Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture: Matthew 20:[28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Observation: Jesus sets the example why we are here , we’re here to serve. We are to dedicate our life as Jesus gave his to service. We are created for a purpose and that purpose is to serve God and as time goes by we will learn to serve others in his name. We will find our blessings and joy at the time we serve, because there is where we will be closest to God.

Application: Find ways to serve don’t wait until the opportunity comes to me, but search out ways. Make my priority to serve others in God’s name giving him all the credit for my servant’s heart. May my headstone say Mark Buckley, Servant.

Prayer: Dear Lord you are worthy of all my praise, love and obedience. May I serve you and others in a way that is pleasing to you and brings Joy to your heart.

Scripture: Matthew 19: 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Observation: I spend so much time worrying about if I can do some of the things that are set before me. I worry about my job, a home, finances, my family and even serving at the church. I’m more consumed by worry than I am in planning most of the time. It has to get to the point where I have to give it to God instead of giving it to God in the planning stages and allow him to guide me to make it work.

Application: Before I start anything give it to God and ask how he wants it done and ask him to come along beside me to make sure it gets done. If unexpected things happen give them to God and ask for direction on what he desires of me. This life is too difficult to handle by yourself, just the way God planned, we need him to make the impossible, possible.

Prayer: Dear Father work the impossible in my life. May I lay down all my own self interests and ask what it is you desire of this servant.

Scripture: Matthew 18: [4] Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Observation: That is a problem I’ve had for most of my life, humbling myself. I was too busy trying to raise myself up at the expense of others to make myself feel better. One of my best moments after I was saved was with a customer when I asked if I could get her anything, as I left she told my associate what a humble man I was.

Application: To remember who I am, a creation of God created for him not me. Realize we are all created by the same God and that I am a servant made to serve others in my Lord’s name. To receive my joy from the Lord and not what other people think of me.

Prayer: Dear Lord your servant is here to serve you and others in your name. Show me how to humble myself as a small child that I may please you and be with you in heaven.

Scripture: Matthew 17: 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ”

Observation: Faith is something you need to work at. Yesterday at our Bible Study I discovered everything we discussed came down to trusting God, faith and the realization how difficult it is for so many of us. God is so trustworthy yet we can’t let go of our fears and trust him.

Application: Realize God is all powerful and loving and there is nothing he can’t do. Look back in the past and see how God has worked in my life and know if I have faith in him he will continue to work, because he loves me. Let go and let God direct me through this life.

Prayer: Dear Father increase my faith and open my eyes to the things you want me to do. Open my eyes to your wonders and love and let me set my life in your hands.

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: I spend more time worrying about myself then anything. Currently I’m worried about losing our home and where we are going to live instead of focusing on God’s plan for my life. Until I stop thinking of me and focus on what God wants of me I will never fulfill the purpose God has for me.

Application: It’s time to follow my Lord and Savior and see where he wants to lead me. Allow God to work in me and give him everything each day. Stop focusing on me and my needs and start focusing on what God wants me to do.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive my selfishness and self-centeredness and guide me through this life to be the man you desire me to be. May I take up my cross each day and follow you all the way home. I love you and I know you know my heart, may I show the rest of the world this love.

Scripture: Matthew 15: [18] But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man `unclean.’

Observation: That is so true if I say something, because I’ve been feeling that way. No sense saying I didn’t mean it because I most obviously was and the damage has been done. The damage has been done and what I said determines who I am to that person.

Application: I need to think before I say anything, always checking my heart for what would honor God. Fill my heart with love for others as God has for me. If my heart is full of love all that will come out of my mouth will be encouraging, loving and caring.

Prayer: Dear Lord I’m a sinner and I thank you for your love and grace in my life. Show me how to extend your love to others with the words I use and the manner I use them. Fill my heart with your love so it may overflow to others.

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

Observation: It is so hard to understand Jesus’ compassion for us. I know it was something I don’t deserve yet I know he cares and loves me. It is something you can’t earn and don’t deserve, but he gives it so freely. So I won’t attempt to understand, but just freely accept it as my gift given from God.

Application: To live the best life I can in appreciation of God’s love for me. I know I can’t earn it, but I need to do my best to bring some joy to my Lord who continually gives me joy, peace, love, protection and a reason to go one each day. I need to show the compassion to others that Jesus gives to me.

Prayer: Dear Lord I thank you for who you are and the compassion you have on this sinner. Help me fulfill the purpose you have created me for and guide me each day to be this man you call me to be. I’m here only for you, help me show you.