Daily Word of God & Prayer_February 29, 2016

Title: The Comfort and Confidence of Knowing God Personally 

Text:

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). 

Observation:

There is no safe haven that we can flee to in this world where trouble, trials, and tribulations will not find us. Jesus told His followers this:

John 16:33 (AMP) 

33  I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] 

One of the things I know from a lifetime of God speaking into my heart from His Word, and a lifetime of living in the world, is that you can live the abundant life if you will trust in the Lord, and do what He tells you to do.

I have found from the example and lifestyle of David, who the bible says is a man after God's heart, and the example of Jesus, is that they each highly valued, and depended upon God. They prayed first. This is what David did.

Psalm 55:16-17 (AMP) 

16  As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me. 

17  Evening and morning and at noon will I utter my complaint and moan and sigh, and He will hear my voice. 

Now, look at what Jesus did. He took time out from healing diseases, and casting out demons to pray.

Mark 1:35 (AMP) 

35  And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed. 

What are you willing to give up to pray? The power for overcoming the world depends upon you calling upon God in prayer.  The enemy of our soul wants us to shut up. But, our God wants us to look up, pray up, get up, and wait for Him to show up. While we wait, we should keep on doing the last thing He told us to do.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for Your desire to have a close, and intimate relationship with Your children.

Father, I am so grateful that You invite us to come into Your presence anytime, anywhere, and for anything that we have on our heart; that nothing is beyond the reach of prayer.

Father, I plead on behalf of the hurting, the doubtful, the disinterested; for all to cry out to You; for all people everywhere that they would bow the knee, lookup, and come to You, and cast all of their burdens upon 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_February 26, 2016

Title: How is Everything?

Text:

Psalm 46:1 (HCSB) 

1 God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. 

Observation:

Today I am back in the Psalm, and today our focal verse is speaking into my heart. It fits so well for what I am going through in this season of my life, and in the lives of my loved ones.

Just yesterday I was asked this question, "How is everything?" I was prepared to answer that question because I had just read Psalm 46:1, and I had a devotional I wrote a few days ago lingering in my heart. There is nothing like hiding the word of God in your heart. It enables God's thoughts to become your thoughts, and His desires to become your desires.

So the thoughtful answer I gave to that question was this, "Everything is perfect because I put everything in the hands of God, and God is perfect in all His ways".

I can't get out of my head the words of this hymn; it was one of my late wife's favorite songs.

"O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer."

The thing that will keep us from praying is pride; don't let pride be the obstacle of you having a fervent and daring prayer life.

1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV) 

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

Instead of being to proud to pray try taking the stairway downward, and humble yourself before God.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (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. 

Prayer:

Father God, hallowed be Your name. Father, I ask You to stir our hearts by the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of Your people, mold us until we are willing to be devoted to prayer.

Father, tune our hearts until our thoughts become more like Your thoughts, and our desires become more like Your desires. 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_February 25, 2016

Title: What in Your Life is the Most Frustrating?

Text:

Psalm 142:4 (ESV) 

4  Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. 

Observation:

I love reading the Psalms for in them I find encouragement. This morning I came to my computer to write, and our focal verse caused me to pause.

The one word that captured my attention was recognition. Notice that David said that nobody took notice of him. 

Think about this. God took notice of him because He had been told that he would become the king of Israel. Yet, Saul, the current king that God had rejected was angry with him, and was out to kill him.

Have you ever experienced the feeling that David felt; that nobody recognizes you? On another occasion the Psalmist expressed it this way.

Psalm 69:20 (ESV) 

20  Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. 

The encouragement is this; David never lost faith in God. When you know God, being ignored by others does not matter as much. You can always find refuge in the Lord. David called upon the Lord, and so can you.

Psalm 142:5 (ESV) 

5  I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." 

The world will frustrate and disappoint you, but God will never fail to recognize, and provide refuge for those who come to Him, and cry out to Him.

Prayer:

Father God, hallowed be Your name. Father, I am so grateful that the name of the Lord is a strong tower, and that the righteous can run to it, and find recognition and refuge. Father, draw us nearer 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_February 24, 2016

Title: Do You Need A New Perspective on Life?

Text:

Psalm 34:17 (HCSB) 

17  The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. 

Observation:

Today I have three things that are on my heart. So, I asked the Lord to lift me up to a higher place so that I could gain a better perspective of the battleground that is this present world.

I want to share with you today the clarity I received from the viewpoint of heaven. These are the three things I saw from being lifted to higher ground.

1. The Will of God
2. The Way of God
3. The Wisdom of God

I saw that these three things are found in Jesus. The Spirit of God helped me as I walked through the Word of God to see clearly how to order my life to walk in victory.

Jesus, himself, said this

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. 

The bible says that Jesus is the wisdom of God; in Him we find all that we need; the above three things, and everything we need.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (HCSB) 

30  But ⌊it is⌋ from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—⌊our⌋ righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 

1 Corinthians 1:24 (HCSB) 

24  Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God's power and God's wisdom, 

Oh, how blessed we are, the people of God, to have a Father who loves us so dearly, and blesses us so abundantly.

Psalm 145:19 (HCSB) 

19  He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry for help and saves them. 

Let's have a little talk with the Father in heaven, and listen to His loving heart, and hear His gentle voice speak into our lives.

Prayer:

Father God, Lord of heaven above, and the earth below; we your people come and bow our knees, and lift our voices in praise and adoration of Your most holy and righteous name. Father, we give you glory, and the honor that You alone deserve.

Father, we thank You for being a God who hears, and answers the prayers of Your people. We say a hearty thank You for all of our blessings; make us a blessing to others in Your name. In the mighty name of Jesus, we 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_February 23, 2016

Title: Where Can I Go to Get All of My Needs Met?

Text:

Mark 10:27 (HCSB) 

27  Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God." 

Observation:

I was reading my Daily Bible Reading Plan for 2016, and the focal verse leaped off the page, and into my heart.

Some people may think it strange that God speaks to His children, but I'm not one of those people. I am learning to open the eyes and ears of my heart, and when I do I am able to hear God's voice speaking into my heart.

God speaks to us through His Word. Here is what I heard Him say to me in my daily reading.

Exodus 7:1 (HCSB) 

1  The LORD answered Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother will be your prophet. 

God delights to have a conversation with His children, and He has provided the vehicles of prayer, and the Word of God for His people to communicate and connect with Him.

Why not call God today? Consider this verse from God's Word as His personal invitation to you.

Jeremiah 33:3 (HCSB) 

3  Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know. 

My soul is singing this hymn written by the late gospel singer and writer, Roberta Martin.

"God is still on the throne,

Within your bosom, you have a phone.

Where'er you walk, 

you're not walking alone,

For God, is still on the throne." 

Let's talk to the Lord; He can meet all of our needs.

Prayer:

Father, I thank You that the children of God never have to walk through this world alone.

Father, I am so glad that I can call upon You anytime, anywhere, and for any need or desire I have in my heart.

Father, I can rest in and rely upon the promise that nothing is too difficult for You. Lord we need You, and thank You Father, that we have all of You living in our hearts. 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_February 22, 2016

Title: How Are You Doing?

Text:

Romans 8:12-14 (NLT) 

12  Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 

13  For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 

14  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 

Romans 8:16-17 (HCSB) 

16  The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children, 

17  and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. 

Observation:

How many times have you been asked the question posed in today's title? I have been asked more times than I can count. Often the question stumps me, and I mumble something socially acceptable. 

However, today's passage gives me a better answer to that question because it describes how the Lord sees the condition of His people. What could be a better answer than, "I am a child of God".

How do you know you are a child of God? The bible answers that question also in this verse:

Romans 8:16 (HCSB) 

16  The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children, 

When you are a child of God you are able to say what the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Church at Galatia.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV) 

20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

Prayer:

Father God, Abba Father, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the provisions that you made in Christ for me to be called a child of God.

Father, there is no place that I would rather be then to be in Christ, and to have the witness of the Holy Spirit testifying together with my spirit that I am a child of God.

If anybody ask you how I am doing, you can tell them that I am redeemed; that I am the child of the King of kings, and Lord of lords. I'm so grateful to lift up His name, and to call upon Him in prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

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

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_February 19, 2016

Title: What Are Your Plans, Hopes, and Dreams?

Text:

Proverbs 16:3 (HCSB) 

3  Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved. 

Observation:

I started this week with the title of today's message on my heart, and here it is near the end of the week and it is still with me. I read this verse first thing this morning, and it found a place in my heart.

The first word in the verse, commit, caused me to pause, and meditate upon it. There is an app that I use called Roll-It-Up. It is a neat tool for managing your email inbox.

I listened to a devotional this morning based on our focal verse, and it said that to commit is to roll your plans up to God. I immediately made the connection with what I do each day with my email inbox.

I commit now to rolling my plans, hopes, and dreams up to the Lord because He is much more able to carry these cares on His shoulders.

In conclusion, I go back to the verses I started the week with, and I will commit my activities to the Lord, and rest in knowing that He will give me the desires of my heart as I take delight in the Lord.

Psalm 37:4-5 (HCSB) 

4  Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires. 

5  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act, 

Prayer:

Father God, hallowed be Your name. Father, I thank You for being a God who hears and answers the prayers of His people.

Father, thank You for speaking into my heart this morning the need to cast all of my cares upon You. Father, there is no place I would rather have my plans reside then in the hands of my God. Father, I will daily roll them up to You. In the might 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_February 18, 2016

Title: Are You Able to do All Things in Your Life?

Text:

Psalm 37:23 (NLT) 

23  The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) 

13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

Observation:

The above two verses came together for me this morning in my first appointment of the day; my appointment with my heavenly Father.

I was talking with a friend at church Sunday morning, and the first verse came up, but neither of us could remember the chapter and verse. He came to me later and quoted the verse.

Then, this morning the second verse came up in my reading, and the Holy Spirit connected the two in my mind, and I begin to meditate upon them.

This verse from Philippians has two parts; our part, and God's part. I notice that the verse from Psalm also has the same two parts.

The light bulb experience for me was the revelation that when God is directing my steps I can do all that He is leading me to do because He supplies the strength to do it.

Our delight comes when we take the next step that the Lord directs us to take. Then I coupled that with the verse from yesterday's devotional.

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) 

5b For he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 

I am encouraged and strengthened to know that God directs my steps, and that He supplies the strength that I need to do all things that He leads and directs me to do.

Additionally, He gives this ironclad guarantee, "I will never leave you nor forsake you". If God is in it, there is nothing that He directs you to do that will be impossible for you to do.

Luke 1:37 (ESV) 

37  For nothing will be impossible with God." 

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I delight to sing Your praises at this good news from Your Word.

Father, I pray that You will open the eyes and ears of our hearts to receive it, and the faith to obey Your calling, and the directions You give us in our daily living.

Father, help us, by Your strength, to walk in faith, and to walk in the Spirit of God. 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_February 17, 2016

Title: The Glue That Keeps God's People Connected to Him

Text:

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) 

5b For he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 

Observation:

When I think about all of the things that separate us from God and from His creation, it can be a discouraging and disappointing scene. It's enough to make even the strongest among us weak, and especially if our constant focus is on the circumstances instead of our Christ.

A cursory examination of the history of God's people reveals that His people often turned their backs on Him. However, we know from that same history that God never turned His back on them.

What does that mean for us today? First, we have to acknowledge that we are in the same boat as those who went before us. We all fail to measure up; we all falter and fail in our relationship with God, and with others. There is none of us that is perfect.

I find three things that will help us to persevere when we go through the season of trouble, trial, and temptations; the season of unhappiness, and loss of joy and celebration.

1. Remember - Take time to recall the faithfulness of God.
2. Return - Turn around, and go back to the season when you were close to God.
3. Rejoice - Believe that God will turn your ashes into beauty.

The answer to our brokenness and bitterness lies in putting first things first. It will amaze you what an infusion of love, forgiveness, and respect will do to create, restore,  and renew our relationship with God, and with others.

Prayer:

Father, I ask that You would work in Holy Spirit power to turn Your people back to You. Lord, help us to put first things first.

Matthew 22:36-39 (ESV) 

36  "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 

37  And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 

38  This is the great and first commandment. 

39  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 

Father, we come as beggars, as empty pitchers before a full fountain. Father, stir our hearts with conviction and courage to love You, and others. 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_February 16, 2016

Title: What Kind of Seeds Are You Planting?

Text:

Galatians 6:7 (ESV) 

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

Observation:

Today's choice word is planting. The first law of the harvest is that everything begins with a seed. Our focal verse tells us, "Whatever one sows, that will he also reap".

What kind of seeds are you planting in your life? What kind of seeds are you planting in the lives of others?

Another law of the harvest is that we reap more than we sow, and that we don't reap in the same season that we sow. 

2 Corinthians 9:6 (ESV) 

6  The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

It's always good to pray before you plant. Ask the Lord to direct you to the good soil; then, plant bountifully, and expect to reap bountifully.

Psalm 126:5-6 (NLT) 

5  Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 

6  They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. 

Everything belongs to God, and comes from God. Our talent, time, and treasure are gifts from God, and are the seeds we can plant in others. This is what happens when we generously plant seeds.

2 Corinthians 9:10-12 (NLT) 

10  For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 

11  Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 

12  So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that You will stir the hearts of Your people, and give us a burning desire in our hearts to plant spiritual and material seeds in the lives of others.

Father, help us to pray, watch, and wait for You to produce an abundant harvest in the lives of others that will result in praise and thanksgiving to You, and to blessings in the lives of those we plant the seeds. 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_February 15, 2016

Title: Have You Ever Meditated On How Much God Loves You?

Text:

Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV) 

4  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 

5  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 

6  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 

Observation:

I was challenged by the Word of God, and the Spirit of God to spend some time recently meditating on how huge it is that God loved me when I was at my worst.

We love people when they are at their best, and we like to be around people who are good, and who are mostly like us. However, God who is so much higher and better than us, looks at people differently. He sees how they can become, and provides the means for them to become a brand new person.

God is a relational Father, and He desires to have a personal and intimate relationship with His children. Jesus demonstrates in His work of grace toward us that mercy, love, forgiveness, and grace are vital ingredients in our relationships with God, and in our relationships with others.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) 

8  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 

9  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

God has remade His children, and equipped us to be demonstrations of His love to others. Are you doing your best to be who He made you to be?

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 

10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

Prayer:

Father God, I am so grateful that You loved me when I was at my worst, and provided the means by which I could have a close and intimate relationship with You; not just for a season, but for eternity.

Father, I thank You that this grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness was not just a one time gift; it is a gift that is available all of the days that You allow for me to live in this fallen world.

Father, there are still days when I am at my worst, and there is never a time when I don't need a little more grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness. 

Father, since I am the recipient of so much love, I pray that I will be willing to show an abundance of Your love to others. Father, make me, and all of Your beloved children more like You in our relationships with others.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_February 12, 2016

Title: Have You Ever Experienced Desperate and Daring Prayer?

Text:

Psalm 62:8 (ESV) 

8  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah 

Observation:

There are times in our life when in the most desperate of situations we find ourselves praying the most daring prayers.

If we turn to the Lord in prayer, we will find that He is always ready to listen to His people when we pray. God expects us to pray.

You may find yourself in a difficult circumstance right now. If life has knocked you down, and you have fallen on your back; don't just wallow in your pain. You are well positioned to take the upward look. Do like the Psalmist encourages us to do, "O people; pour out your heart to God".

Now is the time for all of God's people to call upon the Lord in desperate and daring prayer.

Hebrews 4:16 (HCSB) 

16  Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. 

As you begin to pour out your heart before the Lord start by remembering all that He has done for you. Go back to the time you gave your life to Him, and He saved you; the time you were born again; born from above.

Then begin to count your blessings; naming them one by one, and give the Lord the praise, and the glory that belongs to Him alone. And, don't forget to tell Him how thankful you are for each of your blessings.

You will find that the Lord is a strong tower, and that You will find in Him all that you need to get off your back, and to continue the journey of walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

What you will discover is that your problems are God's raw material for a miracle in your life. There is nothing too difficult for God. Why not decide to trust in Him at all times, and experience that He is a might refuge all the time, and always on time. 

Prayer:

Father God, we offer this prayer from the Word up to You. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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.

--

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_February 11, 2016

Title: Why I Value Contentment Over Control

Text:

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV) 

11  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 

12  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 

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

Observation:

I have found that we can find contentment in the midst of trying and difficulty circumstances. I can't control what happens around me, but I can choose how I react to things that happen to me, and around me.

I'm grateful for every day that the Lord gives me, and I choose to rejoice, and be glad in it. I can live with contentment because of this promise.

John 10:10 (ESV) 

10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 

I have found in my experience of living that the key to contentment is to live one day at a time. How do you eat an elephant? The answer, one bite at a time.

While you are waiting on prayers that you prayed previously, why not ask the Lord to give you what you need today. Meanwhile, give Him thanks for what He has already done for you.

Psalm 23:1 (HCSB) 

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

Prayer:

Father God, I exalt Your name above every name on earth and in heaven. Father, I am so grateful for everything You have done for me from the day of my birth until this present moment.

Father, I acknowledge that I am not my own, I have been bought with a price. Jesus paid it all for me so I willingly give myself to Him, and You for sending Him to be my Savior and the Lord of my life.

Father, I willing surrender my life to You, and I wait patiently upon You to supply all of my needs, and to supply them one day at a time. 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_February 10, 2016

Title: Do You Get More Joy from Getting or Giving?

Text:

Proverbs 11:24-25 (HCSB) 

24  One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. 

25  A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water. 

Observation:

Today I have the word giving on my heart. So, I asked myself this question. What has God freely given to me that I am now giving to others in His name? Today, I thank the Lord for the life experience he has given to me, and that I have the privilege and blessing of sharing freely with others.

I have been touched and moved today by our focal passage from he Word of God, and by the lyrics of the hymn by the gospel writer Doris Akers, "Your Can't Beat God Giving".

"You can't beat God giving,

No matter how hard you try

And just as sure as you are living 

And the Lord is in heaven on high

The more you give the more He gives to you

But keep on giving because its really true that

You can't beat God giving,

No matter how you try."

Why not consider what God has freely given to you, and make a decision to freely give it to others for His glory, and as a deposit in the life of some needy person. Take an inventory of your blessings, and see if the promise of the Word will not become real in your life. Notice that blessings and influence comes from what we give. 

Luke 6:38 (HCSB) 

38  Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." 

Prayer:

Father God, I thank You so much for the generous way that You give to Your people.

Father, help us to show how deeply Your love abides in our hearts by how we freely give to others what You have freely given to us. 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