Daily Devotional

Scripture: James 3:9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Observation: Each morning, I praise God, pray to Him asking that He would make me the man He wants me to be. It’s not too much longer that I will say something about someone or say something to someone that proves I’m not as close to God as I say.
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Application: I realize after I say something it was wrong. I need to think before I speak and how it represents my Lord and what effect it will have on the person I’m talking to.

Prayer: My Lord tame my tongue. May it be used only to praise you and build others up in your name.

Scripture: James 2: [17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Observation: Very seldom would I do anything for anyone; my time was mine. When Jesus took hold of my heart, I was able to let go of some of that time, because He deserves all of it. I owe Him so much I can’t possibly come close to giving back all He has given me. My love and faith in Him are only shown by what I do.

Application: I will continue to release more and more of my time to Him and others. I will pray that He will take this laziness away and use me more. That everything I do is to His glory, not mine.

Prayer: My Lord take this servant and use me to serve others. May there not be a doubt to those who know me, who I belong to.

Scripture: James 1: [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Observation: Each day I do something that shows my lack of wisdom. I try to figure things out in the flesh and most of the time it’s wrong, because I’m looking for my best interest and not God’s will. I get so involved in this world I forget I can ask God and He will give me what I need and what is best for me.

Application: Before I make a decision or try to figure something out, I will pray for God’s wisdom. Each morning, I will ask God for wisdom so I will honor Him and draw nearer.

Prayer: Dear Father I ask for wisdom that today I will live a life honoring to you. That the decisions I make will be pleasing and right in your eyes.

Scripture: Hebrews 13: 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Observation: I never think of the God of all creation as my helper. Yet in every situation in my life, He was always there helping me get through. Almost each day I’m afraid of something whether work, financial, health and I don’t stop often enough to say, if God wants me here no one is going to stop the will of God.

Application: I must realize God has a plan for me and He will be faithful to complete it. I know I’m not going to know the details of the plan, but I need to trust in God that He will help me through them.

Prayer: My Lord, my God, my helper. Help me through this day to fulfill your will for me.

Scripture: Hebrews 12: 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

Observation: When I go through hardships I feel like I’m being punished, not disciplined. I wonder what I might have done wrong instead of asking my Father what He is teaching me. When I look back, I can see the lesson He was showing me and how it made me stronger in bringing me closer to Him.

Application: Next time I go through a hardship I need to get down on my knees and ask my Father what should I be learning from this, and thank Him for the opportunity to draw closer to Him.

Prayer: My Father open my eyes and teach your child. Discipline me in the way I should go and don’t ever give up on me, please.

Scripture: Hebrews 11: [6] And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Observation: My purpose is to please God but with the measure of faith I have sometimes there is no way I can. I know God exists and He blesses me each day but so easily I lose faith and try to do things on my own. I’m not seeking the rewards but I want to please God.

Application: I need to remember all God has done for me and that He is always with me. I need to increase my faith knowing He has a plan for me and He will be faithful to complete it. Be confident each day that I’m living for Him and He has everything under control.

Prayer: Dear God increase my faith that I may please you and see the rewards you have for me.

Scripture: Hebrews 10: [36] You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Observation: My weakness is that I don’t persevere, I give up to easy. That is why at times I fall short of doing God’s will. I’ll make excuses, become lazy and just plain give up. God deserves so much more than that, He deserves all I have. God’s promises are rich and undeserving yet He loves me.

Application: Each day I need to persevere to complete God’s will for me, not to receive more of His blessings, but because He deserves my best for what He has already done for me.

Prayer: My Lord I need your strength to persevere each day. Show me how to do your will, your good and pleasing will. May this day honor you.