Generosity

 Scripture:

“He called his disciples and said to them, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. For they all gave out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on, everything she had.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭43‬-‭44‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Jesus showed His disciples this lady that threw two copper coins into the offering. It amounted to very little, but to her, it was a massive sacrifice because she needed that money to buy something to eat. She gave out of her poverty and everyone else gave out of their abundance. Sometimes, it’s not what we give, but what’s leftover after we have given.

Application:

Generosity is really observed by how much we have left after we have given. Sacrificial giving will cost you something, but it gets God’s attention. God has been challenging me about sacrificial giving for His kingdom and purposes. I’ve heard it said, when God blesses you, don’t increase your standard of living, increase your standard of giving. I want to live a generous life that God can bless.

Prayer:

Father, I want to hear Your voice concerning giving. You are the Lord of my life and I surrender my finances to You. Help me to listen and obey when You speak. Teach me to keep kingdom priorities above my own priorities. Let me have a generous spirit that listens and follows Your direction at all times. 

Your Son,

Jeff

Believe

 Scripture:

“Then Jesus said to him, “‘If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Jesus was speaking with a man whose son, from birth, would be thrown into the fire or water because of a demon. The disciples of Jesus were not able to cast out the demon and get the boy healed. When Jesus arrived and was informed about the situation he asked the man what he wanted. The man replied, “if you are able, heal my son.” Jesus replied that all things are possible for the one who believes. 

Application:

We must realize that the all-powerful lives within us and that all things are possible when He is at work. Nothing is impossible for God, therefore, nothing is impossible for His people. Our job is simply to believe. His job is to make the miracle happen. We can never question “if” God can do something. He can!!! We must simply believe He can and will do what He says He will do.

Prayer:

Father, You are great and glorious. You are mighty and majestic. You are incredible and awesome. Help my unbelief. Let me be a true believer, who believes You not only can, but will step into every situation. Increase my faith. Help me not to see the impossible, but to know that You specialize in the impossible. You are amazing, let my faith grow each day!

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Just Believe

 Scripture:

“But Jesus, paying no attention to what was said, told the synagogue ruler, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭36‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

While Jesus was healing and touching lives, Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, came to him and said his daughter was sick. As they were speaking, one of his servants came to him and told him not to bother Jesus because his daughter had died. The response of Jesus was so powerful. He told him, “Do not be afraid, just believe.” They walked to his house, Jesus resurrected his daughter and everyone witnessed a miracle. 

Application:

So many times in our lives we get bad news and the first thing that enters our mind and heart is fear of what will happen next. We generally begging to play out our downfall in our minds because something bad happened to us. Rather than listening to fear, Jesus told Jairus to “just believe.” Fear and faith cannot co-exist. I want to be a faith-filled person and not ever walk in fear. Fear is a manipulator, but faith changes things. I want to live my life fearless and full of faith.

Prayer:

Father, I want a simple walk with You that “just believes” what You speak. Increase my faith to see what You want me to see. Teach me to walk with You in confidence and boldness. Help me to overcome fear and to let faith guide my life instead of fear. Let my thoughts remain on You and let my response always be a response of faith instead of fear.

Yours,

Jeff

A House Divided

 Scripture:

“If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Jesus was accused of casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub. He replied that a devil can’t cast out a devil. He then offered this one statement, “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” This statement has powerful truth in it. Division destroys, but unity is powerful. There is no power in division, but there is incredible power in unity. 

Application:

In the Body of Christ, we must realize that we need each other. We need unity. A house divided against itself cannot stand. We need undivided heart, undivided homes, undivided churches, and undivided businesses. We cannot stand if we are divided. I want to be a unifier in the Body of Christ. I want to be a unifier in my home. I want to live with an undivided heart. 

Prayer:

Father, let me live an undivided life. Help me to serve You completely and never be divided in my devotion. Let my life bring unity to myself, my family, and my world. I want to build things that will last. Help me to unify Your people.

Yours,

Jeff

Marked by God’s Presence

 Scripture:

“For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, but fire would be on it at night, in plain view of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭40‬:‭38‬ ‭NET‬

Observation:

When Israel did everything exactly as the Lord had told them to do it in preparation of the Tabernacle, He confirmed their work with His holy presence. Israel, in the wilderness, had a visible representation of the Lord’s presence. They could see the cloud by day and the fire by night. There was no doubt about where they were supposed to to go because they were led by the cloud and the fire. It was in plain view of everyone. Nobody could deny the presence of the Lord in their midst.

Application:

 We are to be known as a people who carry the presence of the Lord. The presence of the Lord should be the most significant difference between us and the rest of the world. We are to be a people who carry the presence of God in our lives. As for me, I want God’s presence in everything I do. I want confirmation that I am on the right track because of His manifest presence. I don’t want to miss a thing that God desires for me. I want to be a follower of His presence and one who walks in the presence of God. I want to live a life that pleases God in every area.

Prayer:

Father, let Your presence on and in my life be the hallmark of who I am. I want the world to know You. Help me to be a bearer of Your presence. Show me how to walk closer to You at all times. My heart cries out for You and Your presence. Come Holy Spirit and walk with me. Lead me and show me how to live a life that pleases You and honors Your presence and Your will. Unless Your presence goes with me, I don’t want to do anything.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Skilled Hands and Surrendered Hearts

 Scripture:

“Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person in whom the Lord had put skill – everyone whose heart stirred him to volunteer to do the work,” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭36‬:‭2‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

When the Tabernacle was being built for the Lord God Almighty, Moses summoned those who had specific skills. He also used everyone whose heart stirred them to volunteer to do the work. Some people were used because they had the exact talents and skill sets needed for the Job. Others were used because God stirred their hearts to help out. God uses hands and hearts.

Application:

God uses hands and hearts that are offered to Him. He will use our specific skills to do His work. He will also take someone who doesn’t have the skills, but has a strong heart to serve, and use them. Skills can be learned when you have the right heart. I want a heart that is always stirred to do God’s work. I want God to have complete access to my heart and train my hands to do the work that needs done. 

Prayer:

Father, I offer my heart and my skills to You. Have Your way in my life. Use me for Your glory. I offer You everything I have. My heart is stirred to do whatever You ask me to do. Show me how to discern what is You and what just happened to open up to me. Help me to never refuse to do something because I don’t feel trained for it. I want to accomplish all that You have for me in my life.

Your Son,

Jeff

Leave Me Alone

 Scripture:

“So now, leave me alone so that my anger can burn against them and I can destroy them, and I will make from you a great nation.”” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭32‬:‭10‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

God and Moses were having a talk about the people God had just rescued from the hands of the Egyptians. The people had made an idol to worship and God wanted to destroy all of them and start over with Moses to make a great nation. When God said, “Leave me alone” to Moses, He was saying, stop interceding for them because I want to destroy them. The intercession of Moses stopped the hand of God from destroying His people.

Application:

Intercession is powerful Intercession moves the hand of God. Many time in Scripture, God intended to destroy His people for their many sins, but someone interceded before Him on their behalf. To interceded means to stand between or stand in the gap. An intercessor stand in between God and the people, asking God for mercy on behalf of the people. God always hears the cries of the intercessor. Our generation needs those who will stand before God day and night interceding for the people. May God have to tell me one day to leave Him alone because I am praying so much. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to honor the place of the intercessor better in my life and ministry. Let my life be a life of prayer and intercession for Your people. Teach me to hear your voice and act on what You tell me. Help me not to be like Aaron, who did what the people wanted, but like Moses who represented God well to those he was leading. Help me to lead well.

Yours,

Jeff