Scripture:
Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters".
Observation:
Paul tells the Colossian people that everything they do should be done as if they were working for the Lord. He told them to do whatever they do with ALL their heart as if they were working for the Lord.
Application:
Whatever we do in life, we need to do our absolute best. Whether we are working at our job, cleaning our house, or taking out the trash, we need to do it to the best of our ability. We cannot be people who live average lives. We must give 100% in every area. When we do, we bring glory to God and will see great increase in our lives.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me to never slack in any area, but to give you my absolute best. Help me to live a life of excellence. Let my life demonstrate Your glory and just how awesome You are.
Yours,
Jeff
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Friday, July 29, 2016
Christ Working Powerfully in Me
Scripture:
Colossians 1:29 "To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me".
Observation:
Paul, in writing to the Colossians, tells them that he proclaims Christ as the one who can present them fully mature. In his ministry, he worked hard to present Christ. He closes this portion of the text by saying, "To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me".
Application:
When we get weary in well doing, we must ask ourselves if we are working in our own strength and doing the things that we want to do, or are we truly contending with the energy Christ powerfully gives us. His power is provided for those who are truly doing His work. We need to make sure we are contending for the right thing, then our strength will be limitless.
Prayer:
Father, let me fight for the right things. Help me to stay on Your agenda and present Christ fully and completely. Help me to keep the main thing, the main thing. I want my life to lift up Jesus and I need Your strength to do that.
Your Son,
Jeff
Colossians 1:29 "To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me".
Observation:
Paul, in writing to the Colossians, tells them that he proclaims Christ as the one who can present them fully mature. In his ministry, he worked hard to present Christ. He closes this portion of the text by saying, "To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me".
Application:
When we get weary in well doing, we must ask ourselves if we are working in our own strength and doing the things that we want to do, or are we truly contending with the energy Christ powerfully gives us. His power is provided for those who are truly doing His work. We need to make sure we are contending for the right thing, then our strength will be limitless.
Prayer:
Father, let me fight for the right things. Help me to stay on Your agenda and present Christ fully and completely. Help me to keep the main thing, the main thing. I want my life to lift up Jesus and I need Your strength to do that.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Where Were You?
Scripture:
Job 38:4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me if you understand".
Observation:
After tons of complaining to God about being unfair to him, God finally responds to Job directly. Job had let it be known that God was treating him unfair because he had walked holy and godly all of his life. After hearing much from Job, the Lord replied, "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?" Basically, God was saying, "Who do you think you are?"
Application:
Sometimes we feel we deserve better than what we are getting in life. Sometimes we feel like God treats others better than He treats us. It is easy to feel like we deserve better in life and that God isn't treating us fairly. We must realize that God knows best. He created this world and knows what is best for our lives. He created us and knows exactly what we need at each point in our lives. We must learn to trust Him and let Him do in our lives what He wants to.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in humility toward You. You know best for my life. You know best what I need. You are in control! help me to submit to You better each day and to follow You completely. I wasn't there when You created the universe, but You did a fantastic job! Help me to know You created me and know exactly what I need at each moment of my life.
Your Son,
Jeff
Job 38:4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me if you understand".
Observation:
After tons of complaining to God about being unfair to him, God finally responds to Job directly. Job had let it be known that God was treating him unfair because he had walked holy and godly all of his life. After hearing much from Job, the Lord replied, "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?" Basically, God was saying, "Who do you think you are?"
Application:
Sometimes we feel we deserve better than what we are getting in life. Sometimes we feel like God treats others better than He treats us. It is easy to feel like we deserve better in life and that God isn't treating us fairly. We must realize that God knows best. He created this world and knows what is best for our lives. He created us and knows exactly what we need at each point in our lives. We must learn to trust Him and let Him do in our lives what He wants to.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in humility toward You. You know best for my life. You know best what I need. You are in control! help me to submit to You better each day and to follow You completely. I wasn't there when You created the universe, but You did a fantastic job! Help me to know You created me and know exactly what I need at each moment of my life.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
How Great is God?
Scripture:
Job 36:26 "How great is God - beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out".
Observation:
Elihu is speaking to Job about his condition and his relationship with God. Everyone is trying to figure out why all this bad has happened to Job and can't. Elihu, in his endeavor, does throw out some great words about God. He tells Job, "How great is God - beyond our understanding".
Application:
No matter what is going on in our lives, we can always know that God is great! He is beyond our comprehension. His ways are above our ways and His thoughts are above our thoughts. When we can't figure something out, He can! When we don't know what to do... He does. He is beyond our understanding and knows what we need to do. Our job then is to seek Him.
Prayer:
Father, I want to know You more. You are great and beyond my understanding. I have seen you do the impossible. I have seen you work so many times. You continue to amaze me! Show me what to do in my life. Lead me along the path You have for me. Help me to trust You more each day.
Yours,
Jeff
Job 36:26 "How great is God - beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out".
Observation:
Elihu is speaking to Job about his condition and his relationship with God. Everyone is trying to figure out why all this bad has happened to Job and can't. Elihu, in his endeavor, does throw out some great words about God. He tells Job, "How great is God - beyond our understanding".
Application:
No matter what is going on in our lives, we can always know that God is great! He is beyond our comprehension. His ways are above our ways and His thoughts are above our thoughts. When we can't figure something out, He can! When we don't know what to do... He does. He is beyond our understanding and knows what we need to do. Our job then is to seek Him.
Prayer:
Father, I want to know You more. You are great and beyond my understanding. I have seen you do the impossible. I have seen you work so many times. You continue to amaze me! Show me what to do in my life. Lead me along the path You have for me. Help me to trust You more each day.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
God Does Speak
Scripture:
Job 33:14 "For God does speak - now one way, now another - though no one perceives it".
Observation:
Elihu was mad at Job for trying to justify himself before God. He was convinced that there was a reason God was letting this happen to Job and that Job was too prideful to admit what it was. He was wrong, but in the process, he said something very powerful, "For God does speak - now one way, now another". He was letting Job know that if he was listening, God was talking.
Application:
We need to realize that God does speak today to His people. He is speaking, we just may not be tuned into the right channel. We must realize that and begin to seek God, knowing that He has the answer for all that we need. He speaks in different ways, but God still speaks.
Prayer:
Father, open my ears to hear Your voice. Let me see You and hear You when you speak to me in various ways. Let me be attuned to You and Your voice. Help me to hear and to obey what I hear. I want to fulfill Your will, not my own.
Your Son,
Jeff
Job 33:14 "For God does speak - now one way, now another - though no one perceives it".
Observation:
Elihu was mad at Job for trying to justify himself before God. He was convinced that there was a reason God was letting this happen to Job and that Job was too prideful to admit what it was. He was wrong, but in the process, he said something very powerful, "For God does speak - now one way, now another". He was letting Job know that if he was listening, God was talking.
Application:
We need to realize that God does speak today to His people. He is speaking, we just may not be tuned into the right channel. We must realize that and begin to seek God, knowing that He has the answer for all that we need. He speaks in different ways, but God still speaks.
Prayer:
Father, open my ears to hear Your voice. Let me see You and hear You when you speak to me in various ways. Let me be attuned to You and Your voice. Help me to hear and to obey what I hear. I want to fulfill Your will, not my own.
Your Son,
Jeff
Monday, July 25, 2016
Guard Your Mouth
Scripture:
Job 27:4 "my lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies".
Observation:
Job was defending himself when his friends were telling him that he must have done something wrong because God was judging him. He told them that his lips wouldn't say anything wicked and that his tongue would not utter lies. He knew that our mouths get us into all kinds of trouble.
Application:
Our mouths have the ability to get us into all kinds of trouble. We should be able to say like Job, that our mouths will not speak evil or tell lies. We need to learn to refrain from saying anything that brings hurt to others. We need to ask God to help us gain control of our tongues.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk before You in honesty and integrity. Help me to refrain my tongue from speaking evil or saying things You wouldn't want me to say. Teach me to submit my tongue to You and Your Spirit. I want to make You look good and to represent You well.
Yours,
Jeff
Job 27:4 "my lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies".
Observation:
Job was defending himself when his friends were telling him that he must have done something wrong because God was judging him. He told them that his lips wouldn't say anything wicked and that his tongue would not utter lies. He knew that our mouths get us into all kinds of trouble.
Application:
Our mouths have the ability to get us into all kinds of trouble. We should be able to say like Job, that our mouths will not speak evil or tell lies. We need to learn to refrain from saying anything that brings hurt to others. We need to ask God to help us gain control of our tongues.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk before You in honesty and integrity. Help me to refrain my tongue from speaking evil or saying things You wouldn't want me to say. Teach me to submit my tongue to You and Your Spirit. I want to make You look good and to represent You well.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, July 22, 2016
Who is My Friend?
Scripture:
Job 16:20-21 "My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend".
Observation:
Job suffered incredible devastation. His children had all died, his livestock was all gone, his livelihood was gone and he was tormented physically. He had nothing going for him in life at this point, but he understood something. He talks about his intercessor, or the one who stands in between two parties defending one of them. He says his intercessor is his friend and that his intercessor pleads with God as someone pleads for a friend.
Application:
A true intercessor is a real friend. A true intercessor will cover your back and stand before God pleading on your behalf. A real intercessor feels your pain and stands before the Lord pleading for your breakthrough. When you find a true intercessor, you find a friend who will walk with you and cry out to God on your behalf. We need more intercessors in the body of Christ.
Prayer:
Father, teach me to be an intercessor for those around me. Help me to plead with You for those you put on my heart. Teach me to walk with You and to stand in the gap for others. I also ask You to set some more intercessors around me to be a friend who will plead with You on my behalf.
Your Son,
Jeff
Job 16:20-21 "My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend".
Observation:
Job suffered incredible devastation. His children had all died, his livestock was all gone, his livelihood was gone and he was tormented physically. He had nothing going for him in life at this point, but he understood something. He talks about his intercessor, or the one who stands in between two parties defending one of them. He says his intercessor is his friend and that his intercessor pleads with God as someone pleads for a friend.
Application:
A true intercessor is a real friend. A true intercessor will cover your back and stand before God pleading on your behalf. A real intercessor feels your pain and stands before the Lord pleading for your breakthrough. When you find a true intercessor, you find a friend who will walk with you and cry out to God on your behalf. We need more intercessors in the body of Christ.
Prayer:
Father, teach me to be an intercessor for those around me. Help me to plead with You for those you put on my heart. Teach me to walk with You and to stand in the gap for others. I also ask You to set some more intercessors around me to be a friend who will plead with You on my behalf.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Can You Fathom God?
Scripture:
Job 11:7 "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?"
Observation:
In this passage, Zophar, a friend of Job's, speaks to him about what Job was going through. In his discussion, he throws in these words, "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?" He poses a question for Job to wrestle with.
Application:
God is so far above and beyond what we can imagine that we can't even fathom who He is or what He is capable of. He has no limits! Nothing is impossible for Him and He can do what He wants to do. He is amazing and His glory is unspeakable. We can't begin to describe God fully. He is beyond our comprehension. Our best place to be is simply at His feet, standing in awe of who He is and how He loves us.
Prayer:
Almighty God, You are beyond comprehension. You are limitless in every way. You are the all-powerful, all-knowing, always present God who is more than enough to solve every problem, fix every issue and heal every hurt. In all of that amazingness, thank You for loving me.
Yours,
Jeff
Job 11:7 "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?"
Observation:
In this passage, Zophar, a friend of Job's, speaks to him about what Job was going through. In his discussion, he throws in these words, "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?" He poses a question for Job to wrestle with.
Application:
God is so far above and beyond what we can imagine that we can't even fathom who He is or what He is capable of. He has no limits! Nothing is impossible for Him and He can do what He wants to do. He is amazing and His glory is unspeakable. We can't begin to describe God fully. He is beyond our comprehension. Our best place to be is simply at His feet, standing in awe of who He is and how He loves us.
Prayer:
Almighty God, You are beyond comprehension. You are limitless in every way. You are the all-powerful, all-knowing, always present God who is more than enough to solve every problem, fix every issue and heal every hurt. In all of that amazingness, thank You for loving me.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Ask the Former Generation
Scripture:
Job 8:8 "Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned".
Observation:
Bildad, one of Job's friends and comforters, gave him some great advice. He told Job that he should ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned.
Application:
It is good to ask the advice of people who have lived a long time and seen many thing in their lives. We usually depend only on ourselves instead of asking those who have gone before us. We need to listen to those who have walked before us. They have been there and done that and have several t-shirts.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me to walk this out in my day. Help me to walk humble enough to ask for advice from those who have gone before me. Teach me the wisdom of asking those who have gone before.
Yours,
Jeff
Job 8:8 "Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned".
Observation:
Bildad, one of Job's friends and comforters, gave him some great advice. He told Job that he should ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned.
Application:
It is good to ask the advice of people who have lived a long time and seen many thing in their lives. We usually depend only on ourselves instead of asking those who have gone before us. We need to listen to those who have walked before us. They have been there and done that and have several t-shirts.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me to walk this out in my day. Help me to walk humble enough to ask for advice from those who have gone before me. Teach me the wisdom of asking those who have gone before.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Blameless and Upright
Scripture:
Job 1:1 "In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil".
Observation:
I love this description of Job. The Bible says he was blameless and upright. It describes hi as someone who feared God and shunned evil. Job was a really good man. He feared God and ran away from things that were not right.
Application:
Although Job is best known for the temptations and tests he would undergo, I think the first verse in this book is powerful We should strive to live as Job lived. Are we living blameless and upright? Are we really fearing God and shunning evil? We should learn from Job to pursue God and walk upright in all our ways.
Prayer:
Father, let me be a person who fears You , lives upright and follows You completely. Let my life demonstrate a fear of You and a shunning of evil Help me not to entertain evil, but to run from it. Let my life be blameless in every way.
Yours,
Jeff
Job 1:1 "In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil".
Observation:
I love this description of Job. The Bible says he was blameless and upright. It describes hi as someone who feared God and shunned evil. Job was a really good man. He feared God and ran away from things that were not right.
Application:
Although Job is best known for the temptations and tests he would undergo, I think the first verse in this book is powerful We should strive to live as Job lived. Are we living blameless and upright? Are we really fearing God and shunning evil? We should learn from Job to pursue God and walk upright in all our ways.
Prayer:
Father, let me be a person who fears You , lives upright and follows You completely. Let my life demonstrate a fear of You and a shunning of evil Help me not to entertain evil, but to run from it. Let my life be blameless in every way.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, July 18, 2016
Don't Be Anxious
Scripture:
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God".
Observation:
Paul is telling the Philippian people not to allow anxiety into their lives. He tells them how to do it. He says it will come through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving as we make our requests made known to God.
Application:
We need to walk in thanksgiving for all God has done for us. We must learn to be thankful in all things. It is also up to us to make our requests known to God and trust Him to take care of what we need. As we present things to God, we must take our hands off of them and determine not to be anxious over them. Anxiety never fixed anything. We must give it to God.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in thanksgiving today and to let my requests come to You. Help me not to get anxious as I endeavor to do take care of some things today that normally bring great frustration to me. Thank You for sharing this with me today. I give You my day and thank you for this day You have given me.
Your Son,
Jeff
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God".
Observation:
Paul is telling the Philippian people not to allow anxiety into their lives. He tells them how to do it. He says it will come through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving as we make our requests made known to God.
Application:
We need to walk in thanksgiving for all God has done for us. We must learn to be thankful in all things. It is also up to us to make our requests known to God and trust Him to take care of what we need. As we present things to God, we must take our hands off of them and determine not to be anxious over them. Anxiety never fixed anything. We must give it to God.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in thanksgiving today and to let my requests come to You. Help me not to get anxious as I endeavor to do take care of some things today that normally bring great frustration to me. Thank You for sharing this with me today. I give You my day and thank you for this day You have given me.
Your Son,
Jeff
Friday, July 15, 2016
Obedience and Favor
Scripture:
Esther 2:20 "But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up".
Observation:
Esther had great favor with the leader assigned to her during the beauty pageant. She also found great favor in the eyes of the king. Favor was on her life in a very special way. We also see, just following those verses about her favor, that she was obedient to her uncle who raised her. She did what he said and walked in submission to him, even as a young adult and eventually even as queen.
Application:
Submission to authority brings the favor of God into our lives. When we have a rebellious, I'll do what I want to do, attitude, we cannot expect to walk in favor with God and man. When we have a heart to submit to the authority placed over our lives, we will be begin to see favor increase. Obedience brings favor!
Prayer:
Father, let me walk in obedience to those over me. Let Your favor rest on my life and let me never feel like I am above submitting to authority and serving others. Let a spirit of humility exude from my life.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Esther 2:20 "But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up".
Observation:
Esther had great favor with the leader assigned to her during the beauty pageant. She also found great favor in the eyes of the king. Favor was on her life in a very special way. We also see, just following those verses about her favor, that she was obedient to her uncle who raised her. She did what he said and walked in submission to him, even as a young adult and eventually even as queen.
Application:
Submission to authority brings the favor of God into our lives. When we have a rebellious, I'll do what I want to do, attitude, we cannot expect to walk in favor with God and man. When we have a heart to submit to the authority placed over our lives, we will be begin to see favor increase. Obedience brings favor!
Prayer:
Father, let me walk in obedience to those over me. Let Your favor rest on my life and let me never feel like I am above submitting to authority and serving others. Let a spirit of humility exude from my life.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Filled with the Fullness of God
Scripture:
Ephesians 3:19 "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God".
Observation:
Paul is writing to the Ephesians about the love of God in this passage. He wants them to know how high and wide and deep the love of God is. Then he adds this phrase "that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God". Apparently knowing God's love helps us be filled with the fullness of who He is.
Application:
God is love and when we are full of God, we will be filled with love. I want to know His love more and more and to be filled with the full measure of God. I want to know Him intimately and to be filled with Him fully. I want to be "full" of the "fullness" of who God is. He is love, so I want to know His love and be full of Him.
Prayer:
Father, fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit. Let me know and walk in Your great love. Help me to reflect You well. Live in my and through me. Walk with me and let me be filled with the fullness of who You are.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Ephesians 3:19 "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God".
Observation:
Paul is writing to the Ephesians about the love of God in this passage. He wants them to know how high and wide and deep the love of God is. Then he adds this phrase "that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God". Apparently knowing God's love helps us be filled with the fullness of who He is.
Application:
God is love and when we are full of God, we will be filled with love. I want to know His love more and more and to be filled with the full measure of God. I want to know Him intimately and to be filled with Him fully. I want to be "full" of the "fullness" of who God is. He is love, so I want to know His love and be full of Him.
Prayer:
Father, fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit. Let me know and walk in Your great love. Help me to reflect You well. Live in my and through me. Walk with me and let me be filled with the fullness of who You are.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Reminding God
Scripture:
Nehemiah 13:31 "I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and fo the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, my God".
Observation:
Nehemiah led the charge to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He witnessed God do some fantastic things under his leadership. After the wall was rebuilt, the people did as people so quickly do and began to forsake the Lord God who had helped them. They began to do the things that caused them to end up in bondage to another nation. Nehemiah tried his best to do things God's way and to get the people to follow God properly. In the end he reminded God of all he had done and then asked God to remember him with favor.
Application:
When we have done some things right in our lives, we can point back and remind God of the things we have done for Him. King Hezekiah did this and the Lord added 15 years to his life. He Nehemiah did the same. First we need to live a life that gives God something to remember, then we need to remind Him and ask for His favor.
Prayer:
Father, I have worked diligently for Your kingdom. I have done my best to extend Your kingdom into all the earth in my day. I ask You to place Your favor on my life and let me see some of the breakthroughs You have promised would come. Bless my life, my family, and the church You have asked me to lead.
Your Son,
Jeff
Nehemiah 13:31 "I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and fo the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, my God".
Observation:
Nehemiah led the charge to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He witnessed God do some fantastic things under his leadership. After the wall was rebuilt, the people did as people so quickly do and began to forsake the Lord God who had helped them. They began to do the things that caused them to end up in bondage to another nation. Nehemiah tried his best to do things God's way and to get the people to follow God properly. In the end he reminded God of all he had done and then asked God to remember him with favor.
Application:
When we have done some things right in our lives, we can point back and remind God of the things we have done for Him. King Hezekiah did this and the Lord added 15 years to his life. He Nehemiah did the same. First we need to live a life that gives God something to remember, then we need to remind Him and ask for His favor.
Prayer:
Father, I have worked diligently for Your kingdom. I have done my best to extend Your kingdom into all the earth in my day. I ask You to place Your favor on my life and let me see some of the breakthroughs You have promised would come. Bless my life, my family, and the church You have asked me to lead.
Your Son,
Jeff
Friday, July 8, 2016
True Contrition
Scripture:
Ezra 10:1 "While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites - men, women, and children - gathered around him. They too wept bitterly".
Observation:
I love the way this passage speaks of how Ezra presented himself before God. It says he was praying, confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before God. He was truly contrite before the Lord and was extremely sorry for what he and his nation had done.
Application:
Sometimes I hear people confess their sins in such an unemotional way that it seems there is no contrition or conviction of their sins. Ezra humbled himself before the Lord and we need to take lessons from him. We need to realize the hugeness of our sins and truly repent with a humble heart for breaking the heart of God with our sin. May true conviction for sin grab our generation.
Prayer:
Father, in Your word I see men and women who truly walked with You and when they messed up, they didn't simply apologize, they wept and humbled themselves over their sin. May Your conviction truly enter my life and may I humble myself before You in a stronger way, realizing how my wrong choices hurt You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Ezra 10:1 "While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites - men, women, and children - gathered around him. They too wept bitterly".
Observation:
I love the way this passage speaks of how Ezra presented himself before God. It says he was praying, confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before God. He was truly contrite before the Lord and was extremely sorry for what he and his nation had done.
Application:
Sometimes I hear people confess their sins in such an unemotional way that it seems there is no contrition or conviction of their sins. Ezra humbled himself before the Lord and we need to take lessons from him. We need to realize the hugeness of our sins and truly repent with a humble heart for breaking the heart of God with our sin. May true conviction for sin grab our generation.
Prayer:
Father, in Your word I see men and women who truly walked with You and when they messed up, they didn't simply apologize, they wept and humbled themselves over their sin. May Your conviction truly enter my life and may I humble myself before You in a stronger way, realizing how my wrong choices hurt You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, July 7, 2016
The Hand of the Lord
Scripture:
Ezra 7:6 "this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him".
Observation:
Ezra was granted everything he asked for by the king of Babylon and this verse tells us the reason. "The hand of the Lord his God was on him" and therefore, the king gave him whatever he needed. God actually used a foreign king to re-build the temple of Jerusalem.
Application:
When God's hand is on your life, those around you will recognize it and want to be part of helping you do what God has called you to do. God's hand on our lives opens doors like nothing else. We should seek more and more to have the hand of God on our lives. When that happens, even those who would normally oppose you, work on your behalf.
Prayer:
Father, let your hand be upon my life and in every area of my life. Let Your favor and grace work in me. You are amazing and I want to see the day of Your incredible favor.
Your Son,
Jeff
Ezra 7:6 "this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him".
Observation:
Ezra was granted everything he asked for by the king of Babylon and this verse tells us the reason. "The hand of the Lord his God was on him" and therefore, the king gave him whatever he needed. God actually used a foreign king to re-build the temple of Jerusalem.
Application:
When God's hand is on your life, those around you will recognize it and want to be part of helping you do what God has called you to do. God's hand on our lives opens doors like nothing else. We should seek more and more to have the hand of God on our lives. When that happens, even those who would normally oppose you, work on your behalf.
Prayer:
Father, let your hand be upon my life and in every area of my life. Let Your favor and grace work in me. You are amazing and I want to see the day of Your incredible favor.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
God Moves the Hearts of His People
Scripture:
Ezra 1:5 "Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites - everyone whose heart God had moved - prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem".
Observation:
Cyrus had issued a decree and said that God wanted him to build a temple for Him in Judah. It was God who stirred a non-Israelite king to build him a temple and it was God who stirred the hearts of the people to go back and build the temple.
Application:
When God wants something done, He will cause even the ungodly to make it happen. When God decides to move, He will move the hearts of His people to do something. Many times we try to go ahead of God and do things for Him that He never wanted done. True success comes from doing what God wants. When He orders something to happen, it will happen!
Prayer:
Father, never let me get ahead of You. Help me to be on Your agenda. Put into my heart whatever You want me to do, then stir the hearts of Your people to accomplish whatever You want done in the earth. Help me to stay focused on You and Your will above all else.
Yours,
Jeff
Ezra 1:5 "Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites - everyone whose heart God had moved - prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem".
Observation:
Cyrus had issued a decree and said that God wanted him to build a temple for Him in Judah. It was God who stirred a non-Israelite king to build him a temple and it was God who stirred the hearts of the people to go back and build the temple.
Application:
When God wants something done, He will cause even the ungodly to make it happen. When God decides to move, He will move the hearts of His people to do something. Many times we try to go ahead of God and do things for Him that He never wanted done. True success comes from doing what God wants. When He orders something to happen, it will happen!
Prayer:
Father, never let me get ahead of You. Help me to be on Your agenda. Put into my heart whatever You want me to do, then stir the hearts of Your people to accomplish whatever You want done in the earth. Help me to stay focused on You and Your will above all else.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Keep In Step With the Spirit
Scripture:
Galatians 5:25 "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit".
Observation:
Paul's letter to the Galatians deals with Judaizers coming in and telling God's people that they needed to be circumcised and follow the Laws of Moses. He was standing up and telling them that they need to stay in step with the Spirit because the Law could no longer save them. He talks about keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.
Application:
The first things this tells me is that the Spirit is always moving. He is taking steps and we are to keep in step with Him. Where He moves, we need to move. We should do our best to walk in step with Him. When we do that, we will be fulfilling all the Law and Prophets. We can't stay in step when we walk in disobedience. My job today... keep in step.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me to keep in step with You today and every day. Help me to seek your guidance and follow accordingly. Help me to see what You are doing and come alongside You. I want to step where You step and follow where You are going.
Yours,
Jeff
Galatians 5:25 "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit".
Observation:
Paul's letter to the Galatians deals with Judaizers coming in and telling God's people that they needed to be circumcised and follow the Laws of Moses. He was standing up and telling them that they need to stay in step with the Spirit because the Law could no longer save them. He talks about keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.
Application:
The first things this tells me is that the Spirit is always moving. He is taking steps and we are to keep in step with Him. Where He moves, we need to move. We should do our best to walk in step with Him. When we do that, we will be fulfilling all the Law and Prophets. We can't stay in step when we walk in disobedience. My job today... keep in step.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me to keep in step with You today and every day. Help me to seek your guidance and follow accordingly. Help me to see what You are doing and come alongside You. I want to step where You step and follow where You are going.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, July 4, 2016
Knowing Who You Are
Scripture:
Galatians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle - sent not from men nor by a man, but my Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead".
Observation:
When writing to the Galatians, Paul started his letter by letting them know who he was. He knew deeply who he was in Christ. He was confident of God's calling on his life and what he was called to do. There was no question in his mind whether God had called him or not. With authority he said that he was sent by God, not by man.
Application:
We need to seek God until we the confidence Paul had concerning who we are and what God has sent us to do. If it happened for Paul, it can happen for us. We can know what we are sent by God to do and must learn to seek God until we are confident in that, then we can walk in a greater level of authority.
Prayer:
Father God, I want to know You and Your calling on my life in greater detail. I want to be confident in my calling and walk in a greater authority. I love You and will serve You all the days of my life. I just want to know You more and more and Your will for my life specifically.
Your Son,
Jeff
Galatians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle - sent not from men nor by a man, but my Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead".
Observation:
When writing to the Galatians, Paul started his letter by letting them know who he was. He knew deeply who he was in Christ. He was confident of God's calling on his life and what he was called to do. There was no question in his mind whether God had called him or not. With authority he said that he was sent by God, not by man.
Application:
We need to seek God until we the confidence Paul had concerning who we are and what God has sent us to do. If it happened for Paul, it can happen for us. We can know what we are sent by God to do and must learn to seek God until we are confident in that, then we can walk in a greater level of authority.
Prayer:
Father God, I want to know You and Your calling on my life in greater detail. I want to be confident in my calling and walk in a greater authority. I love You and will serve You all the days of my life. I just want to know You more and more and Your will for my life specifically.
Your Son,
Jeff
Friday, July 1, 2016
Seek God and Succeed
Scripture:
II Chronicles 26:5 "He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success".
Observation:
This is a strong theme throughout all of the kings of Israel and Judah. As long as they sought the Lord, they were successful, but when they began to attempt things without the Lord, they would begin losing battles. There is a direct correlation between seeking the Lord and victory in life.
Application:
Many times in our lives, we only seek God when things are going poorly. When things are going well, we tend to just drift through life and our seeking of the Lord grows and less and less passionate. When we give ourselves to seeking the Lord in good times and bad times, we will begin to see His results in our lives. When we seek God, we succeed. Therefore, we must teach ourselves to seek God continually, when things are good and when things are bad.
Prayer:
Father, I want to be a God-seeker. I want to be one who continually goes after you in my life. I want to be a seeker in good times and in bad times. I want to know You more and more intimately. I want to walk with You and know Your voice. Help me walk in the discipline of seeking You, even when things are going well.
Your Son,
Jeff
II Chronicles 26:5 "He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success".
Observation:
This is a strong theme throughout all of the kings of Israel and Judah. As long as they sought the Lord, they were successful, but when they began to attempt things without the Lord, they would begin losing battles. There is a direct correlation between seeking the Lord and victory in life.
Application:
Many times in our lives, we only seek God when things are going poorly. When things are going well, we tend to just drift through life and our seeking of the Lord grows and less and less passionate. When we give ourselves to seeking the Lord in good times and bad times, we will begin to see His results in our lives. When we seek God, we succeed. Therefore, we must teach ourselves to seek God continually, when things are good and when things are bad.
Prayer:
Father, I want to be a God-seeker. I want to be one who continually goes after you in my life. I want to be a seeker in good times and in bad times. I want to know You more and more intimately. I want to walk with You and know Your voice. Help me walk in the discipline of seeking You, even when things are going well.
Your Son,
Jeff
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