Daily Bread_December 4, 2013

Title: What Motivates You to Serve the Lord?

Text:

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (HCSB)
¹⁸ Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
¹⁹ That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God."
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.

Observation:

There is nothing more motivating than the power of the gospel of Christ, and the commission of Christ to His followers.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.

The servant of the Lord has confidence in the Master and the Mission.

2 Corinthians 5:5-8 (HCSB)
⁵ And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.
⁶ So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight,
⁸ and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I ask for the enabling power of the Spirit to be able to fulfill my God assigned commission of being an ambassador for Christ. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

"A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save,

and fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill;

O may it all my powers engage to do my Master's will!"   - - Author Charles Wesley

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_December 3, 2013

Title: Does What God Say Really Apply to Me?

Text:

Romans 8:28 (KJV)
²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Observation:

One of my core beliefs is that God is good. However, this does not mean that in this world we will not have problems. Here is what I know.

Life is hard, but God is good. This belief is supported by scripture.

John 16:33 (HCSB)
³³ I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."

Psalm 100:5 (HCSB)
⁵ For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

Now, here is the best news of all; God's best is yet to come.

Romans 5:17 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Since by the one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:37-39 (HCSB)
³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.
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!

If you believe this, how then shall you behave? Jesus answer is "Be courageous". This is a personal action that we can take today. We can be bold by daring to live in obedience to God's word. We can be spirited by being full of energy and enthusiasm. You can be that overcoming person for that is God's will for you; to live with Holy Spirit power, and to have the peace God; yes, even in this world with all of its troubles. Are you in for being courageous?

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I am convinced You are great and that You are good; there is none like You, no not one. Lord, I trust in You; help me where I have doubts.  Father, help me as I take a step of faith today by being courageous in applying Your truth to my life. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_December 2, 2013

Title: The Wonder of God's Love and Glorious Grace

Text:

Jonah 2:9 (HCSB)
⁹ but as for me, I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!

Ephesians 1:3-10 (HCSB)
³ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
⁴ For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love
⁵ He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will,
⁶ to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.
⁷ We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
⁸ that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
⁹ He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him
¹⁰ for the administration of the days of fulfillment—to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him.

Observation:

I am so thankful today and every day that I live that salvation is God's work, and not my works. If it was dependent upon my works I would be in big trouble. Salvation is a gift of God, and I gladly received His gift, by faith In the finished work of Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (HCSB)
⁸ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift—
⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast.
¹⁰ For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

I will be forever grateful that God chose me, and gave me the gift of faith to receive His amazing gift of love and grace. The hymn writer expresses my awe and amazement.

"Why was I made to hear Thy voice,
And enter while there's room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?

'Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly drew us in;
Else we had still refused to taste,
And perished in our sin."   - - - Author Isaac Watts

               

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, the words of the hymn writer expresses my wonder and amazement, but I choose to use my own words to express my appreciation to You.

Lord, I thank You for providing for my salvation; I thank You that it is all of You. Father, I thank You for the work of the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. O the wonder and the depth of Your love, and glorious grace. In the name of Jesus I pray, with thanksgiving, Amen.

My Soul Sings (with George Beverly Shea): "The Wonder of It All"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS5-YJacjaI

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_November 29, 2013

Title: The Life Changing Power of Being Grateful

Text:

2 Corinthians 6:3-13 (HCSB)
³ We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed.
⁴ But as God's ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by difficulties,
⁵ by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
⁶ by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
⁷ by the message of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left,
⁸ through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; as deceivers yet true;
⁹ as unknown yet recognized; as dying and look—we live; as being disciplined yet not killed;
¹⁰ as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything.
¹¹ We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide.
¹² You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections.
¹³ I speak as to [my] children. As a proper response, you should also be open to us.

Observation:

Today I still have thanksgiving, thanksliving, and being grateful on my mind. There is not one of us who can say we don't need anybody else in our life. Even the most independent among us needs the help and support of others.

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent."

John Donne

The Apostle Paul was a man who was very independent; however, he highly valued and was grateful for the service and sacrifices of others in the Lord's service. It's easy to forget the service and sacrifices of others.

Do you take others for granted? Give a word of praise to someone today, and every day, that has helped you along life's way. Make having an attitude of gratitude a daily practice. This habit has the potential of being a game changer. It may not change your circumstances, but it will change you, and enable you to overcome your circumstances.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful to You for all of my blessings. Additionally, I am so thankful for those who came before me, and for those who currently stand beside me for all that they do; for their service and sacrifices for the sake of the kingdom of God. Father, help me to remember to show more gratitude to You and to others today and every day. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_November 28, 2013

Title: Living Every Day Being Grateful to the Lord

Text:

Psalm 100:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ Shout triumphantly to the LORD, all the earth.
² Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
³ Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture.
⁴ Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
⁵ For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

Observation:

Every day should be a day of thanksgiving for God's people. Everything that we have comes from the heart and the hands of our Lord.

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.

Our thanksgiving to the Lord should be with our lips and our lives. Let's be people who practice thanksgiving and thanksliving.

The Psalmist gives us a pattern for doing this.

Psalm 100:2 (HCSB)
² Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.

Psalm 100:3 (HCSB)
³ Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Psalm 100:4 (HCSB)
⁴ Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, Almighty God, You and You alone are surely deserving of our serving, submitting, and sacrificing. Lord, may we gladly do it with our lips and our lives. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Psalm 100:5 (HCSB)
⁵ For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

O Father God, we owe Thee all!
All that we are and have!
With grateful thanks before Thee fall,
'Tis all that we can give.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/31#ixzz2lwVhz4vR

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_November 27, 2013

Title: It's Time to Take Inventory

Text:

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
⁶ Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Observation:

There is nothing more revealing than taking the time to get alone with pen and paper and write down on paper all of the things that you have that you are thankful for. The more you write, the more you have to write.

This is the season of Thanksgiving; so I invite you take up the challenge of writing down on paper all of the things that you are thankful for. I believe that most of you will have a list longer that you imagine.

Let this hymn encourage you to get it done. There is no medicine for the soul like having an attitude of gratitude.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/707#ixzz2lnK0PB42

James 1:16-17 (NLT)
¹⁶ So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
¹⁷ Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for all of my blessings; Lord, You have been so good to me. Father, I pray that I will be a channel of blessing to others. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Daily Bread_November 26, 2013

Title: How BIG is Your God?

Text:

Exodus 15:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ LORD, who is like You among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?

Observation:

The hymn, "How Great Thou Art" is rated a close second to "Amazing Grace" as the favorite hymn of the 20^th century.

I discovered two additional verses to this hymn. Stuart Hine wrote them and included them in his book "Not You, but God: A Testimony to God's Faithfulness".

"O when I see ungrateful man defiling
This bounteous earth, God's gifts so good and great;
In foolish pride, God's holy Name reviling,
And yet, in grace, His wrath and judgment wait.

When burdens press, and seem beyond endurance,
Bowed down with grief, to Him I lift my face;
And then in love He brings me sweet assurance:
'My child! for thee sufficient is my grace'."

The greatness of our God will determine the extent to which you will praise Him, and the frequency you will praise Him.

Psalm 145:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ I exalt You, my God the King, and praise Your name forever and ever.
² I will praise You every day; I will honor Your name forever and ever.
³ Yahweh is great and is highly praised; His greatness is unsearchable.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I will forever be grateful for Your love, grace, and mercy that You have so abundantly poured out on me. Lord, without You in my life I would be nothing, and on my way to an eternity without Your presence. O how I love what comes after, "But, God". Yes Lord, grace and mercy suits my case.

Father God, my soul sings, "How Great Thou Art"; there is none like You, no not one. Praise the Lord! Amen and Amen.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/