Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture: Matthew 16: 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Observation: It is so hard to deny myself since I spend so much time thinking of what I want and my needs. That might be my cross. My focus is what I want in this world and not what God wants of me. I need to let go of this world and open my eyes to what my Lord wants of me.

Application: I need to stop focusing on me and forget what I want and start focusing on Jesus. It doesn’t need to be long range, but each day to follow Christ. My cross is self-centerness and I need to carry that to Christ.

Prayer: My Lord show me how to live this day. Your burden is light and I know you are there with me. Show me how to live in victory today.

Scripture: Matthew 15: [11] What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him `unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him`unclean.’ ”

Observation: I’m so much better now that Christ is in my life as far as my mouth is concerned. Yet I still from time to time open my mouth and say things that hurts others. When I’m angry or upset my heart shows it as the words that come out of my mouth are not God honoring.

Application: I need to get my heart right before God so those thoughts and words don’t come out. I need to control my words, but more importantly my heart, remembering if I hurt someone else I disappoint God.

Prayer: My Lord change my heart, soften it so my words are loving, encouraging and used to build up and point others to you.

Scripture: Matthew 14: [14] When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Observation: I remember before I was saved how many times Christ compassion saved me. He must have looked down on me so many times and no matter what I did He still reached out to heal me. Even now His love and compassion gets me through each day.

Application: I need to realize Jesus compassion for me and be able to extend that compassion to others in His name. If someone is hurting I need to reach out and listen, if someone wrongs me I need to think of how I wronged Jesus most of my life and with compassion forgive and help them. I need to be more like Christ.

Prayer: My Lord I love you and thank you for not giving up on me. Give me the love and strength to show your compassion for me to others.

Scripture: Matthew 13: [23] But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Observation: I feel I’m good soil yet what am I producing? Am I increasing God’s harvest? Do I spread the word of God or simply trying to be a good person and if someone asks then I might say something. Do I come out of my comfort zone with unbelievers or am I just bold with other Christians.

Application: I need to grow outside of my comfort and be willing to show others how Christ is working in my life and what He wants to do in theirs. It’s time to grow and produce fruit according to the spirit of God.

Prayer: My Lord may this servant be good soil. May the harvest be plentiful and pleasing in your sight.

Scripture: Matthew 12: [34] You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Observation: Even though I try each day to speak words of love and encouragement to honor God, it doesn’t take long before I say a sarcastic remark, a hurtful statement or an angry word. For me to say good things I need to think about it, yet to say unkind words they come out immediately.

Application: I need to work harder on my heart instead of my speech. I need to appreciate all that God has given me and build that in my heart. I need to pray for a softening of my heart.

Prayer: My Lord soften this servant’s heart that it will honor you with my actions, thoughts and words. Use me as an encourager in this world to honor you.

Scripture: Matthew 11: [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Observation: I read each day and I know what Jesus has done and what his message is, but do I learn from Him? When the time comes that I need to put in practice what I’ve learned I simply try to handle things in my own power and thoughts. Jesus asks me to do it together with Him, yet I continue to try to tackle life on my own.

Application: Jesus loves me and is prepared to be right by me walking and teaching me as I go on this journey. I need to let Him take charge and I need to learn.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me each day and open my eyes to what it is you want me to learn. May I be a good student and graduate this life to the next.

Scripture: Matthew 10: [20] for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Observation: I have experienced this more than once when I step out to talk or comfort someone in Jesus name. Words come forth and it is as if I’m standing next to me listening. I watch the expression on people’s faces as He speaks through me and how His words comfort and guide them. I want more of that.

Application: I need to make myself more available to God. I need to offer myself more to others and give God more opportunities to use me to speak through me.

Prayer: My Lord I’m nothing without you, but with you there is nothing I can’t do. So guide me this day and give me an opportunity to be used by you that your name will be glorified.