Daily Devotional

Scripture Esth 6:6 So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?”

Observation: So many times we get full of ourselves that there is no room for anything or anybody else. Most people think of themselves more than anything else and that would be me included. I feel the gifts that God has given me are my own and think how I should be honored when I use those gifts. Instead of for God’s glory, I honor myself. I’m not sure I do this because of all the times I’m acting in ways that our not honorable to make up for those times or if it just feels good for the moment. At those times I don’t think of anyone else or God but I put myself in the limelight expecting others to praise me for something God has allowed me to do. These are the times when we might do something deserving of rewards, but don’t receive them because the wrong person got the honor. Short lived praise for an audience of one and not the right one.

Application: Most of my thoughts are about myself, even now so many things are happening in my life and all I do is spend my time worrying about me. God has told me over and over in the Word that I should not worry about myself, but to trust in Him. I need to put the spotlight on my Lord and when I come into times of trouble show others that I put my trust in my Lord and King. That my life reflects Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. It is all about God and not about us.

Prayer: I need to trust fully in You, my Lord and stop thinking about myself, but to do what You command me to do and obey You in everything. I want to prove my love for you with my actions and thoughts. Help me Lord I am weak and need your strength to live a life worthy of you. Take charge of your servant and guide me through the rest of this life that it may please you. I love you Lord, may my life prove that.

Scripture Esth 5:11 Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king.

Observation: It seems almost automatic if we are talking to someone we tell them of our prosperity and brag about what we have or done. It seems at times that is where our joy is found in bragging to others making us feel worthy. We become so busy trying to impress others about what we have that we forget who gave it to us. People aren’t impressed and if anything you might hurt someone’s feelings that they are not as blessed as you are. If we spent that time trying to impress our Heavenly Father with worship and service our true life in heaven would be filled with rewards and treasures that will last and God would be glorified. If we would humble ourselves before others and give God the glory that would help others seek God and not what God has given us.

Application: I’m one of the worst offenders of this. I need to justify myself before man instead of my Lord. I want people to think highly of me instead of my creator. Even when I serve I still have the focus on me instead of the one who asks me to serve, my Master. I need to do things in glory to God and let others know that is why I do it and that everything that I have comes from my generous God and I have nothing to do with it.

Prayer: My Master help me be a better servant, help humble me before others and take this arrogance from my spirit. Teach me how to be the best servant I can be to you and do everything that you call me to do. Take this pride from me that the only thing that I’m proud of is being your child.

Scripture Esth 4:14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Observation: I’ve always loved this scripture, because it is a reminder for all Christians that we are here for a purpose. God doesn’t just randomly do things and if we are here there is a reason and a purpose to our life and we need to search for it. When an opportunity arises for us to do something in God’s name we need to do it, we may not know where it will lead, but God knows. We are here now and God has placed people in our path and we need to do what honors God when the time comes. There is a reason and purpose to our lives and when it is time to go home I want to be able to say mission accomplished to my Lord and Savior.

Application: I need to be in the path of my purpose. I’ll never find it sitting at home on the couch watching television. I need to find ways to serve and make a difference. I believe my depression testimony is a gift from God that He wants me to share with others and I need to find more opportunities to use that gift for His glory and to help others.

Prayer: My Lord I know I’m not here by mistake, but that you have a purpose for me being here. Lord open my eyes and guide me on how you want it used for your glory. Please guide me through the rest of this life you have given me. I’m here to make a difference for you may I accomplish that through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. I love you and want to do what pleases you.

Scripture Esth 3:5 When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath.

Observation: How often do we get upset when things don’t go the way we want them to? That’s pride. Why do things have to go the way we think they should, who are we to be above anyone? I know in my life I feel I’m owed a certain amount of respect and that my wishes should be recognized. I feel that way a lot more than I feel I should be helping someone else have their desires or needs met. Anger happens when we don’t get our own way or things aren’t turning out right for us and that anger will build so eventually that anger will harm someone else and typically it’s a family member or close friend.

Application: I need to stop seeking my way and start seeking God’s way, putting His desires above my own. Once I do that the needs of others will be more important than mine. I have a terrible anger problem and get upset at the simplest things, things that don’t go my way. That anger is sin, it’s against the will of God and it happens so quickly and way too often. I need to go immediately to prayer when I feel my anger getting to me and ask God for comfort and a way to bring Him joy. Taking care of His children is something that will bring my Heavenly Father joy so I need to search to help others with their needs or desires above my own.

Prayer: Dear Father help me with my self-centerness and open my heart to how you want me to live my life. Take this anger from my spirit and replace it with kindness, joy and service to others. I’m your child and your bond servant command me on what to do that I may obey and please you. I love you Lord and you deserve the best I have to offer.

Scripture Esth 2:20 Now Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him.

Observation: I realize that Mordecai was not her natural father, but he raised her as his daughter. Esther obeyed his commands because of who he is, her acting father. The fifth commandment to obey our parents and if we do it will go well for us. In today’s society parents are looked at as fools and kids are always rebelling. All the sitcoms show how the parents aren’t to be listened to and the children do as they will. This is the opposite of God’s commands and that is probably why things are so awry in our society, parents aren’t taking their role to heart as God as called them to and the children are doing what please them.

Application: I’m not honoring my mother and father. I may have never disrespected them to their face, but behind their back I groan and didn’t want to be bothered with them most of the time. I call my mother once a week and don’t do it with a loving spirit and my father I make excuses why not to call him. Time is running out and I know that I wasn’t a good father to my children. My son and I have not spoken in over 10 years and my daughter and I talk on the phone occasionally. I could see why it is difficult to honor me has a father, because I wasn’t honorable, I wasn’t a good father. I wish I was a better representative to their heavenly father, but I wasn’t. I need to go to my father for guidance to see if there is something I should be doing to close this gap I created.

Prayer: Dear Father you are so worthy of being honored and I do what to do that each day. You are the perfect parent and deserve all of my love and affection and respect. I want to obey you in everything, remove this pride and help me honor you the way you deserve to be honored.

Scripture Esth 1:22 Then he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.

Observation: I agree the man should be master of his own house, but what does that mean. To get the best example would be Jesus our Lord and Master. He told us to be the master or great we need to become servants so to be the master of or house we need to learn to serve. That seems backwards to what we see in our society, but who are you going to believe society, or the God of the universe, seems like a simple decision. So to be master we must serve our family, set a good example, be God honoring and a good teacher of what is right and pure like our master in Heaven.

Application: I need to be the right master for my wife and children and grandchildren. I need to lead in love and service. I need to teach as Jesus teaches and be an example of love and a man of God. All I should look to receive is my Master’s approval and walk in the way of my Lord. I need to strive to be the best example of Christ’s love here on earth to my family and the people God surrounds me with each day. I need to continue to study my Lord’s commands so that I might be the best example there is.

Prayer: My Master, I love you and want to obey every command that comes from you, but I’m stubborn and I need direction in my life. Help me be the best servant I can be guided my love ones to you. Help me serve others in your name and master your word in my life.

Scripture Neh 13:11 So I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their place.

Observation: Most of us go to church once a week and worship and listen to the message and that’s it. Most won’t go back to the church and help out or get involved in the upkeep of the church. It’s a place to go once a week and to tithe to keep it going which I believe most don’t, but give a couple dollars here and there. If we saw the church as the House of God maybe we would treat it with more respect. God is preparing a place for us when we get home, but the place we worship now is His and we need to treat it that way. We need to do more than attend when we want, we need to serve. We are not to forsake God’s house, but to build it up to God’s glory.

Application: I’ve become one of those many. I may tithe to support the church, but that is not an option but a command from God and He has blessed me for that giving. Just a while ago they asked for volunteers to help pack the Christmas gifts to be sent to other countries to those in need and I didn’t go even though I had the time, they have asked for people to help move chairs so the carpet could be cleaned and I didn’t volunteer. There are plays and movies to help bring others into His House and I haven’t participated in any of those. The most I do lately is to greet a couple times a month. I need to be more involved in my church in service to others, in service to God.

Prayer: My Lord I want to honor you in any way I can and I believe this is one way to honor your house. I’ve become so lazy and tired help give me strength to fulfill the purpose you have created me for and get busy doing something for you. May I help build up your church and be a greater part of the body. I love you and you deserve everything from me.