How Do You Look In God’s Eyes?

Text:

Proverbs 16:1-3 (HCSB) 

1  The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 

2  All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives. 

3  Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved. 

Observation: 

As Samuel was searching for a king to reign over God's people in Israel he went to the house of Jesse in his search. Here is the response of God to Samuel concerning one of the sons of Jesse who looked good in the eyes of Samuel.

1 Samuel 16:7 (HCSB) 

7  But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart." 

Since God looks so intently at our heart, should we not pay more attention to our heart?

Proverbs 4:23 (HCSB) 

23  Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. 

We reveal what is in our heart by what we say, and by what we do. We need the standard of God's Word to guard our hearts.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV) 

11  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 

Why not ask the Lord to search your heart. Prayer is two way conversation. Therefore, read God's Word, and allow the Spirit of God to teach you God's will, and His way. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) 

5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

6  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 

Prayer:

Father, we adore You, and ascribe to You the honor and the glory that You alone deserve.

Father, search our hearts today, and burn Your Word deep into our hearts. Father, guide and empower us by the Holy Spirit to know Your will, and to do it. 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. 

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

When God Turned My Weeping Into Joy

Text:

Matthew 26:35 (HCSB) 

35 "Even if I have to die with You," Peter told Him, "I will never deny You!" And all the disciples said the same thing. 

Matthew 26:36-38 (HCSB) 

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told the disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 

37 Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 

38 Then He said to them, "My soul is swallowed up in sorrow—to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with Me."

Matthew 26:40 (HCSB) 

40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, "So, couldn't you stay awake with Me one hour?

Observation:

Ecclesiastes 11:1 (KJV) 

1  Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 

Today, I share a devotional I wrote in March 2012. It came to my attention because someone read it yesterday. I was prompted to read it because my wife died six days after I wrote this, and I was curious about what was on my heart that day. This is what I wrote that day in March 2012. The Word came back to bless me, and I share it with a prayer that it will bless you.

The Word of God for encouragement today touches me in a place where I am very needy. Living in the world is hard for me, but not for my heavenly Father. The bible says that, "Nothing is too difficult for God".

Jesus could not depend upon even the promises of his most trusted disciples. In his hour of deepest need he had a resource that never fails. 

The source of Jesus' strength to obey came from his relationship with God the Father.

What a powerful lesson and example Jesus has left for us. In the time of our greatest need, we can go to God in prayer, and find the strength we need to do God's will.

John 17:26 (HCSB) 

26 I made Your name known to them and will make it known, so the love You have loved Me with may be in them and I may be in them.

Prayer: 

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that I have the same privilege to pray that Jesus had to pray. 

Father God, I pray that I will be as devoted to prayer that my Savior was devoted to prayer. If ever God's people needed to pray, it seems to me that we need to pray during these trying and difficult times. 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. 

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

What Voices Are You Listening To?

Text:

Isaiah 55:6-7 (KJV) 

6  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 

7  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 

Observation:

When you face the difficult days of your life where do you turn for help? Do you have a source that you completely trust?

There is one to whom we can look and find hope and help. It is the Lord who is our maker, deliverer, and our keeper. God is a promise-keeping God.

2 Chronicles 15:2 (HCSB) 

2  So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you. 

James 4:8 (HCSB) 

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

Life in this world is hard. However, God is good, and the desire of His heart is to give you life.

When you come to the end of yourself, you will find the arms of the Son of God open wide to receive you. Why not look to the Lord today, and find in Him life that is everlasting.

"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, I am so grateful for Your wonderful love, and amazing grace.  Father, I am so thankful that You are the God of hope and change; that nothing is too difficult for You.

Romans 15:13 (HCSB) 

13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe ⌊in Him⌋ so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Father, we conclude our prayer today with the prayer of David; a man with a heart like Yours with the plea that You would make our hearts like David's heart. In the might name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Psalm 32:6 (HCSB) 

6  Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him. 

--

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. 

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

Are You A Witness of What God Can Do?

Text:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) 

1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Observation:

There is such great value and benefit in hearing the testimonies from those who have found God to be a present help in their season of trouble. The writer of Hebrews points the readers in Hebrews chapter eleven to the heroes of faith.

The Apostle Paul reminds the believers in his letter to the church at Rome of the value of reading and learning from the saints of old.

Romans 15:4 (ESV) 

4  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 

In times like these we could use a heavy dosage of endurance and encouragement.

Yesterday at our senior adult luncheon one of the testimonies given said this, "I did not receive any water in my home, but I could see it approaching in my neighborhood". She said, "I just prayed Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus". She was able to testify that God heard her prayer, and no water came into her home.

Others testified that they loss all that earthly possessions; home and automobiles. But, they gained something of far greater value. They experienced  the love of family; their relatives, friends, neighbors, their church family, and the Body of Christ from around the world. These witnesses were filled with hope for the future, and they had more faith in God than ever.

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful to know that the God who created us has not left us alone in this world.

John 1:1 (ESV) 

1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

John 1:14 (ESV) 

14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

Father, I delight to bear witness that Jesus is alive, and that He lives in me. He loves me with an everlasting love, and I believe His promise that He will never leave me or forsake me. 

Father, thank You for the endurance and encouragement we receive when we fix our eyes upon Jesus. In His mighty name 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. 

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

Do You Know the Source of Peace?

Text:

John 16:33 (KJV) 

33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

Observation:

Before saying the last words that are recorded in John 16, which is our text for today, Jesus asked his  disciples a very penetrating and pertinent question.

John 16:31 (KJV) 

31  Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 

This question of Jesus to his disciples was prompted by their response to his teaching and admonition to them of what life would be like for them in the world after his departure.

John 16:30 (ESV) 

30  Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God." 

What do you believe about Jesus? Do you believe that He is the source of peace?

Jesus said, "That in me ye might have peace". Do you believe this? If so, why not be an instrument in your home, church, and community by being an ambassador who spreads peace.

What a wonderful change could happen in our world if the people of God, who are filled with the peace of God, would spread that peace everywhere they went.

Let the words of this ancient song become your song.

Peace is flowing like a river,

flowing out from you and me,

flowing out into the desert,

setting all the captives free

John 7:38 (ESV) 

38  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" 

Prayer:

Holy God, our Father in heaven, we lift our voices in praise to You, and ask that You would unleash a flow of living waters from the lives of your people so that the peace of God may flow like a mighty river, and fill the whole earth with Your presence, power, and peace. 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. 

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

Are You Facing Problems Beyond Your Strength?

Text:

Matthew 19:26 (ESV) 

26  But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 

Observation:

Do you ever get the feeling that life is just one problem after another? As long as we live in this fallen world we will have problems. The question then becomes how to deal with the challenges we face in living in this world.

As I focused on our text for today, I was reminded of a thought from a teaching I did many years ago on the topic of prayer.

"Our problems are God's raw materials for a miracle". God is bigger than any problem you will ever encounter.

Let's look at the context in which Jesus spoke the words of our text, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible".

Matthew 19:24-25 (ESV) 

24  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." 

25  When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 

What problems are you facing in your life today that are posing as mission impossible?

Why not give those problems to God in prayer, and have faith in Him that He can turn your problems into solutions; your defeat into victory.

What A Friend We Have in Jesus - John Scriven

"What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!"

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I praise and thank You for being a God in whom we can trust with our whole heart, and that nothing is too difficult for You.

Father, help us to learn to lean hard of You, and not try to carry on our shoulders burdens that we are not able to bear. Father, You invite us to cast all of our cares upon You.

Father, give us the faith to release our problems to you, and receive the blessings that You want to give us from Your tender heart, and powerful hands. 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. 

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

What Do You Do When You Are In the Wilderness?

Text:

Psalm 63:1-6 (KJV) 

1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 

2  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 

3  Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 

4  Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 

5  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 

6  When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 

Observation: 

This Psalm was written when David was experiencing one of the wilderness experiences in his life.

If you have been there, you know that these experiences can really be painful.

Our focal passage for today reveals where our focus should be to move us from pain to pleasure. David used the circumstance of being in the wilderness to take inventory of his life. 

In doing this inventory David discovered three important things that he still had in the midst of his pain. This is what he remembered.

1. He still had his God. When you have God He is all you need.

Psalm 63:2 (KJV) 

2  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 

2. He still had his song.  Singing will get you through your pain. It's always a good thing to sing praises to God.

Psalm 63:4 (KJV) 

4  Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 

3. He still had his joy. Your circumstances may rob you of happiness, but you can have joy in the midst of your circumstances. You can have joy in the Lord always; anytime and anywhere.

Psalm 63:6 (KJV) 

6  When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 

Prayer:

Father, we give glory and honor to You. Father, we are grateful for the grace that allows us to know You, and be known by You.

Father, we thank You for the encouragement that we get from the Psalms. Father, we pray for those who are currently going through a wilderness experience in their life.

Father, I pray that they will find hope and help in the inventory that David took in his wilderness experience. 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. 

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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