Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture Exodus 36:6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more,

Observation: I can’t imagine that today in a world that is all about me and it’s all mine. Imagine if we gave too much for God’s work here on earth. Everyone might get saved if we had the resources to use media, people lobbying for our Christian rights and values, putting prayer back in the school, and getting rid of the false teaching that are taught to our children. If Christians would donate their time using the gifts that God has given them for His glory. I can’t imagine the day when someone would step up and say don’t give any more, because everyone is saved.

Application: It can all start with me. I tithe to my church and give a little to other organizations, but I can give more. More of my time and expertise to spread the gospel. Spend time evangelizing in my community, helping others both financially and emotionally. I can give of myself for my Lord, because He owns it all, He has blessed me so much financially and lovingly. I need to give back and to give to others in His name.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for always taking care of me. You give me more then I deserve or more then I can ever pay back. Tell me what you desire of me and that I will honor you with the rest of this life you have given me. I’m yours and everything that I have is yours.

Scripture Exodus 35: [31] and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts–

Observation: So many of us take what we can do for granted and take full credit for our abilities. When we look around we can see the gifts others might have like singing, building, cooking, caregiver, teacher, pastor. We see how some can do things that we can’t do with little effort. God decides who is going to have what gift and we need to go to Him and ask Him how He wants to use the gifts He has given us. It’s not a coincidence that we can do what we do and we need to embrace it and get even better and use it for God’s glory.

Application: I know the gifts God has given me and I need to work on them to get even better. I need to follow God’s leading and use them for His glory. God has given me an unusual testimony that can help others grow closer to Him, I have cooking abilities that can be used to bless others in outreaches, I have an outgoing personality that can be used in the church and organizational skills that can be used in so many areas of ministry. These gifts were given to me from God for God and not for me.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all you have given me, especially the skills that I have. Guide me and show me how to use them the way you intended. May I bless others and that anyone that I bless knows it is only because of you.

Scripture Exodus 34: [6] And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

Observation: When I began to know my Lord and Savior I realized how loving He is. I look at this terrible world we created and it reminds me that He is slow to anger, The compassion He has shown me and the testimony of others that reveal this awesome God who loves us unconditionally. He never gives up on us, even when we give up on Him. He is always faithful and He will never leave us. His love is something we won’t see on this earth and it’s something we will never fully understand.

Application: I need to give God all the honor and praise He deserves. My only purpose is to serve Him and He asks me to serve others in His name. Realize no matter what He is with me and will guides me if I’ll let Him. No matter what might happen in my life I need to hold firm to His love, for there is nothing greater.

Prayer: My Lord, my God and my Master. I’m here to serve as you call me. May I receive your love even if I don’t fully understand and I ask you to increase my faith that I will always trust you in every situation. I love you and need you in my life.

Scripture Exodus 33:17 And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

Observation: God answers so many of my prayers, but is He pleased with me? I have my moments when I feel I have honored God with the gifts He has given me, but most of the time I’m distant and involved in the world I can’t be pleasing to Him. I know my Lord knows me and He watches over me and that He loves me. His love is something I will never understand and instead of trying I need to except it with humble gratitude and obedience.

Application: The way I can please God is by being obedient to all He calls me to do and be the man He wants me to be. He has given me commands and rules to follow that will please Him and I need to obey each one. I need to do things to please Him and not others or myself. I want God’s blessings, but most of all I want God’s approval. As Moses spoke to God as a friend would talk to a friend, that is the relationship I want with my Savior that I will respect Him, love and trust Him with all of my heart and know His desires so that I may fulfill them in what life I have left.

Prayer: Dear Lord I do love you, but unlike your love mine has limits. Give me a true loving spirit that I will love you unconditionally and put you first in everything I do, think and say. I’m yours and may I never forget all you have done for me.

Scripture Exodus 32: [8] They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, `These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

Observation: How easy it is to turn away from God to the gods of this world. We are surrounded by so much evil in this world and turn to the god of money, success, lust and popularity and forget what God has told us. He tells us to love one another and put the needs of others above our own, but how many of us do that? Each day we are left with a choice are we going to follow God or the gods of this world?

Application: I get so easily sucked in to the things and sin of this world. When I try to focus on God and get into His word, my mind wanders. I need to be more focused on God and what He wants of me and to remember I’m only here for a short while before it is time to go home to my Father. I need to stay focused on my true home and not this temporary place that I dwell.

Prayer: My Father I want to be obedient to you and please you with the life I live, but I need you. I’m weak and easily distracted, help me stay focused on you and your desires for my life. Time here is getting short and I do want to earn rewards so that I have something to bring home to you.

Scripture Exodus 31: [6] Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:

Observation: When God calls us out to do something for Him, He makes sure we have everything we need. He’ll supply the resources and people that it will take to accomplish His desire. I’ve seen this so many times as I would step out to do different outreaches. Money comes when it is needed. He brings the people that have the gifts and talents to do the job right and He’ll bring the people that need to be served. He will also give us the heart to touch others and say the right thing.

Application: I need to increase my faith so I will just step out in faith and not analyze every little thing. If I know God has called me to do it I need to depend on Him to bring me the things that are needed to accomplish the task. God doesn’t need me, but is willing to use me if I will let Him and even though God does the work if I step out He always blesses me.

Prayer: My Lord increase my faith that I will trust you completely. You are so faithful and worthy of all of my love praise and worship, help me live the rest of this life so that you are pleased.

Scripture Exodus 30: [6] Put the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony–before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony–where I will meet with you.

Observation: Where has God met you. I know in my life God has met me in different places. I know when I was so desperate and confused God met me in my room to comfort me. He took the time to explain what was happening to me and why. He has met me so many times when I served and did outreaches. He hugged me at the end of an event and I felt Him being proud of me. He meets me when I’m low or high and if I’m patient He will tell me what to do next.

Application: God is with me right now as I write this journal. The Holy Spirit is guiding my fingers on the keyboard and putting thoughts in my head. His word tells me He will never forsake me and that He is always with me. I need to have the confidence in that no matter what God will meet me whether to comfort me or to direct me.

Prayer: Oh dear Lord, I thank you for being there for me and meeting me in times of sorrow and joy. May I always know that you are with me and I live my life knowing you are watching. Help me glorify your name in all that I do.