Daily Devotional

Scripture Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Observation: What am I willing to do for the name of Jesus. Jesus has given me eternal life and a purpose here on this earth, but how far am I willing to go for His name? Paul gave his life for the name of Jesus. Am I willing to give up some comfort for my Lord? Each day I give a few hours to doing His will and in return He has blessed that time, but how much further would I go? Am I willing to suffer mockery, pain, poverty or even death in Jesus’ name? I hope so, since He did all of that for me.

Application: I struggle sometimes with not feeling well and question if I should go some days. It’s a small sacrifice to honor God. I need to be ready for anything that might come my way and depend on the strength of my Lord to get me through no matter what the final result might be. I’m here for a short while, but I have an eternity to spend with my creator.

Prayer My Lord I’m weak and need your strength. My desire is to do what You have called me to do with love and compassion for You and others. Give me wisdom to do what honors You today. I love You and my desire is to please You.

Scripture Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Observation: I feel I’m on the last leg of my race. I want to finish strong, but doubt continues to plague me and my thoughts get distracted. God has called me to be available to pray for those He puts in my path and to be a light to those He surrounds me with. Even though I’m the one in the race the Holy Spirit is doing most of the work. I need to make sure I don’t get discouraged and listen in case He has another plan for my life. My desire is to finish well.

Application: Satan knows me to well and I get caught up in his schemes at time and lose sight of the finish line. I need to be steadfast in God’s word and stay in contact with Him through my prayers. As the race gets harder, I need to depend on the Holy Spirit to guide me and give me the strength I need.

Prayer Thank You Lord for finding me worthy to even participate in this race. Give me wisdom and guidance to finish well and at the end I may see your face smiling on me. I look forward to your embrace and the words, “Well done good and faithful servant.”.

Scripture Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Observation: I remember when the Holy Spirit came upon me even though I didn’t know it at that time. I sat in a chair at church and in brokenness I gave my life to Christ. I broke down and cried and wasn’t sure what happened, but I was changing. He renewed my mind and took the heart of stone from me and replaced it with a heart of flesh. Since then, He continues to work in my life and I call upon Him each day to take charge of God’s servant.

Application: I need to continue to come before God and empty myself so the Holy Spirit has room to work. I walk, talk and listen to see what my assignment is for the day and be open to doing what I’m told. When praying to get myself out of the way so that the Holy Spirit can speak to whomever God puts in my path.

Prayer Dear Holy Spirit, I thank you for being with me each day and directing my path. Make me humble and open to your ways. I enjoy our walks together and this new life that has been given to me. I can’t believe how wonderful it is now that You came upon me.

Scripture Acts 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;

Observation: It’s so much easier to be silent than to make a stand. For most of us confrontation is hard unless of course we are defending ourselves. God will give us moments when we are not to be silent but to tell someone about our Lord. It is our calling to do so and there are scriptures that say if we don’t, we are responsible to what happens to them but if we tell them and they don’t receive the message of Jesus it will be on their own head.

Application: God continues to work on my courage as I speak to people each day. I’m in the word daily so God has planted scripture in my heart to be used to help others and myself. God has been bold with me making sure that I came to His saving grace, using others to guide me. I’m now called to be such a guide for others.

Prayer Dear Lord You already know who I will meet today. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may say the right words of comfort and hope. I’m your servant and vessel use me as You desire.

Scripture Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Observation: Everything we need to know is in the scriptures. Our preparation in this life is for the next, which is eternity. We are not here to make a living but a life that will honor God. If you are not sure how to accomplish this you need to search the scriptures it will guide you on the person God has called you to be.

Application: Never go a day without reading my bible. Go to God with any questions, concerns or direction and allow Him to speak to me through His word. Live a life that will glorify God and share that life with others as God puts them in my path.

Prayer My Lord speak to your child that I may understand the things that will please you. May I store your word in my heart that when I need to use it. It will be right there. Give me boldness to proclaim your word in my life.

Scripture Acts 16:31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Observation: What type of belief do you need to have to be saved. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. Shouldn’t we also believe in Jesus the same way? I feel some of us are too casual with our beliefs in Jesus. Do we believe in all the bible tells us about our Lord or do we pick and choose? We need to believe everything that God says about His Son with no exceptions and allow Him to guide our lives.

Application: I not only need to believe for myself, but shine that light to others. My life needs to be a reflection of my love for my Lord and my goal is to draw closer each day to Him.

Prayer My Lord I’m called to be a servant and that is my desire. Each day I have the honor to get to know You a little better and my understanding of what You’ve done for me. Use me today to show those you put in my path the Lord of my life.

Scripture: Acts 15:29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Observation: Sexual immorality is a big deal to God. You can read throughout the bible old and New Testament. It’s given as an example of the end times and how we are going to deteriorate as a society. We can see it all over the world where adultery is normal, gender confusion, homosexuality, pornography, pedophile and sex trafficking are acceptable.

Application: I can look around and see how loose our sexual morals have become and it breaks my heart knowing what is going to happen to our children. I was raised in a time that this was not acceptable behavior, but now it’s confusing what is acceptable. I need to do whatever God calls me to be an example of His love and commandments to others.

Prayer Dear Lord I read how terrible it was in the times of Sodom and Gomorrah and find it hard to imagine that it’s even worse now in America. As time passes it gets worse and without your hand on it, I’m sure we will perish. Lord, please work a miracle and open our eyes to You.