Do You Know How to Have A Good Friday?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

 

Today's Cup of Friday Morning Encouragement by Herb Cotton 

Bible Text for Today's Meditation and Application: 

Hebrews 12:1-4 King James Version (KJV)

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God:

When the world appears a chaotic mess and evil is pervasive, this is not a time to allow our heart to be troubled or our minds fearing for our future. We have the promises of Jesus to lift our bowed down heads and strengthen us for the fulfillment our purpose for being alive to see another day that the Lord has made; a day for rejoicing in the Lord.

In times when we see troubles in the world, we need to remember that Jesus told us to expect to have problems but to remember what He did for us more than 2,000 years ago on another Good Friday.

Make today a Good Friday, a day of anticipation that the third day comes after Saturday; after the second day in the grave.

My Soul Sings:

"Refrain:
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."

Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus

Helen H. Lemmel, 1922

copyright status is Public Domain

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father, we never shall forget what Jesus did for us, but not just for us, but for the whole world. Father, we pray that no one will reject the gracious invitation that you offer to all who will believe in Jesus, and exchange their sinful life for the new life He offers to all who turn from the old life and receive the gift the life He purchased with His royal and precious blood. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

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Link to my new devotional book Amazon Author's Page. Everything about the book is found there with pictures, and more to come.

https://www.amazon.com/author/herbcotton

 

How Do You See and Respond to Problems?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

Today's Cup of Wednesday Morning Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today's Meditation and Application:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 King James Version (KJV)

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

We should welcome problems into our lives because we cannot escape having issues in this world. Jesus has told us the best course of action is to expect them. Remember I have already provided the means to overcome the result of living in a fallen world.

John 16:33 King James Version (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.

Our problems are God's raw materials that will result in a finished product of an overcoming life filled with miracles of God's love for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 King James Version (KJV)

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

PRAYER IS A POWER TALK WITH GOD

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THIS POWER TALK

Get Your Umbrella because it's getting ready to rain.

James 1:17 King James Version (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.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Our Father in heaven, please enable us by the power of the Holy Spirit within us (Romans 5:5) to live like we are children of God who are loved by You. In the precious and royal name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Psalm 89:15 King James Version (KJV)

15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.

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Link to my new devotional book Amazon Author's Page. Everything about the book is found there with pictures, and more to come.

https://www.amazon.com/author/herbcotton

 

Monday Morning Cup of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Today Somebody Prayed for You 

 

Today's Cup of Monday Morning Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today's Meditation and Application:

Ephesians 6:18-20 English Standard Version (ESV)

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

When I retrieved a copy that I sent to my printer this morning I received this message, "Your ink in the following cartridges are low; be prepared to change them soon."

How do you know when you need to make changes in your life?

We are told in the Bible not to judge other people. How often have you quoted this scripture to others but not yourself?

Matthew 7:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Judging Others

7 "Judge not, that you be not judged.

However, the Bible also admonishes us to examine ourselves. When is the last time you tested your heart?

2 Corinthians 13:5 English Standard Version (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!

PRAYER IS A POWER TALK WITH GOD

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THIS POWER TALK

1 Corinthians 4:20 King James Version (KJV)

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

2 Corinthians 10:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

James 5:16 King James Version (KJV)

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father, we pray that You would send the power of the Holy Spirit of God to fall in Pentecostal power upon Your people today as we reflect and meditate on the Word of God. Father, we need You, and can't get along without You. Father, visit and stay with us all of the days of our life.

In humility and sackcloth, we plead with You to do in us and for us what we are unable to do in our wisdom and strength. We thank You that we are never alone.

Let the whole Church who knows God, and has faith in God, say, "Amen!"

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Link to my new devotional book Amazon Author's Page. Everything about the book is found there with pictures, and more to come.

https://www.amazon.com/author/herbcotton

 

News Flash - Herb Cotton, Author - Update on My New Book

My newly released book, "31 Days of Hearing God Speak." published on December 8, 2017, in recent rating on Amazon was better than 7,300,418 books in the database. That put my book in the top 10%.

Today would be a good time to go to the Amazon website and purchase my book; the Spring/Easter season the second most significant Christian Book Sales season. 

Click on the link below to go to my Amazon Authors Page to get your copy in two days if you have Amazon Prime. The Barnes and Noble in your hometown will order my book if requested and can be picked up at the store. The price is $11.49.

Thank you for being a reader of my email and blog devotionals.

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Link to my new devotional book Amazon Author's Page. Everything about the book is found there with pictures, and more to come.

https://www.amazon.com/author/herbcotton

 

Reflecting on the Life and Death of My Wife

Text:

Deuteronomy 30:15-16 (KJV) 

 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 

 In that, I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 

Observation:

Today is the sixth anniversary of the Homecoming of my late wife, Rosemary Amos Cotton, on March 15, 2012.

I have mixed emotions today. However, I have no regrets because I know that Rosemary is in the home Jesus prepared for her, and I know that my day of departure is in the hands of our Father in heaven.

As I opened my Electronic Bible in preparation to set my desktop for writing, my eyes were led by the grace of God to this commentary that was open on my desktop.

God has demonstrated His love to us in a most wonderful way. He has not left us in the dark, groping, grasping, and stumbling about, seeking the answers to life on our own. No! God has revealed His Holy Word to us, telling us how to live life, how to find God, and how to have the assurance of living forever. The Word of God is near, very near, right at our fingertips.

Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Deuteronomy.

Just as Jesus said to his disciples before His earthly departure; His words apply to us today. What He said to them speaks to us today. The troubles we face are a familiar lot of all human life. How then shall we live? We have a word from the mouth of Jesus on this subject, and it's in the following passage from the Bible.

John 16:33 (KJV) 

 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. 

Whatever your particular condition or circumstance may be today, you may rest in the assurance that God is near to you, and He is always available. His phone number is 333, and He is still available.

You can have a little talk with Jesus but if you need to you can have a big conversation with Jesus. And the cost is just the same, Jesus has already paid the price for the call. Is there anything hindering you from calling Jesus? You can overcome that with faith in God.

Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) 

 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. 

The following from the Word of God was a great comfort for my family as we experienced the Homecoming of Rosemary.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (KJV) 

 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 

 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 

 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Prayer:

Father God, I praise and lift high Your name today. The testimony of my life is that You are God all by yourself and that You love Your children with an everlasting love that never fails and never gives up on us.

Father, I am so thankful that I can say by the knowledge and understanding of Your Word, and personal experience, You are God in life, and God in death.

Lastly, I am so grateful that you hear and answer the prayers of Your children, and that you are ready and eager to hear from us at the right times and in the difficult times.

Father thank you for giving me life; I cherish each breath you give me. Help me to have the courage to tell others about You today. Amen.

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Link to my new devotional book Amazon Author's Page. Everything about the book is found there with pictures, and more to come.

https://www.amazon.com/author/herbcotton

 

Weekly Daily Devotional Blog - Author: Herb Cotton

Thursday Morning Bread At My Table of Bread - Hosting

My Heavenly Father

Good Morning to you; the readers of the first edition of revealing what I heard our heavenly Father speak into my heart today. I count it as precious everything God says to me, and I am overjoyed to report it to you my family, friends, and neighbors who I love as much as I love my God, and myself. That is not a suggestion, but a command from Jesus; my Savior and the Lord of my life.

Acts 14:27 King James Version (KJV)

27 And when they were come and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

The following three (3) takeaways I have from today's talk with our Father in heaven as I sat in His presence.

1. Be persistent in all that you do in my name as you walk in the Spirit, and in the footprints of Jesus.

Galatians 5:16 King James Version (KJV)

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

2. Be patient as you walk in the Spirit one day at a time looking to Jesus as you walk in His footprints.

Galatians 6:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain 

3. Be prayerful as you go about your day. Praying should be as natural as breathing.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 King James Version (KJV)

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain 

Conclusion:

Now that we have heard from the Lord let us go and do what He has told us to do. God is always working. Why not join Him in His work, and see what God will do in you, and through you the rest of this day. God has a gift with your name on it. 

I ask that you give me feedback on this new version of the Daily Devotional Blog so that I can improve on the one next Thursday. Feedback is the breakfast of champions, and I pray that you will not skimp by failing to feed me back as I have labored to supply you today.

Praying for You:

Father God, I exalted Your name. I pray that you will feed the readers, hearers, doers, and sharers of Your precious, holy and divine Word. In the mighty name of Jesus, I offer this prayer. And together, those who agree, say a hearty Amen.

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Link to my new devotional book Amazon Author's Page. Everything about the book is found there with pictures, and more to come.

https://www.amazon.com/author/herbcotton