S.O.A.P.

Scripture:

Malachi 3:2  "But who can endure the day of his coming?  Who can stand when he appears?  For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap".

Observation:

Malachi tells us that when God comes, he will purify his people like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap.  Fire refines silver and gold and makes it more valuable.  Soap takes dirt away and cleanses.  God wants his people to be pure and clean.  He does the work, but we have to desire for him to work in us.

Application:

Doing this daily wash and using the S.O.A.P. format has been the most rewarding experience of my spiritual life.  I am just completing my sixth year of doing my daily devotionals this way.  It has truly been like SOAP for me in that it has a way of speaking to me about so many different areas of life.  Reading through the Bible annually has been so good for me and I would recommend to anyone who wants God to work in your life.

Prayer:

Thanks You Lord for showing me this six years ago!  You have worked in my life through reading your word and applying it daily.  Your word is life to me and strength to my spirit.  Help me to stay on track and let your SOAP continue to cleanse my life.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Do Not Be Unfaithful

Scripture:

Malachi 2:16  "The man who hates and divorces his wife, says the Lord, the God of Israel, does violence to the one he should protect, says the Lord Almighty.  So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful".

Observation:

Just before this God speaks and says that the people were flooding him with tears and wailing before Him, but that He would not hear their cries because they had been unfaithful to their marriage covenant.  Here he says to be on guard and not be unfaithful.  I hear strong words about the marriage covenant and hurting the one we are suppose to protect.

Application:

God doesn't like divorce and hate in marriages.  He is very strong when it comes to covenants we make and wants us to fulfill our covenants and be faithful to them as He is faithful to our covenant with him.  We must be on guard in the area of faithfulness and not let anything bring division in our marriages.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in faithfulness to the covenants I make on this earth.  Help me to be a better husband to Cheryl and a better father to my sons.  Help me not to hurt the ones I am meant to protect.  Guide me day by day into being the husband you want me to be to my wife.

Your Son,
Jeff

Through the Fire

Scripture:

Zechariah 13:9  "I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure.  I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold.  They will call on my name, and I will answer them.  I will say, 'These are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God'".

Observation:

Zechariah is prophesying about a future time when a remnant in Israel will return to the Lord and follow Him wholeheartedly.  He says about them that God will bring them through the fire and will refine them like silver or gold.  He then shows His intention from the beginning, "These are my people" and they say, "The Lord is our God".

Application:

God wants a relationship with us at a deep level that affects every are of our lives.  He also wants His people to walk in holiness and in a way that pleases Him.  In this verse He says He will bring them through the fire to purify them.  We must realize that God shows us His love for us when He lets us go through the fire.  He wants us cleansed and purified.  We can't hate the fire, but welcome it and know it will work in us something good.

Prayer:

Father, Let me not reject your fire in my life.  Help me to welcome your work in me, even when that hurts.  Purify my life that I may truly be one of Your people who reflects your glory.  I want to know you more intimately than ever before.

Your Son,

Jeff

The Rule of Our King

Scripture:

Zechariah 9:10  "He will proclaim peace to the nations.  His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth".

Observation:

Zechariah, just before this, gives us a picture of the Triumphal Entry of Christ as He was nearing his death on the cross.  It said He would come in humility and riding on a donkey's colt.  The picture, then shifts to Messiah's future rule where He will rule over all the earth.  He will bring peace to all nations and will rule the world with righteousness.

Application:

In His first coming, Jesus came as the suffering servant.  In his second coming, He will come as ruler and judge over all the earth.  Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord in the future.  When I look at this, I realize that it is better to bow now than to bow later.  Right now we have the option of bowing before King Jesus.  In the future, we won't have and option.  I want His rule of peace now in my life, therefore I surrender my all to him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are incredible and Your kingdom knows no end.  I submit myself to your lordship today and every day.  Help me to follow You completely in my life.  I want your rule of peace in my life every day.  I don't want to wait to bow until I have to.  I bow now.

Yours,
Jeff

The Day of Small Things

Scripture:

Zechariah 4:10  "Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?"

Observation:

The angel of the Lord was speaking with Zechariah about Zerubbabel rebuilding the Temple of the Lord.  He said that Zerubbabel would bring out the capstone and there would be shouting and cause for celebration.  He then states, "Who dares despise the day of small things?"  A man coming with a capstone in his hand doesn't look like much, but it is a sign of great things to come.

Application:

Sometimes life doesn't happen like we wished it would and sometimes we feel like we are behind the curve and not being blessed like we had planned.  We thought we would be at a certain place in life by now, but we are not there yet.  Sometimes we have to look at the day of small things and stop despising it.  We must look at it and know God is in control.  We must realize that greater things are coming and where we are now may be exactly where God needs us.  What seems like nothing much now, may turn into something great later.  We can't despise the day of small things.

Prayer:

Father, help me not compare myself with others.  Help me to not despise the day of small things.  Teach me to trust You each day and know that You are with me and that everything You have put in my heart will come to pass in Your timing and not my own.  Help me enjoy every day, wherever it may take me.

Your Son,
Jeff

Expecting Much and Getting Little... Why?

Scripture:

Haggai 1:9  "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little.  What you brought home, I blew away,  Why? declares the Lord Almighty.  Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house".

Observation:

God speaks through Haggai and tells the people that they are sowing much and reaping little, putting on clothes and not getting warm, and earning wages that are going through holes in their pockets.  He said the reason for this was because they were focused on building their own houses while the house of God was in ruins.  He wanted His people to rebuild His house instead of only thinking of their own and they were under a curse because of it.

Application:

We may not be able to do a direct comparison of this story to today, but the idea can really be seen in our spiritual lives.  re we building our own houses while God's house is in ruin?  Are we so busy working for ourselves that we have no time to work for God?  Are we giving God our leftovers or giving God our best?  WE may not be building His physical Temple, but are we as focused on building His kingdom as we are our own lives?

Prayer:

Father, help me stayed focused on You and Your kingdom.  Help me to stay about Your business and trust you to take care of my business.  You are awesome and worthy of great praise.  I love you Lord and give myself afresh to You today.

Yours,
Jeff

The Lord is With You

Scripture:

Zephaniah 3:17  "The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing".

Observation:

Zephaniah had been speaking about the destruction of the earth in the fierce wrath of God, who was not happy with those who would not come to Him and worship Him.  He then begins to speak about a remnant in Israel who would come back to Him in humility.  Of them He says He is with them as a mighty warrior.  Of them, He says He will rejoice over them with singing.  He would delight in them.

Application:

God loves a humble heart that looks to Him in every situation.  He rejoices when His people put their trust in Him and not in themselves.  When we walk humbly before Him, we can expect Him to be with us.  We can expect the Mighty Warrior to fight our battles when we walk humbly before Him and trust Him completely.  He delights and sings over those who worship Him only and trust Him only.  He wants to be the center of our lives.

Prayer:

Father, be the center of my life.  Teach me to walk before you humbly and in a way that pleases You.  You are my everything!  You are what my life is about.  You are my purpose, my passion and my plans.  Let my worship and my life be pleasing in your sight.

Yours,
Jeff

Repeat!

Scripture:

Habakkuk 3:2  "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.  Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy".

Observation:

Habakkuk called on the Lord.  He told the Lord that he had heard of his fame and his incredible deeds he had done in the past.  He looks back in order to look forward.  He looks back to what God had done and then says, "Repeat them in our day".  He asks God to repeat his deeds from the past and to have mercy instead of wrath.

Application:

I feel this morning like saying to God, "I have heard and seen you move and work in the past.  You are truly incredible!  His the repeat button and do it again in my life and in my generation".  I want to see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my generation.  I want to see you move in whole regions at once.  I want the glory of the Lord to fall on my region as it has in regions in the past.  Repeat!!!

Prayer:

Oh God, pour out Your Spirit one more time in the United States.  In your wrath remember mercy.  Let your glory fall like a tsunami and fill northern Virginia.  Hit the repeat button and bring revival to my generation.  I know we have had two great awakenings, send a third.

Your Son,
Jeff

With Him in Battle

Scripture:

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

Observation:

This passage is talking about a war between the Lamb and mystery Babylon.  In this battle, the Lamb, Jesus, is victorious, then it says these words, "and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers".  We not only have the honor of serving him now, but will war with him in ages to come.

Application:

Are we faithful followers?  If so, we will be part of this army that defeats enemies an establishes the fullness of the Kingdom of God on the earth in the end of time as we know it.  The text lets us know that he is King of kings and Lord of lords, but it also places us in the scene as his faithful followers.  We may suffer through some stuff in this life now, but one say we will rule and reign with him.  Be strong now...things get better.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be a faithful follower of Christ the Lamb.  Help me make right decisions and to follow the leading of Your Spirit.  Train my hands for battle and my heart to obey.  I look forward to serving with you in battle my commander in chief.  We will win in the end!

Yours for war,
Jeff

King of the Nations

Scripture:

Revelation 15:3  "and sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb: 'Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.  Just and true are your ways, King of the nations'".

Observation:

Revelation is probably the greatest book in the Bible where we see worship.  It is all throughout this beautiful book because it is what happens in heaven throughout eternity.  In this verse, God's people are singing a song where we read "Just and true are your ways, King of the nations".

Application:

Although at this present time, God is not worshiped all over the earth, one day He will be.  One day He will be king of the nations!  He will reign and rule over all the earth.  We have the opportunity to serve Him now.  Others will serve Him later, but everyone will bow before Him one day.  I want to worship Him now with s much passion as I will then.

Prayer:

Father, You are the king of the nations.  You are the ruler of this world and one day the world will stand in awe and realize it.  May Your name be praised now and forever.  Let my life bring you praise in every nation of the world.

Yours,
Jeff

Reward Day is Coming

Scripture:

Revelation 11:18  "The nations were angry; and your wrath has come.  The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who revere your name, both small and great".

Observation:

At the seventh trumpet, John said that the 24 elders fell down and worshiped God and that the Kingdom of the world had become the kingdom of Christ.  He then tells us that it was time for judging and for rewarding.  He is going to judge those who deserve judgment and reward those who deserve rewards.

Application:

Reward day is coming!  There are amazing rewards for serving God during this lifetime.  One day we will be rewarded for our obedience during our lives here on this earth.  Though times may get difficult here, we are promised a better place where we will be rewarded for what we have done in this life.  Our focus must not be on our present situations, but on the reward that follows a life of obedience.

Prayer:

Father God, help me to live the life you desire for me to live.  Help me to keep my focus on eternity instead of simply living in the present and doing things based on that.  I want to serve You well during my days here on this earth.  Help me keep an eternal perspective at all times.

Your Son,
Jeff

All Are Created to Worship

Scripture:

Revelation 7: 9-10 "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.  They were wearing whites robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb'".

Observation:

In Revelation we see some awesome pictures of heaven and the worship that takes place there.  In this occurrence, we see people from every nation, language, people group and tongue, worshiping God and giving praise to the Lamb.  I see the emphasis in Revelation that all people were created to worship.  This isn't just for some.

Application:

If heaven is going to be filled with people from every tribe, tongue and nation, then we must be about our father's business of getting the Gospel to every people group on the planet.  His message must be preached in every part of the globe.  It is truly the heart of God and as we grow in Him, it must become our heart as well.  We must love people of all ethnicities and nations as Christ does.

Prayer:

Father, let my life be about the expansion of Your kingdom in all the earth.  I want to help get your message around the globe and into every people group.  Give me the resources and I will do my best to expand your influence throughout the earth.

Your Son,
Jeff

They Will Reign

Scripture:

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

Observation:

John saw the twenty four elders worshiping God in heaven.  They were saying that Jesus was worthy to open the scrolls because he had purchased men for God from every tribe, every language and every nation.  He says of these people who were purchased by Christ that "they will reign on the earth".  I see here that God's heart is for every tongue, every tribe and every nation.  I also see his intention is that they will one day rule the earth.

Application:

One day we will reign on the earth.  How we live our lives here now determines how we will live in eternity.  If we are faithful in a little here on earth, we will rule over much in the future.  I want to live a life of obedience to Christ here and now, then reign and rule with Him eternally.  I don't want to just squeak into heaven.  I want to be trained for reigning.

Prayer:

Father, help me be faithful in the little You have blessed me with.  Help me be one You can trust here on earth now so that we can rule together in the future.  I want to serve You well and accomplish your will completely with my life before I get to heaven.

Your Son,
Jeff

I Will Rise

Scripture:

Micah 7:8  "Do not gloat over me, my enemy!  Though I have fallen, I will rise.  Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light".

Observation:

Micah has hope in the Savior and let's Israel know that even though they are going to go through some difficult days, they will rise.  He gives a prophetic warning to Israel's enemies and let's them know that. though they will be down, they will rise.  There was a deep confidence that God would one day turn things around.

Application:

Sometimes when we fall, we feel like we will never get up.  When bad things happen, we feel like throwing in the towel and giving up.  God is an expert at breaking through at the last moment and restoring His people.  We must have that confidence that says, "though I fall, I will rise!"  We must anticipate and know that God will see us through.  We get what we expect.  Israel expected God to have mercy and they knew they would rise again.

Prayer:

Father God, help me to have stronger faith in You.  Teach me your ways.  Help me to know in my heart when I am down, that I will rise because my God is going to pull me through.  Increase my confidence in You.

Your Son,
Jeff

But As For Me

Scripture:

Micah 3:8  "But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin".

Observation:

Micah had been rebuking Samaria and Judah for the way they had been living and the things they had been doing.  He was rebuking their prophets for prophesying falsely and telling people everything was going to be okay.  He then says of himself, "But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might".

Application:

Just like Micah there are times in our lives when we need to stand against the crowd and do things nobody else is doing.  There are times when we have to stand against what most churches and "prophets" are saying.  When we stand up to confront false teaching, etc. God will fill us with His power and strength to do what He is calling us to do.  If the whole nation is going away from the truth, we must stand and say, "but as for me".  When we do, we will be filled with whatever we need from the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to walk on your path.  Help me to hear your voice clearly.  Teach me to walk with you and when I hear things that are not right, to know the difference.  When it feels like everyone has walked away, may I be able to say, "but as for me, I am filled with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with justice and might" to do and say what God is calling me to.

God's Concerns and Ours

Scripture:

Jonah 4:10-11  "You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it of make it grow.  It sprang up overnight and died overnight.  And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left - and also many animals".

Observation:

God had place a fast growing plant to give Jonah shade in the heat of the day.  God destroyed the same plant he had grow up and Jonah got mad.  He wished he had never been born.  He was also upset because Nineveh had repented before the Lord and he didn't feel they deserved it.  God lets Jonah know that he was more concerned about the 120,000 people who needed a shepherd than about a plant.

Application:

Sometimes our concerns are not the same as God's concerns.  We are often concerned about the little things of life and can't see past them.  We are concerned about the next paycheck, what we are going to wear, and what people are going to think of us.  God is concerned about people coming to know Him.  His concerns are the most important.  When we take care of His concerns, He will take care of ours.

Prayer:

Lord, let me be concerned about what You are concerned about.  Let my life be fully surrendered to You.  You are awesome and I want to serve You well.  Help me to lift my eyes and see things from Your perspective.  Let me know your heart.

Yours,
Jeff

Staying in God's Love While We Wait

Scripture:

Jude 20-21  "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life".

Observation:

Jude tells us what to do while we wait for the return of Jesus Christ.  He tells us to stay in God's love by doing two things.  He tells us to build ourselves up in our most holy faith and also tells us to pray in the Holy Spirit.  These two things will keep us in God's love while we wait for the return of Christ.

Application:

We must daily build ourselves up in our most holy faith.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  Therefore, we must remain in God's word, which builds up our faith as we wait for Christ to return.  We also need to pray in the Holy Spirit.  Praying in the Holy Spirit causes us to pray mysteries and for us to pray the perfect will of God rather than our own will.  We must have daily time in the Spirit and time in the word as we wait.  Doing this, we will stay in God's love.

Prayer:

Lord, develop my quiet time stronger and stronger as I wait for your return.  I want to know your heart.  I want to hear your voice.  Let your word speak to me daily and let Your Spirit pray through me daily.  Help me to walk in the love of God every day of my life.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Love and Obedience

Scripture:

II John 6  "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love".

Observation:

John tells us what love is.  He says it is walking in obedience to God's commands.  The main and greatest command: Love.  We are commanded to love our enemies and everyone around us.  We are to be people of love according to scripture.  Love is the primary fruit of the Spirit.

Application:

Love should be the center and core of everything we do.  God is love and if we are of God, then we are of love.  As God's people, one of the greatest tests of our spirituality is not being able to quote lots of scripture, but am I able to love everyone.  When we love everyone, we are becoming more like our father and growing in Him.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to love well.  Help me to have love at the center of my life.  Let love be the primary characteristic of my life.  I want to walk in Your love and be a demonstration of Your love to the world.

Your Son,
Jeff

God's Judgment

Scripture:

Amos 8:11 "The days are coming, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I will send a famine through the land - not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord".

Observation:

When God decided to bring judgment on Israel, He stopped allowing them to hear His voice.  Many would think, "What kind of punishment is that?"  In God's mind, not hearing His voice, is the worst of judgments.  When we can't hear from Him, our lives are going to really get messed up.  When a nation doesn't hear from God, it will go into chaos.  When we stop hearing the word of the Lord, our lives will become messed up.

Application:

I love doing my daily wash using the SOAP pattern.  Daily I hear the Lord from His word and it brings correction, instruction, and encouragement.  I love my time with God and don't know what I would do if I couldn't hear His word.  My life would go into chaos.  I need to hear His voice daily for guidance.

Prayer:

Lord, let me never have a famine of hearing your words.  I want to walk with You and talk with You as friend with friend.  Thank you for showing me that You see not hearing from the Lord as a serious judgment on sin.  This is awesome!  You are incredible.  I love you.

Jeff

Faith and Victory

Scripture:

I John 5:4  "for everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith".

Observation:

John tells us that everyone who is born of God is an overcomer of the things of this world.  The world pulls at us and tries to get us to pull away from God.  Whoever is born of God, overcomes this!  Where does this victory over the world come from?  Our faith.   Faith in Christ and His work on the cross makes us victors over the world and whatever tries to separate us from Christ.

Application:

Sometimes we work so hard at defeating the enemy and overcoming the wrong in our lives that we overlook the simple truth of the Gospel.  It is not screaming at the enemy and warfare that makes us an overcomer, it is our faith.  Simply placing our faith in Christ and His work on the cross makes us overcomers.  Rather than increasing our spiritual warfare, we need to increase our faith.

Prayer:

Father, increase my faith.  Help me to walk by faith in what Jesus did on the cross.  Teach me to live by faith instead of sight.  Let faith arise in my life and let me walk in victory every day.

Yours,
Jeff

Walking in the Light

Scripture:

I John 1:6-7  "If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin".

Observation:

John basically tells us that we must walk in the light with Christ and have fellowship with each other.  He tells us that there is no way to walk in fellowship with God and walk in darkness.  When we walk with God, darkness will not be part of our lives.  When we walk with God, our lives reflect it and we are purified from sin.

Application:

Darkness and light have nothing to do with each other.  When light comes, darkness disappears.  As children of God, our lives are to reflect God's light.  We are to have fellowship with Him.  The only way to truly walk in the light is to have continual fellowship with God.  As we have fellowship with God, we become more like Him and in Him there is no darkness.  We must learn to walk more consistently in the light and spend more time with our Father.

Prayer:

Lord, I want to fellowship with you more and more.  I want to walk with You, talk with You, and simply be with You.  Help me to walk in the light and let there be no darkness in my life.  I want to shine for You.  Help me to remain in fellowship with You at a stronger level.

Yours,
Jeff

Declare a Holy Fast

Scripture:

Joel 2:15  "Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly".

Observation:

God is speaking in this text about how He had sent swarms of locusts that had destroyed all Judah's crops and left them devastated.  He tells them in verse 12 to "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning".

Application:

There is a time in our lives where we see things going wrong and we need God's intervention.  He loves it when we turn to Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.  He loves it when we turn our gaze upon Him and seek Him whole heartedly.  There are times when we need to turn to the Lord with prayer and fasting, humbling ourselves before Him.

Prayer:

Lord, I turn to You and not away.  I need help in my life right now.  Show me what to do in each situation in my life right now.  I need your guidance, your wise counsel, and your strong right arm.  You are amazing and I love you deeply.  Help me live according to Your plans and purposes for my life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

At Peace with Him

Scripture:

II Peter 3:14  "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him".

Observation:

Peter tells us how we should live since we are looking for the soon return of the Lord and for the Day of the Lord.  He says that since we are looking forward to His return, we should, "make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him".  I see here a correlation between being found spotless, blameless and being at peace with the Lord.

Application:

When we focus on walking spotless and blameless, our peace with God increases dramatically.  Whenever we are walking in sin and hoping for God's mercy and grace, we will never be at peace with Him.  We always have a guilty conscience and are never at peace when sin is present in our lives.  As we wait and look for His second coming, we need to focus on walking out our salvation with fear and trembling.  We need to be walking as spotless and blameless as possible.

Prayer:

Father, I know You accept me as a sinner saved by grace, but I want to walk in a way that pleases You more and more as I see the day approaching.  Help me to grow in You more this year than ever.  Help me to walk pure and blameless before You and to be at peace with You, accomplishing all You desire for my life here on earth as I anticipate heaven.

Your Son,
Jeff

Like a Faulty Bow

Scripture:

Hosea 7:16  "They do not turn to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow.  Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent words".

Observation:

Hosea describes Ephraim as "like a faulty bow" because they do not turn to the Most High God.  He says their leaders will fall by the sword because of their words.  The words "faulty bow" stood out to me this morning because a faulty bow cannot be trusted.  It will always go off target and never hit it's mark.

Application:

When we decide to figure everything out on our own and live the way we want to live in stead of looking God for answers and turning to Him, we will never hit the right target.  God has made a target for our lives that He wants us to hit, yet most of us do't turn to Him.  Therefore, we fell like we never hit the target.  We are a faulty bow.  A faulty bow won't work, even in the hands of the best archer.  How do we fix our faulty bow?  "Turn to the Most High".  We must turn to God with everything and stop trying to figure everything out on our own.  Seek Him with all our hearts and He will straighten out our bow.

Prayer:

Father, I turn to You.  Fix my faulty bow.  I want to hit Your target for my life.  I want to complete Your plan for my life and not my own.  Guide me.  Lead me.  Direct me.  Show me the way and I will follow.  You are awesome!  Thanks for sharing this with me today.

Your Son,
Jeff

Hospitality without Grumbling

Scripture:

I Peter 4:9  "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling"

Observation:

Peter tells us that we should love each other deeply and be alert because the end it near.  Then he goes on to tell us to offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Peter knew that it wasn't easy to offer true hospitality for a long period of time without grumbling.

Application:

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and we will all be in the presence of friends and family who we may only see a couple times a year.  They may get on our nerves or drive us a little crazy, but Peter tells us to practice hospitality without grumbling.  Instead of grumbling about "when are they going to leave?", maybe we should take the time to really love them and demonstrate the beauty of hospitality to them.  Hospitality is truly making someone feel that your home is their home.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me hospitality without grumbling.  Help me to be hospitable, loving and kind to those you bring my way.  Let my life shine for you in this season and help me to serve without grumbling.

Yours,
Jeff

Shining Like Stars

Scripture:

Daniel 12:3  "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever".

Observation:

As Daniel is nearing the end of his writings, he gets this word about the very end of time.  He is told that those who are wise will shine and those who lead many to righteousness will be like the stars forever.  In our everlasting home, those who are wise and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars.

Application:

We are taught all through scripture to seek wisdom instead of folly.  We have whole books of the bible about wisdom.  It is crucial and we need to gather as much wisdom as we can on our way through this life.  We also need to lead as many as possible to righteousness.  When we do these two things, we are working on our eternal radiance.  Jesus said to work for those things in heaven and not on this earth.  I want to lead many to righteousness.

Prayer:

Lord, let my life be full of wisdom.  Share your wise nuggets of truth with me as I seek Your face.  I have given my life to being a soul-winner.  Help me be better at it.  Help me to make the most of every opportunity to turn a person to righteousness.

Your Son,
Jeff

God is All-Powerful

Scripture:

Daniel 2:21 "He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning".

Observation:

Daniel is worshiping after God gives him the revelation about King Nebuchadnezzar's dream.  While he is worshiping, he makes this powerful statement.  He declares that it is God who changes times and seasons and that He removes and sets up kings.  Basically, God can do whatever God wants to do.  He is in control of everything and has all knowledge.

Application:

If God raises up kings, changes times and seasons, and gives wisdom to the wise, then why do we stress out about whether He can answer our prayers or not?  He is the All-Powerful God who holds the universe in His hands.  Our problems are nothing for Him.  He is able to change every detail of our lives in a split second if He so desires.  Imagine the fact that we have the all-powerful God as our heavenly father who loves us as His own children.  We are blessed!

Prayer:

Lord, You are amazing!  You are the all-powerful God.  You raise up kings and they serve at your pleasure.  Nothing is beyond you.  Help me to pray like someone who believes His Father has unlimited resources and can use them at will.  Help me to believe You more for the little things in my life.

Yours,
Jeff

The Sin We Don't Talk About

Scripture:

James 4:17 "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them".

Observation:

James is speaking about tomorrow in the context and how we shouldn't boast about tomorrow.  He says we should say, "if the Lord wills" as we make out our plans.  He then comes through and tells us that it is sin to know what we ought to do and not do it.

Application:

When we think of sin, we generally think of great transgressions where we have failed the Lord miserably.  Our minds go toward the obvious sins.  Here, we are confronted with the sin we don't talk about very much, the sin of not doing what we are suppose to do.  WOW!  James calls it sin for me to know I should do something and not do it.  When it comes down to it, it s disobedience, which we all hate when we see it in our children.  I need to work on being completely obedient in all things to the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, help me to obey completely in every area.  Help me fulfill your will in my life, then pass from this earth having accomplished all You planned for me.  I need Your Spirit to lead me and show me clearly what I need to do and then the heart to step out and do what You put in my spirit.  I love You and need you more now than ever.

Your Son,
Jeff

The Good Life

Scripture:

James 3:13  "Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom".

Observation:

James tells us how wise and understanding people should operate.  They should show their wisdom and understanding through their good life and their humility.  He basically tells us that our deeds will speak for us.  If we are wise, it will be seen in the way we live.

Application:

Many of us think we are wise, but our lifestyles don't prove it.  Our good lives of humility are the best demonstration of whether we have wisdom and understanding.  Sometimes we equate wisdom and understanding with certain degrees achieved or a certain number of books read.  Your life screams much louder than your education.  Can we live what we preach and teach?  When we can, James says we have wisdom and understanding.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, help me walk in wisdom and understanding.  Help me to walk in humility and to live a life that demonstrates all of the above.  Show me how to respond and react to people.  Show me how to lead people well and let my life reflect my learning.

Your Son,
Jeff

Fruit Trees

Scripture:

Ezekiel 47:12  "Fruit tress of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river.  Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail.  Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them.  Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing".

Observation:

Ezekiel saw a vision of a river flowing from the temple of God.  As it got farther from the temple it grew deeper until it was a major river.  On the banks of the river were trees that were fed by the water from the river.  These trees never failed and never withered.  They produced fruit every month.  They received their nourishment from the river.

Application:

Jesus said that out of our bellies would flow rivers of living water.  Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and out of us should flow His river.  Our lives should produce fruit trees that continually produce fruit.  When we are letting the river of God flow through us, there should be fruit.  If not, we need to make sure we are still connected to the source of the river.  I want fruit to abound to my account.

Prayer:

Father, let Your living water flow through my life to bring healing and strength to others.  Let my life produce, not just good fruit, but trees of righteousness that will produce more and more fruit every month.  Let your river flow to me and through me to others.  I need you in my life.

Your Son,
Jeff

Open Heart Surgery

Scripture:

Ezekiel 36:26  "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh".

Observation:

Ezekiel, in this text, is speaking about Israel being restored after captivity, but the idea still works for us today.  God was saying that He would bring them back into their land and would do heart surgery, taking a heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh.

Application:

God loves doing open heart surgery.  He loves taking our hard hearts and replacing them with soft, shape-able, mold-able, hearts that will respond to Him and be sensitive to Him.  His desire is for us to have hearts that are soft enough for Him to form into what He wants and not be hardened toward Him.  To be a candidate for open heart surgery, you must give God control and trust Him.  We must let Him be God and determine that we will remain flexible and changeable toward Him.

Prayer:

God, give me a soft heart.  Let me never become calloused and hard toward You.  Areas of my heart that are not soft toward You, replace with ones that are.  I give you my heart.  Let is be fashioned by You.

Yours,
Jeff

His Sheep

Scripture:

Ezekiel 34:31  "You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord".

Observation:

God had just finished denouncing the shepherds of Israel for not taking good care of His sheep.  He blasted them for not feeding, watering, leading and chasing down lost sheep.  As He closes this thought, He declares that He will be the shepherd and we are the sheep.  This has implications for us.

Application:

As sheep, we go where the shepherd tells us, feed on what He provides for us, and listen to His voice at all times.  We must realize that our job is not to figure everything out, but to follow where He leads.  We are to totally trust the shepherd to take care of us.  We trust Him to fight our battles when the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.  Being a sheep makes me vulnerable and helpless, but I have the Great Shepherd.

Prayer:

Lord, You are a Great Shepherd, but I am a poor sheep.  Help me to follow you like a sheep follows his shepherd.  Teach me to understand your voice and listen to it.  Give me strength to follow all Your ways and to live how you want me to.

Your Sheep,

Jeff

When God Brings Judgment

Scripture:

Ezekiel 32:32 "Although I had him spread terror in the land of the living, Pharoah and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord".

Observation:

God has just pronounced judgment and terror on most of the nations surrounding Israel.  He was talking about how He was going to utterly destroy them and how He would use Pharoah to do it.  He was letting everyone know that they were about to be wiped out in hopes that they would turn to Him.  At the end of the talks of destruction, He tells Pharoah that even though He used him to bring God's will, his hordes would be dead as well.

Application:

When God brings judgment, the job is going to get done very well.  Pharoah may have thought that, because God was empowering him to bring judgement on the surrounding nations that he was invincible, God was going to go easy on him.  When God brings judgment, He does it well.  There is a judgement day coming for every living being.  If our names are not in His book, even if He used you to bring judgement to others, we will face his judgment.  When God does something, He does is well.

Prayer:

Father, I never want to see your wrath.  Have mercy on me and on the United States of America.  In judgment, remember mercy.  I know we have gone against your will in so many areas.  Turn our nation back to you and withhold your judgment.

Yours,
Jeff

Then They Will Know

Scripture:

"Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help.  They they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord".

Observation:

"Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord" are some of the most popular words in the Old Testament.  As I read through, I see these words come again and again.  Over and over the Lord says about a nation, "then they will know that I am the Lord".  He always has, and always will want the world to know that He rules and reigns the earth.  God desperately desires the world to see and know Him

Application:

We have the ability to help the Lord with this constant plea in His heart.  We have the ability to link up with Him to make His name known in all the earth.  His desire for the world to know Him has never changed.  When we bring lost people to Christ and give them relationship with Him, we are fulfilling  God's greatest desire.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to be a soul winner and a disciple maker.  Help me lead my church into being a church that makes You known to the entire world.  Expand my vision and help me lead more people into your kingdom than I have ever imagined.  I want the world to know that You are the Sovereign Lord.

Your Son,

Jeff

An Undivided Heart

Scripture:

Ezekiel 11:18  "They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols.  I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh".

Observation:

Ezekiel had been prophesying terrible destruction for the people Israel.  He was speaking of God's vengeance which was going to remove them from their land and destroy Israel as they knew it.  In the midst of all the judgment, you hear God's heart.  He was doing this so that they would return to Him.  he was bringing judgment so that they would return to Him.  He simply wanted them to have an undivided heart.

Application:

God still looks for a people who have an undivided heart.  He still longs for a people who are completely His.  A divided heart has loyalty to two or more different things.  An undivided heart is loyal to one.  God doesn't want to share us with anything or anyone else.  He wants us to be completely His.  He wants our hearts undivided in loyalty to Him.  It's so easy to allow our hearts to get divided allegiances.  We need hearts that are undivided.

Prayer:

Father God, give me a heart of flesh that is sensitive to You and completely undivided.  Help me to be loyal to you as King of my life.  I want an undivided heart that always says yes to You and no to anything not of You.  Help me walk this way.

Yours,
Jeff

Judgment on Idolatry

Scripture:

Ezekiel 9:1  "Then I heard him call out in a loud voice, 'Bring near those who are appointed to execute judgment on the city, each with a weapon in his hand'".

Observation:

God had just shown Ezekiel the sin and idolatry of Judah, it's priests and it's people.  They were worshiping other gods and bowing before them.  God had shown them His love, His power, and His Mercy so often in their past, yet they were bowing before other gods right in God's temple.  God was tired of it and was about to bring judgment.

Application:

Many are preaching and teaching today that God is such a loving and good God that He would never bring judgment in any way to a nation.  God is incredibly loving and good!  He is amazingly compassionate, but there is a place where He says, enough is enough.  I have done so much for them and they don't appreciate it.  Now I will show them my wrath so they will turn and worship me once again.  God does judge nations and the United States better get ready.

Prayer:

Father, have mercy on my country.  Forgive the sins of our leaders and people.  Have mercy on our people who have slaughtered innocent children on the altar of convenience.  Forgive us for not being able to tell the truth because we don't want to offend anyone.  Bring revival one more time to this nation that has been so awesomely raised up by You for your purposes in the earth.

Your Son,
Jeff

Then They Will Know

Scripture:

Ezekiel 7:27  "I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them.  Then they will know that I am the Lord".

Observation:

Ezekiel is prophesying massive destruction among God's people because they had turned themselves away from him.  They were going their own way and worshiping the gods of other nations.  God tells them that He will judge them according to their own standards, "then they will know that I am the Lord".  God's desire is for them to know He is the Lord.

Application:

God's desire from the beginning has been for a people to love and trust Him completely.  He wants a people who will follow Him and not walk away from Him.  He wants the world to know that He is the Lord.  He doesn't take pleasure in judgment, but will do what it takes for His people to know that He is God and He is in control.  He wants us to acknowledge He is Lord of all.

Prayer:

Father, You are Lord of all the earth.  Every nation, tribe and language will bow before You one day.  Help me never stray away from You.  You are life, truth, joy, strength and so much more to me.  I know You are Lord, help me to let the world know You are Lord.  Use me to expand Your kingdom today.

Yours,
Jeff

Encourage One Another Daily

Scripture:

Hebrews 3:13  "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'today', so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness".

Observation:

In the context, the author of Hebrews was talking about the unbelief that kept God's people from entering the promised land for forty years.  He tells the Hebrews that, "as long as it is called 'today', they should encourage each other so that they won't be hardened by the lies that come with sin.  He says we need daily encouragement.

Application:

Sometimes we wonder why good people stray away from the Lord.  Maybe it's because nobody was encouraging them daily.  It is easy to get tripped up by sin's deceitfulness.  We must be on guard and have some people who we are accountable to and who keep us accountable.  We must encourage each other so that sin doesn't win in our lives.

Prayer:

Father, help me encourage someone today to continue following You.  Help me build encouraging relationships.  I don't want to be hardened by sin and I don't want to see others hardened by sin.  Help me get this right in my life.

Yours,
Jeff

God's Judgment

Scripture:

Lamentations 4:13  "But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous".

Observation:

Throughout Lamentations we see God's judgment coming on His people because of their disobedience.  This particular verse shows the deeper reason why God's judgment came on the nation.  It says it was not because of the sins of the nation, but because of the sins of the prophets and priests.

Application:

If God judged nations in the Old Testament because of their prophets and priests, we should understand how seriously God takes those who preach and teach in His name.  Prophets and priests must rise up and preach the truth, lest judgment come on our great nation.  We must have a cleansing in America from the top to the bottom, but it must start at the House of God.

Prayer:

Father, forgive my half-heartedness.  Help me to accurately divide the word of truth and to teach and preach accurately what you want me to say.  I want to be your voice.  Cleanse my life and give me my passion for you back.

Yours,
Jeff

We are Not Consumed

Scripture:

Lamentations 3:22-23  "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Observation:

The author had just spent three chapters talking about how the Lord had abandoned His people for their sins.  He was ranting for a long time about how the Lord had forsaken them.  Suddenly his attitude and perspective changed and he said, "because of the the Lord's great love we are not consumed".  His perspective went from accusing the Lord, to realizing they deserved worse and the Lord could have delivered worse.  Simply the fact that they were not consumed was something to praise God about.

Application:

Things may not be very good.  They might be really terrible right now, but they could always be worse.  God could have consumed us for our sins, but He hasn't.  His compassions are new every morning and His faithfulness is great.  Sometimes we need to step back and thank God for not giving us what we rightfully deserve.  He hasn't consumed us, therefore we should praise Him.  This is humility.

Prayer:

Lord, help me with my perspective on things.  Help me to see all You have done for me simply in not allowing me to be consumed.  Give me strength today for all you have called me to do.  Help me to hear your voice clearly and to react to it accordingly.

Your Son,

Jeff

Hope, Even in Judgment

Scripture:

Jeremiah 46:28  "Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you, declares the Lord.  Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you.  I will discipline you, but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished".

Observation:

Jeremiah had been bringing a message of disaster for the people of Judah.  This was the Lord speaking and letting His people know that judgment was coming because they had broken covenant and were worshiping other gods.  Here the Lord lets them know that He won't completely destroy them, but will only discipline them in due measure.

Application:

God is a just God and He will judge the nations one day.  Even in His judgment, we can have hope.  After all the judgment passages leading up to this verse, God let's His people know that He isn't going to completely destroy them but will discipline them in a just way.  He promises not to overdo it.  There is hope for us, even in the midst of God's judgment.  He is a merciful God.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are amazing and I love you!  Your grace and mercy never cease to amaze me.  You love Your people with an everlasting love.  You give us hope, even in judgment.  Thank you for all you do for your children.

Love,
Jeff Jacob

Lies We Tell

Scripture:

Jeremiah 42:6  "Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God".

Observation:

The people of Judah asked Jeremiah to go to the Lord on their behalf and ask what they should do.  In this verse they say that they will obey whatever the Lord says so that it may go well with them.  They talk about how they will respond, yes, to whatever the Lord says, yet when he told them what the Lord said, they said he was lying.

Application:

Many times we say things like, "I surrender all", or "I'll go and do whatever you want Lord".  These words easily fall from our mouths, but are harder to follow through on.  When we make statements of commitment to the Lord, we should be willing to follow through and do what He says.  We often lie to the Lord of heaven and earth.  Our intentions are usually right, but our actions don't follow.

Prayer:

Lord, help me not to speak lies in your presence.  Help me to walk out the commitments I make to You and follow through with obedience.  I truly want to serve You well.  My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.  Strengthen my inner man so that I won't lie to You.

Your Son,
Jeff

Difficult Ministry

Scripture:

Jeremiah 38:4  "Then the officials said to the king, 'This man should be put to death.  He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by  the things he is saying to them.  This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin'".

Observation:

Jeremiah was given a very difficult message from the Lord.  He was telling the people the truth and exactly what the Lord wanted him to tell them, but it got him in much trouble.  He was put in prison and in a cistern and left to die because of the message the Lord gave him.  The officials wanted him dead for discouraging the troops and the people with his message.  Jeremiah wasn't giving a politically correct message and was paying for it.

Application:

Sometimes in ministry we are called to say hard things that people don't like.  Will we let the applause of man be more important than the approval of God?  It is difficult to say what nobody else is saying.  It is tough to say what God wants said sometimes.  Jesus said difficult things.  Paul said difficult things.  John the baptist said difficult things.  Sometimes as followers of Jesus, we will be called upon to say difficult things.  May God give us the backbone to stand up and let our voice be heard, even when people don't want to hear it.

Prayer:

Father, help me to accurately speak what You are speaking.  I want to hear what You are saying and speak it forth clearly and passionately.  Help me to say what needs said to who it needs said and not to be afraid of their disapproval.

Your Son,
Jeff

Have You Answered the Call?

Scripture:

Jeremiah 35:17  "Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says, 'Listen!  I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them.  I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer'".

Observation:

God is speaking through Jeremiah concerning Jerusalem.  He tells Jeremiah to tell the people that God was going to bring disaster on them because they did not listen to Him.  He says, "I called to them, but they did not answer".  God wants his people to reply when He calls and change when He tells them to.  He doesn't like to speak in vain, but likes His words to be attended to.

Application:

How many times have we not listened to what God was putting in our hearts.  So many times, God has put something in my spirit to do and I have not done it.  We must train ourselves to do what He says and to answer His call.  God is looking for a people who will be completely His and who will say yes to His words.  We must answer the call!

Prayer:

Lord, first, help me answer the call You have given me.  Second, let my ears be open and attentive to your words.  Third, help me to do whatever you speak to my heart.  Help me to fulfill your words and the desires of your heart.

Yours,
Jeff

His Word is Like Fire in My Bones

Scripture:

Jeremiah 20:9  "But if I say, 'I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,' his word is like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.  I am weary of holding it in, I cannot".

Observation:

Jeremiah was given some really bad news for the people he was prophesying to.  He was bringing news that God was mad at his people and that he was going to send armies in to destroy them.  Jeremiah was declaring destruction of God's people by their enemies because of their false gods.  Nobody would wants to deliver the messages he was delivering, yet he said he couldn't hold it in because God's word was like fire in his bones that he could not hold back.

Application:

When I speak, I want to speak as one with fire shut up in my bones.  I want God's word to be in me and for it to come out like fire shut up in my bones.  I want to deliver the messages God gives me with boldness and authority.  I want to speak His words and not my own.  I want to deliver His message the way he wants it delivered as well.

Prayer:

Father, let your word be in me like a fire shut up in my bones.  Let it pour out of me the way You want it to.  Let me speak forth your words and not my own.  Put your words in my mouth and your fire in my heart.  I want to be an instrument you can use and a vessel you can trust.

Yours,
Jeff

God Knows All

Scripture:

Jeremiah 17:10  "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what they deserve".

Observation:

God is speaking with Jeremiah about His judgement on Judah for their continued sin.  As He is speaking judgment, He tells us about His ability to see and know all.  He says, "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind".  He not only searches the heart and examines the mind, He also rewards accordingly.  God is a just God and we will stand before Him.  The books will be opened and we will be judged.

Application:

God is not only a graceful giver of good things, He is also the judge of all the earth.  Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord one day.  We must live our lives in His grace, yet constantly aware that we will stand before Him one day and be judged.  He knows all and sees all.  Nothing escapes His view.  He will reward according to our deeds.  We need to live every day in the light of that truth.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, you are the judge of the living and the dead.  You are Holy and Righteous.  Help me live with a clear understanding of who You are.  Teach me to walk in righteousness.  Help me live a life that will hear "well done good and faithful servant".  Help me fulfill your will for my life every day.

Your Son,
Jeff

Vicarious Repentance

Scripture:

Jeremiah 14:20  "We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you".

Observation:

Jeremiah records the response of God's people when they see that He is going to destroy them.  They began to repent, not only for their sins, but the sins of their ancestors.  They acknowledged the sins of the their ancestors and realized that their sins must be repented of.

Application:

I call this vicarious repentance.  When God, as a righteous judge, begins to bring judgment on people, His people must begin to vicariously repent.  Maybe we haven't done anything wrong, but our forefathers have and we are receiving their judgment.  We must learn to repent of things our nation has done, our parents have done, etc. as God reveals them to us.  We need to always repent of our sins, but we also must repent of the sins of others sometimes.

Prayer:

Father, forgive my nation.  Have mercy on the United States.  Forgive our sins as we have turned away from you.  We have put you out of our nation and we repent for our actions.  Please forgive our nation and breathe the wind of your spirit across this nation one again.  Here our cry oh Lord.

Yours,
Jeff

God's Words or Ours?

Scripture:

Jeremiah 1:9  "The the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, 'I have put my words in your mouth.'"

Observation:

Jeremiah was a great prophet.  He was one of the major prophets in Israel's history.  He spoke on behalf of the Lord his God to God's people and to surrounding nations.  In this passage you see why his words were so powerful.  God put His words into Jeremiah's mouth.  His mouth was touched by God and used for God's purposes.

Application:

I want to speak the words of the Lord and not my own.  I want God to touch my mouth so that it is cleansed, sanctified, and given completely to Him for His purposes.  I desire for God to put His words into my mouth.  When I minister in any way, I want the words to be from God and not just good words I choose.

Prayer:

Touch my mouth Lord and put your words in it.  When I speak, teach, touch, pray etc. let your words fill my mouth and let Your will be accomplished in my life.  Help me hear your voice more clearly and to speak what You say with all my heart.  When I open my mouth, I want you to speak through me.

Your Son,
Jeff

Reminder on How to Live

Scripture:

Titus 3:1-2 "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone".

Observation:

Paul is writing to his son in the faith Titus.  He is encouraging him to remain faithful and to teach sound doctrine as well as to appoint people into leadership positions who are living a lifestyle that will back up their ministry.  Here he give a list of things Titus is to remind the people of.  Be subject to authority, be obedient, do good, don't slander, be a peacemaker, be considerate and be gentle.

Application:

If we would take this reminder about how to live and put it into practice each day, we would have wonderful lives.  Basically it is telling us to obey authority and live in peace.  When we do that, life is much less stressful and things always seem to work out so much better.  He reminds us to treat people with honor and to live a good life.  We need to implement these reminders in to our daily lives.

Prayer:

Lord, let me lead a simple life of submission and good works.  Help me to serve You well and represent You well on this earth.  Teach me to walk in peace with all men and to be considerate of others.  Help me have a gentle spirit through troubled times.

Yours,
Jeff

Obtaining Favor From God

Scripture:

Isaiah 66:2  "Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being? Declares the Lord.  These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word".

Observation:

Isaiah clearly tells us that God looks with favor on those who have a humble and contrite spirit and who tremble at His word.  The favor of God doesn't come on those who work hard and self-promote.  It comes on those who take God's word seriously and are humble and contrite.  God will use a humble and contrite person over a prideful person every time.

Application:

We should be humble and contrite people.  When we are, God will pour His favor over our lives and we will walk in His blessing.  God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.  He doesn't like pride and arrogance.  We should also tremble at His word.  We should live life in the fear of Him who made us.

Prayer:

Father God, You word is valuable to me.  Help me to love your word more and more.  Teach me your truths as I walk through these Daily Washes.  Help me to walk humbly before You at all times and not to get prideful.

You are amazing!
Jeff

Rend the Heavens

Scripture:

Jeremiah 64:1  "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!"

Observation:

Jeremiah cried out to the Lord.  Apparently there was a season of time where God had somewhat withdrawn His presence from His people.  Jeremiah was passionately saying we need You to come down oh God and make the mountains tremble at Your presence.  In other words, "we need You to show Yourself strong once again".

Application:

I want to cry out with Jeremiah this morning.  America needs God to rend the heavens and come down!  We need an awakening in our nation.  We need God to come down and reveal His power to this land once again.  He has done it in the past and I am hungry for Him to do it again.  We need an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our land.

Prayer:

Father, open the heavens and come down in the Washington DC area.  Send forth another great awakening.  Draw men to Yourself.  Demonstrate Your power and Your might.  Let Your presence and glory fill the earth once again, that all may see the goodness of God.

Your Son,
Jeff

The Lord Comforts His People

Scripture:

Isaiah 49:13  "Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains!  For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones".

Observation:

The Lord, in the context, was talking about the restoration of Israel.  They had been deported from their land and God was saying He was going to bring them home.  He tells Israel here that He comforts his people and has compassion on His afflicted ones.  God allows things to go on in our lives and uses them to teach us, but He always brings us back and has compassion on us.

Application:

God wants us to be assured and happy.  He wants us to be confident that no matter what we are going through, we can rejoice and burst into song because of His faithfulness.  He will bring us out of whatever we are currently going through.  He sees our affliction and won't leave us there.  He is a deliverer!  He will bring us out of captivity and into freedom.  We can go ahead and shout because victory is coming.

Prayer:

Lord, in the difficult times, let me know that You are with me and that You do comfort the afflicted.  Help me stay cheerful  because You are faithful and will always bring me out.  Let me walk in the comfort and compassion of God at all times.

Yours,
Jeff

Direction from God

Scripture:

Isaiah 48:17  "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."

Observation:

God, through Jeremiah the prophet, had been telling Israel how much they had not listened to His voice and how they had not followed Him.  He was upset that they were putting their trust in gods made with their own hands.  He then says to them, "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go".

Application:

God wants to teach us what is best for us and to direct us in the way we should go.  He desires a relationship with His people.  He wants us to look to Him for direction and teaching.  He wants to be our God and for us to be His people.  He knows what is best for our lives and what we need each day.  We must learn to seek Him diligently because He does have everything we need.  Learn to seek His wisdom and direction.

Prayer:

Lord, I want You to direct my paths and teach me what is best for me and my family.  I ask you every morning in our time of prayer for these two things.  Guide me, I pray and lead me into your will.  Show me the way and I will follow.  Make Your will known clearer and clearer.  Order my steps Father.

Your Son,
Jeff

Turn To Me

Scripture:

Isaiah 45:22  "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other".

Observation:

God is speaking through Isaiah concerning the people of God and of the world creating images of their own hands and then praying to them.  He tells them how much nonsense that is, then tells them to "turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other".  Turning to Him is repentance.  God wants all to repent and realize there is no other way except through Him.

Application:

God's will is for everyone to repent and be saved.  He desires relationship with all the earth.  He wants relationship with His creation and has gone to great extremes to have that.  Our job as believers is now to give Him the desire of His heart.  We must pray and declare to all the world the good news of Jesus Christ.  We need to catch our Father's heart for the ends of the earth to turn to Him.  We are carriers of His good news.

Prayer:

Father, give me more of a heart to make sure that every person you have created has heard about you and has been given the opportunity to turn and repent of their sins.  Empower my church with a vision of reaching every lost person in our region and in all the earth,  Raise up evangelists who will carry the good news to the ends of the earth.

Yours,
Jeff

The Word of the Lord

Scripture:

Isaiah 40:8  "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever".

Observation:

The word of the Lord is strong enough to outlast everything else.  It will be standing when nothing else is left standing.  It can be trusted, tested, examined, and will always come out untouched.  God's word will stand the test of time and already has.  Other things will come and go, but the Word of the Lord will never fail.

Application:

We need solid ground to build the foundation of our lives on.  The Word of God is stronger than the strongest foundation.  It will endure forever.  We must live our lives based on and in obedience to the Word of the Lord.  We need to follow His word with all our heart.  His word will lead us into victory and will bring blessing into our lives.  Everything else will fade, but God's word will last forever.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to live according to Your word at all times.  Help me to build my life on the foundation of your word and not on my own will, desires, etc.  Teach me to walk by faith and not by sight.  I want to be strong in You and your word to lead my life into all You have for me.  Give me a stronger desire for your word.

Yours,
Jeff

His Plans and Wisdom

Scripture:

Isaiah 28:29  "All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent".

Observation:

From this verse I see the prophet speaking about the Lord.  He lets us know that God's plan is wonderful and his wisdom is magnificent.  When we follow God's plan for our lives, we will see his wonder and just how good His plans are for us.  He is also wiser than the wise and all wisdom belongs to Him.  He knows what is best for us and His plans are beautiful for our lives.

Application:

We must realize that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but the Christ came to give life and life more abundantly.  We must stop blaming God for every bad thing that happens to us.  His plan is wonderful and His wisdom is magnificent.  James tells us if we lack wisdom, we should ask of God who gives it liberally and doesn't hold it back.  We can walk in the magnificent wisdom of God when we seek Him.

Prayer:

Lord, Help me stay on Your plan and not my own.  You have all wisdom and I ask You to let me walk in Your wisdom.  Help me make right decisions and to see your plans for me come to pass instead of my own.  I trust You.  Lead me today I pray.  I need You more now than ever.

Your Son,
Jeff

Peace for the Steadfast

Scripture:

Isaiah 26:3  "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You".

Observation:

Isaiah declares that God will keep people in perfect peace whose minds are steadfast because of their trust in God.  When people trust fully and completely on God, they can have perfect peace.  Their minds will be steadfast because they won't be stressed out over what is happening to them.  They will be focused on God, who is able to conquer every problem.

Application:

Our job in this is to keep our minds steadfast by trusting in God.  He is the one who is able to defeat every enemy and fix every problem that rises up in our lives.  He should be our focal point.  As we fix our minds on Him, peace will come.  One of the fruits of the Spirit is peace.  When the Spirit of God is really working in our lives, we will experience perfect peace.

Prayer:

Father, let me walk in perfect peace today because my mind is steadfastly fixed on You.  Help me to accomplish your will today.  Help me walk through the stressful time I'm in with confidence in my God.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

The Key to the House of David

Scripture:

Isaiah 22:22  "I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open".

Observation:

God is speaking of Eliakim, who He said He would raise up to rule and to be a father to the people of Judah.  God then says of Eliakim that he would place on his shoulder the key to the house of David.  He says that with that key, if he shuts it, it is shut and if he opens it, it is open.  He said He was going to give Eliakim the authority of the house of David.

Application:

God this man with awesome authority.  God saw something in him that said he could be trusted with spiritual authority.  He basically said, if this man wants it... he will get it.  If he doesn't want it, it won't happen.  May God entrust us with that kind of spiritual authority.  May we live lives that cause God to trust us with authority in the earth.  May God give us the keys to the house of David.

Prayer:

Father, let me live a life that you can bless with authority.  Help me live a trustworthy life.  Let my yes be yes and my no be no.  Let truth flow through me and help me to do what needs done and say what needs said.  Give me strength today.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

In That Day

Scripture:

Isaiah 19:23  "In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria.  The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria.  The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together."

Observation:

Isaiah is prophesying about Egypt and what will take place.  During the prophecy, he continually says the words, "in that day".  It is like he is letting everyone know that there is an appointed time for them when He is going to work powerfully among them.  He gives several things that will happen "in that day".

Application:

God does work in times and seasons.  There are appointed times in God when He is going to do certain things nationally and internationally as well as in our own lives.  It seems like, "in that day", is something we have heard prophetically from the Lord before.  We just wish "that day", was today.  We long for "that day" that we know is coming, while today we must move forward in faith, waiting for "that day".

Prayer:

Lord, there are so many "that days" that have been spoken over my life.  Help me to walk in faith until "that day" comes.  Help me to walk through each season with a pure heart and a loving spirit.  Help me to be prepared for "that day" when it comes.  Speed up the fulfillment of words spoken over my life.

Yours,
Jeff

The Difficult Will of God

Scripture:

Isaiah 6:10  "Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed".

Observation:

Isaiah had his encounter with the Lord which was powerful.  The Lord said, "Who will go for Me?" and Isaiah answered, "Here am I, send me".  You hear this scene preached all the time, but the next verses tell what God was sending him to do.  Verse 10 says God wants to use Isaiah to harden the people because God wants to bring judgment on them.  He wants Isaiah to make them calloused because God doesn't want them to repent and be healed.  Wow!  What a calling!

Application:

Can God give us the tough jobs or do we only signup for the ones that seem easy?  When we answer, "Here am I, send me", we better be ready to do whatever He wants.  Not every calling is easy.  Not every calling causes people to love us.  Not every assignment is going to feel good to us.  Can God trust us with the difficult will of God?

Prayer:

Lord, this has been a difficult week for me.  I have been frustrated, upset, and anxious because things don't seem to be going the way I think they should.  Help me to follow Your voice when it seems things are not working out right and when obedience is difficult.  Help me understand what You are doing in my life and ministry.

Yours,
Jeff

Trust in God, Not Man

Scripture:

Isaiah 2:22  "Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils.  Why hold them in esteem?"

Observation:

Isaiah is prophesying destruction in Judah because the people were trusting in idols made by man.  They were trusting in the works of man.  God hates when His people put their trust in anyone but him.  In this case, people were putting their trust in man rather than God.  One day, man will be brought low and the true God will be exalted in all the earth.

Application:

So often, we struggle with trusting humans over God.  Humans make mistakes and lead us down wrong paths.  God's ways are right and perfect, but the ways of man are crooked and messed up.  We have partial understanding and He has perfect understanding.  We must learnt to trust God, even when He doesn't make sense to us.

Prayer:

Father, help me to trust You more and more each day.  I need to hear Your voice leading me and I will follow.  Teach me to hear clearly and to follow wholeheartedly.  I am Yours.

Forever,
Jeff

Guard the Good

Scripture:

II Timothy 1:14  "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us".

Observation:

Paul is writing to Timothy, his son in the Lord.  He had just told him that he should keep a pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ.  He then tells him to guard the good deposit that had been made in him.  He said the Holy Spirit would help him guard it.

Application:

You guard only what is valuable and important in your life.  Paul tells us we should value the good deposit of teaching, faith and love that has been put in us.  We can't let anyone steal our faith, the word of God nor our love for any reason.  We must guard the deposit at all costs.  We can't let it decay through sin.  We can't let it be lost because we just haven't been using it for a while.  We must guard our faith daily and watch over it to make sure we don't stray away for any reason.  We must also trust the Holy Spirit will help us with this.

Prayer:

Father, you are awesome and I love you deeply.  Help me to guard what has been put in my life.  Holy Spirit, help me to guard the precious gift of your presence in my life.  Teach me to value  my faith more and more each day.

Yours,
Jeff

Love is Unstoppable

Scripture:

Song of Songs 8:7  "Many waters cannot quench love, rivers cannot sweep it away.  If one were to give all the wealth of one's house for love, it would be utterly scorned".

Observation:

Solomon understood that love is a powerful force that is unstoppable.  He tells us that many waters cannot quench love.  It is  like an unquenchable fire that won't be put out.  God's love toward us is like this love.  Many waters can't quench it.  It can't be swept away.

Application:

God loves us with such unquenchable love.  He loves us beyond comprehension and His love is unstoppable.  We, as God's children, should demonstrate the same love.  Our love for people and for God should not be stoppable, no matter what they do to us.

Prayer:

Lord, let me love with unstoppable, unquenchable love.  You love me that way, so help me love others that way.  Let me love you and others with real love that never gives up and can't be washed away.

Your Son,
Jeff

Life Happens

Scripture:

Proverbs 9:12  "Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come:  As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them".

Observation:

The author here is saying that sometimes bad things happen unexpectedly.  A fish is simply swimming along, doing what it does every day of its life, suddenly they are caught in a net and can't get out.  A bird may fly for years every day, but one day they are flying and caught in a snare.  Suddenly life is shortened and everything changes.  Sometimes things happen that are out of our control.

Application:

Life happens to the good, the bad and the ugly.  Sometimes in life we are suddenly caught in a trap and everything changed quickly, usually not for the good.  We begin to think God doesn't love us, we must have some hidden sin, we are under a curse, or that we don't pray enough.  Sometimes it may be an attack of the enemy, sometimes life just happens and we have no control over it.  We need to learn to trust God in those times and know it will all work out to bring Him praise in the end.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to handle the unexpected challenges of life well.  Help me walk in faith through the difficult times.  Help me see that sometimes there isn't an answer as to why things happen the way they do.  Help me to trust You more with the outcome of surprise situations.

Yours Always,
Jeff

Wise and Happy

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 8:1  "Who is like the wise?  Who knows the explanation of things?  A person's wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance."

Observation:

When I look at this verse I feel like the author is saying that wise people tend to be happier and have a softer countenance.  They  look like people who are really enjoying life.  Foolish people put themselves in bad situations that harden themselves.  Wise people make decisions that make life easier in the long run, therefore, their face brightens and softens like someone who is really enjoying life.

Application:

Wisdom delays gratification.  When we want instant gratification, we are going to struggle down the road.  Those who put think long term and sacrifice in the present always appear happier in the long term.  I want to be happy in the long term and not just right this moment.  I want to live in wisdom and not folly.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I love you and honor you today.  You are amazing!  Help me to live like the wise.  Forgive me for being foolish so many times and doing things I knew would not be the best idea in the long run.  Help me walk in wisdom from this point forward.

Your Son,
Jeff

Envy Gets You Nowhere

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 4:4  "And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person's envy of another.  This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind".

Observation:

The author, one of the wisest men to ever live, is letting us know that toil and achievement really spring forth from a person's envy of someone else.  This is true.  Most achievement is simply trying to outdo someone else's achievements.  People work incredibly hard to break records and achieve higher and greater things in every area of life.  It is usually someone's envy of someone else that leads the pursuit.

Application:

What if our achievement and work was not to outdo someone else, but truly to fulfill God's purposes in our lives.  What if we were led by the Spirit instead of being led by envy of someone else or their accomplishments?  Achievement birthed in competition will always be outdone by someone down the road.  There will always be someone who does things better.  A life of purpose fulfills God's will instead of always competing to be number one.

Prayer:

Father God, help me not to compare myself with others.  Help me to accomplish what You put me on earth to accomplish and not feel bad if it doesn't compare with what someone else has done.  I want to fulfill Your will above all else.  Let my achievements be your achievements and not motivated by envy of another person.

Your Son,
Jeff

A Healthy Church and Life

Scripture:

II Thessalonians  1:3  "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing".

Observation:

Paul is speaking to the people of Thessalonica and lets them know that he is proud of them and thanks God for them because two things are increasing.  They were increasing in faith and they were increasing in love for each other.  Paul says in the next verse that they always boast about them to the other churches because, during a time of persecution, they were increasing in faith and love.

Application:

Am I increasing in faith and love?  That's the question.  When God was looking at churches and speaking about them, you would usually hear a comment about their faith and their love.  When we feel like we are grown and mature as a Christian, we need to ask ourselves, "are we growing in faith and love?"  These are the benchmarks God uses when looking at a church and they are the benchmarks we should use as well.

Prayer:

Father, increase my faith.  Help me to trust You more completely and to walk in faith in every area of my life.  Teach me to love others more than myself.  Help me to see people as You see them.  Let faith and love increase in my life.

Your Son,
Jeff

Lips that Speak Knowledge

Scripture:

Proverbs 20:15  "Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel."

Observation:

Solomon here tells us that gold and rubies are abundant.  They can be found anywhere and there are lots of them, but people who speak knowledge are a rare jewel.  A rare jewel is more valuable because of it's scarcity.  There are not a lot of people speaking true knowledge.  Those who are speaking knowledge should be valued as a rare jewel.

Application:

We should honor those who truly speak knowledge into our lives.  People can say lots of good things, but people who speak true knowledge are rare and extremely valuable.  I want to strive to be a person who speaks with knowledge.  When I speak to others, I want God's words and knowledge to flow through me.

Prayer:

Father, fill me with knowledge and let my words be empowered by You.  Help me to speak your word, which is the source of incredible knowledge, accurately.  Let me speak well on your behalf.

Yours,
Jeff

A Crushed Spirit

Scripture:

Proverbs 18:14  "The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?"

Observation:

The author tells us here that our human spirit is strong enough to endure through sickness.  Our human spirit can remain strong through adversity, but when that spirit is crushed, nobody can bear it.  According to this, the spirit of a person is strong, but can be crushed, and when crushed, it is hard to bounce back.

Application:

When a person's spirit is crushed by disappointments, frustration, separation, failure, etc., it is a very difficult thing to walk through.  Many today have been crushed in spirit when they did the right things and were punished for it.  Many have a crushed spirit because of words spoken over them by their parents, etc.  Out human spirit is strong, but a crushed spirit is really tough.  Only God can help us when our spirit is crushed.

Prayer:

Father, I know many people who have a crushed spirit, who just want to give up on life because they see no hope.  You are hope to the hopeless and life to the lifeless.  Touch and lift the heavy hearted who feel crushed by the circumstances of life.  Only You can bring them out.

Yours,
Jeff

A Heart at Peace

Scripture:

Proverbs 14:30  "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones".

Observation:

In this passage I see how important it is to have a heart at peace.  Peace is one of the fruit of the Spirit.  It should be part of every Christian's life, but few find it today.  People are worried about everything.  We worry about every little detail because we are envious of the way others are living their lives.  Envy rots our bones, but a heart at peace gives life to the body.

Application:

Peace gives life to the body, envy rots our bones.  We must seek to be at peace.  Godliness with contentment is great gain.  If your bones are rotting within us, we need to do a peace check.  Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the understanding and conviction that God is with us through the conflict and there is really nothing to worry about.  Seek peace and give life to your body.

Prayer:

Lord, let your peace that passes understanding come into my life more and more.  Let me be at peace and let my body profit from it.  I want a full and enjoyable life.  Help me live at peace more and more.  Teach me not to be envious of others.

Yours,
Jeff