Daily Bread_May 30, 2014

Title: Why You Are So Special

Text:

2 Corinthians 4:7 (HCSB)
Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.

Observation:

The amazing thing about God's people is that we belong to God; it is He who has made us, we are His handiwork.

Ephesians 2:10 (HCSB)
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

When the world looks at you they do not see or understand how special and precious you are in the eyes of your maker. I have a friend who says, "God don't make any junk".

1 Peter 2:9-10 (HCSB)
⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that each of Your believing children will recognize who we are in Christ, and that we will fulfill the purpose for which we were born twice. Father, I acknowledge that without Your mercy and grace I would be nothing, and I could do nothing. But, with You in my life, I can do all things. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

O, the joy of being able to sing these words; I pray that you can sing them too.

"For I am His, and He is mine,
Forever and forever."
 
Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/288#ixzz33AH3ngCB

--

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_May 29, 2014

Title: How Do You Have Joy When Circumstances Are Not Perfect?

Text:

James 1:2-3 (HCSB)
² Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Observation:

Notice that the text says whenever you experience various trails. In this present age we can expect to have trials in our Christian walk. Notice what the Apostle Paul said to his mentee Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:12 (HCSB)
In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Our relationship with God matters; our faith in God matters. When our trust is firmly rooted in God and His grace and goodness we are able to benefit from the trials and troubles of this present world. When viewed in the light of God's wisdom trials will work for us and not against us; they will produce in us endurance.

Romans 5:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, ⁴ endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I ask you to help me to set a guard over what my eyes see, my ears hear, where my feet go, and what my heart loves. Father, when you test my life, I pray that you will find it acceptable to you. Lord, You know that I need endurance; I need a faith that will not falter or fail in the day of trials.

"O for a faith that will not shrink.
Though pressed by many a foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe;

That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chastening rod,
But, in the hour of grief or pain
Can lean upon its God;" (William Bathurst)

Lord, I thank You for being a God I can lean hard upon in my day of trial. Father, I thank You for the hope that I have; yes, it's in Jesus. In His mighty name 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_May 28, 2014

Title: When Every Day is a Day of Thanksgiving

Text:

Psalm 65:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ Praise is rightfully Yours, God, in Zion; vows to You will be fulfilled. ² All humanity will come to You, the One who hears prayer. ³ Iniquities overwhelm me; only You can atone for our rebellions. ⁴ How happy is the one You choose and bring near to live in Your courts! We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple.

Observation:

Every day I live, each breathe I take, every morning I wake up with a reasonable portion of health and strength; I give thanks to the Lord for His goodness.

There are so many things that we receive on a daily basis that we take for granted. You never take the time to consider your blessings until things go badly in your life or in the life of your loved ones.

This Psalm is an annual harvest psalm; a time in which God's people would take the time to acknowledge the goodness of the Lord during the year.

The thought that grips me this morning is why I should wait so long to give thanks to God for His goodness. God's mercies are present and new every morning, and every evening; there is never a time when God is not good. Every day should be a day of thanksgiving and thanksliving.

Psalm 65:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Those who live far away are awed by Your signs; You make east and west shout for joy.

Psalm 65:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty.

I don't know how you will choose to respond to the encouragement of this Psalm, but as for me; I will thank the Lord every day for my blessings. I will never forget that there is never a time that God is not with me; that is enough for me to praise Him every day.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (HCSB)
¹⁸ Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, with a grateful heart, and with all that is within me I give praise to You for being a God who loves, cares, and is so good to Your children. Father God, I acknowledge that You are the source of life; physical life and spiritual life.

 Father, I link my heart with the heart of the Psalmist in singing Your praises all the day long. Father, make us as sanctified, and satisfied as only You can. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

 

Singing:

Every Day is a Day of Thanksgiving

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k9Y3ZoEcMU

--

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_May 27, 2014

Title: What Type of Training Is Best?

Text:

1 Timothy 4:6-11 (HCSB)
⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed. ⁷ But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness, ⁸ for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ In fact, we labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe. ¹¹ Command and teach these things.

Observation:

When it comes to my passion for physical exercise and spiritual exercise, what is first is non-negotiable; spiritual exercise wins hands down. For me verse 8 of the text settles it.

1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
⁸ "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."

Physical exercise and spiritual exercise require at least two things in common; discipline and devotion. How effective would your church be if its members put as much effort into spiritual exercise as athletes put into physical exercise?

How strong is your desire for godliness? Think about this; the prize has a price. Are you willing to pay the price? I'm running for the prize and aiming for the victor's crown. Are you running to win?

Philippians 3:13-14 (HCSB)
¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴ I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Father God, help me and all of your children to see the value in this life, and for all of eternity the benefits of spiritual exercise. Lord, help us, by your power, to be more disciplined and dedicated. 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_May 26, 2014

Title: Do You Ask Others to Pray for You?

Text:

1 Thessalonians 5:25 (HCSB)
Brothers, pray for us also.

Observation:

The Apostle Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. He was also not ashamed to ask others to pray for him. He has given us a wonderful example to follow.

Romans 15:30-32 (HCSB)
³⁰ Now I appeal to you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join with me in fervent prayers to God on my behalf. ³¹ Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that the gift I am bringing to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, ³² and that, by God's will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you.

When we pray we connect with God; it is the way that we communicate with our heavenly Father. The power of prayer is that it connects us with God. In His presence we become more like Him. I need your prayers, and you need the practice of being in God's presence.

Philippians 4:19 (HCSB)
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Luke 1:37 (HCSB)
For nothing will be impossible with God."

O the blessings that flow from the prayers we pray for one another. O, the blessings we forfeit when we fail to pray.

Philippians 1:3-5 (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.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that You would create in us a desire to be in Your presence, and to pray for others. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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/h/789#ixzz32jfzh8HY

--

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_May 23, 2014

Title: How Great is Your God?

Text:

Psalm 113:7-9 (HCSB)
⁷ He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the garbage pile ⁸ in order to seat them with nobles— with the nobles of His people. ⁹ He gives the childless woman a household, [making her] the joyful mother of children. Hallelujah!

Observation:

There are two significant reasons for why we worship the Lord. The first is because of who he is, and the second is for what he does. Our focus today is on the latter.

Notice the works of God in our focal passage from Psalm 113, and you will get a picture of the marvelous works of our Lord.

The Lord raises the poor from insufficiency.

The Lord lifts the needy from insignificancy.

The Lord delivers the barren from infertility.

If you are lacking in your life, you will find that the Lord is an abundant provider. What he has done for others, the Lord will do for you. Just like he provided for those who were powerless and needy as described by the Psalmist, he will provide for you. The work of the Lord is to help the deficient, disenfranchised, and the desolate.

The more you know God the more you will worship him. The more grace you receive from God the more you will praise the Lord.

Prayer:

Father God, Abba, Father, I want to know your more, so that I can worship you more. Father, I desire more of your grace so that I can praise you more. Father, you are the giver, and I am the grateful receiver of your love and grace. Father, grant to all eyes to see Your greatness and Your goodness. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Sing With Me: (Chris Tomlin)

"How great is our God – sing with me
How great is our God – and all will see
How great, how great is our God".

--

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_May 22, 2014

Title: Why Everyone Needs Someone to Love and Be Loved By

Text:

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 (HCSB)
⁶ But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and [reported] that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you. ⁷ Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, ¹⁰ as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

Observation:

For some reason, probably the persecution he was facing, Paul was not able to revisit the people of the church at Thessalonica. However, he sent his trusted associate, Timothy. When you can't go and you can't do everything yourself, you don't have to dear pastor; there are others you should mentor to help you in the work of the Lord.

The ministry is always a combination of preaching of the word to the people, and taking the needs of the people to God in prayer. This balance use of time and talent has always been the most effective ways that a pastor could spend his time. Every believer can be a shepherd to someone. Love is supreme; we all need lots of it. The best way to get our need for love met is to love others first.

Acts 6:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry.

Although Paul could not go and visit the church, he sent Timothy to preach, teach, and encourage them to continue in the faith in spite of the persecution they were facing. However, Paul also did his part in helping and encouraging them; he prayed for them.

Here is one of the prayers he prayed, and I make this my prayer for my family, friends, and all who may read the word of God, and my comments.

Prayer:

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (HCSB)
¹¹ Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
¹² And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.
¹³ May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. 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_May 21, 2014

Title: How Serving Others Can Contribute to Your Success

Text:

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)
Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Observation:

On November 10, 2013 I wrote an article using this text. Yesterday morning I noticed 8 pageviews of the article in my Google statistics. The previous night several speakers at my granddaughter's graduation spoke on the same topic.

Okay God, are you speaking to me about what I should write about today? As I read in an article recently, "You do the math".

This question is a piercing one, "Are your hearts tender and compassionate?" Herein lays the key to success in life. Why not make it the goal of your life; it's what Jesus would do. Don't just try it; do it for the glory of God, and for the blessing it will be to others, and to you. It's the secret to joy.

Jesus

Others

You

Philippians 2:4 (NLT)
Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, I pray that You would work in Holy Spirit power to bring about a change in the way that we relate to others. Father God, strengthen us with the desire and the power to love and serve others. 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_May 20, 2014

Title: A Timely Word for A Special Person – My Granddaughter

Text:

Psalm 23:1 (HCSB)
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

Observation:

When you are my age you have heard a lot of words in your lifetime. However, all words are not equal. Today I want to meditate on a few words that I treasure in my life. I committed this Psalm to memory many years ago, and it just keeps on blessing me. I commend it to you.

Psalm 23:6 (HCSB)
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

I say to my granddaughter, Tamera Rachelle Brumfield, who graduated from High School last night,  that if you can say, "The Lord is my shepherd" you can have the assurance of this, "there is nothing I lack". The reason is this, "Only goodness and faithful love will pursue you all the days of your life".

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I am so glad that all of those who know You, can call You our Father. We are so grateful that You love us, and that You have demonstrated that love in this way.

John 3:16 (HCSB)
"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Father God, I am so glad that You are a loving and faithful God and Father to all of Your children. Father, I thank You for sending us Jesus to be our Savior and Shepherd.

John 10:11 (HCSB)
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Father God, we bless Your name today, and by faith, we live our lives day by day in the confidence that You are with us every step of the way. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB)
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.

--

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_May 19, 2014

Title: Are You Living By the Provisions and Power of God?

Text:

Matthew 12:18-21 (NKJV)
¹⁸ "Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. ²⁰ A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; ²¹ And in His name Gentiles will trust."

Observation:

The text for today is a quotation of Isaiah 42.1-4. The writer of the gospel applies this quotation to Jesus, and His earthly ministry.

Notice what Jesus did, and how He went about carrying out His earthly ministry. Jesus depended upon the provisions and power of God.

Matthew 12:22-23 (NKJV)
²² Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. ²³ And all the multitudes were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"

The response of the religious people of the day was not good. What Jesus did was not pleasing to them. However, the goal of Jesus was to please His Father.

Matthew 12:25-27 (NKJV)
²⁵ But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. ²⁶ If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? ²⁷ And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.

In doing the will and work of God the servant of God must be careful that we use things and serve people. Don't be found doing the opposite; using people and serving things. O for the grace that each of us would be more like Jesus.

Matthew 12:18 (NKJV)
"Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that You will give us the grace we need, and the faith to walk in the footsteps of Jesus; that we will look to You for our provisions and power for all things. 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_May 16, 2014

Title: How the Bible Can Guide Your Life

Text:

Psalm 119:17-24 (NKJV)
¹⁷ Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. ¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. ¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. ²⁰ My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times. ²¹ You rebuke the proud--the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. ²² Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies. ²³ Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes. ²⁴ Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.

Observation:

This is a prayer that I often pray when I open my Bible. It's a prayer that our heavenly Father delights to answer. It's a prayer that will give you guidance for your life.

Psalm 119:18 (HCSB)
Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your instruction.

We need the Word of God to guide us on our earthly journey because we are strangers here, and the Word will show us the way to walk.

Psalm 119:19 (HCSB)
I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me.

1 Peter 2:11 (HCSB)
Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you.

Allow God's Word to give you peace. Make it your delight; it will give you wise counsel.

Psalm 119:24 (HCSB)
Your decrees are my delight and my counselors.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I'm just a stranger down here, and I need Your Word to lead and guide me. Lord, I need You to guide me in each step I take, each move I make, and in each life I touch. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"Savior, lead me, lest I stray,
Gently lead me all the way;
I am safe when by Thy side,
I would in Thy love abide."

Author: Frank M. Howard

--

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_May 15, 2014

Title: Are You Walking in the Word?

Text:

Psalm 119:1 (ESV)
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!

Observation:

The Bible is at the center in providing us with the wisdom and the power we need to be blameless in the eyes of the Lord.

James 1:25 (ESV)
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

There is no substitute for being a serious student of God's Word. Notice that the Bible is referred to as the perfect law; it is just what we need. The Bible is a book that promises blessings.

Deuteronomy 28:6 (ESV)
Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

What are some of the blessings that you can expect to receive from the Lord from heeding God's Word, and hiding God's Word?

Psalm 119:9 (KJV)
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Notice that God's Word will keep you clean, and that it will keep you from sin. Here are three additional disciplines that will strengthen our walk and keep us on the path to be blameless in the sight of the Lord. Let us seek to rejoice and delight in the Word, and meditate on the Word.

Psalm 119:14-16 (ESV)
¹⁴ In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. ¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. ¹⁶ I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Colossians 2:6 (KJV)
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray for each of us to receive by faith what You have already ordained; that we walk in the Word of God. Thank You Lord for the abundance of grace and faith You provide for us to do it. 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_May 14, 2014

Title: Why I Love to Pray

Text:

Psalm 17:1-7 (ESV)
¹ Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! ² From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! ³ You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. ⁴ With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. ⁵ My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. ⁶ I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. ⁷ Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

Observation:

God is not like man; He is a Spirit. He does not have ears, but He can hear. He does not have eyes, but He can see. He does not have hands, but He can hold His children.

John 4:24 (ESV)
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

David had faith in God, and He was also a man's man. As a young man he took on and killed the giant Goliath; the enemy of God's people. However, David did not hesitate to call upon this invisible God to defend him against his enemies. When we work with our hands we get what we can do; when we pray we get what God can do. I'm not too proud to ask God to help me.

Psalm 17:1-2 (ESV)
¹ Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! ² From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!

David had nothing to hide from God. If we expect God to hear our prayers we must be in right relationship with Him. God hears how we talk and He sees where we walk. We need to guard our hearts; keep them right in God's eyes so that the Lord will hear and answer our prayers.

Psalm 66:18 (ESV)
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I pray that You will enable me by Your almighty power to have my talk be pleasing to Your ears, and my walk be pleasing to Your eyes. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 116:1-2 (ESV)
¹ I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. ² Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

--

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_May 13, 2014

Title: Why I Love the Bible

Text:

Psalm 119:1-2 (KJV)
¹ Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. ² Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

Observation:

I woke up this morning with this word on my mind and this song on my lips. I cannot think of a better way to start the day or a better way to live your life. In this world where so many people and things are unreliable, it is so wonderful to have someone and something that you can count upon for time and eternity.

The B-I-B-L-E,
Yes, that's the book for me,
I stand alone on the Word of God,
The B-I-B-L-E.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/c/92#ixzz31aggRlCY

Prayer:

Father God, the prayer of the Psalmist is the prayer of my heart today, and every day. O Lord, give me the desire and the strength to keep your statutes. Father, I ask You to bless the readers, hearers, and doers of Your Word. Amen.

Psalm 119:7-8 (KJV)
⁷ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. ⁸ I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

--

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_May 12, 2014

Title: How Would You Respond If God Asked You What He Asked Solomon?

Text:

1 Kings 3:3-9 (HCSB)
³ Solomon loved the Lord by walking in the statutes of his father David, but he also sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. ⁴ The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered 1,000 burnt offerings on that altar. ⁵ At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask. What should I give you?" ⁶ And Solomon replied, "You have shown great and faithful love to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today. ⁷ "Lord my God, You have now made Your servant king in my father David's place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. ⁸ Your servant is among Your people You have chosen, a people too numerous to be numbered or counted. ⁹ So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

Observation:

1 Kings 3:5 (HCSB)
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask. What should I give you?"

Your answer to this question will reveal a lot about what you believe about God, and what you believe about prayer.

The answer that Solomon gave is this.

1 Kings 3:9 (HCSB)
So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

Solomon's answer pleased the Lord.

1 Kings 3:10 (HCSB)
Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I pray that my prayers will not be just about me, but that they will be about others. Father, what I pray for others and myself is that we might know and do Your will with all of our heart. Father, work in us until we are pleasing in Your eyes.  In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/445#ixzz31V5lV9Sc

--

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_May 9, 2014

Title: Is Your Focus on Your Problems or Your Power?

Text:

John 16:13-15 (HCSB)
¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ Everything the Father has is Mine. This is why I told you that He takes from what is Mine and will declare it to you.

Observation:

While Jesus was with His followers during His earthly ministry He was the source of their strength. However, He was only with them for a short period of time. When He finished His work in the world who would they look to for hope and help?

Jesus knew that His people would face opposition from without and from within. Trouble will find you when you are looking for it, and it will find you when you are not looking for it.

John 16:2 (HCSB)
They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God.

In spite of the difficult, discouraging, and dangerous circumstances we may face in this world, we are not alone. We can have hope for today and tomorrow because of what Jesus has done for us.

Listen to these words of comfort from the lips of Jesus.

John 14:27 (HCSB)
"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.

The Spirit of God has come, and He will be with us forever. Our problems are not a lack of resources. Rather, it is a lack of faith in the power that God provides us. We have all that we need to finish the work God left us in the world to do.

Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Romans 8:9 (HCSB)
You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that we are not alone in this world, and that we don't have to rely upon our strength alone. Father, I thank You for the helper; the Holy Spirit of God who lives in me, and in each of Your believing children. Lord, help us to remember where our strength comes from. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Galatians 5:16 (HCSB)
I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

--

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_May 8, 2014

Title: Are You Living What You Have Learned?

Text:

Colossians 3:1-7 (HCSB)
¹ So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. ⁴ When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. ⁵ Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, God's wrath comes on the disobedient, ⁷ and you once walked in these things when you were living in them.

Observation:

One of my favorite genres of the Bible is the Epistles. I love reading the Epistles of Paul because he teaches doctrine in the first portion of the letter, and then he teaches application. Notice what he taught them in the first portion of Colossians. This is a portion of his prayer of thanksgiving to God for what He has done for them.

Colossians 1:12-14 (HCSB)
¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints' inheritance in the light. ¹³ He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. ¹⁴ We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.

In our text for today we notice how Paul encourages God's people to live out what they have learned. He encourages them to, "Seek what is above". We who are believers in Christ should look up to Jesus, seek Him first, and walk in His footsteps. Are you living for Jesus by the power of God?

Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/456#ixzz317jSRbLr

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You have deposited within us the power to live for Jesus a life that is true; it is by the divine power of the triune God who lives in the life of every believer. Father, help me by faith in You to live each day by the power of God. 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/