Daily Bread_May 19, 2015

Title: How Close Are You to God?

Text:

James 4:8 (NLT) 

8  Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 

Observation:

There is never a time in the lives of God's people that we should not be in His presence. God has promised that He would never leave us.

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) 

5  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 

Are there times in your life that you don't feel the nearness of God? If so, think about this; who moved? God has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you". Have you left Him; have you forsaken Him?

2 Chronicles 15:1-2 (ESV) 

1  The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, 

2  and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 

Luke 15:20 (ESV) 

20  And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 

God is a great God, and He is a gracious God; He waits patiently for His wayward children to come to Him.

The choice is between the world and the Lord. Who will you choose?

Matthew 6:24 (ESV) 

24  "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 

Joshua 24:15-16 (ESV) 

15  And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." 

16  Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods, 

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that we will not fail the faith test when we are confronted with choosing between the world; pleasures, possessions, positions and philosophy; and the LORD.

Father God, give us the grace to choose You, and the faith and faithfulness to stand firm in the Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_May 18, 2015

Title: The Amazing Grace of God

 

Text:

 Titus 2:11-13 (ESV) 

11  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 

12  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 

13  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 

Observation:

One of the great truths of the bible is the universal availability of salvation for all people. The bible says that God loves you, and he proved that by sending His son to be the atoning sacrifice for your sins.

 

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) 

9  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 

The Apostle Paul gives us tremendous insight into how we can benefit from the grace of God. God's grace allowed us to receive the gift of salvation.

This grace of God is not a permit to sin. Rather, it is a demand for godly living, and it comes with the enabling power to live an obedient Christ-like life.

 

Paul gives God's set apart people all that we need to know to build that brick wall that keeps us from falling over the edge. The grace of God will teach you how to overcome the forces that are pushing you to the edge of the cliff.

 

Titus 2:12 (AMP)

It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion)

and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate,

self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present

world,

 

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that the grace of God will train me to say, "No" to ungodliness and worldly desires, and "Yes" to living a sensible, righteous, and godly life in this world.  Father, I acknowledge that in the flesh I can't, but in You I can do all things. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV) 

10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 

11  Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 

12  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_May 15, 2015

Title: The Joy of Walking with the Lord

Text:

Ephesians 4:1-6 (KJV) 

¹ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, ² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; ³ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Observation:

The enemy's goal is to create disunity in the Body of Christ. Conversely, God's goal is for His people to walk in unity. Who is winning the battle in your walk?

We have to make an effort to have unity, and that requires being aware and alert. We need to shut the door to keep out the deceiver and the destroyer of unity.

Ephesians 4:27 (KJV) 

Neither give place to the devil.

Satan uses us to divide one another. He does this by tempting us to assert our preferences as demands for others to be like us. Satan tells the big lie that unity requires uniformity. However, the God who made us different in the first birth has made us one in the second birth.

Diversity is a good thing when Christ lives in you. Why not let others see Jesus in you. Demonstrate in your walk and talk that you belong to Christ, and that He belongs to you.

Galatians 3:28 (KJV) 

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

It takes effort, patience and humility for people who are different to walk in unity. If you will humble yourself, God will exalt you. He did it for Jesus; let's make every effort to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Let's put to death disunity among those who are in Christ.

Philippians 2:8-9 (KJV) 

⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

How are you doing in endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? If God expects us to do it, He will provide the means to do it.

John 13:35 (KJV) 

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Ephesians 4:1 (KJV) 

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that You divinely arranged my life so that the word I share today was brought to my attention from something that I wrote over twelve months ago. Then, Lord You reinforced it three times.

Father, I thank You for the Word that was shared with our Prime Timers group yesterday, "I see the glory coming". Lord, I want to say to You that I am available to be a part of what You are going to do through Your humble and available servants during these last days. O, lead me to others that You are calling and sending so thai I can unite with them. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_May 14, 2015

Title: What is Your View of God?

Text:

1 Chronicles 17:23-26 (KJV) 

23  Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said. 

24  Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee. 

25  For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee. 

26  And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: 

Observation:

David is the person in our focal passage, and He is having a conversation with the Lord.

Notice that in this conversation David is repeating to God what God had promised.

Notice something else David said to God; it reflects the high view that he had of God. 

1 Chronicles 17:26 (KJV) 

26  And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: 

Yesterday, I started a new devotional reading plan, and this was one of the key verses that got my attention. It speaks of how highly we should value God, and the priority He should have in our prayer life. How exalted is your view of God?

Matthew 6:9 (KJV) 

9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 

This is one of my favorites verse, and it was written by David; He lived his life in surrender and submission to the God whom he trusted with his whole heart.

Psalm 37:23 (KJV) 

23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 

As I begin writing this devotional I received a text message on my phone from a dear friend who sends me an encouraging message every morning. This is what he said.

"God is a great God".

Isn't God amazing? Doesn't He direct the paths of His people? As my Mother-in-Love would say, "Yes, indeed". Let's give Him the praise that only He is due.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I delight in giving praise to You because You are a great God, and greatly to be praised. I agree with Your servant David when he said this about You.

Psalm 145:3 (KJV) 

3  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. 

Father God, I ask that You would order the steps of Your people as they look up to You this day; may they recognize You for who You are, and claim Your promises. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_May 13, 2015

Title: Living Faith is Proven By Our Actions

Text:

James 2:25-26 (ESV) 

25  And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 

26  For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. 

Observation:

This topic has been on my mind since Sunday when our pastor spoke on this topic in our walk through the book of James.

Some people get confused when they read in James, "And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works". They wonder if this conflicts with what Paul wrote here.

Romans 3:28 (ESV) 

28  For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 

Paul was speaking in Romans about the Mosaic Law. But, James was speaking of the Law of Liberty. When James speaks of works he is speaking of good deeds.

James 2:12 (ESV) 

12  So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 

James 2:8 (ESV) 

8  If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. 

There is no daylight between what Paul said and what James said; they both agree that saving faith produces good works.

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) 

32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 

What action will you take today to demonstrate that you have been set free by the Law of Liberty? 

John 13:34-35 (ESV) 

34  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 

35  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." 

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that the love of God that resides in the hearts of Your people though the Holy Spirit that You have given to us will flow from our lives in loving actions to others. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Romans 5:5 (NLT) 

5  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 

Action Point:

Love others with the love of the Lord. Be love.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_May 12, 2015

Title: God is Good

Text:

Psalm 136:1 (KJV) 

1  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 

Observation:

Today's one word is God. As I opened my electronic bible this morning I paused when I noticed the above verse.

As I read this verse I read each sentence slowly:

"Give thanks unto the LORD"   Gratitude to God

"He is good" Goodness of God

"His mercy endureth forever" Grace of God

Today I just feel like giving praise and thanksgiving to God; I am so grateful for Him and to Him; for who He is, and for what He does for His people.

Psalm 107:1 (KJV) 

1  O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I am so glad that I can call you Our Father; my Father. I delight to join with Your people who will read this prayer, and will unite their voice together in giving You the praise, honor, and glory that You alone deserve.

Father God, we acknowledge together that You are good, and that Your mercy endureth forever. Father God, Your love, grace, and mercy are what we need. Lord, thank You that we have them in abundance and forever. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Daily Bread_May 11, 2015

Title: How Do You Know If Your Faith Is Real?

Text:

James 2:17 (KJV) 

17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

James 2:26 (KJV) 

26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. 

Observation:

The choice word for today is love. The seed for today's focus on love is what I experienced yesterday, and was reminded of with the first prayer I prayed this morning.

I listened to a one minute prayer for mothers that was on my notification list of my phone. It cited this verse.

Proverbs 31:28 (ESV) 

28  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 

The text for today came from a weekly memory verse card that was on my night stand. I picked it up after I listen to the prayer for mothers on my phone app.

Then I picked up the sermon notes from yesterday, and read the verse that I am using for today's text. I said, "Wow, God is speaking to me; this is what I'm going to write about today.

Quote from the message:

"Love is the tangible evidence of a genuine faith".

Then I begin to sing this song in my spirit:

"Love is the theme, love is supreme; 

Sweeter it grows, glory bestows; 

Bright as the sun ever it glows! 

Love is the theme, eternal theme!"

Truly love is supreme, and it is the evidence of genuine faith.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV) 

13  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 

For the children of God love is not a suggestion; it's a command.

John 15:12 (ESV) 

12  "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

Why not do yourself a favor by doing this:

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) 

5  Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that each of us will examine ourselves to see if we have genuine faith.

Father God, if we pass the test, I pray that we will daily demonstrate it in our life by the way we love; because we realize it is not enough to trust in you, we must also obey. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

John 13:35 (NLT) 

35  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." 

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/