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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.

What Am I Hoping For?

Text:

Romans 8:25 (ESV)

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Observation:

Do you have hopes and dreams for things you do not see? It is possible to achieve your hopes, and dreams. It takes practice and patience. It also takes faith in God.

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)

1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Hope in God is possible through the eyes of the heart. The way to have hope, and to access the power that is within you is to have the Holy Spirit of God living in your heart. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to His children.

Romans 5:5 (NIV)

5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

To make your hopes and dreams become reality put your trust in God, who can do anything but fail, and who will never disappoint you. Take the first step; it can be a small step, but make it a step forward; a step toward Jesus.

“Footprints of Jesus,

That make the pathway glow;

We will follow the steps of Jesus

Where’er they go.” – – Author: M.B.B. Slade (1871)

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Prayer:

Father God, hallowed be Your name. Father, Your name is so wonderful, and it is so sweet, and wonderful to think about what the Word says about your name.

Psalm 103:2-5 (ESV)

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Father, help us to open the eyes of our hearts, and surrender all of us to all of You, and allow You to establish our steps. O, we ask You to give us sufficient grace and faith to walk in the Spirit of God. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

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

How to Be Calm In the Midst of Stress?

Text:

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Observation:

Today my message is two-fold. For those in Christ Jesus, and identify Him as being Lord of Your life, I speak to you first.

There is a place where we can find the peace of God, and have it as a present possession; even in the midst of our storm tossed lives. That place is to live in the presence of God.

Ephesians 2:6 (NLT)

6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

If God the Father has exalted you, who or what on earth can pull you down, or put you down. He paid the ultimate price for the purchase of your freedom from sin, death, and the grave.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)

21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Listen to the calming and reassuring words of Jesus to the first century believers, and to us today from the Word of God.

John 16:33 (NLT)

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

If you are not a Christ follower, I encourage you to consider the benefits of becoming one. The cost has been pre-paid, and the benefits are eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21 (HCSB)

19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Prayer:

Father, with grateful hearts, we give thanks to You for loving us so much, and doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Father, draw Your people closer to You, and may we willingly, and joyfully live in Your presence in the heavenly realms because of what Christ did for us. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

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

Where Do You Turn During Life’s Storms?

Text:

Psalm 93:1-5 (ESV)

1 The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

2 Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.

3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.

4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!

5 Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.

Observation:

The verse that leaps off the page, and into my heart today is this one from our focal passage.

Psalm 93:3 (ESV)

3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.

It is impossible to avoid the storms of life while living in this fallen world. It’s not a matter of if we will face a storm; it’s a matter when. We have either been though a storm, we are currently in a storm, or there will be a storm in our future.

There are two promises in this Psalm that I want to draw your attention to; they will provide a shelter in the time of your storm; past, present or future.

The first promise is God’s throne. No matter what you face in life, you can know that the Lord reigns, and He is clothed with majesty and strength.

Psalm 93:2 (ESV)

2 Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.

The second promise is the testimonies of God are true, and He is forever faithful; God never fails to keep His promises.

Psalm 93:5 (ESV)

5 Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.

You can cling to the testimonies of the Word of God, and find safety and security in the midst of the storms of life.

Psalm 119:31 (HCSB)

31 I cling to Your decrees; LORD, do not put me to shame.

Prayer:

Father, I exalt You, and give You all the praise, honor, and glory that You alone deserve.

Father, I am so grateful that You are a shelter in the midst of our storm tossed lives, and that we have a sure foundation to build our lives upon.

Father, I am so grateful that with my eyes of faith, I can say that I am not ashamed to call upon Your name, and I know that You will never let Your children down. In the mighty arms of Jesus we rest in perfect peace, and in His name we pray, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

How Close Are You to the Lord?

Text:

Psalm 91:1-4 (ESV)

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Observation:

What a difference a day makes! I’m speaking of the move from our look on Friday at Psalm 90, and our look today at Psalm 91. Its like moving from the shadows of darkness to the brightness of a sunny day.

We read words like dwells, abide, refuge, deliver, and cover. This Psalm is about security for those who trust in the Lord, abide in Him, and love Him. What is your relationship with the Lord?

Do you come to the Lord only when all other options have failed? The promises of this Psalm are for the people of God who live in the presence of the Lord everyday.

Psalm 91:1 (ESV)

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:9-10 (ESV)

9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge—

10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

My prayer is that you are one who abides in the Lord, and that you have made Him the place in which you live your everyday life. O, how blessed are the people who live in the presence of the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness, and the love and care that You provide for all who believe in, and live in You. Father, I pray that You would draw us to, and keep us close to Thee. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Are You Walking In the Way of Wisdom?

Text:

Psalm 90:12 (ESV)

12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Observation:

Do you have a heart of wisdom? If you have Jesus in your heart, He is wisdom, and He has made you to have a heart of wisdom. Notice what the Bible says.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (ESV)

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

If you are in Christ you have wisdom, and you have hope because Christ in you is the hope of glory.

Our circumstances should not determine our outlook, or our attitude about life today, and our blessed hope for tomorrow. In Christ, we have hope, and in Christ we have the wisdom of God living is us. So, today why not walk in wisdom, and boast in the Lord; your redeemer, and provider.

Psalm 90:14-17 (ESV)

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil.

16 Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.

17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Prayer:

Father, when the weight of the world, and the problems of the world, get burdensome, Lord help us to remember who we are, and whose we are. Father, we make this our prayer, and song of praise.

Psalm 90:17 (HCSB)

17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands— establish the work of our hands!

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Why We Should Greatly Delight in God’s Commandments?

Text:

Psalm 112:1 (ESV)

1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!

Observation:

When we look at the commandments of God we see how far we fall short. Then, how can we delight in the commandments of God? I believe the reason lies in an understanding of the purpose of the law. This passage instructs, informs, and inspires me.

Galatians 3:24-26 (ESV)

24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,

26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Think about this; the King James Version says it this way:

Galatians 3:24 (KJV)

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The law is like a mirror. We look into the mirror of God’s commandments, and we see our sins, faults, and failures. However, we don’t wash them away with the mirror.

Rather, our sins are washed away by the precious, and royal blood of Jesus when He died on the cross at Calvary.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

When you fear the Lord, you don’t have to fear anything else. Do you trust wholly in the Lord? Ask the Lord to give you a faith that never fears because it believes, and trust in a God who cannot, and will not fail.

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful that I know You; that You are righteous, and good in all Your ways.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Father, I am so glad to know You, and that I can depend upon You to lead, and guide me all of the days of my life, and when this life is over, to receive me in my eternal home in heaven. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Are There Some Places You Don’t Go?

Text:

Luke 22:39-42 (ESV)

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.

40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,

42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Observation:

In the last days before fulfilling the purpose for which Jesus came into the world, He went to the Mount of Olives to pray.

I noticed that in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus experienced something that was for Him alone. Notice that He took His disciples with Him, but He needed to go to a place where He could be alone with the Father in heaven. There is something about Gethsemane that you, and I cannot understand.

Luke 22:41-42 (ESV)

41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,

42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

As I ponder this subject, there is a modern day gospel song that speaks to my heart, informs my mind, and thrills my soul. The song is, “Yes God Is Real”.

“There are somethings I do not know.

There are some places I can’t go.

But, I am sure of this one thing.

That God is real for I can feel Him in my soul.”

None of us have ever faced the temptations that Jesus faced. But, thank God because He did, we don’t have to. We can pray the Our Father Prayer that Jesus taught His disciples.

I pray that your testimony will be like that of the Apostle Paul when he wrote these words about how real God was in his life.

2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV)

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Prayer:

Father, I thank You that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives so that we wouldn’t have to face the temptations, and bear the penalty of failures when we yield to temptations. We have a way out, and it is in Jesus.

Father, I pray that each of us praying this prayer would not enter into temptation; Father, deliver us from evil in all of its destructive forms.

Father, I am so grateful that Jesus drank the bitter cup so that we could drink the cup of sweetness. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

The Blessing of Giving Praise to the Lord

Text:

Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Observation:

This morning I woke-up with thanksgiving on my mind. Then, I had a song in my heart. I learned this song in my childhood, and it still speaks into my heart, and informs my daily decisions.

“1. Give of your best to the Master;

Give of the strength of your youth;

Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor

Into the battle for truth.

Jesus has set the example,

Dauntless was He, young and brave;

Give Him your loyal devotion;

Give Him the best that you have.”

In our focal passage for today, David did not ask the Lord for anything. Rather, he looked back upon His walk with the Lord, and he counted his blessings.

Have you discovered the enormous blessing of giving praise to the Lord? God does not need our praise of Him. Rather, we need the fruit that comes for giving praise to the Lord. I found it to be true that when the praises go up, the blessings come down.

James 1:17 (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.

Why not follow the example of King David, and give the Lord the praise that is due to His most holy, and righteous name.

Psalm 103:1 (KJV)

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, we extol You, our God, and King of Kings. We will bless Your name today, and forever in glory. Father, every day we will give You the honor, and the glory that You alone deserve.

Father, let everything that has breathe give praise to Your wonderful, and glorious name, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Have You Ever Heard the Voice of God?

Text:

Genesis 12:1-4 (ESV)

1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Observation:

Have you ever experienced anything like this? “Now the LORD said to Abram”.

I have never heard the audible voice of God speak, but I have frequently heard Him speak to me through His Word. He also speaks to me through other people. For example I hear His voice speaking to me right now through the words of this hymn.

“He speaks, and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing”.

The LORD made a promise to Abram, and to receive that promise He had to take the first step. That step meant that Abram must depart, and he obeyed.

Genesis 12:4 (ESV)

4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Another hymn speaks to me. Father, my response to Your sweet voice is, “Yes, Lord”.

“Where he leads me I will follow,

where he leads me I will follow,

where he leads me I will follow;

I’ll go with him, with him all the way.”

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, help all of us to be willing to listen, and obey when You speak to our hearts. 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:

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