Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture: Matthew 28: [17] When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Observation: I try to worship God with all of my heart, but at times I doubt. Does He really love and care for me? Does it matter what I do to Him. My mind is constantly going and most of the time in a negative direction and I doubt that the creator of all things would care what happens to me.

Application: I need to see all the miracles and answered prayers I have received from my Lord. There is no reason I should be alive writing this journal, yet God has a plan for me.
He has blessed me with the most wonderful woman as my wife and takes care of all of my needs and wants to use me to touch the lives of others and that should be my goal for the rest of the time He has me here.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me my doubts as you forgave Thomas. I know you’re there and I know you love me, I just don’t know why. Give me direction and strength to do your will.

Scripture: Matthew 27: [46] About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Observation: Sometimes I feel forsaken, lost and all alone. I pray each morning but my mind wanders and I’m not sure why I’m still here. I ask to hear from my Father, but each day goes by and I’m not sure what to do. My mind is so busy God would have to yell that I could hear. I feel so out of place here and hope to hear what He wants me to do before coming home.

Application: God’s word tells me that He will never forsake me. I need to look at the past where God’s hand has pulled me out of so many trials. I need to learn to trust and be patient and wait on the Lord, as His word tells me to do. I need to find more quiet time and really listen to hear His voice.

Prayer: Dear Father please speak to me that I might hear and understand your will for your servant’s life. Give me peace and understanding and guide me through this life.

Scripture: Matthew 26: [41] “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Observation: I do want to do the things God has called me to do but I’m always making excuses. Even last night we didn’t have to serve so we stayed home to relax. This is the second week we have done this. Why do I think relaxing is when I sit around and do nothing? Instead I could have been with my brothers and sisters getting fed and worshiping my Lord. I am so weak and I need strength do fulfill the purpose God has given me.

Application: I need to do what I know is right and ask God for the strength to do it. My Lord is always there and wants me to use the gifts and talents He has given me to bear fruit and I can’t do that lying on the couch. My heart and spirit is to finish this race well and I need to push on for the prize and I need the strength only my Lord can give me.

Prayer: Help me please Lord. There are days I feel I can barely move and all I want to do is sleep. Give me the strength do run this race in a way that will honor you. I do love you, may I live this life proving that.

Scripture: Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Observation: This is one of my favorite verses, when I’m doing something for others. The rest of the time I seem to ignore it. I just received an email from Lorrie from my church about feeding the people at Bread of life and I was going to ignore it because it’s a little bit of a hassle to get food there on a Monday night. I’m sure Jesus would understand or not. He has given me so much and He asks so little in return and yet I give Him even less.

Application: As soon as I’m finished writing in this journal I will send an email back telling Lorrie I would be glad to help out and bring either pasta or potatoes for the dinner. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to help I should be looking for ways to serve my Lord. There is so much that can be done and Jesus did everything for me and I do want to be welcomed into the kingdom.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me for my laziness and give me strength to help others in your name. You have given me so much and you deserve so much more from me. No matter what I do I will never be worthy to enter into the kingdom and only through your mercy and grace do I have an opportunity to do so. I love you please guide me in a way that will honor you.

Scripture: Matthew 24: [46] It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

Observation: The master tells the servant what He expects and trusts him to do it. I know what my master wants of me even though I don’t do it all the time. The time is getting short before Jesus comes and sits at His rightful throne. What will He find me doing? Will I be preaching His gospel, helping and loving others, using the testimony He has given me? I can’t plead ignorance to not knowing and He has given me the abilities it will take to accomplish His will.

Application: I need to be doing my Father’s business. God has given me the gift of serving through cooking, He has given me a heart to help others, and a testimony to help others with depression. I need to be doing these things when He comes back and when I go up to be with Him. It isn’t only my purpose, it is also my pleasure.

Prayer: My Lord the best times in my life are when I’m serving and fulfilling the purpose you have created me for. Help me do more of that and that a day doesn’t go by that this servant pleases His master.

Scripture: Matthew 23: [3] So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

Observation: I have counseled a few people and I tell them what the Holy Spirit puts on my heart about how God loves them and they need to trust God. I’ll recite Proverbs 3:5,6 and at that moment I feel I’ve given them great counsel, yet that is not the way I live my life. I want to trust God and He is certainly trustworthy, but my lack of faith seems to steer me in a different direction. If the people I talk to saw the way I was every day they would question my counsel.

Application: I know what to do and how to live this life trusting God. I need to walk the talk and stand firm on God’s promises. I want to get my depression ministry and class going and I can’t tell others how God has healed me if I’m not healed.

Prayer: My Lord help strengthen your servant. Show me how to live this life and help direct others on the path you have choose for them. Increase my faith and help me live this life the way you desire.

Scripture: Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: ” `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

Observation: I love God, but not in the way I should. I should love God above everything and at all times. During the course of the day I hardly think of my Lord instead of Him being the utmost in my thoughts, word and deeds. To love God in the way I should I would be thinking, if I do this, does it honor my God?

Application: God needs to be first place in my life at all times. In everything I do I need to think how I can do it in a way that would be pleasing to Him. When I wake up in the morning and talk to my Lord I should treat Him as the most important person in my life, which He is and deserves to be.

Prayer: Dear Father I do love you and I want to draw closer to you. I want you in my thoughts constantly and I want to know what would please you each day. You are the most important thing in my life, help me stay focused on you.