Tag: love

Do You Have the Distinguishing Mark of A Christ Follower?

A Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

God Speaks:

John 13:34-35 King James Version (KJV)

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Listen to God Speak & Obey:

What do you have and who gave it to you? What does Jesus say?

Notice the words of Jesus in the following passage:

John 10:28-30 King James Version (KJV)

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

Do you have this gift of life from God? If so, what are you doing with the life God has given you?

Our focal passage, John 13:34-35 gives us the answer to the question, “Do You Have the Distinguishing Mark of A Christ Follower?

Notice what Jesus said, and I restate it here:

John 13:35 King James Version (KJV)

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Do we love others in the manner that God loves us? If not, why not obey the commandment of God?

James 1:22 King James Version (KJV)

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Prayer:

Our Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, help to be demonstrations of people who have been loved by You.

1 Corinthians 16:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

14 Let all that you do be done with love.

“Lord, help me live from day to day

In such a self-forgetful way

That even when I kneel to pray

My prayer shall be for others.

Refrain:
Yes, others, Lord, yes, others,
Let this my motto be;
Help me to live for others,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee,
That I may live like Thee.”

Hymn: “Others” by Charles D. Meigs

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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.
 

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.
 

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.

Are You Filled With The Fruit of the Spirit?

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton 
Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:
Psalm 37:3-6 King James Version (KJV)
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
My Reflections on the Word of God Today:
Today I changed the heading of my blog from Cup to Bowl. My desire and I pray that you desire to have more of the Fruit of the Spirit in your life. Also, that is why I choose the Bible text for today’s meditation and application of the Word of God. There should be no difference in your heart between God’s desire and your desire. Stay in His presence until they match.
Prepare to pray and receive your blessing that comes from above. The things of the world are insufficient to meet our needs, which are pressing upon us and keeping us from bearing much fruit. It’s time for a change. So open wide your heart, and receive all that the Father and Jesus have for you, receive the fruit of love, joy, and peace.
Matthew 7:7 King James Version (KJV)
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Galatians 5:22 King James Version (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:
Father God, I open wide my heart, and I ask the Holy Spirit of God to fill me with the Fruit of the Spirit that comes from above where You live in a place called heaven.
Lord, fill each of Your praying children with love, joy, and peace. Father, its the prayer of all of Your children who will take the time to say together with all that who are in this House of Prayer that we believe Your promise that You hear and answer prayer,  and we thank You, Father, Amen. 
Today Somebody Prayed for You

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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.

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 28:23 (NLT)

In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 119:156 (NLT)

LORD, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Psalm 119:146-149 (NLT)

I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws.

I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.

I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.

In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.

The Gospel Message:

1 John 1:6-9 (NLT)

So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Observation:

The most remarkable and fantastic thing I find as I read the Bible is how much God loves you and me. It is humbling to know that God notices and cares about His children.

I have lingered in the Psalms today because from them I find the encouragement to face life because in the Psalms I see the weaknesses of the human flesh. However, I also look at the provisions of a loving creator and heavenly Father who loves and cares for human beings that He has created in His image. I am encouraged and empowered by knowing that God takes our weaknesses and gives us His strength.

Prayer:

Psalm 119:169-174 (NLT)

O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.

Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.

Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees.

Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.

Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.

O LORD, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight.

—

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

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God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 23:4-5 (NLT)

4  Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit.

5  In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 55:1-2 (NLT)

1  Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help!

2  Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

Psalm 55:22 (NLT)

22  Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Isaiah 11:1-3 (NLT)

1  Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.

2  And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

3  He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.

The Gospel Message:

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

9  Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Observation:

A Quotable Quote:

“The great King, immortal, invisible, the divine person called the Holy Ghost, it is he that quickens the soul.”

C.H. Spurgeon

Prayer:

Father God, we praise and thank You for who You are and for what You do for Your people.

Father, thank You for loving us with an everlasting love. We are so grateful for the Holy Spirit of God who quickens our soul and is the source of all we need to fulfill our purpose with passion.

—

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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What Do You Need Most?

Text:

Psalm 51:1-3 (ESV)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

2  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

3  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Observation:

Some people would say that our greatest need is to have justice. However, that was not the greatest need of David. He said in this Psalm that his greatest need was mercy.

Every person ever born with a human father needs mercy. This is what the bible says about the human condition.

Romans 3:22-23 (HCSB)

22  —that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction.

23  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Psalm 51:3-5 (ESV)

3  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

4  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

5  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

The Psalmist acknowledged that he was included in the all who have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The only solution to our greatest problem is Jesus, and what He did for us on the cross at Calvary. Our greatest need is to repent; to turn from our sins, and to turn to God. We give Him our all, and He gives us His all.

Psalm 51:9-10 (ESV)

9  Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

The goodnews is that Jesus has already paid for our sin debt. He has already blotted out our transgressions when He died our death to enable us to live in His presence forever. Fully justified, and fully alive in Christ.

Is this your testimony?

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

20  I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so pleased to associate myself with the host of people who have received the gift of love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy that was provided through the gift of Your only begotten son; Jesus the Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Father, thank You for doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Father, I pray for any who have not received this precious gift, which alone satisfies our greatest need. 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.

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Why We Should Guard Our Mouth

Text:

Proverbs 10:11-12 (HCSB)

11  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12  Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.

Observation:

When I read this Proverb, I was reminded of a song that our children were taught. It had these words in one of the verses; the song was “Be Careful”.

“O be careful little tongue what you say

For the Father up above

Is looking down in love

So be careful little tongue what you say. ”

The wisdom in this Proverb would be a great benefit, and a blessing to all who would hear it, and do it.

Proverbs 10:1 (NLT)

1  The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

Notice this line from the song “For the Father up above is looking down in love”.

This is what our Father in heaven says to His children on earth.

John 13:34-35 (HCSB)

34  “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.

35  By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Prayer:

Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

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

10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11  Give us this day our daily bread.

12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. 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:

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Do You Desire to Have True Unity?

Text:

Ephesians 2:14 (NLT)

14  For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

Observation:

Yesterday I listened to what man, female and male, said about how to have unity in our nation.

This morning as I sat down to write the Lord directed my steps to turn to this passage in Ephesians. In this passage we hear of what God says about how to have true unity.

Many of you heard what man said. If you are willing, here is what God says in His Word.

Ephesians 2:11-18 (NLT)

11  Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.

12  In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.

13  But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

14  For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

15  He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.

16  Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

17  He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.

18  Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

Who do you believe; man or God? Who do you trust; man or God? Who do you follow; man or God?

Numbers 23:19 (NLT)

19  God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

God has spoken. What is your response to Him?

Prayer:

Father, I exalt Your name higher the highest heavens. Father, I declare that my only hope is in You alone because all other ground is sinking sand.

Father, I pray that no one listening to the sound of my voice or reading these words would reject your invitation to come to You, and find the only way to peace and rest that endures forever. 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:

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What Is Your Response?

Text:

Psalm 105:1-3 (ESV)

1  Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

2  Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

3  Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

Observation:

I woke up this morning with the LORD on my mind. I begin to praise and thank Him for all of my blessings. I thanked Him for the freedom that I have that I received from His loving heart and hands.

The bible says:

John 8:34-36 (ESV)

34  Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

35  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.

36  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Who are you a slave of? Are you a slave to sin, or a slave of the Savior?

Romans 1:1 (HCSB)

1  Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news—

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your most holy and righteous name. Father, I pray for America today, and I pray for the kingdom of God that Jesus is building. Father, may Your kingdom come, and may Your will be done on earth, and in Your people.

Father, thank You for the freedom we have in Christ. Father, I thank You that those who Jesus has set free, no power on earth or above the earth can take it away. Satan can’t steal the gift of freedom that the Savior has given Your children.

Father, this is my prayer for each one of Your children who can say, “I Am Redeemed”.

Ephesians 2:10 (HCSB)

10  For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Father, make us more holy and hopeful than we have ever been before. Make us holy like You are holy, and may our hope be in God alone. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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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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