Tag: #trouble

Who Can Deliver Us from the Troubles of the World?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

Psalm 120:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 120

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 

I took my troubles to the Lord;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

2 

Rescue me, O Lord, from liars
and from all deceitful people.

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

I love reading and meditating on the Psalms because they speak to my heart about problems and opportunities every generation face.

I have discovered over the course of my life that you can expect to have problems living in this world. How we react to problems is often worse than the problem. Today’s Psalm is the first of the Psalms of Accent. The best things in life come when we take the upward look.

Notice how the people of God took their troubles to the Lord in prayer. Some people say we need to do more than pray. However, consider the results received from the provisions of the Lord when they ask for God’s help through prayer.

Notice how God did not change the circumstances of His people. However, He gave them the endurance to overcome their situations. 

Psalm 120:3-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

3 

O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you?
How will he increase your punishment?

4 

You will be pierced with sharp arrows
and burned with glowing coals.

5 

How I suffer in far-off Meshech.
It pains me to live in distant Kedar.

6 

I am tired of living
among people who hate peace.

7 

I search for peace;
but when I speak of peace, they want war!

Before pointing the finger at others, it would be well to do some self-examination. God wants to give you endurance that will deliver you from your present and future troubles in the world.

Jeremiah 9:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

Judgment for Disobedience

3 

“My people bend their tongues like bows
to shoot out lies.
They refuse to stand up for the truth.
They only go from bad to worse.
They do not know me,”
says the Lord.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, O how we need to take the upward look and fix our eyes upon Jesus. Father, we need You, and we are so grateful that You are just a prayer away. Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, draw us closer to You.

Jeremiah 33:3 King James Version (KJV)

3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

—

Link to my new devotional book Amazon Author’s Page. Everything about the book is found there with pictures, and more to come.
 

What Do You Do While You Are Waiting?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

Jude 21 King James Version (KJV)

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

We tend to spend a lot of time waiting. Can you identify with the condition of waiting for something to happen?

While waiting, I want to suggest that you ask two questions. One, what am I waiting for; and two, am I expecting alone?

What does the Bible say about these two questions that I have posed for your consideration?

Deuteronomy 31:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

John 16:33 King James Version (KJV)

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

I believe that if we listen to God and spend time with Him in prayer, we will find that waiting can be a joy and not a burden to bear, but a season to rejoice in the God of our salvation.

We need to prepare ourselves with the knowledge that we will always face troubles in this world. That’s the way things are down here. But, we don’t have to live under the circumstances, we can look up, get up and move up to higher ground. We can live in the presence of God today and not tomorrow.

Jude 21 King James Version (KJV)

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father God, I pray that You will stir the hearts of Your people to draw closer to You and to live in Your presence all of the days of our life in the world regardless of all of the troubles we face.

Father, give us peace and power in the knowledge and understanding of the times in which we live, and with the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world.  In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.

How Long Will My Troubles Last?

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton 

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

Romans 8:18 King James Version (KJV)

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

All of us at one time or another will encounter trouble by living in the earth. That’s the way life is in the present world. God made us out of dirt, and we return to dust. But, God; O how I love the sweet sounds of those two words. Those words give the people of God hope for a bright future.

Let’s examine some of the promises of the God of the Word that is in the Word of God;

The Bible says:

1 Peter 5:10 King James Version (KJV)

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

2 Corinthians 12:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

John 14:1 King James Version (KJV)

14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

My dear friends of God and Christ followers, I urge you to never give up on putting your whole life in the hands of the LORD. Our Father in heaven will never let His children down.

Proverbs 3:5-7 King James Version (KJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Our Father in heaven, we as Your people declare and decree that we will surrender all of life to You in exchange for all of You. Father, we have seen in recent testimony by Your children that You have been Jehovah Jireh in their lives at a time of overwhelming need.

Father, we believe that You don’t have favorites and that what You have done for others, You will do for us. Father, we believe You, and can’t live without You. So, we cry for Your children, Lord, help us we pray, in the name of Jesus, and with a grateful heart, we lean hard on Thee. Let the church say, Amen.

Isaiah 41:10 King James Version (KJV)

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Today Somebody Prayed for You

—

Link to my new devotional book Amazon Author’s Page. Everything about the book is found there with pictures, and more to come.
 

Are You Searching for Peace? Come Let Me Show You Where to Find It

Text:

John 16:33 (NKJV)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Observation:

My friends, the answer to the question in the title is found in the Bible in John 16:33. Read the text listed above for your convenience. Did you see it?

The answer is Jesus. He said, “In Me, you may have peace.” Do you have Jesus alive in your heart?

John 1:12 (NKJV)

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

Are you a child of God? If you are, you have the peace of God within you. Notice what the Bible says about the peace of God.

John 14:1 (NKJV)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

John 14:27 (NKJV)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Application:

Make two columns. One the World, and the other Jesus on a sheet of paper.

The World Jesus

Sickness Jesus

Sorrow Jesus

Sin Jesus

Temptation Jesus

Testing Jesus

Trial Jesus

Isolation Jesus

Your problem Jesus

The world gives us troubles, but God gives His children peace, and the world cannot take it away. The peace that God gives you will stay with you. Your responsibility is to live in the presence of God who gave you the gift of peace. God gave you this peace when Jesus came into your heart.

Prayer:

Father God, hallowed be Your name. Father, I pray that your children will never forget the source of peace and that they will live in Your presence and enjoy the peace of God all of the days of their life.

Father, I pray that Your children will decide today that the devil is a liar, and He cannot steal our peace. Our Savior and Lord have us securely in His arms, and our peace is safe and secure in Jesus. Let all of God’s children say, 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.”

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

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How Important Is Prayer In Your Life?

Text:

Psalm 55:1-3 (HCSB)

1 God, listen to my prayer and do not ignore my plea for help.

2  Pay attention to me and answer me. I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,

3  because of the enemy’s voice, because of the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster on me and harass me in anger.

Observation:

Notice in our focal passage for today how common, and universal are the things that David prayed about.

  • David needed someone to listen to him.
  • David did not want to be ignored.
  • David needed someone to help him.
  • David wanted someone to pay attention to him.
  • David wanted someone to answer him.
  • David was restless, in turmoil, and he needed to voice his complaint.
  • David had enemies who were oppressing him, and he felt his life was in danger.

David expresses his frustration in these words.

Psalm 55:6 (HCSB)

6  I said, “If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.

Have you ever said to yourself what David said? Have you considered running away from your problems?

There is a better way than running away from your problems. The truth is that your problems will go with you. Rather, what we really need are wings like an eagle so that we can fly above our problems.

David did two things that enabled Him to fly above his problems.

First, David called upon the Lord.

Psalm 55:16 (HCSB)

16  But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.

Second, David cast all of his burdens upon the Lord.

Psalm 55:22 (HCSB)

22  Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

God enabled David to overcome his problems, and He will do the same for you. God is waiting to hear from you.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being a loving, and caring heavenly Father who knows our needs, and who cares about us personally.

Father, give us a burning desire to call upon You for all of our needs, and to cast all of our cares upon You.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (HCSB)

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

7  casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

Father, I pray that You would hear the cry of every one of Your children who calls upon You, and puts their troubles in Your hands.  In the might 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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Will My Troubles and Trials Ever Go Away?

Text:

Psalm 55:1-5 (ESV)

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!

2  Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,

3  because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me.

4  My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

5  Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.

Observation:

In this Psalm David writes about the troubles and terror that he was facing in a season of his life. The troubles were from within, and without, but they both drained him of his peace, and his joy.

Psalm 55:6-8 (ESV)

6  And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;

7  yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah

8  I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.”

When we find ourselves feeling like this, when we think will I ever get out of this pit. This is the time to be still, and remember who we are, and whose we are. It is time to connect with our Father in heaven.

Psalm 55:16-17 (ESV)

16  But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.

17  Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

Yes, there is nothing in this world that will satisfy our souls, and heal our wounded hearts like the presence of the Lord. That is why David writes this near the end of his Psalm, and you can claim this promise in your season of trouble, and pain.

Psalm 55:22 (ESV)

22  Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

The Apostle Peter draws upon this wisdom, and writes this encouragement to the first century believers, and it speaks to us today.

1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)

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

Prayer: 

Father, I exalt and give praise and honor to Your name; the name that I cherish above every name on earth below, and in heaven above.

Father, hear our cry; hear our plea as we cry out to You in prayer for others, and for ourselves. Father, we declare that our hope is in You, and that our help comes from You.

Father, we know that You can, and that You will hear our prayer. We watch, and wait for Your answer to our prayers. 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/

How David Handled A Difficult Season of Trouble

Text:

Psalm 39:1-4 (ESV)

1 I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

2  I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.

3  My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

4  “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

Observation:

In this Psalm David peels away some of the layers of his life to reveal the struggles he was facing.

In spite of his distress, and the difficulties he was facing personally, he resisted blaming God for his troubles. He remained silent before the Lord.

Psalm 39:7-9 (ESV)

7  “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.

8  Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!

9  I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.

David realized that the chastening of the Lord was a sign of God’s love for him. The best response to God’s chastening is to submit to God’s will, and allow Him to have His way in our life.

There is peace, power, and provisions when we take our troubles to the Lord in prayer.

Psalm 39:12 (ESV)

12  “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers.

It pays to pray, watch, and wait on the Lord. Remember that God’s delay is not His denial.

Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV)

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

2  He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

3  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I pray that we would always be willing to bring all of our needs to You in prayer.

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)

7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Father, I am so thankful that we can trust in You with our whole heart; and that You are willing, and able to help us.

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

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.

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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Why You Can’t Trust Your Emotions

Text:

Psalm 34:10 (KJV)

10  The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Observation:

To understand the motive for David’s writing of this Psalm, we need to know the background. The heading of the Psalm said this:

“A Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.”

David fled to Gath, the home of Goliath the giant, who he had recently defeated. He sought help from the King of Gash, whose title was Abimelech, and his name was Achish.

David learned through this experience that God was his source of help, and not man. There is nothing that we need that God is not willing to supply.

When David sought the Lord, he found the help he desperately needed, he gave praise to the Lord, and invited others to do the same.

First, he gave praise to the Lord.

Psalm 34:1-2 (KJV)

1  I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Second, he invited others who needed help to exalt the Lord with him.

Psalm 34:3-7 (KJV)

3  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5  They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

6  This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Thirdly, he invited others to experience what he had experienced; to taste for themselves the goodness of the Lord.

Psalm 34:8-10 (KJV)

8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

10  The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Prayer:

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.

—

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/

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Where Do You Go When You Need Help You Can Trust?

Text:

Psalm 31:1-3 (KJV)

1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

2  Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

3  For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

Observation:

I love to read the Psalms because I find in them all of the human conditions that we face living in a fallen world.

This Psalm was written by David when he faced an enemy that was persecuting, lying, and seeking to spread a net to catch him. He tells us in this Psalm where he turned for help.

Psalm 31:7-8 (KJV)

7  I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

8  And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

The help that was available to David then is available to you and me today if we do what David did.

Psalm 31:14-15 (KJV)

14  But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

15  My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

Prayer:

Father, in You alone I put my trust. Father, like David I gladly say that You are my God, and the Shepherd of my life; that in You I lack nothing.

Father, my faith looks up to You, and I trust in You with my whole heart. Father, I pray that all of us would live in Your presence, ask for help, and enjoy Your favor. 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:

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How Do You Deal With Suffering?

Text:

Psalm 30:2-3 (KJV)

2  O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

3  O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Observation:

The questions that many are asking is, “Why Am I Suffering?” As we read the bible we see that all of the disciples suffered. They suffered, and many died a martyrs death. Even Jesus suffered, and died. A better question to ask is, “How do we suffer?”

The bible says this about our suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (ESV)

3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

4  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5  For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

In the season of our pain we should never forget that God is a good Father, and He cares for His children, and He has a great, and enduring love for us. We know that in everything God is working for our good.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

The response to our pain should be praise from our lips to God’s ears. That is what David did, and that is what we should do. No matter what you are going through, the best is yet to come. God has you in His heart, and in His hands. Don’t allow your suffering to make you bitter. God has better plans for you; so offer up some praise to Him. A song of gratitude will change your attitude.

Psalm 30:4 (ESV)

4  Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.

Prayer:

Father God, we exalt You, and we extol, and give praise, honor, and glory to Your most holy and righteous name.

Father, with grateful hearts we say thank You for loving us with an everlasting love, and for doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Father, we love You, and cling to Your presence in our lives both now, and forever. 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.

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