Scripture:
Luke 9:23 "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me'".
Observation:
Jesus told His disciples that if they wanted to follow Him, they would need to deny themselves daily and take up their cross and follow him. He made it clear to them that this was going to be a daily decision about denying themselves, but one that was necessary to come after him.
Application:
Every day, we have the option of living for self or living for the Kingdom. Every day we are presented opportunities to be selfish or to do what Christ would want us to do. This walk with Him is definitely a daily walk. It is something we have to choose every day of our lives. Daily devotion is needed in this Kingdom and when we don't have it, we will stray quickly. We must make Christ-centered choices every day and determine every day to walk in step with the Spirit.
Prayer:
Father, empower me by Your Spirit to walk with You daily. Help me to get away from selfish days and to truly learn to lay down my life for Your and Your kingdom. Help me to live in a way that honors You and not just feels good to me. Help me live in the daily disciplines of following You.
Yours
Jeff
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
Leave Some for the Poor
Scripture:
Leviticus 23:22 "And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God".
Observation:
When God was telling his people about their harvests, He included leaving some of the harvest for the poor and the sojourner. He had promised His people that He would take care of them and bring them into a land of plenty. They were going to be taken care of by the Lord. Their responsibility was to take care of the poor. God always looks after the poor. He always makes sure they are taken care of.
Application:
When God blesses us as His children, we should never be hoarders who hoard the blessing of the Lord. We should share our blessings with the poor and the sojourner. God blesses us in order that we may be a blessing. He wants us to remember the poor and to make sure they have something instead of taking everything for ourselves. When you take care of the poor, God will take care of you.
Prayer:
Lord God, help me to remember the poor at all times. Jesus said we would always have the poor with us. Teach me not to reject the poor, but to bless them and leave some for them when the Lord blesses me. Teach me to share the blessing with those in need.
Yours,
Jeff
Leviticus 23:22 "And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God".
Observation:
When God was telling his people about their harvests, He included leaving some of the harvest for the poor and the sojourner. He had promised His people that He would take care of them and bring them into a land of plenty. They were going to be taken care of by the Lord. Their responsibility was to take care of the poor. God always looks after the poor. He always makes sure they are taken care of.
Application:
When God blesses us as His children, we should never be hoarders who hoard the blessing of the Lord. We should share our blessings with the poor and the sojourner. God blesses us in order that we may be a blessing. He wants us to remember the poor and to make sure they have something instead of taking everything for ourselves. When you take care of the poor, God will take care of you.
Prayer:
Lord God, help me to remember the poor at all times. Jesus said we would always have the poor with us. Teach me not to reject the poor, but to bless them and leave some for them when the Lord blesses me. Teach me to share the blessing with those in need.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Completely His
Scripture:
Leviticus 20:26 "You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine".
Observation:
In this passage God is laying down the laws of worship, life, relationships, sins etc. He then tells the people that He had separated them from the other people so that they could be His. He wanted a people who would be completely His instead of serving themselves, their own flesh or other gods. He wanted a people who were pure and holy and did things His way instead of their own or the way other people did things.
Application:
God is still looking for a people who will be completely His. He is looking for a people who will be sold out completely to His will and purposes. We need to offer ourselves completely to God and to live according to His ways and His intentions. He wants to be the center of our lives and for us to walk accordingly. We should seek to be completely His.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, I am Yours. I give myself completely to You and want nothing more and nothing less than Your will to be done in my life. I lay my life before You and ask You to lead me, direct my life and show me how to act and react in every situation. Let my life bring You glory. I want to be completely Yours.
Yours Always,
Jeff
Leviticus 20:26 "You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine".
Observation:
In this passage God is laying down the laws of worship, life, relationships, sins etc. He then tells the people that He had separated them from the other people so that they could be His. He wanted a people who would be completely His instead of serving themselves, their own flesh or other gods. He wanted a people who were pure and holy and did things His way instead of their own or the way other people did things.
Application:
God is still looking for a people who will be completely His. He is looking for a people who will be sold out completely to His will and purposes. We need to offer ourselves completely to God and to live according to His ways and His intentions. He wants to be the center of our lives and for us to walk accordingly. We should seek to be completely His.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, I am Yours. I give myself completely to You and want nothing more and nothing less than Your will to be done in my life. I lay my life before You and ask You to lead me, direct my life and show me how to act and react in every situation. Let my life bring You glory. I want to be completely Yours.
Yours Always,
Jeff
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Live Differently
Scripture:
Leviticus 18:3 "You shall not do as the do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes".
Observation:
God was setting His people apart. They were not to act like, be like, or live like the people in the nation they came out of or the nation they came to possess. They were to be set apart as different from every other nation. They couldn't be like everyone else and live how they lived. They were to live differently. If they did it, they would be blessed beyond measure.
Application:
God has always wanted a people who were completely His. He has always wanted a people who were set apart and who lived differently than the rest of the world. Even in the New Testament we are commanded to come out from among them and be separate. We are called to live differently than the rest of the world. We are not to be like them, but they should see that we are different and that we are blessed for being different. Instead of trying to fit in so well, we should try to be different.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to blend in with the crowd, but to stand out as a man of God who doesn't live like everyone else lives. Help me to live differently than my neighbors and the people around me. Help me to live a life that You can bless. Show me how to live and live well according to Your standards.
Yours,
Jeff
Leviticus 18:3 "You shall not do as the do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes".
Observation:
God was setting His people apart. They were not to act like, be like, or live like the people in the nation they came out of or the nation they came to possess. They were to be set apart as different from every other nation. They couldn't be like everyone else and live how they lived. They were to live differently. If they did it, they would be blessed beyond measure.
Application:
God has always wanted a people who were completely His. He has always wanted a people who were set apart and who lived differently than the rest of the world. Even in the New Testament we are commanded to come out from among them and be separate. We are called to live differently than the rest of the world. We are not to be like them, but they should see that we are different and that we are blessed for being different. Instead of trying to fit in so well, we should try to be different.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to blend in with the crowd, but to stand out as a man of God who doesn't live like everyone else lives. Help me to live differently than my neighbors and the people around me. Help me to live a life that You can bless. Show me how to live and live well according to Your standards.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Defiling the Tabernacle
Scripture:
Leviticus 15:31 "Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst".
Observation:
God showed His people, through the Law, how to keep themselves pure and to purify themselves if they had become unclean. He went to great extremes to make sure His people knew when they were considered clean and when they were considered unclean. He told exactly what they needed to do in each situation in order to be considered clean.
Application:
When we look at all of these very detailed Laws of the Old Testament, it shows us how powerful the cross really is. Jesus took the penalty for every uncleanness, sickness, disease, etc. upon Himself so that we could have access at all times and never be "unclean". We are clean because of Him and not because we adhered to the Law. We can enter His presence, because we have been found clean in His sight because of His sacrifice. This makes me appreciate the cross more and more.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for giving me access to You, not based on my merits, but on the blood of Jesus. Thank You for making a way for me to be considered holy through Jesus. Thank You Jesus for paying the ultimate price so I could be clean. You are incredible!
Yours,
Jeff
Leviticus 15:31 "Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst".
Observation:
God showed His people, through the Law, how to keep themselves pure and to purify themselves if they had become unclean. He went to great extremes to make sure His people knew when they were considered clean and when they were considered unclean. He told exactly what they needed to do in each situation in order to be considered clean.
Application:
When we look at all of these very detailed Laws of the Old Testament, it shows us how powerful the cross really is. Jesus took the penalty for every uncleanness, sickness, disease, etc. upon Himself so that we could have access at all times and never be "unclean". We are clean because of Him and not because we adhered to the Law. We can enter His presence, because we have been found clean in His sight because of His sacrifice. This makes me appreciate the cross more and more.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for giving me access to You, not based on my merits, but on the blood of Jesus. Thank You for making a way for me to be considered holy through Jesus. Thank You Jesus for paying the ultimate price so I could be clean. You are incredible!
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, February 20, 2017
Be Holy
Scripture:
Leviticus 11:45 "For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the and of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy".
Observation:
God was speaking about purification and what is considered holy and what it considered unholy. He reminded his people that it was He who brought them up out of Egypt and that He wanted them to be holy as He is holy.
Application:
God truly wants His people to be separated from the world and separated for His purposes. He wants to be the center of our lives. He wants us to be holy as He is holy. In the verse above, it says God brought them out of Egypt to be their God. He wants to be our Lord and our God. He wants us to completely His and to worship Him as He wants to be worshiped.
Prayer:
Lord God, help me to walk in holiness in walk, work, and worship. Help me to be ALL IN as it relates to my relationship with you. Help me to serve You ALL OUT, with all my heart, soul mind and strength. You are my Go and I want to be completely Yours. You are amazing!
Yours,
Jeff
Leviticus 11:45 "For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the and of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy".
Observation:
God was speaking about purification and what is considered holy and what it considered unholy. He reminded his people that it was He who brought them up out of Egypt and that He wanted them to be holy as He is holy.
Application:
God truly wants His people to be separated from the world and separated for His purposes. He wants to be the center of our lives. He wants us to be holy as He is holy. In the verse above, it says God brought them out of Egypt to be their God. He wants to be our Lord and our God. He wants us to completely His and to worship Him as He wants to be worshiped.
Prayer:
Lord God, help me to walk in holiness in walk, work, and worship. Help me to be ALL IN as it relates to my relationship with you. Help me to serve You ALL OUT, with all my heart, soul mind and strength. You are my Go and I want to be completely Yours. You are amazing!
Yours,
Jeff
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Every Morning
Scripture:
Leviticus 6:12 "The fire on the altar hall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it very morning and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings".
Observation:
In order to keep the fire for sacrifice burning, the priests had to put wood on the fire every morning. The fire was to never go out. It was to be continual. Every morning they had to take actions to make sure the fire didn't go out.
Application:
Morning is the start of a new day. In the morning you have the ability to set the pace for the day. As believers, we should seek the Lord every morning to keep our fires burning brightly for Christ. Keeping a fire burning takes effort every day. Although Jesus paid all the price for our sacrifice, we must keep that relationship fresh every morning. His mercies are new every morning and therefore, we need to seek Him every morning. Every morning we should refresh our lives in His presence and in His word.
Prayer:
Father, help me to seek You every morning. Help me to set the reset button on my life every morning and keep the fire burning. Keep me fresh in my walk with You. Let the fire in my life never go out and let me burn brightly in the world for You.
Yours,
Jeff
Leviticus 6:12 "The fire on the altar hall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it very morning and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings".
Observation:
In order to keep the fire for sacrifice burning, the priests had to put wood on the fire every morning. The fire was to never go out. It was to be continual. Every morning they had to take actions to make sure the fire didn't go out.
Application:
Morning is the start of a new day. In the morning you have the ability to set the pace for the day. As believers, we should seek the Lord every morning to keep our fires burning brightly for Christ. Keeping a fire burning takes effort every day. Although Jesus paid all the price for our sacrifice, we must keep that relationship fresh every morning. His mercies are new every morning and therefore, we need to seek Him every morning. Every morning we should refresh our lives in His presence and in His word.
Prayer:
Father, help me to seek You every morning. Help me to set the reset button on my life every morning and keep the fire burning. Keep me fresh in my walk with You. Let the fire in my life never go out and let me burn brightly in the world for You.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, February 17, 2017
Without Blemish
Scripture:
Leviticus 1:3 "If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord".
Observation:
God is giving Moses what He wants as offering and how He wants them presented to Him in worship. He tells Moses that, if someone is offering something from the herd, it must be a male without blemish, so that the person will be accepted before the Lord. God didn't want people to bring Him anything but the best of their flocks.
Application:
When we offer sacrifices and gifts to the Lord, we must give Him our very best. He wants sacrifices that are of value. They would have to examine their offerings to make sure they were without blemish. As Jesus followers, we need to continually examine our lives to make sure we are offering God our very best and not just the leftovers of what we have taken for ourselves. Many times, we give God what is left instead of giving Him our best. We should give Him the best of our day, our offerings, our service, etc.
Prayer:
Jesus, You made a way for us to always have a perfect sacrifice when You offered Yourself on the cross. Thank You for making the perfect sin offering once and for all. At the same time, help me to give God my very best in every area of my life. Help me not to offer God that which cost me nothing. Help me to serve and serve well. You have taken care of making sure I'm accepted, now help me to offer myself to God without blemish.
Your Son,
Jeff
Leviticus 1:3 "If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord".
Observation:
God is giving Moses what He wants as offering and how He wants them presented to Him in worship. He tells Moses that, if someone is offering something from the herd, it must be a male without blemish, so that the person will be accepted before the Lord. God didn't want people to bring Him anything but the best of their flocks.
Application:
When we offer sacrifices and gifts to the Lord, we must give Him our very best. He wants sacrifices that are of value. They would have to examine their offerings to make sure they were without blemish. As Jesus followers, we need to continually examine our lives to make sure we are offering God our very best and not just the leftovers of what we have taken for ourselves. Many times, we give God what is left instead of giving Him our best. We should give Him the best of our day, our offerings, our service, etc.
Prayer:
Jesus, You made a way for us to always have a perfect sacrifice when You offered Yourself on the cross. Thank You for making the perfect sin offering once and for all. At the same time, help me to give God my very best in every area of my life. Help me not to offer God that which cost me nothing. Help me to serve and serve well. You have taken care of making sure I'm accepted, now help me to offer myself to God without blemish.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, February 16, 2017
The Lord Worked with Them
Scripture:
Mark 16:20 "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs."
Observation:
After the Lord resurrected and ascended into heaven, Mark records that the disciples went out everywhere and preached the Gospel as Jesus had told them to do. As they went, doing what He told them, He worked with them, confirming the message they brought with signs and wonders.
Application:
I want the Lord to work with me in ministry more than anything else. I want to work together with Him, doing His will in the earth. I want to truly be a co-worker with the Lord, fulfilling His desire in the earth. When we are doing what He asked us to do, we can expect Him to be right there with us, confirming our message. Our job is to do His will, His job is to be there with us and confirm when we speak about him.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for walking with me and working through me in life and ministry. I want to work together with You more and more. I desire intimate fellowship with You. Help me to do my part, then come through and confirm what is being spoken. I want to be effective for You and Your kingdom. Work with me. Walk with me. Help me to do Your will in the earth and I'll say yes.
Your Son,
Jeff
Mark 16:20 "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs."
Observation:
After the Lord resurrected and ascended into heaven, Mark records that the disciples went out everywhere and preached the Gospel as Jesus had told them to do. As they went, doing what He told them, He worked with them, confirming the message they brought with signs and wonders.
Application:
I want the Lord to work with me in ministry more than anything else. I want to work together with Him, doing His will in the earth. I want to truly be a co-worker with the Lord, fulfilling His desire in the earth. When we are doing what He asked us to do, we can expect Him to be right there with us, confirming our message. Our job is to do His will, His job is to be there with us and confirm when we speak about him.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for walking with me and working through me in life and ministry. I want to work together with You more and more. I desire intimate fellowship with You. Help me to do my part, then come through and confirm what is being spoken. I want to be effective for You and Your kingdom. Work with me. Walk with me. Help me to do Your will in the earth and I'll say yes.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Submission
Scripture:
Mark 14:36 "And he said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will'".
Observation:
Jesus lived a life of obedience to the very end. He was completely submitted to the will of the Father. He clearly says here that He wanted the cup of suffering to be taken from Him. He even told His Father that He knew He was all-powerful and nothing was impossible for Him. Yet, in the end, he submitted to His Father, even when that required death.
Application:
Sometimes God will ask us to do hard things. Sometimes we will face challenges we wish we could get out of. Sometimes things will happen that we have no control over. In those times, we must remain submitted to God in every way. We need to live in a place of surrender to God, even when surrender hurts. We must trust Him that He will make all things good in His time, even if we have to go through some difficult times.
Prayer:
Father, all things are possible for You. Forgive me for complaining sometimes about the things I have had to go through. Help me to realize that You have a plan for my life and that Your will being accomplished is more important than my feeling good all the time. I realize that there is no resurrection without death. Help me to submit to You in all things.
Yours,
Jeff
Mark 14:36 "And he said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will'".
Observation:
Jesus lived a life of obedience to the very end. He was completely submitted to the will of the Father. He clearly says here that He wanted the cup of suffering to be taken from Him. He even told His Father that He knew He was all-powerful and nothing was impossible for Him. Yet, in the end, he submitted to His Father, even when that required death.
Application:
Sometimes God will ask us to do hard things. Sometimes we will face challenges we wish we could get out of. Sometimes things will happen that we have no control over. In those times, we must remain submitted to God in every way. We need to live in a place of surrender to God, even when surrender hurts. We must trust Him that He will make all things good in His time, even if we have to go through some difficult times.
Prayer:
Father, all things are possible for You. Forgive me for complaining sometimes about the things I have had to go through. Help me to realize that You have a plan for my life and that Your will being accomplished is more important than my feeling good all the time. I realize that there is no resurrection without death. Help me to submit to You in all things.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
ALL IN
Scripture:
Mark 12:29-30 "Jesus answered, 'The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul an with all your mind and with all your strength''".
Observation:
When Jesus was asked which was the greatest or most important commandment, He responded that it was that the Lord is one and that we should love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus declared this to be the most important commandment and we should consider it so as well.
Application:
Our love for God needs to eclipse our love for anything else in this world. Our love for God should supersede every other love in our lives. We must love Him above all else in our lives, when we do, we will see Him work strongly in our lives. God wants us to be ALL IN! He wants all of our heart, our soul, our mind and our strength. He wants a people who are completely Him and I want to be one of those people.
Prayer:
Father, help me to live life ALL IN with You. I want to worship and serve You above all else. I want my heart, soul, mind and strength to be given to You above all else. I want to be completely Yours. Help me to live a God-first life. Be first in everything I do. Be first in my conversation. Be first in every area of my life.
Your Son,
Jeff
Mark 12:29-30 "Jesus answered, 'The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul an with all your mind and with all your strength''".
Observation:
When Jesus was asked which was the greatest or most important commandment, He responded that it was that the Lord is one and that we should love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus declared this to be the most important commandment and we should consider it so as well.
Application:
Our love for God needs to eclipse our love for anything else in this world. Our love for God should supersede every other love in our lives. We must love Him above all else in our lives, when we do, we will see Him work strongly in our lives. God wants us to be ALL IN! He wants all of our heart, our soul, our mind and our strength. He wants a people who are completely Him and I want to be one of those people.
Prayer:
Father, help me to live life ALL IN with You. I want to worship and serve You above all else. I want my heart, soul, mind and strength to be given to You above all else. I want to be completely Yours. Help me to live a God-first life. Be first in everything I do. Be first in my conversation. Be first in every area of my life.
Your Son,
Jeff
Monday, February 13, 2017
What Defiles a Person?
Scripture:
Mark 7:15 "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of the person are what defile him".
Observation:
When Jesus was speaking with the Scribes and Pharisees, they asked him why his disciples didn't wash their hands according to Jewish tradition. They were upset because Jesus' people were not obeying their laws and doing things their way. Jesus replied to them that nothing going into a person can defile them, but what comes out is what defiles.
Application:
Jesus took it right to the heart of the matter. He is much more concerned with what comes out of us because what comes out of us is what is really in our hearts. Our words, actions, and thoughts are what defile us more than anything we eat or drink. It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. We need to be concerned when we have bad thoughts, words or actions coming from us because it is revealing our hearts.
Prayer:
Lord God, purify my heart today and let rivers of living water flow out instead of junk from inside my heart. Let my heart be clean so that You can flow purely through my life. Cleanse me inside. Let there be no bitterness in my heart. Let nothing come from me that is not right with You.
Yours,
Jeff
Mark 7:15 "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of the person are what defile him".
Observation:
When Jesus was speaking with the Scribes and Pharisees, they asked him why his disciples didn't wash their hands according to Jewish tradition. They were upset because Jesus' people were not obeying their laws and doing things their way. Jesus replied to them that nothing going into a person can defile them, but what comes out is what defiles.
Application:
Jesus took it right to the heart of the matter. He is much more concerned with what comes out of us because what comes out of us is what is really in our hearts. Our words, actions, and thoughts are what defile us more than anything we eat or drink. It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. We need to be concerned when we have bad thoughts, words or actions coming from us because it is revealing our hearts.
Prayer:
Lord God, purify my heart today and let rivers of living water flow out instead of junk from inside my heart. Let my heart be clean so that You can flow purely through my life. Cleanse me inside. Let there be no bitterness in my heart. Let nothing come from me that is not right with You.
Yours,
Jeff
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Authority
Scripture:
Mark 3:11 "And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, 'You are the Son of God'. And He strictly ordered them not to make him known".
Observation:
Everywhere Jesus went, He didn't have to go looking for demons, when He arrived, they would fall down before Him and cry out that He was the Son of God. People didn't seem to recognize who he was, but the demonic world immediately knew Him. He would even tell them to be quiet because He didn't want them to make Him known. They came to Him because they knew who He was.
Application:
When we are walking in the authority of an Almighty God, we don't have to look for demons, they will find us. Instead of making a big hoopla about casting out demons, they should be coming to us and falling down and shrieking and we should be telling them to be quiet and come out like Jesus did. We need to walk in true spiritual authority, which only comes when we walk in step closely with the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to walk with you at deeper levels this year than ever before. I want to hear Your voice, walk in step with You and fulfill Your will in my life. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You and You alone. I want to see what you are doing and do it. I want to hear what You are saying and say it. I want to be completely Yours.
Your Son,
Jeff
Mark 3:11 "And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, 'You are the Son of God'. And He strictly ordered them not to make him known".
Observation:
Everywhere Jesus went, He didn't have to go looking for demons, when He arrived, they would fall down before Him and cry out that He was the Son of God. People didn't seem to recognize who he was, but the demonic world immediately knew Him. He would even tell them to be quiet because He didn't want them to make Him known. They came to Him because they knew who He was.
Application:
When we are walking in the authority of an Almighty God, we don't have to look for demons, they will find us. Instead of making a big hoopla about casting out demons, they should be coming to us and falling down and shrieking and we should be telling them to be quiet and come out like Jesus did. We need to walk in true spiritual authority, which only comes when we walk in step closely with the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to walk with you at deeper levels this year than ever before. I want to hear Your voice, walk in step with You and fulfill Your will in my life. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You and You alone. I want to see what you are doing and do it. I want to hear what You are saying and say it. I want to be completely Yours.
Your Son,
Jeff
Friday, February 10, 2017
Led by The Cloud
Scripture:
Exodus 40:38 "For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys".
Observation:
When Moses had finished building the Tabernacle exactly to God's specifications, the glory of the Lord came down and remained over the Tabernacle throughout their journeys in the wilderness. When the glory moved, the people packed up and moved. They followed the glory of the Lord.
Application:
We need to be people who follow the presence and glory of the Lord. We need to seek Him, follow Him, desire Him, and do what He says. When we do, the glory of the Lord will be upon our lives. When you follow the pattern, you experience the awesome presence of the Lord. We need to be seekers of the Lord with all our hearts.
Prayer:
Father, reveal Your glory in my life. I want to know You more intimately. I want to walk with You, talk with You, and know You more and more. Open my ears to hear and my heart to respond to You at all times. I am Yours. Fill my life to overflowing.
Your Son,
Jeff
Exodus 40:38 "For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys".
Observation:
When Moses had finished building the Tabernacle exactly to God's specifications, the glory of the Lord came down and remained over the Tabernacle throughout their journeys in the wilderness. When the glory moved, the people packed up and moved. They followed the glory of the Lord.
Application:
We need to be people who follow the presence and glory of the Lord. We need to seek Him, follow Him, desire Him, and do what He says. When we do, the glory of the Lord will be upon our lives. When you follow the pattern, you experience the awesome presence of the Lord. We need to be seekers of the Lord with all our hearts.
Prayer:
Father, reveal Your glory in my life. I want to know You more intimately. I want to walk with You, talk with You, and know You more and more. Open my ears to hear and my heart to respond to You at all times. I am Yours. Fill my life to overflowing.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, February 9, 2017
The Lord Put Skill
Scripture:
Exodus 36:1 "Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded".
Observation:
As Moses is getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God told him exactly what to build and how to build it. He also told him who to use in the construction of every part of the building and the furnishings. It says that God had put skill and intelligence into those who were to do the work.
Application:
God gives us the people, the provision, and the pattern to do what He has called us to do. He will raise up the right leaders, the right builders, the right givers, etc. to accomplish what He wants to accomplish. Instead of leaning on our own understanding, we need to seek God, who has the ability to send us everything and everyone we need to do His will. When it all stays about Him and His will, He will give us what we need to accomplish the work. When it is about our will and what we want, He is not obligated to make it happen. We need to seek God about what He wants and then proceed.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me to seek You more and more about every detail of my life and ministry. Provide the people, the resources, and the plans to accomplish Your will in my life and the church I pastor. Help me to be in tune with You at all times and not to stray from Your plans. I want to make Your name great in this land.
Yours,
Jeff
Exodus 36:1 "Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded".
Observation:
As Moses is getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God told him exactly what to build and how to build it. He also told him who to use in the construction of every part of the building and the furnishings. It says that God had put skill and intelligence into those who were to do the work.
Application:
God gives us the people, the provision, and the pattern to do what He has called us to do. He will raise up the right leaders, the right builders, the right givers, etc. to accomplish what He wants to accomplish. Instead of leaning on our own understanding, we need to seek God, who has the ability to send us everything and everyone we need to do His will. When it all stays about Him and His will, He will give us what we need to accomplish the work. When it is about our will and what we want, He is not obligated to make it happen. We need to seek God about what He wants and then proceed.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me to seek You more and more about every detail of my life and ministry. Provide the people, the resources, and the plans to accomplish Your will in my life and the church I pastor. Help me to be in tune with You at all times and not to stray from Your plans. I want to make Your name great in this land.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Who is God?
Scripture:
Exodus 34:6 "The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation'".
Observation:
When God called Moses up on the mountain to receive the second set of commandments, He came down and proclaimed Himself to Moses. He introduced Himself using the words written above. When someone describes themselves, we see how they want to be seen by others instead of what others see about the person.
Application:
God gave a us a beautiful self-portrait in this passage. He told us who He was as He described Himself to Moses. No matter how we feel at the present time or what we are personally going through, God is God and does not change. He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. We need to see God for who He is instead of how we think He is.
Prayer:
Father, let me know You like Moses knew You. I want to see You exactly as You are. I know that now I see through a glass darkly, but I want to see You more and more clearly every day. Help me not to project on You things that are not You, but to see You for who You are at all times. You are amazing!
Yours,
Jeff
Exodus 34:6 "The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation'".
Observation:
When God called Moses up on the mountain to receive the second set of commandments, He came down and proclaimed Himself to Moses. He introduced Himself using the words written above. When someone describes themselves, we see how they want to be seen by others instead of what others see about the person.
Application:
God gave a us a beautiful self-portrait in this passage. He told us who He was as He described Himself to Moses. No matter how we feel at the present time or what we are personally going through, God is God and does not change. He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. We need to see God for who He is instead of how we think He is.
Prayer:
Father, let me know You like Moses knew You. I want to see You exactly as You are. I know that now I see through a glass darkly, but I want to see You more and more clearly every day. Help me not to project on You things that are not You, but to see You for who You are at all times. You are amazing!
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Stay at the Tent
Scripture:
Exodus 33:11 "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent".
Observation:
God would speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks with his friend. When Moses would enter the tent of meeting, the glory cloud would stand at the front of the tent and God and Moses would talk. Outside the tent, was a young man named Joshua, who would stay there, even after Moses would leave. Joshua was raised up to take Moses' place at the end of his life.
Application:
Those who hang out in the presence of God get promoted in His kingdom. Joshua stayed at the tent of meeting, even after Moses would leave. He remained around the presence of the Lord when everyone else would go home. We should be the people who linger in the presence of the Lord. Those who love to stay around the presence of the Lord tend to lead in His kingdom. We need to learn not to depart from the tent of meeting, but to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit all day, every day.
Prayer:
Father, I love Your presence. Help me to walk with You more and more each day. Teach me to stay in communion with You throughout my day. Let me live out an example in front of those I lead of someone who walks with the Lord and stays in constant communion with Him. I want to live in Your presence.
Your Son,
Jeff
Exodus 33:11 "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent".
Observation:
God would speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks with his friend. When Moses would enter the tent of meeting, the glory cloud would stand at the front of the tent and God and Moses would talk. Outside the tent, was a young man named Joshua, who would stay there, even after Moses would leave. Joshua was raised up to take Moses' place at the end of his life.
Application:
Those who hang out in the presence of God get promoted in His kingdom. Joshua stayed at the tent of meeting, even after Moses would leave. He remained around the presence of the Lord when everyone else would go home. We should be the people who linger in the presence of the Lord. Those who love to stay around the presence of the Lord tend to lead in His kingdom. We need to learn not to depart from the tent of meeting, but to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit all day, every day.
Prayer:
Father, I love Your presence. Help me to walk with You more and more each day. Teach me to stay in communion with You throughout my day. Let me live out an example in front of those I lead of someone who walks with the Lord and stays in constant communion with Him. I want to live in Your presence.
Your Son,
Jeff
Monday, February 6, 2017
That You May Know... That I May Dwell
Scripture:
Exodus 29:46 "And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.
Observation:
God is speaking to Moses and He is giving every detail about the sacrifices and the priests garments and exactly how He wanted to be worshiped by His people. As God is competing this extremely detailed pattern He wanted them to follow, He says, "and they shall know that I am the Lord their God" and "that I might dwell among them". God has always wanted a people who would recognize they were His and He has always wanted to dwell among them.
Application:
After Adam, man was separated from God. Since that time, God has been reaching down to earth showing ways that we can be his people and He can be our God. He wants to dwell among His people and has wanted this for a very long time. We need to recognize the desire for God, prepare a place for Him. follow His ways, so that He can truly be our God and we can truly be His people and fulfill his desire.
Prayer:
Father, I want to prepare my heart to be Your throne. Reign and rule in my life. Have dominion in every area of my life. I want to be completely Yours and for You to dwell and walk with me. Help me to live a life that You want to walk with. I want more and more of You in my life. I am yours.
Jeff
Exodus 29:46 "And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.
Observation:
God is speaking to Moses and He is giving every detail about the sacrifices and the priests garments and exactly how He wanted to be worshiped by His people. As God is competing this extremely detailed pattern He wanted them to follow, He says, "and they shall know that I am the Lord their God" and "that I might dwell among them". God has always wanted a people who would recognize they were His and He has always wanted to dwell among them.
Application:
After Adam, man was separated from God. Since that time, God has been reaching down to earth showing ways that we can be his people and He can be our God. He wants to dwell among His people and has wanted this for a very long time. We need to recognize the desire for God, prepare a place for Him. follow His ways, so that He can truly be our God and we can truly be His people and fulfill his desire.
Prayer:
Father, I want to prepare my heart to be Your throne. Reign and rule in my life. Have dominion in every area of my life. I want to be completely Yours and for You to dwell and walk with me. Help me to live a life that You want to walk with. I want more and more of You in my life. I am yours.
Jeff
Saturday, February 4, 2017
To Bring You To The Place
Scripture:
Exodus 23:20 "Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared".
Observation:
God promised Moses and the people of Israel that He was sending an angel who would lead them and guard them as they journeyed to the Promised land. God had prepared a place for His people and even assigned an angel to make sure His people got where they were suppose to get.
Application:
When God has an assignment for you, He will make sure you are provided for on the journey. He will make sure we are brought to the place He has prepared for us. Just as he sent and angel to guard and to guide the children of Israel, we can rest assured that God will do the same for us as we follow after Him. Where He leads, He feeds. Where he guides, He provides.
Prayer:
Father, help me to follow Your voice as You lead me to the place you have prepared for me. Teach me to walk in confidence that You are guiding me and providing for me on the journey to where You are taking me. I trust You, but I want to trust You more.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Exodus 23:20 "Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared".
Observation:
God promised Moses and the people of Israel that He was sending an angel who would lead them and guard them as they journeyed to the Promised land. God had prepared a place for His people and even assigned an angel to make sure His people got where they were suppose to get.
Application:
When God has an assignment for you, He will make sure you are provided for on the journey. He will make sure we are brought to the place He has prepared for us. Just as he sent and angel to guard and to guide the children of Israel, we can rest assured that God will do the same for us as we follow after Him. Where He leads, He feeds. Where he guides, He provides.
Prayer:
Father, help me to follow Your voice as You lead me to the place you have prepared for me. Teach me to walk in confidence that You are guiding me and providing for me on the journey to where You are taking me. I trust You, but I want to trust You more.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Friday, February 3, 2017
Fear God and Don't Sin
Scripture:
Exodus 20:20 "Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin'".
Observation:
When God took Moses up the mountain to give him the law, the entire mountain shook, was covered with dark clouds, thunder rolled and lightning flashed, and the mountain was smoking. The people were afraid to go before the Lord because of the awesomeness of this moment. They told Moses to go up to the Lord and bring back what they were to do because they feared the Lord. Moses then told them that the Lord was testing them and wanted them to fear Him so that they would not sin.
Application:
We need a healthy fear of God again. Fear of God keeps us from sin. When the people of Israel saw the mountain trembling and smoke on it along with thunder and lightning, they became afraid of God. This fear, Moses said, would keep them from sin. When we see the awesomeness of God, we will not want to sin in any way. When we realize that He is incredibly powerful, we will not want to do anything that offends Him. We need to see God as the all-powerful one we will one day stand before, then we will lose the desire for the sin that stops up our relationship with Him.
Prayer:
Father, I want to fear You more and more. I know I will stand before You one day and give an account of my life in my head, but I want it to sink into my heart and I want to live with a healthy fear of standing before You. I want to live a life that please You. Let me see Your glory and be awestruck! I want more and more of You in my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Exodus 20:20 "Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin'".
Observation:
When God took Moses up the mountain to give him the law, the entire mountain shook, was covered with dark clouds, thunder rolled and lightning flashed, and the mountain was smoking. The people were afraid to go before the Lord because of the awesomeness of this moment. They told Moses to go up to the Lord and bring back what they were to do because they feared the Lord. Moses then told them that the Lord was testing them and wanted them to fear Him so that they would not sin.
Application:
We need a healthy fear of God again. Fear of God keeps us from sin. When the people of Israel saw the mountain trembling and smoke on it along with thunder and lightning, they became afraid of God. This fear, Moses said, would keep them from sin. When we see the awesomeness of God, we will not want to sin in any way. When we realize that He is incredibly powerful, we will not want to do anything that offends Him. We need to see God as the all-powerful one we will one day stand before, then we will lose the desire for the sin that stops up our relationship with Him.
Prayer:
Father, I want to fear You more and more. I know I will stand before You one day and give an account of my life in my head, but I want it to sink into my heart and I want to live with a healthy fear of standing before You. I want to live a life that please You. Let me see Your glory and be awestruck! I want more and more of You in my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Prayer and the Word
Scripture:
Exodus 18:19-20 "Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about he statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do".
Observation:
Jethro, the father in law of Moses, confronted him about how he was leading the people. Moses had been doing everything and hearing every case the people had. He was judging people from morning till night and Jethro realized he couldn't continue in this manner. Jethro's idea was that Moses would represent the people before God and he would teach the people what was expected of them. This is a very similar prescription that was given in Acts 6 to the early apostles. They were to give themselves to prayer and ministry of the Word.
Application:
I know in my own life, that I get involved in so many areas that I shouldn't be. I try to fix everything and make everyone's life easier. I struggle to ask people for help. In doing so, I neglect my greater responsibilities as a pastor of prayer and seeking God and spending time in His word to deliver a strong message to His people.
Prayer:
Father, this keeps coming up recently over and over again and I realize You are speaking to me. Help me to find solutions that will equip and empower others to do the technical work so I can spend more time in prayer and preparation of Your word. I see what I am doing is not right, but I need your guidance on how to fix it. Lead me Holy Spirit. I want to be more effective for you.
Yours,
Jeff
Exodus 18:19-20 "Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about he statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do".
Observation:
Jethro, the father in law of Moses, confronted him about how he was leading the people. Moses had been doing everything and hearing every case the people had. He was judging people from morning till night and Jethro realized he couldn't continue in this manner. Jethro's idea was that Moses would represent the people before God and he would teach the people what was expected of them. This is a very similar prescription that was given in Acts 6 to the early apostles. They were to give themselves to prayer and ministry of the Word.
Application:
I know in my own life, that I get involved in so many areas that I shouldn't be. I try to fix everything and make everyone's life easier. I struggle to ask people for help. In doing so, I neglect my greater responsibilities as a pastor of prayer and seeking God and spending time in His word to deliver a strong message to His people.
Prayer:
Father, this keeps coming up recently over and over again and I realize You are speaking to me. Help me to find solutions that will equip and empower others to do the technical work so I can spend more time in prayer and preparation of Your word. I see what I am doing is not right, but I need your guidance on how to fix it. Lead me Holy Spirit. I want to be more effective for you.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Fear Not an Stand Firm
Scripture:
Exodus 14:13 "And Moses said to the people, 'Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent'".
Observation:
The people of Israel had just come out of Egypt and had seen God perform incredibly miraculous signs and wonders. They witnessed incredible things as they were released from Egypt, but now they realized that the Egyptian army was following them and thought they were going to be killed. Their faith level had sunk quickly and they thought they were doomed. God speaks to them through Moses and tells them to stand firm and fear not because they would see the salvation o the Lord. He told them that they didn't have to worry because God would fight their battles.
Application:
Sometimes I don't see a way out of a situation and think there is no hope, but God is never shaken. Nothing is a surprise to Him. When I run into situations I don't understand and I feel helpless, I need to run to God and trust Him when He tells me not to fear and to stand firm. He is always faithful and always comes through.
Prayer:
Father, help me to stand firm and fear not. Help me to walk in faith and to relax when it looks like we are not going to be able to make it. Help me to trust You more and to not get upset about things I can't change anyway. Help me to stand firm and fear not.
Yours,
Jeff
Exodus 14:13 "And Moses said to the people, 'Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent'".
Observation:
The people of Israel had just come out of Egypt and had seen God perform incredibly miraculous signs and wonders. They witnessed incredible things as they were released from Egypt, but now they realized that the Egyptian army was following them and thought they were going to be killed. Their faith level had sunk quickly and they thought they were doomed. God speaks to them through Moses and tells them to stand firm and fear not because they would see the salvation o the Lord. He told them that they didn't have to worry because God would fight their battles.
Application:
Sometimes I don't see a way out of a situation and think there is no hope, but God is never shaken. Nothing is a surprise to Him. When I run into situations I don't understand and I feel helpless, I need to run to God and trust Him when He tells me not to fear and to stand firm. He is always faithful and always comes through.
Prayer:
Father, help me to stand firm and fear not. Help me to walk in faith and to relax when it looks like we are not going to be able to make it. Help me to trust You more and to not get upset about things I can't change anyway. Help me to stand firm and fear not.
Yours,
Jeff
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