Daily Devotional

Scripture Neh 9:5 And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: “Stand up and bless the LORD your God Forever and ever! “Blessed be Your glorious name, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!

Observation: I was just reading a book about Heaven by Greg Laurie and it was saying what the meaning of life is. Our meaning and purpose is to glorify God that’s it. If we made something we don’t make it for its own good but for ours, it is to serve a purpose for us. That is why God created us to serve, glorify and give Him praise. He loves us and our joy is only found in Him and until we stop trying to find pleasure everywhere else and start finding it in our Lord we’ll never find it.

Application: My days are full of thoughts, but most of them are about me and what I want or get out of life. I have my moments when I’m with God asking Him to change me into the person He desires, but that time should be my full focus instead of a few moments a day. I need to humble myself and realize I’m only here because God desires it so and that my life was designed to give Him joy.

Prayer: My Lord help me put you first in everything I do. My thoughts are mostly about what I want to do and worries about this life. I want to do nothing but bring you joy so please humble me before you and give me strength and the desire to glorify you.

Scripture Neh 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Observation: We continue to try to find strength within ourselves, our position, our possessions or our abilities and we always fall short. We think we can live this life without God, but that is the only reason we are here in the first place. There is nothing good in us, we are selfish, prideful and basically sinners. Our joy and strength comes from our Lord, the purpose of our life. We are not here to make money, a lot of friends, fill a position on this earth we are here only to glorify God and to earn rewards in Heaven. God has given us a chance to do it right, by living for Him, but he won’t force us. So we need to find our joy love, strength, courage and peace in our God, nowhere else.

Application: I continue to look to myself for my joy and purpose when God has already spoken to me that it is Him. I think way too much and act way too little. I need to find my strength, joy, love and purpose in my Lord. I need to live each day for Him and not me. I need to introduce others to my Lord, not me. I want to finish this race well.

Prayer: My Lord I’ve been so involved in my life, I forget it’s yours. It’s always been yours show me how to give it to you completely and to stop trying to take in back. May I freely give you this life as a living sacrifice, Holy and pleasing to you. I love you Lord and I thank you for loving and caring for me.

Scripture Neh 7:2 that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.

Observation: If we want any type of responsibility in the house of God we first must prove faithful. People need to be able to depend on us and that we would put what is right first. To fear God is to respect Him in a way that we would feel fear if we didn’t. Knowing God gives us a clearer picture of Him and our part in His kingdom and on this earth. When you realize all that God can do and who He is you can’t imagine to look Him in the eyes, because you are not worthy and we aren’t.

Application: I have not been proven faithful lately. My laziness has overcome my productiveness. It seems I don’t want to do anything and that is not being faithful to my Lord or to His children. If I feared God the way I should and would be appreciative of all He has done and given me I would search for every opportunity to do His will. I need to get my energy and loyalty going and get off my butt and serve the way I’m called to.

Prayer: My Lord forgive me please and help me off the couch. Heal your servant and give me strength to do your will in this life. Help me please I feel like I’m drowning in my own laziness give me strength and wisdom to do what is right. Help me be faithful to you.

Scripture Neh 6:16 And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.

Observation: If we know God wants us to do something, but it seems too big for us to do, good. God wants others to see Him through our love, effort and compassion. He wants us to do things that we can’t do on our own so others can see Him. We spend more time being afraid of trying things that we don’t try anything. If you tell others that you are a child of God, then act like one. If you were a child of a millionaire and told others you were going to buy a new car, no one would be surprised because your father could afford it, so when we go out and attempt to do something above our means no one should be surprised that it becomes accomplished through the strength of your Father.

Application: Well of I can practice what I preach. I’m afraid to do anything lately. I’ve become so lazy and I’ve lost my compassion. God has given me so much and He gave it to me to help others and to show his love to many. I’ve gotten to the point all I do is lay around and watch television and on the rare occasion attempt something for my God. I don’t know if God is trying to talk to me and I can’t hear Him or that I’m just not listening. I need to regain my passion for my Lord and get busy proving it to Him and to introduce others to my Lord and Father.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me please. I’ve become useless and I’m so tired anymore I can barely stay awake. Give me the energy, strength, courage and passion to do your will and be that servant you call me to be. May others see my life and see you. I love you and I want to do what honors you help me please, get me going for your glory.

Scripture Neh 5:15 But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

Observation: If you look anywhere on this earth you see people taking advantage of other people. Governments oppressing people, taking what little they have, the rich taking from the poor, people cheating others and we feel at times we must do the same to keep up with all of this evil, but that is not what God calls us to do. We are to take care of others, fight oppression, help those that need it and to treat others fairly no matter how we might be treated. If we fear God we will do what He calls us to do and to be generous of all the Lord has given us.

Application: I do cheat whether it’s taking something from work or not giving what I’m supposed or cheating on my taxes. I want to keep whatever I have and all that I have was given to me by my Lord. I need to be more generous and fair with all that I have and that includes my time. I need to look at others as God’s children and my God is a protective Father. I need to see others as God sees them and never cheat anyone, but to give unconditionally.

Prayer: My Lord I’m selfish and I worry all the time about money and how I will pay the bills I have accumulated. Help me be more generous and take this burden from me I beg of you. Show me how to be more generous towards your children and my focus would be on you.

Scripture Neh 4:14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Observation: I’ve been so afraid all of my life of people, situations, pain, failure, you name it and at one time or another I was afraid. What a terrible way to live your life in constant fear and yet there is nothing to be afraid of. When the Bible tells us to fear the Lord it means that is the only thing we should consider. Before we make a decision or sin think of the consequences that God can bring and only that. Even if someone threatens your life, your life is still in the hands of God, because our real life, or eternal life is what we should live this life for. God will direct or paths and protect us and guide us if we make Him first in our lives. There is nothing to fear if you walk in the protection of our Lord.

Application: I may not be as bad as I was about being afraid, but I still am at times. I forget about my God who has protected me all of my life and has guided me through so many things and I fear the things of this world, stupid things that don’t matter. I can accomplish so much more for my Lord if I would stay in constant focus of Him instead of this evil world. I need to draw closer to my Lord each moment of each day and not to be so involved in this temporary place that I live in now. I have a new home that fear will no longer excess and that is what should be on my heart.

Prayer: My Lord, thank you for always watching over me. I thank you for trials in my life, because when I allow them they will strengthen me and allow me to see you more clearly. I thank you for your love, mercy and grace in my life and all that you have placed in it. Help me stay focused on you, give me the courage to live a life that will please you. I’m so tired of letting you down, give me courage to live. I love you my Lord help me show you how much.

Scripture Neh 3:5 Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.

Observation: Sometimes we feel we’re too good to get dirty and help, that our time is too precious. Everything we have comes from God and that includes our time. We are set apart to do good works and typically good works is just that work. Jesus turned his back on no one, He was always ready to help and do what it takes. One thing that should set us apart from others is our willingness to help no matter what and that the most important thing to us is doing God’s will. No matter what our position is in this world our true position is servant, according to our Lord who came to serve all.

Application: I need to remember this as I set myself apart at times because the way God has blessed me. He has taken care of all of my needs and has blessed me with gifts and talent. May I never forget all that He has given me is for His glory and not my convenience. I’m called to help and be part of the body and to be used by God. It’s time that I become useful.

Prayer: My Lord you know me all the evil and selfishness that is in me and yet you still love me. I don’t understand your love, but I do what to honor you with whatever time I have left here in this world. Help me please see others as you see them and give me the strength to persevere through this live and do what honors you. I love you, your servant, Mark.