Daily Bread_November 29, 2013

Title: The Life Changing Power of Being Grateful

Text:

2 Corinthians 6:3-13 (HCSB)
³ We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed.
⁴ But as God's ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by difficulties,
⁵ by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
⁶ by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
⁷ by the message of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left,
⁸ through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; as deceivers yet true;
⁹ as unknown yet recognized; as dying and look—we live; as being disciplined yet not killed;
¹⁰ as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything.
¹¹ We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide.
¹² You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections.
¹³ I speak as to [my] children. As a proper response, you should also be open to us.

Observation:

Today I still have thanksgiving, thanksliving, and being grateful on my mind. There is not one of us who can say we don't need anybody else in our life. Even the most independent among us needs the help and support of others.

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent."

John Donne

The Apostle Paul was a man who was very independent; however, he highly valued and was grateful for the service and sacrifices of others in the Lord's service. It's easy to forget the service and sacrifices of others.

Do you take others for granted? Give a word of praise to someone today, and every day, that has helped you along life's way. Make having an attitude of gratitude a daily practice. This habit has the potential of being a game changer. It may not change your circumstances, but it will change you, and enable you to overcome your circumstances.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful to You for all of my blessings. Additionally, I am so thankful for those who came before me, and for those who currently stand beside me for all that they do; for their service and sacrifices for the sake of the kingdom of God. Father, help me to remember to show more gratitude to You and to others today and every day. In the name of Jesus 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_November 28, 2013

Title: Living Every Day Being Grateful to the Lord

Text:

Psalm 100:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ Shout triumphantly to the LORD, all the earth.
² Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
³ Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture.
⁴ Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
⁵ For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

Observation:

Every day should be a day of thanksgiving for God's people. Everything that we have comes from the heart and the hands of our Lord.

James 1:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.

Our thanksgiving to the Lord should be with our lips and our lives. Let's be people who practice thanksgiving and thanksliving.

The Psalmist gives us a pattern for doing this.

Psalm 100:2 (HCSB)
² Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.

Psalm 100:3 (HCSB)
³ Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Psalm 100:4 (HCSB)
⁴ Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, Almighty God, You and You alone are surely deserving of our serving, submitting, and sacrificing. Lord, may we gladly do it with our lips and our lives. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Psalm 100:5 (HCSB)
⁵ For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

O Father God, we owe Thee all!
All that we are and have!
With grateful thanks before Thee fall,
'Tis all that we can give.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/31#ixzz2lwVhz4vR

--

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_November 27, 2013

Title: It's Time to Take Inventory

Text:

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
⁶ Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Observation:

There is nothing more revealing than taking the time to get alone with pen and paper and write down on paper all of the things that you have that you are thankful for. The more you write, the more you have to write.

This is the season of Thanksgiving; so I invite you take up the challenge of writing down on paper all of the things that you are thankful for. I believe that most of you will have a list longer that you imagine.

Let this hymn encourage you to get it done. There is no medicine for the soul like having an attitude of gratitude.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/707#ixzz2lnK0PB42

James 1:16-17 (NLT)
¹⁶ So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
¹⁷ Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for all of my blessings; Lord, You have been so good to me. Father, I pray that I will be a channel of blessing to others. In the name of Jesus 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_November 26, 2013

Title: How BIG is Your God?

Text:

Exodus 15:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ LORD, who is like You among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?

Observation:

The hymn, "How Great Thou Art" is rated a close second to "Amazing Grace" as the favorite hymn of the 20^th century.

I discovered two additional verses to this hymn. Stuart Hine wrote them and included them in his book "Not You, but God: A Testimony to God's Faithfulness".

"O when I see ungrateful man defiling
This bounteous earth, God's gifts so good and great;
In foolish pride, God's holy Name reviling,
And yet, in grace, His wrath and judgment wait.

When burdens press, and seem beyond endurance,
Bowed down with grief, to Him I lift my face;
And then in love He brings me sweet assurance:
'My child! for thee sufficient is my grace'."

The greatness of our God will determine the extent to which you will praise Him, and the frequency you will praise Him.

Psalm 145:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ I exalt You, my God the King, and praise Your name forever and ever.
² I will praise You every day; I will honor Your name forever and ever.
³ Yahweh is great and is highly praised; His greatness is unsearchable.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I will forever be grateful for Your love, grace, and mercy that You have so abundantly poured out on me. Lord, without You in my life I would be nothing, and on my way to an eternity without Your presence. O how I love what comes after, "But, God". Yes Lord, grace and mercy suits my case.

Father God, my soul sings, "How Great Thou Art"; there is none like You, no not one. Praise the Lord! Amen and 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_November 25, 2013

Title: When Doing the Hard Things Are the Best Things

Text:

Psalm 34:11-14 (HCSB)
¹¹ Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
¹² Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
¹⁴ Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.

Observation:

In our focal passage for today David shares some of his wisdom on how to have a good life by putting good days together one at a time. The key is learning how to deal daily with things that come our way; this will mean doing the hard things that are often the best things.

1 Peter 3:8-12 (HCSB)
⁸ Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble,
⁹ not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.
¹⁰ For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit,
¹¹ and he must turn away from evil and do what is good. He must seek peace and pursue it,
¹² because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their request. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil.

Take an inventory of your life and see how well you measure up to the standard set out by David in the Psalm, and Peter in his letter. Peter embraced the wisdom of David, and so should we.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I pray that You would give me and all of Your people the wisdom and the will to see and do the hard things; the right things, when we are presented with many difficult circumstances that come our way on a daily basis. Father, we know that You bless those whose wisdom and strength is in Jesus. Father, we are praying, watching, and walking as the Holy Spirit leads and Jesus guides us. Amen.

I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/568#ixzz2lcgNp2jM

--

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_November 19, 2013

Title: How to Overcome the Weapons Used by the Enemy of Your Soul

Text:

Psalm 140:6-13 (HCSB)
⁶ I say to the LORD, "You are my God." Listen, LORD, to my cry for help.
⁷ Lord GOD, my strong Savior, You shield my head on the day of battle.
⁸ LORD, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let them achieve their goals. [Otherwise] they will become proud. Selah
⁹ When those who surround me rise up, may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm [them].
¹⁰ Let hot coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into the abyss, never again to rise.
¹¹ Do not let a slanderer stay in the land. Let evil relentlessly hunt down a violent man.
¹² I know that the LORD upholds the just cause of the poor, justice for the needy.
¹³ Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will live in Your presence.

Observation:

Today's text is a continuation of where we left off yesterday (Psalm 140:1-5). In verses six through eleven we read the prayer of David. There is wisdom in making prayer the first thing you do, and not the last resort.

In this prayer you see that David is not a stranger to prayer. He acknowledged that God is Lord, and that God was his father, and he was God's child. When God is your Father, you can talk to Him, and you can tell Him what you need, and how you feel. You don't have to take matters into your hands; you can place all of your troubles in God's hands. God has all power in His hands; there is nothing too difficult for Him.

David also relied upon God's promises. God is a faithful God, and you can trust Him to keep His promises.

Psalm 140:12 (HCSB)
¹² I know that the LORD upholds the just cause of the poor, justice for the needy.

Finally, David was able to have a thankful and a joyful heart in the midst of his troubles. It is true that God inhabits the praise of His people. So, find a place for praise in your storms. In God's presence you will find peace in the midst of your troubles.

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

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I praise and thank You that I never have to face my problems and troubles alone. Father, I pray that I will always remember to make prayer my first option. Father, I ask for the grace to live continually in Your presence; that is where the hope and the help come from. In the name of Your darling Son, Jesus the Christ, 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_November 18, 2013

Title: The Risks that the Servant of God Faces

Text:

Psalm 140:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ Rescue me, LORD, from evil men. Keep me safe from violent men
² who plan evil in their hearts. They stir up wars all day long.
³ They make their tongues as sharp as a snake's bite; viper's venom is under their lips. Selah
⁴ Protect me, LORD, from the clutches of the wicked. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to make me stumble.
⁵ The proud hide a trap with ropes for me; they spread a net along the path and set snares for me. Selah

Observation:

This world is not a friendly place for God's servants. I read last week of a pastor who committed suicide on a Sunday morning; he sent his family to church, and he was to follow later. However, he did not show up at church. His wife went home to check on him, and found him dead in his truck of a gunshot wound. This has sent a shockwave through the Christian community in Georgia.

The reasons for the suicide is not in view here; however, you can be sure that Satan does work havoc in the lives of pastors, leaders and members of the church. The Devil will oppose anyone who is attempting to do God's will. He did it to David, and he will do it to you.

Ephesians 6:12 (HCSB)
¹² For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

Two of the devices that Satan uses are false accusations, and traps and snares. Regretfully, most of these evil people are from within the Church; not from the outside. Don't allow the enemy to use you to accomplish his purposes.

Today's warning is be aware of your adversary. Tomorrow we will examine the tools that are available to overcome the attacks of Satan and his imps.

1 Peter 5:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I am so thankful that we don't have to face the onslaught of the Devil in our strength alone; we have a helper, and He is the Holy Spirit of God. Father, help us to learn to lean hard on Jesus. In the name of Jesus 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_November 15, 2013

Title: What Makes You Sing?

Text:

Psalm 137:2-4 (HCSB)
² There we hung up our lyres on the poplar trees,
³ for our captors there asked us for songs, and our tormentors, for rejoicing: "Sing us one of the songs of Zion."
⁴ How can we sing the LORD's song on foreign soil?

Observation:

 It is a miserable thing to lose your song. David lost his song when he committed the sin of adultery, and the cover-up of his sin.

Psalm 32:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
² How joyful is the man the LORD does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit!
³ When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer's heat. Selah

David regained his song when he confessed his sins.

Psalm 32:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You took away the guilt of my sin. Selah

Contrast the above with Paul and Silas although they were in jail they did not lose their song; they were singing and praising God in spite of their circumstance.

Acts 16:25 (HCSB)
²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Here is the key to having joy deep down in your soul, and a song of joy on your lips regardless of your circumstances.

Ephesians 5:18-21 (HCSB)
¹⁸ And don't get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:
¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord,
²⁰ giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit that You give to Your people. Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit of God; I open the door of every room of my life to Your control. Lord, may my life show the evidence by singing and making melody to my Lord. In the lovely name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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

--

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_November 14, 2013

Title: Why do You Weep?

Text:

Psalm 137:1 (HCSB)
¹ By the rivers of Babylon— there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.

Observation:

There are some things that happen to us or to others that makes us cry. When reading this Psalm it got me to thinking about this topic.

In our focal verse for today the people of God were crying because their past had caught up with them; it was because their sins had caught up with them. I heard a sermon years ago on the subject, "Payday Some Day".

Numbers 32:23 (HCSB)
²³ But if you don't do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD; be sure your sin will catch up with you.

Let's look at some other instances in the Bible of why people weep.

Nehemiah 1:4 (HCSB)
⁴ When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Job 2:13 (HCSB)
¹³ Then they sat on the ground with him seven days and nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw that his suffering was very intense.

Jeremiah 13:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ But if you will not listen, my innermost being will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, for the LORD's flock has been taken captive.

It is profitable to set aside some time to take inventory of our spiritual life. There are times when crying is a sign of compassion and love. Let's look at an occasion when Jesus wept.

Luke 19:41-44 (HCSB)
⁴¹ As He approached and saw the city, He wept over it,
⁴² saying, "If you knew this day what [would bring] peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
⁴³ For the days will come on you when your enemies will build an embankment against you, surround you, and hem you in on every side.
⁴⁴ They will crush you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."

God's heart for His people is a heart of love; Jesus expressed that love with compassion for them, and He wept because they rejected Him. There can be no higher motive for weeping.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I pray that my reason for weeping will not be over my past. Rather, I pray that I will weep because of compassion for those hurting people that You bring into my daily circumstances.

Father God, give me a heart of compassion that imitates the heart of Jesus for people. I ask this favor in the name of the one who taught us how to pray the "Our Father" pattern of prayer; our Lord Jesus, Amen.

John 11:35 (HCSB)
³⁵ Jesus wept.

--

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_November 13, 2013

Title: Where is the Best Place for a Child of God to Be?

Text:

Isaiah 6:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for Us? I said: Here I am. Send me.

Observation:

The best preparation for being a servant of God is to give your life totally to God. When you surrender your all to God, He is able to do all that He wills through you. It's a miracle how God uses ordinary people to do His work.

Here is an example from the Bible:

Acts 3:6 (HCSB)
⁶ But Peter said, "I don't have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!"

Acts 4:8-10 (HCSB)
⁸ Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders:
⁹ If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed—
¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.

Here is an example from the 19^th century:

Dwight Moody had a conversation with Henry Varley. This is the quote that greatly influenced him, "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him". Moody said, "By God's help, I am to be that man".

The story of Mr. Moody is amazing. His formal education ended in the fifth grade. He went from being a shoe store clerk to planting a church in Chicago. That church today is The Moody Church. This is what God can do when you surrender your life to Him.

The bottom line is this; go where God sends you, bloom where God plants you. The fruitful life is the one where you listen for God's call, and serve with the wisdom and strength that God provides to those He calls.

Are you willing to say, "Here am I, Lord send me"?

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I praise and thank You that You are still in the business of calling and sending Your people into the world on mission to be your hands and feet to build the kingdom of God. In the name that is above every name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

John 20:21 (HCSB)
²¹ Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

Lord grow in me! You are the seed,
Of God-man life; You're all I need.
In all my heart, I give You ground.
Lord, may Your life in me abound!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/ns/313#ixzz2kWcikj5P

--

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_November 12, 2013

Title: The Reasons Why I Am So Thankful

Text:

John 6:37 (HCSB)
³⁷ Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out.

John 6:39 (HCSB)
³⁹ This is the will of Him who sent Me: that I should lose none of those He has given Me but should raise them up on the last day.

John 6:44 (HCSB)
⁴⁴ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:63-65 (HCSB)
⁶³ The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn't help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
⁶⁴ But there are some among you who don't believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning those who would not believe and the one who would betray Him.)
⁶⁵ He said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted to him by the Father."

Observation:

I woke up this morning with a song in my heart; it was the hymn, "I'm Going Through".  What followed was a prayer of thanksgiving for what the Lord motivated by His love did for His beloved children.

The selected scriptures are those which come to mind when I think about the work of the Sovereign God on behalf of the Saints.

Today, I am so thankful for the love, grace, mercy, and the forgiveness by God of sinners like me. These words from the pen of the Apostle Paul encourage me.

Philippians 1:3-6 (HCSB)
³ I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,
⁴ always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,
⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
⁶ I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Is the Apostle Paul's prayer your prayer?

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You are able to complete the work of grace that You began in Your people. In the name of Him who made it all possible at Calvary; Jesus my Savior and the Lord of my life. 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_November 11, 2013

Title: How to Have the Attitude of a Servant?

Text:

Philippians 2:5-11 (HCSB)
⁵ Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,
⁶ who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.
⁷ Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form,
⁸ He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.
⁹ For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth—
¹¹ and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Observation:

We only have to look to Jesus to answer the question posed in our title for today's meditation. The way to be elevated is to focus on others, and not solely on our self; that's what Jesus did. Are you willing to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?

Our attitude determines our altitude. It's amazing how far a good attitude will take you in life; it will profit you in all of your important relationships.

So let's look up to Jesus, and then reach out to those around us. Make a daily practice of adding value to the important people in your circle of influence.

Be a leader; take the initiative and love others first. Then you will experience the truth of the following verse from the Bible.

Acts 20:35 (HCSB)
³⁵ In every way I've shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Yes, and this is the reason why it is more blessed to give than to receive. When we give we use a shovel, and God uses a wheelbarrow in giving back to us. I remember a pastor using that illustration years ago. It has stuck with me because it is the truth.

Philippians 4:17 (NLT)
¹⁷ I don't say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I pray that You would stir our hearts until we are convinced of the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. In the name of Him who showed us the example, Jesus, our Savior, and the Lord of the lives of those who believe in Him. Amen.

 

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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/

Have You Discovered the Joy of Serving Others?

Philippians 2:1-2 (NLT) 1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Philippians 2:4 (NLT) 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Daily Bread_November 8, 2013

Title: Why do You Love Us so Much?

Text:

2 Corinthians 2:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶ To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. And who is competent for this?

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus.
⁶ For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Observation:

I have been writing this week about the believer being in Christ. There is no place I would rather be. Who am I? I'm a Christian, and it's all because of what Jesus did for me. He took me as I was, and made me a brand new person.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.

"I'm so glad to be called a Christian,
To be named with the ransomed and whole;
As the statue liberates the citizen,
So the cross liberates the soul.

Oh the cross is my Statue of Liberty,
It was there that my soul was set free;
Unashamed I'll proclaim that a rugged cross
Is my Statue of Liberty!"

Lyrics: Statue of Liberty, by Neil Enloe

It is a wonder of what God through Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross at Calvary. Jesus turned an object of shame into an object of glory. I don't know why God loves us so much, but I am so glad He did.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above,
To bear it to dark Calvary.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/618#ixzz2k16koKHl

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross at Calvary to pay for the sin debt for the whole world. Yes Lord, in the words of the hymn writer, "I'll cherish the old rugged cross". In the name of Jesus 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_November 7, 2013

Title: The Kindness and Love of God for You

Text:

Titus 3:4-7 (NLT)
⁴ But—"When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,
⁵ he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
⁶ He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
⁷ Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."

Observation:

Yesterday, I asked the question, "Are you in Christ?" This question is so important that it is still on my mind today. Also, here is another question; Is Christ the Lord of your life?

That is nothing than man can do to fit him or herself for heaven; that is a work that only God can do, and He chose to do it through Jesus. This is what the Bible says.

John 3:16-18 (KJV)
¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Why is this question so important? Listen to what the Bible says about what it means to be a Christ follower. It's a narrow way, but it's the only way to heaven.

Mark 8:35-37 (HCSB)
³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it.
³⁶ For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?
³⁷ What can a man give in exchange for his life?

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I praise and thank You that there is still plenty of room at the cross for anyone who wants to receive the gift of salvation in accordance with the terms of the giver of eternal life. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"There's room at the cross for you,

There's room at the cross for you,

Though millions have come, There's still room for one

Yes, there's room at the cross for you."  - - Ira F. Stanphil

 

--

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_November 6, 2013

Title: The Privilege and Power of an Ambassador

Text:

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NASB)
¹⁷ Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
¹⁸ Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,
¹⁹ namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
²¹ He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Observation:

The word ambassador kindles a memory from my youth; as a High School student I was among a group of youth who decided to form a group at our Church, and we called ourselves "The Ambassadors". We were a group of boys that got together on Sunday afternoon to study the Bible, and then go out to eat, and then go back to Church at 6:15pm for Church Training, and Sunday evening worship at 7:30pm; the Baptist Hour. We recruited the Youth Sunday School teacher to be our adult sponsor.

The times have changed; however, there are some things that have not changed. The words of our text are still true today for every believer in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NASB)
²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Think about what this passage says about God's children; "God was in Christ", and "Christ in you". What do you lack to be an ambassador for Christ? From my reading of the passage, we lack nothing; so let us go and tell the gospel of Christ to a world that God so loves. We can do this with the anointing of, and power of the Holy Spirit of God.

Acts 1:8 (NASB)
⁸ but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Are you in Christ? Then, listen to the words of Jesus, and go where He sends you.

John 20:21 (NASB)
²¹ So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I am so thankful for the privilege I have of being an ambassador for Christ. Father, I thank You for the enabling presence and power of the Holy Spirit that You provide us to accomplish this assignment. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Lord, I would give them the Bread of Life,
The Living Water too;
My heart cries out, "Oh, here am I,
Ready, Thy will to do."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/924#ixzz2jrfP3A6K

--

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/