Daily Devotional

Scripture Exodus 32: [8] They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, `These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

Observation: How easy it is to turn away from God to the gods of this world. We are surrounded by so much evil in this world and turn to the god of money, success, lust and popularity and forget what God has told us. He tells us to love one another and put the needs of others above our own, but how many of us do that? Each day we are left with a choice are we going to follow God or the gods of this world?

Application: I get so easily sucked in to the things and sin of this world. When I try to focus on God and get into His word, my mind wanders. I need to be more focused on God and what He wants of me and to remember I’m only here for a short while before it is time to go home to my Father. I need to stay focused on my true home and not this temporary place that I dwell.

Prayer: My Father I want to be obedient to you and please you with the life I live, but I need you. I’m weak and easily distracted, help me stay focused on you and your desires for my life. Time here is getting short and I do want to earn rewards so that I have something to bring home to you.

Scripture Exodus 31: [6] Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:

Observation: When God calls us out to do something for Him, He makes sure we have everything we need. He’ll supply the resources and people that it will take to accomplish His desire. I’ve seen this so many times as I would step out to do different outreaches. Money comes when it is needed. He brings the people that have the gifts and talents to do the job right and He’ll bring the people that need to be served. He will also give us the heart to touch others and say the right thing.

Application: I need to increase my faith so I will just step out in faith and not analyze every little thing. If I know God has called me to do it I need to depend on Him to bring me the things that are needed to accomplish the task. God doesn’t need me, but is willing to use me if I will let Him and even though God does the work if I step out He always blesses me.

Prayer: My Lord increase my faith that I will trust you completely. You are so faithful and worthy of all of my love praise and worship, help me live the rest of this life so that you are pleased.

Scripture Exodus 30: [6] Put the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony–before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony–where I will meet with you.

Observation: Where has God met you. I know in my life God has met me in different places. I know when I was so desperate and confused God met me in my room to comfort me. He took the time to explain what was happening to me and why. He has met me so many times when I served and did outreaches. He hugged me at the end of an event and I felt Him being proud of me. He meets me when I’m low or high and if I’m patient He will tell me what to do next.

Application: God is with me right now as I write this journal. The Holy Spirit is guiding my fingers on the keyboard and putting thoughts in my head. His word tells me He will never forsake me and that He is always with me. I need to have the confidence in that no matter what God will meet me whether to comfort me or to direct me.

Prayer: Oh dear Lord, I thank you for being there for me and meeting me in times of sorrow and joy. May I always know that you are with me and I live my life knowing you are watching. Help me glorify your name in all that I do.

Scripture Exodus 29: [46] They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.

Observation: A couple of things in this scripture the first do I know that He is the Lord my God? He is the master of my life, my creator and if I say He is, do I live my life that way? Do I realize He has brought me through this life. There is no reason I should be alive and to be so blessed, something I don’t deserve. Do I know that He dwells with me, that He is always there? There is nothing that my Lord doesn’t know and there is nothing He can’t get me through.

Application: I know these things are true, that God is my Lord and my Master and that He is always with me and that He is the one that got me where I am now. I need to tell others about His amazing grace and to share my testimony with those God puts in my path. To share the love of God with those in this world through my testimony. I need to stop keeping God’s mercy love and grace a secret and shout it out to others.

Prayer: My Lord and my God, thank you for all you do for me and thank you that you never gave up. May others see what you created in me, may I not keep your love a secret to others any more, but share all you have done for me with others. Thank you Lord on this special day, the day you decided I was worthy to be here.

Scripture Exodus 28 [30] Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD.:

Observation: God resides within us and has given us a conscience and a soul to help us determine right from wrong. I find it interesting that the means of making decisions is placed above the heart. We should be making decisions with our hearts so that we do what is right. So often we try to think things through instead of letting God work through us. When God speaks to me He speaks to my heart, He doesn’t reason with me and explain He expects that I will do because He calls me to do it. He wants a heart that obeys.

Application: I need to use my heart more than I do. I try to figure things out and I normally try to figure out what is best for me, not what will honor God. If I use my heart I will be able to see situations through God’s viewpoint. He wants me to run, not sit back and calculate, but run knowing that He is right there besides me and if I use my heart more I will be able to hear Him more clearly.

Prayer: My Lord soften this hard hearted man. Fill me with your love that I may share it with others. Put on my heart the things you desire of me and that my heart will be visible to others so that they may see you working in my life.

Scripture Exodus 27: [8] Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain.

Observation: Sometimes we feel we’re not sure how to do something that God wants us to do, but yet He has shown us through His word. The bible is great because God not only tells us what to do, he gives us examples of both what to do and what not to do. We have been shown how we are to live our life for God’s glory. God has set up rules and regulations on how we are supposed to act, honor God and treat others.

Application: I know the life God wants me to live and I have no excuses when I fail. I need to get out of this sinful nature of mine and stay focused on God. He has done so much for me and He is watching over me and wants the best, that is why He sets up perimeters for me to stay within. I need to follow directions so that I can build a life God would be proud of.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for showing me how to live. I thank you for your rules and direction in my life, but I need your help to be successful and following them. Each day I need the Holy Spirit to guide me and fight off this sinful nature I have so that I may do what is right. I love you Lord and want to please you.

Scripture Exodus 26:31 “Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it by a skilled craftsman.

Observation: Throughout Exodus God tells Moses to have a skilled Craftsman or an embroiderer or a person that is gifted in doing the task that needs to be done. God doesn’t want amateurs so He gives us the necessary skills we need to fulfill the purpose He has created us for. So if we are not sure of our purpose we need to examine what we are good at and what we enjoy, because God wants us to enjoy our work, this way we will master it.

Application: More I see how God wants to use me the more I can observe the skills God has given me. He has taught me how to write, He has given me organizational skills, cooking skills and has soften my heart to others. Some of the things I had before becoming a Christian and others were gifts given by the Holy Spirit. He has incorporated both the talents, testimony and gifts and has given me a purpose. I need to continue to hone my skills and not take them for granted and be ready to use them every time God calls on me.

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for all I have, because it comes from you. Use me and show me how to use the skills you have given me for your glory. May I make a difference before it is time for me to come home and open the eyes of your children to your love.