Daily Bread_February 28, 2013

Title: Mercy is a God Thing- Page 2

Text:

Hosea 13:9 (ESV)
⁹ He destroys you, O Israel, for you are against me, against your helper.

Click here to read the context:

http://tinyurl.com/btlyuuy

Observation:

This morning I received a text message that resulted in my crying out to God in prayer for wisdom for how to respond.

The answer I got was immediate, and it surprised me. It said read the book of Hosea. My first response was, "What?" My second response was, "Why?" Finally, I got it right; I started my day reading the Book of Hosea.

What I found surprised me; some of what I found startled me, but most of what I found encouraged me. It reinforced the message I wrote about yesterday; it gave me further insight into God's mercy.

The problems of our nation, our families, and the personal issues we are facing are not too big for our great and gracious God.

The question of the hour is this, "Will we allow the Helper to help us?"Only God can get us out of the messes that our disobedience has landed us in. Only God can take things that are not, and make something out of it.

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

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for reminding me again today that your mercies are tender and that you are unceasing in your desire to redeem your people. No matter how far we have strayed from home, your invitation remains, "Come home, and you will find help".

Father, I thank you for loving us with an enduring love; a love that never fails. Father, help us to say and mean it, "Not my will, but Thy will be done in me". In Jesus name, Amen.

"It's me; it's me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Not my father, not my mother, but it's me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Not my sister, not my brother, but it's me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer".

                Song I learned in Sunday School

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 27, 2013

Title: Mercy is a God Thing

Text:

Jonah 1:17 (ESV)
¹⁷ And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 2:1-4 (ESV)
¹ Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish,
² saying, "I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.
³ For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.
⁴ Then I said, 'I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.'
Jonah 2:7 (ESV)
⁷ When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.

Observation:

Because of Jonah's disobedience of God's call to service he found himself in a hard place. Disobedience has consequences. His disobedience led to God having to discipline him. Having been humbled, Jonah cried out to the Lord for deliverance.

When he had sunk low enough Jonah found hope in the promises of God, and he cried out to God claiming his promises. Jonah remembered that the Lord had not moved; it was Jonah that had run from God, but God was still in his Holy Temple. You have to look up to God to find help when you are running from God.

Jonah 2:4 (ESV)
⁴ Then I said, 'I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.'

Jonah 2:7 (ESV)
⁷ When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.

God heard this cry for help; he forgives repentant sinners.

Jonah 2:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I thank you that you are a God with great patience for your disobedient children. Father, I thank you that you keep working on us until we are willing to repent, and come home to your house. I will be forever grateful for the grace and mercy of the Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 26, 2013

Title: Who is on the Lord's Side?

Text: Jonah 1

Click on link below to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/bjm6tbp

Observation:

A sermon and a song that I heard recently planted the seed for today's meditation on the word of God. The song was, "Who is On the Lord's Side?" The sermon was from Jonah 1.

It may surprise you that those on the Lord's side are not those that you expect. In chapter one of Jonah we find that the pagan sailors appear to be more on the Lord's side than the man of God, Jonah. Who were the God fearing men in this circumstance?

It depends upon where you stand. The song has these lyrics:

"Get up if you're on the Lord's side.

Get on your feet."

When you fear God, you stand in awe of him. However, when you are afraid of God, you run from him. Jonah was running from the Lord.

Jonah 1:3 (ESV)
³ But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

Compare Jonah's running from God with the actions of the pagan sailors of running to God, and crying out to him. Notice verse 16; it tells you who feared God.

Jonah 1:13-15 (ESV)
¹³ Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.
¹⁴ Therefore they called out to the LORD, "O LORD, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you."
¹⁵ So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.
Jonah 1:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I stand in awe of your ways, and I am so glad that your ways are not like my ways. Father, help me by your grace and mercy to conform my ways to be more like your ways. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 25, 2013

Title: What is Our Greatest Need?

Text:

John 3:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Observation:

I always make it my aim, and my practice to go with God; I believe the words of the hymn, "Where He leads me I will follow". So four hours later than normal, I sat to write what I heard God say to me as I was driving home from the Fitness Club.

I asked a question in search of God's will earlier this morning, and the answer came to me through the ears of my heart. It said you should meditate and write on the word "love" today.

The words, "What the World Needs Now is Love" popped into my head. I looked it up, and found that it was a song written by Hal David in 1965.

Is love really our greatest need? That's what God thinks, and he proved it by the extent to which he went to provide for our need.

I remember something that I heard repeatedly in a Marriage Enrichment Conference I attended years ago; it was this, "Love is a verb, and love is something that you do". Love is more than something you feel; real love is something that you do. God commands husbands to love their wives. Okay Lord, I get it, but how do I do it?

This type of love, God's love, gives without any expectation of receiving something in return. Anything else is not love in God's eyes. Think about this.

Are you willing to look at the person in the mirror and say do I really love the significant people in my life with Godly love? The test of true love is what am I willing to give them without any expectation of anything in return?

We can't do this in our own strength. Only, if love lives in our hearts through the divine triune God can we love like this.

If you want to change the world, change the person you see when you look in the mirror. Begin by loving those who are closest to you; your spouse and your children. Nothing else will work; you must choose to love others first. Remember, "Love is a verb; it is what you do". God chose to love us by giving us his only begotten son. Look at the condition we were in when God chose to love us.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV)
¹ And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

What are you willing to give to save your home, the world? Love covers a multitude of sins; love covers it all.

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you will help us to love others in the manner that you have loved us. Father, help me to give to the significant others in my life the gift of love without any conditions attached. Lord, pour out your love in us and through us like this rain that is pouring down right now. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 22, 2013

Title: Bless the Lord

Text: Psalm 103

Click here to read this Psalm:

http://tinyurl.com/b4z7gs7

Observation:

I heard someone say in a conversation recently that when you are retired every day is Saturday. Well, I'm not sure about that. However, this is one thing I am sure of, and it is this; when you are a believer every day can be a Sunday. Every day you have something to praise and thank the Lord for.

So, on this Friday, in pre-retirement days, I used to say TGIF, I just want to shout out a Praise to the Lord. I add my voice to that of David.

Psalm 103:1-5 (NKJV)
¹ A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
² Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
³ Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Have you been forgiven by the Lord? Then you have something to bless him for. It's like the woman who had been sick for twelve years, and couldn't get well. She heard Jesus was in town, and went for a drop in visit. She found Jesus to be a doctor in a sick room. That's what forgiveness looks and feels like.

Have you ever been enslaved by some habit or some deep rooted problem that you could not shake? Well one day you met Jesus, your life was changed. You are not the person you used to be since Jesus came into your heart. You can now sing, "I Am redeemed, I've been bought with a price, Jesus has changed my whole life".

I could go on, but I just wanted to stop by to tell you today that I am satisfied with Jesus. In my book he is alright.

Psalm 103:5 (NKJV)
⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, in spite of all the troubles that surround me; today, I have decided to take my eyes off of the circumstances, and fix my eyes upon the Lord. I just want to bless that name that is above every name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, all that is within me, bless his holy name. In Jesus name, Amen.

Psalm 103:1 (HCSB)
¹ My soul, praise Yahweh, and all that is within me, praise His holy name.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 21, 2013

Title: Two Inseparable Gifts

Text:

Romans 13:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.

Matthew 6:12 (HCSB)
¹² And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Observation:

I have some hard things to talk to the Father about this morning; however, it is good to start my day with this good word from God's word.

Remember if you are going to love others, as God commands, you will have to forgive others. It's not about fairness; it's about forgiveness.  Before you invoke fairness, remember what you used to be. I'll exchange forgiveness for fairness any day.

Titus 3:3 (HCSB)
³ For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

In my bible love is a command not a suggestion.

John 13:34 (HCSB)
³⁴ "I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.

However, love is God's gift to his children. If you don't have it, you don't belong to him.

Romans 5:5 (HCSB)
⁵ This hope will not disappoint {us}, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 8:9 (HCSB)
⁹ You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that I am not like I used to be, and I am so glad that the best is yet to come because I am not yet all that I am going to be. Father, I look forward to that day when I shall be free from the presence of sin. Oh, that will be glory. Father, I thank you that love lasts forever, and that forgiveness never gets old. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 20, 2013

Title: The Presence of God

Text:

Psalm 15:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ LORD, who can dwell in Your tent? Who can live on Your holy mountain?
² The one who lives honestly, practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart—
³ who does not slander with his tongue, who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor,
⁴ who despises the one rejected by the LORD but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his word whatever the cost,
⁵ who does not lend his money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent— the one who does these things will never be moved.

Observation:

Yesterday we talked about the power of God, and today I woke up with the presence of God on my mind.

David had this question on his heart when he wrote this Psalm; see verse one above. David loved the Lord, and he trusted in the Lord with his whole heart. It is mighty nice to have a place of refuge that you can rely upon when the storms of life are raging. David had that place of rest, and it was in the God of his salvation.

Psalm 27:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the LORD and seeking [Him] in His temple.
⁵ For He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity; He will hide me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high on a rock.

Lord, as we reflect on the question in Psalm 15:1, we acknowledge that nothing but the blood of Jesus can qualify us to live in your presence.

Hebrews 10:22 (HCSB)
²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled [clean] from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the precious blood of Jesus that was shed on Calvary so that I wouldn't have to die for my own sins.

Lord, "who can live in your presence?" Father, I thank you for Jesus; it is because of him that I can live in your presence. In Jesus name, Amen.

"Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?"

                Elisha A. Hoffman

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 19, 2013

Title: The Power of God

Text:

Ephesians 2:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

 Observation:

Yesterday I read several scriptures that had a consistent theme; the power of God. I have listed them here.

http://tinyurl.com/a8wk5a6

In each of these scriptures God supplies the power. Words and works go together, and God supplies both.

The grace of God that resulted in our salvation is so amazing. God saves us by his grace, and by his power he enables and supplies the words and the works to demonstrate his great love and grace to a watching world.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (HCSB)
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.
¹⁰ For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that everything we need to fulfill our God ordained purpose you have promised you will provide.

Father, I thank you for your wisdom, words and your works. Father, may your people walk by faith, and draw everything we need from the word of God with the enabling power of the Spirit of God. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 18, 2013

Title: The Bible Everyone is Reading

Text:  

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (HCSB)
² You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, recognized and read by everyone.
³ It is clear that you are Christ's letter, produced by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God—not on stone tablets but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.

Observation:

In this brief except from Paul's letter to the church at Corinth we get a glimpse of the wonderful work of the Lord in the hearts of his people.

Paul points out that his apostolic ministry involved writing the word of God on the tablet of the hearts of God's people.

What a breathtaking thought; that our lives are the only bible that some people read. This causes me to pause, and to reflect. We are the only bible some people read. What are they reading when they look at you and me?

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that I will be willing to give you access to my whole life. Father, I pray that my life might send a reliable message to those who read the bible as they see it from the tablet of my heart. In Jesus name, Amen.

"Take my life, lead me, Lord;
Take my life, lead me, Lord;
Make my life useful to Thee.

Here am I, send me, Lord;
Here am I, send me, Lord;
Make my life useful to Thee".

     R. Maines Rawls

 

                                                 

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 15, 2013

Title: Are You In or Out of the Will of God?

Text:  Colossians 3:12-17

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/bhr5ac9

Observation:

Today's scripture is a message for those who have put off the old man with his deeds, and who have put on the new man mirroring the image of Christ.

The bible calls Christ followers to put on the virtues of Christ Jesus. It calls for life styles that are different than that of the world.

This new lifestyle, patterned after Christ, is to be holy as he is holy. I get so filled with hope when I think about the impact that Christ followers could have on the world if we would live out our faith in the marketplace by the way we love one another in the Body of Christ. This scripture grips and thrills my heart. The all these things refer to our text listed above.

Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Believers are to be Spirit led, and Word controlled. The key to peace in the church is for its members allowing the peace of Christ to rule in their hearts. There is peace in Zion when we who belong to Christ allow the peace of Christ to be the umpire in our life; calling us in or out of the will of God. The path to a restored relationship is repentance.

1 John 1:9 (ESV)
⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that the life style of your people will demonstrate to a watching world the peace of Christ ruling and reigning in our lives. Father, help us to never forget who we are, and whose we are. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 14, 2013

Title: Simple Prayer

Text:  Matthew 20:29-34

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/cqbeohj

Observation:

The need for God's people to pray has been on my heart this week. Many learned people have written about prayer.  However, the reality is that prayer to be effective does not have to be complicated; it can be simple prayer.

In our text two men with an obvious need came to Jesus for help. They heard that the healer was nearby and they needed healing.

What these two men had was knowledge and faith. They had knowledge of who Jesus was. They recognized Jesus as the Son of David.

Matthew 9:27 (ESV)
²⁷ And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David."

However, these two men showed that they knew Jesus more intimately; they used a name that revealed a personal relationship with Jesus; they called him LORD.

This is the simple prayer they prayed:

Matthew 20:30 (ESV)
³⁰ And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!"

These two blind men knew Jesus, they knew his power, and they had faith in him to meet their need. Therefore, they prayed a simple prayer. Prayer does have to be long to be effective; just tell the Lord what you need, and have faith they he will meet your need. Jesus answered their simple prayer.

Matthew 20:34 (ESV)
³⁴ And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you are still in the business of hearing and answering the prayers of your believing people. Lord, I thank you for answering my simple prayers. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 13, 2013

Title: The Blessings of a Godly Tongue

Text:  

Proverbs 12:14 (ESV)
¹⁴ From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

Observation:

What comes out of our mouths comes from our heart. To have a godly tongue we must have a godly heart.

Luke 6:45 (ESV)
⁴⁵ The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

There are so many blessings of having a godly heart that speaks godly words. A tongue that speaks godly words is precious like silver.

Proverbs 10:20 (ESV)
²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I thank you for the godly wisdom that you promise to those who ask for it. Father, give us the wisdom to use our tongues wisely.

Father God, in grace, I ask you to give us godly hearts and godly tongues so that we might bear the fruit of those who have godly wisdom. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 12, 2013

Title: Have You Enrolled in the School of Faith?

Text:  Genesis 12:1-9

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/cg96ymp

Observation:

The most precious gift I have ever received is the fully paid scholarship I received that enabled me to enroll in the School of Faith.

The key character in our focal passage today is Abraham. When the Lord spoke to Abram, he was not a man of God.

Joshua 24:2 (ESV)
² And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods.

The gift of faith is available to anyone who has ears to hear. It is the hearing of the word of God that births faith in the heart of a person.

Romans 10:17 (ESV)
¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Have you enrolled in the School of Faith? Are you living by faith in God? There are lots of places you can seek help in this world, but there is no greater power than the power of the living God. Notice what he said to Abraham.

Genesis 12:1-2 (ESV)
¹ Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.
² And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

God promised Abraham these things:

I will show you

I will make you

I will bless you

The test of genuine faith is obedience. Faith is willing to wait on God; it obeys in spite of circumstances, and without regards to consequences. Faith puts everything in God's hands.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you have given me the gift of faith. Lord, when my faith is tested, help me to hold on to your unchanging hand. Lord, remove from my vocabulary the word quit. Lord, I want to go the distance with you. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 11, 2013

Title: How to Go Through Troubles without Losing Your Faith

Text:  Romans 8:31-39

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/alpuwpc

Observation:

There is a mystery that surrounds the troubles we encounter in life. Some things that happen are beyond our finite ability to understand the whys.

Today's reading gives us a window into showing us a way to go through difficult times, and come out with our faith in stack. In fact, we can go through troubles, and have our faith deepened and strengthened.

None of us gets through life without going through the valley of trials, tribulations, and troubles. They are the common lot of all. Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote to the first century church at Rome.

Romans 8:35-36 (NLT)
³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.")

Hard times will come; the rain falls on the just and the unjust. However, child of God; if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we have a hope and a refuge that no one can take away from us. Hold on tight to the promises of God, and never let them go.

When troubles come, don't ask why; rather, ask what I can learn about God in this circumstance. As one author has said, "Don't waste those sorrows".

Romans 8:37 (ESV)
³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that the children of God live on your promises, and not on explanations.

Father, I have hope because of your promise that nothing can separate us from your love. Yes, troubles will come. However, name the trouble, and the answer comes back loud and clear; no, nothing can separate us from your love. For this, we say, thank you Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 8, 2013

Title: A Listening Ear and Caring Heart

Text: Psalm 55

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/axl3d6m

Observation:

There are times when we need a little talk, and there are other times when we need a big talk with our heavenly Father.

In our focal passage for today King David needed a big talk with the Lord. David had troubles without (vv.1-3), and terror within (vv. 4-5). David knew who to call upon. He sought the Lord in prayer. David was trembling, but he could still talk.

Psalm 55:1 (ESV)
¹ Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!

One of the things that we know about David is that he trusted in the Lord with his whole heart. He did not pray as a last resort; prayer was primary is his relationship with the Lord. David was familiar with prayer and with the Lord. The Lord delights in those who know his name.

Psalm 9:9-10 (ESV)
⁹ The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
¹⁰ And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

So when David was facing trouble without and terror within, he took his problems to the Lord in prayer. It takes faith in God to do what David did. When you give the Lord access to your problems, he will take care of his family.

Psalm 55:22 (ESV)
²² Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the knowledge that you are a God who delights to listen to the prayers of your beloved people. Father, in the words of the hymn of old, "Long as I live and troubles rise; I'll hasten to your throne". Lord, I believe; and in faith I look up to you.  In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 7, 2013

Title: How to Have Good Days

Text: 1 Peter 3:8-12; Psalm 34:12-14

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/a2ls3kn

Observation:

It seems like there are some things about human nature that do not change. In our focal passage for today the Apostle Peter writes to believers to admonish them to love one another, and to be courteous to one another.

Who among us does not believe that this is a message that fits the circumstances that exists in the Body of Christ today?

In his appeal Peter included a quotation from the Psalmist, where David gives the people of his day wise counsel on how to have a godly day; I say godly day because it beats having a good day.

A friend received a message recently that said simply, "Have a God day". That is my prayer and wish for you today, and every day. Be love and be courteous to someone today, and you will be on your way to having a God day.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I ask that you would grant each of us sufficient grace so that we might become people who demonstrate that we belong to you by the way we love one another. In Jesus name, Amen.

John 13:35 (NLT)
³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 6, 2013

Title: God Provides the Power You Need

Text: Acts 1:4-8

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/b6tyudh

Observation:

The promise of Jesus to the Apostles of the first century that they would receive power is a promise that we can also receive. The choice word today is power.

Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

God will give his people the power to carry out our God ordained purpose. You do not have to be an Apostle to have the Spirit of God in your life. Every child of God has access to the power of God for living, and doing God's work.

Romans 8:9 (HCSB)
⁹ You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

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

Think about this; the power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you to do God's will, and to do God's work. It's not outside of you, it is within you.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that you will never put me in a position where I lack the resources to do the work that you have called me to do. Father, I am so thankful that you give your people the power to fulfill our purpose. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 5, 2013

Title: Build Bridges by Loving Others First

Text: 1 John 4:7-11

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/bh393n9

Observation:

One of my unceasing prayers is that I would resemble my heavenly Father in the way I treat others.  If I am a child of God, I should be like my Father. God's very nature is love, and if we belong to him, his nature lies within us.

This is his nature:

1 John 4:8 (NKJV)
⁸ He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 4:16 (NKJV)
¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

And all who are genuine children of God have his nature within.

2 Peter 1:4 (HCSB)
⁴ By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.

We have it within us to love others, and make an impact on our communities that will last forever. Are you willing to associate yourself with your heavenly Father by making the choice to love others first?

1 John 4:7-8 (HCSB)
⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
⁸ The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that you would stir the hearts of your people to convince us that love is supreme, and that it is the best gift. Father, help us to be willing to descend; even into the ground of humility to plant seeds of lovingkindness so that others may grow high as a tree from our being rooted and grounded in love. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 4, 2013

Title: Guard Your Thoughts – Your Mind and Heart

Text: Proverbs 23:1-8

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/ayxsljs

Observation:

As I read today's focal passage I notice the repeated use of this phrase, "Do not". It is a reminder to me to listen up. God has something to say to me, and I dare not ignore his warning. The consequences of failing to heed this phrase, "Do not", when spoken by the Lord are not very pretty. Those who ignore the warning end of in a mess.

There are some do not's when it comes to our thought life, "Guard Your Thoughts – Your Mind and Heart" is our topic for today. The focus is on this verse.

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
⁷ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

The contents of our heart are important; it reveals our character. What is in our heart determines how we behave. Hence, the admonition is to guard our hearts. Garbage that enters our minds finds a home in our heart, and affects our behavior. Guard your thoughts, and feed your heart the "Bread of Life". Make the word of God your daily bread.

Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV)
⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that you will give me an appetite that can only be satisfied by your presence in my life. Father, may your word be my daily bread. O, how I need the God of peace. In Jesus name, Amen.

"Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love."

                Mary A. Lathbury

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_February 1, 2013

Title: How to be a Successful Person?

Text: Genesis 39:1-9

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/9wnhaks

Observation:

Today we look at an experience in the life of Joseph that reveals his godly conduct, and the basis for his character. Joseph's character was tested, and he passed the test. His beliefs shaped his character.

Genesis 39:9 (HCSB)
⁹ No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?"

Joseph believed that he belonged to God, and that belief shaped his behavior. When God looked at Joseph, I can imagine in my sanctified imagination that he smiled. Notice how many times this was said about Joseph, "The Lord was with Joseph". The result; he was successful.

Genesis 39:2-3 (HCSB)
² The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.
³ When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he did successful,
Genesis 39:21 (HCSB)
²¹ But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Genesis 39:23 (HCSB)
²³ The warden did not bother with anything under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him, and the LORD made everything that he did successful.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am encouraged by the knowledge that the Lord was with Joseph. Father, I pray that the things I believe about you will so shape my character and conduct that it would make me a successful person in your eyes. Father, I covet your presence in my life.  In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Isaiah 50:4 (HCSB)
⁴ The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens ⌊Me⌋ each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/