Daily Devotional

Scripture Psalms 75:7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.

Observation: I wonder how much more I can accomplish with the time I judged others instead of doing something good for God? I judge what people do without knowing them, judge the way they look and act and treat me. My mind is so full of useless thoughts and who am I that I’m able to judge anyone. I look at my life and all the sin that is in it, I’m sure I’m not qualified to judge others and yet I do. There is only one righteous judge and He knows everyone and everything about them, He knows what is best for them and what will help them grow. The only person I should be concerned with is me and even God knows me better than I do.

Application: Instead of judging others I need to simply love them. I’m not qualified to judge and it’s none of my business. God has given me one person to look after and that’s me. I need to judge what I’m doing is it of God or sin and then I need to change accordingly. I’m called to love, care for and introduce others to Jesus. I’m a servant and I need to take the position of one and listen to my master.

Prayer: My Lord give me wisdom to do what you require of me. Please give me a loving heart that I might be an encourager for others. Command me in what you desire of me and help me be obedient to all you call of me. I love you my Lord and desire to be obedient.

Scripture Psalms 74:9 We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet; Nor is there any among us who knows how long.

Observation: This verse reminds me of when I’m depressed my mind is focused on the negative and I blame others for the way I feel. Sometimes we don’t see signs because we are not looking in the right place. When you’re down everything seems bad even though it might be one thing that is going wrong in your life. We focus on the bad and forget all of the blessings. In this verse God has performed so many miracles in the past and the sin of man has caused pain. Maybe if they focused on what God has done and thanked Him for all of His provisions and had faith that He will do what was right and that they would open their eyes and heart to what God is doing they may see those signs and rejoice with hope.

Application: Lately I’ve been feeling down focused on my job, looking at all of the negative things that are going on. Lately this dwelling on my work is destroying the rest of my life, my relationship with my wonderful wife, my ministry and my witness for my Lord and it needs to stop. I need to change my focus on what my Lord desires of me. He tells me he has come to give me life and life to the fullest. I need to follow Him and ignore the rest. I have a job to do and I need to rid myself of any distractions from that. There are so many positive things happening if I would just put my mind to the task that God has given me and ignore the devil. I need to be the prophet telling others what God has put on my heart.

Prayer: My Lord forgive me of my weakness and the way I turn from your will. Please give me wisdom and strength to fulfill the purpose you have me here for. Help me stay focused on the depression ministry and outreaches you place in my path and guide me to complete them in glory and honor to your name. I love you and my first desire is to please you, my Lord.

Scripture Psalms 73:3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Observation: Most of my life I would look at what other people had and want what they had. I believe most people are like that coveting what the rich might have, wanting that expensive car, home or lifestyle. Our focus is only on this earth and we want to make the best of it without consideration of our true home in Heaven. We become short sided and think our happiness is based on the riches of this world instead of the riches in Heaven. It’s so easy to get caught up with all the media pointing to things to entice us that the rich and famous have. We need to wake up and realize the true riches that will last forever do not exist on this earth, but we can earn rewards while we are here.

Application: I need to have my eternal home in my heart. I need to be homesick and to look forward to being with my Lord forever. With my mind fixed on eternal things, the things of this world will mean nothing. I need to be humble and help those in need and support those around me. My calling is servant and that is what I need to be, for my Lord and others in His name.

Prayer: My Lord I am grateful for the many blessings you have given me. I have nothing to be boastful about because all that I have comes from you. Soften my heart and guide me each day to live in a way that pleases you. You deserve the best and all that I have.

Scripture Psalms 72:7 In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more.

Observation: What is your definition of flourishing and having an abundance of peace? Most of us might think that flourishing is when you are doing well with earthly goods and are financially set. Peace is when things are going well around you and no one is giving you grief. I don’t think that is God’s definition of flourishing. If you are doing God’s will and you are seeing the fruit of your works that you do for God’s glory now your flourishing, because those things earn rewards in Heaven that will last forever. Our peace should not come from this world, but our peace needs to be based in the fact that God loves us and has something better in store for us when we get home. There should be nothing on this earth that should take away that peace no matter what happens.

Application: Now I need to live by these words. I know in my heart that is what is true, that my purpose given to me by God and when I attain the things that God has in store for me that is what it means to flourish. This needs to be my focus throughout the remaining time in my life. That all that matters is God and what He commands me to do. If I can instill that in my heart, I will have peace and I will flourish more than if I had all the money in the world.

Prayer: My Lord you are the key to my peace. Help me trust completely in you and your plan for my life. That nothing else really matters and I don’t get distracted by the trouble I might endure while I’m here. You are my peace and the reason I exist may you always hold the top position in my heart. I love you and desire to honor you my Lord.

Scripture Psalms 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

Observation: That’s me gray-haired, or at least what is left, with more years behind than those ahead. So, is it time to retire? Maybe from the work of this world, but in God’s kingdom there is no social security only God’s security, which is much more rewarding. If there is less work to do in this world that gives us more time to do the work that we were called to do for our Lord. We need to surround ourselves with others so that we can tell them the glory of our God. There is no retirement from the purpose God has created us for and we need to continue to pray for opportunities to use all that God has blessed us with. As we get older, we have more experiences to fall back on to help others to know our God and we need to use them.

Application: I need to take my own advice and use all God has given me. The longer I walk with the Lord the more I see and I need to share my trip with others. When I took a vacation to Hawaii I share pictures and experiences of that trip with anyone that would listen. I need to share the trip I’ve been on with my Lord and share and describe the pictures I’ve taken. I need to ask God for strength and wisdom as I do His will and know that I will receive whatever I need to fulfill what God has planned for me.

Prayer: My Lord, I ask you for wisdom, discernment and strength to finish the journey you have put me on. Guide me each day, put people in my path that I may share my journey and tell them about my wonderful travel guide. This life is yours, use it to please you.

Scripture Psalms 70:1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. To bring to remembrance. Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O LORD!

Observation: I’m always in a hurry. I need help right away. I would have made a terrible spy, I can’t take pain and would have given up the information right away. My focus is on me and when I want something I want it right now. This would be my prayer make haste O God and help me. How arrogant am I to command God to do something right away. God waits some time to make us stronger, to increase our faith and open our eyes to what He wants, instead of what we want. God is God and knows what is best for us. He is developing us into His disciples. The sooner we realize we are not here for us, but were created for Him and specifically to fulfill a particular purpose God has in mind the better off we will be. Our cry should be please deliver me Lord in your timing and open my eyes to what you desire me to learn while I’m here.

Application: I need to learn patience and wait on the Lord. I need to think of God’s desires before my own and to trust Him totally with this life that He created. I’m here because of God and that God is the only reason anything exists. My purpose is found in God and not in this world. Whatever I may need deliverance from or help I need to seek my Lord and wait on Him and call out for his guidance and trust Him completely.

Prayer: My Lord I always seem to need help. I’m always getting myself into some predicament that I need deliverance from. You know where I am and even where I’m going to be and no matter what happen you are aware. Speak to your servant and give me direction each day and where you want me to walk. Help me not to stumble put stay on the path to the finish line and that I will come home to your open arms knowing that I glorified you with this life you have blessed me with.

Scripture Psalms 69:6 Let not those who wait for You, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed because of me; Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.

Observation: I’m supposed to spread the gospel and be an example of God’s love, but at times my attitude doesn’t reflect love but arrogance and anger, the opposite of what God calls me to be. I get so caught up in this world that I’m no good for God’s work, which is why I’m here. The devil knows my buttons and pushes them with little effort and instead of an example of God’s love I become a reason not to be a child of God. To be a light takes power, but darkness takes no effort It is what happens when the power goes out.

Application: I need to always seek God’s power in my life. I need to stay connected to my Lord and that is what others need to see in my life. I need to catch myself immediately when my thoughts and actions become dark and run to my God and seek the power that I need. I know I can’t do this alone and it’s only through the working of the Holy Spirit I can be an example to others and instead of pushing others away from God I need to have the light to draw them near. I need to focus on my calling and make that my top priority in my life.

Prayer: My Lord please help me and be the example to others that you desire me to be. May I stay in the light of your grace and be the example to others that you desire me to be. Fill my heart with joy so that it overflows to others and that they would desire what you have given me and give it to them for your glory. I love you and desire only to honor and please you, my Lord.