Make Peace and Build People

 Scripture:

“So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭19‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Paul had just written about eating, or not eating, drinking or not drinking, etc. because of your personal convictions. He said that we shouldn’t make another person stumble because of our choices and convictions. In this passage, he tells us rather, to purse peace and what builds each other up. 

Application:

We have a choice to make, do we promote peace by keeping our personal convictions to ourselves, or do we promote our feelings and interpretations of the Scriptures? We must be careful to ravine our lives and pursue what is going to make peace and build up others. We should not be doing things that cause our brothers and sisters to stumble. We should not Salome our freedoms to weaker Christians either. Our end goal should be to build others up in the most holy faith and to make sure they are strong. In other words, we live for others and not for ourselves.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in such a way as to build others up. Let my life be used to build You kingdom, not bring shame to it. Let me live in such a way that brings peace among Your people while hunting my personal convictions. Teach me to navigate being a pastor and leader. I want to set a good example and to demonstrate walking in the Spirit. Help me to live a life that makes for peace and builds people up.

Yours,

Jeff

A Godly Outlook

 Scripture:

“For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Different translations use different words to describe the Greek thought in this passage. Generally, what is “outlook” here is “mind” or “thoughts.” The use of the word “outlook” is very thought-provoking. Your outlook is how you see things as you look out into the future. In this translation, it is saying that when we are led by the flesh, our outlook is shaped by the flesh and when we are led by the Spirit, our outlook is shaped by the Spirit.

Application:

Having a good outlook on life is important. A good outlook is an outlook of faith. To change our outlook, we have to change what we are led by. As for me, I want the outlook that comes from being led by the Spirit. Outlook is really about perspective. I want God’s perspective on the things that come up in my life and I want to have a good outlook. Therefore, I need to focus on being led by the Spirit and not the flesh.

Prayer:

Father, I want to be led by You. I want to walk with You and obey You at all times. Show me how to hear Your voice more clearly and teach me to walk in step with Your Spirit. I want to have the right outlook on life. Change my outlook I pray and let me be the person You want me to be.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Strengthen My Faith

 Scripture:

“He did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. He was fully convinced that what God promised he was also able to do.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

This verse is speaking about the faith of Abraham, who at 100 years old didn’t waiver about the promise that he would have a child with his wife Sarah, who was 90 years old. This verse says that he was “fully convinced”  that God would do what He said He would do. He didn’t waver in his faith, even though it seemed ridiculous that it would ever come to pass.

Application:

Am I fully convinced that God will do what He said He will do? I have to ask myself whether my faith level needs to be increased. There are certain things that I feel like maybe I have given up on, though I know God can still turn them around. I want my faith to be unwavering like Abraham’s. I want to live as a man of faith and not one who wavers when things are not going how I thought they would. 

Prayer:

Father, increase my faith! Help me to believe that when You promise something, it will come to pass. Help me to live by faith and not by sight. Let my eyes be on You and not on the circumstances around me. I want to be “strengthened” in faith like Abraham. Let my life be a life of faith that pleases You.

Yours,

Jeff

By Grace Through Faith

 Scripture:

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Paul is arguing in this text with observing the law as a means to salvation. He lets us know clearly that Jew and Gentile alike have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. He continues to let us know that we are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Though all have sinned, grace brings us to the redemption of Christ. It is by grace and through faith that we are saved. Works will never be enough to accomplish the Law.

Application:

I am justified because Christ was righteous, not because I am righteous. I am only righteous because of Jesus. Christ. I’m my own, I am filthy rags and dirty cloths. Apart from Jesus, I can’t save myself through my good works. Apart from Jesus, my debt cannot be paid. Thank You Jesus for taking my place, for bearing my shame, and for paying the debt I could never pay. You are incredible and it is a joy to serve You.

Your Son,

Jeff

I Need King Jesus

 Scripture:

“In those days Israel had no king. Each man did what he considered to be right.” ‭‭Judges‬ ‭21‬:‭25‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

The three chapters I read today told a terrible story about things that happened in Israel. It was a horrible time in God’s chosen family. There was division, death, destruction, and they almost totally annihilated one of their own tribes. The last verse in the chapter says, “In those days Israel had no king. Each man did what he considered to be right.” 

Application:

Each man doing what they think is right never ends well in history. We are not islands to ourselves and cannot simply be led by our own hearts. Today, everyone seems to want to be aligning with “their truth.” This is very similar to the statement, “Everyone did what he considered to be right.”  We must realize that there is only one truth and His name is Jesus. Any other truth isn’t really truth. We must live accountable to authority and to God Almighty.

Prayer:

Father, help me to follow You completely all the days of my life. Teach me to follow Your word and not follow the imaginations of my own heart. Help me to do things Your way and not my own. I want to represent You and Your will to those around me. Let my life reflect Your glory. Help me to never settle for my truth, but to submit to Your truth.

Yours,

Jeff

Satan Wants Our Vision

 Scripture:

“The Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him in bronze chains. He became a grinder in the prison.” ‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭21‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Samson had given the secret to his power to Delilah and she used it against him. The Philistines ended up capturing Samson and taking him to their place. The first thing they did was to gouge out his eyes. Even if his strength came back, then, he couldn’t overtake them. You can’t fight what you can’t see. 

Application:

Our enemy would like nothing more than to take our vision from us. Vision gets you up in the morning and keeps you moving all day. Satan likes to weaken us by stealing our vision or creating situations that make our vision seem hopeless. I can’t let the enemy steal my vision. I must remain clear and walking towards the vision God has given me. 

Prayer:

Father, I want to do what You want me to do. My vision is simply to accomplish all You have planned for me. Help me to remain focused on that at all times. Help me to evangelize the world and empower the church. Don’t let my vision grow dim or get too frustrated to follow it.

Yours,

Jeff

Called to Begin

 Scripture:

“Look, you will conceive and have a son. You must never cut his hair, for the child will be dedicated to God from birth. He will begin to deliver Israel from the power of the Philistines.”” ‭‭Judges‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

When God spoke to Samson’s parents about the child they were going to have, He gave them certain instructions. He was to be set apart because he would “begin” to deliver Israel from the power of the Philistines. 

Application:

When God calls or when we step into something, we generally think that we will finish the work. From before birth, Samson’s parents knew he was going to begin something, not finish something. We like to accomplish and finish tasks, but sometimes obedience means starting something that someone else will finish. Other judges in this book delivered Israel from its enemies. Samson was told that he would “begin” to deliver God’s people. I’ve got to get better at thinking long term and generationally. Some things in life I am called to finish and some things I may be called to start. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to start what You want started and finish what You want finished. Let me accomplish all You want me to accomplish in my lifetime. Use my life for Your glory and help me to stay in step with You. Teach me to think about building things that someone else will finish. More than anything, keep me in step with You.

Your Always,

Jeff