Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture: Romans 5: [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Observation: The first is perseverance which I lack. It’s too easy to give up or get distracted about other things. The thing before perseverance was suffering for me which leads to self pity. That is my nature, it takes the filling of the Holy Spirit to make me anything that God can use. Next is character which is only really shown when no one can see. The man I am behind closed doors, not trying to impress anyone. Then hope after I persevere and build character worthy of God.

Application: Take the focus of myself and look ahead to the promise of Christ, persevere. Be the man God wants me to be for Him, no one else. My hope rests in my Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me this day, be by my side and show me how to live for you.

Scripture: Romans 4: [5] However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Observation: How much do I trust God? He deserves all of my love, adoration, time and trust. So what stops me? Why do I think things depend on me, when God is in complete control? I’ve depended on myself most of my life and always failed. This life is too difficult to survive without God.

Application: Commit each day to God. Listen to what He wants of me and do it. Before making a decision pray and trust God for the right way to go. To love this life for God and not myself, fulfilling His purpose not mine.

Prayer: Increase my faith so that I will trust in you with all my heart, lean not on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge you and you will make my path straight.

Scripture: Romans 3: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Observation: At first, I read this scripture and it makes me feel I’ll always fall short, which I do, but it should be encouraging. I will always fail, but God will never fail me. Jesus’ sacrifice made me holy and righteous before the Father. Jesus gave me the most precious gift anyone can receive, eternal life, peace, love and acceptance. I should spend the rest of my life showing my appreciation to Him by the way I live this life.

Application: Live each day in gratitude and look for opportunities to show Jesus my appreciation for all He has done. To look at each person I meet each day and ask myself what can I do for them to show my love to Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord I am a sinner and not worthy of You. I thank you for your love and ask that you guide me this day to glorify You.

Scripture: Acts 28: [31] Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation: Paul did what Jesus calls each one of us to do, preach the Kingdom of God boldly and without hindrance. We are each called to do it in a different way, but there is no doubt about our mission. I can’t count how many times I shriek of my duties to God and elect to be silent instead of bold to others.

Application: I need to realize what happens to others when I don’t tell them about Jesus and His saving grace. The bible tells me if I tell someone about Christ and they refuse it, it is on them, but if I don’t tell them, it is on me.

Prayer: My Lord give me courage to speak boldly in your name that there will be no one you put in my path that doesn’t hear about you from my lips or sees you in my actions.

Scripture: Acts 27: [23] Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me

Observation: I belong to God and He should be the one I serve, but do I? Every morning I wake up and pray and ask Him how I might serve and please Him that day, but it doesn’t take long before I’m doing my own thing. This morning first thing I had a call from my boss which turned my stomach and turned my thoughts to anger and even now I can’t let it go. If I truly belonged to God and served Him, I would trust Him and not be in the state I’m in now.

Application: To belong and serve I must trust God with everything and know He is in charge. Every action and word should show others I belong to my God, that is the way to serve Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord take charge of this servant and open my eyes to all you desire of me. May I serve you this day and others notice who I belong to.

Scripture: Acts 26: 29 Paul replied, “Short time or long–I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Observation: When I speak do I say words that will encourage others to become what I am? Not very often do I speak so others might be saved and when I do I it’s usually to other Christians where it’s safe.

Application: Today I will have an opportunity to be around people I never met. Most it appears will not be Christians. I need to take any opportunity I have to speak in a way to draw others to God. I will share my testimony and tell what God has done for me and that He wants to do the same thing for them.

Prayer: Dear Lord use me as an instrument to please you. To bring your children home to you. Give me courage and wisdom to say the right thing. Open my eyes and put someone in my path.