trials – Page 2 – herbcotton.org

What Is Your Response to Chaos?

Text:

Isaiah 26:8-9 (ESV)

8 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.

9 My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Observation:

Have you experienced an unusual amount of chaos recently? The Bible tells us that there would be days, and seasons similar to what you are experiencing.

2 Timothy 3:1 (AMP)

1 BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].

What should be the response of believers in times like these? I find in the reading of our text, and life experiences some guidance. It involves taking the upward look.

In verse eight of our text Isaiah says, “Your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul”.

In verse nine Isaiah says, “My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you”.

The Lord’s heart and hands are not far from His people. He longs to have His people draw near to Him.

1 Peter 3:12 (ESV)

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

There is nothing that comforts the soul during times of great stress, and trouble than singing praise to God. One of the songs I love to sing is this one by Valerie Boyd.

“My soul loves Jesus,

my soul loves Jesus,

my soul loves Jesus;

Bless His name.

He’s a wonder in my soul,

He’s a wonder in my soul;

Bless His name.”

Prayer:

Father, I unite my voice with the Psalmist, and all of Your people who agree, in lifting up my voice in praise and adoration of Your most holy, and righteous name.

Father, if Your people ever needed the nearness of Your presence, the time is now. Father, you are the desire of our soul; Lord, we seek Your face, and long for Your tender heart, and strong hands to give us Your peace in exchange for the stress and chaos we are facing. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

How Do You Keep Your Joy?

Text:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB)

16 Rejoice always!

17 Pray constantly.

18 Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Observation:

In times like these how can you stay joyful all the time? Our pastor said in our prayer time yesterday that the word he had on his heart was the word burdens.

The truth is that we all have burdens; your burdens are different from my burdens, but they are just as real.

How do you rejoice always, and give thanks in everything as this passages says in verses sixteen and eighteen?

Pray constantly (verse 17).
This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (Verse 18b).

When you hear people discount the value of prayer, don’t listen to them. Turn Your eyes to the Word of God, and listen to what Jesus says about prayer.

Luke 18:1 (HCSB)

1 He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged:

When I have burdens I love to sing, and one of my favorites is this one.

“What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer! ”

Again, turn your eyes to the Word of God, and listen to what Jesus says about the burdens you feel in your life. Why not take them to the Lord in prayer?

Matthew 11:28-29 (HCSB)

28 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful for the privilege we have to spend time continually in Your presence.

Father, the awareness that we are never alone in our walk through this world should give us joy and peace for today, and a bright and shining hope for the future.

Father God, I pray this prayer for all of the readers and the hearers of the Word that You have poured into my heart today.

Romans 15:13 (HCSB)

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe ?in Him? so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

—

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 Comfort and Confidence of Knowing God Personally

Text:

Psalm 55:22 (AMP)

22 Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).

Observation:

There is no safe haven that we can flee to in this world where trouble, trials, and tribulations will not find us. Jesus told His followers this:

John 16:33 (AMP)

33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

One of the things I know from a lifetime of God speaking into my heart from His Word, and a lifetime of living in the world, is that you can live the abundant life if you will trust in the Lord, and do what He tells you to do.

I have found from the example and lifestyle of David, who the bible says is a man after God’s heart, and the example of Jesus, is that they each highly valued, and depended upon God. They prayed first. This is what David did.

Psalm 55:16-17 (AMP)

16 As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me.

17 Evening and morning and at noon will I utter my complaint and moan and sigh, and He will hear my voice.

Now, look at what Jesus did. He took time out from healing diseases, and casting out demons to pray.

Mark 1:35 (AMP)

35 And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed.

What are you willing to give up to pray? The power for overcoming the world depends upon you calling upon God in prayer. The enemy of our soul wants us to shut up. But, our God wants us to look up, pray up, get up, and wait for Him to show up. While we wait, we should keep on doing the last thing He told us to do.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for Your desire to have a close, and intimate relationship with Your children.

Father, I am so grateful that You invite us to come into Your presence anytime, anywhere, and for anything that we have on our heart; that nothing is beyond the reach of prayer.

Father, I plead on behalf of the hurting, the doubtful, the disinterested; for all to cry out to You; for all people everywhere that they would bow the knee, lookup, and come to You, and cast all of their burdens upon the Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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How to Handle Your Big & Small Problems

Text:

Acts 4:18-20 (ESV)

18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,

20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Observation:

The Apostles Peter and John had a huge problem. After healing a man in the name of Jesus, they were brought before the authorities of the Government, and ordered to cease preaching in the name of Jesus.

Notice what these disciples did when they were facing this opposition from people who had the power to punish them severely. They gather with other Christ followers, and they prayed.

Acts 4:29 (ESV)

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,

When God’s people pray the power of God moves in supernatural power. God hears and answers the prayers of His people, and He shows up in power.

Acts 4:31 (ESV)

31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Notice how God’s people prayed. They had been warned not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Who do you think they obeyed? They chose to obey God.

They did this, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness”.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I ask that You would quicken and quiet our hearts before You. Father, I ask that You stir and steer our hearts to take our problems to You in prayer first, and not last.

Father, make the desires of our hearts to be like the desires of Your heart so that when we pray we will know that You will hear, and answer our prayers.

Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

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

Psalm 37:16 (ESV)

16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.

Father, create in us the desire to delight in You, to cast all of our cares upon You, and to be grateful, and thankful for what we have. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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The Power of God to Help You In Every Circumstance

Text:

Matthew 8:23-27 (HCSB)

23 As He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.

24 Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping.

25 So the disciples came and woke Him up, saying, “Lord, save ?us?! We’re going to die!”

26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this?—even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

Observation:

One of the things that I observe about this incident, and I have experienced this is life, is that you can be doing what God told you to do, and you can still experience trouble. Luke points this out for us in the account he gives of this event.

Luke 8:22-23 (NLT)

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out.

23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.

We can live our lives with a great deal of confidence when Jesus is in the boat.

There is nothing that we will ever face in our life that is too big for the Lord to handle. Is Jesus living in your heart? Have you received Him?

John 1:12 (HCSB)

12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,

When Jesus takes up residence in your life He gives the ironclad promise that He will never leave you or forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

When you trust in Jesus with your whole heart, you can say this with confidence, and assurance that Jesus will help you in all things; and all the time.

Hebrews 13:6 (NLT)

6 So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful for the promise of Jesus that He will never leave or forsake us.

Father, I am so grateful for the amazing grace of God that saves, and keeps sinners like me.

Father, I believe in Jesus, and I thank You for giving us the gift of faith that gives us access to the divine Godhead; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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How Do You Handle Your Trials and Troubles?

Text:

1 Peter 5:6-11 (ESV)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Observation:

There is hardly a day that goes by when I am not presented with a request to pray for some person that has a pressing need in their life.

I’m learning not just to say a prayer for that person, but I’m learning how to cast all of my cares upon the one who cares for them and for me more than anyone on earth or in heaven. I’m learning that prayer is the most that we can do, and I’m learning how to take my faith in God to a new level. To see God as He alone is willing and able to care for all of our our anxieties.

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.

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful that you have prodded me by the Holy Spirit to think on this topic, and to write and talk about it to you, and to others.

Father, I pray that you would increase my faith; Lord, increase the faith of all my brothers and sisters, until we all take our faith to another level; to the point where we are willing to cast all of our cares upon You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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Does It Seem Like Problems Are Multiplying?

Text:

Luke 22:35-38 (HCSB)

35 He also said to them, “When I sent you out without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Not a thing,” they said.

36 Then He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one.

37 For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in Me: And He was counted among the outlaws. Yes, what is written about Me is coming to its fulfillment.”

38 “Lord,” they said, “look, here are two swords.” “Enough of that!” He told them.

Observation:

The words that Jesus spoke to his disciples before his departure from this earth are as timely for us today as it was for them on the occasion when he spoke them. The message of Jesus to his disciples was to be prepared for trouble.

Our circumstances are constantly changing. Therefore, to be prepared we need to be ready to change our methods to meet the new challenges. Keep the message the same, but be willing to adapt your methods to the new reality on the battlefield.

The good news about our circumstances is that troubles don’t last forever. The scriptures predicted the suffering of Jesus. The things concerning Jesus had an end.

Luke 22:37 (HCSB)

37 For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in Me: And He was counted among the outlaws. Yes, what is written about Me is coming to its fulfillment.”

Jesus predicted that his followers would have troubles in this world. However, we have the blessed promise that Jesus has overcome the world. Our troubles will have an end.

John 16:33 (HCSB)

33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, O how blessed we are to have the peace in knowing that the troubles that we encounter in the world are not predictive of our destiny.

Although storm clouds may rise and strong winds may blow, we have an anchor that is sure and secure, and Jesus will lead his children safely to the shore.

Father God, I thank you for giving us peace in the midst of our troubled and storm tossed lives. Lord, thank you for being a God in whom we can trust with our whole heart. Father, I trust You, O for faith to trust You more. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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What To Do When You Are In The Wilderness

Text:

Psalm 63:1 (ESV)

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Observation:

This Psalm is about one of David’s wilderness experiences. We get to see what he saw, and feel what he felt during his wilderness experience. We all have our times in the wilderness. Therefore, let’s see what we can learn from David’s experience.

This is so important when troubles and problems arise in our life. David found out that God is a very present help in times of trouble. He drew near to God.

Psalm 63:2 (ESV)

2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

This is a good and timely prayer to pray in times of trouble.

Psalm 28:2 (ESV)

2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.

Another thing that David did in his wilderness experience was to sing; there is nothing like singing praises to the Lord that will lighten our burdens, and lift our spirits.

Psalm 63:4 (ESV)

4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

There is nothing that will lift a bowed down head, and a heavy heart like singing praise, and giving thanks to the God of our salvation.

Psalm 104:33 (NIV)

33 I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Prayer:

Father, I delight to look up to You in the mountain top experiences of life, and in the wilderness experiences of life.

Father, I acknowledge that no matter what we are going through that You are still God, and Your promise remains forever true, “I will never leave you or forsake you”. Father, I thank You for being a promise-keeping God.

Father, I praise and thank You for being our God. Father, as long as You are God, we will have something to rejoice about, and sing praises to You; we can always rejoice in the Lord. Father, thank You for satisfying our weary souls in our times in the wilderness. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 63:5 (HCSB)

5 You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.

—

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Do You Know the Rx for the Troubled Heart?

Text:

John 14:1 (ESV)
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Observation:

Some of the most profound things in life can be described in very simple and understandable words. That is the case for the cure for the troubled heart; it’s as simple as ABC.

Always

Believe

Christ

Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled”. The Old Testament scriptures taught this.

Deuteronomy 1:21 (ESV)
21 See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

The cure for the troubled heart is belief in God; belief in Jesus. Again this is consistent with the Old Testament scripture.

Isaiah 28:16 (ESV)
16 therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

Here is why you should always believe in Christ.

John 14:6-7 (ESV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that Jesus is the cure for the troubled heart.

Father God, I believe that You are our creator and provider; and that everything we have come from You. Father, I thank You that faith is a gift, and I pray that we will each use it; that we would always believe in Christ. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Daily Bread

Title: The Secret of Living A Life of Contentment in A Troubled World

Text:

Mark 4:35-41 (HCSB)
³⁵On that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side [of the sea].”
³⁶So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was [already] in the boat. And other boats were with Him.
³⁷A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.
³⁸But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?”
³⁹He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
⁴⁰Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?”
⁴¹And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Observation:

Could the cause of my worry and anxiety be unbelief? The disciples would have not been so worried and anxious if they had believed what Jesus told them before they got in the boat.

³⁵On that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side [of the sea].”

Jesus told them let’s cross over to the other side of the sea. Jesus did not ask them to get in the boat so that they would drown. The problem was their lack of faith in Jesus; that He meant what He said.

Mark 4:40 (HCSB)
⁴⁰Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?”

O Lord, give me the faith that in the midst of my troubles; when it seems like the storm will never calm, help me to remember these words, and for my soul to sing:

“Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall,
Trusting Jesus that is all.”

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/569#3#ixzz2nYggr2Mk

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, help me to always remember in every circumstance, that Jesus is in the boat with me, and that He has promised to get me to the other side. This is my prayer, and this is my song.

Psalm 18:1-2 (HCSB)
¹I love You, LORD, my strength.
²The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:6 (HCSB)
⁶I called to the LORD in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.
Psalm 18:16 (HCSB)
¹⁶He reached down from heaven and took hold of me; He pulled me out of deep waters.
Psalm 18:19 (HCSB)
¹⁹He brought me out to a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.
Psalm 18:31 (HCSB)
³¹For who is God besides Yahweh? And who is a rock? Only our God.