Love and Faithfulness, Righteousness and Peace

Scripture:

Psalm 85:10 "Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other".

Observation:

In this Psalm there are two couplets, two groups of things that work together and compliment each other.  First he says, "Love and faithfulness meet together".  Truly when you love someone, faithfulness will be part of that and they go together.  Secondly, righteousness and peace go together.  When you walk in righteousness, peace will be in your life.

Application:

You can't say you love someone and not be faithful to them.  Faithfulness is one of the many expressions of love.  When you love...you are faithful.  Secondly, when you walk in righteousness, peace will come into your life.  Many people today have no peace.  They want peace, but never seem to find it.  Peace comes to a life that is living in righteousness.  Those completely sold out and living for God will have peace in their lives.

Prayer:

Father, let faithfulness be a demonstration of my love and let peace be a demonstration of my righteousness.  Help me love better and walk better before You.  I want to be more like You in every way.  Your love is perfect and your righteousness exceeds the heavens.

Your Son,
Jeff

No Good Thing Will He Withhold

Scripture:

Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless".

Observation:

The Psalmist here tells us that God gives favor and honor.  He says that God doesn't withhold any good thing from those who walk before Him blamelessly.  I see God here as a god who wants to bless and favor His children.  He doesn't take pleasure in seeing His children suffer, but loves to give them good things.

Application:

Many times in our Christian walk, we feel like God is mad at us, doesn't like us, and is out to get us.  The opposite is actually true.  He wants to show us favor and blessing, He just needs us to do our part by living a life that is fully committed to Him.  When we walk uprightly, He withholds no good thing from us.  We have a part to play.  As we do our part of living right, He does His part of honoring us.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to live a life that please You.  I want to walk in your favor and honor.  I don't want your blessings withheld.  Let me live a blameless life that brings You honor.  I want to make you look good on this earth.

Yours,
Jeff

Till I Declare Your Power to the Next Generation

Scripture:

Psalm 71:18 "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come".

Observation:

The Psalmist had a desire to declare the power of God to every generation.  He didn't want to retire and grow old playing golf.  He wanted to declare God's mighty acts to all who are to come.  He could have ask God for anything; money, power, glory, fame, etc., but he wanted one thing: to declare the power of God to the next generation.

Application:

I want to have this heart as I approach old age.  I want to live a life that declares the power of God to the next generations.  The church is always only one generation from extinction.  Someone has to bring the message of God's power to each new generation and I love being that person.  I want the upcoming generations to see that God is real and powerful.  I want all to see His goodness and how He blesses His people.  Now that I am gray, let your hand be even stronger on my life.

Prayer:

Father, I want the upcoming generations to see and hear about your power.  I want them to know that you are not just a nice little god up in the sky, but the awesome and powerful God you are.  I want to see the demonstration of Your power in my generation, so that all will know how awesome You are.  Pour out Your Spirit on this generation so the next generation will run to You.

Yours,
Jeff

You Brought us to a Place of Abundance

Scripture:

Psalm 66:12 "You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance".

Observation:

The Psalmist shows some thing about his relationship with God that are interesting.  He says that God "let people ride over our heads" and that they "went through fire and water".  He basically says that God allowed them to go through some pretty tough times, but in the end, He brought them to a place of abundance.  With God we will go through difficult times, but the end will be in the place of abundance in we walk and don't faint.

Application:

Hold on in the tough times because God has a place of abundance.  I don't understand God's testing times when it seems like people are riding over my head and I'm going through the fire and water.  I don't understand completely why God allows this stuff to happen, but I know in the end there is a place of abundance and His blessing.  I wish we could just go straight to the abundance, but there always seems to be battles to fight and tough times to get through.

Prayer:

Lord, help me remain faithful in the difficult times and give me confidence that better days are coming.  Help me to see what You see and make the right decisions in the difficult times.  Help me to trust You more each day.  I place my life in Your hands.  I love You.

Your Son,
Jeff

Pour Out Your Hearts to Him

Scripture:

Psalm 62:8  "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge".

Observation:

David is writing about a time he describes earlier in this passage where people were against him.  He says, "they take delight in lies, with their mouths they bless, but with their hearts they curse".  He is saying that when people and their behavior hurt you, you have to learn to trust God and pour your heart out to Him.  He says God is our refuge.

Application:

When we are in bad situations, most of us are naturally inclined to spend our time in worry, doubt and unbelief.  We must learn to trust the Lord when people are lying to us.  We must learn to pour out our hearts to God, who is the only one who can really do anything about it anyway.  We must run to God as our refuge when hurt by what people do.  God can be trusted and wants us to run to Him and pour out our hearts to Him rather than hold everything in until you bust.

Prayer:

Lord, help me today to pour out all the feelings in my heart to You.  I need some time with you today to pour out my feelings.  I run to You as my refuge and I trust You.  I need you today God more than ever before.

Your Son,
Jeff

Restore my Joy

Scripture:

Psalm 51:12 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me".

Observation:

This Psalm is a Psalm of David after Nathan confronted him and he confessed his sin with Bathsheba.  He was asking God to forgive him and to cleanse him, then he throws in there, "restore to me the joy of my salvation".  David had gotten off course in his relationship with God and in the process, lost his joy.  Joy is a direct result of our relationship with God.  He is the God who gives joy to his people.

Application:

The joy of the Lord is our strength according to God's word.  Satan loves to steal our joy.  He knows that sin will cause us to lose our joy, therefore temptation comes into our lives.  Once temptation is given in to, the result is a loss of true joy.  Losing true joy means losing our strength.  We must learn to pray like David that God would restore the joy of our salvation.  We need to come back to our first love and our joy will be returned.

Prayer:

Father God, your church is joyless these days it seems.  Let this revelation grab our hearts and let us see the plan of the evil one clearly.  He wants our joy, which is our strength.  Help me and those who are around me to walk in a renewed sense of the joy of the Lord.  Restore joy to your church!

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Emmanuel: God with Us

Scripture:

Psalm 46:7  "The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress".

Observation:

The Psalmist declared that God was the fortress of Israel.  A fortress is a safe place you can run to when you are in trouble.  It is secure from attacking enemies.  He not only said He was a fortress, but that He is with us!  Emmanuel means God with us.  This Psalm reminds me that God is with His people.  He is not only a fortress, but is there in the fortress with you when you are attacked.

Application:

I need to change my thinking and truly grasp that fact that Emmanuel, God with us, is truly with me.  He is not against me, but for me and with me.  He is the limitless God and He is with me.  I need this to drop into my heart deeper.  If He is with me, what do I ever have to fear?  If He is with me, who can take  me out if His will?  If He is with me, I win in the end!

Prayer:

Lord, I love your manifest presence.  I love when your glory fills a room, but even when we don't feel You, you are with us.  You are with us on good days and you are with us on bad days.  You are faithful.  Help me to realize this more and more.  Help me sense your presence throughout the day and be led bu Your Spirit continually.

Your Son,
Jeff

The Origin of Joy

Scripture:

Psalm 45:7  "You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy".

Observation:

The psalmist tells us how to get the anointing of joy that sets us above our companions.  If there is anything lacking in the body of Christ these days, it is joy!  There are far too many miserable saints who haven't smiled in a long time.  In this passage the psalmist says that the anointing of joy comes from loving righteousness and hate wickedness.

Application:

If the church wants her joy back, we must love righteousness and hate wickedness.  We must live lives that please the Lord and not ourselves, when we do, He will anoint us with the oil of joy and we will be set apart from those around us.  The joy of the Lord is our strength and our joy comes from loving righteousness and hating wickedness.  When we love God far more than the world and its pleasures, we will get our joy back.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You have been incredibly faithful to me.  Thank you for your many blessings.  Thank you for the joy you have given me, but I want more.  I want to "love" righteousness" and hate "wickedness" more than ever before.  Sanctify me and let my life bring you praise.

Yours,
Jeff

Don't Be Like the Horse or Mule

Scripture:

Psalm 32:9  "Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you".

Observation:

David gives us a beautiful picture here of what people are like who have no understanding.  He says they are like a horse or mule that must be controlled by bit and bridle instead of because they know what to do.  They don't come to you unless you force them to instead of coming to you on their own.

Application:

David is saying to me this morning that God doesn't want to force me to do His will.  He wants me to have understanding and follow Him without being forced to.  Smart people follow God because they see they incredible benefits, others follow Him because they know it is the right thing to do.  We want to serve God because we know Him and love Him, not because we have no other choice.

Prayer:

Lord, don't let me be like the horse or mule.  I don't want to follow You stubbornly, but with a pure heart and all my passion.  I want to have understanding and grow in the areas I am weak.  Help me to be a leader of your people.

Yours,
Jeff

Strength and Peace

Scripture:

Psalm 29:11 "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace".

Observation:

The Psalmist realized where his strength and peace came from.  He realized that it was the Lord who gives these things and that we can't work them up on our own.  God is the one who makes people strong and blesses them with peace.  The world fights for peace and tries incredibly hard to become strong, but don't realize these things come from the Lord.

Application:

Spending time in the presence of the Lord strengthens you so much and brings peace into your life.  Last night we had an awesome prayer service and the presence of the Lord was so strong.  When I left there I felt strengthened and such an incredible peace.  These things come from Him and we need to seek Him more instead of striving so hard to get better in these areas, we simply need to get to know Him more.

Prayer:

Father, I love your presence.  I never leave times in your presence that I am not stronger and filled with peace.  Help me to spend more time with you every day.  I love you and want to be with You.  You are my strength and peace.

Yours,
Jeff Jacob

Wait for the Lord

Scripture:

Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord".

Observation:

The Psalmist tells us to wait for the Lord.  He says we should be strong and take heart while we wait for the Lord.  One of the greatest problems we have in following Christ is truly "following" Christ.  It is hard or us to wait.  Human nature likes to move forward and see progress.  When we don't see anything happening, we tend to take things into our own hands.

Application:

We have to learn to be strong and take heart while waiting on the Lord.  Sometimes I get frustrated because the dreams God has given me don't seem to be taking place in my timetable.  It doesn't appear things are happening fast enough for me and this is very frustrating because I like to feel like I am making progress.  Today I learn to slow down and wait for the Lord instead of charging ahead when I don't see progress.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, help me to slow down and let God do His work.  Help me to trust Him more completely each day.  Strengthen me and help me learn to wait.  I know in my head that You are all powerful and can be trusted.  Help me know it in my heart more and more.

I Love You,
Jeff

Who is this King of Glory?

Scripture:

Psalm 24:8  "Who is this king of glory?  The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle."

Observation:

David is writing this Psalm and says to let the king of glory come in.  He then says, "Who is this king of glory?  The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle".  David had personally seen the Lord defeat enemies on the battle field and he knew the Lord as "mighty in battle".  He had seen God defeat his enemies many times and knew the Lord as strong and mighty.

Application:

David had personally seen God do the impossible many, many times.  He knew the Lord as strong and mighty.  We must walk with God and call on His name in every situation.  Personal testimony is a powerful thing.  People can talk about your theology, but they can't take away your personal testimony.  We must seek God until He does things we can't explain, but things that increase our faith in Him so we may know Him as "the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle".

Prayer:

Lord, demonstrate your power in my generation.  Show yourself strong and let this generation see you as the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.  I know it will come to pass one day that the whole world will see you as this, but don't wait, demonstrate your power in my generation, in my family, in my church, in my city.

Your Son,
Jeff

Trust in the Name of the Lord

Scripture:

Psalm 20:7  "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God".

Observation:

David is a man that clearly put his trust in the Lord and the Lord always came through for him.  David praised God in good times and in bad times.  He cried out to the Lord in his distressing times.  He knew he could trust the Lord and his hope was not in his army, his horses, his warriors, or anything else.  His trust was in the Lord and the Lord gave him a great army with horses, warriors, etc.

Application:

I can't trust programs, people, techniques or anything else.  It is the name of the Lord I must trust in.  He is the God who gives increase.  He gives wisdom about when to implement programs, how to deal with people and what techniques to use.  He must be the center of everything.  As David used these things and gained victory through them, he knew he couldn't trust them unless the Lord was with him and wanted him to use them.  God must be first and foremost.

Prayer:

Father, help me trust You more.  Teach me to trust You above the next program, plan or person.  You are my rock and my strength.  You are my victory and I will give you all the praise! 

Yours,
Jeff

Walking Upright

Scripture:

"For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face".

Observation:

David is comparing the wicked to the righteous.  He says the wicked will have fiery coals rained down on them with burning sulfur and a scorching wind.  He says of the Lord that He is righteous and just.  He also says the upright will see His face. 

Application:

Basically the word I got today was that God wants me to become more and more like Him.  He is righteous and he wants me to be righteous.  He is loving and he wants me to be loving.  He is generous and he wants me to be generous.  My goal must be to see what God is from His word and become more and more like Him in every way.  It is those who become like Him that will see him face to face.

Prayer:

There is an old song that says, "I want to be more like You.  I want to be more like You.  I want to be a vessel you'll work through.  I want to me more like You.  Father, I want to be more like you every day.  Help me walk closer than ever before.  I want to see your face.

Your Son,
Jeff

Never Forsaken

Scripture:

Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You".

Observation:

The Psalmist understood God and his ways very well.  He was a seeker of God and knew that God could be trusted completely.  He had witnessed God fighting his battles and defending him over and over.  He knew that when a person seeks God, they will not be forsaken by Him.  Rather, He will defend them and take great care of them.

Application:

God has promised never to leave us or forsake us over and over in His word.  Sometimes we feel forsaken, but the word tells us we have not been.  We must live above our feelings and trust God's word above our own feelings.  We must also become seekers of God because this promise is for those who seek God.  It is the God-seekers who are never forsaken.

Prayer:

Lord, I have always been and always want to be a God-seeker.  I want to know You deeper and more each day.  I want to operate my life in faith and not doubt.  Help me live more by your word and what it says than by my feelings.

Yours,
Jeff

Before I Die

Scripture:

Psalm 6:5 "Among the dead no one proclaims your name.  Who praises you from the grave?"

Observation:

David is writing here and is struggling.  He is feeling overwhelmed by his enemies and calls out to the Lord for peace.  As he is crying out to the Lord, he throws in this verse, "Among the dead no one proclaims your name.  Who praises you from the grave?".  He says this to the Lord, telling God that if he dies, he can't praise the Lord and proclaim his name and his goodness on the earth.

Application:

Once we breathe our last breath, we will never be able to witness to the lost again.  We will never be able to praise God in the same manner once we step from this life into eternity.  Some things have to be done on this side of the grave.  What we are going to do for the Lord, must be done before we see death.  Therefore, we must live our lives fully, using every opportunity to proclaim His name and praise Him.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live every day like it may be my last.  Once my life is over on this earth, I will never be able to praise you in the same way again.  Once I die, I will not be able to make Your name known on the earth.  Teach me to follow Your ways and to use every opportunity to tell someone about your goodness.

Yours,
Jeff

Reward Day is Soon

Scripture:

Revelation 22:12 "Look, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give each person according to what they have done".

Observation:

In the last chapter of the Bible we are told that Jesus is coming soon.  In Acts He said as He was ascending to heaven.  In the same way I am going away, I will come again.  Jesus is coming again soon and His reward is with Him.  When He comes again, each person will receive a reward based on what they have done.  Everything we do is recorded in heaven and we will be rewarded accordingly.

Application:

Lately the body of Christ has been preaching grace so strongly and against a "works" mentality because it feels like legalism.  The fact is, there are going to be rewards that are based on our works.  Grace gets us into the family, but works are going to be rewarded.  You can't work to get salvation, Jesus paid that for us, but a saved person will do the works of Him who saved them.  God gives each of us things to do and He expects them to be done.  Jesus is coming soon and so is reward day.  We must be found working hard for our Lord and accomplishing His will on the earth.

Prayer:

Lord, my life's goal is to hear the words, "well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord".  I want to walk in complete obedience.  Help me to hear Your voice more clearly so I don't miss anything You want me to do.  Teach me to tune in more accurately.

Your Servant,
Jeff

The Lamb Will Triumph

Scripture:

Revelation 17:14 "They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is the Lord of lords and King of kings - and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers".

Observation:

This is showing how ten kings will set themselves against the Lamb, Jesus Christ, but with all their power, the Lamb will triumph over them.  He is the Lord of lords and king of kings!  No power is greater than our God.  I love the second part as well, "and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers".  I want to be in that crew of called, chosen and faithful followers who triumph over the kings of the earth.

Application:

No matter what we are currently going through, we must keep our eyes on fact that "the Lamb will Triumph".  We must not allow ourselves to get down and discouraged because the Lord God we serve is greater than all other opposition.  In the end, He will triumph...in the end we will triumph with Him.  We will overcome with our precious Lamb!  In the end...WE WIN!

Prayer:

Father, show me how to be in the "called, chosen and faithful followers" crew that triumphs over the power of the enemy.  I want to live my life focused on You.  Help me live out every day fulfilling Your will in the earth.

Your Son,
Jeff

Not Shrinking From Death

Scripture:

Revelation 12:11  "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death".

Observation:

John is speaking about those who triumphed over Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.  He says of them that they "did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death".  Many times we preach about the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, but they also overcame because they did not fear death.  They were more in love with Jesus than they were their own lives.

Application:

We tend to live our lives with our own comfort, protection and blessing in mind.  Everything revolves around us and we give Jesus a part of our lives.  He wants our whole lives.  He wants to be the center of our lives to the point that we obey Him completely and don't fear death.  What can Satan do to you when you don't love your life and fear death?  Nothing.  The greatest warriors are those who are not afraid to die.  Am I afraid to die for my Lord?  Would I love my life too much to lay it down?  Great questions.

Prayer:

Father God, I want to love You more than my own life.  I want to serve you no matter what the cost.  You are everything to me.  Help me to live completely for You and Your purposes instead of my own purposes.

Yours,
Jeff

A Great Multitude

Scripture:

Revelation 7:9  "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands".

Observation:

John was in heaven and saw a beautiful picture of an innumerable group of people who were from every nation of the earth.  They were worshiping God and blessing Him.  They were singing about salvation because they had been saved.

Application:

Sometimes it seems not many are being saved in our little corner of the earth, but the Kingdom of God is global and around the earth today there are more people coming to Christ than at any time in history.  God's will is for every tribe and nation to come into relationship with Him.  I have a unique opportunity to touch nations for the Lord because of the location of our church and the make up of our church.  I want to see a great multitude of people in Northern, VA from every nation and tribe being saved so we can help build this picture John saw in the Spirit.

Prayer:

Father, you are amazing and I worship You this morning.  Help us build a house of prayer for all nations.  Show me the way to reach the nations for your glory.  Open doors and send people to our church from every nation, tribe and tongue.  When they come, let them meet Christ in a real, personal and powerful way.

Your Servant,
Jeff

We Will Reign on The Earth

Scripture:

Revelation 5:10 "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth".

Observation:

Just before this, Jesus was the only one found worthy to open the scrolls in heaven.  It says he was worthy because with his blood he purchased people for God from every tongue, tribe and nation.  He says of these people that they have become a kingdom and priests and that they will reign on the earth.

Application:

It's hard to imagine God's people ruling and reigning on the earth.  It's hard to imagine myself reigning on earth, yet God says it will come to pass.  God sees more in us than we see in ourselves.  He could have chosen better, more qualified people to reign on the earth, but He chose us.  He chose imperfect, messed up flesh to reign and rule in the future.  How did we get this opportunity?  Because Jesus paid the price for our sins and purchased us.

Prayer:

Father, help me to develop into the person You want me to be.  Teach me to walk in faith and not sight.  I want my life to bring You praise.  Train me to reign on the earth and fulfill all You have desired for my life. 

Yours,
Jeff

Open the Door

Scripture:

Revelation 3:20 "Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me".

Observation:

Jesus is speaking here to through John to the people of Laodicea.  He just told them to be either hot or cold, but not lukewarm because if they were, He would spew them out of His mouth.  Then He turns and says He is at the door knocking and that whoever opens the door, He would come in and eat with them.  We must open the door to fellowship with Christ.  He's waiting.

Application:

I need to open the door more often for fellowship time with Christ.  I want to know His more and to have fellowship with Him more.  He never busts down the door, but waits for us to open it.  He is more than willing and strongly desires to fellowship with us, but we must open that door.

Prayer:

Lord, I want to open the door more to fellowship with You.  You are incredible and want to be in Your presence more and more as the end approaches.  Help me to respond when you knock.  Help my ears to be open to hear your knocking so that I can open the door to fellowship with You.  I need You desperately in my life.

Your Son,
Jeff

No Greater Joy

Scripture:

III John 4  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth".

Observation:

John is writing to his friend Gaius a brief letter.  In his introduction he basically tells him he is proud of him for walking in the truth, then he says "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth".  Gaius' relationship with God made his spiritual father happy.

Application:

As a minister, the greatest joy is when you hear what your children are doing for God.  Through 25 years of life and ministry, my greatest joy comes when I hear what my sons and daughters are doing for God.  Some of them I led to Christ, some I discipled along their way, but so many of them bring me great joy.  Ministry is not easy, but it can be very rewarding when you see your sons and daughters, your spiritual grandchildren and your spiritual great grandchildren serving God passionately around the world.  My takeaway today is to keep serving people with all my heart because as I give them all I have, God will raise them up and they will bring great joy to me down the road.

Prayer:

Father, you are worthy of all my praise.  Thanks you for allowing me to see spiritual children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  May this continue and flourish as I walk with You.  My greatest joy is seeing the generations after me carry your torch.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Love One Another

Scripture:

II John 5 "And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we had from the beginning.  I ask that we love one another".

Observation:

In this verse we see the heart of everything God is about and what His commands are all about.  Jesus said that if we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbors as ourselves, that we would be fulfilling all the Law and Prophets.  God is love, so when we show love we are giving the world a picture of God.  Loving one another is at the heart of what God wants His church to be about.

Application:

Sometimes it is easier to love the sinner than to love God's people.  This is probably because we have high expectations of God's people and low expectations from the world.  When this happens, we will always feel like the world treat us better than the body of Christ.  We must lower our expectations and love without expectations and without any strings attached.  When the church gets good at loving one another, the world will see our love and be drawn to Christ.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to love Your people more and better than I ever have before.  You are amazing and I appreciate you more than you know.  Help me to love with your kind of love and the kind that will bring the world into Your kingdom.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

God's Seed

Scripture:

I John 3:9  "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed is in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God".

Observation:

John is telling the difference between those who really love God and serve Him and those who don't.  He is trying to correct some false teaching and some people who claim to be Christians, but whose lives don't show it.  He tells God's people, that when God's seed is in you at salvation, you will not continue to sin.  If God's seed is in you, you will be like God and hate what God hates.  God hates sin.

Application:

If there is continual sin in our lives that we are not convicted about, we need to check our relationship to God.  If the Holy Spirit really lives in us, we should be becoming more "holy" as He is.  According to this verse, if we are born of God, we will not continue in sin.  There may be slip ups and mistakes, but our lifestyle should be coming out of sin and not excusing it.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, teach me to live a life that demonstrates that the seed of God is within me.  Let Your light shine in my life.  Help me to walk in constant communion with You.  Show me Your ways and let my everyday life bring You glory.

Yours,
Jeff

The Lord is not Slow

Scripture:

II Peter 3:9  "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance".

Observation:

Peter is writing in this context about the coming of the Lord.  He is telling people that everything Jesus said while on earth would come to pass.  People apparently were feeling like Jesus was not coming back and were upset because He had not done what He promised.  Peter takes that and shows them that his slowness is not because He isn't coming, but because of His love for people.  He doesn't want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Application:

In my heart of hearts, I feel like the patience of God is running out and that very soon His promises will be revealed in the earth and the culmination of things like we know them will be begin.  Right now we are in a period of grace because God's desire is to see everyone saved.  He is giving the world the opportunity to repent.  Our response to this must be to offer our lives as living sacrifices to Him and to bring the message of repentance to the whole world while His grace holds off His soon return.

Prayer:

Father, I feel like things are advancing rapidly in the earth and that Your return is soon.  Help me be ready and to help as many as possible be ready.  I realize You are not slow, rather, patient.  Let me be a minister of reconciliation for Your Kingdom.

Yours,
Jeff

The End of All Things is Near

Scripture:

I Peter 4:7 "The end of all things is near.  Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray."

Observation:

Peter is writing to believers who were going to be facing persecution.  Throughout the letter, he is telling them how to endure persecution.  As he is telling them these things, he drops in this little portion telling them that the end of all things is near.  If the end of all things was near in Peter's day, then the end of all things is very near in our day.

Application:

I personally believe very strongly that we are coming strongly into the last days.  I feel like the end of all things as we know it is very near and that we need to be ready for what is coming.  We are told here that because the end of all things is near, we should be alert and sober so we can pray.  In the last days, we need to be able to hear clearly from the Lord.  We need to be looking up and watching and praying, anticipating His return.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, when I look around me  realize that the end of all things is near.  I see it everywhere I look these days.  Help me to keep my eyes on Jesus and be nearer in prayer than ever.  Help me reach more people this year than any other year as the day approaches.  Let me represent you well on this earth.

Yours,
Jeff

Endure Hardship

Scripture:

Hebrews 12:7  "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.   For what children are not disciplined by their father?"

Observation:

The author of Hebrews speaks to us about enduring hardship.  He says that hardship comes into our lives and that we should treat it like we are being disciplined by our father.  In other words we are to accept it, humble ourselves through it and not get angry about it.  He tells us that the fact that we are going through discipline lets us know that we are still God's children.

Application:

When things don't seem to be going right, it doesn't mean God isn't with you.  Sometimes it means He is being a good parent to you and disciplining you so that you will be better off later.  Discipline never feels good at the time, but it is extremely beneficial.  We must learn that hardships come to make us stronger, not to weaken us.  Perspective is everything!

Prayer:

Lord, let me have proper perspective today.  Help me to see this difficult time in my life through the right lens.  I want to walk with You every day and be the man you want me to be.  You are an incredible father.  Help me be a great son.

Yours,
Jeff

Nothing is Hidden from God

Scripture:

Hebrews 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account".

Observation:

The author of Hebrews is speaking about the Word of God and saying how powerful it is.  Then he loves to talking about nothing in all creation is hidden from God.  He sees everything!  We also see that we will give an account one day to the one who knows every detail and nothing is hidden from.

Application:

We can hide things from people and get away with it sometimes, but we can hide nothing from the eyes of the living God.  We will stand before Him one day and give an account for everything we did or didn't do.  We must live our lives knowing this and realizing that every hidden thing will be revealed and every lie will also be revealed.  May the fear of God enter our hearts once again.

Prayer:

Father, Your eyes see every detail.  You know all and choose to love us anyway.  One day we will give an account to You.  I want to give a good account.  Help me to live pure, honest, clean before You every day of my life.  I'm reminded of the song this morning that says, "Give us clean hands.  Give us pure hearts".

Yours Forever,

Jeff

The Desire to Bless

Scripture:

Genesis 48:9  "Then Israel said, 'Bring them to me so I may bless them'".

Observation:

Israel knew he had been blessed by God and when he was, he was told that he would be a blessing.  In this story he asks Joseph to bring his sons to him so they could be blessed by their grandfather.  He knew he had the power to bless them and they would be blessed.  He knew what he spoke over them would come to pass.  He had a desire to bless his grandchildren.

Application:

Israel went looking for people to bless.  He wanted his generations to be blessed and he knew he was the key.  We need to understand better the power of the blessing.  We should bless our children and grandchildren.  Just as Israel wanted to "be a blessing", we should as well.  Who can I bless today?

Prayer:

Father, you have blessed me and I want to be a blessing today.  Help me to speak Your words over people's lives that they may be blessed.  Teach me more about this I pray.

Yours,
Jeff

God's Amazing Grace

Scripture:

Genesis 45:20  "Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours".

Observation:

Joseph had revealed himself to his brothers and Pharaoh found out they were there.  Joseph forgave them for all they had done to him in selling him into slavery and faking his death.  These guys deserved the death sentence, but they were given the best of all Egypt.  They went from "blessed" in Israel in their father's house to "superblessed" by probably the strongest man in the world at the time.  They deserved punishment and received grace!

Application:

When God forgives us, He does it right.  He doesn't just forgive us, but brings us to Himself, calls us His children, and blesses us beyond measure.  His grace is amazing!  He doesn't look at what you have done, but at who you are and, just like Joseph, how you are related to Him.  We are His children and He loves us incredibly.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the reminder that Your grace is amazing today.  You don't give us the sentence we deserve, but give us the blessing we don't deserve.  You are incredible!

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Joseph Raised up

Scripture:

Genesis 41:40 "You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders.  Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you".

Observation:

When God decides to raise a person up, He does and amazing job of it.  Joseph was in a nation that was not his own.  He was in prison days before this for a crime he did not commit.  Suddenly God raised up Joseph at least twenty years after the dreams he had at seventeen years old.  God took him instantly from the prison to being equal with the the most powerful man in the world at that time in a moment.

Application:

God's promotion timetable is never quite like ours.  Many times He will give a dream or a vision and it will be many years in between the vision and the victory.  No matter where we are today, tomorrow can be completely different if we follow after the Lord.  This man's life went from a prison to a palace in a day.  We must trust that God knows what He is doing in our lives and that the things He has promised will come to pass if we don't faint.

Prayer:

Father, help me to keep the faith when things don't appear to be going like I think they should.  Help me to walk with you daily and know that You will do everything You have shown me.  Teach me to walk by faith and not by sight, knowing that greater days are coming.

Yours Faithfully,

Jeff

When God is With You

Scripture:

Genesis 39:23 "The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did".

Observation:

In this story about Joseph you can see the hand of God working in this man's life in amazing ways.  Whenever he is in a bad situation, it says, 'The lord was with Joseph'.  He came out of every bad situation because the Lord was with him.  God always brought Joseph to the top of those around him.  When God is with you, even bad situations are turned to good. 

Application:

When God is with you, even your enemies seem to give you promotions and raises.  When God is with you as He was with Joseph, bad things happen, but even in the bad things, God brings promotion and blessing your way.  I want the blessing of God on my life.  I want to live a life where incredible odds are beaten every time because God is with me.  How do I get God to be with me?  He already is, but He also said seek me and you will find me when you seek for me with all your heart.  The answer...seek Him more in every situation.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are faithful.  It is amazing how you were with Joseph and you blessed him in the midst of terrible happenings.  I want You to be with me every day.  I want Your presence in my life.  I want to walk with You and talk with You.  I am Yours.

Love,
Jeff

A Hundredfold Blessing

Scripture:

Genesis 26:12  "Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him".

Observation:

When Isaac is being described in Genesis, it talks about how wealthy he had gotten and it directly speaks of that fact that God had blessed him and made him rich.  In this passage we see that Isaac planted crops and in the same year had a hundredfold harvest.  When God decides to bless someone, He does it well.  He made Isaac so rich and powerful that those around him became nervous.

Application:

I am generally pretty hard on prosperity preachers because I don't want people to serve God so that they can get rich.  At the same time I can't deny that God's blessing does produce wealth.  It is seen all through the Bible.  There are those who had God's blessing on their lives, who did not get wealthy, but in an honest evaluation, most of those who were blessed of God also became quite wealthy.  Things just worked well for them and God made everything they did prosper.  I'm still not a prosperity preacher, but I do believe God still blesses His people in this way as we do His will.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me the truth about prosperity.  Show me the right position to have.  I don't want to misuse or wrongly teach Your Word on this topic.  Keep me on the right course, but I also do ask you to bless me, my family, my church and my ministry financially.

Yours,
Jeff

This is from the Lord

Scripture:

Genesis 24:50  "Laban and Bethuel answered, 'This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other'".

Observation:

Abraham's servant had gone back to Abraham's people to find a wife for Isaac.  When he got where he was going, he asked God to confirm who Isaac was to marry by having her do certain things.  He was very specific and she did everything he had asked God for her to do if she was the one.  God's will in this situation became very clear and there was no doubt she was the one.  All her parents could say about having their daughter move far away to marry a stranger was, "This is from the Lord", and that was enough.  They trusted God enough to know He was speaking and that He would take care of their daughter.

Application:

It is a wonderful thing to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you are doing what God wants you to do.  When it has been confirmed very clearly and without doubt, there is a peace that God will take care of you through every trial because you know you are in His will.  We need to seek the Lord again until the things we say and do are answered by, "This is from the Lord".  God doesn't get glory by hiding His will from us, but by revealing it so the world around us may also say, "This is from the Lord".

Prayer:

Lord, I want to be in Your will at all times and I want You to confirm it clearly so I can walk in confidence.  Teach me to follow You more closely and open doors in my life that would cause others to say, "This is from the Lord".

Yours Always,
Jeff

Laughter

Scripture:

Genesis 21:6 "Sarah said, 'God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me'".

Observation:

Sarah had just given birth to Isaac at ninety years of age with a husband of a hundred.  She said, "God has brought me laughter" and actually named her son Isaac, which means "laughter".  She associated the blessing and promise of God with laughter.

Application:

Today it seems that the more they grow in God, the less they laugh.  When they first meet Jesus, joy fills their hearts and they overflow with laughter and joy in their new found relationship with Christ.  As they grow, things go wrong, Christian people treat them wrong, God doesn't give them something they want, etc. and their joy disappears.  Many Christians look miserable most of the time.  I want joy and laughter to always be a large part of who I am.  I want to live a life that makes the world wonder where I found such joy.  I want to still be laughing when I am ninety.

Prayer:

Lord, I know I have lost my smile and laughter to some degree this past year.  I want it back.  I want to enjoy life again.  I want to be filled with your joy in a very real sense as has been the hallmark of my life.  Help me smile more and laugh more once again.

Yours,
Jeff

God's Omnipotence

Scripture:

Genesis 18:14 "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

Observation:

The word of the Lord came to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child and would be "the father of many nations".  The problem was, Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 90.  They were way beyond child-bearing years and they knew it.  Sarah laughed when she heard the news that she was going to have a baby.  When she laughed, the Lord spoke to Abraham and said, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?"

Application:

It seems lately that everywhere I turn, I hear "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?"  Prayer meetings, preaching meetings and personal meetings, all end up in the same words, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?"  Apparently, God is trying to get my attention and is trying to increase my personal faith level.  It is like He is pushing me to trust Him more.  This morning I answer, no Lord, nothing is too difficult for You.

Prayer:

Father, increase my faith.  Help me to see You in a proper context.  In the context of Your awesome power.  I want to know You more and to see Your power in my generation.  I know You are able, I just want you to touch my generation with a mighty revival and awakening.  Demonstrate Your great power in my nation Lord.

Your Son,
Jeff

Knowing Good and Evil

Scripture:

Genesis 3:22 "And the Lord God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.  He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever'".

Observation:

In this passage we see God having to deal with the fact that man had sinned and eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Now man had become like God in knowing good and evil and therefore God had to remove man from the garden so he couldn't eat from the tree of life also and live forever.  At this point man was banished from the garden of Eden and angels were dispatched to keep man from entering the garden again.  What seemed like a blessing, knowing good and evil, ended up being a curse on mankind.

Application:

From that point onward, we are born and our nature tells us there is good and there is evil.  Before that point Adam and Eve lived naked and unashamed.  Before knowing good and evil, they walked with God in perfect relationship.  After knowing good and evil, they were separated from God.  Jesus came to be the perfect sacrifice so that mankind can live eternally.  He came so that the separation that day, could be overcome and we could walk with God in personal relationship again.  Relationship with God is much better than knowing good and evil.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me more on this subject.  I want to know You more today and every day.  You are my everything and I want my relationship with You to grow deeper daily.

Yours,
Jeff

Refreshing Hearts

Scripture:

Philemon 7  "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people".

Observation:

Paul is writing to Philemon and asking him to accept back his former slave who had escaped, met Paul, and gave his heart to the Lord.  In the introduction of his letter, Paul says that his love has given Paul great joy because Philemon "refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people".  Apparently, Philemon allowed Christ's love and life to flow out of him to an obvious degree and people's hearts were refreshed because of it.

Application:

When people are describing me, would they say, "he refreshes the hearts of God's people"?  I want to be a refreshing stream or river that continually gives life to those around me.  I want the love of God to fill me up completely until joy and encouragement flow out of my life to as many other people as possible. 

Prayer:

Lord let me be a refresher of people's hearts.  Let my life bring encouragement to those around me.  Teach me to walk with You closer and let Your life fill mine with overflowing joy, that I may refresh hearts around me.

Yours,
Jeff

Reverence for the Lord

Scripture:

Malachi 4:2 "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.  And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves".

Observation:

As the Old Testament is closing, the prophet Malachi reminds us that as we revere the Lord, we can expect healing to be part of our lives.  From the beginning, God has declared He is our healer.  He has said it throughout the Old and New Testaments alike.  He is our healer.  This instance also associates a condition to our healing through Him.  It says "for those who revere my name".  As we revere the name of the Lord, our healing comes forth in our lives.

Application:

To revere is to honor, respect, and fear the name of the Lord.  As we lift Him up and give Him the place He deserves in our lives, our healing will come.  He is the healer of all sickness and disease.  He is the conquering King!  He is amazing and His name is to be praised.  I've been struggling with knee pain for some time now and have been for prayer many times, but now I feel like as I worship Him, He will arise with healing in His rays.

Prayer:

Father, I lift up Your name.  May your name be exalted above all other names.  Help me to honor Your name.  You are amazing and I am honored to serve You.  Teach me to revere Your name at a greater level.

Yours,
Jeff

We Have Heard that God is With You

Scripture:

Zechariah 8:23 "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you''".

Observation:

Zechariah is prophesying about the restoration of Jerusalem.  The Zechariah, the Lord tells Israel that He is going to bless them so much that people from other nations are going to be grabbing at their clothes and begging them to go with them "because we have heard that God is with you".  The presence of God changes everything.  When the presence of God is with you, those around you just want to be close to you.

Application:

Can you imagine the day when the ungodly are begging to be around us because they know that God is with us?  I want to live a life that makes the world say, "we have heard that God is with you".  When God is with you, even the ungodly should recognize it and want Him.  As a New Testament believer, we have God with us.  He is within us.  As we yield to Him, we see Him work in and through our lives to a greater degree.  May we yield to Him until the world says, "We have heard that God is with you".

Prayer:

Father, teach me to walk with You in such a way that those around me know that You are with me.  I want Your voice to speak through me and your hands to touch through me so the world may hear and know that you are with me and want You in their lives as well.  I want to make the world jealous so they will look to You.

Your Son,
Jeff

The Prophetic "IF"

Scripture:

Zechariah 6:15  "Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.  This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God".

Observation:

Zechariah gave this message and within this message is the simple prophetic word "IF".  Scripture is full of prophetic "IFs".  Most prophecy contains an if, but we generally look at it as if it must happen because it was spoken.  Prophecy usually shows us the heart of God and what He wants to do for us, but then there is an "IF" that brings our obedience into the equation.  In this case, the promise is that people from far away will come and help build the temple, the problem is that it is conditional upon the obedience of God's people.

Application:

The prophetic "IF" is hard for us to deal with.  When we walk in complete obedience to the Lord, all of the "IFs" are removed and we will see the fulfillment of the prophetic promises.  God's job is to take care of the fulfillment, our job is to take care of the "IF".  As we walk in daily obedience to the Lord, His word will come to pass in our lives.

Prayer:

Lord, I want Your will accomplished in my life.  I don't want Your will stopped up because I didn't take care of the "IFs" in my life.  Help me walk in complete obedience.  I want to see the fulfillment of all You have promised me and put in my heart.  Help me uphold my end of the deal.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

The Apple of His Eye

Scripture:

Zechariah 2:8 "For this is what the Lord Almighty says, 'After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you - for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye'".

Observation:

Zechariah is writing about the restoration of Jerusalem and His people.  The Lord was saying that He would restore them as they turn back to Him and that He would deal with their enemies.  An interesting side note is that God used their enemies in His plan to judge His people, then He says He will destroy them for doing it because they are the apple of His eye.  Zechariah says that the people of God are "the apple of His eye".

Application:

As New Testament believers we are spiritual Israel, therefore we can look at this verse and say that we are the apple of God's eye.  God loves us more than we believe.  He will fight against those who fight against us.  He will protect His people.  He doesn't let us out of His sight.  He may allow the enemy to attack at times for our own growth, but He always comes through for His people.  The devil will get what is coming to Him in the end because we are "the apple of His eye".  We must learn to live understanding how much God loves us and live in a way that bring Him pleasure.

Prayer:

Lord, I want to say back to You that You are the apple of my eye.  You are my everything and I love you deeply.  Thank You for reminding me this morning about your incredible love for Your people.  You are the best!

Yours,
Jeff

The Pillar and Foundation of the Truth

Scripture:

I Timothy 3:15 "if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's house-hold, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth".

Observation:

Paul is writing to his spiritual son Timothy about how things should be done in the church.  He wants Timothy to be prepared to lead God's people.  As he is writing to show Timothy how things should be done, he throws in this section that tells us the church of the living God is the pillar and foundation of truth.  According to this, truth is supported and given strength by the church.

Application:

If we see the church as the pillar and foundation of truth, then we need to take care of the the church.  A pillar holds things up and a foundation gives strength to the building.  The church is to hold up and give strength to truth.  Truth is what the world is looking for and we are give them something real.  The church needs to be strong so that the world can see the truth we carry.  When falseness goes on in the church, it weakens our testimony in the community.  Truth makes us strong.  Let's walk in truth.

Prayer:

Father God, let the church be the pillar and foundation of truth once again.  Let the church be the one place in the earth where truth is still the foundation.  Let me be truthful in everything I do so the church can be strong.  I want the church to make You look good to this community.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Four Things God Doesn't Like

Scripture:

Zephaniah 3:2  "She obeys no one, she accepts no correction.  She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God".

Observation:

In this passage, God is rebuking Jerusalem and pronouncing judgment on her.  Zephaniah is prophesying of the Day of the Lord that will come and judge the nations.  He speaks of judgment coming on the nations, then turns to Jerusalem and pronounces judgment because: "She obeys no one, she accepts no correction.  She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God".  These four things are given as the main reason God is going to judge Jerusalem.

Application:

If we apply this to our lives in 2013, we would say that these four things are things we want in our lives to remain in the blessing of the Lord.  We must be humble enough to obey God and those who God puts over us in this life.  We must learn to accept correction and adjust when we are wrong.  We must learn to trust God in every area of our lives.  We also must be a people who draw near to the Lord.  When these four things are at work in a person, they will live under the blessing of God.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in each of these four things.  I want to please You in every way.  Let my life bring you praise.  Humility and hunger for God are things I want in my life. Help me live my life in the way You want me to.

Yours,
Jeff

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Scripture:

II Thessalonians 1:7 "and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels".

Observation:

Paul was telling the Thessalonians that God would judge the wicked.  It says just before this that God will pay back trouble to to those who trouble you.  I just love Paul's depiction of Jesus coming back "in blazing fire with his powerful angels".  When Jesus comes back, it is not going to be like the suffering servant of his first revelation.  This time He is coming in power to judge the living and the dead.

Application:

When Jesus is revealed, He will repay everything that needs repaid.  He will right every wrong and dish out punishment where it is necessary.  He is coming again in blazing fire with his powerful angels.  God says that vengeance is His and that He will repay.  We should live our lives with the understanding that it is God who brings justice, not us.  We must trust Him, not only with our salvation, but with fighting our battles.  He will right every wrong when He comes again in power.

Prayer:

Thank You Lord for this picture this morning.  You are coming back in power and I know You will right every wrong and straighten out every account.  Help me to live now trusting You in this area instead of wanting to take vengeance myself when opportunity arises.  You are the judge of the living and the dead.  Help me trust You more in this area.

Yours,
Jeff

The Awesomeness of God

Scripture:

Nahum 1:5  "The mountains quake before Him and the hills melt away.  The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it."

Observation:

Nahum is describing the Lord God Almighty and uses several pictures of His awesomeness as he is telling Ninevah about the judgment that is coming their direction from God.  In his description, Nahum says, "the mountains quake before Him and the hills melt away.  The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it."  His description of the Lord is awesome!

Application:

Do we really see God as the one who causes the whole earth to tremble?  Do we see Him as the one before whom the mountains tremble and the hills melt away?  Do we perceive God as the most awesome and powerful force in the universe or do we see Him as a God who once in a while does something to help us out of a bad situation?  We must begin to see God like the prophets saw Him.  We must see that God is powerful and can't be messed with.  He is the Almighty!  At his presence, the mountains quake and the earth trembles.  Nothing can stand before Him and He is my father.  Wow, what a thought!  He is the master of the universe and He is my father.

Prayer:

Father, help me to see You as You are.  You are awesome and to be feared above all gods.  You are mighty and everything quakes before you in your presence.  As I see Your incredible power, let me also see that You are my father and you love me.  Help me to see all that power guided toward me because of You great love for me.  You are amazing!

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Whatever You Do

Scripture:

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters".

Observation:

Paul tells the Colossians that they should not be half-hearted in anything they do.  Whatever they did, they were to do it with all their heart.  They should do everything in life as if they were doing it for the Lord.

Application:

As believers, we should be people who are diligent and have a strong work ethic.  In our places of business, we should be the ones who are the hardest working, most productive employees because we are doing our work for the Lord and not our boss.  Those around us should be asking why we work so hard.  The philosophy of the day is "work just hard enough so you don't get fired" and bosses pay "just enough so they won't quit".  We need to turn this around.  Regardless of the pay scale, we should always be the best employees.

Prayer:

Lord, Help me to be diligent in every area of life.  Let me not be known as a slacker, but as a man who works hard.  Let the work of my hands bring you praise and honor.  Help me be excellent in every part of my life.

Yours,
Jeff

The Glorious Riches of This Mystery

Scripture:

Colossians 1:27 "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory".

Observation:

Paul talks about the glorious riches of this mystery.  What mystery?  Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Paul tells us that Christ in us is the hope of glory and is the glorious riches of this mystery.  It is a mystery that God would send His Son to this earth to pay the ranson for Jew and Gentile alike.  He paid a debt He did not owe.  He not only paid the sin debt for us, He now lives in us through the Holy Spirit.  Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.  The greater one live in us.  That is a mystery, but also a powerful revelation.

Application:

The hope of glory, Christ Himself, lives in us!  What a powerful thought.  He that conquered death resides in me.  He that defeated all temptation, lives in me.  He that trampled on Satan, lives in me.  What an incredible mystery!  We are alive with Christ and in Him we live and move and have our being.  If the greater one lives inside of us, we have nothing to fear.  We need to come to complete understanding of this and allow Christ to live through us much more.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to yield my life completely to You that Christ may live through me in every way.  I want to know You more every day.  I want you to live through me.  Let my body be a tent that you live in and work through.  Make me completely yours I pray.

Yours,
Jeff

God's Requirements

Scripture:

Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Observation:

Micah gives us a quick way to know we are walking truly with God.  What does God require of His people?  Simply this, "act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God".  God is simply looking for people who will be just in their dealings, merciful in their relationships and walk in humility because God hates pride in any way.  God really doesn't ask for much.  He wants us to treat others well and walk in humility, that summarizes it.

Application:

We must be a people who demonstrate we belong to God in the way we live our lives.  When we act justly and do the right thing, God is glorified in our lives.  When we demonstrate mercy to those who don't deserve it, God is glorified in our lives.  When we walk in humility and give God all the recognition, God is glorified in our lives.  God is glorified when we do these things and our lives become easier as well.  People like those who live this way.

Prayer:

Father, let me be more like You each day.  Help me in these three areas.  I want to always be a person who walk justly, shows mercy and walks humbly before you.  You are my source of life, love and liberty.  I want to live for your glory.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Many Nations

Scripture:

Micah 4:2 "Many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob.  He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in His paths'".

Observation:

The heart of God has always been for the nations of the world.  In this reference, it is speaking about the last days.  In the last days, it says, "many nations" will want to go to the house of the Lord.  Many nations will want to learn his ways and walk in his paths.  Though in the Old Testament God deals much with Israel, His heart for all nations is seen very clearly. 

Application:

I'm thinking this morning about an old song we would sing as kids.  "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.  Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.  Jesus loves the little children of the world."  If God's heart is for the nations, then our heart must also be for the salvation of the nations.  May we share Christ, not only with those who look like us, but with all the children of the world.  May we plant churches and build His kingdom in every nation of the world.

Prayer:

Father, As you bless me, I will be a blessing to the nations.  Bless Word of Life and Hearts for the Harvest, that we may be a blessing to the nations.  May many nations hear the word of the Lord through those raised up here in Northern Virginia. 

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Grumbling and Arguing

Scripture:

Philippians 2:14 "Do everything without grumbling or arguing".

Observation:

This is a short phrase that really says so much.  Paul is writing this from a prison cell, which is much worse than what we know today as a prison cell.  From the awful place he was in, he tells the Philippians to do everything without grumbling or arguing.  He says after this that then we will be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.

Application:

The application is simple as well.  Just do it!  We will shine for Christ the best when we have a smile in the midst of terrible situations.  The world will know that something is very different about us when we don't grumble and argue like everyone else does.  Can you imagine a group of people who never grumbled or argued?  Some people, if they couldn't grumble, would nave nothing to say.  It might be pretty quiet.  I need to work on this area of my life.

Prayer:

Father, let me have a great attitude that will shine for you in a warped and crooked generation.  Help me not to grumble or complain, but to be a positive influence in this world.  There are enough complainers.  Help me be different today.

Your Son,
Jeff

When God Relents

Scripture:

Jonah 3:10 "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened".

Observation:

Jonah walked through the city of Ninevah for a day declaring that in forty days God was going to overthrow this mighty city because of their evil deeds.  The anointing of God was so strong on Jonah that the entire city repented of their ways.  The king proclaimed a fast that included every person and animal.  All were to call on the name of the Lord.  When they repented like this, God also relented from the destruction He had planned for them.  There are several times in scripture where God declared destruction on a people, but it was averted because of something.

Application:

Many think they have gone too far for God to restore them and have mercy on them.  Many feel like America has strayed too far away from God to be restored, but God is rich in mercy abounding in love.  All He needs is for people to begin to repent and He will avert whatever judgment was coming.  Ninevah was forty days away from total destruction, but they repented completely and God heard their cry and canceled His destruction plans for them.

Prayer:

Father, raise up some Jonah's who will declare your word with such anointing that cities begin to turn back to Christ.  Let your hand of grace and mercy be upon America once again.  May repentance be preached and may my generation run back to the God of our forefathers.

Yours,
Jeff

Disobedience Has Consequences

Scripture:

Jonah 1:12 "'Pick me up and throw me into the sea,' he replied, 'and it will become calm.  I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you'".

Observation:

Jonah had disobeyed the Lord and his disobedience affected other innocent lives.  He realized that it was his disobedience that was causing the storm that was about to destroy their boat.  His sin had consequences that affected many other lives.

Application:

We must realize that disobedience has consequences and innocent people many times suffer because someone has been disobedient to the Lord.  We must realize that our choices also affect the lives of others around us who will be affected by the choices we make.  There are consequences to wrong choices and often it is those around us who pay the consequences for our disobedience.  May we realize that this morning.

Prayer:

Father, help me to realize, especially in the position You have placed me, that my choices affect many other lives.  Teach me to obey quickly and completely.  Help me to do all that You put in my heart and to fulfill all You give me to do.

Your Son,
Jeff

The Source of Our Struggle

Scripture:

Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms".

Observation:

Paul tells the Ephesians that the source of their struggle is not people, money, God, etc., but against spiritual forces in Satan's control.  He goes on to talk about the armor of God and the need to use it because we have a relentless enemy who wants to destroy our faith.  Paul doesn't say there is no struggle, or that we don't have an enemy.  He makes it clear that the trouble in our lives is coming from the dark side and that we are children of the light.  We do have an enemy!

Application:

The source of our struggle is not our spouse, our health, our money, our education, our children, our boss, etc.  The source of our struggle is the devil.  He has been a thief and a liar from the beginning and he continues his work in the lives of people all over the world.  We must realize the root of our troubles and attack the right entity.  We must put on the full armor of God and go on the attack in the right direction.  If the source of our struggles is the devil, then the source of our strength is the Lord.  WE must run to the Lord, submit to Him and then resist the devil and he will flee.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, thanks for the reminder today who the source of my struggles is.  You are incredible and I worship You!  Help me to submit my life more and more to You and to resist the devil more and more.  Help me to fight the right battles with the right enemies.

Yours,
Jeff

Crucified with Christ

Scripture:

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me".

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Galatians concerning walking away from faith and back into Law.  As he is making his argument that we live, not by the Law, but by faith, he makes this beautiful statement,  "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me".  He goes on to say that the life he lives is by faith in Christ who loved him.  We have been crucified with Christ and now live by faith instead of works.  It is faith that God responds to, not just outward works of righteous obedience.

Application:

God wants us to know, like the Galatians, that life in Him is more about dying and rising with Christ than about obedience to the Law.  When we live "in Christ" and follow Him completely, our love for Him will cause us to live lives that are free from sin and the junk of this world.  We beat the sin problem, not by working harder, but by living in Christ and letting Him live through us.  We walk by faith in Him who is perfect and who fulfilled the Law.  He is our everything! 

Prayer:

Jesus, let me walk with You more completely every day.  I want to walk by faith and not by sight.  Help me to keep my eyes on You at all times and not get off track.  You are my righteousness, not my works.  You are my freedom and I want to be crucified with you and to live with You in this life.  You are my everything!

Yours Forever,
Jeff

When God Decides to Bless

Scripture:

Amos 9:13  "'The days are coming', declares the Lord, 'when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes.  New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills'".

Observation:

After an entire nine chapters of prophesying destruction for Israel for not following the Lord, Amos turns at the end and shows the restoration of Israel.  He speaks of a day when the blessing of God is so strong that the reaper is overtaken by the plowman.  He speaks of a day when the planter is overtaken by the one treading grapes.  He says that there will be a day when the blessing of God is so strong there is a continual harvest or several harvests per year.  In that the, the farmers will be amazed!

Application:

When God decides to bless a nation, a person, a family, a company, etc., the blessing is incredible.  God is not confined to the natural laws of the land where you only plant once per year.  God can bring a continual harvest into your life and before you think about what to do with it, there is more coming!  He is God and when He decides to bless, it cannot be contained.  Our job is to walk with Him and follow Him completely, whether we see the time of blessing or not, but when He decides to bless...watch out!  He knows how to bless His people in big ways.

Prayer:

Father God, I love You, worship You, and adore You.  Thanks for reminding me this morning of how good You truly are.  Even though Israel had abandoned You, You never gave up on them and spoke of an incredible day of blessing for them.  You are amazing!

Your Son,
Jeff

Seek Good, Not Evil

Scripture:

Amos 5:14  "Seek good, not evil, that you may live.  Then the Lord Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is".

Observation:

Amos is blasting Israel and telling them they need to repent and turn back to God.  In this particular verse he tells them to seek good and not evil so they can live.  In other words, God is about to destroy you, but if you seek good and not evil, you will live and not die.  At the end he says, "Then the Lord Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is".  This is a powerful rebuke.  The people were told that, even though they thought God was with them, He wasn't. 

Application:

Sometimes we get in places where we think God is with us, but He is not.  We think we are doing well and we are not.  We must walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh because the flesh will tell you everything is okay when it isn't.  We need to seek good and not evil.  Many today are thinking because of eternal security that they are on their way to heaven and they can live any way they want.  What they don't realize is that they are not.  We must seek good and not evil.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, wake up our nation.  Help us to see the error of our ways and repent so we may really live.  Teach me to seek good and not evil.  Help me be a seeker of You and a seeker of truth.  I never want to be a in a place where I think I am right with You and really not be.  Help me walk by the Spirit and not be led by what feels good to me.

Your Son.
Jeff

One of the Shepherds

Scripture:

Amos 1:1  "The words of the Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa - the vision he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jereboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel".

Observation:

God uses Amos to bring His message and prophetic revelation to the people of Israel.  Before this revelation and after this revelation, we don't hear much about this guy.  All we really know about him is what he shared in this passage, that he was a shepherd of Tekoa.  Apparently he was a shepherd who God thought He could trust to deliver a message to Israel.  God took David from being a shepherd and made him Israel's hallmark King.  He took Amos and made him a prophetic voice.  I believe God uses shepherds because they are people who have time on their hands to spend with Him.

Application:

Why would God take a shepherd of all people to be His voice to a generation?  I believe because shepherds have extended periods of time in isolation where they can spend time with God.  They have, built into their job description, time to spend alone with God and a bunch of sheep.  For those of us who are not shepherds by occupation, I believe it is not about being a shepherd as much as it is about having time alone with God.  I need to make more time to be alone with God in my life right now.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to take time away to be with You and spend time in Your presence.  Help me to step out of the busyness of life and into your presence more often.  Help me to schedule time for this crucial part of my life.  I long for time with You, but unless I schedule it, it never seems to happen.

Yours,

Jeff

Believing and Speaking

Scripture:

II Corinthians 4:13 "It is written: 'I believed; therefore I have spoken.'  Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak".

Observation:

Paul says to the Corinthians that there is a connection between what we believe and what we speak.  Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks is the way Jesus said it.  The words that come out of our mouth are a great reflection of what we believe in our heart.  Faith, doubt, unbelief, hatred, love, stress, anxiety, etc. are all released through our speech.  When our tongue gets under control, James says we can then control our whole bodies.

Application:

We speak what we believe.  What have I been speaking lately?  Have I been speaking faith, doubt, unbelief, hatred, love, stress, anxiety or what?  I want a faith that is deep and to the heart so that my mouth reflects faith at all times.  I want to be filled with faith and for faith-filled words to flow out of my life like a river of living water.

Prayer:

Lord, help me walk by faith and not by sight.  Help me believe and trust You more, even when I feel things haven't worked out like I thought they would.  Teach me to believe You stronger than ever and let it flow out of my mouth instead of complaining and murmuring.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Ever-Increasing Glory

Scripture:

II Corinthians 3:18 "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit".

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Corinthians and talking about the glory that we saw on Moses and how the glory of the New Covenant is much greater than the glory of the Old Covenant which was on Moses so that he needed to wear a veil.  Paul goes on to say that as we contemplate the Lord's glory, we are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.  Jesus said He gave us His glory.

Application:

The glory of the Lord is seen throughout scripture.  In this passage it tells us that the glory on our lives increases as we contemplate the Lord's glory.  It also says we are transformed into his image.  I need to contemplate the Lord's glory more and more in my life.  I want to be more like my maker every day.  Paul tells me that I am transformed into His image and the glory on my life increases as I contemplate the glory of the Lord.  I don't understand this completely yet, but I want to study this more.

Prayer:

Show me Your glory Lord.  I want to contemplate your glory and become more like You.  Help me understand this more thoroughly.  I believe there is something here that we are missing out on and I want revelation on this point.  Teach me to contemplate your glory and understand it more.

Yours,
Jeff

Declare a Holy Fast

Scripture:

Joel 1:14 "Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly.  Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord".

Observation:

Joel comes onto the scene talking about locusts that have eaten everything in sight and how the nation of Israel is desolate and dried up.  He tells the people of Israel what to do when it seems like everything around you is drying up.  He tells them to declare a fast and summon the leaders to the house of the Lord to cry out to the Lord. 

Application:

God is always the source of our deliverance as His children.  We can look to others, education, systems, government, etc., but our help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth.  When things are getting dry in our lives, our nation, our church, our family, etc.,  we should take the example of Joel and call for a time of fasting and prayer.  It is God who can and will deliver us!  We must cry out to the Lord, the rest is His business.

Prayer:

Father, America is in a mess.  We have abandoned You and forsaken Your truths.  We have assembled many times of prayer and fasting, but it seems we keep going farther from the truth.  Help me turn the tide.  Draw people to times of prayer and fasting.  Draw church leaders to united prayer, fasting and worship.  Let there be unity in the body of Christ.

Your Son,
Jeff

Stand Firm

Scripture:

I Corinthians 15:58  "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain".

Observation:

Paul tells the Corinthians to "Stand firm.  Let nothing move you".  He goes on to tell them to give themselves completely to the work of the Lord because this is never in vain.  Paul knew that people need to be firm in what they believe and not be moved by what goes on around them.  He knew that humanity tends to give in to pressure, therefore, he tells them to stadn firm.  Be strong.  Don't be moved!

Application:

It is very normal to want out of a bad situation.  In our culture today we constantly bombarded with teaching and philosophy that tells us we should never feel bad or uncomfortable.  We have taught people to run from anything that doesn't feel good to them.  Now we have a generation that wants to run anytime things don't go good for them or they feel uncomfortable.  We need to retrain our generation to "stand firm and let nothing move you".  We need to teach people to be strong and not run from problems.

Prayer:

Lord, help me be an example of standing firm and not being moved by circumstances around me.  Help me to teach others to stand firm and be strong.  Our generation needs strength, which only comes through resistance.  Help me fight this fight to make people strong again.  Help me raise up a generation of fighters and not runners.

Your Son,
Jeff

Be Eager to Prophesy

Scripture:

I Corinthians 14:39-40  "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.  But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way".

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Corinthians who were spiritual gifts fanatics and telling them to calm it down somewhat in their services.  Throughout chapters 13 and 14 he is telling them how services in church should flow.  He corrects them for too much speaking in tongues in their public gatherings because new people coming in get nothing from that.  He encourages them to prophesy in the church because it builds up the church.  He closes this section by saying, "be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.  But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way".

Application:

Many people use these verses to throw tongues and interpretation out of our public worship gatherings.  I don't see Paul saying that.  Paul suns up the entire section by saying we should be eager to prophesy and we should not forbid speaking in tongues.  There just needs to be order and  balance.  Paul told us to be eager to prophesy.  We should come to church eager to speak on God's behalf, yet in order.  I want a word from God every day in my life!  I want His prophetic gift stirred up in me stronger as the last days approach.

Prayer:

Lord, I am eager to prophesy, but I want it to be You at all times.  Help me not to walk in the flesh and bring messages from my own spirit, but to truly be used in this wonderful gift of prophecy.  Teach me how to give room for it in the church without going overboard.

Yours,
Jeff

Hear My Cry

Scripture:

Hosea 7:14  "They did not cry out to Me with their heart when they wailed upon their beds".

Observation:

Hosea is speaking to Ephraim and pronouncing judgment on them because they walked away from God.  In this verse, God is saying one of the reasons why judgment was coming on them... because "they did not cry to Me with their heart when they wailed upon their beds".  God wants His people to cry to Him instead of just crying and wailing in self-pity.

Application:

When things go wrong in life.  God wants us not to feel sorry for ourselves, but to cry out to Him.  He doesn't want us to just cry, but to cry out to Him in our difficult times.  He wants to be there for us and for us to call on Him.  Ephraim was punished because they wailed, but they didn't cry out to God.  We must seek Him first and call on Him when in trouble instead of pulling away from Him.

Prayer:

Father, Hear my Cry.  Help me to always cry out to You when I have trouble in my life.  Teach me to seek You in the good times and cry out to you in the bad times.  Right now I'm in India and I need you to come and heal Kevin and even touch my life physically.  Hear my cry oh God and heal us.

Yours,
Jeff

Love One Another

Scripture:

Romans 13:8  "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law".

Observation:

Paul say some simple words here that are profound and powerful.  He tells the Romans to "Owe no one anything except to love one another".  Love is such a powerful force that Paul tells us when we do it, we fulfill all the Law.  God wants us to walk in love with all men.

Application:

Most Americans are in lots of debt.  Paul tells us not to owe anyone anything, except love.  Wouldn't it be awesome to be debt free and serve others out of love?  When there is debt, love doesn't flow freely.  If I owe you something, of course I'm going to be kind to you.  On the other hand, if I owe you nothing, my love has no attachments and I am receiving nothing for it.  We must learn to love without debt.

Prayer:

Lord, I want so bad to be debt free and to serve people simply because I love them and not to have to worry about debts I owe.  Help me to love with a totally pure heart with no wrong motives.  I want to be more like Christ.

Yours,
Jeff Jacob

You Stand By Faith

Scripture:

Romans 11:20  "Well said, Because of their unbelief they were broken off and you stand by faith.  Do not be haughty, but fear God".

Observation:

Paul is describing the children of Israel when he says they were broken off.  He says they were broken off because of their unbelief and that we stand because of our faith.  It is by faith we are saved and not any other reason.  The people of Israel were broken off because of their "unbelief".  Unbelief is the dangerous to us.  We stand by faith, live by faith, and walk by faith.  Unbelief is the opposite of faith.

Application:

If belief gets us connected to God and keeps our relationship with Him, unbelief can never enter our vocabulary nor our heart.  We stand by faith!  It is only faith by the grace of God that saves us and keeps us in right relationship with Him.  Israel lost its state with God because of unbelief.  We must be people who walk by faith.  Lastly he says we should never be haughty, but fear God because we are never past being broken off either.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live by faith.  Help me never to doubt You or walk in unbelief.  You are my source of life and every good thing in my life has come from You.  You are my rock and my salvation!  You light up my life and give me hope.

Yours,
Jeff