Thursday, March 28, 2024

Life Giving Word

 Scripture:

”These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.”“ ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭47‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

As Moses was about to die and he was giving his last speech to the people of Israel, he told them that God’s instructions, laws, decrees, etc. were not empty words, but “they are your life!” He finishes by saying that by obeying them, the people would enjoy a long life. I was grabbed by the phrase, they are your life, this morning. God’s word is not just a good idea. It is life! It sustains us and gives us strength.

Application:

God’s laws a commands are not burdensome, they are life! We have to stop looking at God’s ways as limitations and restrictions and see it as LIFE. God’s word is powerful and His ways are perfect. The more we align ourselves with Him and His word, the more we will enjoy a great life. As I get older, I want to finish strong and do everything God wants me to do. I want to live life to the fullest and experience the goodness of God. Therefore, I must be a student of His Word and a follower of His commands.

Prayer:

Father, I want my life to please You. I want to live a life you can bless. I want my life to be fruitful and to multiply what You have put in my hands. Show me how to live my life day by day and step by step. Align me with Your word and convict me when I get off track. Guide me with Your word and teach me to walk as You have prescribed for your people.

Yours,

Jeff

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Obedience Brings Multiplication

 Scripture:

”For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.“ ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage Moses is giving his final speech to the people of Israel. He is ready to turn the reigns over to Joshua and depart the scene. He tells them that they need to love God and keep His commands and walk in His ways. He tells them that if they do this, they will live and multiply, and see the blessing of God in the land they were going into.

Application:

I see here that a life of obedience brings multiplication. This year our theme at the church is multiplication. Here it tells us that obedience to God’s ways, decrees, and commands, brings multiplication. We can’t just do our own thing and live how we want to live and expect God to multiply our effectiveness. He wants us to walk in obedience above all else, then He decides to bless us, prosper us, and multiply us.

Prayer:

father, let my life bring honor to Your name. Empower me to live in a way that pleases You. Teach me to follow You well and to walk in obedience at all times. Holy Spirit open my ears and speak to me. Then give me to power and strength to do whatever You speak. I want to serve You well in my generation, then hear well done good and faithful servant when I see You face to face.

Your Son,

Jeff

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Our Choice

 Scripture:

”If you do not serve the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you. You will be left hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking in everything. The Lord will put an iron yoke on your neck, oppressing you harshly until he has destroyed you.“ ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭47‬-‭48‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Deuteronomy 28 is a listing of the blessings of obeying God and curses when Israel would not obey God. When following God completely, He promises incredible blessings. This particular verse is in the midst of the curses, but is powerful. It says that you will either serve the Lord with joy and enthusiasm, or you will serve your enemies. A simple, yet powerful, way to make that statement, but so true.

Application:

Jesus said you can’t serve God and money. Here it says you can serve God enthusiastically or you will serve your enemies. God wants to be first place in our lives. He doesn’t want to be second to anything or anyone. We must serve the Lord with joy and enthusiasm, and not just with our lips. He wants our full heart.

Prayer:

Father, help me to follow You with joy and enthusiasm. I don’t want to be half-hearted in my walk with You. Teach me to hear Your voice and to know Your ways. Bless my family. Let those around me know You more and more. Work in my life to produce what You desire. I am Yours. Fill me. Use me for Your kingdom. I love You with all my heart.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Monday, March 25, 2024

Responsibility for My Children

 Scripture:

”“Parents must not be put to death for the sins of their children, nor children for the sins of their parents. Those deserving to die must be put to death for their own crimes.“ ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭24‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This portion of scripture is a listing of many laws and rules the people of Israel were given by God on how to live throughout their generations. In this verse God speaks about parents being responsible for the actions of their children and children for the sins of the parents. He says those deserving punishment should get the punishment and that parents can’t be punished for the sins of their children.

Application:

Many times as parents we feel responsible for what our children do. Often we take responsibility and place ourselves in bondage thinking if we had done a better job raising them, that they wouldn’t be doing what they are doing. I need to be confident that I did the best I could as a parent and that my sons will stand before God for what they do or don’t do. I also don’t want to feel less valued as a parent because my children are not doing what they should. 

Prayer:

Father, help me as a parent not to feel so responsible for my children’s actions. Help me to release them to You knowing that I taught them well and that I won’t stand before You on account of what they do or don’t do. Help me to release feelings of failure when my kids do things I don’t like them doing.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Friday, March 22, 2024

Be Generous to the Poor

 Scripture:

”“There should be no poor among you, for the Lord your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession... Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.“ ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬, ‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

As God’s people were entering the Promised Land, He gave them instructions about everything to remind them of their covenant with Him. When they were blessed in the land He was giving them, there was to be no poor among them because of the generosity of God’s people. He told them to give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, then the Lord would bless them.

Application:

God has always looked for a people where He could eradicate poverty. Jesus came to preach Good News to the poor. God blesses us so that we can take care of the poor among us. We must not see the poor as a bad investment of resources, but as God’s people who we are commanded to take care of. God has a big heart for the poor, and we must shift our thinking in this area. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others.

Prayer:

Father, share with me Your heart for the poor. Show me what I should be doing for the poor on a regular basis. Help me to help those who can’t help themselves. Teach me to honor You well in this department. Let me never see blessing the poor as a bad investment because of business training, but as an act of obedience to God that You will bless.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Strength Through Obedience

 Scripture:

“Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter.“ ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭11‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking to His people just prior to them entering the Promised Land that flows with milk and honey. There are enemies in the land and they are going to need lots of strength to defeat them. Rather than telling them to work out and prepare themselves for battle, He tells them to be careful to obey every command He gave them that day. Obedience to God gives you the strength to fulfill His plans for your life.

Application:

Whatever we are facing, strength comes through obedience to the Lord. When we obey Him completely, He is glorified and His blessings begin to flow. He doesn’t bless what we want to do. He blesses obedience to Him and His word. When we do things God’s way, we get God’s results. Rather than focusing on strength, we need to focus on obedience because obedience will give us the strength we need for whatever we may face.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are faithful and true. You are powerful and glorious. You are mighty and majestic. Empower me to walk in obedience to You at all times. Let me hear Your voice clearly and help me to obey whatever I hear. I want to know You more. Help me to focus on the right things and know You will give me what I need to do Your will.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Be Careful

 Scripture:

“But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.“ ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Just prior to entering into the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness, God told His people to be careful. He was about to bless them and give them land that wasn’t theirs. He was going to empower them to kick out the inhabitants of the land they were going to see the goodness of God. He also told them to be careful not to forget the Lord or disobey His commands when they were blessed.

Application:

Sometimes success is our greatest enemy. When God brings us success in the world’s eyes, we have to be careful not to forget that it is all about the Lord and everything good is His doing and not our own. Sometimes when we are successful in people’s eyes, we tend to think we have accomplished things but as believers, God gets all the praise and honor for any good things in our lives. When He blesses us, we must shift the glory all back to Him.

Prayer:

Lord God, help me to never become prideful, but to realize when You bless me. Help me to know where my success comes from. And to walk in humility before You and others. You reject the proud and give grace to the humble. Teach me to walk in obedience and humility. I will be careful to give You all the praise and glory for whatever good things happen in and through my life. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff