Sharing the Word

Friday, July 8, 2011

Daily Prayer_July 8, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 8:4-6 (HCSB)
⁴"People, I call out to you; my cry is to mankind. ⁵Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. ⁶Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right.

Proverbs 8:10-11 (HCSB)
¹⁰Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. ¹¹For wisdom is better than jewels, and nothing desirable can compare with it.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 96:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. ⁶Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Kings 4:8-10 (HCSB)
⁸One day Elisha went to Shunem. A prominent woman who ⌊lived⌋ there persuaded him to eat some food. So whenever he passed by, he stopped there to eat. ⁹Then she said to her husband, "I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God, ¹⁰so let's make a small room upstairs and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp there for him. Whenever he comes, he can stay there."

1 Peter 4:9 (HCSB)
Be hospitable to one another without complaining.

My observation:

The gift of hospitality is a precious and priceless gift. There is a good reward in loving and serving others. The woman at Shunem found this to be true in the service that she rendered to the prophet Elisha. She found it to be true that you can't beat God giving.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 (NKJV)
Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.

My prayer:

Father God, Abba, Father, I am so thankful that I serve a living God who loves and cares for people like you and me. Father, I thank you that you have placed within each of us the ability to love and care for others. Father, teach us to care for others the way that you care for us.

My song:

God Will Take Care of You (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/694

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

Matthew 24:35 (HCSB)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Daily Prayer_July 7, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 7:24 (MSG)
So, friends, listen to me, take these words of mine most seriously.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 96:4 (HCSB)
For the Lord is great and is highly praised; He is feared above all gods.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Kings 4:1-7 (HCSB)
¹One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared the Lord. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves." ²Elisha asked her, "What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" She said, "Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil." ³Then he said, "Go and borrow empty containers from everyone—from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few. ⁴Then go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these containers. Set the full ones to one side." ⁵So she left. After she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing her ⌊containers⌋, and she kept pouring. ⁶When they were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another container." But he replied, "There aren't any more." Then the oil stopped. ⁷She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go sell the oil and pay your debt; you and your sons can live on the rest."

My observation:

In times of helplessness and desperation who do you turn to? In the midst of this very desperate time in the life of this widow she turned to the man of God for help. She reminded the prophet that her husband was a servant of the Lord. The death of her husband had left the family with no resources to pay their creditors.

For the child of God, our limitations and scarcity of resources is not the end of the story. There is a God in heaven that cares, and he has servants among you that care. The widow in her desperate situation went to Elisha for help. She appealed on the basis of being a person who knew and feared the God of the prophet. He was the God of her husband, and I believe he was her God also.

The prophet asked her what can I do for you, and what do you have? Have you taken your issues to God in prayer? Are you willing to give the Lord access to what you have? The lesson in this story is that we should not despise small things because little is much when you put it in the Lord's hands. Give the Lord what you have, and trust him to supply your needs. He will do it if you look to him, and if you trust in him.

Philippians 4:19 (HCSB)
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that you are an all powerful God, and you are a God who cares for your people. Father, I am so glad that nothing is too difficult for you. Father, I pray that when I have a need that I will look to you first, and trust in you to have your will and your way in my life.

My song:

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

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Does_Jesus_Care.html

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Daily Prayer_July 6, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 6:20-22 (NLT)
²⁰My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's instruction. ²¹Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. ²²When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 96:3 (HCSB)
Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful works among all peoples.

The Word of God for encouragement:

1 Kings 19:19-21 (HCSB)
¹⁹Elijah left there and found Elisha son of Shaphat as he was plowing. Twelve teams of oxen were in front of him, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah walked by him and threw his mantle over him. ²⁰Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you." "Go on back," he replied, "for what have I done to you?" ²¹So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered them. With the oxen's wooden yoke and plow, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.

2 Kings 2:1-2 (HCSB)
¹The time had come for the Lord to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal, ²and Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; the Lord is sending me on to Bethel." But Elisha replied, "As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.

My observation:

I am inspired and encouraged by the relationship that Elijah, the mentor, had with Elisha, his mentee. There is great profit in being trustworthy, and in having someone that you can trust in. If you have a relationship like this you are blessed.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 (HCSB)
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.

I have underlined two things that Elijah said to Elisha at various times during that relationship that existed for a period of approximately ten years. Early in the relationship he said to Elisha, "Go on back". Then, near the end of the relationship he said to Elisha, "Stay here".

Elisha was a younger man, but he was a wise and faithful young man. He did not take his mentor up by choosing the easy way. Rather, he was faithful to the end, and he walked with Elijah all the way. Think about it, what Elisha would have missed if he had not decided to go the distance with Elijah. There is a good reward in walking together as servants of the Lord.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I ask that you would give me, and all of your servants the desire that your servant Elisha had in his faithfulness to you and to his mentor Elijah. Father, I ask that you will grant me the grace to be faithful to the end.

2 Timothy 4:7 (HCSB)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

My song:

All the Way My Savior Leads Me (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/701

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

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.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Daily Prayer_July 5, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 5:22 (HCSB)
A wicked man's iniquities entrap him; he is entangled in the ropes of his own sin.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 96:2 (HCSB)
Sing to Yahweh, praise His name; proclaim His salvation from day to day.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Kings 1:7-9 (HCSB)
⁷The king asked them, "What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke those words to you?" ⁸They replied, "A hairy man with a leather belt around his waist." He said, "It's Elijah the Tishbite." ⁹So King Ahaziah sent a captain of 50 with his 50 ⌊men⌋ to Elijah. When the captain went up to him, he was sitting on top of the hill. He announced, "Man of God, the king declares, 'Come down!'"

My observation:

It has been interesting to read through the bible this year using the chronological plan. I have discovered so many interesting truths that have been an encouragement to me. This week I will be sharing some of those truths I read last week.

I have noticed that the bible uses the term, "Man of God" to refer to several of the faithful servants of the Lord. Elijah was one who had that title.

Can we have people today who bear that title? Is it possible for you to be a "Man of God"? Is it possible for you to be a "Woman of God"? Ponder this passage, and think about it.

1 Timothy 6:10-12 (HCSB)
¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. ¹¹But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. ¹²Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.

My prayer:

Father God, Abba, Father, I praise and thank you that you are still putting the mantle on servants of God who have faith in you. Father, when you look at me, may you find a person that is faithful, and will be faithful to the end. Father, I thank you that you are faithful to the end.

My song:

Faithful to the End (Click on link below to listen to this song):

YouTube - ?Hillsong - Faithful To The End - lyrics (09 - Track 9)??

Monday, July 4, 2011

Daily Prayer_July 4, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 4:26 (HCSB)
Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 96:1 (HCSB)
Sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Galatians 5:1 (HCSB)
Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Acts 15:6-11 (HCSB)
⁶Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter. ⁷After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: "Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. ⁸And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us. ⁹He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. ¹⁰Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples' necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? ¹¹On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are."

My observation:

Today in America we celebrate Independence Day. That is a good thing. However, there is a greater freedom that people of every nation, tongue, and tribe can celebrate. It is the freedom that Christ purchased when he died on the cross at Calvary over 2,000 years ago. If you are not free, you can be.

John 1:12 (HCSB)
But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,

Romans 10:8-10 (HCSB)
⁸On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: ⁹If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

Romans 10:13 (HCSB)
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the provision that you have made so that I would not have to die for my own sins. Father, I thank you that because of Jesus, I am able to stand, by the grace and mercy of God, free from the law. O, Happy Day!

My song:

Free From the Law – Oh, Happy Condition (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/1001

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Sunday Morning Reflections_July 3, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 3:1-4 (HCSB)
¹My son, don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; ²for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being. ³Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 25:1-4 (HCSB)
¹Lord, I turn to You. ²My God, I trust in You. Do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me. ³No one who waits for You will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced. ⁴Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 3:1-3 (HCSB)
¹Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you? ²You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, recognized and read by everyone. ³It is clear that you are Christ's letter, produced by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God—not on stone tablets but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.

My prayer:

Father God, I pray that we will never forget the power and the proficiency of the Word of God, and the Spirit of the living God. Father, keep me in your Word, and enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Father, write your words on the tablet of my heart.

Father God, I ask that you would work in me and all your people until you have turned our hearts to receive your Word, and obey it; thereby finding favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.

My song:

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/SH_Come_Thou_Font_of_Every_Blessing.html

Friday, July 1, 2011

Daily Prayer_July 1, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 1:24-28 (HCSB)
²⁴Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention, ²⁵since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction, ²⁶I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you, ²⁷when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you. ²⁸Then they will call me, but I won't answer; they will search for me, but won't find me.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 95:1-7 (HCSB)
¹Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! ²Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout triumphantly to Him in song. ³For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. ⁴The depths of the earth are in His hand, and the mountain peaks are His. ⁵The sea is His; He made it. His hands formed the dry land. ⁶Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. ⁷For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice:

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 13:9 (HCSB)
Anyone who has ears should listen!"

My observation:

There are two powerful and compelling voices that are calling out to each of us, and the voice that we listen to will determine our destiny. One is the call of wisdom, and the other is the call of folly.

Today's focal passage from Proverbs describes the call of folly. This voice is seductive, and many succumb to her plea. They do so to their peril.

Proverbs 7:21-23 (HCSB)
²¹She seduces him with her persistent pleading; she lures with her flattering talk. ²²He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap ²³until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare— he doesn't know it will cost him his life.

Now, hear what the voice of wisdom says:

Proverbs 7:24-27 (HCSB)
²⁴Now, [my] sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth. ²⁵Don't let your heart turn aside to her ways; don't stray onto her paths. ²⁶For she has brought many down to death; her victims are countless. ²⁷Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.

My prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I pray that each one of us who reads these solemn warnings will be alert and listen to the voice of wisdom, and not the voice of folly. Father, tune our ears to listen to your voice as you speak to us through your Word.

My song:

Jesus Calls Us O'er The Tumult (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/SH_Jesus_Calls_Us.html

Friday, July 8, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

The Word of God for inspiration:

The Word of God for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

Thursday, July 7, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

The Word of God for inspiration:

The Word of God for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

The Word of God for inspiration:

The Word of God for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

The Word of God for inspiration:

The Word of God for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

Monday, July 4, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

The Word of God for inspiration:

The Word of God for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

Sunday, July 3, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

The Word of God for inspiration:

The Word of God for encouragement:

My prayer:

My song:

Friday, July 1, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

The Word of God for inspiration:

The Word of God for encouragement:

My observation:

My prayer:

My song:

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