Category: Daily Devotional

Getting Over Depression Journal

Scripture: I Corinthians 2: [13] This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Observation: For me to speak the words of God I need to be in the spirit. My life needs to be given to God. To read His word with an open mind and heart avoiding distractions. That my heart and soul is prepared and focused on Him. I need to get out of the way and let the spirit take charge so I may do the will of the Father. When I open my mouth to speak it needs to be the words of love from the Holy Spirit and not the babbling of me.

Application: I need to allow the holy Spirit to work through me by being open and focused on God. Stop spending so much time pleasing me and start living this life to please God.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me peace and open my heart totally to you that the words that come out of me are yours to help others know you better.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1: [27] But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Observation: I know I do foolish things all the time and I don’t think I’ve met anyone weaker then me and my life proves it before I belonged to God. However God can use me even my foolish ways for His glory. He can use the humor He gave me and goofy way I am to bring joy to others. He can use my weakness as a testimony to others how God used His strength to get me through.

Application: To use all I have for God’s glory. If I’m going to be a fool point others to Christ. Use my testimony to share with others how God can use them.

Prayer: My Lord may I be a jester in your courts. If through my weakness I can’t lift the weights of this life, may I always lift up your name.

Scripture: Romans 16: 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.

Observation: That is what I want to be known as; a servant of the church. Several times I would serve but instead of doing it for God, I enjoyed the praise I received from others. I’m only doing these things because God has allowed me, given me the talents and has desired it of me. When I serve, it should always be for the glory of God.

Application: I need to be serving much more than I currently am and it needs to glorify God. The credit needs to point to Him and God alone. I’m not only a servant of the church, but most importantly a servant of God

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for the gifts, talents and abilities you have given me. May they be used for your glory and multiply by your power in honor to you.

Scripture: Romans 15: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation: My hope and joy should come from God, but I need to trust in Him first. God has put on my heart that I lack trust, even though He has been trustworthy. Why do I have such a difficult time in trusting?

Application: I need to realize God is everything. There is nothing that escapes Him. If I trust in Him and do what He desires me to do I will have that hope and joy so I will be able to fulfill the purpose He has given me.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide this servant and increase my faith that I will trust completely in you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and make me this man you desire me to be.

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: Even when I’m in church I look around judging people on how they dress and act. I look at our new worship leader and in my mind criticize the way he leads worship and tell others how he doesn’t come close to our old one. Mary Jo is another person I judge. I say how phony and starved for attention she is, yet I’m so busy judging I run out of time for loving.

Application: I need to look at everyone as God’s creation. He created everyone in a different way and when I criticize someone I’m criticizing God. The only person I need to be concerned with, is me and how I represent God.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me the heart and eyes of Jesus. May I see each person today as your work, your masterpiece and as I stroll through your gallery that I would compliment you on your work.

Scripture: Romans 13: [14] Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Observation: Most of the time I’m preoccupied by this world and my sinful nature instead of God’s desires. I love the idea of clothing myself in Jesus. So Jesus covers me from head to toe so all I can feel is the touch of Jesus on my body, soul and mind. How stylish I could be. People would take notice if I would clothe myself with my Savior, something would be different and I can tell them about the tailor of my life.

Application:. Surround and wrap myself in Christ, read more and study and feel the touch of Jesus in my life. May I have Him on the inside and out where people would notice.

Prayer: Dear Lord fill me with the Holy Spirit and clothe me with your presence that I may live the life worthy of 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: God has renewed my mind, yet I still fall back to the pattern of this world. Too much time spent worrying about finances, a nice home and the desire to get praise for my efforts. Until I focus on God and what He desires of me I will not find out what God has in store for me.

Application: Stop living this life as if this is all there is. My only purpose here is to do God’s will and to draw others near to Him. God has renewed my mind and I need to let Him take control.

Prayer: Dear Lord I freely give you this life as a living sacrifice, may it be holy and pleasing to You.