Tag: #joyinthelord

How Close Are You to God?

Text:

Genesis 3:7-10 (ESV)

7  Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

8  And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

9  But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

10  And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

Observation:

Happy New Year! My prayer for you is that 2017 will be the best year ever. In the sermon yesterday the speaker said, “The Bible is a book about fellowship with God.”

In my reading today I notice in Genesis chapter three that this fellowship was broken.

Genesis 3:6 (ESV)

6  So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Then when God drew near to them in the garden they hid themselves because of their shame.

God is everywhere. God is saying to you today, “Where are you?” God loves you and at another tree, God took your shame, and put Jesus, His only begotten Son, on the cross to pay the price for your shame. You don’t have to play the blame game because of your shame. Jesus has paid for you sin debt in full.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Are you traveling on the path that leads to where Jesus is? If not, why not begin that journey today?

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful that You have provided the means that we don’t have to be eternally separated from having fellowship with You. Father, I am so thankful that Jesus went to the cross because of the joy that was set before Him, and His joy can be our joy.

O the joy when heaven comes down and fills my heart, soul, and mind with the presence of God. Then every day is a happy day. Lord, I thank You in the name of Jesus, 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

How Do You Get Through Hard Times?

Text:

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (ESV)

8  For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.

9  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

10  He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Observation:

We should expect hard times.

John 16:33 (ESV)

33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

We are never alone in hard times.

Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB)

10  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.

There is a purpose in the hard times.

James 1:2-3 (HCSB)

2  Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,

3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Stay close and connected to God.

Psalm 50:15 (HCSB)

15  Call on Me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

Things to remember during hard times.

Romans 8:18 (ESV)

18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

James 1:12 (ESV)

12  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Prayer: 

Father God, I am so thankful that you are the Sovereign God, and that the hard times your children face in this world are not a surprise to you.

Father, we thank you for your presence, power, peace, and provisions for your children in the good times, and in the hard times.

Father, in these difficult days, we pray that the testing of our faith will produce endurance, and joy in the Lord. We pray this prayer in the name of Jesus, 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.

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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