Daily Devotional

Scripture: Philippians 1: [21] For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Observation: Am I living for Christ? I think about how much time I spend thinking of things I need to do, worrying, buying stuff and other things of this world. Then I think about how much time I spend in doing Christ’s work. It’s embarrassing the percentage. Yet Christ paid the sacrifice for me that if I die it would be gain.

Application: I need to start living for Christ, the way he died for me. My focus in everything I do should be living for Christ and others need to see that in me.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me live this life for you. I know I can’t do it for I’m too weak, but my strength comes from you.

Scripture: Ephesians 6: [7] Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,

Observation: I work halfheartedly at best. I cheat my employer of time and effort. Even when I serve at church sometimes it is out of pride or recognition. I look for praise from men but not praise from God.

Application: I need to start doing everything for the glory of God. I only have a short time to honor God in this world and I need to get busy. When I go to work tomorrow, I need to do a job that would glorify God.

Prayer: My Lord take this pride and laziness away and turn my focus on pleasing you. May I glorify you each day.

Scripture: Ephesians 5: [10] and find out what pleases the Lord.

Observation: We need to find out what pleases the Lord. I believe that it’s in each action we take and word we speak. We have choices we make each day we need to decide what pleases the Lord.

Application: Each day before I do anything or in each decision I need to ask the question, “Does this please God.” I need to start living my life to please my Lord.

Prayer: Lord direct me this day and show me how to please you. May a day not go by that I don’t bring a smile to your face.

Scripture: Ephesians 4: [12] to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Observation: I’m one of God’s people. What a privilege that is. Reading, praying and going to church is preparing me for service. My purpose is to serve to build up the church, the body of Christ.

Application: I need to be more aggressive in my service to the church. I also need to be prepared to know what to do. I should take more classes at church, read more, get involved more and outline how God wants me to serve him by serving my church.

Prayer: My Lord, you have blessed me with gifts and abilities. May I use them each day to please you and build up your church.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Observation: Jesus can do more than I can even imagine, yet during the course of a day I doubt and worry over the smallest of problems. In my life I’ve seen His miracles and I’m even married to one. How quickly I forget how much He loves and cares for me.

Application: I need to start showing my love for God. I need to speak it and show it to others and to Him. Because when I tell God I love Him, the things that He has done for me come back to mind and I see what He has already done and that will help strengthen my faith in what He is going to do.

Prayer: My God, I love you with all my heart. Forgive me for getting lost in the things of this world and help me stay focused on you.

Scripture: Ephesians 2: [10] For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Observation: Sometimes I forget I’m created by God and as a master craftsman whatever He creates would have a purpose. I was designed exactly the way I am for a reason. I have work to do and it is a specific job prepared for me before I was born. I’m not here to live this life for me, but to fulfill a specific purpose for God.

Application: I need to live each day with a purpose and talking to my creator so He may reveal to me what He wants. I need to search to find the works God designed for me to do and fulfill my purpose before going home to my Lord.

Prayer: Dear creator guide your creation today that I will accomplish the things you planned for me this day.

Scripture: Ephesians 1: [5] he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–

Observation: I look back on my life and see how God continued to save me from myself. I see what He went through for me to find Jesus and be saved. I know I was predestined and there is something about me that God wants to use for His glory and pleasure.

Application: I need to live my life with an open heart and mind, to search each day for God’s will and pleasure. My goal each day is to please my heavenly Father.

Prayer: My God may I bless you this day that you can look down on me and be pleased you chose me as your child.