Daily Word of God & Prayer_December 11, 2015

Title: Have You Been Searching for Meaning in Life?

Text:

Psalm 23:1-6 (HCSB) 

1 The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 

2  He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 

3  He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake. 

4  Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. 

5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

6  Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live. 

Observation:

This will be my final daily post in this format for 2015. Each year I take time off from writing for a few weeks in December. I will be returning in January. Have a joyous Christmas, and a blessed New Year.

As I read this familiar Psalm, this verse leaped off the page, and into my heart.

Psalm 23:3 (HCSB) 

3  He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake. 

This is the goal of my life; to have the Lord renew my life. The following passage from the Psalmist encourages me in my walk, and I pray that it will do the same for the readers, hearers, and doers of God's Word.

Psalm 19:7-9 (HCSB) 

7  The instruction of the LORD is perfect, renewing one's life; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. 

8  The precepts of the LORD are right, making the heart glad; the command of the LORD is radiant, making the eyes light up. 

9  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are reliable and altogether righteous. 

Prayer:

Father God, I thank you that You are the shepherd of your people. Father, I would rather have Jesus in my life, and the Lord guiding my life than anyone else.

Father, my faith is firmly fixed on You. Lord, I need You to lead and guide me on all of life's journey.

Father, order my steps to walk daily in the footsteps of Jesus, and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_December 10, 2015

Title: Do We Believe the Songs We Sing?

Text:

Psalm 85:8 (AMP) 

8  I will listen [with expectancy] to what God the Lord will say, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints (those who are in right standing with Him)—but let them not turn again to [self-confident] folly. 

Observation:

One of the things I love to do is sing. However, most of my singing is in the shower, and other places when I am alone. However, I am mindful of the words of the songs I sing because of a message I heard many years ago.

I remember back in 1984 attending a Pastor's Conference held in conjunction with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade in Alaska. One of the breakout conference speakers was Pastor Charles Allen of Houston, TX. He mentioned some of the lies we sing in church; one of them was this song.

"Take my silver and my gold,

Not a mite would I withhold."

Two more old songs that fit this category are these old favorites. 

"Oh, 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!"

"Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,

nor ever murmur nor repine;

content, whatever lot I see,

Since 'tis my God that leadeth me."

As I start my morning with prayer in my heart, and praise on my lips, I am thankful for the reminder to ask the Lord to help me in being able to talk the talk, and walk the walk.  We need a true dosage of faith and willingness to submit to Jesus as Savior, and the Lord of our life. I so desire that the words of this hymn will be a reality in my life today, and every day.

" O for a closer walk with God,

a calm and heavenly frame,

a light to shine upon the road

that leads me to the Lamb!"

Prayer:

Father, hallowed by Thy name. Lord, we need the help, and the strength that You provide to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and to walk in His footsteps day by day, and one step at a time.

Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, please bend our will, and break our hearts, until we are willing to listen, and obey Your tender words, and perfect will. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_December 9, 2015

Title: Do You Know How to Overcome Fear?

Text:

Romans 8:26-30 (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. 28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

Observation:

How hungry and thirsty are you for God? How much value do you place on prayer? Is prayer your first option, or is it your last option? Do you view prayer as the least you can do, or do you view it as the most you can do? How big is Your God?

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

Do you have a God size need in your life today? Why not do what the Psalmist did?

Psalm 77:1-3 (HCSB)
1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and He will hear me. 2 I sought the Lord in my day of trouble. My hands were continually lifted up all night long; I refused to be comforted. 3 I think of God; I groan; I meditate; my spirit becomes weak. Selah

Asaph was in a hard place; however, he served a great God, and Asaph cried out to God as his first option, and not his last. Asaph's faith was not in vain; God hears and answers the prayers of His people. David said this about his prayer. God will do it for you, if you ask Him.

Psalm 6:9 (HCSB)
The Lord has heard my plea for help; the Lord accepts my prayer.

We are not alone when we call out to God in prayer. There are times when we don't know how to pray, but God has that covered; He provides us with the Holy Spirit to be our helper in prayer. Not only that but God works in the circumstances of our life, no matter how painful they may be, God works in them and through them for our good, and for His glory.

Don't ever forget that God is for you; He will succeed in making you like Jesus; a promise He makes, and one He will surely keep.

Romans 8:31 (HCSB)
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

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

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for your love, guidance and support that you give to your people. Father, forgive me for the peace I forfeit when I fail to bring everything to you in prayer.

Father, with the aid and assistance of the Holy Spirit, I will learn to carry everything to You in prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_December 8, 2015

Title: How Christians Should Behave in the Church of the Living God

Text:

1 Timothy 3:14-15 (ESV) 

14  I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 

15  if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 

Observation:

This passage was one that captured my attention while I was seeking for an answer to another question I had on my heart. So, I paused to focused on this important and timely topic; how Christians ought to conduct ourselves; not just in the church house, but everywhere we go. The church is not the building we worship in, but the church is God's people. It is God's family.

I notice in verse fifteen of our text three important truths.

1. The church is God's family (the household of God),
2. The gathering where God is present (the church of the living God).
3. The pillar and buttress of the truth.

The inspiring thing about the church is how wonderful, and pleasant it is when the family of God gather in one accord. God is pleased when His people gather to worship Him.

Matthew 18:20 (ESV) 

20  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." 

We are living in a time when many are forfeiting this privilege, and for various reasons. There are some people who have been so deeply wounded by past experiences in a particular local church. However, I commend this encouragement to you from the Word of God.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) 

24  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 

25  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Prayer:

Father, I pray that your children, will never give up on the church of the living God.

Father, I pray that you will heal the broken hearted; that they will return to the place where you delight to meet with your gathered household of faith; that You have a purpose and a great plan for the church; a plan that each of God's children have a role to carry out.

Father, we need an outpouring of love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy to return us to the place we need to be. Father, the Psalmist expresses the need, and desire of our hungry hearts.

Psalm 80:3 (AMP) 

3  Restore us again, O God; and cause Your face to shine [in pleasure and approval on us], and we shall be saved! 

In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_December 7, 2015

Title: The Prescription for Victory

Text:

Ephesians 6:10-15 (ESV) 

10  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 

11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 

12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

13  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 

14  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

15  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 

Observation:

What will it take to defeat the enemy of our soul? First, we have to recognize the enemy. Our focal passage for today identifies the enemy of our soul.

Ephesians 6:11 (ESV) 

11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 

In this world we live on a battleground, and our enemy is the devil. There is nothing that we can do in our flesh to contain this enemy. He is too fierce for us, but he is no match for the Lord.

Therefore, the solution for God's people is to put their trust in the one who has delivered them from the penalty of sin.

Romans 3:23-24 (HCSB) 

23  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 

24  They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 

The resources we need to overcome the enemy of our soul is to rely upon the Lord who has already delivered us from the wages of sin, which is death; the eternal separation from God. This God will also keep us safe in this present world until He delivers us from the presence of sin. Until the Lord takes us home, He will deliver us from the power of sin.

Ephesians 6:10-11 (HCSB) 

10  Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 

11  Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. 

Prayer:

Father, I stretch my hand to Thee. There is no one who can deliver us and save us from the enemy of our soul except You.

Father, help us to never forget that the door to your throne room is always open for Your children to seek your face, and the strength that You provide to your beloved.

Ephesians 6:18 (HCSB) 

18  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. 

Father, help us to remember that help is just a prayer away. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_December 4, 2015

Title: Who Do You Believe?

Text:

2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV) 

3  But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 

Genesis 3:4 (ESV) 

4  But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 

Observation:

Eve trusted Satan when he said, "You will not surely die". Do you believe your Maker or the one who is your hater?

Do you believe what Satan says? Think about this. This is what Jesus said about him.

John 8:44-47 (ESV) 

44  You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

45  But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 

46  Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 

47  Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." 

Who is Jesus?

Hebrews 1:1-4 (ESV) 

1  Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 

2  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 

3  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 

4  having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 

This is what Jesus will do for you.

John 8:31-32 (ESV) 

31  So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 

32  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 

What say you about Jesus?

John 14:6 (ESV) 

6  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, Abba Father, my dear Father, I bow low at your feet, and give you the honor and the glory that you alone deserve.

Father, I believe in Jesus; Father, give me the grace, and the faith to trust in Him more. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_December 3, 2015

Title: How to Keep Hope Alive in Your Life

Text:

Psalm 71:5-6 (ESV) 

5  For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. 

6  Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you. 

Observation:

I came across a letter that my late wife wrote to her father on his birthday in 1984. In that letter she told him that she had highlighted Psalm 71:5 in her bible; it was the text of a sermon he had preached.

If there is anything that we need in the current condition of our world; it is hope.

I also found this quote written in one of my wife's many notebooks. It said, "Write your pain in the sand, and write your blessings in stone".

Psalm 71:8 (HCSB) 

8  My mouth is full of praise and honor to You all day long. 

Psalm 71:14 (HCSB) 

14  But I will hope continually and will praise You more and more. 

If you know the Lord; if He is your hope, and the one that you trust with your whole heart; then write that blessing in stone. For it is upon this foundation that you can live your whole life in security and safety of being kept by the Lord.

Prayer:

Jude 1:24-25 (ESV) 

24  Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 

25  to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. 

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_December 2, 2015

Title: We were Born Again to Be Love to Others

Text:

1 John 4:7-11 (ESV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 

8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Observation:

How can you tell a genuine believer? Our text tells us that God is love, and whoever has been born of God and knows God demonstrates it by loving one another.

The Apostle Peter says it like this; every believer has the divine nature of God; it is His gift to His people.

2 Peter 1:4 (NLT)
4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.

God's nature is love. The bible says God's gives this gift to His children. Only God in us enables us to love others in the manner that God has loved us.

Romans 5:5 (ESV)
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Can others tell that you are a child of God by the way you love one another? We are not to be a reservoir for that love; rather, we are to be a river where that love flows out of us into the lives of others.

John 13:35 (ESV)
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the gift of love that you have given your people. Father, help us to love one another in the same manner that we have been loved by You.

Father, make your people channels of blessings in the live of others. Father, we need an outpouring of the love of God in these trying times. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen. 

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_December 1, 2015

Title: 4 Traits of Christ Followers

Text:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV)
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Observation:

What do you need to do more of to be pleasing to God? 

"At the end of the day, the questions we ask of ourselves determine the type of people that we will become." {Leo Babauta}

Think about what Paul said in this verse.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV)
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

A good question to ask ourselves is this, What do I need to do more of in my daily walk with God?

Paul admonished and encouraged the recipients of his letter to continue to do what they were already doing, but to do it more and more. He urged them to walk, and to please God more and more in the areas of holiness, love, quietness, and hope.

Paul commended them earlier in his letter because  they were already walking in a manner pleasing to the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (ESV)
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

Father God, Our dear Father, I am so glad for the enduring truth of the Word of God. Father, I am so thankful that what was true and possible then is still true and possible today. Father, I pray that You will find us faithful in walking in holiness, love, quietness, and hope. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_November 30, 2015

Title: Every Gift from God is Good

Text:

Romans 11:33-36 (ESV) 

33  Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 

34  "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" 

35  "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" 

36  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. 

Observation:

It is impossible with my limited vocabulary to describe the depths of the generosity, wisdom, and power of God.

Psalm 139:6 (HCSB) 

6  [This] extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to [reach] it. 

 However, I am a recipient of His love, grace, and mercy; so, I rejoice and I am so grateful to God, and for God in my life.

James 1:17 (ESV) 

17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 

I will gladly bend my will to God, and give Him the glory that is due to Him alone.

Colossians 2:3 (HCSB) 

3  All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your most holy and righteous name. Father, I delight to lift up and exalt Your name above every name on earth, and in heaven.

Father, I thank You for being a good God, and for being a generous God. Father, there is none like You, no not one.

Psalm 145:3 (KJV) 

3  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. 

Psalm 145:21 (HCSB) 

21  My mouth will declare Yahweh's praise; let every living thing praise His holy name forever and ever. 

Let the people of God who agree join together in one voice, and say, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_November 27, 2015

Title: What to Do When You Face Troubles?

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 have 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 God's word.

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 for the opportunity to participate in the sharing of the gospel of Christ. Father, most of all, I am grateful that the door of opportunity is open for the lost to come to Christ, and receive the gift of salvation.

Father, I thank you for loving and caring about those who are outside of your sheepfold. Father, I'm praying that you would speak into the life of someone today, and that they would yield to the patience of the Lord, and accept the gift of salvation. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) 

9  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_November 26, 2015

Title: How to Have Gratitude That is Independent of Circumstances

Text:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (HCSB) 

18  Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

Observation:

On this Thanksgiving Day I am so thankful that I have a gratitude that abides in my life regardless of the changing circumstances that I have encountered in my journey.

In this life there are seasons when pleasant things happen, and for these I am grateful. However, there are seasons in my life when unpleasant and painful things happen, and in these circumstances I have found the ability to also be grateful.

I have found that the latter kind of gratefulness does not depend upon right things happening because there is a source that resides inside of me that provides a stability. In the inner man there is an inexhaustible source of light, life, and love; it is the divine presence of Christ in me; the hope of glory.

I can be grateful and give thanks in everything because within me is a place where the Son is always present, and He is providing, in addition to the things mentioned above, He is also providing me with provisions, power, and peace.

Psalm 23:6 (ESV) 

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

Prayer:

Father God, I am so thankful that my gratitude does not depend upon just the things that are pleasant because these things don't last forever; they are transient, and can be lost in a moment.

However, I am grateful every day for the blessings that reside in my inner life that are not shaken by the storms of living in a fallen world.

Father, on this Thanksgiving Day, I am so thankful for my family and my friends. I'm grateful for the presence, power, and provisions I receive daily; the power that provides the stability, serenity, and the security in my life now, and forever. 

Father, I pray that Your divine favor will be enjoyed by all, who by faith, will look to You, and with grateful hearts will receive all that You desire to give them. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_November 25, 2015

Title: How Can I Fulfill the Priority of Glorifying God Today?

Text:

John 17:1-5 (HCSB)
1 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You, 

2 for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him. 

3 This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ. 

4 I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.
5 Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

Observation:

I'm at a season in my life where I can really appreciate, and I'm learning to apply the following Proverb to my everyday life.

Proverbs 27:1 (HCSB)
1 Don't boast about tomorrow, for you don't know what a day might bring.

I have had a few recent life events happen in the life of loved ones, and in my own life which are a reminder to me that today matters. The words of this passage come to mind to remind me of this truth.

James 4:13-14 (HCSB)  
13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit."
14 You don't even know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are [like] smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

Today I will focus on the priority that Jesus focused on, "Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You". I will make the prayer of Jesus my prayer today; not tomorrow because today matters.

Psalm 95:7-8 (HCSB)
7 For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice:
8 Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on that day at Massah in the wilderness .

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that I can pray to the same Father, and to the same God that my Savior Jesus prayed to.

Father God, I am so thankful that I can pray the prayer that Jesus prayed, and know that You will answer my prayer just like You answered the prayer of Jesus.

Father God, I pray that Your adopted sons and daughters will bring glory to You today, and every day that You give us life and breathe in this world. In the name that is above every name, Jesus the Christ, I offer this prayer, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_November 24, 2015

Title: Where Do You Turn When Money Fails?

Text:

Genesis 47:15 (HCSB)
When the money from the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, "Give us food. Why should we die here in front of you? The money is gone!"

Observation:

This verse from the Book of Genesis tells us what happened when money first failed; it gives two places where money failed, Egypt and Canaan. The thing that is noteworthy is that Egypt was the greatest nation on earth at the time of this first failure of money. So, you may be living in the most prosperous nation in the world, but that does not ensure that money will not fail in your nation. Who will you turn to when money fails?

In addition to telling us where money failed, the focal verse tells us when money failed. It was during a time when there was a crisis in the land because of a famine.

In times of trouble you need a source you can count on; a source that will not fail. It is better to put your trust in God than to put your trust in money. God never fails.

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

Finally, this text teaches us why money failed.  Money is material. Everything that is material is perishing. You need something that money can't buy to meet your spiritual needs. Life is about more than the material, it is also about the spiritual.

On our money in the USA we have, "In God We Trust". I pray that we have that written on the tablet of our heart. The wise person will choose God over gold.

Psalm 49:6-7 (HCSB)
6 they trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches. 7 Yet these cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God—

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I praise and thank You for being a faithful God in whom we can trust with our whole heart. Father, hallowed be your most holy and righteous name. Father, give us a hunger and thirst for the things of heaven, and not of this world. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry