Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Daily Wash 3/31

Scripture:

John 15:16 "You didn't choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name".

Observation:

Jesus was about to be crucified and He is with His disciples. His last meal with them He wanted to say the most important things to them. In this verse He says "You didn't choose me, I chose you". They needed to understand that they hadn't just made a decision to follow Jesus, but that Jesus chose them to follow Him. They also needed to know that He appointed them to go and produce lasting fruit and that the Father would give them whatever they needed to make that happen.

Application:

We must realize that we don't choose Jesus, He chooses us. Our lives are not our own, we've been bought with a price. Jesus gave his disciples a purpose, to produce lasting fruit. He says the same to us. Many people wonder what the will of God is for their lives. It can be summed up in these words, "produce lasting fruit". The disciples did their job. 2000 years later, we are fruit. How many people will be fruit bearers because of me?

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to bear much fruit. It is fruit that glorifies the Father. If we bear much fruit, the Father will give us whatever we want. Help me to hear Your voice clearer and become a fruit producer. I need your help in this. Show me the way as I continue to read Your word. I ask You now to let my life produce much fruit.

You're the best!
Jeff

Monday, March 30, 2009

Daily Wash 3/30

Scripture

John 12:10-11 "Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus".

Observation:

I love this scripture. You see the chief priests wanting to kill a guy who had just been dead four days. If they kill him, do they not think Jesus will resurrect him again? The second part of the verse is what stands out to me. It says that they wanted to kill him because many of the people believed on Jesus and had deserted them. This man did something with what Jesus did for him. He was a walking testimony of the power fo Jesus Christ. He evidently wasn't afraid to share what Jesus had done for him. He went out and shook up the city.

Application:

I may not have been physically raised from the dead after four days, but I was dead in my sins and trespasses and JEsus lifted me out and gave me new life. We have been given such a great testimony! Jesus reached into our lives and brought new life, hope and a future to us. We should be like Lazarus and do something with what Jesus did for us. May it be said of my life that people wanted to kill me because so many muslims, hindus, krishnas, jews, atheists, etc were coming to Christ. May I make an impact on this world with my life. Jesus has brought me back from the dead and I want to share that with others.

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for not sharing my testimony enough. FOrgive me for not spreading the good news enough. You are incredible and have done amazing works in my life. FOrgive me for not sharing more with others what You have done for me. Help me to become a soul winner and a disciple maker. I want my life to count for eternity!

I love you,
Jeff

Daily Wash 3/29

Scripture:

John 7:38 "Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the scriptures declare, Rivers of living water will flow from his heart".

Observation:

Just before this, Jesus shouts to the crowd, "Anyone who is thirsty let him come to me and drink". I'm sure they were thirsty from following Him. Some were probably dissapointed when they realized he was talking spiritually and not physically. He tells them that anyone who believe in him would have a river of living water flowing out of them. Many times the scripture compares the Holy Spirit to water. Here Jesus says that we as Christians should have a river flowing out of us.

Application:

Is your river stopped up? Is the Holy Spirit flowing through your life? A river never stops running. many of us feel the river flowing throug us on Sundays, but Monday morning there is not river flowing, not ever a trickle! I want the river of God to flow through me on a daily basis and never stop. Rivers don't start and stop. They continually flow! Also notice the water is "living water". There should be a life-giving stream flowing from our lives everyday. Rivers attract people, refresh people and provide for people. Our lives should attract people, refresh people and fill people.

Prayer:

Let your living water flow through my life today and everday. I want to be a river that continually flows with Your goodness and grace. Don't allow anything in me to stop up your river. help me to hear your voice every day and flow in what I hear. Teach me to abide in You and to allow You to flow through me everywhere I go.

I love serving You!
Jeff

Daily Wash 3/28

Scripture:

John 6:68-69 "Simon Peter replied, Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe and we know that You are the Holy One of God".

Observation:

Jesus had just made a difficult statement concerning eating His body and drinking His blood and many of those who were folowing Him turned away. He looked at His disciples and asked the question "Are you also going to leave?" Peter replies, "to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life." Peter realizes that there is no other way except through Jesus Christ and is willing to follow Him, no matter what everyone else does.

Application:

Many people get frustrated when life is difficult. They might think it is easy to follow Jesus, then when trials come they fall away. We must be people who realize that, no matter what the world has to offer, Jesus has the words that give life. He is the only way, no matter how we feel on any given day. He is the answer we need. May we become people who don't walk away when things get difficult. Walking away is too easy.

Prayer:

Lord, let me never walk away. May You light shine through me when things are good and when things are bad. I want to be a disciple of Christ, a follower to the end. Stengthen us that we may be more like Your disciples. You have the words of eternal life. Let us be people who are not swayed by opinions of other, but by the will of God.

Your Son,
Jeff

Daily Wash 3/27

Scripture

John 1:4 "The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone".

Observation

When Jesus came to this earth, He brought life. Life came everywhere He went. His life brought light wherever He went. Jesus lit up His world and His light has never stopped shining since.

Application

We are to be like Christ. His ministry was life-giving and our ministries must be life-giving. His ministry lit up His world, we should be lighting the world instead of becoming more and more like it. We should stand out as light in a dark world.

Prayer

Lord, let my light shine and allow my life to bring life to others. I want my life to be life-giving. I want to bring eternal life to whoever I run into today. Help me to stay on focus as I walk through this day.

Your Son,
Jeff

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Daily Wash 3/26

Scripture:

Luke 24:49 "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven".

Observation:

Jesus had just died, resurrected and walked around for some time. He was getting ready to depart and ascend into heaven. The last words He speaks to those around Him are extremely important. He tells them not to leave the city until they received the Holy Spirit.

Application:

Jesus felt that the power of the Holy Spirit was crucial in the life of a believer. In John, He said it was better for those around Him if He went away, because if He didn't go away the Holy Spirit could not come. The Holy Spirit is crucial equipment for us on a daily basis. Jesus told the disciples not to go about their ministry until they were endued with power from on high. We need the power fo the Holy Spirit to do the work of God in the world today. If it was important for the apostles and disciples, it is important for us.

Prayer:

Lord, may every person who ready this blog be filled to overflowing with the precious Holy Spirit. I want to be filled as they were on the day of Pentecost. I want more of You in my life! Come Holy Spirit and fill my life with Your presence and power.

I love You,
Jeff

Daily Wash 3/25/09

Scripture:

Luke 19:41 "But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep...44 because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation".

Observation:

As Jesus approached the city of Jerusalem, He began to weep. He realized that destruction was coming and that they had missed the time of their visitation. The King of all Kings had been with them, but they missed their opportunity. Jesus was broken hearted because He realized they would be destroyed.

Application:

It is important that we view the world like Jesus did. He was broken hearted when He realized they were going to be destroyed. He realized they were missing the day of their visitation. May we understand that we are living in the last days and a time of terrible destruction is right around the corner. May we make the most of every opportunity and live each day knowing that destruction is coming, but that there is a way of escape through Jesus Christ. May those around us accept the day of their opportunity. There is not much more time before the coming of the Lord. What we do, we must do quickly.

Prayer:

Lord, let my heart break for my city like Yours broke for Jerusalem. May Ashburn Virginia not miss the day of Your visitation. Let me be aware of You coming and live accordingly. Keep my eyes on You and my heart on the harvest. Please don't let Ashburn miss the day of your visitation!
Amen

Daily Wash 3/24/09

Scripture:

Luke 17:10 “ In the same way, when you obey Me you should say, We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty”.

Observation:

Jesus had just finished describing a scene where a servant has worked all day and comes in tired. The master of the house tells him to make him some food and wait on him, then go ahead and make yourself something. The servant didn’t even get thanked because it was his job. It didn’t hurt the servant’s feeling though, because this was what was expected of a servant.

Application:

It feels good to be appreciated and have people brag about how good you are. It is nice to do something great for God, but when it is all said and done He is going to ask us “Did you do what I asked you to do?” If our answer is anything but, “we have simply done our duty”, we will have the wrong answer. Answering the call of God is not easy, but the rewards are wonderful. “We have simply done our duty” takes pride out of the picture and allows us to see motive.

Prayer:
Lord, accolades are wonderful and I appreciate when they come, but my goal in life is to hear “well done thou good and faithful servant”. When it is all said and done, I want to be known as a servant of the Lord who does whatever his master asks. No matter how tired, beat up, abused or whatever. Help me Lord to have the right servant’s attitude.

I love you,

Your Son,
Jeff