How Do You Respond to Problems?

Text:

Isaiah 41:13 (ESV) 

13  For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you." 

Observation:

Today I am reminded of something that Jesus said to His disciples before His ascension back to heaven.

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." 

If we make it our goal to experience heaven on earth, we put ourselves in the position that is contrary to the revealed teachings of Jesus. He warned us to not expect a trouble free world. Rather, Jesus teaches us to expect trouble in this world.

However, Jesus in that same teaching tells that we can have peace in the midst of our storm tossed life that all of us experience by living in a fallen world.

The goodnews is that Jesus has overcome the world, and He promises to give us His peace; a peace that the world cannot take away from you.

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. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I am so grateful for the peace that Jesus promised to the children of God.

Father, I pray that You would draw us closer to You so that we may experience Your presence, power, and peace in our lives each day that You allow us to live in the world; Father, help us to not be of the world. Father, help us to live as citizens of heaven because of Jesus who lives in us.

Father, may we show by our character on the inside, and our walk on the outside that we belong to You, and You belong to us. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

--

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Are There Some Places You Don’t Go?

Text:

Luke 22:39-42 (ESV) 

39  And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 

40  And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 

41  And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 

42  saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." 

Observation:

In the last days before fulfilling the purpose for which Jesus came into the world, He went to the Mount of Olives to pray.

I noticed that in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus experienced something that was for Him alone. Notice that He took His disciples with Him, but He needed to go to a place where He could be alone with the Father in heaven. There is something about Gethsemane that you, and I cannot understand.

Luke 22:41-42 (ESV) 

41  And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 

42  saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." 

As I ponder this subject, there is a modern day gospel song that speaks to my heart, informs my mind, and thrills my soul. The song is, "Yes God Is Real".

"There are somethings I do not know.

There are some places I can't go.

But, I am sure of this one thing.

That God is real for I can feel Him in my soul."

None of us have ever faced the temptations that Jesus faced. But, thank God because He did, we don't have to. We can pray the Our Father Prayer that Jesus taught His disciples.  

I pray that your testimony will be like that of the Apostle Paul when he wrote these words about how real God was in his life.

2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV) 

12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

Prayer:

Father, I thank You that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives so that we wouldn't have to face the temptations, and bear the penalty of failures when we yield to temptations. We have a way out, and it is in Jesus.

Father, I pray that each of us praying this prayer would not enter into temptation; Father, deliver us from evil in all of its destructive forms.

Father, I am so grateful that Jesus drank the bitter cup so that we could drink the cup of sweetness. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

--

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

The Blessing of Giving Praise to the Lord

Text:

Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV) 

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 

2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 

3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 

4  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 

5  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

Observation:

This morning I woke-up with thanksgiving on my mind. Then, I had a song in my heart. I learned this song in my childhood, and it still speaks into my heart, and informs my daily decisions.

"1. Give of your best to the Master;

Give of the strength of your youth;

Throw your soul's fresh, glowing ardor

Into the battle for truth.

Jesus has set the example,

Dauntless was He, young and brave;

Give Him your loyal devotion;

Give Him the best that you have."

In our focal passage for today, David did not ask the Lord for anything. Rather, he looked back upon His walk with the Lord, and he counted his blessings.

Have you discovered the enormous blessing of giving praise to the Lord? God does not need our praise of Him. Rather, we need the fruit that comes for giving praise to the Lord. I found it to be true that when the praises go up, the blessings come down.

James 1:17 (KJV) 

17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

Why not follow the example of King David, and give the Lord the praise that is due to His most holy, and righteous name.

Psalm 103:1 (KJV) 

1  Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, we extol You, our God, and King of Kings. We will bless Your name today, and forever in glory. Father, every day we will give You the honor, and the glory that You alone deserve. 

Father, let everything that has breathe give praise to Your wonderful, and glorious name, Amen.

--

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Where Do You Turn When You Are Hurting?

Text:

Psalm 102:1-2 (ESV) 

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! 

2  Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! 

Observation: 

One thing that God's people never have to worry about is that God will not hide His face from His children.

Our heavenly Father desires to have a close and intimate relationship with His people.

James 4:8 (ESV) 

8  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) 

28  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." 

One of the verses that speaks to, and encourages me talks about how the Psalmist sees himself as being a member of a community.

Psalm 102:22 (KJV) 

22  When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. 

There is nothing more comforting, and reassuring, than having the members of the community of faith joining together in praise, worship, and prayer.

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful that You hear, and answer the prayers of Your people.

Father, we acknowledge that nothing about our lives are hidden from you, and that You never hide Your face from Your people.

Father, I pray that all of Your believing children will position ourselves to be drawn closer to You, and that we will trust in You with our whole heart. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

--

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

How Are You Doing?

Text:

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." 

Observation:

How many times have you been asked the question, "How Are You Doing?". If you are like me, it is more than you can count.

Today, I received the inspiration to answer that question from my daily bible reading.

It depends on where my mind is focused. Is it focused on my temporary home; this world? Or, is it focused on my eternal home, which is in heaven.

When my focus is on Jesus, and my eternal home, my heart is joyful with delight, and peace. If my focus is on the world; then that's another story.

The reason for the good state of my heart is Jesus. Since Jesus came into my heart I live by faith, and not by sight.

Now I believe in the Truth; not the thief. I believe in the Light; not in the darkness of this world. Now I believe in Jesus; I belong to Him, and He belongs to me.

John 10:10 (ESV) 

10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful that this world is not my home. Father, I am so thankful that You are a loving, and good Father, and that Your children are loved by You. 

Father, the prayer that Jesus prayed for His children, and Your children speaks into, and encourages my heart today.

John 17:9-11 (ESV) 

9  I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 

10  All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 

11  And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 

--

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Is This Aim too High for You?

Text:

Psalm 101:1-4 (ESV) 

1 I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music. 

2  I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; 

3  I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. 

4  A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. 

Observation:

If a man like King David can aim to be blameless, can we who are Christ followers do any less?

I invite you, along with myself, to ponder the aim of being blameless in the eyes of our Father in heaven.

A good place to start in being faithful to the Lord is to sing praises to the Lord. This is what David did, and it's a good example to follow.

Psalm 101:1 (ESV) 

1 I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music. 

If you want to be blameless begin with praise, and continue to be faithful to the Lord. Being blameless is a worthy goal, and one that pleases the Lord.

Psalm 119:1 (ESV) 

1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! 

Prayer:

Father, I pray that when You look into the face of Your people that You will find us blameless in Your eyes. Father, I thank You that You have given us the Holy Spirit to do the heavy lifting. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

--

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

 

Do You Believe God Works?

Text:

Luke 9:37-42 (ESV) 

37  On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 

38  And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 

39  And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 

40  And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." 

41  Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." 

42  While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 

Observation:

In our focal passage for today we are presented with two truths that grip my heart.

The first is that we can't but God can. We don't know who the disciples were that could not help the son of the man who made his appeal to Jesus after the disciples of Jesus could not help the child.

But, the second thing that we see from this passage is that nothing is impossible when we put it in the hands of the Lord.

There is something that encourages my heart as I read, and reflect upon this passage. Jesus has provided the way for those of us who are His disciples to be His extended heart and hand in the healing and helping ministry.

There is something that we can do with every problem we face in this world. We can take it to the Lord in prayer. The key is to have faith in God.

Luke 9:41 (ESV) 

41  Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." 

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Oh how sweet it is to live in Your presence; to know You, and to know Your power.

Father, we pray that You will never have an occasion to look at us, and say, "O faithless and twisted generation". Father, I pray that You would grant us the grace gift of sufficient faith in You so that we would be faithful to You all of the days of our life.

Father, make us mighty men and women of faith who have a pray first attitude; a people who are devoted to prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

--

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/