Daily Devotional

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.

Scripture Exodus 25: [2] “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give.

Observation: God didn’t force anyone to give , He wanted people to have a heart to give. God can make us do anything if He so desired, but He doesn’t, He want us to want to do. He wants us to love Him with all of our heart, mind and soul and we should. God has given us everything and He didn’t owe us anything. Our Heavenly Father is very generous giving us anything that we need and yet He doesn’t demand us to give back, but He wants us to. How many people to we loan to and only expect it back if that person wants to give it back?

Application: I need to give more to others as God has given to me. I need to realize everything belongs to God in the first place and He alone allows be to use it for a time, so all I’m doing is returning what God has loaned me. I need to learn to give to others and that includes my time.

Prayer: Lord I know that I’m selfish and do not give freely, but begrudgingly at times.
Give me a giving spirit that I will give to you all that I am and give to others in your name. Help me be what you want me to be.

Scripture Exodus 24: [7] Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.”

Observation: I don’t believe there is anyone that can say I have always obeyed God. Here is the Israelites, probably one of the most stiff-necked people according to God, and they have always rebelled. God makes it clear what the rules are in His word and there is no excuses. One thing about maturing as a Christian, is that I realize quickly when I’m disobeying, but yet I still disobey every day.

Application: Stay in God’s word and be more aware of what I’m doing. Stay focused and look to see what God wants me to do. Instead of always asking for forgiveness when I mess up, try not to mess up. Think things through before I act and have a loving heart. A loving heart towards everyone is something I lack and yet God calls me to have one.

Prayer: Dear Lord help this stiff-necked man become an obedient servant for you. May I obey each of your desires and be a man that follows you with all of his heart. You deserve the best that I have, show me how to give that to you. I love you and want to be a better child for you.

Scripture Exodus 23: [29] But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.

Observation: We always seem to what everything now and patience certainly is not one of my virtues. God loves us and knows what is best and usually the best isn’t getting what we want when we want it. In this scripture God is telling the Israelites that they will possess the land, but it’s going to take a while, and He tells them why, that they wouldn’t be able to care for the land and the wild animals would be to numerous for them to handle. He told them it was going to be longer than a year and a year to us is forever at times.

Application: I need to stop being so anxious about things and wait on God. I need to trust God and His timing in my life. When I look back everything that happened to me had to happen in the time it did or I wouldn’t be here now. Because of God’s timing I have a testimony to share, the most wonderful woman as my wife, a great home and so much more, because of God’s timing I have purpose and am enjoying the best part of my life.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for your patience and for always watching over me. Help me wait on you and know that everything happens in your timing and not mine. I thank you for all you have blessed me with and help me be faithful with all that you have given me.

Scripture Exodus 22:31 “You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.

Observation: Holy means to be set apart. We are to be different then the people of the world. God has given us things we must do to be holy in His Word and if we obey the world will know that we Are different. Unfortunately we Christians blend into the world so well that no one can see the difference and then no one can see God through our lives. God has set us apart and as rewarded us because of Jesus. We have eternal life through Christ and God’s hope is that we bring others into His grace so they too will be saved, but we need to be holy so others can see.

Application: Jesus said not to hide your light under a bushel, but to allow it to shine brightly so others can see. That is being holy, set apart from God. I need to be obedient to what God has called me to be and share with others what God has done for me and what he wants to do with them. Give every man an answer of the hope that dwells inside of me.

Prayer: My Lord help me be holy in this unholy world. It seems each day the world becomes more corrupt, help me be a light to others and use me to fulfill the purpose you have created me for. Help me shine brightly for you.

Scripture Exodus 21:5 “But if the servant declares, `I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’

Observation: God has given us a choice we can either love Him or not. We can believe what He says or not. We can live with Him for all eternity or not. Our Master has set up rules for us to follow yet He leaves it up to us whether we will follow them or not. We honor Him when we are obedient, it shows Him that we love Him. His rules are for our own good and benefit. I will never leave my master, because I remember life without Him and that is no life at all.

Application: God is my loving Father, but He is also my master and creator. He loves me, and I don’t know why. He is always there for me and corrects me when I do wrong. I need to be in His word each day and be able to feel His presence. It would be easier if I could see Him like an earthly master, but this way it takes faith and faith is what I need to show my love, because without faith I can’t please God.

Prayer: My Lord and my Master. I never want to be set free from you. I need you each day more than air. I don’t ever want to be apart from you again, but serve you in a way that will please you. I love you Lord and what to be always close to you.

Scripture Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Observation: I don’t think a day goes by without me committing some type of sin. I find it so difficult to love each person and my first thought is always a negative one. I might say something and try to justify it or put myself above God and others. Each day is a test on how well I’ll do and even though I might continue to improve I’m far off from being the man I should be for my Lord. I need more fear of my Lord when I decide to do something. Not that He will strike me down with lightning, but that I will fear that I will let Him down, again.

Application: I need to be able to see God in all that I do, He should be my main focus no matter what I’m doing. He is the reason I get up each morning and only by His grace do I even exist. Each day is a test and I need to study, because the results of these tests will be read in heaven and I want a passing grade a grade I will be proud of taking home to my Father.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for each day you have given me whether good or bad. No matter what happens open my eyes to what you are teaching me and that I see your hand in everything that I do. I’m here to serve you and honor you, help me Lord pass the final exam with flying colors.