Sample
Synopsis
The following submission is the result of several years of prayer, planning, and production for Sonya and me with the purpose of providing a daily devotional guide for believers – new and maturing – who are looking for inspiration from and instruction on how to study God’s Word. We have been approached by a number of Christian men and women over the years who have never been taught how to have a daily quiet time nor have they been discipled in ways that allow them to enjoy the fullness of Scripture. This devotional book is simply a walk through the Bible, looking at significant passages, with the goal of teaching students of the Word how to draw out the truths that are contained within and connecting them through prayer and meditation throughout the day. The format is unique. Start with the scripture and devotion. Spend time on the Focused Prayer as you commune with the Father. Take Today’s Focus with you throughout your day concentrating on what God is doing around you. Then, at the end of your day, come back and spend time meditating on what God has taught you. Along the way, our hope is that those who choose this guide will find comfort and strength in the journey.
Sincerely,
Bro. Ben and Sonya
Day 1
Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
In these verses, everything begins. We are introduced for the first time to the main character of the Bible – God. We see for the first time His power in action as he brings all existence into order. We see in this divine activity the first pronouncement of His love – a love so strong that it caused Him to create. And the good news is that this same divine activity is still alive and at work all around us and in us.
This passage is important to every believer. Every one of us must come to terms with the “in the beginning” of Genesis because without this foundational truth of how all things began, the believer’s faith will be easily shaken and other truths in God’s Word will be called into question.
Today, determine to rejoice that God is the beginning of all created things. He is the creator. He created all things — even you. Maybe today the Holy Spirit is urging you to seek new beginnings. Is there a calling you have been ignoring, a person you need to reach out to, or just a new beginning of being in the Word more consistently?
Focused Prayer:
Take time to meditate on those areas of your life that need a new beginning by allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal these to you. Perhaps He has already been dealing with you in these things, and you just need to put it on paper as a commitment and reminder. Sometimes, new beginnings are just the first steps in letting go of your past. List them below:
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
Now take time in focused prayer seeking the Father’s direction for today. Know that today may not be the day that changes everything, but it can be the day that begins the journey of discovery.
After your prayer time, do you feel the Spirit guiding you to focus on any particular area today? Is there a specific first step that you can take today that will start an “in the beginning” type change in your life?
Today’s Focus:
- What is the Spirit doing around you? Be especially sensitive to the thing or things you listed above.
- Focus on the Scripture today as you look for guidance. Be aware of all the activity around you. See the Father at work beginning a new thing in your life.
PM Meditation:
How well did you stay focused today? Did you see the Father at work in and around you? List a few things about today that reminded you of the Scripture you read and anything that was in response to your prayer time:
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
Remember, today was not a failure; it was the beginning. Take time to thank the Father for the walk He gave you today.
Day 2
Genesis 2:17 (ESV)
“…but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 3:6 (ESV)
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
One thing that all believers should be aware of in their walk with Christ is that He gives absolute commands, and He expects absolute obedience. Christ does not give vague instructions, nor does He leave us with unclear expectations. Adam and Eve knew exactly what they were allowed to do and what they should not do. God gave them the command, “Don’t eat the fruit from this tree.” I don’t know for sure, but I can imagine that during those long walks in the cool of the evening, reminders were given. The problem started when Adam and Eve lingered too long by that one forbidden tree. Their eyes lingered too long on the beautiful fruit. And then they engaged in conversation with the evil one. Like many of us, they lingered in the presence of temptation. God had put them together so that they might support, encourage, and protect each other. But when you linger in the presence of temptation, it grows stronger. Eve picked the fruit. Both tasted the fruit. Both swallowed the seed of sin that would be passed on to every human heart for all time.
Adam and Eve committed several sins that day. They chose to put their desires before God. They disobeyed the Father. They lied. They coveted. In their desire to be like God, they murdered the very image of God in which they were created.
Keep in mind that Adam and Eve were created to have free will. The problem was not in the Creator’s design but that the created chose to exercise their free will and take what they wanted. We, like Adam and Eve, must be fully aware of God’s expectations. What the Father called sin in His Word all those years ago is still sin today.
Focused Prayer:
Be honest before God. Adam and Eve thought they could hide from the Father. They thought they could lie to Him. It was not possible then, nor is it now. Are there temptations in your life from which you need to flee? Are you enjoying the moments in which you are lingering in the presence of temptation? Has the problem gone beyond temptation to the point of sin? What is the Father saying to you today? Write it down.
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
There is a way out, but you must see the escape the Father has provided. Confess to the Father what is going on, and He will give you the strength to resist. Either way, He is waiting to cover your sin with His Son’s precious blood. A new sacrifice is not needed, but confession is.
Today’s Focus:
- We all have temptations we struggle with most. I always say, “If sin were liver, I’d be perfect. But sin isn’t liver – it’s chocolate cake.” Take note of those things that tempt you most. Let the Father help you resist.
- Strength comes when we exercise our muscles. This is true in your spiritual life. Take every opportunity to flex – say no to the temptations today. Tomorrow it will be easier.
PM Meditation:
Did you find it easier to walk away from temptation today? Did you feel closer to the Father knowing you had confessed and accepted His forgiveness? Keep a record of each victory you experienced today, and if you stumbled, write that down, too.
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
Tonight, thank the Father for providing opportunities to escape the sin that hounds your life each day. Remember, you will never be trapped in temptation if you allow Him to deliver you. Rest tonight and rejoice that you are free.
Day 3
Genesis 3:21 (ESV)
And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.
This is a simple Scripture verse, but it holds so much love, power, and hope. Adam and Eve had destroyed God’s perfect creation. The peace they had experienced with God, along with the complete and open walk with Him, was now gone. One act of sin changed everything for all mankind for every day that followed. Every part of creation, mankind included, would now begin the journey towards death. In this journey, each individual would have to make an effort and have the desire to enjoy a relationship with the Father. But before that could happen, blood would have to be shed because without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness. Now the plan that the Father had put into place from before the creation – His plan to redeem human hearts — was set in motion, and one day Jesus would become the required sacrificial offering. His blood would cover the sin of man.
Adam and Eve suffered the consequences of their sin, but they were also able to experience the forgiveness of sin as well. As we recall the story of the encounter they had with the serpent, we see that he never told her to eat the fruit. Instead, he tempted her with the promise of all she would gain if she did. That is the very way the enemy works today: he never tells us exactly what to do. He simply dangles before us all the possibilities that our flesh desires. Like Adam and Eve, we stand and engage with the enemy of our soul, and before we know what is happening, he has us in his grip. We never intend for our actions to go too far. We never expect that the consequences will be so harsh. We believe that we will not hurt anyone but ourselves — if there is any hurt at all. But suddenly there it is: the guilt, the pain, the consequences which are often greater than we ever imagined.
The glorious part of Adam and Eve’s story is that they found forgiveness from the Father. He killed an animal. He shed the blood that would provide a covering for their sin and took the skin that would cover their bodies. He took care of their physical and spiritual need. Forgiveness was poured out and wrapped around two broken hearts and lives. Adam and Eve were not excused from their behavior; they were punished. We must always remember that there are lasting results from the original sin, and there are lasting results from our sin. But thankfully, there is also lasting forgiveness.
Focused Prayer:
During your prayer time this morning, be honest before the Father. Just like with Adam and Eve, He sees you. He is waiting for you to acknowledge that He is here. Is there unconfessed sin in your life? Is there a sin that you keep staring at, thinking about, getting ready to reach out and touch? Are you having a conversation with the enemy about how innocent this particular action is? Or have you already crossed that line? Are you having a difficult time accepting God’s forgiveness? Ask first for strength to flee any temptation that the enemy is dangling before you. I promise you, there is an open door. Give the Father your heart this morning and accept the amazing gift of forgiveness and be set free from the power with which the enemy has entangled you. Hear the Father’s voice and come to Him. What are you hearing today?
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
Take the time to confess and repent of every sin He brings to your mind. Experience the peace that He has promised to give.
Today’s Focus:
- Think about the past few months. Is there any certain temptation that comes into your life regularly? Are you having difficulty fighting that battle? If so, read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Recognize that spiritual battles require spiritual weapons.
- What actions/behaviors would be beneficial to you when those temptations come?
PM Meditation:
Did you see the doorways to escape the temptations which the enemy set before you today? Did you walk in a newness of your relationship with the Father? Make a list of things that you did wrong today as well as the things you did right.
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
If you stumbled and fell today, remember that you do not have to wait until the morning to ask the Father to forgive you. Our hope in Jesus is a 24-hour, seven day a week relationship. Talk to Him. Ask that your rest will be peaceful and your hope and strength for tomorrow will be renewed.
Day 4
Genesis 8:21 (ESV)
And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.”
What is the first thing you would have done when the doors opened on the ark and you were finally able to touch solid ground and escape the smell of all those animals? I hope we would all have been like Noah. Noah took in a cleansing breath, and then he worshipped. Noah took time to slaughter an animal, build a fire. and prepare the sacrifice for worship. The ground was most likely still a little wet and muddy, but Noah worshipped. Finding comfort was far from his mind, and the glorious response from the Father was worth it all: He accepted Noah’s worship. He found the worship pleasing. I am sure that the Father had missed this aspect of His relationship with Noah, just as He does when we fail to worship Him.
The Father wants us to live in an attitude of thankfulness and worship. The truth is that we cannot honestly worship without hearts that are thankful. When Noah stepped on the ark and the door was closed, he had no idea what was about to happen. He had heard God’s warning and responded. But when Noah stepped off the boat, he was completely aware of all that had occurred. His friends and extended family were gone. His home was gone. His business was gone. Yet Noah worshipped. We are told in 1 Thessalonians to give thanks in every circumstance because with thanks comes freedom to worship and praise God. In the worst of our moments, we should have such a close relationship with the Father that worship comes naturally. God is moved by our sincere worship. This verse goes on to say that not only did the smell of Noah’s worship and sacrifice please God, but also that it moved God to make a promise to never again curse the earth because of the evil intentions of mankind’s heart.
Focused Prayer:
What is the Father saying to you today? Are you holding back from unbridled worship? Are you unwilling to let go of your anger because someone has hurt you? Or maybe you feel that God has been unfair? Today consider all that the Father has done for us, starting with the most pleasing sacrifice that He has given — the life of His only son. He did that for you, and He wants you to be willing to offer up praise and worship and sacrifice in return so that He can inhale the pleasing aroma. Listen to the Father’s voice. What is He asking you to do today?
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
This is a great day to let go and worship the Father with all of your heart. David danced with abandonment before Him. What are you willing to do?
Today’s Focus:
- Read the story of Noah again. Think about all that God did to deliver Him through the flood. Compare that with what He has done to deliver you from your sin.
- What do you need to offer the Father as a pleasing aroma today?
PM Meditation:
Were you able to take the time to build a fire of sacrifice and worship today — in your heart of course. If not, during the morning hours, how about now? Take time to take an inventory of all you have been given and all that you have lost. We need to do both. When we take the time to see the goodness of God, we can then take the hurt and loss and lay them on the altar of sacrifice to Him. Make a list of your blessings and your pains from today.
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
As you prepare to rest, take time to quietly worship. Turn on some praise music and get your worship on. Tonight, rest in His promises your worship is a sweet aroma to His heart.
Day 5
Genesis 11:7 (ESV)
“Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.”
At first glance, and without much thought, we find this verse and those that tell the story of the Tower of Babel very confusing and maybe even a little awkward. Many things come to mind like: “Well, the world had a chance to live in one accord,” or “well that was just mean.” Maybe you have some other thoughts, but remember that all of this happened after the flood. God was not at fault here. In fact, God is never at fault; His hand is often forced to move in the human heart to bring order and perspective back in line with His perfect and Holy will. While God has given mankind free will and tremendous ability to accomplish great and grand things, what He desires is for His creation to accomplish His great and glorious will. Sadly, the people living after the flood decided to take matters into their own hands, glorify their own lives, and attempt to become god-like. They wanted to be in charge, not dependent on or at the mercy of God.
God does not inhibit our creative ideas and skills. As a matter of fact, He endowed His children with amazing talents and abilities. He continues to encourage us to become all He created us to be. The problems arise when we use our skills and talents to glorify ourselves and not Him. God was forced to intervene at the Tower of Babel for many reasons. The people were creative and, most likely, had the beginning of a mighty structure in place. The problem was not building a tower; it was the reasoning that led them to set their minds on building the tower – to reach God. No tower has ever been needed to do that. He has always been as close as a whispered prayer. Surely, they knew the story of God walking with Adam and Eve in the garden and the grace and forgiveness they received. Yes, the flood terrified them, but the grace and mercy demonstrated to Noah and his descendants was theirs to celebrate. But arrogance ruled their hearts and minds, and in their sin, they decided that God needed to be conquered — not worshipped.
Focused Prayer:
This morning, examine your own life. Are there areas that you are refusing to surrender to the Father? Are there areas of your life that you are not trusting God to control? Maybe you are using your gifts and talents, but are you using them to glorify the Father? Be honest. Is there a tower that you need to stop building? Ask the Father to show you any area of your life that you have not totally surrendered to Him? Listen and write those areas down.
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
As you pray, confess and ask Him to make you wholly and fully dependent on Him. Are there any areas where the Spirit is guiding you to focus for today?
Today’s Focus:
- In the story of the Tower of Babel, God went to great lengths to stop the people from making a huge mistake. Can you identify any ways in your life that God is working to redirect you?
- What do you need to do to get back on God’s path for your life?
PM Meditation:
As you look back over your day, did you see any blocks crumble from the towers you realized you were building? That is a great victory. Maybe the walls did not completely fall, but did God make you aware of the problem areas? That in itself is a victory. You and the Father are on the same page. He is speaking, and you are listening. Has He brought to mind anything you need to do as you start your day tomorrow?
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
Tonight praise Him for His tender mercies. Thank Him for caring so deeply about your relationship with Him. Whisper a prayer and ask Him to keep you humble and dependent on Him. It is a prayer He will answer, and you will be thrilled with the results.
Devotions for Disciples 
Leave a comment