Category: Daily Devotional

Are We Doing Our Good Deeds for God?

Scripture Zechariah 7:5 “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me?

Observation: I’ve done several outreaches in the past and I always believed it was for God, but was it? I would do special dinners for the homeless and do outreaches in Mexico. People would praise my efforts, but was God getting the glory? I would start with good intentions, but as I was getting recognized for the success of the mission did, I take credit for it?

Application: Whatever I do for the Lord, which should be everything, God deserves all of the credit. As I walk along the beach praying everyone needs to know that it is God’s idea and not mine. When I pray the Holy Spirit is the zone talking and not me. I only have strength to do this because the Lord gives me the strength. I’m only a vessel God uses, nothing more.

Prayer Dear Lord, I thank you for using your servant. May all the people I meet know that You are my master and that I only do what You command me to do. Guide me again today to fulfill the purpose You have created me for. Your faithful bondservant.

Diligently Obey God

Scripture Zechariah 6:15 Even those from afar shall come and build the temple of the LORD. Then you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. And this shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”

Observation: We are called to diligently obey the voice of God, which means all of the time and not just when it seems convenient for us. We call on God each day for His blessings, but the condition is that we obey Him all of the time. Christians have been set aside for special work and we won’t know what the job is or how to do it unless we obey every word.

Application: I’m doing better now than I have ever in obeying God’s voice, but still have a long way to go. I can’t pick and choose the times I obey it needs to be always. I need to have fellowship with my Lord so that I may understand my place in His plan.

Prayer Dear Lord thank you for never giving up on me. I know I’m here for a purpose and I pray that You would reveal more of what You are calling your servant to do. My desire is to obey and honor You each day until it’s time to go home.

God’s Curse

Scripture Zechariah 5:3 Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth: ‘Every thief shall be expelled,’ according to this side of the scroll; and, ‘Every perjurer shall be expelled,’ according to that side of it.”

Observation: It appears that evil is triumphing today with all the troubles of this world, but there will be judgement to those who are doing wrong. Satan may be the ruler of this world for now, but God rules everything and will not let the evil doers go without punishment.

Application: Stay on the side of good and do what I’m commanded to do. Don’t worry about what some people might be doing that is wrong, but stay focused on what I’m called to do. I’m here as God’s ambassador to the people that He surrounds me with.

Prayer Dear Lord please make me more aware of what You are calling me to do. I want to please You each day and be aware of your desires for this life. May I complete the race in a way that will honor You.

By God’s Spirit

Scripture Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me:
“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:
Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the LORD of hosts.

Observation: There is nothing God can’t do and there is nothing that He doesn’t know. All the terrible things that have been happening around this world He could stop in an instance, but that isn’t his will. God wants to make His children strong by trusting in Him and not the things that we are surrounded with. This is not our home God is readying us for our actual home.

Application: Each day I need to trust in God whole heartedly and be in constant prayer. I’m not called to fix anything but only be obedient to God’s calling. Let God’s spirit direct my life and allow me to be used by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer Dear Lord please speak to your servant and command me to do your will. Speak through me and use me in any way You desire and at the end of each day that You would be pleased. I love you Lord may I serve and please You.

The Lord Rebukes Satan

Scripture Zechariah 3:2 And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

Observation: You can see Satan’s hand in this world as he continues to destroy it. Most people feel helpless, but we forget that God can do anything. Even though Jesus said that Satan is the ruler of this world, God still intercedes for us when we pray to Him. Satan will not win in the end God will rebuke him and send him to hell.

Application: We need to know even though everything seems hopeless sometimes that God is in control. We have been warned in prophesies that this was going to happen and when it is over God’s children can go home. This is the time to draw close to God and trust Him each day and that in the end He wins along with His children.

Prayer My Lord thank you for loving us so much. Be with me today and guide me on my journey, the journey You have set before me, I love You, please use me to glorify your name.

God’s People

Scripture Zechariah 2:11 “Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.

Observation: This is a prophecy telling how nations will proclaim our Lord. At the time of this scripture only the Jews knew God, but now He is known around the world. Jesus tells us that He dwells within each of His children no matter who they are as long as they receive Him.

Application: That I will do whatever my Lord asks of me. He is always with me and may I live my life knowing that. Before I do or say anything that might not be pleasing to my Lord that I think and ask for His direction in my life.

Prayer Lord thank you for saving me. I thank you for not giving up on this sinner and ask that you use me until it’s time to go home. I love You so much, but at times I act as if I don’t. Please continue to dwell within your servant and guide me each day to your glory.

We Need to Return to God

Scripture Zechariah 1:3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.

Observation: This world has abandoned God. Satan has done his job and placed so much evil in this fallen world that we reject God. Even God’s children don’t seem as close as they once were. Churches are closed and Christian values are being mocked and we draw farther from God instead of closer. We need to do battle with the evil forces and return to our Lord and Savior and do what He commands us to do. We need to return to God with all of our hearts, minds and souls.

Application: Each day I need to draw nearer to God, to humble myself before Him and be obedient to His commands in my life. I need to remove any pride that stands between me and my Lord and help others draw closer to Him.

Prayer My Lord my mind wanders all of the time and I need to be focused on You so that I may draw closer to You. My desire is to hear your voice through the Holy Spirit and to please you each day with my obedience.