Daily Devotional

Let God Be Our Fear

Scripture Isaiah 8:13 The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread.

Observation: Sounds kind of harsh that God should be our fear, since He is love. We fear so many things in this world and we bow down to modern day idols and then we come to God and pray for help. If we fear God, we would never make the things of this world into idols and the only thing to fear is not following God whole heartily. God needs to be our main focus in what we do and every decision we make. We are called to be with God for all eternity and everything else will fade away to nothing.

Application: To live a live fearing the things that I might be doing do not honor God. This life is short and I’m here for only one purpose and that is to serve and love my Lord with my whole heart, mind and soul. I can’t do that focused on the things of this world so God needs to be my everything.

Prayer: My Lord, I do love you. Help me please live a life that will glorify you. May I be afraid of doing thing that don’t please you, but search for the purpose you created me for.

A Sign from the Lord

Scripture Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.[

Observation: Throughout the bible the Lord has been giving signs to His people about what is to happen. Most don’t think He does that any longer, but I look at my life and I see moments that God has given me signs. He has encouraged me not to give up and at times when I thought things were hopeless, He performs a small miracle to let me know He is still among us. I don’t think we see the signs any longer because we aren’t looking for them. He is still working in His children’s lives.

Application: I need to be more aware of my Lord and stop being overwhelmed with what is happening on this earth. I get so distracted by the evil that surrounds me that I don’t see the signs any longer. I need to be quiet and look around me to see what God is doing in my life and the lives of those around me.

Prayer: My Lord open my eyes to your signs. Make me aware of what you desire of me. Help me not give up, but be focused on your will.

Send Me!

Scripture Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Observation: This has been my prayer for God to send me to proclaim the gospel. Yet the only thing stopping me from doing it is me. I ask God to send me to make a difference and then I don’t do anything else. There are opportunities all around me, but my laziness and lack of conviction keeps me still. I’m not sure what I’m expecting God to do. He has given me everything I need and I know if I begin speaking to others the Holy Spirit will be right by my side telling me what to say.

Application: I need to stop making excuses and start making plans on how I’m going to go out to do God’s work. I need to seek the help of others that can hold me accountable and give me direction on the best way to go out. I need to stop and listen to my Lord and be obedient to what He calls me to do.

Prayer: My Lord I’m here, please send me. Help me with this laziness and give me strength to fulfill the purpose you have created me for. Help me finish well.

We Need to be Humbled

Scripture Isaiah 5:15 People shall be brought down, Each man shall be humbled, And the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.

Observation: There is so much pride in our culture we are even proud of the sins we commit. We are surrounded by the media that tells us to be proud of who we are no matter what, even gay pride. Self-pride in our culture is the answer, but as long as we seek to be prideful we can’t see our mistakes and turn from our evil ways. We don’t improve or grow closer to God because we feel proud of the people we are turning into, even if it is the worst of sinners.

Application: God has blessed me with gifts and talents that are to be used for His glory, not mine. I need to give glory to God in all things and use whatever ability I have for His purpose and not mine. I need to be that humble servant not only to my Lord but to others to help point them to the way of my Savior.

Prayer: My Lord humble your servant before you and give me the strength to carry on. Guide me each morning and what you desire of me and that I will fulfill that calling in glory and honor to you.

Branch of the Lord

Scripture Isaiah 4:2 In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped.

Observation: We as Christians are now the branch of the Lord. Jesus tells us if we will abide in him that He will graft us into the vine. He has set us apart to produce fruit and to be excellent and appealing to the world around us, but instead of grafting into the Lord most of us have blended into this world and have become unnoticed and ineffective.

Application: We need to be separated from this world and to be a light to others. Our lives should be different and appealing to the world and point the way to Jesus. If we do not the world has no hope, but if we do what God has called us to do, we can bring others with us and they will not have to perish.

Prayer: My Lord it is so easy to blend in, help me stand out in glory and honor to you. Help me be a light to this dark place and to accomplish the purpose you have created me for.

The Things to Come Are Here

Scripture Isaiah 3:5 The people will be oppressed, every one by another and every one by his neighbor; The child will be insolent toward the elder, And the base toward the honorable.”

Observation: People have been oppressed throughout history. We are not oppressed by just our government but by people around us, whether because of something we lack or a position that is held people go out of their way to oppress us to make themselves feel better. With social media it is even worse since now everyone has a voice and the young feel they have rights and try to enforce those rights on the elders. Satan has us fighting against each other so we won’t see the real enemy, which is him.

Application: I need to be a voice of reason in this unreasonable age. Instead of oppressing I need to be encouraging and help point the way to Christ. I have no power or rights, but I have something much more powerful, the gospel.

Prayer: My Lord give me strength to fulfill the purpose you have called me to. It is so confusing here and it is one distraction over another, but keep our hearts and minds focused on you. I love you Lord.

We Shall Be Humbled

Scripture Isaiah 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

Observation: Everyone wants to be noticed and looked up to. The news is full of people that are trying to make a name for themselves, no matter who it might hurt. It is our sinful nature to be prideful and to put ourselves above others. We are so full of ourselves that we leave no room for our Lord and His desires for our lives.

Application: I need to live a humble life, putting the needs of others above my own to honor God. This life does not belong to me, but I’m here as a servant of my Lord and I need to obey His commands and desires.

Prayer: Lord humble your servant before you. Take the heart of stone and turn it into a heart of flesh. Help guide me to be obedient to you and finish this race to please you.