Daily Devotional

Scripture: Matthew 20: [26] Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

Observation: When Jesus entered my life the one thing He changed about me was to give me a servant’s heart. To heal me He took the focus off me and directed onto the needs of others. Now my joy comes from doing something for others. My depression was healed when I was doing what God wanted me to do, serve.

Application: I continue to get lazy and do nothing or very little at times. I start with good intentions then when the time comes to do what God wants me to do I become lazy. I need to search for God’s direction, knowing if I do anything to serve someone else I’m in God’s will. I need to complete the task with joy and love never begrudgingly.

Prayer: My Lord use this servant to serve others in your name and glorify you.

Scripture: Matthew 18: 5 “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

Observation: When Jesus came into my heart I noticed a difference on how I saw people. I never paid attention to the homeless, elderly or children. When Jesus changed my heart it was almost suddenly I had compassion for the homeless, I wanted to speak to the elderly and loved children. I helped with kid classes at the church, I would speak to children I saw and played Santa Claus for the CARE ministry. Jesus gives you the power and desire to keep His word.

Application: I need to keep looking at people through Jesus eyes. Filled with love, compassion and a desire to help others.

Prayer: Lord continue to give me the abilities and desires to touch other’s life in your name. May I show your love in this place.

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

Observation: So many times I get to a point in my life where I feel I can’t do something, be any better, can’t succeed. and feel hopeless and lost. I continue to forget how powerful and loving my God is. There is not a situation that has come into or will come into my life that God can’t handle. There is nothing impossible for Him.

Application: Stay in God’s will and know whatever God desires will happen in my life. My purpose is to fulfill God’s will in my Life and if my focus is on Him He can make all things possible for those who love Him, and I do.

Prayer: Dear Lord there is nothing impossible for you. Take control of my life and guide your servant to fulfill the purpose you have created in me.

Scripture: Matthew 17: [7] But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

Observation: Jesus has touched my life when I received him as Lord and Savior. I was down most of my life, depressed, broken and afraid. He took me and told me to get up, He lifted me up and guided me. He told me not to fear since He was with me. All that He has done I still fall down and at times I’m still afraid.

Application: My Lord has never failed me and His word says He won’t. I need to stand on that. He lifts me up each day and through the Holy Spirit He guides me through each day. There is no reason to be afraid for He is with me.

Prayer: My Lord continue to touch me each day. Lift me up to fulfill the purpose you created in me. Please take any fear from me and increase my faith as I draw nearer to you.

Scripture: Matthew 16: 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Observation: It is so hard to deny myself since I spend so much time thinking of what I want and my needs. That might be my cross. My focus is what I want in this world and not what God wants of me. I need to let go of this world and open my eyes to what my Lord wants of me.

Application: I need to stop focusing on me and forget what I want and start focusing on Jesus. It doesn’t need to be long range, but each day to follow Christ. My cross is self-centerness and I need to carry that to Christ.

Prayer: My Lord show me how to live this day. Your burden is light and I know you are there with me. Show me how to live in victory today.

Scripture: Matthew 15: [11] What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him `unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him`unclean.’ ”

Observation: I’m so much better now that Christ is in my life as far as my mouth is concerned. Yet I still from time to time open my mouth and say things that hurts others. When I’m angry or upset my heart shows it as the words that come out of my mouth are not God honoring.

Application: I need to get my heart right before God so those thoughts and words don’t come out. I need to control my words, but more importantly my heart, remembering if I hurt someone else I disappoint God.

Prayer: My Lord change my heart, soften it so my words are loving, encouraging and used to build up and point others to you.

Scripture: Matthew 14: [14] When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Observation: I remember before I was saved how many times Christ compassion saved me. He must have looked down on me so many times and no matter what I did He still reached out to heal me. Even now His love and compassion gets me through each day.

Application: I need to realize Jesus compassion for me and be able to extend that compassion to others in His name. If someone is hurting I need to reach out and listen, if someone wrongs me I need to think of how I wronged Jesus most of my life and with compassion forgive and help them. I need to be more like Christ.

Prayer: My Lord I love you and thank you for not giving up on me. Give me the love and strength to show your compassion for me to others.