Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture: Genesis 8: [21] The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

Observation: Today a gunman went into an elementary school in Connecticut and killed 18 children and 8 adults and then himself. This week also a man killed a couple of people in a mall. Every day there is murder and sinful things happening and yet we continue to remove God from our society. That is our evil heart even from our birth. The only thing that can change it is by replacing that evil with Jesus. To receive Him into our heart so there isn’t room for this kind of evil.

Application: I cried when I heard the news today and my thought is we take God out of the school and look what creeps in. I need to be spreading the good news about Jesus as much as I possibly can. I may not be able to make a big difference, but whatever difference is for my Lord and I need to let Him take care of the results.

Prayer: My Lord I ask you to look after the families of this horrible killings. May they find hope in you and draw near to you through this time of trouble. I ask to be used by you to make a difference for You in this terrible place. Give me courage and wisdom to do and say the things that will draw others to you.

Scripture: Genesis 7: [16] The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.

Observation: I can picture God waiting until Noah and his family safely got onto the ark and then closing the door to make sure it was secure. God has done that my whole life without me knowing it. He keeps danger from me keeping me safe and away from harm. He also closes the door to situations that I might have thought looked good, but God knew better. Throughout my life I’ve been in very rough waters, but God made sure I didn’t sink.

Application: Knowing God is watching over me I should be taking more chances for Him. I should have faith and trust in Him when a situation that will glorify Him comes my way. Instead of doubting or trying to figure a way out I need to trust my God knowing He wants the best for me and wants me to do His will.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for closing doors in my life that otherwise would have harmed me. Thank you for your love and protection and I ask for wisdom to know what you desire of me. That you would make it clear, that I would know each day how to live this life in a way that with honor You.

Scripture: Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

Observation: My thoughts are almost always evil it seems until my thoughts go to God. Even when I pray my thoughts wander and become selfish and evil. As hard as I may try to think and do things that are pleasing to the Lord it doesn’t take long before I end up back to the evil that I am.

Application: The only way I can even come close to not being evil is to stay focused on my Lord and what His will is for my life. I need to pray throughout the day and think of things that are noble and pure of heart. I know it won’t come natural, because that is not who I am, even though that is what I want to be. I need to be aware of when I do slide back to my natural man and ask God to pull me out of the self-indulgent heart I have.

Prayer: My Lord I can’t blame you for being disappointed in man, we are evil. Help me rise out of this pit to serve you and others in a self-sacrificial way that will honor you. Show me how to draw close to you and be more like Jesus only caring about my Father’s will.

Scripture: Genesis 5: [22] And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.

Observation: In this chapter is a genealogy and every person except Enoch lived a certain number of years, but the word says that Enoch walked with God for 300 years and then God took him up. I was thinking how great it would be to walk with God instead of just living. Each day seems to be a burden to get up and going and in the morning I tell God I want to live for Him, yet most days I do little or nothing for my Lord, but what if I walked with Him each day, how different would my life be and my work for the Lord?

Application: I can only walk with Him if I take God along with me. If my decisions are based on God’s word, asking Him throughout the day what He desires me to do. To look at others as His children and ask as we are walking what I can do for them. We make our lives so busy even if God was next to us we wouldn’t realize it. God isn’t just next to me, but He rules within me if I let Him and that is what I need to do is let Him do what He does best, rule.

Prayer: Oh my God I want to walk with you each day. Help me see you next to me and feel your presence. Guide me in all of my decisions and show me how I might do things that honor and please you. I love you and yet my life doesn’t prove it, help me live a life that others may see you next to me.

Scripture: Genesis 4: [7] If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”

Observation: Most of my life sin mastered me and now I need to turn the tables. I have come a long way but I can’t say that I mastered my sinful desires, but do realize more quickly if I’m giving in. It is a battle each day, but a fight I can’t give up on our I won’t finish the race for my Lord.

Application: I need to allow my Lord, to help me master sin in my life. This is not a battle I’m going to win on my own, the enemy is too tough for me. I need to be in prayer throughout the day and stay in contact with my Lord for guidance. I’m here only because my God desires it and I need to stay focused and obedient to what He calls me to do.

Prayer: My Lord you know me better than I know myself. You know that I’m a sinner and I fall short of your glory each day, but I want to please you and do your will, bearing fruit before I come home. I need you to show me how to master this sinful man that I may break free of the bonds it places on me.

Scripture: Genesis 3: [9] But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Observation: First thought is if God knows everything, why didn’t He know where Adam and Eve were? Sometimes questions are asked not for the one asking the question, but the one that answers. If God asked me now where am I, I’m not sure what to say. Am I were I’m supposed to be according to God’s plan for me or have I strayed like Adam. I’m supposed to be imitating Jesus, yet I’m not serving, my thoughts are evil, I think of myself first and I haven’t been serving very many lately. So where am I?

Application: This is a question I need to ask myself daily and search my heart for the answer. Am I on the path to please my Lord or am I wondering around aimlessly not sure what to do. I know where God wants me to be, in His word, being obedient to His commands and imitating His son to the best of my ability.

Prayer: Dear Father here I am. Guide me through this maze I continue to put myself in and show me the way to you. Put others in my path that I may lead them along with me to your loving grace.

Scripture: Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Observation: When my ex-wife filed for divorce I thought for sure God wanted me to be alone to do some type of ministry focusing on His work. For the first time I was alone staying in a little apartment and not being very productive. Then God brought Teri into my life, the greatest blessing He has ever bestowed on me and he has given me many. She helped me see God’s vision for us more clearly and together we were whole.

Application: Each day I thank God for my wife and ask that I treat her the way He deserves me to treat her. I don’t ever want to take her for granted but realize she is truly a gift from God to help me get through this life in a way that would honor Him. As she is my helper I’m also hers and I need to always be there for her.

Prayer: My Father I thank you for this precious gift of your daughter you have trusted me with. May I always treat with the love and care you call me to and that I will honor you by the husband I am for her.