HCSB)
¹⁴ Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

I can live a lifetime with this assurance; when I pray God hears me. God hears and answers all of my prayers, and he meets all of my needs. It is no wonder that the author of Proverbs wrote this.

Proverbs 29:6 (AMP)
⁶ In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous man sings and rejoices.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the gift of faith that allows me to walk through the door that leads to eternal life.

Father God, I thank you that Jesus is the door, and that all who comes to him, by faith, will receive the gift of eternal life.

John 10:9 (HCSB)
⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

Father, I thank you that when we are born of God, we have access to you through prayer; that we have the confidence that you hear and answer our prayers. Father, your child is singing your praises, and  rejoicing in the God of my salvation. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/