Sharing the Word

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 12, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵The thoughts of the righteous ⌊are⌋ just, but guidance from the wicked ⌊leads to⌋ deceit. ⁶The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 146:1-2 (HCSB)
¹Hallelujah! My soul, praise the Lord. ²I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I live.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 6:20 (HCSB)
Then looking up at His disciples, He said: You who are poor are blessed, because the kingdom of God is yours.

Luke 6:27-28 (HCSB)
²⁷"But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

My observation:

In his teaching Jesus was in a class all by himself. He taught with the authority of God because he was the Son of God. The words that Jesus spoke in this message were not easy to receive because it goes against the very nature of man.

Our focus today in on his words in Luke concerning praying for those who mistreat you. Notice that Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, and to those who would listen.

You might ask the question why should I love my enemies and pray for those who mistreat me. The response is why not? What profit is there if you hate your enemies and curse them?

Why not commit your enemies and those who mistreat you into the hands of God. He is able to do something that will benefit them and you. We demonstrate that we are truly Christ followers when we show grace and mercy to sinners. When we pray for wrongdoers we exhibit to a watching world that we have a confident trust in a Sovereign God.

Our prayers have the power to change the wrongdoer, and to change us. The wrongdoer can be forgiven and find deliverance. We can find peace where there has been discord. Our prayers will provide the benefit of delivering us from being reactionary, hostile and bitter.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I needed to hear this word from you so much today about praying for those who mistreat you. Lord, I love you with my whole heart, and I am confident that the words you spoke to your disciples then are the words I need to hear and obey today. Lord, I give all of my cares to you. Hallelujah! You can turn our sorrows into joy.

My song:

Give Them All to Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWTcUTuL-n4

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.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 11, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:20 (HCSB)
Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord, but those with blameless conduct are His delight.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 145:19 (HCSB)
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry for help and saves them.

Psalm 145:21 (HCSB)
My mouth will declare Yahweh's praise; let every living thing praise His holy name forever and ever.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 6:12-13 (HCSB)
¹²During those days He went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God. ¹³When daylight came, He summoned His disciples, and He chose 12 of them—He also named them apostles:

My observation:

There came a time in the ministry of Jesus when he had to make a momentous decision where the stakes were extremely high. He had to decide who he would entrust with the responsibility of taking the gospel of Christ to the whole world. Jesus had many disciples, but who among them could he select for this essential mission.

Jesus did what he often did; he decided to spend some time alone with God. This decision was so weighty that he went away and climbed a mountain where he could be away from the crowd. He needed to be alone with the Father, and he needed to have an extended time with God. He spent all night in prayer. He needed to talk to his Father, and he needed to hear from his Father.

Failure was not an option in the selection of the twelve disciples that he would appoint as Apostles. Jesus knew that these men frail humans and that in their flesh that could not accomplish the mission he would give them.

Notice the list of twelve men that Jesus chose. The first on the list is Peter who denied he knew Jesus, but later repented, and the last was Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Luke 6:14 (HCSB)
Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

Luke 6:16 (HCSB)
Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

The twelve were not perfect, but they learned from Jesus how to connect with the Father in heaven who is perfect. It is impossible to do the work of God without spending much time in the presence of God. We speak to him in prayer, and he speaks to us through his word. He empowers his people with his presence and his power to do the work of God.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that I can bring every need that I have to you in prayer, and have the assurance that you will hear my cry for help. Father, you know that I am weak, and in my strength alone, I can do nothing that would be pleasing to you.

Lord, I thank you for the promise of the Word that says in, Psalm 145:18 (HCSB)
The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity.

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.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 10, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 10:23 (HCSB)
As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool, so wisdom is for a man of understanding.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 145:18 (HCSB)
The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 5:15-16 (HCSB)
¹⁵But the news about Him spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. ¹⁶Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.

My observation:

Jesus was enormously popular during his earthly ministry. Everywhere Jesus went the crowds came to hear him. The people came to hear him teach because he taught with the authority that they had not seen in other teachers. They came to him with all kinds of infirmities because they had not seen anyone else with the power to heal like he possessed.

However, there was something distinctly different about Jesus. His authority and power came from his Father in heaven.

Luke 3:21-22 (HCSB)
²¹When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying, heaven opened, ²²and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son. I take delight in You!

Jesus recognized the source of his authority, message, and power. Therefore, as seen in our focal passage from Luke for today we see Jesus taking time to get away from the crowds, and seek time alone with his heavenly Father. O the blessings and the favor that God is willing to give to those who avail themselves of the opportunity to seek the face of the Lord in prayer.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the desire that you have in your heart to have communion with your beloved children. Father God, I thank you for the privilege that you grant to your children to have unlimited face time with you in prayer.

Father, sometimes I need to have a little talk, but there are times I need to have a big talk with you. In either case, you are always available to meet with me in prayer.

My song:

Have a Little Talk with Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVpF4GOYIGc

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, January 9, 2011

Sunday Morning Reflections_January 9, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 9:10-12 (HCSB)
¹⁰"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. ¹²If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear ⌊the consequences⌋."

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 145:1-2 (HCSB)
¹I exalt You, my God the King, and praise Your name forever and ever. ²I will praise You every day; I will honor Your name forever and ever.

The Word for encouragement:

Job 23:8-12 (HCSB)
⁸If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. ⁹When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him. ¹⁰Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold. ¹¹My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside. ¹²I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food.

Psalm 139:7-12 (HCSB)
⁷Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? ⁸If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. ⁹If I live at the eastern horizon ⌊or⌋ settle at the western limits, ¹⁰even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me. ¹¹If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night"— ¹²even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to You.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you are a God who is always with and that you always care for your people.

Father, I thank you for being a God in whom I can trust no matter what may come into my life and no matter where I may be in this world. It is comforting to know that there is a God in heaven who watches over and cares for me.

Father, I thank you for being a shelter in which I can find safety from the storms of life, and for being the rock on which I can build my life upon.

My song:

Does Jesus Care (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzNCa03fk_s

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.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 7, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 7:1-3 (MSG)
¹Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. ²Do what I say and you'll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it! ³Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 145:15-16 (HCSB)
¹⁵All eyes look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. ¹⁶You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The Word for encouragement:

My observation:

In today's passage Luke records the first occurrence of Jesus praying. At the most important events in his life and ministry on earth Luke records Jesus turning to prayer. This tells us how much Jesus depended upon prayer. If Jesus needed to pray in his life then certainly we need to pray.

The life of Jesus gives us a wonderful role model of what obedience to God looks like. In this passage we see Jesus being baptized and praying; both are acts of obedience to his heavenly Father.

When Jesus prayed, the book says, "As He was praying, heaven opened". What an awesome sight and affirmation that must have been for Jesus. While he was praying Jesus experienced the appearance and approval of the divine Godhead. Jesus experienced the power of the Holy Spirit and the approval and favor of God the Father.

Why would you do anything in your life without prayer? Jesus didn't, and neither should we. There is nothing that you need in your life and your ministry that heaven can't supply. You hold the key to the storehouse in your hands, it is prayer.

Philippians 4:6 (MSG)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise you for your generosity. Father, I thank you for the open invitation to bring all of our needs and our concerns to you in prayer. Lord, may I learn to be obedient like Jesus by meeting you in prayer before I do anything and having you fill my empty cup.

My song:

Fill My Cup Lord (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4l2yY2r95g

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.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 6, 2011

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 145:11-12 (HCSB)
¹¹They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom and will declare Your might, ¹²informing ⌊all⌋ people of Your mighty acts and of the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 2:36-38 (HCSB)
³⁶There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. ³⁸At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

My observation:

Today we look at the next mention of prayer in the gospel of Luke. This woman devoted most of her life to the temple ministry after the death of her husband. She was limited in what she was able to do, but she was not useless. She was not despondent by what she could not do. Rather, she was faithful in what she could do.

She did not sit around and complain about her misfortune of having her husband for only seven years after their marriage. Instead she made a decision to give herself in service to the Lord for the next 84 years. She was a woman of faith and prayer, and God used her for his glory, and to be a blessing in the lives of others.

God reserves special blessings for his servants who devote themselves to continually living in his presence like Anna did for her whole life.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the privilege of being able to continuously live in your presence through prayer and the word of God. Lord, I praise you and delight to speak of your glory.

Psalm 145:11-12 (MSG)
¹¹your holy people bless you. They talk about the glories of your rule, they exclaim over your splendor, ¹²Letting the world know of your power for good, the lavish splendor of your kingdom.

My song:

When We Walk with the Lord (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Trust_and_Obey.html

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.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Daily Prayer_January 5, 2011

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 145:9 (MSG)
God is good to one and all; everything he does is suffused with grace.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 1:35 (HCSB)
The angel replied to her: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:37-38 (HCSB)
³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God." ³⁸"I am the Lord's slave," said Mary. "May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:45 (HCSB)
She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!"

My observation:

Here we see an example of God's servant, Mary the mother of our Lord, who passed the faith test. When you are highly favored by the Lord, what is there to fear or doubt? Mary was able to cast her eyes upon her Lord and his great power, and not upon her own weaknesses and inadequacies. It takes a deep-seated faith to trust in the Lord with your whole heart, but the rewards are worth it.

It is not the size of your faith but the object of your faith that makes the difference. I delight to put my faith in Mary's God for he is the Father of my Lord and Savior Jesus the messiah.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for your goodness and your amazing grace that you give to your believing children. Father God, I pray for more faith. My heart sings "O for grace to trust you more".

My song:

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Tis_So_Sweet.html

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.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

The Word for inspiration:

The Word for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

The Word for inspiration:

The Word for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

The Word for inspiration:

The Word for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

Sunday, January 9, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

The Word for inspiration:

The Word for encouragement:

My prayer:

My song:

Friday, January 7, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

The Word for inspiration:

The Word for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

The Word for inspiration:

The Word for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

The Word for inspiration:

The Word for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

Featured Post