Daily Devotional

Scripture: Hebrews 1: [3] The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Observation: I read how wonderful Jesus is and all He has done for me, yet I’m called to be like Him. How can that be? Jesus nature was loving, compassionate, a servant and a reflection of God’s love on this earth. So why can’t I do that? The Word says I can do all things through Jesus if I call on Him. Jesus is the greatest that ever was or will be, but I’m called to be like Him. I know I will never reach that mark, but I need to try each day.

Application: I’m here to reflect the love of God on this earth. I need always try to be like my Lord and call on Him to help me succeed. I need to think and pray before I do anything and ask for God’s direction in all of the circumstances I encounter.

Prayer: My Lord help me reflect your love to others. Give me the compassion I need and that I would be more concerned for others than myself. That my words and actions might draw others near to you and that I will reflect your light in this world to others.

Scripture: Philemon [6] I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

Observation: I look back at the times I do share my faith and as I speak the Holy Spirit uses me and I get a better understanding of my faith. The Holy Spirit always brings to mind the things that the Lord has done for me that maybe I forgot or just don’t think of and my love and faith is renewed. When I’m not sharing and living my typical life my thoughts are of the world or worried about something and I don’t think of all the blessings that have been bestowed on me and I become useless to God and myself.

Application: Make more of each opportunity that is presented to me to share my faith and grow closer to God. Share with friends, co-workers and strangers the love of God and what He has done for me. Tell others the reason for my faith and the faithfulness of my Master. I have one purpose and that is to spread the gospel and bring others to the saving grace of Christ and I can do it sharing my story and my faith.

Prayer: Dear lord you have blessed me beyond measure and I thank you for your love. Guide me to live the rest of this life as a testimony of your love and grace. I need you Lord because left on my own I will slowly fall back to my lazy ways and become useless to you and to others. I love and trust you take charge of your servant.

Scripture: Titus 3: [8] This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Observation: Why is trust so hard for me? I remember when God put Proverbs 3:5,6 on my heart to remind me to trust in Him for everything. I know I’ve come a long way but I haven’t come far enough, because if I did I would be devoted in doing good things. I do good things from time to time and it is my heart’s desire to do so, but I’m not devoted. It says to be careful to do good things which means I need to watch what I do at all times so I can be profitable to everyone.

Application: I need to watch what I do all of the time. I know I have had more negative thoughts today than positive ones and a lot of what I did was for me and not for good. I want people to see me as Jesus’ servant, doing good things, a person people can depend on for doing what is right.

Prayer: Dear lord help me do good things. Make me aware of what I am doing and guide me to do the things that please you. I’m here for a short time, may that time glorify you and help others.

Scripture: Titus 2: [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Observation: My Lord gave of himself to save and purify me and He calls me His own. I should want to do anything that pleases my Lord and no matter what it costs me. I should be eager to do good for Jesus, but how eager am I. It seems my own needs and desires come before my Lord’s instead of my desires being His. I should want what He wants, it should be my nature, but it isn’t. I spent so much of my life trying to please others, why don’t I spend that time and more trying to please my Lord?

Application: Before I do anything I should ask myself if this is serving or pleasing to God. I am called to be a person of God and to be eager, not reluctant, but wanting to do things that are good and pleasing. Jesus saved me to be His and to serve others in a way to direct them to God the Father. This should be more than a duty but the thing that stimulates and excites me more than anything else.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me a heart for you. Open my eyes and stir my heart to desire to serve you and to draw others near. Give me a fire in my spirit that will please you and that I won’t make any more excuses in why I don’t serve.

Scripture: Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness–

Observation: I was counseling someone yesterday and I asked him if he reads the bible each day and he told me no. He told me he wants to grow closer to God and to understand what God wants, but without reading God’s word how will he know? God gives us the knowledge of His truth in His word, but we must study it and understand it so we will be equipped to do what He tells us to do. We need it every day and as we understand God’s word it will lead to godliness.

Application: I can’t stop reading and studying God’s word or I will become useless to others God puts in my path. I need to know scripture and to be ready when someone asks to defend my faith and to help guide them to the saving grace of my Lord and Savior. I want godliness in my life, I want to be a man after God’s heart, but I need to first understand what that means.

Prayer: Dear Lord sow your word in my heart and in my mind. Help me understand your word and your desire for me and that before I come home I will glorify you by fulfilling the purpose you have created me for.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4: [2] Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.

Observation: I have only one job and that is to preach the word so others may come to know the love of God. I don’t have to have a church or read the gospel in public, but I’m called to live a life that others may hear how God desires that they be with Him. Every time I’m sarcastic or negative to others I’m drawing people away from me and the message I’m supposed to be preaching, but when I do a kindness or treat people with love and respect it gives me an opportunity to tell them about the love of God and to preach His message to them.

Application: I need to get passed myself and my own selfish desires and start treating people better. At work if someone needs something instead of resisting I need to do it with joy, the joy of the Lord. People need to see love in me so I have the opportunity to explain where the source of that love comes from.

Prayer: Dear Lord strengthen your servant and give me a heart of love for others. Give me compassion so that I don’t want anyone to suffer in Hell and give me the words to say when opportunities come my way so that they may hear your word and come to a saving relationship with you.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3: [17] so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Observation: As the saying goes God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips those He calls. I’ve been called out of the darkness and God has touched my heart and my life. He has used and equipped me to do things in the past and I know He will equip me to do the things He calls me to do. There are so many good works yet to be done and God equips me for each one of them, all I need to do is take a step of faith and rid myself of this laziness and get busy and get to work.

Application: Go to God in prayer and ask what he desires me to do and then know by faith that He will equip me to do them. I don’t know how much longer God wants me in this race but each day I need to start the day off running and asking for directions by reading the word and praying to my Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord direct my steps and place on my heart the things you desire of me. May I always step out in faith and do the things you have planned for me to do. May I bear fruit in this life and bring home a harvest in honor of you.