Daily Prayer_December 7, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 7:1 (HCSB)
My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:1-3 (MSG)
¹ A David psalm, when he outwitted Abimelech and got away. I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. ² I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: ³ Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out.

My observation:

David spent a great deal of time running from King Saul. The introduction to this Psalm indicates that it was after one of his successful escapes that he wrote this Psalm. You can read about this episode in David's life in 1 Samuel 21.

The theme of this Psalm is that God is able and willing to provide protection and provisions for his people if they will put their trust in him. You don't have to lie about your situation to help God out. David discovered that there is always someone who knows the truth, and they will reveal it at the most inconvenient time for the one who uses lies as a means of protection.

1 Samuel 22:9 (HCSB)
Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul's servants, answered: "I saw Jesse's son come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

Proverbs 12:22 (HCSB)
Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight.

When you are facing trying times in your life or dealing with difficult people in your life, be encouraged that you don't have to face trouble alone. If you trust in the Lord, you can have hope because you have a helper who will walk through your troubles with you. The Lord will be your deliverer, and you will have a reason to speak a good word about the Lord.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I don't have to look back very far in my life to have a reason for saying a good word about my heavenly Father. Lord, I pray that I will never feel so squeezed by the enemy that I will have to resort to lying lips to protect me. I don't need to resort to lying when I put my whole life in the hands of my Savior. Lord, may I never cease to lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus. In the arms of Jesus I am safe and secure from all alarms.

My song:

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/558

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My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org

Current topic: A Proverb a day for wisdom, and a Psalm a day for inspiration.

 

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

 





 

Daily Prayer_December 7, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 7:1 (HCSB)
My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 34:1-3 (MSG)
¹ A David psalm, when he outwitted Abimelech and got away. I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. ² I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: ³ Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out.

My observation:

David spent a great deal of time running from King Saul. The introduction to this Psalm indicates that it was after one of his successful escapes that he wrote this Psalm. You can read about this episode in David's life in 1 Samuel 21.

The theme of this Psalm is that God is able and willing to provide protection and provisions for his people if they will put their trust in him. You don't have to lie about your situation to help God out. David discovered that there is always someone who knows the truth, and they will reveal it at the most inconvenient time for the one who uses lies as a means of protection.

1 Samuel 22:9 (HCSB)
Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul's servants, answered: "I saw Jesse's son come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

Proverbs 12:22 (HCSB)
Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight.

When you are facing trying times in your life or dealing with difficult people in your life, be encouraged that you don't have to face trouble alone. If you trust in the Lord, you can have hope because you have a helper who will walk through your troubles with you. The Lord will be your deliverer, and you will have a reason to speak a good word about the Lord.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I don't have to look back very far in my life to have a reason for saying a good word about my heavenly Father. Lord, I pray that I will never feel so squeezed by the enemy that I will have to resort to lying lips to protect me. I don't need to resort to lying when I put my whole life in the hands of my Savior. Lord, may I never cease to lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus. In the arms of Jesus I am safe and secure from all alarms.

My song:

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/558

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org

Current topic: A Proverb a day for wisdom, and a Psalm a day for inspiration.

 

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

 





 

Daily Prayer_December 6, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 6:23 (HCSB)
For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective discipline is the way to life.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 33:20-22 (HCSB)
²⁰ We wait for Yahweh; He is our help and shield. ²¹ For our hearts rejoice in Him because we trust in His holy name. ²² May Your faithful love rest on us, Yahweh, for we put our hope in You.

My observation:

The concluding words of this Psalm are a great encouragement to me. I am glad to be able to associate myself with the Psalmist, and with the saints of the ages who have put their trust in God's word, and their life in the hands of the central figure of God's word, the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can never go wrong when you put your hope in the Lord. The words of the Lord that created life are fully capable of redeeming life, and sustaining that life eternally.

This Psalm concludes by pointing out three things that characterize the life of those who trust in and hope in the Lord. The three characteristics are waiting on the Lord, rejoicing in the Lord, and praying unto the Lord.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the unfailing love of the Lord for his people. Father God, in Psalm 33 we have seen how you have demonstrated your power in creation, in history, and in the life of your people. Father God, my trust and my hope is in you alone.

Psalm 33:22 (AMP)
Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.

My song:

Pray Unto the Lord (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6WsiqoaXA4

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org

Current topic: A Proverb a day for wisdom, and a Psalm a day for inspiration.

 

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

 





 

Sunday Morning Reflections

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 5:21 (HCSB)
For a man's ways are before the Lord's eyes, and He considers all his paths.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 33:22 (AMP)
Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.

The Word for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 4:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. ² Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God's message, but commending ourselves to every person's conscience in God's sight by an open display of the truth. ³ But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are lost. ⁴ In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus.

John 3:16 (HCSB)
"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.

My prayer:

Father God, I am so thankful that the God that I serve and to whom I pray is greater and more powerful than our chief enemy, who is the god of this age. The enemy of our soul seeks to blind, but the Lord seeks to open blind eyes so that they can see the truth and know the truth. Lord, I know that you can and you will open the eyes of those who the god of this age has blinded to the truth that Jesus is the Savior of the world.

My song:

Open My Eyes, That I May See (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Open_My_Eyes_That_I_May_See.html

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org

Current topic: A Proverb a day for wisdom, and a Psalm a day for inspiration.

 

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

 





 

Daily Prayer_December 3, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; ⁶ think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 33:13-19 (HCSB)
¹³ The Lord looks down from heaven; He observes everyone. ¹⁴ He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth from His dwelling place. ¹⁵ He alone shapes their hearts; He considers all their works. ¹⁶ A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be delivered by great strength. ¹⁷ The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power. ¹⁸ Now the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him— those who depend on His faithful love ¹⁹ to deliver them from death and to keep them alive in famine.

My observation:

Of all the reasons for praising the Lord, this one for me is the most compelling. The all seeing God who is the creator of everything, although he sits enthroned on high, he condescends and looks low. He cares about every living being that he made.

I agree with what the Apostle Paul said when he contemplated the love of our Savior, and his response to divine love.

2 Corinthians 5:14 (HCSB)
For Christ's love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died.

It is the love of God that motivates me to come to this place of prayer each day. It is here that I hear a word from the Lord. It is here that I get to listen to his counsel, and act upon what he tells me to do. It is here that I get to intercede for others, and tell him about my troubles.

What a blessing it is to know that the Lord watches over me, and what a privileges it is to exalt his name in private and in corporate worship. Just pause and think about this verse. Isn't this wonderful?

Psalm 33:18 (HCSB)
Now the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him— those who depend on His faithful love.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, you are wonderful, and all your works are breathtaking to see. Father, it is so comforting to know that from your throne in heaven you are keeping your all seeing eyes upon your beloved people. Father, such amazing love stimulates, encourages, and inspires me to worship you in spirit and in truth. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Hallelujah!

My song:

All Praise to Him who Reigns on High (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/79

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org

Current topic: A Proverb a day for wisdom, and a Psalm a day for inspiration.

 

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

 





 

Daily Prayer_December 2, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 2:6-8 (HCSB)
⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. ⁷ He stores up success for the upright; ⌊He is⌋ a shield for those who live with integrity ⁸ so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 33:10-12 (HCSB)
¹⁰ The Lord frustrates the counsel of the nations; He thwarts the plans of the peoples. ¹¹ The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. ¹² Happy is the nation whose God is Yahweh— the people He has chosen to be His own possession!

My observation:

Today's portion of the Psalm provides a second reason why God's people should sing praises to the Lord. Here the Psalmist extols the effects of the power of the words and works of the Lord among the nations of the world.

There is no nation or no leader regardless of their wealth and their power who can thwart the plans of the Lord. The nations are powerless in preventing God's plan from succeeding.  God's plans will prevail.

The wise thing for any nation or any person to do is to consider the words of the Lord from today's Proverb. To exclude the Lord from the life of a nation or the life of an individual is futile, and doomed for defeat.

Isaiah 8:10 (HCSB)
Devise a plan; it will fail. Make a prediction; it will not happen. For God is with us.

It is far better for a nation and an individual to have God in their life. If you have God in your life, be thankful and give him the highest praise.

Psalm 33:12 (NASB)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

My prayer:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we give you the highest praise that our heart can discern, and our lips can sing. Father God, if you find in me any resistance to your will and plans for my life, I ask that you remove it with your compassionate heart and your tender hands. Father, by faith, I ask that you help me to follow you, and live every day under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

My song:

Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57vzYWUW3ro&feature=related

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org

Current topic: A Proverb a day for wisdom, and a Psalm a day for inspiration.

 

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

 





 

Daily Prayer_December 1, 2010

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 31:10 (AMP)
A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

Proverbs 31:26 (AMP)
She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].

Proverbs 1:7 (AMP)
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 33:4-9 (HCSB)
⁴ For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is trustworthy. ⁵ He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the Lord's unfailing love. ⁶ The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth. ⁷ He gathers the waters of the sea into a heap; He puts the depths into storehouses. ⁸ Let the whole earth tremble before the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. ⁹ For He spoke, and it came into being; He commanded, and it came into existence.

My observation:

Our focal Psalm begins with a call to worship, which we looked at yesterday. Today's passage looks at one of three reasons why God's people should worship the Lord.

The Psalmist makes the case for worshipping God in the first sentence, "For the word of the Lord is right". He continues to make the case for the word of the Lord in verses six and nine. The Lord is worthy of praise for all that he says, and for everything that he does. Everything that the Lord says, he is faithful to do. Who else can you say this about? The Lord is on a short list, and he is on that list by himself.

Everything that we see in our world is a result of the word of the Lord. Notice his creative power in verses six through nine. Every living being on the planet owes a debt of gratitude to the Lord.  He is our maker.

Psalm 100:3 (HCSB)
Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Psalm 79:13 (HCSB)
Then we, Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will thank You forever; we will declare Your praise to generation after generation.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the vastness of your person and your power. Father, there is no one who can speak, and by their words create such wonderful works. Lord, you are so wonderful that it makes me want to sing an old song with new appreciation for you and your wonderful works.

My song:

To Me It's So Wonderful (Click on link below to listen to this classic gospel song by Mahalia Jackson):

YouTube - Mahalia Jackson - It's So Wonderful (to Know That Jesus is Mine)

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My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org

Current topic: A Proverb a day for wisdom, and a Psalm a day for inspiration.

 

Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.