Scripture:
I Kings 8:60 "so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other".
Observation:
Solomon was in the process of dedicating the palace and the incredible temple he had build for the Lord. At the dedication, he basically prayed that God would hear all of the prayers prayed toward the temple. He prayed that God would hear the people when they turned away and were repenting. Here, he was asking God to hear his prayers and the prayers of his people "so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other". He wanted the world to know how amazing God was.
Application:
We love to build things for ourselves and to show people what we have done. We need to be more like Solomon who did extraordinary things, yet wanted God to be glorified through it. May we have a desire that in everything we do that we represent the King of Kings and may we want the whole earth to know that the Lord is God and that there is no other god like him. May we live our lives to bring glory and honor to the Lord so that the world around us may see His awesomeness.
Prayer:
Lord, let my life bring you praise and honor. Help me live so that the world will see how amazing You are. Help me to live and extraordinary life so that You will be glorified. I want the supernatural blessing of God on my life that I may brag about how awesome You are.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Just as He Had Promised
Scripture:
I Kings 5:12 "The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, just as He had promised him".
Observation:
Solomon had asked God for wisdom and God said He would give him wisdom and understanding as well as riches and wealth and honor. According to this verse, Solomon received what the Lord told him he would get. God is faithful to His promises! He can be trusted.
Application:
If God said it...we can believe it will come to pass. He comes through on His promises! He is faithful and just. Just as Solomon received exactly what the Lord told him he would receive, we will receive exactly what the Lord promised us we would receive. It may not be in our timing or in the way we wanted it, but the Lord will do what He says He will do. He will do "just what He promised". Today is not the day to give up, but to keep on believing that the promise will come to pass.
Prayer:
Lord, You have promised me some things in my lifetime. Thank you for reminding me this morning that You are faithful to Your promises to us. You are God and You can be trusted to do what You say You will do. Give me faith and patience to inherit the promises in Your season.
Yours,
Jeff
I Kings 5:12 "The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, just as He had promised him".
Observation:
Solomon had asked God for wisdom and God said He would give him wisdom and understanding as well as riches and wealth and honor. According to this verse, Solomon received what the Lord told him he would get. God is faithful to His promises! He can be trusted.
Application:
If God said it...we can believe it will come to pass. He comes through on His promises! He is faithful and just. Just as Solomon received exactly what the Lord told him he would receive, we will receive exactly what the Lord promised us we would receive. It may not be in our timing or in the way we wanted it, but the Lord will do what He says He will do. He will do "just what He promised". Today is not the day to give up, but to keep on believing that the promise will come to pass.
Prayer:
Lord, You have promised me some things in my lifetime. Thank you for reminding me this morning that You are faithful to Your promises to us. You are God and You can be trusted to do what You say You will do. Give me faith and patience to inherit the promises in Your season.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
What to Ask God For
Scripture:
I Kings 3:9 "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
Observation:
Solomon had a dream and in the dream God told him to ask for whatever he wanted. He could have asked for gold or silver or any luxury in the world, but Solomon asked for a discerning heart to govern God's people. Rather than asking for selfish pleasures, he asked for a heart to govern God's people well. In response to Solomon's humble answer, God gave him his request as well as made him the richest man ever to live.
Application:
Often, we ask God for provision, protection, to bless us, etc. Seldom do most of us ask God for a heart to serve his people well. We should be asking God how to do all He wants us to do instead of asking Him to bless us with a new house or car. We should be focused on accomplishing God's will with excellence instead of how we can be blessed.
Prayer:
Lord, let my heart be true and honest. Help me to ask You for the right things. I want to lead Your people well. Give me a heart to know what to do next so that Your kingdom may come in greater dimension in the lives of those around me.
Yours,
Jeff
I Kings 3:9 "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
Observation:
Solomon had a dream and in the dream God told him to ask for whatever he wanted. He could have asked for gold or silver or any luxury in the world, but Solomon asked for a discerning heart to govern God's people. Rather than asking for selfish pleasures, he asked for a heart to govern God's people well. In response to Solomon's humble answer, God gave him his request as well as made him the richest man ever to live.
Application:
Often, we ask God for provision, protection, to bless us, etc. Seldom do most of us ask God for a heart to serve his people well. We should be asking God how to do all He wants us to do instead of asking Him to bless us with a new house or car. We should be focused on accomplishing God's will with excellence instead of how we can be blessed.
Prayer:
Lord, let my heart be true and honest. Help me to ask You for the right things. I want to lead Your people well. Give me a heart to know what to do next so that Your kingdom may come in greater dimension in the lives of those around me.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
A Door of Opposition
Scripture:
I Corinthians 16:8-9 "But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me".
Observation:
As Paul was closing his letter to the Corinthians, he makes a statement about what his plans were. He told them he was going to stay in Ephesus because he had a great door opened and that there were many who opposed him. Here we see Paul not running from opposition, but to it. We see Paul seeing a door of opportunity and people opposing him as the same thing. Most of us think of an open door by God meaning that everything is going to go well and everyone is going to love us. We think open doors mean everything is going to be perfectly smooth. Paul saw it differently.
Application:
Most believer today feel like if something is of God, there will be no opposition and everything will go extremely smoothly. Sometimes, in fact, God's door of opportunity will come with opposition. We always seem to think that God's way is always going to be the easiest, when it may be the hardest. We need to realize that not all opposition is bad.
Prayer:
Father God, help me see with Your perspective. Help me know Your will and not to see opposition as a sign that I am not in your will. Help me know Your voice and follow it completely, into good things and into opposition.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
I Corinthians 16:8-9 "But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me".
Observation:
As Paul was closing his letter to the Corinthians, he makes a statement about what his plans were. He told them he was going to stay in Ephesus because he had a great door opened and that there were many who opposed him. Here we see Paul not running from opposition, but to it. We see Paul seeing a door of opportunity and people opposing him as the same thing. Most of us think of an open door by God meaning that everything is going to go well and everyone is going to love us. We think open doors mean everything is going to be perfectly smooth. Paul saw it differently.
Application:
Most believer today feel like if something is of God, there will be no opposition and everything will go extremely smoothly. Sometimes, in fact, God's door of opportunity will come with opposition. We always seem to think that God's way is always going to be the easiest, when it may be the hardest. We need to realize that not all opposition is bad.
Prayer:
Father God, help me see with Your perspective. Help me know Your will and not to see opposition as a sign that I am not in your will. Help me know Your voice and follow it completely, into good things and into opposition.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Mere Humans
Scripture:
I Corinthians 3:3 "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?"
Observation:
Paul is writing to the Corinthians about their behavior as believers. He just finished calling them babies who have not grown up, then he goes on to describe their behavior of jealousy and quarreling. He closes his statements concerning this with a question: "Are you not acting like mere humans?". In other words, we are not suppose to act like everyone else...We are not to be like "mere humans".
Application:
As believers, we are not suppose to live like everyone else around us. They are mere humans! We have been given the Spirit of God to live within us. We are not mere humans, but children of the living God with the Holy Spirit controlling our lives if we let Him. We are not to live like mere humans, our lives should stand out in the crowd!
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me not to live like a mere human any more. Help me live a supernatural life in every way because I serve a supernatural God who empowers me to live for Him. Teach me to walk in the Spirit and not live like a mere human.
Yours,
Jeff
I Corinthians 3:3 "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?"
Observation:
Paul is writing to the Corinthians about their behavior as believers. He just finished calling them babies who have not grown up, then he goes on to describe their behavior of jealousy and quarreling. He closes his statements concerning this with a question: "Are you not acting like mere humans?". In other words, we are not suppose to act like everyone else...We are not to be like "mere humans".
Application:
As believers, we are not suppose to live like everyone else around us. They are mere humans! We have been given the Spirit of God to live within us. We are not mere humans, but children of the living God with the Holy Spirit controlling our lives if we let Him. We are not to live like mere humans, our lives should stand out in the crowd!
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me not to live like a mere human any more. Help me live a supernatural life in every way because I serve a supernatural God who empowers me to live for Him. Teach me to walk in the Spirit and not live like a mere human.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, May 22, 2014
God Saves the Humble
Scripture:
II Samuel 22:28 "You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low".
Observation:
David was singing of how awesome God is and how God defeated all of his enemies. David understood that God saves the humble and He brings the haughty low. David understood that to be great in God and to have God work on your behalf, humility was the only thing that was going to get the job done. His full and complete reliance was on the Lord.
Application:
God wants us to have the heart of a David. He wants us to walk in humility, knowing that every battle won was by His grace and not our own hard work. He wants all the praise in every situation. When we walk humbly before God, He has promised to raise us up. When we walk in pride and arrogance of heart, the Lord is actually in opposition to us. We must learn humility before God.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to walk with You like David did. Help me to trust You more and more. Teach me to humble myself and give all honor to You. Without You, my life is empty and void. With You my life is full of meaning. I need You desperately.
Yours,
Jeff
II Samuel 22:28 "You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low".
Observation:
David was singing of how awesome God is and how God defeated all of his enemies. David understood that God saves the humble and He brings the haughty low. David understood that to be great in God and to have God work on your behalf, humility was the only thing that was going to get the job done. His full and complete reliance was on the Lord.
Application:
God wants us to have the heart of a David. He wants us to walk in humility, knowing that every battle won was by His grace and not our own hard work. He wants all the praise in every situation. When we walk humbly before God, He has promised to raise us up. When we walk in pride and arrogance of heart, the Lord is actually in opposition to us. We must learn humility before God.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to walk with You like David did. Help me to trust You more and more. Teach me to humble myself and give all honor to You. Without You, my life is empty and void. With You my life is full of meaning. I need You desperately.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Is the Young Man Absalom Safe?
Scripture:
II Samuel 18:29 "The king asked, 'Is the young man Absalom safe?'"
Observation:
Absalom was in the process of trying to overthrow his father and take his kingdom away from him. David basically walked away and let his son have the kingdom, yet his son pursued him to kill him and his troops. When David realized there was no way around some battles, he told his guys to make sure not to harm Absalom. Absalom was killed and when the two messengers came to give the new, the first words out of David's mouth was, "Is the young man Absalom safe?"
Application:
A father's love is truly incredible. While his son was trying to overthrow David's kingdom, David was trying to make sure Absalom was okay. His total focus was on whether Absalom was safe or not. Though this was not a good battle strategy and leadership move, David was concerned about his son. May the parents of today have this deep concern for their children. May some dads rise up and love their children above their own positions of influence.
Prayer:
Lord, let me be a great father to my sons. Help me not to be an enabler, but to guide them and show them a better way. Show me proper balance of love and discipline. Walk with me Holy Spirit and instruct me in the way I raise my sons.
Yours,
Jeff
II Samuel 18:29 "The king asked, 'Is the young man Absalom safe?'"
Observation:
Absalom was in the process of trying to overthrow his father and take his kingdom away from him. David basically walked away and let his son have the kingdom, yet his son pursued him to kill him and his troops. When David realized there was no way around some battles, he told his guys to make sure not to harm Absalom. Absalom was killed and when the two messengers came to give the new, the first words out of David's mouth was, "Is the young man Absalom safe?"
Application:
A father's love is truly incredible. While his son was trying to overthrow David's kingdom, David was trying to make sure Absalom was okay. His total focus was on whether Absalom was safe or not. Though this was not a good battle strategy and leadership move, David was concerned about his son. May the parents of today have this deep concern for their children. May some dads rise up and love their children above their own positions of influence.
Prayer:
Lord, let me be a great father to my sons. Help me not to be an enabler, but to guide them and show them a better way. Show me proper balance of love and discipline. Walk with me Holy Spirit and instruct me in the way I raise my sons.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
It May Be
Scripture:
II Samuel 16:12 "It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore his covenant blessing instead of his curse today".
Observation:
David was leaving his palace and fleeing for this life because his son Absalom had declared himself to be king. David didn't fight for his rights as king. He didn't argue his case. He let the Lord work. Even when it seemed like God was not helping David in this uprising, David's faith said, "It may be" that God will bless me today and take away the curse. Even when he was apparently defeated and dethroned, he said "it may be".
Application:
Faith never quits! We must learn from David that God has our battles and God has our back. David allowed God to fight his battles and wanted God's will more than anything else. When life gets tough for us and we feel like God has responded to our prayers the way we would like him to, we should say, "it may be" that God will turn things around for us today. Today may be the day when God's blessing overflows my life.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to be a man of faith. I want to trust you fully and completely. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. When things are going wrong, help me say, "it may be" that God will turn things around today, instead of just seeing the bad side of things around me.
Your Son,
Jeff
II Samuel 16:12 "It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore his covenant blessing instead of his curse today".
Observation:
David was leaving his palace and fleeing for this life because his son Absalom had declared himself to be king. David didn't fight for his rights as king. He didn't argue his case. He let the Lord work. Even when it seemed like God was not helping David in this uprising, David's faith said, "It may be" that God will bless me today and take away the curse. Even when he was apparently defeated and dethroned, he said "it may be".
Application:
Faith never quits! We must learn from David that God has our battles and God has our back. David allowed God to fight his battles and wanted God's will more than anything else. When life gets tough for us and we feel like God has responded to our prayers the way we would like him to, we should say, "it may be" that God will turn things around for us today. Today may be the day when God's blessing overflows my life.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to be a man of faith. I want to trust you fully and completely. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. When things are going wrong, help me say, "it may be" that God will turn things around today, instead of just seeing the bad side of things around me.
Your Son,
Jeff
Friday, May 16, 2014
Inquire of the Lord
Scripture:
II Samuel 2:1 "In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. 'Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?' he asked. The Lord said, 'Go up.' David asked, 'Where shall I go?' 'To Hebron', the Lord answered."
Observation:
David was first and foremost a man of God. He never acted on his own, rather he asked God every step of the way. Over and over the Bible says, "David inquired of the Lord". The beauty of this is that the Lord always answered David clearly and gave him the direction he needed. He never attacked an enemy because he felt like it, but rather he would inquire of the Lord and if the Lord said go for it, he would go.
Application:
As New Testament believers, we have been given the Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, and show us things to come. We should be more like David and seek His counsel before heading into projects, tasks, battles, etc. David got answers because he asked. We need to ask for God's direction more and more and listen for His voice before we move on things.
Prayer:
Lord, open my ears to hear you more clearly. Teach me to seek You more and more each day. I need You and only want to do what You want done. Help me to follow Your voice more closely and do what You say. Help me distinguish better what is You and what is me.
Yours,
Jeff
II Samuel 2:1 "In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. 'Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?' he asked. The Lord said, 'Go up.' David asked, 'Where shall I go?' 'To Hebron', the Lord answered."
Observation:
David was first and foremost a man of God. He never acted on his own, rather he asked God every step of the way. Over and over the Bible says, "David inquired of the Lord". The beauty of this is that the Lord always answered David clearly and gave him the direction he needed. He never attacked an enemy because he felt like it, but rather he would inquire of the Lord and if the Lord said go for it, he would go.
Application:
As New Testament believers, we have been given the Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, and show us things to come. We should be more like David and seek His counsel before heading into projects, tasks, battles, etc. David got answers because he asked. We need to ask for God's direction more and more and listen for His voice before we move on things.
Prayer:
Lord, open my ears to hear you more clearly. Teach me to seek You more and more each day. I need You and only want to do what You want done. Help me to follow Your voice more closely and do what You say. Help me distinguish better what is You and what is me.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Finding Strength
Scripture:
I Samuel 30:6 "David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God."
Observation:
David had led his soldiers into battle and when they arrived home, they realized their wives and children were taken captive and their city was burned. Of course they blamed David because it would not have happened if they didn't go away. They wanted to stone him but the Bible records "David found strength in the Lord his God".
Application:
Our strength is found in the Lord our God. When everyone seems to be against us and nothing seems to be going right, we need to press into the Lord and let Him be the source of our strength. When everyone is against us and we feel like giving up, that is the time to seek the Lord and receive His strength. David did what he felt the Lord wanted him to do by pursuing the troops, then he received the strength he needed from the Lord because he had walked in obedience.
Prayer:
Lord God, Strengthen me today. This has not been an easy time for me and I need Your strength. Help me fulfill Your will for my life in every area and give me wisdom to do the right thing at the right time. Strengthen my inner man today.
Yours,
Jeff
I Samuel 30:6 "David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God."
Observation:
David had led his soldiers into battle and when they arrived home, they realized their wives and children were taken captive and their city was burned. Of course they blamed David because it would not have happened if they didn't go away. They wanted to stone him but the Bible records "David found strength in the Lord his God".
Application:
Our strength is found in the Lord our God. When everyone seems to be against us and nothing seems to be going right, we need to press into the Lord and let Him be the source of our strength. When everyone is against us and we feel like giving up, that is the time to seek the Lord and receive His strength. David did what he felt the Lord wanted him to do by pursuing the troops, then he received the strength he needed from the Lord because he had walked in obedience.
Prayer:
Lord God, Strengthen me today. This has not been an easy time for me and I need Your strength. Help me fulfill Your will for my life in every area and give me wisdom to do the right thing at the right time. Strengthen my inner man today.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
When Your Enemies Praise You
Scripture:
I Samuel 26:25 "Then Saul said to David, 'May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph'. So David went on his way, and Saul returned home".
Observation:
Saul had been chasing David and wanting to kill him. Twice David had the opportunity to kill Saul in the process, but David refused to lay a hand on the Lord's anointed. When Saul encounters David and sees the purity of David's heart, he tells him "you will do great things and surely triumph". He knew David was going to win out in the long run, even though he was personally trying to kill him. He knew God would honor David for his pure heart.
Application:
We should live our lives so that even our enemies know God is going to bless us. When we walk in purity of heart, God fights our battles and brings forth victory. We should focus on living lives that are pleasing to Him instead of fighting our own battles and trying to defeat all our enemies. When He is pleased with us, victory is ours.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are amazing and wonderful. You have blessed my life over and over again. Thank you for working on my behalf and fighting my enemies. Thank you for meeting every need and taking good care of me as I try to serve You. Help me follow Your voice and fulfill Your will in my life.
Yours,
Jeff
I Samuel 26:25 "Then Saul said to David, 'May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph'. So David went on his way, and Saul returned home".
Observation:
Saul had been chasing David and wanting to kill him. Twice David had the opportunity to kill Saul in the process, but David refused to lay a hand on the Lord's anointed. When Saul encounters David and sees the purity of David's heart, he tells him "you will do great things and surely triumph". He knew David was going to win out in the long run, even though he was personally trying to kill him. He knew God would honor David for his pure heart.
Application:
We should live our lives so that even our enemies know God is going to bless us. When we walk in purity of heart, God fights our battles and brings forth victory. We should focus on living lives that are pleasing to Him instead of fighting our own battles and trying to defeat all our enemies. When He is pleased with us, victory is ours.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are amazing and wonderful. You have blessed my life over and over again. Thank you for working on my behalf and fighting my enemies. Thank you for meeting every need and taking good care of me as I try to serve You. Help me follow Your voice and fulfill Your will in my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
The Lord's Battle
Scripture:
I Samuel 24:12 "May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you".
Observation:
David continually allowed the Lord to fight his battles. When he had opportunity to kill King Saul, who was pursuing him to kill him, he didn't take it. He wanted the Lord to fight his battle, but he refused to take things into his own hands. He left punishment for what Saul had done to him in the hands of God and refused to take vengeance himself.
Application:
We are to learn to be like David. It is not my job to right every wrong. It is God's job to fight our battles, but we tend to get involved and try to help the Lord out because He may not bring justice and judgment fast enough. David refused to take matters into his own hands. He waited on the Lord to fight his battles and right his wrongs. We must learn this from David.
Prayer:
Father, help me to learn this lesson from David. I want to trust You more. Help me to release and love people who are hurting me and let You deal with them in Your time. I want to in closer relationship to You. Help me hear your voice more clearly every day.
Yours,
Jeff
I Samuel 24:12 "May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you".
Observation:
David continually allowed the Lord to fight his battles. When he had opportunity to kill King Saul, who was pursuing him to kill him, he didn't take it. He wanted the Lord to fight his battle, but he refused to take things into his own hands. He left punishment for what Saul had done to him in the hands of God and refused to take vengeance himself.
Application:
We are to learn to be like David. It is not my job to right every wrong. It is God's job to fight our battles, but we tend to get involved and try to help the Lord out because He may not bring justice and judgment fast enough. David refused to take matters into his own hands. He waited on the Lord to fight his battles and right his wrongs. We must learn this from David.
Prayer:
Father, help me to learn this lesson from David. I want to trust You more. Help me to release and love people who are hurting me and let You deal with them in Your time. I want to in closer relationship to You. Help me hear your voice more clearly every day.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, May 12, 2014
God's Turnarounds
Scripture"
I Samuel 21:9 "The priest replied, 'The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one'".
Observation:
David had been faithful and fought battles for Saul. He was being pursued by the man he had served with a clean heart and king Saul wanted to kill David. David had fled his presence with nothing and went to Nob. At Nob he tried to get some weapons and the only weapon available was the sword of Goliath, who David had killed before. God took a past victory of David's and used it to provide a weapon for his present dilemma and future problems. He didn't only provide a sword, but the sword of one one of the greatest warriors ever, who David had slain.
Application:
God can turn any situation around and amaze us with how He does it. He saved the sword of Goliath and gave it back to David at the time when he needed it most. When David was being pursued by Saul, all he had to do was look at his side to be reminded of how God had used him in the past. God gave David a great reminder that He was with him by giving him this sword. When we fully rely on God, He will use divine set ups in our lives to make sure we have everything we need to defeat the enemies in our lives.
Prayer:
Father, help me to remember the victories of the past when I am faced with present realities that may not be the greatest. Help me remember that You can turn any situation around and will provide everything I need for whatever battle I am in. You are truly amazing!
Yours Forever,
Jeff
I Samuel 21:9 "The priest replied, 'The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one'".
Observation:
David had been faithful and fought battles for Saul. He was being pursued by the man he had served with a clean heart and king Saul wanted to kill David. David had fled his presence with nothing and went to Nob. At Nob he tried to get some weapons and the only weapon available was the sword of Goliath, who David had killed before. God took a past victory of David's and used it to provide a weapon for his present dilemma and future problems. He didn't only provide a sword, but the sword of one one of the greatest warriors ever, who David had slain.
Application:
God can turn any situation around and amaze us with how He does it. He saved the sword of Goliath and gave it back to David at the time when he needed it most. When David was being pursued by Saul, all he had to do was look at his side to be reminded of how God had used him in the past. God gave David a great reminder that He was with him by giving him this sword. When we fully rely on God, He will use divine set ups in our lives to make sure we have everything we need to defeat the enemies in our lives.
Prayer:
Father, help me to remember the victories of the past when I am faced with present realities that may not be the greatest. Help me remember that You can turn any situation around and will provide everything I need for whatever battle I am in. You are truly amazing!
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Friday, May 9, 2014
Stand Still and See
Scripture:
I Samuel 12:16 "Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!"
Observation:
Samuel is addressing the people of Israel concerning their sin of asking for a king to reign over them like the other nations had. He put his ministry on the line and told them he was going to ask God for thunder and rain. He told them to watch the Lord work on his behalf and the Lord did exactly what Samuel said He would do. He told them, "stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes".
Application:
Samuel had seen God fulfill His word to him over and over. As a matter of fact, the word tells us that God never let any of Samuel's words fall to the ground. He knew God would come through and confirm that he was still a prophet of God and his words still powerful. He was confident in his place of service. May we be as confident in the Lord as Samuel was. With victories comes confidence. Samuel was confident in God and we should be as well.
Prayer:
Father, help me walk in confidence, knowing what You are about to do and speaking it confidently. Show me things to come and help me be a strong leader of Your people. Teach me to walk in faith and be strong.
Yours, Jeff
I Samuel 12:16 "Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!"
Observation:
Samuel is addressing the people of Israel concerning their sin of asking for a king to reign over them like the other nations had. He put his ministry on the line and told them he was going to ask God for thunder and rain. He told them to watch the Lord work on his behalf and the Lord did exactly what Samuel said He would do. He told them, "stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes".
Application:
Samuel had seen God fulfill His word to him over and over. As a matter of fact, the word tells us that God never let any of Samuel's words fall to the ground. He knew God would come through and confirm that he was still a prophet of God and his words still powerful. He was confident in his place of service. May we be as confident in the Lord as Samuel was. With victories comes confidence. Samuel was confident in God and we should be as well.
Prayer:
Father, help me walk in confidence, knowing what You are about to do and speaking it confidently. Show me things to come and help me be a strong leader of Your people. Teach me to walk in faith and be strong.
Yours, Jeff
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Ebenezer
Scripture:
I Samuel 7:12 "The Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us'".
Observation:
As Samuel led Israel for many years, he saw the hand of the Lord taking care of them, defeating their enemies and providing for them. He knew it was the Lord and not someone else or even his own good leadership. He set up a stone as a stone of remembrance and names it Ebenezer, "Thus far the Lord has helped us". He made a memorial to the Lord that he could look back on and remember that God was helping them.
Application:
We need to set up memorials that show how the Lord has helped us. We need to look back at times and remember how God has helped us in the past. This increases our faith for the future. We need to set up some markers in our lives that we can look back to which demonstrate how God has been with us. so that when times get rough, we can show how God has brought us through before.
Prayer:
Lord God, help me set up some stones of remembrance. Teach me the importance of giving You glory for bringing us this far. You have truly blessed my life over and over. You have delivered me so many times from difficult times. You have blessed me over and over. Help me never take Your blessings for granted.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
I Samuel 7:12 "The Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us'".
Observation:
As Samuel led Israel for many years, he saw the hand of the Lord taking care of them, defeating their enemies and providing for them. He knew it was the Lord and not someone else or even his own good leadership. He set up a stone as a stone of remembrance and names it Ebenezer, "Thus far the Lord has helped us". He made a memorial to the Lord that he could look back on and remember that God was helping them.
Application:
We need to set up memorials that show how the Lord has helped us. We need to look back at times and remember how God has helped us in the past. This increases our faith for the future. We need to set up some markers in our lives that we can look back to which demonstrate how God has been with us. so that when times get rough, we can show how God has brought us through before.
Prayer:
Lord God, help me set up some stones of remembrance. Teach me the importance of giving You glory for bringing us this far. You have truly blessed my life over and over. You have delivered me so many times from difficult times. You have blessed me over and over. Help me never take Your blessings for granted.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Instruments of Righteousness
Scripture:
Romans 6:13 "Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness".
Observation:
Paul is writing here about being dead to sin and alive to God and righteousness. He has talked about the Law and being justified by obedience to it. Now he is talking about how to live right in God's kingdom. He uses the illustration of an instrument and tells us we are either instruments of wickedness or an instrument of righteousness.
Application:
An instrument has no power on its own. It sounds good or bad based on who is playing it. It can make terrible sounds when played by someone who doesn't know what they are doing. The owner of the instrument makes the instrument sound good or bad. We must give our lives to God and let Him live through us to make our lives a beautiful sound. We are to offer every part of ourselves into the master's hands so that we become instruments of righteousness. It is He that does the work, but we must offer ourselves to Him completely.
Prayer:
Father, I offer You my life today. Play the instrument called my life today. I ask You to bring Yourself glory through me. I place myself in Your hands. Work in me and help me become all You want me to be. Flow through my life.
Your Son,
Jeff
Romans 6:13 "Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness".
Observation:
Paul is writing here about being dead to sin and alive to God and righteousness. He has talked about the Law and being justified by obedience to it. Now he is talking about how to live right in God's kingdom. He uses the illustration of an instrument and tells us we are either instruments of wickedness or an instrument of righteousness.
Application:
An instrument has no power on its own. It sounds good or bad based on who is playing it. It can make terrible sounds when played by someone who doesn't know what they are doing. The owner of the instrument makes the instrument sound good or bad. We must give our lives to God and let Him live through us to make our lives a beautiful sound. We are to offer every part of ourselves into the master's hands so that we become instruments of righteousness. It is He that does the work, but we must offer ourselves to Him completely.
Prayer:
Father, I offer You my life today. Play the instrument called my life today. I ask You to bring Yourself glory through me. I place myself in Your hands. Work in me and help me become all You want me to be. Flow through my life.
Your Son,
Jeff
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