Daily Word of God & Prayer_October 30, 2015

Title: Welcome Holy Spirit We Welcome You

Text:

Acts 1:4-5 (ESV) 

4  And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 

5  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 

Observation:

It's so amazing how God works in the lives of His children. I have been thinking about the office work of the Holy Spirit, and I wrote this draft several weeks ago. 

When I turned on my computer this morning I had a text message from my brother and friend that greets me every morning with a blessing. This morning the blessing mentioned the Holy Spirit. Then I scrolled through my draft documents, and found this message.

This is what I wrote one Sunday evening. I was listening to an album by George Beverly Shea, and he begin singing this song just as I completed pasting the scripture text to my document, "Welcome, Welcome". Holy Spirit, you are welcomed in my heart.

This is the big idea I get from this reading and focusing on the text, and the illumination that the Holy Spirit revealed to my heart. I am convinced that the God who calls us for His purpose and His glory will give us the wisdom and the power to accomplish whatever He assigns our hearts to sense and our will to obey. It is true what Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Philippi.

Philippians 4:13 (ESV) 

13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

The child of God is the most powerful when he or she is weak, and is the most independent when dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit. The triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are doing the heavy lifting. O, that my life was lived every day, and every hour in the power of the divine presence of God living in me.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name; the name that is above every name on earth and in heaven. Father, we give all the glory that is due to You because You are God all by yourself. Great is the Lord, and You are greatly to be praised.

Father, I thank You for the forever presence of the triune God in the lives of Your people. Father, I pray we will not fail the faith test; that we will believe, receive, and appropriate the power of the Holy Spirit as He does His office work in our lives. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Romans 8:9 (ESV) 

9  You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 

--

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_October 29, 2015

Title: Why Not Use This Plan Before You Get In Trouble?

Text:

Psalm 79:8-9 (ESV) 

8  Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. 

9  Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake! 

Observation:

The Psalmist laments the state into which the nation has fallen because of their sins. Judgement has come upon the people of God.

The Problem:

Psalm 79:1-2 (ESV) 

1 O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 

 2  They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. 

The Prayer of Asaph:

Psalm 79:8 (ESV) 

8  Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. 

Here is a nice outline that will preach; borrowed from Butler.

The Memory of God

The Mercy of God

The Method of God

The lesson for us is that we need to be prepared in our personal walk with the Lord. There is an enemy of our God, and our soul who wishes to defeat and destroy our witness and our life.

1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV) 

12  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 

Luke 22:31 (ESV) 

31  "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 

There is goodnews for us, and it is this:

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) 

13  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

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. 

Don't try to take on the devil in your strength alone. Rather, put on the whole armor of God that Paul describes in Ephesians chapter six. And, don't forget to pray.

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) 

18  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Thy name; Father, You are great and You are so good to Your people.

Father, helps us to remember our insufficiency and Your sufficiency; that in our strength alone that we are no match for the enemy of our soul.

Father, our only hope is to look to You, and to depend upon You, and the strength that You provide to defeat the enemy of our soul. Father, I pray that all of us would learn to dressed for spiritual warfare everyday and to stay in touch with our Father by praying always. 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_October 28, 2015

Title: How Much Time Do You Spend with the Father?

Text:

John 20:17 (ESV) 

17  Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" 

Observation:

In my recent regular corporate, and in my personal worship at home I have encountered the importance of the Fatherhood of God, and of prayer.

A recent sermon by my pastor left me with these words that continue to sink deeper into my heart. He said, "Fellowship proves relationship", and he said, "Jesus spent more time with the Father than with people". That is the Jesus way, but it is not man's way.

I here people say all the time that you need to do more than pray; they think that prayer is the last thing you should do. When it comes to how much time I spend in prayer, I will follow the example of Jesus, rather than the example of other people.

The people in the day of the Apostle Paul faced some trying circumstances, difficult circumstances, and difficultly people in the Government and in the Church. Yet, this is what Paul most often chose to pray for them; the things he thought of utmost importance.

Ephesians 1:16-19 (ESV) 

16  I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 

17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 

18  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 

19  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.

We need to honor our heavenly Father because Jesus set the example; His  Father is also our Father; His God is our God.

Let's not forget God the Father; we need God in our lives, and Jesus has made it possible for His Father to be our Father. Demonstrate to the watching world that you are a child of God, and that you have a relationship with God, and that you have a fellowship that produces the fruit of love, joy and peace.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven; the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus, and the Father of all who believe in Jesus. Father, this is the prayer I pray for all of Christ followers; for all of your beloved children.

Father, I pray that the eyes of our hearts might be enlightened; Father, give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we might know God, know His power, know His will, and do it. 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_October 27, 2015

Title: How to Have Security In a Troubled World?

Text:

Psalm 138:6-8 (ESV)

6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.

8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Observation:

I think that no matter where you live in this world that you can identify with the Psalmist when he said, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble". Yes, we are living in a season of trouble, and it is worldwide.

The solace that the Psalmist had, and that we can have today is the forever God that he looked to, and that we can look to for deliverance.

Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Prayer:

Father God, Abba, Father, I am so thankful that I can call you, my dear Father, and have the confidence that I can take refuge in you. Father, you are my rock, and a safe and secure shelter in the storms of life.

Father God, I am so grateful for your steadfast love, and that you are a forever God; not just for me, but for all of your dear children. 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_October 26, 2015

Title: How Do You React When Things Go Wrong?

Text:

Philippians 4:4-6 (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. 

Observation:

This passage is a very familiar one to many, and it is one of my favorites. As I am writing this a text message came in from a friend, and he said he was having a good time in an out of town city.

I wrote back to him, and expressed my appreciation for the good time he was having. I encouraged him to have a God time because you can have a God time even in bad times, and I told him that at the very moment his text message came in I was writing commentary on Philippians 4:4-6.

God just continues to amaze me and thrill me deep down in my soul. There is nothing that surpasses being in the presence of the living God. Our trials and troubles roll away as we behold our heavenly Father face to face.

What happens is that our heavenly Father takes our burdens and puts them on His shoulders.

The best medicine we can take to cure our troubles, temptations, bad circumstances, and difficult people is to have an attitude of gratitude. The prescription is to engage in thanksgiving instead of complaining. It is impossible to thank God for His blessings, and at the same time curse Him for our circumstances, and deficiencies in His other children.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed by Your name. Father, help all of us to be people who pray; people who fill our prayers with thanksgiving, and gratitude to You for who You are, and for Your wonderful works.

Father, draw us nearer to You, and create in us a burning desire to be God pleasers, and not just seekers of a trouble free life; a life that keeps us in a comfort zone of our choosing.

Father, life is hard, but You are good, and You are good all the time. You are God on the mountain, and God in the valley. Father, thanks for this lesson that teaches us that thanksgiving wins over complaining. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Philippians 4:4 (ESV) 

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

--

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_October 23, 2015

Title: God's Patience with Sinners

Text:

Romans 9:22-23 (ESV)
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 

Observation:

"How wondrous is God's patience with the world today. On every side people are sinning with a high hand. The Divine law is trampled under foot and God Himself openly despised. It is truly amazing that he does not instantly strike dead those who so brazenly defy Him.

Why does not the righteous wrath of Heaven make an end of such abominations? Only one answer is possible: because God bears with "much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction." (Romans 9:22)

God bears long with the wicked notwithstanding the multitude of their sins, and shall we desire to be revenged because of a single injury?"

~ Arthur Pink, "The Long Suffering of God"

It is fruitless for man to contend with His creator. Consider what the prophet Isaiah wrote.

Isaiah 45:9 (ESV) 

9  "Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles'? 

I am so grateful for the long-suffering of the Lord; for the wicked and the righteous.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Thy most holy and righteous name. Father, I am so grateful for the love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy that You give so freely, and so abundantly to undeserving sinners like me.

Father, I am so grateful for the gift of faith that You planted in me that enabled me to receive the gift of personal salvation. Father, I am so thankful that the door of salvation is still open. I pray that many will hear and respond to the invitation to receive Jesus. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen .

John 1:12-13 (ESV) 

12  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 

13  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 

--

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_October 22, 2015

Title: What Are Your Priorities?

Text:

Mark 6:45-51 (KJV) 

45  And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 

46  And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 

47  And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 

48  And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 

49  But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 

50  For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 

51  And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 

Observation:

The experience of the disciples of Jesus in this passage reveals a truth that God's people of every age have to deal with; it is the truth that storms can come into our lives when we are doing what the Lord told us to do.

Walking with Jesus is hard, but God is good, and the best is yet to come. You can be sure of this, God knows where you are, and help is just a prayer away.

Notice that when Jesus told  His disciples to get into the ship,  and to go to Bethsaida, He did not get in the ship with them. Instead, this is what Jesus did.

Mark 6:46 (KJV) 

46  And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 

Wow! How inspiring, informative, and important is this example that Jesus left for His followers of the priority and power of prayer. How high is prayer of your priority list?

The priority of prayer in my life just went up substantially. 

Prayer:

Father, I pray that as Your people look at this picture of Jesus, and how He related to His disciples that we would gain renewed awareness of the nearness of Jesus to His disciples, and of the priority of prayer that was displayed in the life of Jesus. 

Father, I pray that we would repent of our lack of spending time in prayer, and of our underestimation of the importance and the power of 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_October 21, 2015

Title: How You Can Be Pleasing In God's Eyes

Text:

2 Corinthians 13:11 (HCSB) 

11  Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 

Observation:

I heard a sermon recently that inspired me to look at this focal verse in a very special way.

It spoked to my mission statement, which is "Please God". Also, my one word goal for this year, which is "Be".

Here is how this verse presents an outline which is so helpful in pointing me in the direction of meeting my mission statement vision, and meeting my goal for this year. I believe God wants all of His children to be like this.

1. Be joyful
2. Be mature
3. Be encouraged
4. Be one
5. Be peaceful
6. Be blessed

This is the blessing that is received by those who hear and obey the encouragement from the pen of the Apostle Paul.

"The God of love and peace will be with you". It does not matter what obstacles you may be facing, you are so blessed if you have the God of love and peace living on the inside of you. What more do we need?

Romans 8:31 (HCSB) 

31  What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 

When God is the source and supplier, what more do we need? What do we lack?

Philippians 4:19 (ESV) 

19  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be your most holy and righteous name. Father, I rejoice when I think about the things that I can do; enabled and equipped by the strength of the Lord, in living in a way that would bring you glory, and be pleasing in Your eyes.

Lord, I pray that these truths in today's focal passage will stir our hearts, and draw us closer to you. 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_October 20, 2015

Title: Who Is The Director of Your Life?

Text:

Jeremiah 10:23 (ESV) 

23  I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. 

Observation:

If it is not within our ability to direct our lives; who then should we turn to for direction? Why not do what Jeremiah did; he looked to the Lord. He is not very far from you if you belong to Him; He lives in your heart. Listen to what He says to you in His Word.

Proverbs 23:26 (ESV) 

26  My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. 

Romans 12:1 (NLT) 

1  And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 

O, how blessed we would be, and what heavy loads would be lifted from our lives if we would learn how to surrender our will to the will of God. O for a faith that would trust in God, and the will to surrender our will to His will.

What would Jesus do? That's a good question, and God has answered that question in His Word.

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV) 

5  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 

6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 

7  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 

8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

Prayer:

Father, you have taught your people how we ought to pray about these matters; give us the faith to pray according this pattern that Jesus taught His followers to pray.

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV) 

9  Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 

10  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 

11  Give us this day our daily bread, 

12  and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

Father, give us the faith and the strength to live and pray the Jesus way. 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_October 19, 2015

Title: How Do You Handle Your Trials and Troubles?

Text:

1 Peter 5:6-11 (ESV) 

6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 

7  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 

8  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 

9  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 

10  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 

11  To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

Observation:

There is hardly a day that goes by when I am not presented with a request to pray for some person that has a pressing need in their life.

I'm learning not just to say a prayer for that person, but I'm learning how to cast all of my cares upon the one who cares for them and for me more than anyone on earth or in heaven. I'm learning that prayer is the most that we can do, and I'm learning how to take my faith in God to a new level. To see God as He alone is willing and able to care for all of our our anxieties.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV) 

20  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 

21  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful that you have prodded me by the Holy Spirit to think on this topic, and to write and talk about it to you, and to others.

Father, I pray that you would increase my faith; Lord, increase the faith of all my brothers and sisters, until we all take our faith to another level; to the point where we are willing to cast all of our cares upon You. 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_October 16, 2015

Title: Members of Every Generation Are Valued

Text:

Acts 2:17 (NLT) 

17  'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 

Observation:

The central truth in this passage should be the focus of our life, and the energy that empowers our worship and our work in doing the will God.

Notice this significant declaration of the Lord, "I will pour out my Spirit upon all people".

The unfinished work of God is the building on earth of the kingdom of God; on earth as it is in heaven. That is the work of the church, and that work is the office work of the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of God's people; the church.

The work of the church is the work of the young and the old; it combines the wisdom of the old with the energy and enthusiasm of the young. Let us come together, and complete this unfinished work, and usher in the return of the King of kings, and Lord of lords; His name is Jesus.

2 Peter 3:8-9 (HCSB) 

8  Dear friends, don't let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 

9  The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. 

What is the next step in knowing and doing the will of God?

Colossians 2:6 (HCSB) 

6  Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, 

1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NLT) 

1  Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 

Prayer:

Father, help us to learn how to live in these last days; the days between your ascension and the day of your second coming. Father, help us rely upon Your wisdom and strength.

Father, help us to never forget that You have given us everything we need to do Your will. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 23:1 (HCSB) 

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

--

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_October 15, 2015

Title: Have You Tried This Novel Way of Handling Your Weaknesses?

Text:

Psalm 84:4-5 (ESV) 

4  Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah 

5  Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 

Observation:

Where is your heart? If we want to know where our hearts are we need to look at the contents of our heart. What are we feeding our heart by what is on our mind, and our thought life? O, how we need to guard our hearts. 

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV) 

23  Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 

What is the source that you rely upon for knowing and doing the will of God? Are there times in your life that you feel you are incapable of doing the things you know to do, but you just don't have the strength to do them? Have you thought about abandoning the notion of doing God's will in your strength, and relying upon God's strength?

Notice what this portion of our focal passage says, "Blessed are those whose strength is in you".

The way to have the strength of the Lord, which is the only way we can overcome our weaknesses, is to draw near to God.

James 4:8-9 (ESV) 

8  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

9  Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 

Its past the time to get serious about our sins; it's no laughing matter. Its time to turn our laughter to mourning, and our joy in the things of the world to gloom.

Some people say they can't believe in a God they cannot see. Well, listen to the testimony of this child of God that was blind from her childhood. It's not the eyes in your head, but the eyes of your heart, and by faith that you are able to see God. Be blessed by the lyrics of Draw Me Nearer by Fanny Crosby.

"I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

  And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith,

  And be closer drawn to Thee.

 

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

  To the cross where Thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

    To Thy precious, bleeding side."

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I cry out to You to stir our hearts until we are willing to draw near to Your precious side, and receive Your almighty power to enable us to fulfill our purpose for being alive. 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_October 14, 2015

Title: Lessons I Learned About the Power of Waiting

Text:

Micah 7:7 (ESV) 

7  But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. 

Observation:

One of the sayings I try to refrain from uttering is, "I can't". The reason is that I have lived long enough to know that there are lots of things I can't do, but there is nothing that my God cannot do. Further, He never said that I could, but He always said that He would.

Therefore, I was excited to read and meditate upon today's focal verse because of the way it begin with this testimony, "But as for me".

I like the three things that Micah said. First, he said, "I will look to the LORD". Micah revealed for all to see that he had an intimate relationship with the Lord. He trusted in God, and His God was a big God, and he could ask Him for huge things. Because of his relationship with God, he could trust in Him to see him through his current circumstances.

Micah 7:8-9 (ESV) 

8  Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. 

9  I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication. 

The second thing Micah said was, "I will wait for the God of my salvation". O, to be able to wait until God delivers; when He hears our cry to Him for deliverance for our current troubles. To know in your heart that God's delay is not God's denial.

The third thing Micah said was, "My God will hear me". When you know God, and when you know God's power, you can wait until God answers your prayers. Micah had confidence in His God.

1 John 5:14-15 (ESV) 

14  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 

15  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 

This Andrae Crouch song comes to mind, and strengthens my faith.

"I've got confidence

God is gonna see me through

No matter what the case may be

I know He's gonna fix it for me".

Prayer:

Father, hallowed by Your name. Lord, there is no one like You, and I delight to spend time in Your divine presence.

Father, my cry to You is that each of us would learn to trust in You with our whole heart, and that our hearts will be filled with the love 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

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_October 13, 2015

Title: The Destiny of Two Sinners - A Blessed Hope and Holy Warning

Text:

Luke 23:39-43 (HCSB) 

39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: "Aren't You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!" 

40 But the other answered, rebuking him: "Don't you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 

41 We are punished justly, because we're getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong." 

42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!" 

43 And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise."

Observation:

The selected passage from Luke provides hope and a warning. The hope is that it is never too late to receive deliverance from eternal separation from God.

However,  there is a warning. We should not be inclined to put off doing today while we have life and opportunity to make the right choice. Notice that only one of the criminals asked for deliverance.

Luke 23:42 (HCSB) 

42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!"

Salvation does not take a long time to be effective; it begins immediately. Notice what Jesus told the criminal who sought salvation.

Luke 23:43 (HCSB) 

43 And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise."

The deliverance by the seeking criminal just prior to his death should not be an encouragement to delay coming to Jesus for deliverance.

As someone has said, "One was saved at death's door so none would despair, but only one so none would delay."

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV) 

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

Jesus will do for anyone who asks him what he did for the repentant criminal.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for this timely message of the importance of making the right choice concerning where we will spend eternity.

Father, one of the criminals on the cross railed at Jesus, and one of the criminals received Jesus. One died condemned, and the other died delivered. Oh, the cost we pay for unbelief.

Father God, I pray that you would open the eyes of any that cannot see the condition of their soul without Jesus in their life. Lord, I thank you for loving us, even to the very end.

 Father, you are the only God who was willing to die for the sake of rebellious sinners like me. All I can say is "Thank you Lord for saving my soul". 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