Daily Bread_January 31, 2014

Title: The Blessing of Being A Friend of God

Text:

Exodus 33:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door.
¹¹ Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

Observation:

On Tuesday I wrote on the topic, “How Close Is Your Relationship with the Lord?”  I received a comment from a friend who was encouraged by the topic, and cited the passage listed above.

Moses was not a perfect man; he had feet of clay like you and me. However, God was not ashamed to call Moses His friend. Let’s look at this friendship.

Exodus 34:8-10 (ESV)
⁸ And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.
⁹ And he said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”
¹⁰ And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

God spoke with Moses as a friend because Moses obeyed God. He will be with us today because, if He dwells in us, He remains with us. Where loves abides you will find obedience to God.

2 Corinthians 6:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV)
¹⁸ and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You are a faithful God, and that You promise to remain with those You are pleased to call Your friends. I am so grateful for the cross at Calvary where Jesus made this relationship and friendship possible. In the precious name of Jesus, my friend, I pray, Amen.

“Jesus is all the world to me,
I want no better friend.
I trust Him now; I’ll trust Him when
Life’s fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend;
Beautiful life that has no end!
Eternal life, eternal joy,
He’s my Friend.”

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/530#ixzz2ryWfj8Zj

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 30, 2014

Title: The Best Things in Life Are Beyond Our Acquired Fears

Text:

1 John 4:18 (ESV)
¹⁸ There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Observation:

There are some cases in which fear is our friend; it keeps us from danger. However, in the case of acquired fear, it most likely the cause of keeping us from growing and reaching our potential.

Life does not provide us with a map for the journey of achieving our potential. However, we can have a compass that will give us a vision. I heard a quote recently that said, “Vision gives purpose to pain”.

I have been thinking that I need to be more intentional about getting outside of my comfort zone. However, I need to do this in the context of drawing closer to God, and taking everything to Him in prayer.

Looking back over my life I find that when I move outside of my comfort zone at the leading of the Lord that I have found the greatest joy, and achieved the most. I have found that you only need to know the next step to take, and have the encouragement to take it.

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Prayer:

Father God, I thank You for the encouragement you give to my heart that gives me the courage to take the first step toward overcoming my acquired fears. Father, I pray that you would use the word you have given me today to give courage to someone to take the next step toward fulfilling their potential, and to fulfillment in their life. I pray this prayer with faith in God who can do anything but fail. Amen and Amen.

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 29, 2014

Title: The Way That God Accomplishes His Purposes

Text:

Isaiah 10:33-34 (ESV)
³³ Behold, the Lord GOD of hosts will lop the boughs with terrifying power; the great in height will be hewn down, and the lofty will be brought low.
³⁴ He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an axe, and Lebanon will fall by the Majestic One.
Isaiah 11:1-2 (ESV)
¹ There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
² And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Observation:

I woke up this morning with these words on my mind and in my heart; knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

As I observe the rapid pace of change in our world I notice that we are knowledge rich, and wisdom and understanding poor.

In my quest for wisdom and understanding I went to the source; I went to the creator to seek knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to satisfy my inquiring mind, and my seeking heart.

What I discovered is the passage in today’s text. I am acutely aware that God’s ways are not like our ways. Notice how God does things.

In the text the prophet Isaiah shows how God will accomplish His great purpose. “He will cut down the thickets of the forest”; and, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit”.

As for me, I will seek wisdom from the God of my salvation. I will align my life to live in obedience to His way as I seek to know it through His Word, and with the help of His Spirit. It’s more important who you know than what you know; I want to know Jesus, and be like Him. I know that the Father will answer the prayer of Jesus for us who believe in Him.

John 17:23 (HCSB)
²³ I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that You are a God who has all knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Father, my heart yearns for a closer and more intimate walk with You. Father, my heart cries out remove more of me, and make me more like Jesus. In His wonderful name I pray this prayer, Amen.

“More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.”

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/382#ixzz2rnPmQT5R

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 28, 2014

Title: How Close Is Your Relationship with the Lord?

Text:

1 John 3:1 (HCSB)
¹ Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him.

Revelation 2:4-7 (HCSB)
⁴ But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love [you had] at first.
⁵ Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
⁶ Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
⁷ “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise.

Observation:

Today, I have the children of God on my mind. I read a blog yesterday that wrote about the results of a survey of people who were once very active in the Church, but have dropped out completely.  I read another article about the number of Churches that are dying, and many of them will close their doors if they don’t make significant changes.

Perhaps these and other reasons are why these verses are on my mind as I sat down to write this morning.

Notice that the complaint against the Church at Ephesus is that they had left, not lost, their first love. What do you do when the honeymoon is over?

Jeremiah 2:2 (HCSB)
² “Go and announce directly to Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: I remember the loyalty of your youth, your love as a bride— how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.

Here is what we need to do to maintain that personal and intimate relationship with our Lord; He wants first place; He is pleased with nothing less.

Revelation 2:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, O how I long to have a close and intimate walk and fellowship with my Savior. Lord, You know that I have feet of clay. I cannot make it through this world without You leading me, guiding me, and strengthening me.

Father, make me more like Jesus. Father God, what I ask for myself, I also ask for all of Your believing children. I’m asking in the name that is above every name, Jesus the Christ of God, Amen.

“I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.”

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/387#ixzz2rhVCSijs

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 27, 2014

Title: My Plea to God's People to Pray for One Another

Text:

Ephesians 6:18-20 (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.
²⁰ For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

Observation:

I was having my weekly talk with a dear friend and brother in Christ yesterday, and in the course of our phone conversation he reminded me of the importance of praying for one another. He was checking in on me to see how I was doing in my fifth week of dealing with a persistent virus and cough. He was delighted  to hear that I sounded so much better on the phone, and I confirmed that I was feeling better.

This friend was a partner in ministry when I did the "Praying for You" radio program for many years in Alaska. He reminded me of the powerful effect of many people uniting to pray for others. He reminded me that Paul requested for himself, and that I should request the prayers of God's people for me.

This morning I read a social media update of one of God's servants describing the difficult medical situation he was facing. He was facing the reality that he might not make it through this ordeal. What grabbed my attention was a fervent prayer that one person offered up for him, and the encouragement she gave to him. That prayer blessed and ministered to my heart, and is the motivation for today's meditation on God's Word.

Let's commit to praying faithfully to our great and caring heavenly Father on behalf of others. There is nothing greater that you can do for another person than to pray for them. Notice this encouragement to pray.

Colossians 4:2 (HCSB)
² Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I bless the day that You quicken and prepared my heart to be willing to engage in the ministry of praying for others. Father, I have come to realize that there is truly nothing that is beyond the reach of prayer.

Father, I thank You for the army of saints who are already devoted to prayer, and I pray that You will add to that number someone who reads this prayer. I ask this favor in the name of the one who enables us to do all things through Him, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.

My Family & My Friends:

Whatever your needs are you can know that I am available to pray for you.

"For you I am praying,
For you I am praying,
For you I am praying,
I'm praying for you."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/933#ixzz2rbCK7r5k

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 24, 2014

Title: If You Believe in Jesus, You Belong to God

Text:

2 Corinthians 5:15 (HCSB)
¹⁵ And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (HCSB)
¹⁹ Don't you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
²⁰ for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.

Observation:

How could anyone who is a child of God have an inferiority complex? Is it because of lack of knowledge of whom and whose you are? You are special to God, and He has a purpose for you in this world; even where you are right now. If you belong to God, you lack nothing.

Take a moment to read the following passage, and think about how blessed you are, and how rich you are in the things that will last for eternity.

Ephesians 1:11-12 (HCSB)
¹¹ We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will,
¹² so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.

It's time for God's people to break the silence; it's time to glorify God in our body, and with our tongue. Let's serve the Lord with gladness of heart; with a love for God and for others. Do you have a hunger in your heart to be all that God purposed you to be? Then surrender your all to God; then pray and watch what He will do in and through you.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that each day I will demonstrate by my talk and my walk; my hands and heart that I belong to Jesus, and that Jesus belongs to me. In His name I pray, Amen.

"Fully surrendered—Lord, I am Thine;
Fully surrendered, Savior divine!
Live Thou Thy life in me;
All fullness dwells in Thee;
Not I, but Christ in me,
Christ all in all."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/442#ixzz2rFLpZQYl

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 23, 2014

Title: Wow! God is So Amazing - - This Happened to Me Today

Text:

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.

Observation:

I prayed a prayer last night asking the Lord for His help, I said "Father, place on my heart the topic that You want me to write about tomorrow morning".

I woke up this morning, and the thought that He placed on my heart and on my mind was heaven. So, I opened my Bible and read this passage.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (HCSB)
¹³ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
¹⁴ Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.
¹⁵ For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord's coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep.
¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
¹⁷ Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.
¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Do you have eternal life? Go back and read John 5.24, which is the text for today; it tells you how you can be sure of eternal life. Do you believe Jesus? Think about what the Bible says of the alternative.

Revelation 20:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ The Devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 20:15 (HCSB)
¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You are a God who hears and answers prayer, and that You are an on time God. Father, I thank You that I can say, "My name is written in the Book of Life". Lord, I owe it all to Jesus, and I offer this prayer in His sweet name, Amen.

Psalm 19:14 (HCSB)
¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

"My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart;
I know that while with God He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/327#ixzz2rDwOfsUb

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Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 22, 2014

Title: Do You Have Goals That Really Matter?

Text:

1 Timothy 1:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Now the goal of our instruction is love [that comes] from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

Observation:

When it comes to living a life that is pleasing to God there is nothing that matters more than our heart. It is true that everything comes from the heart; it matters to God so it should matter to us. Notice the words of Jesus.

John 14:24 (HCSB)
²⁴ The one who doesn't love Me will not keep My words. The word that you hear is not Mine but is from the Father who sent Me.

Jesus primary aim and focus was on doing the will of His Father; O how I want that to be my will and my focus and passion.

1 Samuel 16:7 (HCSB)
⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart."

What is the next best step that I can take that will move me in the direction of living my life more like Jesus lived His life?

James 4:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I thank You for the work that You have been doing in my heart while I have been dealing with this physical virus in my body for the past 30 days. Lord, I thank You for the time it has afforded me to think about things that matter most, and aligning my heart with Your heart. Lord, I can't do this, but You can; so I ask for Your help. Father, this is my plea, and I ask it in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Psalm 26:2 (HCSB)
² Test me, LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.

Hebrews 10:22 (MSG)
²² So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out.

"One thing I of the Lord desire,
For all my path hath miry been:
Be it by water or by fire,
Oh, make me clean, oh, make me clean!

• So wash me, Thou, without, within,
  Or purge with fire, if that must be;
  No matter how, if only sin
  Die out in me, die out in me."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/409#ixzz2r8CzzjtZ

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 21, 2014

Title: The Primary Relationship - - The One That Everyone Needs

Text:

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
¹ And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
² Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Observation:

One of the things I notice in the writings of the Apostle Paul is how he teaches doctrine, and then teaches the application of the doctrine. The plea and the encouragement are to always unite what you believe with how you behave.

In the Bible it's always about hands and hearts; and, talk and walk.

Psalm 24:3-4 (NLT)
³ Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.
Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

There is nothing better than a personal relationship with the Lord. Can you say, "Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine?" This is the way to have it.

John 1:12 (AMP)
¹² But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I don't know about others, but this I know; it's me O Lord that is standing in the need of divine help, and Your power to know and do the will of God. So, I make this my plea, Lord; help me to be all that You want me to be. Father, I thank You for always hearing and answering the prayers of Your children because of Your only begotten Son; Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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

"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/308#ixzz2r2D3nyP9

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 17, 2014

Title: What Scripture Do You Turn to When You Need Help?

Text:

Psalm 27:1 (HCSB)
¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom should I be afraid?

Observation:

I have found over the course of my life that when something is causing me difficulty in my life it is often more than just one thing.

Without being specific and getting too personal I want to share with you a scripture I turned to last night and found great comfort. I found so much comfort in Psalm 27 that it will be my new favorite scripture for encouragement.

There are so many things that God did for David, and that He will do for you and me if we go to Him in prayer. I'm talking about communicating with our heavenly Father with our Bible in our hands, and His Spirit in our heart. We speak to Him in prayer, and He speaks to us through His Word and His Spirit within helps us. I'm so glad for the office work of the Holy Spirit of God in the lives of God's people.

Romans 8:26-27 (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.
²⁷ And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

David found in His life of entrusting His whole heart to God that he had nothing to fear because the God he trusted in was the God of his salvation. Not only David, but every child of God can take comfort in this knowledge.

Psalm 27:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the LORD and seeking [Him] in His temple.
⁵ For He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity; He will hide me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high on a rock.

John 15:5 (HCSB)
⁵ "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.

I agree with David's response:

Psalm 27:8 (HCSB)
⁸ My heart says [this] about You, "You are to seek My face." LORD, I will seek Your face.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so grateful for the sufficient grace that You provide to meet all of our needs through Jesus Christ our Savior. Lord, I will seek Your face; I will not forfeit the grace of God through prayerlessness. And the people of God said, Amen.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
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#ixzz2qesffHmZ

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 16, 2014

Title: A Helper That You Can Depend Upon

Text:

Philemon 1:24 (HCSB)
²⁴ Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.

Colossians 4:14 (HCSB)
¹⁴ Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas greet you.

2 Timothy 4:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ for Demas has deserted me, because he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Observation:

I always read with interest what people have to say when they reached the end of their earthly journey; there is much that they have to offer if they have been faithful servants of the Lord. Listen to what Paul said to a group of church leaders of the church at Ephesus near the end of his life.

Acts 20:27-31 (HCSB)
²⁷ for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God.
²⁸ Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
²⁹ I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
³⁰ And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them.
³¹ Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.

Now, this is the part that grips my soul.

Acts 20:36-38 (HCSB)
³⁶ After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them.
³⁷ There was a great deal of weeping by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him,
³⁸ grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

O, the brevity of life and the fragility of life in this world. Not all relationships work out. I am particular interested in the brief account of one of the men that is mentioned in Paul's second letter to Timothy, which was also written near the end of his life. One of Paul's co-laborers turned out to be unfaithful, and this is always painful. Demas was a man who walked and served with Paul for a season, but he deserted Paul. Life is hard, and departures of all kinds are hard.

Some will be faithful; others may desert you; but the servant of God is never left alone to do the work that God calls and chooses you to do. People may be unfaithful, but God will be forever faithful. Be faithful to God, and leave the rest to Him.

Hebrews 13:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
⁶ Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so glad that You are a forever God, and that with You a promise made is a promise kept. Lord, I long to be called by You a faithful servant. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 15, 2014

Title: The Hope of Exchanging Suffering for Glory

Text:

2 Corinthians 4:13-18 (HCSB)
¹³ And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak.
¹⁴ We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you.
¹⁵ Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God's glory.
¹⁶ Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.
¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.
¹⁸ So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Observation:

What you focus on and your attitude about things that happen to you can make all of the difference in the world. Your perspective about life matters. What you believe and in whom you believe matters.

Today's focal passage is one that has significantly informed my view and understanding of the suffering that God allows His people to face in this world. The first thing I get is that Jesus suffered, and it was for a purpose. However, even more importantly, His suffering resulted in glory. By faith, I believe that the same will happen for those of us who are God's children. Notice what the Word of God says:

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

This passage begs us to consider the appropriate place for God's people to place their focus. How much time do you spend on the things that are visible versus the things that are invisible? Everything that you can see is perishing. Conversely, those things that you cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (HCSB)
¹⁸ So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I don't like suffering and I don't go looking for it. However, I love God, and I am so thankful for the work that He does in me to turn my suffering into glory. So, I choose, by faith, to place my hope in things that are eternal.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that no matter what Your people are going through that You are always present with them, and working for them to achieve an outcome that will turn suffering into glory. So, I am so blessed and grateful to be in the loving hands of the Lord God, who is almighty, and has been mighty good to me. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God's unchanging hand."

http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Hold_to_Gods_Unchanging_Hand/

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 14, 2014

Title: The Faith to Walk with God All the Way

Text:

Genesis 17:1 (HCSB)
¹ When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him, saying, "I am God Almighty. Live in My presence and be blameless.

Isaiah 50:10-11 (AMP)
¹⁰ Who is among you who [reverently] fears the Lord, who obeys the voice of His Servant, yet who walks in darkness and deep trouble and has no shining splendor [in his heart]? Let him rely on, trust in, and be confident in the name of the Lord, and let him lean upon and be supported by his God.
¹¹ Behold, all you [enemies of your own selves] who attempt to kindle your own fires [and work out your own plans of salvation], who surround and gird yourselves with momentary sparks, darts, and firebrands that you set aflame!—walk by the light of your self-made fire and of the sparks that you have kindled [for yourself, if you will]! But this shall you have from My hand: you shall lie down in grief and in torment.

Observation:

When God speaks into our heart through His Word and by His Spirit we need to learn how to trust in Him, and to wait on Him.

Abram is an excellent example of why we should wait on God, and not take matters into our own hands. Darkness is not a sign of defeat; rather, it is a sign of our need for discipline to fit us for God's divine purpose for our life.

Genesis 15:12 (AMP)
¹² When the sun was setting, a deep sleep overcame Abram, and a horror (a terror, a shuddering fear) of great darkness assailed and oppressed him.

When God speaks to you and you feel this overwhelming sense of darkness; recognize that God is at work to empty you of the self-directed life, and to fit you for the God-directed life.

This is the time of growing in the School of Faith; it's a time to examine if your confidence is in the blessings from the hand of God, or if your confidence is in the giver of the blessings?

Don't fail the faith test; have faith in God, and base your confidence in the Blessor, not the blessing. God knows what He is doing; you can trust Him.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that You are a God in whom I can trust with my whole heart. Father, my understanding often fails me, but praise God, Jesus has never failed me, and He never will. Lord, I believe in Jesus, O for grace to trust Him more. Amen and Amen.

" '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.

• Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
  How I've proved Him o'er and o'er,
  Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
  O for grace to trust Him more."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/568#ixzz2qN7ZAkZP

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 13, 2014

Title: Are You Building Fences or Bridges?

Text:

Acts 2:44 (HCSB)
⁴⁴ Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.

Acts 2:46-47 (HCSB)
⁴⁶ Every day they devoted themselves [to meeting] together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude,
⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (HCSB)
⁹ Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.
¹⁰ For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.

Observation:

I like divine appointments; that is the case with the verses list above. They fit so neatly with the area in which God has been leading me in this New Year. The keyword for me for this New Year is relationships. When I set this goal in December the scripture that supports my goal is the passage from Ecclesiastes.

For over 40 years I have been a member of a Christian business and professional men's association. We closed our meetings in a circle of fellowship, and sang the fellowship hymn listed below. I experienced some of the sweetest relationships this side of heaven praying, fellowshipping, and sharing the word of God around the world with these men.

I recall being with just one brother at breakfast; we were on our knees praying before eating breakfast at a local restaurant. I was praying this prayer, "Lord, add to our number one by one men of Your own choosing".  As I was praying those words Gordon walked in, and joined George and me on our knees. O how sweet to walk together with brothers united in prayer, purpose and passion. My goal is bridge building in 2014.

"Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/860#ixzz2qCgBGvmG

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so blessed and grateful for the tie that binds our heart to Your heart, and to one another. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Proverbs 17:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_January 10, 2014

Title: A Sure Hope in a Trouble Filled World

Text:

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (ESV)
⁵⁰ I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
⁵¹ Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
⁵³ For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
⁵⁴ When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
⁵⁵ "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Observation:

You don't have to have lived long to come to the realization that this world is filled with trouble. The twin enemies of sin and death are lethal. To deny that they are real is to live in denial, and to live without hope for a better future. This does not have to be your destiny. The Lord Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death.

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?"

Can you say this prayer; can you shout this praise to our heavenly Father?

1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV)
⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

If your answer is yes, then you can rest in this hope and blessed assurance.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that in this troubled world that I can live with the blessed assurance that the best is yet to come; that this world is not my home. Father, I am so grateful that in my Savior's arms I am happy and blest. Lord, this is my story, and I love to tell it; in Jesus name I pray with thanksgiving. Amen.

"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

• This is my story, this is my song,
  Praising my Savior all the day long.
  This is my story, this is my song,
  Praising my Savior all the day long."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/308#ixzz2pznaTZq0

--

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/