Daily Bread_March 31, 2014

Title: When Change is Healthy

Text:

1 Samuel 3:19-20 (ESV)
¹⁹ And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. ²⁰ And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord.

2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Observation:

A believer is not born mature. The believer begins as a baby Christian. However, the expectation is that the baby will grow; to not grow is unhealthy. A growing Christian is a necessity for a healthy Church.

Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV)
¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

I will concede that all change does not result in growth. However, I am convinced that growth will result in change. To grow you need the milk of the Word. However to grow into maturity you need the meat of the Word. What is your passion level for the Word of God?

Without daily nourishment your physical body will not be healthy; this is also true of your spiritual body, and the Body of Christ. Are you willing to make David’s prayer your prayer?

Psalm 119:33 (ESV)
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I thank You for the access that we have to the Word of God in a language that we can read and understand; Father, we don’t take it for granted.

Lord, give us the passion and discipline to seize the opportunity so that we might experience the change that comes from growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 28, 2014

Title: There is Power in Being Patient

Text:

Acts 16:11-15 (NLT)
¹¹ We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. ¹² From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days. ¹³ On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. ¹⁴ One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. ¹⁵ She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

Observation:

Those who teach, preach and share God’s Word come to realize that it takes patience to be a minister of the Word of God. The verse that I used on Wednesday was this reminder from the Apostle Paul.

2 Corinthians 6:4 (NLT)
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

We are often in a hurry, but I remember when I was growing up hearing the adults say, “Haste makes waste”. There are times that you just need to hit the pause button, and just wait  on God to open the door to the hearts of people. Notice what Paul and his companions did; they waited on God.

Acts 16:12 (NLT)
From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days. Yes, there is power in patience when you wait on God.

Acts 16:14 (NLT)
One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for giving us the grace gift of patience to do Your work; Lord, give us more because the needs are so great, and we are so weak. Father, I ask for more of Thee, and less of me.  In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 27, 2014

Title: The Importance of Knowing Your Who in Life

Text:

Acts 16:6-10 (ESV)
⁶ And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. ⁷ And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. ⁸ So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Observation:

This scripture has meant a lot to me when it comes to the matter of determining God’s will for my life. I first heard it in a testimony many years ago. It made me aware of how important the “Who” is in determining the course of your life.

Psalm 119:130 (ESV)
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

In seeking to know God’s will for your life I have found in scripture and it life that God does not give you a detailed map. In our focal passage for today it is apparent that the Apostle Paul did not have a map.

But he was not without direction. What I see in Paul’s life and ministry is that he was a man of the Word, a man of prayer, and a man led by the Spirit of God. It was from his “Who” that he found his “Why”.

There were times when Paul did not know where to go. However, he knew God, and he trusted in God to show him where and when.

Paul had patience; he talked to God and he listened to God, and he did what God said, and went where God sent him. Who is first in your life?

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You are a God who leads and directs Your people in the way we should go. Father, help me to always remember that Your people walk by faith, and not by sight. So, Father, lead me and guide me in each step I take, and in each move I make today, and every day. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 26, 2014

Title: The Power to Live in Difficult Times and with Difficult People

Text:

2 Corinthians 6:4 (KJV)
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

Observation:

No matter who you are or where you are it is not difficult in this world of diversity and division that we can agree that we live in difficult times and there are a lot of difficult people in this world. How then shall we live? How then shall we walk?

We don’t always know with precision the direction that we should go in the journey of being a Christ follower. However, what I have found is that you just have to go; to take the next best step.

The key is that you are never alone in your journey; you have a leader so keep your eyes on Jesus, and keep moving forward. Here is an example of the patience of Paul in waiting for a helper.

Acts 16:1-5 (NLT)
¹ Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. ² Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, ³ so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.

This scripture leaped off the page for me because God has been teaching me a lesson on patience. He is showing me through various life experiences the peace, provisions and power that come when we wait on the Lord.

The Apostle Paul had to sever ties with John Mark for a season. However, God had another young man that became a profitable son in the faith to Paul, and that was Timothy. I tell you  there is peace, provisions and production when you wait on God, and continue to walk in His way.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the reassuring word you planted in my heart this morning about the virtue of patience. Lord, help that person who is in a difficult place right now, and dealing with difficult people to be able to look up to Jesus, and take the next step toward Him. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/701#ixzz2x49v6kBE

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 24, 2014

Title: Only God Has a Record of Unbroken Promises

Text:

Joshua 21:43-45 (HCSB)
⁴³ So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. ⁴⁴ The Lord gave them rest on every side according to all He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. ⁴⁵ None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.

Observation:

This account given near the end of the book of Joshua is of great encouragement to all of God’s people; not just to the Jews of that day.

One of the things that you can count on is that if God says it in His Word; He is faithful to fulfill what He promises.

This truth should serve to strengthen our faith in God. It should affect how we believe and how we behave.

It does not get any better than this.

Joshua 21:45 (HCSB)
None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.

The experience of the people then is more than just history. It was their story, but it can also be your story. Their God is our God, and He is still a promise-keeping God.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NLT)
God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that in this changing world that there is a God in heaven who does not change. Father, I thank You for being our hope and our help; and most of all for being the solid rock who is forever faithful. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 21, 2014

Title: Love in Action - - Leading

Text:

Ephesians 4:15 (HCSB)
But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.

Observation:

One thing I have learned about leadership is that before you can lead others you have to be able to lead yourself.

The husband and wife relationship is a God ordained creation. It’s a beautiful thing to behold when each knows their role, and lives it out according to the way God designed it.

Every team needs a leader; Christ is the head of the Church. Does a football team need a quarterback? God has given us the blueprint for the family. I like the characterization of the family as the “Little Church”. As a young man, I attended a class where the leader used that term; it inspires me to be the person God made me to be.

The husband is to follow the example of Christ leadership of the Church in carrying out his role as leader in the family. I don’t know any believing wife that would not follow her husband if he loved her like Christ loved the Church, and leads her and the family by speaking the truth in love, and living it out in the home.

Husbands and wives; listen, God’s plan for marriage works; God works it in us, and we have the happy privilege of working it out.

Ephesians 5:22-24 (HCSB)
²² Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord, ²³ for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to [submit] to their husbands in everything.

The key to working out God’s plan for the family begins with leading the person you see when you look in the mirror. Two people rightly related to God, and rightly related to one another. This is the foundation upon which God builds His “Little Church”; the family.

Ephesians 5:20-21 (HCSB)
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:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I pray that You would grant husbands and wives the will to embrace and, by faith, work out what You have placed within us. Father, my flesh says, “I can’t” but Your Spirit within me says, “I can”. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray that I will, Amen.

Romans 5:5 (NLT)
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 20, 2014

Title: Love in Action - - Trust

Text:

1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV)
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Observation:

Today the focus is one of the essential characteristics of love; it is trust. The text in the English Standard Version (ESV) says, “believes all things”. The Amplified Bible renders it this way, “is ever ready to believe the best of every person”.

To love others is a command not a suggestion.

Mark 12:31 (ESV)
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

What God commands us to do He enables us to do by His power.

Psalm 37:5-6 (ESV)
⁵ Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. ⁶ He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

Psalm 143:8 (ESV)
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

In summary, our focal passage for today has the emphasis on relationships between people. True love believes and hopes; it bears and endures. Love cannot survive without trust, and true love never fails; it lasts forever.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that in my relationship with others I will be known as a trustworthy person. Father God, help me to be a person who when I make a promise I keep it; thereby building trust and love that last forever. Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 19, 2014

Title: Is There Life After Death?

Text:

John 11:25 (ESV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

John 5:24 (ESV)
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Observation:

 I read an article yesterday that prompted today’s topic. The author expressed an opinion about life after death. The author did not believe in or have a desire for life after death. He did not make a case for his belief.

My answer to the question asked in the text is yes. In the verses of our text Jesus said it, and I believe Jesus.  I believe what Paul said in his letter to the Church at Philippi.

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV)
²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

How you believe will shape how you live. I believe God, and I believe His Word. In this stormed tossed world it is comforting to know that you can have the peace of God reigning in your life rather than the unpredictable and unstable circumstances we face in this world. Yes, I can sing “I’m on my way to heaven, and I’m so glad”.

John 14:1-3 (ESV)
¹ “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I believe in You and Your Word. Father, I thank You for the gift of eternal life. My hope and my faith are in Jesus. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 18, 2014

Title: Love in Action - - Forgive Others

Text:

Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Observation:

There is nothing that is superior to or that will outlast love. To love and be loved is one the highest aspiration of humans, and rightly so.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Loving another person is more than a feeling; it is something that you do; love is a verb. When combined with forgiveness it makes something beautiful.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)
³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Loving and forgiving others is hard work. However, God has worked into us the ability; we just need to release it through obedience to His Word.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)
¹⁴ “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so grateful that I am a recipient of the forgiveness of God. Father, as one who has been forgiven much, I pray that I will grant forgiveness to others. Father, transform me more and more each day to be more loving and forgiving of others.

Father, I know that I can’t do this on my own, but You can, and that You will because You said that You would.  In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 17, 2014

Title: Love in Action - - Pray for One Another

Text:

Colossians 1:9 (NLT)
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Observation:

There is nothing more hopeful or helpful you can do for others than to pray for them. When Paul wrote these words he had never seen these people in person. He had heard about them from one of his converts and mentees.

Colossians 1:3-4 (ESV)
³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

The reason why Paul could be so hopeful, helpful and prayerful for these people was because of what Jesus had done in them and for them. These were people who were on their way to heaven.

Colossians 1:12-14 (ESV)
¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. ¹³ He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

These people had demonstrated for a watching world to see that they belonged to God, and God belonged to them. They demonstrated their belief by their love for God and God’s people.

Colossians 1:4 (ESV)
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

O, that the world would know that we are Christians by the way we demonstrate love in action; expressing our love by praying for one another.

Prayer:

Father God, help us to show love in action by our love for You, and for Your people by our prayers for Your people. Father, I have seen how surely and swiftly You answer prayer. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 15, 2014

Two years ago on this day I was preparing to visit my wife in the hospital. While in the parking lot of the hospital I got a call from the nurse in ICU saying the doctor needed to see me. I told her I am in the parking lot. Three hours later I was holding my wife's hand praying and singing some of her favorite hymns as she left holding my hand, and was embraced by the hands of her Savior; Jesus the Christ of God.

 

This is what I wrote on March 15, 2012:

The Word of God for wisdom:

 Proverbs 11:14 (NLT)
¹⁴ Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 59:16-17 (NLT)
¹⁶ But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.
¹⁷ O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 2:9-11 (HCSB)
⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
¹¹ Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.

My observation:

I am up really early this morning. I got a call from the hospital in the middle of the night about my wife’s treatment. These have been difficult days, and now a difficult night for me.

Reading the word was just what I needed at this hour. Reflecting upon God’s word and writing is therapeutic for me.

I needed the words written by the psalmist in ancient times to comfort and bless my soul. The Lord, right now is to me what he was to the psalmist when he wrote, “My refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress”.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I delight to sing the praises of your unfailing love for me, and for all who will allow you to have a home in their life.

 Father, I give you not a tiny guest room in my life, but I give you my whole life. Father, I want you to occupy all of me so that a watching world will see more of you and less of me.

Father God, I thank you for coming into this world as Mary’s baby, and because Jesus was your only begotten son, he was able to be my Savior, and the Lord of my life.

Psalm 116:15 (NKJV)
Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.

 

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 14, 2014

Title: Love in Action - - Giving

Text:

John 3:16 (NLT)
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Observation:

Have you ever heard this said about love and giving?

“You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness.”  - - Author, Victor Hugo

Our text, one of the most familiar verses in the Bible, makes the connection between love and giving. I have seen this verse explained like this.

For God so loved – The greatest lover.

He gave his only begotten Son – The greatest giver.

Giving should originate in our heart. It should be heartfelt and cheerful.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT)
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)
And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Proverbs 21:26 (NLT)
Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

Prayer:

Father God, I ask You to align our hearts with Your heart in loving and giving. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 13, 2014

Title: Love in Action - - Listening and Doing

Text:

James 1:19-21 (NLT)
¹⁹ Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ²⁰ Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. ²¹ So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

Observation:

The call of James to the people of God requires spiritual disciplines; the actions called for goes against the natural inclinations of man. The natural response of our human nature is to be slow to hear, quick to speak, and quick to anger.

How then can we do what James calls upon God’s people to do? The power is in the word of God, and the blood of Jesus. O, the Father’s love for you and me. He will not let us go, if we but trust and obey, and let Him have His way.

James 1:21 (NLT)
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

Love is a verb; love is something that you do. However, you don’t have to do it, and you can’t do it in your strength alone. God never said that you could; He said that He would. The Holy Spirit who lives in you is love will be the enabling power to listen and obey.

Romans 5:5 (NLT)
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so grateful that what You command in Your Word that You provide Your people the enabling power to be and do. Father, I believe You can do it because I believe God. Father, what You say I will do. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

“Mighty Name! Mighty Name!
In that Name alone we win.
Mighty Name! Mighty Name!
Conquering Satan, death and sin.”

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/775#ixzz2vqJWxrES

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Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 12, 2014

Title: How Genuine is Love if You Don’t Listen First?

Text:

Proverbs 18:2 (ESV)
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Observation:

One of the things essential to close and lasting friendships is love. Our text indicates that fools don’t make good friends, and one of the reasons is that they don’t value listening; they love to talk so much, that they don’t have any time left for listening. Consequently, they leave a trail of harm and hurt.

Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:6-8 (ESV)
⁶ A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. ⁷ A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. ⁸ The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

None of us is perfect. Therefore, we must learn to forgive others. We need to learn to listen first, and then speak.

Proverbs 18:13 (ESV)
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

There is always hope and help for those who the text describe as fools; those who lack good sense or judgment. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, gives us the key.

Proverbs 18:15 (ESV)
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

There is no problem that is beyond the reach of prayer. Give God access to your needs by asking Him to help you.

James 4:2-3 (ESV)
² You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that You would stir our hearts so that we would stop talking, and begin to listen to others. Amen.

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Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 11, 2014

Title: The Wonder of God’s Love for You

Text:

Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)
³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation:

The pace of change in the past 30 years has been astonishing. However, there are some things that don’t grow old or ancient with the passing of time. The invention of the airplane was 111 years ago. If Jesus tarry his return for another 100 years; can you envision what transportation will be like? Have you ever felt like the Psalmist?

Psalm 55:6 (KJV)
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

In the midst of rapid change there is one thing that does not change, that is the blessed assurance that we find in our text for today. I may not have wings like a dove, but I have a God who loves me supremely.

God knows who you are, and yet He loves you with an everlasting love. He does not love you because you are lovely; He loves you because that is His nature. He loved you before you were lovely.

Romans 5:8 (KJV)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:8 (KJV)
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:16 (KJV)
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Notice that our text says that nothing can separate you from the love of God. If you are a child of God, then God’s has you covered by the precious blood of His Son.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the promises of God, and this assurance of Your amazing love is a blessed assurance that calms my fears, and assures me in the depths of my soul. Father, I am so glad that You belong to me, and that I belong to You. Amen.

Song:

George Beverly Shea - The Love of God is Greater Far ( 1983 ) - YouTube

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Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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_March 10, 2014

Title: How Do You Walk in A Dark World?

Text:

Isaiah 50:10 (ESV)
Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Observation:

The world is a dark and dangerous place. However, you don’t have to walk in darkness. When you walk into a dark room you dispel the darkness by turning on the light.

The same principle applies to dispelling the spiritual darkness that exists in the world. However, the Bible says that to walk in darkness is a choice.

John 3:19 (ESV)
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

The Lord is calling all who are walking in darkness to come to the light. Jesus is the light of the world; He is the only one who can dispel spiritual darkness. O, you will never regret coming to the light; coming to Jesus.

“The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
The light of the world is Jesus;
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
The light of the world is Jesus.

·         Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see;
The light of the world is Jesus.”

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1018#ixzz2vJiZJl2c

The invitation to “come to the light” is worth investigating. Notice what the first century Jews of Berea did. They listened and believed.

Acts 17:11 (ESV)
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that You sent Jesus into the world so that all who believe in Him don’t have to ever walk in darkness again. For this, I am so thankful. O, how amazing is the love of God for sinners like me. Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

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/