Tag: #liveingodspresence

Are You Using All That God Has Provided You?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

John 15:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Listen to God Speak & Obey: 

The one great purpose of the life of followers of Jesus is to abide in Him. The reason is in our focal verse which says we can do nothing without Jesus.

The Lord Jesus is a great shepherd, and He provides abundantly for His flock. Today, I invite each reader of this devotional to consider these words of Jesus, “Abide in me, and I in you.”

Today’s devotional draws from two of my favorite chapters in the Bible; John 15 and Acts 4.

The Apostle Peter demonstrated being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 4:8 King James Version (KJV)

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?

Romans 5:5 King James Version (KJV)

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 8:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

The first-century church demonstrated being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 4:31 King James Version (KJV)

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Are you abiding in Christ and is Christ alive in you? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Are you bearing much fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit who is alive in the lives of the people of God?

Galatians 5:22-23 King James Version (KJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Are you able to say the words that David said in Psalm 23?

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1 

The Lord is my shepherd;

    I have all that I need.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Father, we are so grateful for Your presence, provisions and power You provide for Your people. Amen. 

— 

Link to my new devotional book Amazon Author’s Page. Everything about the book is found there with pictures, and more to come.

What Do You Do While You Are Waiting?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

Jude 21 King James Version (KJV)

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

We tend to spend a lot of time waiting. Can you identify with the condition of waiting for something to happen?

While waiting, I want to suggest that you ask two questions. One, what am I waiting for; and two, am I expecting alone?

What does the Bible say about these two questions that I have posed for your consideration?

Deuteronomy 31:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

John 16:33 King James Version (KJV)

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

I believe that if we listen to God and spend time with Him in prayer, we will find that waiting can be a joy and not a burden to bear, but a season to rejoice in the God of our salvation.

We need to prepare ourselves with the knowledge that we will always face troubles in this world. That’s the way things are down here. But, we don’t have to live under the circumstances, we can look up, get up and move up to higher ground. We can live in the presence of God today and not tomorrow.

Jude 21 King James Version (KJV)

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father God, I pray that You will stir the hearts of Your people to draw closer to You and to live in Your presence all of the days of our life in the world regardless of all of the troubles we face.

Father, give us peace and power in the knowledge and understanding of the times in which we live, and with the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world.  In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 28:20 (NLT)

The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 119:113-114 (NLT)

I hate those with divided loyalties, but I love your instructions.

You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Daniel 5:7-8 (NLT)

The king shouted for the enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers to be brought before him. He said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever can read this writing and tell me what it means will be dressed in purple robes of royal honor and will have a gold chain placed around his neck. He will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom!”

But when all the king’s wise men had come in, none of them could read the writing or tell him what it meant.

The Gospel Message:

2 Peter 2:1 (NLT)

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.

Observation:

Every generation needs to be aware of the presence of false teachers. They use the tool of deception. However, you can discern them by knowing the Word of God. The Holy Spirit of God will guide you and give you discernment to recognize error when you see it.

You will be able to spot their lies and promises that they have no intention or ability to fulfill.

2 Peter 2:18-19 (NLT)

They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception.

They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, help us to discern truth from error, and help us to see, and come under the covering and care of the Good Shepherd.

John 10:27-28 (KJV)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

—

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:

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God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 27:18 (NLT)

As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 113:1-3 (KJV)

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 114:1-2 (NLT)

When the Israelites escaped from Egypt— when the family of Jacob left that foreign land—

the land of Judah became God’s sanctuary, and Israel became his kingdom.

Psalm 114:7 (NLT)

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.

The Gospel Message:

Hebrews 12:14-15 (NLT)

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Observation:

I find something in each of today’s focal passages that speak volumes into my heart. As you meditate upon them, what are they saying to your heart?

It is not enough to know the ways of God, we must do the will of God every day of our life, and every moment. Every decision we make shapes the course of our life.

God speaks to us at the point of our need. Stay close to God and allow Him to have His way and His will to be done in your life.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, we declare that You are holy, sovereign, and faithful in all that You say and do. Father, we acknowledge that You are the potter and we are the clay. We willingly submit to Your will and plans for our life. Father, consecrate our hearts to Thee.

“Take my will and make it Thine,

It shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart; it is Thine own,

It shall be Thy royal throne.”

Frances R. Havergal

—

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 27:1-2 (NLT)

Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.

Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth— a stranger, not your own lips.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 105:16-17 (NLT)

He called for a famine on the land of Canaan, cutting off its food supply.

Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Ezekiel 11:16 (NLT)

“Therefore, tell the exiles, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile.

The Gospel Message:

Hebrews 6:9-12 (NLT)

Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.

Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

Observation:

Can this be said about you? “We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.”

When you are saved, it is not a stationary position. The writer of Hebrews encouraged the believers to grow in their relationship with the Lord.

The believer in Christ should be a person who is growing and glowing in the will and ways of Christ. You have a calling and a charge to keep, and a God to glorify.

As you walk in the footsteps of Christ, you will need to devote yourself to grow toward maturity in the following three areas:

  1. Faith –  This is the evidence of your trust in God and your dependence upon Him. Your sureness about God will result in your surrender to God.
  2. Diligence – The genuine believer will have perseverance in God. It’s a life characterized by intensity and intentionality. The price of maturity is the ability to pay attention to the Word of God.
  3. Patience – The Christian life is a marathon and not a sprint. You have within you the capacity to finish the race. You must, in everything and at all times, have the willingness to endure.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so thankful that You provide to Your people all that we need to run the race of life, endure to the end, and receive the crown.

—

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 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.”

  1. 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/

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 26:12 (MSG)

See that man who thinks he’s so smart? You can expect far more from a fool than from him.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 96:9-10 (NLT)

Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him.

Tell all the nations, “The LORD reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 95:1-3 (NLT)

Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.

For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.

The Gospel Message:

2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT)

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT)

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Observation:

Paul gives Timothy the calling and charge of the servant of God. Know your purpose and pursue it with passion and the power of the God who called you to do His work and will.

Never give up and never give in to those who oppose the work. The God who called you is higher than any opposition you will encounter.

Be willing to bear the cross, endure the pain. For those who finish the race will receive the prize; the crown of righteousness which the Lord will give you.

Prayer:

Father God, we delight to worship you. We acknowledge your holy splendor. Father, we come into your presence with thanksgiving, and we sing with joy for you are a great God and the King above all gods.

—

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 22:17-19 (NLT)

17  Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.

18  For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.

19  I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the LORD.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 46:1-3 (NLT)

1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

2  So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

3  Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Job 40:6-9 (NLT)

6  Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:

7  “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.

8  “Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right?

9  Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his?

Job 42:4-6 (NLT)

4  You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’

5  I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.

6  I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NLT)

1  As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.

2  For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

Observation:

My prayer for you today is that, by faith in God, you will be able to say what Job said after all the suffering he had in his life.

Job 19:25-27 (NLT)

25  “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.

26  And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!

27  I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

Prayer:

Father, help us never to forget that You are God and that we are not. Father, we praise and thank You that You know our frame, and You remember that You made us out of dirt because You said it in the Bible.

—

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

What Is So Powerful About God’s Presence?

Text:

Isaiah 30:15 (NLT)

15  This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.

Observation:

This song, by Chris Tomlin, is playing as I sat down to write today’s devotional:

“Love so amazing
Love so amazing
Chorus:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all”.

God planted in my heart a big dream last month. I took the first step three weeks ago to turning that dream into a reality.

Today I am in day six of seven of pausing before continuing the next phase of the project.

On day three I read Isaiah 30:15, which is our focal verse for today’s devotional. This verse is an affirmation that taking a pause was a good idea.

I am being so blessed by the peace, joy, rest, and refreshment I am finding in living in the presence of the LORD, and listening to Him, and reflecting upon what He is saying to me, and taking the steps He reveals to me through the Word of God

When we devote the first fruits of our time to God, He will do more in the remaining time than we could ever do if we forfeited the time we spend with God.

The song, “I am Thine, O Lord, I have Heard Thy Voice” by Fanny Crosby informs and inspires me.

“I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith,

And be closer drawn to Thee”.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, it is such a privilege and pleasure to abide in Your presence.

Father, Your voice is so sweet to the ears of our heart. We listen with awe in Your presence.

Father, we realize that in quietness and in trusting confidence, we shall receive the strength and courage we need to fulfill your tailored made purpose and plans for our life.

Father, I pray we will be numbered with those who will do Your will and not those who would not. 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/

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Who Do You Turn to When You Have Problems?

Text:

Psalm 54:1-2 (ESV)

1 O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might.

2  O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.

Observation:

In this Psalm David took the problems he was having with his enemies to God in prayer.

Was that a good plan? Let’s see what God says about His creation. This is God’s view of His created beings.

Genesis 1:26-28 (ESV)

26  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

28  And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

This is what God said about the creation of the first man and woman, “And God blessed them”.

We need to see people through the eyes of God. I remember Judas, who I just read about in the gospel of Mark; he betrayed Jesus. If we have problems with people, and we all do, we need to take our problems to their Maker in prayer.

There is nothing beyond the reach of prayer, when we have faith in God, and take all of our cares to Him in prayer.

Notice two important things about prayer that David mentions in Psalm 54. First, he says that God hears my prayer.

Psalm 54:2 (ESV)

2  O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.

Then he says God is my helper.

Psalm 54:4 (ESV)

4  Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

The secret to effective prayer is to pray, watch, and wait. Then, when God answers your prayers,  be sure to give Him the praise.;

Psalm 54:6 (ESV)

6  With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.

Prayer:

Father God, it is such a privilege to be able to live in Your presence, and to be able to take everything to You in prayer.

Father, we approach You in faith, and with a heart filled with thanksgiving, and gratitude for You are a great and good Father.

Father, hear the prayers of Your people, as we each cry out to you for the needs of others, and our needs. 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/