God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 28:11 (NLT) 

 Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 119:33-34 (NLT) 

Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end. 

 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 119:35-40 (NLT) 

 Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. 

 Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! 

 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. 

 Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you. 

 Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. 

 I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness. 

The Gospel Message:

1 Peter 2:1-3 (NLT) 

 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 

 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 

 now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. 

Observation:

The following verse describes the experience I had last night before going to bed.

Psalm 119:130 (KJV) 

 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 

Then, this morning the first thing I saw was a Facebook notification from a friend who is in the hospital preparing for surgery this afternoon. He posted the following message that was a handwritten note in his Bible next to Psalm 139.

"God is honored best when we give our worst moments to Him."

He believes this was said by Joe Atkinson, guest speaker at FBC Valdez in the fall of 1994.

Psalm 139:5-7 (NLT) 

 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 

 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! 

 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! 

Prayer:

Father, we are so thankful that You are always with Your children. Father, it comforts us to know that in our worst moments You are with us and that it is in those moments You get the most glory.

Romans 8:39 (NLT) 

 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

O, how blessed are the people who trust in the Lord with their whole heart, and lean not on their own understanding declares the Word of God and all who agree let's say together, 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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God Speaks - Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 28:4 (NLT) 

 To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. 

Proverbs 28:9 (NLT) 

 God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 119:27-28 (NLT) 

 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. 

 I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 119:27-32 (NLT) 

 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. 

 I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. 

 Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. 

 I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. 

 I cling to your laws. LORD, don't let me be put to shame! 

 I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding. 

The Gospel Message:

1 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT) 

 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 

 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 

Observation:

Are you a breaker or keeper of the law of God? When God speaks, do you listen and obey?

The Wisdom of the Proverbs verses tells us that the keeping of the law promotes righteousness, and enables God to answer our prayers.

Prayer:

Father God, as we read, listen, and meditate on Your Word today, we unite our hearts with the Psalmist in asking You to open the eyes of our hearts so that we might know Your will and do it.

Psalm 119:18 (NLT) 

 Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. 

Father, we have so much to be grateful for, so we offer up to You the sacrifice that is pleasing to Your eyes, the surrender of our whole life to You. We give the highest praise to God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

--

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 28:11 (NLT) 

 Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 119:1-3 (NLT) 

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. 

 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 

 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 119:4-8 (NLT) 

 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. 

 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! 

 Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. 

 As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! 

 I will obey your decrees. Please don't give up on me! 

The Gospel Message:

James 5:10-11 (NLT) 

 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 

 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. 

Observation:

There is a lot of pain, suffering, and sin in this world today. It is all around us. I am reminded of a song that says, "In times like these, you need a Savior." Do you have an anchor on which you can build your life?

There is not one among us who is perfect. When pointing at others, three fingers are looking back at us.

Romans 3:21-23 (HCSB) 

 But now, apart from the law, God's righteousness has been revealed—attested by the Law and the Prophets 

 —that is, God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. 

 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I pray that the Holy Spirit of God will fall afresh within the hearts of Your people, and on the hearts of nonbelievers until every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Father, tune our hearts to be hearers and doers of the Word of God. Father, teach us to pray prayers like this and be quick to obey.

Psalm 119:5 (NLT) 

 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! 

Psalm 119:7-8 (NLT) 

 As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! 

 I will obey your decrees. Please don't give up on 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."

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 28:1 (NLT) 

 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 117:1-2 (NLT) 

 Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. 

 For he loves us with unfailing love; the LORD's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD! 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Ezekiel 37:3-5 (NLT) 

 Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?" "O Sovereign LORD," I replied, "you alone know the answer to that." 

 Then he said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, 'Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! 

 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! 

The Gospel Message:

James 1:19-22 (NLT) 

 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 

 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 

 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. 

 But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 

Observation:

Notice what the Bible says about the power of the Word of God.

James 1:21 (NLT) 

 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. 

The Word of God has the power to save your life. It is a mirror to help examine ourselves and see ourselves from the inside. In conjunction with the office work of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God will reveal the condition of our heart.

Notice what David said about the condition of his heart as He cried out to the Lord for help and healing.

Psalm 51:9-10 (NLT) 

 Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. 

 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 

Psalm 119:11 (NLT) 

 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 

Reading the Word and studying the Word is not enough. The blessing is in the doing of the Word of God.

James 1:22 (NLT) 

 But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, we pray like David, "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me."

Father, enable us by Thy power to be hearers and doers of the Word of God.

--

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 27:23-24 (HCSB) 

 Know well the condition of your flock, and pay attention to your herds, 

 for wealth is not forever; not even a crown lasts for all time. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 116:1-2 (NLT) 

 I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. 

 Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 116:3-7 (NLT) 

 Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. 

 Then I called on the name of the LORD: "Please, LORD, save me!" 

 How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! 

 The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. 

 Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me. 

The Gospel Message:

James 1:2-5 (NLT) 

 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 

 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 

 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 

 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 

Observation:

What are your ten most significant problems? Identify the two that are the highest priority. Are you able to resolve them by yourself?

Do you know the Sovereign God of the universe? Do you believe that nothing is too difficult for Him? Are you a child of God? Do you believe that He loves you and cares deeply and compassionately for you?

If so, why don't you bow the knee and take your weighty burden and your deepest cares to the Lord in prayer? Today is the time to pray mammoth prayers to the God who can help you.

Prayer:

Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) 

 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, 

 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."

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 27:22 (NLT) 

 You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 115:1 (HCSB) 

 Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your faithful love, because of Your truth. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 115:13-18 (NLT) 

 He will bless those who fear the LORD, both great and lowly. 

 May the LORD richly bless both you and your children. 

 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 

 The heavens belong to the LORD, but he has given the earth to all humanity. 

 The dead cannot sing praises to the LORD, for they have gone into the silence of the grave. 

 But we can praise the LORD both now and forever! Praise the LORD! 

The Gospel Message:

Hebrews 13:7-8 (NLT) 

 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. 

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Observation:

Being a Christian and living the Christian life was never meant to be a solo act. We need each other. We are to remember those who the Lord has appointed to lead His people.

However,  the anchor of your faith and trust should be in Jesus Christ, and not in your leaders. The reason is this, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

It is by obeying our leaders, following Jesus Christ, and loving one another with the love of the Lord that we will be able to live the abundant life, and not be led astray by false doctrine.

Hebrews 13:1 (NLT) 

 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 

Hebrews 13:9 (NLT) 

 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them. 

Prayer:

Father, we exalt and glorify Your name. Father, we pray that You would bind Your people together so that we will be one people in the same manner that You and Your Father are one.

Father, my heart's desire is that we will never stop praising You and that we will never stop loving You and one another.

Hebrews 13:25 (NLT) 

 May God's grace be with you 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."

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 27:18 (NLT) 

 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer's interests will be rewarded. 

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 113:1-3 (KJV) 

 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. 

 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. 

 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised. 

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 114:1-2 (NLT) 

 When the Israelites escaped from Egypt— when the family of Jacob left that foreign land— 

 the land of Judah became God's sanctuary, and Israel became his kingdom. 

Psalm 114:7 (NLT) 

 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. 

The Gospel Message:

Hebrews 12:14-15 (NLT) 

 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 

 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 

Observation:

I find something in each of today's focal passages that speak volumes into my heart. As you meditate upon them, what are they saying to your heart?

It is not enough to know the ways of God, we must do the will of God every day of our life, and every moment. Every decision we make shapes the course of our life.

God speaks to us at the point of our need. Stay close to God and allow Him to have His way and His will to be done in your life.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, we declare that You are holy, sovereign, and faithful in all that You say and do. Father, we acknowledge that You are the potter and we are the clay. We willingly submit to Your will and plans for our life. Father, consecrate our hearts to Thee.

"Take my will and make it Thine,

It shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart; it is Thine own,

It shall be Thy royal throne."

Frances R. Havergal

--

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