Daily Word of God & Prayer_January 12, 2016

Title: What Are Your Conditions for Being Helped?

Text:

Matthew 8:1-4 (HCSB) 

1  When He came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 

2  Right away a man with a serious skin disease came up and knelt before Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." 

3  Reaching out His hand He touched him, saying, "I am willing; be made clean." Immediately his disease was healed. 

4  Then Jesus told him, "See that you don't tell anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed, as a testimony to them." 

Observation:

Notice in our text that the man who had an encounter with Jesus had a condition for being healed. His conditions was, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean".

In Jesus response to the man He used two words that have taken on new meaning for me in the past twelve months.

Matthew 8:3 (HCSB) 

3  Reaching out His hand He touched him, saying, "I am willing; be made clean." Immediately his disease was healed. 

The two choice words are "Am" and "Be". The latter was my one word goal for 2015; the former was the one word goal of a dear friend.

Do you believe Jesus? Have you received Him? If so, you can come boldly, and confidently to Him, and ask Him to meet your needs.

I am so glad that Jesus is Lord, and that He is willing and able to help us; we just need to call upon Him.

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. 

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful for the gift of faith that enables me to know that Jesus is Lord, and that He is my Savior, and the Lord of my life.

Father, I delight to bow low, and lift my eyes beyond the mountains to the God who made the mountains, and who made me.

Father, I lift my hands, and submit my whole heart in praise and adoration of Your name. Father, in faith, I cast all of my cares upon the Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_January 11, 2016

Title: My One Word Goal for 2016 - First

Text:

Matthew 6:33 (HCSB) 

33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 

Observation:

I did not select my one word goal for this year. Rather, it found me. I considered a long list of words, but this one captured my heart.

I was looking for a word that would be a worthy goal, and also for one that would make a huge difference in my life if I was able to accomplish it. Additionally, it had to be achievable.

The verse that I am using for the text today is the word that God used to touch my heart, and convince me that first was my word for 2016.

In the first week of this year God has used the Word & Prayer to cement this word in my heart. During the week God spoke to me at the end of the week with this word.

Psalm 119:1-3 (ESV) 

1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! 

2  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 

3  who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 

The FIRST thing for me this year will be to seek the Lord with my whole heart.

This fits in so well with my Life Goal, which is to PLEASE GOD. The Lord used this verse to speak into my heart.

Psalm 119:10 (ESV) 

10  With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 

My greatest and first desire is to be seen by God the way he saw David; not the way he saw Saul.

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (ESV) 

22  And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 

23  For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king." 

Prayer:

Father, I thank You for the love and forgiveness that You have for your people.

Father, I ask that each of us would decide in our hearts that we are going to put of first importance doing that one thing that we can do that will be pleasing in Your eyes; to give to You our whole heart.

Father, convict and convince us, by the Holy Spirit, that surrender is the pathway to freedom in Christ. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_January 8, 2016

Title: The Power of Praying for Others

Text:

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV) 

26  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 

27  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

Observation:

It has been good for me to be back in the grove of writing and sharing the Word of God this week. 

I'm refreshed after taking off three weeks of writing and sharing from this platform. I wanted to conclude this first week of the New Year on the topic of prayer.

O how we underestimate the reach and power of prayer. When we pray for others that is the most we can do for people. I share this testimony I received in 2005 when I shared a devotional on this topic. One of the readers wrote this in an email to me.

"Today's devotion was on something I've experienced first hand. In 1987 I was hit head-on by a drunk driver in Anchorage. I was in a comma and then later missed the whole summer due to short-term memory problems and confusion. However, even while unconscious in the hospital, I experienced prayer being offered up on my behalf. 

It was indeed the Holy Spirit interceding for me to the Father. I so wanted to pray, but often couldn't, and in those times I was able to observe the prayer of the intercessors in my place. It really comforted me, and later, once I could stay conscious and coherent, I figured out what and how it all worked."

What a blessing it is to know that the Holy Spirit who lives within our hearts praying for us during our earthly journey.

However, that is not all. Our Savior, the Lord Jesus, is praying for us in heaven. The writer of Hebrews speaking of Jesus tell of His intercession for God's children.

Hebrews 7:25 (HCSB) 

25  Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. 

The Apostle was not too proud to ask others to pray for him because he knew the reach and power of prayer.

Ephesians 6:19 (HCSB) 

19  Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful that the Holy Spirit, who lives in my heart, and Jesus, who lives in heaven, and is seated at Your right hand, are praying for Your children.

Father, I am so grateful for the gift of prayer, and the helpers; the Holy Spirit, and Jesus who are praying for God's children. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_January 7, 2016

Title: How Confident Are You About the Future?

Text:

Romans 8:35-37 (ESV) 

35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 

36  As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 

37  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

Observation:

The Apostle Paul tells us how confident he was, and it was because of what Jesus had done for him. Has Jesus done for you what He did for Paul? 

Romans 8:38-39 (HCSB) 

38  For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, [hostile] powers, 

39  height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! 

You can be sure of the future if you base your hope upon the finished work of Jesus.

The Gospel of Christ never gets old.  Walk through 2016 with your life in the hands of Jesus, and you can be sure that His love with never let you down.

Prayer:

Father, I praise and thank You for doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Father, I am so glad that Your people can face this New Year with confidence because of what Jesus has done for us.

Father, I am so glad to associate myself with those who can say, "I am persuaded; I believe in Jesus". In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_January 6, 2016

Title: What Are Your Plans for the New Year?

Text:

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) 

11  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 

Observation:

Do you believe that God has a plan for your life? I'm thinking of a verse from one of the old hymns of the church.

"It is no secret what God can do, What He's done for others He'll do for you."

Let's look at what the Lord said about Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV) 

4  Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 

5  "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." 

Now, let's look at Jeremiah's response.

Jeremiah 1:6 (ESV) 

6  Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." 

I remember the words of a former pastor who said this.

"An excuse is a reason with its brains blown out".  [Kip McConnell]

It's not about what we think or say. Rather, it's about what the Lord says. This is what the Lord said.

Jeremiah 1:7-8 (ESV) 

7  But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 

8  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD." 

When we listen to God we will have a future and hope because God can do anything but fail.

Prayer:

Father, as we begin this first week of the New Year, I pray that you will stir up within us a burning desire for the Word of God, and to have a daily routine of feasting on the Word of God and prayer.

Father, we need Your presence and power in our life if we are ever going to experience a bright future, and a blessed hope. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_January 5, 2016

Title: The Power of the Routine of Daily Time in God's Word

Text:

Matthew 6:11 (ESV) 

11  Give us this day our daily bread, 

Observation:

We eat daily to satisfy our physical hunger, and that is natural. However, we need daily spiritual food, but it is not natural to hunger to read God's Word.

In times past God had to allow His people to wander in the wilderness for a long time before they developed a hunger for spiritual food. One wise person has said, "What you feed you will crave".

Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV) 

3  And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 

I'm praying that the people of God in this New Year will develop the daily practice of spending time alone in the Word of God. I'm praying that we will feed our souls each day with a small size of God's Word. We need to eat more than once in a while, we need to eat every day so that our souls will be trained to crave the Word of God.

There is power in meeting each day, and feeding our souls with God's Word, and asking Him to meet our needs.

Matthew 6:9 (KJV) 

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

Matthew 6:11 (KJV) 

11  Give us this day our daily bread. 

Prayer:

Our Father which art in heaven, we bow low at Your feet, and give You the honor and praise that You alone deserve.

Father, we are asking You to give us today what our body, soul, and mind needs to be the people that You made us to be.

Father, with grateful hearts we give You thanks for what You are going to do in us, and through us for the glory of Your Most Holy and Righteous name. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

 

Daily Word of God & Prayer_January 4, 2016

Title: Who Are You Following in 2016?

Text:

John 14:6 (ESV) 

6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Observation:

I'm glad to be back at my desk this morning. I pray that 2015 was good for you, and your family. However, we don't have to use the popular saying, "It is what it is". The man who the bible describes as a man of great wisdom said this.

Proverbs 14:12 (ESV) 

12  There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. 

The popular saying that I mentioned in the first paragraph does not have to be the reality of your life; things can be different for you today, and all of your tomorrows. 

The quality of your life depends upon who you are following. I invite you to meditate upon our focal verse; John 14:6. Why not consider following Jesus, and see what He can do for you.

Accept this word as a personal invitation from Jesus sent personally to you today.

Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV) 

28  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I'm so glad that the invitation of Jesus is still valid today; the invitation to come to Him.

Father, I am so grateful that You sent Jesus into the world to do for us what we could do for ourselves. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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. 

--

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
¹¹  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry