Daily Devotional

Scripture Judges 5:2 “When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the LORD!

Observation: When we offer ourselves to others we bless the Lord. This Thursday is Thanksgiving and we will be doing a dinner at the Army and Navy Academy for the homeless and military. I’ve asked for servants for this event and I have more than enough and had to turn away volunteers. The people are willing to give of themselves to bless others and return bless God. He asks us to bear fruit and to do good works and this will be an opportunity to do so and God will be glorified.

Application: It’s been awhile since I’ve willingly have given myself to serve others. I do it once in a while and pretend it’s enough or more than some others might do, but in reality my purpose is to serve as my Lord served me. I’m called to be a servant a servant to all and not occasionally but all of the time. I need to find more ways to serve others whether in the church or outside of it I’m here to serve as if I’m serving my God, which I am.

Prayer: Dear Lord your servant is lazy, help strengthen me to be a better servant for you. May I not put myself above anyone else, but be last as you call me to do. May I serve others that your name will be glorified. You deserve all I have, may I give it willingly, always.

Scripture Judges 4:14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.

Observation: We forget sometimes that God already knows what is before us because He has already been there. He knows what we are going to come up against and He knows how we are going to react. He tells us if we would trust in Him He would guide us and make a path before us. There is nothing we will go through that will surprise our Lord and no matter what trials we might be going through God has gone out before us to make a way, but we must follow Him and stay on the course He has placed us on.

Application: I need to stop worrying so much about everything. My anxiety is a sign that I don’t trust God who has been trustworthy all of my life. I need to be more focused on what God desires of me and less time spent on thinking and worrying about each situation. If I’m focused on God’s will for each situation I will be able to see more clearly what he desires in each situation and see Him before me so that I may follow closely.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for loving me so much. Thank you that you clear the way for me to bear fruit and to follow the plans you have made for me. May I stay close to you and be right behind you. Help me with my belief and give me the wisdom I will need to follow you with all of my heart.

Scripture Judges 3:28 Then he said to them, “Follow me, for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they went down after him, seized the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and did not allow anyone to cross over.

Observation: Ehud the leader at this time could have taken the credit for what God had done, but did what was right and gave God the glory. How many times during the course of the day do we take credit for what God has done in our lives. He has given us all of our abilities and talents also the opportunities, but when we are in front of others do we give God the glory or do we take the credit ourselves? I know for myself it is too hard at times not taking the credit to impress others when it wasn’t me at all but God working through me. We’re here to honor, obey, praise and give God the glory, how are you doing?

Application: There is nothing I can do apart from God and even though I realize it others around me must realize it also. Anything good that comes from me is from God, if I bear fruit it is only because God is guiding me. I need to give Him all of the glory and worship Him with this life He has given me, May I always glorify my Lord to everyone around me.

Prayer: Oh my Lord take this pride from me and show me how to point others to you. I’m here as your servant only and your representative in a fallen world. Use me for your glory. May I be a good advertisement for your love.

Scripture Judges 2:10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.

Observation: Each generation seems to get farther from God. Our society makes it difficult to serve or praise God. We are close to Christmas and the day has been replaced with Happy Holidays and on the news I saw that a community is going to be changing the name of their Christmas Parade to a Holiday parade. The number of teenagers that drop their faith are on the rise as each generation moves away from our Lord. Christians don’t fight for their rights while others fight to take what little Christians have away and we stand by and do nothing about it.

Application: We need to help teach our children about our Lord. We can start with our children and grandchildren and help guide them to God. I then need to get involved with the things that are turning people away from Jesus and be there to fight for my Lord. I do so little and so much needs to be done.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me for my laziness and give me strength to make a difference in this generation. I’m only here because you desire me to be, so use me for your glory and give me wisdom to help bring others to your name.

Scripture Judges 1:1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?”

Observation: That is something we should do all of the time ask God what he desires and ask for His guidance. How many decisions do we make in a day and how many do we ask God about. We get self-reliant and don’t think we need to ask God on our day by day decisions only when we get ourselves in a jam do we ask God for guidance. God is not looking for people who are independent, but dependent on Him. He knows all and sees all and He has the right answer and all we need to do is ask.

Application: I want God involved in my life, after all it is His creation. I need to ask Him about all of my decisions, because those decisions can result in either a closer relationship with Him or it may separate me from my Lord. I make so many decisions each day without giving God a thought in them and those decisions effect other people, God’s children. To be a better person, which I strive for I need better direction on how to live this life.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me please make the decisions I must make each day. I disregard your counsel, because I don’t ask for it. I want to be dependent on you and I need your wisdom to do what is right. This world is fallen and I need to think outside of its boundaries and have the heart of my Lord. Help me each day draw closer to you in thought word and deed.

Scripture Josh 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Observation: This is one of the most popular scriptures where many Christians have this displayed somewhere in their home. However how many households actually obey what this scripture says, we will serve the Lord. I know I have good intentions, but good intentions doesn’t serve God, actions do. To do good works and to bear fruit takes much more than good intentions it takes the strength that comes from asking God to guide you. This Thanksgiving we are going to have a Thanksgiving dinner and people have signed up as families to serve others in Jesus name. That is more than a desire to do good this is making a commitment and doing it, which I know will honor God.

Application: I serve God from time to time, but that isn’t even close enough to what He deserves from me, He deserves all I have and all that I am, all of the time and I don’t come close to that. Teri and I serve together and Erin and her family will help this Thanksgiving, but serving God isn’t a once in a while endeavor but a way of living. I need to be a better servant and a committed one for my Lord, no more halfhearted effort, but I need to be totally sold out for my God.

Prayer: Dear Lord I want to serve you completely and with a thankful heart. I want to be able to bless you with the way that I live and draw closer to you each day. You deserve everything from me, all of my love, obedience, praise and time. Give me wisdom and strength to deliver this to you.

Scripture Josh 23:3 You have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the LORD your God is He who has fought for you.

Observation: I’m only here today because God loves me and as fought for me. Sometimes he had to even fight me for my sake. I look back on my life to see where I couldn’t go any more, because of all the obstacles in my way and even though I didn’t know my Lord back then He still removed the obstacles in my life so that I would continue another day. My Lord still fights for me every day sometimes against the obstacles Satan puts before me and sometimes my own thoughts that have hindered me so many times in the past. If God is for me who can be against me is a verse that is true in my life.

Application: I know my Lord fights for me, but I need to be a better partner in this battle. I need to arm myself with the shield of faith and sharpen my sword, His word. Every day is a battle and I need to be prepared to fight alongside my Lord, putting on the full armor of God. I need to get this temple strong and ready so that as long as I’m here I’m fighting against those who stand in the way of my Lord.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for not giving up on this unworthy soldier of yours. I thank you that you fight for me each day and I will always need your support and guidance. Help strengthen me again our enemies and make me wise in your battle plan for my life. It is such an honor to serve with you.