#jesusisthetruth – herbcotton.org

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 25:23 (NLT)

As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 89:1 (NLT)

I will sing of the LORD’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

The Gospel Message:

1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

1 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

Observation:

The letter that Paul writes to Timothy is so timely for the times we are living in during this current season. There are truth, error, and half-truths spoken everywhere.

Where do you turn to find the truth? I’m glad you are willing to consider the question I asked. Why not turn to God, and His divine and holy word?

Psalm 119:105-106 (NLT)

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.

We need the Bible, we need Godly and anointed pastors and teachers who rightly present the Word of God, and we need lives that are filled with the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

John 16:13 (NLT)

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

“You must not lose confidence in God because you lost confidence in your pastor. If our confidence in God had to depend upon our confidence in any human person, we would be on shifting sand.”

Francis A. Schaeffer

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

Prayer:

Father God, we need You in our lives more than we ever needed You before. Father, make us as holy as You can. Father, help to be willing to trust and obey You, and the Word of God. Father, I ask that You would plant our feet on the solid rock, who is Christ who lives in us.

—

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:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 25:21-22 (NLT)

If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.

You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 88:1-3 (NLT)

O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night.

Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry.

For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Jeremiah 31:31 (NLT)

“The day is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.

Jeremiah 31:33 (NLT)

“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

The Gospel Message:

1 Timothy 3:1 (NLT)

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position.”

Observation:

The Psalm for today contains this prayer, “God, you’re my last chance.”

This desperate cry for hope and help is in the heart of every living being. It was placed there by our creator. But, we need to know the truth because it is the truth that will make you free. Notice what Jesus, our creator, said to the first-century followers.

John 14:6 (NLT)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

In His wisdom, God has chosen to use the Church as His means to communicate and connect people with the Kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 3:14-16 (NLT)

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon,

so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for Jesus who is the source of our salvation. Father, we thank You for the pastors and teachers that You have called to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

—

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:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

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.”

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:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

Why I Have Hope

Text:

Ephesians 1:11-14 (HCSB)

11 We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will,

12 so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.

13 When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.

14 He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.

Observation:

There is nothing more purposeful, powerful, or perfect than what God has done for those He has chosen to make their bodies the temple in which He will live in forever.

The Gospel of Christ is the goodnews, and Jesus is the hope of the world; the Messiah of God.

John 3:16 (HCSB)

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

God has spoken, the goodnews is for everyone who believes in Jesus, and receives Him; it is God’s love gift to you.

Colossians 1:27 (HCSB)

27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

John 1:12-13 (HCSB)

12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,

13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for loving us with an everlasting love, and for doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Father, I associate myself with the purpose that the Apostle Paul had when He heard the goodnews, and was born again, and Jesus came to live in Him.

Colossians 1:28-29 (HCSB)

28 We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

29 I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.

Father, we pray, “Thy kingdom come”, and we ask that it would come today in the lives of Your children. 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:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Listen to all of the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

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.

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

Who Is Right?

Text:

Matthew 26:31-35 (KJV)

31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Observation:

With all the all information that is available in the world today, it is not surprising that the volume of information is not the most important thing. What we need is the truth.

Who is right, and who is wrong? That is the question that we need to be able to answer.

In our focal passage for today we get to see how this question plays out between Jesus, and his disciples.

Jesus said this.

Matthew 26:31 (KJV)

31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

Peter (speaking as the spokesmen for the disciples) said this.

Matthew 26:35 (KJV)

35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Who was right; Jesus or the disciples?

Matthew 26:56 (HCSB)

56 But all this has happened so that the prophetic Scriptures would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and ran away.

Notice my friends that Jesus was right, and all of the disciples were wrong. The Word says, “Then all the disciples deserted Him and ran away.”

Who do you believe? Who do you trust; man or God? How would you answer the question Jesus posed to His disciples?

John 6:67-68 (KJV)

67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Prayer:

Father, I pray that you would give each of us who belong to you the faith to run to you, and not to run from you.

Father, I pray that you would keep us faithful, and not fearful of the doubts and dangers we encounter on our journey through this dark and dangerous world. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry