Category: Daily Devotional

We are Appointed

Scripture 1 Chron 6:31 Now these are the men whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after the ark came to rest.

Observation: As David appointed people to do different services, like song, God appoints us for service. In that service it is something we are gifted and have a desire to do. There are no exceptions everyone has a job to do. I don’t believe mine is in song, however God has gifted me with an ability to organize food related events, to cook and a gift of detail and instruction. Lately God has called me to speak as I’m just about to finish the Heaven study, which has been one of the most wonderful things God has allowed me to do.

Application: I need to step up more and never say no to someone asking my help. I need to stay in prayer and ask for direction on how God wants me to use the gifts he has given me and ask for even more gifts to glorify His name. I need to stop being so lazy and get off my butt and start making a difference for God’s glory.

Prayer: Dear Lord get me going for your glory and not mine. Use me please and all you have given me to make an impact for you on this earth. Whether serving, speaking or helping others use me that I may finish well and please you. I love you Father and only want to please you.

Trusting God in Prayer

Scripture 1 Chron 5:20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.

Observation: In one of the Heaven studies I had God’s trustworthiness as one of his attributes. God is the only one we can trust and we have a hard time doing that. We would rather put our trust in someone knowing that they are not any more trustworthy than we are. The only way God will answer our prayer is that we trust Him to answer it. When we pray we must trust that He will answer our prayer in a way that will be best for us, not necessarily the way we think it should be answered. Once we trust God completely we will be able to see exactly what He has in store for us.

Application: God has proven himself trustworthy again and again in my life and I still can’t seem to trust Him always. I need to let go and prayer with trust that He will do what is best for me. Then I need to come before Him with an open heart and ask what He desires from me. I need to be answering and doing God’s desires in my life. The only way that I can earn rewards is by doing what is right in His eyes and do them for Him only. Once I trust in Him and do what He calls me to do, then I will be on the path He desires for me.

Prayer: My Lord take all this mistrust I have in my heart and destroy it. May I trust you completely and do your will in my life. You only are worthy of all of my trust, love and praise, may I live the rest of my life this way that it will please you.

The Prayer of Jabez

Scripture 1 Chron 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Observation: It wasn’t that long ago I started saying the prayer of Jabez as part of my morning prayers. When I ask God to expand my territory I ask that He will allow me way to share my testimony and love with others. Since then He has allowed me to do a Heaven Study and I will share my depression testimony at church in a couple of weeks. When I ask Him to bless me I ask Him to bless me because that is His desire for me. I know God answers all of my prayers and like Jabez He answers mine.

Application: I need to keep on praying His will for my life and to keep seeking what His will is. I need to be a righteous man, as difficult as that might be. I need to talk to my Father throughout the day and stay close to my Savior. Time is getting short for me and if I’m going to complete the purpose God has put before me I will need His hand upon me, because without I can’t do anything, but with Christ I can do all things.

Prayer: My Lord I want to finish well. Please keep those opportunities coming so I may honor you with this life. Heal your servant and take this pain from me, but not my will your will be done. May I go to you throughout the day and listen to what you are telling me. I love you Lord, please guide me.

Your Lineage Is Important

Scripture 1 Chron 3:1 Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelitess;

Observation: Your family and where you come from is important. Through first and second Kings and Chronicles it goes through the family lines and who was born to whom. It’s amazing on how one king who followed God can have a son who did the opposite. Sometimes our children follow in our footsteps and when you don’t get along with your children they want to be different from you. So it’s more than telling our children about God we need to treat them the way God would treat them with love and discipline.

Application: I was a terrible father and I haven’t talked to my son in over 10 years. He seems however following in my old footsteps, with depression and not following God. I reached out to him via email and haven’t heard anything back and probably won’t. My daughter on the other hand has kept in touch with me and I call every Tuesday to hear her voice. I miss here and if I’m lucky I get to see her once a year for a visit. My children are grown, but I can still set an example of a godly father even if it’s long distance.

Prayer: My Lord I want to be a better father and a better child to you. I’ve messed up my life in the past so badly, because I didn’t know you then and I need your guidance now to help repair broken relationships. Help me do better in glory and honor to you.

Do Not be Wicked in the Sight of the Lord

Scripture 1 Chron 2:3 The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by the daughter of Shua, the Canaanitess. Er, the firstborn of Judah, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so He killed him.

Observation: I watch the news and there are so many that are wicked in the sight of the Lord. Just the other day 2 12 year old girls held down and stabbed another 12 year old girl 19 times. They said they were told to by some weird web site. Another person decided to commit suicide by running head on to another driver killing both of them. Murder is just an everyday event on the news as it seems our society places God farther and farther back in our minds and hearts. I wonder how much God is going to take before He kills them all? It’s a good thing that I’m not God because they would have been gone already, but if that was the case , if God didn’t have the patience He has I wouldn’t have made it either.

Application: I need to be sure I don’t do anything wicked in the sight of the Lord, not because I’m afraid He will kill me, but because it would disappoint Him. We must be coming close to the end and I need to do whatever God calls me to do to make a difference in this fallen world. I need to try to touch the heart of the wicked with God’s love and word so they will be able to enjoy an eternal life that God desires for them.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for forgiving me all the wickedness I’ve done and giving me a place in Heaven with you. I know you have a plan for this life please my Lord open my eyes and heart to your desires. I’m here to serve, may I serve with my whole heart.

Who Reigns Over You?

Scripture 1 Chron 1:43 Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before a king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

Observation: God was upset when the Israelites wanted a king to rule over them instead of God. They wanted to be like other nations and have a king, army and war. God had got them through so much, but they rejected God and wanted to do it on their own and God let them. We have set up kings to rule over us, it may be the ruler of money, the king of success, the lord of possessions or some other king we may have set up to take God’s place in our lives.

Application: I need to be very careful not to put anything before my Lord. Especially nothing on this Earth. I need to make sure my God stays on the throne of my heart and mind and I need to worship Him every day and throughout the day. I also must show others who rules over me and tell them why and that He can rule over them and that He has a plan and a purpose for their lives.

Prayer: My Lord you are the ruler of my life. Help direct me where you want me to go, command me and I will do whatever you call me to do. May I glorify you and guide others to you all the days of my life.

We Are All Called Evil

Scripture 2 Kings 25:27 Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.

Observation: If God is good, which He is then by comparison we are all evil. We have all sinned and fell short of the glory of God. I’m glad that evil isn’t part of my name, however it is part of my nature. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t have an evil thought about somebody or something. No matter how wonderful my day may be going there is always a time in the day that I think evil thoughts and sometime act on them. I’m glad my name isn’t Evil Mark, but it could be and I need Jesus to help me subdue this evil that is within me.

Application: Be more aware of my thoughts and actions and be sure I call on my Lord to stop my evil thoughts and to do good in His name. People will never see Jesus in my life if my actions are evil and they are waiting for me to mess up. I need to remove this evil from my life and especially in my thoughts and have the heart of my Lord so others may see.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me do good and remove these evil thoughts from my mind and heart. Take this judgmental way I have towards others and turn it into love. May I be a representative for you and show others your love for them as you have shown your love for me.