#witness – herbcotton.org

Are You A Witness of What God Can Do?

Text:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Observation:

There is such great value and benefit in hearing the testimonies from those who have found God to be a present help in their season of trouble. The writer of Hebrews points the readers in Hebrews chapter eleven to the heroes of faith.

The Apostle Paul reminds the believers in his letter to the church at Rome of the value of reading and learning from the saints of old.

Romans 15:4 (ESV)

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

In times like these we could use a heavy dosage of endurance and encouragement.

Yesterday at our senior adult luncheon one of the testimonies given said this, “I did not receive any water in my home, but I could see it approaching in my neighborhood”. She said, “I just prayed Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”. She was able to testify that God heard her prayer, and no water came into her home.

Others testified that they loss all that earthly possessions; home and automobiles. But, they gained something of far greater value. They experienced the love of family; their relatives, friends, neighbors, their church family, and the Body of Christ from around the world. These witnesses were filled with hope for the future, and they had more faith in God than ever.

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful to know that the God who created us has not left us alone in this world.

John 1:1 (ESV)

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

John 1:14 (ESV)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Father, I delight to bear witness that Jesus is alive, and that He lives in me. He loves me with an everlasting love, and I believe His promise that He will never leave me or forsake me.

Father, thank You for the endurance and encouragement we receive when we fix our eyes upon Jesus. In His mighty name we 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.

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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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.

God’s Plan for You

Text:

John 16:7-11 (HCSB)

7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you.

8 When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment:

9 About sin, because they do not believe in Me;

10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me;

11 and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

Observation:

The disciples had walked with Jesus, and had the pleasure of seeing Him do wonderful and amazing things. In their minds Jesus leaving them was the worst possible outcome.

However, God had something better, and God’s best required that Jesus must return to be with the Father, and then the Holy Spirit would come and live in them.

Jesus leaving was God’s plan for His disciples then, and for us today. It is a part of God’s plan for the redemption of fallen mankind.

God has done His part; Jesus has been lifted up, and the Holy Spirit has come down to dwell in the hearts of God’s people.

John 3:14-16 (HCSB)

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,

15 so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 14:16-17 (HCSB)

16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.

17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.

God has done His part, and He has given a command to His people to do our part.

Acts 1:8 (HCSB)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Mark 16:19-20 (HCSB)

19 Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Your people to be Your witnesses to the whole world that You so love. Father, may we be faithful in going, so that others will come to You and find redemption in Christ. 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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Are You Telling the Story of What God Has Done for You?

Text:

Philippians 1:12-14 (KJV)

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Observation:

Today my attention is focused on another aspect of this passage. Last week we focused on the circumstances that we face in our walk. Today, my focus is on the gospel of Christ.

It is clear from verse twelve that the Apostle Paul’s priority was the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. What is the gospel of Christ? Well, Paul answers that question in another letter.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV)

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

This is the basic message that Paul delivered (vv. 3-4) everywhere he went. This is the message that we are called to share everywhere we go.

Acts 1:8 (KJV)

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The lyrics to “I Am Redeemed” by Jessy Dixon is speaking to me.

“I am redeemed, bought with a price,

Jesus has changed my whole life.

If anybody asks you, just who I am,

tell them I am redeemed.”

This verse records Jessy’s response to the Lord.

“I’ll tell of His favor, I’ll tell of His love,

I’ll tell of His goodness to me.

He purchased my redemption with His own precious blood,

and from sin I’ve been set free.”

O, may each of our response be like the people that Paul wrote to in the church at Philippi, and of Jessy Dixon in the excerpts from his song.

Philippians 1:14 (NLT)

14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, give us the confidence and courage to boldly tell others of Your goodness to us by providing the means for our redemption by the blood of your darling son, Jesus. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

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