Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture 1 Kings 9:3 And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.

Observation: I love the way God confirms that He hears Solomon’s prayers and what he desires God to do for him. I pray each day, but so many times I just say the words and don’t expect God to hear me, so then why do I pray? God invites our prayers and He loves to hear from His children. Today is my birthday and I received several phone calls from my mother, father, brother, sister and my daughter. I received some cards with wonderful messages and loving words and just now I broke down knowing I didn’t deserve this love and thanked God. I forget at times he is my Father and I cherish hearing from my family, he does too. He is my Lord, Master and my Father and I love Him so.

Application: I need to pray expectantly knowing that my father hears me and wants to hear from me. I need to always pray in His will and walk the path of righteousness. My prayer life needs to be more personal as I walk with my Lord and to be open and not just repeat my prayers each day. My Lord knows everything I go through and my heart, but I think he would like to hear it from my own mouth.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for this gift of life you have given me, I thank you for my birthday and that you didn’t give up on me when I gave up on myself. Thank you for all the wonderful people you surround me with, especially my family. Teach me how to pray to you in a way that you desire to hear. I love you and thank you for the man that I am and I pray that you will continue to change me to be more like your son.

Scripture 1 Kings 8:58 that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers.

Observation: I can’t seem to keep all of my Lord’s commandments in my own flesh. I can’t stay focused on my Lord long enough to hear His voice guiding me through this life. I’m so caught up in this world and my heart is so anxious it’s hard to concentrate on My God. I need God to incline my heart towards His will for my life. I need my Lord to take charge of His servant and help me keep His commands, statutes and judgments. I’m weak, but when I’m weak then I’m strong because I no longer trust in my own abilities, but turn to God to work out His plan in my life.

Application: I got to stop trying to do everything in my own strength. I need to partner up with my God and have Him guide me each day. I need to ask for His assistance in living a godly life and to help me each day keep His commandments. I need a change of heart that only my Lord can accomplish and I want it to be dedicated to Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord incline my heart to your will. I have no strength in my own, please take charge and tell me what to do and how to do it. I’ve tried to live this life without you and it’s impossible and I don’t want to try any longer. I want to obey every command and serve you in any way you desire.

Scripture 1 Kings 7:40 Huram made the lavers and the shovels and the bowls. So Huram finished doing all the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of the LORD:

Observation: When I work for the church I’m working for the Lord and others should be able to see that. Sometimes we get so full of ourselves, because God has given us gifts and abilities we forget to give God the glory. It should always be an honor to work for the church, because I’m part of the body and all I’m doing is my small part to make the whole body function properly. The only thing different from this scripture is that our work is never done, until the time we are to go home to the Lord we should be working, if we finish one project we should pray and ask what else needs to be done.

Application: So many times I find doing something for the church is a burden to me instead of an opportunity for blessings. I get prideful and sometimes arrogant about the gifts God has given me and make a big deal about helping out. I need to know that I can never do too much even if I worked 24 hours a day, every day I won’t come close to doing all I should be doing for my Lord. I need to know whatever I do in His name is worship and my Lord deserves all of my worship.

Prayer: My Lord you are worthy of all that I have and all that I am. Open doors for me to use the gifts you have blessed me with. Help me fulfill all you have in store for me and make me useful to my church. Make me a healthy part of the body you have placed me in that I may be an asset in glorifying your name.

Scripture 1 Kings 6:12 “Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David.

Observation: We so often ask God for things and blessing, yet we walk through life the way we want without any regard to what God desires us. God’s promises have a condition to them that there is something we need to do first before He keeps is promise to us. Even here on earth we don’t receive something without doing something first. God asked us to obey His commands and do what He desires of us and we will be rewarded for it. God’s commands protect us and gives us peace and joy on their own, but our sinful ways seem to overtake us and we miss the blessings of our Lord.

Application: I fit right into that category of living a sinful life. I put my desires above God’s and miss His blessings. God needs to be first in my life at all times, not just when I feel holy at the moment, but I need to be living a holy life. I want and need God’s blessings, but most of all I want Him to be proud of me and to know that I love Him. I know my Lord’s commands and will for my life and I need to be focused on them so I don’t stray off course.

Prayer: My Lord I want to keep your commands and walk in your way. Help me stay on course and live the rest of this life for you. Take this pride from me and make my desires yours. I love you Lord and what you to be proud of me, help me please honor you.

Scripture 1 Kings 5:4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence.

Observation: Only in God will we find peace and only in that peace will we find rest. Everything I have comes from God, whatever possessions, skills, abilities, health and peace comes from my Lord. My Lord has given me so much and there is so much more I can have, but like any gift you have to receive it. Each day God is offering me chances and blessings and I don’t know how many I’ve missed being focused on other things, but He continues to offer. I wonder how much I’ve missed not being focused on my God, the devil gets my attention way too much.

Application: I need to meditate on my Lord and His word. I need to be ready to receive the blessings He is so willing to give. I need to get passed the idea that I don’t deserve anything, because I don’t but understand that it is my Lord’s pleasure to give good gifts to his children. Until my attention is on God I’ll continue to miss the opportunities He places in my path, so each day I need to be ready to spend much more time with My Master and much less time with my own sinful thoughts.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all you give me and the heart you have to give me even more. Help me be ready to receive the blessings you have in store for me and soften my heart that I may be forever grateful for your generosity and love. My greatest gift is to know you more. I love you with all of my heart, help me love you with all of my mind.

Scripture 1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.

Observation: God gives wisdom to each of his children. It appears He gave Solomon more than anyone else, but I don’t think we realize the potential of the wisdom that was given to us. Our problem most of the time is that we restrict our wisdom on what we know, instead of inquiring of God to expand that wisdom. The answers to life’s situations are all in the Bible and God hasn’t missed a one. We search what God desires are wisdom increases to not what only we know, but what God will reveal to us. God gives wisdom and that does not mean the ability to learn from birth, but He gives wisdom every day if we ask, as Solomon did.

Application: I need to stop trying to figure out everything myself. I need to humble myself and go before the Lord and ask for His guidance and to give me more wisdom to do the things He wants me to do, the way He wants them done. Before making any major decision or a decision that might impact someone else’s life I need to go before my Lord and ask for the wisdom to do what is right and honoring to Him.

Prayer: My Lord like Solomon I ask you for wisdom. Wisdom to live this life in a way that is pleasing to you. My mind is going all of the times deciding what to do and I need your help to stop me and quiet my heart and listen to your counsel. I love you Lord and I want to do what is right in your eyes.

Scripture 1 Kings 3:3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.

Observation: We are called to love the Lord with all of our heart, mind and soul, but when others see us can they see that love. I know it’s not that evident in my life most of the time. I want to be like Solomon loving the Lord and obeying everything He asks of me. I want that to be the first thing on my mind and heart, just to love my Lord, because when you love someone you want them to be happy, you want to honor them, it’s not a duty, but just second nature to please that person you love so much. I do love my Lord, but He’s not where He should be in my life, first.

Application: God needs to be where He deserves, first in my life. He should be the center of my attention, the reason I live and the one I want to please above all others. I want people to know how much I love my Lord just by my actions and words. Each morning when I start my day out in prayer I need to continue that throughout the day by focusing on why I’m here, because I’m only here because my Lord desires it so and I need to honor my Lord with this life He has blessed me with.

Prayer: Oh my Lord I do love you, but forgive me for not giving you the attention you deserve. Show me how to live this life in a way that pleases you. I want to make you smile and I want you to laugh knowing how much I love you. I need the help of the Holy Spirit, because I am a sinner and a self centered man, give me strength and wisdom to have you on my mind all day long.