How Bright Is Your Hope?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

2 Peter 3:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

Colossians 3:16 King James Version (KJV)

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

One of the fruits of a bright hope is a peaceful heart. The evidence is gratitude. Why not take a few minutes to recall a few things that give you hope for your future?

My Gratitude List for Today:

  1. Freedom

Galatians 5:1 King James Version (KJV)

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:13 King James Version (KJV)

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

2. Transformation

2 Corinthians 5:17 King James Version (KJV)

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

3. Growth

Philippians 1:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be your name. Father, we have hope today because our faith is in the Rock of our Salvation.

“My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.”

Song: The Solid Rock; Author: Edward Mote

— 

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

Are You An Ambassador for Christ?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 King James Version (KJV)

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

Of first importance is your status with God? Have you been born twice? Are you confident that you are in Christ? 

Allow me the privilege of encouraging you by sharing this conversation that Nicodemus had with Jesus.

John 3:1-3 King James Version (KJV)

3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

The lyrics of a song put to music by B.B. McKinney speaks to my heart as I reflect upon those who are not yet in Christ. If you are an ambassador for Christ, let’s link our hearts together in prayer for those who are not in Christ. 

“Lord lay some soul upon my heart,

And love that soul through me;

And may I bravely do my part

To win that soul for Thee.”

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Father, we ask that You awaken in us the burning desire to share Christ with others in our talk and our walk. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

—

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

Where Do You Turn When Life Gets Hard?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

Psalm 116:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

116 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

Do you know the God of the Bible? In whom do you trust? Where is your God? To love the Lord, you must know Him.

Psalm 115:1-3 King James Version (KJV)

115 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.

2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?

3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

The following conversation of Jesus with a Gentile woman informs my understanding of the God of the Bible.

John 4:21-26 King James Version (KJV)

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

The Bible describes God in human terms that we can understand. He has eyes that can see us, ears that can hear us, and hands that can touch us. God is a great God and a loving heavenly Father.

There is no place I would rather be than in the hands of God.

Psalm 31:15 King James Version (KJV)

15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

There is nothing beyond the reach of God, and there is nothing too difficult for our Father in heaven.

Luke 1:37 King James Version (KJV)

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, we offer up to you our prayers of praise and thanksgiving. Father, we acknowledge that You are God, and we are not.

Father, we are so grateful that You have eyes to see us, ears to hear us, and hands that can reach down and touch us.

Father, we rest in the knowledge that nothing is too difficult for You. Father, we stretch our hands and surrender our lives to You. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

— 

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

Who Can Deliver Us from the Troubles of the World?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

Psalm 120:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 120

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 

I took my troubles to the Lord;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

2 

Rescue me, O Lord, from liars
and from all deceitful people.

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

I love reading and meditating on the Psalms because they speak to my heart about problems and opportunities every generation face.

I have discovered over the course of my life that you can expect to have problems living in this world. How we react to problems is often worse than the problem. Today’s Psalm is the first of the Psalms of Accent. The best things in life come when we take the upward look.

Notice how the people of God took their troubles to the Lord in prayer. Some people say we need to do more than pray. However, consider the results received from the provisions of the Lord when they ask for God’s help through prayer.

Notice how God did not change the circumstances of His people. However, He gave them the endurance to overcome their situations. 

Psalm 120:3-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

3 

O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you?
How will he increase your punishment?

4 

You will be pierced with sharp arrows
and burned with glowing coals.

5 

How I suffer in far-off Meshech.
It pains me to live in distant Kedar.

6 

I am tired of living
among people who hate peace.

7 

I search for peace;
but when I speak of peace, they want war!

Before pointing the finger at others, it would be well to do some self-examination. God wants to give you endurance that will deliver you from your present and future troubles in the world.

Jeremiah 9:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

Judgment for Disobedience

3 

“My people bend their tongues like bows
to shoot out lies.
They refuse to stand up for the truth.
They only go from bad to worse.
They do not know me,”
says the Lord.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, O how we need to take the upward look and fix our eyes upon Jesus. Father, we need You, and we are so grateful that You are just a prayer away. Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, draw us closer to You.

Jeremiah 33:3 King James Version (KJV)

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

—

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

Who or What Is Your Source?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

Matthew 6:31-33 King James Version (KJV)

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

Today I have the believers in Christ on my mind. It is to those, who by faith, have committed their lives to Jesus. Do you believe this statement by Jesus, “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things?”

The following verse should cause us to examine the object of our faith.

Matthew 6:30 King James Version (KJV)

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Do you have a confident faith in Our Father in Heaven?

Proverbs 3:5 King James Version (KJV)

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

The Bible says much about faith, but the following is one of my go-to passages when it comes to the belief that pleases God.

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.

Who has a confident faith that can say, “I know God sees and cares about me?” Let all who can and are willing unite in a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to our great God.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, we exalt You above every name on earth and heaven. We bow low at Your feet and give You honor, glory, and praise.

Father, we are grateful that we have a God who knows our needs and can meet all of our needs.

Father, therefore, we associate ourselves with Your servant David, a man after Your heart, when he wrote these words in Psalm 23.

Psalm 23:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.

— 

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

How Did Jesus Prepare to Lead and Preach?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

Luke 6:12-13 King James Version (KJV)

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

What should a godly preacher do before preaching? If you are a Christ follower, why not do what Jesus did before he taught? In fact, before doing anything, the history of the ministry of Jesus is that he sought his father’s will through prayer. Notice from our text that Jesus had a special place to pray, and he spent plenty of time in prayer.

Oh, how we need to be able to sing that old hymn of the faithful about our personal prayer life and connection with Our Father in Heaven.

“O the pure delight of a single hour

  That before Thy throne I spend,

When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,

  I commune as friend with friend!”

Hymn: Draw Me Nearer by Fanny Jane Crosby (1820-1915}

In verses, Luke 6:14-16, you can find the names of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+6%3A14-16&version=KJV

Now, let us turn our attention to what happened after Jesus prayed and preached that great sermon in which he ordained the twelve apostles he had chosen to be world changers.

Luke 6:17-19 King James Version (KJV)

17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.

19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

My dear family, friends and neighbors; I beg you, don’t attempt to do the work of God without praying. If Jesus needed to pray, then what about you and me.

Luke 6:12 King James Version (KJV)

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Prayer:

Our Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, forgives us for forfeiting the privilege and invitation You have given to us of taking everything to You in prayer. Father, we ask You to stir up within us the desire to be devoted to prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Colossians 4:2 New Living Translation (NLT)

An Encouragement for Prayer

2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

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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.
 

Why Is Building A Life on A Firm Foundation So Essential?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

Proverbs 22:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

If there is anything we need in this world today, it is to train and develop better people. When God made humankind, He was well pleased with His work.

How should a child be trained?

Proverbs 4:11 King James Version (KJV)

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.[a] 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

The Bible provides a word of wisdom to parents and children as they grow in faith, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God’s way and will for their life.

2 Timothy 3:14-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

One of the scriptures I remember from the days of my youth, and that has been my anchor through the stormy times in my life is that I am responsible for my decisions, but the consequences of my choices are not in my hands or my parent’s hands.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 King James Version (KJV)

12 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Psalm 90:12 New Living Translation (NLT)

12 

Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, I pray that our hearts will overflow with joy for the purpose, plan, provisions, and power that is available for every person in the whole world to have the opportunity to receive the greatest gift.

John 3:16 King James Version (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.

Father, I pray that everyone who hears this goodnews will receive and open the gift of eternal life that God offers to everyone who believes in and accepts Jesus.

— 

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

Why Should We Wait on the Lord?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

Isaiah 40:31 King James Version (KJV)

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

Have you ever prayed and got weary in waiting on God to answer your prayer? If so, let me encourage you by saying you are not alone in feeling or thinking in this way.  Let me welcome you as a member of the human race.

2 Corinthians 12:6-9 King James Version (KJV)

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

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.

God Has Something to Say to You:

I don’t know what God has to say to you, but I have shared with you in the above passage what God said to the Apostle Paul.

Now, I will share with you some of the things God said to me today.

The storm comes before the glory.

The promise comes before the blessing.

The blessing comes to those who believe.

The glory belongs to God alone.

The price precedes the provision.

In my weakness, God provides His strength.

There is nothing too difficult for God.

God uses my problems as raw material for a miracle of sufficient grace for all my needs.

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.

Philippians 4:13 King James Version (KJV)

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

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Father, we exalt You together as we look up to You in prayer. We give You thanks for who You are, and for how much You love us; even when we were unlovely.

Father, today we ask You to teach us to pray and to wait on You. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

— 

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

Why Do We need to Focus on the Truth?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

Psalm 119:129-136 King James Version (KJV)

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

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

131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

My Opening Prayer:

Father, open my heart so that I might see the truth, and open the hearts of your people who are seeking a word from you. Father, may all who pray, ask you to sanctify them by the power of Your Word. Father, we need mercy in this world so that we will not have to face the wrath of God when the time of mercy has expired at the first death.

Father, please save the lost from the penalty of sin, and keep the redeemed from the power of sin, and we look forward to the day when Jesus will deliver us from the presence of sin. Father, may we work while it is the day because night is coming when no man can work. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

Allow me to ask you a penetrating question about what I heard and received in last weekend sermons at my church. I got a double barrel of truth; Saturday night and Sunday morning. 

I heard the truth that confession purges your heart of the shame that appears when the light of the Word of God shines into the dark places of your mind, heart; this darkness affects your total body; from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet.

My family and friends, we are all imperfect people. We all miss the mark of our creator, and He gets the final word. The Bible says:

Romans 6:22-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

It’s time for each one of us to have a real talk with God. The next step is to talk with three to five closest friends of the same sex in our circle of influence. Notice what the Bible says:

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.

Prayer:

Father, I pray that men and women who are within reach of this message will surrender their hearts to You, and will surrender their shame in exchange for the deliverance of our mind, soul, and body from the darkness of death, and move into the light of the presence of God now and for eternity. 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.
 

Who are Your Maker and Deliverer?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

Psalm 32:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

32 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

I’m glad that God chose David to be in the lineage of Jesus coming into the world. He was a man who in his past committed adultery and covered it up with murder. David found redemption and so can you and me.

Today I want you to look for the way out of whatever you are covering up in your life that you would let it go and give it to God. The problem goes back to the Garden of Eden, and Adam and Eve failed the obedience test, and so have we.

Today’s devotional will be longer because I am going to be sharing just one serving of encouragement weekly, but I’m using a larger bowl. Taste and see that the Lord is good. I will be distributing a fresh bowl of encouragement every Friday.

Let me encourage you with the thought that God knows your weaknesses and that we can’t live with total obedience even in perfect conditions. God loves us so much that He made us in His image, and that includes having choices. But, when the first man and woman failed the faith and obedience test, God provided a covering.

Let me remind you that we have the freedom to choose, but we can’t select the consequences of our decisions.

Romans 6:23 King James Version (KJV)

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God provided the covering for the sins of the first Adam. However, that was just a sign of what was to come in the fullness of time.

Genesis 3:21 King James Version (KJV)

21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Notice what the Bible says about Adam and Jesus. In Adam, all died, but in Christ, all have the opportunity to choose everlasting life.

1 Corinthians 15:22 King James Version (KJV)

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

The Old Testament:

Isaiah 9:6-7 King James Version (KJV)

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

The thing I cherish about the Bible is that God keeps all of His promises. God is able and willing; He is God all by Himself.

The New Testament:

John 3:16-18 King James Version (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.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Father, thank You for loving us so dearly that You paid the supreme price of love by giving Your only son to pay the blood sacrifice for our sin.

Father, thank You for doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

— 

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