Daily Bread_August 29, 2014

Title: Do You Want to Stay Where You Are?

Text:

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Observation:

Even a casual observer would have to agree that there is a vast gulf that exists between God and the world. This world system is anti-God.

What is truth and what is error? What is from the Father, and what is from the world? Yesterday the topic was: Do You Know the Truth?

John 8:32 (ESV)
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Seeing our condition, and how sin had marred the plan; God provided a way of redemption. This is how much God loves you and me.

John 3:16-18 (ESV)
¹⁶ "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 1:12-13 (ESV)
¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that You have provided a way of escape from the world; that system that is anti-God. Father, I thank You for the gift of eternal life. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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

Lyrics: The Savior is Waiting – Ralph Carmichael

The Savior is waiting to enter your heart
Why don't you let Him come in?
There's nothing in this world to keep you apart
What is your answer to Him?
Chorus:
Time after time
He has waited before
And now He is waiting again
To see if you are willing
To open the door
Oh, how He wants to come in.

--

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_August 28, 2014

Title: Do You Know the Truth?

Text:

John 8:32 (ESV)
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Observation:

This is the verse that came to mind that captures the thought that is in my heart and on my mind this morning.

One of the lessons I learned from playing sports is that you have to let the game come to you. I find that this also works in living my life and fulfilling my God tailored purpose for being alive. When I don't know what to do next I go to the Lord in prayer; I listen to Him, I talk to Him, and I do what He tells me to do.

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

How do you know the truth? The Bible says:

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.

Knowing Jesus is the way to make your dream for truth and freedom come true. Coincidentally, it was 51 years ago today that Martin L. King spoke these words in Washington, D.C. He had a dream.

"Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty we are free at last".

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the privilege of knowing You, and knowing Your power in my life. Father God, the burden of my heart is to know You, and to make You known.

Father, I'm praying that many will be able to say free at last, and give You the praise and the thanks. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV)
¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

--

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

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

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_August 27, 2014

Title: How Much Joy Do You Have in Your Life?

Text:

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

Observation:

I woke up this morning with joy on my mind. Then this scripture came to mind; the source of joy. I met a person recently, and the thing that I notice about her was that she seemed to always be so joyful. Then, I got to know a few things about her, and I discovered the secret of her joy. It was not her circumstances that produced the joy, but it was her Lord; she confirmed that the joy of the Lord was her strength.

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV)
Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

It is possible to have joy in your life; a joy that will last.  I'm talking about a joy that cannot be taken away by circumstances or people; a joy that is not dependent upon having things or right things happening. Think about what David wrote in this Psalm.

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

If you want the joy that will last forever then you need to go to the source; make Him the center of your joy, and the joy that He gives no person or circumstance can steal. Joy is the gift of God to His people. What God gives you no one can take away.

Philippians 4:4 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for Your presence and power in the lives of Your believing children.

Father God, I am so thankful to be able to sing with joy in my heart that I am satisfied with my Savior, and the salvation that He supplied so rich and free. O how I rejoice in my Lord. Praise the Lord! In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"Well of water, ever springing,
  Bread of life, so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
  My Redeemer is to me."

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/325

--

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_August 26, 2014

Title: Why I Pray

Text:

Luke 11:1-4 (ESV)
¹ Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." ² And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. ³ Give us each day our daily bread, ⁴ and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."

Observation:

This passage tells me all I need to know about the importance and the necessity of prayer. Notice those who Luke pointed out felt the need to pray; Jesus, John the Baptist, and the twelve disciples. If they needed to pray, then surely you and I need to pray.

The twelve disciples were aware through the example of John the Baptist and Jesus of the importance of prayer. So one of them spoke up on behalf of the other eleven, and asked Jesus to teach them to pray.

Notice how Jesus answered their question.

Luke 11:2 (ESV)
And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

The object of our prayers should be God the Father; we come to God as His sons and daughters. We are God's children, and children need to communicate with their Father. We pray on the basis of sonship; we don't come to God as customers, we come to Him as children.

Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV)
⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

God is not a grouchy judge like Luke described in this passage:

Luke 18:2-5 (ESV)
² He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. ³ And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' ⁴ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'"

Unlike the grouchy judge, God is a generous Father. You can come to Him and get justice, grace, and mercy.

Luke 18:7 (ESV)
And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I am so grateful the door to Your throne room is always open for every child of God.

Father, give each of Your children a burning desire to pray using the pattern that Jesus taught His disciples to pray. 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_August 25, 2014

Title: Are You Running to Win?

Text:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Observation:

What makes the difference between people who are winners and those that are losers? I believe the main thing is endurance. If you are properly prepared, you can go further with purpose and passion than you can with talent without purpose and passion.

In order to win the race, you have to finish the course. Quitters don't win, and winners don't give up. Winners have these three attributes:

1.       They stay calm.

2.       They stay confident.

3.       They stay committed.

In the race of life you will encounter obstacles along the way; you never know when trouble will knock at your door. The key is to look to Jesus; don't go around with your head bowed down, and discouraged because the way is hard.

Remember that our problems and our troubles are God's raw material for a miracle in your life. You are not the first, and won't be the last to face obstacles in this earthly journey from earth to glory. Consider what Jesus had to endure:

1.       Jesus endured the cross.

2.       Jesus despised the shame.

Now, look at His reward for enduring: He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Here is what Paul wrote from his prison cell.

Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)
¹² Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that I don't have to run the race of life alone; that I have a Savior who saves and sustains me all the way. Father, I thank you for being my redeemer, my rock, and my refuge. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/701

--

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_August 22, 2014

Title: What Does It Require to Know the Lord?

Text:

Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV)
⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Observation:

Today's topic grips my heart; it penetrates the depths of my soul. Notice what the Apostle Paul was willing to surrender in order to know Christ.

What does surrender look like?

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 6:13 (ESV)
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Prayer:

Father God, for the sake of knowing Christ, I am willing to surrender my all to Jesus. Father, nothing I have is worth having without the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Father, I want to know you more intimately, and serve you more faithfully. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me."

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/441

--

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_August 21, 2014

Title: Who Do You Listen To?

Text:

Psalm 32:8 (ESV)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Observation:

It's amazing the huge amount of data that has become available in the last 10 to 15 years. I saw some statistics on this recently, and they were mind boggling. I had a high school teacher that told us over 50 years ago, "A good education will result in you knowing how much you will never know".

So, how do we sift through all of this data, and find the information that we need to live our lives, and to fulfill our purpose for being alive? I believe the key is who you listen to.

Luke 10:41-42 (ESV)
⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

The thing that informs me on today's topic is these words of Jesus, "Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her". You can never go wrong when you get God's perspective, and you get that by spending time with Him in prayer and the Word of God.

This is what Jesus will do for you if you take the time to sit daily at His feet. He will be your personal tutor and mentor.

Psalm 32:8 (AMP)
I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so thankful for the privilege of being able to sit at Your feet, and to know that You are always available; with You there is never a backlog, and You are an on time God. Father, teach me, and I will teach others. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"I love to tell the story,
  Because I know 'tis true;
It satisfies my longings
  As nothing else can do."

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1064

--

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_August 20, 2014

Title: The Joy of Knowing That You Are Never Alone

Text:

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Observation:

The answer to loneliness for the believer is the presence of the Lord in our life. Notice His promise in the latter part of the above verse, "I will never leave you nor forsake you".

There is never a time that the child of God is alone. The triune God is always present in the lives of God's children. Notice that the Bible says:

John 14:21 (ESV)
²¹ Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

John 14:23 (ESV)
Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

John 14:16 (ESV)
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

If you are lonely today, go back to Calvary where you first saw the light. The Christ you met at the cross of Calvary is as real today as He was the day you invited Him to come into your heart. Draw near to Him; you will find that He has been there all the time. When Jesus comes into our heart He comes to stay. He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you".

I have been down, I have been low; almost under the ground, but I have never been without hope or without help. There are some things I do not understand. However, I don't live on answers; I live on the promises of God.

The promise of His abiding presence is all I need in life and in death. Think about it; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit of God living in you. O my, heaven came down and filled my soul.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that since Jesus came into my heart that I have had the blessed assurance of my Savior that I will never be alone. Yes, I thank the Lord every day for His abiding presence in my life. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
    Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
    Since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart!
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,
  Since Jesus came into my heart!

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/309

--

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_August 19, 2014

Title: Why Pray?

Text:

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.

Observation:

Prayer is the means that God has provided for His people to communicate with Him. It is through prayer and the Word of God that God's people are able to align our will with God's will. It is the means by which we get the power to fulfill our purpose, and reach our potential.

Who wouldn't want to exchange worry for the peace of God? You can have it when you pray; Prayer is the key to God's storehouse. There is no scarcity in God's storehouse; nothing you need is ever out of stock.

"O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!"

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/789#ixzz2bByM6HRr

When fears knock on my door, I choose to reject it; I choose faith instead. The exercise of faith in God results in the favor of God. Can I get a witness that God hears and answers prayer? Don't respond to me; say Yes to our Father in heaven; give Him a hand clap of praise. When the praises of God's people go up, the power of God comes down.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, if there was ever a time to pray, we sure do need to pray during these trying times. Father God, I am so glad that this world is not my home; that I'm just traveling through this world to my home in heaven.

Father, pour out Your Spirit in Holy Ghost power across the length and breathe of this world; everywhere Your people are praying and praising You, show off Your mighty power. Father, reign over us, and rain on us with favor.  Father, shine on us, in us, and through us. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

--

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_August 18, 2014

Title: 3 Blessings That Are Available to You Today

Text:

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

Observation:

No matter what your present circumstance or condition may be there are three things that are available to you today. Consider the circumstance and condition of the Psalmist.

Psalm 118:10-12 (ESV)
¹⁰ All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! ¹¹ They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! ¹² They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

Here is where the Psalmist found hope and help.

Psalm 118:13 (ESV)
I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.

You may be facing terrible conditions and circumstances, but there is a way out. The key is to how you react; what you do next. This is what the Psalmist did.

Psalm 118:8-9 (ESV)
⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. ⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

The Psalmist song can be your song. You can have these 3 blessings today, and every day; look to the Lord, and trust in Him.

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

The God I serve can do anything but fail.

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

Prayer:

Father God, I praise and thank You for the privilege I have of being able to say, the Lord is my strength, song, and salvation. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior Divine;"

Source of hymn: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/429

--

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_August 15, 2014

Title: Key Ingredients in Getting Along with One Another

Text:

Romans 15:1 (HCSB)
¹ Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.

Observation:

In every church there are members who fit the description in our focal verse for today. There are those who are weak in faith, and there are those who are strong in faith.

There are different levels of maturity. Those who are strong in faith; the mature, must be the adults. They should be helpers, encouragers, and teachers of sound doctrine.

The immature Christian does not need criticism; they need your patience and compassionate love and care to help them grow in their faith.

Proverbs 10:12 (HCSB)
¹² Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.

1 Peter 4:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Every person you meet is dealing with something in there life that you know nothing about; and, it has nothing to do with you. You can't fix it, but you can be a light and a model; you can love them. Love is a verb; it is something that you do. You say you can't, but the Word says the Christ in you can.

Ephesians 4:32 (HCSB)
And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that you are a loving and caring father. Lord, I am so grateful that you have provided the ultimate covering of my sins through Jesus Christ, my Savior.

Father God, I pray that you will infuse in me a compassionate heart for those who are new in the faith, and those who are weak in the faith. Lord, it was love that lifted me; stir within me that love so that You can lift others through me.  In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB)
²¹ He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

"Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me."

Source of hymn: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1070

--

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_August 14, 2014

Title: How to Have Abundance and Joy At Harvest Time?

Text:

Hosea 10:12 (HCSB)
¹² Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love; break up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Observation:

This is the classic case that you should begin with the end in mind; what you sow you will reap; it is the law of the harvest.

Galatians 6:7 (HCSB)
⁷ Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap,

Instead of planting seeds of righteousness, and seeking the Lord; Israel was unfaithful and seeking things that were unrighteous.

Hosea 4:1 (HCSB)
¹ Hear the word of the LORD, people of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth, no faithful love, and no knowledge of God in the land!

Notice the result; the people of God reaped what they sowed.

Hosea 4:6 (HCSB)
⁶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from serving as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your sons.

Think about it; what do you want at harvest time? Are you sowing the seeds for the harvest you desire? O the blessing of sowing seeds of kindness, and the joy of reaping at harvest time.

Psalm 126:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. ⁶ Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I lift my eyes up to You; and I ask for sufficient grace to be able to sow seeds of righteousness so that I might reap a harvest of righteousness and faithful love.

Father, I pray that anyone who is on the wrong track will repent, and get on the right track. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter's chilling breeze;
By and by, the harvest and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves."

Source of hymn: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1349

--

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_August 13, 2014

Title: Have You Received the Gift of Life?

Text:

2 Peter 1:3-4 (HCSB)
³ His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
⁴ By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.

Observation:

The enormity of this passage leaves me speechless. What can I say about the hugeness of what the Sovereign God gives to His people?

Notice what the Lord gives to His children: "Everything required for life and godliness". But, there is more: "You may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires".

I thank the Lord for His Word and for His precious promises: the power to live in the present; for covering our past, and giving us hope for a bright future.

2 Peter 1:4 (HCSB)
⁴ By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.

2 Peter 1:19-21 (HCSB)
¹⁹ So we have the prophetic word strongly confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰ First of all, you should know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation, ²¹ because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:

Father God, I praise You and thank You for giving Your people everything we need for life and godliness. Father, help us by, by faith in You, to appropriate the grace that You have provided us. Father God, when I am tired and weak, may I remember to lean hard on Thee; to not forget Your promises.

Father, I thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp for our feet, and a light for our pathway.  In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God."

Source of hymn: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/340

--

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_August 12, 2014

Title: What It Takes to Be a Leader?

Text:

Deuteronomy 31:6-7 (ESV)
⁶ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." ⁷ Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.

Observation:

This truth  leaped off the page, and into my heart when I read this phase from today's text: "for it is the Lord your God who goes with you".

Everyone needs a leader. We also need to be a good follower. Moses was a good leader, and one of his faithful followers was Joshua. Moses had the privilege of passing the leadership role to Joshua. God requires obedience in those who lead His people.

Joshua 24:15 (ESV)
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

This is the prayer that Joshua prayed:

Deuteronomy 3:23-24 (ESV)
²³ "And I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, ²⁴ 'O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that You would enable me by Your divine and almighty power to be the person that You purposed me to be; that I would be strong and very courageous. Father, I agree and declare that there is no god like You.

Father God, lead me, and all of Your people by Your powerful right hand. O, Father, how we need in our time  leaders who love, trust, and obey You; give us such leaders. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

 "When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey."

Source of hymn: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/582

--

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_August 11, 2014

Title: How to Cope with the Enemies of Your Peace?

Text:

Psalm 42:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Observation:

The pain of the Psalmist is common to God's people of every generation. Who among us have not cried out with words that were similar to his? When we face difficult times we are prone to ask these three questions: why me, why this, and why now?

It is not possible for any of us to escape the presence of the world, the flesh, and the devil. It is a universal problem that only the blood of Jesus can atone for. We are all in the same boat.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ And you were dead in your trespasses and sins
² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient.
³ We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.

We may all be in the same boat, but we are not without help. There is hope for you and me if we are able to say like the Psalmist, "My Savior and my God".

Ephesians 2:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us,
⁵ made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

The cure for the presence of sin is the presence of God. Have you received the grace gift of salvation? It's only a step to salvation; if you have not taken it, why not take it now?

His promise is that He is coming soon. Are you ready?

Revelation 22:20 (HCSB)
He who testifies about these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I am so grateful for the blessed hope we have, when we are in Christ, that we can say like the Psalmist, "My Savior and my God".

Father God, in these trying and difficult days it is comforting to know that there is a God in heaven who loves us supremely, and who knows what we are going through.

Father, when we look around us we get discouraged by all the evil and turmoil in the world. However, when we look up our hearts rejoice because of Your promises. Lord, I'm looking up; watching and praying. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Come into my heart, O Lord Jesus,
Come into my heart, I pray;
My soul is so troubled and weary,
Come into my heart, today.

Source of Hymn: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1061

--

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/