Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 31, 2016

Title: Do You Need Wisdom In Your Life?

Text:

Proverbs 9:1 (HCSB) 

1  Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. 

Observation:

As I look back on my life I am so grateful for the house of Wisdom. Today marks the 50th anniversary of my discharge from the United States Army in Alaska, which I made my home for 45 years.

The thing I am most grateful for is the wisdom of God that I find in Jesus my Savior, and the Lord of my life. The bible says that Jesus is wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (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, 

31  in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord. 

I have never known what I was going to do next. However, I knew that day 50 years ago, and I know today the one who is wisdom. If I need wisdom, I know where to find it.

James 1:5 (HCSB) 

5  Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 

Whatever the child of God needs, God will supply. Help is always just a prayer away.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (HCSB) 

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

7  casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. 

Prayer:

Father, I thank You for the pattern that Jesus gave His disciples concerning how to pray. Father, I'm so grateful that I can ask You each day this request. 

Luke 11:3 (HCSB) 

Give us each day our daily bread. 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_March 30, 2016

Title: Who Will Lift the Savior Up?

Text:

John 12:32 (HCSB) 

32  As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all ⌊people⌋ to Myself." 

Observation:

This statement by Jesus completes the previous "lifted up" statements in the Gospel of John.

John 3:14-15 (HCSB) 

14  Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 

15  so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. 

John 8:28 (HCSB) 

28  So Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am ⌊He⌋, and that I do nothing on My own. But just as the Father taught Me, I say these things. 

I was listening to this song, "Will Somebody Lift the Savior Up", and the idea for today's topic was born.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, help us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to tell with our witness, and our walk that we will be one of the somebodies who will lift the Savior up. 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_March 29, 2016

Title: Are You Training Yourself To Be Godly?

Text:

1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) 

8  "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." 

Observation:

Here are 7 disciplines that matter when it comes to being serious about growing in godliness.

1. Read God's Word daily.
2. Pray always.
3. Share what you get from your time in the word and prayer.
4. Relate with others; don't just go to church, be the church.
5. Serve others; it's the Jesus way.
6. Listen to others.
7. Give your time, talent, and treasure in the work of the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 5:14 (HCSB) 

14  But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. 

Prayer:

Father, help us to keep moving as we walk through this world from our earthly home to our heavenly home.

Father, help us, by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, to sync our talk and our walk; our head and our heart. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

2 Peter 3:18 (HCSB) 

18  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 

--

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_March 28, 2016

Title: Have You Been Made Free?

Text:

John 8:36 (KJV) 

36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 

Observation:

Did you have a good and godly day yesterday? Our pastor spoke about "The Open Grave". He said the open grave is a symbol of freedom. Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome.

Romans 6:17-18 (NLT) 

17  Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 

18  Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. 

Have you been set free from the penalty of sin? Have you been set free from the power of sin?

Romans 6:23 (NLT) 

23  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Yesterday was about what Jesus did for you and for me when He died on the cross that Friday afternoon. Notice what Paul writes here.

Romans 3:22-23 (NLT) 

22  We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 

23  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 

Here is how to be made free; how to accept the gift of love that God provides for those who believe in Jesus. Here is how to make Resurrection Sunday real and personal in your life.

Romans 10:9-10 (NLT) 

9  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 

Romans 10:13 (NLT) 

13  For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be our sin bearer, and to do for us what we could not do for ourselves.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) 

21  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 

Father, I thank You that when Jesus died on the cross that He was not alone. When He died on that old rugged cross at Calvary I died. And, because He was not alone then, I have the blessed assurance that I am never alone because Christ lives in me.

I pray that Christ is alive in the readers, and the hearers of this Word. 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 25, 2016

Title: Why Good Friday Was Necessary

Text:

Jeremiah 9:1-3 (HCSB) 

1  If my head were ⌊a spring of⌋ water, my eyes a fountain of tears, I would weep day and night over the slain of my dear people. 

2  If only I had a traveler's lodging place in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a solemn assembly of treacherous people. 

3  They bent their tongues ⌊like⌋ their bows; lies and not faithfulness prevail in the land, for they proceed from one evil to another, and they do not take Me into account. ⌊This is⌋ the LORD's declaration. 

Observation:

I read this passage this morning about the lament of Jeremiah, and it reminded me of why Good Friday was necessary.

It never ceases to amaze me of the love that God has for man. It is an everlasting love; it is unconditional love. Notice how God delights and rejoices in His people.

Zephaniah 3:17 (HCSB) 

17  Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring ⌊you⌋ quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy." 

Give some of your time during the next three days to think about how much God loves you, and the extent that He has gone to restore fallen man, and impute to you His righteousness so that You might be fit to live in His presence for eternity. Have you received His love gift to you?

John 3:16-18 (HCSB) 

16  "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 

17  For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 

18  Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. 

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for the extent that You went to reconcile fallen man to a state of right standing before You so that we might live with You forever.

Father, I thank You that You are able to save everyone who believes in Jesus. Father, I believe in Jesus, and thank You Father that He lives in my heart. 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 24, 2016

Title: The Faithfulness of the Lord

Text:

Joshua 21:43-45 (HCSB) 

43  So the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. 

44  The LORD gave them rest on every side according to all He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the LORD handed over all their enemies to them. 

45  None of the good promises the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled. 

Observation:

I came across the focal passage in my Daily Bible Reading this week. I was reminded of the benefits of reading the Old Testament. This is what Paul said in his letter to the church at Rome.

Romans 15:4 (HCSB) 

4  For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. 

We can be encouraged when we read the whole bible because we see from Genesis to Revelation that God is a promise-keeping God.

I agree with the lyrics of the song, "The Day You Set Me Free" by Jessy Dixon.

"You kept all your promises, that you gave to me, the day you set me free".

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I am so thankful that You are a God in whom I can trust with my whole heart. Father, I am so grateful that You are a God who keeps all of Your promises. 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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Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 23, 2016

Title: What Type of Leader Are You?

Text:

Matthew 20:24-28 (HCSB) 

24  When the 10 ⌊disciples⌋ heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. 

25  But Jesus called them over and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. 

26  It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 

27  and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; 

28  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many." 

Observation:

Two things brought me to the place of focusing on this topic today. Yesterday I read an article by John Maxwell about leadership. He offered a Maximum Impact Leadership Assessment tool, and since it was free, I decided to take the assessment. My maximum impact strength was service.

The second thing happened this morning when I read the You Version Bible Verse of the Day, which was Matthew 20:28.The focus was service.

Needless to say my one word goal for today is service. The question asked by the devotional I listened to this morning was this. What goal can you set today to be a servant?

The best advice of how to be a servant leader was modeled by Jesus. He told His disciples the type of leaders they should be.

Matthew 20:26-27 (HCSB) 

26  It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 

27  and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; 

Prayer:

Father, I exalt Your name above every name; there is none like You, no not one.

Father, help each of us to embrace the leadership model of Jesus. Father, help us to show love and patience, today and everyday, to the people that we encounter in our home, workplace, and the marketplace. Father, help us to be more and more like Jesus everyday. 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 22, 2016

Title: Where Do You Go When You Have A Heavy Heart?

Text:

Luke 22:39-43 (ESV) 

39  And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 

40  And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 

41  And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 

42  saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." 

43  And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 

Observation:

During the Passion Week Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives. He went there to pray.

This example of Jesus informs me of where I should go when I have a heavy heart; when the burdens and circumstances get too big for me. If Jesus felt the need to pray, then what about you and me?

Notice how Jesus prayed:

Luke 22:42 (ESV) 

42  saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." 

When God gives us something to do, we can expect it will be more than we can do in our strength. We say I can't do that; I'm too weak. It's in this condition that He can use us. Paul's life is an example of this truth.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) 

9  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

In answer to the prayer of Jesus, God the Father gave Jesus what He needed to fulfill God's will for His life.

Luke 22:43 (ESV) 

43  And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 

God the Father heard the prayer of Jesus. He did not take the cup of suffering away from Jesus, but He gave Him the strength to turn it into the cup of salvation.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed by Your name. Father, I am so grateful that we can come to You in prayer, and exchange our weaknesses for Your strength. Father, gives us the faith to trust in 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 21, 2016

Title: Do You Need Healing for A Sickness?

Text:

Mark 5:25-26 (HCSB) 

25  A woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years 

26  had endured much under many doctors. She had spent everything she had and was not helped at all. On the contrary, she became worse. 

Observation:

I woke up this morning and read a text message from a dear friend requesting prayer for a significant health condition that the doctors have been unable to help her with for over five years.

I was impressed to search for a healing scripture to enable me to pray a prayer of faith for her, and I was led to this passage from Mark, and to this particular verse.

Mark 5:34 (HCSB) 

34  "Daughter," He said to her, "your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be free from your affliction." 

How did this woman exercise her faith in Jesus to heal her? This is what she did.

Matthew 9:20 (HCSB) 

20  Just then, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years approached from behind and touched the tassel on His robe, 

What gave her the faith to reach out and touch the tassel of His robe? The bible says faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Notice what the Word of God says.

Numbers 15:37-40 (HCSB) 

37  The LORD said to Moses, 

38  "Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, and put a blue cord on the tassel at ⌊each⌋ corner. 

39  These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the LORD's commands and obey them and not become unfaithful by following your own heart and your own eyes. 

40  This way you will remember and obey all My commands and be holy to your God. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I know that You have many daughters and sons that need a healing of sickness and diseases in their bodies.

Father, I pray that they will look up to You for the healing and the help that they need.

Father, I read in Your Word that one of the many prayers we should pray are prayers for the sick. Father, I ask that praying people who read this prayer will join with me in praying for the sick that have asked us to pray for them. Lord, I'm looking for miracles of grace to result from the prayers of Your people for the sick. 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 18, 2016

Title: Who Is Willing To Go The Distance?

Text:

Joshua 14:6-11 (HCSB) 

6  The descendants of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD promised Moses the man of God at Kadesh-barnea about you and me. 

7  I was 40 years old when Moses the LORD's servant sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout the land, and I brought back an honest report. 

8  My brothers who went with me caused the people's hearts to melt with fear, but I remained loyal to the LORD my God. 

9  On that day Moses promised me: 'The land where you have set foot will be an inheritance for you and your descendants forever, because you have remained loyal to the LORD my God.' 

10  "As you see, the LORD has kept me alive ⌊these⌋ 45 years as He promised, since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel was journeying in the wilderness. Here I am today, 85 years old. 

11  I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength for battle and for daily tasks is now as it was then. 

Observation:

Today I am focused on Caleb. What an inspiration, and an encouragement for all of God's children of the blessing of being faithful to God in the hard times of our journey through this world.

There is a blessing for being faithful to God. For the unbelieving, there is no hope, and because of this, they died in the wilderness. However, for Caleb, he had faith, and he was faithful. He had a living hope, and he lived to enter the promised land.

Numbers 14:24 (HCSB) 

24  But since My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me completely, I will bring him into the land where he has gone, and his descendants will inherit it. 

Prayer:

Father, I extol You, and give praise, and thanksgiving to You for who You are, and for Your mighty works.

Father, I pray that You will find me to be a faithful servant, and that I will be faithful to the end.

Father, my heart's desire is to be united with others who are willing to believe in You, and are willing to be faithful to the end; to go with me to the Promised Land. 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 17, 2016

Title: What A Friend

Text:

Proverbs 17:17 (HCSB) 

17  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time. 

Observation:

The portion of the verse that is speaking into my heart today is this, "A friend loves at all times; not just in a difficult time".

Ruth 1:16 (HCSB) 

16  But Ruth replied: Do not persuade me to leave you or go back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 

What A Friend! We are most like our Savior when we love and care for one another; not just when we are at our best; but, when we are at our worst. We belong to each other, and we need each other.

Proverbs 18:14 (HCSB) 

14  A man's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? 

Friendships have its risks, but it is better to have friends that sometime disappoint you than to be an isolated person without a friend.

Proverbs 18:19 (HCSB) 

19  An offended brother is ⌊harder to reach⌋ than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress. 

Proverbs 18:1 (HCSB) 

1  One who isolates himself pursues ⌊selfish⌋ desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I thank You for providing for us the most wonderful and trusted friend a person could ever have. O how I love Jesus, because He first loved me.

Father, help each of us to be a friend that loves others first, and that loves at all times; not just in a difficult 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_March 16, 2016

Title: Are You Saved, Sanctified, and Sent?

Text:

John 17:14-19 (HCSB) 

14  I have given them Your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world. 

15  I am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. 

16  They are not of the world, as I am not of the world. 

17  Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. 

18  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 

19  I sanctify Myself for them, so they also may be sanctified by the truth. 

Observation:

If you are a child of God, do you realize what Jesus has done for you? O, how blessed to be a child of God. It is God that saves, sanctifies, and sends His people.

Notice this prayer Jesus prayed for His disciples of every age. This prayer was for you.

John 17:20-21 (HCSB) 

20  I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message. 

21  May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me. 

Jesus is not unaware of the trials, troubles, and temptations you will face living in this present world.

John 16:33 (HCSB) 

33  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." 

In this world with all of its problems, you can still have peace in the midst of the storms of life. This is the promise of Jesus to His followers.

John 14:27 (HCSB) 

27  "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. 

Prayer:

Our Father, hallowed be Your name. What a privilege to be able to call you our Father; to know that we are loved by God. Father, I am so glad I can call You my Father.

Father, my greatest desire is that You might increase, and I might decrease so that the glory may go to You, and that the growth might be seen in me. 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_March 15, 2016

Title: What Is the Strength of Your Life?

Text:

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV) 

10  Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 

Observation:

Today is the 4th anniversary of the death of my wife and best friend of  nearly 50 years.

One of the truths that has been reinforced in my life during the past four years is that the joy of the Lord can indeed be my strength, and my stronghold.

There is nothing that can lift my sadness and sorrow like having a grateful heart that is reflected in an attitude of gratitude. When I get down I don't stay down. I have an anchor in Christ Jesus, and I can look up, and give praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for all of my blessings.

There is always something to thank the Lord for because everything comes from Him.

James 1:16-18 (NLT) 

16  So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 

17  Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 

18  He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. 

When I spend time alone with God, I can have a conversation with the Sovereign God of the universe; the God who created the world, and who made me in His image.

As I express my gratefulness to Him in prayer, He lifts my spirits, and His joy becomes my strength, and allows me to live one day at a time in complete dependence upon Him.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed by Your name. Father, I delight to spend time alone in Your presence, and to know the peace, and receive the power that comes when I look up beyond the mountains to the source of life.

I am so grateful that the joy of the Lord is my strength today, and every 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_March 14, 2016

Title: How to Open the Eyes of Our Heart?

Text:

Ephesians 1:15-19 (HCSB) 

15  This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 

16  I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 

17  ⌊I pray⌋ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 

18  ⌊I pray⌋ that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 

19  and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength. 

Observation:

The Word of God tells us that our heart and mind can be open through the power of the prayers of God's people.

Ephesians 1:18 (KJV) 

18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

The lyrics of the song by Michale W. Smith speaks into my heart as I think, and pray for this to be a reality in my life.

"Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

I want to see You

To see You high and lifted up

Shinin' in the light of Your glory

Pour out Your power and love

As we sing holy, holy, holy."

Are you willing to pray to our heavenly Father, and ask Him to open the eyes of your heart so that you might see Jesus seated in the throne room of heaven at the Father's right hand?

If you are, if you ask Him, He will pour out of His heart, and into your heart, an abundance of His love, forgiveness, and grace. Then, you can pour that love into the lives of the people that God brings into your space.

Prayer:

Father, I adore You, and I exalt Your name. Father, there is none like You. Father, shine upon Your people, and bless us so that we can be a blessing to 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_March 11, 2016

Title: How Can You Have A Clear Conscience?

Text:

Psalm 32:1-2 (HCSB) 

1 How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! 

2  How joyful is the man the LORD does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit! 

Observation:

How can a person like you and me be blameless in the eyes of the Lord? First, we must be in Christ. Otherwise, God sent Jesus into the world for nothing.

John 3:3 (HCSB) 

3  Jesus replied, "I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 

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. 

In my view, if Jesus says it; then, that settles it.

John 8:31-32 (HCSB) 

31  So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. 

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

David is described in the bible as a man after God's own heart. However, he was not without sin. But, there is something else about David, he was a man who was totally dependent upon the Lord. His heart was right before God.

Psalm 18:1-3 (HCSB) 

1 I love You, LORD, my strength. 

2  The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

3  I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies. 

David was not a self-made man. Rather, he was a man of God. Notice what he says here.

Psalm 18:30 (HCSB) 

30  God—His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. 

Prayer:

Father, I am in awe of You, and the love and care that You have for Your children.

Father, draw us nearer to You by the power of the divine presence of the triune God that lives in the hearts of Your people.

Father, give each of us sufficient grace and faith to be able to trust in You first, and to allow our connection with You to lead, guide, and direct our lives through this world of trials and temptations. Father, we want to be blameless in Your eyes. 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