trustingod – Page 2 – herbcotton.org

What is the Most Dangerous Weapon in the Hands of Man?

Text:

James 3:5-8 (ESV)

5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,

8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Observation:

The most common answer to the question asked in the title is nuclear weapons; especially in the hands of people with evil desires to kill and destroy innocent people.

However, our focal passage for today describes a weapon that has destroyed more lives than all the wars of the world. It is the tongue, and we all have one.

In my reading today, I read Psalm 5. In this Psalm David talks about the enemies he was facing, and he knew that they could destroy him, but he also knew that God could deliver him.

In times like these there is great profit in looking to the Psalms for encouragement.

Are you a child of God? Then why not turn to the Lord in prayer, and put your troubles, and worries in His hand. David turned to the Lord in prayer.

Psalm 5:1-3 (ESV)

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.

2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Prayer:

Father, we love and adore You. Father, if we ever needed You, we sure do need You now. Father, we associate ourselves with David in the final words of his lament before You.

Psalm 5:11-12 (ESV)

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Father, we look to You for protections and deliverance. Father, we rejoice not in winning, but we rejoice in You. 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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Who Is Willing to Be A Light?

Text:

1 John 1:5-7 (HCSB)

5 Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.

6 If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Observation:

Today as I read this passage my thoughts go back to a dear friend who is now living in the land of those who are truly alive. In our conversations, he frequently recited this verse.

Luke 1:37 (NIV)

37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

The light bulb moment for me is this portion of verse five in our focal passage.

“Now this is the message we have heart from Him and declare to you.”

When I write these devotionals I feel like one hungry beggar telling another where to find bread.

Today my plea is come and see; come eat, come and feast at the table of the Lord. Then, go and tell another beggar where to find bread.

What is the message of 1 John 1:5-7?

God is light. In Him is no darkness.
Those who have fellowship with God do not walk in darkness.
It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin.
The blessed life is the person who walks with Jesus in this dark world, and lets the light of the Lord shine in them, and on others.

Dear friends, let’s release the light of the Lord upon all those we come in contact with in the marketplaces of life in this world in our walk and our talk.

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Prayer:

Father, we exalt your name, and give you the glory, honor, and praise that you alone deserve.

Father, I plead with You to grant us the grace and favor of being light in this dark and dangerous world.

Matthew 5:15-16 (HCSB)

15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

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How Do You Look In God’s Eyes?

Text:

Proverbs 16:1-3 (HCSB)

1 The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives.

3 Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved.

Observation:

As Samuel was searching for a king to reign over God’s people in Israel he went to the house of Jesse in his search. Here is the response of God to Samuel concerning one of the sons of Jesse who looked good in the eyes of Samuel.

1 Samuel 16:7 (HCSB)

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Since God looks so intently at our heart, should we not pay more attention to our heart?

Proverbs 4:23 (HCSB)

23 Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

We reveal what is in our heart by what we say, and by what we do. We need the standard of God’s Word to guard our hearts.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)

11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Why not ask the Lord to search your heart. Prayer is two way conversation. Therefore, read God’s Word, and allow the Spirit of God to teach you God’s will, and His way.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Prayer:

Father, we adore You, and ascribe to You the honor and the glory that You alone deserve.

Father, search our hearts today, and burn Your Word deep into our hearts. Father, guide and empower us by the Holy Spirit to know Your will, and to do it. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

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Do You Have Perfect Peace?

Text:

Isaiah 26:3 (HCSB)

3 You will keep the mind ?that is? dependent ?on You? in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.

Observation:

The desire for peace is almost universal among the people of the world. However, we often fail to look to the only source capable of giving us lasting peace.

This Word from the Lord caused me to focus my attention on the truth that is packed into our focal verse for today’s meditation. My reading caused me to focus on each word in the verse. The following is my reflection on six of those words.

You – God is the source.
Will – A friend reminded me recently that he did a word study on this word, and it is absolute. Think about this: God will.
Keep – God’s promise of peace is forever; only God can make that promise, and keep it.
Perfect – There is nothing lacking in the peace that God gives.
Peace – This is soul peace; it is independent of circumstances.
Mind – Where is your focus? Is it on man or God?

Living in a fallen world can sometimes get very scary. However, there is a remedy for fear, and it is faith in God.

Psalm 56:3-4 (HCSB)

3 When I am afraid, I will trust in You.

4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, we ask that each of us would make You the object of our faith in all things.

Father, help us to trust in You; to look beyond our circumstances, and see our Christ. Father, draw us closer to You, and fill our hearts with perfect peace. Father, help us to move from self-reliant to God-dependent.

Father, I am so grateful that You are bigger than all of our problems. Father, I trust in You, and thank You for giving all who trust in You perfect peace. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

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Who Do You Put Your Trust In?

Text:

Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV)

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Observation:

Do you trust in man? Let’s see what flesh can do.

Isaiah 2:22 (ESV)

22 Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?

Isaiah 40:6-8 (ESV)

6 A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.

7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.

8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Do you trust in God? Let’s see what God can do.

2 Chronicles 32:8 (ESV)

8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father. Lord, I exalt Your name above every name on earth, and in heaven. Father God, there is none like you, no not one.

Father, I am so grateful for the privilege to know that You are my redeemer, and that I am loved by You. Father, I pray that all who believe in You will have the desire, and the strength; that You provide, to stay near to You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. And all who agree say, Amen.

—

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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Who Has Your Back?

Text:

Psalm 31:1-5 (ESV)

1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!

2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;

4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

Observation:

In the good times, and especially in bad times, it is good to know that you have someone reliable who has your back; someone that you can depend upon to be trustworthy, and faithful.

In the case of David his source of help was in his God. David was a man who was accustomed to calling upon the Lord.

What did David do? He cried out to God in prayer. He took refuge in the Lord. He did what he could do, and he asked the Lord to do the rest.

Let me not be put to shame.
Deliver me.
Incline your ear to me.
Rescue me, and do it speedily.
Be my rock and strong fortress.
Take me out of the trap the enemy has set for me.

David had faith in God. He was confident that God was righteous in all His ways, and that He was able to deliver him.

Do you have any problems in your life that you have not been able to resolve? Do you have any enemies that you can’t defeat in your strength alone?

Psalm 31:5 (ESV)

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

Not only did David trust in the Lord, but Solomon, his son, also trusted in the God of his father. Solomon asked God for wisdom, and He gave him wisdom. He also gave him faith; the kind of faith his father David had.

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I believe in You; I believe that You are a God who is righteous, and faithful in all Your ways.

Father, I acknowledge that in desperate times we need desperate faith. O God, I ask that You would stir the hearts of Your people, by the Holy Spirit, to cause us to run to Your throne room of grace and mercy, and cry out to You in desperate prayer to heal our land, and meet all of our needs. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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What Path Are You Walking In?

Text:

Isaiah 8:11-12 (ESV)

11 For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying:

12 “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.

Observation:

Yesterday, I found this photo with the following quotation from the late Dr. Adrain Rogers.

“A Proverb is a short sentence based on a long experience”.

I believe this Proverb fits that category, and it speaks to our hearts concerning what is on my heart today.

Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Today my heart is encouraged when I think about the sovereignty of God, and how it pays to trust in God, and to walk in His way. When we walk with the Lord we are never alone.

It takes faith to trust in God, and to walk in His way. It also takes patience to wait on God’s timing.

Numbers 20:12 (ESV)

12 And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

Prayer:

Father, I exalt Your name above every other name, and give You the honor, and glory for who You are, and for the works of Your mighty hands.

Father, I offer up to You the declaration of Your servant David, who the Word calls a man after You own heart.

Psalm 62:1-2 (ESV)

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

—

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Do You Have Inner Peace?

Text:

John 8:12 (HCSB)

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

Observation:

I woke up this morning with the word peace on my mind. I turned my thoughts toward the Lord; then I looked to God’s Word for a word from the Lord. This is what I was prompted to read.

1 Corinthians 9:26 (HCSB)

26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.

This verse was the focal verse for a devotional that I read on my iPad that I had near my bed. The topic for that devotional was, “Make Godly Goals”.

I am encouraged by the first portion of the verse which says, “Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly”. Notice how the Apostle Paul viewed his body as he talked about the goal of his life.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (HCSB)

26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.

27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

There are three things that Paul said about how he lived his life so that he might achieve the goal of being pleasing in the eyes of his heavenly Father, and fulfill his purpose for being alive in this present world.

1 Corinthians 9:19 (ESV)

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

1 Corinthians 9:25 (ESV)

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

1 Corinthians 9:12 (ESV)

12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

These three things are worth remembering, and becoming.

Servant
Self-Control
Endure

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, help each one of us to set godly goals for our life on the earth. Father, help us to be the person that You purposed us to be.

Father, I pray that every person who hears this message will know You, and will have the power of the Holy Spirit living in them that will give them the power to know and do the will of God. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1 John 5:14-15 (ESV)

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

—

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God Will Act

Text:

Psalm 37:5 (ESV)

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

Observation:

What a powerful truth; “God will act”. If there was ever a motive to turn to the Lord, surely this statement should cause us to commit our lives to the Lord, and to trust in Him. Here is an example of David doing that; asking the Lord to help him.

Psalm 57:1-3 (ESV)

1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

3 He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

David was all in; he was willing to trust in the Lord with his whole heart, and he delighted in the Lord. He believed that nothing was beyond the reach of prayer.

Psalm 37:1-4 (ESV)

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!

2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

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

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that we will learn to trust in You with our whole heart, and to commit all of our ways to You in prayer. Father, guide our steps, and give us the wisdom and the will to rely upon You for all of our needs. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Daily Bread

Title: Why I Love the Lord

Text:

Psalm 116:1-4 (ESV)
¹I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.
²Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
³The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.
⁴Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!”

Observation:

In this Psalm the Psalmist expresses the faith and the confidence that every child of God can identify with who has put their trust in the Lord. In this Psalm he indicates that he could not trust in himself, and that he could not trust in others.

Psalm 116:3 (ESV)
³The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.

Psalm 116:11 (ESV)
¹¹I said in my alarm, “All mankind are liars.”

Have you ever felt like the Psalmist in his view about himself and others? Yes, life is hard down here. A lady told me the other day; “It’s not the world, it’s the people”. However, in the midst of all that the Psalmist experienced in his life, he never lost hope because he trusted in the Lord. He found hope and help by trusting in God, and calling upon the Lord in prayer.

It is comforting to the heart and uplifting to the soul to know that there is a God in heaven who hears and answers prayer. I join the Psalmist, and agree that the Lord is faithful.

Psalm 116:1 (ESV)
¹I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.

In view of the Lord’s faithfulness and His unconditional love, I will remember to call upon His name in prayer, and take everything to the Lord in prayer. I am so glad that I serve a God in whom I can trust.

Psalm 116:2 (ESV)
²Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Prayers don’t have to be long to be effective; this is the prayer of the psalmist.

Psalm 116:4 (ESV)
⁴Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!”

Prayer:

O Lord, help me to be the man You purposed me to be. Amen.