Daily Bread_February 27, 2015

Title: Are You Praying God-Size Prayers?

Text:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) 
17 pray without ceasing, 

Observation:

I have this picture in my head when I assume the posture of prayer; I see my needs and God's presence.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

◦ Refrain:

◦ I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;

◦ Every hour I need Thee;

◦ Oh, bless me now, my Savior,

◦ I come to Thee.

What keeps us from bridging the gap between our needs and God's presence? Is it because of our desire to be self-sufficient rather than being God supplied?

Philippians 4:19 (ESV) 
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 

Have we become practical atheists? Are you a serious person of faith? Is your life filled with your problems or with God's presence?

How big is your God? Is He the God and Father of Jesus Christ? If so, He delights to turn your despair into delight. The world will pull you down, but the Lord will lift you up. 

Why not exchange your worries about your problems for the presence, peace and provisions of the Lord? God is waiting to hear from His people; Its time to pray big prayers; God-size prayers.

Prayer:

Father God, help us by thy almighty power to exchange our worries for the presence of God in our lives. Father, help us to wean ourselves of self-help, and rely upon God's help. 

Father God, help us to take one small faith step at a time toward You; taking our hands off our problems, and depending upon Your almighty power. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 18:2 (ESV) 
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

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

-- 

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

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

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

--

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_February 26, 2015

Title: What Does It Take to Go the Distance?

Text:

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

Observation:

The key word for today's meditation is "perseverance". It involves tenacity, which is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with faith.

What is faith? The Bible says this about faith.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) 
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 

This is the faith that believes in the absolute certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen. It is this type of faith that pleases God. This type of faith please God because it comes from a heart that has heard God speak through the Spirit.

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

Everything that you can see with your eyes is perishing; the things that will last forever are invisible.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (ESV) 
9 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"— 
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 

Prayer:

Father God, help us, by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, to walk boldly in the footsteps of Jesus, led by the Spirit of God, and serve faithfully and tirelessly until You call us home.

Father, help us to keep the faith, and finish the race. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV) 
13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 

--

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_February 25, 2015

Title: How Confident Are You in Today's World?

Text:

2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 (ESV)
3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.
5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 

Observation:

A friend shared verse three of the above text with me last week. Today, I want to meditate on that verse, and see what it is speaking into my heart.

The choice word for today is establish. Just before coming to my computer this morning the Lord spoke this into my spirit; it was about the key word for today.

He spoke to me in a scripture and in the lyrics of a song. I share them with you now.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." 

Jesus is my Savior, I shall not be moved;

In His love and favor, I shall not be moved,

Just like a tree that's planted by the waters,

Lord, I shall not be moved.

▪ Chorus

▪ I shall not be, I shall not be moved;

▪ I shall not be, I shall not be moved;

▪ Just like a tree that's planted by the waters,

▪ Lord, I shall not be moved.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear I am so thankful for Your unfailing love and care You have for Your children. O, what confidence we have knowing that there is a God in heaven who cares about us; and who will strengthen us to be able to overcome anything we may face in this world.

Father God, I am standing on the promises of Your Word, and living in the warmth of Your love. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

--

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_February 24, 2015

Title: Let's Have a Big Talk

Text:

Psalm 37:4 (ESV) 
4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Observation:

The one word for today is delight; it is a word I encountered in my daily bible reading last week. I wrote the word in my note pad, and now I get to read and write about it to see how I really think and feel about this word.

Let's start by asking ourselves some questions?

Who do we love?

Who do we listen to?

Who do we desire?

Who do we avoid?

It never ceases to amaze me the ideas and thoughts that come to me when I focus on my one word goal on a daily basis; my one word goal is the word BE.

This verse spoke into my heart last week:

Exodus 20:19 (KJV) 
19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

Now, I find myself applying my questions to this verse from Exodus. It is not a comfortable feeling. Am I avoiding God, and listening to other people? If I am, the cure for this is a large dosage of humility.

Here are two examples of what humility looks like; the first is Jesus, the God man, and the second is David, a man after God's own heart.

Philippians 2:7-8 (HCSB) 
7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, 
8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 

Psalm 51:17 (HCSB) 
17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart. 

O the blessings that are ours for the asking if we would learn to be humble; if we would learn to love and obey God. What is keeping you from delighting in the Lord? Why not look to the example of David for transformation?

Psalm 51:10-12 (HCSB) 
10 God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 
11 Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. 
12 Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. 

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the desire that You have placed in my heart to seek Your face, and to trust in You with my whole heart.

Father God, You know me on the inside where it counts, and I am so grateful that I can trust in You to see me through anything I will face in this world, and the world to come. 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_February 23, 2015

Title: The Peace of Living in Christ

Text:

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 

Observation:

The one word focus for today is the word live or referred to in our text passage as walk.

Living in the world is not easy and it is not for cowards. As I was thinking of this topic this song popped into my head.

"O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There's light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free".

Yes, life is hard, but God is so good to His people; no one ever cared for me like Jesus.

The key to living for Jesus is to live in Him; to walk with Him each day of your life. Here are two words to think about, and to remember to make them a vital part of your life and your daily walk. The words are trust and thankfulness.

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Yes, troubles will come, but you don't have to allow them to dominate your whole life. The Rx for worry is faith in the Lord. Here is the way to rise above your circumstances, trouble and worry.

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

Here is the chorus to the hymn that I am singing in my heart:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,  In the light of His glory and grace".

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that You would stir up in the lives of Your people a burning desire to live in Christ; to daily practice the disciplines of trust and thankfulness, and to constantly look up to Jesus.

Dear God, please give us the grace that we need to trust You more, and above all to be thankful for Your presence and power in our lives. 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_February 20, 2015

Title: Who is in Your Circle of Influence?

Text:

Mark 3:13-19 (NLT)
13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him.
14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach,
15 giving them authority to cast out demons.
16 Here are their names: Simon (whom he named Peter),
17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder"),
18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot),
19 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). 

Observation:

This pursuit of determining who God wants me to be is becoming too easy. I don't know which of my teachers said this but it fits here, "It's just like falling off a log, and not nearly as dangerous". Well, back to the focus of the day; the one word for today is friends.

In our text we see Jesus going about establishing His inner circle. We see He invites a large group to go with Him to a mountain. Then from that group He selected twelve of them, and He appointed them as apostles.

Notice He had two purposes in choosing this smaller group. First, he wanted them for companionship, and to teach them; they were to accompany Him (v.14). If Jesus needed companionship, then what about you and me?

Secondly, He chose them to send them out on mission. The mission was to preach and cast out demons (vv. 15-16).

Finally, we see Jesus selecting an even smaller group that would be His inner circle; this was a group of three. Here they went apart to pray with him.

Luke 9:28 (NLT)
28 About eight days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a mountain to pray.

God does some of His most important work with a few good people. We can learn from how Jesus went about accomplishing His purpose on earth. Don't despise small things; they can yield huge results when God is in it, and with you. 

Here is a question to ponder: Is your circle of influence open or closed?

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for this instructive example of Jesus showing us how much we need others in helping us to accomplish our God ordained purpose, mission, and ministry in this present age. Father, help us to wisely choose our friends. 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_February 19, 2015

Title: The Peace of His Presence

Text:

Psalm 73:23-26 (HCSB)
23 Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me up in glory.
25 Who do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. 

Observation:

Today's word is presence. This word reached into the depths of my soul, and it grips my heart. I want to pray a prayer that this word will find a home in your heart. Will you pray this prayer with the Psalmist and me?

Psalm 119:18 (HCSB)
18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your instruction.

As members of the human race we all face ups and downs in our life. As we say in the financial world of investing, "Trees don't grow to the skies". So in our daily walk, we don't live continually with mountain top experiences. Life is lived in the valley, and in the valley we face trials and temptations.

However, the child of God is not without hope and help; we have a God who loves and cares for His children. The Lord is always present; He is never absent.

These are the five words that leaped off the page, and into my heart. "I am always with you". The one who gives this promise is God, and Jesus is the way to God. We should always remember the words from the lips of Jesus when He said this to His disciples.

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

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the promise that every child of God can claim; the abiding presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in our heart.

Father God, help us to remember that whatever we are going through, that You are always with us. So glad that nothing is too difficult for You.

O, how sweet these five words are to us, the believing children of God, "I am always with you". Father, we are so thankful for all of our blessings. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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

--

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

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

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_February 18, 2015

Title: Do You Know the Rx for the Troubled Heart?

Text:

John 14:1 (ESV)
1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Observation:

Some of the most profound things in life can be described in very simple and understandable words. That is the case for the cure for the troubled heart; it's as simple as ABC.

Always

Believe

Christ

Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled". The Old Testament scriptures taught this.

Deuteronomy 1:21 (ESV)
21 See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.' 

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 

The cure for the troubled heart is belief in God; belief in Jesus. Again this is consistent with the Old Testament scripture.

Isaiah 28:16 (ESV)
16 therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.' 

Here is why you should always believe in Christ.

John 14:6-7 (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.
7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that Jesus is the cure for the troubled heart.

Father God, I believe that You are our creator and provider; and that everything we have come from You. Father, I thank You that faith is a gift, and I pray that we will each use it; that we would always believe in Christ. 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_February 17, 2015

Title: Who Cares About You Most?

Text:

1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)
7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 

Observation:

I woke up this morning with a notification that Facebook friends had posted updates that were on my Facebook wall. One of them led me to pray for a dear friend who recently had major surgery.

While I was praying the hymn by Jessy Dixon was playing in the background. Folks God is so real in my life. The hymn he was singing, "No One Ever Cares for Me Like Jesus".

I always have a Bible nearby so I reached over at the bed stand and opened my iPad to the Bible software program, and the last version I used was the AMP. The verse I read was 1 Peter 5:7.

The word for today is cares; I had another word in mind for today, but God had another plan. It is such a blessing to walk with God one day at a time, and one step at a time. There is not another friend that I would rather follow; He is a friend indeed. Like Jessy is singing, "No one ever cares for me (and you) like Jesus".

So, if you have a pressing need today, why not take a little time to talk to Jesus about what's on your heart.

Psalm 55:22 (AMP)
22 Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so blessed to be able to walk with You, and to talk with You day by day, and moment by moment.

Lord, what a peace and confidence I have deep within my heart that Jesus cares for me, and that He cares for my family and my friends; He cares for my neighbors. Father, I am comforted in knowing that You love and care about the whole world; all of Your created beings.

Father, give Your servants a heart to care about others the way You do, and give us a burden to pray for one another. Father, let the Church pray. In the might name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1 Samuel 12:23 (AMP)
23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. 

--

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_February 16, 2015

Title: How to Begin to Be?

Text:

Genesis 1:1 (HCSB)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Psalm 90:2 (HCSB)
2 Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, You are God.

Isaiah 40:21 (HCSB)
21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not considered the foundations of the earth?

Observation:

The one word for today is beginning. I was reminded in an article I read recently of one of the principles that Stephen Covey wrote about in his leadership book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People". He said, "Begin with the end in mind".

The first verse in the Bible is Genesis 1:1. However, that is not the beginning. For that you have to turn to this passage.

John 1:1-3 (HCSB)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. 

What do I need in my life to become the person God created me to be? That is a great question. The Word gives us a great answer.

John 1:4 (HCSB)
4 Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men.

How can you and I have life and light in our lives? Well, Jesus is the answer.

John 1:12-13 (HCSB)
12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,
13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. 

To begin to be the person God created you to be, you must receive Jesus into your life. As the song writer wrote, "The Savior is waiting to enter your heart, why don't you let Him come in".

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I praise and thank You for doing for me what I could not do for myself.

Father God, I am so thankful for Your gift of faith that enabled me to receive the gift of salvation by receiving Jesus into my life. Father, you are the gracious giver, and I am the grateful receiver.

Father God, I am so thankful to know that what You began in me that You will be faithful to complete. Father, I pray that You will help each of us to be the person You made us to be, and that we will wait on You to do it. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Philippians 1:6 (HCSB)
6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

--

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_February 15, 2015

Title: Where is the Best Place for a Child of God to Be?

Text:

Isaiah 6:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for Us? I said: Here I am. Send me.

Observation:

The best preparation for being a servant of God is to give your life totally to God. When you surrender your all to God, He is able to do all that He wills through you. It's a miracle how God uses ordinary people to do His work.

Here is an example from the Bible:

Acts 3:6 (HCSB)
⁶ But Peter said, "I don't have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!"

Acts 4:8-10 (HCSB)
⁸ Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders: 

⁹ If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed—
¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.

Here is an example from the 19^th century:

Dwight Moody had a conversation with Henry Varley. This is the quote that greatly influenced him, "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him". Moody said, "By God's help, I am to be that man".

The story of Mr. Moody is amazing. His formal education ended in the fifth grade. He went from being a shoe store clerk to planting a church in Chicago. That church today is The Moody Church. This is what God can do when you surrender your life to Him.

The bottom line is this; go where God sends you, bloom where God plants you. The fruitful life is the one where you listen for God's call, and serve with the wisdom and strength that God provides to those He calls.

Are you willing to say, "Here am I, Lord send me?"

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I praise and thank You that You are still in the business of calling and sending Your people into the world on mission to be your hands and feet to build the kingdom of God. In the name that is above every name, Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

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

Lord grow in me! You are the seed,
Of God-man life; You're all I need.
In all my heart, I give You ground.
Lord, may Your life in me abound!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/ns/313#ixzz2kWcikj5P

Note: This devotional was written on November 13, 2013. One of my friends responded to the original email yesterday; February 13, 2015, and I found it to be so amazing. The message was such a blessing in my life, and right on target for my one word goal for 2015; the word BE.

--

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_February 13, 2015

Title: Are You a Lifetime Learner?

Text:

1 Corinthians 4:14-21 (NLT)
14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
15 For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.
16 So I urge you to imitate me.
17 That's why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.
18 Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again.
19 But I will come—and soon—if the Lord lets me, and then I'll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God's power.
20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power.
21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit? 

Observation:

The one word for today is teachable. I discovered early in life that learning did not stop after I completed my formal education; that was just the beginning. I remember one of my teachers telling me something similar to this, "A good education will impart to you an understanding of the things you will never know".

The text for today does not require a lot of commentary for us to get the point that life is a school, and that we never graduate; we must be lifelong learners.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I am so thankful for all of the teachers I have had in my life; people who have loved me, and cared about my growth and development intellectually and spiritually. 

Father, I pray that each of us who are teachable will take what we learn and reteach it to others. Father, I pray that we will be able to say to those we teach what Paul said in the verse below. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1 Corinthians 4:16 (HCSB)
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 

--

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_February 12, 2015

Title: Living on a Battleground

Text:

1 Corinthians 4:9-13 (ESV)
9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.
11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,
12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;
13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 

Observation:

When I read the above passage written by the Apostle Paul it causes me to pause; to realize that life in this world is lived on a battleground and not a playground. I am reminded of the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples then, and to us now.

John 16:33 (ESV)
33 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.

Notice that included in this word of warning there is a word of hope; Jesus has overcome the world. In our Christian life many of the battles are not ours; they are battles that belong to the Lord.

When you think you are having a rough time in this world; that the deck is stacked against you; consider what the Apostles faced.

How then shall we live in this world? Living on a battleground is not for cowards. However, the good news is that Jesus has overcome the world. In this world we never have to walk alone. The Lord is our forever companion. Remember the words of Jesus, "In me you may have peace".

With this knowledge, in faith, I am able to be courageous; that is my one word focus for today. I'm praying that I will live with courage every day; every hour, by the power of the triune God living in me. When I get weary, I sing songs like this one to encourage and give me hope, courage and confidence. 

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses,

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

◦ Refrain:

◦ And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

◦ And He tells me I am His own;

◦ And the joy we share as we tarry there,

◦ None other has ever known.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that whatever I have to face in this world that I never have to face it alone; that in Jesus I can have peace. 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_February 11, 2015

Title: How Do You Handle the Gifts from God?

Text:

1 Corinthians 4:6-8New Living Translation (NLT)

6 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I've been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures,[b] you won't be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another. 7 For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?

8 You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God's kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you.

Observation:

Life is a gift so we have no reason to be prideful and puffed up.

The one word for today is humility. Use the gifts God has given you to serve and bless others.

1 Peter 4:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

10 Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.

Luke 6:38New Living Translation (NLT)

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.[a]"

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that each us would be mindful of the source of what we have, and that we would be humble; serving others in the name of the one who gives us everything. In His name, Jesus, we 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_February 10, 2015

Title: What is Required of Stewards?

Text:

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (HCSB)
1 A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God's mysteries.
2 In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one {of them} be found faithful. 

Observation:

The one word for today is faithful. The Apostle Paul writes to the Church that he and Apollos are their servants. It requires humility to be a servant.

We judge ourselves and others judge us. However, the judgement that I am most concerned about is what the Lord has to say; He gets the last word.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (HCSB)
5 Therefore don't judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God. 

Each of us are stewards of what we have been given by God. What's your calling? What's your gifts? What do you hold in your hands? Life is a gift; we are managers of what we have received from God.

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

What is required of a steward? Be faithful.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that when You look at my life, and stewardship that You will find me to be faithful. 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_February 9, 2015

Title: How Do You Move from My Will to God's Will?

Text:

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Observation:

Today, as I write this, I am compelled by the steps that the Lord has led me since I woke up this morning.

I will spare you the details, but will get right to the outcome. My one word for today's meditation is sanctification. The text I selected for today is what I read on Sunday morning from the devotional, "My Utmost for His Highest", by Oswald Chambers.

Before, reading that devotional, I was greatly influenced by having the numeral 3 stuck in my head. It's been there since last Monday when I returned the rental car in Maui; the attendant told me the car odometer read 33,333. She thought that was very rare.

So, I did a search to see what the meaning of 3 was in the Bible. What I found is that it is a number for completeness similar to the number 7. 

Now we come to our text, and Paul prays to be sanctified completely in 3 areas: spirit, soul and body.

Then I go to Church, and the pastor's sermon topic is, "3 Wills"; God's will, My will, and Satan's will.

The final point of the sermon was "Prayer and the will of God".

Romans 8:26-28 Holman Christian Standard Bible (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[a] 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[b] for the good[c] of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

3 Points:

1. The Spirit helps us pray (v.26).
2. Jesus hears our prayer (v.27).
3. God answers our prayer (v.28).

My one word goal for 2015 is the word BE. If I truly want to be all that God has purposed me to be, I must ask Him to sanctify me completely; and, that is my prayer. 

What an amazing start since I adopted the One Word Goal of the word BE. All I can say is, "Lord, lead me, guide me" because "I can't even walk unless You are holding my hand".

Prayer:

Father God, make me as holy as You can make a sinner saved by grace. Father, I can't pray this prayer for others, but I ask You to stir their hearts like You have stirred my heart to ask You to sanctify me completely; body, soul and spirit. I pray in the Spirit, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and 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_February 7, 2015

Title:  One Essential Characteristic of a Friend

Text:

Proverbs 27:5-6 (ESV)
⁵ Better is open rebuke than hidden love. ⁶ Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Observation:

This Proverb presents a contrast between the actions of an enemy and a friend. The goal of the enemy is to hurt you, and the friend wants to help you.

Proverbs 17:17 (NLT)
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

A friend will tell you the truth, and sometimes the truth will wound you, and wounds may hurt for a while, but they will help you in the long run. The friend will tell you the truth, but they will do it in love.

Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Would you like to have friends who have this quality? Why not take the initiative, and be a friend who has this essential characteristic of friendship.

Proverbs 18:24 (NLT)
There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that You will give each of us the faith to release the love that is within us to love others as You have loved us. Lord, help us to speak truth into their lives gently and lovingly. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

--

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/