#strength – herbcotton.org

Are You Using the Key You Have to Unlock the Potential Within You?

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

2 Corinthians 12:9 King James Version (KJV)

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.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for[My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Do you tend to focus more on your weaknesses than to use and grow based on the strengths you already have at your disposal?

If you are redeemed, why not be encouraged, uplifted and inspired by this verse from the Apostle Paul?

Galatians 2:20 King James Version (KJV)

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Do you believe and know in your heart that God’s grace is sufficient for you? If so, then why not celebrate your weaknesses rather than worry about trying to fix them? Don’t you know that God is able and that He willing to help you complete the work that He has begun in you?

Philippians 4:13 King James Version (KJV)

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

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.

Now is the time to take our eyes off of the temporal; the things that are dying, and fix our eyes upon Jesus and the things that are eternal.

1 Corinthians 13:13 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

13 Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father, hallowed be Your name; the name that is above every name on earth and in heaven. Father, we can never repay You for the grace You have given to all who believe and receive the gift of redemption we have in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-5 King James Version (KJV)

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

—

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How Do You Have A Good Day Every Day?

Text:

Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

Observation:

Perhaps we should look at the woman that the book of Proverbs closes with to find the secret of having something better than a good day; it shows us the character of a godly woman.

If we focus on the circumstances that we face each day, we will be overwhelmed, and discouraged most of the time. However, if we focus on God, and His perspective, we can have a godly day; and, this is possible to have every day.

Notice that this godly woman was able to laugh without fear of the future because she was clothed with strength and dignity.

What she had each one of us can have. This woman had the presence of God in her life. This is something that is available to you today.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Are you willing to loosen up? Are you willing to laugh, love, and lean on the Lord for your strength and dignity?

Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being our Father in heaven, and thank You for being the God who lives in the hearts of Your children.

Father, we are so grateful that the God who lives in us provides rest for today, and hope for all of our tomorrows.

Psalm 62:5 (HCSB)

5 Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him.

Father, in Your presence we live our lives day by day; drawing from You rest for today, and hope for tomorrow. 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.

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Do You Really Know the Lord?

Text:

Exodus 33:12-14 (ESV)

12 Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’

13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.”

14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Observation:

What is your purpose for being alive? What has God gifted you to do? Who is your source for help in accomplishing your purpose?

The Lord gave Moses a huge assignment. Moses talked to the Lord, and the Lord talked to Moses. Do you have a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord?

Let’s examine some of the elements of the relationship that Moses had with the Lord.

Psalm 103:7-8 (ESV)

7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Notice that the Lord made known his ways to Moses. The key for Moses was his habit of talking to the Lord, and trusting in the Lord.

If you are willing to look to the Lord, He will give you the strength you need to accomplish your purpose.

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Let’s go to the Lord in prayer; trust in Him, and ask Him to exchange our weakness for His strength. Then take the next step in doing what the Lord tells you to do. Don’t forget, that you are never alone, and you always have everything you need to do God’s will.

Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV)

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Prayer:

Psalm 62:5-8 (ESV)

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

—

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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The Secret Has Been Revealed

Text:

Psalm 25:14 (HCSB)

14 The secret counsel of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He reveals His covenant to them.

Observation:

The people who walked closely and most frequently with Jesus when He walked the face of the earth saw something in Him that they valued most, and that is the thing they asked Him to teach them.

Luke 11:1 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

The most effective way we can live the overcoming life in the world is to live like Jesus lived when He was in the world, and took upon himself human flesh. What did He do?

John 5:30 (HCSB)

30 “I can do nothing on My own. I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

How then will you live your life? Will you do like Jesus, and take everything to God in prayer?

This is my favorite song that encourages and energizes my prayer life.

“What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!”

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be your name. Father, teach me how to pray. Father, protect my mind, and open my heart to know when to listen, and when to speak; when to wait, and when to go.

Father, help us to see that it is in the solitude of being in Your presence that we get the strength to do Your will.

Father, what I want for myself, and what I pray for others is that Your will be done in us on earth, as it is in heaven. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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What Is the Strength of Your Life?

Text:

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV)

10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Observation:

Today is the 4th anniversary of the death of my wife and best friend of nearly 50 years.

One of the truths that has been reinforced in my life during the past four years is that the joy of the Lord can indeed be my strength, and my stronghold.

There is nothing that can lift my sadness and sorrow like having a grateful heart that is reflected in an attitude of gratitude. When I get down I don’t stay down. I have an anchor in Christ Jesus, and I can look up, and give praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for all of my blessings.

There is always something to thank the Lord for because everything comes from Him.

James 1:16-18 (NLT)

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.

17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

When I spend time alone with God, I can have a conversation with the Sovereign God of the universe; the God who created the world, and who made me in His image.

As I express my gratefulness to Him in prayer, He lifts my spirits, and His joy becomes my strength, and allows me to live one day at a time in complete dependence upon Him.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed by Your name. Father, I delight to spend time alone in Your presence, and to know the peace, and receive the power that comes when I look up beyond the mountains to the source of life.

I am so grateful that the joy of the Lord is my strength today, and every day. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

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