Suffering for Others to be Blessed

 Scripture:

“and most of the brothers and sisters, having confidence in the Lord because of my imprisonment, now more than ever dare to speak the word fearlessly.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing here to the Philippians from a prison cell. He states that God’s people now had more boldness to preach God’s word fearlessly because of his imprisonment. He was honored to serve his prison sentence because it was helping the Body of Christ grow strong. He knew his imprisonment was empowering the Church and he rejoiced in that.

Application:

We must learn to live like the Apostle Paul. We must be willing to suffer for Christ if it means that others would be stronger in Christ. Of course we would rather prosper and be in health at all times, but we must have the attitude that we are willing to suffer for Christ if it blesses someone else and strengthens their faith. We must learn to live selfless lives.

Prayer:

Father, You are incredible and it is an honor to serve You. You are my rock and my salvation. You are my hope and my help. Teach me to live a selfless life. Show me how to prefer others above myself and to live for Your kingdom above all else. Help me to have the right attitude toward suffering and difficulties. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Divine Reversals

 Scripture:

“The king then removed his signet ring (the very one he had taken back from Haman) and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther designated Mordecai to be in charge of Haman’s estate.” ‭‭Esther‬ ‭8‬:‭2‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Mordecai was faithful to God and was blessed for it. He did the right thing at all times and humbled himself before the Lord. He walked in step with the Lord and God favored him for it. He ended up receiving the signet ring of the king and living in the estate of the second most powerful man in the empire. 

Application:

When God turns things around, He does it with class. God is faithful to His people when they are faithful to Him. When I read Scripture, I see so many times when God’s people were in terrible situations, but God brought them out with incredible blessings, wealth, and honor. He had a way of promoting those who are faithful to Him. We must trust God and seek him like Mordecai did.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be faithful when it looks like things are not going well. I also ask You to step in and provide Your incredible favor and provision when it is needed. You are awesome and I love the way You bless and take care of Your people. Let my life be aligned with You at all times. Provide the resources for me to extend Your kingdom around the world.

Yours,

Jeff

God Plus Nothing Equals Everything

 Scripture:

“When it became the turn of Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai (who had raised her as if she were his own daughter) to go to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her.” ‭‭Esther‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

When women were brought before the king in hopes of becoming the next queen, they brought gifts with them for the king. They were given whatever they wanted to give to the king. When it was Esther’s turn, she didn’t ask for anything special. She went as she was, yet she met the approval of everyone who saw her. She didn’t need anything extra because God was with her.

Application:

God plus nothing equals everything. When God is on your side, favor will come upon your life. When you have God’s favor, you don’t need anything else. Others can have more qualifications, but you will get the job. Others will have extra gifts and talents, but you will be promoted. When God placed His favor on your life, you will stand out from the crowd.

Prayer:

Lord God, You are incredible! I want to walk in Your favor and blessing. I want to live a life that You can bless in every way. Live in and through my life. Use me for Your glory and let Your goodness and grace be evident to those around me as I serve You with all my heart. You are the best!

Your Son,

Jeff

Ambassador in Chains

 Scripture:

“for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing here from a Roman prison. In prison, he sees himself as an ambassador in chains. He doesn’t ask them to pray that he will be released from prison, but that God will give him the ability to speak boldly as an ambassador in chains. He was not looking for a way out of his problems, but to be a bold witness in the middle of his problems.

Application:

When bad things happen to us, the natural reaction is to want to get out of a bad situation. Rather than looking to get out of every bad situation, we should pray for God to use us in the midst of the situation. As for me, I want God to be glorified in my life in the good times and in the bad times. 

Prayer:

Father, help me not to complain when things go wrong. Help me to see Your hand in everything that touches my life. I trust You and ask You to use me in the good times and in the bad times. You are worthy of my very best and I want to give that to You. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Even in the Desert

 Scripture:

“For forty years you sustained them. Even in the desert they never lacked anything. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭9‬:‭21‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Ezra is worshiping God in this passage for all He had done for the people of Israel. He recounted many of God’s incredible provisions through the years for His people. That verse stood out because of the words, “even in the desert they never lacked anything.” It continues by saying their clothes didn’t wear out and their feet didn’t swell during that forty years.

Application:

If God was able to take care of 2-3 million people in a desert, He can take care of me, my family, and the church I lead. When we are aligned with God’s plans and purposes, He provides and takes care of His people. There are times when life feels like a desert, with not a lot of growth and life, but God can provide in the midst of the desert. Even in the bad places of life, God is still our provider.

Prayer:

Lord God, You are incredible and I love You much! Help me to walk by faith in the are of provision. When I feel like I’m in the desert, provide for me and my family. Take care of the church You sent me plant. Help me to lead according to Your will and ways. Provide the land and buildings we need as a block. Provide the finances for our current place and enough to hire the help we need.

Yours,

Jeff

With the Help of Our God

 Scripture:

“When all our enemies heard and all the nations who were around us saw this, they were greatly disheartened. They knew that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Nehemiah and his team rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in 52 days, while being taunted by their enemies. When it was completed, their enemies were disheartened. Their enemies realized that God was involved in the process. They knew the God of Israel was working with them once again and they were filled with fear. 

Application:

When we are walking with God, we can expect some miraculous intervention at certain periods. During those times, we know that God is working with us to accomplish His will in and through our lives. I want the hand of God to be visible in my life. I want the enemies of God to see His faithfulness in my life. I want to live a life that makes the enemy fear because it is evident that only God could do the things that are accomplished.

Prayer:

Father, I love walking with You and serving You. You are my strength and my song. You are my rock and my salvation. You are the source of every good thing in my life. I want testimonies that let the world and the devil know that God is with me. I long to see Your miraculous power demonstrated around my life. You are my everything. Be glorified in my life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Pray, Fight, and Work

 Scripture:

“When I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awesome Lord, and fight on behalf of your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your families!”” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Nehemiah was trying to do what the Lord had called him to do. In the process, the enemies of Judah began to torment him and his workers. When he inspected what was happening, he reminded the people not to be afraid of their enemies, but remember the great and awesome Lord. HE then told them to fight on behalf of their brothers, sons, daughters, wives, and families. He encouraged them by reminding them that God was awesome and their families were worth the fight.

Application:

When I feel overwhelmed by all that is on my plate, I need to remember the great and awesome God I am working for, then I need to make it personal and fight for my family. As Mark Batterson says, we need to pray like it all depends on God and work like it all depends on us. I need to pray hard and work hard to fulfill all God has given me to fulfill.

Prayer:

Father, help me to honor You well in everything I do. Help me, when I don’t see things going well, that You are still great and awesome. Help me to trust You when I don’t see You working on my behalf. Also, empower me to fight for what I need to fight for and work for what is important to You and Your kingdom. 

Your Son,

Jeff