Month: December 2025

Scripture: Romans 16:17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

Observation: A friend made a comment about my church about the workings and all the mistakes that are made to see if I would agree. I’ve been approached by those of other religions that actually teach another gospel other than Jesus. I’m not sure whether to confront them or keep to myself.

Application: I need God’s direction on how to approach someone he puts in my path. I need to tell others about Jesus but be careful to avoid obstacles that might be placed in my path.

Prayer: My Lord guide me in who I need to talk to and who I need to avoid.

Scripture: Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation: There it is again “trust in Me.” I wonder at times why I’m not at peace and there are times of little hope. That is when I’m focused on my problems and not God. God has been faithful to me my whole life, so why is it so difficult to trust him? I won’t have that peace and hope until I’m committed to my Lord.

Application: Stop focusing on the things I want, a house, a stable job and even better health. Start trusting in God and have my focus on him and that he has everything under control.

Prayer: My Lord increase my faith that I will trust in you with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding but in all my ways acknowledge you and you will make my path straight.

Scripture: Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another, instead make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

Observation: How easy is it to pass judgment on others? Sometimes my first look at someone I try to size them up. Even my brothers and sisters in the church, by the way they dress or act. If someone is doing better than me, I try to put an obstacle in their path or belittle them.

Application: I need to look at everyone as a special child of God. He loves us all equally and that is what he calls us to do. We are created exactly the way he wants us and we should appreciate that fact in everyone. God alone has the right to judge. I need to only worry about me.

Prayer: My Lord guide me this day that I focus on how to make me a better man for you.

Scripture: Romans 13:7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor

Observation: God makes it clear to love others as you love yourself. So, I owe everyone love, honor and respect. Whether it’s my boss that I’m having a hard time with currently, I still owe him love, honor and respect. No matter what someone might do to me I still owe them, because of the debt Jesus paid for me. Whether the person receives my payment of the debt or not I know God does.

Application: I need to stop looking at others as if they owe me something, but to look at them as a way to honor God. The harder it is for me to pay the debt, because of the person or what they might have done to me, the more it honors God when I pay what I owe.

Prayer: My Lord may I pay my debt to you this day with interest.

Scripture: Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, bit be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Observation: When the Holy Spirit comes in us it doesn’t automatically make you a good Christian. We still have a choice to follow his leading or not. Paul saying do not conform and to be renewed, it’s our choice to be what God wants us to be. I need to want to change and work at it daily or I will never know what God’s will is for my life.

Application: Make every effort not to conform to this world but to be different and pray, read the Bible each day so my mind is renewed. I want to know God’s will for my life above everything else.

Prayer: My Lord, I give you this life as a living sacrifice, open my eyes to your desires.

Scripture: Romans 11:35 Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?

Observation: Sometimes when I do something for God or honor Him in some way that I’m paying him back for what He has done for me. I don’t realize there is no paying back there is nothing I can do that could pay back even a little of all He has done. It is all God’s mercy, love and grace and I was bought by the blood of Jesus. I am required to live a life totally for God, which I don’t.

Application: I need to realize that is nothing I can do to repay God, but if I do nothing at all I’m dishonoring him.

Prayer: My Lord make me useful not only because you deserve it, but that it is required of me.

Scripture: Romans 10:8 But what does it say? “The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is the word of faith we are proclaiming.”

Observation: How many times did I have the word right there in my mouth to proclaim my Lord and savior yet said nothing? How many people could have heard the Word of God from my mouth? The word of faith, that is what I need to increase in my life.

Application: I need to walk my talk. I call myself a Christian yet I show others very little what a Christian should be. The words need to come out of my mouth so others can hear them. My faith needs to increase so there is no doubt if someone talks to me, they will know they have been talking to a Christian.

Prayer: My Lord increase my faith and may the words that come out of my mouth today honor you.