Daily Bread_September 30, 2014

Title: Have You Experienced the Power of Fitly Spoken Words?

Text:

Hebrews 3:15 (ESV)
As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

John 9:4 (ESV)
We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

Observation:

There are two acronyms that I am fond of using; they remind me of the truth of today's focal passages. I have known the power of wise words; have you?

Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

"A word fitly spoken is a seed that is sown

It reaches the spirit

Where precious fruit is grown."

The

New

Testament

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.

Today

Not

Tomorrow

The Word of God is powerful; it is TNT – dynamite. The words that we speak matter. Guard you mouth; speak words that add value to the lives of others. However, we need to be intentional; do it TNT; today not tomorrow.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that I will learn the art of listening; to You, and to the wise counsel of wise men and women. Also, help me to guard what I say and how I say it. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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."

--

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_September 29, 2014

Title: What Will It Take to Make Us Free?

Text:

John 8:32 (KJV)
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Observation:

A friend posted on her Facebook wall the following lyrics from a song:

"Don't pretend to be something that you're not

Living life afraid of getting caught

There is freedom found when we lay our secrets down at the cross, at the cross.

It would change our life

It would set us free."

There are some things in life that are settled. What Jesus did on the cross at Calvary settled the matter of what it takes to be free indeed.

John 19:30 (KJV)
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

What did Jesus finish when He died on the cross?

2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Alas, and did my Savior bleed?   And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head   For such a worm as I?
		At the cross, at the cross where   I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight,   And now I am happy all the day!

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/999

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I come to Your throne room of grace today to ask You to have mercy upon us because we need You Lord; we need the wisdom and strength that You alone can provide.

O Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove, in all Your quickening power; I ask You to come kinder a flame of sacred love in these cold hearts of ours. Lord, let it begin in me. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"Free at last, free at last,

Thank God almighty, we are free at last."

Dr. Martin L. King

--

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_September 26, 2014

Title: Do You Know the Good Shepherd?

Text:

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.

Observation:

I am so glad for the promise of this verse.

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

If you can say, "The Lord is my shepherd", then you can rest in the blessed assurance, "There is nothing I lack".

The thing I appreciate about this Psalm is that it is a promise that applies to God's children all of the days of our life.

Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Does the good shepherd know you? Do you know Him? If you do, there is nothing you lack.

John 10:14 (ESV)
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

John 10:27 (ESV)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so grateful that I have the good shepherd who cares for His dear children all the days of our life. O, the blessing of living in His presence and pasture. Lord, I thank You for being forever my shepherd; the giver and caretaker of my life. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

My Soul Sings:

My Shepherd my soul is restoring,
  My will, and emotion, and mind;
And though through the valley I'm walking,
  O what a Companion I find!

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1170

--

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_September 25, 2014

Title: What Is My Greatest Need?

Text:

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV)
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." But you were unwilling,

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
⁹ But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Observation:

Do I need more of me or do I need more of God? Think about what the Lord said to Israel, "In quietness and in trust shall be your strength". Lord, I pray that I will be willing to listen to the wisdom that God gave to Israel. I will place my hope in the God who is the Holy One, and who can do anything but fail.

We need to learn to accept the fact that we are weak, and that the strength lies in the power of God. Think about what Paul says in the letter to the church at Corinth. We don't need a surge to win the spiritual battle, we need to surrender to the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Father if we belong to Him.

O, how I pray that you and I would be able to say like Paul:

2 Corinthians 12:10 (AMP)
So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I thank You for this encouraging word on how to overcome our human weaknesses. Father, open our eyes to see that spiritual power come from surrendering to, and trusting in You. Father God, help us to learn obedience; increase our faith. 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_September 24, 2014

Title: The Blessing of Being a Child of God

Text:

Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV)
¹ O Lord, you have searched me and known me! ² You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. ³ You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. ⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

Observation:

The key word in the above passage is the words know or known; notice verse 1, 2, and verse 4. We can come to God because He alone understands us. The Lord knows everything about us.

The best thing that we can do is to open our hearts and lives to Him; trust in and obey Him. We can rest in God's love because He knows us, and loves us.

1 John 4:18 (NLT)
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

The world may misunderstand you, but you have nothing to fear. Instead of fearing the world, have faith in God. Since the Lord knows everything about you, why not draw near to Him. Do what the Psalmist did; embrace and welcome God into your life. God wants to help you; not hurt you.

Psalm 139:23 (NLT)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so glad that the truth expressed  in this Psalm is an eternal truth; it applied to David, and it applied to Moses and Joshua, and it applies to us today.

Joshua 1:5 (ESV)
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.

Father God, I am so happy to know that the God who knows everything about me, yet, You still love me, and make this promise: "I will not leave you or forsake you". Lord, Your children are so blessed, and we give You the praise and the thanks. 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_September 23, 2014

Title: Why Is There Suffering in the World?

Text:

Genesis 3:16-19 (ESV)
¹⁶ To the woman he said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." ¹⁷ And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; ¹⁸ thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. ¹⁹ By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Observation:

I went to bed last night with this prayer on my lips and from my heart; Lord, what do You want me to write about tomorrow?

When I woke up this morning and before getting out of bed I was reading an article on my phone, and this topic leaped off the page as the topic for today. The word that touched my heart was a person writing about the troubles she was going through.

So, when I came to my desk with this thought on my mind I begin to search the scriptures. My search took me to the book of beginnings; the Book of Genesis.

What I know about troubles is that it is the common lot of all people. That led me to one of the earliest books of the Bible; the Book of Job.

Job 14:1 (ESV)
"Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.

I don't understand everything there is to know about suffering. However, I am acquainted with suffering in my life, in the lives of my loved ones, and in the lives of my friends. Suffering can make you stronger, and it can make you weaker. It can bring you closer to God, and it can drive you away from God.

Job 13:15 (ESV)
Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.

Job 2:9 (ESV)
Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die."

What we have in us matters more than what happens to us. My hope is in Jesus. God's grace is sufficient for anything you will ever face in life and in death.

John 16:33 (ESV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I thank You for loving me supremely, and for caring about me more than anyone in the whole world. Father, I thank You for sending Your Son into the world and for giving me the faith to believe in Him. And because of the divine presence of Christ in me, I can overcome the troubles I face in the world. 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_September 22, 2014

Title: How to Live Worry Free?

Text:

Psalm 20:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ May Yahweh answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob's God protect you.
² May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion.
³ May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt offering. Selah
⁴ May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose.

Observation:

It is a comfort to know that whatever we encounter in our walk through this world that we have a God in heaven who watches over His children. No matter what we have to face or where we may be, there is never a time when we are out of his sight or outside of His tender and compassionate care. Notice His promise in the latter part of this verse. It is a precious promise. The "He" in this verse is Jesus.

Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.

The disciples of the first century who had an opportunity to observe Jesus during his earthly ministry learned something from his life that benefited them greatly. The lesson they learned has been benefiting Christ followers of every age. The lesson they learned was that prayer was Jesus first priority, and they made it their first priority. Notice that the Apostles put prayer ahead of the preaching of the Word.

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

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you would stir up in your people the desire and the devotion to be people who pray. Father, when you look at your people may you see an army of praying people, and I want to be in that number. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Colossians 4:2 (HCSB)
Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

My Soul Sings:

The world's fierce winds are blowing,
  Temptations are sharp and keen;
I feel a peace in knowing
  My Savior stands between;
He stands to shield me from danger,
  When earthly friends are gone,
He promised never to leave me,
  Never to leave me alone.

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/688

--

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_September 19, 2014

Title: How to Live Among Messy People?

Text:

1 Corinthians 1:2-4 (ESV)
² To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,

1 Corinthians 16:23 (ESV)
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

Observation:

I have had this text on my mind and in my heart for several days. I have been praying over them, and internalizing them as choice food for a hungry soul.

These two passages; the beginning of the letter, and the end of the letter provide bookends that give me hope for today, and tomorrow. In between these two passages are lots of problems; people with messy lives. In the midst of the mess; we have this exhortation from the Apostle Peter.

1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

The first century Church had people with messy lives, and the Church of the 21^st century have people who have messy lives. This is the question of the day:  Are you willing to love the beloved?

What does Jesus say about the matter?

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Notice that this is a commandment; not a suggestion. We don't need to study this, we need to obey it. God is looking for a people who will trust and obey.

The Apostle Paul was able to serve and live among messy people because he loved them. He was willing to love "those sanctified in Christ Jesus". Do you love one another?

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I thank You for the love that saves us, the grace that covers us, and the faith that enables us to trust in You, and obey You. Father, help us to be dispensers of the love, grace, and mercy that we have received from You. 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_September 18, 2014

Title: 3 Things You Can Be Sure of In An Uncertain World

Text:

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Observation:

As I read the Bible and history I realize that the world always has and always will be a place of trouble, problems, and struggles.

However, in the midst of all of the difficulties and dangers comes a way of escape; there is a deliverer. The promises in the text for today were for Israel in their time of need. However, it is illustrative of what God does for His redeemed people of every age.

In the times that we live, God's people can be sure of these 3 things:

1.     God's Presence

2 Corinthians 5:5 (ESV)
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Romans 8:16 (ESV)
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

2.     God's Power

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

3.     God's Promises

John 10:28-29 (ESV)
²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

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.

Here is a word from God to His precious children; hear what your Father says, "I will be with you". Don't ever let go of God's unchanging hand. Give your whole heart to God, and He will never let you go.

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that in the midst of this chaotic world that You are a God who provides protection for Your people. Father, I am so grateful for Your presence, power, and promises. Father, I stand on these precious truths. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

My Soul Sings:

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: 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_September 17, 2014

Title: What Are the Sweetest Words Your Critics Could Say About You?

Text:

Daniel 6:3-5 (ESV)
³ Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. ⁴ Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. ⁵ Then these men said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God."

Observation:

 Daniel is one of my heroes in the bible. The sixth chapter of Daniel reinforces why he is one of my role models.

I notice these sterling aspects of his character:

1. Extraordinary spirit (v.3).
2. Trustworthy (v.4).
3. Blameless in God's eyes (v.5).

Another of my heroes is the Apostle Paul. Here is something from his testimony that shows what it is like to be blameless in God's eyes.

Acts 24:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶ I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I am so thankful for the grace and mercy of God that you have poured out into my life so abundantly.

Father God, I pray that you will continue to do in me what only you are capable of doing. Make me a man like Daniel and Paul. Father, make me more and more like Your only begotten Son. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/382

--

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_September 16, 2014

Title: Do You Know the Power of Prayer?

Text:

Psalm 5:1-3 (ESV)
¹ Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. ² Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. ³ O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Observation:

This Psalm is so inspirational and instructive when it comes to understanding the priority and the power of prayer in the lives of God's people.

In prayer our focus should be totally upon God. We see how much David had such a high view of God. This was a man who trusted in God with his whole heart. In prayer our focus should be completely upon God, and not other people or our circumstances.

It is not coincidental that we find that so many of the saints of the ages who start the day with prayer. This verse tells us something about the priority of prayer.

Psalm 5:3 (ESV)
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Are there burdens you are bearing that your shoulders where not made to carry? David had some burdens in his life but he did not have to bear them alone. Do you have a King Saul in your life that is threat to your life, and stealing your peace?

Psalm 5:4-6 (ESV)
⁴ For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. ⁵ The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. ⁶ You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

You may seem to be alone in facing the challenges and the circumstances of your life. However, the child of God is never alone. Do what David did; look to the God of your salvation. If you can say, "My King and my God", why not trust in Him with your whole heart?

Psalm 5:7-8 (ESV)
⁷ But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. ⁸ Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the privilege of prayer, and for the power of God to fix the broken pieces of our lives. Father God, I thank You for being a Father who listens to Your children, and helps them. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

My soul sings:

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/787

--

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_September 15, 2014

Title: Do You Pray About Everything?

Text:

James 5:13-18 (ESV)
¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ¹⁸ Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Observation:

The chorus of this hymn is in my head this morning:

"It's me, it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer;
it's me, it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer."

I had a conversation with a friend yesterday, and we talked about prayer. Although we now live thousands of miles apart, we still get together weekly for fellowship and prayer. There is nothing sweeter this side of heaven than to get together with God's people, and commune and connect with our heavenly Father in prayer.

Our text for today includes all types of prayer; it starts with prayers for the suffering, and it ends with prayer about the weather. Yes, there is nothing beyond the reach of prayer. Remember this, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working". (James 5:16b)

Do you pray about everything?

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the privilege and the power of prayer; for the opportunity it affords to commune and to connect with You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
 I commune as friend with friend!

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/387

--

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_September 12, 2014

Title: The Church – A House of Prayer

Text:

Matthew 21:13 (ESV)
He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers."

Observation:

In this verse, Jesus says that the temple, which is God's house, should be a house of prayer. This is a citation of two Old Testament scriptures.

Isaiah 56:7 (ESV)
these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."

Jeremiah 7:11 (ESV)
Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord.

What Jesus said about the temple is also true of the house of God in the New Testament, which is the church.

Jesus said two things about the house of God. First, it should be a place where all people can worship and commune with God. Secondly, it should not be a place of commercial enterprise. There should be no buying and selling, or lying and cheating in the house of God.

Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 84:10 (ESV)
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Psalm 122:1 (ESV)
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!"

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that Your Church today may truly become a house of prayer; a Church that is pleasing in Your eyes. Father, I thank You that the Church is alive, and that Jesus is Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

My Soul Sings:

The Church Triumphant (Bill & Gloria Gaither):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtCV_ysZC04

--

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_September 11, 2014

Title: Who is Like Yahweh Our God?

Text:

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?

Observation:

The psalmist asks the question, "Who is like the Lord our God?" Every generation has to answer this question. There are eternal consequences to how you answer the question posed by the psalmist.

Many will come claiming to have found new light that is superior to the ancient truths of God's Word. However, none can compare with the God of the bible.

1 Chronicles 17:20 (HCSB)
Lord, there is no one like You, and there is no God besides You, as all we have heard confirms.

Exodus 15:11 (HCSB)
Lord, who is like You among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?

Psalm 103:19 (HCSB)
The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Prayer:

O Lord, my God, I agree with the answer that the bible gives to the question posed by the psalmist. "O Lord, there is none like You". Lord, have mercy on us today, and every day. O Lord, in love, Your ear bow down, O hear Your people pray.  O save, O keep us, O lead us on I pray.  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_September 10, 2014

Title: Prayer and the Spirit

Text:

Ephesians 6:18 (HCSB)
Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Observation:

Andrew Murray, who is a well-known writer and prayer warrior, says this about our topic, "Prayer is not our work, but God's work, which He works within us by His almighty power . . . His Holy Spirit will teach us to pray . . . My desire to pray is a sign that God will hear me."

Our focal passage appears in Paul's letter to  the church at Ephesus after he had written to them about putting on the whole armor of God. The Christian life is lived on a battlefield and not a playground. To be properly equipped for the spiritual warfare we face in this world, we need to put on the whole armor of God for sure. However, we need something more, and that is continuous prayer in the Spirit.

The Christian soldier must pray at all times. We need the covering and the protection that only constant communication with our heavenly Father will provide. When we learn how to stay in the presence of the Father, we will have the confidence and the courage that we need to be able stand firm against the schemes of the Devil.

It takes the whole armor of God, and continuous prayer to be able to stand when those around you are falling. We need to not only talk to God, but we need to connect with Him, and commune with Him. It is in Him that we have our being, and find the strength to walk in the footsteps of our Savior.

Ephesians 6:11 (HCSB)
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.

Colossians 4:2 (HCSB)
Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, I am so grateful for the privilege and the power of prayer. Father, I pray that I will not find peace or rest until I find it in You. Father, I am so glad that You hear and answer the prayers that we pray in the Spirit. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

My Soul Sings:

Nothing between, even many hard trials,
Though the whole world against me convene;
Watching with prayer and much self-denial,
I'll triumph at last, with nothing between.

Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor,
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/372

--

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/