Daily Devotional

Scripture Acts 10:28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Observation: One thing that I’ve learned by praying with people on the strand is that no one is common. Each person is a special creation by the Father. It’s a shame that some people feel that they are not special and feel as if they may not be of any use. I should know I felt that way most of my life. Once you realize God made you exactly as you are with gifts and abilities you need to ask God how wants them used. Then you’ll realize how special and uncommon you really are.

Application: I want to continue to walk the strand as long as God desires me to and tell the people that God puts in my path how special they truly are. To be available to whomever needs to hear that they are made special by the Creator of the world and loved beyond what they can imagine.

Prayer My Lord thank you for making me, me. I know I never used to be able to say that, but now that You have opened my eyes to why You created me and have guided me on this wonderful path there is no one I would rather be.

Scripture Acts 9:39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

Observation: When we do good works for others we are fulfilling the purpose God has given us.. He calls us to do them for others so our light can shine to those who need Him. When others see our good deeds that is when we give God the glory so that others will believe. To do good deeds for others without giving God the credit is useless, because that won’t lead others to Jesus saving grace.

Application: Whatever I do that is good, God needs to get the glory. My only purpose here is to glorify God and I need to ask the Holy Spirit each day on how I might do that. Every day is different with different people and circumstances and I need to be ready to give a reason for my faith in Christ.

Prayer Lord, I thank you for this journey You have me on and I ask for guidance and wisdom as I go walking among your children. May I be a light to those that are in darkness and spread your love and hope.

Scripture Acts 8:37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Observation: I remember when I gave my life to Christ. I wasn’t exactly sure what I did, but I knew in my heart I needed Jesus. Over the years I’ve developed a deeper relationship and love for my Savior and I know that He is the Son of God and that He filled me with the Holy Spirit, who is guided my life.

Application: Now I need to live my life the way my Lord desires me to. Others need to see the light Jesus but in me and be ready to introduce the love of my life to others. Wake up commenting each day to do the will of the Father and do my best to please Him.

Prayer My Lord thank you for coming into my life and rescuing me from myself. I was bound for hell and You reached down to give me life. Use me today to help someone else on their journey.

Scripture Acts 7:60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Observation: It’s interesting that the bible says Stephen fell asleep and not that he died. It’s as if God took him before he could feel the pain of the stoning. The first thing he said was not to charge the ones that were stoning him. He truly had the heart of Jesus and I can only imagine how he was welcomed in Heaven for his faith.

Application: I have a long way to go to have the heart of Stephen. I don’t think I could ask for forgiveness for those that are hurting me. My first thought seems to be for myself and that is something I need to continue to work on. God didn’t create me for me He created me to be used by Him and that includes thinking of others.

Prayer My Lord guide me today as You put me in the path of others. Use me to share your love and to pray with those who seek you. May I be that servant You call me to be.

Scripture Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

Observation: That would be great to be known as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Stephen was so full of faith and the Holy Spirit that others could see it. There is a difference of thinking you are full of faith and that you are truly full of faith that others can witness it.

Application: I need to walk in faith and continue to call upon the Holy Spirit to guide my life. I want to be a Stephen that others can see my faith and want the same for themselves. I must die to myself and focus on the needs of others. Letting the Holy Spirit take charge, because before you can be full of the Holy Spirit, you have to be empty of everything else.

Prayer: Holy Spirit fill me today so that You may speak to those You have chosen to speak with. May you take over this vessel and use it for Your glory.

Scripture Acts 5:41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

Observation: Would I be able to rejoice if I suffered for the name of Jesus? I would hope I could, but the little sufferings I experience in this world leave me anxious. Jesus truly suffered for me, a death of unbelievable pain so that I may live with Him for all eternity. I will never suffer the way He did for me no matter what I do. I can never repay Him, but I can do what He calls me to do. He deserves my best.

Application: My time here is short and Jesus has made a place for me with Him. He has a heart for all of His children and wants to use us to reach those that are lost. He has called me to use the gifts and abilities that He has blessed me with along with the opportunities to reach those children. No matter what the day may bring that I will always rejoice that God has allowed me to do His work.

Prayer Thank You Jesus for allowing me to be part of your plan to touch the lives of others in your name. May I always be focused on accomplishing the goal You have set before me no matter what the cost. You deserve my best and may I bless You with it today.

Scripture Acts 4:10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

Observation: Do we always give Jesus the glory when He performs miracles in our lives? In my prayer walks God has shown me answered prayers as we pray in the name of Jesus, but I don’t always give God the glory when those miracles are performed in my life. My whole life is a miracle, I shouldn’t even still be alive so anything good that comes out of it is a miracle.

Application: When I give my testimony and how God has worked in my life I need to point to Jesus as the miracle worker. So much happens in a course of a day that even at the end I don’t remember all the people that I’ve talked to. I need to take time and reflect on these moments and to make sure that the glory goes to Christ so that others will seek Him.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for loving me so much that You didn’t give up on this old sinner. May I always be obedient giving You the glory as You work through my life. I love You and ask that You keep me close.