Daily Devotional

Scripture: Genesis 50:[20] You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Observation: God always has good intentions and He fulfills them. Most of the time we don’t know what God is doing in our lives and that’s okay, but we do need to trust Him, knowing whatever it is will be for our own good. If we would stop long enough when something bad is happening to us instead of feeling afraid, we look to God for His purpose and commit totally to His grace and mercy we will be able to see it. I never knew why I suffered so with depression, but that’s all I thought about was me, but God is using what I went through to help others. I’m useful now where before I couldn’t understand why I even existed.

Application: I need to continue to use the testimony God has given me and look at others through the eyes of God who loves them. Whenever anything happens in my life pray in private and ask God for wisdom to use it for His glory. Realize I am owned and loved by the creator of everything and He will use me for His purpose, not mine. There is nothing greater than to be used by God,.

Prayer: My Lord, thank you for loving me so much, that you wouldn’t give up on this sinner. I thank you for the way you are using me and I ask that you use me to glorify your name. I’m here to serve and use the testimony you have blessed me with. May I make a difference and multiply the talents you have trusted me with. I love you so much, help me show you.

Scripture: Genesis 49:24 But his bow remained steady,
his strong arms stayed limber,
because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,

Observation: Sometimes I wonder how I made it through this far in my life with all that I had tried to do to end it. I can’t believe some of the things that I accomplished and lives I was able to touch. I have no great abilities and by nature I’m very selfish yet God has used me. The answer is in this scripture, I didn’t do it but it was because of God the mighty One, because of my Sheppard and savior.

Application: Any time I do anything I need to give the glory to God and whenever I go out to do something I need to ask God for direction, realizing I can’t do anything on my own. If I go out to accomplish anything I need to be walking along side my Lord to make sure it is successful. I can do nothing apart from God, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Prayer: My Lord be with me each day and direct my steps. Show me the things you desire of me and do them through your servant. May I touch the lives of others and may I say the things you want me to say that I may bring others closer to you. I love you Lord and I’m fully dependent of you.

Scripture: Genesis 48:11 Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.”

Observation: I never thought I would live this long. I tried to end my life the first time when I was only 36 years old and tried several times after that. I never thought I see my children grown, let alone my grandchildren and here I am 70 years old. God didn’t only bless me with more years, but He gave me a life worth living. I’m married to the most wonderful woman I ever met, more in love than I knew was possible and this from a man who couldn’t love anything. You can’t put God in a box, he just doesn’t fit.

Application: I need to never underestimate the power and love of God. No matter what I might be going through I need to give it to God and be obedient to Him. I need to stay in prayer and search for God’s will in my life and when He guides me, I need to give him all the glory and praise, because He is so worthy. Whatever I might be going through I need to rest in the fact God knows exactly where I am.

Prayer: Thank you for loving me so much and always watching over me. Thank you for not giving up on this worthless servant, but for bringing me close to you and making me feel worthy, because I belong to you. Open my mind that I may understand your will for my life and that I may please you each day.

Scripture: Genesis 47: [6] and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock.”

Observation: God has blessed us with special abilities, talents, and we are called to account on how we use them. I know one of my special abilities is food service and organization. I’m called to use these for God’s glory and that will be one of the instruments I’m to use to bear fruit for God’s glory. We need to know what our abilities are and find ways to put them to use so that they will multiply.

Application: I need to search and find ways to use the gifts God has given me to help others and honor God. This Easter we will be doing a military outreach by doing an Easter brunch. The purpose is to bless these families and that God gets all the glory. However when we use our abilities others need to see God through us.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all you give me and I ask you take this laziness away from me and get me busy fulfilling the purpose you have created me for. Bless this Easter brunch and may it bring others closer to you and hopefully open someone eyes to you and that they will receive Jesus as their Lord and savior.

Scripture: Genesis 46:3 “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.

Observation: Most of my life I’ve been afraid. Afraid of what might happen, afraid something might not happen, afraid of living and afraid of dying. I was afraid to take chances and had little confidence in myself. Now most of my fears are gone and I still have very little confidence in myself, however I do have confidence in my God.

Application: I don’t need to build up my own self-esteem, what I need to do is draw closer to God and allow Him to guide my life. My fear came from knowing my own limitations and now my strength comes from knowing I could do all things through Jesus. The only fear I should have is a fear of the Lord and to humble myself each day to His desires.

Prayer: My Lord and my God. I know you didn’t give me a spirit of fear, but of love peace and a sound mind. May I not go anywhere without your presence and I ask for courage to face each day knowing you are with me.

Scripture: Genesis 45:[7] But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Observation: How many times do I give God credit for something people might praise me about. I may thank God in private away from the people, but do I say it to the people so God gets the glory? Not often enough. Here is Joseph, his brothers who sold him into slavery and what an opportunity for revenge. He doesn’t only not get revenge, but he takes none of the credit for being in the high position he is in. He gives God all the glory, which God deserves, and points others to God and not himself.

Application: I’m a greeter at church welcoming people as they come in the door, but my job is to welcome people into God’s presence. Anything that I do that is good is only done because God desires it so and others need to know that. I sit here now with a testimony on how God delivered me from depression and it needs to be used so God gets the credit for healing me and to tell others that it is His desire to do the same for them.

Prayer: My Lord nothing happens without your permission. May others see the good you do through your servant. May I never take credit for anything, but direct others to you. May the people I meet know that I belong to you and that I tell them about your never failing love.

Scripture: Genesis 44:16 “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves–we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.”

Observation: I’ve done so many things wrong in my life and yet didn’t feel guilty. I would justify why I did things and it seemed logical to me, but I was only deceiving myself. When Jesus came into my life and filled me with the Holy Spirit He wouldn’t let me see things my way anymore, but he opened my eyes on how God sees what I did. My guilt was uncovered so I wouldn’t continue to sin, but be transformed into a new creation with a heart like Jesus.

Application: I still have a very long way to go to have a heart like my Lord, but I’m on the right track. I need to be sensitive to God’s calling and the feelings of others. I need to recognize sin even before I do it and if I don’t catch myself, then I need to ask for God’s forgiveness and direction for my life. The closer I walk with my Master the fewer things I will do wrong.

Prayer: My Lord please keep showing your servant how to live this life pleasing to you. If I do anything that would be against your will reveal it to me immediately that I may ask for your forgiveness and draw nearer to you. I love you and what to do what is right.