Month: November 2016

Scripture: 1 Peter 3: [15] But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Observation: First my hope and joy must be obvious to others so they will wonder about what makes me different. Do I have a positive attitude during trials, am I pleasant and kind. I should never be embarrassed or afraid to tell others of my love for God.

Application: Act more like a person that people would want to be like. Show kindness to everyone and go out of my way to be helpful. Look for the opportunity to share my love for my Lord and always be ready to answer and give God the credit for anything good.

Prayer: Dear Lord show me how to show love to others. Open my eyes to focus on you and not me. May I glorify You.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2: [12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Observation: Do I live a life that others notice as being good? Do people come up and ask where I get my peace and joy? Unfortunately the answer is no. I’m easily distracted by the things of this world, become anxious and worry and get involved in things I shouldn’t.

Application: I need to be different, not to complain to others, but to always be joyful in all that I do. To go beyond what is expected and show others my good deeds and be ready to answer if someone asks why I’m so happy, then point them to Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me peace in my spirit and strength to do what is right in honoring you. Make me a beacon of light to others and show me how to fulfill the commission of showing my love.

Scripture: 1 Peter 1: [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

Observation: My joy comes from God. Lately no matter what happens a peace comes to me. Instead of getting angry, I become thankful. I do believe in my Lord and desire to fulfill the purpose He has given me and He fills my heart with joy.

Application: I need to express my love and belief of my Lord and Savior to others. My desire should be that others get to experience this wonderful joy.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for fulfilling my heart with your love and inexpressible joy. Guide me to express this with others and to share the gospel.

Scripture: James 5: [16] Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Observation: Am I a righteous man? Like Paul I don’t do what I should do, but do what I shouldn’t. In my heart I want to be righteous, but I always seem to come up short. However God continues to answer my prayers and is always with me.

Application: To strive to be the man God calls me to be, that righteous man. To pray in accordance to God’s will, to be there for others when they need me and to strive to be righteous.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide this servant of yours to be that righteous man that will glorify you. Open my heart and mind to do what is right and honoring to you. I love you Lord, guide me this day.

Scripture: James 4: [17] Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

Observation: I try to avoid sin the best I can, but I also avoid doing good out of laziness. I know I’m suppose to be working harder at the small group ministry, but I don’t. I don’t want to help with the Valentine’s dinner, because of pride and laziness. I don’t want to do anything in the evening, because it disturbs my rest.

Application: God put on my heart the things I should do, I have no excuse. I need to fight the temptation of not doing anything, that is my sin. I’m only here for a short while and have a small window of opportunity to do God’s will here and I need to take it.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me strength and wisdom to do your will. May I realize the blessings you have set aside for me here and may I not miss an opportunity to do good.

Scripture: James 3: 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Observation: I should be living a good life in glory and honor to God. All He asks that I do my part. To do good deeds that He has planned for me to do. To Help others and fulfill the plan He has set for me. God has given me wisdom, talents and gifts to do these good works so I have nothing to boast about.

Application: To do the good works He puts before me each day. To show His love through what I do in His name. To take each opportunity to serve others in glory and honor to my Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord take this laziness away and put on my heart your desires. May I please You in all that I do.

Scripture: James 2: [23] And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

Observation: Does my belief credit me righteousness. Do I step out in faith and do good works that result from strong faith? I so desperately want to be called a friend of God. A friend is trustworthy, someone you can depend on, he’s there when you need him, can confide in and someone you want to be with. That is what I want to be a friend of God’s.

Application: I need to start acting like a friend. Get off my butt and be available to God. Show Him I love Him by what I do and say. Be available when He needs me and go out of my way to please Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for being my best friend. Now show me how to be yours. Have me do the things that would make you proud of me and draw me closer to you.