#thankgod – herbcotton.org

What Do You Have To Thank God For Today?

Text:

Psalm 92:1-4 (NLT)

1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.

2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,

3 accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.

4 You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.

Observation:

How did you feel last night? How did you feel this morning?

Do you have something that without a doubt you know that it came from the Lord because you could not do this thing in your strength alone?

I have hidden in my heart, to keep me humble, that everything comes from the Lord.

James 1:17 (NLT)

17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

The following verse describes how the Psalmist felt in the morning and at night.

Psalm 92:2 (NLT)

2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,

In the morning you can look up to the heavens, and praise the Lord for His unfailing love. In the evening you can look back and praise God for His faithfulness.

Psalm 106:1 (NLT)

1 Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, we praise and thank You for all of our blessings. We praise You for Your unfailing love in the morning, and in the evening we praise You for Your faithfulness. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

—

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
¹⁰ And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

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When Looking Back Is A Good Thing

Text:

Psalm 105:1-4 (ESV)

1 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Observation:

This Psalm reminds us of the importance of looking back. In this Psalm David takes the long look. He reviews and rejoices over the hand of God in the lives of God’s people from Abraham to Moses.

When David wrote this Psalm he had thanksgiving in his heart, and on his lips. There are times when we need to examine our hearts, and open our mouths, and give thanks to our great, and good God.

Psalm 107:1-2 (ESV)

1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.

When I look back I remember when our children learned this song in church, and would sing it at home. If you know it, why not sing it, and with some excitement like the children sing it.

“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)

If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)”

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, our dear Father; we come into Your throne room of grace, and mercy today with grateful hearts.

Father, we acknowledge, and give thanks to You for Your goodness, and Your graciousness.

Father, receive our praise and thanksgiving because You alone are worthy of our highest praise. 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/

The Blessing of Giving Praise to the Lord

Text:

Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)

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

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Observation:

This morning I woke-up with thanksgiving on my mind. Then, I had a song in my heart. I learned this song in my childhood, and it still speaks into my heart, and informs my daily decisions.

“1. Give of your best to the Master;

Give of the strength of your youth;

Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor

Into the battle for truth.

Jesus has set the example,

Dauntless was He, young and brave;

Give Him your loyal devotion;

Give Him the best that you have.”

In our focal passage for today, David did not ask the Lord for anything. Rather, he looked back upon His walk with the Lord, and he counted his blessings.

Have you discovered the enormous blessing of giving praise to the Lord? God does not need our praise of Him. Rather, we need the fruit that comes for giving praise to the Lord. I found it to be true that when the praises go up, the blessings come down.

James 1:17 (KJV)

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Why not follow the example of King David, and give the Lord the praise that is due to His most holy, and righteous name.

Psalm 103:1 (KJV)

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

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, we extol You, our God, and King of Kings. We will bless Your name today, and forever in glory. Father, every day we will give You the honor, and the glory that You alone deserve.

Father, let everything that has breathe give praise to Your wonderful, and glorious name, 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/

Wishing You A Happy & Blessed Thanksgiving

Text:

Psalm 100:1-5 (KJV)

1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Observation:

Today as we observe Thanksgiving Day in America, it is my prayer that people everywhere, and every day will give praise, and thanksgiving to God.

Why should we give thanksgiving to God?

Psalm 100:5 (KJV)

5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Not only should we give thanks to God every day, but we should also give God thanks for everything.

James 1:17 (ESV)

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful that we have the privilege of entering into Your presence everyday. With You, there is never a time when You are too busy to meet with us.

Father, with grateful hearts, we join with the family of God in saying thank You LORD for all of our blessings. 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.

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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.

The Lord is my savior.
The Lord is my strength.
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.

—

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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How Can I Fulfill the Priority of Glorifying God Today?

Text:

John 17:1-5 (HCSB)
1 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You,

2 for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him.

3 This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ.

4 I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.
5 Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

Observation:

I’m at a season in my life where I can really appreciate, and I’m learning to apply the following Proverb to my everyday life.

Proverbs 27:1 (HCSB)
1 Don’t boast about tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day might bring.

I have had a few recent life events happen in the life of loved ones, and in my own life which are a reminder to me that today matters. The words of this passage come to mind to remind me of this truth.

James 4:13-14 (HCSB)
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”
14 You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are [like] smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

Today I will focus on the priority that Jesus focused on, “Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You”. I will make the prayer of Jesus my prayer today; not tomorrow because today matters.

Psalm 95:7-8 (HCSB)
7 For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice:
8 Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on that day at Massah in the wilderness .

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that I can pray to the same Father, and to the same God that my Savior Jesus prayed to.

Father God, I am so thankful that I can pray the prayer that Jesus prayed, and know that You will answer my prayer just like You answered the prayer of Jesus.

Father God, I pray that Your adopted sons and daughters will bring glory to You today, and every day that You give us life and breathe in this world. In the name that is above every name, Jesus the Christ, I offer this prayer, 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