Tag: #sourceofjoy

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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Are Things Robbing You of Your Joy?

 

Text:

Philippians 3:1 (HCSB)

1  Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a protection for you.

Philippians 3:7-9 (HCSB)

7  But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.

8  More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ

9  and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.

Observation:

Things can rob us of our joy. Earlier in the letter Paul said that circumstances, and people can also be joy stealers.

However, the antidote for these joy stealers is to not depend upon circumstances, people, and things as our source for joy. While you cannot rely upon things to give you joy, you can rely upon the Lord to give you joy. That is the message of our focal passage for today.

This is a message that is worth repeating, and Paul did just that later on in his letter.

Philippians 4:4 (HCSB)

4  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I praise and thank You for the joy that You give to Your people. Father, I am so grateful that this is a joy that circumstances, people, and things cannot steal from us. In the mighty name of Jesus I 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:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry