Daily Devotional

Scripture Ezra 7:18 And whatever seems good to you and your brethren to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do it according to the will of your God.

Observation: I like that is says do whatever seems good to you, as long it’s according to the will of God. So many of us, myself included, do the things that seem right to us, but without regards to God’s will. We know His will there should never be any confusion He makes it clear in His word and places it on our heart once we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. So we should be striving for God’s will in all that we do and then after that we should do what we know is right and good.

Application: I’m so concerned about me in all of my decision making instead of God’s will. My thoughts are about me most of the time and that needs to change. If I thought about what God wants of me as much as I think of what I want, I would be a man after God’s own heart, but instead I’m a man after my own heart. I need to change and no matter what I think about I need to stop and ask God what he wants and then do it accordingly.

Prayer: lately my Lord I feel I’m straying away from you and getting to involved in my own blind ambitions and concerns. I want to be a man after your own heart, you know that, but I’m not capable to do that in my own flesh. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit open my eyes and heart to what you desire that I will do your will each day of my life.

Scripture Ezra 6:21 Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.

Observation: God has called us to be in this world, but not part of it. We have to separate ourselves from the sin of this place so that we may draw close to God. We can’t take part of the sin and evil that are here, but need to set ourselves apart from it. We are here for now and need to make a difference in glory to God we need to show others Jesus through our lives. Our God wants none to perish and that is why we are here to spread the gospel and help lead others to eternal joy and salvation that comes only through the sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus.

Application: I need to stop blending in so well in this unholy place and live a holy life, a life set apart. I’m here for a purpose using the gifts, talents and testimony my Lord has blessed me with I need to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. I need to be a better example of love and humble myself in front of others so that I will get myself out of the way so others may see my Lord.

Prayer: Lord help me complete the task you have put me here for. Humble me and take this anger, hatred and pride from my spirit so that I will be the best ambassador for you I can be. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and have him guide me each day in this journey. I love you Lord and want to be the best I can be for you.

Scripture Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a written answer was returned concerning this matter.

Observation: God is watching and looking over us. He will make sure His will is done and there is nothing that can stop it. God directs our path and will remove any obstacles from that path that might stop us from accomplishing His will for our life. There is no surprises to God He knows everything and there is nothing He doesn’t know and there is nothing that He can’t do. God is always with us and if we listen and do what He calls us to do He will make sure that it will happen and remove anything that gets in the way.

Application: I’m probably the biggest obstacle in getting in God’s way. My lack of faith, laziness and focus on myself deters me from doing my best for my Lord. God has given me a testimony, gifts and talents that need to be used for His glory and at times I wish He would just force me into using Him, but He wants an obedient heart more than results. I need to humble myself in His presence and do what He calls me to do.

Prayer: My Lord you know my heart and my desire to please you. Please remove any obstacles, including myself, from accomplishing that. Use the testimony you have blessed me with to touch others in your name and use me to please you. The only result that I desire is that your will would be done and that whatever I do brings a smile on your face.

Scripture Ezra 4:3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”

Observation: Have you ever not wanted anyone else to help you , because you wanted to take the credit for doing something alone. God has created us to do so much more together then we can possibly to by ourselves. It’s our pride that holds back God’s work at times, He tells us the exalted will be humbled while the humble will be exalted. God calls the church the body and that we function as one even husband and wife are one flesh. He calls no one to be a lone wolf, but to be part of the body.

Application: I have that problem I want to do something by myself so that I’m the one that is recognized. God knows the truth, but for some reason I want to impress others and when I do that I forfeit my reward in Heaven, I need to be humble and remove this pride I have. There is nothing in me that God hasn’t put there and there is nothing I have that God hasn’t given me. He has given me gifts that work best as part of a team with a group of believers, but I need to humble myself and be part of the body and not the mouth.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me live this life under your leadership. Take this pride from me and show me how to listen to you and others. May I be part of your plan and that I would be obedient to do all you call me to do. I’m here to serve and nothing more. Love you my Lord.

Scripture Ezra 3:11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Observation: Praising and giving thanks should be our natural response when we think of our God, but we seem to be preoccupied with our own selves. When we wake up we should be praising and thanking God that we have another day to build up treasures in Heaven, when we eat we should be thankful that we have food, if we work be thankful that we have a job and skills that can be used to make a living. For every breath we should be praising our heavenly Father and if we did our life would be so full of joy and we would get the blessing He wants to give us. Can you imagine a whole day spent with Dad? It’s a shame that the enemy and this sinful place distracts us so easily.

Application: I need to practice what I preach. I need to get up in the morning and not worry about any aches or pains put to give glory to God before anything and then remain with my Lord all day long finding things to give Him praise for and there are so many. I love my wife so much, but how many times in a day do I thank God for her, every good gift is from above. If someone was to give me a gift right now I would thank them so how much more should I thank my father for each gift as I receive them in the course of a day.

Prayer: My Father I thank you for all you give me each day and all the evil you keep from me. I give you thanks and praise and your mercy endures forever. I love you Father may I be an obedient child that brings you pleasure.

Scripture Ezra 2:69 According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for the work sixty-one thousand gold drachmas, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priestly garments.

Observation: Do we give according to our abilities? I know I don’t. I give my tithe of all that I receive, but my ability goes beyond that. Everything that I have, including my gifts, talents and time I have is given to me by God. So I have the ability to use all of that in my Lord’s service, but I don’t. I have my moments like tonight Teri and I are going to make burritos for the church and we’ll do a Thanksgiving dinner at the Army and navy Academy, but that is little in comparison to what I can do. I sit at home and waste the precious time that God gives me and I should be doing more.

Application: I need to use everything that God has given me for His glory. The abilities that I give where given to me first and I’m just returning the minas with interest to my Master, but so many times I bury that minas where it doesn’t give any return to my Lord. The time is coming when I will have to give an account to what I did with the talents He has given me and I fear I won’t be ready to give an account that will be pleasing to Him.

Prayer: My Master help me do better in your name. Show me how to make this investment you made in me profitable to You. May this life give interest to you when the time comes and that you will welcome me in with the words I desire to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Scripture Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,

Observation: I have felt God stir up my spirit and give me different ideas of ministry, to do a Bible study or to volunteer for a mission. Most of the time I think it’s my idea, but deep down I know that God stirred my spirit to get off my butt and do something that will outlast me. Most of the time it takes God’s nudging to get me to do anything, I seem to be to content to sit on the couch and do nothing, but it feels great when God gets me in the game and stirs my spirit to do something that will honor Him.

Application: I need to make myself ready to be doing things that honor God. My time should be spent doing things for others that will please my Lord. I need to take the focus off myself and put it on God’s will for my life. There is so much more that I can be doing and it’s time to be doing it.

Prayer: Dear Lord you deserve so much more than I give you. Please stir up my spirit and get me on the path you want me on. I want to serve you, that is why you created me so please remove this laziness from me and stir up my spirit to please you. I love you Lord may I live a life that shows it.