Daily Bread_June 30, 2014

Title: How Close and Consistent is Your Walk with the Lord?

Text:

Psalm 116:1-9 (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. ³ The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. ⁴ Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!" ⁵ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. ⁶ The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. ⁷ Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. ⁸ For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; ⁹ I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Observation:

The Psalmist was at a hard place in his life, and he knew where to turn for help. The Psalmist drew comfort from spending time alone with the Lord in prayer. We may fail God, but He never fails us; He always shows up when we need Him.

Psalm 116:5 (ESV)
⁵ Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.

The psalmist asked a pertinent question. It is one that we should consider, and respond to in the manner that the psalmist did.

Psalm 116:12 (ESV)
¹² What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?

Psalm 116:17 (ESV)
¹⁷ I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

The psalmist response was not only pleasing to God: it was also good for his soul. It is a good thing to be thankful, and to give praise to the Lord. It is true that God inhabits the praises of his people. Also, singing God's praise will bring you into the presence of God. There is healing power in praise. It is medicine without negative side effects.

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)
²² A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I extol You for Your grace and Your goodness; Your love and Your righteousness. O, how I love to sing Your praises, and I do it with a grateful heart. Father, draw us closer to You, and grant us a more consistent daily walk with You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the Godward way.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/905#ixzz367Z07ou6

--

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_June 27, 2014

Title: Do You Need Mercy and Grace?

Text:

Hebrews 4:14-16 (HCSB)
¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.

Observation:

Are you perfectly happy just the way you are? Are you in that group that says everything I need I can get on my own?

David was not, and this is his story. David had committed a grievous sin, and went to extreme means to hide it. This is how he described his condition.

Psalm 32:3-4 (HCSB)
³ When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. ⁴ For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer's heat. Selah

David recognized his condition was beyond his ability to continue to hide; it was taking a toll on his life; it was making him into an old man before his time. Here is what he did.

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

Our text gives us the promise that we can find help in our time of need; no matter how large the problem or severe the pain we face, there is hope and there is help. The key for David and for us is to agree with God's viewpoint on sin; then to acknowledge our sin.

Why not call upon the one who is able and willing to help you?

Hebrews 4:16 (HCSB)
Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.

Prayer:

Father God, I thank You for being a God who knows us, understands us, and loves us with an everlasting love. Father, I am so grateful that You invite us to come to your throne room; a place where we can find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. Lord, we need You, and we need You right now. 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_June 26, 2014

Title: Where is Your Heart?

Text:

Matthew 6:19-21 (HCSB)
¹⁹ "Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Observation:

In today's focal passage from the Sermon on the Mount Jesus talks about the topic of possessions. Jesus knew love of things would consume us if we did not have the proper attitude toward them. Someone has said that we should love people and use things. Many get this backwards; they use people and love things.

Colossians 3:2 (HCSB)
Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you would help us to get our heart in the right place. Father, you are a good God, and you provide abundantly for your people who put their trust in you.

Father, I pray that You would stir within us affection for the things that are above; the things that are eternal rather than the things on earth which are perishing. Father, I am so grateful that You are a God of mercy who cares for those who take refuge in you. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Nahum 1:7 (HCSB)
The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; He cares for those who take refuge in Him.

--

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_June 25, 2014

Title: When Promises are Better Than Explanations

Text:

Romans 11:33-36 (HCSB)
³³ Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways!
³⁴ For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?
³⁵ Or who has ever first given to Him, and has to be repaid?
³⁶ For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Observation:

I woke up this morning with a prayer of my lips that God would speak an encouraging word into my needy heart. The place I started reading was Romans Chapter 11.

I can't explain all of the ways of God; I may not be able to give explanations of all of His purposes and plans, but I can live an eternity on His promises.

I had to get to end of the chapter before I discovered the answer to my early morning prayer. My heart leaped for joy when I read the words from the pen of the Apostle Paul. Let these words encourage you in your life. I don't know what you are going through, but I know a God who is able to see you through it.

The greatness of God, the goodness of God, and the grace of God is simply amazing. I may not be able to explain him, but I can exclaim Him, and to me He is so wonderful.

What shall I render to the Lord? I can worship him, and I can serve him faithfully all of the days of my life; I can live in His presence forever. The Church father Augustine said "Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee".

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that each of us would find that place of perfect peace and rest that can be found only in Your presence, and becoming the person You purposed us to be. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Revelation 4:11 (HCSB)
Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created.

Romans 11:36 (HCSB)
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

"Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 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_June 24, 2014

Title: I Will Forever Be in Awe of What God Did for Us

Text:

John 19:28-30 (HCSB)
²⁸ After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He said, "I'm thirsty!" ²⁹ A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on hyssop and held it up to His mouth. ³⁰ When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Observation:

The love of God is so amazing and so wonderful. I will never get over what God has done for you and for me. Think about it. Then tell Him how grateful you are.

John 3:16-18 (HCSB)
¹⁶ "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. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so grateful that the battle is over. Lord, I thank You for the victory that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"Yet in my heart, the battle was still raging.
Not all prisoners of war had come home.
These were battlefields of my own making.
I didn't know that the war had been won.
Oh, but then I heard the king of the ages,
Had fought all the battles for me,
And that victory was mine for the claiming.
And now praise his name, I am free."  {Bill & Gloria Gaither}

"Free at last, free at last; thank God Almighty, we are free at last". Dr. Martin L. King

John 8:36 (HCSB)
Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

--

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_June 23, 2014

Title: Have You Experienced What Faith in God Can Accomplish?

Text:

Matthew 14:28-32 (HCSB)
²⁸ "Lord, if it's You," Peter answered Him, "command me to come to You on the water." ²⁹ "Come!" He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me!" ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Observation:

I think most of us can identify with Peter in the way that he got distracted, and took his eyes off of Jesus. It reminds me of what can happen to you and me when we put the focus on our circumstances, and take them off of Jesus.

Notice that Peter did the right thing initially; he came to Jesus, and he did what Jesus told him to do. Peter put his faith in the words of Jesus; he got out of the boat, and walked on water at the command of Jesus.

This highlights the importance of God's people trusting in Jesus, and in His Word. Do you trust the Word of God?

Hebrews 12:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, ² keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won't grow weary and lose heart.

In conclusion, don't get distracted by the size or the difficulties of your circumstances. Look to Jesus; we have limitations, but God does not.

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

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that whenever I encounter a problem in my life that is masquerading as mission impossible that I will be willing to cry out to you this prayer, "Lord, help". 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/

 

Daiily Bread_June 20, 2014

Title: Do You Have a Refuge From the Storms of Life?

Text:

Psalm 46:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. ² Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, ³ though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah

Observation:

Where do you go when the storms of life show up in your life? Who is your refuge? The Psalmist had a place of refuge; this is where he found hope and help.

Psalm 46:1 (HCSB)
God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.

The Psalmist story has become part of my story. I was in Salt Lake City, UT attending a training workshop. I was watching the memorial service on television for the victims of the April 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City, and working on my mission statement.

I adopted the verse that follows as my life's verse around that time. I have discovered that God is not hard to find if I seek Him.

Psalm 105:4 (NASB)
⁴ Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.

The reason why it is not hard to find God is because of this verse.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB)
⁹ "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars."

In the presence of God we find help in our times of trouble; we find the strength that we need, and we have no reason to fear failure or what man can do to us. Everything we need to fulfill our God ordained purpose is available when we put our lives in the hands of our all loving and all powerful God.

Allow this promise of today's text to sink deep into your heart, and learn to stand on this promise when the strong winds of adversity blow. Don't live life alone when You can live it with the Lord every moment of your life.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so thankful for the peace I find in Your presence. Father, I am so grateful that You love us so much, and that Your love is an everlasting love; a love that will never cease. Father, because of You, I can have peace in the midst of the storms of life. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm."  - - Ray Boltz – The Anchor Holds

--

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_June 19, 2014

Title: What Does God See When He Looks At You?

Text:

Psalm 33:13-19 (HCSB)
¹³ The Lord looks down from heaven; He observes everyone. ¹⁴ He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth from His dwelling place. ¹⁵ He alone shapes their hearts; He considers all their works. ¹⁶ A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be delivered by great strength. ¹⁷ The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power. ¹⁸ Now the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him— those who depend on His faithful love ¹⁹ to deliver them from death and to keep them alive in famine.

Observation:

Of all the reasons for praising the Lord, this one for me is the most compelling. The all seeing God who is the creator of everything, although he sits enthroned on high, he condescends and looks low. He cares about every living being that he made. God cares about you, and He cares about me. How profound is that?

How then shall we respond to God's love? What does God's love compel you to do; who does it compel you to be?

2 Corinthians 5:14 (HCSB)
For Christ's love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died.

It is the love of God that motivates me to come to this place of prayer each day. It is here that I hear a word from the Lord. It is here that I get to listen to his counsel, and act upon what he tells me to do. It is here that I get to intercede for others, and tell him about my troubles.

What a blessing it is to know that the Lord watches over me, and what a privileges it is to exalt his name in private and in corporate worship. Just pause and think about this verse. Isn't this wonderful?

Psalm 33:18 (HCSB)
Now the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him— those who depend on His faithful love.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, you are wonderful, and all your works are breathtaking to see. Father, I am so grateful that nothing on earth escapes Your eyes. Father, I pray that when You look down from heaven that You would see Jesus in me and in each who read and pray this prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"While passing thro' this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you."  {Author: B.B. McKinney}

--

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_June 18, 2014

Title: The Reason Why I Pray

Text:

Luke 3:21-22 (HCSB)
²¹ When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying, heaven opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son. I take delight in You!

Observation:

In today's passage Luke records the first occurrence of Jesus praying. At the most important event in his life and ministry on earth Luke records Jesus turning to prayer. This tells us how much Jesus depended upon prayer. If Jesus needed to pray in his life then certainly we need to pray.

The life of Jesus gives us a wonderful role model of what obedience to God looks like. In this passage we see Jesus being baptized and praying; both are acts of obedience to his heavenly Father.

When Jesus prayed, the Bible says, "As He was praying, heaven opened". What an awesome sight and affirmation that must have been for Jesus. While he was praying Jesus experienced the appearance and approval of the divine Godhead. Jesus experienced the power of the Holy Spirit and the approval and favor of God the Father.

Why would you do anything in your life without prayer? Jesus didn't, and neither should we. There is nothing that you need in your life and your ministry that heaven can't supply. You hold the key to the storehouse in your hands. Why not use it by taking everything to God in prayer?

Philippians 4:6 (MSG)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise you for your grace and generosity. Father, I thank you for the open invitation to bring all of our needs and our concerns to you in prayer. Lord, may I learn to be obedient like Jesus by meeting you in prayer as my first option.

Father, open our eyes that we might see how much we forfeit when we fail to pray. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, 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!"

Joseph M. Scriven (1855)

--

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_June 17, 2014

Title: The Role of Focus and Faith in Your Future

Text:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, ² keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.

Observation:

One of the things that I have come to appreciate is the power of focus and faith in reaching our God ordained purpose in life. I have observed that many start well, but not all finish.

What keep us from achieving our purpose are the twin killers of fear and worry. The antidote is to have focus and faith in a God who can do anything but fail. Here is the key.

Hebrews 12:2 (AMP)
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Prayer:

Father God, help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and to trust in Him with our whole heart. Father, help us to humble ourselves, so that You may exalt us. Father, help us to see through the eyes of faith that everything we need You will provide. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (HCSB)
⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your care on Him, because He cares about 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_June 16, 2014

Title:  Do You Know the Key to Being Extraordinary?

Text:

Ephesians 3:20-21 (HCSB)
²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— ²¹ to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Observation:

One of my favorite books in the Bible is Ephesians, and one of my favorite chapters is Chapter 3. It contains one of my favorite prayers. It is a prayer I pray often for others, and myself; it's a prayer that I ask others to pray for me.

God is about abundance and not scarcity; He is about strength not weakness, He is about how you finish, not just how many things you start. God is about substance not shallowness.

Every child of God has something within them that will enable them to be extraordinary. You have within you the divine power of the triune God. God is able to work in ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

The extra (God in you) makes ordinary people like you and me special; it makes us extraordinary. I am praying this prayer for you, and me. Will you pray it for me?

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray this prayer for all of Your believing children; to all who have the divine power of God living in their hearts. I pray that those who don't belong to Christ will come to Him, and receive Him.

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.

My prayer for you:

Ephesians 3:14-20 (NKJV)
¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

I pray this prayer in the mighty name of Jesus, 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_June 13, 2014

Title: In Remembrance of Rosemary Amos Cotton

Text:

Exodus 14:13 (HCSB)
But Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord's salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.

Observation:

Today would have been our 50^th anniversary. Today I share an event from one day in our married life. Rosemary was a woman of God; a woman of prayer, and faith in a great and gracious God.

This day was typical of many that we experienced from that day in August 1987 when the doctor said, "You have cancer", to that day in March 2012 when her Lord called her home.

We had gone to the medical supply company to get a G-Tube. They did not have one, and said it would take a week to get one. That was not a good answer; because the G-Tube was my wife's only means of taking food and medicine. We needed the G-Tube today, not next week.

Rosemary was not a happy camper. As Rosemary was talking to the Customer Service person, I was talking to the Lord. The answer I got was to go to the hospital emergency room. A doctor found a G-Tube, but had no procedure to charge us for it as an outpatient. He decided to give it to us, and said this visit never took place. We had another alternative for getting the defective G-Tube replaced; we just needed a new G-Tube, and we had it. Now, this is what the Lord taught Rosemary through this frightful experience.

Upon arriving home, Rosemary wrote in her journal that she read a devotional on Exodus 14:13. The author of the devotional was Charles Spurgeon. He said, "These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. You cannot retreat, you cannot go forward, you are shut up on the right hand and on the left; what are you going to do now? The Master's words to you are: STAND FIRM".

The theme of Rosemary's life was to live one day at a time, and learning to lean on the everlasting arms of her Savior. She was confident that He was able to see her "Through It All". We discovered that yes He can, and yes He will.

Prayer:

Father, I thank you for being a rock in a weary land, and our shelter in the time of storms. Yes, storms will come, but the child of God has this assurance; we don't have to face them alone. Father, I thank you for being for us; Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. 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_June 12, 2014

Title: How To Live Daily With Joy?

Text:

Psalm 118:24 (HCSB)
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Observation:

What is the secret of having joy in your life? The focal verse for today gives us the answer; it's all possible because of the creator. The source of joy is in the one who made everything, and that includes you and me. He is the one in whom we can rejoice.

Happiness is the result of right things happening. However, you can have joy in spite of your circumstances because we can rejoice in the Lord always.

Philippians 4:4 (HCSB)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Joy and the ability to rejoice is God's gift to His people.

Galatians 5:22-23 (HCSB)
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Have you opened your gift; are you using it daily? Are you daily engaging in conversation with the Lord; enjoying His presence? If so, are you doing it with a thankful heart?

Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB)
⁶ Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I come to Your throne room of grace and give You praise, glory, and thanksgiving for all that You have done for me.

Father, I thank You for Your presence and power in the life of Your people. Father, give us a hunger and thirst for You; to live in Your presence, and to rejoice in the Lord always. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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

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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_June 11, 2014

Title: What Should You Do After You Fail?

Text:

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

Observation:

Why do you weep?  In this Psalm the people wept because of their past. Notice that they didn't weep for their sins; rather, they wept because their sins caught up with them. We need to learn that lesson as we evaluate our lives.

There are times when we don't want to do the hard things. There is a price to pay for avoiding the hard things, and the hard places where doing God's will takes us.

Numbers 32:5 (HCSB)
They said, "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Don't make us cross the Jordan."

Numbers 32:20-23 (HCSB)
²⁰ Moses replied to them, "If you do this—if you arm yourselves for battle before the Lord, ²¹ and every one of your armed men crosses the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven His enemies from His presence, ²² and the land is subdued before the Lord—afterward you may return and be free from obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the Lord. ²³ But if you don't do this, you will certainly sin against the Lord; be sure your sin will catch up with you.

When we fail we need to get up, and do the hard things rather than looking for the easy way out. Let's do those things that glorify God. Are you will to cross the Jordon; to go where God sends you?

Can you sing the songs of Zion in the hard places and hard times? They couldn't, but Paul and Silas could sing in prison at midnight.

Psalm 137:4 (HCSB)
How can we sing the Lord's song on foreign soil?

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

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, help us to lean hard on You, and do the things that will glorify Your name. O for a faith to not lose our song in the hard places. Lord, may we learn to bow low, look up, stand up, and move on.  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_June 10, 2014

Title: How to Have Peace in Your Life?

Text:

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.

Observation:

There is nothing more sought after and desired in this world than peace. Jesus had told His followers that in this world you will have trouble.

John 16:33 (HCSB)
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."

When I hear of all of the problems and the troubles of this world, and see how things are getting worse and little hope for our ability to make them better by the wisdom and will of man. I have to encourage myself by remembering what Jesus told His disciples before His departure from this world.

John 14:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. ² In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. ⁴ You know the way [to] where I am going." ⁵ "Lord," Thomas said, "we don't know where You're going. How can we know the way?" ⁶ Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The key to having peace is, "Believe in God; believe also in Me". We can't have peace by our works, but we came have peace by the works of Jesus. The Lord Jesus will give you His peace. Have you received Him?

John 1:12 (HCSB)
But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that the Prince of Peace; Jesus, the Messiah, is alive and lives in my heart. I am so glad that where Jesus lives there is peace in Him. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"There is peace in the midst of my storm-tossed life. Oh there's an Anchor, there's a Rock to cast my faith upon. Jesus rides in my vessel so I'll fear no alarm. He gives me peace in the midst of my storm."

Stephen R. Adams – Author of hymn, "Peace in the Midst of the Storm"

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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_June 9, 2014

Title: Do You Desire a Worthy Mission in Life?

Text:

Matthew 28:19-20 (HCSB)
¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Observation:

Do you desire a worthy mission in life? If so, it does not get any larger than the Great Commission. It is the ultimate God-thing.

There are two things that I notice about this commission that give me a great deal of confidence that it is doable. First, it comes with the authority to issue it, and second, the promise and the power to fulfill it. The disciples had seen His power.

Matthew 28:18 (HCSB)
Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

The Great Commission comes from one who has the authority to give it, and the power to enable carrying it out. Additionally, this is His promise, "I am with you always, to the end of the age".

Jesus has given us an empowering "Why" that should stretch us, and equip us to do God's work. The work is, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations".

There is nothing more significant than doing God's work.

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

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, we need Your help in every step we take, and in every move we make to Go, and make disciples of all nations. Father, help us to remember the promise of Jesus that He would be with us to the end of the age. 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_June 6, 2014

Title: Why We Should Lift Him Up?

Text:

Psalm 113:4-6 (ESV)
⁴ The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! ⁵ Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, ⁶ who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?

John 12:32 (ESV)
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

Observation:

In our selected verses from Psalm 113 the Psalmist answers the question of who we should worship. The object of our worship is the Lord. He is the creator God, and the author and finisher of our salvation. The choice word for today is "worthy".

The Psalmist also addresses the question of why we worship the Lord. The answer is that we worship the Lord for who he is. That is more than enough for the servants of the Lord. When I think about where the Lord has brought me from, I can't help but praise him. When I think about where he is taking me to, well my praise goes off the chart.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I exalt you because you are the Most High God. Father, it is a wonder to consider how great you are, and high you are above earth and heaven. You are so high that you have to stoop down to look on heaven.

Psalm 113:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Who is like Yahweh our God— the One enthroned on high, ⁶ who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

Now, a God who chooses to humble himself to be concerned about people like you and me deserves our highest praise. God is worthy, and I delight to praise him. Lord, I lift Your name on high, and I love to sing Your praises. I pray this prayer in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Singing:

Lift Him Up - - Ron Kenoly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xiVjYO8utM

--

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/