Daily Bread_January 15, 2013

Title: What Happens When We Pray is Amazing

Text: Luke 18:1-8

Click here to read scripture:
http://tinyurl.com/bkonlyf

Observation:

Today I have prayer on my heart. I can think of nothing more needful in the church today then the need for a return to making prayer a priority. The size of our problems begs for God sized prayers. The problems we face require the wisdom and the power of God.

Why attempt to solve our deep societal problems with the tools of the world when we can through prayer gain access to the creator of the world and everything that is within it. Why settle for tried and failed solutions? We can call upon a God who can do anything but fail. Think about this.

Luke 18:1 (HCSB)
¹ He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged:

Luke 18:7 (HCSB)
⁷ Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [to help] them?

I think I know the answer to the above question. I know that God hears and answers the prayers of his believing people.

Matthew 7:7 (HCSB)
⁷ "Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

We got to stay in close communion with the Father. That worked out alright for Jesus, and it will work out alright for you.

Luke 3:21-22 (HCSB)
²¹ When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying, heaven opened,
²² and 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!

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I realize that we forfeit so many blessings by failing to pray. Father, I pray that my first option will be prayer. Father, I pray that you would increase in me the desire to persist in prayer; that I will PUSH, pray until something happens.

Father, when you look down from heaven, I pray that you will take delight in me. God, you are so good, and greatly to be praised. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Isaiah 50:4 (HCSB)
⁴ The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens ⌊Me⌋ each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_January 14, 2013

Title: How Much Do You Want to Know the God of the Bible?

Text: Philippians 3:7-11

Click here to read scripture:
http://tinyurl.com/cwtftak

Observation:

In our text today the Apostle Paul wanted to know Christ in the most intimate way. He not only wanted the blessings of God's promises, but he wanted to know the power of God in his life. He wanted all of God. This was Paul's supreme goal.

Philippians 3:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ [My goal] is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

The way we get to know God is through his word; the saints of the ages have a great story to tell about their journey, and we can be encouraged by their story.

Romans 15:4 (HCSB)
⁴ For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.

Here is one of the stories that encourage me.

Exodus 14:13 (HCSB)
¹³ But Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD's salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.

What God told his people then is good for us today; it's always profitable to, "don't be afraid", and to, "Stand firm and wait on God". What the saints of old found to be true about God, I have found to be true about him. God is love; he cares and provides for his beloved children.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, you alone are God, and worthy to be praised. Father, strengthen my will and increase my faith so that I may obey your precepts, know your power, and receive your promises. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Isaiah 50:4 (HCSB)
⁴ The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens ⌊Me⌋ each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_January 11, 2013

Title: How Are You Doing in Guarding Your Tongue?

Text: James 3:13-18

Click here to read scripture:

http://tinyurl.com/aef74p8

Observation:

James gives us help to guide us in guarding our tongue. It is our responsibility and privilege as believers to be able to get our tongue under control. It is not mission impossible. The key is to be in right relationship with God, and have our life aligned with the word.

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.

The key is having our heart and head aligned. It involves our conduct and our character. First, let's consider the matter of conduct.

James 3:13 (HCSB)
¹³ Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness.

Our conduct matters; hence, we need to guard our tongue. God will give us the power to use our words to glorify God, and edify others. Our part is to get God's word in us, and God will work it out through us in our actions, behavior, and conduct. It's as simple as ABC when we surrender our lives to the will and way of God. It's not easy, but it is possible. We must become men and women of the word.

Second, let's consider the matter of character. Someone has said that character is reveled by what we do when no one is looking.

James 3:17-18 (HCSB)
¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.
¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

God will give us the wisdom that we need; wisdom that results in edifying words from our tongue. If you ask for wisdom, God will give it to you.

James 1:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you will grant each of your children the gift of Godly wisdom that will enable us to guard our tongue. Father, may the fruit of our lips produce words that build up and edify others. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Isaiah 50:4 (HCSB)
⁴ The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens ⌊Me⌋ each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_January 10, 2013

Title: The Greatest Comforter - - The Good Shepherd

Text: Psalm 23:1-6

Click here to read scripture:  http://tinyurl.com/bay2utw

Observation:

The text today should give us a great amount of comfort no matter what we are going through. David was a shepherd and he knew what it was to go through the valley of despondency and death.

David learned, by personal experience, that God will be with you in times of distress. David knew what a good shepherd looked like, and he found that The Lord is a Good Shepherd.

When you are going through a rough time or rough water, you can count on the presence and power of the Lord.

Isaiah 43:2 (HCSB)
² I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and [when you pass] through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.

When in a storm ask this question, "Lord, What is there to learn about you?" Even in the midst of the storms of life, we can learn something new about God. Look at the lesson that the disciples learned from being in a storm.

Mark 4:41 (HCSB)
⁴¹ And they were terrified and asked one another, "Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you are my shepherd.  Father, I trust in you to provide all of my needs; help me to obey you like the wind and the sea obey you. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Isaiah 50:4 (HCSB)
⁴ The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens ⌊Me⌋ each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_January 9, 2013

Title: You Can Always Talk to Jesus about Your Issues

Text: Mark 5:25-34

Click here to read scripture:  http://tinyurl.com/b274pao

Observation:

You may feel that you are not walking close enough to God to gain his ear. Perhaps you should reconsider after reading the account of the woman mentioned in our reading today.

The woman, feeble as her faith may have been, took her 12 year issue to Jesus, and found in him the help that she had searched so desperately for from many physicians. Up to this time, no one could help her, no one could heal her.

Here is what each of us can take away from this woman's story. The quantity of faith does not matter; the thing that matters is the object of our faith. We can take our issues; small or big, to the Lord in prayer. He is able to help us, and he is willing to help us. You can talk to Jesus; he is waiting for you to ask him for what you need.

1 Peter 5:7 (HCSB)
⁷ casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the open door that Jesus has to receive the requests of his believing daughters and sons. Father, I may not be able to reach up and touch his hand, but give me enough faith to bow down and touch his garment. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Isaiah 50:4 (HCSB)
⁴ The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens ⌊Me⌋ each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_January 8, 2013

Title: Living for God is Not Without Difficulties

Text: 1 Samuel 30 (Click on link below to read scripture)

http://tinyurl.com/a39aava

Observation:

I heard a sermon on this text recently, and the message is still stirring my soul. The timing was so amazing; it was a blessing in my life.

David and his followers were in Ziklag because David was on the run because King Saul wanted to kill him. God had anointed David to be the future king in place of Saul. However, David did not launch an effort to overthrow Saul. He was going about his normal business. Even when you are doing the right thing, trouble will find you.

The first six verses of this chapter in 1 Samuel 30 describes the hard place that David was in. His loyal followers were unhappy with him. David knew who to go to for help.

1 Samuel 30:6 (HCSB)
⁶ David was in a difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over [the loss of] their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

Yes, David had great problems. However, note that David was not without hope and help; the bible says, "But David found strength in the LORD his God". It is amazing what comes after "but" when God is in it.

You can find the strength in the Lord that David found if you trust in the Lord with your whole heart. The mountains are never too high or the valleys too low for God to strengthen you. God will do for you what he did for David.

1 Samuel 30:18-19 (HCSB)
¹⁸ David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken; he also rescued his two wives.
¹⁹ Nothing [of theirs] was missing from the youngest to the oldest, including the sons and daughters, of all the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David got everything back.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so thankful that the devil doesn't get the final word. Father, I thank you that I serve a God who is able to restore what the devil has stolen; I thank you that you are a God who gives hope, help, and strength to your people. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Isaiah 50:4 (HCSB)
⁴ The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens ⌊Me⌋ each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_January 7, 2013

Text: Luke 4:1-13

Title: Victory through the Word

Observation:

We don't know what circumstances we will face in this New Year. However, we do know two things if we are a child of God. We know that Satan is our enemy, and that God is our friend. Who do you trust to look out for your best interest?

We can't avoid the attacks of Satan; he tempted Jesus, and he will tempt us. However, we have a friend who sits on high, but he looks low. God knows our name, and he remembers that he made us out of dirt. Do you know what to say when the devil speaks to you?

God has given us an indispensible tool that we should use daily to overcome the enemy of our soul. I am speaking of the word of God. In this book God reveals the playbook of Satan. Read our text today and see how Jesus used the word to overcome Satan. It will help you to know how to respond to the devil when he speaks to you.

There is nothing that you will ever need in this life that Satan can give you. The reason is that everything belongs to God, and he will give you everything that you need. Never forget, that God is your provider, and what you already have if you are his child.

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 (HCSB)
²¹ So no one should boast in human [leaders], for everything is yours—
²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come—everything is yours,
²³ and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

When Satan knocks at your door peddling his lies, remember what you have read in the word, and been taught by the Spirit of God.

Luke 4:8 (HCSB)
⁸ And Jesus answered him, "It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."

Tell Satan, "It is written". In order to do that, you need to read the word of God for yourself. Today I resume my search of reading the bible; I will be as one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you would stir within me a hunger and thirst for your word daily. Father, I need the wisdom and the strength that comes from the partaking of the daily bread of God's word.  Father, help me to stay read up, and fed up. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Isaiah 50:4 (HCSB)
⁴ The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens ⌊Me⌋ each morning; He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/