Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture: Genesis 36::24 The sons of Zibeon:
Aiah and Anah. This is the Anah who discovered the hot springs in the desert while he was grazing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.

Observation: So much of the old testament is genealogies and it just states so and so begot so and so. Only a name states that they existed at all in the Bible. Out of this chapter only Anah was recognized as doing anything at all and that was finding a hot spring. We are only here for a short while and leave this earth with little or no impact at all. Even after a while family will forget, I have no idea who my great, great grandfather or mother was. Only a few become famous and their names are written in history books marking their accomplishments.

Application: I want to leave my mark for God. I want to make a difference in someone’s life that will last for eternity. If I can introduce one person to my Lord and savior and they receive His gift of eternal life, now that’s an accomplishment. My name doesn’t need to be in history books I just want it written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. May I be obedient and draw others near my Lord.

Prayer: My Lord I possess nothing that you haven’t given me and you have given me a command to spread the gospel. Take any laziness and fear from my spirit that I will step out and speak boldly of my love for you. Help me use the testimony you have blessed me with to show others your love. May I serve you with all of my heart.

Scripture: Genesis 35: [7] There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.

Observation: I wander where I should build my alter, God has revealed himself to me so many times. Perhaps when I first talked to Him on the beach at La Jolla when I took the overdoes to end my life. Maybe the times when He spoke to me about what He wanted me to do or the time in Kentucky when I broke down and didn’t know which way to turn and He came to explain His plan in my life. I’ve felt Him so many times in my life and I know He is always there so maybe I need to have a portable alter to take along with me.

Application: Knowing God is with me I need to be more aware of His presence in my life. I need to search for Him in each situation I’m in and look for Him and His guidance. I need to be observant so when God reveals himself I’ll be aware and to ask what His servant may do for Him.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for all you have done for me and always being there for me. Please open my eyes so that I may see you each day of my life and I will follow you wherever you direct me to go. Thank you for not giving up on me and help me finish this race in glory and honor to your name.

Scripture: Genesis 34 [7] Now Jacob’s sons had come in from the fields as soon as they heard what had happened. They were filled with grief and fury, because Shechem had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter–a thing that should not be done.:

Observation: This world is filled with things that shouldn’t be done, fornication, rape, homosexuality, abuse of children, prostitution, and the list is too long to write. We have done things we shouldn’t have for such a long time that it seems normal now. There is not a television show on that says not to have sex before marriage and homosexuality has become so common if you’re against it you are called a bigot and hard hearted. To find God is this world you have to look through all the garbage we have filled this place with.

Application: I need to make a stand for myself and be an example in this fallen world that I belong to my Lord. No matter what temptations might come my way I need to live a life that honors my Lord and not give in to this world. I need to watch and be part of things that are pure and of God and stay away from the things that are the enemy

Prayer: My Lord help me fight any temptation that might dishonor me as one of your children. I’m here to be an example of Jesus in this world. Help me walk through this life with my head held high and my worship always going to you..

Scripture: Genesis 33: [5] Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked.
Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”

Observation: There are so many problems with families these days. The way we treat our children is a shame and yet this one of the most priceless gifts God has given us. I wonder if we started looking at our children as gifts from God if we would treat them better. I know I look at my wife and know that my master as entrusted His servant with His daughter, Would we care for our children better and spend more time and be more thankful for them if we knew they were God’s.

Application: Everything I have is from God and everyone I will meet was created by my Father. I need to look at everything I have as on loan from my master and I will be held accountable one day on what I did with it. God will judge me in part on how I treated His daughter that He blessed me with. Also the gifts and talents I have are all from God and He will know if I multiplied them to His glory or not.

Prayer: My Lord and my Master I thank you for all that you have given your servant. May I take nothing for granted and treat everything as yours. Give me a heart like Jesus for all you put in my path. May I treat each one with love knowing they are yours.

Scripture: Genesis 32: [10] I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups.

Observation: I always think I deserve better or people should treat me better, but in truth I am unworthy. I am unworthy of all the blessings God has given me and there has been so many. I am even unworthy to be alive after the way I treated others and disrespected God. There is nothing I deserve that is good, but yet God continues to bless and protect me. I am unworthy of this life my Lord has blessed me with and especially unworthy of the life that I will have with Him for all eternity.

Application: I need to remember each day that I am unworthy and not expect anything from anyone. I am here as God’s servant and my duty is to serve. I need to go out of my way to find opportunities to serve my master and thank Him each day for all He has given me and get down on my knees, “thank you Lord for I am unworthy>’

Prayer: My Lord I do not understand your love and grace, but I thank you for all you give me. I’m only here because you desire it so and I will never be worthy of your love. Help me be the servant you call me to be and draw me close to you and use me to draw others close to you. I love you Lord.

Scripture: Genesis 31: [42] If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.”

Observation: I take for granted that I’m here safe and healthy only because of God’s protection. I don’t take care of myself and I’ve put myself in harm’s way on several occasions and yet I’m still here. God has answered so many prayers and has taken care of all of my needs, but the only reason Satan hasn’t been able to put a stop to my life is because of God’s hand of protection. Every morning that I wake up it’s only because God allows it.

Application: I need to stop thinking I can do things on my own and that I have control over things around me. God has chosen that I be here at this time and place and that He has a purpose for my life. As long as I follow Him He will keep me safe and there is nothing for me to fear, because whatever may happen to me God is in control.

Prayer: My dear Father I thank you for your love and protection in my life and I ask you to continue to guide me each day on the path you have made for me. Show me how to please you and accomplish the purpose you have given me. You are worthy of all of my love, praise and worship.

Scripture: Genesis 30: [20] Then Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

Observation: If we tried to count all the precious gifts God has given we would lose track. It’s seems the only ones we recognize as being precious is the ones that we want for ourselves, but what about all the other precious gifts God gives us to use for others or that He gives us to remind us that He loves us. I know I’m very self-centered and only recognize those gifts that benefit me until I stop and look back to see what God has given me and how I was able to use it to glorify Him and to help others. When I look back I realize those were the most precious gifts.

Application: I need to look each day to see what gifts God has given me and how I can use them to glorify God and to help others. I need to stop asking God for things for me and to start asking how I can be used by Him to be a gift to someone else.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all you give me and I thank you that I’m still be used by you. Please use me up to serve you and to touch the lives of others in your name. Bless me to be a blessing to others and use what I have for your glory.