Daily Bread_October 31, 2013

Title: How to Live in a Lovingly and Joyful Way - - The Blessing of Cooperation

Text:

Romans 12:9-16 (HCSB)
⁹ Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.
¹⁰ Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.
¹¹ Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
¹² Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
¹³ Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.
¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
¹⁶ Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Observation:

A recent post in social media by a friend, and a recent reading of Romans chapter 12 resulted in me taking a closer look at our topic for today.

When the topic is pleasing God, and serving others, it is not surprising that love would be of first importance. It is amazing how love and respect of one another produces such wonderful outcomes.

John 13:34-35 (HCSB)
³⁴ "I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.
³⁵ By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

When we live out the values of our text in our daily lives, we will be more pleasing in the eyes of God. With God as our source; we can do this, not in our strength, but in the strength of Jesus, our Savior and our Lord.

Philippians 4:13 (HCSB)
¹³ I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that You would stir within the hearts of Your people a desire and a commitment to love and respect one another more; to be more Christ-like in our talk and our walk. Lord, I thank You for being my Savior and my sustainer. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 30, 2013

Title: Why is Sin So Attractive to Man and So Distasteful to God?

Text:

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NLT)
⁹ When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.
¹⁰ But I wasn't talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.
¹¹ I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don't even eat with such people.
¹² It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.
¹³ God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, "You must remove the evil person from among you."

Observation:

What? You mean that this is in the Bible. What has gotten us to the point that the Church has ignored this teaching on such a large scale?

There is hope and help for the sinner inside the Church, and the sinner outside the Church.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT)
⁴ But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,
⁵ that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)

Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

1 John 1:9 (NLT)
⁹ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

God loves sinners of all stripes, and He delights to have you live with Him for eternity. Why not accept His invitation, and open the door of your heart and let Him come in and make you righteous? Why not settle your sin debt today; tomorrow may be too late.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
²⁸ Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You are so rich in mercy, and that You love us so much. Yes, I delight to sing, "Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me".

Father God, I thank You for sending Jesus into the world to pay my sin debt. Father, I thank You for Your continuing work in me daily to save me from the power of sin. O, how I long for the best that is yet to come. Yes, I am on my way to heaven, and I am so glad. Praise the Lord!

The Savior can break sin's dominion,
The victory He won long ago;
In Him there is freedom from bondage,
He's able to conquer the foe.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/534#ixzz2jCXNnvOS

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 29, 2013

Title: How Can I Fulfill the Priority of Glorifying God Today?

Text:

John 17:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You,
² for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him.
³ This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ.
⁴ I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.
⁵ Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

Observation:

I went to bed late last night after a very diverse and interesting day. I shared this scripture in the Social Media from my daily reading of Proverbs.

Proverbs 27:1 (HCSB)
¹ Don't boast about tomorrow, for you don't know what a day might bring.

I have had a few recent life events happen in the life of loved ones, and in my own life which are a reminder to me that today matters. The words of this passage come to mind to remind me of this truth.

James 4:13-14 (HCSB)  
¹³ Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit."
¹⁴ You don't even know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are [like] smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

Today I will focus on the priority that Jesus focused on, "Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You". I will make the prayer of Jesus my prayer today; not tomorrow because today matters.

Psalm 95:7-8 (HCSB)
⁷ For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice:
⁸ Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on that day at Massah in the wilderness .

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that I can pray to the same Father and to the same God that my Savior Jesus prayed to.

Father God, I am so thankful that I can pray the prayer that Jesus prayed and know that You will answer my prayer just like You answered the prayer of Your darling son Jesus.

Father God, I pray that Your adopted sons and daughters will bring glory to You today, and every day that You give us life and breathe in this world. In the name that is above every name, Jesus the Christ, I offer this prayer. Amen.

I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
And thus He bound me to Him.
And round my heart still closely twine
Those ties which naught can sever,
For I am His, and He is mine,
Forever and forever.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/288#ixzz2j6fmCfeg

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 28, 2013

Title: The Fork in the Road … Now What do I do?

Text:

Philippians 3:12-16 (NLT)
¹² I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
¹⁵ Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.
¹⁶ But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

Observation:

Life is a journey; in our text Paul uses the analogy of life being a race. The hymn writer says, "There's a race to be run; there's a victory to be won". Those who run a race in a track meet run to win; so should we run to win the race of life.

Today, I go to the Word of God in search of direction to help me to stay on the straight and narrow path that will lead me to where my victor's crown awaits me.

What do you do when you come to the fork in the road? You can look back at the past; successes and failures. Or, you can look around to see what others are doing or saying. However, these activities often result in losing the race. The winners in a track meet are those who look ahead; they look to the finish line.

Here is what I know from being on this journey of running the race of life for 64 years.

1.       Ask for help (Prayer is the life blood of God's people).

2.       Seek the truth (Jesus is the truth; he is revealed in His Word; the Bible).

3.       Watch and Pray (Keep doing the last thing the Lord told you to do until He tells you something new).

4.       When He answers your plea for help; do what He says.

Don't do it your way, don't do it the world's way. Take the upward look, the better way, do it God's way. God knows the way, He will show you the way, and He will go with you all the way. It's the upward way that will get you home. Go with Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that we don't have to run the race of life alone. Lord, I thank you for your abiding presence in the hearts and lives of your people.

Father God, I realize that it is only by your presence and power that I can run this race successfully and win the prize. Lord, by your wisdom and power I have decided, and I am determined to press on. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/396#ixzz2j0prjLel

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 25, 2013

Title: The Father's House is a Safe House

Text:

Ephesians 3:17 (NLT)
¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.

Psalm 27:4-6 (NLT)
⁴ The one thing I ask of the LORD— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple.
⁵ For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
⁶ Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music.
Psalm 27:14 (NLT)
¹⁴ Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Observation:

I am so glad that this world is not my home; it is not my permanent address. The Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Philippi he compares life in his temporary home and his permanent home.

Philippians 1:21-23 (NLT)
²¹ For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
²² But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don't know which is better.
²³ I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.

If you are a child of God you may be having a difficult time down here, but you have a bright future in the Father's house. The redeemed have so much to be thankful to the Lord for. The Lord has been mighty good to me, and I am so grateful to Him.

Psalm 107:1-2 (NLT)
¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
² Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

I feel a praise coming over me; some praise time led by the legendary gospel singer Jessy Dixon singing "I Am Redeemed". Jessy is at home now; the home of the redeemed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObGzri9SuKY

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad to associate myself with the saints of the ages who can joyfully sing, "I am Redeemed, I've been bought for a price"; the shedding of the precious and royal blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus is the prayer of my heart. Amen.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 24, 2013

Title: The Supremacy of Love

Text:

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV)
¹ If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
² And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
³ If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Observation:

The church at Corinth had their priorities wrong; they were puffed up about their gifts. Paul writes to correct their error by showing them a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 12:31 (ESV)
³¹ But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

In our text Paul mentions several things that fall far short of the more excellent way; the way of love. Here he says what will be the result when you don't make love your highest priority.

1 Corinthians 13:8 (ESV)
⁸ Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Love is among three spiritual graces that will last forever; and love is the greatest of all. It has a sobering effect to think about how worthless the things we do are if the motivation is not love.

 1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV)
¹³ So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that our lives can be pleasing to You, and helpful to others when our motivation for our actions is love. Father, I am so grateful that You have placed within Your people the gift of love. Father, my heart yearns to love You with my whole heart, and to love others with the love of the Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Romans 5:5 (ESV)
⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

My soul sings:

 

O Love, that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/432#ixzz2idTmeCDt

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 23, 2013

Title: The Assurance that Believers in Christ Will Never Die

Text:

John 11:20-27 (ESV)
²⁰ So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.
²¹ Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
²² But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."
²³ Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
²⁴ Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
²⁵ Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
²⁷ She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."

Observation:

When you lose a loved one its hurts; the hurt is deeper when that loved one has been one that you have known her whole life. I was present on the day of her birth, and I was present on the day of her death.

The humanity in us cries out when a loved one dies. We identify with Martha's words, "Lord, if". The pain and loss is real.

However, we must remind ourselves of what we know about death, and the promises and the hope that we have about the status of the soul of those who die in Christ.

John 11:25-26 (ESV)
²⁵ Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

The words of Jesus give us hope and comfort. Victory and comfort for God's people comes when we are able to move from saying "Lord, if" (in verse 21) to "Yes, Lord" (in verse 27).

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I thank You for the words of Jesus that because He lives that those who believe in Him will never die. Father, I am so glad that I can say, "Yes, Lord" to this goodnews. Lord, I thank You for the gift of eternal life.

Lord, I thank You for my sister in Christ; my cousin Marcia who is now living in the land of the living while those of us who mourn her loss are living in the land of the dying. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow - - Bill Gaither sings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVdEdIDyeaA

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 22, 2013

Title: The Key to Living Life Free of Fear

Text:

Psalm 112:1 (ESV)
¹ Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!

Psalm 112:7-8 (ESV)
⁷ He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
⁸ His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

Observation:

In this Psalm we find the key to living a life free of fear. The key to living a fear free life is to fear the Lord; then you don't have to fear anything else. This is the path of wisdom; the fear of God is having reverence for Him, and respect for His Word.

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

When you fear the Lord, the Bible says you don't have to have fears concerning your family and your finances. O, how timely is this word in these difficult times; who said the Bible does not speak to our needs today.

Psalm 112:2-3 (ESV)
² His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
³ Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

The Lord wants to bless His people; the condition to receiving our blessing is that we must trust in Him, and draw near to Him. The only thing we have to fear is God himself; and He takes care of the rest.

O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/789#ixzz2iRjJOLdz

Isaiah 26:3 (HCSB)
³ You will keep the mind [that is] dependent [on You] in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that in this troubled world that there is a place that we can turn where we can find peace, security, and safety. O Father, grant your people the grace gift to trust in You more. I offer this prayer of praise and thanksgiving in the name that is above every name; the name of Jesus, Amen.

Psalm 147:11 (KJV)
¹¹ The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 21, 2013

Title: Who are You?

Text:

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Observation:

I was recently asked the question who am I by a person who is just getting acquainted with me. That question deserves a considerate answer, and that is what is on my mind today. I came across a quote recently that describes me, "I could not think without writing". So, I write in search of a thoughtful answer.

My initial answer was that I am a man under construction; God is not finished with me yet. John Newton put it this way:

"I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am"

There was a time in my life when, by faith, I received the gift of salvation; I invited Jesus to come into my life, and make me a brand new person. I remember the day, it was December 31, 1949. Since that day I have been able to say, "What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought, since Jesus came into my heart".

Jesus took me, "Just As I Am". However, he loved me too much to leave me in that condition. He gave me a new nature; He saved me by His "Amazing Grace".

That is my story, and this is my song: Jessy Dixon singing "I Can't Even Walk"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4JFCHcbqEE

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I never shall forget the day that Jesus came into my heart. There have been days of ups, and days when I have been down; times on the mountain, but mostly in the valley.

However, with Your almighty hands You have picked me up to live and walk with You for another day. Lord, I am so grateful to live in dependence upon You for my wisdom, strength, and my salvation. Yes Lord, I can't even walk without You holding my hand; the mountains are too high, and the valleys too wide.

Father, I thank You for saving me, holding me, carrying me, and keeping me all the days of my life. Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your work of making me so that I can be pleasing in the eyes of Your Father, and my Father and my God. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Sunday Extra_Updated Daily Prayer_November 5, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 27:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Better an open reprimand than concealed love.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 106:1 (HCSB)
¹ Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Hebrews 6:9-12 (HCSB)
⁹ Even though we are speaking this way, dear friends, in your case we are confident of the better things connected with salvation.
¹⁰ For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them.
¹¹ Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope,
¹² so that you won't become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

My observation:

One of the things that keeps hope alive in my life regardless of the circumstances I encounter is the hope that fills my heart, and it is this, "God is not unjust, and he is not forgetful". Friends will forget you, and fail you, but God will never do either.

If you are a child of God, you have the iron clad promise that what God says in his word he will do. God is trustworthy; a promise made is a promise kept.

Yes, life is hard, but God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. I know one who will agree, and he is David.

Psalm 37:25 (HCSB)
²⁵ I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread.

Love for God and his children, hope in the promises of God, faith in God and the patience to wait on God will get you safely to the finish line. The word for today is perseverance; never give in, and never give up. God is faithful to the end; he is God on the mountain, and God in the valley.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful to you that the circumstances of life do not determine my destiny; I am so glad I have a choice, and I have decided to follow Jesus. Father, not just part of the way, but all the way as my Savior leads me and guides me.

Father God, I am so blessed to know that I am in the hands of my Maker and my Keeper. Father, there is no place I would rather be than in the hands of my Lord and my God. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 18, 2013

Title: Is Your God an All the Time God?

Text:

Philippians 4:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Romans 8:28 (HCSB)
²⁸ We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Observation:

Does your testimony only work when you have had a mountain top experience with God? We spend most of our life in the valley. It is in the valley where we experience the sunshine and the rain; the calm and the storms of life.

What is your disposition when bad things happen to good people? Is your God still sovereign, all powerful, loving, caring, and trustworthy when things appear to you as not as they should be?

Things in this fallen world are not perfect; that is just the way things are down here. Jesus told his disciples and us through His Word that it would be this way.

John 16:33 (HCSB)
³³ I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."

You name the circumstance, and we can rest with the assurance and live in contentment that Jesus has conquered that circumstance. He can give you a peace that will surpass human understanding. O, how I need faith to trust Him more.

Romans 8:37-39 (HCSB)
³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.
³⁸ For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, [hostile] powers,
³⁹ height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I am so grateful that there is a refuge from the horrific circumstance that we sometimes encounter in this fallen world. Father, you know that we face troubles that are too big for our shoulders to bear, and our hearts and minds to understand why.

However, we have the blessed hope and the promises of a trustworthy Word from You that You have everything under control, and that we have nothing to fear in life or in death.

Yes, life is hard down here, but I thank you Lord that I have a bright and glorious future. Father, I thank You for being God all the time, and for being a God whose love for me is not diminished by the troubles and horrific circumstances we face in this world. Lord, increase my faith as I learn to cast all my cares upon You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you!
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/694#ixzz2i4KcdXXm

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 17, 2013

Title: The Way That God Gives is Amazing

Text:

John 17:2 (HCSB)
² for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him.

John 17:6 (HCSB)
⁶ I have revealed Your name to the men You gave Me from the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

John 17:9 (HCSB)
⁹ I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those You have given Me, because they are Yours.

John 17:11-12 (HCSB)
¹¹ I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one as We are one.
¹² While I was with them, I was protecting them by Your name that You have given Me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.

Observation:

When you read the above verses you can't help but realize how highly esteemed God's children are in the eyes of our Father in heaven, and of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. The believers in Jesus are God's gift to Jesus.

The Father also has a gift for His adopted children; this gift is for each of His sons and daughters. God's gift to believers is Jesus.

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.

God gave us His best; now that is love. God loved us when we were unlovely. However, He fixed that with the gift of His only son.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB)
²¹ He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

He or she who has received the Son has the gift of eternal life. O how I love Jesus, and it is only because God loved me first, and gave me His best. With my whole heart I am a work in progress of giving Him my best.

1 John 5:12 (HCSB)
¹² The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn't have the Son of God does not have life.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, the burning desire of my heart is that I would become more and more in my talk and my walk like Jesus, Your precious gift to me. Father, I am willing to do whatever it takes to draw closer to You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/387#ixzz2hySDkJqv

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 16, 2013

Title: There Are Some Things That Only God is Able to Provide

Text:

Psalm 16:8 (HCSB)
⁸ I keep the LORD in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Observation:

The Psalmist was able to have great delight in the Lord; he also had a sense of great stability because of the Lord's presence and power in his life.

This feeling comes from drawing near to God, and acknowledging that He needed the constant presence of the Lord in his life. There is no substitute for spending time in the presence of the Lord. You never have to fear getting too close to the Lord. Conversely, there is great danger when we stray too far from Him.

Psalm 16:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You.
² I said to Yahweh, "You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides You."

When we take refuge in the Lord; He gives us His presence, power and protection. O, how I need more of the Lord in me.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for Your presence and provisions that You give me every day. Father, I thank You for the rock on which I stand, and the shelter that I can run to when the strong winds of adversity blow in my life.

Father God, I find in Your presence serenity and stability that I cannot find in anything the world has to offer. Lord, draw me closer and nearer to You so that I might be more and more like You purposed me to be.  Lord, I need more of You, and less of me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 O Lord, this whole world
Seems to weigh me down.
All the cares, the strife the sin,
Within me and all around.

 But, Lord, I want to set my heart,
And, Lord, I want to stay with You.
'Cause only when You're near to me
Is everything okay.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/ns/302#ixzz2hsemBsKR

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 15, 2013

Title: The Need and Value of a Few Trusted Friends

Text:

Proverbs 18:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.

Observation:

I woke up this morning with friends on my mind. When I opened my digital bible the Spirit of God guided me to this verse. Hear and heed what the Bible says about friends and friendship:

You have to have a buyer beware awareness when you think about entering into friendships; because there are risks.

Proverbs 18:19 (NLT)
¹⁹ An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

However, with the risks there are also great rewards.

Proverbs 18:1 (NKJV)
¹ A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

Paul Tournier says this about the wisdom of having at least one trusted friend:

"No one can develop freely in this world and find a full life without feeling understood by at least one person".

I was a facilitator of "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People".  Good communications is so important in life; Habit 5 says this:

 "Seek first to understand, then to be understood".

Lastly, the most trusted friend you can have is the friend whose best friend is the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 15:12-15 (HCSB)
¹² This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.
¹³ No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.
¹⁴ You are My friends if you do what I command you.
¹⁵ I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn't know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.

I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
So kind, and true, and tender,
So wise a Counselor and Guide,
So mighty a Defender!
From Him who loves me now so well,
What power my soul can sever?
Shall life or death, or earth or hell?
No? I am His forever.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/288#ixzz2hmqTjGZI

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ is my most trusted friend, and that He is my best friend. Father, I am so glad that Your only begotten son is my Savior and my sustainer; without Him I would be lost, and my life empty and void of life. Lord, fill my life with  a few trusted friends that I can love, and who will love me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

James 4:14 (NKJV)
¹⁴ whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_October 14, 2013

Title: The Keys to An Effective Prayer Life

Text:

James 5:13-18 (HCSB)
¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.
¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord.
¹⁵ The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will restore him to health; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours; yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land.
¹⁸ Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.

Observation:

One of the key elements of effective prayer is personal communion with God. There is nothing on earth that is sweeter than being able to speak to God, and hear Him speak into our soul; what a pure delight and blessing. O how sweet to be in the presence of God; now that is Face Time that is beyond the reach of iPhone.

Notice that there is a prerequisite to effective prayer. Prior to communing with Holy God there must be nothing between our soul and our Savior. There is nothing more cleansing than the confession of our sins. We should seek to maintain short accounts with God and man.  

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

The wonderful thing about the message of our text is that there is nothing beyond the reach of prayer; even the weather is included. If a child of God has a need, the place to take that need is to the Lord in prayer.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that You are God almighty, and that You hear and answer the prayers of Your believing children. Father, I am so delighted that I have a helper to tutor me in how to have an effective prayer life. Father, I am so thankful that nothing is too difficult for you to handle. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/