Daily Devotional

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2: [15] For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Observation: To God, as Christians, we are to be like His son Jesus. As we spread the gospel and people are getting saved it’s as if Jesus Himself is doing it, which He is through the Holy Spirit. If we spread the gospel and people do not receive it, it is not our responsibility, the same as when Jesus was talking to the Pharisees.

Application: I’m called to be the aroma of Christ, loving caring, giving, unselfish, humble and a servant. I’ve been falling short lately, becoming lazy and complacent. I need to put forth a much greater effort to become what God has created me to be.

Prayer: Dear Lord open my heart and mind to the things you desire, remove this laziness and put in me the aroma of Christ.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1: [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Observation: God has been there by my side throughout my life comforting me. Just when I felt I couldn’t go any longer He was there to guide me. My life is a testimony of God’s love and I need to share that testimony to help comfort others.

Application: I need to get busy and fulfill the purpose of my life by taking care of others with the gifts God has given me to help those who are suffering by introducing them to my Lord and Savior.

Prayer: Dear God I thank you for all you have done and are doing. Show me how to honor you by the way I help others.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16: [14] Do everything in love.

Observation: Paul Didn’t say some things or even most, he said everything in love. Even at work I should do everything in love, not love for my job, but love for my God that I would honor Him. When I do something for someone else it should be out of love not because I expect something back. Even when driving if someone cuts me off be thankful you didn’t get in an accident. Everything I do should be out of love. Since God is love and we should present God in our lives this is the only way to do it.

Application: Ask myself before I do anything why am I doing it. Even a task I don’t want to do, if I do it in love it will honor someone and God. I need to live a life that represents my Lord and Savior and others.

Prayer: Dear Lord I truly love you, may I show my love by the way I live this life.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15: 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Observation: I want to give myself fully to the Lord and I start out each day praying and asking God to use me to do His work. Almost immediately however I start thinking of me. Now I’m struggling with outreach I oversee each year. No one has asked me to help and I’m not volunteering. My pride is hurt and now if they ask I want to refuse. Is this giving myself to the work of the Lord?

Application: I need to give myself fully to what God wants of me, stop being selfish and prideful and make a sacrifice of the time God has given me to glorify Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me overcome this feeling of laziness. Open my heart to you and others. May I always be ready to serve in glory to you.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14: [12] So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

Observation: God has blessed me with certain gifts, some I use to build up the church, others I use selfishly. At times my pride holds back the use of these gifts and other times I accept the praise of others without pointing to God who gave them to me. Most, if not all the gifts and talents God has given me can benefit the church, but I use them sparingly instead of generously.

Application: God gave me my gifts and talents for His use, not mine. I need to stop being so lazy and find ways to use my gifts to glorify God.

Prayer: Dear Lord I freely give you this life as a living sacrifice, make it holy and pleasing to you. May the talents you have given me multiply back to you.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Observation: I am not patient, I do envy, I do boast and most of the time I’m proud and not kind enough. So how can love reside in me? It doesn’t. My pride tells me I’m this good Christian man, but how can I be without love. All the characteristics of love I don’t have , at least in the proportion God calls me to have them.

Application: Love is not a feeling, but something I need to strive for. I need to make an effort to be loving. I need to calm down and be patient. I need to look at the blessings God has given me and not envy. I need to realize all I have comes from God so I have nothing to boast about or to be prideful of and I need to make the effort to be kind.

Prayer: Dear God may I show the love you give me to others. May they know you through me.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12: 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

Observation: We all have different gifts, because God has chosen to give them to us. Sometimes I become prideful when I’m able to use the gifts God has given me. At times I want to control a situation, because I can. I’ve hurt others in the past by my pushy ways, instead of realizing God has given me the gifts to glorify Him and not me.

Application: I need to realize that the gifts and abilities God has given me is to be a small part of His plan. I need to be humble in my service with others and help build up others.

Prayer: Dear Lord open my eyes and heart to your desires. Use me to glorify you and that You get the praise and honor.