Scripture:
Ezekiel 18:23 "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased then they turn from their ways and live?"
Observation:
In this verse we see that God gets no pleasure out of seeing the wicked perish. It is not His will that any should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth. What makes God happy is when the sinner turns from his ways and lives under the blessing of the Almighty. God loves all of His creation and wants all to repent of their ways and serve Him so that He can be a source of blessing in their lives.
Application:
From this verse we see the heart of God for all of His creation. He truly doesn't want any to perish, but all to come to repentance. Therefore, our goal should be to bring the love of God to as many as possible. It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. We should be sharing His goodness with all who will listen, that they may hear and repent, bringing great joy to the Lord. Let's be a people who share the goodness of God every day.
Prayer:
Lord, I ask You to help me reach out to someone today who does not know You. Let me be a light shining with Your goodness. Help me to be a mouthpiece for You today. You are my everything!
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
A Big Woe!
Scripture:
Ezekiel 13:3 "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!"
Observation:
Chapter 13 of Ezekiel is God showing His feelings about those who prophesy falsely in His name. He was extremely upset with the prophets of Israel and sent Ezekiel to confront them. In this specific verse the sovereign Lord gave a big Woe! to the prophets who do this, following their own spirits instead of speaking the word of the Lord. God calls them foolish for speaking what they thought should be spoken instead of what He wanted spoken.
Application:
We need to be more cautious today in the area of the prophetic and make sure we are prophesying the true word of the Lord and not just words from our own spirit. God took this very seriously in Ezekiel's day and I'm sure it still bothers Him when people speak on His behalf when He has not spoken or has spoken differently. We need to seek the Lord until we have a message burning in our heart, then deliver it. We cannot afford to take the prophetic lightly.
Prayer:
Father, help me to deliver Your words accurately. Cleanse me and purify my heart and mind so that the words I speak are life and truth from You. I want to speak accurately on Your behalf and to bring forth Your desires in the earth, in my church, and in this region. Help me to speak Your words and not just words I think would be good.
Yours,
Jeff
Ezekiel 13:3 "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!"
Observation:
Chapter 13 of Ezekiel is God showing His feelings about those who prophesy falsely in His name. He was extremely upset with the prophets of Israel and sent Ezekiel to confront them. In this specific verse the sovereign Lord gave a big Woe! to the prophets who do this, following their own spirits instead of speaking the word of the Lord. God calls them foolish for speaking what they thought should be spoken instead of what He wanted spoken.
Application:
We need to be more cautious today in the area of the prophetic and make sure we are prophesying the true word of the Lord and not just words from our own spirit. God took this very seriously in Ezekiel's day and I'm sure it still bothers Him when people speak on His behalf when He has not spoken or has spoken differently. We need to seek the Lord until we have a message burning in our heart, then deliver it. We cannot afford to take the prophetic lightly.
Prayer:
Father, help me to deliver Your words accurately. Cleanse me and purify my heart and mind so that the words I speak are life and truth from You. I want to speak accurately on Your behalf and to bring forth Your desires in the earth, in my church, and in this region. Help me to speak Your words and not just words I think would be good.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, July 26, 2013
God Gives What We Need To Accomplish His Objectives
Scripture:
Ezekiel 3:7-8 "But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are".
Observation:
God is speaking to Ezekiel and telling Him that he is being sent on a nearly impossible mission. He is being sent to an incredibly hardened people who don't want to serve the Lord. He is being told up front that they won't listen and that it won't go well, but it was still his calling. In verse eight, God tells Ezekiel, "but I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are". God told him that He would make Ezekiel into the person who could accomplish His objectives. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called! God helped Ezekiel become the person to do the objective He had in mind.
Application:
Many times we as Christians, and especially those in ministry feel like we are not qualified to do the things God is asking us to do. We always feel there is someone better qualified or cut out to do the job. God doesn't look at your qualifications when He needs to accomplish something, He looks at your heart. He will make you what you need to be in order to accomplish what He wants accomplished. He did it for Ezekiel and He will do it for us. Once again, God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord for this word today. Many times I don't feel qualified to do what You have given me to do. I struggle with thinking someone else could do a better job than me. I offer myself to You today. Mold me into the person I need to be so Your objectives can be accomplished through my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Ezekiel 3:7-8 "But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are".
Observation:
God is speaking to Ezekiel and telling Him that he is being sent on a nearly impossible mission. He is being sent to an incredibly hardened people who don't want to serve the Lord. He is being told up front that they won't listen and that it won't go well, but it was still his calling. In verse eight, God tells Ezekiel, "but I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are". God told him that He would make Ezekiel into the person who could accomplish His objectives. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called! God helped Ezekiel become the person to do the objective He had in mind.
Application:
Many times we as Christians, and especially those in ministry feel like we are not qualified to do the things God is asking us to do. We always feel there is someone better qualified or cut out to do the job. God doesn't look at your qualifications when He needs to accomplish something, He looks at your heart. He will make you what you need to be in order to accomplish what He wants accomplished. He did it for Ezekiel and He will do it for us. Once again, God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord for this word today. Many times I don't feel qualified to do what You have given me to do. I struggle with thinking someone else could do a better job than me. I offer myself to You today. Mold me into the person I need to be so Your objectives can be accomplished through my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Life In His Name
Scripture:
John 20:31 "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name".
Observation:
John is nearing the end of his Gospel and decides to tell us why he wrote everything he wrote. He also said that Jesus did many things not recorded in his Gospel. He said the things he wrote were written for a purpose: "that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name". John wanted all to have life in the name of Jesus. He wanted people to read and understand so they could have real life!
Application:
John had a purpose...bringing those who would read his documentary to faith in Christ. He wanted all to experience the wonderful life of serving Jesus. As children of God, we should have the same purpose that John had. We should want our lives to point people to Christ so that they may believe and that believing, they may have life. Our purpose, causing people to believe so that they may have life in Jesus name. I want to shine for Jesus today and cause people to believe so they may have life in Him.
Prayer:
Father, I offer myself to You this morning. Help me point someone to Jesus today so they may have life in You. Help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit and know who to talk to. Lead me into God conversations today that will bring life and not death. I want to expand Your kingdom in every way possible.
Yours,
Jeff
John 20:31 "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name".
Observation:
John is nearing the end of his Gospel and decides to tell us why he wrote everything he wrote. He also said that Jesus did many things not recorded in his Gospel. He said the things he wrote were written for a purpose: "that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name". John wanted all to have life in the name of Jesus. He wanted people to read and understand so they could have real life!
Application:
John had a purpose...bringing those who would read his documentary to faith in Christ. He wanted all to experience the wonderful life of serving Jesus. As children of God, we should have the same purpose that John had. We should want our lives to point people to Christ so that they may believe and that believing, they may have life. Our purpose, causing people to believe so that they may have life in Jesus name. I want to shine for Jesus today and cause people to believe so they may have life in Him.
Prayer:
Father, I offer myself to You this morning. Help me point someone to Jesus today so they may have life in You. Help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit and know who to talk to. Lead me into God conversations today that will bring life and not death. I want to expand Your kingdom in every way possible.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Complete Unity
Scripture:
John 17:22-23 "I have given the the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me".
Observation:
Jesus is praying to the Father concerning those who were given to Him. He is ready to give His life and wants to make sure his disciples were going to be okay. He asked the Father to bring them to complete unity, "then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me". Jesus is basically saying that when the church is brought to complete unity, the world will know that God loves them and that He is the Messiah.
Application:
God's heart has always been for unity. He broke down the walls of division between Jew and Gentile. Complete unity brings about incredible results! God wants His people to be one, even as He and the Father are one. We must strive to bring unity to the body of Christ because when it comes, we will see the world coming to Jesus and realizing who He is. Jesus wants His church to be one, we must want what Jesus wants and desire what He desires. We must break down the walls of separation that divide us as His body, His bride, etc.
Prayer:
Father, let the message of unity get out. Give me the strength and discipline to write the book you put in my spirit about unity. Show me more and I will write it. Help me understand so I can convey this message to the body of Christ. I want to see complete unity and I know the harvest that will come as we get our act together.
Yours,
Jeff
John 17:22-23 "I have given the the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me".
Observation:
Jesus is praying to the Father concerning those who were given to Him. He is ready to give His life and wants to make sure his disciples were going to be okay. He asked the Father to bring them to complete unity, "then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me". Jesus is basically saying that when the church is brought to complete unity, the world will know that God loves them and that He is the Messiah.
Application:
God's heart has always been for unity. He broke down the walls of division between Jew and Gentile. Complete unity brings about incredible results! God wants His people to be one, even as He and the Father are one. We must strive to bring unity to the body of Christ because when it comes, we will see the world coming to Jesus and realizing who He is. Jesus wants His church to be one, we must want what Jesus wants and desire what He desires. We must break down the walls of separation that divide us as His body, His bride, etc.
Prayer:
Father, let the message of unity get out. Give me the strength and discipline to write the book you put in my spirit about unity. Show me more and I will write it. Help me understand so I can convey this message to the body of Christ. I want to see complete unity and I know the harvest that will come as we get our act together.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Whatever You Ask
Scripture:
John 14:13-14 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it".
Observation:
As Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure from this life, He made some very strong statements that we seem to just throw aside when we read them. He told His disciples that He would do whatever they asked in His name. Then He re-affirmed it just in case they didn't understand when He said, "You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it". James told us that we have not because we ask not. These are two powerful statements that we struggle with. Do we really believe He said this? and Did He really mean what He said?
Application:
Jesus said He would give us whatever we asked for in His name so that the Father may be glorified. Many times we don't have because we don't ask and we don't ask in faith. We must believe "all" that Jesus taught and said. We have no problem trying to live according to the beatitudes, but this is something we turn our heads from and act like He never said it. We must begin asking...He said He would do whatever we asked for so His Father may be glorified. As for me, I'm asking, because I want to see the Father glorified.
Prayer:
Lord, help me not to take lightly anything You said in Your word. Teach me to trust and obey every part, not just the ones I understand and feel comfortable with. You are amazing! Thanks for sharing with me today.
Yours,
Jeff
John 14:13-14 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it".
Observation:
As Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure from this life, He made some very strong statements that we seem to just throw aside when we read them. He told His disciples that He would do whatever they asked in His name. Then He re-affirmed it just in case they didn't understand when He said, "You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it". James told us that we have not because we ask not. These are two powerful statements that we struggle with. Do we really believe He said this? and Did He really mean what He said?
Application:
Jesus said He would give us whatever we asked for in His name so that the Father may be glorified. Many times we don't have because we don't ask and we don't ask in faith. We must believe "all" that Jesus taught and said. We have no problem trying to live according to the beatitudes, but this is something we turn our heads from and act like He never said it. We must begin asking...He said He would do whatever we asked for so His Father may be glorified. As for me, I'm asking, because I want to see the Father glorified.
Prayer:
Lord, help me not to take lightly anything You said in Your word. Teach me to trust and obey every part, not just the ones I understand and feel comfortable with. You are amazing! Thanks for sharing with me today.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, July 22, 2013
His Sheep Follow Him
Scripture:
John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me".
Observation:
Jesus is speaking about being a Good Shepherd. He says that sheep will hear a good shepherd's voice and follow Him. The sheep become tuned to the voice of the shepherd so that the shepherd can easily guide them. They won't follow another shepherd or a hireling. They will follow the voice they know, and that voice will lead them beside still waters and into green pastures.
Application:
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He does an amazing job at shepherding His people, but sometimes His people don't listen to His voice or they think they can handle life on their own without His input. A Good Shepherd can be loved and trusted to bring about the good in the life of the sheep. If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, we must learn to follow His voice and be led by it continually throughout our lives. He wants to lead...are we good at following?
Prayer:
Good Shepherd, help me to hear Your voice more clearly all the time. Help me to walk with You throughout life and to follow Your lead. I want to know Your voice better than every before. I want to be led by You every day of my life. I know You have the words of life and truth and I want to follow You completely. Help me along the way.
Yours,
Jeff
John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me".
Observation:
Jesus is speaking about being a Good Shepherd. He says that sheep will hear a good shepherd's voice and follow Him. The sheep become tuned to the voice of the shepherd so that the shepherd can easily guide them. They won't follow another shepherd or a hireling. They will follow the voice they know, and that voice will lead them beside still waters and into green pastures.
Application:
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He does an amazing job at shepherding His people, but sometimes His people don't listen to His voice or they think they can handle life on their own without His input. A Good Shepherd can be loved and trusted to bring about the good in the life of the sheep. If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, we must learn to follow His voice and be led by it continually throughout our lives. He wants to lead...are we good at following?
Prayer:
Good Shepherd, help me to hear Your voice more clearly all the time. Help me to walk with You throughout life and to follow Your lead. I want to know Your voice better than every before. I want to be led by You every day of my life. I know You have the words of life and truth and I want to follow You completely. Help me along the way.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, July 19, 2013
The Spirit Without Limit
Scripture:
John 3:34 "For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit".
Observation:
John is describing Jesus as the Messiah and as one who came from heaven above. He has just told the crowds that he must decrease so that Jesus could increase and that Jesus was preferred above him. In the midst of his defence of Christ, John throws in this little statement, "for God gives the Spirit without limit".
Application:
This little phrase has always intrigued me. Many people are satisfied with a little of the Spirit in their lives. They want just enough to get to heaven, but not enough to change the way they live their lives. I want the Spirit of God without limit! I want all God has for my life and want nothing to restrain Him from working in my life without limit. There is no limit to what God can do through a person fully set apart for Him.
Prayer:
Lord, I want all there is of You and Your Spirit in my life. I want to live above the limits. I want an unlimited flow of your Spirit in my life. Take away anything in me that hinders the flow of Your Spirit in my life. Work in and through my life.
Yours Always,
Jeff
John 3:34 "For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit".
Observation:
John is describing Jesus as the Messiah and as one who came from heaven above. He has just told the crowds that he must decrease so that Jesus could increase and that Jesus was preferred above him. In the midst of his defence of Christ, John throws in this little statement, "for God gives the Spirit without limit".
Application:
This little phrase has always intrigued me. Many people are satisfied with a little of the Spirit in their lives. They want just enough to get to heaven, but not enough to change the way they live their lives. I want the Spirit of God without limit! I want all God has for my life and want nothing to restrain Him from working in my life without limit. There is no limit to what God can do through a person fully set apart for Him.
Prayer:
Lord, I want all there is of You and Your Spirit in my life. I want to live above the limits. I want an unlimited flow of your Spirit in my life. Take away anything in me that hinders the flow of Your Spirit in my life. Work in and through my life.
Yours Always,
Jeff
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
I Will Save You... you trust in Me
Scripture:
Jeremiah 39:18 "I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord".
Observation:
These words were spoken concerning Ebed-Melek the Cushite. He was an official in the royal palace who had seen Jeremiah in a cistern, being punished for prophesying in the name of the Lord, and got him out. God saw his heart and made sure that when the city was to be destroyed and burned that Ebed-Melek was going to be okay. God said to him, "I will save you... you trust in me".
Application:
Ebed-Melek stood up for the person speaking on God's behalf, even when that person was being persecuted. Apparently he believed what Jeremiah was saying about the coming destruction. Because of this, the bible says, "I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life because you trust in me". We must be people who hear what the Lord is saying and believe, whether it is good or bad. We must trust the word of the Lord, then the Lord knows He can trust us. As we trust the Lord and listen to His voice, we can also be sure that He will save and protect us.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to trust You more each day. I want to live a life that pleases you and that You can bless. Help me be a man of God who trusts God completely and who can be trusted completely. I am Yours.
Forever,
Jeff
Jeremiah 39:18 "I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord".
Observation:
These words were spoken concerning Ebed-Melek the Cushite. He was an official in the royal palace who had seen Jeremiah in a cistern, being punished for prophesying in the name of the Lord, and got him out. God saw his heart and made sure that when the city was to be destroyed and burned that Ebed-Melek was going to be okay. God said to him, "I will save you... you trust in me".
Application:
Ebed-Melek stood up for the person speaking on God's behalf, even when that person was being persecuted. Apparently he believed what Jeremiah was saying about the coming destruction. Because of this, the bible says, "I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life because you trust in me". We must be people who hear what the Lord is saying and believe, whether it is good or bad. We must trust the word of the Lord, then the Lord knows He can trust us. As we trust the Lord and listen to His voice, we can also be sure that He will save and protect us.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to trust You more each day. I want to live a life that pleases you and that You can bless. Help me be a man of God who trusts God completely and who can be trusted completely. I am Yours.
Forever,
Jeff
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