Scripture:
Exodus 25:22 "I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hove over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you commands for the children of Israel".
Observation:
God is giving Moses the instructions for building the Tabernacle. As he ws giving instructions about the holy place, He threw in this sentence. "I will meet with you there and talk to you...I will give you commands for the children of Israel." God wanted a place where He and Moses could meet and talk. He has always desired a relationship with His people, yet His people many times don't have time to spend with Him.
Application:
God still wants a place and time to meet with His people. He wants to make it onto our agendas! He longs to meet with us and speak to us. He set up guidelines about where and when to meet with Him back then. Now, we are to pray without ceasing. Though we are to pray without ceasing, God also very much appreciates His people arranging a time and a place to meet with the Lord. Preferably on a daily basis. It's like I hear the Lord saying to our generation, "Where and when can I meet with you?"
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for my lack of time with You. I need You to lead me continually, yet I sometimes struggle with making my appointments with You lately. Light up my prayer life. Speak to me when we meet. Show me things. Teach me when we meet.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Serving and Blessing
Scripture:
Exodus 23:25-26 "You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness. There will be no miscarriages or infertility in your land and I will give you long, full lives".
Observation:
Moses is on Mt Sinai receiving the Law of the Lord and entering into a covenant with God. All God really wants in this covenant is for His people to love and serve Him only and not to run after other gods. As part of the covenant He promises that if they will serve Him only, He would give them food and water, protection from illness, no infertility and long lives.
Application:
God has always wanted to bless His people, but we must understand that we are in a covenant. In this covenant God promises to bless us, protect us, etc., but we also have a part in this covenant. We must remain faithful to Him and serve Him alone. There can be no other gods in our lives. Many want His blessing, but we must realize the blessing is conditional on our obedience to living the way He wants us to live. Obedience equals blessing!
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, I definitely want to walk in your blessing. I want to have the blessing of God in every area of my life. Help me to walk in complete obedience so that the blessings may flow. Thank You for loving me and accepting me. You are amazing and I love you more each day. Teach me to be faithful to you in every area of my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Exodus 23:25-26 "You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness. There will be no miscarriages or infertility in your land and I will give you long, full lives".
Observation:
Moses is on Mt Sinai receiving the Law of the Lord and entering into a covenant with God. All God really wants in this covenant is for His people to love and serve Him only and not to run after other gods. As part of the covenant He promises that if they will serve Him only, He would give them food and water, protection from illness, no infertility and long lives.
Application:
God has always wanted to bless His people, but we must understand that we are in a covenant. In this covenant God promises to bless us, protect us, etc., but we also have a part in this covenant. We must remain faithful to Him and serve Him alone. There can be no other gods in our lives. Many want His blessing, but we must realize the blessing is conditional on our obedience to living the way He wants us to live. Obedience equals blessing!
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, I definitely want to walk in your blessing. I want to have the blessing of God in every area of my life. Help me to walk in complete obedience so that the blessings may flow. Thank You for loving me and accepting me. You are amazing and I love you more each day. Teach me to be faithful to you in every area of my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
His Special Treasure
Scripture:
Exodus 19:5-6 "Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation".
Observation:
Moses had led the people of Israel out of Egypt two months prior to this. God led them to Mount Sinai, where He wanted to meet with Moses. God called Moses up onto the mountain so He could speak to him. God tells Moses that they if they would follow Him and obey Him, that He they would be His own special treasure, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. This is what God has been after ever since that time.
Application:
God loves when His people obey his voice. He is still looking for a people who will be completely His and who will serve Him accroding to His ways and not their own. We are called in the New Testament these very words. We are called a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a chosen generation, those who declare the praises of God. As long as we are following Him and in covenant with him, we are his special treasure. He loves us more than we know and all He really wants is for us to love Him back.
Prayer:
Father, let me love You and serve you the way You love me and serve me. Help me to love and serve others the way you love and serve me. You are incredible and I love you with all my heart. Thank you for calling me You own special treasure.
Yours,
Jeff
Exodus 19:5-6 "Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation".
Observation:
Moses had led the people of Israel out of Egypt two months prior to this. God led them to Mount Sinai, where He wanted to meet with Moses. God called Moses up onto the mountain so He could speak to him. God tells Moses that they if they would follow Him and obey Him, that He they would be His own special treasure, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. This is what God has been after ever since that time.
Application:
God loves when His people obey his voice. He is still looking for a people who will be completely His and who will serve Him accroding to His ways and not their own. We are called in the New Testament these very words. We are called a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a chosen generation, those who declare the praises of God. As long as we are following Him and in covenant with him, we are his special treasure. He loves us more than we know and all He really wants is for us to love Him back.
Prayer:
Father, let me love You and serve you the way You love me and serve me. Help me to love and serve others the way you love and serve me. You are incredible and I love you with all my heart. Thank you for calling me You own special treasure.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, August 27, 2012
A Visible Sign
Scripture:
Exodus 13:9 "This annual festival will be a sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the Lord, 'With a strong hand, the Lord rescued you from Egypt'"
Observation:
When God's people came out of Egyptian slavery and were delivered from their oppressors, He told them to hold an annual festival as a sign to remind them that God delivered them with a strong hand. It was to be told to their sons and daughters and every generation after them. God instituted this so that every generation would remember what He did.
Application:
In this case as festival was instituted once per year forever to remind people what God did for the people of Israel in bringing them out of Egyptian slavery. Egypt is a type of sin and the promised land is a type of salvation. We need to find ways to remind ourselves that we have been brought out of sin with a mighty hand. We need to have some visible reminders of what Jesus did for us and who we are as a result.
Prayer:
Lord, You have truly delivered us from the power of Satan and this world. Help me to set up reminders of how you have changed my life. Teach me the benefit of having a visible sign as a reminder. Help me to better institute this in my life.
Your Son,
Jeff
Exodus 13:9 "This annual festival will be a sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the Lord, 'With a strong hand, the Lord rescued you from Egypt'"
Observation:
When God's people came out of Egyptian slavery and were delivered from their oppressors, He told them to hold an annual festival as a sign to remind them that God delivered them with a strong hand. It was to be told to their sons and daughters and every generation after them. God instituted this so that every generation would remember what He did.
Application:
In this case as festival was instituted once per year forever to remind people what God did for the people of Israel in bringing them out of Egyptian slavery. Egypt is a type of sin and the promised land is a type of salvation. We need to find ways to remind ourselves that we have been brought out of sin with a mighty hand. We need to have some visible reminders of what Jesus did for us and who we are as a result.
Prayer:
Lord, You have truly delivered us from the power of Satan and this world. Help me to set up reminders of how you have changed my life. Teach me the benefit of having a visible sign as a reminder. Help me to better institute this in my life.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, August 23, 2012
When God Does Something...He Does it Right
Scripture:
Exodus 3:21 "And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you. They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed".
Observation:
God was giving Moses his marching orders concerning leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery and into a promised land. Though the Israelites were slaves in the land, God said here that He would bless them and cause the Egyptians to give them gifts so they would not leave empty-handed. God was telling them that He would provide material wealth for them that would be given to them by their slave owners. Absolutely unthinkable, but God!
Application:
God can take your worst and most oppressive situations and turn them into fountains of blessing in your life. Many times, we just want out, but God wants to bless us on the way out. When God does something...He does it right. When He decides to bring you out of bondage, He does it with style. This passage is a reminder that God can do anything He wants to do, anyway He chooses to do it. All we have to do is trust Him and listen to His voice.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are so amazingly wonderful! When You do things in our lives, You always do them right and beyond our imagination. You truly do all things well. Help me remember that when I am feeling discouraged. Help me keep my eyes focused on You and on doing what You have given me to do.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Exodus 3:21 "And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you. They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed".
Observation:
God was giving Moses his marching orders concerning leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery and into a promised land. Though the Israelites were slaves in the land, God said here that He would bless them and cause the Egyptians to give them gifts so they would not leave empty-handed. God was telling them that He would provide material wealth for them that would be given to them by their slave owners. Absolutely unthinkable, but God!
Application:
God can take your worst and most oppressive situations and turn them into fountains of blessing in your life. Many times, we just want out, but God wants to bless us on the way out. When God does something...He does it right. When He decides to bring you out of bondage, He does it with style. This passage is a reminder that God can do anything He wants to do, anyway He chooses to do it. All we have to do is trust Him and listen to His voice.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are so amazingly wonderful! When You do things in our lives, You always do them right and beyond our imagination. You truly do all things well. Help me remember that when I am feeling discouraged. Help me keep my eyes focused on You and on doing what You have given me to do.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
When God Decides to Bless You
Scripture:
Genesis 45:18 "Then get your father and all of your families, and return here to me. I will give you the very best land in Egypt, and you will eat from the best that the land produces".
Observation:
When God decided to bless Jacob through Joseph, he did it really well. In the midst of famine and drought, his family was provided for. not just enough to survive, but they were brought to Egypt and given the best land in Egypt, and were told they would eat the best crops the land produces. Everything they needed to make the move was provided.
Application:
Sometimes we feel hopeless and like God will never bless us and meet our needs. In the story above, we see that Jacob had to go through some famine to the point of desperation and he was beginning to fear that his family would starve to death. In God's timing (right on time) his family was delivered and brought into a season of great blessing. They received the best of all Egypt. We can never give up on God. He is seldom early, but never late. He always comes through for His people.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to trust You more. You are amazing and have always taken care of me. Forgive me for the times I have not trusted you and leaned on my own understanding. You are my provider, my source, and my friend.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Genesis 45:18 "Then get your father and all of your families, and return here to me. I will give you the very best land in Egypt, and you will eat from the best that the land produces".
Observation:
When God decided to bless Jacob through Joseph, he did it really well. In the midst of famine and drought, his family was provided for. not just enough to survive, but they were brought to Egypt and given the best land in Egypt, and were told they would eat the best crops the land produces. Everything they needed to make the move was provided.
Application:
Sometimes we feel hopeless and like God will never bless us and meet our needs. In the story above, we see that Jacob had to go through some famine to the point of desperation and he was beginning to fear that his family would starve to death. In God's timing (right on time) his family was delivered and brought into a season of great blessing. They received the best of all Egypt. We can never give up on God. He is seldom early, but never late. He always comes through for His people.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to trust You more. You are amazing and have always taken care of me. Forgive me for the times I have not trusted you and leaned on my own understanding. You are my provider, my source, and my friend.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Monday, August 13, 2012
Divine Turnarounds
Scripture:
Genesis 41:51-52 "Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, 'God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father's family'. Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my grief'".
Observation:
Joseph saw an amazing turnaround in his life. He went from years of terrible misfortune where he ended up in prison, to being second in charge of all Egypt in a moment of time. He was blessed beyond measure in the land that was the land of his punishment for things he had not done. God can take the bad things in life and bless you so much that you forget all the troubles it took to get there. You can be fruitful in the land of your grief.
Application:
Joseph is an amazing story of integrity and character when things are going wrong and you are being falsely accused of things. He remained faithful to God and, years later, God was faithful to him in bringing him into the place of God's favor. Divine turnarounds still happen. God can still dramatically change situations and circumstances, but we must live faithfully in the bad times like Joseph did. When we live right, we can expect divine turnarounds!
Prayer:
Father, You are incredible! I love you with all my heart. Let me be faithful to You in the difficult times so that the divine tunrarounds can happen. I want to be fruitful in the land of my grief. Help me stay on track and serve You faithfully every day.
Yours,
Jeff
Genesis 41:51-52 "Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, 'God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father's family'. Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my grief'".
Observation:
Joseph saw an amazing turnaround in his life. He went from years of terrible misfortune where he ended up in prison, to being second in charge of all Egypt in a moment of time. He was blessed beyond measure in the land that was the land of his punishment for things he had not done. God can take the bad things in life and bless you so much that you forget all the troubles it took to get there. You can be fruitful in the land of your grief.
Application:
Joseph is an amazing story of integrity and character when things are going wrong and you are being falsely accused of things. He remained faithful to God and, years later, God was faithful to him in bringing him into the place of God's favor. Divine turnarounds still happen. God can still dramatically change situations and circumstances, but we must live faithfully in the bad times like Joseph did. When we live right, we can expect divine turnarounds!
Prayer:
Father, You are incredible! I love you with all my heart. Let me be faithful to You in the difficult times so that the divine tunrarounds can happen. I want to be fruitful in the land of my grief. Help me stay on track and serve You faithfully every day.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, August 10, 2012
The Power of a Smile
Scripture:
Genesis 33:10 "And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!"
Observation:
Jacob had been away for many years after stealing his brother's birthright and blessing. He had fled for his life because Esau wanted to kill him. As he was on his way home he was scared to death that Esau would kill him for what he had done years before. When he finally sees his brother face to face, Esau smiles at him and welcomes him home. At that point Jacob says, "what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!"
Application:
Jacob was blown away to see his brother, whom he had deeply offended and done wrong to, smile at him when they came together again for the first time. He was overwhelmed by his brother's friendly smile and claimed it was like seeing the face of God. A smile makes huge statements! A smile toward a person who thinks you don't like them, is a beautiful picture of God. A smile is easy to do and extremely powerful to those around us. I think we all need to smile more. A smile calms raging emotions, brings peace into a troubled situation, and says "Everything is okay between us". A Smile tells those around us, "God is taking good care of me".
Prayer:
Father, let me smile more so others can see the face of God within my face. Help me to smile when I feel good and when I feel bad. Help me change someone's attitude today with a smile. Let my countenance say, "God has been good to me".
Yours,
Jeff
Genesis 33:10 "And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!"
Observation:
Jacob had been away for many years after stealing his brother's birthright and blessing. He had fled for his life because Esau wanted to kill him. As he was on his way home he was scared to death that Esau would kill him for what he had done years before. When he finally sees his brother face to face, Esau smiles at him and welcomes him home. At that point Jacob says, "what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!"
Application:
Jacob was blown away to see his brother, whom he had deeply offended and done wrong to, smile at him when they came together again for the first time. He was overwhelmed by his brother's friendly smile and claimed it was like seeing the face of God. A smile makes huge statements! A smile toward a person who thinks you don't like them, is a beautiful picture of God. A smile is easy to do and extremely powerful to those around us. I think we all need to smile more. A smile calms raging emotions, brings peace into a troubled situation, and says "Everything is okay between us". A Smile tells those around us, "God is taking good care of me".
Prayer:
Father, let me smile more so others can see the face of God within my face. Help me to smile when I feel good and when I feel bad. Help me change someone's attitude today with a smile. Let my countenance say, "God has been good to me".
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
The Lord Blessed Him
Scripture:
Genesis 26:12 "When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him."
Observation:
Isaac planted crops and the Lord blessed him by giving him a one hundred fold return on his investment. He harvested a hundred times what he sowed! When God decides to bless someone, He does an incredible job of it. The blessing of God is extremely powerful. Isaac had favor on his life and the Lord chose to bless him. The next verse says that he became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow.
Application:
If there is anything to be desired in life, it is the blessing of God. When the blessing of God comes on your life, everything changes. God doesn't do things half way. When His blessing comes on a person, they will be blessed. We need to be in a place where He can bless us. Isaac was re-digging the wells his father Abraham had dug. He was doing the right thing and seeking the God of his father. We must do the same.
Prayer:
Father, I want to walk in your blessing. I want to see supernatural provision like you did for Isaac. I want to have the blessing and favor of God on my life in increasing measures. Help me be in the place and doing what You want me to do so that the blessing may flow. I know You are a God who works financial miracles. Work some in my life.
Yours Always,
Jeff
Genesis 26:12 "When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him."
Observation:
Isaac planted crops and the Lord blessed him by giving him a one hundred fold return on his investment. He harvested a hundred times what he sowed! When God decides to bless someone, He does an incredible job of it. The blessing of God is extremely powerful. Isaac had favor on his life and the Lord chose to bless him. The next verse says that he became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow.
Application:
If there is anything to be desired in life, it is the blessing of God. When the blessing of God comes on your life, everything changes. God doesn't do things half way. When His blessing comes on a person, they will be blessed. We need to be in a place where He can bless us. Isaac was re-digging the wells his father Abraham had dug. He was doing the right thing and seeking the God of his father. We must do the same.
Prayer:
Father, I want to walk in your blessing. I want to see supernatural provision like you did for Isaac. I want to have the blessing and favor of God on my life in increasing measures. Help me be in the place and doing what You want me to do so that the blessing may flow. I know You are a God who works financial miracles. Work some in my life.
Yours Always,
Jeff
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
What am I Withholding?
Scripture:
Genesis 22:12 "Don't lay a hand on the boy! the angel said, do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son."
Observation:
God had spoken to Abraham and told him to go and offer his "promised son" as a sacrifice to the Lord. Abraham obeyed to the point of tying his son up and laying him on the altar. As he was ready to plunge in the knife, the angel of the Lord stopped him. He was extremely blessed that day because of what he "did not" withhold from the Lord. When we withhold from God the things He asks for, it shows that we love those things more than Him.
Application:
God wants to know that He is first in our lives. He wants to know that we are willing to give up everything for Him. This morning I feel the question is more about what we are withholding from God than what we are giving Him. We all have certain things that we are just not willing to let go of. We all have areas of our lives that God wants us to give to Him, yet we withhold them instead of giving them freely.
Prayer:
Father, help me to freely give whatever You have given me. I say it all the time, "I will do whatever You want me to Lord", yet I withhold in some areas. Help me to walk in complete and total surrender before You. Help me walk in complete obedience at all times. Abraham was blessed because of what he did not withhold. Teach me to withhold nothing from You!
Yours Completely,
Jeff
Genesis 22:12 "Don't lay a hand on the boy! the angel said, do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son."
Observation:
God had spoken to Abraham and told him to go and offer his "promised son" as a sacrifice to the Lord. Abraham obeyed to the point of tying his son up and laying him on the altar. As he was ready to plunge in the knife, the angel of the Lord stopped him. He was extremely blessed that day because of what he "did not" withhold from the Lord. When we withhold from God the things He asks for, it shows that we love those things more than Him.
Application:
God wants to know that He is first in our lives. He wants to know that we are willing to give up everything for Him. This morning I feel the question is more about what we are withholding from God than what we are giving Him. We all have certain things that we are just not willing to let go of. We all have areas of our lives that God wants us to give to Him, yet we withhold them instead of giving them freely.
Prayer:
Father, help me to freely give whatever You have given me. I say it all the time, "I will do whatever You want me to Lord", yet I withhold in some areas. Help me to walk in complete and total surrender before You. Help me walk in complete obedience at all times. Abraham was blessed because of what he did not withhold. Teach me to withhold nothing from You!
Yours Completely,
Jeff
Monday, August 6, 2012
Don't Mess with God or His People
Scripture:
Genesis 20:18 "For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham's wife, Sarah".
Observation:
Abraham had told Abimilech that Sarah was his sister and not his wife, which was half true. When Abimilech realized what had happened, he returned Sarah and asked forgiveness from Abraham. Even though it was Abraham's lie that caused the whole thing, God had caused all the women of the region to be infertile because of how Sarah was treated. This shows me that God steps up to fight when his children are treated unfairly.
Application:
If God would bring infertility to a whole region because they messed with Abraham's wife Sarah, how much do we think God will do for us today? Sometimes our view of God is so small and we think He is uninvolved in people's lives, but He is very concerned about His people at all times. It seems like we read these stories about what God did in the past as historical fiction instead of realizing we serve the same God who has the same power today. God has not changed! We must change our perspective of Him.
Prayer:
Lord, let my eyes be opened to see You in all of Your glory. Help me to walk with You and realize that what You did then, You still do today. Nothing is impossible for You. Help me to live like that. Help me understand You better each day and know You more and more.
Your Son, Jeff
Genesis 20:18 "For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham's wife, Sarah".
Observation:
Abraham had told Abimilech that Sarah was his sister and not his wife, which was half true. When Abimilech realized what had happened, he returned Sarah and asked forgiveness from Abraham. Even though it was Abraham's lie that caused the whole thing, God had caused all the women of the region to be infertile because of how Sarah was treated. This shows me that God steps up to fight when his children are treated unfairly.
Application:
If God would bring infertility to a whole region because they messed with Abraham's wife Sarah, how much do we think God will do for us today? Sometimes our view of God is so small and we think He is uninvolved in people's lives, but He is very concerned about His people at all times. It seems like we read these stories about what God did in the past as historical fiction instead of realizing we serve the same God who has the same power today. God has not changed! We must change our perspective of Him.
Prayer:
Lord, let my eyes be opened to see You in all of Your glory. Help me to walk with You and realize that what You did then, You still do today. Nothing is impossible for You. Help me to live like that. Help me understand You better each day and know You more and more.
Your Son, Jeff
Friday, August 3, 2012
Build an Altar
Scripture:
Genesis 12:8 "There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and He worshiped the Lord".
Observation:
Everywhere Abram went on his journey to Canaan, he would build an altar, dedicate it to the Lord and worship there. This shows me why we call Abraham the father of faith. He honored the Lord in every situation. Building an altar was not an easy task. It took work! He honored God enough that he would work hard to build God an altar. God got the glory for everything in his life. Abraham could have been prideful and showed how far he had come, but he knew without God, he was nothing.
Application:
An altar is a place of sacrifice. It is a place where we honor God over ourselves and anyone else. An altar reminds us that it is God that has given us anything we have. It is God who has brought us this far. It if God who leads us every day. An altar is a place of sacrifice and worship. Worshiping and honoring God should be part of our everyday lives. He is worthy!
Prayer:
Father, let me honor you better in my life. Help me to build an altar of sacrifice and worship to You with my life. You are worthy and to be honored above all else. May Your name be praised in all the earth.
Your Son,
Jeff
Genesis 12:8 "There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and He worshiped the Lord".
Observation:
Everywhere Abram went on his journey to Canaan, he would build an altar, dedicate it to the Lord and worship there. This shows me why we call Abraham the father of faith. He honored the Lord in every situation. Building an altar was not an easy task. It took work! He honored God enough that he would work hard to build God an altar. God got the glory for everything in his life. Abraham could have been prideful and showed how far he had come, but he knew without God, he was nothing.
Application:
An altar is a place of sacrifice. It is a place where we honor God over ourselves and anyone else. An altar reminds us that it is God that has given us anything we have. It is God who has brought us this far. It if God who leads us every day. An altar is a place of sacrifice and worship. Worshiping and honoring God should be part of our everyday lives. He is worthy!
Prayer:
Father, let me honor you better in my life. Help me to build an altar of sacrifice and worship to You with my life. You are worthy and to be honored above all else. May Your name be praised in all the earth.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Subdue it!
Scripture:
Genesis 4:7 "You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master".
Observation:
Cain and Abel had both offered sacrifices to God. Abel brought the firstfruits of his labor and Cain brought an offering. Abel's sacrifice was accepted by God, but Cain's was not. God came to Cain and asked him why he was so dejected. In this interaction, the Lord says to him, "if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master".
Application:
What you don't control, controls you! Sin always is crouching at the door wanting into our lives. We must subdue it and take dominion over it. We cannot allow ourselves to be controlled by sin, we must be its master. We cannot allow anything to master us except the Master. One of the fruit of the Spirit that we don't hear alot about is "self-control". God gives us the ability to have self control as we follow Him. We must subdue anything in our lives that God doesn't want!
Prayer:
Lord, let my life shine for You. Help me to walk in obedience to You and Your Word at all times. Teach me to live knowing that sin is crouching at the door wanting control. Let me be led by Your Spirit into a life that reflects You best.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Genesis 4:7 "You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master".
Observation:
Cain and Abel had both offered sacrifices to God. Abel brought the firstfruits of his labor and Cain brought an offering. Abel's sacrifice was accepted by God, but Cain's was not. God came to Cain and asked him why he was so dejected. In this interaction, the Lord says to him, "if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master".
Application:
What you don't control, controls you! Sin always is crouching at the door wanting into our lives. We must subdue it and take dominion over it. We cannot allow ourselves to be controlled by sin, we must be its master. We cannot allow anything to master us except the Master. One of the fruit of the Spirit that we don't hear alot about is "self-control". God gives us the ability to have self control as we follow Him. We must subdue anything in our lives that God doesn't want!
Prayer:
Lord, let my life shine for You. Help me to walk in obedience to You and Your Word at all times. Teach me to live knowing that sin is crouching at the door wanting control. Let me be led by Your Spirit into a life that reflects You best.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)