Daily Devotional

Scripture: 1 John 4: [12] No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Observation: But if we love one another. Why is it so hard at times to love others, yet so easy to judge. Why can’t I look around and see children of God instead of seeing faults and judging by appearance. God won’t fully live in me until I soften this hard heart and open my eyes to my brothers and sisters. I desire God’s love and all He asks is to love His children as I love myself.

Application: Start looking at others as God sees them. I have no right to judge or look down on anyone. If God can love a sinner like me it should be easy for me to love anyone else.

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for your love, grace and mercy. Make your love complete in me. May I see others through your eyes and reach out with your love.

Scripture: 1 John 3: 11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

Observation: This last weekend I was at the men’s retreat. There was a lot of brotherly love, yet I would look around the room and judge others and I seem to do that all of the time. Instead of loving, I judge, instead of giving I hoard. I’m sure I seem like a loving person from the outside to others, but I need a lot of work on the inside.

Application: I need to be able to give to others in need without worrying so much about me. Have faith that I will give and God will take care of Teri and I. To look at others without judgment, but see them as God sees them.

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for loving me, show me now how to love others with no conditions.

Scripture: Acts 24: [16] So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Observation: Keeping my conscience clear before man is the theme of a retreat I attended. To be authentic, not to lie, to do what is right. To have a clear conscience before God is to do to others as you would have them to do you. To keep in God’s will and have the heart of Jesus.

Application: To strive to be more like my Lord and Savior. To have my yes be yes and my no mean no. To look out for the needs of others before my own. To dedicate myself in fulfilling the purpose God has given me. That I represent Christ to others by my speech and action.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for loving me. May I show my love for you by the way I treat others and love this life you gave me.

Scripture: Acts 23: 11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Observation: I look back on my life and realize how close my Lord stood near to me. Through all my trials and times I wanted just to give up, He was right next to me giving me the courage to go on. I need to testify to others what the Lord as done for me.

Application: Realize each day no matter what I’m going through that my Lord is right there. Stay focused and be courageous on the plans He has for me, knowing that He will accomplish what He desires through me if I trust in Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for your unbelievable love that you stood next to me and protected this sinner. Give me the courage I’ll need to do your will and glorify you.

Scripture: 1 John 2: [17] The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Observation: It is difficult to live in this world and not get enticed by its offerings. I spend too much time thinking and worrying what happens here, instead of focusing on why God has me here. My goal is to do the will of God and He has blessed me with eternal life. Yet I want to do His will to please Him. I’ll never come close giving back what He has given, but I want to live the rest of my life trying.

Application: To remember why I’m here and who my master is. To start each day focused on the reason God has put me here and pray for a clear understanding for God’s will in my life.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for this opportunity to serve you. Open my eyes and guide me on the path you have chosen for me and when the time comes that I may hear the words, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

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: As I get closer to Jesus I walk more and more in the light. However it isn’t often enough. I still stray into darkness, taking my eyes off of the light of Christ. I love what it says though when I walk in the light I have fellowship with others, because I see others as Christ sees them.

Application: Always be aware of what I’m doing, saying and treating others with love. Do not stray off the path, but be focused on Jesus, the light. Remind myself constantly what He did for me and draw nearer and live my life in the light.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me with your light that I may glorify you and draw nearer to others and not isolate myself in this world.

Scripture: 2 Peter 3: 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

Observation: Am I living a holy and godly life? I’m doing better now then I have ever done, but it is still so far from what it should be. This world will pass away whether the Lord comes before or after I die. My only purpose here is to live this life that honors God, yet so much of my time is spent worrying about me in this place.

Application: God has opened doors for me in the small group ministry, counseling ministry, with this trip with the Men’s ministry and I need to seek God’s will and direction and make living a Godly and Holy life my priority while I’m still here.

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for my life and I’m only here because you desire me to be. Open my eyes and guide me on this journey, that I may live this life in glory and honor to You.