Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 9, 2016

Title: The Wonderful Results of Prayer

Text:

James 5:16 (NLT) 

16b The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 

Observation:

There is only one way to meet the position of being a righteous person, and that is through the sacrificial provisions of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB) 

21  He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 

Do you realize the power of prayer that you have in your life if you are a child of God?

Colossians 1:27-28 (NLT) 

27  For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. 

28  So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. 

I encourage you to never forget who you are because Christ Jesus lives in you. There is nothing that is impossible as you live in daily communications with God in prayer, and by faith, walk in the way; as you walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

What a wonderful world it would be if the lyrics of this song was the daily fruit that was produced from our prayer life, and our daily walk with Jesus leading and guiding us in each step we take, and each word that we speak.

"While passing through this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you".

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, thank You for giving us the gift of Jesus, and His abiding presence in the hearts of Your children.

Father, I pray that great power, and wonderful results will be the fruit of the hearers and the doers of Your divine word. 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_March 8, 2016

Title: How Lofty Are Your Goals?

Text:

Philippians 3:10-12 (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, 

11  assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead. 

12  Not that I have already reached ⌊the goal⌋ or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 

Observation:

One of the things that I heard or read many years ago was this, "God does not have any grandchildren". Each of us needs to know God for ourselves. This song is bubbling up within my soul as I sing these words, and make it my prayer.

"1 Not my brother, nor my sister, 

but it's me, O Lord, 

All: 

standing in the need of prayer;"

O, that all of God's children would have the lofty goal expressed by the Apostle Paul in our focal passage for today.

O, that we would each know God for ourselves, and know the power of God for ourselves; the power that raised our Lord Jesus from the grave.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I pray that each of the readers and hearers of this word may know You, and know Your power in their lives. Father, I pray that each of us will be taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Father, draw us closer to You, and I pray each of us would take the verse from Jude, and make it our personal prayer. 

Jude 1:24-25 (HCSB) 

24  Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, 

25  to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 7, 2016

Title: Do You Have A Plan for Your Future?

Text:

Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB) 

11  For I know the plans I have for you"—⌊this is⌋ the LORD's declaration—"plans for ⌊your⌋ welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 

Observation:

This morning I read this verse in a new way, and I saw a new thing that was superior to the thoughts and plans that I had in my heart and mind about my future.

This new outlook came from a new look; it was the upward look to my heavenly Father.

I started meditating on this verse; taking a fresh look at each phrase and each word. I was searching for a word, and looking for the Father to speak into my heart.

The result of my faith in God; the gift of faith that He has planted deep in my heart, I was able to see clearly what my future will be from His point of view.

Every believer in Christ has faith. It is the means by which we became part of the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 2:8 (HCSB) 

8  For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift— 

Would you like a better plan for your life; a plan that is sure, and backed by the promises of God, and His Word? Then why not have a conversation with Him, and ask Him to show You His plan for your future. God is waiting to hear from you.

Jeremiah 29:12 (HCSB) 

12  You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 

Prayer:

Father God, hallowed be Your name. Father, I am so grateful that You are a God who knows and loves Your children.

Father, I'm so thankful that You know the plans that You have for us; plans that are good, and plans that are full of hope, and that have a bright future that are sure to come to pass.

Father, I ask that You would draw all of those who are Your sons and daughters closer to You, and that each one would seek You, so that they can also know the plans that You have for each of them. 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 4, 2016

Title: Why I Love and Cherish the Word of God

Text:

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB) 

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. 

Observation:

The lyrics of an old hymn of the church comes to mind as I meditate on our topic and text for today.

"More about Jesus let me learn,

More of His holy will discern;

Spirit of God my teacher be,

Showing the things of Christ to me."

When we walk in the pathway that Jesus leads His children we realize that it is a pathway that is filled with light. We are able to distinguish between our will, and God's will.

As we walk with Jesus it is important for us to read on a daily basis the Word of God; we need to hear what God has to say to us from His Word.

Proverbs 6:23 (HCSB) 

23  For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective discipline is the way to life. 

The Word of God deposited in our heart is the best investment we can make of the use of our time and talent.

Psalm 119:11 (HCSB) 

11  I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. 

Psalm 119:18 (HCSB) 

18  Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your instruction. 

Psalm 119:48 (HCSB) 

48  I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and will meditate on Your statutes. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. I am so grateful for the Word of God, that we have it in a language that we can read and understand.

Father, I thank You that the Word of God is a lamp and light for Your people to be able to discern Your will, and Your ways. Father, I ask that You turn, and tune the hearts of Your people to be people of the Word, the will, and the ways of our heavenly Father. 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:

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Daily Word of God & Prayer_March 3, 2016

Title: How to Find Rest and Renewal In This Weary World?

Text:

Isaiah 49:14-16 (HCSB) 

14  Zion says, "The LORD has abandoned me; The Lord has forgotten me!" 

15  "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you. 

16  Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me. 

Observation:

Is the source of rest and renewal in religion or relationship?  I find in the Word of God the only reliable source of rest that you can depend upon.

This morning I read Isaiah 49. In it I found rest and renewal for my soul, and fresh bread to start my day.

It was refreshing to read words like these: "The Lord called me before I was born", "He named me while I was in my mother's womb", "I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God is my strength", and "I will answer you in a time of favor, and I will help you in the day of salvation".

Wow! What a mighty God we serve; He loves His people with an everlasting love. How comforting are these words, "I, Yahweh, am your Savior".

Is this almighty God your Savior? If so, you can find in Him rest and renewal for your tired and weary soul. This is His personal invitation to you.

Matthew 11:28-30 (HCSB) 

28  "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 

29  All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. 

30  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." 

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I bow low at Your feet, and give You the glory that only You deserve.

Father, I rest in the knowledge that You are a faithful God, and a promise keeping God. Father, I'm so grateful for the peace, provisions, and power that You give Your people to live the overcoming life in our walk through these wicked and weary times in this present world.

Father, I thank You for being a good Father, and the promise that the best is yet to come for Your 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_March 2, 2016

Title: How Awesome and Generous Is Our God?

Text:

Romans 8:35-39 (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. 

38  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 

39  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Observation:

One of the favorite hymns of the church is, "Amazing Grace". When you read the closing verses of Romans 8 you can understand why grace is so amazing.

However you describe it, you have to agree that only God is capable of bestowing such an extravagant gift to His children.

Grace is defined as God's unmerited favor to man. The Gospel of John describes Jesus as being full of grace.

John 1:16 (AMP) 

16  For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift. 

Do you realize and appreciate how much God loves you, and the extent to which He went to provide for your redemption? Notice what the Apostle Paul says.

Romans 8:32 (ESV) 

32  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 

There is nothing in life or death that can separate God from His children who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:33-34 (ESV) 

33  Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 

34  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 

Let's join with the host in heaven, and give the Lord the praise that He so richly deserves.

Psalm 145:2-3 (ESV) 

2  Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 

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

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your most holy and righteous name. Father, we delight to sing Your praises for the amazing grace that You freely give to Your children.

Father, from the depths of our heart, we give You glory, honor, and praise. To You alone be glory; there is none like You; no not one. In the mighty name of Jesus we 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_March 1, 2016

Title: The Reason Why The Child of God Is Never Alone

Text:

John 17:23-26 (ESV) 

23  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 

24  Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 

25  O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 

26  I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." 

Observation:

Today the Lord is impressing upon my heart that we need to change the conversation. We need to agree with Jesus that He has already overcome the world (John 16:33). Notice this powerful prayer of Jesus in John 17; you can't go wrong by following the example of Jesus.{ #prayfirst}

What we need to do more of is to do what we will be doing in heaven. We need to spend more time worshipping the Lord, and giving praise and thanks to Him. We need an attitude change; the Lord is the only one that can change lives.

We need to recommit ourselves to the Word of God, and prayer. We look again at why prayer is so important. Notice how Jesus prayed for you.

John 17:20-23 (ESV) 

20  "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 

21  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

22  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 

23  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, thank You for giving us the means of prayer to connect with You. Father, make us one people under You.

Father, help us to live a life of faith in You, and to have a heart that delights to worship You, and give You the praise and thanks that You deserve. Father, convict and convince us that when the praises and prayers go up, the blessings come down. 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