Daily Devotional

Scripture: Luke 18: [43] Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

Observation: When God healed me after I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior I was excited. I knew I needed to do something and couldn’t wait to serve. I was involved in several ministries trying to learn more about my savior. As time has passed my praise isn’t as loud as it was before and not as many people are seeing it.

Application: I have more to praise my Lord then ever and it’s about time that others see my praise so that they may praise our Lord as well. I have an opportunity coming up to do a class on depression and this can be the beginning of others seeing my praise for my Lord. A day should never go by without me praising God for all He has done for me and it should be obvious to others that He deserves the praise.

Prayer: Dear Lord you are worthy of all my love, praise and obedience. Help guide me through this life, take any pride from me and humble me in your presence and show me how to praise you at all times to others.

Scripture: Luke 17: [10] So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”

Observation: Every once in a while I’ll do something that I know that honors God and after it’s done I feel good and wonder what God might have in store for me. I forget it is my job to do God’s will all the time and not just the times I feel like doing it. At times I feel like I’m doing God a favor instead of realizing at times I’m actually doing my job in serving my Master.

Application: When I’m at work I work hard and show results. I need to realize that my work on earth is my second job, my main job is to do God’s will in all that I do. When I do an outreach for the poor and tell someone about Jesus that is my job, the job God has created me for.

Prayer: My Lord your servant comes before you and I know that I’m not worthy of you and that I’m only here because of your grace and mercy. Help me be a better servant and be more focused on the job you have set up for me. May I make you proud of your servant and bring joy to you.

Scripture: Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Observation: I am very wishy washy in my dedication to God. More of my thoughts are about my finances then God. I spend more time worrying about how I’m going to pay bills then time spent with God or serving Him. I’m so preoccupied on my situations in this world that God takes a back seat. I know who my master is and I know who it should be.

Application: I’m here for only a short time and there are things God wants me to do and I’ll only find out by spending time with Him. God has met all of my needs and has blessed me with many of my desires that I don’t need to think about money, but how to use all that God has given me for His glory.

Prayer: Dear Lord everything I have you have given to me. There is nothing that I own that isn’t yours. Use me and all that I have for you glory. Your servant, Mark.

Scripture: Luke 15: [7] I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Observation: I remember when I repented and asked Jesus into my life. I forget that at that moment heaven rejoiced, because I was and am a sinner. I forget how important it is to God that we repent and that He gives his children an order to bring in the lost, which I was one of. Since I have been found am I going out and helping to find the lost and bring them home?

Application: Today I received an email about two outreaches that might happen feeding the homeless. For the first time I didn’t make an excuse of why I can’t, but was joyful that others were trying to make a difference in others’ lives. That is my purpose, actually anyone that calls himself a Christian is to help gather the harvest and fulfill the great commission. If it wasn’t for someone reaching out to me, I might still be lost and headed in the wrong direction.

Prayer: My Lord you have blessed me with so much and have changed my heart and given me gifts and talents that can be used for your glory. Guide me each day in fulfilling the purpose you have created your servant for that I will help in the harvest.

Scripture: Luke 14: [27] And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Observation: I’m not carrying my cross the way I should. I need to submit fully to my Lord, yet I don’t put Him first in my life. I get so caught up in this world and in myself at times I leave Jesus out and give Him only a fraction of what He deserves from me. I’m only here because God wants me here and this life I’m using is His. Not mine.

Application: I need to live this life as His. It’s not when I have time for my Lord, but that all the time I have is His already. I need to submit fully to Christ’s authority and live a life of righteousness that will be pleasing to my Savior.

Prayer: Dear Lord you have blessed me so much and I know I don’t deserve any of it. All I have is yours, including the precious time you allow me to have. Show me how to use everything for your glory.

Scripture: Luke 13: [9] If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”

Observation: I keep putting off doing God’s will. I have good intentions, but when the opportunity comes along I put it off, thinking I’ll do it later. God must keep coming to the tree hoping to get some fruit from it. I wonder how long He will go before he cuts me off.

Application: Tomorrow is promised to no one and all we have is the present. So now I need to decide what steps I’m going to take to make a difference in this life and to begin to bear fruit for my Lord. There is so much I can be doing, starting a Bible study, a depression class, get more involved in the ministries. I just received a phone call from someone who wanted to do an outreach in Escondido to feed the homeless, I almost made an excuse, but told Him let’s see how we can get this done. God is Good.

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for the phone call and ask you to give me the strength and skill I will need to assist to make sure this happens according to your desire. May this be some fruit that will honor you.

Scripture: Luke 12:22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

Observation: All in this chapter Jesus tells us not to worry.. Worry is the opposite of faith and trust, which Jesus tells us we must do. It doesn’t take me long to start thinking of things that worry me, finances, health, work and so many things I have no control over. Satan must use this weapon against us so we have little time left to do God’s will.

Application: I need to realize that God is in control and to always seek His guidance in my life. There is a big difference from planning and worrying and I need to trust God so much more. This life isn’t mine but God’s and He is in control I need to lay down this life in worship to Him and allow Him to take over.

Prayer: My Lord I freely give you this life as a living sacrifice, may it be Holy and pleasing to you. Please take charge over your servant and give me peace and take this anxiety form me.