Daily Devotional

Scripture: John 19:38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.

Observation: I can’t live my live as a secret disciple of Jesus, other wise I’m of little or no use. My faith should be bold that it would hurt if I tried to keep it hidden. Jesus says if you acknowledge me before others I will acknowledge you before the Father. People around me shouldn’t have to guess if I’m a Christian, but know without a doubt who is my Lord and Savior.

Application: Make it known that I follow my Lord and Savior, Jesus and why. Tell others my testimony of how God saved my life and use it to comfort others. Be bold and honor God and point others to Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for loving me so much and protecting and guiding me each day. You are worthy of my very best, help me give it to you and fulfill the purpose you have created me for.

Scripture: John 18:37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Observation: I need to be on the side of Truth and to be attentive to hearing the voice of God. My job also is to proclaim the truth of God to others so that they may hear and believe.

Application: I know the Truth and now I need to live this way and proclaim it to others. I need never give up learning by reading the word, Christian books, sermons and by prayer. I need to be a good student then tell others what I have learned.

Prayer: Dear Lord fill me with your Spirit and teach me the truth so that I may proclaim it to others. I am your bond slave and I freely give you this life, use it as you desire.

Scripture: John 17: [16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Observation: I am not supposed to be of this world but different. My focus should be of the things of God and not the pleasures of this world, but too often I’m wrapped up in this world. I’m to be forgiving and giving yet I’m so selfish, more concerned about what I want instead of what God wants of me.

Application: God calls me to be different to stand out and stand up for Him. To draw others near to Him and not to blend in to the crowds of this world. I am to be a new creation in Christ and go about my Father’s business of bringing others into the Kingdom and to honor my Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord soften my heart and open my eyes to the desires of your heart. Make me different, a servant for you. Open my eyes and guide me on what to do and who to be. Get me out of this world and into your arms.

Scripture: John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Observation: My Lord is the only one who can give me peace. I continue to worry about things in this world and I do have trouble in this world, because I get so focused here. It’s when I think of my Lord and all He has done that I have peace.

Application: To be more focused on God and His plan for my life than what the world has in store for me. Continue to study and be in prayer to draw nearer to God and get His guidance.

Prayer: Dear Lord draw me nearer to you. I beg for your peace and comfort. Help me through this life that I may live a life in glory and honor to you, for you deserve all that I am.

Scripture: John 15:[4] Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Observation: My purpose is to bear fruit, to produce something with this life or I’m useless like anything else. The only way I can do this is by being obedient to my Lord. I can’t accomplish anything unless I know what it is I’m supposed to be doing.

Application: To grow closer to God by reading his word and other books that will help me understand more about my Lord. To be in prayer and listen to what he wants of me. To serve others in his name so He can guide me. To be around others believers so that God can speak through them to me. To be in church to be better equipped to bear fruit.

Prayer: Dear Lord draw me nearer to you so that I may remain in you. Prune and shape me for service that I may bear fruit in your name and fulfill the purpose you have created me for. I’m here to serve you.

Scripture: John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Observation: Maybe that is why my heart is troubled so much of the time, because I don’t trust fully in God. I worry so much of the time and wonder what is going to happen instead of giving my life fully to God. God has always shown himself faithful, yet I don’t trust in his love at times.

Application: To trust in the Lord with all of my heart and not to lean on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge him and allow him to make my paths straight.

Prayer: Dear God you are so worthy and deserving of all I have and am. Help me Lord live this way in a way that is pleasing to you. Take any anxiety away and guide me through this day. I love you Lord, may I live in a way that shows it.

Scripture: John 12:[35] By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Observation: Loving others makes you different in this world of hate and selfishness. To reach out to others and to care for them above yourselves make people wonder why your different. It gives you an opportunity to tell them why your heart is different from theirs.

Application: Show love to others especially those that might not deserve it. To go out of my way to be loving and to help others and look for the opportunity to tell them about my loving Father and the undeserving love He shows to me.

Prayer: Dear Lord thanking you for loving me. Show me how to love others and to bring them to your loving grace. Show me how to be a light in this dark world and to shine brightly for You.