Daily Bread_August 30, 2013

Title: The Solution to Loneliness

Text:

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Observation:

The answer to loneliness for the believer is the presence of the Lord in our life. Notice His promise in the latter part of the above verse, "I will never leave you nor forsake you".

There is never a time that the child of God is alone. The triune God is always present in the lives of God's children. Hear what the scripture says about the abiding presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the life of God's children.

John 14:15-21 (ESV)
¹⁵ "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
¹⁷ even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
¹⁸ "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
¹⁹ Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
²⁰ In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
²¹ Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

For years I had a chart in my home office that was an outline of, "How to Pray for One Hour". I don't know where that chart is now, but I remember the principles it contained, and I also remember this story on that chart of a woman who found the cure for loneliness.

The woman was a senior citizen who lived alone. Her pastor came by to visit her one day and he found her sitting in her rocking chair with her bible in her lap. The pastor inquired about her well being, and asked her how she spent her days alone, and appeared to be so at peace.

Her response was this, "I get up in the morning, I get my bible and read it. Then I just sit for hours and let God love me". That woman found the cure for loneliness, and so can you. O, the comfort of the presence and power of God in the lives of His people.

John 14:21 (ESV)
²¹ Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

If you are lonely today, go back to Calvary where you first saw the light. The Christ you met at the cross of Calvary is as real today as He was the day you invited Him to come into your heart. Draw near to Him; you will find that He has been there all the time. When Jesus comes into our heart He comes to stay. He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you".

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that since Jesus came into my heart that I have had the blessed assurance that from that day forward I have never been alone, and that I have the promise of my Savior that I will never be alone. Yes, I thank the Lord every day for my blessings. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/387#ixzz2dRyJnhDI

--

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_August 29, 2013

Title: There is No Substitute for This Attribute Among God's People

Text:

Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV)
⁴ But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Observation:

There is nothing more devastating than when the people of God lose their love for the Lord; nothing we replace it with is acceptable in the eyes of the Lord. Notice what God said to His people of old.

Jeremiah 2:2 (ESV)
² "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD, "I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

Jeremiah 2:32 (ESV)
³² Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

It is apparent from these two passages that the Lord expects the first love of His people to continue. This is a commandment, and not a suggestion.

Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV)
⁵ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Matthew 22:36-38 (ESV)
³⁶ "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
³⁷ And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
³⁸ This is the great and first commandment.

What can you do to restore the joy in your relationship with the Lord? The Bible says we need a change; it is a change in our hearts, and it is a change in our behavior. This is the word of the Lord to His people.

Revelation 2:5 (ESV)
⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that You will press it upon the hearts of Your people to return to obedience to the great and first commandment. Father, change our hearts and our behavior so that we can once again experience the joy of our salvation. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Lord Jesus, I give all that I am to loving You more dearly and totally. This song expresses the deepest desire of my heart: Give Yourself to Love the Lord.

http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/ns/160

--

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_August 28, 2013

Title: Do You Have a Dream?

Text:

1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 (ESV)
² We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
³ remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁴ For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,
2 Thessalonians 1:2-4 (ESV)
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
³ We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
⁴ Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

Observation:

I remember where I was 50 years ago today, the day that Dr. Martin Luther King gave his, "I Have A Dream" speech. It was my first job after college; I was an accountant working for an insurance company in New Orleans, LA.

We have come a long way from those days of racial inequality; but, we have a long way to go. In some areas, we seem to be going backwards.

I was reading an article recently about Dr. King's speech that brought something to my mind that happened over a decade ago. This is what I read.

Those singing "Free at last!" aren't just black men and women, but all people. His future is one in which "the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood."

It was about 36 years after Dr. King said those words that I experienced the fulfillment of Dr. King's dream in some measure. One of the men in our church told me after the Sunday service that it was amazing that God had brought us together; the great grandson of a slave owner a member of a church pastored by the great grandson of former slaves. Truly what is impossible in man's eyes is possible with God.

It's amazing what God did in the church at Thessalonica in our text, and what He is doing in a few churches today. God can and wants to do more to amaze us. My dream is that more and more will sit down and eat together at the table of brotherhood.

There is always abundance at the table that God prepares for His people. I pray that many will become intentional in making this happen in our community one person at a time. We need some bridge builders.

Let's have a "Million People Meeting at the Table of Brotherhood". You don't have to go to Washington, D.C. to do this; you can begin at your home, workplace, school, and church. Do we have any disciples who are willing to dream this dream?

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

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that You would stir the hearts of Your people so that we might be demonstrations of the love of God by the way that we love one another. Father, may many accept Your invitation to come to the feast that You have prepared at the table of brotherhood.

O, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove, in all thy quickening power; come kindle a flame of sacred love in these cold hearts of ours.  In Jesus name I pray, 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_August 27, 2013

Title: Why You Should Stay with the Bible

Text:

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (ESV)
¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it
¹⁵ and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Observation:

The problems facing our world are not getting better or easier with the passing of time. The conditions in the time that Paul wrote this letter were difficult days. In our day they have not gotten better; rather, they are getting worse.

2 Timothy 3:10-13 (ESV)
¹⁰ You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
¹¹ my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.
¹² Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
¹³ while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

God's Word can provide an anchor for God's people during these difficult and dangerous times in which we live. Paul's advice to his mentee Timothy is good advice to us today; stay with the Bible. The Bible can be a mentor to us if we will read it, and apply it to our life (See 2 Tim 3:16-17).

The Bible is the best tutor you can have for life; it will show you how to live, and it will show you how to die. In the Bible you will discover everything you need to know about God. Also, it will show you everything you need to know about yourself. God uses His Word to help us in times of trouble; He will deliver you like He delivered Paul.

When I arrived in Alaska in 1964, this song was the theme song that I heard the pastor of FBC Anchorage lead the congregation in many times; Pastor Felton Griffin was a man who loved and preached the Bible.

"Get the new look, from the old Book.

Get the new look, from the Bible.    

Get the new look, from the old Book. 

Get the new look from God's Word.                           

The inward look, the outward look,                          

The upward look, from the old, old Book.                    

Get the new look, from the old Book.                        

Get the new look from God's Word."

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I thank You for the Bible; the wisdom, provisions, power, and peace that it gives to those who read it faithfully, and obey it consistently. Father, I thank You for the increased interest in reading the Bible that is occurring in these last days. Father, I pray a blessing upon the readers, the hearers, and the doers of Your Holy Word. In Jesus name I pray, 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_August 26, 2013

Title: Things to Remember When You Are in Trouble

Text:

Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV)
³ When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
⁴ In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Observation:

When you are in trouble there are some things that you should know and remember about God. First, He is a God of mercy, and He delights to hear from His children. You are never too far from Him to reach Him, and you are never in more trouble than He is able to handle.

You may even be in a place where David found himself; a place where he should not have been. But, in spite of your circumstances, God is available, and you can call upon Him to help you. When David needed help he called upon the Lord.

Psalm 56:1-2 (ESV)
¹ Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me;
² my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly.

This is what David knew and remembered about God; He sees where we are, and what we are going through. He knows how we are feeling, and hears us when we cry out to Him.

Psalm 56:8-9 (ESV)
⁸ You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
⁹ Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.

When we are in trouble God delights to deliver us. However, we should desire more than deliverance; we should desire God. Those who God delivers should respond by delighting in God. When God who delights in you delivers you from trouble do like David did; give Him some praise, and delight in Him.

Psalm 56:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I delight to give you the praise, glory, and honor that You deserve. Father, I thank You for doing for me what I could not do for myself, and what no other person could do for me. Lord, I am so grateful. O, the love of God; how it thrills my soul. Praise the Lord! In Jesus name, Amen.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints' and angels' song.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/28#ixzz2d4ULmPUr

--

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_August 24, 2013

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 28:21 (ESV)
²¹ To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 119:130 (ESV)
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Peter 3:14-18 (ESV)
¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
¹⁵ And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
¹⁶ as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.
¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

My observation:

Peter's closing remarks have some great advice for the people in the first century. However, it is also very good advice for people of the twenty-first century.

Notice two encouragements; in verse fourteen he said, "be diligent", and in verse seventeen he said, "take care".

No matter how difficult things get in this world, don't allow anyone to take from you the hope that you have in God's word.

We live in a dark and dangerous world, but there are many open doors to share the gospel of Christ. God is still waiting patiently for the lost to trust in Jesus. He has chosen you, if you are one of his children, to participate in sharing the gospel.

2 Peter 3:15 (HCSB)
¹⁵ Also, regard the patience of our Lord as [an opportunity for] salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in the sharing of the gospel of Christ. Father, most of all, I am grateful that the door of opportunity is open for the lost to come to Christ, and receive the gift of salvation. Father, I thank you for loving and caring about those who are outside of your sheepfold. 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_August 23, 2013

Title: Four Things You Should Buy and Hold

Text:

Proverbs 23:22-24 (ESV)
²² Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
²³ Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
²⁴ The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

Observation:

There are some things that are worthy of buying and holding for a lifetime. There are four things that we should buy and hold; they are truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Proverbs 2:2-4 (NLT)
² Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
³ Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
⁴ Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

The wisest thing you will ever do in your life is to have the highest value and esteem for the truth. Be willing to pay the price for obtaining it, and never part ways with it; keep it safe. The same applies to the other three virtues.

Proverbs 4:7 (NLT)
⁷ Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray for the wisdom and discipline to embrace truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding, and to never part ways with them. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 

--

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_August 22, 2013

Title: The Provisions and Power for Effective Prayer

Text:

Psalm 55:1-5 (ESV)
¹ Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
² Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,
³ because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me.
⁴ My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
⁵ Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.

Observation:

I love reading the Psalms each day because they are such an encouragement to help me in my daily walk with the Lord.

This morning was an example of how the Psalms help me. I had just prayed a prayer for a friend who asked his friends to pray for a pressing need in his life. Shortly after praying that prayer of intercession, I opened my Bible to read the Psalm for today.

However, this Psalm got my attention, and quickened my heart concerning the prayer of faith I had prayed earlier for my friend. There is great value in having your Bible nearby when you pray. I love this promise found in this verse; it empowers my prayer life.

Matthew 7:7 (ESV)
⁷ "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Here is another way in which the Word of God, and the Spirit of God come together to help God's children to pray effectively; the Holy Spirit is our helper.

Romans 8:26 (HCSB)
²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.

Your problems may be different from the Psalmist, but whatever you are going through God has the answer, and He is waiting to hear from you. The Bible in your hand and the Holy Spirit in your heart provide all that you need to be effective in prayer; so ask the Lord to help you.

Jeremiah 33:3 (HCSB)
³ Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for the Word of God, and the office work of the Holy Spirit of God in the prayer life of Your children. Father, I am so thankful that when I pray that You listen, and that You answer the prayers of Your children. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 55:16-17 (HCSB)
¹⁶ But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.
¹⁷ I complain and groan morning, noon, and night, and He hears my voice.

--

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_August 21, 2013

Title: Who Do You Trust in to Right the Wrongs in Your Life?

Text:

Psalm 52:1-7 (ESV)
¹ Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
² Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
³ You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah
⁴ You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.
⁵ But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
⁶ The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,
⁷ "See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!"

Observation:

David  had to deal with a very difficult man. This enemy was speaking untruthful words about David, and attempting to smear him before King Saul.

When David discovered what evil this man was doing he turned to the Lord for help. David was a man who trusted in the Lord with his whole heart.

When you trust in the Lord you don't have to worry about protecting your name. Rather, David spent his time in a more productive way; he gave honor and praise to the name of the Lord. God protected David's name because David honored God's name. God is not a negligent father; He takes care of His children.

Psalm 52:8-9 (ESV)
⁸ But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
⁹ I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I give honor, glory and praise to Your most holy and righteous name.

Father God, my soul sings, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless Your holy name". Lord, You are good and gracious, and I thank You for all my blessings every day.

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I deposit my troubles and my cares in Your trustworthy hands knowing that my problems are no match for Your power. In Jesus name I pray, 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_August 20, 2013

Title: It's Not About You

Text:

Romans 15:1-6 (ESV)
¹ We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
³ For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."
⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
⁵ May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
⁶ that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation:

The Apostle Paul makes the case that it is not about me; but, it is about God, and serving others. He quotes the Psalms to show Christ as being the ultimate example of this truth.

Psalm 69:9 (ESV)
⁹ For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

If we are to follow the example of Christ we must have a loving and patient concern for others. We do ourselves a favor, and bring glory to God when we serve others in the Spirit and love of Christ.

It would be an amazing sight to behold if God's people would follow in the steps of Jesus by serving others; making it less about us, and more about the Lord and others. I believe that this single thing would do more to reverse the decline of church membership than any other thing we could do; love is supreme should be our theme. Let's build others up.

"More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

• More, more about Jesus,
  More, more about Jesus;
  More of His saving fullness see,
  More of His love who died for me."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/382#ixzz2cT6GF66V

Prayer:

Father God, my prayer for all of God's people is that it would less about me, and more about Jesus, and that we would share more of His love with others. Father, I thank You for the hope and the encouragement we get from the word of God. In Jesus name I pray, 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_August 19, 2013

Title: How Sin Hurts the Sinner

Text:

Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV)
¹ Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

Observation:

This Psalm is another of the Penitential Psalms. This Psalm came about as a result of the sin by David with Bathsheba.

One of the things that strike me about this Psalm is the high cost that David paid for his sin. It is obvious that his sin hurt God, and that it hurt others. David points that out in this Psalm. However, today I want to focus on how the sin hurt David.

Notice in these selected verses the high cost of David's sin, and the cover up of his sins. Notice how it affected his whole being.

Psalm 51:3 (ESV)
³ For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Psalm 51:6 (ESV)
⁶ Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Psalm 51:8 (ESV)
⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:13 (ESV)
¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

David's sin affected his eyes, mind, ears, heart, spirit, and his mouth. However, this is the most devastating thing that resulted from his sin; he lost fellowship with God, and the joy of the Lord. Surely this is Exhibit A of "The High Cost of Low Living".

Psalm 51:11-12 (ESV)
¹¹ Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the grace of God that covers the vilest sinner; even sinners like me. Father, I will be forever grateful for Your saving and keeping power. In Jesus name, Amen.

"I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/333#ixzz2cPkRTNkB

--

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_August 16, 2013

Title: An Invitation to See and Taste the Love of God

Text:

Jeremiah 15:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.

Observation:

The prophet Jeremiah was devoted to the word of God.  This devotion resulted in him searching the word of God. As a result of his searching, he found nourishment from the word of God. Jeremiah found provision and pleasure in God's word.

It is not enough to own a bible. It is in the reading and the heading of the Bible that results in the growth and development of our spiritual life.

While Jeremiah was devoted to the word of God there were some that were not; they didn't have time to search God's word.

Jeremiah 6:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.

Are you looking for the Lord in His Word? You can say like Jeremiah, "Your words were found", if you search for Him in His Word.

Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
⁸ Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, every time I open my Bible, I pray that You would open the eyes of my head and my heart so that I might see wonderful things from Your word; that I might taste the love of the Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 119:18 (ESV)
¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.  

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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_August 15, 2013

Title: There is None Like Him

Text:

Psalm 45:1-2 (ESV)
¹ My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
² You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
Psalm 45:6-8 (ESV)
⁶ Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
⁷ you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
⁸ your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;

Observation:

This Psalm is messianic; it shows us Christ, and His relationship to the church, and to believers in the future. We see this prophecy come to pass in the writings of the New Testament passages that follow. Reading it caused me to pause; and contemplate the wonder of the love of God. It brings a smile to my face, and a song to my lips; "O, How I Love Jesus".

Hebrews 1:8-9 (ESV)
⁸ But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."

Revelation 19:7-8 (ESV)
⁷ Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
⁸ it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"—

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You have spoken to us through Your Word; and, when God speaks I listen.

Hebrews 1:1-2 (KJV)
¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Father, I am so thankful to be identified with the church; the bride of Christ. Lord, I am so thankful for the blood of Jesus; O, how I love Jesus because He first loved me, and gave Himself up for me. 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_August 14, 2013

Title: What to Do While You Are Waiting on God

Text:

Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
¹⁴ Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Observation:

Living in the world can be difficult; we don't know what we will encounter around the bending and winding paths of life. Life will present surprises for us, but not to God. We need the guidance of one who knows the way, and who is able to navigate us safely home.

Psalm 27:11 (ESV)
¹¹ Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

The Lord knows the way, and He will show us the way. What we need to do is to learn to wait on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is not an exercise in being idle. While we wait on the Lord we should watch and pray. The Lord will provide the strength and the courage when we need it.

Luke 21:36 (ESV)
³⁶ But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

You can make it through whatever you will ever face in life if you wait on the Lord; watching and praying will get you through it all. God will always show up, and His timing is always on time. While you wait, keep on doing the last thing the Lord told you to do. Never stop walking and talking with the Lord. He will never leave you; don't leave Him.

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
³¹ but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I delight to declare Your greatness, goodness, and graciousness.

Father God, it is so comforting to know You, and to follow You. Lord, I thank You for the wisdom, courage,  and the strength that You give to Your people.

Lord, I am so grateful for all that You have done for me; if it had not been for You in my life I don't know where I would be. My soul sings, "Thank you Lord". In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

"Waiting on Thee, Lord, waiting on Thee;

 Make me Thy will to know,

  Help me Thy way to go,

That life thru me may flow-

Waiting on Thee, waiting on Thee." - - Witness Lee

--

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_August 13, 2013

Title: There is Great Reward in Doing Good to Others

Text:

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)
⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Observation:

The Apostle Paul gives some final words in this letter to the churches of Galatia. Paul had begun this letter with a strong appeal to the church concerning false doctrine.

Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV)
⁶ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
⁷ not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

I have observed how much effort is takes to discipline ourselves to do the right things, and how easy it is to do the wrong things. However, we must take heed to not getting weary in doing the right things, and in doing good.

There is a bright future for those who are faithful, and for those who do good. Those who endure and finish the race receive the prize. We have a special responsibility to those who belong to the Kingdom of God; the household of faith. God's people need to be good to each other as we serve the needs of others together for the cause of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so glad that one of the best things that I can do is to give praise to You; the Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ. Father, I praise You with my whole heart.

Psalm 147:1 (ESV)
¹ Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

Father God, we need Your help in not growing weary, and in doing good; especially to those who belong to the family of God. Father, we need and ask for the enabling power of the Holy Spirit of God to energize us so that we not grow weary in doing good. In Jesus name I pray, 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_August 12, 2013

Title: How to Get Beyond the Feeling That I Can't

Text:

Jeremiah 32:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Oh, Lord GOD! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

Observation:

The highest mountains you will ever face in your life are the ones that you create in your mind that result in you saying, "I can't". It is a self fulfilling prophecy.

The way to overcome the mountains in your life is to identify the problem. All of us have the potential for greatness, but we lack the power. Most things in life are too difficult for us, but they are not too difficult for the Lord.

Here is the problem and the obstacle that every living human being faces in life, and must overcome it or face the consequences. We all need a rebirth.

Romans 3:10-12 (HCSB)
¹⁰ as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one.
¹¹ There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
¹² All have turned away; all alike have become useless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.

Romans 6:23 (HCSB)
²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We all are in need of a do over; some choose self made, but that will not get the job done. The things that are impossible for man are possible for God. Allow the one who made the heavens and the earth to remake you; then, nothing will be impossible in your life.

If you are tired of trying to remake yourself, why not accept the gift that God offers to remake you with His great power. He will give you the power to fulfill your potential.

John 3:3 (HCSB)
³ Jesus replied, "I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

John 3:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶ "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I praise You Lord, with my soul and all my heart I sing praises to Your name.

The song of the Psalmist is my song of praise to You.

Psalm 146:8 (ESV)
⁸ the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

Father God, I am so thankful for the day that You opened my eyes to see the truth. Lord, I thank You for making me righteous, and giving me life that will last forever. Now, I can say, "I can't but God can".  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/