Scripture:
Judges 6:14 "The Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?'"
Observation:
Gideon heard from the Lord that he was to rescue Israel from the Midianites. He felt incapable, unpreprared and untrained for the task at hand. The angel of the Lord said to him, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel". The strength he had was nothing according to his own testimony, the but "Am I not sending you?'' makes all the difference in the world. If God is sending you, He will give you what you need for the battle.
Application:
Hearing from the Lord is so crucial in our lives. If we know He is sending us, we can have confidence, assurance, and strength because He is never defeated. If He sends you, you will have victory. When God sends, He gives that person everything they need to accomplish the mission. He knows what He is doing and if He sends, He will make it work out for His glory. When we can say that God has sent us, we have full assurance of victory no matter what the enemy throws at us.
Prayer:
Father, help me to remember that you have sent me. When I feel weak, help me remember that You sent me to establish and build Your kingdom in this region. You sent me here, now bring forth your victory in my life, my family, my church, and this region.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Drive out the enemies
Scripture:
Joshua 17:12 "but the descendants of Manasseh were unable to occupy these towns. They could not drive out the Canaanites who continued to live there".
Observation:
The promised land that Joshua was allocating to the children of Israel was promised by God for them. It is a type of salvation for us people on the other side of the cross. God wanted His people to occupy all of this territory, but the people didn't think they could do what God was telling them to do so they settled for a partial territory with enemies that would torment them for many, many years. God wanted the enemies driven out of the land. When they were not driven out, they became a thorn in Israel's side.
Application:
Paul tells us to take off the old man and put on the new man. There are parts of the old nature we need to kick out of our lives. God has promised us the promise land of salvation, but we don't kick out some of the enemies in our lives and they become a thorn to us and we can never live in complete victory. God wants us to walk in victory. In order to do that, we need to take off the old man and put on the new. We can't allow things of the enemy to hang around our lives.
Prayer:
Father God, teach me to walk in victory every day and every minute of the day. I don't want any enemies hanging around in my life. Cleanse me, purge me, make me clean and help me to possess all that You have purchased for me. I want everything You died to give me. I want to walk in the fulness of Your blessing without measure.
Your Son,
Jeff
Joshua 17:12 "but the descendants of Manasseh were unable to occupy these towns. They could not drive out the Canaanites who continued to live there".
Observation:
The promised land that Joshua was allocating to the children of Israel was promised by God for them. It is a type of salvation for us people on the other side of the cross. God wanted His people to occupy all of this territory, but the people didn't think they could do what God was telling them to do so they settled for a partial territory with enemies that would torment them for many, many years. God wanted the enemies driven out of the land. When they were not driven out, they became a thorn in Israel's side.
Application:
Paul tells us to take off the old man and put on the new man. There are parts of the old nature we need to kick out of our lives. God has promised us the promise land of salvation, but we don't kick out some of the enemies in our lives and they become a thorn to us and we can never live in complete victory. God wants us to walk in victory. In order to do that, we need to take off the old man and put on the new. We can't allow things of the enemy to hang around our lives.
Prayer:
Father God, teach me to walk in victory every day and every minute of the day. I don't want any enemies hanging around in my life. Cleanse me, purge me, make me clean and help me to possess all that You have purchased for me. I want everything You died to give me. I want to walk in the fulness of Your blessing without measure.
Your Son,
Jeff
Monday, October 22, 2012
But They Did Not Consult The Lord
Scripture:
Joshua 9:14 "So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord."
Observation:
God had told Israel that when they got into the Promised Land, they were to destroy every city and people group that lived there. The people of Gibeon came to Joshua after a couple cities had been defeated by Israel asking for a peace treaty. They acted like they had come a long way and told Joshua they had traveled far to get there, but they were lying and were actually very close. God wanted Israel to be a Theocracy. He wanted to lead them, but in this case, they made decisions without consulting Him. This decision caused them problems from that day forward.
Application:
How many times in life we do what looks right without ever consulting with the Lord? God wants to be the center of our lives. He wants us to ask Him about the decisions we make. Many times we do what seems to be the right thing, only to find out that God could have saved us a world of hurt if we had only asked His opinion about the matter. God wants us to consult Him on everything in our lives. In this is great blessing, yet we don't do it because we think we know better than God how to handle the issues of life.
Prayer:
Father, help me be a man that seeks You for every decision in life. Help me not to function out of the knowledge of good and evil, but out of the tree of life. I want to "consult the Lord" on every area of my life. Help me to implement this better and forgive me for the many times I have acted without consulting You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Joshua 9:14 "So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord."
Observation:
God had told Israel that when they got into the Promised Land, they were to destroy every city and people group that lived there. The people of Gibeon came to Joshua after a couple cities had been defeated by Israel asking for a peace treaty. They acted like they had come a long way and told Joshua they had traveled far to get there, but they were lying and were actually very close. God wanted Israel to be a Theocracy. He wanted to lead them, but in this case, they made decisions without consulting Him. This decision caused them problems from that day forward.
Application:
How many times in life we do what looks right without ever consulting with the Lord? God wants to be the center of our lives. He wants us to ask Him about the decisions we make. Many times we do what seems to be the right thing, only to find out that God could have saved us a world of hurt if we had only asked His opinion about the matter. God wants us to consult Him on everything in our lives. In this is great blessing, yet we don't do it because we think we know better than God how to handle the issues of life.
Prayer:
Father, help me be a man that seeks You for every decision in life. Help me not to function out of the knowledge of good and evil, but out of the tree of life. I want to "consult the Lord" on every area of my life. Help me to implement this better and forgive me for the many times I have acted without consulting You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Take an intetest in others
Scripture:
Philippians 2:4 "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."
Observation:
Paul was writing to the Philippian church where apparently there was some strife and division. He gives them some simple things to help promote unity in the body. One of them is found here in this verse. He tells them not to look out only for ther own interests, but to take an interest in others. Selfishness brings division and selflessness brings unity.
Application:
Bringing unity in the body happens when people begin to take an interest in others instead of only thinking about what is good for them. I must begin to do what others love to do instead of only doing what makes me feel good. This tells the people around me that what they like is important to me. When I give up what I like in order to make someone else happy, I am promoting unity and unity brings the blessing of God.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to do as Paul said, "as much as depends on you, be at peace with all men". I want to live a life that brings unity instead of division and that truly honors others and lifts them up and makes them feel important. Teach me to take an interest in others and learn what they are interested in.
Yours,
Jeff
Philippians 2:4 "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."
Observation:
Paul was writing to the Philippian church where apparently there was some strife and division. He gives them some simple things to help promote unity in the body. One of them is found here in this verse. He tells them not to look out only for ther own interests, but to take an interest in others. Selfishness brings division and selflessness brings unity.
Application:
Bringing unity in the body happens when people begin to take an interest in others instead of only thinking about what is good for them. I must begin to do what others love to do instead of only doing what makes me feel good. This tells the people around me that what they like is important to me. When I give up what I like in order to make someone else happy, I am promoting unity and unity brings the blessing of God.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to do as Paul said, "as much as depends on you, be at peace with all men". I want to live a life that brings unity instead of division and that truly honors others and lifts them up and makes them feel important. Teach me to take an interest in others and learn what they are interested in.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The Eternal God is Your Refuge
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, 'Destroy them!'"
Observation:
Moses was close to the end of his life and he was speaking blessings on the tribes of Israel. At the end off blessing each tribe, he tells them that there is no one like the God of Israel. He lets them know that God is their refuge and that He would protect them and drive their enemies out before them. Moses had such a relationship with God that he fully and completely trusted that God could and would do anything for His people.
Application:
We are the people of God today. God is the same yesterday, today and forever! He does not change. He still wants to be our place of refuge. A refuge is a safe place. He wants to be a safe place we can go to when life seems to be getting too hard. Beyond being a refuge, this verse tells us that He will hold us up with His everlasting arms. His arms are large enough to hold us up when we feel like we are falling. He not only wants to be a safe place, one who holds us up, but also one who defeats our enemies and drives them out. May we learn to grasp these things and put them into our lives.
Prayer:
Father God, You truly are a good God! Be my eternal refuge and help me trust that you will never let me fall anywhere except into Your loving and everlasting arms. Help me get the fact that you are the fighter of all my battles and that You never lose.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, 'Destroy them!'"
Observation:
Moses was close to the end of his life and he was speaking blessings on the tribes of Israel. At the end off blessing each tribe, he tells them that there is no one like the God of Israel. He lets them know that God is their refuge and that He would protect them and drive their enemies out before them. Moses had such a relationship with God that he fully and completely trusted that God could and would do anything for His people.
Application:
We are the people of God today. God is the same yesterday, today and forever! He does not change. He still wants to be our place of refuge. A refuge is a safe place. He wants to be a safe place we can go to when life seems to be getting too hard. Beyond being a refuge, this verse tells us that He will hold us up with His everlasting arms. His arms are large enough to hold us up when we feel like we are falling. He not only wants to be a safe place, one who holds us up, but also one who defeats our enemies and drives them out. May we learn to grasp these things and put them into our lives.
Prayer:
Father God, You truly are a good God! Be my eternal refuge and help me trust that you will never let me fall anywhere except into Your loving and everlasting arms. Help me get the fact that you are the fighter of all my battles and that You never lose.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Monday, October 15, 2012
Choose Life
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 30:15 "'Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster".
Observation:
The preceding chapters have been talking about how obedience to God's laws and statutes brings about a blessed life and how disobedience brings about curses and disaster. At the end of this section, God tells them that they have a choice to make between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. If you choose to obey God's law, then you get the blessings, if you choose not to obey the Lord, you get the curses.
Application:
If we want the blessing of God on our lives, which is absolutely incredible, we must do things His way. He asks us and wants us to choose life, but if we don't, we will get the curses spoken about. When we put God first and do what He wants, we can expect the blessing of God to overwhelm our lives, but when we live according to the flesh, we can expect things to be a mess. We must choose obedience and life!
Prayer:
Lord, Help me to choose life instead of death. I want to fully and completely obey You in every area of life. I choose life and the way of obedience. You are my God and I love and trust You with my life. Let me see your hand of blessing on my life, my family and my church.
Yours,
Jeff
Deuteronomy 30:15 "'Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster".
Observation:
The preceding chapters have been talking about how obedience to God's laws and statutes brings about a blessed life and how disobedience brings about curses and disaster. At the end of this section, God tells them that they have a choice to make between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. If you choose to obey God's law, then you get the blessings, if you choose not to obey the Lord, you get the curses.
Application:
If we want the blessing of God on our lives, which is absolutely incredible, we must do things His way. He asks us and wants us to choose life, but if we don't, we will get the curses spoken about. When we put God first and do what He wants, we can expect the blessing of God to overwhelm our lives, but when we live according to the flesh, we can expect things to be a mess. We must choose obedience and life!
Prayer:
Lord, Help me to choose life instead of death. I want to fully and completely obey You in every area of life. I choose life and the way of obedience. You are my God and I love and trust You with my life. Let me see your hand of blessing on my life, my family and my church.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, October 12, 2012
He Will Give You Victory
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 20:4 "For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and He will give you victory!"
Observation:
God is speaking to His people and telling them that when they go into the promised land they will have awesome victory as long they are doing His will and following His ways. They were to be able to subdue and city or people because He was going to be with them. Their only problem came when they decided to follow other gods. As long as they walked in obedience, they were guaranteed victory. They didn't even have to fight the battle, God would fight it for them.
Application:
The promise to God's people here is amazing, the problem is that His promises are conditional. He is with us! He does fight our battles! He does give us the victory! As long as we walk in obedience to Him. Following God is actually much simpler than people make it out to be. When we do things His way, we can expect incredible blessing and victory. When we do things our own way or worship other gods, we can expect defeat. God's way is so much better, why do we ever try anything else.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are amazing! You have given us Your word that says You will go with us wherever we go, you will fight our enemies and give us victory. All we have to do is follow your will and obey your commands. Help me to walk with You, listen to your voice, and see your belssings in my life. I have some needs right now and I want to serve you completely, please fight my battles and let me see Your victory.
Your Son,
Jeff
Deuteronomy 20:4 "For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and He will give you victory!"
Observation:
God is speaking to His people and telling them that when they go into the promised land they will have awesome victory as long they are doing His will and following His ways. They were to be able to subdue and city or people because He was going to be with them. Their only problem came when they decided to follow other gods. As long as they walked in obedience, they were guaranteed victory. They didn't even have to fight the battle, God would fight it for them.
Application:
The promise to God's people here is amazing, the problem is that His promises are conditional. He is with us! He does fight our battles! He does give us the victory! As long as we walk in obedience to Him. Following God is actually much simpler than people make it out to be. When we do things His way, we can expect incredible blessing and victory. When we do things our own way or worship other gods, we can expect defeat. God's way is so much better, why do we ever try anything else.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are amazing! You have given us Your word that says You will go with us wherever we go, you will fight our enemies and give us victory. All we have to do is follow your will and obey your commands. Help me to walk with You, listen to your voice, and see your belssings in my life. I have some needs right now and I want to serve you completely, please fight my battles and let me see Your victory.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Let Nobody Entice You
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 13:6..9 "Suppose someone secretly entices you - even your brother, your son or daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend - and says 'Let us go worship other gods'...Have no pity, and do not spare or protect them. You must put them to death!"
Observation:
God wants no other gods before Him. In this text we see how serious He is concerning this. He says that if anyone even entices you to go worship other gods, the people of Israel were to put them to death for trying to entice them. He says this even if it is your children, wife or best friend. Anyone who entices you to worship another god, must be put to death. Wow! He is serious about having not other gods before Him.
Application:
We must take a deep look at this and see how important this is to God. He wants there to be no others gods in our lives and He wants us to take this command seriously. We may not bow down to some graven images in our homes, but there are plenty of things that have drawn us away from our pursuit of God. There are things in our lives that have pushed God to the back place in our lives. He wants to be first and foremost in our lives. He wants to to be number one and wants us to have nothing in second.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to be drawn away by anything from you. You are my life and helper You are my strength! You are my father and there is no one like You. You are the source of my life! You are my rock and the lifter of my head! You are my everything. All my hope is in You and not in myself. All my trust is in you, help me to trust You more. I want to truly be completely yours.
Your Son,
Jeff
Deuteronomy 13:6..9 "Suppose someone secretly entices you - even your brother, your son or daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend - and says 'Let us go worship other gods'...Have no pity, and do not spare or protect them. You must put them to death!"
Observation:
God wants no other gods before Him. In this text we see how serious He is concerning this. He says that if anyone even entices you to go worship other gods, the people of Israel were to put them to death for trying to entice them. He says this even if it is your children, wife or best friend. Anyone who entices you to worship another god, must be put to death. Wow! He is serious about having not other gods before Him.
Application:
We must take a deep look at this and see how important this is to God. He wants there to be no others gods in our lives and He wants us to take this command seriously. We may not bow down to some graven images in our homes, but there are plenty of things that have drawn us away from our pursuit of God. There are things in our lives that have pushed God to the back place in our lives. He wants to be first and foremost in our lives. He wants to to be number one and wants us to have nothing in second.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to be drawn away by anything from you. You are my life and helper You are my strength! You are my father and there is no one like You. You are the source of my life! You are my rock and the lifter of my head! You are my everything. All my hope is in You and not in myself. All my trust is in you, help me to trust You more. I want to truly be completely yours.
Your Son,
Jeff
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
He Cannot be Bribed
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 10:17 "For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed".
Observation:
In this passage, the Lord is preparing His people to enter the promised land. As they are preparing, He teaches them how He wants to be worshiped and gives them many instructions about how He wants them to live their lives. He says of Himself, "who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed". This tells me that God can do whatever He wants to do and is honest enough that He can't be bribed.
Application:
Most people would say that they would never bribe God, but many of our prayers of desparation are bribes. When trouble strikes, God's people say things like, "If you will fix this problem, I will serve you everyday the rest of my life". "If you will bless me with this job, I will tithe faithfully". God doesn't want to be bribed and doesn't respond to bribery. He responds to the prayers of faithful people who are going to serve Him whether He answers their prayers or not. He takes care of those who don't have to make bribes, but walk in faith on a daily basis. We need to live lives of faithfulness to God's written word, therefore we won't be in a position where we need to bribe Him very often.
Prayer:
Father, I want to be a servant of Yours. I want to serve you faithfully and not try to bribe You by offering you something special if you will bless me. I will serve you with all my heart and trust You to take care of all my needs. Help me walk in obedience and faithfulness every day.
Yours,
Jeff
Deuteronomy 10:17 "For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed".
Observation:
In this passage, the Lord is preparing His people to enter the promised land. As they are preparing, He teaches them how He wants to be worshiped and gives them many instructions about how He wants them to live their lives. He says of Himself, "who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed". This tells me that God can do whatever He wants to do and is honest enough that He can't be bribed.
Application:
Most people would say that they would never bribe God, but many of our prayers of desparation are bribes. When trouble strikes, God's people say things like, "If you will fix this problem, I will serve you everyday the rest of my life". "If you will bless me with this job, I will tithe faithfully". God doesn't want to be bribed and doesn't respond to bribery. He responds to the prayers of faithful people who are going to serve Him whether He answers their prayers or not. He takes care of those who don't have to make bribes, but walk in faith on a daily basis. We need to live lives of faithfulness to God's written word, therefore we won't be in a position where we need to bribe Him very often.
Prayer:
Father, I want to be a servant of Yours. I want to serve you faithfully and not try to bribe You by offering you something special if you will bless me. I will serve you with all my heart and trust You to take care of all my needs. Help me walk in obedience and faithfulness every day.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, October 5, 2012
United in the Spirit
Scripture:
Ephesians 4:3 "Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace".
Observation:
Paul tells the Ephesians to make every effort to stay united in God's Spirit by binding themselves together with peace. When peace comes into our lives, it affect all of our other relationships. When I am at peace, my relationships tend to be at peace. Paul thought peace was important enough that we should make every effort possible to make sure we have it. When God's people are united in the Spirit, nothing is impossible and the kingdom of darkness is weakened, therefore we should content for peace.
Application:
If unity brings power and peace brings unity, then we must seek peace. Paul also said that as much as possible, we should be at peace with all men. Peace comes to those whose minds are on the Lord continually. When we truly walk in the Spirit, peace will be in our lives. We will be led forth with peace. Peace is also a fruit of the Spirit. Unity is powerful and peace brings unity, we need peace internally and externally.
Prayer:
Father of grace and peace, let your peace fill my spirit, soul and body. Let me walk in Your peace. Help me to be a person of peace who brings about unity in the Spirit. Let there be peace in our church, peace in my life, and peace in our home. Let the peace of God that passes my understanding, fill my life that I may be united in the Spirit with your people and accomplish great things for you and your kingdom.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Ephesians 4:3 "Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace".
Observation:
Paul tells the Ephesians to make every effort to stay united in God's Spirit by binding themselves together with peace. When peace comes into our lives, it affect all of our other relationships. When I am at peace, my relationships tend to be at peace. Paul thought peace was important enough that we should make every effort possible to make sure we have it. When God's people are united in the Spirit, nothing is impossible and the kingdom of darkness is weakened, therefore we should content for peace.
Application:
If unity brings power and peace brings unity, then we must seek peace. Paul also said that as much as possible, we should be at peace with all men. Peace comes to those whose minds are on the Lord continually. When we truly walk in the Spirit, peace will be in our lives. We will be led forth with peace. Peace is also a fruit of the Spirit. Unity is powerful and peace brings unity, we need peace internally and externally.
Prayer:
Father of grace and peace, let your peace fill my spirit, soul and body. Let me walk in Your peace. Help me to be a person of peace who brings about unity in the Spirit. Let there be peace in our church, peace in my life, and peace in our home. Let the peace of God that passes my understanding, fill my life that I may be united in the Spirit with your people and accomplish great things for you and your kingdom.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Thursday, October 4, 2012
God's Masterpiece
Scripture:
Ephesians 2:9 "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago".
Observation:
A masterpiece cannot become a masterpiece without a master plan. The artist working on a masterpiece knows what he wants this artwork to become. He has a plan for what he is doing. Masterpieces don't just happen by accident, they are skillfully planned and thought out beforehand. In this passage, Paul says that we are God's masterpiece and that He has planned good things for us long ago.
Application:
Life doesn't just randomly and accidently happen. God knows each of us by name. He knows the number of hairs on our heads and He has a plan for each of our lives. He knows what He is doing and too often we fight against Him instead of trusting Him enough to offer our lives to Him. He has nothing but good intentions, but we seldom offer ourselves completely to Him. We must come to the place where we realize that the potter knows better than the clay what we should turn out like. We must trust the great potter of our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, I give you my heart once again. Help me become the person You want me to be. Tecah me your ways and lead me closer to your side. I want to be moldable, shapable, and flexible in your hands. Soften me Lord, then make me into what You want for my life. I offer you my life this morning.
Yours,
Jeff
Ephesians 2:9 "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago".
Observation:
A masterpiece cannot become a masterpiece without a master plan. The artist working on a masterpiece knows what he wants this artwork to become. He has a plan for what he is doing. Masterpieces don't just happen by accident, they are skillfully planned and thought out beforehand. In this passage, Paul says that we are God's masterpiece and that He has planned good things for us long ago.
Application:
Life doesn't just randomly and accidently happen. God knows each of us by name. He knows the number of hairs on our heads and He has a plan for each of our lives. He knows what He is doing and too often we fight against Him instead of trusting Him enough to offer our lives to Him. He has nothing but good intentions, but we seldom offer ourselves completely to Him. We must come to the place where we realize that the potter knows better than the clay what we should turn out like. We must trust the great potter of our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, I give you my heart once again. Help me become the person You want me to be. Tecah me your ways and lead me closer to your side. I want to be moldable, shapable, and flexible in your hands. Soften me Lord, then make me into what You want for my life. I offer you my life this morning.
Yours,
Jeff
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