Daily Devotional

Scripture 1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.

Observation: God gives wisdom to each of his children. It appears He gave Solomon more than anyone else, but I don’t think we realize the potential of the wisdom that was given to us. Our problem most of the time is that we restrict our wisdom on what we know, instead of inquiring of God to expand that wisdom. The answers to life’s situations are all in the Bible and God hasn’t missed a one. We search what God desires are wisdom increases to not what only we know, but what God will reveal to us. God gives wisdom and that does not mean the ability to learn from birth, but He gives wisdom every day if we ask, as Solomon did.

Application: I need to stop trying to figure out everything myself. I need to humble myself and go before the Lord and ask for His guidance and to give me more wisdom to do the things He wants me to do, the way He wants them done. Before making any major decision or a decision that might impact someone else’s life I need to go before my Lord and ask for the wisdom to do what is right and honoring to Him.

Prayer: My Lord like Solomon I ask you for wisdom. Wisdom to live this life in a way that is pleasing to you. My mind is going all of the times deciding what to do and I need your help to stop me and quiet my heart and listen to your counsel. I love you Lord and I want to do what is right in your eyes.

Scripture 1 Kings 3:3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.

Observation: We are called to love the Lord with all of our heart, mind and soul, but when others see us can they see that love. I know it’s not that evident in my life most of the time. I want to be like Solomon loving the Lord and obeying everything He asks of me. I want that to be the first thing on my mind and heart, just to love my Lord, because when you love someone you want them to be happy, you want to honor them, it’s not a duty, but just second nature to please that person you love so much. I do love my Lord, but He’s not where He should be in my life, first.

Application: God needs to be where He deserves, first in my life. He should be the center of my attention, the reason I live and the one I want to please above all others. I want people to know how much I love my Lord just by my actions and words. Each morning when I start my day out in prayer I need to continue that throughout the day by focusing on why I’m here, because I’m only here because my Lord desires it so and I need to honor my Lord with this life He has blessed me with.

Prayer: Oh my Lord I do love you, but forgive me for not giving you the attention you deserve. Show me how to live this life in a way that pleases you. I want to make you smile and I want you to laugh knowing how much I love you. I need the help of the Holy Spirit, because I am a sinner and a self centered man, give me strength and wisdom to have you on my mind all day long.

Scripture 1 Kings 2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;

Observation: We continue to ask for God’s blessings, that we would prosper and that He will keep us safe and healthy, but do we keep His commands? I know for myself each day I break one of my Lord’s commands, for instance He commands me to love others as I love myself, I don’t think a day goes by that I keep that one, He told me not to have lustful or coveted thoughts and again a day doesn’t go by that I keep that command. I can go on, but I believe each one of us misses a command of our Lord, so why should we ask Him for anything? Even though we do not deserve His blessings He is so generous He gives them anyway.

Application: I need to try much harder to keep my Master’s commands, but when I don’t I need to stop and ask for His forgiveness and repent right away. It’s hard in this fallen world to be righteous, but that is what God commands me to be. I need to work so much harder on loving my brothers and sisters and to have a concern for those that are lost. I need to put God first in my heart and not my desires, but to live a life that will honor my Lord and to keep all of His commandments.

Prayer: My Lord and my God, You know my heart and that I do want to be the best I can be, but you also know my nature and how I always fall short. Strengthen me and give me the wisdom I will need to live a righteous life before you. I want to run this race will You coach me each day to do what is right in your sight.

Scripture 1 Kings 1:30 just as I swore to you by the LORD God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this day.”

Observation: Let your yes be yes and your no, no. Be truthful in all that you say do not lie or take back a promise, because the Lord knows. God has made promises in His word and has kept each one as an example we should do the same. If we promise someone we are going to do something we need to do it in glory and honor to God. We are to have godly character and to be representatives of our King and our King does not need a liar as His servant. We are to represent our King to others and they should know that we are Christians or we’re not doing a very good job. Our character is our integrity and others need to see that.

Application: To make sure I do everything I promise someone I will do and to do it with a gracious spirit as If I was doing it for the Lord, which I am. To be the best representative I can be for the Lord on this earth, helping bring others to His loving grace. I need to be so much more loving and a better witness for my Lord, people around me should not have a doubt that I belong to my Lord and Savior.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me a trustworthy person even though you are the only one that is completely trustworthy, help me be an ambassador for you. I want to be a light in this world help me shine brightly, always telling the truth and being dependable no matter what the situation.

Scripture 2 Sam 24:10 And David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O LORD, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”

Observation: Lately I’ve been having a hard time keeping good thoughts about people, it seems as soon as my mind starts to rest I have nothing but negative thoughts. My heart has really been condemning me and I spent a good part of the day asking for God’s forgiveness. It seems I can’t think or look at someone without having some negative judgment or lustful thought. I’m glad my heart is condemning me since this will be the only way I will change, but it’s hard and just reminds me of what a sinner I am.

Application: I need not only ask God to change my heart, but I need to confess this sin and see what I need to do to make up for it. Each morning I tell God He is worthy of all of my praise, love and worship, but as I’m to love God with all of my heart, mind and soul, my mind continually drifts from Him. There is a scripture Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. I need to memorize this scripture.

Prayer: My Lord soften my heart and change my thoughts. Take this self-centered focus from me and make it a God centered focus each day. That my thoughts would be pure and of you. Help me stay focused on your will and my new home when it’s time instead of the useless things I think of each day.

Scripture 2 Sam 23:10 He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.

Observation: In this chapter it tells of the mighty men of David. It told how one killed 800 in one day, someone else 300 and the list goes on how mighty these men were. However this verse tells it all, the Lord brought a great victory. I don’t know anyone who could kill 800 of his enemy in one day by themselves, it has to be God and when we realize that it is Him and not us it gives us a feeling of security and hope.

Application: I need to start giving God all the glory for the victories a receive each day. Just getting up and making it to work each day is something I shouldn’t take for granted. I assume so much, that all I have I deserve, when in reality I deserve nothing at all. My whole life has been a victory, I should be dead and burning in Hell where I belong, but my Lord had a different plan for my life and I need to start living victoriously through Him and letting others know about my leader, my God and my Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for your protection. Thanks for stepping in for me so many times to fight my battles and I thank you for all of the victories you won. Help me show others a life that follows you and use me to bring others to your saving grace.

Scripture 2 Sam 22:7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry entered His ears.

Observation: In my distress seems to be an everyday occurrence for me. I catch myself thinking evil about others, I have no self-control about eating, I have a hard time staying focused on the tasks God sets before me and I cry out for help. I know He hears me, because He answers my cries and comforts me in my trials. My mind doesn’t stop I can’t seem to keep it at rest or focused on one thing so I cry out for peace, I cry out for direction and patience and I know my Lord hears me. Sometimes I think He has to be getting tired of the constant cries from me, but He never makes me feel as though He does, He just continues to hear my pleas and grants them in His way.

Application: I need to realize my Lord is always there and I need to trust Him in every aspect of my life. I need to realize the depth of His love for me and how He cares for me and wants me to succeed for Him and that He is willing to help me out and all I have to do is ask. There is nothing that happens to me that my Lord doesn’t know about and there is nothing too big for Him to handle. I need to just make sure that I’m in His will and doing what honors Him and show Him that I trust and love Him no matter what.

Prayer: Dear Lord I know that you hear me and I thank you for always being there for me. Forgive me of my distress, because if I truly trusted and loved you I would realize you are bigger than anything that can happen to me. I know you won’t give up on me, help me earn the rewards that you have set aside for me. I love and trust you Father, guide me each day.