Daily Devotional

Scripture: 1 John 2: [6] Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Observation: I do claim to be a Christian and I want to be the best one I can be in my heart, but I also know I don’t walk as Jesus did. I still have not died to myself and until I do that I can’t walk as Jesus did. Jesus walked to know the will of God and made that is number one priority. Unfortunately I’m my number one priority and until I change my focus I’ll always fall short of glorifying God.

Application: It’s time I pick up my cross and follow Jesus. It’s time I share the gospel and help others see the salvation of Christ. It’s time to stop wanting people to be impressed with me and point them to the cross of salvation. I know how Jesus walked, I need to follow His footsteps.

Prayer: Dear Father give me the heart of Jesus, that I may love your children as He did. That I would stop being so concerned about me and focus on how Jesus pleased you. May I hear your words, “this is my child with him I’m well pleased.”

Scripture: 1 John 1: [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Observation: Am I walking in the light or do I stray from time to time? I do want to walk in the light at all times, but my sinful nature takes me off the path way too often. I seem to be full of anger so much of the time and at work I treat my customers with disregard. I wander if you asked them what they would say about my character. If I walk in the light I should be reflecting it to others as well and too many times my light is under the bushel of anger and pride.

Application: I should live my life in a way that people can see the love of Jesus in my life. I need to treat everyone as they could be Jesus himself. I need to look at my customers as the possibility of entertaining angels. I’m an ambassador for Jesus and not a representative for myself and I need to act like one.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me for the terrible way I treat your children at times. Give me the right words and attitude to treat others in a way that they will feel loved. Take this pride from me and show me how to humble myself to others in your name.

Scripture: 2Peter 3:3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

Observation: The people of this world have become so bold in denying God it’s becoming overwhelming. The government is allowing groups like the ACLU to take down crosses and questioning anything that has to do with God and Christianity. The worst part is that we as Christians are allowing it to happen. We shrug our shoulders and tell each other how wrong it is, but we don’t stand up to the scoffers we very silently oppose them.

Application: I’m not sure how to start, but it’s time that I stop becoming the silent majority and make myself heard. I need to use the righteous anger that Jesus had and make it known God is alive and the scoffers will be judged. I need to stand up to ridicule or persecution and let others see me stand strong and to gather with other Christians and tell others what God has done for us.

Prayer: My Lord forgive me for my silence when this world turns it back on you. Give me courage to stand up to those who oppose you and give me the words to say that will turn their heart or at least make them think. Use me as a vessel to stand up to the scoffers and be a light in this world.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:[20] If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.

Observation: Last night I watched a debate against Kent Hovind and a professor who was claiming that the flood couldn’t have happened. They said this professor use to be a preacher from the Church of Christ and turned to atheism. You could see the anger in his spirit when some of the audience would say amen. Teri and I thought this man has a very hot place in Hell picked out for him. There is a history of such men like Darwin and Lylle who try to support evolution turning children from God with misbelieves. A millstone is reserved for each one of these types of men.

Application: Help try to open the eyes of people that might be involved with such people. All of the religious sects were started by people who knew of God but altered the meaning of the gospel for their own agenda like the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses. I need to be a better witness to people so they don’t fall for Satan’s schemes and add another notch to the belt of liars.

Prayer: Dear Lord you are opening my eyes to new things that I did not know. You’ve given me a mind to understand creation vs evolution. You’ve touched my heart to the evil of homosexuality and how it is touching your children, keeping them away from you. Lord show me how I can be a better witness to your word and to your love.

Scripture: 2 Peter 1 [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.:

Observation: Sometimes I feel I’m all alone, living this life on earth without any help. I forget all that God has given me and that He is with me at all times. In His word He has given me His promises and how to avoid sin and the evils of this world. I read His word each day, but I don’t stock up on ammunition to fight this fight. When I feel defeated or rejected I need to pull out His promises to strengthen me against all the fiery arrows of Satan.

Application: To not just read the word, but to be able to remember the promises of God when I need them. I need to write them down and keep them with me so at the opportune time I can use it to conquer whatever I’m going through.

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for your promises and your strength and protection. Open my mind to your word and fill me with the knowledge I’ll need to win this battle on earth.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5: [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Observation: God wants me to cast my anxiety on Him, because He loves me. I just got off the phone with my mom who is going through a situation that has her depressed. She says she feels better when she vents and gets it out of her system. So for the moment I listen as she tells me how she feels and how people have done her wrong and as she started with anxiety you can hear by the tone of her voice that she seems to feel better for that moment. I listen because I do care for her and I want much more for her than she has, but it will be up to her what she receives. God wants much more he wants to take my burdens for good and then get rid of them and He tells me He will never forsake me and if I focus on Him and what He wants for me I shouldn’t have any anxiety in my life.

Application: I need to live a respectful life for my creator. I need to show others God love by trusting Him and all the promises He has given us. If people see that I don’t stress no matter what I can lead them to my source of strength and they can live a life free of anxiety.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you so much for caring for me, that you don’t want me to suffer and in the times of trials you are always with me. Help me live a life that shows your loving ways in my life and use it to comfort others.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4: [11] If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

Observation: This last Thanksgiving we did an outreach for the homeless, elderly and military and served a wonderful dinner at the Army and Navy Academy. It took God’s strength for me to be able to do all the things that needed to be done, but through His grace everything went well. It has been awhile before that I did anything to serve others in God’s name. Opportunities were there, but I chose to ignore them or make excuses. This Thanksgiving blessed a lot of people both those that were served and those who served, but most importantly I had an opportunity to bless God and showed Him that I trust Him. Why wouldn’t I want to do that all the time?

Application: Make opportunities to use the gifts God has given me and don’t make any more excuses of why I can’t do something when I know it would please God. I believe God has put on my heart to honor the staff at Calvary Chapel with a special dinner. It would be easy to ignore it or I can trust God to give me the strength and abilities to honor Him by honoring His servants.

Prayer: Dear Lord strengthen me so I don’t waste anymore of this precious time you have given me. Use the gifts you have given me to honor you and touch the lives of others in your name.