God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 23:4-5 (NLT) 

4  Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 

5  In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 55:1-2 (NLT) 

1  Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! 

2  Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. 

Psalm 55:22 (NLT) 

22  Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Isaiah 11:1-3 (NLT) 

1  Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. 

2  And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 

3  He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. 

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) 

9  Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Observation:

A Quotable Quote:

"The great King, immortal, invisible, the divine person called the Holy Ghost, it is he that quickens the soul."

C.H. Spurgeon

Prayer:

Father God, we praise and thank You for who You are and for what You do for Your people.

Father, thank You for loving us with an everlasting love. We are so grateful for the Holy Spirit of God who quickens our soul and is the source of all we need to fulfill our purpose with passion.

--

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 - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:29 (MSG) 

29  Observe people who are good at their work— skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 14:1 (NLT) 

1 Only fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Isaiah 3:1 (NLT) 

1  The Lord, the LORD of Heaven's Armies, will take away from Jerusalem and Judah everything they depend on: every bit of bread and every drop of water, 

Isaiah 4:2 (NLT) 

2  But in that day, the branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious; the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of all who survive in Israel. 

Isaiah 5:20-21 (NLT) 

20  What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. 

21  What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. 

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NLT) 

13  These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 

14  But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 

15  So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. 

Observation:

God created each of us for a purpose. There is nothing more gratifying or rewarding than doing that purpose with passion and persistence. To do that you need a compelling why. Notice that the Apostle Paul had a powerful why that drove his passion for knowing and doing the will of God.

2 Corinthians 11:10-11 (NLT) 

10  As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 

11  Why? Because I don't love you? God knows that I do. 

Prayer:

Father God, these are difficult days and hard times for many. However, we know that You love us with an everlasting love.

Father, when troubles, trials, and temptations knock at the door of our lives, we know what to do, and where to go. We will accept the invitation of Jesus, and run into His loving arms of protection and provisions. We are so grateful that we can find rest in a weary land, and shelter in the season of storms.

Matthew 11:28 (NLT) 

28  Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 

--

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:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

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God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:26-27 (NLT) 

26  Don't agree to guarantee another person's debt or put up security for someone else. 

27  If you can't pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 52:8-9 (NLT) 

8  But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God's unfailing love. 

9  I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Isaiah 1:18-20 (NLT) 

18  "Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. 

19  If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. 

20  But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!" 

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NLT) 

4  We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 

5  We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 

Observation:

O how we need to turn our minds from personal preferences and turn our hearts to God. Why have so many turned from God, and depend solely upon human flesh for deliverance?

John 3:20 (NLT) 

20  All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 

We need to meditate and activate the teaching of the Apostle Paul encouraged in his letter to the church at Corinth.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT) 

5  We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 

The only hope for our world is not a man, but God. The change that we need will come when God's people decide to make Jesus the Lord of their life.

"Christ is either Lord of all, or he is not Lord at all."

James Hudson Taylor

Prayer:

Father, help us by the power of the Holy Spirit of God to give our all to You and receive  Your all to enable us to live the overcoming life that You intend for us to live in this fallen world.

O, that the Body of Christ will pray it down, lift Christ up, and live out the will of God in our daily walk in this world.

--

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:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Listen to all of the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

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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 51:1-2 (NLT) 

1  Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 

2  Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Song of Songs 5:8 (NLT) 

8  Make this promise, O women of Jerusalem— If you find my lover, tell him I am weak with love. 

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NLT) 

6  Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 

Observation:

What type of giver are you? The Apostle Paul describes two in the letter to the church at Corinth. One gives sparingly and the second gives generously. 

If you want to enjoy the spiritual blessings that come from giving, you must give gladly, and not of necessity.

I have found it to be true that you really can't beat God giving, no matter how much you give. Notice what the Bible says about the blessings of those who give gladly and generously.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT) 

8  And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 

Prayer:

Father, our hearts are so thankful for the inexpressible gifts of love that we have we received from You.

Father, we ask that You would condition our hearts to give gladly and generously to others in the manner that You have given to us.

2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV) 

15  Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! 

--

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:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

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God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

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:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

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God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:20-21 (NLT) 

20  I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. 

21  In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 49:1-3 (NLT) 

1  Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! 

2  High and low, rich and poor—listen! 

3  For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Ecclesiastes 1:8 (NLT) 

8  Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. 

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NLT) 

14  I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. 

The Gospel Message:

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NLT) 

6  Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 

7  After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. 

8  So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 

Observation:

A game changer is when you begin to realize that life in this world is hard. The sun shines on the good and the bad. The rain falls on the just and the unjust.

If your worldview is that this life is all there is and after death there is nothing; you are indeed facing an unhappy existence now, and no hope for life after death.

Life is hard under the sun. But, for the people of God, we don't have to live under the sun. We can rise above the troubles of the world because of what Jesus has done for us. The following passage from the Gospel of John has some goodnews for us today.

John 16:33 (NLT) 

33  I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." 

The real joy in life comes from knowing God and living in His presence every day. God will make you holy like He is holy.

Prayer:

Father, I am so thankful that there is more to life than living under the sun. Father, we look up, and we set our sights on life above the sun. Father, we live in Your presence because in Your presence we can enjoy life in the world, and have the promise of living forever in Your presence.

Father, we embrace the wisdom that Solomon shared of a better life than life under the sun. Father, although with our eyes we can't see everything, we rest in the knowledge that You see and know everything.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT) 

11  Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. 

--

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:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

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God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:17-19 (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. 

19  I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the LORD. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 46:1-3 (NLT) 

1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 

2  So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 

3  Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Job 40:6-9 (NLT) 

6  Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: 

7  "Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. 

8  "Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? 

9  Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? 

Job 42:4-6 (NLT) 

4  You said, 'Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.' 

5  I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. 

6  I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance." 

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NLT) 

1  As God's partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God's kindness and then ignore it. 

2  For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation. 

Observation:

My prayer for you today is that, by faith in God, you will be able to say what Job said after all the suffering he had in his life.

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!

Prayer:

Father, help us never to forget that You are God and that we are not. Father, we praise and thank You that You know our frame, and You remember that You made us out of dirt because You said it in the Bible.

--

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:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Listen to all of the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry