godisgreat – herbcotton.org

How Big Is Your God?

Text:

John 11:25-27 (NLT)

25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”

Observation:

The question today is what do you believe about life and death?

What is the source for your beliefs? Notice what the Bible says in the following passage.

John 20:30-31 (NLT)

30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book.

31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

What you believe matters. If you have doubts, read the Gospel of John for yourself. The stakes are too high to get this wrong.

John 3:36 (NLT)

36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

Prayer:

Father God, our heart aches for those who have not yet believed in the name of Jesus as the source of eternal life. Father, I pray for a Holy Spirit sent revival to sweep our country, and the world, and turn the hearts of nonbelievers to Jesus.

Father, I pray that believers everywhere will cry out to You, and share the Gospel of Christ everywhere because we are closer than ever to the end of the season of grace. God is patiently waiting for people to come to Jesus and receive eternal life.

2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

—

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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Why We Should Greatly Delight in God’s Commandments?

Text:

Psalm 112:1 (ESV)

1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!

Observation:

When we look at the commandments of God we see how far we fall short. Then, how can we delight in the commandments of God? I believe the reason lies in an understanding of the purpose of the law. This passage instructs, informs, and inspires me.

Galatians 3:24-26 (ESV)

24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,

26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Think about this; the King James Version says it this way:

Galatians 3:24 (KJV)

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The law is like a mirror. We look into the mirror of God’s commandments, and we see our sins, faults, and failures. However, we don’t wash them away with the mirror.

Rather, our sins are washed away by the precious, and royal blood of Jesus when He died on the cross at Calvary.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

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.

When you fear the Lord, you don’t have to fear anything else. Do you trust wholly in the Lord? Ask the Lord to give you a faith that never fears because it believes, and trust in a God who cannot, and will not fail.

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful that I know You; that You are righteous, and good in all Your ways.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Father, I am so glad to know You, and that I can depend upon You to lead, and guide me all of the days of my life, and when this life is over, to receive me in my eternal home in heaven. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

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

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Where Do You Turn When You Are Desperate?

Text:

Psalm 105:1-4 (ESV)

1 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Observation:

If you feel that we are living in desperate times this Psalm is for you. If you live in a place where you feel you don’t have any good choices, then this Psalm is for you.

This Psalm is one of my favorites. When deciding on what to write about today, this Psalm came to my mind. It contains my life verse.

Psalm 105:4 (ESV)

4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!

It is from this Psalm that I reduced my mission statement to two words.

Please God.

If you are struggling with issues in your life, this Psalm is for you. If you have exhausted all of the alternatives to relieve health issues in your life, and nothing has worked, this Psalm is for you. This Psalm was written to a people who were facing extremely difficulty challenges in their life, and in their world.

The Psalmist wrote to remind them of God’s faithfulness. I want to add my voice to the voice of the Psalmist in agreeing that God is faithful. I delight to join him in singing praises to God. This Psalm will lift the burdened, and the broken by the troubles of this world. Will you join me in praise and prayer.

Psalm 105:2 (ESV)

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

My soul sings:

“Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

there is no shadow of turning with thee;

thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;

as thou hast been thou forever will be.

Refrain:

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

all I have needed thy hand hath provided;

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Father, thank you for being sovereign above all, and that you look low, and value man; male and female you created them, and that you love us with an everlasting love.

Father, I declare that You are a great God, and that You are a good Father. So, my heart overflows, and my soul sings, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. 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.

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Where Is God?

Text:

1 Corinthians 3:16 (HCSB)

16 Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

Observation:

When I read this verse it opened the eyes of my heart. I pray this prayer often; it is the desire of my heart.

Psalm 119:18 (HCSB)

18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your instruction.

Here is what I’m contemplating today about our focal verse.

God lives in a place.
God lives in a people.
God is always present.

God no longer lives in temples made by the hands of man. Rather, He lives in temples made by His own hands.

Ephesians 2:21 (HCSB)

21 The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord.

Our God is a relational God. Do you have a relationship with Him? Have you received Jesus? Are you God’s sanctuary; His living place?

John 1:12-13 (NLT)

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

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

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be your name. Father, I ask you to prepare the hearts of your people so that we might be pure and holy; pleasing in your eyes, and transformed by your hands.

Father, I am so glad and grateful that I can say that God lives in me. So, because You live in us, we have everything we need. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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What is God’s View of His People?

Text:

Isaiah 43:1-2 (ESV)
1 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Observation:

When you look at the condition of our world today you can’t help but notice the fear that many people have concerning the present and the future.

I don’t like the perspective that I see with my eyes and hear with my ears. I don’t like the messages that I hear in the media and the social networks. There are seldom any encouraging words; words that lift the spirit, bring joy to your heart, and give you hope for the future.

Today’s text offers another point of view; a higher point of view. It is the view of God of His believing people. The key word in the passage for me is “you”. This passage will drive out any fear that may be lurking in your heart.

We get tired of the grind, but our God never gets tired. We get perplexed, and we get distressed. However, God knows our condition, and He is Sovereign over our circumstances. When you get down, take the upward look.

Isaiah 40:28 (ESV)
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you that I can rest in the blessed assurance that I belong to You. Father, I thank you for creating me, forming me, redeeming me, and the promise that You will keep me.

Father, I thank you for your promise, “I will be with you”. Lord, I am so grateful for my relationship with You, and I pray that all who read or listen to this message know You, and Your power. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To Thy precious, bleeding side.

{Fanny Crosby – Author}

—

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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How Great is Your God?

Text:

Psalm 8:1 (KJV)

1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Observation:

This Psalm is known as one of the creation Psalms. Other Psalms included in this category are these.

Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 33:6 (ESV)

6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Psalm 104:1-2 (ESV)

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

2 covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.

Chris Tomlin – Lyrics “How Great is Our God”

“Age to age He stands

And time is in His hands

Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One

Father Spirit Son

The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names

Worthy of our praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God”

Is this God your God? Then, why not lift your voice, and give the praise and the thanks that is due to Him. I think I will memorize this verse; the address will be easy to remember; Just think about He is number one.

Psalm 111:1 (ESV)

1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

I extol and exalt You, my God and my Father. O King, You are the one in whom my soul delights. Lord, I give thanks to You with my whole heart. Lord, I can’t wait to leave the house today, and seek out those who are willing to give praise and thanks to You. Father, lead and guide me to the company of the upright.

Father, the sacrifice of praise I offer up to You with my lips, I pray that my family, friends, and neighbors everywhere will join me in lifting their voices in praise and thanksgiving to our Father in Heaven. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 150:6 (ESV)

6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

What is Your View of God?

Text:

1 Chronicles 17:23-26 (KJV)

23 Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.

26 And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

Observation:

David is the person in our focal passage, and He is having a conversation with the Lord.

Notice that in this conversation David is repeating to God what God had promised.

Notice something else David said to God; it reflects the high view that he had of God.

1 Chronicles 17:26 (KJV)

26 And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

Yesterday, I started a new devotional reading plan, and this was one of the key verses that got my attention. It speaks of how highly we should value God, and the priority He should have in our prayer life. How exalted is your view of God?

Matthew 6:9 (KJV)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

This is one of my favorites verse, and it was written by David; He lived his life in surrender and submission to the God whom he trusted with his whole heart.

Psalm 37:23 (KJV)

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

As I begin writing this devotional I received a text message on my phone from a dear friend who sends me an encouraging message every morning. This is what he said.

“God is a great God”.

Isn’t God amazing? Doesn’t He direct the paths of His people? As my Mother-in-Love would say, “Yes, indeed”. Let’s give Him the praise that only He is due.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I delight in giving praise to You because You are a great God, and greatly to be praised. I agree with Your servant David when he said this about You.

Psalm 145:3 (KJV)

3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

Father God, I ask that You would order the steps of Your people as they look up to You this day; may they recognize You for who You are, and claim Your promises. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Daily Bread

Title: How BIG is Your God?

Text:

Exodus 15:11 (HCSB)
¹¹LORD, 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)
¹I exalt You, my God the King, and praise Your name forever and ever.
²I will praise You every day; I will honor Your name forever and ever.
³Yahweh 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.