Daily Devotional

Scripture 1 Sam 18:14 And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.

Observation: Behaving wisely or doing the right thing for the right reason. When you are behaving wisely, you are not sinning and if you are not sinning you are close to God. Doing what God calls you to do is doing what is wise. When you are avoiding sin you can hear God’s voice more clearly and do what He is commanding you to do. Following God’s word is wise and fruitful. David did this in all his ways, no matter what He was doing he was doing it in a way that honored God and that is why God was with him, David was a man after God’s own heart and God gave him success.

Application: I would love to say at the end of each day that I behaved wisely, but I can’t. I try, but most of the time my sinful ways get the better of me and I act conceited, rude or say something that isn’t honoring. How can I expect God to be with me if I’m acting contrary to the way He calls me to? I know God’s word and I know how he desires me to behave, but too many times self outweighs wisdom in my life. Every time I act I need to consider what God wants me to do and then do it for God’s glory.

Prayer: Dear Lord you know my heart and you know I want to honor and obey you in everything, but a day doesn’t go by that I mess up. I need your guidance in my life, I need wisdom. Please Lord give me these things that I will lead a life that you would desire to be with me.

Scripture 1 Sam 17:37 Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”

Observation: When I look back at my life I see God busy pulling me out of the pit that I dug. Six times I tried to end my life, but this life doesn’t belong to me it’s the Lord. He has delivered me from depression, sickness, stupidity, greed and pride so many times that I can’t possibly count. If each of us looks back on our life and sees how many times God has pulled us up and out of trouble we can rest assure that He will continue to do so. All we need is the faith and obedience to allow God to work in our life and He will. So no matter what you are going through God knows and will deliver you. It most likely won’t be in the way you think it should be, but it will be the right way, God’s way.

Application: Currently I’m going through struggles as I most likely will for the rest of my life, but I don’t fear the way I use to. My faith is not perfect and never will be, but it’s stronger than it’s ever been. I know God loves me and protects me and the worst thing that can happen even death God will be there. I need to use each opportunity to give God the glory, like David so others may see the way He delivers. I’m on a journey to Heaven and my Lord wants me to bring as many as I can.

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for watching over me and delivering me from all that I have gone through. Be with me as I continue this journey and show me how to make it a journey that will please you. I love you and appreciate all that you do for me each day.

Scripture 1 Sam 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Observation: All day long I judge people by their appearance. Before knowing anyone I have a judgment of what that person is like. If it’s an attractive woman they must be full of themselves, there are people that don’t look very intelligent, so they must not be, other people are uppity by the way they talk or hold themselves, some people are kind, because they treat me well. I have each person I meet pegged without knowing anything else about them, what an amazing gift, or is it. I have no idea what a person might be going through, what their heart is and any pain that they might be suffering with and by my judgments that is how I treat them. I’m sure glad I’m not God, because if I saw me through my eyes I wouldn’t be writing this now.

Application: I need to look at each person as God’s child. I have no right to judge anyone and God calls me to love everyone. I may not be able to see another’s heart, but then again I don’t have to, God is the judge not me. I need to be doing what God commands me to do, to love one another, to help others, to put their interests above my own and to lead them to Him. Nowhere in my job description does it say to judge anyone, probably because I’m not capable of doing that.

Prayer: My Lord I need your help. You know me and my heart and the evil I think each day. Give me a heart like Jesus, where I will love all those you place in my path, that I will not judge, but only love as you call me to do. I’m not able to do this on my own please fill me with the Holy Spirit and do this through me.

Scripture 1 Sam 15:22 So Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

Observation: We can give our time and money to what we think honors God, but if we are not obedient to what He tells us it means nothing. I’ve caught myself doing things that appear to be doing for God, but instead it makes me look good as I sacrifice my time and talents. When I do something for God I first must be sure it is what God desires and that I’m hearing God’s voice in what I do and then I need to do it out of obedience for Him and give my Lord all of the glory. Everything that I have came from God so to give it as a sacrifice is only giving God back what He gave me, but to be obedient to my Master, to honor Him with this life that He gave me, that is what pleases God.

Application: I need to spend more time listening to God and asking my Lord what He desires of me. I need to rid myself of all these selfish desires I have and put God first where He belongs. I need to stay in God’s word so that I know his commands and then I need to be faithful to follow, in obedience. Everything I have was given to me by God and it needs to be used for Him. He gave me several talents, how many will I return when I go home?

Prayer: Dear Lord this is your servant. I know I’m hard of hearing most of the time so I ask you to speak up so that I may hear your voice. I want to obey your commands, please make it clear what you want your servant to do. May what you have given me multiply and be pleasing to you. I look forward to serving you always. I love you with all of my heart, may my actions prove that.

Scripture 1 Sam 14:6 Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.”

Observation: Basically God can do anything with anybody He chooses. So often I feel helpless and say to myself what difference can I make and I’m right if it is just me there isn’t much I can do, but if it’s God and me there is nothing that I can’t accomplish. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Devil is pouring lies into my mind all day long telling me how useless I am and God is telling me He wants to use me, so why do we listen to the enemy? God has shown me in the past that He can use me and has done some amazing things through me with even a halfhearted faith, I can only imagine what He would do with a faith that He deserves from me.

Application: God is always there for me and continues to prove himself every day of my life. He deserves much better from his servant and I need to give it to him. I need to have a stronger faith and be willing to put myself in situations where God can show his strength through me, his servant. I need to be bolder and more trusting to my Master. If I sit back, that is all I’m doing sitting, but if I step out only God knows where that journey will end and I know it will glorify Him.

Prayer: My Lord increase my faith. Give me the courage and strength that I will need to fulfill the purpose you have created me for. I’m here as your servant, command me to go where you want me to go and tell me what you want me to do. May I not waste this life and have nothing to show at the end, but may it be a life worth living, a life that pleases you.

Scripture 1 Sam 13:14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

Observation: Am I that man, a man after God’s own heart? I wish I was, I have my moments, but the moments are few and far between. I’m only near to God when I keep His commandments. Yesterday was a celebration at my work and I had an opportunity to share with the Chairman of the board about God. We both shared our love for God and I was able to give him a copy of the book I wrote. For those moments I was a man after God’s heart. A loving and caring man loving God with all of my heart, mind and soul. I have those moments, but that should be my life, not an occasion experience. I pray that when God is seeking a man after his own heart, He would at least consider me.

Application: I need to seek to be that special man that lives a life for God. I know what that life looks like and how it should be lived. God has given me instructions in his word and even examples to follow. I have the choice to be that man after God’s own heart or to be the man that pleases me. I need to choose to be the man that desires to please my master.

Prayer: My Lord I want to serve you. I want to be the man you seek, the man after your own heart, a heart of love, a concern for others and of obedience to you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and make me this man. I desire to please and serve you with this life, it is yours.

Scripture 1 Sam 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

Observation: God deserves all of my heart mind and soul at all times, yet boy do I fall short. If I would think of all the great things God has done in my life I wouldn’t have time to think of anything else. He has saved me from death at least seven times that I know of and has kept me around. That in itself is a great miracle. I do want to serve my Lord with all of my heart, but this evil that dwells within me has the focus on me and not my God most of the time. My one desire is to serve my God and to please Him just to show Him that I do love Him and I want to do it with my whole heart.

Application: I need to spend time each day quiet and just think of the great things God has done for me. I believe that will draw me closer to Him and help me listen to Him. I know my Lord knows my heart, better than even I do and deep down all I want to do is please Him. I need to make that my top priority in my life to serve Him each day and to serve others for my Lord’s glory and not my recognition. I don’t have much time left here and I want to run this race well and I can’t waste any more time on my own pleasures that don’t honor my master.

Prayer: My Lord and my God. Thank you for not giving up on me. I know where I belong and I thank you for the sacrifice of your Son. You put me here for a reason, please Lord let me complete the tasks you have put aside for me to do. Take this laziness away and give me wisdom and courage to succeed. I’m only here for your glory, may I hear the words well done good and faithful servant, when it’s time.