Tag: #lovegod

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 27:22 (NLT)

You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 115:1 (HCSB)

Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your faithful love, because of Your truth.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 115:13-18 (NLT)

He will bless those who fear the LORD, both great and lowly.

May the LORD richly bless both you and your children.

May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

The heavens belong to the LORD, but he has given the earth to all humanity.

The dead cannot sing praises to the LORD, for they have gone into the silence of the grave.

But we can praise the LORD both now and forever! Praise the LORD!

The Gospel Message:

Hebrews 13:7-8 (NLT)

Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Observation:

Being a Christian and living the Christian life was never meant to be a solo act. We need each other. We are to remember those who the Lord has appointed to lead His people.

However,  the anchor of your faith and trust should be in Jesus Christ, and not in your leaders. The reason is this, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

It is by obeying our leaders, following Jesus Christ, and loving one another with the love of the Lord that we will be able to live the abundant life, and not be led astray by false doctrine.

Hebrews 13:1 (NLT)

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.

Hebrews 13:9 (NLT)

So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

Prayer:

Father, we exalt and glorify Your name. Father, we pray that You would bind Your people together so that we will be one people in the same manner that You and Your Father are one.

Father, my heart’s desire is that we will never stop praising You and that we will never stop loving You and one another.

Hebrews 13:25 (NLT)

May God’s grace be with you all.

—

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:

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God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 26:17 (NLT)

Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 99:1 (NLT)

The LORD is king! Let the nations tremble! He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth quake!

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 99:9 (NLT)

Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem, for the LORD our God is holy!

The Gospel Message:

Titus 2:1-3 (NLT)

As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.

Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.

Observation:

Today is a glorious day to give praise and thanksgiving to God. What a difference we could make in influencing others if we would learn the wisdom revealed in the Proverb featured today by staying out of someone else’s argument.

Instead, exalting the Lord our God and giving glory and honor to His most holy and righteous name is not just better, but the best use of our time. God does not need our praise, but it sure does wonders for us when we have an attitude of gratitude.

I am so blessed, encouraged, and fired up by the following encouragement by to Titus. O, to be like Titus and be blessed with a mentor like Paul.

Titus 2:11-14 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,

while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, we give You the highest praise our hearts can conceive, and we speak it with our mouths with joy and appreciation for the love and grace of God that You have so lavishly given to Your children. Holy is the Lord; You are God all by yourself; there is none like 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:

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Why Love for One Another Matters?

Text:

John 13:34-35 (NLT)

34  So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

35  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Observation:

It’s amazing how God works in the lives of His children. I prayed a simple prayer last night before going to bed, and again this morning when I woke up. Lord, what do you want to say through me the remainder of this week.

As I was preparing to go to my computer hutch to write today’s devotional, I received a text message from my dear friend Robert. We do this just about every day. In that brief message of encouragement were three words that leaped off the page, and into my heart.

I received those words from Robert as my instructions from the Lord of what I should write about this morning, and the next two days. This is another of those WOW moments.

This was my response to Robert:

I’m going to write about the love of two friends I talk to every morning; Jesus in heaven, and Robert in Maryland The key that binds us together are love of God, and love for one another. Man, that will preach.

Well, I’m not going to preach it here, but I do share it with you with a prayer that it will encourage you to pray continually because prayer changes things, and it changes you, and me.

Also, I want to encourage you to value your relationships; your family, friends, and neighbors.

Love begins with loving God. But for our love to be genuine, we must love one another; the people we see everyday; family, friends, and neighbors.

1 John 4:20 (NLT)

20  If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

Prayer:

Father hallowed be Your name. Father, we love, and adore You, and to prove that our love is genuine, I pray that we will learn how to extend our love, and forgiveness to those that we see in our everyday life. We can’t love others without forgiving them because we all mess up.

Father, forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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:

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How to Live the Abundant Life & Produce Much Fruit

Text:

Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

9  This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Observation:

The thought of being strong and courageous is that you may be saying to yourself, “But, I am so weak”.

Pay attention my friend, you are well positioned for a breakthrough, and a breakout.

The key to getting through this transition from weakness to strength is to change the direction of your focus.

The difference comes when we take our eyes off of the visible; our circumstances, and focus them upon the invisible; our God. The key to being strong and courageous is faith in God.

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)

1  NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Everything changes when God is in it. Your life, and what you can do changes when God is in you. When you feel weak, and lacking in courage; then is the time to encourage yourself with God’s promise to you, “For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go”.

When I am weak, and discouraged, I start singing this old gospel hymn to myself.

“I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus

I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus

I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus

Hallelujah

(Thank God)

Hallelujah

(My Lord)

Hallelujah.”

Now, that you have taken the upward look, go and be strong, and courageous in the strength of the Lord.

Prayer:

Father God, my soul sings, “Hallelujah, you are God all by yourself; there is none like You.

Father, as Your people look up to You, give us the strength and the courage to live for You, and to walk in Your ways, and working out what You have put in us. 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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How Close Are You to the Lord?

Text:

Psalm 91:1-4 (ESV)

1  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2  I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

4  He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Observation:

What a difference a day makes! I’m speaking of the move from our look on Friday at Psalm 90, and our look today at Psalm 91. Its like moving from the shadows of darkness to the brightness of a sunny day.

We read words like dwells, abide, refuge, deliver, and cover. This Psalm is about security for those who trust in the Lord, abide in Him, and love Him. What is your relationship with the Lord?

Do you come to the Lord only when all other options have failed? The promises of this Psalm are for the people of God who live in the presence of the Lord everyday.

Psalm 91:1 (ESV)

1  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:9-10 (ESV)

9  Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge—

10  no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

My prayer is that you are one who abides in the Lord, and that you have made Him the place in which you live your everyday life. O, how blessed are the people who live in the presence of the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness, and the love and care that You provide for all who believe in, and live in You. Father, I pray that You would draw us to, and keep us close to Thee. 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/

Why I Need More of These Two Attributes?

Text:

Mark 6:34 (ESV)

34  When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Mark 6:46 (ESV)

46  And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

Observation:

The two attributes that I desire to have more of in my life are the two things that Jesus did during His earthly ministry. They are found in our focal passage for today.

  1. Jesus had compassion for people.
  2. Jesus spent time alone with God in prayer.

1 Peter 2:21 (ESV)

21  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

The hymn writer captures my heart’s desire to have more of Jesus, and to be more like Him every day.

“More about Jesus, in His Word,

Holding communion with my Lord;

Hearing His voice in every line,

Making each faithful saying mine.”

The Psalmist encourages our hearts with these words of faith and hope from David; a man after God’s heart.

Psalm 37:4-5 (ESV)

4  Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, we are so grateful for the example of the words, and actions of Jesus that speaks into our hearts, and gives us hope, and strengthens our faith.  Father, help us to be more like Jesus every day. 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:

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How Can We Live In Peace In A Troubled World?

Text:

Psalm 15:1 (ESV)

1 O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

Observation:

I don’t think the answer to this question is complicated. It begins with having a right relationship with God, and having a right relationship with people.

David answers the question he asked of the Lord in the first verse of the Psalm, which is our focal verse for today. Here is what he said in today’s english.

Psalm 15:2 (NLT)

2  Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

I invite you to prayerfully consider the following things in your life, and see how you are doing. By so doing you may discover the secret of living in peace in a fallen, and troubled world.

  1. Examine your walk.
  2. Examine your works.
  3. Examine your words.

This word from David, inspired by God, and illuminated by the Holy Spirit, speaks into my heart, and creates in me a desire to make it my aim, and prayer.

Psalm 16:1-2 (NLT)

1  Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.

2  I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”

Prayer:

Father, we come into Your presence today with gratitude in our hearts, and the attitude that we can say, “Every good thing I have comes from you”.

Father, help us to align our walk, works, and words with Your purpose and plan for our lives. Father, may our lives be more about You, and less about me. In the might 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:

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Why Do I Believe Now is the Time?

Text:

Hebrews 13:15 (KJV)

15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Observation:

This week in America we will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. One month later we will be celebrating Christmas Day.

I cannot think of a better time to focus on gratitude and giving than in this current season.

Now is the time for Christ followers to be imitators of God in our love for God, and our love for others. If not now, then when?

What have we all received from God that we can be thankful for, and offer to God continually the sacrifice of praise?

I can think of three; His presence, His peace, and His power.

God has said, “I am with you always”.

Matthew 28:20 (KJV)

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

God has said, “I will give you peace”,

John 14:27 (KJV)

27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

God has said, “Ye shall receive power”.

Acts 1:8 (KJV)

8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Who is willing to agree to begin, and to continuously offer up to God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving?

“And we offer up to You

The sacrifices of thanksgiving;

And we offer up to You

The sacrifices of praise.”

Prayer:

Father, we give You the praise, honor, glory, and thanksgiving that only You deserve. Father, we agree that everyday is a day of thanksgiving, and thanks-living. 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:

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3 Reasons to Give God Glory

 

Text:

Psalm 28:6-9 (ESV)

6  Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

7  The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

8  The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

9  Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Observation:

Psalm 29:2 (ESV)

2  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

In our focal passage for today the Psalmist gives three reasons to bless the Lord.

Let’s add our voices to this Psalm of praise, and bless the Lord for His goodness to us.

  1. The Lord is my savior.
  2. The Lord is my strength.
  3. The Lord is my shield.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I give honor and glory to Your most holy and righteous name.

Father, the song of the Psalmist is my song, and I delight to give You praise and thanks for being my savior, my strength, and my shield. Lord, I trust in You, and in You I find refuge in times of trial and trouble. Lord, I bless You, and I am blessed by You.

Let all who agree, say Amen, and join in singing praise to the Lord.

Psalm 103:1 (KJV)

1  Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

—

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:

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What Will It Take for Us to Become One?

 

Text:

Acts 4:32 (ESV)

32  Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

Observation:

As I read God’s Word, and fellowship with God’s people, I am convinced that we can become one when we are united in purpose, soul, and mind.

It’s amazing what can be accomplished when a community of God’s people are united in heart and soul. These first century believers, as a result of their unity, voluntarily gave to one another.

We see that the generosity of the first Christ followers recorded in Acts was also found among other believers as Paul wrote about in his second letter to the Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (ESV)

1  We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

2  for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

3  For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

4  begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—

5  and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

What is the key to being generous to others? The answer is found in this verse.

2 Corinthians 8:5 (ESV)

5  and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

Notice this important truth,  “They gave themselves first to the Lord, and then by the will of God to us”.

Why not decide to become a generous and cheerful giver, and a gracious and thankful receiver. Then watch and see what God will do as you love God, and love one another. What God has done for others, He will do for you.

Prayer: 

Father, I feel compelled to pray this prayer; that You would unite husbands and wives, families, prayer partners (two or more), and small groups, to come together, and begin to love God, and love one another in words and deeds.

We can do this if we pray. God will work in us, and through us. As we give glory to Him, He will shower all of us with blessings from above. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

19  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

—

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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