Daily Bread_July 31, 2014

Title: Do You Have A Song You Love to Sing?

Text:

Psalm 118:1 (ESV)
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 118:14 (ESV)
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Observation:

Psalm 118 is one of the songs that the Jewish people sang at Passover. This would have been one of the songs that Jesus sang before He went to the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 26:30 (ESV)
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 26:36-37 (ESV)
³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." ³⁷ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

There is nothing that will drive out worry and fear like worship. When you face trials and troubles in your life do you have songs that you sing in praise to God? That's what Jesus did; He sang and He prayed in one of the most difficult moments in His earthly ministry. Some things bear repeating; so they sing it again.

Psalm 118:29 (ESV)
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I delight to sing praises to Your name; to extol You for Your steadfast and forever love, and Your tender mercies that You so abundantly shower upon Your people. Lord, I thank You for being Jehovah Jireh in my life.  In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Genesis 22:14 (ESV)
So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided."

My Song:

"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
"Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/19#ixzz390glSAkV

--

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_July 30, 2014

Title: God Has You Covered

Text:

Isaiah 43:5-7 (ESV)
⁵ Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. ⁶ I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, ⁷ everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

Psalm 17:6-9 (ESV)
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. ⁸ Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, ⁹ from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.

Observation:

I get a lot of encouragement when I read the Old Testament. I find encouragement when God says to His people, "Fear not, for I am with you". I am encouraged when I hear the Psalmist say, "I call upon you, for you will answer me". Paul writes this to the church at Rome about the Old Testament scriptures.

Romans 15:4 (ESV)
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Yes, I have hope for the present and the future knowing that God has me covered. If you are His child, He has you covered also. O how I need the presence, the provisions, and the power of God in my life. I am so grateful for God's promises, and for His faithfulness.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I praise You for who You are, and I thank You for the way that You provide so abundantly for Your people. Father, I pray that we will learn to worship and not worry; to praise and to pray. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Lonely though the pathway,
Cheer it with Thy smile;
Be Thou my companion
Through earth's little while;
Selfless may I live, Lord,
By Thy grace to be
Just a cleansed channel
For Thy life through me.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/377#ixzz38wu3aZ5F

--

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_July 29, 2014

Title: How to Find Stability in an Unstable World

Text:

2 Peter 3:14-18 (ESV)
¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
¹⁵ And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
¹⁶ as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.
¹⁸ 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:

Peter's closing remarks had some great advice for the people in the first century. However, it is also very good advice for people of the twenty-first century.

Notice two encouragements; in verse fourteen he said, "be diligent", and in verse seventeen he said, "take care".

No matter how difficult things get in this world, don't allow anyone to take from you the hope that you have in the God of your salvation. He did not bring you this far to abandon you.

We live in a dark and dangerous world, but there are many open doors to share the gospel of Christ. God is still waiting patiently for the lost to trust in Jesus. He has chosen you, if you are one of His children, to participate in sharing the gospel.

2 Peter 3:15 (HCSB)
¹⁵ Also, regard the patience of our Lord as [an opportunity for] salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that You are a God who goes the distance with Your people. Father, it is comforting to know that You will never leave us or forsake us.

Father God, I thank You for being the anchor that allows us to be stable in an unstable world, and overcome the instability that is around us. Father, I pray for eyes to see and faith to walk through the open doors that You provide. O, Father, help us to grow in grace. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Lord, I love You.
Thank You for opening my eyes.
Lord I've seen who You are,
And I can't help falling in love.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/ns/229#ixzz38rH8GtkF

--

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_July 28, 2014

Title: Who is the Source of Your Life?

Text:

John 15:7 (KJV)
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Observation:

Yesterday in my devotional reading and meditation on the topic of obedience, the thought of abiding in Christ gripped my thoughts. It brought to my memory the hymn, "Abide with Me". This was the first song I learned to play on the Tuba when I joined my High School band in the 9^th grade.

The topic of obedience was one that Oswald Chambers has been dealing with for several days in his devotional, "My Utmost for His Highest". He says, "The power to overcome spiritual darkness is obedience".

My heart's response was: Lord, how can I learn obedience? It was at this point that I recalled the verse that is included in the text for today. Yes, Jesus is the answer; His example shows the path to obedience.

Hebrews 5:8 (ESV)
Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

Learning obedience is not easy. However, it is the means by which we are able to dispel the spiritual darkness in our life. What does it mean to abide in Christ? I believe Paul revealed it when he wrote this to the Church at Colossae.

Colossians 1:27 (ESV)
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

How do you know that Christ is in you?  Think about this. What type of fruit are you bearing? Is Christ pruning you?

John 15:1-2 (ESV)
¹ "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Matthew 7:16 (ESV)
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Prayer:

 Father God, help each of us to learn obedience, and to abide in the presence and power of the triune God that lives in those who belong to You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

I need Thy presence every passing hour:
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/370#ixzz38lH9NWlL

--

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_July 25, 2014

Title: You Can Depend Upon God to Do What He Says

Text:

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

Isaiah 55:11 (ESV)
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Observation:

Yesterday I wrote these words, "I am so glad that we can depend upon our heavenly Father to be who is and to do what he says he will do". Later in the day I read the verses listed above, and they further confirmed the seed that God planted in my heart about His presence and power in prayer.

When God speaks to me I have learned from His Word that I should listen and obey. I have found the more I listen, the more He says.

1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV)
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears."

Our focal passage for today has another special meaning for me. Luke 1:37 was one of the favorite verses of a dear friend. He shared that verse with me on many occasions. We shared so many things in common. After he retired; he moved from Alaska to Washington State. However, our friendship grew deeper. He was a man of the Word, and a man of prayer. His homegoing was less than two weeks following my wife's homegoing in March 2012.

My friend believed that God was real; His Word was real, and he and I were not ashamed to bear witness of it to any that would listen.

The Angel, in Luke 1:37 used a paraphrase of Isaiah to give support, encouragement, and confirmation to Mary. God would give her the power that she needed to fulfill her God assigned purpose. God will do for you what He did for Mary; He will give you confirmation that what He says in His Word He will do.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You are a God who does what You say You will do. Father, I pray that my faith in You will not falter; in the good times and in the hard times. Father, what I pray for myself I pray for my family, my friends, and my neighbors. In the mighty and able name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 46:1 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

--

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_July 24, 2014

Title: Keep Praying Because God is Real and Prayer Works

Text:

Luke 11:11-13 (HCSB)
¹¹ What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

Observation:

Today I have prayer on my mind so I turned to (Luke11:1-13). The center of this passage is Jesus teaching his disciples how to pray like he prayed. This is a passage that I intend to return to often so that I can reach the depth in my relationship with the Lord where I can commune with my heavenly Father the way that Jesus did.

I wrote on today's topic in January 2011; that it what I said then, and yesterday someone read that devotional. I said that is what I'm going to write about tomorrow. Following that I got three additional messages in Social Media that related to prayer.

I am so glad that we can depend upon our heavenly Father to be who is and to do what he says he will do. He is a good God, and he gives his children good gifts. He is a God of abundance, and he gives to his children generously.

James 1:17 (HCSB)
Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.

The ultimate demonstration of his care for us is the gift of the Holy Spirit that he gives to us at our spiritual birth. God who is good has given us himself.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (HCSB)
¹³ When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. ¹⁴ He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.

The glorious thing about this promise is that he gives the Holy Spirit to every one of his children. Your prayers don't have to go very far to reach him because he abides within us always. I am so glad that God is a forever God. When you have God in your life, count your blessing. If you need something, ask the Father.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the privilege of prayer, the presence and power of God in the lives of Your people. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Romans 8:26-27 (HCSB)
²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. ²⁷ And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

--

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_July 23, 2014

Title: How to Have Hope in a Dark World

Text:

Isaiah 3:8-11 (HCSB)
⁸ For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they have spoken and acted against the Lord, defying His glorious presence. ⁹ The look on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom, they flaunt their sin. They do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought evil on themselves. ¹⁰ Tell the righteous that it will go well [for them], for they will eat the fruit of their labor. ¹¹ Woe to the wicked—[it will go] badly [for them], for what they have done will be done to them.

Isaiah 4:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Then the Lord will create a cloud of smoke by day and a glowing flame of fire by night over the entire site of Mount Zion and over its assemblies. For there will be a canopy over all the glory, ⁶ and there will be a booth for shade from heat by day, and a refuge and shelter from storm and rain.

Observation:

I highlighted these two passages because they spoke into my heart. These passages are a reminder that no matter how bad things may get down here, I can look forward to a brighter future.

We don't have to wait until some date in the future to start enjoying the blessings that God wants to give to his people. God will bless us with his presence today if we will receive his offer of salvation. He will do for us what no other power can do.

Isaiah 1:18 (HCSB)
"Come, let us discuss this," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the love of God. Father, I hunger and thirst for your blessings to be poured out into my life. Father, I know that you have a big heart, and that everything belongs to you.

Therefore, in faith, I ask you to shower your believing people today with blessings overflowing. Father, give us what we need to be pleasing in your eyes. I know You care. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades
Into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/695#ixzz38FMuM4bk

--

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_July 22, 2014

Title: The Peace That Comes from God Alone

Text:

1 John 1:5-7 (ESV)
⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Observation:

It is normal to have fears and anxieties when you look around and see the conditions of our world today. The leaders of the nations of the world lack answers, and wrong seems to be on the throne. The media has lots of bad news to report, and if that is your primary source of information you are not getting the whole story.

Let's take a look at this from the perspective of the creator of the world, and every living being. Listen to what God says.

Isaiah 12:2 (ESV)
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."

Psalm 56:3 (ESV)
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalm 27:1 (ESV)
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that nothing that happens in this world is ever a surprise to You. Father God, I am so thankful that You care about us supremely, and that You reward those who put their trust in You.  Father, I choose to pray, and not worry about anything. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
Give all your worries and cares to God, for 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_July 21, 2014

Title: Who Can Be Truly Blessed?

Text:

Psalm 32:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! ² How joyful is the man the Lord does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit! 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 ⁵ 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

Observation:

In the first two verses of this Psalm David answers the question "Who can be truly blessed?" In the next three verses he describes a personal experience that supports the premise.

There are two important words in this passage about dealing with sin; forgiven and covered. It is foolish for man to attempt to hide his sin like David did. Hiding sins only makes matters worse, as David describes what covering his sins did to his body externally and internally.

Proverbs 28:13 (HCSB)
The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

David discovered that the path to happiness and blessedness comes by owning up to your sins, and seeking forgiveness from a merciful God. When you are truly penitent before God, he will deal graciously with your sin problem. God will forgive and cover your sin. When God covers sin he takes away the guilt and the iniquity of our sin.

Psalm 32:5 (AMP)
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]—then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

When you pause and think about this you can't help but experience what David felt and experienced. The silence of David in verse three was turned into singing in verse seven.

Psalm 32:7 (HCSB)
You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you are a loving, kind, gracious, and forgiving God. Father God, I thank you that in being transparent with you, I can find sufficient grace to cover all of my sins. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Singing:

"Grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that is greater than all our sin!"

1 John 1:9 (KJV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

--

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_July 18, 2014

Title: It's Time for God's People to Look Up

Text:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
¹⁴ if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Observation:

It we are to have revival in America, we must meet God's conditions for revival. It begins with humility and prayer. The next step to the healing of our land is for God's people to seek the face of God.

Many are willing to open their hands to receive God's blessings, but God loves us so much that he desires our presence with him. He wants some face time; not just quality time, but quantity time with his people. Will you accept his invitation to seek his face?

Matthew 11:28 (HCSB)
²⁸ "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Prayer:

Sovereign God, Holy Father, you are so holy and so righteous that we feel so unworthy to be in your presence.

Father God, the only way that we can come to you is to come by the way of the cross. Father, I come to you, I seek your face claiming access by the precious and royal blood of Jesus. O, who will come, and pray with me? O, let's pray until a change comes. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 18:6 (HCSB)
⁶ I called to the LORD in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.

--

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_July 17, 2014

Title: Why I Have Hope

Text:

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result.
² On the contrary, after we had previously suffered, and we were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.
³ For our exhortation didn't come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.
⁴ Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts.
⁵ For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness—
⁶ and we didn't seek glory from people, either from you or from others.

Observation:

The church at Thessalonica is a great example of what can happen in a new church plant in a very short period of time. However, it also shows the opposition to the gospel of Christ. Notice that the church prospered in spite of the opposition.

Acts 17:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ Then they traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
² As usual, Paul went to the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
³ explaining and showing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead: "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah."

Acts 17:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some scoundrels from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason's house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly.
⁶ When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too,

As you can see, when you serve God and preach the gospel of Christ, things can get tough. However, even in the midst of suffering, God will bless those who remain faithful. O the blessing of being a world changer; counted with those who it was said, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also".

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for the hope and the power of the gospel of Christ. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (HCSB)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God's power to us who are being saved.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/298#ixzz37irc3IyW

--

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_July 16, 2014

Title: Did You Know That Mercy Can Result in Peace?

Text:

Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV)
¹ Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! ² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, ³ who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, ⁴ who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, ⁵ who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Observation:

David was a man who knew what it was to lack inner peace, and he knew that he personally deserved the consequences of his sins. He was a man in need of mercy; it was his only hope for inner peace.

Psalm 51:1 (ESV)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Psalm 32:3-4 (NLT)
³ When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. ⁴ Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

The goodnews is that God loves us with an everlasting love; it is a love that loves the undeserving because that is His nature; God is love.

Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV)
⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Don't wait for people in need to ask for mercy; take the initiative and be merciful.

Matthew 5:7 (ESV)
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so blessed to be the recipient of Your love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Father, I pray that as one who has received mercy that I will be a person who is merciful to others. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing.

My Savior's obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/292#ixzz37ahI06HZ

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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_July 15, 2014

Title: Why Not Accept This Pre-Paid Option to Our Problems?

Text:

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

Observation:

If there was ever a time that we needed the Lord, we need Him at this present time in our communities, and in our world.

When we have problems in our life the natural tendency is to focus on the problem. However, this goes against what the Bible teaches us about how God wants us to relate to Him.

We may feel impotent to deal with the volume and the difficulty of the problems we face in our communities, and in our world, but we are not without help and hope. There is a God who is able to help us, and is willing to help us. The thing we need most is more of God, and we seem to be farther from Him. Why not accept His invitation, and rely upon His mighty power?

Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Those who draw near to God will find Him to be all that they need; they will find the peace that only the Prince of Peace can provide. Here is the key to knowing God, and experiencing His power for life today and forever.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Lord, my answer is, "Lord, I come to You".

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You are a God who loves us supremely, and You are the Great Shepherd, and we are the sheep of Your pasture. Father, help us learn to lean totally upon You; Your presence and Your power. Father, by Your great love and power; draw us nearer to You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 23:1-4 (ESV)
¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. ³ He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/387#ixzz37XFnE3ZY

--

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_July 14, 2014

Title: What Way Are You Traveling?

Text:

Isaiah 55:7 (ESV)
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Observation:

There are paths that you may travel through this world; God's way or your way. Which way are you traveling?

What would you have to give up to return to God, and to do things His way rather than your way? There is a difference in the way we see things and the way God sees things.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Am I willing to forsake my way for God's way? Anything that we find in our life that we have exchanged for God's way has become an idol that we worship in the place of God. Is my way really better than God's way?

Isaiah 1:16-18 (ESV)
¹⁶ Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,
¹⁷ learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.
¹⁸ "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

Why not try God's way? It's the only way that will lead you to heaven. Jesus knows the way; He is the way. If you know the way, why not share the goodnews with someone who is seeking the way?

John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You accept us just as we are. However, I am so grateful that You love us too much to leave us in that condition. I am forever grateful for Your amazing grace that You give us so abundantly. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1048#ixzz37ROjZY2H

--

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_July 11, 2014

Title: Why Am I Going Through This?

Text:

James 1:2-8 (HCSB)
² Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,
³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
⁴ But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
⁵ Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.
⁶ But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
⁸ An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.

Observation:

People of faith can expect and should welcome the testing of their faith. It is through the testing of our faith that we discover that God is real. There is a great reward for those who pass the faith test.

James 1:2-3 (AMP)
² Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
³ Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

It takes godly wisdom to be able to handle the trials of life. God will supply what we need; we need wisdom to enable us to get through the trial, and reap the reward of the spiritual blessings of endurance, steadfastness and patience. O, the blessing of having faith in God, and being faithful to God.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that I will have faith to enable me to face the trials of life and have them work for me and not against me. Father, I ask You to increase my faith; grant each of us the grace to trust You with our whole heart. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"I thank God for the mountains,
And I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know God could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do." - - Andrae Crouch

--

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_July 10, 2014

Title: How Persuasive is Your Speech?

Text:

Acts 19:8-10 (HCSB)
⁸ Then he entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, engaging in discussion and trying to persuade them about the things of the kingdom of God.
⁹ But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd, he withdrew from them and met separately with the disciples, conducting discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
¹⁰ And this went on for two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the message about the Lord.

Observation:

The passage is a powerful demonstration of the power of persuasive speech. You don't have to worry about being in control when the Holy Spirit is in control. I think we would like to see happen in our faith community what happened when Paul and his companions went to Ephesus.

Acts 19:20 (NKJV)
So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

How did this happen? It happened when these people received Christ as their Savior; when they received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:9 (NKJV)
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

God's power is available to all of God's children to do His will and to do His work. You can have power in your life when the Holy Spirit lives in you.

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Ephesians 5:18 (HCSB)
And don't get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the power of the Holy Spirit of God who dwells in the hearts of every person who has Christ in them; the hope of glory. Father, I thank You for giving us the power to do Your will and Your work. 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/