God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 14:10 (NLT) 

10  Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 45:6-7 (NLT) 

6  Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. 

7  You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Job 40:1-5 (NLT) 

1  Then the LORD said to Job, 

2  "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?" 

3  Then Job replied to the LORD, 

4  "I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. 

5  I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say." 

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (ESV) 

17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

18  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 

19  that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 

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

21  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

Observation:

What is your motivation for serving the Lord?  The Apostle Paul had a lofty goal. He aimed to please the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:9 (ESV) 

9  So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 

In our selected passage for today, Paul states two spiritual motivations that drove Him to serve the Lord and His people. One was the power of the gospel, and the second was the commission of the Lord.

Prayer:

Father God, we thank You that we don't have to serve You in our human strength because You have given us the gift of the Holy Spirit of God to provide us with the power for service. Father, we are so thankful for all of the members of the  Body of Christ who faithfully serve You.

Romans 8:9 (NLT) 

9  But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 

--

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
¹⁰  And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."

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God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:17-18 (NLT) 

17  Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. 

18  For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 55:22 (MSG) 

22  Pile your troubles on GOD's shoulders— he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Job 36:3 (NLT) 

3  I will present profound arguments for the righteousness of my Creator. 

Job 36:10-12 (NLT) 

10  He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil. 

11  "If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant. 

12  But if they refuse to listen to him, they will be killed by the sword and die from lack of understanding. 

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT) 

16  That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 

17  For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 

18  So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Observation:

When I look around and see all that is going on in the world, I am so glad for the moments when I can be still, and listen to the Word of God, and what my Maker has to say to me. The Psalmist expresses what I feel in my heart in the words of the following Psalm. And, Nehemiah informs and inspires my prayers.

Psalm 43:3-4 (NLT) 

3  Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. 

4  There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God! 

Prayer:

Nehemiah 8:5-6 (NLT) 

5  Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. 

6  Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, "Amen! Amen!" as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 

--

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
¹⁰  And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."

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God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:24-25 (NLT) 

24  Don't befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 

25  or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 44:8 (NLT) 

8  O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. Interlude 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Job 34:2-4 (NLT) 

2  "Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge. 

3  Job said, 'The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.' 

4  So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. 

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NLT) 

1  Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 

2  We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don't try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT) 

4  Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 

Observation:

Job's friend said to him, "Listen to me."Jesus is our friend, and we need to listen when He speaks to us.

I find life to be so much richer when I spend time in the presence of the Lord, hear His voice, and pay attention to Him. We need to recognize this truth, "You have not listened until you have obeyed." 

When we align our hearts with the heart of God, our prayer life is so much more effective. We can pray as Nehemiah prayed, and get the results that he got when we bring the needs of others, and ourselves to the Lord in prayer. It pays in so many ways to listen when God speaks.

Prayer:

Nehemiah 1:10-11 (NLT) 

10  "The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. 

11  O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me." In those days I was the king's cup-bearer. 

--

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
¹⁰  And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."

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God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 28:9 (MSG) 

9  God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 29:10-11 (NLT) 

10  The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. 

11  The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT) 

3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 

4  Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock. 

The Gospel Message:

Galatians 6:9 (NLT) 

9  So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. 

Observation:

In times like these, the people who identify as being members of the Body of Christ need to pray continuously. 

The Lord will do His part. The burden and prayers of my heart are that we will do our part. The Word of God speaks to my heart today of my need for more of God. The power of prayer is that it brings us into the presence of God, and when we are in His presence, everything becomes new. In God's presence, our mountains become molehills. O, for faith to trust and obey Him more.

Prayer:

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NLT) 

20  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 

21  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. 

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
¹⁰  And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."

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God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:6 (NLT) 

6  Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 40:11-12 (NLT) 

11  LORD, don't hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. 

12  For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can't see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Job 21:2-3 (NLT) 

2  "Listen closely to what I am saying. That's one consolation you can give me. 

3  Bear with me, and let me speak. After I have spoken, you may resume mocking me. 

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) 

3  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 

4  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 

Observation:

There is so much in these passages of scriptures to chew on this morning.

But God, when we can invoke the name of our heavenly Father, there is always hope, and help is just a prayer away.

Do you have something to thank God for today? Do you have a prayer to pray to our heavenly Father? He is patiently waiting to hear from His beloved children.The lines to God are never busy, and they are toll-free.

Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) 

3  'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' 

Prayer:

Psalm 40:13 (NLT) 

13  Please, LORD, rescue me! Come quickly, LORD, and help me. 

--

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
¹⁰  And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."

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God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:1 (NLT) 

1  Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 40:1 (NLT) 

1  I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Job 19:25-27 (NLT) 

25  "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. 

26  And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! 

27  I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! 

The Gospel Message:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT) 

13  Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 

14  And do everything with love. 

Observation:

What did God say to you when you read these scriptures?

Often in our lives, we try to change the things on the outside. They may result in us looking better to ourselves, and to others. However, God does not look on the outside. What God looks at is our hearts.

Because of this, what is God saying to you today that speaks to your heart? What will you do with what you heard God say to your heart?

Prayer:

Ephesians 1:16-18 (NLT) 

16  I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 

17  asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 

18  I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 

--

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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God Speaks - The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) 

5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 62:8 (HCSB) 

8  Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge.Selah 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) 

3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 

The Gospel Message:

Romans 8:1-2 (HCSB) 

1  Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, 

2  because the Spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 

Romans 8:12 (NLT) 

12  Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 

Romans 8:38 (NLT) 

38  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 

Prayer:

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT) 

16  Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. 

2 Thessalonians 3:18 (KJV) 

18  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 

--

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
¹⁰  And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."

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God Speaks - - Tuesday, August 22, 2017

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 1:7 (NLT) 

7  Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 23:1-6 (HCSB) 

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

2  He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 

3  He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake. 

4  Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. 

5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

6  Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live. 

The Gospel Message:

John 1:1 (NLT) 

1  In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

John 1:14 (NLT) 

14  So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. 

Prayer:

Ephesians 3:14-21 (KJV) 

14  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

15  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 

16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 

17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 

18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 

19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 

20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 

21  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

--

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
¹⁰  And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."

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How Big Is Your God?

Text:

John 11:25-27 (NLT) 

25  Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 

26  Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?" 

27  "Yes, Lord," she told him. "I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God." 

Observation:

The question today is what do you believe about life and death?

What is the source for your beliefs? Notice what the Bible says in the following passage.

John 20:30-31 (NLT) 

30  The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 

31  But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name. 

What you believe matters. If you have doubts, read the Gospel of John for yourself. The stakes are too high to get this wrong.

John 3:36 (NLT) 

36  And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment." 

Prayer:

Father God, our heart aches for those who have not yet believed in the name of Jesus as the source of eternal life. Father, I pray for a Holy Spirit sent revival to sweep our country, and the world, and turn the hearts of nonbelievers to Jesus.

Father, I pray that believers everywhere will cry out to You, and share the Gospel of Christ everywhere because we are closer than ever to the end of the season of grace. God is patiently waiting for people to come to Jesus and receive eternal life.

2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) 

9  The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 

--

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
¹⁰  And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."

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God Speaks

Title: God Speaks

The Wisdom of the Proverbs

Proverbs 21:23 (NLT) 

23  Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms

Psalm 36:5-7 (NLT) 

5  Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. 

6  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD. 

7  How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. 

The Gospel Message

Romans 1:16 (NLT) 

16  For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 

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. 

--

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
¹⁰  And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."

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How to Live With Joy In Times Like These

Text:

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT) 

6  So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 

7  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 

Observation:

The lyrics of this Mahalia Jackson song speaks into my heart as I ponder this topic.

"Soon I will be done

With the troubles of the world

Troubles of the world

Troubles of the world

Soon I will be done

Troubles of the world

I'm going home to live with God."

There are more than enough worries and cares in our lives. They begin in our own lives, and we take them everywhere we go. I read something recently that said, "Our churches would be great except for the people."

The lyrics from the above song says, "Soon I will be done with the troubles of the world, I'm going home to live with God."

What do we do in the meantime? I read a post on Social Media recently that said, "We need to respond to hate with love; not more hate." The Saint Francis Prayer just popped into my head.

"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life". 

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Father, your Son, told us, that in the world we would have troubles and that He had overcome the world. Father, we give our cares to You and receive Your peace.

Father, help us to get through these trying time by showing love, and not hate. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

--

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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