Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture: Galatians 2:[20] I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Observation: I want to be like Paul so in love and so trusting in our Lord. Paul was so close that he no longer existed, but a new man whose inner being was Jesus and now he lives by faith and does whatever the Father tells him to do. That’s the man I want to be and that’s the man Jesus wants me to be. To live by faith knowing that He died for me and I now belong to Him as is faithful servant and not just part of the time but all the time.

Application: I need to realize there is no old Mark Buckley anymore, but a new creation that must abide in Christ to fulfill the purpose I’m here for. My sins were crucified with Jesus on the cross and along with taking away my sins He has given me gifts and talents to be used for His glory. I must have faith that Jesus will work out His plan in His timing and I’m to be patient and obedient and see how He wants to use me.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for your love and sacrifice. May I live a life that glorifies you so that your sacrifice would not be in vain in my life. Increase my faith and show me each day the path you want me walking on. Continue to change me to be more like you. I love you Lord.

Scripture: Galatians 1:[4] who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Observation: Jesus did rescue me from this evil age, so why do I continue to return. He gave me hope love and a renewed mind to be the person He wants me to be and yet I return to this world and do nothing for my Lord and Savior. I was saved for a purpose and that purpose is to do the will of the Father and not my own.

Application: I’ve been saved and need to shout it from the tallest rooftop so others may know they can be saved too. I don’t belong to this world anymore and I need to live in a way to show others I’ve been rescued from the bonds of this world. There are things I should be doing to glorify God and to draw other nearer to Him.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for rescuing me from this terrible place. I’m totally indebted to you and owe you everything. May I give in such a way that pleases you and show you my love and appreciation for all you’ve done for me.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?

Observation: I don’t stop often enough to see where I stand in the course of a day. Am I in faith or just so involved with my surroundings I forget about my God. Christ is in me but if I don’t stop to notice I forget. Almost all of my T-shirts are Christian shirts and I’ll pass by someone and they will tell me they like my shirt and I’ll have to stop and look at it to see which one I’m wearing. That’s like my life if someone is noticing the way I act I need to look at myself to see If I’m wearing Christ or my own sinful nature.

Application: I need to have Christ on every day. The other day I said something terrible to someone and never apologized. That person doesn’t know me very well and I know He didn’t see Christ in me, because I wasn’t wearing His love. I need to know that Christ is in me and be proud that I’m His child. Others need to see that in my life and want what Christ as given me.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me for ignoring you so often in my life. Help me wake up each morning with you and be with you all day long. May I be used as a light to this world and that light reflects you.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12: [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Observation: It seems the times I come to God is when I’m so overwhelmed and I don’t know what to do. When everything is be going fine I don’t call on God or thank Him for the ways things are going, but just rest secure that they are. When I feel strong, confident, I think I’m doing things on my own, but it is only when I can’t handle situations that I depend on God to get me through.

Application: I need to realize I’m always weak and that apart from God I can’t do anything and that I need Him always. There is nothing good in me and I need to depend on the love of God to get me through each day and ask Him for strength to do His will in my life. God has gotten me this far and I’ll only go as far as He will let me.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for watching over me and I depend on you for each day of my life. May I always realize my weakness and that I can’t do it without you. I’m here to serve and nothing more. Open my eyes that I may serve you and others and that you will take this anger from me and give me a calming spirit.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11: [3] But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Observation: I allow myself to be deceived because at times I want the easy way out, I want my way, I want what’s best for myself, in my eyes. I allow myself to be distracted or talk myself into doing something I know God doesn’t want me to do by trying to justify it. The enemy doesn’t have to work too hard on me at times to deceive me, because at times I want to be deceived.

Application: I need to be on guard at all times and not just from the enemy but from my own sinful nature. If I’m to finish this race in glory and honor to God then I need to be focused on him and not be distracted or deceived. I need to keep in scripture so there is no question on the direction I’m to go and then stay on that path and continue to ask God for guidance.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me for my wondering mind, heart and eyes. Keep me on the path you desire of me and give me wisdom that I won’t be deceived and the strength do to what honors you my Lord.

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.