Daily Bread_December 1, 2014

Title: How Do You Protect Your Heart?

Text:

Ephesians 6:14 (ESV)
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Observation:

There is no need in our life that needs to go unmet. We have this promise from God's Word to His people.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

There are many of God's people today who are suffering from broken hearts and hurt feelings. There are many who are downhearted and discouraged.

Why do we need to have a means of protecting our heart? Our heart is the seat of our emotions, and a big target for the enemy of our soul. Our heart is at risk unless we have the protection of the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV)
⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ¹⁰ "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Isaiah 59:17 (ESV)
He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

Now the above passage causes me to take a long pause; this verse is speaking of what the Lord did in response to the evil he saw in man.

Notice the context of this verse:

Isaiah 59:15-16 (ESV)
¹⁵ Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. ¹⁶ He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.

Now if nothing else will motivate you of the necessity of putting on the breastplate of righteousness, surely this one will. If the Lord put on righteousness as a breastplate, surely we need to do the same.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray for a mighty working of the convicting power of the Holy Spirit of God to convince us of our need for righteousness. Father, help us to dress right and walk right so that we will be pleasing in Your eyes. Father, make us to want what we need. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"Righteousness, righteousness is what I long for. Righteousness, is what I need. Righteousness, that's what you want, that's what you want, that's what you want for me." Michael Stampley

--

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_November 26, 2014

Title: How to Have Joy and Peace Every Day

Text:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Observation:

There is nothing more powerful than being in the presence of God. If Jesus found it necessary to keep in close communion with the Father in heaven, how much more do we need to be in His presence; Lord, I need thee, O how I need thee.

James 4:8 (ESV)
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

One of the best ways for us to stay in the presence of God is to learn to have a continuing attitude of gratitude. Consider what a positive attitude and powerful influence you would have if you learned to "give thanks in all circumstances".

When you are continuous in the presence of God with a continuing attitude of gratitude some amazing things happen in your life. You begin to "pray without ceasing". Praise and thanksgiving are the foundation of an effective prayer life. When you pray, worry and complaining have no place in your life; when you pray they have to leave.

God will also give you joy and peace when you live in His presence, and when you "give thanks in all circumstances".

Romans 15:13 (ESV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. I will be back on Monday, December 1. Let's give thanks every day, and have joy and peace every day. God is able; are you willing to trust Him?

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that You would draw Your people into a closer and continuous walk with You. Father, surely we need Your presence and power every minute of every day. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"Thou my everlasting Portion,

More than friend or life to me,

All along my pilgrim journey,

Savior, let me walk with Thee.

Close to Thee, close to Thee,

Close to Thee, close to Thee;

All along my pilgrim journey,

 Savior, let me walk with Thee."

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/386

--

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_November 25, 2014

Title: Why Are You So Happy?

Text:

Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)
¹ Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Observation:

When we look at our communities and the world you might have what you consider to be reasons to be disappointed and discouraged about the future. Is there any reason why anyone living in today's world should be able to say that they are happy?

Let me ask another question. Have you been redeemed by the precious and royal blood of Jesus? How you answer that question makes a huge difference in how you answer the title question of today's meditation.

Today, I have been led to think and write about the blessings of those who have been justified by faith; those who have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Read the above text slowly, thoughtfully, prayerfully, and repeatedly; allow it to penetrate your innermost being. There are blessings for the present, and heaven for the future. This will stir within you and attitude of gratitude.

How can I not be happy when God's Word says that even my trials work for me? What a blessing; how rich we are; O the blessing of being a child of God.

John 3:36 (ESV)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

The lyrics of Charles P. Jones are speaking into and blessing my heart.

"When nothing but death for my ransom could pay,
And make me accepted with God,
'Twas Jesus who freely Himself made a prey
And ransomed my soul with His blood."

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for all of my blessings. What comfort it gives to me deep down in my soul to know that You are working in my trials and troubles to make me rich in the things that will last forever. Father, I am so blessed to be able to sing, "I'm Happy With Jesus Alone". In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

The chorus to the Charles P. Jones song:

"I'm happy with Jesus alone,
I'm happy with Jesus alone;
Though poor and deserted, thank God, I can say,
I'm happy in Jesus alone."

--

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_November 24, 2014

Title: How Connected Are You to God?

Text:

Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV)
⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Observation:

Today's topic grips my heart; it penetrates the depths of my soul. Notice what the Apostle Paul was willing to surrender in order to know Christ.

What does surrender look like? Have you reached the point in your life where you can agree to what Paul said? For him, this is what total surrender looks like.

Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

So, Paul makes this appeal to God's people; what he said to them, he says to you.

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 6:13 (ESV)
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Prayer:

Father God, for the sake of knowing Christ, I am willing to surrender my all to Jesus. Father, nothing I have is worth having without the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Father, I want to know You more intimately, love You more dearly, and serve You more faithfully.

Father, order my steps so that I might know more of You, and do more for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Father, I pray that the power of the Blessor may fall on Your people today. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me."

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/441

--

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_November 21, 2014

Title: Do You Need Help? - - The Lord is Waiting to Hear from You

Text:

Isaiah 30:15-18 (ESV)
¹⁵ For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." But you were unwilling, ¹⁶ and you said, "No! We will flee upon horses"; therefore you shall flee away; and, "We will ride upon swift steeds"; therefore your pursuers shall be swift. ¹⁷ A thousand shall flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you shall flee, till you are left like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain, like a signal on a hill. ¹⁸ Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Observation:

Why would God's people turn to man for help, and not to God? The people appealed to Egypt for help, and not to the Lord.

Isaiah 30:1-2 (ESV)
¹ "Ah, stubborn children," declares the Lord, "who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; ² who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!

Why did the people look to Pharaoh and not to God for help?

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV)
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." But you were unwilling,

The result of their choice had consequences.

Isaiah 31:1-3 (ESV)
¹ Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! ² And yet he is wise and brings disaster; he does not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evildoers and against the helpers of those who work iniquity. ³ The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together.

The Lord waited for His people then, and He waits for His people today to come to Him. Why not get alone with God; just you and Him, and wait on Him to help you. Is it time for you to have a big talk with the Lord?

Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the privilege of being able to have an open door to one on one conversation with You. Father, draw us nearer to You; give us the patience to wait on You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

"O the pure delight of a single hour
  That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
  I commune as friend with friend!"

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/387

--

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_November 20, 2014

 Title: Who is Your God?

Text:

Psalm 115:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your faithful love, because of Your truth. ² Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" ³ Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases.

Observation:

I am so glad that I can say these words, "My God". It's not that I found Him; rather, it's that He found me; that He loves me, and wants to have a personal relationship with me.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (HCSB)
For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His. You have been foolish in this matter. Therefore, you will have wars from now on."

Who is your God? What is your God like? Is your god like these gods?

Psalm 115:4-8 (HCSB)
⁴ Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. ⁵ They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. ⁶ They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. ⁷ They have hands but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats. ⁸ Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them.

Let's look at my God; He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, He is the God and Father of all of those who believe in His Son, Jesus the Messiah of God.

Notice what Yahweh does for His people.

Psalm 115:11 (HCSB)
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and shield.

Psalm 115:13 (HCSB)
He will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike.

What is your response to Yahweh?

Psalm 115:18 (HCSB)
But we will praise the Lord, both now and forever. Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, Yahweh, my dear Father, I exalt and praise You for Your greatness and Your goodness. I bless Your name for who You are, and for all of Your mighty works.

Father, my desire is that You will see my heart as completely Yours. Father, all that is within me, I surrender to You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 103:1 (HCSB)
My soul, praise Yahweh, and all that is within me, praise His holy name.

--

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_November 19, 2014

Title: Do You Have a Friend Who Has Never Failed You?

Text:

Acts 1:6-8 (ESV)
⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" ⁷ He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Observation:

Yesterday, I shared my story; I wrote about how I got started on the Christian journey of walking with the Lord; of being a Christ follower.

Today, I woke up, and read the passage that I selected for the text for today's meditation. This passage was what I needed today. I asked the question, "Lord, what are you saying to me today in my situation?" He said, "Get up and let's talk about it".

This is the portion of the text that grips me and thrills me.

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Whatever I need on my journey, God will supply. Whatever He wants me to do, God will provide the power to do it. In my 65 years of walking with the Lord He has never failed to keep this promise.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

When you don't know what to do, I have found that the best thing that I can do is to ask the Lord a question like the one Paul asked; God will tell you what to do next.

Acts 9:6 (HCSB)
"But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that I have a God who knows my name, and who delights in spending time alone with me. O how sweet it is to be in the presence of God, to look into His face, and to hear His sweet voice. You can have the world; but for me, just give me Jesus.

Father God, I have started with Jesus, and I'll go with Him all the way; I'm on my way to heaven, and I'm so glad. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
  He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
  And thus He bound me to Him.
And round my heart still closely twine
  Those ties which naught can sever,
For I am His, and He is mine,
  Forever and forever.

Source: https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/288

--

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/