Daily Devotional

Scripture: Luke 4:8 Jesus answered, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”

Observation: Whenever I sin or serve myself, I’m not serving God. He is the only one worthy of my worship. I use this scripture when my mind wonders and I start to think evil thoughts, because they are of the devil or my own sinfulness. I’ll say away from me Satan for it is written worship the Lord your God and serve him only.

Application: Continue to realize when my mind is focused on evil, I’m not worshiping God. I’m serving myself and the devil. Stay focused on God and continue to ask for his guidance and walk on the path he chooses for me.

Prayer: Dear Lord you only are worthy of my love, praise and worship. Keep my mind clear and focused on you each day. For you alone are worthy.

Scripture: Luke 3:9 The ax is already at the root of the tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Observation: It is not enough to say you received Christ and never produce good fruit or changed. If there is no change in your life you didn’t receive him into your heart, you only said the words. In the Word, Jesus says go away for I never knew you. When I received Christ into my life he changed me. I couldn’t swear any more, he gave me a giving heart and allowed me to see others through his eyes. I still have a choice to use these new insights and gifts or not.

Application: God has blessed me so much I want to honor him and give back. I need to make a stronger effort to honor him by producing good fruit.

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for your love and changing me, giving me a heart for you. Please continue to work in me to fulfill the purpose you have given me.

Scripture: Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.

Observation: That is what I should be doing, growing in wisdom and stature. I know I should be seen in favor with God, but why with men? My job is to spread the gospel and to bring others to Christ. If people don’t respect me they won’t respect what I say. My actions will prove to others that I’m sincere in my faith. I should never compromise my love and beliefs of God however to win people over as friends.

Application: Today in church we learned wisdom was the application of knowledge. I need to use the knowledge I have for the glory of God and to live a life that makes people notice. Then use this wisdom to bring others to Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord I ask for wisdom to do your will. Open my heart and mind to the things you desire of me. I love you Lord and want to please you. Show me how.

Scripture: Luke 1:28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Observation: I feel I’m highly favored by God yet I don’t deserve it. I know what I deserve by the way I’ve acted and treated others in the past. The love of God for me is so great and I know He is with me. This is a love I can’t understand, to treat someone so wonderful who is not deserving of it.

Application: Start treating others the way God is treating me. To show love and compassion no matter how they treat me. To honor God with this life He has given me. To love God the way he loves me. To devote the rest of my life pleasing and loving him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for loving me. I am not worthy of your love and never will be, but draw me near and help me be the man you desire me to be. I love you and you deserve the best I have to offer.

Scripture: Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

Observation: Jesus did not suggest that we preach the good news he commanded it. I have one main objective to preach the good news. God does not want anyone to perish so my job is to tell everyone I meet about Jesus and what he has done for me. Not only the people that are easy to talk to but to everyone I come in contact with. To Make an effort to find people to tell.

Application: Go out of my way and comfort zone to tell others the gospel. Make preaching the good news my top priority.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me wisdom, strength and courage to preach your words to the lost. Take the laziness away and the desires of this world and show me how to fulfill the purpose you have created me for.

Scripture: Mark 15:13 “Crucify him,” they shouted

Observation: It was my fault that Jesus had to die the way he did. It was my sin that nailed him to the cross. Most of my life I yelled crucify him by the sins I committed and even now realizing all he has done for me I still think of what I want above what he wants for me. I might as well stood in the crowd with the rest and yelled, “Crucify him.”

Application: To live each day in appreciation of what Christ did for me. Realizing his death was the ultimate expression of his love. To live a life that shouts all hail to the King and live in glory and honor to him.

Prayer: Dear Lord you have given me your best, help me live the rest of my life in a way that would be pleasing to you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and guide this servant each day. Take this laziness from me and show me what to do to please you.

Scripture: Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Observation: There is nothing impossible for God and he knows everything. He knows my heart, my limitations, my mind. I’m not here to do what I want, but the will of my Father. He knows I’m suffering now with my hip replacement surgery coming up, what I should do about my work and this ringing in my head. I wish all of this would go away, but not my will.

Application: To have faith that God is in control and to stop living this life for me, but for my Father. To love my Abba with all my heart, strength and mind. To discover his will for me.

Prayer: Dear Lord open my eyes, my heart and soul to you. You are my creator, show me how to glorify you and take the focus off myself. Help me finish this race with glory and honor to you.