Daily Devotional

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Observation: Oh to be a man of God, that is what I truly want to be. I want to flee from evil temptations and pursue what honors God. So why should that be so hard? Because Satan desires the opposite from my life. He wants me to be ineffective so he throws roadblocks and temptations in my path and I’m so weak in my own flesh that I fall for them.

Application: All through each day pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness, but this time with God’s help. I know this is His will for my life so why would I listen to anything else? Be aware of what I’m pursuing through the course of the day and when I veer off course ask Jesus to get me back on the path.

Prayer: Dear Lord as always I need your help. I want to be the man you desire me to be, but I can’t do it on my own. Guide me each day to pursue the things you want for me and keep me from the things you don’t.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Observation: It is so easy to get caught up with others, peer pressure. I remember as a teenager how I would do just about anything to belong to the group. Now a days I hang out with Christians and that’s a group I should belong in. I’m still easily swayed so I hang out with people that are swaying in the right direction.

Application: To make better judgments to make sure what I’m doing is pleasing to God. Even though most of the people I hang around with are Christians I’m still in the world and surrounded by so many others. So no matter who I’m with Jesus is always with me and that’s the person I want to imitate.

Prayer: Dear Lord keep me from sin. I’m so easily influenced dear Lord guide me to be the man who can influence others in your name.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4 [14] Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Observation: This verse was written to Timothy, but surely can apply to me. God has blessed me with gifts yet I take them for granted or to be something used only for me. He gave me gifts to share with His other children. I remember as a child my mother would tell me to share my things and not to be selfish. I guess I should have listened more to her, because I still horde the gifts God has given me.

Application: I need to realize the gifts I have were given to me by my heavenly Father and they are to be used and not stored away or used every once in a while. Ask God each day how I may use these gifts so that they may multiply into blessings for others.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for all you have given me. I know they are only on loan and you deserve interest. Show me each day how I may be used to help others and to draw them closer to you. I love you Dad and what to make you proud.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3 [13] Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Observation: I’ve served but did I serve well? I believe serving well is serving with your heart and with the love of Jesus. To be a servant who desires to serve not because you have to but because you want to. When people see that type of serving they can see your faith in Jesus.

Application: Start serving because it honors God not just to do something because I feel I have to or should. Remember why I’m serving and go out not to impress others but to point them to my source of strength in Jesus. Be more humble when I serve even if I’m the one in charge let others know where I get my direction.

Prayer: Dear Lord soften my heart that I may serve out of my love for you. Humble me before others that they may see past my good works to the one I’m working for.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:[4] who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Observation: I really pick and choose who I pray for and who I care about. I have many more negative thoughts about others then positive, but God loves us all including me. He asks so little of me all He wants is that I tell others about the love He has already given me and that He has for them. I may have to face some embarrassment at times or a little persecution, but compared to what God has done for me that would be like buying a Rolls Royce for a penny.

Application: Look at others through God’s eyes, then show them love and respect by the way I treat them. Take any opportunity to share the love of God and if there isn’t an opportunity make one. Be bold with my faith and time that God has given me and make the most to draw others nearer to Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord I’ve wasted so much of my life already please help me not waste any more. Show me how to express to others the love I have for you and the reason for this love and help guide them to you.

Scripture:1 Timothy 1: [16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Observation: We were with friends last night and we were sharing our testimony on how we were in the past. I thought about how terrible I was and how God should have hated me for the way I treated others and how selfish I was. There was no reason in my mind that God shouldn’t have allowed me to end my life the many times I tried. I thought the world would have been better off and it would be one less headache for God. But He knew something I didn’t, that He could use anything and He wanted me, because others may be able to see His undying love and patience without end.

Application: It’s time to use this testimony the Lord has given me to bring others close to God. To show others the man I was and that I deserved no mercy, yet the Lord gave freely to use me to touch their heart. God didn’t give up on me, even when He should have and I should never give up on God and the purpose He has for me.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for your mercy and your grace and seeing something in me that I didn’t know existed. Use your servant and the testimony of your love in this undeserving man.

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2 [13] And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

Observation: It seems as though I’m always tired. Just yesterday Teri and I did an outreach at Solutions for Change. We prepared dinner and made it special for a lot of people. It was work but it felt good doing something to honor God. So many times however I won’t do something because it takes time and energy to do good.

Application: I need to remember what Jesus did for me. It took all His time and his life to do all the good He did. After he was tortured He carried a heavy cross to the top of a hill to lay it down and be nailed on it. He only stopped when He couldn’t go any further, then got up and went some more. He never gave up for me and I shouldn’t give up on Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord your servant is lazy, forgive me. Give me strength to persevere and do good in glory and honor to you.