#knowgod – herbcotton.org

The Gap Between Hearing and Obeying – What Is Your Status?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

Matthew 28:16-20 King James Version (KJV)

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

I feel like God is chasing me as I write today, and He determines that He will not let me go until I write down what He says, align my life to make it of first importance, and then go and make disciples as I have commanded you. Notice, Herb, and all who reads this message, that it’s a command and not a suggestion.

Allow me to repeat it to you just like I have spoken it to the writer of the Gospel of Matthew 28:16-20, our focal text for today.

If you fail the test of being obedient to what you read and heard the Word of God speak, what is your dilemma that prevents you from being obedient to God? There is no middle ground in God’s eyes between obedience and disobedience? God does not accept as obedience, “I will do it when I get around to it. I’m too busy for that type of commitment right now.”

What then is the test for pleasing God in the matter of doing the will of God? My friends, it is to do God’s will and to do it His way. He gets to have the final word in the matter, and God has spoken, and let the people of God hear and obey.

James 1:22 King James Version (KJV)

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

1 John 2:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Now that you have heard God speak I ask you to reconsider. I encourage you to listen and obey the commandment of the Lord. We are useful to God when we surrender our whole life to Him. He is Lord, and we are not.

Hebrews 11:1 King James Version (KJV)

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father, I pray that everyone who reads or hears this Word of God, that comes from the heart of God, receive, believe and do the will of God in the ways God has commanded His people of every age. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, and in faith, we join our hearts in agreement by saying, Amen.

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 26:24-26 (NLT)

People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you.

They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.

While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 104:31 (NLT)

May the glory of the LORD continue forever! The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Ezekiel 1:1 (NLT)

On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

Ezekiel 1:28 (NLT)

All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the LORD looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.

Ezekiel 2:1-2 (NLT)

“Stand up, son of man,” said the voice. “I want to speak with you.”

The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words.

The Gospel Message:

Hebrews 2:1-4 (NLT)

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished.

So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?

And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Observation:

One of the things I observed while reading the passage from Ezekiel is the importance of being in the presence of God. It is impossible to do the work of God without being connected to the power of God.

“Power in the Christian life depends upon our connection with the source of power.”

Nelson Bell

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

To be pleasing to God and to fulfill the purpose for which we were born, we must know God and live in His presence. Ezekiel’s ministry shows us the importance of listening to God and obeying God.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that You will draw Your people closer to You and that we would seek the truth, and abide in You.

—

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/

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How Well Do You Know Yourself?

Text:

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Observation:

I am so much enjoying the process of walking through the Bible this year with the family of God in the place where God has planted me to worship, and praise His name.

The one word goal of the church this year is SPEAK, and my one word goal for this year is LISTEN. It’s amazing how God orders the steps of His children.

In my quiet time earlier this morning while I was listening with the ears of my heart, I heard God speak into my heart the topic I am now writing about.

I recall in 2015 sharing my one word goal for that year with a friend. The one word goal that year was BE. That friend responded to me that her favorite one word was AM.

My response this morning was one word, WOW!

Today, and everyday, I want to BE the person God says, I am, and you are, as we become more and more like Jesus.

You are a chosen people.
You are royal priests
You are a holy nation.
You are God’s very own possession.
You are an ambassador of Christ to the world that God so loves.

John 20:21-22 (NLT)

21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Now, that you have listened, go and be who God made you to be, and go where He sends you, and do what He tells you to do. He has given you everything you need to fulfill your purpose.

Romans 5:5 (NLT)

5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father. I delight to know who I am, and what You want me to do for the remainder of my life.

Father, thank You for giving me everything I need to fulfill my assignment. Father, thank You for giving me the love of the Father, the presence of Jesus, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Father, I am so thankful that You are one God in three persons; blessed be the name of the LORD, and His people said, 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

Do You Know the Power Who Is Greater Than the Storm?

Text:

Psalm 29:3-4 (NLT)

3 The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The LORD thunders over the mighty sea.

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

Observation:

There is no power that is greater than the power of the Lord; when He speaks His people should listen.

Isaiah 28:23 (HCSB)

23 Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say.

Notice what the Psalmist says about the voice of the Lord.

Psalm 29:4 (AMP)

4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

Are you listening to the voice of God? If not, why not?

John 8:47 (NLT)

47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name; the name that is above every name in heaven, and in earth. Father, we give praise and glory to You.

Father, speak to our hearts, and by faith, may we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts that obey. Father, may our daily plea be, less of me, and more of You. 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

Do You Know the God of the Bible?

Text:

Psalm 19:1-4 (HCSB)

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.

2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.

3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard.

4 Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.

Observation:

I can understand when people look around, and look down, I can comprehend why they may say, “There is no God”. However, I cannot understand, neither can I comprehend, how one can look up beyond the mountains and say, “There is no God”.

Psalm 121:1-2 (HCSB)

1 I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

In our text, we see how God witnesses to us through nature. In the following verses, God speaks to us through His Word.

Psalm 19:7-11 (HCSB)

7 The instruction of the LORD is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right, making the heart glad; the command of the LORD is radiant, making the eyes light up.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are reliable and altogether righteous.

10 They are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb.

11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them.

Do you know the God of the Word? He wants to know you. Why not look up to the heavens, and see His handiwork. Then, look into His Word, and listen as He speaks into your heart.

Psalm 119:10-11 (HCSB)

10 I have sought You with all my heart; don’t let me wander from Your commands.

11 I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.

Prayer:

Father, as we lift our eyes to the heavens, we see You in all of Your glory, and splendor.

Father, as we look into Your Word, we see Your love, forgiveness, grace, and tender mercies. Father, as You reveal Yourself to us, I pray that we will believe, and receive Your promises, and Your blessings. 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:

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How Lofty Are Your Goals?

Text:

Philippians 3:10-12 (HCSB)

10 ?My goal? is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

12 Not that I have already reached ?the goal? or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Observation:

One of the things that I heard or read many years ago was this, “God does not have any grandchildren”. Each of us needs to know God for ourselves. This song is bubbling up within my soul as I sing these words, and make it my prayer.

“1 Not my brother, nor my sister,

but it’s me, O Lord,

All:

standing in the need of prayer;”

O, that all of God’s children would have the lofty goal expressed by the Apostle Paul in our focal passage for today.

O, that we would each know God for ourselves, and know the power of God for ourselves; the power that raised our Lord Jesus from the grave.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I pray that each of the readers and hearers of this word may know You, and know Your power in their lives. Father, I pray that each of us will be taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Father, draw us closer to You, and I pray each of us would take the verse from Jude, and make it our personal prayer.

Jude 1:24-25 (HCSB)

24 Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy,

25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. 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