Where Do You Look for Help and Hope?

Text:

Psalm 41:10-13 (ESV) 

10  But you, O LORD, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them! 

11  By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. 

12  But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. 

13  Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen. 

Observation:

I love reading the Psalms because they give encouragement to my heart, and the strength I need to live one day at a time.

In the first portion of this Psalm David looked within (verses 1-3), and in the second portion he looked around (verses 7-9).

However, in our focal passage for today (verses 10-13), the Psalmist looked up. When we look up we have hope, and we get the help we need.

Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV) 

1  I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 

2  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 

The Lord is a good shepherd, and He provides for the needs of His people. The Lord provides for all of our needs.

Psalm 23:1 (HCSB) 

1 The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 

My heart is singing praises to God for His work in the hearts, and lives of His people.

"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, hallowed be Your name. Father, my faith is anchored in You. Father, with changed, and grateful hearts, we look up to You, and receive the help, and hope that we need.

Philippians 4:19-20 (HCSB) 

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

20  Now to our God and Father be glory 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:

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What Governs Your Life?

Text:

Mark 7:5 (HCSB) 

5  Then the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, "Why don't Your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders, instead of eating bread with ritually unclean hands?" 

Observation: 

I'm so glad that the Pharisees and the scribes asked Jesus the question that is our focal passage for today.

The believers of every age must guard against the practice of elevating rituals, and traditions above the Word of God.

Mark 7:6-9 (HCSB) 

6  He answered them, "Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. 

7  They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men. 

8  Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men." 

9  He also said to them, "You completely invalidate God's command in order to maintain your tradition! 

The Pharisees and the scribes were good at cleaning up the outside with many rules, and regulations. However, their rules, and regulations could not  clean the heart.

It is the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit of God doing His office work in our lives that will change the heart.

David, a man after God's heart said this concerning his heart; a heart that needed a change.

Psalm 51:10 (HCSB) 

10  God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

The Apostle Paul points the way to having a changed heart; a heart after God's heart.

Acts 15:8-9 (HCSB) 

8  And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us. 

9  He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your most holy, and righteous name. Father, I acknowledge that You alone can change our hearts.

Father, we thank You for Your divine work in changing us on the inside, and revealing from the inside to the outside Your presence in us for a watching world to see.

Ephesians 2:10 (HCSB) 

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. 

Father, we thank You, and praise You for the finished work of Jesus on our behalf. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (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. 

--

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 We Should Guard Our Mouth

Text:

Proverbs 10:11-12 (HCSB) 

11  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 

12  Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses. 

Observation:

When I read this Proverb, I was reminded of a song that our children were taught. It had these words in one of the verses; the song was "Be Careful".

"O be careful little tongue what you say 

For the Father up above 

Is looking down in love 

So be careful little tongue what you say. "

The wisdom in this Proverb would be a great benefit, and a blessing to all who would hear it, and do it.

Proverbs 10:1 (NLT) 

1  The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. 

Notice this line from the song "For the Father up above is looking down in love".

This is what our Father in heaven says to His children on earth.

John 13:34-35 (HCSB) 

34  "I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 

35  By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 

Prayer:

Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV) 

9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 

10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 

11  Give us this day our daily bread. 

12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for 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:

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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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The Responsibility of the Hearer

Text:

Mark 4:24-25 (ESV) 

24  And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 

25  For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." 

Observation:

Jesus says in this discourse the hearer has responsibility for what we hear, and how we use what we hear. Notice what else the bible says about this important matter of how we handle the Word.

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) 

15  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 

Acts 17:11 (ESV) 

11  Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 

Acts 17:26-27 (HCSB) 

26  From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 

27  [He did this] so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 

God has done, and continues to do His part. He has given us His Word to speak to us, and the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and tutor.

1 John 2:26-27 (HCSB) 

26  I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 

27  The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don't need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie; just as He has taught you, remain in Him. 

Mark 4:23 (ESV) 

23  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I am so grateful that You have given us the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit to help and guide us to the way, the truth, and the eternal life You provide to all who receive Jesus.

Psalm 119:130 (AMP) 

130  The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple. 

Father, I ask that You would lead and guide Your people, and I pray that each of us would surrender to Your will and Your way. 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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Are You A Prepared Sower of the Word?

Text:

Mark 4:14 (ESV) 

14  The sower sows the word. 

Observation:

In this section of the gospel of Mark, Jesus talks about different types of soil where the sower sows the word of God.

Let's look at the sowing that produced the best harvest.

Mark 4:8-9 (ESV) 

8  And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." 

9  And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 

The good soil produces the best harvest. Listen to the explanation that Jesus gives the disciples.

Mark 4:20 (ESV) 

20  But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." 

There is no greater joy for the sower than to sow the Word of God into the lives of people who have been prepared by the office work of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to guide you to the people who He has prepared to receive His Word.

Psalm 126:5-6 (ESV) 

5  Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! 

6  He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. 

O that in this season we would see a preparation of hearts for the sowing of the Word, and the preparation of hearts to receive the Word. My soul is singing this old hymn of the faith.

"Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,

Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves."

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the privilege for being able to participate in the sowing of the Word of God. Father, help us always pray, and go on the basis of this promise.

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. 

Father, I pray that the Holy Spirit will do His office work in the hearts of the sowers, readers, and the hearers of Your divine Word. 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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Are You A Member of the Family of God?

Text:

Mark 3:31-35 (ESV) 

31  And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 

32  And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you." 

33  And he answered them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" 

34  And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 

35  For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother." 

Observation:

Mary, the mother of Jesus, had other children after the birth of Jesus. However, they did not all believe in Jesus.

John 7:1-5 (ESV) 

1  After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 

2  Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. 

3  So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 

4  For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." 

5  For not even his brothers believed in him. 

Our human family, our kinfolk by birth, may not always be in agreement with us, and those family relationships can sometimes be difficult and divisive.

However, there is another kinship that Jesus describes, and that kinship is based on a common relationship with God. This is how Jesus describes it.

Mark 3:35 (ESV) 

35  For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother." 

Are you a member of the family of God? The most important thing for God's people is to be with Him. There is nothing that can compare with abiding in Christ.

Mark 3:14 (ESV) 

14  And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.

Without God in our life, there is no way for us to make it through this world with all of its troubles, trials, and temptations we face daily.

John 15:5 (ESV) 

5  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I am so grateful for Your presence and power in the lives of Your people.

Father, help us to be devoted to our spiritual health by living in Your presence daily, and to follow the example of Jesus by being men and women of the Word, and prayer. Father, may we be hearers and doers of the Word. 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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Does These Two Words Describe the People You Cherish?

Text:

Proverbs 10:1-2 (ESV) 

1  The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. 

2  Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. 

Observation:

The two words that speak to me from this Proverb are wise and righteous. This was the desire that Solomon and his wife had for their children. These two attributes are linked because the wise will practice righteousness, and the righteous will grow in wisdom.

Those who have these qualities are people you enjoy being in their company. Notice that children like this bring joy, and not grief, to their parents.

People like this seize the opportunities that they have in life. This especially speaks of those who know God, and walk in His ways.

Proverbs 10:5 (ESV) 

5  He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. 

There is something else that people with wisdom and righteousness do that pleases God, and blesses others; they seek knowledge, and they share it with others.

Proverbs 10:14 (NLT) 

14  Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster. 

Proverbs 10:21 (NLT) 

21  The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. 

Finally, people who have wisdom and live righteously, have the discipline to listen; they know when to be quiet.

Proverbs 10:19 (ESV) 

19  When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I thank You for the presence of the triune God that lives in the hearts of Your people.

Father, I pray that as we surrender our lives to You that we would receive the grace gifts that enables us to grow in wisdom, and to live righteously in this fallen world.

Let all who know these things, and seek to practice them in their daily lives join our hearts, and lips together, and say a hearty 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 Really Know the Lord?

Text:

Exodus 33:12-14 (ESV) 

12  Moses said to the LORD, "See, you say to me, 'Bring up this people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' 

13  Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." 

14  And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 

Observation:

What is your purpose for being alive? What has God gifted you to do? Who is your source for help in accomplishing your purpose?

The Lord gave Moses a huge assignment.  Moses talked to the Lord, and the Lord talked to Moses. Do you have a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord?

Let's examine some of the elements of the relationship that Moses had with the Lord.

Psalm 103:7-8 (ESV) 

7  He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 

8  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 

Notice that the Lord made known his ways to Moses. The key for Moses was his habit of talking to the Lord, and trusting in the Lord.

If you are willing to look to the Lord, He will give you the strength you need to accomplish your purpose.

Philippians 4:13 (ESV) 

13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Let's go to the Lord in prayer; trust in Him, and ask Him to exchange our weakness for His strength. Then take the next step in doing what the Lord tells you to do. Don't forget, that you are never alone, and you always have everything you need to do God's will.

Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV) 

5  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 

6  So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" 

Prayer:

Psalm 62:5-8 (ESV) 

5  For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 

6  He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 

7  On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 

8  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah 

--

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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What Would An Inventory of Your Life Look Like?

Text:

Proverbs 9:6-12 (NLT) 

6  Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment." 

7  Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. 

8  So don't bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. 

9  Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. 

10  Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 

11  Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 

12  If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. 

Observation:

It's amazing what you will hear when you take the time to listen to the voice of wisdom.

Notice this promise from the Book of Wisdom.

Proverbs 9:10 (NLT) 

10  Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 

The God of the Bible, the creator of every living being, has a wonderful plan for your life. Notice what he said about one of his children, and when He said it.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) 

11  For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 

Is this the kind of life that you would like to have? The God who gave you life knows everything about you. There is nothing that is too difficult for the Lord. 

Jeremiah 1:4-8 (NLT) 

4  The LORD gave me this message: 

5  "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." 

6  "O Sovereign LORD," I said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!" 

7  The LORD replied, "Don't say, 'I'm too young,' for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 

8  And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!" 

Prayer:

Matthew 6:9-13 (AMP) 

9  Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. 

10  Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

11  Give us this day our daily bread. 

12  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. 

13  And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. 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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