Daily Devotional

Scripture: Genesis 13: [9] Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

Observation: This account tells us that Abram gave Lot the first choice of where he wanted to go and it tells us that Lot saw the land was better on the right and chose to go there. Abram had a heart for God and because of this he considered others above himself. All through Abram’s life God watched over him, as He does ours, but Abram listened to God and obeyed and prospered.

Application: I need to rid myself of my selfish ways and put the needs of others above my own to honor God. Jesus says to those that are last will be first and the first will be last. I shouldn’t do anything for self, but do things because they honor God and Jesus set the example of the man He wants me to be.

Prayer: My Lord please do a work in me so that I can put the needs of others first. I’m a sinner and a selfish man and will need your help to change. Give me a heart for your children and change me to be who you desire me to be.

Scripture: Genesis 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

Observation: God most likely is not going to make me a great nation, but He does bless me. I shouldn’t even be here, I should be burning in Hell, where I belong. Yet because of my Lord’s mercy instead He has blessed me with so much. With that mercy I’m to be a blessing to others whether it is doing outreaches to help and bless others, my testimony on depression to help others draw closer to God or to just be an example of a man blessed by God so others may see Him through my life and draw near to Him.

Application: I need to seek more ways to be a blessing to others by the life I lead through Him. I need to take the opportunities God has given me to reach the lost and help His children in any way I can. When I meet someone they should feel they are blessed and see God working in my life and to desire the same in theirs.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all the blessings you have given me and the way you didn’t give up on me. Guide me each day to be a blessing to others and to live in a way that honors you.

Scripture: Genesis 11: [6] The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

Observation: The account in scripture tells of everyone having the same language and working as one and even God said there would be nothing impossible for them. Today no one works together and we have many languages, but even those who speak the same language don’t understand one another. Each person works for his own good and few are gathered together to do God’s work. This world fights among itself and is filled with hate.

Application: The military outreach we put together shows how if God’s children would use their gifts collectively there is nothing we can’t do. I need to be more involved in doing things with other Christians. We speak the same language, the love of God and we all desire to accomplish the same goal to honor and glorify God. Together with other brother and sisters in Christ we can do anything if we work together.

Prayer: Lord forgive my selfish nature where I just want to do what pleases me most of the times. Give me the heart of Jesus and put me with other Christians that want to do your will. Use me to help connect others together to accomplish your will in our lives. I thank you for all you have given me and I ask that you use it in glory and honor to your name.

Scripture: Genesis 10: [9] He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; that is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

Observation: What Nimrod was created to do he did before the Lord. I know I’m not a mighty hunter, but God created me to do something special and He wanted me to do it in glory to Him. He has given me the gift to organize events, to cook and to write. A couple of days ago I was able to use these gifts at a military outreach at the Army and Navy Academy where we blessed families with a good time, gifts and the love of God. I use my gifts before the Lord that day and honored Him.

Application: I need to have many more days that I use my talents before the Lord. I need to make a better effort to glorify God each day even if it’s to touch one of His children with love. He has given me the ability to speak out and has put me in front of so many people for a reason and that reason is not to use it for my glory, but His.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all the gracious gifts you have given me, may each one be used for your glory. May I live a life before you and that others may see who is the ruler of my life, a life I wouldn’t trade for anyone else’s. I love you Lord, use me please until it’s time to go home.

Scripture: Genesis 9:6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made man.

Observation: A day does not go by that someone kills someone else and that is just in San Diego where I live. A gunman kills 27 children and adults, then kills himself. So many murders and we put killers in prison for years and then let them out. We are God’s creation and He made us special and yet we do not treat one another as such. When we look at one another we can see the image of God when we look close, but to shoot someone you can stand far away.

Application: I know I can’t stop the killings, but I can start looking at others differently, with a heart like Jesus. I can help show others how God looks at them and see the miracle of creation in their life. If we start looking at one another as God’s children it will be harder to destroy each other. I need to set an example of God’s love He has for us, because if He didn’t love us we wouldn’t be here.

Prayer: My Lord I would ask forgiveness for our wickedness, but I can’t conceive how you can forgive such hatred. My Lord use me in any way you desire to show others your love for them. Make me a vessel that can be used by you.

Scripture: Genesis 8: [21] The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

Observation: Today a gunman went into an elementary school in Connecticut and killed 18 children and 8 adults and then himself. This week also a man killed a couple of people in a mall. Every day there is murder and sinful things happening and yet we continue to remove God from our society. That is our evil heart even from our birth. The only thing that can change it is by replacing that evil with Jesus. To receive Him into our heart so there isn’t room for this kind of evil.

Application: I cried when I heard the news today and my thought is we take God out of the school and look what creeps in. I need to be spreading the good news about Jesus as much as I possibly can. I may not be able to make a big difference, but whatever difference is for my Lord and I need to let Him take care of the results.

Prayer: My Lord I ask you to look after the families of this horrible killings. May they find hope in you and draw near to you through this time of trouble. I ask to be used by you to make a difference for You in this terrible place. Give me courage and wisdom to do and say the things that will draw others to you.

Scripture: Genesis 7: [16] The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.

Observation: I can picture God waiting until Noah and his family safely got onto the ark and then closing the door to make sure it was secure. God has done that my whole life without me knowing it. He keeps danger from me keeping me safe and away from harm. He also closes the door to situations that I might have thought looked good, but God knew better. Throughout my life I’ve been in very rough waters, but God made sure I didn’t sink.

Application: Knowing God is watching over me I should be taking more chances for Him. I should have faith and trust in Him when a situation that will glorify Him comes my way. Instead of doubting or trying to figure a way out I need to trust my God knowing He wants the best for me and wants me to do His will.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for closing doors in my life that otherwise would have harmed me. Thank you for your love and protection and I ask for wisdom to know what you desire of me. That you would make it clear, that I would know each day how to live this life in a way that with honor You.