September 29 devotional

Scripture
Philippians 1:5 “because you have been my partners in spreading the good news about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.”
Observation
1) The church partnered with Paul
2) The church provided Paul the resources he needed as a missionary
3) There was no end to their partnership. It began when they were first saved “until now”.
4) The church received a reward from God for their partnership.
Application
First Assembly of God is to be a missions church. We are to partner with missionaries to spread the good news about Christ. It is our calling.
Prayer
I pray that you will enable First A/G to fulfill it's call. Do not let us shrink back but to go forward. Do not let us grow weary in doing good but may we be found faithful. Do not let us listen to the naysayers but to act in faith.

September 28 devotional

Scripture
Isaiah 55:11 “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to do, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
Observation
As a teacher of God's word this verse is a great encouragement. God word”
1) will always produce fruit
2) will accomplish what God wants it to do
3) will prosper everywhere I send it
There is nothing Satan can do to stop the success of God's Word. It is God's sword. It is a spiritual weapon that does damage to Satan's kingdom. It brings prosperity and blessing to the believer who believes and acts on it. The Bible is the inspired word of God. It is to be believed and obeyed.
Application
I proclaim God's Word in faith.
I proclaim God's Word with boldness
I teach and preach the Bible unashamedly.
Prayer
Thank you for this promise. I ask that you give me the very words to speak. I know that your word will achieve your will. I pray in faith.

September 27 devotional

Scripture
Ephesians 5:17 “Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do”
Observation
1) think before I act
2) Seek His will everyday
3) The most important information for me to have is to understand what God wants me to do.
Application
I should never act without seeking God first. I should set aside time everyday seeking to understand what God wants me to do. He is my general and I seek my orders from him. He is all knowing. His direction is always right.
Prayer
I ask that you reveal your will to me today. Give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation. Give me the faith and courage to obey your will. I desire to be pleasing to you.

September 26 devotional

Scripture
Isaiah 48:17 “The Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow.”
Observation
This verse tells me who God is and what God does.
1) God is:
Lord- my master and master of the universe
Redeemer- he rescued me from slavery
Holy One- He is set aside as holy, pure, and righteous.
My God- I am His child
2) What God does:
Teaches me what is good
Leads me along the paths I should follow
Application
Everything I need is found in who God is and what he does for me. He is my master, redeemer, Holy One, and my God. He teaches and guides me in life. I look to Him as the source of my every need, want, and desire.
Prayer
I acknowledge my complete and total need of you. You are everything I need. I will not look to you. You are my God. You are everything I need.

September 25 devotional

Scripture
Isaiah 45:22 “Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to my name.”
Observation
Jesus is the only way to heaven. God says there is no other. Every knee will bow to Jesus. Every tongue will confess their allegiance to Him. Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.
Application
I must proclaim Jesus as the only way to salvation. I cannot fold under the pressure of tolerance that claims it doesn't matte what you believe as long as you believe sincerely. That is a lie from the pit of hell. That is Satan's attempt to deceive the masses. Jesus is the only savior. He is the only one who died on the cross for my sins. I will place my trust in him. I will proclaim his name to the nations. I will invest my life into missions.
Prayer
I ask that the name of Jesus will be proclaimed on every continent, in every nation, to every people group. I pray that Jesus will be preached in every language of the world.

September 24 devotional

Scripture
Ephesians 3:18 “And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.”
Observation
This verse tells us of the four dimensions of God's love.
It's width
It's length
It's height
It's depth
God's love is four dimensional and we have the ability to understand it. Verse 19 says we can experience God's love. The Holy Spirit reveals God's love in a way I can comprehend and experience it. What a gift.
Application
Understanding and experiencing God's love is the key to the Christian life. It is not about following a religious creed but being overcome by the love of God. “For God so loved the world that he gave His Son that whosoever believes on him will not perish but have everlasting life.” It is all about love.
Prayer
I ask that today I will understand and experience your love. Do not allow my heart to grow cold. Do not allow for my relationship with you to become a religion. I want it to be a love experience.

September 23 devotional

Scripture
Isaiah 43:1 “But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says, Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”
Observation
I do not have to be afraid.
I belong to God.
He knows my name, my fears, my insecurities, my anger.
My safety is in him,
Application
God is trustworthy. He paid a great price to bring me into his family. He has already demonstrated his love and loyalty to me. I don't have to be afraid. I can trust him.
Prayer
Forgive me for worry and doubt. The root is unbelief. You demonstrated your love for me when Jesus died on the cross. I should never question your love for me again. I am sorry. I trust you with my present and with my future. Thank you for ransoming me from sin and death.

September 22 devotional

Scripture
Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Observation
Spending time with God is the key to receiving new strength. Waiting means eager expectation. I eagerly expect God to act on my behalf. Faith in god is not inactivity. It is trusting in God's action.
Application
Disciplining myself to spend more time with God so He can build my faith. When I am full of faith, I am full of energy and strength. Worry and fear drain me. My time with God increases my faith in Him. To know him is to trust Him.
Prayer
I wait on you. I expect you to act on my behalf. I believe in you and I believe for a miracle.

September 21 devotional

Scripture
Psalm 65:5 “You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deed, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas.”
Observation
1) God is faithful.
2) God answers prayer
3) God performs awesome deeds
4) God is my hope.
5) I am never far from God. He is with me.
Application
Trust in God. Never give up on Him. Never cease to pray. Hang on to hope. Believe God for a miracle.
Prayer
I ask for a miracle. I acknowledge my total need of you. I place my trust in you.

September 20 devotional

Scripture
Isaiah 35:8 “And a main road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named a highway of holiness. Evil-hearted people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God's ways. Fools will never walk there.”
Observation
The road I must travel is the highway of holiness. Holy people are those who walk in God's ways. They separate themselves from the world and dedicate them to God.
Application
God will honor those who dedicate themselves to him. They turn away from evil and foolish living and dedicate themselves to God, His kingdom, and His righteousness.
Prayer
Search my heart. Remove any offensive way within me. Make me holy and pure in your sight. I pledge my allegiance to your kingdom. I will live for it. I am the righteousness of Christ. I will live like you made me be.

September 14 devotional

Scripture
Galatians 1:24 “And they gave glory to God because of me.”
Observation
Paul’s testimony was amazing. When People heard hat God had done in Paul’s life, they began to praise and worship God. God received glory through Paul’s testimony.
Application
This is my desire. I want God to receive glory when people hear what God has done in me and through me. I want Jesus to receive all the glory, honor, and praise.
Prayer
Be glorified through me. May the name of Jesus be lifted up because of the testimony of the power of God evident in my life. I humble myself before you. I do not want to live for the praise of men but for the glory of God. I worship you today.

September 13 devotional

Scripture
Isaiah 14:26 “I have a plan for the whole earth, for my mighty power reaches throughout the world.”
Observation
1) God has a plan for the whole earth. His plan includes me as an individual but his plan is for all peoples.
2) God’s power is mighty. He has the power to fulfill His plan.
Application
God is at work in His world. He is the creator. The earth and everything in it belongs to him. He is at work fulfilling his purposes. His power is mighty. He has the ability to accomplish his purpose. There is no government, person, or institution that can stop God. He is all-powerful. God will complete his plan for this earth.
Prayer
I ask that the good news of Jesus Christ will be preached on every continent and nation. I ask that the gospel be preached to every people group and in every language of the world.

September 12 devotional

Scripture
Psalm 56:3 “But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Observation
Life can bring fear. I can be afraid of what will happen in the future. During these times it is important that I turn to God and not away from him, that I trust God. Trust is belief in the character of God. God is good. God is faithful. God is strong. God is loyal. God is trustworthy. When my life is falling apart, I can trust in his character.
Application
Most people are not trustworthy. In fact the only being that is 100 percent trustworthy is God. That is why I place my trust in Him. People will fail me but God never fails.
Prayer
I place my trust in you. I believe you are faithful and will get me through the difficult times of my life.

September 11 devotional

Scripture
Proverbs 23:4-5 “Don’t weary yourself trying to get rich. Why waste your time? For riches can disappear as though they had wings of a bird.”
Observation
What makes a man wealthy? Is it money? Is it possessions? Is it status? God says that earthly riches are fleeting. They can be gone in a moment. It is a waste of time trying to be happy by accumulating more stuff. All you accomplish is making yourself tired and weary.
Application
I believe relationships make a man wealthy. To have a healthy relationship with God, my family, and friends is to be rich. I would rather invest in the people who are close to me than the stock market any day. I believe a person’s priorities ought to be God, family, friends, and world. If I have that right, I am a rich man.
Prayer
The world pulls me in the opposite direction. My flesh desires wealth, fame, and power. Crucify my flesh. Enable me to realize what true wealth is. I ask that I be in a right relationship with you. I ask that you renew my love for Cathy and the kids. I ask that you give me friends and that I would be a good friend. I desire to make a difference in the world. I want to be wealthy in people.

September 10 devotional

Scripture
Isaiah 9:6 “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Observation
The birth of Jesus Christ was predicted thousands of years in advance. Isaiah saw the coming of the Messiah. He saw the birth of Jesus. His prophecy reminds us of who Jesus is. He is royalty. He is wonderful, mighty, everlasting, and a prince. He walks along beside us as our counselor and he brings peace to the world. He is a great king. He is a great God.
Application
The only proper response to the royalty of Jesus is worship and obedience. I worship him because he is great. I obey him because he is my king.
Prayer
Thank you for sending Jesus Christ to this world. I am grateful for your love. I give you all the praise, glory, and honor. You are my king. You are a great king. I pledge my allegiance to you and your kingdom.

Missions Workshop in Louisville

Please pray for me. Wednesday I will be in Louisville, KY. I am hosting a missions workshop at Trinity Chapel. Pastors from Kentucky will come to receive training on how to build a missions church. World missions giving is down across the nation. KY has seen it's own decrease. We are trying to train pastors how to raise the level of missions giving in a down economy. I am in charge of the workshop. I have a lot of work left to do. I need your prayers. Because I will be in Louisville, the daily devotional will start again on Friday. Thanks.

September 7 devotional

Scripture
2 Corinthians 9:6 “Remember this- a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.”
Observation
This passage teaches the principle of generosity. If I am stingy and give only a little, I will reap a small harvest. If I am generous, and give with a cheerful and unselfish heart, I will reap a generous crop. I will reap in proportion to what I sow. Generosity leads to generosity.
Application
I have to fight selfishness from creeping into my heart. My flesh desires to get what it wants. My flesh longs to be fulfilled and satisfied. I counteract that evil through generosity. Being generous keeps me from being selfish. God also promises to be bless me not in proportion of the amount I give but in proportion to the level of generosity.
Prayer
Remove selfishness and greed from me. Develop within me a generous heart. I desire to meet the needs of the poor through my giving.

September 6 devotional

Scripture
Psalm 50:15 “Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”
Observation
This verse was given to me as a promise 10 years ago. It has gotten me through some difficult times.
The verse tells me that I will go through times of trouble. Just because I am a Christian does not mean that my life will be trouble free. I live in a fallen world. The instruction is that in times of trouble, trust God. Do not place your trust in man, institutions, or things. Trust God because He is trustworthy. The promise is that He will rescue me. I may feel like I am drowning but do not be afraid, God will always come to my rescue. The results are that God will receive Glory. I will have a testimony of the power and faithfulness of God.
Application
I cannot forget this promise. It is still true today. It is one of my “life verses”. I can still trust God in times of trouble. He will rescue me and I will testify of his faithfulness. Praise the Lord.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your loyalty and faithfulness. In my trouble, I will trust you. You will rescue me. I give you all the glory ahead of time. Thank you. I love you much.