Daily Devotional

Scripture: 1Thessolonians 4:1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

Observation: I’ve been torn lately because I haven’t been doing anything for God. We went to church last Saturday for the first time in a month, We are supposed to go to Bible study tonight but I don’t want to, I don’t even get up early and pray while I walk Noah. I sleep, go to work, come home, have dinner, watch television and go to bed. This is not a life that is pleasing to God. I do have my moments, but that is all they are brief moments in a life that God blesses.

Application: I really want to live my life in glory to God that when it is time to go home I will be welcomed with open arms. This Saturday the church will be at the pier to clean up and evangelize and I need to go. I need to start my class again on depression and find others ways to please God with the time He has given me.

Prayer: Dear Lord it’s your lazy servant again. I know my daily routines don’t please you and I’m having a hard time doing what I should be doing. I need you, I need your help to guide me to live this life so it is pleasing to you. Please take this laziness away a get me on the path you desire of me. I do want to please you and show you that I do love you.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3: [7] Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

Observation: Does my faith encourage others? I believe there are moments that my faith does, but for the most part I talk about troubles I’m having or anger I’m feeling which is not faith. Yesterday I talked to someone about when we lost our house because I lost my job. I told her we weren’t worried there must be a reason for it and that God would get us through. Then I told her how He blessed us with a beautiful home that we could afford and how He was always there. That faith helped someone knowing that God wants to work the good in all things.

Application: God has given me every reason to have a great faith, but I choose not to most of the time. I need to feed my faith and look at how God has already worked in my life. I need to share that faith with others and encourage them the same way God encourages me so that they can see God in their situation. I’m here to be a light I need to shine so much brighter.

Prayer: Dear Lord increase my faith, strengthen me in all that I do and draw me near. Use me whenever you desire and guide me through this life touching the hearts of others as I go through.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2 [4] On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

Observation: What does my speech tell others about me? Are my words kind, do I speak about Jesus and my Father, do I reflect love, faith and concern. I think back at the last few days and none of those apply. My thoughts have been about worry, angry and hopelessness at times. This is not the man that is approved by God to spread the gospel, who would want to listen to this man about the love of God?

Application: God has given me knowledge and a testimony that would allow me to touch hearts that others may not be able to reach. If I step out in faith I know God will bless my efforts and He has in the past. He has given me so much so that I may help others and that is what I need to be doing with all of my might. I need to take the focus off of me and direct it to help others find Jesus and the truth of the gospel.

Prayer: Dear Lord I know what I should be doing please help give me the courage and strength to do it. Get me out of my comfort zone to go to the war zone where your children are lost and hurting. Use the knowledge, testimony and gifts of your servant to touch the hearts of those you desire to be touched.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1: [3] We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation: How will I be remembered by others? Will I be the guy that gave, did much for others, was always kind, a man that represented Jesus’ love for others? If I died today that would not be my epitaph. I’m still so far from being the man God called me to be even though that is what I want more than anything. Unfortunately it takes faith, work, perseverance and love to accomplish, which I have short supply of.

Application: I just need to decide the man I’m going to be. I know what to do and how to act and I need to get past this lazy and self-centered ways I have. God has given me gifts and talents to use for His glory and when I use them I’m blessed by God, what more could I possibly want? I need to get beyond myself and look to my Lord.

Prayer: My Lord I can’t do this on my own, I’m too weak. Take this laziness from me, give me strength and wisdom to complete the tasks you put before me. Before it is time to go home may others see you presence in my life may your love shine through me and touch others.

Scripture: Colossians 4: [3] And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Observation: God has put on my heart to use the testimony He has given me to bring others to Him. God has been using it to help other Christians rely on Him and less on their understanding, but I believe He wants me to use it to help the unsaved. The church has been going out on Saturday mornings to witness to people on the beach and I feel in my heart that He might what me to stand in front of strangers and share my story.

Application: I need to be obedient to my Lord and seek out opportunities to share my testimony and to be quiet and listen for God’s guidance. I need to stop being lazy and only looking after my own comforts and start focusing on God’s plan for my life. He tells me He has a purpose for it and I know watching television and being alone is not part of it.

Prayer: My Lord push me in the direction you desire me to go. Open doors for me to share my testimony with others and use it to draw others nearer to you. Give me wisdom and strength to speak boldly in your name and make it clear to me on what it is you desire of your servant.

Scripture: Colossians 3: [23] Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

Observation: If people notice the way I work they might think I’m self-employed. I react on how I’m affected and treated. I take pride when things go well and when things do not I get upset. At times I treat my customers poorly like today when the kids were asking what was in the food I would give a sarcastic remark and move to the next person instead of treating them the way Jesus would like me to treat them. I work hard and I’m gifted to do the job I’m doing, but I’m doing it for me and not for my Lord.

Application: I can only do what I do because God has allowed me to do so and has gifted me with the skills I need to get it done. My missionary field is where I work and there I should be winning souls for my Lord. I have no right to treat anyone poorly, but am obligated to treat them with the love and compassion that my Lord has treated me with. I’ve been treated so wonderfully and been given so much it should show through my work.

Prayer: My Lord I’m sorry for being so arrogant and prideful with what you have given me. Help me use what you have given me for your glory. That I would humble myself and work to impress you, my Lord, my savior and my boss.

Scripture: Colossians 2: [7] rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Observation: If I was rooted and built up in Christ and if I had a strong faith I would see all of the things I should be grateful for, but I am weak and distracted. Each morning I want to walk with Jesus and please Him with what I do that day, but it doesn’t take long before problems overwhelm my thoughts and Jesus takes a back seat again. I forget all the blessings and grace I should be thankful for and fall into a pit of self-indulgence.

Application: There is so much to be thankful for if I would concentrate on that, there wouldn’t be any time left to feel lost and hopeless. If I have to I should carry a list of things to be thankful and have the mind to pull it out if I get distracted. I need to have scripture ready, because it is the enemy that is distracting me from fulfilling God’s plan for my life. I have everything I need in Christ to accomplish His purpose here and He already has a new home ready for me when I’m finished here.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive your servant for the lack of faith I have. Forgive me for being so easily distracted and give me strength and wisdom to see all the blessings you surround me with. I thank you Lord for all you have given me and all you have in store for me, may I never forget your benefits. I love you Father help me please.