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
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
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
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
Friday, August 23, 2013
So I Turned to the Lord
Scripture:
Daniel 9:3 "So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes".
Observation:
Daniel was a mighty man of God who had an amazing relationship with the Father. He interpreted dreams and visions. He operated in words of knowledge and God was with him incredibly. God delivered him from a lion's den and a fiery furnace and gave him wisdom for kings. In this verse I believe we see the reason God had done so much for Daniel in his lifetime. "So I turned to the Lord" was his mode of operation. When he didn't understand something he turned to the Lord. He wasn't a terrible sinner, yet when he needed an answer he turned to the Lord.
Application:
In our lives there are times when we need to "turn to the Lord" with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Though we may have never turned away purposefully, we tend to drift and a times we need to "turn to the Lord". For Daniel this looked like a time of prayer and fasting. It is simply a time set aside for one purpose ... to turn to the Lord and get His guidance for our lives. Every believer needs times set aside to "turn to the Lord" and seek Him in prayer and fasting.
Prayer:
Father, help me to set aside more time for You. Teach me to take seasons to get away from everything else and seek You. I want to be a person who "turns to the Lord" for guidance, direction, vision, etc. I want more of You in my life. You are amazing!
Your Son,
Jeff
Daniel 9:3 "So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes".
Observation:
Daniel was a mighty man of God who had an amazing relationship with the Father. He interpreted dreams and visions. He operated in words of knowledge and God was with him incredibly. God delivered him from a lion's den and a fiery furnace and gave him wisdom for kings. In this verse I believe we see the reason God had done so much for Daniel in his lifetime. "So I turned to the Lord" was his mode of operation. When he didn't understand something he turned to the Lord. He wasn't a terrible sinner, yet when he needed an answer he turned to the Lord.
Application:
In our lives there are times when we need to "turn to the Lord" with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Though we may have never turned away purposefully, we tend to drift and a times we need to "turn to the Lord". For Daniel this looked like a time of prayer and fasting. It is simply a time set aside for one purpose ... to turn to the Lord and get His guidance for our lives. Every believer needs times set aside to "turn to the Lord" and seek Him in prayer and fasting.
Prayer:
Father, help me to set aside more time for You. Teach me to take seasons to get away from everything else and seek You. I want to be a person who "turns to the Lord" for guidance, direction, vision, etc. I want more of You in my life. You are amazing!
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, August 22, 2013
God's Gifts Can't be Bought
Scripture:
Daniel 5:17 "Then Daniel answered the king, 'You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means'".
Observation:
Daniel was a man of God who was raised up as an exile to speak into the lives of the national leaders during his captivity. God supernaturally gifted Daniel in the marketplace in such a way that the kings of Babylon realized it and knew he was the only one with real answers for them. They knew they could trust him and he didn't take their bribes. They knew he was a man of integrity and character. He didn't want their money, just to honor his God and bring truth. As a result, God raised him up and caused him to influence the nation of his captivity.
Application:
Daniel had respect because he turned away from money and gifts the king wanted to give him. He was not in his position for selfish gain, but to let the world see the awesomeness of his God. He proved to the king and the entire nation several times in his life that God was the only true and living God. He would not take money for a gift God had given him and it caused God to smile on his life.
Prayer:
Father God, help me to be more like Daniel. Help me to keep my eyes on You as my provider and not any person. You are my helper, my guide, my protection, etc. You are my all in all! Help me walk in integrity and character every day of my life that my life will bring honor to your name.
Yours,
Jeff
Daniel 5:17 "Then Daniel answered the king, 'You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means'".
Observation:
Daniel was a man of God who was raised up as an exile to speak into the lives of the national leaders during his captivity. God supernaturally gifted Daniel in the marketplace in such a way that the kings of Babylon realized it and knew he was the only one with real answers for them. They knew they could trust him and he didn't take their bribes. They knew he was a man of integrity and character. He didn't want their money, just to honor his God and bring truth. As a result, God raised him up and caused him to influence the nation of his captivity.
Application:
Daniel had respect because he turned away from money and gifts the king wanted to give him. He was not in his position for selfish gain, but to let the world see the awesomeness of his God. He proved to the king and the entire nation several times in his life that God was the only true and living God. He would not take money for a gift God had given him and it caused God to smile on his life.
Prayer:
Father God, help me to be more like Daniel. Help me to keep my eyes on You as my provider and not any person. You are my helper, my guide, my protection, etc. You are my all in all! Help me walk in integrity and character every day of my life that my life will bring honor to your name.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Impacting Nations
Scripture:
Daniel 2:48 "Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all the wise men".
Observation:
In this verse we see Daniel being promoted to a place of national significance because he was able to tell the king what his dream was and what the interpretation of the dream was. Daniel had been exiled from his own nation and was living in a nation that was not his own. Instead of being bitter that God would let this happen to him, Daniel served God and God raised him up in a foreign nation that God's name might be glorified and the nation would see the goodness of God.
Application:
I love this story because Daniel impacts a nation, not by his preaching, but by his walk with God and from a marketplace perspective. He didn't influence a nation from a pulpit, but from within the marketplace and in the government of that nation. may God raise up some people who will impact nations because they are men and women of God serving Him in places of government, etc. Impacting nations happens when God's people are in marketplace ministry and government officials realize the God they serve is all powerful.
Prayer:
Lord, raise up Daniels in the United States of America. Raise up Daniels in every nation so that your name will be exalted among the lost. Give visions and dreams to your people in influential places so that the leadership will see that You are wiser than the wisest leader. May You name be exalted in every nation, tribe and tongue!
Your Son,
Jeff
Daniel 2:48 "Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all the wise men".
Observation:
In this verse we see Daniel being promoted to a place of national significance because he was able to tell the king what his dream was and what the interpretation of the dream was. Daniel had been exiled from his own nation and was living in a nation that was not his own. Instead of being bitter that God would let this happen to him, Daniel served God and God raised him up in a foreign nation that God's name might be glorified and the nation would see the goodness of God.
Application:
I love this story because Daniel impacts a nation, not by his preaching, but by his walk with God and from a marketplace perspective. He didn't influence a nation from a pulpit, but from within the marketplace and in the government of that nation. may God raise up some people who will impact nations because they are men and women of God serving Him in places of government, etc. Impacting nations happens when God's people are in marketplace ministry and government officials realize the God they serve is all powerful.
Prayer:
Lord, raise up Daniels in the United States of America. Raise up Daniels in every nation so that your name will be exalted among the lost. Give visions and dreams to your people in influential places so that the leadership will see that You are wiser than the wisest leader. May You name be exalted in every nation, tribe and tongue!
Your Son,
Jeff
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Preaching Jesus in All Situations
Scripture:
Acts 28:30-31 "For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance".
Observation:
Paul was awaiting his hearing in Rome and was on house arrest. During his two years of house arrest, Paul continued to proclaim Jesus and teach about Him with boldness and without hindrance. Paul had been through many terrible circumstances in his time as an apostle, but he continued to preach Jesus through every one of them. He was on house arrest and, instead of spending his time complaining to God about how awful things were, he established the kingdom from his house.
Application:
Life sometimes puts us in bad situations. Most people grow bitter toward God for not bailing them out and fixing every bad thing that happens to them. We need to be more like Paul who endured some of the worst treatment for Christ of anyone, yet continued to spread the Good News. We should see our problems as opportunities to spread the love of God instead of getting mad at God. Paul was focused on heavenly things, therefore things on this earth could come or go and he was content and continued on his mission.
Prayer:
Father, help me to keep my focus through the trials of life. Help me not to see problems as times when you lifted your hand from me and let me down, but as opportunities to share Christ with new people. Teach me to extend your kingdom in every circumstance.
Yours,
Jeff
Acts 28:30-31 "For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance".
Observation:
Paul was awaiting his hearing in Rome and was on house arrest. During his two years of house arrest, Paul continued to proclaim Jesus and teach about Him with boldness and without hindrance. Paul had been through many terrible circumstances in his time as an apostle, but he continued to preach Jesus through every one of them. He was on house arrest and, instead of spending his time complaining to God about how awful things were, he established the kingdom from his house.
Application:
Life sometimes puts us in bad situations. Most people grow bitter toward God for not bailing them out and fixing every bad thing that happens to them. We need to be more like Paul who endured some of the worst treatment for Christ of anyone, yet continued to spread the Good News. We should see our problems as opportunities to spread the love of God instead of getting mad at God. Paul was focused on heavenly things, therefore things on this earth could come or go and he was content and continued on his mission.
Prayer:
Father, help me to keep my focus through the trials of life. Help me not to see problems as times when you lifted your hand from me and let me down, but as opportunities to share Christ with new people. Teach me to extend your kingdom in every circumstance.
Yours,
Jeff
Saturday, August 17, 2013
My Only Aim
Scripture:
Acts 20:24 "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the Good News of God's grace".
Observation:
Paul knew he was nearing the end of his life on earth. He knew he was going to be tortured and eventually killed, but this knowledge did not stop him from preaching Jesus and fulfilling his calling. He could have avoided and postponed his death, but Paul was determined and had one aim in life ... to finish the race and complete the task Jesus gave him. What focus and determination! You can't fight against that.
Application:
I want to have the determination of a Paul who is not going to let anything or anyone stop him from fulfilling everything Jesus told him. I want to have the life focus that Paul had. I don't want anything to distract me from fulfilling God's calling and will on my life. When I get to the end I want to hear "well done good and faithful servant". That's my aim.
Prayer:
Father God, give me the strength to do what must be done each day. Help me keep my focus on you and your kingdom instead of the problems around me. Help me stay focused on You instead of me.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Acts 20:24 "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the Good News of God's grace".
Observation:
Paul knew he was nearing the end of his life on earth. He knew he was going to be tortured and eventually killed, but this knowledge did not stop him from preaching Jesus and fulfilling his calling. He could have avoided and postponed his death, but Paul was determined and had one aim in life ... to finish the race and complete the task Jesus gave him. What focus and determination! You can't fight against that.
Application:
I want to have the determination of a Paul who is not going to let anything or anyone stop him from fulfilling everything Jesus told him. I want to have the life focus that Paul had. I don't want anything to distract me from fulfilling God's calling and will on my life. When I get to the end I want to hear "well done good and faithful servant". That's my aim.
Prayer:
Father God, give me the strength to do what must be done each day. Help me keep my focus on you and your kingdom instead of the problems around me. Help me stay focused on You instead of me.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Friday, August 16, 2013
Singing Through the Pain
Scripture:
Acts 16:25 "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them".
Observation:
Paul and Silas had kicked a demon out of a slave girl. This was their offense. They freed a girl from demonic possession. Her possession had made lots of money for her masters and their income was hurting because she couldn't tell the future any more. They had Paul and Silas arrested, beaten with rods and flogged. They were then chained and place into the inner prison, which was really like a dungeon. In that place, after that attack, Paul and Silas were praying and singing at midnight. They were singing through the pain.
Application:
Paul and Silas did no wrong, were treated terribly, ended up in a really bad situation. In that bad situation they could have blamed God, but instead praised God and sang to Him. Instead of getting frustrated with God when things don't go our way, we need to sing through the pain and worship Him anyway. When we feel like things can't get any worse, we need to give God praise and worship. We need to look to Him in prayer instead of accusing Him in our complaints.
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for complaining about my circumstances. Forgive me for whining to You when things don't go my way. Help me to worship through any and every situation. You are my God and I want to worship you as Paul and Silas did.
Yours,
Jeff
Acts 16:25 "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them".
Observation:
Paul and Silas had kicked a demon out of a slave girl. This was their offense. They freed a girl from demonic possession. Her possession had made lots of money for her masters and their income was hurting because she couldn't tell the future any more. They had Paul and Silas arrested, beaten with rods and flogged. They were then chained and place into the inner prison, which was really like a dungeon. In that place, after that attack, Paul and Silas were praying and singing at midnight. They were singing through the pain.
Application:
Paul and Silas did no wrong, were treated terribly, ended up in a really bad situation. In that bad situation they could have blamed God, but instead praised God and sang to Him. Instead of getting frustrated with God when things don't go our way, we need to sing through the pain and worship Him anyway. When we feel like things can't get any worse, we need to give God praise and worship. We need to look to Him in prayer instead of accusing Him in our complaints.
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for complaining about my circumstances. Forgive me for whining to You when things don't go my way. Help me to worship through any and every situation. You are my God and I want to worship you as Paul and Silas did.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Complete Obedience
Scripture:
Acts 13:22 "After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do'".
Observation:
David was chosen by God because God knew David's heart was pure and that David would do everything God wanted him to do. David had complete obedience! He had a heart after God and would do anything for God and anything God wanted him to do. David is seen to this day as Israel's greatest king. The reason, complete obedience to God defined his life. David obeyed God when obeying God was difficult. God could trust David and knew "he will do everything I want him to do".
Application:
The heart God is looking for today is not the most qualified, trained, equipped or prepared. It is the heart that is most obedient to God. He is looking for the one who is after His heart. He is still looking for those who will live their lives fully surrendered to the Lord. We must live our lives with a heart after God and his heart. We should desire what God desires and walk in complete obedience, then we will see God work strongly on our behalf.
Prayer:
Father God, You are awesome and I love serving You! You are my strength and my salvation. You are my fortress and my deliverer. You are worthy of all obedience. Help me to serve You well and to accomplish all You want to accomplish in and through my life.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Acts 13:22 "After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do'".
Observation:
David was chosen by God because God knew David's heart was pure and that David would do everything God wanted him to do. David had complete obedience! He had a heart after God and would do anything for God and anything God wanted him to do. David is seen to this day as Israel's greatest king. The reason, complete obedience to God defined his life. David obeyed God when obeying God was difficult. God could trust David and knew "he will do everything I want him to do".
Application:
The heart God is looking for today is not the most qualified, trained, equipped or prepared. It is the heart that is most obedient to God. He is looking for the one who is after His heart. He is still looking for those who will live their lives fully surrendered to the Lord. We must live our lives with a heart after God and his heart. We should desire what God desires and walk in complete obedience, then we will see God work strongly on our behalf.
Prayer:
Father God, You are awesome and I love serving You! You are my strength and my salvation. You are my fortress and my deliverer. You are worthy of all obedience. Help me to serve You well and to accomplish all You want to accomplish in and through my life.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Honoring the Presence of the Lord
Scripture:
Ezekiel 42:14 "Once the priests enter the holy precincts, they are not to go into the outer court until they leave behind the garments in which they minister, for they are holy. They are to put on other clothes before they go near the places that are for the people".
Observation:
The priests were set apart for the Lord and His service. Everything they did in worship of God was in order and to be done a certain way in order to maintain the holiness of the Lord. In this verse it talks about the priests not being able to go among the people with their ministry clothes on because even the garments they wore were holy. They had to change their clothes in order to talk to people. There was a huge gap between the sacred and the secular. The two were never to touch. With the death of Jesus we have all been given access into the Holy Place. The veil of the Temple was torn in two and we have access into the presence of God. Now we are a priestly people.
Application:
God has given us all the priestly access to His presence and we no longer have to have special clothing to into His presence. We can now come boldly before the throne of grace. We have amazing privileges that were only for the priests in the past. Therefore we should not take this lightly. In the Old Testament, being the presence of God was only for a few and was truly an amazing thing. I believe today we should honor the Lord's presence more than we do. We are not bound to go through certain ceremonies and ritual cleansings, but we should not take lightly our priestly functions as well. May we find new ways to honor the Lord's presence in our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to never take the privilege of Your presence lightly. Show me how to honor your presence and properly treat your holy place. I love your presence more than life, teach me not to take it for granted. Your presence means everything to me. Help me honor it correctly.
Yours,
Jeff
Ezekiel 42:14 "Once the priests enter the holy precincts, they are not to go into the outer court until they leave behind the garments in which they minister, for they are holy. They are to put on other clothes before they go near the places that are for the people".
Observation:
The priests were set apart for the Lord and His service. Everything they did in worship of God was in order and to be done a certain way in order to maintain the holiness of the Lord. In this verse it talks about the priests not being able to go among the people with their ministry clothes on because even the garments they wore were holy. They had to change their clothes in order to talk to people. There was a huge gap between the sacred and the secular. The two were never to touch. With the death of Jesus we have all been given access into the Holy Place. The veil of the Temple was torn in two and we have access into the presence of God. Now we are a priestly people.
Application:
God has given us all the priestly access to His presence and we no longer have to have special clothing to into His presence. We can now come boldly before the throne of grace. We have amazing privileges that were only for the priests in the past. Therefore we should not take this lightly. In the Old Testament, being the presence of God was only for a few and was truly an amazing thing. I believe today we should honor the Lord's presence more than we do. We are not bound to go through certain ceremonies and ritual cleansings, but we should not take lightly our priestly functions as well. May we find new ways to honor the Lord's presence in our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to never take the privilege of Your presence lightly. Show me how to honor your presence and properly treat your holy place. I love your presence more than life, teach me not to take it for granted. Your presence means everything to me. Help me honor it correctly.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
They Will Forget Their Shame
Scripture:
Ezekiel 39:26 "They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid".
Observation:
God is speaking to Ezekiel about Israel coming back into their homeland after being exiled for a long time and being totally defeated by their enemies. Their enemies were allowed by God to defeat them and take them out of the land God gave them because of their sin and idolatry. They were unfaithful to God and had suffered the consequences. Now God was going to restore them and says of them that "they will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me".
Application:
God hates when we are unfaithful to Him. He hated the fact that Israel kept running after other gods when He had blessed them and been so good to them. Yet, when He is ready to bring them back, He says they will forget their shame and their unfaithfulness toward Him. God wants us to acknowledge our sins and failures, but He doesn't want us to dwell there. He wants us to repent, but to realize that He wants us to forget how unfaithful we were and forget the shame associated with it and simply love Him and obey Him out of our love for Him.
Prayer:
Lord, Help me not to spend my time in shame and feeling like I let God down. Help me to walk in confidence in my relationship with You. Help me minister in a way that brings people out of shame and into the love of God.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Ezekiel 39:26 "They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid".
Observation:
God is speaking to Ezekiel about Israel coming back into their homeland after being exiled for a long time and being totally defeated by their enemies. Their enemies were allowed by God to defeat them and take them out of the land God gave them because of their sin and idolatry. They were unfaithful to God and had suffered the consequences. Now God was going to restore them and says of them that "they will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me".
Application:
God hates when we are unfaithful to Him. He hated the fact that Israel kept running after other gods when He had blessed them and been so good to them. Yet, when He is ready to bring them back, He says they will forget their shame and their unfaithfulness toward Him. God wants us to acknowledge our sins and failures, but He doesn't want us to dwell there. He wants us to repent, but to realize that He wants us to forget how unfaithful we were and forget the shame associated with it and simply love Him and obey Him out of our love for Him.
Prayer:
Lord, Help me not to spend my time in shame and feeling like I let God down. Help me to walk in confidence in my relationship with You. Help me minister in a way that brings people out of shame and into the love of God.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
God's Heart
Scripture:
Ezekiel 36:38 "So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord".
Observation:
Throughout the book of Ezekiel and many other Old Testament prophets, you continue to hear this phrase over and over..."Then they will know that I am the Lord". He says things continually like, I will destroy your enemies...then they will know I am the Lord, or, I will bring you back from captivity...then you will know that I am the Lord, or, I will judge your enemies...then they will know that I am the Lord. God wants the world to know that He is the Lord and He will accomplish it any way He can.
Application:
God loves all people and wants to bring His blessing into their lives. He desires to see every human walking under His Lordship, not so He can rule over them, but so that He can bless them. God's heart is for the world to know that He is the Lord. Our job is to extend His rule and reign on the earth and let more and more people know about Him..."Then they will know that He is the Lord". God desires everyone to know Him so that He can bless them and not be at a distance from them. He brings them near through us. He will work through us to bring about His plan and desire. Our job is to offer our lives to Him so that His heart's desire can come to pass.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are amazing and I bless you this morning. As I read through Ezekiel I see Your heart for the world to know that You are Lord. I also want the world to know of Your incredible love for them. I offer my life to You Lord, use me to extend Your kingdom around the world.
Yours,
Jeff
Ezekiel 36:38 "So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord".
Observation:
Throughout the book of Ezekiel and many other Old Testament prophets, you continue to hear this phrase over and over..."Then they will know that I am the Lord". He says things continually like, I will destroy your enemies...then they will know I am the Lord, or, I will bring you back from captivity...then you will know that I am the Lord, or, I will judge your enemies...then they will know that I am the Lord. God wants the world to know that He is the Lord and He will accomplish it any way He can.
Application:
God loves all people and wants to bring His blessing into their lives. He desires to see every human walking under His Lordship, not so He can rule over them, but so that He can bless them. God's heart is for the world to know that He is the Lord. Our job is to extend His rule and reign on the earth and let more and more people know about Him..."Then they will know that He is the Lord". God desires everyone to know Him so that He can bless them and not be at a distance from them. He brings them near through us. He will work through us to bring about His plan and desire. Our job is to offer our lives to Him so that His heart's desire can come to pass.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are amazing and I bless you this morning. As I read through Ezekiel I see Your heart for the world to know that You are Lord. I also want the world to know of Your incredible love for them. I offer my life to You Lord, use me to extend Your kingdom around the world.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, August 2, 2013
You Will Be Judged
Scripture:
Ezekiel 24:14 "I the Lord have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign Lord".
Observation:
God is filled with incredible grace and mercy. God wants to pour out His mercy and loving kindness on all who come to Him. He also is just, which means that sin has consequences. Throughout the Old Testament we see God wooing and pulling His people to Him, yet they would go after other gods and reject Him totally. After much grace...God will determine to bring judgment to try to wake His people up and turn them back to Him so He can bless them. There is a time of mercy, which God will hold onto as long as possible, but if we reject His pulling, judgment will come.
Application:
God is a god of great love and kindness with incredible mercy. He is also a god to be feared because He is also just and judge of the living and the dead. When I think of the Israel Ezekiel preached to, I have to think of the United States of America. We are extremely similar to Israel. God has shown us incredible favor, mercy, blessing, etc., but we have rejected Him and more and more He is being taken out of our nation. His blessing on this nation has been amazing, yet we have forsaken Him. America must turn back to God or His mercy will run out and we will face His judgment as a nation.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, I pray this morning for the United States of America. I pray this nation will see one more great awakening. I ask You to extend your grace and mercy a little longer. We see You trying to get our attention. Please let our leaders turn back to You so that Your blessing may remain on this nation. We need You God.
Your Son,
Jeff
Ezekiel 24:14 "I the Lord have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign Lord".
Observation:
God is filled with incredible grace and mercy. God wants to pour out His mercy and loving kindness on all who come to Him. He also is just, which means that sin has consequences. Throughout the Old Testament we see God wooing and pulling His people to Him, yet they would go after other gods and reject Him totally. After much grace...God will determine to bring judgment to try to wake His people up and turn them back to Him so He can bless them. There is a time of mercy, which God will hold onto as long as possible, but if we reject His pulling, judgment will come.
Application:
God is a god of great love and kindness with incredible mercy. He is also a god to be feared because He is also just and judge of the living and the dead. When I think of the Israel Ezekiel preached to, I have to think of the United States of America. We are extremely similar to Israel. God has shown us incredible favor, mercy, blessing, etc., but we have rejected Him and more and more He is being taken out of our nation. His blessing on this nation has been amazing, yet we have forsaken Him. America must turn back to God or His mercy will run out and we will face His judgment as a nation.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, I pray this morning for the United States of America. I pray this nation will see one more great awakening. I ask You to extend your grace and mercy a little longer. We see You trying to get our attention. Please let our leaders turn back to You so that Your blessing may remain on this nation. We need You God.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, August 1, 2013
The Lowly Will Be Exalted
Scripture:
Ezekiel 21:26 "this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low".
Observation:
Ezekiel is delivering a message of destruction to Israel and the surrounding nations. Basically God had said He was going to destroy all of them for their idolatry and worship of other gods. In this verse He is speaking to the wicked prince of Israel delivering a powerful message of sudden destruction. In the midst of it he says, "The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low". This type of phrase is seen throughout the word of God.
Application:
God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. He raises up the ones who know they are nothing and can do nothing apart from Him. Pride is a destructive force that plagues so many individuals. When we begin to walk in pride, we are actually being resisted by God. When we walk in humility, God will raise us up. God takes great joy in raising up the lowly. We need to be reminded about this and learn to walk in humility at all times.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are amazing! Teach me to walk in humility before you all the days of my life. I want to depend on You more and more and less on me and my ideas, plans, schemes, etc. Speak to me Lord, I want to hear clearly.
Yours,
Jeff
Ezekiel 21:26 "this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low".
Observation:
Ezekiel is delivering a message of destruction to Israel and the surrounding nations. Basically God had said He was going to destroy all of them for their idolatry and worship of other gods. In this verse He is speaking to the wicked prince of Israel delivering a powerful message of sudden destruction. In the midst of it he says, "The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low". This type of phrase is seen throughout the word of God.
Application:
God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. He raises up the ones who know they are nothing and can do nothing apart from Him. Pride is a destructive force that plagues so many individuals. When we begin to walk in pride, we are actually being resisted by God. When we walk in humility, God will raise us up. God takes great joy in raising up the lowly. We need to be reminded about this and learn to walk in humility at all times.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are amazing! Teach me to walk in humility before you all the days of my life. I want to depend on You more and more and less on me and my ideas, plans, schemes, etc. Speak to me Lord, I want to hear clearly.
Yours,
Jeff
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