Daily Devotional

Scripture: Mark 8: [35] For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Observation: I continue to want to do things my way focusing on the things of this world. I pray God’s direction but I don’t hear Him because I’m so busy thinking of other things. I tell God I want to do His will yet I continue doing mine. I have but one purpose in this life and it can only be fulfilled through Christ. My pastor told me yesterday I have the gift of evangelism yet I don’t use it.

Application: I need to start doing more things for Christ and let Him speak to me as I’m doing them. I don’t hear Him on the couch watching TV or busy doing things in this world, only when I’m serving or when I’m quite meditating on His word.

Prayer: My Lord I offer you this life as a living sacrifice. Use it as you will, may you fulfill your purpose for me and may I complete this race in glory and honor to You.

Scripture: Mark 7: [15] Nothing outside a man can make him `unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him `unclean.’ ”

Observation: My words make me unclean, my complaining, criticizing others and my negative opinions. Whenever I say something that might hurt someone makes me unclean, actually if I say something that is not encouraging or loving makes me unclean.

Application: I need to think before I speak. Will these words honor God? What I’m about to say will it be uplifting, useful, encouraging or helpful? If not do I need to say anything at all? Sometimes I speak just to speak I need to consider my words before saying anything.

Prayer: Dear Lord touch my heart and my lips may all that I say this day make it clear that I belong and love you.

Scripture: Mark 6: [52] for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Observation: God has worked so many miracles in my life however when a struggle comes along I worry and forget about His past provisions. Is it that my heart is hardened? It is so easy for me to lose my joy over small things that come up each day.

Application: I need to focus on God and all He has done for me. When a struggle comes I need to stop, pray and ask Jesus for a soft heart and to direct me in what He wants done.

Prayer: Dear Lord soften my heart that I might hear your voice and drown out the sounds of this world.

Scripture: Mark 5: 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Observation: Why is it I’m always afraid? Even now I’m worried about what’s going to happen at work and our finances. It’s always something. Why can’t I believe that God is watching over me and that He will guide me in the direction He desires me to go. He has always been there, why is my faith so weak?

Application: I need to do the best I can in glory and honor to God, then trust Him. I will focus on God and not my problems. Realizing He has a plan for my life and He will be the one guiding me.

Prayer: My Lord guide this servant through this day. Take away this fear in my heart and open my eyes to see what you want of me.

Scripture: Mark 4: 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Observation: I’m sorry to say I still live my life hearing Jesus words why are you so afraid. I panic so easy about money, work or anything I’m working on it seems. Jesus proves over and over again his faithfulness yet my faith is so weak.

Application: I need to start replacing fear with prayer, anxiety with scripture meditation and start looking at Jesus instead of my situations. I need to know Jesus is with me no matter how a situation turns out so there is no reason to worry about it.

Prayer: Dear Lord increase my faith. Draw me near to you so I may hear your voice.

Scripture: Mark 3: [35] Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Observation: I want to be part of God’s family. I deeply want to do God’s will, but my laziness and fear keep from doing all I need to do.

Application: Right now there are three things I feel God calling me to do. Simple things, a BBQ for a Pastor, a women’s breakfast and food for the CARE camp. Each day I overwhelm myself with thoughts of preparation. This should be my joy not my burden. I get to serve, I have an opportunity to honor God, who has done so much for me by serving others. It’s not a great work of faith but an opportunity to do the will of the Father.

Prayer: Dear Lord I want to be part of your family, the brother of Jesus. Wow what a position. Strengthen me, open my eyes to your will. May I please you today.

Scripture: Mark 2: [5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Observation: What does Jesus see when He looks at my faith? The last two days I’ve been so nervous about getting a job. I allow it to occupy a lot of my time. Today I sat outside the company I was interviewing with wondering what this day will bring, nervous if I’ll get the job and already wondering how I’ll support my wife and new home. Where is my faith? Jesus must be looking down saddened of his child He has gotten through so much and yet my faith is so weak.

Application: I need to give this burden to Jesus and trust his will be done. I need to let go of it now and let him work and no matter what might happen, trust in Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord take this burden from my heart and take charge. Show me how to be obedient and to stop and listen to you. Lord I believe, help my unbelief.