Blessed On Purpose: A Daily Devotional on Christian Living

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Copyright © 2023 by Kendall Davis

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To my wife and kids,

you are precious in Christ’s sight and

mean the world to me

Acknowledgment

I want to acknowledge my outstanding debt to those who helped form my thoughts and supported me in writing this book. I thank my wife, Makisha, and my children for always believing in me. My aunt Christine was a stranger to me when she took me and several of my older siblings out of the orphanage where we resided as youths. We all endured, but Christ was greater than any problems we faced.

I appreciate the people at Crossing Ministries in Southern California who were a constant source of support and inspiration. I want to thank the late Bishop Leon Ralph, who modeled what a spiritual man should look like and continued to push me toward Christ. I am grateful to the myriad of leaders, supporters, and spiritual friends who sent words of encouragement or acknowledged my efforts to be a blessing to the body of Christ.

Most importantly, I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is my rock and solid foundation, Who, by the Holy Spirit, instructed me throughout the process on the importance of being blessed on purpose. I devoted myself more to Him; I began to understand how we must take meaningful action to live a life that we can call blessed.

Preface

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways. I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. Psalms 119:9–16

This devotional guide is for those who love God and His word. Use it to assist your spiritual journey to draw nearer to Christ. In a world so busy, we need to take time out to calm our minds and be refreshed by the word of God. Whether you do your devotions in the morning, afternoon, or evening, Blessed on Purpose is here to assist you by explaining each verse and making them palatable so that as you read and meditate, the word will hide in your heart. I have combined a devotional format with word studies to increase our understanding and appreciation of what God is saying to us through the word. This guide can be used for personal or family devotions and as a springboard for bible studies and sermon material. The scriptures are from the World English Bible, a modern English translation of the bible.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52

Blessed on Purpose is not just a theme; it is a motto reflecting the favor we receive when we work on our growth. As we increase in wisdom, we acknowledge things helpful in drawing the Lord’s blessing. Instead of saying, I’m Blessed, we should say that we are Blessed on Purpose. Being blessed on purpose means we take responsibility for our actions, future, and favor. We position ourselves to receive the Lord’s best through healing, forgiving, loving, and serving. I encourage you to read the chapters daily and pray that God uses this guide to build you and increase your favor with God and man.

A Swinging Spirit

1 Samuel 16:14 Now Yahweh’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him.

Have you ever dealt with someone who swings between spirits? You have seen them operate under the Holy Spirit at one time, then some other spirit comes along and influences their actions. King Saul was such a man. He sought to be relieved from the irritating spirit rather than rid of it¹. David’s worship would drive the spirit away, but it was a short-term solution to a lingering problem. Saul didn’t heal, so when he sees God’s favor on David, he treats him with contempt².

Saul had a swinging spirit. Whenever he closed His heart to God, a vexing spirit would come in, but the Lord’s Spirit would return in a worship atmosphere. Maybe you know people who profess to know God, but like Saul, they treat people like dirt, switching from one spirit to another. David realized we respect Saul’s position without condoning his actions³.

The spirit of Saul is alive and well today. They are gateway people, overcome because the doors to their hearts swing both ways⁴. An uncommitted lifestyle reflects in their actions. You see God’s hand on them during worship, but elsewhere they are in the devil’s grip. David was different, and his worship lifestyle kept his heart open to the Lord⁵. When the door to our hearts is kept open to God, they are closed to Satan⁶. Worship God and serve Him only⁷ and close the gateway to the spirit of Saul.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I ask for your strength when dealing with difficult people and challenging situations. Please give me your grace to cover me when I feel attacked. I pray for a divine strategy to fight back in faith and not in the flesh. Cause my life to be one of worship, so favor rests upon me. I ask that my life will glorify you. Keep the spirit of Saul far away from me. I dedicate my life and love to you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

¹ 1 Samuel 16:23

² 1 Samuel 18:7–12

³ 1 Samuel 26:11

⁴ 2 Peter 2:19

⁵ 1 Samuel 13:14

⁶ Psalm 119: 9–11

⁷ Deuteronomy 6:4

Bitter Pleasant

Ruth 1:20 She said to them, "Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

Have you ever felt one way on the inside that others could not see on the outside? Sometimes we look strong on the outside but are broken inside. That is how Naomi felt. Her name meant To pass in beauty, meaning she was sweet and delightful.

Everyone rejoiced at her return¹, but life and loss had changed her. They thought she should be pleasant, but she was bitter. She felt no joy but instead said, call me Mara.

Mara described how the Israelites left Egypt with joy until they encountered bitter waters in the wilderness². She looked okay on the outside, but inside she was empty. Ruth felt God had judged her for leaving, and now, she returned wounded. Like Ruth, some of us are the walking wounded, isolating ourselves amid the pain.

Yet, at the waters of Marah lies the answer. As Moses threw the branch into the waters, they became sweet again. So can the one called the branch³ cleanse us from our bitterness. Though life and loss may have changed you, God will help you⁴. You can heal through this because the Branch (Christ) turns bitter to sweet. Toss the cross on your trials and experience the healing of your tears that Christ can bring.

Prayer: Lord, your word says you are close to the brokenhearted and save those crushed in spirit⁵. We ask you to bind up our wounds and bring your healing. Guide us to a place of healing. Since Christ bore our pains on the cross, we no longer must carry them. Show us how to cast them out by releasing our pain onto you. Lord, wipe away our tears. We place all situations in your hands because of your power to heal our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

¹ Ruth 1:19

² Exodus 15:22–26

³ Zechariah 3:8 & 6:12

⁴ Isaiah 43:2

⁵ Psalms 34:18

Don’t Fire It Up

Daniel 3:22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Daniel chapter 2:4b-7:28 was written in Aramaic and translated the word Chatsaph as urgent. Chatsaph means something done with rudeness and harshness. It was a decision without any wisdom or counsel that called for the colossal cauldron to be heated exceedingly¹. They exceeded the 2700 degrees it took to melt iron and gold in Nebuchadnezzar’s statue.

It took only half this much to incinerate a man, so Nebuchadnezzar’s emotional fire led to unintentional harm². Bad decisions happen when emotions dictate our judgment. When our heart is out of balance with our head, we tend to ignore massive facts that would have directed our choices. Rarely does anything good come from a wrong decision.³

When our hearts follow God, we trust it, but we get off course when it follows anything else. Making a life decision when angry or emotional may cost you dearly⁴. Our propensity to overlook truth to ease our feelings causes us to fall into the fire of regret⁵. When you get worked up, don’t act. Just slow down, pray, and give it to God. He will direct your path⁶.

Prayer: Lord, I ask you to open my spiritual eyes to see who and what is before me. Your word says that when I lack wisdom, you give it generously and without reproach. When difficult decisions and strong emotions weigh on me, grant me your peace and discernment. Keep your loving eye on me and counsel me to bring me out rather than take me in. I ask you to reveal the plans against me and that I will see your presence wherever I walk. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

¹ Daniel 3:1–6

² Proverbs 29:11

³ James 1:20

⁴ Psalm 37:8

⁵ Proverbs 16:3

⁶ Proverbs 3:5–6

The Safe Place

Psalm 91:9–10 Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.

Psalm 91 is a prayer song of protection. Millions have affirmed their faith and covered themselves in God’s word simply by substituting reflective pronouns like you and replacing them with either their name or the personal pronoun I during their prayer time. There is power in God’s word¹, and we call this practice praying the scriptures.

There is only one place where the scriptures have guaranteed our protection, and that is when we run to God for shelter². The Hebrew word Chasah, translated as refuge, denotes a shelter or refuge we run to when we don’t have the strength to deliver ourselves. It is sometimes translated as trust and is used to reference the cities of refuge where people would run for safety³.

Creating a safe place doesn’t happen by accident. It must be built and run to in times of trouble. God has made Himself our safe space. We are safe not because of the absence of danger but because of the presence of God. Our safest place is in the will of God. There is no protection outside of the sphere of His promise. Run to God according to His word, and you will find safety and rest for your soul.  

Prayer: Lord, I dwell under your shelter, be my refuge and fortress. I trust you to save me from the fowler’s trap and protect me from the plague. Let your grace covers my life in Jesus’ name. I will have confidence in you when the enemy targets everyone around me. Though thousands may fall, I shall only witness it with my eyes, for I am under your protection. Give angels charge over me to guide me in all my ways because I call on your name. I ask that you hear me and answer as you sustain me with long life and show me your salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

¹ Hebrews 4:12

² Psalm 91:1–2

³ Numbers 35:9–15

All from Him

2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God.

There’s a saying that Jesus doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. This means He takes unqualified, uneducated, and unexpected people¹ and gives them the power to do God’s will on earth. Often, Christ taught His disciples more about the heart than the head. Sometimes they didn’t understand what He said² Many of them were rough around the edges and came from backgrounds that people rejected. But what man rejects, God elects.

The Greek word Hikanos means to come to or attain and deals with being more than enough for whatever is before you. You are sufficient, but you must believe it because we never go higher than our faith. Many highly skilled and gifted people don’t make it, and it’s not a question of their talent but a lack of confidence that causes it.

God is growing us up³. It’s not cocky to be confident in the Lord. I may not trust my power, but I can trust God’s power. When our sufficiency comes from the Lord, He makes us more than enough for any task. Speak what you believe⁴, for God makes you more than enough, for He has all power. Know that you can do everything through Christ, who strengthens you⁵. Be confident and be blessed.

Prayer: Lord, I trust you, for you are my help. I ask that you watch over me and restore my strength. Thank you for the doors you will open when people say I am unqualified. Through your grace and guidance, you make me shine. I ask for your continual favor in my life and that you guard my steps so I will not jump ahead of you. I am sufficient in you, for it’s your ability that I rely on and not just my own. I ask you to continue to move in my life with your favor always surrounding my family and me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

¹ Acts 4:13

² Mark 4:13

³ Ephesians 4:13

⁴ 2 Corinthians 4:13

⁵ Philippians 4:13

The New Levites

Isaiah 66:21 Of them I will also select priests and Levites," says Yahweh.

Have you heard of the new Levites? In the last days, people from all nations will do God’s will, declare His glory, and bring many to worship YHWH. Together with returning Jews, the Lord will assign some who were not priests to be priests and some who were not born as Levites to be Levites and serve Him¹.

Is this a new teaching? No, it wasn’t the first time God would have to replenish the priestly ranks with those who had consecrated themselves². However, this time He would replenish both the Aaronic priesthood and Levitical order, with some who were not descendants of Levi. The new Levites would be those called out to serve God in the end times.

People ask, who gives us the right to serve as priests and Levites today? Well, God does. Our sovereign God chooses whoever He desires³. Our Messiah, Jesus, is the High priest of a different order⁴. But who are His new covenant priest and workers serving by building the Spirits temple⁵? We are, so why are we sitting around? The Lord is calling the new Levites to serve. Let he who has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the churches. God bless.

Prayer: God, you have called for new priests and Levites to serve where there is a lack. I pray you send workers into your harvest who will reap souls for the kingdom. Use me mightily and fulfill my purpose in you. I pray that you give me authority over the dark forces that try to work iniquity and that your healing power is with me. Lord, I consecrate myself for your work. Send me to do your will. I pray that your hand is upon me and that I will overcome all obstacles and serve you with gladness of heart, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

¹ Isaiah 66:18–21

² 2 Chronicles 29:34

³ Romans 9:15–18

⁴ Psalms 110:4, Hebrews 6:20

⁵ 1 Corinthians 3:16

Formed and Filled

Genesis 1:2 The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.

When God created the world was Tohu wa Bohu, this Hebrew phrase means formless and void. The rhythmic words Tohu and Bohu to describe the world give a poetic thrust to God’s work over two three-day periods of forming¹ and filling².

On day one, God forms the expanse of the heavens and fills them on day four, revealing the sun, moon, and stars. On day two, God forms the seas and sky, then fills them with fish and birds on day five. On the third day, God forms dry land, which He teems with animal life on day six, eventually culminating in the creation of humanity, to which He gives authority over everything else created on days five and six³.

Many want God to fill us first before forming us, but that works against His created order. When we get saved, God forms our commitment before filling us with His Spirit⁴. He begins to form our character before filling us with a purpose⁵ and our hope before filling us with an attitude of abundance⁶. Never give up because our struggles are God’s work of forming, and blessings are His work of filling. After He forms you first, He will fill what He has formed. God bless.

Prayer: Sovereign God, I pray that you protect the process of forming us into a new creation. It is your hand that we desire to shape us as a master potter who gently forms a new vessel on the wheel. Cause me to understand the seasons of forming and filling in my life. Change me so I will have a different attitude when I come through, filled with a fresh anointing, new purpose, understanding, and vision. Lord, I submit to you; cause my life to overflow with your goodness, manifesting spiritual fruit. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

¹ Genesis 1:3–13

² Genesis 1:14–25

³ Genesis 1:26–28

⁴ Acts 2:38–39

⁵ Matthew 3:8

⁶ Ephesians 1:18

Forget Me – Forget Me Nots

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.

How wonderful it is that the Lord blots out our transgressions¹. Not because of us but just because of who He is. When we blot something out, we cover it with something that makes it not seen.

That thing remains underneath, but the blotting causes what was covered to be unrecognizable. We know our cover-ups, but when we take them to God in repentance, He blots them out and will no longer look upon them.

An all-knowing God cannot forget your sins. But what He can do is remember them no more. Remembering deals with things we bring back up. We may struggle to let things go, but God doesn’t. He knows our wrongdoings but once covered, He lets them go². That means He won’t remind you of it, won’t hold it against you, and will treat you like you have been innocent the whole time.

Get rid of what God has released. Rehearsing your past wrongs does no one any good. What makes the difference is what we do now. God has given us new mercies³, and we should live for Him in the now. God removes our sins⁴, so we can move forward and do what He calls for today. May the Lord’s favor rise upon you.

Prayer: Lord, we come before you bowing the knee in submission, praying together for help in letting go. Aid me in being rid of all worries, doubts, fears, and disappointments that try to take residence in my mind. I rebuke the spirit of frustration, anger, resentment, and emotional pain. I place the battle in your hands to fight. The plans of the enemy will not succeed for Your namesake. Cause my next steps to be greater than my past steps. Fill my days with appointments of grace, and show me your mighty hand. I love you, Lord, and call your word as a witness. Release even the remnants of me holding onto past sins in my life. Blot out every transgression and destroy the schemes against me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

¹ Isaiah 44:22

² Psalm 51:9

³ Lamentations 3:22–23

⁴ Psalms 103:12

Death of a Seed

John 12:23–24 Jesus answered them, "The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Death is a time of grieving, but Jesus