Daily Devotional

Scripture Ruth 1:21 I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

Observation: Of course all of the bad things that happen to us is God’s fault, it can’t have anything to do with us. You hear it all of the time if a loved one dies or gets very sick, if we lose our job or something dear to us, it must be God’s fault. We are so easy to blame, but slow to praise. We take our prosperous time and assume that is the way it should be without giving God glory for His provision, but once they are taken away or disturbed in any way we are asking God why. Instead of asking God why we should be asking Him what do you desire of me or what do you want me to learn my Lord. I wonder how many people thank God for when a love one passes, that He has provided them with an eternal home free of pain and full of joy for all of eternity. God gives us everything and sometimes things must be taken away before we realize that He is the provider of all.

Application: I need to get down on my knees more often to thank my Lord for all that I have and the things He has in store for me. I need to have a grateful heart and an attitude of gratitude constantly. I need to see how God is working in my life no matter what the circumstances are so that I can follow Him completely. My life belongs to God and it is a gift for me to be used for His glory and not mine.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for all the blessing you have given me and I’m thankful for the trials you have gotten me through. Open my eyes to see the path you want me on and help me keep on task and not get distracted. I’m proud to be called your servant may I serve you in a way that pleases you.

Scripture Judges 21:15 And the people grieved for Benjamin, because the LORD had made a void in the tribes of Israel.

Observation: The tribe of Benjamin was ending because of their great wickedness. The people of Israel got together to destroy them because of this and now they are mourning their decision and blaming God. They didn’t seem to blame the tribe of Benjamin for the evil they were doing or themselves for waiting so long that the only solution to them was to wipe them out, but even though it was their decisions and mistakes that caused the tribe of Benjamin to be eliminated God gets the blame. How often do we do the same when things go wrong? We cause the situation and things go wrong and instead of taking the blame we decide to blame God for our decisions?

Application: I need to take responsibility for my actions and to ask God what I should have learned from anything that I go through. I need to call on God before I do anything and ask for His guidance. I bought a truck for Teri yesterday. It seemed like a good decision, but I didn’t ask God if this is what He wanted for me. It seems like a small decision and most people would not think of bothering God with such small details in our lives, but God has a plan for our lives and even the smallest decision might deter that plan. Maybe the extra money I spent for the truck might make it difficult for doing something else God has called me to do.

Prayer: My Lord I want and need to be in your will at all times. Help me Lord I’m so self-absorbed with this life I can’t see you at times. May my focus be on You and the home you are building for me for all of eternity. Help me live this life that it will please you. Show me how to make you smile today by something I do for your glory.

Scripture Judges 20:28 and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days), saying, “Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?” And the LORD said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.”

Observation: We need to ask and seek guidance from God each day and then wait and listen to what He says. We may pray each day, but do we listen for the Lord’s response. I know I don’t. I pray for what I want and hope that the Lord will grant my request, but like a good Father He makes sure we only get what we need and doesn’t give us anything that might hurt us in the future. If we read God’s word and take it to heart before our request to make sure it is in line with God’s will and then listen for His voice we can be assured God will answer our request and grant it in His timing. It may not be exactly as we requested, but it will be answered prayer.

Application: I need to do more listening and less speaking. I haven’t been doing much for the kingdom mostly doing nothing at all. I need to ask for God’s guidance and ask what He wants me to do and then listen for His response. I need to practice being quiet and meditating on my Lord’s words.

Prayer: Dear Lord speak to me today and make it clear to what it is you desire of me. Help me be silent in your presence and show me the good works and fruit you desire me to bear. I’m your servant command me and what you want of me.

Scripture Judges 19:30 And so it was that all who saw it said, “No such deed has been done or seen from the day that the children of Israel came up from the land of Egypt until this day. Consider it, confer, and speak up!”

Observation: Each day brings a new perversion whether sexual immorality, abuse, murder or some strange idolatry, yet we as Christians seldom speak up. We are supposed to be the majority, but we act as the silent minority. We allow the sins of this world to go on without any conflict making the excuse there is nothing we can do. Homosexuality has become normal in our society and people are afraid to speak out and when that special someone does they are the one that gets ridiculed and called intolerant. We need to speak out when we see the sin in this world and help those that are lost.

Application: I need to speak out when I see what hurts my Lord. I’ve not been any better than anyone else, I have sat by and prayed that Jesus would come and end this mess we have made of this world. God has called me to a purpose to make a difference, to be a light in this world. It doesn’t matter if people listen to me, it only matters that I honor God with the life He has given me. God will handle the hearts of those I come across, it is my duty to share the good news.

Prayer: My Lord you gave me a voice and mind. May they be used for your glory and that you would use your servant as a tool to make a difference in this lost world. Give me wisdom, discernment, courage and strength to do what you have called me to do and that I will please you. For I’m only here to serve and I’m honored to do so.

Scripture Judges 18:30-31 So they set up for themselves Micah’s carved image which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.

Observation: That is what we have today, manmade gods. We worship everything but the one and true God. We worship money, athletes, actors, possessions and titles. We spend our life worshipping manmade gods to get ahead without realizing this time we are spending on earth is simply a journey to heaven or hell. The things we are worshipping are taking us on the road to hell where we will have nothing, but pain forever. Why don’t we get it, is the devil doing his job that well or is it or sinful desires that lead us astray?

Application: My worship of the Lord needs to be obvious to anyone around me. My God wants none to perish, yet all around me I see people bound to go to hell with no hope. I have a responsibility to help others find the one and only true God and whether they follow my lead or not is up to them, but I have a responsibility to my Lord to tell the good news and the hope that is awaiting each of us if we will bow done and worship only God.

Prayer: My Lord please give me the wisdom and courage it will take to draw others to you. You are worthy of my worship and help me never lose sight of you by any distractions that might come along. Help me lead others to you and help me live a life with you always in the center of my love.

Scripture Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Observation: That is what is happening in America there is no King. Unless Jesus reigns people will decide what is right in wrong in their own eyes. Homosexuality as become right to so many, because they do not look at the Bible which are the commands from the King. Adultery, fornication, coveting, idolatry are just a few of the sins that man has said they are right in our eyes, because they have no King. America is perishing in our sins, because we have chosen not to have a King and rule this place on our own. We do not. even know what is right and wrong anymore and we are perishing

Application: I want to serve my King, Jesus and look to Him for what is right. I want to die to self and serve my King forever. I need to tell others that we do have a king and He reigns in heaven and in our hearts if we will let Him. I need to make sure I do not get involved with the sins of this world and always look what is right not in my eyes but by the word of my Lord. I’m living in His kingdom not mine and I need direction from my God.

Prayer: Dear Lord I am yours and I need to always know what you desire of me. You are worthy of all of my love, praise and obedience, help me live this life serving you whole heartily. I love you Lord and what to please you, bearing fruit in your name and doing good works.

Scripture Judges 16:20 And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.

Observation: Samson was not the most obedient man. In fact most of the things he did was for himself, but the Lord stood by him because of the vow He made with Samson. It wasn’t until Samson broke his vow with God that God departed from him. Samson never deserved God’s favor any more than I have. God is with me because I have made a vow to proclaim Jesus as my Lord and Savior, a vow I will never break. I may not have super strength, but God has given me gifts and abilities that can be used for His glory.

Application: I haven’t been doing much lately to honor God and bring the lost closer to Him and I need to do so much more with whatever remaining time I have left. I need to plan out what to do and how to use what my Lord has given me for His glory and not mine. I need to draw closer by praying and reading more and do better in utilizing my time for my Lord.

Prayer: Dear father forgive me for the way I waste this precious time you have given me. Guide me Lord to what you want me to do and I know you will give me what I need to accomplish it, even if it takes super strength. I love you Lord use your servant.