Daily Word of God & Prayer_July 31, 2015

Title: The Value of Being Trustworthy

Text:

Proverbs 20:6 (NLT) 

6  Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? 

Observation:

I'm at the season in my life where I have come to realize the exceeding  value of having friends who are truly reliable. If there is anything that I desire to be exceptional at, it is being a trustworthy person.

Matthew 25:21 (AMP) 

21  His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys. 

The best way to attract truly reliable friends is to be trustworthy. The way to develop trust is to make a promise and keep it. It is impossible to have intimacy without trust.

Proverbs 19:22 (ESV) 

22  What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. 

Don't forfeit having reliable friends by being an unreliable person. It requires love and forgiveness to have intimacy and reliable friends.

Proverbs 13:17 (NLT) 

17  An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing. 

"What a Friend we have in Jesus,

  All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

  Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

  O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

  Everything to God in prayer!" {Joseph Scriven}

O, I'm so glad that Jesus is my best friend, and I would like to introduce Him to you; He wants to be your friend also.

Prayer:

Father, I praise and thank You for the love that you have for the whole world; the world that you so love.

Father, I pray that all who hear my voice knows Jesus as a friend; if they don't I pray that will come to know Him.

Father, help each of us to become trustworthy; to be a reliable friend to a small group of people that we can count on in fair weather, and in foul weather. 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_July 30, 2015

Title: The Impact of Your Beliefs On Your Behavior

Text:

Psalm 119:97-104 (ESV) 

97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 

98  Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 

99  I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 

100  I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 

101  I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 

102  I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. 

103  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 

104  Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. 

Observation:

The thing that leaped off the page and into my heart when I read the focal passage for today was the impact that right beliefs have on our behavior.

The Psalmist said in verse ninety-eight, "Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies".

In verse ninety-nine he says, "I have more understanding than all my teachers".

In verse one hundred he says, "I understand more than the aged". Do you get the picture of how right beliefs affect right behavior. If you want to change your behavior, you should consider changing your beliefs.

Now don't fall for any thing; there are many false teachers, and they are everywhere. You need to equip yourself with the truth by going to the source of truth; the Word of God. This is what the Bible says about the Psalmist.

Acts 13:22 (ESV) 

22  And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' 

Why not treasure God's Word the way the Psalmist did, and see how it will bless your life, and change your behavior.

Psalm 119:104 (ESV) 

104  Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. 

Prayer:

Father, I pray that everyone who reads this passage will be able to say what David said about the Word of God, "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day". 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_July 29, 2015

Title: God's Word That Is Burning In My Heart

Text:

Psalm 119:92-93 (ESV) 

92  If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 

93  I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. 

Observation:

I was meditating on these verses, listed above, yesterday, and the Lord spoke into my heart His desire that I have an abundant life.

This portion of the Psalm; verses 89-96, speaks so clearly of the centrality of the Word of God. This is so much the desire of my heart, and the focus of my purpose and passion.

The BIG idea for me is found in this verse that I believe provides order for living the abundant life in this world.

Psalm 119:96 (ESV) 

96  I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. This reminds me of what the Bible says:

Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 (ESV) 

8  Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. 

9  Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 

10  The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. 

11  The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 

12  My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 

13  The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 

14  For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. 

The conclusion for me is this thought, which I believe to be God's word to every human heart.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (HCSB) 

13  When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this [is for] all humanity. 

Let's give thanks to the Lord for ordering our steps so that we might experience the blessings of the abundant life.

Prayer:

Father, if the readers remember nothing I have said before, I pray with all that lives within me that they will hear what the Word is saying to them today. 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_July 28, 2015

Title: How Are You Doing with Discipling Your Mind?

Text:

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (ESV) 

5  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 

6  being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 

Observation:

I remember a prayer warrior the Lord placed in my life at a time when I was praying for wisdom, strength, and power to do the new thing that God had called me to do.

I had written a note to the author of a article I wanted to use extensively in a talk I was going to make to God's people. She wrote back graciously giving me permission to use the article as the Lord would lead me.

However, I got more than that; she also sent me a prayer that she prayed for me in my new assignment. This was Lynn's prayer for me.

"May the Lord bless every word you speak, every move you make, and every life you touch."

That prayer I posted above my desktop, and it was an encouragement to me every time I sat at my desk to do the Lord's work.

We need the help of the Lord, and of others we interact with to keep our minds stayed upon the Lord. The reason is that our thoughts are not like the thoughts of our Father in heaven.

Isaiah 55:9 (ESV) 

9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

We have as our highest example the way Jesus kept in touch with His Father.

John 5:19 (ESV) 

19  So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 

Prayer:

O Father, I pray that we will learn and practice the discipline of conforming every thought that we have to obedience to the will of God. Father, I pray that there will be no daylight between Your will and my 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 & Prayer_July 27, 2015

Title: What to Do When You Knock and the Door is Closed?

Text:

Proverbs 5:21-22 (ESV) 

21  For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths. 

22  The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. 

Observation:

Last week I wrote about how God speaks to His people. Near the end of the week I read the above scripture that I had posted to social media. God spoke to me in two ways.

Job 33:14 (ESV) 

14  For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. 

I sat down in front of my computer and started to write to see what else the Lord wanted to speak into my heart about this Proverb.

What I found was a blue sticky note that fell from my desk to the floor. I picked it up off the floor, and this is what I had written on that sticky note. It had no date or source noted. This scripture reference was noted in the margin of the note.

Luke 11:9 (ESV) 

9  And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

The note said:

Knock - The door is closed.

Cleanse your hands.

Knock louder.

You find you are dirty.

Purify your heart.

Knock louder.

Be afflicted at the state of your inner life.

Humble yourself.

To him/she that knocks and keep on knocking it shall be opened.

Luke 11:10 (AMP) 

10  For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened. 

Prayer:

Father God, hallowed be Your name. Father, I am so grateful for the love and grace of my heavenly Father.

Father, I am so thankful that You never get tired of Your children knocking at Your door, and opening the door to let us into Your throne room of grace and mercy. O, how matchless is the love and forgiveness of the Lord. 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

 

A New Link to the Audio Version of My Daily Devotional

Dear Family & Friends,

Here is another way that I have found to get the word out to you; some prefer to read, and some prefer to listen, and some prefer to do both. All are now conveniently  available.

Everyone should be able to open this format.

Click here to listen to the Audio Version of the Daily Bread:

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

Thank you for your partnership in sharing the gospel of Christ Jesus.

In His Grip,

Herb Cotton

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Click here to listen to Audio Version of blog:

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

 

Daily Bread_July 24, 2015

Title: The Bible Our Reliable Source for Truth

Text:

Acts 17:11 (ESV) 

11  Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 

Observation:

I was talking to a friend this week, and the verse listed above came up in our conversation. Then, the next day it was the focus of an article I read in my email inbox. 

As a child I learned the most profound truth that I have ever been exposed to. It is more profound than anything I learned in sixteen years of formal education, and thirty-three years in the business world.

That truth is this, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so". Without the Bible as my compass, I would be like a ship at sea without a sail; I would be lost in this world, and the world to come.

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. 

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) 

12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I am so grateful for the Word of God.

Father, I am so thankful for the wisdom and the wealth that I find when I read the Bible. Father, I am so grateful for the peace and the power that I receive by obeying what You have said in Your Word.

Father, Your servant David, a man after Your own heart, says what's in my heart about Your Word. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 119:11 (KJV) 

11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_July 23, 2015

Title: The Value of Spending Time with God

Text:

Luke 10:41-42 (HCSB)
41 The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.

Observation:

It is easy for us to see problems; especially those in the lives of others. The truth is that problems are inescapable in this fallen world.

John 16:33 (HCSB)
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."

Rather than focusing our limited time, talent and treasury on fixing problems; many that are out of our control, we should focus on our relationship with the Lord. Prayer is having a conversation with God; your heavenly Father.

Notice in the above verse that Jesus offers us Himself, and He is the Prince of Peace. The fruit of the Spirit is peace. No matter what we need, God is able and willing to supply it.

Psalm 32:8 (HCSB)
I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.

There is nothing that we will ever face that is too big for God. He invites us to bring everything we are concerned about to Him in prayer; that's what Jesus did, and that is what we should do.

We must be careful in serving God that we keep the main thing the main thing.

Luke 10:40 (HCSB)
But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, "Lord, don't You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand."

Notice again what Jesus said to Martha.

Luke 10:41-42 (HCSB)
41 The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her."

We must align our priorities to give attention to first things. O, how blessed we would be if we sat at the Lord's feet, and listened to His Word.

Luke 10:39 (HCSB)
She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet and was listening to what He said.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so thankful that I don't have to carry the problems of the world on my back. Father, I am so thankful that I can take everything to You in prayer.

Father, I am learning the peace, comfort, and joy that I can have when I make it a priority in my life to spend time in the Word and in prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_July 22, 2015

Title: The Keys to Unity in the Church

Text:

1 Timothy 5:1-2 (ESV) 

1  Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 

2  older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 

Observation:

One of the greatest challenges in the family of God is how we get along with people who have many differences, and many preferences that are different from us. We do not always dwell together in unity.

Psalm 133:1 (ESV) 

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 

Unity in the family of God; it is a beautiful thing. Notice how the Psalmist describes unity, and the blessings that flow from unity.

Psalm 133:2-3 (ESV) 

2  It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 

3  It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. 

Jesus in His high priestly prayer asked that the family of God would have unity. I believe the Father will answer that prayer.

John 17:20-21 (ESV) 

20  "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 

21  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

Are you willing to pursue peace by conducting yourself in the manner that the Apostle Paul taught Timothy to do in our focal passage? This is the key to unity.

Colossians 3:14 (ESV) 

14  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 

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." 

Prayer:

Father, I pray that the prayer that Jesus prayed for us to be one will become a reality in the church of the living God, and may it begin in our relationships beginning in our homes, and continuing to the household of God. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_July 21, 2015

Title: What You Do When God Speaks?

Text:

Job 33:14 (ESV) 

14  For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. 

Observation:

There are so many voices speaking in our world today. Who are you listening to?

I was being reflective a few weeks ago, and I realized that God had been speaking to me for a period of 40 days. Today is day 55.

So, today I decided that I could not keep what God was saying to me to myself. This is truly fresh bread from God's lips to my ears. I received it, and I pray that You will hear God speak into your life.

The Bible says that God speaks in different ways though man does not perceive it.

I read a Proverb daily for wisdom. This is what I read recently, and this portion of the Proverb fits in very nicely with the topic of God speaking, and our hearing what He is saying to us.

Proverbs 2:1-3 (ESV) 

1  My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 

2  making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 

3  yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 

What are some of the ways God speaks to His children? Here are some that I have experienced.

1. God speaks through His Word.
2. God speaks through the Holy Spirit.
3. God speaks through impressions.
4. God speaks through circumstances.

I have found the two that I rely upon in every situation is when He speaks through HIs Word, and with the aid and the assistance of the Holy Spirit of God.

In these two ways they combine to enable us to know the truth. The truth makes us free. Conversely, the enemy of God and our souls speaks, and He is a liar and the father of lies. The Bible says that lying is his native tongue. When the Devil speaks to us his goal is to distract, deflate, defeat, and ultimately destroy us.

God is for you; not against you, When God speaks to you, why not say to Him what this servant said.

1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV) 

10  And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears." 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. I pray that Your will would be done at this present moment, in the lives of the readers and the hearers of this word, on earth as it is done in heaven. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_July 20, 2015

Title: Why Everyone Needs A Small Community of True and Trusted Friends

Text:

Romans 12:15 (ESV) 

15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 

1 Corinthians 12:26 (ESV) 

26  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 

Observation:

The task of forming personal relationships is not easy in the twenty-first century in America. I don't know how it is in other countries.

However, it is something that should be a high priority. Living the Christian life was never meant to be something that you did alone; it is done in community.

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. 

There are times is our life when we need the love and support that comes from true and trusted friends.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV) 

9  Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 

10  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 

If you are in such a small group community, why not reach out and consider adding someone who is not in a similar community to your community. This is the way we can be the most Christ-like in building the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:8 (ESV) 

8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 

Prayer:

Father, I give praise and thanks that I have a Father in heaven who knows my frame, and remembers that He made me out of dirt. Father, I am so grateful that my Savior and the Lord of my life lives in me; Christ in me the hope of glory. And, I am blessed beyond measure to have the Holy Spirit of God as my tutor, and the abiding presence in my life as I walk in the Spirit.

Father, where we need help is in the horizontal relationships that are key in living, walking, and serving in this problem filled world. Father, we all need to be connected with others of like mind so that we can encourage, and stir up one another. 

Father, lead us to those who we can connect our lives to that would assist us in becoming the person that You made us to be. Father, I am so grateful that nothing that I need is beyond the reach of prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_July 17, 2015

Title: Are You A Seeker; Is the Lord Your Keeper?

Text:

Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV) 

13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 

Observation:

Our focal verse for today reminds me of something that a dear friend says frequently, "I am a seeker". I say a hearty Amen to his declaration, and agree that what he says also agrees with the scripture passage we are meditating on today.

This is God's promise to sinful people then; think about that for a while, because the God of yesterday is also the God of today, and He does not change.

Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV) 

13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 

God wanted His people then to seek Him, and He still wants His people today to seek Him. The heavenly Father enjoys being in the presence of His people. This knowledge should inform us about the value of spending time with our family and friends. There is no substitute for face to face time.

John 6:37 (KJV) 

37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I am so delighted to spend time in Your presence, and I am beyond blessed to hear that You delight to spend time in our presence. What a God! 

Father, stir up in us a sincere and burning desire to spend time with the people who mean a lot to us; our loved ones, and our true friends. Father, help us to learn the value of being present in the lives of those we love.

Father, Your presence in our lives means so much to us, and may our presence in the lives of our loved ones be meaningful to them. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

 

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_July 16, 2015

Title: 3 Marks of Those Who Walk With the Lord

Text:

Psalm 27:13-14 (ESV) 

13  I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! 

14  Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! 

Observation:

O, the blessings that comes to those who see the goodness of the Lord in their life. It comes from having a loving spiritual Father, our Father in heaven. 

One of these marks is waiting, and provides bookends for the other two. We will look at each one.

Wait:

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) 

31  but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

Be Strong:

Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) 

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

Be Courageous:

Psalm 31:24 (ESV) 

24  Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! 

Wait:

Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV) 

29  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 

30  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 

31  but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

While you wait on the Lord; Be strong and Be courageous. This year I set as my one word goal the word: BE. I have found that every day the Father tells me through His Word, and by His Spirit who He wants me to be. By His strength and power I am becoming who God made me to be, and so can you.

Prayer:

Father God, Abba Father, I am so thankful that you provide strength and courage to those, who by faith, wait on You. Father, please accept the praise and thanksgiving from the hearts and the lips of Your people. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

 

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_July 15, 2015

Title: What Do You Need to Remember?

Text:

2 Timothy 1:6 (KJV) 

6  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 

2 Timothy 1:6 (HCSB) 

6  Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 

Observation:

There are some things that we should never forget. As I type this I recall the words of this hymn from my youth.

"Oh, what He's done for me.

Oh, what He's done for me.

Oh, what He's done for me.

I never shall forget what He's done for me.

He picked me up and turned me around,

That's what He's done for me.

He picked me up and turned me around,

I never shall forget what He's done for me."

African American Hymn

Are you keeping ablaze the gift of God that is within you? We need to stir up that gift, and bless others in the same manner that God has blessed us. We need to be more than consumers of God's blessings, we need to be channels of God's blessings.

Hebrews 10:24 (AMP) 

24  And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, 

All of God's children need to remember whose we are, and who we are in Christ. We have the power within us to be change agents.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Thy name. Father, I pray that You will hasten the day when more and more of Your people would be demonstrations of the love of God by doing helpful deeds and noble activities that flow from the office work of the Holy Spirit who lives and abides in the lives of Your people.

Father, as for me, I'm going to stir up until I am caught up. Father, set my soul ablaze with the power of the Holy Ghost. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_July 14, 2015

Title: How Will We Ever Achieve Unity?

Text:

Colossians 3:14 (ESV) 

14  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 

Colossians 3:14 (KJV) 

14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 

Observation:

This verse reveals to us the ingredient that it takes to bind us together who are  people who God has created with differences. The one who made us different commands us to be one in Christ.

Galatians 3:26-28 (NLT) 

26  For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 

27  And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on the character of Christ, like putting on new clothes. 

28  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

The answer to the question is to be found in Jesus, and in the work that He did to reconcile us to God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP) 

21  For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]. 

Further, this is the prayer that Jesus prayed for us before He went back to the Father's throne room in heaven.

John 17:11 (ESV) 

11  And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 

I met the author of this song, "Agape Love"; her name is Teresa Watts. One of the verses says, "We need love, unconditional love, agape love". That love lives in the hearts of God's people; we need to release it by loving one another.

Romans 5:5 (HCSB) 

5  This hope will not disappoint {us}, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Prayer:

Father, I know that You answered the prayer of Jesus, and so I repeat His prayer that we would be one.

Father, help each one of us who are children of God to be love to others; those in Christ, and those in the world. Father, bind us together with love for You, and for one another. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_July 13, 2015

Title: What Type of Seeds Are You Planting?

Text:

1 Peter 3:9 (ESV) 

9  Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 

Observation:

Wow! If your initial response is this is hard; you are on solid ground; it is hard, but that does not mean that it is not the right thing to do, or that it is impossible to do.

In fact, it echoes the teaching of Jesus. Here is the account of what Jesus said.

Luke 6:27-28 (ESV) 

27  "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 

28  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 

Notice in our focal verse from 1 Peter the working out of the Law of the Harvest; if you bless others, you will be blessed, and in the same kind.

Galatians 6:7-9 (ESV) 

7  Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 

8  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 

9  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 

Here is a penetrating question that is pressing forcefully in my heart, and is stirring my soul deep down within.

What is one thing that needs to change in me so that I can take one step in the direction of living in unity and harmony with those who are in Christ, and with those that are in the world?

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Thy name. Father, I pray that You would continue to stir my heart, and bend my will until I am willing to sow seeds of love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy to others, and in the same manner that You have given it to me.

Father, help me to never forget what I used to be. Father, I thank You that I'm not what I used to be, and praise God, I'm not what I'm going to be when You deliver me from the presence of sin, and welcome me into Your heaven.  In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_July 10, 2015

Title: How Can You Have a Life of Joy and Peace?

Text:

Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV) 

4  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 

5  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 

6  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Observation:

I can't imagine anyone who would not desire to have a life of joy and peace.

I find in this passage the secret to achieving the longing of every heart; to have a joy filled, and peaceful life.

What a blessing to have the peace of God, and to have peace with God. It is no wonder that Paul would say, "Which surpasses all understanding".

The pathway to the two blessings of joy and peace is in God. Why do we do so little of what yields the greatest reward? What we do so little of, Jesus did so much of. Jesus prayed constantly. This is what He says about the priority of prayer.

Luke 18:1 (NLT) 

1  One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 

Just think; joy and peace are just a prayer away. What excuse masquerading as a reason is keeping you from doing what Jesus teaches us to do.

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful that Jesus left us a wonderful example of the priority and the power of prayer.

Father, I pray that we will not forfeit the blessings of joy and peace by neglecting the privilege we have to connect with our heavenly Father, and receive all that He wants to do in us, through us, and for us. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (ESV)
⁴  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 

Psalm 65:2 (ESV)
²  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/