Daily Devotional

Scripture: Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Observation: Just yesterday in our small group we were discussing the changes we experienced after we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The gift of the Holy Spirit was evident in each one of our lives. The Spirit took some things away that were sinful and then added the things of Jesus, love caring, giving, servanthood and others.

Application: It is difficult to live in the Spirit all of the time, but I need to keep trying, because that is the only way to know God’s will. I need to let the Holy Spirit have his way with me and guide me through this life. He makes me feel so close to God He fills my heart and brings me to tears of joy.

Prayer: Dear Lord fill me with the Holy Spirit, baptize me in the Holy Spirit that I may lead a life in glory and honor to you. Take control and use this servant as you desire. May I finish this race well in glory and honor to you.

Scripture: Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth

Observation: I have witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. When the Holy Spirit came on me when I gave my life to Christ changes happened almost immediately. I use to swear constantly and now I can’t even utter a curse word. Certain things touch my heart and I break out in tears, If I hear the Lord’s name used in vain it hurts my heart. I look at things differently I see children, the homeless and elderly in a different light and my heart goes out to them. He gave me peace in my spirit that the man I was, whom I hated now I wouldn’t want to be anyone else.

Application: I need to allow the Holy Spirit to take charge of my life. To ask for a filling of the Holy Spirit and be silent and allow him to guide me through this life each day.

Prayer: Dear Lord fill me with the Holy Spirit and take charge of this servant of yours. Open my eyes to see the direction you desire for me and show me how to fulfill the purpose you have created me for.

Scripture: John 21:22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

Observation: That’s me sometimes always concerned about someone else or coveting what someone else has, instead of focusing on what I’m suppose to do. I make excuses when I know I’m not doing enough for God that others don’t do as much as I do. I sound like the Pharisee who was bragging before God instead of humbling myself saying I can’t possibly do enough to repay God for all He has given me and for as much as He loves me.

Application: There is only one person I have control of and that’s me. My focus should be on following God and doing all that I can do without being concerned about any one else. Just yesterday Teri asked can I do all the things I’ve signed up at church to do and I told her I wasn’t sure. I’m not sure because I don’t know how they are going to affect the things I want to do for myself. God is my number one priority and serving him comes first.

Prayer: Dear Lord show me how to follow you. Take me by the hand and lead me through this world in glory and honor to you. I have one purpose and that is to follow you and do your will. Help me finish the task you set before me. I love you so much, but I need your help and strength to please you.

Scripture: John 20:21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Observation: Jesus is sending me to others that they may be saved and have eternal life. There are specific things God has in store for me to do but the end result will be to bring others to Him. Jesus said right before He went back to heaven he was sending us out to spread the gospel. Unfortunately it’s a choice whether we obey or not, I wish it was something in us that made us go.

Application: I need to choose to go out in this world and do what God has called me to do, spread the gospel. God has given me a testimony to use to show others how God worked in my life and how He wants to work in theirs. Take every opportunity God gives me to fulfill my purpose and to honor Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord I freely give you this life as a living sacrifice. Use it as you will. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and open my eyes to the desires of your heart. Send me out into the harvest and may I reap in glory and honor to you.

Scripture: John 18:11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Observation: The Father has each given us a cup, a purpose in this life. It will not be a cup like Jesus, even though some might be put to death for our faith. The cup will be full of sharing the gospel in some way, to help bring others to the Father in Jesus name. We are called to spread the gospel, to love God with all of our heart, mind and soul and to love others as ourselves. Each one of our cups will contain these ingredients.

Application: To realize I’m not here for myself, I’m here to fulfill the person my Father has given me. Pray each day for direction and freely give myself to the task the Gad has set before me.

Prayer: Good Morning Father may I always thirst for what is in the cup you gave me. May I never become content just taking sips but that I would desire to be full of your will.

Scripture: John 17:6 I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed you word.

Observation: The Holy Spirit has revealed to me God in my life. He has touched my heart and mind that I can see clearer yet I desire Him so much more. I am trying to obey the word and place it in my heart to do what is right and pleasing to God, but it seems I always come up short. I belong to Jesus and my Father and I do want to please them and be obedient to the calling they put in my life.

Application: To make sure I am in the Word each day and that I pray to seek God’s direction in my life. I need to know what God desires of me and be obedient in following His plan for my life. I so desire to hear the words will done good and faithful servant and to bring a smile on my Lord’s face.

Prayer: Dear Lord speak to me each day so that I may know you more and your desires for me. I’m here to serve you and to glorify your name. Help me spread the gospel and have others know the love you have for them as you have for me.

Scripture: I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Observation: Remaining in Jesus is to do what he commands me to do. He has shown me how to live this life with obedience to God the Father and with love caring for the needs of others above my own. If I continue to be obedient I will be able to bear fruit for my Lord because I will be in His will. To determine the things I need to do or not in my nature for I am a sinner it will take the working of the Holy Spirit to get them done.

Application: I need to continue to pray each day morning and night and to study the Word to know what I should be doing. My desire is to do the will of the one who created me so I need to be obedient and to stay on the vine for direction and nourishment to complete the task God has created me for.

Prayer: Dear Lord apart form you I am nothing and can do nothing. Hold me close to you and guide my steps on this journey and show me how to make you proud of me.