Tag: salvation

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.

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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 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.
 

How Close Are You to God?

Today Somebody Prayed for You

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 King James Version (KJV)

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

I cannot imagine any person I would rather be closer to than God; what about you? Have you thought genuinely about that question?

I remember as a child I did not like to go to wakes or funeral services. I had a fear of being close to dead people. Thankfully, I overcame that fear when I was thirteen years old, and my grandmother died in our home.

How shall we live in this world with all of the troubles, and deaths happening every day of our life on earth? What does the Bible say about God’s plan for our lives?

Galatians 3:26 King James Version (KJV)

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

John 10:10 King James Version (KJV)

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 1:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:14 King James Version (KJV)

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

O, my friends and family, do you know Jesus? Is He close to you? Is Jesus alive, and you know He is because He lives in your heart? Have you been born twice? Those who are only born once will have to die twice.  Listen to what God says in the Bible, The Word of God.

John 3:6-7 King James Version (KJV)

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Now, here is an invitation that God extends to you; it has your name written on it, and it comes with a promise from God.

Romans 10:11-13 King James Version (KJV)

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Oh, I beg you; I plead with you to accept the gift of salvation that God offers to you; it’s the only way to know God, and be recognized by Him as His adopted children.

2 Corinthians 5:21 King James Version (KJV)

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father God, I pray that no-one who reads this message today will leave this place of prayer lost and undone; without hope in this world, and the world to come.

Father, I pray that each will come to know Jesus and receive His invitation to come to Him and accept the gift of eternal life provided by the death of Jesus on the center cross at Calvary.

John 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice!

Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right. Proverbs 23:15-16 (NLT)

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

But you have raised a banner for those who fear you— a rallying point in the face of attack. Interlude

Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power. Psalm 60:4-5 (NLT)

The Hope of the Old Testament:

I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them. Isaiah 22:22 (NLT)

The Gospel Message:

Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” Galatians 2:16 (NLT)

Observation:

I am so thankful that when God speaks, He is consistent. In the Psalms of the Old Testament, He says, “He rescues and saves us by His power.”

In the New Testament, God says, in His holy and divine word, “We are made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law.”

Is there anybody anywhere who feels like giving praise and thanksgiving and thanks-living to the Lord?

Prayer:

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. Psalm 107:1-2 (NLT)

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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/

Listen to all of the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

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Why We Should Never Forget the Lord

Text:

Psalm 94:18-19 (ESV)

18  When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.

19  When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Observation:

Have you ever been in the position where you thought I have really messed up now?

The Psalmist reveals in today’s Psalm that there was a time in his life that he said, “My foot slips”.

My friends our sins are either on the back of Jesus, or they are on our back. Which is it for you? Are you able to sing the lyrics of the song, “It Is Well With My Soul?”

“My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

Have you experienced the steadfast love of the Lord in your life? Do you belong to God, and God belongs to you? Are you able to sing, “Now I Belong to Jesus?”

“Once I was lost in sin’s degradation,

Jesus came down to bring me salvation,

Lifted me up from sorrow and shame,

Now I belong to Him;”

Prayer:

Father God, I will never forget what Jesus did for me. Father, I pray for anyone who reads or hears this Word, and are still bearing the burden of their sins, will come to Jesus, and find forgiveness of their sins, and freedom in Christ. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Psalm 94:22 (ESV)

22  But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.

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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/

What Voices Are You Listening To?

Text:

Isaiah 55:6-7 (KJV)

6  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Observation:

When you face the difficult days of your life where do you turn for help? Do you have a source that you completely trust?

There is one to whom we can look and find hope and help. It is the Lord who is our maker, deliverer, and our keeper. God is a promise-keeping God.

2 Chronicles 15:2 (HCSB)

2  So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you.

James 4:8 (HCSB)

8  Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!

Life in this world is hard. However, God is good, and the desire of His heart is to give you life.

When you come to the end of yourself, you will find the arms of the Son of God open wide to receive you. Why not look to the Lord today, and find in Him life that is everlasting.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.”

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful for Your wonderful love, and amazing grace.  Father, I am so thankful that You are the God of hope and change; that nothing is too difficult for You.

Romans 15:13 (HCSB)

13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe ?in Him? so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Father, we conclude our prayer today with the prayer of David; a man with a heart like Yours with the plea that You would make our hearts like David’s heart. In the might name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Psalm 32:6 (HCSB)

6  Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.

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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.

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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

God’s Patience with Sinners

 

Text:

Romans 9:22-23 (ESV)
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—

Observation:

“How wondrous is God’s patience with the world today. On every side people are sinning with a high hand. The Divine law is trampled under foot and God Himself openly despised. It is truly amazing that he does not instantly strike dead those who so brazenly defy Him.

Why does not the righteous wrath of Heaven make an end of such abominations? Only one answer is possible: because God bears with “much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.” (Romans 9:22)

God bears long with the wicked notwithstanding the multitude of their sins, and shall we desire to be revenged because of a single injury?”

~ Arthur Pink, “The Long Suffering of God”

It is fruitless for man to contend with His creator. Consider what the prophet Isaiah wrote.

Isaiah 45:9 (ESV)

9  “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?

I am so grateful for the long-suffering of the Lord; for the wicked and the righteous.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Thy most holy and righteous name. Father, I am so grateful for the love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy that You give so freely, and so abundantly to undeserving sinners like me.

Father, I am so grateful for the gift of faith that You planted in me that enabled me to receive the gift of personal salvation. Father, I am so thankful that the door of salvation is still open. I pray that many will hear and respond to the invitation to receive Jesus. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen .

John 1:12-13 (ESV)

12  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

13  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

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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:

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