grace – herbcotton.org

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 28:23 (NLT)

In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 119:156 (NLT)

LORD, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 119:146-149 (NLT)

I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws.

I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.

I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.

In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.

The Gospel Message:

1 John 1:6-9 (NLT)

So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Observation:

The most remarkable and fantastic thing I find as I read the Bible is how much God loves you and me. It is humbling to know that God notices and cares about His children.

I have lingered in the Psalms today because from them I find the encouragement to face life because in the Psalms I see the weaknesses of the human flesh. However, I also look at the provisions of a loving creator and heavenly Father who loves and cares for human beings that He has created in His image. I am encouraged and empowered by knowing that God takes our weaknesses and gives us His strength.

Prayer:

Psalm 119:169-174 (NLT)

O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.

Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.

Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees.

Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.

Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.

O LORD, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight.

—

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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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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How Should You Live in the Present?

Text:

1 Peter 4:7 (NLT)

7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.

Observation:

How do we spend the present? In reality, we only have the present; the past is gone, and tomorrow is not promised.

Therefore, it behooves each of us to think seriously and soberly about the present.

Life may be difficult, but we still have a charge to keep and a purpose to fulfill. The time to do that is today and not tomorrow.

We would do well to be earnest and disciplined in our prayer life. Through prayer, we are able to see God’s perspective on our problems. When we read and meditate upon God’s Word we get a new perspective on our problems.

In the midst of our problems, we take them to God in prayer. Our prayers bring us into the presence of the Lord. In God’s presence, we receive His power and His peace.

As we are more earnest in prayer we go deeper into the Word and we are able to see God’s perspective and God’s purpose begins to be revealed in the midst of our problems.

In spite of our struggles and suffering, we begin to experience the unfailing love of God and God’s sufficient grace for our current circumstances.

As we look higher and go deeper with God our pain and suffering are transformed into praise and thanksgiving to God. The Word of God and prayer changes everything, and most of all it changes you and me.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for being the God of the present. We are so grateful that when we live in the present, and in Your presence, we get a new perspective on life.

Father, infuse our lives with a burning desire to be earnest and disciplined in our prayer life. O how we need to live in Your presence continually. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

—

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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What Do You Need Most?

Text:

Psalm 51:1-3 (ESV)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Observation:

Some people would say that our greatest need is to have justice. However, that was not the greatest need of David. He said in this Psalm that his greatest need was mercy.

Every person ever born with a human father needs mercy. This is what the bible says about the human condition.

Romans 3:22-23 (HCSB)

22 —that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction.

23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Psalm 51:3-5 (ESV)

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

The Psalmist acknowledged that he was included in the all who have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The only solution to our greatest problem is Jesus, and what He did for us on the cross at Calvary. Our greatest need is to repent; to turn from our sins, and to turn to God. We give Him our all, and He gives us His all.

Psalm 51:9-10 (ESV)

9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

The goodnews is that Jesus has already paid for our sin debt. He has already blotted out our transgressions when He died our death to enable us to live in His presence forever. Fully justified, and fully alive in Christ.

Is this your testimony?

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so pleased to associate myself with the host of people who have received the gift of love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy that was provided through the gift of Your only begotten son; Jesus the Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Father, thank You for doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Father, I pray for any who have not received this precious gift, which alone satisfies our greatest need. 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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What Is Your Response?

Text:

Psalm 105:1-3 (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!

Observation:

I woke up this morning with the LORD on my mind. I begin to praise and thank Him for all of my blessings. I thanked Him for the freedom that I have that I received from His loving heart and hands.

The bible says:

John 8:34-36 (ESV)

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.

36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Who are you a slave of? Are you a slave to sin, or a slave of the Savior?

Romans 1:1 (HCSB)

1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news—

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your most holy and righteous name. Father, I pray for America today, and I pray for the kingdom of God that Jesus is building. Father, may Your kingdom come, and may Your will be done on earth, and in Your people.

Father, thank You for the freedom we have in Christ. Father, I thank You that those who Jesus has set free, no power on earth or above the earth can take it away. Satan can’t steal the gift of freedom that the Savior has given Your children.

Father, this is my prayer for each one of Your children who can say, “I Am Redeemed”.

Ephesians 2:10 (HCSB)

10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Father, make us more holy and hopeful than we have ever been before. Make us holy like You are holy, and may our hope be in God alone. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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Where Do You Look When You Have A Troubled Heart?

Text:

Psalm 57:1-3 (KJV)

1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

Observation:

This Psalm is one that speaks of David, and the fear that he faced by King Saul who had it in his heart to kill David.

You may not be facing and fleeing an enemy that is determined to kill you, but you may be facing forces in your life that are robbing you of peace in your life.

Are you facing something in your life that is causing you to flee, fret, or flounder? Why not do what David did?

Psalm 57:2 (HCSB)

2 I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills ?His purpose? for me.

Yes, my friend, when you cry out to God, He will hear your cry, and He will help you. What He did for David He will do for you.

Psalm 57:3 (HCSB)

3 He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me.Selah God sends His faithful love and truth.

Do we have any witnesses that God hears, and answers prayer? Yes, He will I know He will.

Psalm 116:1-2 (HCSB)

1 I love the LORD because He has heard my appeal for mercy.

2 Because He has turned His ear to me, I will call ?out to Him? as long as I live.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. O how precious it is to know that the Lord is my daily companion, my friend, and my deliverer. Lord, I trust in You, and I am so thankful that You have never failed me, and never given up on me. If the Lord has done the same for You, give Him some glory today. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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A Closing Greeting & Prayer – Philippians

Text:

Philippians 4:20-23 (HCSB)

20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Those brothers who are with me greet you.

22 All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Observation:

I have enjoyed this walk through Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. One thing I take away from this reading and meditation is that Paul was always involved in carrying out the mission the Lord gave him.

I also notice that he didn’t do the work of the Lord alone. The Lord does not expect his saints to be lone rangers. We would do well to follow the example of Paul by working together with one another.

We all need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul started with this theme, and he ended with it.

Philippians 1:2 (HCSB)

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:23 (HCSB)

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I thank You for being a God who gives Your people grace; a grace that is amazing, and sufficient for all our needs.

Father, strengthen Your people so that we will be dispensers of grace to others in the same measure that we have received grace from You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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Have You Ever Meditated On How Much God Loves You?

Text:

Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV)

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Observation:

I was challenged by the Word of God, and the Spirit of God to spend some time recently meditating on how huge it is that God loved me when I was at my worst.

We love people when they are at their best, and we like to be around people who are good, and who are mostly like us. However, God who is so much higher and better than us, looks at people differently. He sees how they can become, and provides the means for them to become a brand new person.

God is a relational Father, and He desires to have a personal and intimate relationship with His children. Jesus demonstrates in His work of grace toward us that mercy, love, forgiveness, and grace are vital ingredients in our relationships with God, and in our relationships with others.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

God has remade His children, and equipped us to be demonstrations of His love to others. Are you doing your best to be who He made you to be?

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so grateful that You loved me when I was at my worst, and provided the means by which I could have a close and intimate relationship with You; not just for a season, but for eternity.

Father, I thank You that this grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness was not just a one time gift; it is a gift that is available all of the days that You allow for me to live in this fallen world.

Father, there are still days when I am at my worst, and there is never a time when I don’t need a little more grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness.

Father, since I am the recipient of so much love, I pray that I will be willing to show an abundance of Your love to others. Father, make me, and all of Your beloved children more like You in our relationships with others.In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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What Type of Seeds Are You Planting?

Text:

1 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Observation:

Wow! If your initial response is this is hard; you are on solid ground; it is hard, but that does not mean that it is not the right thing to do, or that it is impossible to do.

In fact, it echoes the teaching of Jesus. Here is the account of what Jesus said.

Luke 6:27-28 (ESV)

27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Notice in our focal verse from 1 Peter the working out of the Law of the Harvest; if you bless others, you will be blessed, and in the same kind.

Galatians 6:7-9 (ESV)

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Here is a penetrating question that is pressing forcefully in my heart, and is stirring my soul deep down within.

What is one thing that needs to change in me so that I can take one step in the direction of living in unity and harmony with those who are in Christ, and with those that are in the world?

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Thy name. Father, I pray that You would continue to stir my heart, and bend my will until I am willing to sow seeds of love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy to others, and in the same manner that You have given it to me.

Father, help me to never forget what I used to be. Father, I thank You that I’m not what I used to be, and praise God, I’m not what I’m going to be when You deliver me from the presence of sin, and welcome me into Your heaven. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.