Daily Prayer_September 10, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ Don't wear yourself out to get rich; stop giving your attention to it.
⁵ As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 55:22 (HCSB)
²² Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (HCSB)
⁶ For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me,
⁷ especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself.
⁸ Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me.
⁹ But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me.
¹⁰ So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

My observation:

I am not an expert in the School of Suffering. However, I have attended this school for most of my life. There are lessons that I have learned in this school that will last not only for this life, but for eternity. If you have the right perspective on suffering, it can be your friend and not your foe.

Think about the suffering that Paul faced. Think about his sincere and fervent prayer for help with the thing that was causing him to suffer.

2 Corinthians 12:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me.

In addition to Paul's experience with praying about his suffering, we have the example of Jesus.

Luke 22:42 (HCSB)
⁴² "Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done."

God had a purpose in the suffering of Paul, and God had a purpose in the suffering of Jesus. God has a purpose in your suffering. Look for God's hand and help when you go through the School of Suffering.

"We must form our estimate of men less from their achievements and failures and more from their sufferings" - - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Does God hear your prayers when you call upon him when you are suffering? My answer is, "Yes, and Amen".

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that I can rest in the assurance that you know the most and care the most. When I am suffering, I know that there is a purpose in the pain.

When I am suffering, I can rest in the precious and powerful promise that I can rely upon Your strength, and all sufficient grace. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 9, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:2 (HCSB)
² and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite;

Isaiah 56:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ These dogs have fierce appetites; they never have enough. And they are shepherds who have no discernment; all of them turn to their own way, every last one for his own gain.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 54:4 (HCSB)
⁴ God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my life.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (HCSB)
¹³ For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
¹⁴ And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
¹⁵ So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works.

My observation:

Today's focal passage is a reminder that we must always be alert to false teachers in the church. Not everything that sounds good is in fact good. It's not the eloquence of the messenger, but it is the truth that the messenger teaches, and the life that the messenger lives.

These false teachers looked like Paul, and they shared some of the same credentials. However, it is more than what they said; it was what they didn't say.

2 Corinthians 11:22 (HCSB)
²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.

2 Corinthians 11:3-6 (HCSB)
³ But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a complete and pure devotion to Christ.
⁴ For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!
⁵ Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the "super-apostles."
⁶ Though untrained in public speaking, I am certainly not [untrained] in knowledge. Indeed, we have always made that clear to you in everything.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you will give your people divine discernment so that we might be able to recognize that which is false, and reject it; and that which is truth, and embrace it. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 7, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:26-27 (HCSB)
²⁶ Don't be one of those who enter agreements, who put up security for loans.
²⁷ If you have no money to pay, even your bed will be taken from under you.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 52:9 (HCSB)
⁹ I will praise You forever for what You have done. In the presence of Your faithful people, I will put my hope in Your name, for it is good.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 10:12-16 (ESV)
¹² Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
¹³ But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.
¹⁴ For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ.
¹⁵ We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged,
¹⁶ so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence.

My observation:

Every child of God has a purpose for which God made you. Imbedded within each of us is the potential for goodness. You have the potential in you to be a potent force in this world. God has done his part.

Psalm 139:14 (ESV)
¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

What God has made is your happy responsibility to activate and use for God's glory. Your life is not your own, you belong to God.

1 Corinthians 6:20 (ESV)
²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Now, look up to the one who made you. Have faith in God, and go about daily activating the potential that is within you for God's glory, and the benefit of others. Become the potent person God made you to be.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you made us for a purpose, and that you have placed within us the potential to be potent. Father, help me to remember that the power comes from you; from the indwelling presence of the triune God, who lives in his people. In Jesus name, Amen.

John 14:16-17 (ESV)
¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
¹⁷ even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:20 (ESV)
²⁰ In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

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

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 6, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:24-25 (NLT)
²⁴ Don't befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,
²⁵ or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 51:3-4 (HCSB)
³ For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against You—You alone—I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (HCSB)
⁶ Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
⁷ Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.
⁸ And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

My observation:

Giving is the natural result of a healthy spiritual heart. When we give we are most like God in his relationship with the human race. God loves and he gives. I have heard it said that you can give without loving, but that you cannot love without giving.

Giving not only enriches the life of the receiver, but it also enriches the life of the giver. Our giving should flow out of a balanced and disciplined spiritual life.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (HCSB)
⁷ Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.
⁸ And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so deeply aware that everything belongs to you, and that everything comes from you.

Father, I pray that you would tune my heart to have a heart for giving. In view of how you bless those who give with the right motive, and who give faithfully, I pray that you give me more opportunities to give. In Jesus name, Amen.

James 1:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.

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

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 5, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:22-23 (HCSB)
²² Don't rob a poor man because he is poor, and don't crush the oppressed at the gate,
²³ for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 50:1 (HCSB)
Yahweh, the God of gods speaks; He summons the earth from east to west.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 8:20-21 (HCSB)
²⁰ We are taking this precaution so no one can criticize us about this large sum administered by us.
²¹ For we are making provision for what is right, not only before the Lord but also before men.

My observation:

Paul and some of his trusted associates had gone to the churches to take an offering for the needy saints at Jerusalem. The people had responded with generosity.

The verses in our focal passage today show how Paul and his associates handled the gifts that the people gave. This selected passage, together with the surrounding verses, provides a wonderful example of how we should handle money in the church.

There are some things about this passage that are noteworthy. Notice the character, concern, and competence that Paul displayed in handling God's and the people's money. Notice the integrity and the openness.

Paul wanted to be blameless in the way he administered the offering given by the churches. He took the precaution to be above criticism in the way he handled this large offering by the churches. Paul's character shines through in his desire to honest in the sight of God and of men.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the men and women who serve you and serve the church with honesty and integrity. Father God, may every church have men and women of character like we see in the life of Paul and his two trusted associates, who were of like heart and mind. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 4, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:20-21 (MSG)
²⁰ I'm giving you thirty sterling principles— tested guidelines to live by.
²¹ Believe me—these are truths that work, and will keep you accountable to those who sent you.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 49:6-7 (NLT)
⁶ They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.
⁷ Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches of Macedonia:
² During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.
³ I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability,
⁴ they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints,
⁵ and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God's will.

My observation:

The people in the church at Corinth had a desire to give an offering for the needy saints in Jerusalem, but they just never got around to it.

So, in this letter Paul encourages them to remember their commitment. He also shared with them some important principles that should inform their giving. We will focus on one of them, but first let's look at the reminder Paul gave them.

2 Corinthians 8:6 (HCSB)
⁶ So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you.

Now, here is the principle that Paul said should guide their giving. Notice that giving yourself comes before giving your money. If you give yourself to the Lord, then giving your money will not be a struggle. Paul gave them a wonderful example of the churches of Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 8:5 (AMP)
⁵ Nor [was this gift of theirs merely the contribution] that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]—

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that we would each be willing to surrender all of self to the Lord; to his will and to his way. Father, enable us, by thy almighty power, to give our all to you, and that includes our pocketbooks.

Father God, help us not to be liars when we sing the hymn, "Take My Life and Let It Be". Help us not to be among those who sing this verse but don't mean it.

"Take my silver and my gold,

Not a mite would I withhold."

Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.
² Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

 

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

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Daily Prayer_September 3, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 48:3 (NKJV)
³ God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.

The Word of God for encouragement:

2 Corinthians 7:5-11 (HCSB)
⁵ In fact, when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears inside.
⁶ But God, who comforts the humble, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
⁷ and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he received from you. He told us about your deep longing, your sorrow, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
⁸ For even if I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it—even though I did regret it since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a little while.
⁹ Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn't experience any loss from us.
¹⁰ For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death.
¹¹ For consider how much diligence this very thing—this grieving as God wills—has produced in you: what a desire to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what deep longing, what zeal, what justice! In every way you showed yourselves to be pure in this matter.

My observation:

There are times when sorrow can be your friend. However, it has to be godly sorrow that leads to repentance.

Paul experienced a lot of pain and sorrow in his ministry. His heart ached for the people in the church at Corinth, and his heart ached for his associates that served with him in the ministry.

2 Corinthians 7:5 (HCSB)
⁵ In fact, when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears inside.

2 Corinthians 2:13 (HCSB)
¹³ I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus, but I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.

Here is the blessing that you can find when you are going through a season of sorrow.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (HCSB)
¹⁰ For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death.

I remember a line from one of the old hymns of the church, "Come Ye Disconsolate" that has these words, "Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal".

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I have found in you a place of refuge. Strong winds may blow, and storm clouds may rise, but I found an anchor in you that brings peace in the midst of my storm tossed life.

Father God, I am so grateful that earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Lord, I am so glad that trouble don't last always. What a blessing it is to rest in the everlasting arms of my Savior. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.