Tag: bible

The Power of the Spoken Word

Word:

Psalm 19:14 (NLT2) 

 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Reflection:

Do you realize the power of the spoken word? Listen to what the Bible says about the speech of the disciples of Christ.

John 8:31 (NLT2) 

 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 

James 1:19 (NLT2) 

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

Are you able to tolerate silence in a conversation with others? It’s a discipline worthy of knowing and doing. If you need help in the doing of the will of God, support is just a prayer away.

Prayer:

Father, I am so blessed by the forever love and forgiveness, amazing grace, and tender mercies that are new every morning. 

Father, I honor you in all your generous thoughts and deeds of kindness I continually receive from you.

Father, quicken and align my life to demonstrate the life of your darling son, Jesus the Messiah of God.

— 

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

My Friday Morning Thoughts From My Annotations

Today Somebody Prayed for You

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

The thought that just popped into my head is to take me back. My next idea was where did that come from, and what does it mean? Who is this speaking to me? First, I thought the devil, but then I remembered something excellent and worth going back to remember, and I decided it was the Spirit of God speaking to me because the devil has nothing truthful to say to me.

The occasion probably was in connection with the first solo led crusade by Franklin Graham in1995 in Anchorage, Alaska. I was the Chairman of the local sponsoring group of churches in Anchorage.

We were having a kickoff meeting, and I was the keynote speaker, and it was at the Greater Friendship Baptist Church. The text I used that day was 2 Chronicles 7:14.

This morning I am writing to you what today’s verse from My Gateway Online Bible prompted me to write because it was at the top of the front page listed as Verse of the Day.

I opened my Online Bible to search for the following verses that spoke to me when I explored what was inside the tab that said, “My Annotations.”

Under My Annotations, I found these verses that had been automatically put into that listing by me at some time in the past, and now the Spirit of God brought them to my mind for today.

The verses all come from the Book of Wisdom, written by King Solomon, who God describes as the wisest man of his time.

Proverbs 16:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

Proverbs 19:21 King James Version (KJV)

21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

Proverbs 15:7 King James Version (KJV)

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

Proverbs 12:18 King James Version (KJV)

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 18:21 King James Version (KJV)

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

What shall I say and what shall I do in response to this Word from the Spirit of God? The answer came in the Word from Solomon’s father, King David who was King of Israel before Solomon.

Psalm 119:130 King James Version (KJV)

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

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Psalm 118:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

118 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth forever.

2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth forever.

Father, thank You for continuing to speak to Your people today when we read Your Word, meditate on the Word, and do what You tell us to do.

Psalm 119:105 King James Version (KJV)

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Psalm 46:10 King James Version (KJV)

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Father, help us each day to take a long pause and spend time alone in the Word of God and Prayer. Let the whole church say, Amen.

Who Has Your Eyes and Ears?

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton 

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

2 Chronicles 16:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

Do you wonder why you are having so many unresolved problems in your life? It seems like the devil is after you all the time. What are the issues in your life that are presenting themselves as a mission impossible?

What may be impossible in your eyes are possible with God because nothing is too complicated for the Lord.

Have you not heard the invitation of Jesus to give your problems to Him?

Matthew 11:28-30 King James Version (KJV)

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Are you willing to surrender the heavy load that you are carrying and receive the yoke that Jesus wants to exchange for your heavy yoke not intended for you? The devil is a liar and thief; reject him, and believe that Jesus is the way and the truth.

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.

How can I overcome the troubles I have faced all of my life?

Turn from your old ways, and turn to Jesus. Give Him all of you, and He will give you all of Him. Nothing less will do what Jesus wants to do for you. It’s only one step to your deliverance. Why not take it today? 

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.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father, I pray and ask others to join with me in praying that burdens are being lifted right now all across the length and breadth of the earth as people release the heavy yokes on their backs and replace them with yokes that Jesus offers that are easy and burdens that are light.

Lord Jesus, we thank You for lifting our burdens on the cross at Calvary. Now, we can say with joy in our hearts, “I am a child of God.”

And a host of God’s children all over the world, united and together we say, thank God, 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 Is the Bible So Different From Any Other Book?

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.

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 25:23 (NLT)

As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 89:1 (NLT)

I will sing of the LORD’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

The Gospel Message:

1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

1 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

Observation:

The letter that Paul writes to Timothy is so timely for the times we are living in during this current season. There are truth, error, and half-truths spoken everywhere.

Where do you turn to find the truth? I’m glad you are willing to consider the question I asked. Why not turn to God, and His divine and holy word?

Psalm 119:105-106 (NLT)

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.

We need the Bible, we need Godly and anointed pastors and teachers who rightly present the Word of God, and we need lives that are filled with the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

John 16:13 (NLT)

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

“You must not lose confidence in God because you lost confidence in your pastor. If our confidence in God had to depend upon our confidence in any human person, we would be on shifting sand.”

Francis A. Schaeffer

Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible.

Prayer:

Father God, we need You in our lives more than we ever needed You before. Father, make us as holy as You can. Father, help to be willing to trust and obey You, and the Word of God. Father, I ask that You would plant our feet on the solid rock, who is Christ who lives in us.

—

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
10  And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

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

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

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How Important Is Prayer In Your Life?

Text:

Psalm 55:1-3 (HCSB)

1 God, listen to my prayer and do not ignore my plea for help.

2  Pay attention to me and answer me. I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,

3  because of the enemy’s voice, because of the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster on me and harass me in anger.

Observation:

Notice in our focal passage for today how common, and universal are the things that David prayed about.

  • David needed someone to listen to him.
  • David did not want to be ignored.
  • David needed someone to help him.
  • David wanted someone to pay attention to him.
  • David wanted someone to answer him.
  • David was restless, in turmoil, and he needed to voice his complaint.
  • David had enemies who were oppressing him, and he felt his life was in danger.

David expresses his frustration in these words.

Psalm 55:6 (HCSB)

6  I said, “If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.

Have you ever said to yourself what David said? Have you considered running away from your problems?

There is a better way than running away from your problems. The truth is that your problems will go with you. Rather, what we really need are wings like an eagle so that we can fly above our problems.

David did two things that enabled Him to fly above his problems.

First, David called upon the Lord.

Psalm 55:16 (HCSB)

16  But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.

Second, David cast all of his burdens upon the Lord.

Psalm 55:22 (HCSB)

22  Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

God enabled David to overcome his problems, and He will do the same for you. God is waiting to hear from you.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being a loving, and caring heavenly Father who knows our needs, and who cares about us personally.

Father, give us a burning desire to call upon You for all of our needs, and to cast all of our cares upon You.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (HCSB)

6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,

7  casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

Father, I pray that You would hear the cry of every one of Your children who calls upon You, and puts their troubles in Your hands.  In the might 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:

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How Much Do You Love the Word of God?

Text:

Psalm 119:97-104 (NLT)

97  Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.

98  Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.

99  Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws.

100  I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.

101  I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word.

102  I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well.

103  How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

104  Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.

Observation:

How much do you love the Word of God?  Are you like David; can you say what he said about the Word?

Psalm 119:97-98 (MSG)

97  Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long.

98  Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete.

Are you willing to let God be your teacher, and not man? Learn all you can from the good resources of man, but don’t neglect letting God be your teacher.

John 14:26 (NLT)

26  But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 16:13-15 (NLT)

13  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

14  He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.

15  All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, thank You for being our teacher, and our guide through the Holy Spirit that You have poured out into our hearts.

Father, help us to always remember that knowing is not enough, we must do the will of God.

James 1:22 (NLT)

22  But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

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/

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What Does Your Life Say to Others?

Text:
1 Timothy 4:14-16 (HCSB)
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.
15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.
16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Observation:
I received an email this morning that I read just before getting up, and it reminded me of the truth that people are watching us all the time. I was reminded of this often heard saying.

“You may be the only Bible some people read. You may be the only Jesus some people see.”

The lyrics from the hymn written by B.B. McKinney, “Let Others See Jesus In You” is ringing in my heart.

“Your life’s a book before their eyes, They’re reading it thro’ and thro’,
Say, does it point them to the skies, Do others see Jesus in you?”

There is something planted in the heart of every child of God that we need to grow, and release as seeds in the lives of others who see us everywhere we go. Notice what the Apostle Paul said to Timothy.

1 Timothy 4:12 (HCSB)
12 Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

What message are people reading as they observe your life today? Do others see Jesus in you?
Prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I am is awe of Your sovereignty, amazing grace, and tender mercies. Father, all of us stand in the need of Your love and the forgiveness of our sins.

Father, I ask for an anointing of Your people for these difficult times that we are living in. Father, unleash the power that resides in Your children as people look at the way we talk, and the way we walk.

Father, may our lives reflect that we belong to Jesus, and that Jesus lives in our hearts. Father, use us to be Kingdom builders.

Luke 11:2 (KJV)
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Why I Love and Cherish the Word of God

 

Text:

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Observation:

The lyrics of an old hymn of the church comes to mind as I meditate on our topic and text for today.

“More about Jesus let me learn,

More of His holy will discern;

Spirit of God my teacher be,

Showing the things of Christ to me.”

When we walk in the pathway that Jesus leads His children we realize that it is a pathway that is filled with light. We are able to distinguish between our will, and God’s will.

As we walk with Jesus it is important for us to read on a daily basis the Word of God; we need to hear what God has to say to us from His Word.

Proverbs 6:23 (HCSB)

23  For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective discipline is the way to life.

The Word of God deposited in our heart is the best investment we can make of the use of our time and talent.

Psalm 119:11 (HCSB)

11  I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.

Psalm 119:18 (HCSB)

18  Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your instruction.

Psalm 119:48 (HCSB)

48  I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and will meditate on Your statutes.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. I am so grateful for the Word of God, that we have it in a language that we can read and understand.

Father, I thank You that the Word of God is a lamp and light for Your people to be able to discern Your will, and Your ways. Father, I ask that You turn, and tune the hearts of Your people to be people of the Word, the will, and the ways of our heavenly Father. 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 of the Routine of Daily Time in God’s Word

 

Text:

Matthew 6:11 (ESV)

11  Give us this day our daily bread,

Observation:

We eat daily to satisfy our physical hunger, and that is natural. However, we need daily spiritual food, but it is not natural to hunger to read God’s Word.

In times past God had to allow His people to wander in the wilderness for a long time before they developed a hunger for spiritual food. One wise person has said, “What you feed you will crave”.

Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV)

3  And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

I’m praying that the people of God in this New Year will develop the daily practice of spending time alone in the Word of God. I’m praying that we will feed our souls each day with a small size of God’s Word. We need to eat more than once in a while, we need to eat every day so that our souls will be trained to crave the Word of God.

There is power in meeting each day, and feeding our souls with God’s Word, and asking Him to meet our needs.

Matthew 6:9 (KJV)

9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:11 (KJV)

11  Give us this day our daily bread.

Prayer:

Our Father which art in heaven, we bow low at Your feet, and give You the honor and praise that You alone deserve.

Father, we are asking You to give us today what our body, soul, and mind needs to be the people that You made us to be.

Father, with grateful hearts we give You thanks for what You are going to do in us, and through us for the glory of Your Most Holy and Righteous name. 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