Daily Devotional

Scripture: Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible may this cup be taken from me, yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Observation: God’s will is what I should be living for, but it is normally my will that I follow. I do what is convenient for me and talk myself out of doing what I know God wants of me. If it takes much effort and sacrifice rarely do I do it.

Application: My life was created for a purpose and that is to do God’s will. I need to hold myself accountable to do the will of God. Pray each day for God’s guidance in what He desires of me then do it, even though I might get to bed later, miss doing something I want to do or anything else. My main focus should be doing the will of my Father.

Prayer: dear Lord open my eyes to your will. Make me obedient to your desires and give me the strength and discipline to do what is right in your eyes.

Scripture: Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Observation: The way I treat others is how I treat Jesus. He tells me in his word the second most important commandment is to love others, a close second to loving God with all my heart. The main way I can prove my love for God is to obey is command. No matter what I do if I don’t love others it shows my lack of love for God.

Application: As I see, talk and think about others I need to remind myself who they are, children of God. I have no right to do anything but love and care for others, anything less is disobedience to God. When I meet someone I need to think of it as an opportunity to bring joy to my Lord and savior.

Prayer: Dear Lord place in my heart the love you have for others. May I be able to love and honor those you put in my path the way you love me.

Scripture: Mathew 24:14 And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Observation: That is my calling to preach the gospel of Christ. God has given me gifts to do just that whether serving food, being part of the counseling ministry or small groups I’m playing my part. However it is so easy to avoid situations that God puts us in to tell someone about my faith and love for Christ and that is when I need the help of the Holy Spirit.

Application: To look for the opportunities to share with others the gospel. To live a life that would honor God and look for opportunities to share. Be in prayer and ask for guidance on how to fulfill that purpose in my life.

Prayer: Dear Lord open my eyes for ways to spread your gospel. May I please you today and bring a smile to your face.

Scripture: Matthew 19: 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Observation: I spend so much time worrying about if I can do some of the things that are set before me. I worry about my job, a home, finances, my family and even serving at the church. I’m more consumed by worry than I am in planning most of the time. It has to get to the point where I have to give it to God instead of giving it to God in the planning stages and allow him to guide me to make it work.

Application: Before I start anything give it to God and ask how he wants it done and ask him to come along beside me to make sure it gets done. If unexpected things happen give them to God and ask for direction on what he desires of me. This life is too difficult to handle by yourself, just the way God planned, we need him to make the impossible, possible.

Prayer: Dear Father work the impossible in my life. May I lay down all my own self interests and ask what it is you desire of this servant.

Scripture: Mathew 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted

Observation: I try to be humble, but I look back at the different situations and see how my pride comes through. When different things happen at church especially food related, I feel I’m the only one who could do them right or lately small groups when I get called to help I feel God made me so I’m the only one who can do these things.

Application: Realize God has called me to serve Him and others in His name. I have no abilities except for what God has given me and can only accomplish what God allows me to accomplish

Prayer: Dear Lord humble your servant. May I see others greater than myself, may I not judge or criticize others, but humbly assist where you call me. I love you Lord and owe everything to you. May I always serve you and please you.

Scripture: Matthew 18: [4] Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Observation: That is a problem I’ve had for most of my life, humbling myself. I was to busy trying to raise myself up at the expense of others to make myself feel better. One of my best moments after I was saved was with a customer when I asked if I could get her anything, as I left she told my associate what a humble man I was.

Application: To remember who I am, a creation of God created for him not me. Realize we are all created by the same God and that I am a servant made to serve others in my Lord’s name. To receive my joy from the Lord and not what other people think of me.

Prayer: Dear Lord your servant is here to serve you and others in your name. Show me how to humble myself as a small child that I may please you and be with you in heaven.

Scripture: Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Observation: Love God with all my heart the deepest love, there should be no one, not even my wife that I love more than my Father. My soul, my being should be based on my love for God and my mind He should always be in my thoughts and my decisions. If I live my life this way it will honor God and I will be able to fulfill my purpose, but why don’t I live this way all the time?

Application: When I wake up and pray, I need to think of who I’m talking to, the God of all creation. I need to show God the love and respect he deserves from me, before saying a word. Then live the rest of the day with God on my heart, soul and mind, doing everything in a way that will please him.

Prayer: Dear God I do love you, forgive me for not showing it in my actions and telling you more throughout the day. Take this life in your hands and use me in a way that will please you.