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
Monday, September 30, 2013
Friday, September 27, 2013
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
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
Thursday, September 26, 2013
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
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
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
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
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
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
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
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
Friday, September 20, 2013
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
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
Thursday, September 19, 2013
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
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
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
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
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
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
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
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
Friday, September 13, 2013
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
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
Thursday, September 12, 2013
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
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
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
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
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
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
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
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
Monday, September 9, 2013
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
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
Monday, September 2, 2013
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)