#rejoicing – herbcotton.org

Are You A Prepared Sower of the Word?

Text:

Mark 4:14 (ESV)

14 The sower sows the word.

Observation:

In this section of the gospel of Mark, Jesus talks about different types of soil where the sower sows the word of God.

Let’s look at the sowing that produced the best harvest.

Mark 4:8-9 (ESV)

8 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

9 And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The good soil produces the best harvest. Listen to the explanation that Jesus gives the disciples.

Mark 4:20 (ESV)

20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

There is no greater joy for the sower than to sow the Word of God into the lives of people who have been prepared by the office work of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to guide you to the people who He has prepared to receive His Word.

Psalm 126:5-6 (ESV)

5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

O that in this season we would see a preparation of hearts for the sowing of the Word, and the preparation of hearts to receive the Word. My soul is singing this old hymn of the faith.

“Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,

Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.”

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the privilege for being able to participate in the sowing of the Word of God. Father, help us always pray, and go on the basis of this promise.

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.

Father, I pray that the Holy Spirit will do His office work in the hearts of the sowers, readers, and the hearers of Your divine Word. Amen.

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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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Why We Need to Examine Our Walk

Text:

Exodus 15:2-3 (HCSB)

2 The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

3 The LORD is a warrior; Yahweh is His name.

Observation:

When the people walked by sight, this is what they got. The sound you hear is that of the people complaining.

Exodus 14:10-12 (HCSB)

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians coming after them. Then the Israelites were terrified and cried out to the LORD for help.

11 They said to Moses: “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?

12 Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

However, when they walked by faith, they saw the mighty hand of God protecting, and providing for them. The sound that you hear in our focal passage for today is the sound of praising God, and rejoicing in the God who delivers His people.

Prayer:

Father, help us to always remember that we walk by faith, and not by sight. Lord, help us to never forget You, and all of Your mighty acts that You have done for us.

Exodus 15:2 (HCSB)

2 The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

Father, may the praise coming from our heart be a sweet sound in Your ears. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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What Would Victory Look Like to You?

Text:

Psalm 126:1-3 (ESV)

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.

Observation:

This passage speaks of something God had done for His people. He had delivered them from Babylonian slavery, and returned them to Jerusalem. It was a time of great rejoicing.

Psalm 14:7 (ESV)

7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Let’s go a little further in this Psalm.

Psalm 126:4 (ESV)

4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!

Deliverance was a great victory for God’s people, but in time they desired more so they cried out to the Lord.

In your distress, don’t get depressed. Why not do like the people of God of every age?

Psalm 120:1 (ESV)

1 In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.

The people were looking to the future. Notice they looked to the Lord who had provided their deliverance. This is what victory would look like for them. They had a vision of peace and prosperity.

Psalm 122:6-7 (ESV)

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!

7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, there is none like You, no not one. Father, we lift our eyes and hearts toward the heavens for hope and help in this difficult season.

Father, I stretch my hands to Thee, no other help I know. Father this I also know that the God who has brought us thus far; Our God will see us through. So, we ask for an outpouring of Your amazing grace, and tender mercies to flood our hearts, souls and minds. Father, stir our hearts to run to You.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

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