The Least in the Kingdom

Scripture:

Luke 7:28  "I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he".

Observation:

Jesus makes a comment about John the Baptist.  He says that out of everyone born, no one is as great as he.  He gives John an awesome place of dignity among all generations.  Then He says, the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John.  That applies to us.

Application:

Sometimes we tend to think of those in the Bible as so much greater than us and maybe that they were living at some unattainable level with God.  In this verse, Jesus tells us that the least of us in the Kingdom are greater than John, who he had just bragged on.  We are more valuable than we think we are.  We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, which could not happen until the time of the Kingdom.

Prayer:

Father, help me to understand how blessed I am to be living in the time of Your kingdom.  Help me have a proper perspective on who I am in Christ.  Show me what it means that the least in the Kingdom is greater than John the Baptist.

Yours,
Jeff

Know Your Purpose

Scripture:

Luke 4:43  "But He said to them, 'I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose'".

Observation:

Jesus had just started His time of ministry with a forty day fast and being tempted by the devil in the wilderness.  He came back in the power of the Spirit and preached His first recorded sermon.  He then tells His disciples that He must preach the kingdom in other cities because He was sent for the purpose.  Jesus knew His purpose.  He knew what His Father wanted Him to do.

Application:

I believe we should seek God until we know our purpose.  God has plans for each of our lives.  Initially, His purpose is our sanctification.  He wants us to be completely His, then He shows us His more specific plan for our lives.  Just as Jesus knew what He was sent to do, our confidence will rise when we know we are doing what God has called us to do.

Prayer:

Father, let me fulfill the purpose I was sent to do.  Help me finish every assignment You have for my life.  Make Your will clearly known so that I may fulfill it completely.  I love You and want to serve You well.

Your Son,
Jeff

How Will I Know This For Certain?

Scripture:

Luke 1:18  "Zacharias said to the angel, 'How will I know this for certain?  For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years'".

Observation:

Here is a priest who had served the Lord for many, many years.  He has an encounter when he speaks with an angel and during the encounter says, "How will I know for certain?"  He looked at his present situation, being old, and wanted some confirmation that what the angel said, would come to pass.  I love the humility here that says, I might be seeing things or my old age might be working on me.

Application:

The Bible speaks extremely highly of Zacharias.  He served his entire life in the priestly ministry, yet when something this major happened, he questioned himself.  I think we all question ourselves as to whether we have actually heard from God on things.  We are in good company.  Everyone asks the question, "How will I know for certain?"  It's okay to ask God if you heard correctly and to confirm what He is saying to you if your heart is pure.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty,  You are awesome and I love You with all my heart!  Thank You for showing me this today.  Sometimes I question like Zacharias about whether I have heard from You on things.  I wish it was easier to know exactly what is You and what is not.  Give me ears to hear clearly what You are speaking to me, my family, my church and ministry.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

He Will Not Reject You

Scripture:

Leviticus 26:11-12  "Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you.  I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people".

Observation:

In Leviticus, God is setting up how things are to be done.  He is setting up His laws, and telling His people how they are to live.  It is a covenant.  If the people do what He says, He will bless them.  If they don't do what He says, they will live under a curse.  Here He tells them that He will dwell among them and will never reject them.  He says He will be their God and they will be His people.

Application:

God has always wanted a people to call His own.  Today, as believers, we have come into the blessing of Abraham.  We are in covenant with God.  For those is covenant with God, we see here that He dwells with them and will never reject them.  We don't have to fear rejection from God as long as we are living according to His ways.  He truly wants to be our God and walk with us through life.  He simply needs obedience to His ways.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for reminding me this morning of You great love and the fact that You never leave us nor forsake us.  Thank You for reminding me that You will never reject us.  You are amazing, help me be more like You every day.  I want to take on my Father's image.

Yours,
Jeff

The Lord Who Sanctifies You

Scripture:

Leviticus 22:32-33  "You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, to be your God; I am the Lord".

Observation:

As God was giving Moses and Aaron His laws and decrees, He reminds them of who He is and what His purpose was for them.  He tells them that He is the one who sanctifies them and that He brought them out of Egypt to be their God.  He didn't bring them out of Egypt simply to bless them, but to be their God.  God wants to be God in His people's lives.  He sanctifies us so that He can be our God and we can be His people.

Application:

Jesus went to the cross to sanctify us and make us acceptable to God.  His work of sanctification continues throughout our lives as believers.  We should continually be becoming more like Christ; more separated from the world and more separated to God.  He does this work in us because He wants to be our God and wants us to be His people.  Our desire must be to be completely His.

Prayer:

Father, sanctify my.  Separate my life for Your purposes.  Be my God and my Lord.  Lead me.  Show me your will for my life and family.  Teach me to follow You more and more completely every day.  I am yours.

Your Son,
Jeff

Save Something for the Poor

Scripture:

Leviticus 19:10  "Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger.  I am the Lord your God".

Observation:

When God's people were going to come into the Promised Land, they were to leave some of the fruit of their land for the needy and the stranger.  It was God's heart for His people to not be greedy and take every bit of  fruit from their vineyards, but to leave some for the poor and stranger who were not even considered His people.  God wants us to take care of the poor.

Application:

When we are doing our savings, investments, etc. do we ever consider leaving some to help someone in need?  Throughout scripture we see how God has a big heart for the poor, fatherless, needy, etc.  We should keep that in mind and live accordingly.  We should put aside something simply to be able to help others with.

Prayer:

Father, help me not to reject the poor and needy, but to be a blessing to them.  I want to live a life that truly reflects Your heart.  At the same time, help me discern when I am being taken advantage of and when I am actually helping someone.  Show me the difference that I may glorify Your name.

Yours,
Jeff

Don't Defile Yourself

Scripture:

Leviticus 18:30 "Thus you are to keep My charge, that you do not practice any of the abominable customs which have been practiced before you, so as not to defile yourselves with them; I am the Lord your God".

Observation:

God had just given many practices He considers an abomination.  He said that His people should not practice any of them because He didn't want His people to defile themselves.  He wanted to be their God and for them to be His people.  He was not trying to hurt them or cause them misery, but He wanted to help them and be with them.  He wanted them in a position to receive His blessing and not His judgment.

Application:

God loves us deeply and wants the best for us.  His commands are not to be burdensome, but to keep us in right relationship with us because He loves us.  God doesn't want to give us boring, unfulfilled, lives.  He wants to protect us and our relationship with Him.  He wants us on the side of His blessing.  We must love His commands because the heart of God is for relationship with us.

Prayer:

Lord, You are amazing and love us so much.  Your decrees and laws are a blessing and demonstrated Your extreme love for us.  You want us to walk with You and speak with You as friend with friend.  I want to know You more and more intimately.  Lead me.  Guide me.  Directs my steps.  Work strongly in my life and my family.

Your Son,
Jeff

Separated... Different

Scripture:

Leviticus 15:31  "Thus you shall keep the sons of Israel separated from their uncleanness, so that they will not die in their uncleanness by their defiling My tabernacle that is among them".

Observation:

God had just given many commands about what to do for leprosy, sores, discharges, etc.  He went to great detail to show them exactly what to do in each case.  Why?  It says here that they may be separated from their uncleanness and they won't die by defiling My tabernacle.  God wanted His people separated from the world and clean because He wanted to dwell with them and could not when they were unclean.

Application:

Today, God calls His people to come out from among them and separate.  He tells us that friendship with the world if being an enemy of God.  He calls us to be different and not to contaminate His presence.  Today, Holy Spirit does not dwell in a Tabernacle built by man, but in the lives of His people.  How much more should our lives be separated for Him an different from the world?

Prayer:

Father, I see Your desire to be with Your people and how their uncleanness would keep them away from You.  Forgive my sins and cause me to hunger and thirst more and more for righteousness.  I want to live a life where Your presence is welcomed, desired, and not hindered in any way.  Purify my life Lord.

Yours,
Jeff

Make a Distinction

Scripture:

Leviticus 10:10  "and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean".

Observation:

The Lord spoke to Aaron about his priestly ministry.  He told Aaron and his sons not to drink alcohol when they come into the tent of meeting.  He said this would make a distinction between holy and profane and between unclean and clean.  Aaron was told by God to make a distinction.  He couldn't be like everyone else because he was set apart for God.

Application:

Is there a distinction between me and the world?  Does God see that my life is separated for His glory?  Is my life distinctly God's or does is it resemble the world more than Him?  These are the questions I have to ask myself.  In the New Testament we are a royal priesthood and a holy nation that is set apart for the Lord.  Is there a distinction that sets us apart?  We are to come out from among them and be separate.  Are we doing that?

Prayer:

Father, let there be a great distinction between my life and the world.  Let my life be distinctly Yours.  Help me live a life that please You in every area.  Teach me to walk a walk of distinction and know the difference between clean and unclean, between holy and profane.

Your Son,
Jeff

When the Fire Falls

Scripture:

Leviticus 9:24  "Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces".

Observation:

Moses and Aaron did much preparation and followed extreme details in obedience to the Lord.  The result was that the fire of God fell and consumed their offerings.  When the people saw the glory of the Lord and the fire fall from heaven to consume the burnt offering, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Application:

God reveals His glory when His people walk according to His will and do what He wants.  When His glory and fire falls, everyone knows it.  It is not a secret.  When His glory comes into a meeting of God's people, there will be shouting and excitement, followed by extreme awe and falling on our faces.  We need to see the fire fall once again.  Our nation needs revival and to see the glory of the Lord.  We must walk in obedience, humility and earnest desire for the things of the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, let Your fire fall once again in America.  Come and manifest your glory in my country.  Show this nation how awesome You are.  I long for You to move strongly again and for people to walk in humility toward You.  Forgive our sin and let your glory come to this nation once again.  Let Your fire fall on Word of Life.  Encounter Your people I pray.

Your Son,
Jeff

Keep the Fire Burning

Scripture:

Leviticus 6:9  "Command Aaron and his sons saying, 'This is the law for the burnt offering: the burnt offering itself shall remain on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire on the altar is to be kept burning on it'".

Observation:

The altar of the burnt offering was to have fire on it at all times.  It was never to go out.  The burnt offering was a a sacrificial offering to the Lord.  It provided the Lord with the sweet incense and aroma of the offerings.  No matter what, this fire was never to go out.

Application:

Out lives are living sacrifices to the Lord.  We should have continual offerings of worship and praise to the Lord and we should guard them to make sure the fire never goes out.  The fire only goes out when we have not tended it.  When we take inventory and see the flame is getting low, we must put some wood on it.  We must take inventory of our spiritual lives.  Sometimes we need to "fan into flame" the gifts and fire of God in our lives.

Prayer:

Father, help me stay on fire for You.  Let my offerings of praise and worship never stop, but let the fire grow.  Teach me to walk with You every day.  I want to hear Your voice and learn of You.  I want my fire to never go out.

Yours,
Jeff

The Smell God Loves

Scripture:

Leviticus 3:5  "Then Aaron's sons shall offer it up in smoke on the altar on the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire; it is an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the Lord".

Observation:

The people of Israel were given very specific regulations concerning how they sacrificed and offered offering to the Lord.  They were all sacrificial in that something they possessed had to be given, but it was given in such a way that it brought the Lord pleasure.  As they sacrificed, they did it in a way that blessed the Lord and smelled good to Him

Application:

Isn't it wonderful to walk into a home where someone has been cooking something really good all day?  When Cheryl cooks all day and I walk in, the home is fragrant with the amazing smell of whatever she is cooking.  Our worship and sacrifice is just like that to God.  He loves it when His people bring Him offerings of praise and worship.  It smells good in His nostrils.  I want to be a person that brings the Lord the pleasure of a sweet-smelling offering continually with my life.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I love You and bless You this morning.  You are amazing!  Let my life be an offering that is pleasing to You and that makes You happy.  Let my worship be pure and bring about a sweet incense  to You.  You are the best.

Your Son,
Jeff

And They Went Out

Scripture:

Mark 16:20  "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed".

Observation:

When Jesus rose from the dead, He met with His disciples and told them to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.  What did they do?  They went and preached everywhere, and Christ worked with them, confirming their message with signs and wonders.

Application:

Many people want to see signs and wonders, but they don't want to go.  Only when we "go" do the signs and wonders happen.  When we make obedience to the Great Commission our priority and do the "Go" of the Gospel, Christ will work with us in the same way He worked with the early church.  "Go" and "declare" and watch the word be confirmed.

Prayer:

Father, give me opportunity today to share Christ with someone.  Help me to be constantly on Your Mission in the world.  Help me truly live out Your mission in the world in 2015.  Your mission, my mandate!

Yours,
Jeff

Sacrificial Giving

Scripture:

Mark 12:43-44  "Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, 'Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on'".

Observation:

Jesus was with His disciples in the Temple and he was watching people put their money into the treasury.  Many came and put in larger amounts, but Jesus was more impressed with this poor little lady than with all who gave much larger gifts.  He noticed her.  Probably nobody else even saw this woman, but God notices sacrificial giving and blesses that individual.

Application:

God is more concerned with how much we have left over when we give than He is with what we gave.  He loves sacrificial giving.  The kind of giving that cramps our lifestyle.  He is not impressed with amounts, but hearts.  When nobody notices our giving, God does, and He keeps good records.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be a sacrificial giver.  Teach me to follow Your voice when giving and not only give out of my surplus, but out of my need.  Teach me when to sacrifice and when not to.  I want to follow You completely and fulfill Your will on this earth.

Your Son,
Jeff

God's Interest or Ours?

Scripture:

Mark 8:33  "But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, 'Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's'".

Observation:

In this passage, Jesus had been telling His disciples that He must die and rise again in three days.  Peter began to rebuke the Lord for this and telling Him he wouldn't let it happen.  Jesus turns to Peter and calls him Satan.  He tells Peter that he wasn't setting his mind on what God wanted, but what he wanted.

Application:

God wants His children to be interested in what He is interested in and for them to be focused on His will instead of their own.  Many times we want God to do what is in our best interest and God has totally different plans and desires.  What we feel we need and even what seems right, may not be what God wants.  Are we seeking our own interests or the interests of God?

Prayer:

Father, help me to focus on Your interests and not my own.  Help me to think about the things of the Kingdom and not only what will bless my life.  I want to be about Your business and simply trust You to take care of my business.

Yours,
Jeff

Fear or Faith?

Scripture:

Mark 4:40  "And He said to them, 'Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?'"

Observation:

Jesus' disciples were on a boat in the midst of a storm.  He was in the stern of the boat asleep.  They were scared out of their minds and He wasn't doing anything about it.  When they woke Him up with their fear, He said to them these simple words, "Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?"  Jesus associated fear with the lack of faith.

Application:

As believers, whenever we see fear moving into our lives, we are walking into a lack of faith.  Fear and faith cannot exist together.  When one is strong, the other can't stay around.  We are to be people of faith and have no fear.  Our trust is in the one who is able to deliver us from any and every situation.  He is faithful!

Prayer:

Father, lead me into a life of faith.  Help me trust You more each day and not to fear the things that life puts on my plate.  Let me confidence be in You and not in myself.  Teach me to walk by faith completely.

Yours,
Jeff

Jesus Pattern of Prayer

Scripture:

Mark 1:35  "In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there".

Observation:

Jesus, the Son of God, felt it was necessary to get up early in the morning while it was still dark and go away from everyone to spend time in prayer with His Father.  Things were beginning to get busy in His public ministry and people are demanding more and more of Him, yet He found time to get alone with the Father early in the morning.

Application:

If the Son of God needed to get up early to spend time with the Heavenly Father, how much more do we?  When things get really busy, we tend to have less time for God.  When Jesus got busy, He made early morning time to be with God.  We must seek God first thing each day and make time in our busy schedules for Him.

Prayer:

Lord, I love my time with You.  You are amazing and always give me something each day to ponder.  I want to hear Your voice more clearly this year than ever before.  I want to know You more.  I want to walk closer to You.  I will keep up my early morning time, but I want to extend it this Spring as it warms up outside for more private time with You.

Your Son,
Jeff

Preparation for Visitation

Scripture:

Exodus 40:34-35  "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.  Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle".

Observation:

For several chapters prior to this verse, Moses and his workers were preparing every article that would be used in the tabernacle and everything the priests would wear.  There were details about where things would be set as you enter and where the furnishings would be.  There were details about how the items used in worship of the Lord would be made.  There was incredible detail and preparation involved before the glory of the Lord came.

Application:

I want to see a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my generation, but we can't forfeit the preparation for visitation.  We must be prepared to handle the outpouring that is coming.  I believe the body of Christ is in preparation right now for a visitation of the Holy Spirit.  We need to let Him work in our lives, making sure every detail is pure and acceptable in His sight.  We need to let Him search and, challenge us and change us.  We must yield to His will because His way produces His results.

Prayer:

Father God, examine my heart and prepare me for Your coming glory.  Let the temple of my body be prepared fully for You to come and work through me.  Let my life be pure and acceptable in Your sight.  I'm expecting a visitation, help my preparation.

Yours,
Jeff

More Than Enough

Scripture:

Exodus 36:6-7  "So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, 'Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary'.  Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more.  For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it."

Observation:

As the tabernacle of Moses and all it's utensils was being made, the people were working and bringing everything they could to the house of the Lord in order to complete the project.  In this verse, Moses had to issue a decree to stop bringing gifts and offering to the project because they had more than they needed.  God had used the people to bring more than enough for what needed to be done.

Application:

God is truly the God who is more than enough.  When God determines to bless something or get something accomplished, He makes sure there is more than enough to get the work done.  He is amazing at providing more than enough.  We need to trust the God of "more than enough" to provide for our needs.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to walk in faith and to trust that You can bring more than enough into my life to take care of me and my family.  Help me trust You more and ever before, that You will make a way for us and provide more than what we need.

Your Son,
Jeff

The Key to Joshua's Success

Scripture:

Exodus 33:11  "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.  When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent".

Observation:

I have always loved Joshua in the Bible.  He and Caleb are two of my favorite characters in all scripture.  He took over when Moses died and led God's people into the promised land, defeating enemies all around.  Here I see the key to his success, he would not depart from the ten of meeting.  He wanted to be in God's presence.  He wanted to be in the glory of the Lord.  Even when Moses was finished meeting with the Lord, Joshua hung around.

Application:

Success follows those who love the presence of the Lord.  Joshua had incredible success in his life, but it came from his personal relationship with the Lord and from longing to know Him more and more.  He and David both are seen in the Word as really strong, really successful men.  Both of them had this in common.  They loved to hang out at the tent of meeting and be in the Lord's presence.  They hungered and thirsted after the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord, lately I desire Your presence more and more.  I want to be with you like Joshua and David.  I want to see You and hear Your voice.  I want to walk in Your glory.  I long to be with You every day and for Your will to be accomplished in my life.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Meeting with God

Scripture:

Exodus 29:42  "It shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the doorway of the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there".

Observation:

God made a way and prepared His priests to be able to meet with Him.  In this passage He talks about the continual burnt offering throughout Israel's generations at the doorway of the tent of meeting.  This way, His priests would have access and He would meet with them and speak to them there.  God went out of His way to be able to speak with His priests.

Application:

In the New Testament we are called a Royal Priesthood.  We have been given the same access to God that the high priests had in the Old Testament.  God went out of His way to make provision for us to meet with Him and to speak with us.  By the blood of Christ, we have access into the Holy of Holies.  We must access His presence more and more.  It is His desire for us.

Prayer:

Father, I want to spend time in Your presence.  I want to meet with You regularly.  Awaken my devotional time with Your presence.  Help me to not just go through the motions of daily devotions, but to clearly hear from You and be in Your presence.  You are amazing and I'm growing hungrier for You each day.

Yours,
Jeff

Show Me Things

Scripture:

Exodus 26:30  "Then you shall erect the tabernacle to its plan which you have been shown in the mountain".

Observation:

I noticed this morning that twice in the detailed instructions that God gave Moses about building the tabernacle, God told him to build it like he had been shown on the mountain.  Apparently, when Moses was on the mountain receiving the commandments from God, He also was shown the tabernacle.  For forty days he was on the mountain.  During that forty days, God apparently showed him some awesome stuff.

Application:

God hasn't changed and He still interacts with His people.  I long to be caught away into His presence and to talk to Him like Moses did.  I have had some powerful encounters with God in my life and seen some powerful things, but it always leaves me crying out for more.  I want to see His glory again and clearer.  I want to walk through the veil and know Him more.  I want the presence of the Lord stronger and stronger in my life.  I want to walk with Him like Moses did.

Prayer:

Father, I want to see Your glory like Moses did.  I want You to show me things like your showed Moses.  I want to hear Your voice clearer and to walk in Your presence more and more.  I long for the courts of the Lord.  I want to be with You daily and for You to work in my life more and more.  Help me to be more like You and to do all You want me to do.  I long for You.

Yours,
Jeff

An Enemy to my Enemies

Scripture:

Exodus 23:22  "But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries".

Observation:

Moses had just given the Law to God's people.  In this passage, God is talking to the people of Israel about obeying His voice and staying true to His covenant.  He tells them that if they truly obey His voice and do everything He says, that He will be an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries.

Application:

I want to be in the position that God is enemies with my enemies and adversaries with my adversaries.  I want to walk in obedience and watch God work on those around me.  A life of obedience brings about the blessing of God, and God's blessing is worth every effort we have to make.  Those who walk with God see His blessing and deliverance over and over again.  He is faithful to His word.

Prayer:

Lord, God Almighty, be an enemy to my enemies and an adversary to my adversaries.  Thank you for your incredible promises Lord.  You are faithful and always come through for those who obey Your words and live according to Your ways.  Help me live a life that is pleasing to You and that brings about Your fullest blessing.

Your Son,
Jeff

The Fear of the Lord

Scripture:

Exodus 20:19  "Then they said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die'".

Observation:

The people of Israel had seen the thick cloud of God's presence that covered the mountain as God spoke to Moses and gave him the Law.  They realized that there could be no sin in God's presence and that whoever entered must be holy.  They feared God because they had seen enough to know He was serious.  They told Moses that they wanted him to talk to God and then tell them what He said because they were afraid of Him.

Application:

We need a healthy respect or "fear" of the Lord.  God is holy and just and we will stand before Him one day.  With Christ on our side as our defense attorney, we have nothing to fear and we can come boldly into God's presence without fear, yet we are told by Jesus that we shouldn't fear man who can kill us, but God who can destroy both body and soul.  It is good to have a healthy fear of the Lord.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for reminding me to walk humbly before You with fear and reverence.  You are and awesome God and You are worthy of glory and honor.  You are worthy of my worship.  Teach me to walk before You as You want me to.  Show me the way to please you best.

Yours,
Jeff

Support Makes All the Difference

Scripture:

Exodus 17:12 "But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it.  And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun".

Observation:

The children of Israel were in battle and Moses was told the, as long as he held up his hands, they would win the battle.  His hands became very heavy and he couldn't hold them up any more and his people began to lose.  Aaron and Hur came alongside Moses and held his hands up until they prevailed in the fight.

Application:

Sometimes in life things get difficult and we need someone to come alongside us to hold up our hands.  We also need to be sensitive when we see our leaders weak.  We should always offer a helping hand to those above us.  We should also be ready to say, "I need some help" to those around us.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to ask for help.  Sometimes I feel the weight of ministry and life and need someone to come alongside, but my pride doesn't let me stop and ask for help.  Let my eyes be open to ways I can also help others who are carrying a heavier load, to be a blessing to them.

Yours,
Jeff