Month: August 2026

Scripture: Romans 9: [20] But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?’ ”

Observation: I know most of my life I hated myself and couldn’t figure out why God would make someone so imperfect as me. I remember the last time I tried to kill myself I told God He made a mistake by making me. I’m still imperfect yet with the love of God I can see how He can use me and why I was created the way I am. I was looking at myself through my eyes and not His.

Application: I need to know I am a creation of the Master and to focus on what He wants of me and not what I want. I’ll only be happy performing the duties I was created for and not trying to do the things I wasn’t.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me each day to fulfill the purpose you have created in me in glory and honor to you.

Scripture: Romans 8: [15] For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Observation: I know I received the Holy Spirit when Jesus came into my life. My thoughts changed, the way I look at things are different, the love I have for others and the way I talk and the desire to learn more about God, through His word. Yet I battle daily with fear, fear over finances, health, work, and future are always on my mind.

Application: I need to realize the Spirit I received, freed me from fear. There is nothing to fear because God is with me. No matter what happens on this earth I need to do what is right in God’s eyes. I’m not living for now, but for eternity.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me with the Holy Spirit and take away this fear. Father hold me close, may I feel your loving arms around me. May I glorify you today.

Scripture: Romans 7: [15] I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

Observation: I wake up each morning praying that this day would be different. That I would do the things that honor God. It always brings joy to my heart to do the things I know I’m supposed to do and yet each day ends the same. I fall short of accomplishing the things I’m supposed to do for things I want to do and at the end I hate myself for being so lazy and self centered.

Application: To ask God to continue to strengthen me to do what is right. It’s not as if I don’t know but my will power is low, I need God’s power to make this happen. When I start to give up, I need to stop right then and pray.

Prayer: Dear Lord through your strength keep me on track to do what you desire of me.

Scripture: Romans 6: [12] Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

Observation: You would think I wouldn’t have sin reign, but when I look back on my day the sin of laziness prevented me from writing, the sin of complacency prevented me from doing a Bible study with my wife. A day doesn’t seem to go by without me giving in to sin and preventing me to do what God has planned for me. So instead of God I obey sins evil desires.

Application: Sin is doing things that God doesn’t want you to do. God has put on my heart right and wrong and I know the difference. Before I do anything, I need to ask myself does this honor God or am I doing something that draws me away from God’s purpose in my life.

Prayer: My Lord strengthen me and give me the discipline and courage to fight sin in my life. Please reign over me.

Scripture: Romans 5: [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Observation: The first is perseverance which I lack. It’s too easy to give up or get distracted about other things. The thing before perseverance was suffering for me which leads to self pity. That is my nature, it takes the filling of the Holy Spirit to make me anything that God can use. Next is character which is only really shown when no one can see. The man I am behind closed doors, not trying to impress anyone. Then hope after I persevere and build character worthy of God.

Application: Take the focus of myself and look ahead to the promise of Christ, persevere. Be the man God wants me to be for Him, no one else. My hope rests in my Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me this day, be by my side and show me how to live for you.

Scripture: Romans 4: [5] However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Observation: How much do I trust God? He deserves all of my love, adoration, time and trust. So what stops me? Why do I think things depend on me, when God is in complete control? I’ve depended on myself most of my life and always failed. This life is too difficult to survive without God.

Application: Commit each day to God. Listen to what He wants of me and do it. Before making a decision pray and trust God for the right way to go. To love this life for God and not myself, fulfilling His purpose not mine.

Prayer: Increase my faith so that I will trust in you with all my heart, lean not on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge you and you will make my path straight.

Scripture: Romans 3: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Observation: At first, I read this scripture and it makes me feel I’ll always fall short, which I do, but it should be encouraging. I will always fail, but God will never fail me. Jesus’ sacrifice made me holy and righteous before the Father. Jesus gave me the most precious gift anyone can receive, eternal life, peace, love and acceptance. I should spend the rest of my life showing my appreciation to Him by the way I live this life.

Application: Live each day in gratitude and look for opportunities to show Jesus my appreciation for all He has done. To look at each person I meet each day and ask myself what can I do for them to show my love to Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord I am a sinner and not worthy of You. I thank you for your love and ask that you guide me this day to glorify You.