Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture: Matthew 17: [7] But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

Observation: Jesus has touched my life when I received him as Lord and Savior. I was down most of my life, depressed, broken and afraid. He took me and told me to get up, He lifted me up and guided me. He told me not to fear since He was with me. However after all that He has done I still fall down and at times I’m still afraid.

Application: My Lord has never failed me and His word says He won’t. I need to stand on that. He lifts me up each day and through the Holy Spirit, He guides me through each day. There is no reason to be afraid for He is with me.

Prayer: My Lord continue to touch me each day. Lift me up to fulfill the purpose you created in me. Please take any fear from me and increase my faith as I draw nearer to you.

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. My focus is what I want in this world instead of what God wants me to have.

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 selfishness and I need to carry that to Christ so He can release me of it.

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: Now that Christ is in my life my mouth is much better. Yet I still from time to time open my mouth and say things to others that are hurtful. 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, 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 get 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 but yet what am I producing? Am I increasing God’s harvest? Do I spread the word of God or am I simply trying to be a good person. Am I initially spreading the gospel or do I only something if someone asks. Do I come out of my comfort zone with unbelievers or am I bold with only 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 remark. For me to say good things I need to think about it, yet to say unkind words they come directly from my heart.

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 do I put in practice what I’ve learned or simply try to handle things in my own power? 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 has given me the Holy Spirit 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.