Tag: #sharegodsword

Why Is the Bible So Different From Any Other Book?

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

Psalm 119:130 King James Version (KJV)

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

I remember hearing the testimony of a Chinese man’s response to being exposed to the Bible; he asked, “Why is this book so different from any book I have ever read?”

Have you found that to be true in your life? The Bible is not like the textbooks we read in school. We learn by reading books, we gain information, insight and we grow intellectually. 

However, the Bible is different; when we read the Bible, it changes our lives. I remember many years ago listening to the testimony of a pastor at The Gideons International Convention who gave his statement of how the Bible transformed his life.

He read our focal passage for today, and that single verse changed his life. Some of his fellow soldiers who were Navigators invited him to join them in studying and memorizing the Word of God.

What a testimony of the power of the Word of God, and the God of the Word that resulted in the transformation in the life of this soldier; from a simple man to a preacher of the Gospel of Christ.

That my friends do not happen when you read science, mathematics, physics, literature, accounting, engineering or any other textbook. The book that changes lives is the Word of God; the Bible.

Isaiah 55:11 King James Version (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.

Proverbs 3:27 King James Version (KJV)

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father God, we are so grateful that we have the Bible in a language we can read and understand.

Father, we pray that everyone would have the privilege of having the Bible in their native language. Father, we know that nothing is too difficult for You to perform.

Father, we pray that we would be used to share the Word of God so that others will have their eyes opened, and lives changed by the reading of the Bible. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 23:24-26 (NLT)

The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.

So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.

O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 66:8-9 (NLT)

Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises.

Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Isaiah 41:1 (NLT)

“Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea. Bring your strongest arguments. Come now and speak. The court is ready for your case.

The Gospel Message:

Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT)

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Observation:

Are you aware and appreciative of what God has done for those He delights to call children of God?

Let me count just a few of the ways God has provided for His people.

1 He has a purpose for our life.

2 He has a plan for our life.

3 He takes pleasure in His people.

4 He provides peace to His people.

5 He gives faith to His children to believe in Him.

6 He provides the Holy Spirit to enable us to do His will.

Are you a member of God’s family? Are you one of His adopted daughters or sons? It is indescribable how much God loves you, and wants you to be a member of the family of God.

John 1:12-13 (NLT)

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Prayer:

Father God, hallowed be Your name. Father, we unite our hearts in saying back to you what you have said in your word to us and recorded by the Apostle Paul.

Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

—

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
10  And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Listen to all of the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:1 (NLT)

1  Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 40:1 (NLT)

1  I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Job 19:25-27 (NLT)

25  “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.

26  And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!

27  I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

The Gospel Message:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)

13  Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

14  And do everything with love.

Observation:

What did God say to you when you read these scriptures?

Often in our lives, we try to change the things on the outside. They may result in us looking better to ourselves, and to others. However, God does not look on the outside. What God looks at is our hearts.

Because of this, what is God saying to you today that speaks to your heart? What will you do with what you heard God say to your heart?

Prayer:

Ephesians 1:16-18 (NLT)

16  I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,

17  asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

18  I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

—

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
10  And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Listen to all of the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

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