September 30 devotional

Scripture

Philippians 2: 3-4 “Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.

Observation

1) Do not be selfish

2) Do not live trying to impress others.

3) Be humble which is things of others better than myself

4) Be interested in others lives & problems, not just my own.

This passage is a great teaching on fellowship. For the church to function correctly, it has to have strong relationships. Strong relationships are a by-product of unselfish, humble living. When I become a child of God, I become a member of his family. I must put God’s family above my own interest.

Application

I have to humble myself. I don’t want God to have to humble me. I humble myself by acknowledging my need of God and putting others above myself. That is a good definition of humility. I do not ignore my own issues, circumstances, and problems, but I do not become consumed with them. I can always find someone with a bigger problem than mine. I am to be interested in what is happening to them and what they are doing.

Prayer

I humble myself before you today. I acknowledge my total and complete need of you. I ask that you remove selfishness and pride from me. Cleanse my heart and mind. I want to be interested in other people and what they are doing. I want to be like Christ who had the right attitude towards others. He lowered himself to meet my need. I should be willing to lower myself to meet the needs of others.

September 29 devotional

Scripture

Isaiah 57: 6-7, 9-10

“No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then when you call, the Lord will answer, yes I am here, he will quickly reply. Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. They your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day.”

Observation

The kind of fasting God wants is:

1) Free those who are wrongly imprisoned

2) Stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn.

3) Share your food with the hungry

4) Welcome poor wanderers into your home. Provide shelter

5) Give clothes to those who need them

6) Help your relatives in need,

7) Feed the hungry.

8) Help those in trouble

The results

1) When I call the Lord will answer quickly

2) My light will shine out from the darkness

3) The darkness around me will be bright as day

Application

One of the best witnesses the church can have in this world, is social justice. The church should stand up and help those in need, those who are mistreated, those who have no one else to help them. The church should be a voice for those who have no one to speak for them. They should protect those who are being abused. They rescue the hurting, feed the hungry, clothe the clothe less, provide shelter for the homeless, and give justice to the wrongly accused.

Prayer

I want to remember the poor, needy, and mistreated. I want to do more than feel sorry for them; I want to do something about it. I want to act for those sold into sex slavery. I want to defend the innocent. I want to provide food, clothing, and shelter for the poor. I want to do more than I am currently doing. Father, lead me. Show me what to do. Enable First A/G to make a difference.

September 28 devotional

Scripture

Isaiah 54: 17 “But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed.”

Observation

God is my protector. He is my shield. He is my refuge. He is my strong tower. I will not be afraid. When my enemy attacks me, their weapons will not succeed. God will protect me.

Application

I will not live in fear. I am not afraid. I trust in my God. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Satan cannot harm me because God is my shield and protector. He is the best body guard ever.

Prayer

I love you and thank you that no weapon turned against me will succeed. I am safe. I am secure. I live under God’s protection and care. I put my trust into you.

September 27 devotional

Scripture

Ephesians 5: 15-18 “So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.”
Observation

These are some practical instructions for believers.

1) Be careful how I live.

I am not to live my life without thought, planning, wisdom. In fact I am to grow in wisdom so I can live my life wisely. I am to gain knowledge so I can live my life with thought.

2) Make the most of every opportunity.

I am to do good every day. Every day is an opportunity to do good in these evil times. My good deeds will shine brightly and represent Christ well.

3) Try to understand what the Lord wants me to do.

God has a will for my life and for my days. I am to think, search, and try to discover what God wants me to do..

4) Be filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Alcohol dulls the senses and eventually will lead to my ruin. I am to be filled by

the Holy Spirit. I am to walk in the Holy Spirit. I am to be controlled by the Holy

Spirit. I am to be led and guided by the Holy Spirit. I am to be empowered by the

Holy Spirit.

Application

These truths can guide my life and my days. I am to give thought and be careful how I live. I am to make the most of every day by doing good to others. I am to try to understand and discern what God wants me to do and I am to be filed and controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

I ask for a fresh filling of your Spirit today. Fill me afresh and anew. I ask that I be under the control and influence of your Spirit today. I desire the gifts of the Spirit to be in operation and I ask that the Holy Spirit make Himself known today. Reveal yourself and may the people come to God. I ask that souls be saved today. Give me one more. I love you and believe for a great and productive day

September 23 devotional

Scripture

Isaiah 41: 17-20 “When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, them I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never forsake them. I will open up rivers for them on high plateaus; I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. In the deserts they will find pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the dry, parched ground. I will plant trees- cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine- on barren land. Everyone will see this miracle and understand that it is the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, who did it.

Observation

This is a prophecy from Isaiah. I believe it can have two meanings. One God promises to take care of his children. In this section of scripture he rebukes those who worships idols and promises to take care of those who are true to him. I believe that if we are true to God, He will take care of each and every need we may have.

I also think you can apply this passage spiritually. Sometimes the drought we experience is spiritual and not physical. God promises to revive his people. God promises to pour out his spirit and turn dessert places into lush fields.

Application

1) I can trust God in hard times. He will provide for me as I stay true to him.

2) I seek a fresh outpouring of his Holy Spirit. When I am in a barren place spiritually I can come to him. He promised that in the last days, he will pour out his spirit upon all flesh. That includes me and mine.

Prayer

I ask for a fresh filling of your Holy Spirit today. I ask that you pour out your Spirit upon me, my family, and First A/G. I stand on your promise and receive today. Thank you for being faithful to me. Thank you for meeting my needs. I love you.

September 22 devotional

Scripture

Isaiah 40:7-8 “The grass withers, and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Observation

There are only a few things that are eternal. Everything else will fade away. God, His word, and His people are eternal. Everything else will pass away. It makes me think about what I live for or what I can trust. God’s word stands forever. I can trust it. I can count on it. I can build my life on the truths of the Bible. It is God’s word. It is true. It is eternal. It is my moral compass for life. It is the basis of all decisions I will make. It is the foundation of my life.

Application

I must learn and know God’s Word so I can live it. The Bible is truth. It is my moral compass. It is the basis of all my decisions. I will read the Bible. I will be a student of the Bible. I will apply the truths of the Bible to my life. I will live and obey God’s Word.

Prayer

Make your Word come alive in me. Help me to understand it. Enable me to live it. It contains the words of life. It is eternal. It is truth. It is trustworthy. I love your word and I ask that it conform me to the character of Christ.

September 16 devotional

Scripture

Isaiah 24: 4-5 “The earth dries up, the crops wither, the skies refuse to rain. The earth suffers for the sins of its people for they have twisted the instructions of God, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant.”

Observation

Isaiah is prophesying against the ungodly nations of his time. God is sending judgment on certain peoples. God is a loving God but He is also a righteous, holy, just God. God cannot wink or ignore injustice. His character causes him to act. One of God’s judgments is natural disasters. Here we see a famine is sent to the land because of the people’s sin. The earth dries up, the crops wither, and there is no rain. Why? The earth suffers because the people twist God’s Word, sin against him, and break their sacred promises. I don’t think we understand the power of the spiritual world. When the people sin, the spiritual world is disrupted and it has natural consequences. That would be an interesting Bible study.

Application

If God judged nations in the past, will he judge nations today? Will God judge America? Has God judged America? Are we in the midst of God’s judgment? America is full of sin. We call good evil and evil good. We twist God’s Word and live by our own standards. If God judged Moab, how could he not judge America? That would not be just. The solution is repenting of our sins and turning back to God. The church needs revival and our communities need a spiritual awakening. That is why we pray for transformation and a fresh outpouring of His Holy Spirit. We need a fresh encounter with God. We need a new Pentecost. We need God.

Prayer

I ask that you send a revival to every church in America. I ask your blessing upon every pastor. You promised to pour out your Spirit in the last days. You promised to pour out your spirit upon male and female, rich and pour, young and old. I ask for it. I ask for a spiritual awakening in every community in America. I ask that we will repent of our sins and wholeheartedly turn to you. I ask for transformation. Completely alter the spiritual climate of America. Send revival. Send a Spiritual Awakening. Heal our land.

September 15 devotional

Scripture

Galatians 2:6 “And the leaders of the church who were there had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)”

Observation

One of the things that disturb me about the church today is that we have created “spiritual superstars.” We claim that some have greater anointing or greater revelation than others. Paul would have none of that. He went and met with Peter, James, and John. They were the pillars and leaders of the church but Paul was not impressed. He was not disrespectful but he understood that God does not have favorites. One minister is not better than another in God’s eyes. He does not believe that larger number means better minister or signs and wonders are a sign of being an “insider” with God. People do this. We worship certain ministers. We make Christian “superstars.” It is not fair to the church and it is not fair to the ministers they put on a pedestal. No one can live up to it.

Application

1) I will not get involved in the worship of ministers. I am going to worship God and God alone.

2) I will not have a comparison mentality. I will not compare myself to another minister. There is always someone doing better and that makes me feel inadequate. There is always someone doing worse and that makes me feel superior. Both are wrong. I will get my identity on who I am in Christ. He is the source of my identity.

Prayer

Thank you for making me your child. You have forgiven me. You saved me. You made me your own. I am a joint heir of Jesus Christ. I am yours. Being your child makes me somebody. That is my identity. I will rest in who I am in Christ.

September 14 devotional

Scripture

Galatians 1: 23-24 “All they knew was that people were saying, The ones who used to persecute us now preaches the very faith he tried to destroy! And they gave glory to God because of me.”

Observation

That should be the highest goal of my life. Paul said “they gave glory to God because of me.” I want my life to give glory to God. I want others to glorify God because of me. I do not want to bring shame on the cross of Christ. I do not want to cause others pain because of my moral failures. I want to bring God glory. I want to lead others to Jesus. I want my life to be an example, not a hindrance.

Application

To give glory to God I have to live a life that brings God glory. I cannot live in sin and disobedience. My light must shine before others. How can I bring glory to God?

1) The good deeds I do

2) The blameless life I live

3) Serving others

4) Live other-centered

5) Put God first in everything.

Prayer

I desire to live a life that brings you glory. I desire to live a life before others; so that they give you glory. I do not want to bring shame on you. I want to represent you well. Fill me with your Holy Spirit today. Give me the power to live a God-pleasing life.

September 9 devotional

Scripture

Isaiah 5: 20 “Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.

Observation

I think this passage describes America. Our nation is a place that what once was evil is now good and those who used to be good are now called evil. Years ago homosexuality was evil in America. Today we have a new television show called “model family” that has a gay couple adopting a baby. This is considered the new American family. What was once called evil is not accepted and considered good. Living together before marriage used to be taboo, today it is common. What once was called evil is now accepted and considered good. God promised to judge Israel because of this. Can America expect anything else?

Application

We must turn from our sins. We must call sin wickedness. We cannot be entertained by sin. We must raise up a standard of righteousness. Judgment begins in the church. The church is as ungodly as the world. We humble ourselves, pray, seek God, and turn from our wicked ways. Then God will hear us, forgive us, and heal our land. We need revival! We need another spiritual awakening. We cry out for transformation.

Prayer

I ask that you pour out your spirit upon all flesh. I ask that you send a revival to every church. I ask that you send a spiritual awakening to every community. I ask that you transform our nation. I confess our sins to you. We have turned away from God. We now call good evil and evil good. Forgive us. Cleanse us. Have mercy on us!

September 8 devotional

Scripture

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us argue this out, says the Lord. No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.”

Observation

No matter what condition I am in, the Lord always says come. It is never go away. God always invites me to come to him. Even in my sins, God desires a relationship with me. This verse tells us that he is willing and able to cleanse me from my sins no matter how bad and ugly they are. He can remove any stain. He can cleanse any sinner. I can come to God and be cleansed of my sins so that I am free to love and worship him. What a deal! What a God!

Application

I should never hide from God. I should never run from God. He will welcome me. His love is unconditional. If I repent of my sins, he will cleanse me. There is no sin too great for God to forgive. There is no stain too deep to be cleansed. If I confess my sins, He is faithful, to forgive and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. What a savior! I must respond with great gratitude. I have to worship Him. He is worthy of all my praise.

Prayer

Thank you for my salvation. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your love and acceptance. Thank you for grace and mercy. Thank you for cleansing me. Thank you for setting me free from the penalty and power of sin. Thank you for loving me. I love you. I worship you. I praise you. You are good. You are great. You are my God.

September 4 devotional

Scripture

2 Corinthians 7: 10 “For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind of sorrow that results in death.”

Observation

Pain can have a purpose. Sometimes God uses pain to cause us to grow. Pain forces us out of our comfort zone. Pain motivates us to change. We will change when we hurt enough to want to. Paul said pain can lead to repentance. We will turn from sin and seek God. You will never regret that kind of pain. It will result to your benefit. It is not easy. It will still hurt but it will produce good in you.

Application

Our natural tendency is to run from pain. We want to escape any circumstance that is uncomfortable or that hurts. Sometimes those experiences cause the greatest growth in our lives. Rather than running from pain, I can learn from it. I can grow in it. I can allow the Holy Spirit to produce Godly fruit in me. Pain is never fun but it can be beneficial.

Prayer

I want to grow and be like Jesus. If it takes painful experiences for me to grow, then I accept that. Paul said he wanted to know Christ and share in his sufferings. Paul understood that suffering produced Christlikeness in him. I want to be like Christ.

September 3 devotional

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 “Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what is the advantage of wealth- except perhaps to watch it run through your fingers!”

Observation

America has bought into the lie that money will make you happy. We live for the new car, extra square feet in our house, the retirement account, etc. Our God is the dollar. We believe the more we have the happier we will be. The writer of Ecclesiastes has got it right. No matter how much you have, it will never be enough. You will always want more. Why? Money and things cannot make you happy. A new car will get old. A house is not a home. Money will not fulfill your desires over the long term. Wealth is not what makes us happy. It is relationships that satisfy the soul.

Application

1) I need to learn to be content. I can be content in the home that I have. I can be content with the salary I make. I can be content with the car I drive.

2) I need to live within my means. I cannot spend more money than I make. It leads to disaster. I have to live within my means. I live on a budget. I do not buy what I cannot afford. I do not borrow money but save for purchases. If I cannot afford it, I do without. My basic needs are being met. Everything else is a want. I can learn to live without it. I can save for it but I do not live beyond my means.

Prayer

I realize that money and possessions will not satisfy my soul. Only you can. I have an inner longing for my God. I have a hole in my spirit that only you can fill. I want Jesus more than worldly wealth. I want to be wealthy with God. I want to be like Jesus. I want to be a man of God. I want to advance your kingdom on this earth. I want a loving family and friends. I desire to serve others and reach lost people for Jesus. That is my purpose on this earth. That is what I want to invest my life in.

September 2 devotional

Scripture

2 Corinthians 6: 3-4 “We try to live in such a way that no one will be hindered from finding the Lord by the way we act, and so no one can find fault with our ministry. In everything we do we try to show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.”

Observation

Paul’s main concern was reaching lost people for Christ. Paul lived his life for “one more.” He wanted to win one more for Jesus. He did not want his lifestyle to hinder anyone from being saved. So he patiently endured hard times, difficulties, troubles, difficult people, etc. He wanted his life to prove his ministry was Godly. Paul went the extra mile to be above board and beyond accusation. He lived his life and conducted his ministry with integrity.

Application

I want to follow Paul’s example. I want to conduct my life and ministry above reproach. I want to conduct my finances above reproach. I want to live in such a way that no one can point a finger at me. I want to conduct my ministry is a way that represents Christ well. I want to live for “one more.”

Prayer

May I reach “one more.” May I touch “one more.” May I bring healing to “one more.” May my life be a good representation of Jesus. Enable me to conduct my life and ministry above reproach. May I be blameless and no one can point a finger at me or the church.

September 1 devotional

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5: 14-15 “Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live. He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

Observation

Jesus Christ died on a cross and arose again. He died for everyone not just a select few. Because Jesus died, we died to the old life we used to live. We do not live that way anymore. It was a life of selfishness. I lived to please myself. I now live to please Jesus. His love controls me. I do what I do because I want to please him and because his love is in me.

Application

I no longer live for myself. I no longer live to please people. I no longer live for pleasure. I live for Jesus. His love controls me. His love is my motivating factor. Jesus died and was raised for me, so I can die to sin and live for Jesus. It was all a work of the cross. It is applied to my life. Today I will live for others. Today I will live to please Jesus. Today His love will control me.

Prayer

I desire to please you. I want to cause you to smile. I want to bring you pleasure. Thank you for your death and resurrection. Thank you for changing me and making me a new person. Now I want to live for you. I want to do good works. I want to be compelled by your love. I want my life to be different. I am free from sin. I am free from its penalty and I am free from its power. I will live sin free today. I will live for Jesus. My life will count for eternity. Praise his name. Thank you for my salvation. Thank you for setting me free to love you, to live for you.