godissovereign – herbcotton.org

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 27:18 (NLT)

As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 113:1-3 (KJV)

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 114:1-2 (NLT)

When the Israelites escaped from Egypt— when the family of Jacob left that foreign land—

the land of Judah became God’s sanctuary, and Israel became his kingdom.

Psalm 114:7 (NLT)

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.

The Gospel Message:

Hebrews 12:14-15 (NLT)

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Observation:

I find something in each of today’s focal passages that speak volumes into my heart. As you meditate upon them, what are they saying to your heart?

It is not enough to know the ways of God, we must do the will of God every day of our life, and every moment. Every decision we make shapes the course of our life.

God speaks to us at the point of our need. Stay close to God and allow Him to have His way and His will to be done in your life.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, we declare that You are holy, sovereign, and faithful in all that You say and do. Father, we acknowledge that You are the potter and we are the clay. We willingly submit to Your will and plans for our life. Father, consecrate our hearts to Thee.

“Take my will and make it Thine,

It shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart; it is Thine own,

It shall be Thy royal throne.”

Frances R. Havergal

—

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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God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 25:11 (NLT)

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 82:5 (MSG)

Ignorant judges! Head-in-the-sand judges! They haven’t a clue to what’s going on. And now everything’s falling apart, the world’s coming unglued.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Jeremiah 19:15 (NLT)

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will bring disaster upon this city and its surrounding towns as I promised, because you have stubbornly refused to listen to me.'”

The Gospel Message:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

Always be joyful.

Never stop praying.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Observation:

Are you walking in your purpose with passion? If not, why not? Is it because of your circumstances that are hindering your walk? Or, is it your lack of faith in God and His promises?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

Always be joyful.

Never stop praying.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

If we do these things that the Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to do, God will help us to overcome our circumstances.

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Prayer:

Father, we pray that you would give us the grace to have more faith, hope, and love. Father, help us to live out our purpose with passion by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of your people.

—

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:

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Who Is Willing to Be A Light?

Text:

1 John 1:5-7 (HCSB)

5 Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.

6 If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Observation:

Today as I read this passage my thoughts go back to a dear friend who is now living in the land of those who are truly alive. In our conversations, he frequently recited this verse.

Luke 1:37 (NIV)

37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

The light bulb moment for me is this portion of verse five in our focal passage.

“Now this is the message we have heart from Him and declare to you.”

When I write these devotionals I feel like one hungry beggar telling another where to find bread.

Today my plea is come and see; come eat, come and feast at the table of the Lord. Then, go and tell another beggar where to find bread.

What is the message of 1 John 1:5-7?

God is light. In Him is no darkness.
Those who have fellowship with God do not walk in darkness.
It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin.
The blessed life is the person who walks with Jesus in this dark world, and lets the light of the Lord shine in them, and on others.

Dear friends, let’s release the light of the Lord upon all those we come in contact with in the marketplaces of life in this world in our walk and our talk.

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Prayer:

Father, we exalt your name, and give you the glory, honor, and praise that you alone deserve.

Father, I plead with You to grant us the grace and favor of being light in this dark and dangerous world.

Matthew 5:15-16 (HCSB)

15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

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.

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Who Do You Put Your Trust In?

Text:

Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV)

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Observation:

Do you trust in man? Let’s see what flesh can do.

Isaiah 2:22 (ESV)

22 Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?

Isaiah 40:6-8 (ESV)

6 A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.

7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.

8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Do you trust in God? Let’s see what God can do.

2 Chronicles 32:8 (ESV)

8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father. Lord, I exalt Your name above every name on earth, and in heaven. Father God, there is none like you, no not one.

Father, I am so grateful for the privilege to know that You are my redeemer, and that I am loved by You. Father, I pray that all who believe in You will have the desire, and the strength; that You provide, to stay near to You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. And all who agree say, Amen.

—

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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How Do You Know If There Is a God?

Text:

1 Timothy 6:15-16 (ESV)

15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Observation:

How are you conducting your search for God? Are you looking for him through the limited capabilities of your eyes and your mind? Do you think that you can find God in this feeble manner?

There are some things that have been settled a long time ago. One of the oldest books of the bible gives us an understanding of how to approach and enter the presence of the only true God who dwells in unapproachable light.

Job 42:1-6 (ESV)

1 Then Job answered the LORD and said:

2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

4 ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’

5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;

6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

One of the amazing truths of the ages is that if sinful man draws near to God that God will draw near to you. The next move to knowing God is for you to turn from the direction you are walking, and turn to the Lord. Why not follow the example of Job? When you see yourself in the light of God’s greatness, you are closer to God than you will ever be. Why not take that step today?

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)

2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

“Faith is trusting what the eye can’t see.

Eyes see the prowling lion. Faith sees Daniel’s angel.

Eyes see storms. Faith sees Noah’s rainbow.

Eyes see giants. Faith sees Canaan.

Your eyes see your faults. Your faith sees your Savior.

Your eyes see your guilt. Your faith sees his blood.”

Unknown

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that we may decrease so that You may increase. Father, the greatest need we have in our life is to know You, and be known by You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

John 3:30 (ESV)

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”