Sunday Morning Reflections_April 8, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)
²⁵ Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 78:70-72 (NLT)
⁷⁰ He chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens.
⁷¹ He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob's descendants— God's own people, Israel.
⁷² He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 13:6-9 (HCSB)
⁶ And He told this parable: "A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none.
⁷ He told the vineyard worker, 'Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it even waste the soil?'
⁸ "But he replied to him, 'Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
⁹ Perhaps it will bear fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.'"

 My observation:

I am so grateful that God chooses who he uses. He chose His servant David, and he is still choosing people today.

The focal passage from the gospel of Luke reminds us that God expects his people to be faithful and fruitful.

God's grace is sufficient to meet our every need, but we must have a willing heart to obey the word of God, and a mind to do the will of God.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you are a God who gives second chances to those who are unfaithful and unfruitful.

Father God, I pray for the faith and the faithfulness to be an obedient servant of the Lord. Father, I pray that I will not forfeit the second chance that you so graciously give to your servants. Father, I thank you for being a God of the second chance. Father, I pray that I will not lose my second chance because I am mindful of the warning of the last chance.

Luke 13:8-9 (MSG)
⁸ "The gardener said, 'Let's give it another year. I'll dig around it and fertilize,
⁹ and maybe it will produce next year; if it doesn't, then chop it down.' "

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

.

 





 

Daily Prayer_April 6, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

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

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 78:40-43 (NLT)
⁴⁰ Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland.
⁴¹ Again and again they tested God's patience and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
⁴² They did not remember his power and how he rescued them from their enemies.
⁴³ They did not remember his miraculous signs in Egypt, his wonders on the plain of Zoan.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 12:11-12 (HCSB)
¹¹ Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don't worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say.
¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said."

My observation:

What is so good about "Good Friday"? For me it is the hope, the celebration, and the promise of Easter Sunday, or "Resurrection Sunday".

The world may give you a pass for talking about Jesus on Easter Sunday, but that pass has a short shelf life. When you go back into the marketplace on Monday, it's back to business as usual. You will encounter the hostility of the world for professing Jesus.

Jesus warned us that believer would face hostility for professing His name. However, He also promised a blessing for those who are not ashamed to proclaim His name and a consequence for those who are ashamed to profess His name.

Luke 12:8-9 (HCSB)
⁸ "And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God,
⁹ but whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

When you stand up and speak out for Christ, you are not alone. You have a helper, and He is more powerful than any force that will ever come against you.

Luke 12:12 (HCSB)
¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am delighted to associate myself with all who proclaim the name of Jesus the Messiah of God.

Father God, I thank you for the wisdom that you give in the hour that I need it to stand up and speak out for Jesus.

Father God, I would be helpless and useless without the wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit working in me and through me for the glory of God. Holy Spirit, help me to be faithful and fruitful all of the days of my life. Amen.

Hebrews 12:3 (HCSB)
³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won't grow weary and lose heart.

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

.

 





 

Daily Prayer_April 5, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:19-20 (NLT)
¹⁹ Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
²⁰ Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 78:4 (NLT)
⁴ We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 12:4-7 (ESV)
⁴ "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.
⁵ But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
⁷ Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

My observation:

The perspective that society at large have about what they fear is contrary to what the word of God teaches.  In our focal passage from Luke, Jesus gives the proper view of what should be our greatest fear.

God's view of fear, as revealed in the word of God, is the right point of view on fear. The view of man is backwards. Eternity is more important than time, and your soul is more important than your body.

Now, here is the encouraging goodnews about the matter of fear. God always gets the final word, and God says, "Fear not".

God offers his people a protection plan against fear; it includes the body, and more importantly, it includes the soul. Let the words of Luke 12:6-7 comfort and strengthen your heart, and stir your soul. What more does God have to do to convince you that he cares for you? What he did on the cross is enough for me. What he did on the third day seals the deal. Truly, "It is finished".

Is it well with your soul? Why don't you plan now to be in the Lord's house on the Lord's Day to hear the greatest message the world has ever heard. Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful, and I don't have the vocabulary to express what I feel in heart, for what your darling son, Jesus, did for me on the cross at Calvary.

Father God, your love and compassion leaves me speechless. Sometimes, it causes me to tremble. Lord, I shall never forget what you have done for me; you have surely brought me from a mighty long ways, and yet there is more to come.

Father God, because Jesus went to the cross, He made it possible for me to wear a crown. O, what a blessed day that will be when I see my Savior face to face, and hear those welcoming words, "Well done my faithful servant". Hallelujah! Amen.

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

.

 





 

Daily Prayer_April 4, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:18 (NLT)
¹⁸ Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 77:10-13 (NLT)
¹⁰ And I said, "This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me."
¹¹ But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
¹² They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
¹³ O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 11:23-26 (ESV)
²³ Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
²⁴ "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.'
²⁵ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order.
²⁶ Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first."

My observation:

The underlying message of today's passage from Luke reminds us of how central Jesus is in the life of every person of every generation.

When the question is asked, "What will you do with Jesus?" it demands a thoughtful answer. It is true that neutral you cannot be.

The choices are clearly stated in the gospels:

Luke 11:23 (ESV)
²³ Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Luke 9:50 (ESV)
⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."

We need more than renovation, cleaning up our life is not enough, and it does not last. What we need is rebirth, and only Jesus is able to provide that. Who would choose to be against Jesus? Why would you reject one with such a lofty purpose? Jesus came for you. Why not receive the gift he offers to you?

John 3:16-18 (ESV)
¹⁶ "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, as we celebrate this Holy Week, we join with the saints of the ages in shouting "Hallelujah, to Jesus".

Psalm 103:1 (ESV)
¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

.

 





 

Daily Prayer_April 3, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:15 (MSG)
¹⁵ Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 76:1-3 (NIV)
¹ In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel.
² His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
³ There he broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war. Selah

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 11:1 (HCSB)
¹ He was praying in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples."

Luke 11:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

My observation:

Today's choice word for my meditation is prayer. When I pray I am always mindful of the object of my faith, the one to whom I am voicing my request for aid and assistance. The Psalms gets my mind and heart prepared by reminding me of the greatness, the majesty, and the holiness of God. I am so thankful that God is awesome, able, and available.

It is comforting to know that although God sits high, he is not above looking low. He is a God who dwells among His people. Are there some witnesses who can testify to this affirmation?

There is nothing that is of concern to me that is not a concern to our heavenly Father. If you can say, "Our Father which art in heaven", you can rest in the blessed assurance that He will hear and answer your prayers. If God is your Father, you can ask him to help you.

Luke 11:11-13 (HCSB)
¹¹ What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?
¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
¹³ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the privilege of prayer, and for the power of prayer. Father, I am so blessed that I have the benefit of being able to take everything that is of concern to me to You in prayer. Amen.

James 1:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.

My song:

What A Friend We Have in Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM2kbogwgBM

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

.

 





 

Daily Prayer_April 2, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:14 (NLT)
¹⁴ Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 75:9-10 (NLT)
⁹ But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
¹⁰ For God says, "I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly."

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 10:13-16 (ESV)
¹³ "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
¹⁴ But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
¹⁵ And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.
¹⁶ "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

My observation:

The writer of the Proverbs reminds us that, "Wise words bring many benefits". However,  we need to guard our tongue in the speaking of unwise words.

In our focal New Testament passage for today we see these words that should get our attention; "Woe to you".

This passage contains a stern warning to God's people that you should be slow in bringing accusations against the man of God. Carefully examine whether you are opposed to the Master.

The wise person will examine their heart before they speak words of opposition to the Messenger sent by God to proclaim the gospel of Christ.

It is a fool who will oppose God and Jesus. Think about it. Who is the object of your opposition? Is it the Messenger or the Master?

Luke 10:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you will give me the wisdom to engage my mind before I open my mouth. Father God, give me a pure heart so that what comes out of my mouth will edify and build up the Body of Christ, and not hurt or harm your Messenger.

Titus 1:15-16 (ESV)
¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
¹⁶ They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

.

 





 

Sunday Morning Reflections_April 1, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:11 (ESV)
¹¹ Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 74:2 (ESV)
² Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Luke 9:57-62 (ESV)
⁵⁷ As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
⁵⁸ And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
⁵⁹ To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."
⁶⁰ And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
⁶¹ Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home."
⁶² Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

My observation:

The choice word for today is "remember". I am so glad that I don't have to spend a lot of time wondering if God will do his part. I am certain that God's remembers all of his promises, and that he will do what he says he will do.

On the other hand, I am prone to forget. I am tempted to reconsider my promises if following Christ takes me into some hard places. How faithful am I in keeping my promise to God, "I will follow you"?

Jesus will remember his promises to us, but we are prone to recant our promises to him. We need to commit to following Christ with our head, our hands, and our whole heart. The cost of following Jesus is to turn from the "me first", and turn to the "Christ first" commitment by giving Christ our whole heart. This is a promise to remember and keep.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I don't have to fret and worry about whether or not you will remember me. Father God, my prayer is that I will never forget who you are, and what you have done for me.

Father God, I pray that in my heart I will have a radical commitment to putting "Christ first" in my life, and making it my highest priority to proclaim the message of the kingdom of God. The Lord being my strength, I will succeed. Amen.

--

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

.