Daily Devotional

Scripture: Genesis 20:11 Abraham replied, “I said to myself, `There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’

Observation: That sounds like American today, that there is no fear of God. The things that are done here and the rejection of God from our schools and government only show that our authorities are not afraid of God. I pray for our nation, but so often I just want God to carry out His justice in a place that doesn’t’ seem to care about Him or His will.

Application: One verse that stops me from just wanting God to destroy this place is that He wants none to perish and that reminds me I have a job to do. My mission that God gave me was to spread the gospel to others that they may be saved and receive Jesus as their Lord and savior. I need to be focused on doing my job and less on the things I can’t change. God will judge this nation on His time schedule and not mine.

Prayer: My Lord take this hatred from me and replace it with your love and peace. Give me a heart for others that I will do your will and help open their hearts to you. Remind me of the judgment that was on me before Jesus came into my life and if your judgment came before I would be burning in Hell, where I belonged.

Scripture: Genesis 19:16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them.

Observation: That’s how I feel, looking back on my life that the Lord actually pulled me out of danger because of His mercy. I don’t remember doing anything good on my own or made any righteous decision without God. He pulled me safely through my whole life even when I didn’t want to go.

Application: It’s time for me to lead a life where my Lord doesn’t have to pull me, but that I seek where He wants me to go and I go eagerly. God’s mercy is beyond my understanding and looking back I see all the times he was there pulling me safely along. I want to live a life that helps others find the Lord and to help show them the mercy God has given me, a sinner. Instead of being pulled, maybe I can help push others closer to the Lord.

Prayer: My Lord, I thank you for all the times you pulled me to safety when I was tugging so hard to go the other way. Show me how to help others find you and live the life you have planned for them. Use m y testimony to touch the lives of others in your name.

Scripture: Genesis 18: [14] Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”

Observation: Why can’t I remember that during the course of each day? I think my problems are so big, yet I know the Lord is with me and there is nothing too hard for Him and my problems are nothing that God can’t handle. My lack of faith is amazing at times. I read of the lack of faith of the apostles after seeing Jesus perform such great miracles and yet my faith is even weaker.

Application: I need to realize that God is with me and he will allow whatever is to be. I need to look at things through his eyes so that I may see His presence in my life. Instead of worrying I need to pray for wisdom that I may do God’s will in all situations, because there is nothing too hard for Him.

Prayer: My Lord forgive your servant’s lack of faith. I pray you open my eyes to the things of you and that I may serve you more and worry much less. I give you all things and I ask that you teach me how to be a better servant for you.

Scripture: Genesis 17: [20] And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.

Observation: I pray each day, but my prayers are often repetitions and I don’t remember what I said, yet God listens. He knows my heart and knows what I need and listens to me. If I can listen to Him in the same manner that my Lord listens to me, I would be able to hear and obey.

Application: I need to pray more earnestly and then listen for God’s response. I’m here to obey God and not have God meet my requests. I’m to be a servant and to be a good one I must be able to hear the commands of my Master. I need to listen much more than I speak.

Prayer: My Lord open the ears of your servant that I may know your commands. Show me how to listen to you in the way that you listen to me. Help me serve you in a way that will be pleasing to you. I love you Lord and I give you this life to use for your glory.

Scripture: Genesis 16:11 The angel of the LORD also said to her:
“You are now with child
and you will have a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
for the LORD has heard of your misery.

Observation: Last weekend the message from our pastor was that Jesus wept and knows of our pain. God not only knows of our misery, but He cares for us and wants to take the pain away. There is nothing that happens in our life that the Lord doesn’t know about and He wants us to trust in Him. If we are suffering He wants to comfort us, but also strengthen us and use us to help others through our pain. God has given me a testimony of depression and wants me to use all the suffering I went through to help others through theirs.

Application: I need to use what God has given me to glorify his name and to help others grow closer to God. My testimony has taught me I can’t do anything apart from God and that is the lesson I need to pass on to others. My message is that God loves us and has a purpose for each one of us and if we listen He will guide us to fulfilling that purpose. I need to make a greater effort in spreading the message.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all of the pain I went through and that you were always there to protect me. Please use me now to help others draw near to you and open doors for me to tell the testimony you have blessed me with.

Scripture: Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Observation: I have trust issues and I have no basis for them. God has been so faithful in my life, yet I don’t trust Him all the time. There has never been one thing the Lord has asked me to do that He wasn’t there all the way to make sure it got done. So how good is my credit with the Lord, even following Him over 15 years I would have a difficult time getting a loan of righteousness.

Application: Just lately God asked me to do a Military Christmas party and even though I wasn’t sure how to accomplish it He took care of all the details and made sure it came out just the way He wanted, but through the process doubts came into my mind and selfish desires came into my heart. Whenever I believe in the Lord things happen that glorify Him and that is the only reason I’m here. I need to trust in Him with all of my heart and not lean on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge Him and let Him make my paths straight.

Prayer: My Lord please forgive me for my lack of faith. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and strengthen my faith that I will follow you whole heartily and not stray off the path you have me. May my life glorify you and help others to see you more clearly.

Scripture: Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Observation: So many times I think I accomplish things on my own, when all the time it was God. The Christmas party for the military families was all God, but He allowed me to be part of it. As I look back He put me in touch with the people to help invite the guests, He connected me with the people in the church with the heart to serve, He came up with the resources to buy the gifts and take care of all the expenses and He used me to be a blessing. God could have chosen anyone to accomplish what He accomplished that day, but He allowed me to be part of it.

Application: If I think I did anything good I need to look how it was really done and I know I’ll find out it was God doing all the work and allowing me to come along for the ride. The only decision I need to make is if I’m going to be obedient to what God calls me to do or am I going to be selfish and do what I want to do. All of God’s blessing come after obedience and that is where I want to be.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for allowing me to be part of your plan. May I always be available for anything you call me to do. Please increase my faith that I will lay all my trust in you and know that I’m just part of what you are already doing. Thank you Lord for always being there for me.