Category: Daily Devotional

Oh, How He Loves Us

Scripture Deuteronomy 5:[29] Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Observation: God sounds disappointed or sad because He knows His children won’t keep all of His commands. He loves us so much and knows what is best for us, but that terrible thing of free will and our sinful nature continues to make us wander form His grace. The first part where it states that our heart would be inclined is the key if we truly wanted to honor God and follow Him we would, but there is so much distractions down here and we so badly want to please ourselves before pleasing God and He knows that. All He wants is the best for us and He knows what is best, not us.

Application: I want to have a more pliable heart that God would be able to shape it for my own good. I want to follow all of my Lord’s commands and to glorify Him with my life. I do fear God but not always and that is my desire to fear Him in all situations, to put my God first above everything.

Prayer: My Lord you are so worthy of the best of me. Show me how to do it, how to finish well and when I get home I want to lay any reward I might have earned on this earth at your feet and worship you forever.

Keeping God’s Commands

Scripture Deuteronomy 4 [2] Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.

Observation: I really what to keep God’s commands as He has given them to me. However I find myself trying to adjust those commands to meet with my desires and to be convenient for me. Each day I read and learn a little more about what God desires of me, but I’m not totally obedient to His word. I gave my class yesterday and I emphasized how important it is to get into God’s word and to know what He is calling you to do and to be obedient to that calling and yet I don’t follow my advice one hundred percent of the time. What God commands us is for our own good not God’s. He is already all good.

Application: Continue each day to learn more about God’s commands and be obedient to each one, not changing or adjusting it for me, but honoring my Lord and all He calls me to do. The more I learn and do the better I’ll be situated in heaven where I will live forever. I need to be obedient in what He calls me to be, a humble, patient, God honoring and loving man. I still have a long way to go.

Prayer: My Lord I want so badly to be the man you desire me to be. I want to be obedient in all things and follow your commands without exception. I’m a sinner and have a sinful nature help me grow close to you and do what you desire of me.

God is Fighting for Me

Scripture Deuteronomy 3: [22] Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.”

Observation: Most of my life I was afraid and even now I’m feeling anxious. Tonight is the night I teach my class on depression and the enemy hates when I do this and does whatever he can to stop me. If it wasn’t for my Lord and my God I would have been gone a long time ago, but since He fights for me all the devil can do is harass me. God is always fighting for me because each day brings a new battle whether it is at work, my health, my emotions or thoughts there is always a battle. I still get afraid, afraid I won’t fulfill the purpose God has created me for and slip back into the man I once was and never want to be again.

Application: I need to continue to charge through this life knowing God is leading the way. I need to be confident that no matter what happens I have an eternal reward that awaits me when this life is over. I know what needs to be done and I need to do it for God’s glory and in His power not mine. Tonight I need to give God my all during the class, but always depending on Him to complete the work He has begun in me.

Prayer: Dear Lord please protect your servant that I may fight for you. I have no power of my own and need your strength to get me through each day. Fill me tonight with the Holy Spirit and use me to touch the lives of others in your name. Show me how to guide your children to you so they would be comforted in your power and love.

My Lord is Always with Me

Scripture Deuteronomy 2:7 The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.

Observation: This scripture is describing my journey. The first 46 years of my life was a journey in the vast dessert of depression. I was lost but my Lord always knew where I was and was protecting me from myself. God blessed me even when I didn’t know Him, but once I understood and asked for a relationship with my Lord He blessed all that I did in His name. I always had all that I needed and more. I’m not sure exactly how this journey will end, but I know for sure my God will never leave or forsake me.

Application: I need to be more bold on this journey knowing that God is looking over me. I need to step out in faith more so that I may accomplish the things God has in store for me. I’m here traveling with my Lord and there is a destination we are heading for and I don’t want to miss it. I need to rid myself of this anxiety knowing that God loves and protects me always.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for your provision, protection and love on my journey. Guide me each day so that I will reach the place you desire me to be. Take this laziness away from me an push me to do more with this life you have given me. May I make a difference in glory and honor to your name.

Why Don’t I Trust Him?

Scripture Deuteronomy 1:32 In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God,

Observation: My God has been so faithful to me, never letting me down and always being there for me. So why don’t I trust Him all of the time? I know when God is leading me, but I need to figure things out on my own instead of just resting in Him and trusting He will accomplish His purpose through me. I don’t and I don’t do what He calls me to do all of the time because of my untrusting ways. He is faithful and always has been.

Application: I need to trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding but in all of my ways acknowledge Him and let my Lord make my paths straight. This can’t only be a scripture I memorize, but the way I live my life each day.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me for my lack of faith when you have been so faithful. Take away any doubts I have and rid me of this constant doubt I have. I want to please you and without faith I understand I can’t.

Doing As the Lord Commands

Scripture Numbers 36:10 So Zelophehad’s daughters did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Observation: Throughout the Bible the people who did as the Lord commanded prospered and were blessed. On the other hand the people who ignored the Lord’s commands had consequences they had to bear. The same is true today, unfortunately we may not see the consequences of those who disobey God, but a time is coming they will have to suffer for the choices they have made.

Application: I need to keep studying God’s word so that I have His commands embedded in my heart. When situations come up I will know the Lord’s commands in each situation and I need to be obedient every time. The Lord is the master of my life, it is actually His and I need to honor the decisions I make to align with His word.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me each day. Place your command\ns on my heart and speak to me each day. Help me be obedient in all that I do and that it will be done in glory and honor to you.

The Penalty for Murder

Scripture Numbers 35:30 ” `Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

Observation: There isn’t a day that the news doesn’t report a murder. Yet trials go on for months, murderers are making book deals and sometimes even suing the state for breaking their rights. So many millions of dollars are spent and murderers get out of prison and murder again. Our society has more pity on the convict than the victim’s family. God tells us what the penalty is for murder, a life for a life.

Application: I need to seek guidance from my Lord. My heart breaks for what we have done to this country that God has blessed us with. We make Sodom and Gomorrah look righteous. God has given us commands and He has placed His law on our hearts and I need to do whatever God calls me to do.

Prayer: My Lord forgive us for the way we have disobeyed you. Touch those that have been given the power to change things your law. We have made a mess of things please my Lord come and renew what we have destroyed.