Daily Devotional

Scripture 1 Chron 13:2 And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is of the LORD our God, let us send out to our brethren everywhere who are left in all the land of Israel, and with them to the priests and Levites who are in their cities and their common-lands, that they may gather together to us;

Observation: It’s great to check with others on what they think before you do something, but first and foremost it must be in God’s will. God uses people to reaffirm His desires to us. I know I have had a situation I wasn’t sure what to do and then God puts someone in my path to reaffirm that I was on the right path. As Paul says we are one body and need help and direction from the other parts of the body. God has given each one of us knowledge and wisdom and we should use that power to make better decisions and to be more useful to our Lord.

Application: I try do to everything myself and I don’t take direction very well because of my pride and because of that I have fallen into some deep pits. I need to use the knowledge that God surrounds me with each day and be a bigger part of the body. I shouldn’t be afraid to ask for prayer and guidance, but always making sure it is in God’s will. I need to be better at teamwork and as the word says one take a thousand to flight but two 10,000.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me grow closer to my brothers and sisters, take this pride and arrogance away from me. I want to do greater things for you I want to please you and make you proud of me instead of me being proud of me. I’m here your servant who loves you, may I serve you each day.

Scripture 1 Chron 12:17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment.”

Observation: Here is David who fought many battles and concurred nations telling someone since he is right with God, not wrong in my hands, that if they betray him not to worry about him but fear God and His judgment. If we do what is right in God’s eyes and someone still wrongs us it is not up to us to take vengeance we did what was right for God’s glory and not to justify our self. This is hard for most of us to do because we want revenge, but revenge is not ours it’s the Lord’s and I would rather fall under man’s wrath than God’s.

Application: I need to do what is right in God’s eyes and if I wrong someone I need to confront them and apologize and ask for forgiveness. However if someone does wrong to me I still need to forgive, but let God handle the situation. In everything I do God should get the glory and what better way than to show someone God’s grace.

Prayer: My Lord rid me of this anger and calm my spirit, may I never do anything evil to anyone no matter what the circumstances. I’m your representative here on this earth, may I act like Jesus and glorify you in all that I do. I love you show me how to live each day.

Scripture 1 Chron 11:9 Then David went on and became great, and the LORD of hosts was with him.

Observation: If the Lord of hosts is with you then you are great, because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Being great in the eyes of this world is nothing, it’s only when your great and the Lord is with you. This place is quickly fading away and the accolades you might receive here will soon be burned away, but when the Lord is with you what you do for God’s glory will last forever. David was a man after the Lord’s heart, even the great sin he committed with Bathsheba, the Lord was with Him. We all sin we need to confess that sin and bring it to the Lord for forgiveness and know that He is with us.

Application: I want to be great, but a great servant in my Lord’s eyes. I don’t need anything here but to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and do what my Lord commands me to do. I need to live a life knowing God is with me and stay focused on doing my King’s will all the days of my life.

Prayer: My Lord and my Master. Thank you for always being with me and when I stumble you are there to left me up. I want to be great in your eyes, pleasing and humble servant who serves you wholeheartedly. I want to be a man after your heart, my Lord.

Scripture 1 Chron 10:13 So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance.

Observation: There is so much unfaithfulness, not only among unbelievers, but believers also. We pledge allegiance to ourselves or something else from this earth and not to God. We become unfaithful when a decision needs to be made between what we want and what God commands. Who do we seek for guidance, mediums, friends, work associates, but do we take our guidance from God. He has written the book that has the answers and He wants us to come to Him in prayer to find the way to go.

Application: I’m always so busy trying to figure things out instead of going to God in prayer. I have very little patience and react quickly without thinking what God might have in store for me. I’m here to listen and do what my Lord commands me to do, but if I don’t take direction from His word I’m being unfaithful and deserve whatever punishment awaits me.

Prayer: Dear Lord calm me down and give me the patience I need to be obedient at all times of what you desire of your servant. Show me your ways and guide me along this path you have chosen for me. May I always seek your face before doing anything and that I will be faithful with all you give me to do. I love you my Lord and I’m anxious to be with you always.

Scripture 1 Chron 9:13 and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses–one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

Observation: God has made us able to do His will. So to be ready to do the work and fulfill the purpose they were created for. I believe these men studied God’s word, stayed in prayer and served as Jesus calls us to serve putting the needs of others above our own personal needs. God has given us what we need and it is up to us to get prepared and ready to serve. Desiring to please God and do the work He puts before us is a decision, are we going to serve God or ourselves. Our eternity is dependent upon our answer.

Application: I’ve stepped out to do different ministries in our church, from speaking on Heaven on Wednesday night, sharing my testimony with others, giving a class on Getting over Depression and serving using my gifts in food service. All I need to do is keep stepping up and God does the rest. I don’t have to be personally qualified if God calls me He will equip me to do His will. I need to stop being selfish with this precious time that God has given me, I need to share it with others in any way I can.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all that you have blessed me with, especially this precious time I have. I would never have believed before I came to receive your Son as my Lord and Savior that I would still be alive today. This time I have is yours, please use it to glorify your name. I love you and desire to serve you always.

Scripture 1 Chron 8:40 The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor–archers. They had many sons and grandsons, one hundred and fifty in all. These were all sons of Benjamin.

Observation: when everyone in a family shows the same character traits it is safe to say they saw it demonstrated by someone in their family, most likely the father. The father sets the example whether good or bad the children will pick it up. If a father has no distinct qualities the children will look for someone to emulate. Our earthly father may not be someone you want to imitate, but we have a Heavenly Father in whom we should be like. God is our example and Jesus was that example on earth, Jesus said if you see me you see the father.

Application: God has sent me an example and he wants me to be a mighty warrior for Him. I need to do everything I can to be ready for battle against the enemy of God. I need to have my sword and armor on at all times and do what God commands me to do. I need to stop sitting on the side lines and get ready for battle and be the man that my father calls me to be.

Prayer: My Lord, my Father I thank you for the example you have set for me to follow. I know I will never come close to being perfect like You, but help me be the warrior you call me to be and that I will fight effortlessly for you. May my eyes always be focused on you so that I may know you and do as you want me to do.

Scripture 1 Chron 7:40 All these were the children of Asher, heads of their fathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders. And they were recorded by genealogies among the army fit for battle; their number was twenty-six thousand.

Observation: We are called to be ready to battle at any time. If we are a Christian we should have been trained and have been distributed a belt, helmet, shoes, breastplate and a sword as described in Ephesians. We are not called to be passive, but to hate evil and to love others. To love them so much to not let the enemy have them. The Heaven study last week was about telling the people we know about Jesus and saving them for eternal damnation and lead them to eternal life with God. It will be a battle. I wrote to my son and the letter that came back was harsh, but deserved. I can’t give up, I must fight to the end.

Application: That is what I need to do is fight. Fight for the people that God placed in my life, fight against temptation and evil thoughts. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t struggle with something the enemy has thrown at me and I need to be ready to defend myself and attack when necessary.

Prayer: My Lord get me ready for battle. Please stand next to me and fight with me, I can’t take the enemy I’m not strong enough. Help me be victorious and win against my attackers. I need to prevail against all that comes at me in this life so I may enter into your kingdom with honor.