Sunday Morning Reflections_October 9, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 9:7-9 (MSG)
⁷ If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins. ⁸ So don't waste your time on a scoffer; all you'll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that's different—they'll love you for it! ⁹ Save your breath for the wise—they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know—they'll profit from it.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 141:5 (NLT)
Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don't let me refuse it. But I pray constantly against the wicked and their deeds.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Ecclesiastes 7:5 (ESV)
It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.

My prayer:

Father God, I thank you for the Godly wisdom, inspiration, and encouragement I receive as I feast on the Word of God daily. Father, I pray that you will keep me hungry and keep me humble so that I can continue to grow in my walk with the Lord.

Father God, I thank you for the wisdom of today's lesson concerning the benefits of criticism. Father, I thank you for the few wise people you have put in my life who have given me wise and gentle criticism. And, I thank you for the grace gift of humility that has allowed me to accept it, and benefit from the criticism they have given me. Father, give me more wisdom and more humility.

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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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 7, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 7:2 (HCSB)
Keep my commands and live; protect my teachings as the pupil of your eye.

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

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:8-9 (HCSB)
⁸ Refrain from anger and give up {your} rage; do not be agitated—it can only bring harm. ⁹ For evildoers will be destroyed, but those who put their hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:11 (HCSB)
But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Ephesians 4:26-27 (HCSB)
²⁶ Be angry and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and don't give the Devil an opportunity.

My observation:

The choice word from today's portion of Psalm 37 is peace. When you put your focus on your problems and other people you get angry and agitated, and that is not helpful. It only hurts you and others.

Many people think that the only options to dealing with problems are fight or flight. However, for the child of God, there is a superior option. Instead of focusing on the problem or the difficulty people in our life, why not try God's way. You ask, "What is God's way?" I'm glad you asked. This is what God says.

Psalm 37:11 (HCSB)
But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity.

Matthew 5:5 (HCSB)
The gentle are blessed, for they will inherit the earth.

The way to peace of mind is to be humble and gentle, and to trust in the Lord with your whole heart. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your mind in the Word of God. Keep your feet on the pathway of Jesus. Hide the Word in your heart, and apply the Word to your life. Learn to focus on God. He is bigger than all of your problems.

Psalm 119:165 (HCSB)
Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray for the discipline in my life that will enable me to choose the pathway that leads to peace. Father God, help me by your power, to forsake anger, rage, and agitation because they only lead to harm. Father, help me to be gentle and gracious in all my relationships.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (HCSB)
³¹ All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. ³² And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

 

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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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 6, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 6:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor or entered into an agreement with a stranger, ² you have been trapped by the words of your lips— ensnared by the words of your mouth. ³ Do this, then, my son, and free yourself, for you have put yourself in your neighbor's power: Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.

Proverbs 6:5 (HCSB)
Escape like a gazelle from a hunter, like a bird from a fowler's trap.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:7 (HCSB)
Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Psalm 40:1 (HCSB)
I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.

Lamentations 3:26 (HCSB)
It is good to wait quietly for deliverance from the Lord.

My observation:

The choice word for today from Psalm 37 is silent or rest. How wonderful it is that when you wait on the Lord that you don't have to fret about other people. When I give my troubles to the Lord my load is so much lighter, and my future is so much brighter.

I like what Martin Luther said about Psalm 37:7:

"Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him. In Hebrew, 'Be silent to God and let Him mold thee. 'Keep still and He will mold thee to the right shape."

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray for the grace gift of patience so that I will be able to be silent before you, and to wait on you for my deliverance. Father God, I am so thankful for the blessing of perfect peace that result from resting in and being silent before you.

Isaiah 26:3 (HCSB)
You will keep the mind {that is} dependent {on You} in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.

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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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 5, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 5:21 (MSG)
Mark well that God doesn't miss a move you make; he's aware of every step you take.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, ⁶ making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Psalm 97:11 (HCSB)
Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart.

My observation:

Today our choice word from Psalm 37 is the word commit. There are many voices in the land today who criticize God. However, you will find that those who criticize the Lord have not committed their way to the Lord, they have not trusted in the Lord with their whole heart.

I associate myself with the Psalmist and the saints of the ages in trusting in the Lord, and committing everything that is within me to him. As the hymn writer says, "You can have this world, but give me Jesus". As another hymn writer says, "I find no fault in God".

The Lord loves you; he has your best interest on his heart. He wants to save you and take you to heaven when you die. If you trust in him, he will deliver you. However, to enjoy the blessings of the Lord, you must commit your ways to the Lord, trust in him, and delight in him, and he will satisfy your hungry soul.

Isaiah 58:8 (HCSB)
Then your light will appear like the dawn, and your recovery will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the Lord's glory will be your rear guard.

Isaiah 58:10 (HCSB)
and if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for being a God who loves sinners, and sent your son to die for them. Father, I trust in you, I delight in you, and my goal is to commit my ways to you every day, and in every way.

Psalm 116:1 (HCSB)
I love the Lord because He has heard my appeal for mercy.

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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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 4, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 4:7-9 (HCSB)
⁷ Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding. ⁸ Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. ⁹ She will place a garland of grace on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty."

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Do not be agitated by evildoers; do not envy those who do wrong. ² For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender green plants.

Psalm 37:4 (HCSB)
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Philippians 4:4 (HCSB)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Matthew 6:33 (HCSB)
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

My observation:

The choice word for today is delight as we continue our quest to draw wisdom from Psalm 37.

The writer of the Proverbs encourages us to seek wisdom as a first priority. The wise person will encourage others to listen to God's Word, and seek wisdom.

The fruit of wisdom results in a worry free life. When you delight in the Lord, you don't have to get agitated or fret evildoers, and you won't be envious of those that do wrong, and seem to prosper when you look at the externals of their life.

When your priorities are right you can live in victory every day regardless of your circumstances. Your circumstance may not be good, but the Lord is always good. So, follow the example of the Apostle Paul and rejoice in the Lord always. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

Philippians 4:4 (MSG)
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray for the wisdom that comes from you alone. Father, create in me the desire to live daily rejoicing in the Lord. Father, help me to get my priorities right so that I will be in position to receive the desires of my heart from the blessings of your hands. Father you are able, and I pray that my heart will be willing. Lord, where I am not willing, I am willing for you to make me to be willing. Father, I want to learn to seek you first.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (HCSB)
²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— ²¹ to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

 

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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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Daily Prayer_October 3, 2011

The Word of God 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 of God for inspiration:

Psalm 37:3-5 (HCSB)
³ Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. 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,

The Word of God for encouragement:

Isaiah 50:10-11 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Who among you fears the Lord, listening to the voice of His Servant? Who {among you} walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of Yahweh; let him lean on his God. ¹¹ Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with firebrands; walk in the light of your fire and in the firebrands you have lit! This is what you'll get from My hand: you will lie down in a place of torment.

My observation:

Today I have selected Psalm 37 as our focus, and we will tarry on this Psalm for awhile as we meditate on it in bite size pieces. In this Psalm, the Psalmist shares wisdom gained from a lifetime of walking with the Lord.

Psalm 37:25 (HCSB)
I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread.

The choice word for today is trust. People put their trust in a lot of things and in a lot of people. However, they only find their hopes dashed because the one they trusted disappointed them. Conversely, those who trust in the Lord are never disappointed.

Our Father in heaven loves us supremely, and he cares for us more than anyone on earth below or in heaven above. Just like he cared for Jesus, he cares for you and me.

Isaiah 50:7 (HCSB)
The Lord God will help Me; therefore I have not been humiliated; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

Isaiah 50:9 (HCSB)
In truth, the Lord God will help Me; who will condemn Me? Indeed, all of them will wear out like a garment; a moth will devour them.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for your unconditional love, and the tender care that you provide for your beloved people. Father God, I pray that I will be a faithful servant following in the footsteps of your only begotten son, Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Father, give me more faith so that I can learn to trust you more completely, love you more dearly, and serve you more faithfully. Father, help me to be more like Jesus as I simply trust in you every day.

My song:

Simply Trusting Every Day (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/569

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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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 





 

Sunday Morning Reflections_October 2, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 2:6-8 (ESV)
⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; ⁷ he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, ⁸ guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 36:5-9 (ESV)
⁵ Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. ⁶ Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord. ⁷ How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. ⁸ They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. ⁹ For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Psalm 36:11 (ESV)
Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, when I read these verses and think about the goodness of the Lord, I realize how much I have to be grateful to the Lord for. Father, it is such a blessing to know that the fountain from which your blessings flow to your children will never run dry. Father, I pray for steadfastness in my love for you and my trust in you. Father, keep me near the cross.

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

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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

1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.