#provider – herbcotton.org

Who Is Your Source?

Text:

Isaiah 40:29 (HCSB)

29 He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless.

Observation:

I have a saying in my head that I heard many years ago; this is how I remember it, “I can’t but God can. He never said you could, but He always said He would”.

Are you facing some giants in your life that are masquerading as mission impossible? If you know the Lord, and belong to Him, He gives strength to the weary, and strengthens the powerless. What you cannot do in your own strength, God will provide you with His strength.

Philippians 4:13 (HCSB)

13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

O how we need to learn the lesson of dependence upon the Lord for all of our needs. Notice what the Apostle Paul said before the above verse.

Philippians 4:11-12 (HCSB)

11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret {of being content}—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.

Who is your source? Is the Lord your shepherd?

Psalm 23:1 (HCSB)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

When the Lord is your shepherd, then you are able to be content in whatever circumstances you face in life. Do you believe that God can and will?

Philippians 4:19 (HCSB)

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, we delight to look to You as our source for everything we need to fulfill the purpose for which You made us.

Father, we believe in Jesus, and we look to You to meet all of our needs. Father, we believe that You can, and You will. Father, I identify myself with those who know by experience because You have done it for me. Lord, we give You thanks from hearts that are grateful for all our blessings.

Philippians 4:20 (HCSB)

20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. 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.

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The Glue That Keeps God’s People Connected to Him

Text:

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

5b For he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Observation:

When I think about all of the things that separate us from God and from His creation, it can be a discouraging and disappointing scene. It’s enough to make even the strongest among us weak, and especially if our constant focus is on the circumstances instead of our Christ.

A cursory examination of the history of God’s people reveals that His people often turned their backs on Him. However, we know from that same history that God never turned His back on them.

What does that mean for us today? First, we have to acknowledge that we are in the same boat as those who went before us. We all fail to measure up; we all falter and fail in our relationship with God, and with others. There is none of us that is perfect.

I find three things that will help us to persevere when we go through the season of trouble, trial, and temptations; the season of unhappiness, and loss of joy and celebration.

Remember – Take time to recall the faithfulness of God.
Return – Turn around, and go back to the season when you were close to God.
Rejoice – Believe that God will turn your ashes into beauty.

The answer to our brokenness and bitterness lies in putting first things first. It will amaze you what an infusion of love, forgiveness, and respect will do to create, restore, and renew our relationship with God, and with others.

Prayer:

Father, I ask that You would work in Holy Spirit power to turn Your people back to You. Lord, help us to put first things first.

Matthew 22:36-39 (ESV)

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

38 This is the great and first commandment.

39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Father, we come as beggars, as empty pitchers before a full fountain. Father, stir our hearts with conviction and courage to love You, and others. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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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Have You Been Searching for Meaning in Life?

Text:

Psalm 23:1-6 (HCSB)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live.

Observation:

This will be my final daily post in this format for 2015. Each year I take time off from writing for a few weeks in December. I will be returning in January. Have a joyous Christmas, and a blessed New Year.

As I read this familiar Psalm, this verse leaped off the page, and into my heart.

Psalm 23:3 (HCSB)

3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.

This is the goal of my life; to have the Lord renew my life. The following passage from the Psalmist encourages me in my walk, and I pray that it will do the same for the readers, hearers, and doers of God’s Word.

Psalm 19:7-9 (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.

Prayer:

Father God, I thank you that You are the shepherd of your people. Father, I would rather have Jesus in my life, and the Lord guiding my life than anyone else.

Father, my faith is firmly fixed on You. Lord, I need You to lead and guide me on all of life’s journey.

Father, order my steps to walk daily in the footsteps of Jesus, and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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 Much Does God Care About You?

Text:

Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Observation:

Yesterday I was looking for a song in Google Search, and I came across a devotional I wrote on this text two years ago. It fit in so well with the topic I wrote about yesterday so I decided to use it today.

Yesterday I wrote about suffering. Isn’t it wonderful to know that the Lord watches over His children; that He is with them all of the days of our life. God knows what we are going through, and He cares.

There is never a time that the Lord is not present; He is always leading His people wherever we go; in whatever circumstance we may be going through.

The Lord is a mighty good shepherd; in fact, He is a great shepherd. He will lead you, care for you, restore you, and walk daily with you; in life and in death. Even your enemies cannot harm you when the Lord is for you.

Do you know Him? Is the Lord your leader; your company keeper; is He your protector and provider? God is all right; He’s amazing.

What about you? Are you a Christ follower; are you a child of God? If so, this is His gift to you; don’t leave it unopened. Is there room in your heart for the Savior and Shepherd? If you are His, this is His promise to you.

Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for being a God who loves and cares for Your children.

Father God, I am so glad that You belong to me, and that I belong to You. Lord, I am grateful that Jesus is my Savior and my Shepherd. In the mighty name of Jesus I 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