What Kind of People Make Good Decisions?

Text:

Psalm 25:4-5 (HCSB) 

4  Make Your ways known to me, LORD; teach me Your paths. 

5  Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long. 

Observation:

To make good decisions you need good information. David was experiencing difficulties in his life, but he knew where to go to get good information. This is what David knew about God, and what he knew about God's will, and purpose for his life.

Psalm 139:13-16 (HCSB) 

13  For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. 

14  I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know [this] very well. 

15  My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. 

16  Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all [my] days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began. 

In his time of crisis, David knew where to go for help. When you don't know what to do or where to go, you can find hope and help in the Lord. God has a purpose for your life, and He knows the way for you to fulfill the purpose for which you were made.

Psalm 25:1-2 (HCSB) 

1 LORD, I turn to You. 

2  My God, I trust in You. Do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me. 

The best decision you can make regarding the next step you should take is to ask the Lord to help you.

Psalm 25:4 (HCSB) 

4  Make Your ways known to me, LORD; teach me Your paths. 

You can never go wrong when you ask the Lord to help you, and when you walk in the way of the Lord.

Psalm 25:8-10 (HCSB) 

8  The LORD is good and upright; therefore He shows sinners the way. 

9  He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. 

10  All the LORD's ways [show] faithful love and truth to those who keep His covenant and decrees. 

Prayer:

Father God, we glorify Your name. Father, give us a burning desire to seek Your face, to ask for your help, and to do what You tell us to do. Father, when You speak, may we learn to listen, and obey. 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:

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The Responsibility and Rewards of Living in Unity

Text:

Matthew 18:19-20 (HCSB) 

19  Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. 

20  For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them." 

Observation:

The believer was not made to live and serve alone. If there was ever a time when we needed unity in the Body of Christ, we sure do need it now. In times of great division, the need for unity should be of first importance to God's people. 

This word from the letter of the Apostle Paul to the church at Philippi speaks into my heart.

Philippians 2:1-4 (HCSB) 

1  If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 

2  fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. 

3  Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 

4  Everyone should look out not [only] for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 

Is it the desire of your heart to live in unity with your brothers and sisters in the LORD? Do you desire to have the presence, power, peace, and provisions of God to be present in your life?

Your can have these, and more if you will read and apply God's Word to your everyday life, and pray with, and for one another. 

Matthew 18:20 (HCSB) 

20  For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them." 

Prayer:

Father God, I pray that You would bind us together with love for one another. 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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The Path from Suffering to Glory

Text:

Psalm 22:1-5 (ESV) 

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 

2  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. 

3  Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 

4  In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 

5  To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Observation:

The goodnews for the children of God is that we can see through the words of the prophetic the description of the suffering of Christ, and His glory foretold by David, who was a prophet of God.

Acts 2:29-31 (ESV) 

29  "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 

30  Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 

31  he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 

Those of us who are Christ followers should not expect for the circumstances in a fallen world to ever be perfect. As a friend often reminds me when discussing the troubles of this world, Herb, this is the world, not heaven". By the way, Jesus said this about the troubles of this 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." 

As believers there is something we can do about the trouble, and darkness in the world today. Here is another word from the lips of Jesus.

Matthew 5:15-16 (ESV) 

15  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 

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

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, help us to see the purpose in our troubles, and find peace in the glory that awaits us in our eternal dwelling place. Father, help us to remember these words.

2 Corinthians 5:7-8 (NLT) 

7  For we live by believing and not by seeing. 

8  Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 

In the precious, and royal 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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Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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How to Turn A Day of Trouble Into Triumph?

Text:

Psalm 20:1-4 (HCSB) 

1  May Yahweh answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob's God protect you. 

2  May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion. 

3  May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt offering.Selah 

4  May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose. 

Observation:

As I read the Psalms it is easy to detect that David was a man of God, and a man of prayer. In our focal passage we see him, and his men in a posture of prayer before going out to battle.

The key for David in facing his troubles was the name of the Lord. Notice what he wrote in the first sentence of the Psalm, "May Yahweh answer you in a day of trouble".

There is nothing more effective than starting our day with prayer to the Lord. He is willing to help you, and able to help you. There are three keys that I see to victory in overcoming our troubles.

David came to the Lord with an attitude of gratitude; with praise, and thanksgiving on his lips.

1. It was sacred.
2. It was sincere.
3. It was sacrificial.

We don't have to carry the burdens that we face on our shoulders alone. We can take our burdens, and troubles to the Lord, and offer up to Him our praise, thanksgiving, and our troubles. The Lord invites us to do that.

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. 

We can turn our troubles into triumph when we trust in the Lord, and give Him our troubles. The God I serve hears and answers prayers.

Psalm 20:4 (HCSB) 

4  May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose. 

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your most holy and righteous name. Father, thank You for the privilege of coming to You in prayer, and thank You for the provisions that we receive when we live in Your presence, and walk in your ways.

O the blessing of being called by You, "My beloved". We praise You, and thank You for answered prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus, 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 the God of the Bible?

Text:

Psalm 19:1-4 (HCSB) 

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. 

2  Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. 

3  There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. 

4  Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. 

Observation: 

I can understand when people look around, and look down, I can comprehend why they may say, "There is no God". However, I cannot understand, neither can I comprehend, how one can look up beyond the mountains and say, "There is no God".

Psalm 121:1-2 (HCSB) 

1 I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? 

2  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

In our text, we see how God witnesses to us through nature. In the following verses, God speaks to us through His Word. 

Psalm 19:7-11 (HCSB) 

7  The instruction of the LORD is perfect, renewing one's life; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. 

8  The precepts of the LORD are right, making the heart glad; the command of the LORD is radiant, making the eyes light up. 

9  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are reliable and altogether righteous. 

10  They are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb. 

11  In addition, Your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them. 

Do you know the God of the Word? He wants to know you. Why not look up to the heavens, and see His handiwork. Then, look into His Word, and listen as He speaks into your heart.

Psalm 119:10-11 (HCSB) 

10  I have sought You with all my heart; don't let me wander from Your commands. 

11  I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. 

Prayer:

Father, as we lift our eyes to the heavens, we see You in all of Your glory, and splendor.

Father, as we look into Your Word, we see Your love, forgiveness, grace, and tender mercies. Father, as You reveal Yourself to us, I pray that we will believe, and receive Your promises, and Your blessings. 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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Have You Ever Heard the Voice of God?

Text:

Genesis 12:1-4 (ESV) 

1  Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 

2  And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 

3  I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." 

4  So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 

Observation:

Have you ever experienced anything like this? "Now the LORD said to Abram".

I have never heard the audible voice of God speak, but I have frequently heard Him speak to me through His Word. He also speaks to me through other people. For example I hear His voice speaking to me right now through the words of this hymn.

"He speaks, and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing".

The LORD made a promise to Abram, and to receive that promise He had to take the first step. That step meant that Abram must depart, and he obeyed.

Genesis 12:4 (ESV) 

4  So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 

Another hymn speaks to me. Father, my response to Your sweet voice is, "Yes, Lord".

"Where he leads me I will follow, 

where he leads me I will follow, 

where he leads me I will follow; 

I'll go with him, with him all the way."

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, help all of us to be willing to listen, and obey when You speak to our hearts. 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/

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A Talk Every Parent Needs to Have With Their Children

Text:

Proverbs 4:10-15 (HCSB) 

10  Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years. 

11  I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. 

12  When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble. 

13  Hold on to instruction; don't let go. Guard it, for it is your life. 

14  Don't set foot on the path of the wicked; don't proceed in the way of evil ones. 

15  Avoid it; don't travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by. 

Observation:

The loving and wise person encourages their children to hear the Word and find wisdom.

I invite you to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, as he imparts the wisdom that God gave to him in the wise sayings of the Proverbs.

There are benefits, and consequences that result from the choices we make in life. The choices you make matter. Every step you take leads to a destination.

If you have wisdom, you will have protection.

Proverbs 4:6 (HCSB) 

6  Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you. 

If you have wisdom, you will have promotion.

Proverbs 4:8-9 (HCSB) 

8  Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. 

9  She will place a garland of grace on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty." 

In a dark world you will have a bright and shinning light to guide you when you walk in obedience, and righteousness. Are you walking in the light?

Proverbs 4:18 (HCSB) 

18  The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. 

Are you walking on the straight path that leads to faith, hope, and love; the things that are eternal, and money cannot buy? Learn and listen to the voice of wisdom from the wise.

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, hallowed be Your name. Father, help us to live wisely, walk worthily, and to choose the way of wisdom. 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/

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Who Do You Represent?

Text:

Genesis 40:7-8 (ESV) 

7  So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, "Why are your faces downcast today?" 

8  They said to him, "We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them." And Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me." 

Observation:

We see in this selected passage from a larger story that Joseph was a man of God. However, he was given a gift from God to be able to interpret dreams. But, notice that Joseph did not attribute that power to himself. Rather, he gave the glory to God. He said, "Do not interpretations belong to God?"

Genesis 41:15-16 (ESV) 

15  And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." 

16  Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." 

Joseph is not alone in being a representative for God. One of the ways he carried out this function was the gift of interpretations of dreams. However, it was God doing it through him.

Every believer in Jesus has the privilege of being an ambassador of God as the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Corinth.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV) 

20  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I pray for the humility to always remember that we are ambassadors of the King of Kings, and that nothing is impossible when You are in it. Father, give us the grace, and power to represent You well.  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:

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How Can We Live In Peace In A Troubled World?

Text:

Psalm 15:1 (ESV) 

1 O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? 

Observation:

I don't think the answer to this question is complicated. It begins with having a right relationship with God, and having a right relationship with people.

David answers the question he asked of the Lord in the first verse of the Psalm, which is our focal verse for today. Here is what he said in today's english.

Psalm 15:2 (NLT) 

2  Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 

I invite you to prayerfully consider the following things in your life, and see how you are doing. By so doing you may discover the secret of living in peace in a fallen, and troubled world.

1. Examine your walk.
2. Examine your works.
3. Examine your words.

This word from David, inspired by God, and illuminated by the Holy Spirit, speaks into my heart, and creates in me a desire to make it my aim, and prayer.

Psalm 16:1-2 (NLT) 

1  Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. 

2  I said to the LORD, "You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you." 

Prayer:

Father, we come into Your presence today with gratitude in our hearts, and the attitude that we can say, "Every good thing I have comes from you".

Father, help us to align our walk, works, and words with Your purpose and plan for our lives. Father, may our lives be more about You, and less about me. In the might 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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Do You Have Access to Help When You Need It Now?

Text:

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) 

16  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

Observation:

As I was reading the One Year Bible this week this passage spoke to me, and today I want to reflex upon David's Psalm.

Psalm 15:1-5 (NLT) 

1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 

2  Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 

3  Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 

4  Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts. 

5  Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever. 

Take a moment to consider the open invitation and access that every person has to communicate, and commune with our Father in heaven. Notice that our focal verse says let us with confidence draw near to God.

Also, think deeply about the benefits of drawing near to God. We receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I'm singing in my heart the lyrics from a song by Nicole Mullen.

"But when I call on Jesus

All things are possible

I can mount on wings like eagles and soar.

When I call on Jesus

Mountains  are gonna fall

'Cause He'll move heaven

And earth to come rescue me when I call."

Prayer:

Father, I am so glad that the doors to the throne room of grace and mercy are always open.

Therefore, I will rest in Your invitation to come to You; I will come with confidence, and with the promise that all of Your children will receive mercy, and find grace in time of need.

Father, I pray that all who hear this encouraging word will draw near to You, and be blessed. 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/

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An Invitation To A Life Of Rest

Text:

Matthew 11:25-30 (HCSB) 

25  At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants. 

26  Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure. 

27  All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal Him. 

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. 

30  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." 

Observation:

Today's topic is based on the revelation that grips my heart, and thrills my soul; the invitation to come to the source of rest.

Jesus says:

Matthew 11:28 (HCSB) 

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

The lyrics of a song is ringing in my heart.

"There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God". This is a place where no person or circumstance can rob you of the rest and peace that God gives.

You may be discouraged, discontented, and disappointed about the unrest in our world today. However, nothing that happens in this world is a surprise to God. This morning I read these comforting words as I opened my eyes to begin a new day.

Isaiah 49:14-16 (HCSB) 

14  Zion says, "The LORD has abandoned me; The Lord has forgotten me!" 

15  "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you. 

16  Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me. 

Do you believe that Jesus will give you rest if you accept His loving and graceful invitation?

The offer rest is a gift from God. However, a gift has to be received in order to do you any good. The next step is yours to take. Jesus is waiting for you with open arms.

Matthew 11:29 (HCSB) 

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, thank You for the loving invitation to find rest in Jesus. Father, I am so grateful that the invitation is to all people. Father, I stretch my hands to Thee, and receive Your invitation to find rest in Jesus. In the precious, and royal 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