Daily Devotional

Scripture: Mathew 22:37 Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind.”

Observation: When I read this, I realized how short I am from truly loving God the way I should. All my heart should be above anything or anyone. Even loving my wife should reflect God honoring love to glorify God. All my soul is to be able to worship God for all eternity and to honor God not myself. My mind means He should always be in my thoughts and before I do something I need to think if it honors my Lord.

Application: I need to live my life with a deep love for God. No matter what is happening in my life He comes first, my only true love.

Prayer: Dear Lord may my love be evident to you at all times that you may never doubt my love for you.

Scripture: Mathew 21:43 Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit

Observation: Even though God is talking to the Pharisees this would also be applicable to anyone. If we don’t bear fruit the Kingdom will be taken away. If we truly confess, we are God’s our next reaction should be out of love and gratitude to bear fruit for Him.

Application: To pray and ask God how I may honor Him with the gifts He has given me. To make a difference “bear fruit” in his name.

Prayer: My Lord show me how to bear fruit in glory and honor to your name. May the abundance of fruit honor you and feed those around me.

Scripture: Mathew 20:27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave

Observation: We are called to serve and we need to take the characteristics of a slave. Putting the desires of others above our own, giving completely of ourselves.

Application: I need to stop putting so much importance on my time serving myself. To put off what I want to do when I can be doing something for someone else. The most precious thing I have on this earth is time and I need to be giving more to others in Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Lord may my focus be on you and your desires for me to serve. I freely give you my life as a living sacrifice, may it be pleasing to you.

Scripture: Mathew 20:26 Jesus looked at them and said,” With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Observation: When Jesus said with man this is impossible, I realize how much what happens is only from God’s mercy and grace. I think of things I’ve accomplished without realizing I could have only done those things because God has given me the ability and opportunity.

Application: I need to stop taking things for granted and assuming I can accomplish things on my own. When I accomplish something I need to stop and thank God for allowing me to do it.

Prayer: Lord thank you for making me, me with the gifts and abilities you have given me, may I bless you with the way I use them.

Scripture: Mathew 18:3 And he said, “I tell you the truth unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Observation: We become so cenacle as we get older not trusting anyone because of past experiences. We focus on the things we need to do and the things of the world and then we miss out on what God wants. A child is in amazement of the smallest thing and believes and trusts so easily.

Application: I need to be focused on my Father and listen to him with an open mind and heart. Looking each day for what He has in store for me without looking at the past and worrying about tomorrow.

Prayer: My Lord give me the heart of a child, making it easier for me to love and accept what you have in store for me.

Scripture: Mathew 17:20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have the faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Observation: The words “because you have so little faith” touches my heart. I live each day with stress and worry instead of faith. I have such a hard time letting go of this world and clinging to Christ. If I was standing in front of Jesus, I feel I would hear those words of disappointment.

Application: I need to know God is in control and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. If I know I’m in his will and trust Him things will happen in his timing.

Prayer: Lord increase my faith and open my eyes to your desires

Scripture: Mathew 16:15 “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Observation: Jesus is asking everyone, not just the 12 apostles. And if we say Jesus is Lord there is a responsibility for us to follow him with no excuses.

Application: I say Jesus is Lord and in doing so I have a commitment to live for my Lord. He has told me what is required of me and now it’s time to obey Him.

Prayer: Dear Jesus my Lord and Savior you rule in my life, please take charge and give me the knowledge and wisdom to know what to do and the strength, discipline and courage to do it.