Produce Fruit

 Scripture:

“For this reason I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭43‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Jesus was talking to the teachers of the Law about the kingdom of God. He was letting them know that tax collectors and sinners would enter His kingdom before the religious, if their hearts were not right. In this verse, Jesus tells them that the kingdom will be taken away from them and given to those who will produce its fruit. He is looking for fruit.

Application:

The religious Scribes, Pharisees, and teachers of the Law were looking for religious behavior, Jesus brought the focus back to fruit. We Gentiles were let into this awesome kingdom so we could produce fruit. Fruit is what impresses Jesus, not works. He expects His kingdom to grow and develop it belongs to those who produce fruit. We should be more concerned about producing fruit with our lives. If it is important to Jesus, it is important to us.

Prayer:

Father, let my life produce much fruit. Let me walk with You and fulfill all Your plans for me. Help me to walk in step with You all the days of my life and let my works produce much fruit. I want to see Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I want to be a fruit producer.

Yours,

Jeff

Persistent Faith

 Scripture:

““Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”  Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭

Observation:

Jesus said to ask, seek, and knock, and that the door would be opened to us. He continued and told us that everyone asks receives, everyone who seeks, finds, and everyone who knocks, gets an open door. The key is in the tense of the verbs. We must ask and keep on asking. All three verbs imply continuing to ask

Application:

I am not good at asking some something over and over. As a leader, I tend to ask once, then do it myself if it isn’t done. I’m not good at asking someone for something over and over again. I usually take over and do the job myself. I do the same with God. I don’t like to bother God with my problems. I need ti continue seeking till I find.

Prayer:

Father, help me to have persistent faith and to never give up on Your breakthroughs. You are faithful to provide for your children. Enable me to have persistent faith and trust in you that causes me to keep on asking.

Yours,

Jeff

Don’t Worry About Tomorrow

 Scripture:

“So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭34‬ ‭

Observation:

At the end of his famous sermon on the mount, Jesus makes this simple statement. After telling his people not to worry about what to eat or drink, etc. he tells the, not to worry about tomorrow because each day has enough trouble of its own.

Application:

Sometimes we worry ourselves about things we have no control over anyway. We can’t be controlled by worry, but should be controlled by what the Spirit is saying to do each day. I want to walk in step with the Spirit all day every day.

Prayer:

Lord, align my ears with your voice and let me hear you clearly. Help me not to worry about things I have no control over anyway. Let me walk in step with you today in Cuba and every day.

Yours,

Jeff

Speaking Prophetically

 Scripture:

“Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather together so I can tell you what will happen to you in the future.” Genesis‬ ‭49‬:‭1‬ ‭

Observation:

Joseph not only could interpret dreams, he was also prophetic. He had a prophetic word about each of his children. He was a fantastic leader in Egypt, but he was also a man of God. Great fathers speak over their children’s future. 

Application:

I want to speak prophetically over my sons and my spiritual children. I want to be a man of God who knows the voice of God and speaks it accurately. I want to hear what God is saying and declare it to others. 

Prayer:

Lord, open my ears to hear your voice. Let my words be accurate and clear. Help me to speak your word and say what you want said. I am yours forever. Teach me your ways.

Your Son,

Jeff

The Very Best

 Scripture:

"Then get your father and all of your families, and return here to me. I will give you the very best land in Egypt, and you will eat from the best that the land produces." (Gen 45:18)

Observation:

When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, he told them to go get their father and bring him back to Egypt because he was going to give them the very best of Egypt. God had taken Joseph from a place of having nothing to being able to offer the best land and food of the country to his family. He went from a slave to the most powerful man in Egypt because God was with him. 

Application:

 When God is with us, everything can turn around. When God is with us, He can take us from slave to powerful leader in a relatively short amount of time. God can do more than we can imagine when we fully trust in Him. Sometimes we settle for okay when God has the very best of the land for us. Our Father loves us enough to give us the very best!

Prayer:

Father, You are amazing! You take slaves and turn them into princes. You transform lives and people. Help me not to settle on okay when You have the very best for my life. Help me to trust You and follow You in all things and fulfill Your will. I want to live like Joseph and know that God is with me and working on my behalf toward the very best.

Your Son,

Jeff

Success in EVERYTHING

 Scripture:

"The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master."

Observation:

Everywhere Joseph went, he succeeded, even when things were really bad. The reason for his success, "The Lord was with Joseph." God's favor was on his life in a special way. He not only succeeded; he succeeded in EVERYTHING he did. 

Application:

God loves us and wants good things for us. He wants His children to succeed in everything they do. That's the dream of every good father. We want our kids to be successful in every area. The key to this story is that "God was with Joseph." That should be our cry. When God is with us, things work so much better. When God is with us, favor comes upon us. God said if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. Therefore, my application is that I much continuously draw nearer and nearer to God.

Prayer:

Lord, I want to abide in the vine. I want to remain connected to You as my source in every moment of every day. Teach me to walk with You and to fulfill Your will for my life. Be with me as You were with Joseph. Let EVERYTHING I touch be successful

Your Son,

Jeff

God’s Blessing and Favor

 Scripture:

“But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, please stay here, for I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me on account of you.” He added, “Just name your wages – I’ll pay whatever you want.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭30‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, we see that Laban was blessed because Jacob was working for him. He realized that God had blessed him because of who was working for him and he offered him whatever he wanted to get him to stay. Jacob wanted to leave, but Laban begged him to stay so the blessing on his life would continue because of Jacob.

Application:

When God decides to bless His people, those around them can see the favor and blessing of God. God blesses His people and causes them to prosper in such a way that the world around them wants to work with them. For us today, we must realize that God can bless our lives and make us productive above and beyond the norm. We must be diligent, but when we are God’s children, we can walk in His blessing to the point where nobody wants us to leave because they are being blessed by our presence. We must realize that the blessing is part of Abraham’s covenant and we are the descendants of Abraham. We should expect to live blessed lives.

Prayer:

Father, let Your favor and blessing fall on my life. Let me be prosperous in every way. Use the work of my hands for Your glory. My life belongs to You. Align me with Your purposes and let your blessing fall on my family, my church, and my region because You are with me.

Yours,

Jeff