Tag: #victory

How to Have Peace and Victory in the Cave?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

Psalm 57 King James Version (KJV)

57 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

We seldom get to live on earth without having a season of finding ourselves in a cave. In this season we lose our peace and victory.

We are not without hope when we encounter difficult times and discouragement that robs us of our peace, success and our joy.

Psalm 57 David gives us some encouraging words to help us escape the discouragement and the loss that comes when we get stuck in the caves of life. Living in a fallen world is hard, but God is good, and the future is bright for God’s people. God’s people have a merciful Father in heaven who hears and answers the prayers of His people.

Whatever you are going through and whatever your condition or circumstance may be, if you are a child of God, you have the blessed assurance that God cares about you, and He hears and answers the prayers of His people.

Psalm 56:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

Notice what David did in his time of pressing need:

  • He asked for help (verse 1).
  • He trusted in God (verse 1].
  • He took refuge in arms of God (verse 1).
  • He drew near to God and cried out to Him (verse 2).
  • David expected a miracle from God; trust Him, and you will experience the goodness and faithfulness of God (verse 3).

Psalm 56:13 King James Version (KJV)

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Father, we praise and thank You for Your goodness, faithfulness, and tender mercies.

Father, we thank You for delivering our souls and giving us peace and victory when we find ourselves in the caves that we encounter in this fallen world. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

— 

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God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 28:23 (NLT)

In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 119:156 (NLT)

LORD, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 119:146-149 (NLT)

I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws.

I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.

I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.

In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.

The Gospel Message:

1 John 1:6-9 (NLT)

So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Observation:

The most remarkable and fantastic thing I find as I read the Bible is how much God loves you and me. It is humbling to know that God notices and cares about His children.

I have lingered in the Psalms today because from them I find the encouragement to face life because in the Psalms I see the weaknesses of the human flesh. However, I also look at the provisions of a loving creator and heavenly Father who loves and cares for human beings that He has created in His image. I am encouraged and empowered by knowing that God takes our weaknesses and gives us His strength.

Prayer:

Psalm 119:169-174 (NLT)

O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.

Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.

Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees.

Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.

Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.

O LORD, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight.

—

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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What Would Victory Look Like to You?

 

Text:

Psalm 126:1-3 (ESV)

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

2  Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

3  The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.

Observation:

This passage speaks of something God had done for His people. He had delivered them from Babylonian slavery, and returned them to Jerusalem. It was a time of great rejoicing.

Psalm 14:7 (ESV)

7  Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Let’s go a little further in this Psalm.

Psalm 126:4 (ESV)

4  Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!

Deliverance was a great victory for God’s people, but in time they desired more so they cried out to the Lord.

In your distress, don’t get depressed. Why not do like the people of God of every age?

Psalm 120:1 (ESV)

1 In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.

The people were looking to the future. Notice they looked to the Lord who had provided their deliverance. This is what victory would look like for them. They had a vision of peace and prosperity.

Psalm 122:6-7 (ESV)

6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!

7  Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, there is none like You, no not one. Father, we lift our eyes and hearts toward the heavens for hope and help in this difficult season.

Father, I stretch my hands to Thee, no other help I know. Father this I also know that the God who has brought us thus far; Our God will see us through. So, we ask for an outpouring of Your amazing grace, and tender mercies to flood our hearts, souls and minds. Father, stir our hearts to run to You.

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.

—

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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Do You Know God’s Plan for Victory?

Title: How to Exert the Most Influence

Text:

Psalm 37:7-8 (HCSB)

7  Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.

8  Refrain from anger and give up ?your? rage; do not be agitated—it can only bring harm.

Observation:

One of the biggest mistake the Christ follower can make is assuming that the battle against evildoers belongs to us.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (HCSB)

3  For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way,

4  since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments

5  and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.

The battle does not belong to us; rather it belongs to the Lord. The Lord’s ears are not deaf; he can hear us. The Lord’s hands are not short; he is able to reach us.

Are you waging war against evil in an unspiritual way? Notice the words of our focal passage.

When we wage war in an unspiritual way we mistakenly think that evil will be extinguished by our anger and rage.

The most powerful weapon that we have against the spiritual warfare that we face in this world is the presence of God.

There is nothing more powerful and peaceful than the presence of God with His people.

Psalm 16:11 (HCSB)

11  You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

Notice that God delights to be with His people, and God looks at the heart of His people. Do you have a humble heart? Here is how God feels about His people who have a humble heart.

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.

Prayer: 

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, stir our hearts; created in us the faith that will enable us to be silent on the outside, but strong on the inside as we allow the God who is with us to fight the battle that belongs to the Lord, and not to us. In the might 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

What Do You Need to Fulfill Your Purpose?

 

Text:

Philippians 1:1-2 (HCSB)

1  Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.

2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation: 

Today, I look back at three of my favorite verses from Philippians, and I have heard from some of you that one or more of them are your favorites also.

These verses will encourage you as you seek to be all that God created you to be. God’s purpose for your life is that you would bring glory to Him, and that you would be a blessing to others.

Philippians 4:11 (HCSB)

11  I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Philippians 4:13 (HCSB)

13  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:19 (HCSB)

19  And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

In Christ, you can be who you are supposed to be, you can do what you are supposed to do, and you can have what you need to finish strong, and win the prize.

Philippians 1:6 (HCSB)

6  I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful for the purpose, potential, and power that You give to Your people to be who You made us to be, and to do what You want us to do.

Father, help us to remember that the victory comes when we look to You as the source for all of our needs. Lord, give us a faith that will not falter or fail; so that we will finish the race, and receive the prize. 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