Power in Clay Jars

 Scripture:

“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Corinthians here and tells them about the extraordinary power in him that belongs to God. That power, Paul said, comes from God and not from us. He used the analogy that we are simple clay jars, containing the power, but not the source of the power. Paul knew he had great power, but he also knew where it came from.

Application:

As God’s children, we have the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We should not shy away from the fact that we have extraordinary power, but we should never forget there that power comes from. We must always point to Jesus, and not ourselves. We are simple conduits of God’s power. We can do nothing without Him, but everything with Him. We just need to learn our place and walk with God to fulfill His purposes.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious. You are incredible and I worship You. You are worthy of all my praise and worship. You are worthy of any sacrifice I need to make. You are my everything. Help me to walk in Your power, but remember that power comes from You and You alone. This world needs to see You working through people, but they need to know it is not the people, but God Almighty working through them. 

Yours,

Jeff

All Your Heart

 Scripture:

“The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant before the Lord, agreeing to follow the Lord and to obey his commandments, laws, and rules with all his heart and being, by carrying out the terms of this covenant recorded on this scroll. All the people agreed to keep the covenant.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭23‬:‭3‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

King Josiah ran after God with all his heart. When he heard the word of the Lord, he went through Judah tearing down everything he could have previous worship of other gods. He did his very best to turn God’s people back to God. In this passage, he had just read the scroll found in the Temple and renewed a covenant with God with all his heart and being. Even the people followed him and entered a covenant with God. Unfortunately it didn’t last, but the heart was right.

Application:

We should tremble at the word of the Lord. When we read God’s word, it should shake us like it did Josiah. When we read the scrolls of the Lord, we should look to repent and turn completely to God. It is the natural response when we realize we have neglected the voice of God. I want to serve God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I want to serve Him well in my generation.

Prayer:

Father, forgive our half-heartedness. Help me to run to You and away from anything that You don’t approve of. Teach me to tremble at Your word and to live a life that pleases You. I want to see the blessings that follow a heart that is completely sold out to You. Let me never be a half-hearted Christian. I want to be sold out for You and Your purposes in the earth. 

Yours,

Jeff

God’s Angel Army

 Scripture:

“I will shield this city and rescue it for the sake of my reputation and because of my promise to David my servant.’” That very night the Lord’s messenger went out and killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. When they got up early the next morning, there were all the corpses.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Assyria was coming after God’s people and King Hezekiah cried out to the Lord. It seemed there was no hope for God’s people. When Hezekiah cried out to the Lord, God decided to move. He was told that he would not have to defend against the Assyrians because the Lord would deter them. That night, an angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians and they held quickly from God’s people. 

Application:

When the enemy threatens, we must remember that God can do far more than we think He can do. He can send angel armies to defeat enemies. He has resources we can’t even imagine. We must do our best to serve God, then know that we have a covenant with Him. He will fight our battles as we align ourselves with Him. God can handle any situation that comes our way. We must learn to trust Him more and believe He will take care of His own.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I worship You! I glorify Your name. I exalt You! You are the only one worthy of praise. When the enemy threatens my life, or my family, or my church, let me respond in faith, knowing God will fight my battles. Let my faith in God grow to new levels. Help me to trust You above the reports of this world. Work Your miracles on our behalf I pray.

Yours,

Jeff

Obedience Brings Favor

 Scripture:

“He was loyal to the Lord and did not abandon him. He obeyed the commandments which the Lord had given to Moses. The Lord was with him; he succeeded in all his endeavors. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to submit to him.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

King Hezekiah was loyal to the Lord and did not abandon Him. He obeyed the Lord‘s commands that were given through Moses. Because he follow the Lord and was loyal to Him, it says the Lord was with him and he was successful in all his endeavors. Success comes from being in with relationship with God. He is the author of success. 

Application:

Success and victory don’t come from us or our hard work. The Lord blesses those who live according to His ways. He is faithful when His people are faithful. God rewards and honors those who listen to His voice and do what He says. God is with you when you walk in obedience and when God is with you, no enemy can prosper against You. 

Prayer:

Lord, let my life be a life of obedience to You and Your word. Help me to follow You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. You are my rock and the foundation of my life. Help me to serve You well. I want to represent You well in my generation. Teach me Yours ways. Let my life be a life of obedience.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Fully Surrendered

 Scripture:

“He did what the Lord approved, just as his father Uzziah had done. But the high places were not eliminated; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense on the high places. He built the Upper Gate to the Lord’s temple.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭15‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

This passage is repeated in one way or another concerning many of the kings of Israel and Judah. Many of the kings did a good job and sought the Lord, but they didn’t go as far as eliminating the high places where other gods were worshiped in their countries. Many kings were defined with these similar words. They did a good job, but didn’t cleanse the land from the worship of other gods. God always pointed this out as a reason why they didn’t see the full blessing of God during their reign.

Application:

As God’s people, we are to eliminate every idol from our lives. We cannot serve God and still allow things in our life that God disapprove of. As I said the other day, partial obedience is still disobedience. We must be a people who are fully surrendered to God and hold no idols in our lives. If God says to do something, we must do it, and do it with all our heart. We must drive out from our lives anything that displeased Him.

Prayer:

Father, I  don’t want the words written about my life that I did a good job, but didn’t fully follow the Lord. If You want something removed, I want it removed. Help me to walk with You daily and to hear what You are speaking. Show me how to serve You well in my generation. I trust You and want to fulfill Your will for my life. Teach me, instruct me, show me, and I will follow. 

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Partial Obedience Partial Reward

 Scripture:

“The Lord said to Jehu, “You have done well. You have accomplished my will and carried out my wishes with regard to Ahab’s dynasty. Therefore four generations of your descendants will rule over Israel.” But Jehu did not carefully and wholeheartedly obey the law of the Lord God of Israel. He did not repudiate the sins which Jeroboam had encouraged Israel to commit.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭10‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Jehu did well. He did much of what the Lord wanted him to do, but he partially obeyed. He left certain things in the land that did not honor the Lord. He had followed the Lord in destroying the descendants of Alan, but didn’t tear down all the Baal images in the land. He was blessed to have four generations rule over Israel. Even though he partially obeyed, he was blessed at some level.

Application:

I have always preached that partial obedience is still disobedience. This passage showed me that God honors obedience, even when it isn’t complete obedience. Jehu got four generations on the throne because he obeyed in certain areas. If he had obeyed fully, he would have seen his family blessed for more generations. The application is that the fuller our obedience, the greater the reward. I want to fully obey all that the Lord gives me to do.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, my life is in Your hands. I am trying to fully obey You in every area of my life. Teach me to follow You well and to walk in complete obedience. I long to see Your blessing on my life and everything I lead. You are incredible and I want to serve You well. Help me not to settle for partial obedience and partial blessing. I want to be all in.

Yours,

Jeff

Led by Money or Led by God?

 Scripture:

“Elisha replied, “I was there in spirit when a man turned and got down from his chariot to meet you. This is not the proper time to accept silver or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, sheep, cattle, and male and female servants. Therefore Naaman’s skin disease will afflict you and your descendants forever!” When Gehazi went out from his presence, his skin was as white as snow.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭5‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Naaman came to Elisha to be healed of leprosy. Elisha told him to dip seven times in the Jordan River. When he did it, he was healed. Naaman wanted to pay Elisha, but Elisha refused to take anything for the miracle. Elisha’s servant Gehazi saw this exchange and was upset. He saw an opportunity for an offering. Gehazi chased Naaman down and lied to him to get some money and clothes. When Gehazi got back to Elisha, he was confronted and Elisha told him that he saw the whole thing in his spirit and that Gehazi would be punished for what he did. Immediately, Gehazi had leprosy.

Application:

Don’t take shortcuts to God’s blessing. We must be people of integrity and faith. We must follow the Lord completely and do what he says, even when it seems we have good opportunities to be blessed. Every financial gift isn’t from God. Every blessing isn’t His hand. We must discern when to receive gifts and when not to receive gifts. We must listen to the Lord over all other voices. We must never use people for their resources. We must do things God’s way and not our own.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are incredible and I count it a privilege to serve You. Help me to walk in purity and integrity of heart. Help me to never be led by offerings or money, but to walk through the doors You open. Teach me to walk humbly before You. Help me to be led by Your Spirit and not by money or any other thing. 

Yours,

Jeff