Tag: #others

The Benefit of Asking

Text:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (HCSB)

16  Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.

17  For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

18  So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Observation:

Today I have one word on my mind. Perhaps the seed was planted last night while I was watching a sporting event on television. A Japanese baseball player was being interviewed. He spoke to the audience through an interpreter.

However, for the final question he responded in english. He asked the announcer in the broadcast booth, “Why did you not draft me?”.

That seed is prompting me to think about, and write about the topic of “Why”. I asked the question, “What is My Why?”

This is how I answered the question:

  • Encourage others
  • Elevate others
  • Empower others

This reminds me of a song that some of the most influential people in my life love to sing.

“If I can help somebody, as I pass along,

If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song,

If I can show somebody, how they’re traveling wrong,

Then my living shall not be in vain.”  – Mahalia Jackson, Gospel Singer

The power of asking ourselves good questions is that it provides the opportunity for us to think more deeply. It provides the opportunity to focus not just on the things that we can see, but what is unseen. I pray that it will help us to focus on God.

3 Why Questions:

  • Why this?
  • Why now?
  • Why me?

2 Corinthians 4:18 (HCSB)

18  So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Prayer:

Father, we elevate Your name above every name on earth, and in heaven. All praise and glory belong to You.

Father, help us to draw closer to You, and to learn to bring everything to You in prayer.

Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB)

10  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.

Father, we are encouraged, elevated, and empowered by Your promise that says, “I am with you”. Father, thank You for being with us. 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.

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

Helping Others Who Are Going Through Hardships

 

Text:

Philippians 4:14-17 (HCSB)

14  Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

15  And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.

16  For even in Thessalonica you sent ?gifts? for my need several times.

17  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.

Observation:

The church at Philippi was one of the churches that voluntarily and sacrificially gave of themselves in what Paul described as, “My hardship”.

They were willing to help out in giving to meet the pressing needs of Paul and his ministry. Notice that Paul mentioned that at one time they were the only one.

They were doing for Paul what he had encouraged them to do for others. Notice what Paul said to them here.

Philippians 2:3-4 (HCSB)

3  Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.

4  Everyone should look out not ?only? for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

When we give to others and support their kingdom building ministry we are making an investment that will be rewarded in this life and in eternity.

Philippians 4:17 (HCSB)

17  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.

When you give to others you are making an investment that results in blessings that keep on giving. Are you investing in the lives of others? Think about the profit that is increasing to your account in the Bank of Heaven.

Prayer:

Father, I exalt Your name, and give You praise and thanksgiving for who You are, and for Your grace and mercy to Your people. Father, give us willing hearts to serve others by sharing from what you have given to us.

Father, thank You for being Jehovah Jireh; the God who provides for His people. 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