Daily Devotional

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the servant’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Observation: I am often deceived sometimes from Satan and other times because I want to be deceived. I want something so bad I can convince myself that it’s from God but it’s not. When God calls me to do something for him I can justify in my mind I tried and it didn’t work out because it’s to much work or I rather do something else. I am to easily swayed away from my purpose and God’s will for my life.

Application: To test the decisions I make and what I do with God’s word. He has made it easy to do his desires opposed to mine. Stay focused on God’s plan for my life and be careful not to be deceived.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me each day to do your will. Give me strength and discernment on following you. May I not be led astray but put on the path you set before me.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord Commends.

Observation: I used to be very boastful to others bragging about things I could do and have done or at least thought I had done. I felt I needed to bring myself up because no one else would do it for me. I have nothing and am nothing accept for what the Lord has made me and works through me. My Lord will only commend me when I’m doing His will and His will his to worship him.

Application: I need to be focused on God and try my best to please him. That the Lord will commend me because I’m saying the words He wants me to say, doing the things he wants me to do and being the man he wants me to be.

Prayer: Dear Father I am only a man and I get caught up in this world and the flesh of pride. I am nothing in myself, but I am a child of yours. Teach me how to fulfill the purpose you have created me for.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Observation: I sow sparingly, unfortunately. I only give out of my abundance, what I feel I should give. I’m obedient with giving my tithe and some of my time to honor God, but in comparison to his love and grace I’m a miser. God has given me so much I wonder what would happen if I gave generously, the harvest I would reap.

Application: I need to sow generously in the field that God has given me, not for personal gain, but to be obedient to my Father. There is so much to do and God has given me so much. It’s time to sow generously for my Lord.

Prayer: Dear God I am selfish and always have been. Help me give what honors you and to be this man you call me to be. May this life bless you this day as I touch the life of one of your children.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

Observation: Why care that we are doing right in the eyes of men? Our witness depends on what others see of us. They are looking closely to see if we mess up so they have an excuse not to believe. We must walk our talk and honor God in all that we do and show others the love of God in us.

Application: To lead a life that will draw others nearer to God. Not to be double minded, but single minded of God. That my life would be a reflection of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Prayer: Dear Lord only you can make me the man you desire me to be. I freely give you this life, use it for your glory.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7 [10] Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Observation: Godly sorrow is a sorrow caused by sin against God. It is our conscience telling us that we wronged God and need to repent so we can be made right again with him. The other sorrow is the sorrow most of us experience the sorrow of this world the focus of getting caught when we do something wrong, the focus of the things in this world which we use to replace our thoughts of how we are to be used by God.

Application: Stay focused on why we are really here, to serve God, not ourselves. When we feel sorrow ask ourselves why. Do we feel sorrow because we hurt God and was disobedient or to we feel sorrow because we hurt ourselves. I need to realize what I’m doing and when I’m disobedient to God repent and ask for forgiveness.

Prayer: Dear Lord open my eyes today to see your will in my life. Take the selfishness away from me and replace it with a focus on you.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:[10] sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Observation: Yesterday I bought a grill I’ve wanted for some time. For some reason I felt I either needed or simply deserved it. Why do I continue to want things in this world when my Lord has given me everything? He has changed my mourning into dancing, he has meant all of my needs and has allowed me to spread the gospel so others may possess everything. Even though I am in this world, my focus needs to be on my eternal home.

Application: To be a better steward with all that God has given me and ask him what he wants me to do before I spend his money. Use my possessions and time for God’s glory and not my amusement and build my treasures in heaven. Before I act think what God will say to me on my judgment day as he recounts’ how I spent my time and money. Seek that I may hear well done good and faithful servant.

Prayer: Dear Lord I truly possess everything since I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Guide me this day to invest in the Kingdom and the lives of others in your name

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5: [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Observation: WE shared in our last Bible study about the change we each have experienced when we were born again. The more I think about it the more amazed I am about what God has done in my life. I’m a totally different person and I keep changing as time goes on. I’m excited about the person I will be by the end of the race. I desire to only fulfill being the person that will please God

Application: Continue to seek God each day and ask for his direction and purposed in my life. Be aware of some of my old behaviors and avoid them and look at the things that please God and do has much as I can to glorify him.

Prayer: Dear Father I thank you for not letting me stay the man I was, a selfish and evil man. I thank you for your patience and desire for me to come to you. Help me on this journey that I will not let you down any more, but bring a smile on your face each day and make you proud of me. I truly love you and will try to be a better man each day. Do a work in me today that I may touch the life of someone in glory and honor to you.