Humility – herbcotton.org

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12 (NLT)

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.

Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.” Psalm 58:10-11 (NLT)

The Hope of the Old Testament:

We have heard about proud Moab— about its pride and arrogance and rage. But all that boasting has disappeared. Isaiah 16:6 (NLT)

The Gospel Message:

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News

but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 (NLT)

Observation:

The Old Testament focal passage for today reminds us of the consequences of pride. Allow this quote to speak into your heart.

“Pride is spiritual cancer; it eats the very possibility of love or contentment, or even common sense.”

C.S. Lewis

Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible.

Prayer:

Father God, we exalt and give praise and thanksgiving to You, and in Your presence, we bow our knees in the presence of Your holiness. Father, thank You for delivering us from the sin of pride, and for giving us the grace gift of humility.

But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7 (HCSB)

—

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 Is the Condition of Your Heart?

Text:

Proverbs 15:8 (ESV)

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

Proverbs 15:29 (ESV)

29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Observation:

One of the wisest things we can do in life is to guard our hearts. I am reminded on this admonition from the Proverbs.

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

The things that come out of our mouth originate in our hearts. It pays to examine our hearts, and to keep our hearts with all vigilance.

Matthew 12:35 (ESV)

35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

Why not ask the Lord to help you in guarding your heart, and to help you in saying, and in doing the right things.

Let’s follow the advice given in the Proverbs by Solomon, and pray the prayer of his father, King David in Psalm 141.

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful for the difference that Jesus makes when He comes, and takes up permanent residence in the lives of Your children.

Father, help us to guard our hearts, and control out tongues so that rivers of living waters may flow out of the lives of Your children. We unite our hearts in praying the prayer of King David.

Psalm 141:3-4 (ESV)

3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!

Father, this is the plea of our hearts, and we ask for these favors in the might name of Jesus, Amen.

Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

—

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.

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What Is Your View of God, and His Word?

Text:

Psalm 12:6-8 (HCSB)

6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.

7 You, LORD, will guard us; You will protect us from this generation forever.

8 The wicked wander everywhere, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.

Observation:

Let’s do a comparison of man and his word, and God and His Word. Think about the vast differences.

Man and his word:

Psalm 12:1-2 (HCSB)

1 Help, LORD, for no faithful one remains; the loyal have disappeared from the human race.

2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts.

God and His Word:

Psalm 12:6-7 (HCSB)

6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.

7 You, LORD, will guard us; You will protect us from this generation forever.

When it comes to God, and His Word, I take a stance of humility, wonder, and awe. I take the position that David took in this Psalm.

Psalm 51:4 (HCSB)

4 Against You—You alone—I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge.

Prayer:

Father, I bow low, and look up to You in humility, and thankfulness for Your love, forgiveness, and compassion for man that You have created in Your image. Father, help us, by Your almighty power, to be who You made us to be.

Father, I am so grateful that every person can know You, and be reconciled to You. So blessed that we have the pure Word of God to draw us to You, and to keep us in You. 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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3 Keys to Conflict Resolution

Text:

Philippians 4:1-3 (HCSB)

1 So then, my brothers, ?you are? dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.

Observation:

Yesterday we looked at what the Bible says about the importance and value of unity. We were also warned about the devil, who wants to steal our peace, and destroy our unity. The Bible identifies the enemy of God’s people.

1 Peter 5:8 (HCSB)

8 Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi, admonishes the believers to stand firm in the Lord.

I notice three keys that will enable us to stand firm in the Lord.

Communicate – Verse 2 – Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to talk about their differences,and agree in the Lord.
Love – Verses 1-3. These were sisters in Christ, and their names are in the book of life, along with others in the church. So, learn to love one another.
Help – Verse 3 – There was a peacemaker in the group, and Paul urged that person to help these women come to agreement. These women shared a common faith, and a common destiny. Live in peace with one another.

Don’t allow the enemy to rob you of your peace, joy, and unity. You have available the help of the Lord, and the help of your coworkers in the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:10-11 (NLT)

10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

11 For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your most holy, and righteous name. Father, thank You for your Sovereignty, and for you friendship with your people.

Father, help us, by your almighty power, to address our differences in love, and show a watching world what life in heaven will look like. Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven, and let it begin in you, and me as we settle our differences in the Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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What Will It Take To Prevail?

Text:

Proverbs 19:19-21 (HCSB)

19 A person with great anger bears the penalty; if you rescue him, you’ll have to do it again.

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life.

21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s decree will prevail.

Observation:

The events of the last 48 hours no doubt shapes what is on my heart this morning as I sat to write today’s devotional. It is also tempered by the news I received about 3 hours ago in a phone call from a life long friend that his wife had died peacefully at home after a long illness. I offered words of comfort to my friend, and I prayed for him.

Then, I listened to a devotional on our text for this morning before getting our of bed. As I read and examine this passage, the leap off the page message I take away is this, “But the LORD’s decree will prevail”.

I went to bed last night with the image of our nation on my mind. I received a text message this morning from a friend, with the same name of my childhood friend who’s wife died this morning, that he was praying for our nation. I responded to him, so am I.

I’m dealing with and seeking a Word from the Lord on what will it take to prevail; to succeed.

Proverbs 15:22 (HCSB)

22 Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

This I know, and if you agree, I ask that you join with me in praying for our nation to find success in the counsel of one another. That is needful, but there is something that we need more than the counsel of people; we need the prescription of God for times like these.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

What will succeed? Will protest or prayer? Will riots or revival? Will more laws or more love?

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that your people, the children of God, will humble themselves, pray, seek your face, and turn from their wicked ways.

Father, I pray that each of us will do like the evangelist of another century preached, “Draw a circle on the floor, stand in that circle, and pray for revival for the person that is standing in the circle”.

Father, I’m standing in the circle and praying for revival to fall down on me. Who will join me? In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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Who Has Your Back?

Text:

Psalm 31:1-5 (ESV)

1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!

2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;

4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

Observation:

In the good times, and especially in bad times, it is good to know that you have someone reliable who has your back; someone that you can depend upon to be trustworthy, and faithful.

In the case of David his source of help was in his God. David was a man who was accustomed to calling upon the Lord.

What did David do? He cried out to God in prayer. He took refuge in the Lord. He did what he could do, and he asked the Lord to do the rest.

Let me not be put to shame.
Deliver me.
Incline your ear to me.
Rescue me, and do it speedily.
Be my rock and strong fortress.
Take me out of the trap the enemy has set for me.

David had faith in God. He was confident that God was righteous in all His ways, and that He was able to deliver him.

Do you have any problems in your life that you have not been able to resolve? Do you have any enemies that you can’t defeat in your strength alone?

Psalm 31:5 (ESV)

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

Not only did David trust in the Lord, but Solomon, his son, also trusted in the God of his father. Solomon asked God for wisdom, and He gave him wisdom. He also gave him faith; the kind of faith his father David had.

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I believe in You; I believe that You are a God who is righteous, and faithful in all Your ways.

Father, I acknowledge that in desperate times we need desperate faith. O God, I ask that You would stir the hearts of Your people, by the Holy Spirit, to cause us to run to Your throne room of grace and mercy, and cry out to You in desperate prayer to heal our land, and meet all of our needs. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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The Value of Relationships

Text:

Ephesians 5:17-21 (HCSB)

17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which ?leads to? reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:

19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord,

20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

Observation:

I attended a memorial service this week of a friend who had a stroke several weeks ago, and died last week. That night I got a call that another long time friend had a stroke, and was in the hospital. Last night I got a call that she had died. We never know what a day will bring.

This morning I received my daily message from a friend, and his encouragement to me contained these words: Greeting, glad, go, godly, and God. He blesses me each morning with a wakeup message.

I am so thankful for the people that God has put into my life. At the memorial service this week I met some people that I have not seen in over 50 years. This week just happens to also be the 58th anniversary of my High School graduation, and tomorrow the 54th anniversary of my graduation from college.

Looking back over the activities of the week, and preparing my heart to begin a new day, I was led to this thought from God’s Word. Every day is a good day because God made it; so I will rejoice and be glad in it.

‘Ephesians 5:20-21 (HCSB)

20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I ask that You would give to each of us the burning desire in our hearts to love and cherish our loved ones, and our friends.

Father, stir up within our hearts an attitude of gratitude; to love You with our whole heart, and to love others as we have been loved by You. Father, I thank You for loving me first; for loving me before I knew You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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What Is Your Attitude About Others?

Text:

Philippians 2:5-8 (HCSB)

5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,

6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.

7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form,

8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.

Observation:

The Lord Jesus Christ is the model for believers and followers of Jesus. We need to make our attitude toward others more and more like the attitude of Jesus.

Do you have the heart of a servant? One of the big obstacles that will keep you from mirroring the attitude of Jesus in pride.

Are you willing to imitate Jesus as He willingly emptied Himself? Noticed what Jesus was willing to do. Take the time to read today’s passage slowly, and allow the Holy Spirit of God to work it into your heart.

Then, take the next step of working it out in service to others. That’s what Jesus did.

Philippians 2:8 (HCSB)

8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, give each of us the heart of a servant. Father, help us to be willing to do what Jesus did; to humble ourselves, and be obedient to Your purpose and plan for our lives. In the might name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1 Peter 5:6 (HCSB)

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

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Two Things That Are On My Mind

Text:

1 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)

4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13:5-6 (HCSB)

5 Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.

6 Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Observation:

These two scripture have been on my mind within the past 24 hours. So, to work them into my heart I decided to write about them this morning.

The first scripture came to my mind as I read a chapter from a book about marriage. The author wrote about the problem of contempt in marriage that results when the couple looks at each others shortcomings. This focus results in a chain of contempt.

The second scripture came to my mind as I was listening to the daily scripture and prayer this morning.The focus of today’s prayer was for contentment.

Can you have contentment in your life if you have contempt for other people who are made in the image of God? Of course sin has marred God’s plan, and He has declared that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

The members of the church that Paul wrote to had many shortcomings. However, this did not stop Paul from being grateful for them. Paul was grateful for what God had done for them in Jesus Christ.

If you want to break the chain of contempt that you have for others, why not take the attitude that Jesus had for sinners. He embraced them, he went to their homes, he had dinner with them, and He even called some of them to be His disciples.

Showing gratitude and giving honor to people in spite of their shortcomings will break the chain of contempt in your heart. Why not cooperate with God in His desire to make you more holy; it may not make you happy, but pleasing God is better than being happy.

Remember that happiness is dependent upon right things happening, and happiness is for a season. But, pleasing God will give you joy, and you can have joy all the time.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I pray that You will give all of Your children a burning desire to be pleasing in Your eyes.

Father, help us to slay the dragon of contempt by cultivating the attitude of gratitude, and receive the blessing of contentment that You delight to give to Your children. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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Who Is The Director of Your Life?

Text:

Jeremiah 10:23 (ESV)

23 I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

Observation:

If it is not within our ability to direct our lives; who then should we turn to for direction? Why not do what Jeremiah did; he looked to the Lord. He is not very far from you if you belong to Him; He lives in your heart. Listen to what He says to you in His Word.

Proverbs 23:26 (ESV)

26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

Romans 12:1 (NLT)

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

O, how blessed we would be, and what heavy loads would be lifted from our lives if we would learn how to surrender our will to the will of God. O for a faith that would trust in God, and the will to surrender our will to His will.

What would Jesus do? That’s a good question, and God has answered that question in His Word.

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Prayer:

Father, you have taught your people how we ought to pray about these matters; give us the faith to pray according this pattern that Jesus taught His followers to pray.

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread,

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Father, give us the faith and the strength to live and pray the Jesus way. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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