What Is the Way to Heaven?

Text:

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! 

Observation:

Are you a believer in Jesus? Have you received Him into your life? Notice what the Bible says.

John 1:12-13 (HCSB) 

12  But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, 

13  who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. 

John 3:3 (HCSB) 

3  Jesus replied, "I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 

This is the Gospel of Christ in a nutshell.

John 3:16-18 (HCSB) 

16  "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 

17  For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 

18  Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. 

I appreciate straightforward talk. What has Jesus said about how to have eternal life? How can you live forever in the presence of God? How do you get from this world to heaven?

John 14:6 (HCSB) 

6  Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 

John 5:24 (HCSB) 

24  "I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. 

These are the lyrics of a song expressing a loving invitation from the heart of Jesus to your heart; the title "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling".

"Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

Calling for you and for me;

See, on the portals He's waiting and watching,

Watching for you and for me.

◦ Refrain:

◦ Come home, come home,

◦ You who are weary, come home;

◦ Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

◦ Calling, O sinner, come home!"

Prayer:

Father, I give You the highest praise that my heart can render. Father, Your love is so unconditional, Your grace so amazing, Your forgiveness so far reaching, and Your mercies so tender.

Father, I thank You that the power of the Holy Spirit of God draws people to Jesus, and I pray that He would draw any that have not received Jesus into their life  to Jesus before it is to late. 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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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Why Being Thankful Is Appropriate Everyday

Text:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (HCSB) 

18  Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

Observation:

Every thing that we need in our life is an invitation to have a conversation with the Lord.

The Lord extends an open invitation to His people to bring everything to Him in prayer.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) 

7  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 

It takes faith in God to pray. This promise in the Word gives us confidence that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.

1 John 5:14-15 (HCSB) 

14  Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 

15  And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for. 

The appropriate way for us to begin the conversation with the Lord is to have an attitude of gratitude. A thankful heart that exhibits faith in God is pleasing in the eyes of the Lord. This is the kind of heart attitude that pleases the Lord.

Psalm 107:21-22 (ESV) 

21  Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

22  And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, we praise You for Your great love, and for Your generous provisions for Your people. Father, I pray that we will never appear in Your eyes to be ungrateful.

Father, we offer up to You the sacrifice of our praise, and our gratitude for all of Your goodness, and tender mercies. 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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

What Do Others See in You?

Text:

Ephesians 4:32 (HCSB) 

32  And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. 

Observation: 

A friend recently shared with me that she heard a pastor say, "The one attribute people look for in people is kindness". Do you find this to be true in your life?

I have many be goals in my life, and one of those goals is to "Be kind". Is kindness one of the attributes you look for in others, then sow the seed of kindness into the lives of others.

I found a quote from Lehman Strauss, a pastor I heard speak at an International Conference of Christian Business Men a number of years ago,  that says this.

"Kindness comes from such words as kin and kindred which means that it treats a person as one's own kin".

There are some things that should begin at home, and those of us who are members of the Body of Christ are brothers and sisters. A good beginning is to be kind to one another. If you belong to Christ, you are family with all of God's children.

If we begin to sow seeds of kindness we will reap kindness. One of the laws of the harvest is that we don't reap in the same season that we sow. However, another law says that we reap the same kind that we sow. So, let's decide to live like this.

Romans 12:10 (HCSB) 

10  Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. 

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I ask that You would stir our hearts, and give us a burning desire to show family affection by being kind to one another. Father, help us to treat others in the same manner that You treat us. 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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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What Gives You the Most Satisfaction?

Text:

Psalm 119:107 (ESV) 

107  I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! 

Observation: 

I considered taking a break from writing for publication today. But, the Lord had a better plan.

I love my life, and I view it as a gift from God. I love the Lord because He loved me first.

I am so thankful that the Lord led me to this verse early this morning. It was a very timely, and uplifting message for me; it met a need in my life; it was life giving, inspiring, and gave me just what I needed in this season of my life.

These words will stay with me for a long time, "Give me life, O LORD, according to your word". There is power in the Word.

As I reflect upon these words, I was reminded of the importance of relationships. I value relationships above riches. There is nothing more precious to me.

However, I am also reminded daily of the difficulty of having close, and meaningful relationships. The psalmist reflected this in his words, "I am severely afflicted".

What I have found to be true in my life is that the Lord, and His Word gives me life, it gives me power to live, and overcome any afflictions I will face in life and death.

Today, and everyday, I am grateful to God for the life He has given me. I am so blessed by the presence, plan, provisions, protection, peace, and power of God, which are the gifts that I receive daily from the Lord. God gives daily bread to His people.

I will be eternally grateful for the gift of faith that is the key that gives me access to my creator, my redeemer, and my best friend. I am so blessed to be able to talk to God, and to talk to you; my family and friends, about the one who is the source of life, and who gives His children the resources to live the abundant life.

This is my story, and I love to share it with others. I am so grateful for having God in my life; for the faith that enables me to be in a relationship with Him, and to please Him. 

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. 

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) 

6  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 

Prayer:

Father, I exalt Your name, and give You praise, honor, and glory. Father, I am so thankful for the blessing of life, and the provisions that You give to enjoy life now, and forever. 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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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Wishing You A Happy & Blessed Thanksgiving

Text:

Psalm 100:1-5 (KJV) 

1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 

2  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 

3  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 

4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 

5  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. 

Observation:

Today as we observe Thanksgiving Day in America, it is my prayer that people everywhere, and every day will give praise, and thanksgiving to God.

Why should we give thanksgiving to God?

Psalm 100:5 (KJV) 

5  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. 

Not only should we give thanks to God every day, but we should also give God thanks for everything.

James 1:17 (ESV) 

17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful that we have the privilege of entering into Your presence everyday. With You, there is never a time when You are too busy to meet with us.

Father, with grateful hearts, we join with the family of God in saying thank You LORD for all of our blessings. 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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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The Connection Between Gratitude and Glory

Text:

Psalm 46:1 (AMP) 

1 GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. 

Observation:

A grateful heart and joyful tongue is not a denial of the terrific problems that we face within or without. We all face trials, testings, troubles, and temptations in this world. This is the world; not heaven.

However, we can rejoice always because we rejoice in the LORD always. God is good, and He is good all the time.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (KJV) 

17  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 

18  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

A grateful heart, and lips that speak with thanksgiving, and a life that reflects thanks-living brings glory to us on earth when God opens the windows of heaven. 

Are you ready to be blessed? When the gratitude goes up, the glory comes down.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, we ask that You open the windows of heaven, and shower our needy hearts with gratitude and glory. 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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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Why Do I Believe Now is the Time?

Text:

Hebrews 13:15 (KJV) 

15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 

Observation:

This week in America we will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. One month later we will be celebrating Christmas Day.

I cannot think of a better time to focus on gratitude and giving than in this current season.

Now is the time for Christ followers to be imitators of God in our love for God, and our love for others. If not now, then when?

What have we all received from God that we can be thankful for, and offer to God continually the sacrifice of praise?

I can think of three; His presence, His peace, and His power.

God has said, "I am with you always".

Matthew 28:20 (KJV) 

20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

God has said, "I will give you peace",

John 14:27 (KJV) 

27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

God has said, "Ye shall receive power".

Acts 1:8 (KJV) 

8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Who is willing to agree to begin, and to continuously offer up to God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving?

"And we offer up to You

The sacrifices of thanksgiving;

And we offer up to You

The sacrifices of praise."

Prayer:

Father, we give You the praise, honor, glory, and thanksgiving that only You deserve. Father, we agree that everyday is a day of thanksgiving, and thanks-living. 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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

Do You Know What the Bible Says About Self-Examination?

Text:

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) 

5  Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 

James 1:23-25 (ESV) 

23  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 

24  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 

25  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 

Observation:

Today I have the word love on my mind. 

1 John 3:1-3 (NLT) 

1  See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him. 

2  Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 

3  And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. 

This is how much God has loved you.

John 3:16 (KJV) 

16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

How much do you love God?

Look into the mirror of God's Word, and examine yourself according to this standard.

1 John 3:3 (NLT) 

3  And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. 

God has done His part to keep you pure just as He is pure. Are you experiencing God's amazing love? God is able to make you pure in heart if you receive Him, and obey Him.

Ephesians 3:20 (HCSB) 

20  Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— 

The power that works in us is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is love.

Romans 5:5 (HCSB) 

5  This hope will not disappoint {us}, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your amazing, unconditional, and powerful love for Your children.

Father, help us to appropriate the love that we have within us,  by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, by loving You, and loving one another. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray for all of God's children, Amen.

1 John 4:7-8 (KJV) 

7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 

8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 

--

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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

Have We Lost Our Way?

Text:

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV) 

1  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

2  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 

Observation:

Are you fearful and afraid of what this world has come to? People ask me, "Have you ever seen anything like this?"

I have lived long enough, seen lots of things, and there are lots of things I have not seen, and lots of things I do not know. But, I have learned that I don't have to concern myself about those things because I know the one who sees and knows everything.

I do not look to any person from the past, or the present, or the future, to give me freedom because my freedom comes from my creator and my redeemer.

John 8:34-36 (ESV) 

34  Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 

35  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 

36  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 

Who is your deliverer? Who is your leader?

There are many voices in the world and in the church who are speaking. The voices and the fingers are speaking and pointing in so many ways. Who are you listening to, and who are you following?

I am listening to the voice of God. He speaks to me through His Word, prayer, and other Spirit led people who know God, and are known by Him. The Holy Spirit is my teacher, and guide. I have decided to follow my creator and redeemer; my Savior and my Shepherd.

Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV) 

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

2  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 

3  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

To follow anyone else is to be led astray. Jesus knows the way because He is the way.

John 14:6 (ESV) 

6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Prayer:

Father, I exalt Your name above every name on earth, and in heaven. Father, I am so grateful for Your provisions, power, protection, and peace. So glad that I can live in freedom and in peace because the Prince of Peace has overcome the world. 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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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The Power to Live the Overcoming Life

Text:

Hebrews 10:15-18 (ESV) 

15  And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 

16  "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," 

17  then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." 

18  Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. 

Observation:

The Holy Spirit is the witness that the new covenant is better than the old covenant. He bears witness in the Word.

Jeremiah 31:33-34 (ESV) 

33  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

34  And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." 

The Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of God's people. His presence is the evidence that we are children of God.

Romans 8:9 (ESV) 

9  You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 

If you have received Jesus as your Savior, Jesus also lives in your heart.

Romans 8:10 (ESV) 

10  But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 

This is what Jesus has done for those who believe in, and have received Jesus into their life.

Ephesians 2:13-16 (ESV) 

13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

14  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 

15  by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 

16  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 

Prayer:

Father, I thank You for all that You have done to make us acceptable in Your eyes. Father, I am so grateful that we are never alone in this present world.

Father, I am so thankful for the office work of the Holy Spirit who works in us to empower and encourage us in our walk through this world; a world that Jesus has already overcome.

Are you able to say what the Apostle Paul said?

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) 

20  I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Thank You Father, 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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

 

How Close Are You to God?

Text:

James 1:19-20 (NLT) 

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

20  Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 

Observation:

How do you view the temptations you face in your life? Where do you point your finger, and what do you say with your mouth? The bible says this.

James 1:13-14 (ESV) 

13  Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 

14  But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 

We are all tempted. However, it is not a sin to be tempted. The sin is to yield to temptation. In this we have divine hope, and help.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV) 

12  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 

13  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

The tongue is an unruly member of the body. Notice what the bible says about the tongue. 

James 3:5 (ESV) 

5  So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 

What is the source of the problem with the tongue? The bible identifies the source of what comes out of the mouth. We have a heart problem, and not a mouth problem. Only God can change the heart.

James 3:14 (ESV) 

14  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 

How then shall we live? How do we turn the truth that we believe into what comes out of our mouths? The answer is to draw near to God. In Him alone is truth, and righteousness. Living in His presence daily will give you the power to change your heart to be more like His heart, and to tame your tongue.

James 1:19 (NLT) 

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

Prayer:

Father, I exalt You name above every name on earth and in heaven. Father, this is the prayer, and the cry of my heart for me, and for my brothers and sisters in the name of Jesus the Messiah of God.  Amen.

Psalm 19:14 (KJV) 

14  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. 

--

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. 

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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