walkinthespirit – herbcotton.org

The Gap Between Hearing and Obeying – What Is Your Status?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

Matthew 28:16-20 King James Version (KJV)

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

I feel like God is chasing me as I write today, and He determines that He will not let me go until I write down what He says, align my life to make it of first importance, and then go and make disciples as I have commanded you. Notice, Herb, and all who reads this message, that it’s a command and not a suggestion.

Allow me to repeat it to you just like I have spoken it to the writer of the Gospel of Matthew 28:16-20, our focal text for today.

If you fail the test of being obedient to what you read and heard the Word of God speak, what is your dilemma that prevents you from being obedient to God? There is no middle ground in God’s eyes between obedience and disobedience? God does not accept as obedience, “I will do it when I get around to it. I’m too busy for that type of commitment right now.”

What then is the test for pleasing God in the matter of doing the will of God? My friends, it is to do God’s will and to do it His way. He gets to have the final word in the matter, and God has spoken, and let the people of God hear and obey.

James 1:22 King James Version (KJV)

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

1 John 2:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Now that you have heard God speak I ask you to reconsider. I encourage you to listen and obey the commandment of the Lord. We are useful to God when we surrender our whole life to Him. He is Lord, and we are not.

Hebrews 11:1 King James Version (KJV)

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father, I pray that everyone who reads or hears this Word of God, that comes from the heart of God, receive, believe and do the will of God in the ways God has commanded His people of every age. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, and in faith, we join our hearts in agreement by saying, Amen.

Who Are You Living For?

Text:

Ephesians 2:8-10 (HCSB)

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—

9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Observation:

The compelling desire of my life is to be pleasing to God in everything I say, and in everything I do.

What a wonderful change has been made in me since Jesus came into my life, and took up permanent residence.

My soul sings of His wondrous work: “I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,

I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,

singing glory, hallelujah,

Jesus lifted me”.

These are three things that are foundational principles that I live by in my daily life.

Worship – I will worship the Lord everyday.

Psalm 34:1 (HCSB)

1 I will praise the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

Walk – I can’t even walk unless God is holding my hand.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 (NLT)

1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.

2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Work out what God has deposited in me.

Philippians 2:12-13 (HCSB)

12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God who is working in you, {enabling you} both to desire and to work out His good purpose.

Is the focus of your life about your worship, walk and work for the Lord? To live in this world you need to know the Lord, and be known by Him, and received from God the gift of eternal life.

The secret to living for Jesus is to walk by the power of the Holy Spirit of God.

Galatians 5:16 (NLT)

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Prayer:

Father, we give glory and honor to You, and to Jesus, our Savior and the Lord of our life.

Father, thank you for your loving-kindness, and your tender mercies that you have give to your children in abundance.

Father, we ask for more of Thee, and less of me in our daily worship, walk, and work. 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:

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This Is A Good News Story

Text:

John 3:16 (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 5:24 (ESV)

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Observation:

The hymn writer expresses the desire that exits in the depths of my heart, and I have a burning desire to share it. What a story!

“I love to tell the story,

‘Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and His love.”

The hymn says, “Some have never heard the story”. But, the writer also says, “Those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest”.

I was reminded recently of a saying that went something like this, “If you live for the approval of other people, you will die from the rejection of other people”.

I would rather live for the approval of the one who knows me best, and loves me most. I associate myself with the Apostle Paul in his desire, and aim in life.

Philippians 1:21 (ESV)

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Paul makes this appeal in his letter to the church at Rome, and to us today through the Word of God.

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

What is your story? Everyone has a story, and I pray that God, and His love is at the center of your story.

I have a plaque on my desk that someone gave me many years ago. I just looked at it and read these words.

“Open my eyes so others may see you. Fill me, so others may find fullness in you”.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I add my voice to the saints of the ages in singing, and shouting praises to You.

Psalm 146:1-2 (HCSB)

1 Hallelujah! My soul, praise the LORD.

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

Father, hear our prayer, and may our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving be pleasing in your eyes. Father, fill us, and use us for your glory. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, 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

Are You Running With Endurance?

Text:

Hebrews 12:1-3 (HCSB)

1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,

2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart.

Observation:

What are the obstacles that we have to overcome to run with endurance? I’m talking about running the race of life to win; to finish, and receive the crown.

This is a list, not exhaustive, that reminds us of some of the things that hinder the running to win in the race of life.

Discouragement
Disappointment
Distraction
Obstacles
Opposition
Oppression

We need to remember what Jesus said about living in the world.

John 16:33 (ESV)

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

What Jesus told His disciples is so important for Christ followers today. He said that He has overcome the world. He also said another word with a promise.

John 14:27 (ESV)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

The peace and the power to run with endurance is in the person of our Christ; it is in Jesus. Does Christ live in you?

In conclusion, let us do what the writer of Hebrews admonishes the readers to do. Let us look to Jesus, and let us consider what He went through to finish His purpose for coming into the world.

My prayer is that each of you will be able to say what the Apostle Paul said to Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (HCSB)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be your name. Father, I am so grateful for Your amazing love, the gift of faith that enable me to believe in Jesus, and the hope that I have to live in your presence forever.

Father, I am so grateful that I don’t have to wait until I get to heaven to live in your presence; I can do it today. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, 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

Who is Controlling Your Mind?

Text:

Romans 8:5-6 (ESV)
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Observation:

Last Friday I wrote about the mind of Christ; yesterday I wrote about the tongue, and how James described it as being an unruly member of the body.

Could it be that the mind is the most unruly of all? Think about what our text says; allow it to sink deep into your heart. What is on your mind? Who is controlling your mind is crucial. Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in the church at Rome.

Romans 8:1 (KJV)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

How do you have the mind of Christ? It comes with the new birth; the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and walking in the Spirit.

Romans 8:9 (ESV)
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Are you allowing Christ to control your mind? Does the Holy Spirit live and abide in you? It does not matter what circumstances you face in life, you can live with this blessed assurance.

Romans 8:35 (ESV)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Romans 8:37 (ESV)
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that the power that lives in the life of God’s people, are greater than any problem or power that we will ever face in this world. Lord, I thank You for who You are; that You are great and gracious, and that You love us with an everlasting love.

Father God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to set our minds on the Spirit; walk in the Spirit, and enjoy the blessings of life and peace. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

How to Live Beyond the Limits of the Natural Life?

Text:

2 Corinthians 5:6-9 (ESV)
6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

Observation:

The Apostle Paul looked at the present life of believers as being in Christ; as long as we are at home in the body we are in Christ. In this life this is the way we live, and always with the aim to please Christ. Notice in verse seven of the text he says, “for we walk by faith, not by sight”. Notice in the letter to the church at Ephesus he said this.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The key to living in the body and in the world is to live for Christ; make it your aim to please him.

We do this by walking, waiting, and sometimes weeping. We do it by going, sowing, and reaping. We do it not by our strength, but by His strength.

Galatians 5:24-25 (ESV)
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that You supply the wisdom and the strength for Your people to live by the Spirit, and to walk in the Spirit. Father, help us to learn to lean hard on You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

In the Name of the Lord (Lyrics):

“There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord

There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord

There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord

Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord

When My Plans Have Fallen Through

And When My Strength Is Nearly Gone

When There’s Nothing Left To Do But Just Depend On You

And The Power Of Your Name”

Source:

More lyrics http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/sandi_patti/in_the_name_of_the_lord-lyrics-657118.html#ixzz3UBJPaXPl

The Peace of Living in Christ

Text:

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Observation:

The one word focus for today is the word live or referred to in our text passage as walk.

Living in the world is not easy and it is not for cowards. As I was thinking of this topic this song popped into my head.

“O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free”.

Yes, life is hard, but God is so good to His people; no one ever cared for me like Jesus.

The key to living for Jesus is to live in Him; to walk with Him each day of your life. Here are two words to think about, and to remember to make them a vital part of your life and your daily walk. The words are trust and thankfulness.

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Yes, troubles will come, but you don’t have to allow them to dominate your whole life. The Rx for worry is faith in the Lord. Here is the way to rise above your circumstances, trouble and worry.

Hebrews 12:2 (AMP)
2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Here is the chorus to the hymn that I am singing in my heart:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace”.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that You would stir up in the lives of Your people a burning desire to live in Christ; to daily practice the disciplines of trust and thankfulness, and to constantly look up to Jesus.

Dear God, please give us the grace that we need to trust You more, and above all to be thankful for Your presence and power in our lives. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.