The Wisdom of the Proverbs:
Proverbs 22:22-23 (NLT)
22 Don't rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.
23 For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
The Encouragement of the Psalms:
Psalm 50:1 (NLT)
1 The LORD, the Mighty One, is God, and he has spoken; he has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets.
Psalm 50:8-9 (NLT)
8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens.
Psalm 50:14-15 (NLT)
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory."
The Hope of the Old Testament:
Song of Songs 1:5-6 (NLT)
5 I am dark but beautiful, O women of Jerusalem— dark as the tents of Kedar, dark as the curtains of Solomon's tents.
6 Don't stare at me because I am dark— the sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to care for their vineyards, so I couldn't care for myself—my own vineyard.
The Gospel Message:
2 Corinthians 8:1-3 (NLT)
1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.
2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
Observation:
Today the Old Testament passage from the Song of Songs speaks into my heart. The message is a timely one for the times we are living through all that we face in this world.
God speaks to us through this word that Christ loves us. He loves us no matter what others say or thinks about us, and He loves us no matter what we may say or think about ourselves.
Examine your heart. For it is out of your heart that your tongue speaks. Even children know at an early age, "Be careful little tongue what you say for the Father up above looks down below, and hears every word that you speak."
Prayer:
Father God, we exalt Your name and give You the praise, glory, and the thanks that You alone deserve.
Father, I pray for the readers and receivers of the Word of God. Father, I pray that they will hear and receive the Word of God, and the God of the Word into their heart.
Father, I pray that our words of our mouth that say we love God would match the deeds of our living and will bring glory to our Father in heaven.
John 14:21 (NLT)
21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them."
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:
No comments:
Post a Comment