#GodCaresaboutYou – herbcotton.org

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 26:21-22 (NLT)

A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 102:1 (NLT)

LORD, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea!

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

The Gospel Message:

Hebrews 1:3 (NLT)

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.

Observation:

If you want to know God, you can find Him when you look for Him in the Word of God. In the Bible, He speaks with finality through the author of the Book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NLT)

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.

And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.

The thing that God desires for His people is to have a relationship with Him. We can know God through His Word, and we can connect with God through prayer.

When I look at the greatest human needs the one that rises to the top for me is love; to love and be loved. In today’s reading from the Bible, I find comfort, significance, growth, contribution, belonging, and everything I need God will provide.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Prayer:

Father God, my heart rejoices that I am so loved by You and that You provide abundantly, continuously, faithfully, and eternally for all of my needs through Your almighty power.

Psalm 103:1-2 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

—

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

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God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 14:10 (NLT)

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 45:6-7 (NLT)

6 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.

7 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Job 40:1-5 (NLT)

1 Then the LORD said to Job,

2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”

3 Then Job replied to the LORD,

4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand.

5 I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (ESV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself 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 entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Observation:

What is your motivation for serving the Lord? The Apostle Paul had a lofty goal. He aimed to please the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:9 (ESV)

9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

In our selected passage for today, Paul states two spiritual motivations that drove Him to serve the Lord and His people. One was the power of the gospel, and the second was the commission of the Lord.

Prayer:

Father God, we thank You that we don’t have to serve You in our human strength because You have given us the gift of the Holy Spirit of God to provide us with the power for service. Father, we are so thankful for all of the members of the Body of Christ who faithfully serve You.

Romans 8:9 (NLT)

9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)

—

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:

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What Is Your Response to Chaos?

Text:

Isaiah 26:8-9 (ESV)

8 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.

9 My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Observation:

Have you experienced an unusual amount of chaos recently? The Bible tells us that there would be days, and seasons similar to what you are experiencing.

2 Timothy 3:1 (AMP)

1 BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].

What should be the response of believers in times like these? I find in the reading of our text, and life experiences some guidance. It involves taking the upward look.

In verse eight of our text Isaiah says, “Your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul”.

In verse nine Isaiah says, “My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you”.

The Lord’s heart and hands are not far from His people. He longs to have His people draw near to Him.

1 Peter 3:12 (ESV)

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

There is nothing that comforts the soul during times of great stress, and trouble than singing praise to God. One of the songs I love to sing is this one by Valerie Boyd.

“My soul loves Jesus,

my soul loves Jesus,

my soul loves Jesus;

Bless His name.

He’s a wonder in my soul,

He’s a wonder in my soul;

Bless His name.”

Prayer:

Father, I unite my voice with the Psalmist, and all of Your people who agree, in lifting up my voice in praise and adoration of Your most holy, and righteous name.

Father, if Your people ever needed the nearness of Your presence, the time is now. Father, you are the desire of our soul; Lord, we seek Your face, and long for Your tender heart, and strong hands to give us Your peace in exchange for the stress and chaos we are facing. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

How Huge Are Your Burdens?

Introduction:

Does God ever allow us to experience burdens that are too heavy for us to bear? If so, how do you handle them?

Text:

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (ESV)

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.

9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Observation:

The Apostle Paul had an experience of having an affliction that was beyond his ability to handle.

2 Corinthians 1:8 (ESV)

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.

Paul did not give-up or worry about his affliction. Notice that Paul did not trust his feelings. Rather, he trusted in His God.

2 Corinthians 1:9-10 (ESV)

9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Additionally, Paul had friends who knew his God, and they prayed for him. God works for His children when we pray for one another.

2 Corinthians 1:11 (ESV)

11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Conclusion:

2 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)

10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful that in this dark and dangerous world that even though we are sometimes faced with burdens too large for us to bear; we have a God who loves and cares for His children.

Father, I pray that all who know You will not hesitate to cast our burdens upon You because there is no one who cares for us more than You. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

—

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.

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How Do You Handle Your Trials and Troubles?

Text:

1 Peter 5:6-11 (ESV)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Observation:

There is hardly a day that goes by when I am not presented with a request to pray for some person that has a pressing need in their life.

I’m learning not just to say a prayer for that person, but I’m learning how to cast all of my cares upon the one who cares for them and for me more than anyone on earth or in heaven. I’m learning that prayer is the most that we can do, and I’m learning how to take my faith in God to a new level. To see God as He alone is willing and able to care for all of our our anxieties.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful that you have prodded me by the Holy Spirit to think on this topic, and to write and talk about it to you, and to others.

Father, I pray that you would increase my faith; Lord, increase the faith of all my brothers and sisters, until we all take our faith to another level; to the point where we are willing to cast all of our cares upon You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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What Happens When You Give God What You Have

Text:

John 6:9 (ESV)

9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”

Observation:

There is nothing more encouraging to me than reading the account of what happened when the boy gave Jesus what he had.

Notice that the boy had five barley loaves, and he gave those to Jesus along with the two fish that he had. We have so little, but God can do so much with the little we have when we give it to Him.

In my reading of the Bible I discovered that barley was the common food eaten by the poor; the well off preferred wheat. Also, I found another servant of God that used barley to feed a large group of men.

2 Kings 4:42-43 (ESV)

42 A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.”

43 But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.'”

When we give God what we have He can do much more with it than we could ever dream. The world has yet to see what can be done with what we hold in our hands if God’s people would be willing to present to God what they have, and watch as He uses it and us for His glory, and as a blessing in the lives of others.

You Can’t Beat God Giving – Lyrics by Doris Akers

“You can’t beat God’s giving, no matter how you try.

And just as sure as you are living

and the Lord is in heaven on high.

The more you give, the more He give to you,

but keep on giving because it’s really true

that you can’t beat God’s giving, no matter how you try.”

Prayer:

Father, I bless Your name, and give You the praise, honor, and the glory that only You deserve.

Father, whatever I have belong to you, and I offer it back to You to do with it whatever You will. Father, use us for Your glory, and in Your service to others. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

The Gospel Legends Singing, “You Can’t Beat God Giving”

Click here to watch video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XP_zMJXc9g

Why the Child of God Should Pray

Text:

Psalm 107:1-6 (ESV)

1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble

3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;

5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.

6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Observation:

There is so much in our focal passage for today, but the thought I want to focus on is the power of prayer. God answers prayer; we see that in verse six. However, I find something to shout about when I see in verse two that the Lord answers prayer on the basis of redemption.

Why do we spend so much of our precious time worrying when just a little talk with the Lord would fix our problems. The hymn writer recognized this truth when he wrote these words.

“O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!”

Notice what it took for God’s people to cry out to Him in prayer in the day of the Psalmist.

Psalm 107:5-6 (ESV)

5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.

6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Don’t be like the people of God then; and, like so many of us today. Why don’t you forfeit your burdens, and take all of your cares to the Lord in prayer. If you have been redeemed by the Lord, you have access to Him all the time. He is waiting to hear from you.

Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that You hear and answer prayer based on the redemption we have because Jesus shed His precious and royal blood so that we wouldn’t have to die for our own sins.

Father God, I ask that You would stir the hearts of Your people to pray, and when they pray that You would open the windows of heaven and shower us with blessings from above.

Lord, I’m getting out my umbrella waiting for the showers of blessings; I ‘m praying for a Louisiana size thunderstorm. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Why It Pays to Pray for Others

Text:

1 Peter 5:5-7 (KJV)
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Observation:

A few hours after I distributed yesterday’s daily devotional I received feedback from one of my email subscribers.

This response required more than a response by email so I called her, and left a message on her phone. We eventually talked a few hours later, and had a delightful conversation.

However, the thing that amazed me was how God was at work in her life, and how it was so connected to what I had shared. I had a chance to share with her some of the things I did not include in yesterday’s devotional, but fit in perfectly for what the Lord was doing in her life.

This exchange presented me with the opportunity to join with my friend in praying with her, and for the person she planned to share the Lamb with this week.

Further inspiration was received yesterday from reading Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost for His Highest.

Isaiah 59:16 (ESV)
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.

God is looking for praying people. Are you willing to be humble and pray for others? What a privilege we have to connect with our caring heavenly Father, and the needs of our friends on earth through intercessory prayer.

This quote by Oswald Chambers stuck with me, “Preaching the gospel has a snare; intercessory prayer has none”.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so thankful to be able to link my heart with your heart and cry out to you on behalf of others. Father God, I am so grateful that nothing is beyond the reach of the prayer of faith when the object of our faith is Almighty God.

Father God, I ask that You hear the fervent prayers of Your people as we cry out to You for the souls of others, and the pressing needs of Your people. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.