“Your servant, who is devoted…to…You.”Ps 119:38 NKJV

The word “devotion” implies total commitment to someone—giving them your time and attention, enjoying their company, seeking to please them, and making them a priority in your life. And that should be the goal of your daily devotions. But here are two pitfalls to look out for and avoid: (1) “Me-itis.” God has promised to bless you. But when you seek His blessing instead of pursuing a relationship with Him, you become me-centered rather than Christ-centered. The truth is, you can pray until you’re blue in the face and God won’t give you certain things if you’re not mature enough to handle them. More than anything in life, Abraham wanted a son. And God gave him one. Yet when God asked him to offer his son as a sacrifice, he didn’t hesitate. Abraham proved there was nothing he loved more than God, therefore God promised to bless him and multiply all that he possessed (See Ge 22:17). Abraham became one of the most successful men in his generation, but his real claim to fame was that God referred to him as a “friend” (Isa 41:8 NKJV). (2) Being too busy. One of the dangers in working for God is that you can fail to spend time worshipping Him. The Psalmist said, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name” (Ps 29:2 NIV). The word “due” means “deserving of.” When John saw the multitudes in heaven praising God, they were singing, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power” (Rev 4:11 NIV). So start your daily devotions in praise by saying: “Lord, I’m here because You deserve to be worshipped and adored.” 

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”Jn 1:14 NKJV

Throughout the Old Testament God routinely spoke to people. In these thirty-nine books He gave them instructions, and promises with conditions. Some people understood what He was saying, others didn’t. Some tried to live by it with varying degrees of success, while others rejected it and decided to do their own thing. Then God did something truly incredible: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish” (v. 14 TM). Jesus was a living Bible! John tells us, “The Word was God” (v. 1 NKJV), so the more you get into the Word and get it into you, the more of God you’re depositing within you. You say, “But sometimes I don’t get much out of reading the Bible.” A word to the wise: When you start studying the Bible, don’t do it to find some new truth nobody else has ever seen. Do it with the attitude, “Lord, what are You saying to me?” The problem most of us have isn’t interpreting the difficult passages; it’s obeying the ones we already understand! The Word of God provides you with two things: (1) Protection. The Psalmist said, “Unless your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life” (Ps 119:92-93 NKJV). (2) Direction. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (v. 105 NKJV). Need direction? Need protection? Get into God’s Word.

23 I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. 24 Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; Not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.
Jeremiah 10:23-24

Life is like an untraveled trail with complex twists and turns. Appealing activities can be detours that lead to the quicksand of sin. And engaging philosophies may form side paths that end up in a mire of muddled thinking. Even the best route isn’t all sun-dappled meadows and quiet riverside lanes. We may at times have to journey over hard terrain or shadowed valleys. The only way to be sure we’re walking right is to follow one who knows the way perfectly.

God is the perfect, full-service Guide. No one can go wrong by keeping to the pathways He selects. Consider that He lovingly and intentionally created you for this time and this place. The Lord watches over your steps because He desires to see your purpose fulfilled and His plan come to fruition through you (Prov. 3:5-6). Therefore, He promises to counsel those who follow Him (Ps. 25:12). When God warns His children away from a tempting sidetrack, it is because He foresees the dangers that lurk on that road.
There’s a correlation between ignoring God’s guidance and ending up in trouble: the one who stumbles off course has trusted his own “sense of direction”—his emotions, desires, or personal version of morality. He’s been pursuing what feels good or looks right instead of seeking the Lord’s will.

God has mapped out the path before you. He is aware of every obstacle and miry pit, and He knows exactly which sidetracks will tempt you. What’s more, He has committed to walk beside you as a Guide and Comforter so that you never face the twists and turns of this life alone.

The Wisdom of God
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The first battle between faith and human reason took place in the garden of Eden. Spurred on by the lies of the serpent, Eve began to look at her situation from a purely logical perspective and decided she was being cheated by God out of something good. Her faith faltered as “reasonable” thoughts of self-interest filled her mind.
I am not saying that the way of faith is never logical, but by operating only on the basis of reason, a conflict with the Lord is inevitable. The reason is that His instructions and actions don’t always appear reasonable from a human perspective. Although Isaiah 55:8-9 describes God’s thoughts and ways as higher than man’s, many people judge divine ideas to be lower than human intelligence.
Paul emphasizes this when he points out that God’s choices are illogical by the world’s standards. His message of salvation seems foolish, and His messengers appear weak and unimpressive. In an age that thrives on recognition, admiration, and importance, a person who believes the Bible is considered a weakling in need of a religious crutch to cope with life. While this description is given in derision, it’s actually quite accurate. Recognizing their helplessness, believers lean on Christ so He can raise them to stand with Him in righteousness.
That day in Eden, sin and self-importance entered the human heart. But all the worldly wisdom that fuels our pride is nullified by God. He is looking not for great and impressive people but for weak, humble servants who can boast only in Christ. The Savior alone is their strength and wisdom.

8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8

God’s Spirit works in every believer. He does not limit Himself to pastors and missionaries. If you’ve received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, then residing within you is the same great power that raised Christ from the dead (Rom 8:11) The Holy Spirit pours His energy into creating godly character in all who follow the Lord.
The fruit of the Spirit is so named because it is the character and conduct that the Holy Spirit produces in believers. These are qualities that we can’t generate consistently on our own. The most powerful message we can give isn’t a testimony or sermon; it is the life we live when the pressure is on, temptation is tremendous, or we are buried under an avalanche of problems.
What the world most needs to see in this modern culture is godly families loving one another, business people working with integrity and frugality, and young men and women who choose moral purity. In a word, the world needs to be exposed to believers who are obedient.
By showing peace instead of anxiety or practicing patience rather than speaking a sharp word, a Christian bears witness to the beauty of the gospel. We attract unbelievers to Christ through our words and deeds. They may turn down a doctrine, but they cannot ignore a righteous life.
The strongest gospel message does not come from a pulpit. The most powerful witness for Jesus Christ where you work, where you live, and where you relax is you. Submit to the Holy Spirit’s work, and He will produce a great harvest of spiritual fruit in your life.