Daily Bread_September 30, 2013

Title: The Promise of Favor with God and Man

Text:

Proverbs 3:3-6 (HCSB)
³ Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;
⁶ think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.

Observation:

In Proverbs wisdom is the theme, and the source of wisdom is the LORD. Above anyone or anything else, we need the LORD in our life. We need the LORD to lead and guide us, and to give us His strength to run and win the race of life.

Proverbs 1:7 (HCSB)
⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Wisdom is more than just knowing about the LORD; we must know the LORD, it is also about walking on the right paths.

Living a godly life is not beyond the reach of Christ followers; we just need to know the source for achieving this goal. The answer lies in the words of our text; read them and heed them, and allow the LORD to do in you, for you, and through you what you cannot do without the LORD. If God says it, that settles it.

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/568#ixzz2g6qxPG1U

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for being a God who loves me supremely, and cares about me more than anyone on earth below or in the heavens above. Lord, I trust You, and believe every promise of the Word that applies to Your people. Father, give me the grace to love and trust You more. 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_September 27, 2013

Title: The Lord Promises His People Strength

Text:

Isaiah 40:29-31 (HCSB)
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless.
³⁰ Youths may faint and grow weary, and young men stumble and fall,
³¹ but those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.

Observation:

In spite of how weary and powerless you may be the Lord's promise is that He will give His people strength. God does not change; what He did for His people then, He will do for you today. Even though you might be as weak and insignificant as a worm, God is willing and able to help you.

Isaiah 41:14 (HCSB)
¹⁴ Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel: I will help you— [this is] the LORD's declaration. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Who wouldn't rely upon a God like the LORD?

Isaiah 40:28 (HCSB)
²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding.

Notice that the Lord never grows weary. God's people from the first century believers to believers today have looked to the Lord for their strength. It pays to trust in the Lord, and His strength.

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

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the strength that You provide to Your people as we travel through this dark and dangerous world. Father, by faith, I am determined to hold on to Your unchanging hand; my trust is in You. O, how sweet and secure it is to walk; leaning hard on Your everlasting arms. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

'Tis so safe to walk with Jesus,
Leaning hard upon His arm,
Following closely where He leads us,
None can hurt and naught can harm.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/587#ixzz2g3PT0GI3

--

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_September 26, 2013

Title: Two Incredible Promises That Are for Every Believer

Text:

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.

Observation:

I am so glad that you can stand on the promises of God. Today I will look at two of those promises to encourage myself, and hopefully encourage each of you who are reading the Word, and my reflections on the Word of God.

2 Peter 1:2-3 (HCSB)
² May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
³ His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

When we trusted in Christ, and received the gift of salvation, God gave us the grace gift of all that we need for eternal life and godly living. Why did He do this? He did it because of His character; He did it by His own glory and goodness. There are many promises made by man that he has no power to keep, but it is not so with God; He has the power to keep every promise He makes.

Are you appropriating the power of God that He makes available to all of His believing people? I would rather rely on God's power than on my power any day. You can trust in and stand on the promises of God; and of Christ your Savior. God can do what no other power can do. My prayer is, "O for grace to trust Him more".

Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit's call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/340#ixzz2fxXbUp00

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank You that it was because of Your glory and goodness that I am the recipient of eternal life and the power to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. Father, I pray that by the same divine power that saved me; that same power will enable me to fulfill the purpose for which I was born twice. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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

--

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_September 25, 2013

Title: Standing on the Word of God - - The Bible

Text:

2 Timothy 3:13-17 (HCSB)
¹³ Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.
¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you,
¹⁵ and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,
¹⁷ so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Observation:

There is no book like the Bible; only the Bible can make this claim, "…the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus".

1 Peter 1:23 (HCSB)
²³ since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.

The Word of God provides the spiritual nourishment that you need from childhood to spiritual maturity in the faith. You need a daily diet of spiritual food to grow toward spiritual maturity.

1 Peter 2:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ So rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.
² Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for [your] salvation,
³ since you have tasted that the Lord is good.

If you are not growing in your faith; examine yourself to see if there is anything you need to rid yourself of.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that You would create in the hearts of Your people a burning desire to live for You during these last days. Father, I thank You for the means that You provide to help us make it through difficult times.

Father God, I ask for the grace to continue in what I have learned and believed. Father, help all of Your people to be men and women of the book; the Bible. Father, keep us in Your loving arms until Jesus comes again. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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

Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I see my Savior's face,
Leave His presence never.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/1059#ixzz2ftrrGm00

 

--

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_September 24, 2013

Title: Examine Carefully the Leaders You Follow - - Their Talk and Walk

Text:

2 Timothy 3:10-13 (HCSB)
¹⁰ But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance,
¹¹ along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from them all.
¹² In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
¹³ Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Observation:

In every season of life you need to choose those you follow very carefully. Not everyone who says follow me deserves your loyalty. False teachers were present in the first century of the church, and they are present in the church today.

Notice that Timothy chose to follow the Apostle Paul, and he could not have had a better teacher and mentor.

Philippians 3:17-20 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.
¹⁸ For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
¹⁹ Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things,
²⁰ but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

People tend to become like their leaders; hence, the admonition to be careful who you follow. When you are going through difficult times it pays rich dividends to have leaders who know what you are going through; who can identify with you in your suffering.

The Apostle Paul had experienced more suffering in his life than most, but knew that suffering has a purpose, and trouble don't last always. This promise kept him pressing for the prize.

2 Corinthians 4:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray for wisdom to choose the right leaders, and to have the perspective that the Apostle Paul taught, and modeled in his life and ministry. Father, I choose to gladly forsake the temporary pleasures of this world for the eternal blessings and glory of my heavenly home. 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_September 23, 2013

Title: What We Need in Times Like These

Text:

2 Timothy 3:1 (ESV)
¹ But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

Observation:

The longer the Lord tarry His return, the more difficult the times will be. The KJV says it like this.

2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV)
¹ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

I have had conversations with several friends recently, and the season of difficult times we are experiencing today was the topic of our discussion. What is described in this passage is not something that will happen in the future, but something that happens in every generation between the ascension of Christ, and His return.

The Apostle Paul described in His first letter to Timothy the difficulty of the times as a present condition. What he describes in that letter was happening then, and not some future times.

1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV)
¹ Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

What should we do in times like these? How then shall we live for Christ in times like these? The Apostle gives us the answers in verse one of the text.

2 Timothy 3:1 (AMP)
¹ BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].

The answer lies in our expectation and understanding the times. In fact they are going to get exceedingly fierce. Godly love will be the exception and not the rule. You can expect most people to have the wrong kind of love.

2 Timothy 3:2 (ESV)
² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

2 Timothy 3:4 (ESV)
⁴ treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

This one thing I know; God does not change; I will love the Lord as long as I live no matter how difficult the circumstances around me may get. I will rely upon His promise that He will never leave me or forsake me.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank You that no matter how perilous the days may get that You are a God in whom I can take refuge until the storm passes by. O, if we ever needed the Lord, we show do need Him now.

Father, the times demand that we look up with hope, and not look down in discouragement and defeat. Father, I thank You for providing the source and the means for living the overcoming Christian life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

"In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! "

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/sounds/Hymns/in_times_like_these.htm

 

--

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_September 20, 2013

Title: Do You Know the Secret of Living the Victorious Life?

Text:

Psalm 37:5-7 (ESV)
⁵ Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
⁶ He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
⁷ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Observation:

The person of genuine faith puts their trust in the Lord, and they wait on Him to act. Waiting is not passive; while waiting the person of faith is watching and praying; and doing the last thing the Lord told them to do.

The Lord is worthy of our trust and our total commitment to Him. To commit to the Lord is to depend upon Him. The secret of worry free living is putting everything in the Lord's hands.

God has plenty of work for you to do, and He will supply you with the strength to do His work by His power. The secret is not in self-help books, but in God's book; the Bible. It is no secret what God can do when you commit your way to the Lord. You can live victoriously if you live on the promises of God.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I find it to be so amazing of the peace I have deep down in my soul when I rely upon You, and not upon myself and others. Lord, I am not an independent man; I cannot make it by myself. I need thee every hour, and I am so thankful that there is not a single hour that You are not with me. Lord, I thank You for my blessings; in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

I need Thee every hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/371#ixzz2fQfJpyAp

--

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_September 19, 2013

Title: Would You Like to See the Lord?

Text:

Isaiah 6:1-5 (ESV)
¹ In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
² Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
³ And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"
⁴ And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
⁵ And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"

Observation:

You can have an amazing life changing experience similar to what the prophet Isaiah had if you set your face to look up. The Lord is not hard to find for those who are willing to humble themselves, and search for God.

Deuteronomy 4:29 (ESV)
²⁹ But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

No matter how bad things get in the world or how bad things get in your life, there is always help when we look to the Lord. Things around us and things within us may be out of control, but the Lord is always in control. God is everywhere, and the whole earth is full of His glory; so seek Him, it only takes one look.

Psalm 105:4 (ESV)
⁴ Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Remember you are never too low or the night too dark that if you look up, you can see the Lord. When you see Him, receive Him, and He will deliver you. He is waiting to hear from you; ask Him to help you to see Him is all His holiness.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so grateful that You are not too difficult to find, and that nothing is too difficult for You. Father, as long as I live I will call upon the name of the Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Matthew 7:8 (ESV)
⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/807#ixzz2fKtnadmx

--

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_September 18, 2013

Title: A Prescription for Times Like These

Text:

Psalm 80:1-2 (ESV)
¹ Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
² Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us!

Psalm 80:18-19 (ESV)
¹⁸ Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name!
¹⁹ Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Observation:

This Psalm is a prayer by the Psalmist to God for the restoration and illumination of His people. He asked that God would restore them, and that He would allow His face to shine upon them again.

The people of God are pictured as sheep who had lost their way, and they were under attack by their foes; the Gentiles.

As sheep God's people should have been enjoying green pastures that the Good Shepherd provides for His sheep.

Psalm 23:2 (ESV)
² He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

But, because of their unfaithfulness the people of God were facing the ridicule, and oppression from their enemy.

Psalm 80:5 (ESV)
⁵ You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.

What applied to the people of God then in their time of trouble provides an example and encouragement of what the people of God should do today. Surely we are in a season of trouble. In times like these we need people who will pray for revival. Will you pray like the Psalmist?

Psalm 80:3 (ESV)
³ Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, Almighty God, we cry out to You in union with those of common faith that You would revive Your people. Father God, we need help that only You can provide. Father, shine on us with Your mercy, and heal our land. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Revive Thy work, O Lord!
Now to Thy saints appear!
Oh, speak with power to every soul,
And let Thy people hear!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/797#ixzz2fF20fQax

--

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_September 17, 2013

Title: Never Give Up and Never Give In

Text:

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (NLT)
¹ Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.
² We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don't try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
³ If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.
⁴ Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
⁵ You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake.
⁶ For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

Observation:

The Apostle Paul had nothing to hide in his ministry to the church at Corinth; he was different from the false teachers. The Apostle Paul was transparent in his preaching of the gospel of Christ. He said this to the church at Rome.

Romans 1:16 (NLT)
¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Paul's goal was to reveal the gospel of Christ; not to hide what his agenda was like the false teachers who taught another gospel. Paul believed that if you didn't stand for "the way", you would fall for anything. This is an example of a church that did.

Galatians 1:6-7 (NLT)
⁶ I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News
⁷ but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that I will never lose my hunger and thirst for you, and for the gospel of Christ. Father, I am so glad for that glorious day when I first saw the light, and the burdens of my heart rolled away.

Father, may I never forget the source of my salvation, and my strength for daily living.  I ask these blessings in the name that is above every name, the name of Jesus, Amen.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadow o'er me.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/1059#ixzz2f9AcSVeJ

--

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_September 16, 2013

Title: What Am I Living for If Not for You?

Text:

John 15:4 (ESV)
⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

Observation:

I woke up this morning with this question on my mind. I read an article this weekend that reminded me of the value of weekly planning. There are some things if you are not intentional about they will never get done; they are important, but they are not pressing.

Asking questions will result in answers; the better the question, the better the answer. So, here is another question I ask myself. What is the purpose of living?

When you ask a question the right source is important. When it comes to the question about life, I go to my Maker; His handbook for living.

Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

The one who created us created us for a purpose; notice that from the beginning our purpose was to bear fruit.

Genesis 1:28 (ESV)
²⁸ And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

We bring glory to God when we fulfill our God ordained purpose; when we bear fruit. The pathway to fulfilling our purpose is to abide in Jesus; to remain in Him. How do we know if we are abiding? That's a good question, and here is the answer from Jesus.

John 15:2 (ESV)
² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray for the grace to be able to abide in You, and to allow You to prune me of everything that would hinder me bearing more fruit; from bearing much fruit. Father, my prayer is that I would learn how to live the surrendered life to Jesus; so that You would see less of me, and more of Him in me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

More about Jesus; in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/382#ixzz2f3CBZ0I4

--

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_September 13, 2013

Title: News That is Too Good Not to Share

Text:

Psalm 75:1-5 (ESV)
¹ We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.
² "At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.
³ When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
⁴ I say to the boastful, 'Do not boast,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horn;
⁵ do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.'"

Observation:

Sometimes people confuse witnessing with judging. Let's be clear, God is the judge. God's people are His witnesses.

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

As His witnesses we can do like the Psalmist; we can tell the world of God's wondrous deeds (verse 1), and we can tell the world of His gracious warnings (verses 4-5).

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I love to tell the story of God's love, and His loving care for all who have eyes to see and ears to hear the gospel of Christ; who came to save us, and not to condemn us. Father God, help me to be a bright shining light pointing people to the Savior. Father, unleash my lips, and sanctify my life so that I might tell and walk the story. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

John 3:16-17 (NLT)
¹⁶ "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
¹⁷ God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

I love to tell the story;
'Tis pleasant to repeat
What seems each time I tell it,
More wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story;
For some have never heard
The message of salvation
From God's own holy Word.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/1064#ixzz2eljTo4Ab

--

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_September 12, 2013

Title: Praying for You

Text:

Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)
¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Observation:

This is a pastoral prayer; it is a prayer that the Apostle Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus; it is a prayer that I love to pray for others, and to have others pray for me. It is a prayer for spiritual empowerment; for God to do something for you that you cannot do for yourself.

O how we need to lay hold of God's love and of God's power in our daily living. Living for the Lord is possible when God is leading us and supplying all of our needs according to His riches and His power. Being a Christian is not a self made project; we are God's workmanship.

Why do we pray so little when we have a heavenly Father who is able and willing to give us so much? O, how we need a change to take place in each of us for the glory of God, and for the benefit of others.

Let's pray Paul's pastoral prayer for one another; you pray it for me, and I will pray it for you. Lord, hear our prayers, and grant us Thy love, power and peace.

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

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I pray that You would have mercy upon us, and cause Your face to shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Father God, stir the hearts of Your people until we are willing to know and do the Your will; until we are willing to say it and mean it, and pray, "Thy will be done in me as it is done in heaven". Amen and 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_September 11, 2013

Title: Who is Your Refuge; Where is Your Safe House?

Text:

Psalm 91:9-12 (KJV)
⁹ Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
¹⁰ There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
¹¹ For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
¹² They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Observation:

On September 11, 2001 I was doing what I am doing this morning. Yes, it was 12 years ago; I had just completed writing the daily devotional, and I went to my email to send it out to my family and friends group distribution list. What I saw in my inbox got my attention; the first email said turn on your television.

Last night I read this scripture prompted by reading a post on my Facebook newsfeed. In times like these we need a source in whom we can trust, and who is able to protect us. As for me, I have decided a long time ago to trust in God, and I have gone too far with Him to turn around now. The Lord has been my rock in a weary land and a shelter in the time of storms.

Like the Psalmist, I have made the Lord my refuge; in Him I live, and, I live without the fear of what man can do to me. I delight to take refuge in God's dwelling place.

I don't know what will happen when I go to my email account today; but, I know this; I know Him who knows the future, and I rest in security and in safety in the shelter of the Most High God.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for providing a place of security and safety for Your people. Father, I know from personal experience the guiding and guarding hand of the angels that You dispatch to help Your people.

Lord, you saved me from a terrible accident as a teenager when I chased a softball into the street, and escaped without a scratch. I looked up, and a relative was yelling at me, and my teammates were all lying on the ground with their faces down. Yes, I know about angels that watch over God's children.

Lord, be a fence around Your people today, and every day. I ask these favors and blessings in the name of my Lord and Savior; Jesus the Christ of God. Amen.

The Lord is my light and salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/ns/282#ixzz2eaCM2rJT

--

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_September 10, 2013

Title: It's Prayer Time - - Let Us Pray, Pray, and Pray

Text:

Luke 1:37 (KJV)
³⁷ For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Observation:

I woke up this morning with prayer on my mind; I went to bed last night with prayer on my mind. I read a quote recently by C.S. Lewis about prayer; let's see if I can find it. Here it is.

"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God, it changes me"

If there ever was a time when God's people needed to pray, we sure do need to pray during these trying times; and, it's not just about the crisis in Syria. We need a Holy Spirit led, God sent revival to sweep our nation, and the nations of the world, to turn God's people back to Him.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
¹⁴ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

I invite each one of you to devote yourself to prayer; it will change you, and it will change those around you who see what God can do in you. Let's take our burdens to the Lord in prayer, and take the Lord with us everywhere we go; don't leave home without Him; with Him nothing is impossible.

Ephesians 6:18 (HCSB)
¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray for an outpouring of Holy Spirit led prayers to sweep our world, and to turn Your people back to You. Father God, as the prayers go up to You, I pray that Your almighty power will come down upon us. I pray this prayer with the aid and assistance of the Holy Spirit of God, and in the name of Jesus. 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#ixzz2eUD2Ke4c

--

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_September 9, 2013

Title: The Strength to Live One Day At A Time

Text:

Deuteronomy 33:25 (NKJV)
²⁵ Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be.

Observation:

I was looking at this chapter last week; and this verse caught my attention. This verse is a reminder to us of the importance of living one day at a time. This is what Jesus said about how we should live.

Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
²⁵ "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
²⁶ Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?
²⁷ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
²⁸ "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing,
²⁹ yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
³⁰ And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
³¹ "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?'
³² These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
³⁴ "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

A recipe for a bad day is spending time regretting yesterday, and worrying about tomorrow. Our primary focus should be on today; learn to live one day at a time. Look to the Lord and His strength, and power for daily living.

Today

Not

Tomorrow

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I thank You for the daily provisions and strength that You give to Your people to live one day at a time. Lord, I thank You for the strength for today and the bright hope for tomorrow. 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 30, 2013 (Most Read)

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/2013/08/daily-breadaugust-30-2013.html#!/2013/08/daily-breadaugust-30-2013.html

--

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_September 6, 2013

Title: So Blessed and So Grateful

Text:

2 Peter 1:3-4 (HCSB)
³ His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
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.

Observation:

The enormity of this passage leaves me speechless. What can I say about the hugeness of what the Sovereign God gives to His people?

Notice what the Lord gives to His children: "Everything required for life and godliness". But, there is more: "You may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires".

To get an appreciation for our present condition; consider how we were before the Lord transformed us by His divine power.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ And you were dead in your trespasses and sins
² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient.
³ We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.

I thank the Lord that I am not what I used to be; I was dead, but now I am alive. However, the best is yet to come. We have this precious promise:

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.

Soon and very soon the battle will be over; God's people will be free at last from the presence of sin. I'm so glad this world is not my home. Yes, I am so blessed, and so grateful to the God of my salvation.

Prayer:

Father God, I praise You and thank You for giving Your people everything we need for life and godliness. Father, help us by, by faith in You, to appropriate the grace that You have provided us. Father God, when I am tired and weak, may I remember to lean hard on Thee.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Deuteronomy 33:26-27 (NLT)
²⁶ "There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor.
²⁷ The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, 'Destroy them!'

Be blessed by this classic Fanny Crosby hymn: Jesus is Tenderly Calling Thee Home

http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/1028

 

--

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/