Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10 [17] But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Observation: Sometimes I daydream about doing great things for the Lord and there seems to come a moment when either I can take the credit or make sure the credit goes to God. Unfortunately the majority of the time I receive the credit. I do want to do what is right and glorify God and it is a wonderful feeling when I’m in God’s will, but there are those moments when I get praised for what I do and I receive it instead of giving the glory where it belongs.

Application: I need to continue to do God’s will, but for his glory and not my pride. My satisfaction must come from pleasing God and not men and to lead a humble life that people desire to have and then point to God as my strength. From apart from Him I can do nothing but I can do all things through Him.

Prayer: My Father you are worthy of all that I am, all my obedience, praise and worship. May you use me to lead others to you and that you would take this pride from me and humble me before you.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9 [13] Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

Observation: Do I live a life that is so obvious to others that I believe and love God the way I say I do or am I a hypocrite? If I truly was obedient I would be sharing the gospel, since that is my job description as a Christian according to Jesus and when and if I do, do I do it in such a way that it is obvious I believe what I’m saying and convincing enough to draw others near to God?

Application: I know I don’t share the gospel the way my Lord wants me to. When I do I don’t do it boldly and most of the time I don’t believe my love for my God is being expressed to others. I need to take more opportunities to share what Jesus did for me and what He wants to do for others. I can talk with courage and boldness to my fellow believers, but God wants the unsaved to be saved.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me wisdom and courage to speak your word to others so that they may be saved. I’m here as your servant, command me in the way you want me to go. Give me boldness and a heart of love for those that are lost.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8: [21] For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

Observation: The first time I saw this scripture I wondered why do I care what others think? Then I remembered my job was to spread the gospel of Jesus and who would listen if they thought I was wrong. So even if I know I’m doing God’s work it must be done in a way that others can see it’s the right thing to do. After all isn’t that part of what love is, caring how others feel.

Application: I need to be more loving at work and at home. My actions might be right, but when I’m saying something and I’m sarcastic or unsympathetic people won’t want to listen or I’ll hurt their feelings. I need to remember God put people in my path to love them and to share His love with them and I can’t if people think I’m rude or uncaring.

Prayer: Dear Lord soften my heart and open my eyes to what you desire of me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and have love overflow from my words and deeds. I’m here as your ambassador may I be welcoming to those you put on my path.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:[10] Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Observation: Most of the things that bring me sorrow are things of the world. I still worry about so many things and my mind is focused more on the things of the world then the things of God and they do bring me death. Death of my spirit, of hope and strength. I now teach a class and the main point is to trust God and live a life for Him and I’m not setting a very good example.

Application: I need to feel sorrow when I don’t do the things that God desires me to do. I need to repent of my evil ways and ask God to direct me in the path He wants me to follow. My sorrow should only come from not doing God’s will in my life and treating His children with the love and respect that He deserves from me.

Prayer: My Lord give me a heart that will break for the things of you. Give me the wisdom, courage and strength that it will take to serve you in a way pleasing to you. Break my heart when I don’t follow your guidance.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6: [10] sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Observation: It seems I’m always worried about money, how we are going to pay our bills and what will happen if we try to retire and yet God has given me everything. He meets my needs each day and has blessed me with so many desires, but what I really need He supplies and that is peace with Him. God has promised me an eternal home and has given me the gift of having a purpose in this life. I’m rich with the Holy Spirit, His love, my testimony and my salvation. I have so much I can share it with everyone I meet and it will never diminish, only increase as I share with the people God puts in my path.

Application: A day should never go by when I don’t try to give away the abundance that the Lord has given me. God gave me all that I have so that I may share with others and that they may receive the riches of Christ. I need to stop worrying about what I don’t think I have and rejoice of all that God has given me and share those gifts with others.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me for not being grateful all the time. You are always with me and give me more then I need. Help me not be selfish with my riches, but to give to everyone the gifts you have bestowed on me.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5: [5] Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Observation: Over and over again in God’s word it tells us we are created for a purpose and given gifts and talents to fulfill that purpose. This morning God confirmed why He made me. I received a letter from a lady that goes to my depression class. She expressed how the class has helped her overcome depression. She is trusting in God, using scripture to battle the enemy and giving her burdens to the Lord. Just when I thought the class might be a mistake God confirms that He doesn’t make mistakes

Application: Work harder in making this depression ministry what God desires it to be. Stand strong in my faith and share the love God has for us through my testimony. To find opportunities to share and help others and to trust in God that He will bring the results that He desires. Stop looking at the number of people that might be helped, but look at each person as God would.

Prayer: Oh Dear Father, I thank you for the encouragement you gave me this morning through this letter and I ask you to speak to my heart and show me how I might serve you each day. I’m your servant, your creation and may I fulfill the purpose that I was created for.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4: [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Observation: I tell people in my depression class how we feel is determined on what we focus on. If we focus on our blessings, life is good, but if we focus on our problems that is when depression sets in. This scripture is saying the same thing if we fix our eyes on God and what He has in store for us in heaven our joy will be complete, but if we fix our eyes on this world with all its evil only despair is left.

Application: I need to focus on what God has in store for me when I come home and ask him to guide me through this life while I’m still here. My thoughts and actions should be centered on my Father’s will and the purpose that He created me for. I’m still in the race and I need to focus on the finish line and not get distracted looking into the crowd.

Prayer: Dear Lord I have no idea what you have in store for me in heaven and I know it is too wonderful for me to imagine. Help me stay fixed on you and your desires for this life and help me not be distracted by the things of this world.