Sunday, June 30, 2019

Trust God Over Others

Scripture:

“Amaziah asked the man of God, “But what about all that silver I paid to hire the army of Israel?” The man of God replied, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this!””
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭25:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Amaziah had hired 100,000 troops from Israel to help him protect Judah.  The Lord spoke to the king through the prophet and told him to send them home.  The king said, “What about all that silver I paid to hire the army of Israel?”  The man of God told him, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this!”

Application:

When we do things God’s way, we get God’s results.  When we obey the Lord instead of doing what we think will work out, He is able to give us much more than we can ask, think or imagine.  Learning to trust God over our own minds is a huge step.  I need to trust God more and more and trust myself less and less.  God’s ways don’t always make sense to us, but He knows better than us what needs to happen at all times.

Prayer:

Father, help me to trust you instead of leaning on my own understanding.  Help me to obey You, even when it doesn’t make sense.  Teach me to hear Your voice clearly and do as You say on a daily basis. I want to see Your will be done in and through my life.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Friday, June 28, 2019

Speak What God is Saying

Scripture:

“But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what my God says.””
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭18:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Micaiah was bold and prophesied some very harsh things, but he was determined not to be influenced by money, prestige, etc.  He simply wanted to honor the Lord and speak what God was truly saying.  He didn’t cave in and tell the king what he wanted to hear, but told him exactly what the Lord was truly saying.

Application:

God needs some more Micaiahs.  He needs some men and women who will stand up and declare what He is saying to our generation.  I need to be one of those that the Lord can trust with His message.  I need to declare what He is saying and not what will make me popular or build my church.  I want to be more like Micaiah who wouldn’t sell out, even if it meant death or imprisonment.

Prayer:

Father, empower me with Your Spirit to speak accurately on Your behalf.  Open my ears to hear Your voice and my eyes to see what You are doing.  Help me to follow You and Your words with all my heart and to speak what You are speaking.  Make me bold and confident when I hear from You.

Your Son,
Jeff

Thursday, June 27, 2019

The Enemy Will Not Succeed

Scripture:

“So you see, God is with us. He is our leader. His priests blow their trumpets and lead us into battle against you. O people of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed!””
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭13:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

We are told here that God was with Judah and was their leader.  They had not walked away from Him and were still following His words.  Therefore, the king had confidence that God would fight their battles.  He told Israel not to fight against them because they would not succeed because Israel was trusting in gods made with their own hands.

Application:

When we do things God’s way, we get God results.  When we follow the Lord as He wants us to follow Him, our enemies will not be victorious.  We must trust the Lord completely and walk in His ways, then our enemies will be routed and we will walk in His victory.  He is able to defeat every enemy, he just needs us to live lives that honor and please Him.

Prayer:

Father, Once again I give you my life.  I am Yours.  I want to hear the prophetic voice of my God.  I want to see You, know You, hear You and walk with You.  Open my eyes to see and my spiritual ears to hear what You are saying at all times.  I love You with all my heart.  Thank you for working with us in the Dominican Republic and touching many lives.  You are awesome.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Monday, June 17, 2019

Guarding the Tabernacle

Scripture:

“Shallum was the son of Kore, a descendant of Abiasaph, from the clan of Korah. He and his relatives, the Korahites, were responsible for guarding the entrance to the sanctuary, just as their ancestors had guarded the Tabernacle in the camp of the Lord.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭9:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Korahites, at this time in history, were responsible for guarding the entrance to the sanctuary, just as their ancestors  had guarded the Tabernacle.  Their job was to make sure nobody entered who was unworthy and that nobody could come to destroy the Temple.  They were highly respected for their job of guarding the Temple from anyone who wasn’t suppose to go in there.

Application:

The Holy Spirit lives within us as His people.  Paul says that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit.  We must learn to guard the Holy Spirit within us as the Korites guarded the Temple.  We need to guard our mind, soul, body, etc. from allowing anything in that the Holy Spirit wouldn’t want in.  We now are the guardians of the presence of the Lord.  We must protect Him living within us.  We must make sure nothing enters us that is not of God.

Prayer:

Father, purify my life.  Help me to walk in righteousness and let it be a guard around me.  I want to guard my heart and mind from anything you don’t want there.  Help me to be a better Temple Guard physically as well.

Yours,
Jeff

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Favor isn’t Fair

Scripture:

“These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven and a half years. Then David reigned another thirty-three years in Jerusalem. The sons born to David in Jerusalem included Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. Their mother was Bathsheba, the daughter of Ammiel.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭3:4-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

From reading the genealogy of David as recorded in I Chronicles, Solomon was probably about the 11th son of David in succession order.  Chronicles doesn’t exactly say this was the chronological order, but it does name his first sons who were born before he moved to Jerusalem.  Solomon was still well down the list of David’s sons, but favor was on his life.  In a king’s house, succession and birth order is everything, but not so with King David.  He broke the rules and gave favor to Solomon.

Application:

Favor isn’t fair.  When God’s favor is on someone’s life, they will experience favor that can’t be explained except that God intervened in their life.  If God can bypass 11 sons and make Solomon king after David, He can place His favor on my life and allow me to be blessed whether I deserve it or not.  God can do whatever He wants to do.  I want His favor on my life.

Prayer:

Father, I want to walk in Your favor and blessing every day of my life.  I want to follow You wholeheartedly.  Let my life please You and place Your hand of blessing on everything I do.  Bless my upcoming trip to Dominican Republic.  Let Your kingdom be advanced in that nation as a result of us being there.  Let Your favor be upon us for great things in DR.

Yours,
Jeff

Friday, June 14, 2019

Overflow

Scripture:

“Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:8‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Paul is telling the Corinthians that as they are generous in their giving, God will bless their lives overwhelmingly.  He tells them God is more than ready to overwhelm them in every form of grace and that they will have more than enough of everything.

Application:

Do I really believe God is more than enough and that He will overwhelm me with His abundance of every good thing.  I think sometimes I set my sights too low and don’t believe God will really bless me like I know He can.  I have seen Him do it for others, and even in my own life at times, but I tend to live like I’m not expecting the overflow of God’s goodness.

Prayer:

Father, You are the giver of every good and perfect gift.  As we have been faithful to give more and more, will You open the windows of heaven over my family and let us see the overflow of Your goodness.  We need a house with main level living and bedrooms on the main level.  Overflow and let this come to pass and we will give You praise.

Yours,
Jeff

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Excel in Generosity

Scripture:

“You do well and excel in every respect—in unstoppable faith, in powerful preaching, in revelation knowledge, in your passionate devotion, and in sharing the love we have shown to you. So make sure that you also excel in grace-filled generosity.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing and commending the Corinthians about their gifts and giving, and encouraging them to continue and increase their giving.  He told them that they excel in unstoppable faith, powerful preaching, revelation knowledge, and passionate devotion.  Then he told them to also excel in grace-filled generosity.

Application:

As I read this today, I desire to give more and more through my personal life and through our church. I want to excel in grace-filled generosity.  I want God to bless my life so that I can be a blessing to others.  I desire to be a vessel God can give and help people through at ever-increasing measure.

Prayer:

God, You know my heart.  I long to be in a place of being able to help more and more people.  I want to walk in a higher level of generosity.  Increase my faith.  Bless my life more and more so I have enough to meet my needs and to be a blessing to others.  Open the windows of heaven over my life, Word of Life and Hearts for the Harvest.

Your Son,
Jeff

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Our Capability

Scripture:

“Yet we don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence flows from God’s empowering presence.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Paul tells us that he didn’t see himself as capable to do anything, but that his competence flowed out from God’s empowering presence. He understood that without the power of the Holy Spirit, he didn’t have what it takes to do what he was doing.  All glory went to the Lord because Paul knew without that, he couldn’t do what he needed to do.

Application:

When our competence is in ourselves, we will fail. The first sign that you are going to fail is when you think you can do your work for God in your own power.  What we do for the Lord is totally dependent on Him.  He is our source of strength and power to do what He has placed before us.  He must remain the center of all we do and our reliance must be on Him instead of ourselves.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to rely less on myself and more on You.  Teach me to walk with You and to work with You.  I want to be Your partner in serving others.  Empower me to do Your will.  Show me what that is at all times and let’s work together to build Your kingdom.

I am Yours,
Jeff

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

As Never Before

Scripture:

“Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭23:25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This verse says that there was “never before” a king like King Josiah.  He turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength.  It even says that there has never been one like him since.  When Josiah turned to the Lord, he totally turned to the Lord.  He destroyed every other god and brought revolution to Judah.  He passionately pursued the Lord.

Application:

Uncommon results require uncommon obedience.  Just as Josiah was a king with uncommon obedience, God is looking for those who would follow Him with uncommon obedience.  Drastic times call for drastic measures and God is looking for someone who will pursue Him with all their heart and mind and soul.  I want to be that person.

Prayer:

Father, help me to passionately pursue You and Your ways.  Help me to have the heart to please You fully and completely.  I want to serve You well in my generation.  I want to see revival in my life, my church and my region.  I want Your hand to rest mightily upon me for Your purposes in the earth.  Have Your way in my life.  I am Yours.

Your Son,
Jeff

Monday, June 10, 2019

When God Fights Your Enemies

Scripture:

“That night the angel of the Lord went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭19:35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Assyrians had been trying to intimidate God’s people and had belittled the Lord God Almighty saying that He couldn’t rescue His people from the army of Assyria.  They boasted about their power, but God decided to show them what power really was.  When they woke up in the morning 185,000 soldiers were laying dead.  God will not be mocked.

Application:

When God decides to fight your battles, you are in good hands.  When He determines to stand on your behalf, there is no nuclear war program or military in the world that can outdo Him.  He has the power of life and death and can wipe out entire armies in a moment.  I need to trust the Lord of my life to take care of my battles.  He is more than able.  I must learn to put my trust in Him completely and to leave the battles in His hands.  He is more able than me to defeat those who rise against me.

Prayer:

Father, You are amazing!  Your power is beyond comprehension.  Teach me to trust You more with the details of my life.  Let me walk with You and work with You.  You are my everything.  Defeat the power of the enemy in my life and bring Your incredible blessings into my life, my home, my family, etc.

Yours,
Jeff

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Honesty and a Good Reputation

Scripture:

“No accounting of this money was required from the construction supervisors, because they were honest and trustworthy men.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

There were repairs being made to the Temple.  The priests were taking the money that was being collected and using it on themselves.  Finally, the king decided to make sure the priests were not taking anything and they put a piggy bank in the Temple.  Whatever came in went to the construction supervisors for the repairs.  They Didn’t have to account for the money because these were trustworthy men, more trustworthy than the priests.

Application:

In ministry, it is easy to feel like you deserve to be blessed.  You give a lot all the time and one can begin to feel like they are owed something.  As ministers, we must always live trustworthy lives and do what we say we are going to do.  We must have a good reputation and be trustworthy.  This is crucial.  The construction supervisor should not be more honest than the priests.

Prayer:

Father, in all my dealings, let me be honest and open.  Help me to walk in a manner that people who know me best, respect me most.  Help me to make Your name look good.  I want to represent You well.  Enable me to finish well.  Let ministry never be about money in my life.  I do ask You to bless me in every area.  Provide for me to buy a home for my family that will work for us in this expensive area.

Yours,
Jeff

Friday, June 7, 2019

Almost is Not Enough

Scripture:

“But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jesus had done some really great deeds in turning away from Baal worship and taking steps to honor the Lord.  He did more than most, but this verse says that almost is not enough.  Apparently, even though he was zealous for the Lord, he personally did not obey the Law of the Lord with all his heart and didn’t turn from certain sins.

Application:

Sometimes we can turn to God and “almost” do the right things with our lives.  Sometimes we make decisions, but don’t follow through.  In those cases, my intentions were pure, but I didn’t follow through on my commitment.  I need to realize that “almost” is not enough.  God wants all of my life, not some of it.  I want to live a life of full consecration and surrender, but that is easier said than done.

Prayer:

Father, help me to do Your will in the earth in my generation.  I don’t want to be an “almost” good leader.  I want to serve you well and fulfill Your plans for my life.  Before the world was created, You had a plan for my life.  Help me to find and fulfill that plan leaving nothing undone of Your plans for my life.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Prophetic Insight

Scripture:

“The king appointed his officer to control the traffic at the gate, but he was knocked down and trampled to death as the people rushed out. So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted when the king came to his house.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭7:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Elisha had predicted exactly what would happen and it came to pass exactly how he said it would.  He prophesied a radical change in the economy within twenty-four hours and it happened exactly how he said it would.  Elisha spoke accurately on behalf of the Lord.

Application:

I want to walk with God as Elisha did.  I want to speak on the Lord’s behalf and be on target 100%.  I want to be able to say that it happened, “exactly” like he said it would.   Today we have the gifts of the Spirit and a relationship with the Holy Spirit that these men only wish they could have, yet they prophesied with incredible accuracy.  We should be even more accurate.  I need to seek God more and more until His words flow from my lips.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to follow Your voice and speak what You are speaking.  Your re never wrong and what You say always comes to pass.  I want to hear clearly the word of the Lord.  I want to represent You well in the earth.   Guide me.  Lead me. Show me.  I am Yours.

Your Son,
Jeff

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Knowing Things By The Spirit of God

Scripture:

“But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants?”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭5:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Elisha’s servant went to Naaman to trick him into giving him a large portion of gold and clothing.  He lied to Naaman about Elisha wanting the silver that had been offered earlier.  When he hid the silver and then approached Elisha, the man of God said, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit”.  Elisha knew everything that had happened.

Application:

I want to walk in the Spirit as Elisha did.  I want to have the Spirit reveal things to me so others can see how real God is.  I love the word of knowledge gift of the Spirit.  I believe it touches people’s lives and lets them know that God sees them and knows their lives.  I want to grow deeper in that gift.

Prayer:

Father, simply said, I want to be a man of God who hears from God and does Your will.  I want to live with open ears and eyes to hear and see what You want done in the earth.  Help me to be more sensitive to You and Your voice.

Yours,
Jeff

Monday, June 3, 2019

No Backup Plan

Scripture:

“So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19:21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

When Elijah put his mantle on Elisha, Elisha went home to the oxen he use to work with and slaughtered them and built a fire for the meat and to burn his plow, which was his old means of living and income.  He decided that he was following the Lord with no backup plan.

Application:

Sometimes we tend to always want to have a backup plan in case things don’t work out in serving God.  It seems to be wisdom to have a backup plan in case God’s plans don’t work out, but it is actually a lack of faith in God’s provision.  When God calls, I need to follow, even if it doesn’t make sense and I don’t have a back up plan.  He blesses those who are completely His.

Prayer:

Lord, let my faith in You increase.  Help me to be a man of faith who trusts You completely.  Help me not to stress over how I’m going to live or where I’m going to live, but to know I am following You and that You will take care of me and provide for me.  I am Yours.

Your Son,
Jeff

Sunday, June 2, 2019

God Will Provide for His People

Scripture:

“Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.””
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭17:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

When God’s people obey His voice, He will always take care of them.  He told Elijah to go down to a brook and crank from the brook and that He had commanded ravens to bring him food.  God is more than able to feed His people and take care of them.

Application:

My trust level in God has to go to the next level.  I trust God, but I also lean on my own understanding quite heavily.  God can command birds to bring me food if it is necessary.  If He can do that, He can pay my bills, fix things around me, and cause me to prosper without a paycheck.  He is my source and my resource, but I need to trust Hi more and more.

Prayer:

Lord God, You are incredible.  If you can feed Elijah by sending a raven, You can take care of my life.  You are my provider!  Help me to trust You more and not take things into my own hands when things get tight.  Help me to rely on You and not credit cards, etc.

Yours,

Jeff