Where Do You Turn During the Hard Times of Your Life?

Today Somebody Prayed for You 

Today's Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton 

Bible Text for Today's Meditation and Application:

Psalm 23:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

What a way to start a Monday Morning! Reading Psalm 23, and having the focal verse for today leap off the page and into my heart.

I have had the experience in recent years, and especially this year, of seeing so many people that I know who are going through a dark valley in their life or the life of a loved one. 

Life in this world is hard, but the encouraging news and its goodnews are that our troubles don't last always.

Additionally, the people of God have this blessed assurance from Our Father in heaven, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is this ironclad promise.

The psalmist, David King of Israel, was able to say, "God is with me." Are you ready to say that based on your faith and trust in the Lord?

God rewards those who have faith in Him, and those who trust in God with their whole heart; mind, soul, and body. Are you counted with the faithful of the ages?

Hebrews 11:1 King James Version (KJV)

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 King James Version (KJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father God, we pray together and urge one another to cling to the things that are eternal in these dark and dangerous times that we live in today.

Father, we are comforted by Your promise that You will be with us; not just today, but forever.

Hebrews 13:5 King James Version (KJV)

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Father, we rest in the comfort and security of living in the everlasting arms of our creator and our redeemer. In the might name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Deuteronomy 33:27 King James Version (KJV)

27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

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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.

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Why Is the Bible So Different From Any Other Book?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

Today's Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton 

Bible Text for Today's Meditation and Application:

Psalm 119:130 King James Version (KJV)

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

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

I remember hearing the testimony of a Chinese man's response to being exposed to the Bible; he asked, "Why is this book so different from any book I have ever read?"

Have you found that to be true in your life? The Bible is not like the textbooks we read in school. We learn by reading books, we gain information, insight and we grow intellectually.

However, the Bible is different; when we read the Bible, it changes our lives. I remember many years ago listening to the testimony of a pastor at The Gideons International Convention who gave his statement of how the Bible transformed his life. 

He read our focal passage for today, and that single verse changed his life. Some of his fellow soldiers who were Navigators invited him to join them in studying and memorizing the Word of God.

What a testimony of the power of the Word of God, and the God of the Word that resulted in the transformation in the life of this soldier; from a simple man to a preacher of the Gospel of Christ.

That my friends do not happen when you read science, mathematics, physics, literature, accounting, engineering or any other textbook. The book that changes lives is the Word of God; the Bible.

Isaiah 55:11 King James Version (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.

Proverbs 3:27 King James Version (KJV)

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father God, we are so grateful that we have the Bible in a language we can read and understand.

Father, we pray that everyone would have the privilege of having the Bible in their native language. Father, we know that nothing is too difficult for You to perform.

Father, we pray that we would be used to share the Word of God so that others will have their eyes opened, and lives changed by the reading of the Bible. In the mighty 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

 

What Do You Do While You Are Waiting?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

 

Today's Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton 

Bible Text for Today's Meditation and Application:

Jude 21 King James Version (KJV)

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

We tend to spend a lot of time waiting. Can you identify with the condition of waiting for something to happen?

While waiting, I want to suggest that you ask two questions. One, what am I waiting for; and two, am I expecting alone?

What does the Bible say about these two questions that I have posed for your consideration? 

Deuteronomy 31:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

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.

I believe that if we listen to God and spend time with Him in prayer, we will find that waiting can be a joy and not a burden to bear, but a season to rejoice in the God of our salvation.

We need to prepare ourselves with the knowledge that we will always face troubles in this world. That's the way things are down here. But, we don't have to live under the circumstances, we can look up, get up and move up to higher ground. We can live in the presence of God today and not tomorrow.

Jude 21 King James Version (KJV)

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father God, I pray that You will stir the hearts of Your people to draw closer to You and to live in Your presence all of the days of our life in the world regardless of all of the troubles we face.

Father, give us peace and power in the knowledge and understanding of the times in which we live, and with the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world.  In Jesus name, 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

 

Are You Using the Key You Have to Unlock the Potential Within You?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

 

Today's Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton 

Bible Text for Today's Meditation and Application:

2 Corinthians 12:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

9 but He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for[My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness." Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Do you tend to focus more on your weaknesses than to use and grow based on the strengths you already have at your disposal?

If you are redeemed, why not be encouraged, uplifted and inspired by this verse from the Apostle Paul?

Galatians 2:20 King James Version (KJV)

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Do you believe and know in your heart that God's grace is sufficient for you? If so, then why not celebrate your weaknesses rather than worry about trying to fix them? Don't you know that God is able and that He willing to help you complete the work that He has begun in you?

Philippians 4:13 King James Version (KJV)

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:19 King James Version (KJV)

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Now is the time to take our eyes off of the temporal; the things that are dying, and fix our eyes upon Jesus and the things that are eternal.

1 Corinthians 13:13 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

13 Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father, hallowed be Your name; the name that is above every name on earth and in heaven. Father, we can never repay You for the grace You have given to all who believe and receive the gift of redemption we have in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-5 King James Version (KJV)

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

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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

 

What Does the Bible Say About Love?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

 

Today's Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton 

Bible Text for Today's Meditation and Application:

1 John 4:16 King James Version (KJV)

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

Can you imagine what our world would look like if God's people demonstrated a love for God and others?

We may not be able to change the whole world by being people who love God and love others, but we can exercise a great deal of influence by our words and our deeds.

Notice what the Word of God says about God's people.

Romans 5:5 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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.

Are you ready to see a change in our world that would result in a transformation in our communities from your house to the White House and Congress of the USA, and in the institutions of your Homeland?

What will be your response to being a change agent; to be one to do like an Evangelist of another century preached and practice in his ministry. The evangelist was Gipsy Smith, and this is what he said in the following quote from a message.

"Find a piece of chalk, and find an empty room. Go into that room and shut the door. Draw a circle on the floor with than chalk, kneel down in that circle, and ask God to start revival right there."

Will you be the one to do like Gipsy Smith? His ministry changed many lives. You can read about it by clicking on the following link.

https://theshepherdspresence.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/rodney-gipsy-smith/

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father God, I pray that You will stir the hearts of Your people today so that we will be willing to become transformation agents.  

Father, we ask for the humility to bow down, and the obedience to get up and go and be love to others by what we do to give to them out of the abundance of love we have received from God.

Father, send us a revival and let it begin with me, the man that is standing in the circle in my prayer room today, In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray for ourselves and others, Amen. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

14 and my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

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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

 

Has the Lord Ever Forsaken You?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

 

Today's Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton 

Bible Text for Today's Meditation and Application:

Psalm 9:10 King James Version (KJV)

10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

In the Bible, we see so many examples of how the Lord has been faithful to His people. Everyone has a story of the good times and the bad times, but the testimony of the saints of every age is that God is good, and that He never fails His people when they put their trust in Him with their whole heart.

What is your testimony? What is the story of your life and how the Lord has treated you? Are you able to sing, "He's A Good, Good, Father? If not, why not? Is there any reason why you can't start right now?

There are days when life gets hard that we need to pause and take the time to count our blessings and see how God has brought us through it all; yes, I say through it all. Can someone declare, "God has been mighty good to me, and I praise Him with my whole heart?"

If so, why not begin right now and sing praises to the Lord who is God all by Himself; He is sovereign over all, and He wants to be Your God.

Psalm 147:1 King James Version (KJV)

147 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father God, with grateful hearts, we lift our voices together in praise and thanksgiving to You. Father, there is no one like You. We delight to be in Your presence and know Your peace in our hearts.  In the mighty 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 to Live A Balance and Satisfying Day That is Repeatable?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

 

Today's Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton 

Bible Text for Today's Meditation and Application:

Philippians 2:5 King James Version (KJV)

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

King James Version (KJV)

My Reflections on the Word of God Today: 

This morning the first word that came to my consciousness was the word mind. I got up, and as I was looking in the mirror, I saw a notification popup from a friend.

I took the bait and read the notification and clicked on it to read the entire post. This friend wrote about this word, and I will paraphrase what she wrote and disclosed publicly.

"I've been in this deep wrestle in my mind and heart all morning."

Wow! I said God is speaking to me through this post by a friend I know well; mostly at a distant, but also close up to a lesser degree. I remember her parents much better.

The critical point I want to stress in this devotional is that we need to pay attention to the battle that we all face. We meet it every day; the fight for our mind and heart and the enemies are the world, flesh and the devil; the chief emery of God and His children.

Since we know this to be true, we should do everything we know to do and do it in the strength of the Lord.

The key to being an overcomer is to do what Jesus told us to do and to follow His example by walking in the footprints of Jesus every day and all the day long.

To get the complete view, I refer you to the context for our discussion today for a more in-depth understanding of how to win the victory in your life over the battle for your mind. The Word of God has the answer, and it's worth the time you spend getting dressed for victory. You are an overcomer; the answer is a click and a few minutes away.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil+2%3A1-18&version=KJV

Finally, I invite you to be encouraged by the last words of Jesus to His disciples and to all of His children who are Christ followers until He takes us home or His second coming.

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.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven: 

Father, we ask that You would tune our hearts to have the desire and discipline to guard our minds and our hearts to live in Your presence, walk daily in the Spirit and in the footprints of Jesus.

Father, help us to be more like Jesus everyday, and live the overcoming life through the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit of God. Let the people of 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