#jesusfriendofsinners – herbcotton.org

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:26-27 (NLT)

26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.

27 If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 52:8-9 (NLT)

8 But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.

9 I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Isaiah 1:18-20 (NLT)

18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

19 If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat.

20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NLT)

4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Observation:

O how we need to turn our minds from personal preferences and turn our hearts to God. Why have so many turned from God, and depend solely upon human flesh for deliverance?

John 3:20 (NLT)

20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

We need to meditate and activate the teaching of the Apostle Paul encouraged in his letter to the church at Corinth.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

The only hope for our world is not a man, but God. The change that we need will come when God’s people decide to make Jesus the Lord of their life.

“Christ is either Lord of all, or he is not Lord at all.”

James Hudson Taylor

Prayer:

Father, help us by the power of the Holy Spirit of God to give our all to You and receive Your all to enable us to live the overcoming life that You intend for us to live in this fallen world.

O, that the Body of Christ will pray it down, lift Christ up, and live out the will of God in our daily walk in this world.

—

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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Who Is the Keeper of Your Soul?

Text:

Psalm 23:1 (HCSB)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

Observation:

As I listened to the lyrics of this song early in the morning, the thoughts I share with you today were birthed in my soul.

“He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,

That shadows a dry, thirsty land;

He hideth my life in the depths of His love,

And covers me there with His hand,

And covers me there with His hand.”

Yes, Jesus is a wonderful Savior. He’s a wonderful Savior to me. This song speaks volumes into my soul, and it thrills my soul. O the security, and the comfort of being hidden in the depths of God’s love.

Are you covered by the hand of God? There is no place I would rather be than in the hand of my God.

“He hideth my life in the depths of His love,

And covers me there with His hand.”

Listen to what the Bible says about the one who wants to be the shepherd of your soul; the keeper of your life now, and for eternity.

The Good Shepherd

John 10:11 (HCSB)

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The Great Shepherd

Hebrews 13:20-21 (HCSB)

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—with the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 equip you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory [belongs] to Him forever and ever. Amen.

The Chief Shepherd

1 Peter 5:4 (HCSB)

4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I am so thankful, and will be forever grateful for all that You have done for all of Your children.

Father, I rejoice to associate myself with Your people of every age. O, what a day that will be when we all get to heaven. Yes, we will surely sing, and shout the victory in Jesus. In the 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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This Is A Good News Story

Text:

John 3:16 (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 5:24 (ESV)

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Observation:

The hymn writer expresses the desire that exits in the depths of my heart, and I have a burning desire to share it. What a story!

“I love to tell the story,

‘Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and His love.”

The hymn says, “Some have never heard the story”. But, the writer also says, “Those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest”.

I was reminded recently of a saying that went something like this, “If you live for the approval of other people, you will die from the rejection of other people”.

I would rather live for the approval of the one who knows me best, and loves me most. I associate myself with the Apostle Paul in his desire, and aim in life.

Philippians 1:21 (ESV)

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Paul makes this appeal in his letter to the church at Rome, and to us today through the Word of God.

Romans 12:1-2 (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.

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

What is your story? Everyone has a story, and I pray that God, and His love is at the center of your story.

I have a plaque on my desk that someone gave me many years ago. I just looked at it and read these words.

“Open my eyes so others may see you. Fill me, so others may find fullness in you”.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I add my voice to the saints of the ages in singing, and shouting praises to You.

Psalm 146:1-2 (HCSB)

1 Hallelujah! My soul, praise the LORD.

2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I live.

Father, hear our prayer, and may our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving be pleasing in your eyes. Father, fill us, and use us for your glory. 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 Walk With Daily?

Text:

John 1:4 (ESV)

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Observation:

In this verse the Apostle John writes about Jesus saying, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men”.

When we walk daily with Jesus his life and light will shine through us, and we will shine brightly in a dark world; the light of Jesus will dispel the darkness.

John 1:5 (NLT)

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

“While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.”

It’s such a blessing to have a close and intimate relationship with Jesus, and take Him everywhere you go. Don’t leave home without Jesus; allow His presence to shine through you.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your precious and powerful name. Father, I pray for sufficient grace in each of Your children that the life and light of Jesus will shine brightly through our everyday living in a dark and dangerous world. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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The Power of Elevation

Text:

John 12:32 (NLT)

32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

Observation:

This morning as I opened my eyes I looked up to my heavenly Father, and called upon Him in prayer. When we look up to our Father in heaven, and draw near to Him we experience His divine presence in our heart.

As I reflect upon what I experience, the words of this hymn helped me to identify, and savor these precious moments with the Father.

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses,

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

?Refrain:

?And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

?And He tells me I am His own;

?And the joy we share as we tarry there,

?None other has ever known.

So, as I sat down at my desk in my computer hutch space, I continue to bask in the glow of my wakeup experience with the Father this morning.

My one word for today will be elevation. I will seek to lift the precious Savior up this morning, and I will begin by sharing what I have experience with my family and my friends. It is no secret what God can do, what He’s done for others He will do for you. I invite you to join with me in lifting the Savior up today, and everyday.

John 12:32 (AMP)

32 And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw and attract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, Abba Father, I delight to have the privilege of spending time alone withYou.

Father, I delight to give honor, praise, and glory to Your most holy and righteous name.

Father, the desire You have planted in my heart today is to lift the precious Savior up; to point people to the cross where Jesus paid the sin debt for every living being because there is none righteous; no not one.

Father, draw us near to the cross so that we can see Jesus, and receive Him into our heart, and exchange our unrighteousness for His righteousness. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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