Month: July 2016

Scripture: Ephesians 6: [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Observation: Why do I have such a hard time picking up my shield? The devil continues to shoot arrows and my shield is down. Throughout the day I get overwhelmed as Satan has his fun with me. It must hurt God after all he had done for me that my faith is so weak.

Application: I need to visualize my shield and the terrible thoughts and worries the enemy throws my way and protect myself. God has blessed me so much and has protected me all of my life. I need to make my shield larger so it completely covers me.

Prayer: Dear Lord increase my faith, so I will trust you with all of my heart and not lean on my own understanding but in all my ways trust in you.

Scripture: Ephesians 5: [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Observation: I try to convince myself that some of the things I do should fit into God’s will, when they are only selfish desires. This morning instead of getting up and going to workout with my wife, I stayed in bed thinking the rest would be better. God has a plan for me and I need to get this body strong to do his will. I watch TV at night again thinking that it is rest, but it’s nothing but laziness. Sometimes when it comes to doing God’s will I’m a fool.

Application: Make doing God’s will the number 1 priority in my life. That laziness, self desires or anything else hat doesn’t honor God must must be eliminated from my life. Focus on getting myself healthy so I will be prepared when God wants me.

Prayer: Dear Lord I need your strength to fulfill the purpose you have created me for. Help me do your will. I freely give you my life as a living sacrifice, may I glorify you.

Scripture: Ephesians 4: [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

Observation: My attitude directs my actions. My pastor gave a series of messages just recently about attitudes. I realize how bad my attitude is at times. Most of my thoughts are negative and I judge people first instead of loving them. My attitude towards my church is negative mostly which gives me a desire not to serve. My attitude is destroying me, because that is not the person I want to be.

Application: It is my attitude and decision to change it. I need to wake up each morning with a plan to change my attitude to a positive and loving one. I need that attitude of gratitude and realize my attitude can either honor God or disappoint him.

Prayer: My Lord you have blessed me so much, I should have a mind of love and giving. Help me change and be the man you require me to be.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Observation: Sometimes I forget how powerful Jesus is. I spend so much of my time worrying and planning I never feel worthy of the blessings of God. I am not worthy, but I’m blessed because of God’s love for me. God continues to ask me to trust him. He is in complete control and if I let him, his power will do the work.

Application: God gives me a choice each day to accept his love and power and to open my eyes to his will. There is nothing he can’t do and there is nothing I can do without him. I need to put my life totally in his hands and give him my all each day.

Prayer: Dear Lord I submit myself to your will. May your power run through me to accomplish your will.

Scripture: Ephesians 2: [10] For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Observation: Sometimes I use to wonder why I was here and this verse explains it. I’m suppose to get busy and do good works in Jesus name. God already has it planned out, he has given me the abilities and gifts I need, now all I have to do is do it. He doesn’t force me, he hopes my love for him will put the desire in my spirit to want to do it.

Application: I need to defeat this laziness in my spirit, that stops me from doing his work, along with the fear I have of messing up. It is so easy to do nothing, but that is not why I was created. I wasn’t created to be décor for this world, but to serve a purpose.

Prayer: Dear Lord take this laziness away and open my eyes to the works you desire your servant to do. May I do it in love for you and for your glory, not mine.

Scripture: Ephesians 1: [9] And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

Observation: Doing God’s will pleases him. That is why he created us to follow his will. I know what he desires and how to live this life in glory and honor to him, but I rarely choose the right path. I get so involved in my desires some times God takes a back seat.

Application:. Make my goal in life to please God. Understand his will for my life and fulfill it making it my top priority and not an after thought. Pray each morning for God’s direction and that I would bring a smile to his face each day, making him glad that he created me.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me today in what would please you. Help me make my life a gift to you that brings you joy.

Scripture: Galatians 6: [9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Observation: That is my problem I become weary in doing good. Not that I have done that much good, but I lose interest. My focus always goes back to myself and the idea of rest overcomes any activity. Even when I plan to do good it’s a struggle to keep on course, because of laziness to do nothing.

Application: My main focus or job should be to do good. To be a blessing to others as Jesus has been in my life. It should always be a joy and not a burden to do good for someone and especially someone in need.

Prayer: Dear Lord I need your strength to do right. Help me do what is right in your sight through your strength.