Daily Prayer_June 8, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:28 (MSG)
²⁸ Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 127:1 (HCSB)
¹ Unless the LORD builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the LORD watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Acts 7:37-39 (HCSB)
³⁷ "This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your brothers.
³⁸ He is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors. He received living oracles to give to us.
³⁹ Our ancestors were unwilling to obey him, but pushed him away, and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

My observation:

In our selected passage from today's reading in Acts 7, I have chosen to comment on Stephen's words recounting the rebellion of God's people in the past.

God had given his word to the people of Israel through his prophet Moses, but the people of that day had rejected God's word.

It is a dangerous and devilish thing to willfully rebel against the God of your salvation; that is what the people did then, and Stephen said the current generation was guilty of the same offense against God.

Acts 7:51 (HCSB)
⁵¹ "You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit; as your ancestors did, so do you.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that we would learn a lesson from the history of our ancestors that will help us to avoid the mistakes that they made; and the resultant consequences of their disobedience.

Father God, I pray that you would protect us from our human frailty of the bent to go astray, and fail to obey our faithful God.

Father God, my maker and redeemer, keep me near the cross, and my mind stayed on Jesus; keep me faithful and fruitful all of the days of my life.

Father God, I am a needy person, and I pray that you would keep me on my knees because that is where I can give you access to my needs, and gain access to your blessings. Amen.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (HCSB)
⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,
⁷ casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

 

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

Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

 

 

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Daily Prayer_June 7, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:27 (MSG)
²⁷ Mean people spread mean gossip; their words smart and burn.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 126:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.
⁶ Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Acts 6:1-7 (HCSB)
¹ In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
² Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to handle financial matters.
³ Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.
⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry."
⁵ The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.
⁶ They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
⁷ So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

My observation:

The church should be concerned about the whole person; that is evident in our focal passage for today from Acts 6.

However, the pastor can't do everything, and he needs capable servant leaders to assist him in the ministry to the congregation.

These servant leaders should partner with the pastor to meet all of the needs of God's people. These leaders need to have the right kind of qualities in their life so that they may serve well.

Acts 6:3 (HCSB)
³ Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.

When the church does things the right way, and with the right people, you can expect to see the blessings of God upon them. This first century church recognized the needs of the people, they summoned the whole company of the disciples, they chose servant leaders with the right qualities, and they commissioned them for the work.

The result that they received was the blessings of God upon the church, and the spread of the gospel of Christ through the preaching of the word of God.

Acts 6:7 (HCSB)
⁷ So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you would raise up servant leaders in our day who will have the wisdom and the insight to see the whole needs of the whole company of believers. Father God, give us hearts of compassion for the hurting that sit in every pew in our churches.

Father God, help us to see what you can do when we do things your way, and when we choose servant leaders with the right qualities.

Father, I pray that you will stir our hearts so that your people will do our part, which is sowing and weeping. For, we know that you are able and willing to do your part; which is adding sheep to the sheepfold. O, what rejoicing that awaits the people of faith who are faithful to the Lord of the harvest at harvest time. Amen.

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

Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

 

 

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Daily Prayer_June 6, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
²⁴ Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 125:1-2 (NLT)
¹ Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
² Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Acts 5:41-42 (HCSB)
⁴¹ Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name.
⁴² Every day in the temple complex, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

My observation:

Today's reading is Acts 5. There is so much truth that I could comment on today; but it would take too much space to adequately deal with.  The two verses l have selected are timely; as I just read an article yesterday of a group of evangelists in Asia who had all been imprisoned for preaching the gospel of Christ.

There are three attributes of the persecuted that sets them apart from their persecutors. Notice these attributes in this verse:

Acts 5:42 (HCSB)
⁴² Every day in the temple complex, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

First, they were consistent, they proclaimed the gospel every day, and every where they went. The Sanhedrin court could not shut them up or shut them down.

Second, they were courageous; they continued. The court ordered them to desist, but they chose to persist. That took courage.

Acts 5:40 (HCSB)
⁴⁰ After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.

Thirdly, they were correct. The message they proclaimed was the truth; Jesus is the Messiah. When you have the word of God on your side, you have solid ground to take your stand. You can stand with conviction, courage, and confidence when you stand on the word of God.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the accuracy and the endurance of the word of God. Father, I thank you for the truthfulness of the word, and the power of the word. Father, help me to take the offense by proclaiming the word; thereby allowing the word, by the power of God, to defend itself, and accomplish its purpose. Amen.

Isaiah 55:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it [to do]."

Hebrews 4:12 (HCSB)
¹² For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

 

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

Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

 

 

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Daily Prayer_June 5, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)
²⁴ Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 124:8 (ESV)
⁸ Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Acts 4:31-33 (ESV)
³¹ And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
³² Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
³³ And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

My observation:

Is the LORD of the psalmist and the people of Israel your helper? Is the Jesus, the resurrected Savior, who is at the right hand of God, your helper?

If so, you are in good company, and you have a helper who is able and who is willing to help you. The key to getting your needs met is to learn how to pray; and then, to make it a constant practice in your life. It takes faith in God to pray. Things happen for the first century church "when they had prayed". Things will happen in your life, and in the life of your church in answer to the prayers of God's people.

When God's people prayed, they received power to serve God. You can't do the work of God in this world without being devoted to prayer (Acts 4:31).

When God's people prayed, that received sufficient and sustaining grace to help them to not only talk the talk but to walk the talk (Acts 4:33).

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the power and the provisions that are available to your people when we pray. Father, it is comforting to know that there is never a time that you are too busy for me to have a little talk or a big talk with you. Father, I thank you for being available and approachable to your people.

Father God, I thank you for the power to speak your word, and I thank you for the grace to live your word out in the daily crucible of life in a fallen world. Amen.

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

Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

 

 

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Daily Prayer_June 4, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:21 (NLT)
²¹ The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 123:1 (ESV)
¹ To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

The Word of God for encouragement:

Acts 3:6 (ESV)
⁶ But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"

My observation:

One of the things I notice about Peter and John is that they had learned from the life of Jesus the value and the power of prayer. They believed in prayer, and they practiced prayer.

Acts 3:1 (ESV)
¹ Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

The practice of prayer will prepare you for service. In your own strength you will not be adequate for the mission, but with prayer, you will have access to the power of God. Divinely ordained opportunities await those who will pray. Pray before you go, and pray as you go.

Acts 3:2 (ESV)
² And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

Notice that Peter and John did not have money, but they were not without power. They relied upon the power of God; the name of Jesus. As we pray and go, we can rely upon that same authority, and upon his mighty power.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the privilege of being a servant of God, and to have a purpose for living.

Father God, I thank you that when I go, I can go knowing that I have been sent by the Savior to do the work of God in this world. Father, thank you for the purpose, privilege, and the power that you give to those you send.

Father God, I pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you would unleash, and pour out your power in our day like you did in the first century through Peter and John. In the name of Jesus, let all of God's people say, Lord, do it again. Amen.

Acts 3:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

 

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

Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

 

 

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Daily Prayer_June 3, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:20 (NLT)
²⁰ Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 122:1 (NLT)
¹ I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."

The Word of God for encouragement:

Acts 2:41-47 (HCSB)
⁴¹ So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.
⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.
⁴³ Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.
⁴⁴ Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.
⁴⁵ They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.
⁴⁶ Every day they devoted themselves [to meeting] together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude,
⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

My observation:

 I am so looking forward to reading through the book of Acts this month. I have selected the following verse as my theme verse for our journey through the Acts of the Holy Spirit of God through this first century church.

Acts 1:8 (KJV)
⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, O how I love your church. Father, I know that what you did in planting your church in the first century you can do again in this century.

Father God, I pray that the Holy Spirit, and his mighty power, would be present in our day like it was in the days of the first century church.

Father, I pray that you would send a Holy Spirit revival, and begin it in the churches who preach the gospel of Christ. Father, if we ever needed your wisdom and power, we sure do need it now. Lord, set your church on fire. Amen and Amen.

Acts 2:17 (KJV)
¹⁷ And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

My song:

I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxaiLR1REKE

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

Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

 

 

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Daily Prayer_June 1, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:16-17 (NLT)
¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!
¹⁷ The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 120:1 (NLT)
¹ I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 21:1-8 (HCSB)
¹ After this, Jesus revealed Himself again to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed Himself in this way:
² Simon Peter, Thomas (called "Twin"), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of His disciples were together.
³ "I'm going fishing," Simon Peter said to them. "We're coming with you," they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
⁴ When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore. However, the disciples did not know it was Jesus.
⁵ "Men," Jesus called to them, "you don't have any fish, do you?" "No," they answered.
⁶ "Cast the net on the right side of the boat," He told them, "and you'll find some." So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish.
⁷ Therefore the disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer garment around him (for he was stripped) and plunged into the sea.
⁸ But since they were not far from land (about 100 yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish.

My observation:

The event that John describes in our focal passage today occurred between the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus. The disciples were in a waiting period; that time when they were not sure of what their future would be like. They had one appointment on their calendar, but the rest was a mystery.

Matthew 28:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ Then Jesus told them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there."

It is during this waiting period that we experience the severest testing of our flesh. However, if we keep our focus upon Jesus, our faith can grow deeper during this time.

Notice what Peter proposed, and how the others were willing to follow him.

John 21:3 (HCSB)
³ "I'm going fishing," Simon Peter said to them. "We're coming with you," they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Peter, and the other disciples had left fishing to follow Jesus, but during this period of testing of the flesh they went back to their old ways. They were to soon realize that without Jesus they could not be successful no matter how hard and how long they worked in the flesh.

John 15:5 (HCSB)
⁵ "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.

Then something happened that brought about a change in their condition; Jesus showed up. When Jesus shows up things change in our condition; the circumstances remain the same, but Jesus is Lord over our circumstances.

John 21:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ "Men," Jesus called to them, "you don't have any fish, do you?" "No," they answered.
⁶ "Cast the net on the right side of the boat," He told them, "and you'll find some." So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, what a blessing it is to know that in our troubles and in our failures that we are never alone.

Father God, I thank you that help for the believer is only a prayer away. If God is truly our Father, we can ask him to help us, and he is able and willing to help his children. Father, I thank you for being a God who hears and answers my prayers. Amen and Amen.

Psalm 120:1 (HCSB)
¹ In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me.

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

John 20:30-31 (ESV)
³⁰ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
³¹ but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

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