Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture Job 18:3 Why are we counted as beasts, And regarded as stupid in your sight?

Observation: It doesn’t matter if we are right or wrong if we are wrong in the eyes of those that surround us. I remember being young and thinking I knew everything. It didn’t matter if you could prove me wrong in my mind you were the one that was stupid. Most of us might think we are right about something and we are so sure if someone disagrees, will they must be the ones that are wrong. This is an attitude that stops us from learning, because we already feel we know and aren’t open to any other explanation. We look at others if they are the ones that are stupid when we should be looking at ourselves to discover we aren’t very intelligent.

Application: That is me if someone disagrees with me I put up a barrier to make sure I stay right. Just the other day I was in a meeting with my client and he was talking about doing a dinner outside. Before he finished I had all kinds of reasons why it wouldn’t work. I need to stay still, be patient and listen to others. I need to be open minded and not assume I’m the one that knows everything. If I listen to others then they have a reason to listen to me when my time comes. I need to learn and to understand, especially when it comes to my Lord. It will be good practice to listen to others now so that I may be ready when I need to be listening and learning from my God.

Prayer: My Lord help me be patient with others. Slow my mind down so that I might listen before I speak and understand the information someone else is trying to tell me. Give me wisdom that I so desperately need and grow me as a man, a man that will honor You.

Scripture Job 17:9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.

Observation: To be righteous and know that you are on the path God has set you on makes you strong. Your hands being clean is being free of sin, that you do what God commands and others won’t be able to find fault with you. If you know you’re on the righteous path you won’t sway to the left or the right but you will stay on course, because this is the only way for you. You need to know in your heart that you are doing what God calls you to do and if you are God will strengthen you and guide you.

Application: I need to be righteous and I’m not. I continue to go towards the things that I think are right disregarding what God calls me to do. I’m anxious and scared lately, because I don’t trust my Lord even though He has proven himself trustworthy. I want to be righteous and follow my Lord completely, obeying every command. I need to get this self-centered mentality behind me and be focused only on what God desires of me.

Prayer: My Lord tell me what you want of me. Keep me on the path you have chosen and give me strength and wisdom to stay on it every day. I need you to help me run this race or I won’t finish well. I want to be righteous in your eyes and I know I can’t do that on my own, help me Lord be the man you want me to be. I love you Father draw me close to you.

Scripture Job 16:12 I was at ease, but He has shattered me; He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces; He has set me up for His target,

Observation: Have you ever felt like everything was against you even God. You felt like God was using you for target practice just to see how miserable he could make you? Even though we may feel that way from time to time, we know it doesn’t make sense. God is love and if we are going through something there is a reason for it. Instead of cursing at God this is the time we need to listen closely. Like Job our enemy is not God but the devil who wants to draw us away from God. We can’t let him, we need to draw closer to God know that He is our refuge and not our enemy.

Application: Lately I’ve been feeling like I’ve been beat up. Currently I’m worried if I will have a job or that we will lose the contract and at 63 years old it won’t be easy to find work. My finances are an ongoing issue. These are some of the things that I’m focused on along with some health problems, so what is my problem? I’m focused on the wrong things. God doesn’t cause my problems he is there to help me get through them. God is always there waiting for me to turn to Him and to trust and obey Him and that is what I need to do through these times of trouble, which I’m guessing will be the rest of my life here.

Prayer: My Lord and my God. Thank you for always being there and giving me a way out. I know I will continue to go through trials, your word tells me that, but it also tells me that you will guide me through them. Help me stay focused on you and not my problems and draw mw closer to you all the days of my life. I love you and trust you.

Scripture Job 15:13 That you turn your spirit against God, And let such words go out of your mouth?

Observation: Before you can say anything evil or hurtful to someone your spirit must be turned from God. If God is in your heart there is no room for foul language and hurtful talk. Before you say anything wicked you must not be thinking of God and what He desires of you, because if God fills your heart and you desire to please Him no wicked words or thoughts would come from you. Our action show others how we place God in our lives. If we are acting and saying what God commands us to we are truly following Him, if not our backs are turned toward Him and we are not listening.

Application: My thoughts and words are hurtful so much of the time. When I think it is typically negative thoughts, which means I’m not thinking of God. I need to have God in my heart and mind at all times so this doesn’t happen. I need to be in constant prayer with my Lord and catch myself whenever I wonder from Him. I need to act and say things that will guide others to my Lord and not away. I want people to know that I belong to my Lord and then want them to get to know Him.

Prayer: My Lord forgive me for being so hurtful towards your children. May I be with you always that my thoughts would be of you and that I place your commands in my mind so that I will not say anything hurtful towards others. Help me be better, You deserve the best from me.

Scripture Job 14:5 Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass.

Observation: I remember how I tried to end my life six different times. I thought I was in control of at least that since my life didn’t seem to make any sense. It wasn’t until much later I saw that I wasn’t in control of how long I’ll be here it was always God. Miracle after miracle God kept me alive and knew that my time here wasn’t over. I don’t know how long I’m going to be here and that doesn’t matter, what matters is what I do until it’s time to go home.

Application: I’m here to serve and fulfill a purpose and that is what I need to be doing. So I need to put my laziness away and get going doing God’s will. I talked to Pastor Mike last week and told him I had time to help. I’m starting the Depression and CIA ministries and we are going to have them on the web site. I need to follow through and not give up, like God never gave up on me.

Prayer: Dear Lord you are worthy of all of my love, praise and obedience. Guide me until it’s time to come home whether it’s tomorrow or years from now that my focus will be on now and how I might best serve you. I love you and desire that you are proud of me.

Scripture Job 13:3 But I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.

Observation: I do want to speak to my Lord, but as for reasoning with Him I think it might be better to sit and listen. That would be good advice and it would be nice if I took it, but I don’t. When I do something that I know is wrong I tried to justify it with God to make it sound like it should be okay. God is pretty firm He has spelled out what is right and what is wrong and there isn’t any grey area to play with. The best way to reason with God is to know His reason.

Application: I need to take my own advice and sit back and listen to what my Lord and Master says. I must stop making excuses for my actions and not try to reason them out. There is no justification from sin, it is either sin or it’s not and I know the difference even if I pretend at times not to. I need to keep reading and praying and place in my heart what God desires.

Prayer: Dear Lord place on my heart always what is right and honoring to you. Take this sinful mind from me and guide me through this darkness and into the light of your glory. I don’t know how much longer you want me here, but may the time be spent glorifying you and not making excuses.

Scripture Job 12:9 Who among all these does not know That the hand of the LORD has done this,

Observation: I believe more people know there is a God and that He is all powerful. I also believe they deny admitting because then they would be held responsible for their actions and would be convicted. I believe that is how the evolution theory and the big bang got there following because people were looking for a way out being responsible to God. They would rather believe they came from a rock or their descendants were some type of other animal then admit God is the creator of all things and that He is all knowing. I can’t understand how people can look at the majesty and complexity of our surrounding and not believe there is a God. God has created all things and one day each one of us will know for sure, but for some it will be too late.

Application: God has me starting a book, So Why Are We Here?, I need to continue to write it, not just for others but so that I get a better understanding what He desires of me. I need to spread the word of the Bible that God is all and that He is worthy of all of our love, praise and Honor. That the most important thing is to love God with all of our heart, mind and soul and that He is worthy of this love. Help others find the peace that only comes from Jesus and live a life that tells others about my Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me the wisdom that I will need to accomplish this task. Lead me every day closer to what You want me to know and the wisdom to tell others. I’m here to serve and fulfill the purpose you have created me for. Help me Lord accomplish this before I go home.