Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture: Romans 16:10 Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

Observation: I feel I’ve been tested, but not necessarily approved. My life as had its trials and tribulations as everyone else’s has and I have had my moments that God would have approved, but most of the time I went through them in less than a stellar way and not very honoring to God. How great it would be to be approved by God, that I would go through the trials knowing that God is at my side and not to worry but trust in Him.

Application: God has been with me all of my life and He will never leave or forsake me. I need to keep that in my heart and trust Him at all times no matter what I’m going through. No matter what God will work the good in all things. I won’t be here on this earth that much longer and there will be a day that I face my Lord that I would be approved in Christ.

Prayer: My Lord I know there is nothing I can accomplish that is good without you. May I always feel your presence in my life and that no matter what might come along I will stand firm on your promises. I will come out like gold from the refiner and be approved by you when this life is over.

Scripture: Romans 15:[2] Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Observation: Lately I’ve been sarcastic and mean to some people. I look down on them and treat them poorly. Some may just ask me a question and I give them a smart-alecky answer. I treat some as if I know it all especially when it comes to my work. I know I’ve made others either feel bad or get mad and it doesn’t seem to bother me very much. Instead of building others up I’ve been tearing them down.

Application: I need to treat others the way Jesus wants me to treat them with love and respect. I’m supposed to be setting a positive example and show others the love of Christ through me. I need to get over myself and what I want and be the man God calls me to be. I need to put others before me and treat them the way I want to be treated.

Prayer: Dear Lord soften my heart for your children. As I serve you may I serve your heirs as well. May my love for you reflect the way I love others. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and speak to me a guide me each day to do what is of you.

Scripture: Romans 14: [10] You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Observation: I can’t even look at someone without measuring them up. I will judge their appearance, the way they stand, talk or gesture. People can talk to me and instead of listening I’m making judgments about them. I judge people by the way they act in front of me or even by what they own. I’m so busy judging I don’t have time to love.

Application: I need to look at others for who they are, a child of God. I have no right to judge and no ability to do so. God has told me that was His job and I’m not qualified, instead He asks me to love them and to help them in any way I can. I guess when I’m perfect then I’ll be able to judge others, but not until then.

Prayer: My Lord you have put so many wonderful people in my life let me see them the way you do. May I receive anyone as your child and make them feel welcome. Soften my heart so I may be a light and not a magnifying glass.

Scripture: Romans 13: [7] Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Observation: I owe everyone not because what they gave or did for me but what Jesus did. My debt holder is Christ yet He commands me to pay His children and by doing so I pay Him. It is a debt I will never be able to repay in full, but He deserves my best effort. He tells me to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and He tell me to love others as I love myself. He tells me to give, encourage and protect others and he doesn’t disqualify anyone.

Application: I need to make a better effort in paying my debt. Today I was rude to someone who asked for help on feeding the cadets at school. She asked if we could cook the food and make burritos after, I gave her a hard time then agreed begrudgingly and basically told her I would do it my way. I know that is not what Jesus wanted of me instead of paying back some of what I owe I added to my debt. I need to keep Jesus in my heart and mind at all times especially when I’m talking to His children.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me for the way I treat the people you surround me with at times. Take this arrogance away from me and humble me before you and show me How you want to live this live. I owe you more than I can repay, but may I live my life in a way that honors you.

Scripture: Romans 12: [2] Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Observation: When am I going to stop trying to conform to this world. More of my thoughts are about things in this world then on spiritual things. I still care more about myself then about what God wants. Jesus did renew my mind, I’m so much better than I was, but it’s still not good enough, I want to be like Jesus and I want to do God’s perfect will in my life. I know at most times what He wants, but most of the time I make excuses and go a different direction.

Application: Tonight’s a very special night for me, I get to do God’s will by teaching His children about Getting Over Depression. I haven’t prepared what to say and am trusting in God to fill me with the Holy Spirit and speak to whoever shows up. This is definitely God’s desire to humble myself before Him and trust Him fully to use me. I would say that is His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Prayer: My Lord use me tonight and put the words in my mouth that will touch the hearts of all that come. Renew my mind that all I think about is glorifying your name and that I will be able to show your children your love and desire for them. I love you Lord increase my faith so that I may serve you better.

Scripture: Romans 11:35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”

Observation: What I have given God is nothing but headache and pain and if He desired to repay me for that I wouldn’t be able to bear it. The few things that I do to honor God is nothing in comparison for what He has done for me. I am a creation of God and just by that definition I belong to Him and owe Him everything. He has created me for His good pleasure and not the other way around. If I spent the rest of my life, every waking hour giving to God it would never make a dent of what I owe Him.

Application: Even though I can never repay God for all He has done that should never stop me from trying. My life is His and I know what He desires and so often I just ignore His will in my life and it’s time to pay careful attention to what He is calling me to do. These are not recommendations from my Lord but commands that need to be followed through with and it’s time that I’m obedient.

Prayer: My Lord, creator and father show me the way. Open my heart to what pleases you. I owe you everything and yet you demand so little from me. I want to spend the rest of my life trying to repay a debt that can’t be repaid. May I please you with whatever time I have left here. I love you Father, draw me near.

Scripture: Romans 10: [11] As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Observation: I remember when God put on my heart Proverbs 3:5,6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. I know I still do not have that kind of trust and I’m not sure the full extent of the trust I have. There is no reason not to trust my Lord totally, He has been faithful always and I know He always will be, so what is holding me back from fully trusting in Him?

Application: My class is starting this Tuesday on Getting Over Depression and I’m doing it by faith, because I’m not sure what I’m doing and I need to trust Him with all of my heart. I need to live each day not worrying about the future, but trusting God that He will work out His plan in my life, after all it is His plan, not mine. I need to compose myself and settle my anxiousness and allow God to take control.

Prayer: My Lord increase my faith and settle your servant’s heart so that I will trust you with all of my heart, lean not on my own understanding, but in all of my ways acknowledge you so that you may make my path straight.