May 31 devotional

Scripture
Psalm 119:143 “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.”
Observation
1) I will experience pressure
2) I will experience stress
3) At times they will bear down on me
4) I can find joy even in those times
5) I find joy in the word of God
6) God’s word contains promises to stand on
7) God’s word contains principles to live by
8) God’s word encourages me in difficult times
Application
God’s word is food for my spirit. I must feed myself daily. I need a steady diet of the Word of God. It gives me joy during times of pressure and stress. I can encourage myself with the word of God.
Prayer
I desire for your word to be in my mind and heart. I want to know your word but I also desire to love your word. Most importantly I want to live the word. I want to learn it, love it, live it.

May 30 devotional

Scripture
2 Samuel 16:12 “And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses.”
Observation
1) The Lord sees. He knows the injustices that I face.
2) The Lord hears. He hears the things that are said about me.
3) The Lord defends. He will bless me when others curse me. He will guard my reputation. He is my avenger.
Application
1) Don’t defend myself
2) Don’t take vengeance in my own hands
3) Trust God to take care of me.
Prayer
I place my trust in you. You are my God and you will protect and defend me. I do not have to worry about my reputation. I believe in you. I trust in you. I rest in you.

May 26 devotional

Scripture
John 15: 4-5 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Observation
1) My connection to Jesus is the key to success in my life.
2) I cannot grow apart from Jesus.
3) Jesus is the vine.
4) I am a branch.
5) If I am connected to Jesus, I will grow in Godly character.
6) Apart from Jesus I can do nothing and be nothing.
Application
My relationship with Jesus is the key to everything in my life. If I am connected to Jesus I will become the person God wants me to be and accomplish His will. I have to invest in my relationship with Jesus. My human nature wants to work. My spirit wants to abide. Abiding in Christ is my work. It is my time with God that my character is formed. It is my time with God where I am empowered to be a witness.
Prayer
I desire to know you more. I want to be connected to Christ. I want to learn to abide in you. I ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit in my life. I need you more today than ever before. I want to bear much fruit.

May 25 devotional

Scripture
John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Observation
1) Peace of mind is a gift from God
2) Peace in my heart is a gift from God
3) It is not the peace the world gives
4) I will not be troubled.
5) I will not be afraid.
Application
God is peace. Jesus is the prince of peace. Jesus gives me peace. I do not have to live in fear. I do not have to be overcome with worry and anxiety. I can have peace of mind. I can live with a peace in my heart. No matter what circumstances I may face, God gives me peace that surpasses my understanding.
Prayer
I ask for your peace today. I need it. Give me peace. Remove my anxieties. Remove my fears. Give me the peace of God in my mind and heart!

May 24 devotional

Scripture
John 14:13-14 “You can ask for anything in my name and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father. Yes, ask anything in my name, and I will do it.”
Observation
1) Jesus gives me permission to ask in His name- you can ask for anything in my name
2) Jesus promises to fulfill my request- and I will do it.
3) The purpose of Jesus fulfilling my request is to glorify the Father- the work of the Son brings glory to the Father.
4) Jesus assures me that if I ask in His name, He will do it- yes, ask anything in my name, and I will do it.
Application
I make my request in the name and under the authority of Jesus. He has given me permission to go to the Father in his name. Jesus will grant my request because he desires to bring glory to God. Answered prayer gives God glory. God does not receive glory through unanswered request. He is glorified by Jesus as He answers my prayers.
Prayer
Thank you for the right and privilege to pray in your name. I come to the Father not based upon my worthiness but based upon Jesus. I am assured of receiving answers to my prayer

May 23 devotional

Scripture
Psalm 119:9, 11 “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Observation
How can I stay pure?
1) Hide God’s word in my heart.
2) Obey God’s word- direct commands
3) Follow God’s word-principles taught in God’s word
Application
Getting the word of God in my heart is the key to living a pure life. It has to go from my head to my heart. I love God’s word not just know it. Loving God’s word leads to living it. I must
1) Learn it
2) Love it
3) Live it
By doing this I will progressively become the person God wants me to be and live the life he desires me to live.
Prayer
I love your word. I ask that the Holy Spirit will take the word of God and change me. Break me. Mold me. Shape me. Use me. I desire to be a man of God.

May 22 devotional

Scripture
Proverbs 5:28 “The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.”
Observation
1) My mouth is the hardest instrument of my body to control.
2) Godly people think before they speak.
3) The wicked say whatever comes to their minds.
Application
I need the Holy Spirit to develop self control in me. I want to think before I speak. I want to be slow to speak and quick to listen. I desire for my words to build up and not tear down. I want my words to be a blessing and not a curse.
Prayer
Forgive me for the times I have spoken words that hurt, lie, or make myself look good in the eyes of others. Develop self control in me. I desire to control my tongue. I want to be a godly man who thinks before he speaks.

May 21 devotional

Scripture
Psalm 118:8-9 “It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in people. It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in princes.”
Observation
I have a tendency to place too much faith in people. People are human and they will fail. They will let me down, even princes. Powerful people will fail me as well. God never fails. God is absolutely trustworthy. He will never leave me or forsake me. God is faithful and loyal.
Application
I will place my faith in God. I can count on him. God is honorable and loyal. People who love me may fail me. They are human. They are not perfect but God is perfect. I can completely trust him with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Prayer
I love you. You are a great God. I trust you. I know you love me and your will is always best. Thank you for being loyal, faithful, and honorable.

May 20 devotional

Scripture
Proverbs 15:22 “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.”
Observation
Having people speak into my life is a key to success. Plans go wrong when I go it alone. I need wise counselors to guide me towards success. Notice that the word is plural. I don’t need one great counselor but many counselors.
Application
Areas of my life that I need counselors:
Finances
Marriage
Parenting
Leadership
Health
Future
Church direction
Spiritual formation
Personal weaknesses
Etc.
Prayer
Give me people in my life who can speak into my life. Give me many counselors. Give me men and women who love me, desire God’s best for me, and who will be honest with me.

May 19 devotional

Scripture
Psalm 116: 1-2 “I love the Lord because he hears and answers my prayers. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!”
Observation
1) God hears my prayers
2) God answers my prayers
3) Answered prayer increases my love for God. Answered prayer increases my thankfulness and I become a worshipper
4) Answered prayer motivates me to pray more
Application
I need to keep a record of answered prayer. The greatest discouragement to pray is thinking that God does not hear or answer but when I remember what he has done for me, my faith will grow. My desire to pray will increase. I need to establish memorials where I remember what God has done for me. Gratitude is the door to worship. A thankful heart is a worshipping heart.
Prayer
Thank you for all you have done for me. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for saving and restoring my family. Thank you for leading and guiding me. Thank you for your kindness and grace. I am grateful for your blessings and provision. I am thankful for your faithfulness and loyalty. I love you. I praise you. I worship you.

May 18 devotional

Scripture
John 10: 4 “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice.”
Observation
1) Jesus is the Shepherd
2) I am a member of his flock
3) He leads and guides me
4) I am able to recognize his voice.
5) I obey his instructions
Application
Jesus is Lord and the leader of my life. I follow him. I am able to recognize the voice of God in my life. The key to my success is obeying the guidance of God. He is the good Shepherd. He speaks. I hear and obey.
Prayer
Enable me to hear, understand, and obey your voice. Increase my spiritual sensitivity. Give me the faith and courage to obey.

May 17 devotional

Scripture
Proverbs 15:17 “A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.”
Observation
I love the simplicity of the Bible. This proverb reminds me that I can do a lot of things and spend time with lots of different people but there is nothing better than spending time with people I love. I can spend time with people at work. I can spend time with business associates and others in the community and neglect my family and friends. Spending time with Cathy and the kids is the best.
Application
Being with the people I love will increase the quality of my life. Taking Cathy on a date is better than anything else. We don’t have to spend a lot of money. Soup with Cathy is better than a steak with anyone else! Spending time with my kids is better than anything else I can do. Simply having them over to the house is priceless. Life is not complicated and it does not have to be fancy. Keep it simple: God, family, and friends. That’s all.
Prayer
Enable me to keep my priorities straight. I don’t want to win the world and lose my family. I don’t want to spend my time trying to change people who do not want to change. I want to make my family my priority. I want to invest my life into them.

May 16 devotional

Scripture
1 Samuel 18:5 “Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander in his army, an appointment that was applauded by the fighting men and officers alike.
1 Samuel 18:13 “Finally, Saul banned him from his presence and appointed him commander over only a thousand men, but David faithfully led his troops into battle.
ObservationDavid was demoted. He was not demoted because anything he had done. In fact he was successful in everything he was asked to do. Saul demoted David out of jealousy. Saul was small minded and he took out his insecurity on David.
David did not pout. David did not quit. David did not demand his rights. David just stayed faithful. David continued to go to work every day and do his best. David showed great character.
Application
My true character is revealed when things do not go my way, when I am demoted even though I did not deserve it. It is easy to be faithful when men are singing your praise and everything is going your way but faithfulness is shown when we are mistreated. I do the best at my job not because of the benefits but because it is right. I don’t just do the parts of the job I like but I give me best effort to the parts of the job I do not like. I don’t say that is not a part of my job description. I work as a good team member and go beyond what is expected. David is a great example of what it means to be faithful. David is a great example of a good work ethic.
PrayerMake me like David. Develop faithfulness in me. I want to be a good worker. I want to do my best for the church and my family. I do not do my work because of the benefits but because I want God to receive glory

May 15 devotional

Scripture
Proverbs 15:11 “Even the depths of Death and Destruction are known by the Lord. How much more does he know the human heart!
Observation
1) God is all-knowing
2) He knows all the facts. He knows everything about science.
3) He also knows the human heart.
4) I cannot fake God out.
5) He knows me completely
6) He still loves and accepts me
Application
I can be real with God. H e already knows what is inside of me anyway. There is no use trying to be somebody I am not. I can be completely honest with God. I can be myself. I can bring to God my hurts, fears, worries, and anger. He knows all. He loves me. My relationship with him can be honest and real.
Prayer
I love you because you first loved me. You accepted me as I am. You died on a cross for me when I was a sinner. I do not have to act like somebody else. I can be real with you. This just increases my love for you. Thank you for loving and accepting me.

May 14 devotional

Scripture
1 Samuel 15:17 “And Samuel told him, although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel?
1 Samuel 15:24 “Then Saul finally admitted, Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.”
Observation
1) Saul thought little of himself even though he was king of Israel.
2) A position does not build your esteem.
3) It may magnify your low self esteem by making you feel inadequate.
4) Saul disobeyed God because he feared the people more than he feared God.
5) Saul’s low self esteem contributed to his disobedience.
6) God did not excuse his disobedience.
Application
1) My self worth cannot come from a title I have, a position I fill, or a job I do.
2) My self worth comes from who I am “in Christ.”
3) I am who Jesus Christ has made me be.
4) I do not have to win God’s approval
5) He loves me just as I am
6) He has given me the Holy Spirit to enable me to be who He wants me to be.
7) He has given me the Holy Spirit to do what He has called me to do.
8) My worth is not based upon my performance but upon His performance.
Prayer
Father let my identity not be based upon title or position but upon who I am in you. Let it be based upon what you have done for me. I receive it by faith. It is a work of grace. I do not earn my worth. It is given to me. I receive it today. I am a child of God. You are my God. I am your child. You are with me.

May 13 devotional

Scripture
John 7: 38-39 “If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within. (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
Observation
1) The Holy Spirit is living water
2) The Holy Spirit flows from within
3) The Holy Spirit is given to every believer
4) Jesus is the giver of the Holy Spirit
5) I can drink from the river
Application
The Holy Spirit flows out from within. The river of the Holy Spirit will satisfy my soul and enables me to touch others. It will change the way I interact with people. I need more of the Holy Spirit. I need the river of water flowing through me and out from me. I am thirsty. Jesus, I come to drink.
Prayer
Give me a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. I desire that the river in me will be overflowing. It is the only thing that can satisfy me and I need it to make a difference in the lives of others. I desire more of the Holy Spirit in my life.

May 12 devotional

Scripture
1 Samuel 12:23 “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.”
Observation
There are two main responsibilities for spiritual leaders.
1) Spiritual leaders pray for their people
2) Spiritual leaders teach the Bible to their people.
This agree with what Peter said in Acts 6:4 “”and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” The Apostles turned over the administration of the food program to the deacons so they could focus on their priorities. Their priorities were the same as Samuel’s.
Application
As a pastor I can stay busy doing many things but the most important things I can do is 1) prayer and 2) teach the Bible. I have to set my priorities and have the discipline to follow through. I cannot become so busy that I neglect prayer and the Bible. I cannot get distracted by the urgent that I forget the important.
Prayer
I ask that you produce the fruit of self control in me. I desire to be disciplined in how I spend my time. Impress upon my heart today my priorities as a pastor. Enable me to spend adequate time in prayer and ministry of the Word. I want to be a good leader. The world screams to me what they want me to do but I want to focus on what God wants me to do. I want his priorities to be my priorities.

May 11 devotional

Scripture
1 Samuel 10:9-10 “As Saul turned and started to leave, God changed his heart. Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul and he, too, began to prophecy.”
Observation
1) God changed Saul’s heart.
2) Then the Holy Spirit came upon him.
3) Then Saul prophesied.
Prophecy was the verbal confirmation that the Holy Spirit had come upon Saul. This is how Saul’s friends knew that Saul had been empowered to be king. It was an outward evidence of the Holy Spirit coming upon him to give him power.
Application
It is the pattern of scripture that when the Holy Spirit comes upon a person, there is a verbal confirmation. In the Old Testament they prophesied. They spoke in their language under the compulsion of the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament they spoke in tongues. They spoke in a language they did not know under the compulsion of the Holy Spirit. In both the Old and New Testaments there was a verbal evidence of the Holy Spirit empowering a person for service.
Prayer
I ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. Empower me for service. Enable me to expand God’s kingdom on this earth.

May 7 devotional

Scripture
1 Samuel 1:23 “Whatever you think is best, Elkannah agreed. Stay here for now, and may the Lord help you keep your promise. So she stayed home and nursed the baby.”
Observation
1) Hannah made a promise to God.
2) She was sincere when she made it
3) But it was a difficult promise to keep. She promised to give her only son Samuel to the Lord. This meant giving Samuel to the priest to serve at the tabernacle.
4) Hannah wanted to keep her promise but was struggling doing it.
5) Her husband prayed that God would give her the strength to keep her promise.
Application
I need to God’s strength to do everything. I can do nothing apart from God but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God is all-powerful. He can enable me to accomplish His will. I rely on God’s strength. I do not depend upon my own power. I depend upon the power of God. When I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, His power came upon me. I must operate in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Give me a fresh filling of your Holy Spirit today. I need a fresh endowment of power. I can do nothing eternal on my own. I need the power of God flowing through my life. I humble myself before you. I acknowledge my need of you. I stand upon the promise that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!