Daily Devotional

Scripture Deuteronomy 14 [2] for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.

Observation: This scripture was for the Jews, but since Jesus bought us from sin with His sacrifice it now applies to those who are saved through Jesus’ sacrifice. I’m holy, because my Lord is Holy and he has taken my place. God choose me along ago, I’ve been predestined to serve him as so many have and because I’ve been bought at a price I’m God’s possession, His treasured possession for all of eternity.

Application: So much of the time I take my salvation too casually. Jesus paid an unbelievable price for me so that I may have eternal life with Him. I need to be more grateful for the most precious gift that I will ever receive. I can’t take this lightly and should be telling many more people about how they can be God’s treasured possession and live a life that will glorify and honor our Lord.

Prayer: My Lord thank you isn’t even close to being enough for what you have done for me you have not only given me the greatest gift of eternal life you have also given me life here on this earth. You’ve saved me more than once from death and have given me a purpose while I’m here. May everything I do glorify you and that you will use me to draw others to you. I love and humbly thank you for this life you have given me.

Scripture Deuteronomy 13 [4] It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

Observation: To hold fast to something you must have it in your sight and in your presence. To hold God fast I must be in His word and He must be in my thoughts always. To follow His commands I must know them and understand them and I would need to want to follow His commands because I love and revere him. To hold fast He must be my goal in life and only Him should I follow, if I follow the things of this world or my own desires outside of my Lord I will no longer be holding fast, but in truth be letting go.

Application: God needs to be on my mind more and in my thoughts and actions. I can’t settle for a quick prayer or 15 minutes of reading the bible, but I must be with Him throughout the day and always in my thoughts and heart. My joy comes from Him and I want to live a joyful life. I need to share how I’m feeling with my God and ask what He desires of me throughout the day not just at the end. I can’t let go, I need to hold on tight each day.

Prayer: My Lord help me hold fast unto you. Hold unto me so that I don’t let go. Keep my eyes and ears on you and your word so that I may grow closer to you and be more like your son. I’m here only for one purpose guide me each day in fulfilling that purpose in glory and honor to your name.

Scripture Deuteronomy 12 [7] There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Observation: Most of the time I don’t even thank God for what He has given me let alone rejoice in it. I have so much to be thankful for, my Lord blesses me at my work and ministry, but I’m so involved in me I forget to thank Him and if I took a moment and realize all my God has given me I would rejoice. Rejoice is more than thanking my God it’s being full of joy so that others can see the work the Lord is doing in me. God doesn’t just bless me but He desires me to help others realize how God has blessed them.

Application: Today someone told me I’m known as the grumpy old man at work, and they are right. I’m more interested in doing what I want and in the way I want to do it I don’t take others feelings in account. I need to ask my Lord for help to represent Him in a much better fashion and to honor Him with the way I treat others. I’m God’s ambassador to so many that He surrounds me with and I would love to become a tour guide when I do get to heaven for those who saw my Lord through my life.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive this grumpy old saint of yours. Help me not be sarcastic and rude to others and help me put their needs above my own. You called me to be a servant, help me be the best I can be. I need your help, grace, wisdom and mercy to honor you in front of others. Soften my heart and draw me closer to You.

Scripture Deuteronomy 11:13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today–to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul–

Observation: When you love someone you want to serve them. I know I love my wife, Teri and I want to serve her and please her, it brings me joy. The Bible tells me to love my Lord with all of my heart and soul and now it tells me to serve Him in the same way. Serving isn’t a chore when you are doing it for someone you love, it’s a privilege. This is not a onetime service either it tells me to faithfully serve my Lord and that means always, with any opportunity that might arise I should be serving with a joyful heart.

Application: When I serve others in my Lord’s name I’m serving the Lord and obeying his command. I need to find more ways to serve His children and my brothers and sisters. I need to humble myself not just before my Lord but before others as well so that God can be glorified in what I do. I want to finish this race in a way that is honoring to Him and I want to do it serving using the gifts and abilities that were given to me.

Prayer: My Lord you’re are worthy of all of my love and service. Guide me each day in what you desire of me and help me be obedient in all you call on me to do. I’m here as your servant, may I please my Master each day.

Scripture Deuteronomy 10 [13] and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

Observation: I know I am to obey God’s commands, but I didn’t realize it was for my own good. I thought I was obeying God because He deserves my obedience, which He does, but why is that for my own good? All of God’s commands are directions on how I should live my life and in those directions are ways for me to earn rewards in heaven, fulfill my purpose, protect me and give me a life of joy. Whether I obey God or not does not affect Him, it is all for my own good or ruin.

Application: To realize God loves me and wants the best for me that is why He gives me commands. He has a plan for my life and I need to follow His directions to fulfill that purpose. Keep reading and studying His commands and follow them to the letter knowing that they are for my own good to live a life that will glorify my Lord.

Prayer: Dear Father thank you for your love and commands. Help me obey every one of them and draw me nearer to you. I want and need you in my life and I want to stay on the path you have chosen for me. Guide me each day and open my heart to you.

Scripture Deuteronomy 9:23 And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh Barnea, he said, “Go up and take possession of the land I have given you.” But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You did not trust him or obey him.

Observation: I’m so much better than I was about trusting God, but why don’t I trust Him every time? He has always been faithful and true and has never let me down, plus He is God. It seems when I feel when I can do it on my own I stop trusting His direction and take things on by myself and that is typically where my down fall comes. I’m not sure why I don’t trust my Heavenly Father each time it is a combination of my sinful nature and the enemy egging me on.

Application: No matter what I need to trust my Lord and nothing else. I’m here because God has chosen me to be here and I can only fulfill His purpose in my life when I let go of my agenda and start trusting His. I need to get busy using my gifts and talents for His glory and not my convenience and trust His plan for my life and stop trying to make up my own.

Prayer: My dear Lord help me trust in you completely. I can’t do anything apart from you. I need your wisdom and guidance to make it through this life and I need to obey You in everything. I love and trust you.

Scripture Deuteronomy 8 [18] But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Observation: Most of my life I thought I did it all. I was good in the foodservice industry because that is what I did. I earned money because I deserved it and was good at what I did, but that wasn’t the reality. The reality I could only do what God allowed me to do. There wasn’t anything special about me that was of my own, it all belonged to God. There is no reason to be arrogant, because everything we have and am is from God and it is to be used for His glory not our recognition.

Application: Whenever I get a little cocky I need to stop and thank God for the gifts that He has given me. A lot of my days should be spent in thanks to God for all that I have and that He has allowed me to be here at this time to fulfill a purpose He has created me for. I need to look around at all of the wonderful things and people that surround me and thank God for giving them to me, even though they are only on loan.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for all I have and all that I am. It all comes from you. Show me how to use these things to glorify you and that you will fill me with the Holy Spirit and show me the people you desire me to touch the things you want me to do with the gifts you have given me.