Daily Devotional

Scripture: Genesis 30: [20] Then Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

Observation: If we tried to count all the precious gifts God has given we would lose track. It’s seems the only ones we recognize as being precious is the ones that we want for ourselves, but what about all the other precious gifts God gives us to use for others or that He gives us to remind us that He loves us. I know I’m very self-centered and only recognize those gifts that benefit me until I stop and look back to see what God has given me and how I was able to use it to glorify Him and to help others. When I look back I realize those were the most precious gifts.

Application: I need to look each day to see what gifts God has given me and how I can use them to glorify God and to help others. I need to stop asking God for things for me and to start asking how I can be used by Him to be a gift to someone else.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all you give me and I thank you that I’m still be used by you. Please use me up to serve you and to touch the lives of others in your name. Bless me to be a blessing to others and use what I have for your glory.

Scripture: Genesis 29:35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.

Observation: This is Leah’s forth child and now she praises the Lord. What has to happen in our lives before we praise Him. In revelations, in heaven, the elders praise God day and night and yet here there are only certain moments we choose to praise Him. It seems only when something good happens to us that He is worthy of our praise and we don’t realize all the good that happens to us each day.

Application: I need to praise God because He is worthy and not because He has done something for me. My life needs to be filled with praise for my Lord and Savior. A day shouldn’t go by that I don’t praise Him for the precious gift of life and eternal life with Him when this life is over. I sit here and look around to see all that He has given me and the way He watches over me each day. My Lord is worthy of all my praise, worship and love.

Prayer: My Lord I praise your name and you are worthy. You are worthy of all I have within me. Help me worship you and to show others that you deserve our worship every moment of every day. I love you Lord and may I show you each day the depth of my love.

Scripture: Genesis 28: [15] I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Observation: I have several promise books, these are scriptures with God’s promises in them. I would go through them from time to time to see what promises there are for different situations, then I look back on my life and see all of the promises God has given me. He never leaves me and I know He’s there and I don’t know why He sticks with me, but He does. God has fulfilled so much in my life and asks so little.

Application: Most promises have a condition, something I need to do before God fulfills it. I need to be doing the things He calls me to do, not for more blessings, but to show God how much I appreciate what he has already given me. I’ve broken my word so many times, but I serve a master who is always faithful and I need to tell others about Him.

Prayer: Thank you oh heavenly Father for not quitting on me. I thank you that you love me so much and that you stay with me no matter what. I thank you for all you have given me and I ask for wisdom to know what to do to honor you. Help me run this race in a way that makes you proud.

Scripture: Genesis 27:20 Isaac asked his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?”
“The LORD your God gave me success,” he replied.

Observation: In this scripture Jacob lied about what God had done for him to hide what he was doing to his father. How often do we use God for an excuse. We may say I believe it’s God’s will, but in our heart we know we are just making an excuse. God is not to be used as an excuse, or a lie, He is our heavenly Father and deserves all of our love, praise and obedience and when we use His holy name in vain we are sinning.

Application: I need to honestly seek God’s will and not make Him an excuse, but the reason for my existence. People need to see how God rules in my life and they will look to see if there is any discrepancies in how I live in comparison to what I say. I need to always be careful not to use God as an excuse, but to show others He is the reason for our lives.

Prayer: My dear Lord may I never use your name in any other way but in worship. May I tell others of your wondrous ways and live a life that others may want to know you. My Lord I am a sinner help me stay focused on you and that you will always be the only reason I exist.

Scripture: Genesis 26: [24] That night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”

Observation: I was reading my original book that I wrote and so much of the time it appeared I was afraid of just about everything. I was afraid of situations, of failing, succeeding, others and life in general. Even now when I’m not focused on God I’m afraid of what might happen and yet in the Bible over and over again it tells me not to be afraid that God is with me.

Application: I need to be more focused on God and not on my situation. God knows where I am and He is with me and if I focus on Him and what He desires I have nothing to fear. My life is in His hands and if I will submit totally to Him I will be guided and protected. If I could show God how much I love Him, instead of showing my fear I know it would please Him.

Prayer: My Lord forgive me for my fear and strengthen me through each day of this life. I know you haven’t given me a spirit of fear but a spirit of love and a strong mind. Give me courage to live this life in glory and honor to you.

Scripture: Genesis 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Observation: All through the Bible and in my life I see answered prayer. How often do we take it for granted? God answers us and gives us what we need, but how do we show our appreciation? I know I might thank God when a prayer is answered or I might just receive His grace without saying anything at all. The only way I can really show my Lord my appreciation is by the life I live for Him.

Application: I need to live in a constant state of gratitude. A day never goes by without God answering a prayer or giving me something to be thankful for. Just waking up each morning is enough to earn praise and yet I take so much for granted. I need to be more aware of what is happening in my life and stop to thank my Lord for all he does.

Prayer: My Father I thank you for getting me up this morning and watching over me. I’m home safe now with the ability to write this journal and to get up in this home you supplied for me. You’ve blessed me with family and friend, gifts and abilities that I don’t deserve. May I use this life in glory and honor to you. Thank you Lord.

Scripture: Genesis 24:[48] and I bowed down and worshiped the LORD. I praised the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.

Observation: Each day God guides me, but do I give Him the praise and worship He deserves. God does so many good things for me I fear I take Him for granted. I can’t tell you the last time I bowed down and worshiped Him, or if I ever have. God has watched over me each day of my life and I barely praise him and give Him all the glory. I’m supposed to be the servant.

Application: Each day when I pray I need to worship my Lord and show my appreciation for all He has done for me. I owe Him everything and I need to treat Him with the love and respect He deserves from me. I need to recount all the times He saved me and put me back on the path he has chosen for me. I need to bow down and worship my Lord each day and show Him how much I love Him.

Prayer: My Lord and Master I owe you everything and there is nothing I have that you haven’t given me. I love you Lord and I need you to continue to guide your servant. Help me stay on the path that pleases you.