Daily Devotional

Scripture Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

Observation: That was me each day I felt afflicted and my thoughts were evil against those that I felt afflicted me. It was my choice to feel the way I did, always the victim, believing so many were against me, causing me anger. I could have chosen to be content and happy, but there was never enough time to develop that characteristic, since most of my time was spent in misery and depression. I see that played out so often, now my daughter is playing the victim and the devil has her focused on all the wrong things distracting her from what God has planned for her life.

Application: To stay in God’s word and in prayer. To keep my focus on Him and His plans for my life, to love others as His children and not my adversaries. I have a choice and my choice is to do the will of my Father, because that is where my joy is.

Prayer: Dear Father, please continue to help me stay focused on the things of you. I know the race is coming to an end and my desire is to finish well. May others see the joy in my life that only comes from you. I love you Lord, draw me closer.

Scripture Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.

Observation: Our wisdom comes from the Bible. God has prepared his word for us to understand and obey, but we have a choice, do we take the time to understand what He is telling us or do we use or time to do what we desire to do? It takes some discipline to make time to sit down, read and meditate on God’s word, but the peace and joy we seek are in the pages of the bible. Not to take the time will lead to a life of emptiness.

Application: I read each morning, but I’m not taking enough time to understand what I’m reading. I need to be more diligent in the time I spend with my Lord. He deserves all I have and yet I give Him so little, I need to offer myself as a living sacrifice to be holy and pleasing to Him.

Prayer: My Lord please fill me with the Holy Spirit and fill my mind with understanding of your commands. Help me live a life that will honor you. I know I can’t do it alone.

Scripture Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Observation: This has been a problem with me so much of my life, saying something I shouldn’t. It’s amazing as soon as the words come out of your mouth, you wish they didn’t. Usually, pride is the catapult of these unwise words, hoping to appear in a better light, when all of a sudden it feels as if your turned out the light instead.

Application: Thanks to my Lord I take situations in prayer and think before I speak. I ask that he humbles me and uses me. No one listens to a big mouth, but when you are sincere and listen instead of speaking, it blesses others. I have so much more joy being the person that edifies someone instead of tearing them down and I have the Holy Spirit to thank for that, because that is not my nature.

Prayer: My Lord please use your servant to fulfill the purpose you have created me for. Humble me before others and that I would point others to you instead of making a spectacle of myself. I love you Lord use me as you desire.

Scripture Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

Observation: This is a great scripture for Getting Over Depression. Anxiety is the opposite of faith. To be anxious in the heart is to have no hope, which is what causes depression. Depression is the absence of hope and faith, but a good word heals that anxiety. Jesus says there is no one good but God, so a good word is God’s word. If you read His word, you’ll realize there is nothing to be anxious about and you will be able to set those anxious thoughts and depression at the foot of the cross.

Application: I need to practice what I preach. Even though I read my bible everyday it is becoming more of a routine, than spending time in God’s word. I need to meditate and understand what God is saying and who He is, my heavenly Father who cares for me. I need to let go of these bad thoughts that occupy my time and spend more time with my Lord.

Prayer: My Lord and my God release me from these anxious thoughts that are devouring my life, they can only come from Satan and fill my heart with your word and love. I love you Lord and want to finish well.

Scripture Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

Observation: I’ve struggled with pride all of my life and this comes from a man that has done nothing to be proud of. Before Christ I would boast of things that I didn’t even do and the things that I did I would embellish so they sounded much more than they were. Since Jesus has come into my life, I have done things that can bring about pride, but they were only done through the power of Christ, who deserves to get all of the glory. When I’m humble and I give God the glory in front of his children, only then am I wise, but when I try to receive praise from others and that is when I feel the shame and ask God for forgiveness of trying to steal His glory.

Application: Realize there really is nothing good in me unless I allow the Holy Spirit to take charge and shine God’s light through me. My only purpose in this life is to give God glory, I’m his creation, His servant and child.

Prayer: Dear Lord take charge of your servant I freely give you this life as a living sacrifice may it be holy and pleasing to you. May everything that I do glorify you.

Scripture Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.

Observation: I normally do not hate others, but there are a couple of people I have such a hard time not hating. Can’t even think of them without the feeling of hate being in my heart. Besides people there are situations that I find myself in and instead of accepting or asking God how I should handle them I allow hatred to take over and make the situation even worse. I realize love changes everything especially me and the way I treat others.

Application: I need to realize I have a choice whether to hate or to love and if I find myself going down the wrong road that’s when I cry out to God for help. Once I even think of my Lord love enters in. It’s only when left to my own thoughts without God’s intervention, that when my emotions stirs up strife.

Prayer: My Lord you chose to love me even though I’m not loveable. Give me that same heart and may I see other as you see them and look at every situation and ask what you desire me to do or learn.

Scripture Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Observation: To begin to understand who God is and how powerful He truly is should bring fear to us. We have no right to question Him, but only obey His commands. He is God and though He loves us, as He has shown, He deserves are complete respect and obedience.

Application: I speak to God every morning, but I don’t grasp who I am talking to all of the time. He is the creator of all things, including myself and I should be humbled to be in His presence. I should always be grateful and humble and when I request anything from Him it should be in His will not mine.

Prayer: My Lord and Master. Help me understand your will for this life and that my life might be a song you sing. I’m here only to serve you, guide me on how I can do this to please you.