Daily Devotional

Scripture: James 1: [4] Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Observation: Persevering is definitely not one of my strong suits. I give up easily and quickly, making excuses and giving God reasons why I can’t go on. Whenever I start a project that can honor God my laziness takes over or my pride to stop my momentum. I will be mature until I finish what I’m called to do. I can never graduate until I finish the course.

Application: I need to know that the enemy does not what me to persevere, but desires me to give up. He will help throw up road blocks in my path, but I need to focus on the prize, pleasing my Lord and fulfilling the purpose I was created for. I have gifts I can use to serve my Lord and to help others and I need to be using them every opportunity I get.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me persevere through this life so that I might finish this race well. Guide me so that I may mature and be more useful to you. Use me to lead others to you. I love you Lord and desire to please you, fill me with the Holy Spirit and show me how.

Scripture: Hebrews 13: [16] And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Observation: You would think doing good would be natural, but it’s not. Even God calls it a sacrifice and when you think about it is. Normally when you do something good for someone else you’re not doing something for yourself and that is a sacrifice to us. We are so involved in what we want that anything else is going beyond what we want to do. We do live in a fallen world with a sinful nature so it takes more of an effort to please God with our time.

Application: My memory is poor and at times I forget to do good because I’m so focused on me, but that needs to change. My focus needs to be on others needs because that is what God calls me to do. I tell God every day that I want to please Him and I know He appreciates my prayers, my Bible study and the things I do in private, but what really pleases Him is for me to sacrifice the precious time He blesses me with and give it to others as a living sacrifice.

Prayer: Dear Lord I’m lazy and selfish two traits that dishonor you. I need your strength and guidance to be the man that would be pleasing to you. Help open my eyes and give me strength that this life would be pleasing to you. I love you Lord and don’t want to leave here until I can come home pleasing you.

Scripture: Hebrews 12: [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Observation: In my class I teach about how our focus reflects our thoughts. I need to do that in my own life and always focus on Jesus. It should be easy He is all around me and never leaves or forsakes me.. If I know Jesus is the answer to anything that might come my way I won’t grow weary or lose heart, because I know He loves and cares for me.

Application: I need to stay focused on God’s plan for my life. I need to b able to see Jesus in all of my situations every day. I can’t allow myself to get distracted and take my focus off of Him. God has a purpose for this life and to touch the hearts of others I need to be walking in the path God has placed me on with my focus on Jesus so I don’t get off course.

Prayer: My Lord please always stay close to me and open my eyes so that I might see you in every situation. Give me strength so I don’t grow weary and give me hope so I don’t lose heart. I love you Lord, may I live today showing you how much.

Scripture: Hebrews 11: [6] And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Observation: Faith the thing I need so desperately. I can talk a good game but when things get tough my knees buckle. Yet the times I do step out in faith God has always blessed them and me in the process. I know my Father exists I talk to Him every day, but when my focus is off of Him my faith seems to disappear.

Application: Faith is an action , a commitment, the knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt and is the one thing my Lord tells me I must have. He’ll always be there to help me, but I need to trust Him and allow Him to take charge of this life He has given me. My ultimate goal each day is to bring a smile to my Father’s face and know that He is pleased with me, but only through faith.

Prayer: My Lord I belief, help me with my unbelief. I so desperately want to please you and live a life that glorifies you, but I need your help to do it. Increase my faith and help me stay focused on you. I love you with all of my heart, mind and soul, draw me close.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:7 Then I said, `Here I am–it is written about me in the scroll–
I have come to do your will, O God.’ ”

Observation: To be like Jesus is my aim in life. Jesus came to earth to do the Father’s will and no matter what the obstacles He would not be led astray from fulfilling His goal. My goal is the same to do the will of the Father, however I can’t do it on my own. I’m easily swayed and put myself and interest above all instead of the purpose God has created me for.

Application: So what do I do? I model my Lord and ask for Him to guide me through this life and give me the strength and wisdom to fulfill the purpose I was created for. I must be in prayer and always in the word so I know what I need to do when a situation arises. I need to find comfort and wisdom in my Lord when I need to fight temptation. I’m not alone, but I need to ask for the help that I need, which is a constant request.

Prayer: Dear Lord I need you, I can’t live this life without you and I don’t want to. Take charge of your servant and command me on what I should do each day. Help me not stray to the right or the left but stay on course until the end of this journey.

Scripture: Hebrews 9: [14] How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Observation: I always thought I was a terrible person and all I thought about was all the wrong I did. I’m a better person now, but far from perfect. I’m still a sinner yet my Lord has forgiven me and has given me peace. I catch myself right away now when I do something wrong and ask for forgiveness most of the time. With God’s forgiveness and love I can now love the person God has created in me.

Application: Know that I’m a child of God because Jesus sacrificed himself for me. No matter how bad I might feel about myself I need to stand back and see that I belong to God and allow him to take any burdens from me so that I might draw closer to Him.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for your sacrifice and draw me closer to you. Give me peace and take away this anger that builds up within me and show me how to use my conscience to your glory.

Scripture: Hebrews 8:10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.

Observation: God has put His laws on my mind, I have no excuse not to know what is right and what is wrong. Since I’ve been reading the Bible now fourteen years, I know what God’s word says and what He expects of me, for me not to obey is disobedience and I can’t plead ignorance. I may not be Israel, but I am one of God’s people.

Application: I need to continue to study God’s word, pray and learn more about God’s desires for me. When I start each day I need to put it before God in prayer asking for His guidance and direction in my life.

Prayer: My Lord continue to place your desires on my mind and heart and that I would be obedient to all you call me to do. I’m here as your servant, may I always be obedient and willing to serve.