Daily Bread_December 20, 2013

Title: It's That Time of the Year - - Looking to the Future

Text:

Mark 1:35 (HCSB)
³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there.

Observation:

One of the most challenging verses I have ever read in the Bible is this one; it captures and compels me to pause and ponder what it says.

1 Peter 2:21 (HCSB)
²¹ For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps.

When I think about the wisdom of God and the power of God; when I think about Jesus, and what He said of himself; I bow in awe.

John 14:8-11 (HCSB)
⁸ "Lord," said Philip, "show us the Father, and that's enough for us."
⁹ Jesus said to him, "Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
¹⁰ Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works.
¹¹ Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.

When I look at our focal verse for today, I say to myself, If Jesus had to pray, then what about me? Think about it, If Jesus had to pray, what about you?

I can't help but make prayer the priority in my life; I can't help but make daily reading of the Bible my daily bread. O how I need, and so much more, what Jesus needed; time alone with God.

Ephesians 6:18-19 (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.
¹⁹ Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.

This is the time of year I hit the pause button; I will not be writing for distribution for the next two weeks. So, let me wish for each of you God's best during this holiday season; may it truly be a holy season for you.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy and Blessed New Year.

 

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I long to have an intimate relationship with You the way Jesus did. Father God, help me by Your power to be a man of the Word, and a man of prayer in these  last days.

Father, since You are the same Father who lived in Jesus, I ask You to do in me the works that You did in Him; Your works, and Your will. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

"O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;

This is my constant longing and prayer;

Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures,

Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!

Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;

 Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/398#ixzz2o11nLh5M

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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/