Compassed By Favor

Scripture:

Psalm 5:12  "For thou wilt bless the righteous; O Jehovah, thou wilt compass him with favor as a shield".

Observation:

As the Psalmist was thinking of his relationship with God, he reminds us that God does bless the righteous and He compasses them with favor like a shield.  To compass is to encircle, therefore he is saying that God circles the righteous with favor as a shield.

Application:

We generally think of favor as something that God does for us that is especially awesome.  We think of money coming in that we didn't expect, good things happening at work, etc.  Here favor is seen that something that protects us as well.  Favor is not just something that blesses and prospers us, but it protects us as well.  We need to seek God for His favor on our lives.

Prayer:

Father, protect my life like the Psalmist talked about.  Let Your favor protect me like a shield and let Your hand be upon my life mightily.  Show me day by day Your will for my life.  I desire Your favor in my life, my home, my church and my region.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Walk in Wisdom

Scripture:

Colossians 4:5  "Walk in wisdom toward those who are without, redeeming the time".

Observation:

Paul tells the Colossians that they should walk in wisdom toward those who are without.  He is talking about those who don't believe.  He also tells them they should redeem the time or make the most of the time they have.  Walking in wisdom with a group of people means that we know what to say at what time and what circumstances.  This wisdom comes from walking with God.

Application:

As we walk with God and in the presence of man, opportunities will come to share the Gospel.  Our job is to walk in wisdom toward those without Christ.  When we walk in God's wisdom, He shows us what to say and when to say it.  He shows us when to show love and how to handle their criticism.  Doing this, redeems the time and make the most of it.  May we walk in wisdom that opens doors instead of closing them because we don't want to associate with ungodly people.

Prayer:

Father, let me be sensitive today to what You are doing in the lives of those around me.  Help me to walk in wisdom with those on the outside.  Open doors today to share the love of Christ and let me do my best to redeem the time.  I know Your coming is soon, let me be redeeming every minute for Your purposes.

Yours,
Jeff

I Know You Can Do All Things

Scripture:

Job 42:2  "I know that thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of thine can be restrained".

Observation:

God had just spoken to Job, letting him know how powerful He is.  He ask Job what anyone could do with Behemoth and Leviathon.  He let Job know that He was all-powerful.  Job's response was great.  He didn't argue, complain, etc., he just acknowledged the awesomeness of God.  He goes on to say that no purpose of God's could be restrained.

Application:

How big do we see God?  Do we really see Him as able to do anything?  Do we understand that no purpose of His can be restrained?  When we come to God, we must come by faith.  We must see Him as limitless and realize that, when He wants something done, it is going to get done.  He has the ability to move heaven and earth on our behalf when He so desires.   His purposes for our lives cannot be restrained.

Prayer:

Father God, the all-powerful.  Help me to see You as You really are.  Help me relate to You in confidence and faith, knowing that no purpose of yours can be restrained.  Teach me to live daily in the understanding of how awesome You are and how much You love me.  Help me walk knowing how deep Your love is for me as well.

Yours,
Jeff

Who Do You Think You Are?

Scripture:

Job 38:4  "Where wast thou when I lad the foundations of the earth?  Declare, if thou hast understanding".

Observation:

Job had submitted his complaint to God and justified who he was and his integrity before the Lord.  He was complaining to God because he was innocent and didn't deserve the terrible things that were happening to him.  God responded to Job asking him many questions like this one, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?"  He was basically telling Job, "Who do you thing you are to be questioning Me?"  Now, I 'm going to question you.

Application:

We need to understand simply that God is in control.  He created everything and knows everything.  Who are we to question Him about the things He allows in our lives.  We need to trust God.  He is greater, stronger, more powerful and more wise than any of us.  We must learn not to complain about what He is doing in our lives, but to accept and trust that He knows what He is doing, and if He is allowing it, it must be good for me in some way.

Prayer:

Father, help me to trust You more each day.  You are the creator of all, the sustainer of all, and I know You have my life in Your awesome hands.  Help me to trust You completely and not to question You all the time about what I think You need to do better in my life.

Your Son,
Jeff

Trials Perfect Us

Scripture:

Job 23:10  "But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold".

Observation:

Job knew he had done nothing wrong in God's eyes.  He knew he had kept his way pure before the Lord and that there must be some reason he was going through the terrible things he was going through,  He knew that the trials he was going through must be tests and was confident that he would come through as refined gold.

Application:

We should live lives that give us this kind of confidence.  When we live in purity, we can have confidence in our walk with God.  We should know our innocence and know that, when something goes wrong, it is not punishment, but refining and testing that will only serve to purify us more.  Trials will come, we have the ability to let them perfect us or break us.

Prayer:

Father, let my life be lived in purity and let me have confidence in my walk with You.  Let me live a life that pleases You and brings more confidence into my life.  I love You and want to walk before You knowing Your perfecting processes.

Yours,
jeff

A Great Reputation

Scripture:

Esther 10:3  "For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and in favor with his many kinsmen, one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of His whole nation".

Observation:

Mordecai was promoted to second in the kingdom after being a nobody for a long time because of his reputation.  He was greatly honored because of who he was, not simply because of what he did.  Here we see that he was in favor with people, he sought the good of his people and he spoke for the welfare of his whole nation.  He had a fantastic reputation.

Application:

Your reputation is so important in life!  There are those who are promoted because of what they do and those who are promoted because of who they are.  If you are promoted because of what you do, then your character may not keep you in that position.  If you are promoted because of who you are, you will remain and be powerful for God in that position.  Reputation is crucial.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in a reputation of humility, servanthood, love and kindness.  Let my life be known for who I am instead of what I do.  I want to do great things for You, but I want to be a great person more.  I love You.  Thank You for pouring out Your Spirit in Costa Rica.  More Lord!

Yours Forever,
Jeff

When God is Feared by His Enemies

Scripture:

Esther 6:13 "Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.  Then his wise men and Zeresh hid wife said to him, 'If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish origin, you will not overcome him, but will surely fall before him'".

Observation:

Zeresh and Haman's wise men were actually very wise.  They realized that God watches out for His people.  They understood that, if God started to bring Haman down, it was going to happen because Mordecai was one of God's people.

Application:

We don't realize how awesome God is, but sometimes He is watching over us so much that our enemies can see it and fear him.  God loves us more than we know and is willing to take care of us better than we think.  He is amazing!  We need to realize how well He takes care of us and how blessed we are.

Prayer:

Father, help me to see how good You are and let your glory be seen in my life.  Show Yourself strong on this trip in Costa Rica.  Make me the person You want me to be and work strongly in my life.  Help me to realize how blessed I am.

Yours,
Jeff

Don't Give the Devil an Opportunity

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:26-27  "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil and opportunity".

Observation:

In Ephesians, Paul speaks much about treating each other right.  He deals with relationships, love, forgiveness, and walking together in unity quite a bit.  In this passage, he tells us not to let the sun go down on our anger and not to give the devil an opportunity.  Apparently giving the devil an opportunity in our lives has much to do with getting along well with others.

Application:

Satan loves to bring division, discord and disunity to God's people.  We must be aware of his schemes and not give him opportunity.  When we stay angry instead of walking in forgiveness and love with each other, we are giving the devil opportunity.  He will take every opportunity given to him to use it against us as God's children.  We will get angry at times, but we can't let it stay in our lives.  We must forgive and restore quickly and not let the devil do his work.

Prayer:

Father, let me walk in complete freedom as it relates to relationships.  I realize the devil loves to destroy relationships and bring division.  Help me not to bring discord, but unity at all times.  Help me represent you well.  Bless our trip tonight to Costa Rica.  Let there be great unity on our team and pour out Your Spirit on the people of that beautiful nation.

Yours,
Jeff

Far Above

Scripture:

Ephesians 1:21  "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come".

Observation:

Paul tells us here that Jesus has been seated at the right hand of the Father in heavenly places.  As he is describing the resurrection and ascension of Christ, he says that he is now seated "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion..."  He is not only above all other power and every name named, He is "FAR ABOVE".

Application:

If Christ is seated "far above" all powers, principalities authorities, and every name that is named, why do I live like he is so limited?  He is not simply "above", but "far above".  It is not even a close battle, He is FAR above every other power in this world and I belong to Him.  Nothing and nobody is even close to my Father and elder brother, therefore I have nothing to fear in any way.  Nobody can stop what they want done.  All I have to do is get on their game plan and be part of the family business and we are unstoppable together.

Prayer:

Father, let this truth sink into my heart today.  Let me truly see Jesus seated "FAR ABOVE" every other name that is named.  Let my faith increase to believe You for greater things in my life, in my family, in my church and in my world.  Let my faith be anchored strongly in one who is not just above, but far above.

Your Son,
Jeff

Put it in Writing

Scripture:

Nehemiah 9:38  "Now because  of all this We are making an agreement in writing; and on the sealed document are the names of our leaders, our Levites and our priests".

Observation:

In this passage, Ezra had finished reading the Law and the people were cut to the heart.  They realized that they had forsaken the God of their fathers, who had done incredible things on their behalf.  Here, they decided to make a written agreement, or covenant, with God as a sign that they were ready to follow Him completely, even though their ancestors had not.

Application:

Sometimes, when we are really serious about a deal, or a contract, we tell the other party, "put it in writing".  This simply means, we are serious and are willing to sign a document that will hold us accountable to what we are promising.  Maybe sometimes we need to "put it in writing" with God when we make a promise to Him.  This way we can go back to it and remember what we have promised to the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, Your word said to write the vision and make it plain, that those who read it may run.  I see here that the people of Nehemiah's day made a written covenant with You.  Help me to write down the promises I make and to fulfill my obligations and promises to You.  I want to be a man of my word.

Your Son,
\Jeff

When God Moves, the Enemy Loses Confidence

Scripture:

Nehemiah 6:15-16  "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty two days.  When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God".

Observation:

The wall of Jerusalem was completely re-built in only 52 days.  It was a miracle that a team of non-builders came together, while fighting enemies at the same time and re-built the wall in only 52 days.  The surrounding nations realized quickly that God was on Israel's side and they lost their confidence.  They knew it was humanly impossible and that God was truly with them.

Application:

When God works in power, our enemies lose confidence and quickly realize that God is bigger and stronger than them and their plans.  When God does the impossible, the enemy shakes in his shoes.  We need to ask God to do the impossible so that our enemies see that the hand of God is with us and they don't want to mess with us.  When the impossible happens, those who doubted us and our God quickly realize that we were walking with God all the way.

Prayer:

Father, confirm Your words with signs following in my life.  Let the supernatural be the norm in my family, home, church, and region.  Let Your glory be seen in my life as a testimony to who You are.  be glorified and let the doubters lose their confidence and realize You are with us.  Do the extraordinary in my life.

Your Son,
Jeff

Rally to the Trumpet

Scripture:

Nehemiah 4:20  "At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there.  Our God will fight for us".

Observation:

As Nehemiah and those with him were trying to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, enemies were attacking who were trying to stop their work.  When his people saw the enemies strong in one place on the wall, they blew the trumpet and people would rally to that place for support.  Nehemiah told them to rally, but he also reassured them that God would fight for them.  They did not need to fear because God was with them.

Application:

There are times in our lives when our leaders issue a call.  It may not be with a trumpet blast, but through an email, a voicemail, a text, etc.  Are we good at rallying to the call?  When God blows the trumpet wanting me to rally with my brothers and sisters across denominations, styles, etc., do I hear the sound and rally to what God is doing?  God is trying to rally His people in these dark days, are we hearing the call?

Prayer:

Father, open my ears to hear the trumpet calls going forth today and encourage my heart to rally when You ask me to.  I want to be on board with what You are doing and not so wrapped up in what I have planned.  Teach me to rally on Your time and not my time.  When You call, I want to respond with troops of support.

Yours,
Jeff

True Conviction and Repentance

Scripture:

Ezra 10:1  "Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women, and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly".

Observation:

As Ezra was preparing to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, he realized that his people had inter-married with other people and corrupted themselves before God.  When they realized that they had disobeyed God, they did not take it lightly.  They wept, confessed, prostrated themselves and called on the Lord to forgive them.  They then gave up their foreign wives to make things right with the Lord.

Application:

The church today needs to feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit once again.  We need to realize the extent of our disobedience to God and humbly ask forgiveness.  There should be sorrow over our sins and deep repentance when we mess up.  We need to seek God until we are broken and humbled  before Him.  We need to ask Him to convict us on things we need to change, then to respond with brokenness and humility before Him.  I need to weep again over things in my life that are not where they should be with God.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, forgive me for partial obedience and not fully following all You put in my heart.  Let my life be pure before You.  Help me set aside time today to come before You in humility.  I love You and want to walk in wholeness before You.  Show me where I am wrong and illuminate what needs changed, then give me strength to change.

Yours,
Jeff

God's Favor is Amazing

Scripture:

Ezra 6:9-10  "Whatever is needed, both young bulls, rams, and lambs for a burnt offering to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and anointing oil, as the priests in Jerusalem request, it is to be given to them daily without fail, that they may offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons".

Observation:

King Darius had some of his officials come to him and talk to him about the Temple being rebuilt in Jerusalem.  They couldn't imagine the king of Babylon supporting the building of another king's Temple.  He looked up the decree of his predecessor, realized it was correct, and put full force behind the work of God.  In the last piece it tells us why, so that they could offer sacrifices and pray for the king.  He knew their God answered prayer and wanted them to pray for him and wanted to be on God's good side.

Application:

If God can show Himself so strong that foreign kings want to build Him a Temple, He can turn any situation for His glory.  God gave such favor to Jerusalem that foreign kings provided everything necessary to build Him a place.  When God decides to make something happen, there is no stopping Him.  He will provide everything needed for His name to be glorified.

Prayer:

Father, help me to see just how awesome You are.  Help me build a temple here in Loudoun County for Your name to be glorified.  Let it be a sign and a wonder that would amaze the people of this region and that they would say, "only God could have done this".  Let Your favor be on Word of Life and upon my life.

Yours,
Jeff

Stirred Up

Scripture:

Ezra 1:5  "The the heads of fathers' households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred up to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem".

Observation:

At the beginning of Ezra, it says the Lord "stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia" to have him rebuild the house of the Lord.  A few verses later, as they were preparing who would go and rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, it says, "everyone whose spirit God had stirred up", would go and rebuild.  It appears that when God wants something done, He will stir up the spirits of people to get it done.

Application:

We should be asking God to stir us up to do His will.  We don't want to do things on our own accord, but do what He is stirring us to do.  We also need to seek the Lord and ask Him to make us sensitive to His stirring.  When He wants to do something in the earth, He will stir us up to do it.  Let our hearts be stirred up with what God is doing.

Prayer:

Stir my spirit Lord with what is on Your heart.  Let my heart be in tune with You and let me be used to help stir up others.  I know You want to do something great in America, stir up your people.  Stir this nation and stir my heart personally with what is in Your heart.

Your Son,
Jeff

Set Apart

Scripture:

Galatians 1:15  "But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles..."

Observation:

When Paul was talking arguing his point about faith and law, he threw in this one sentence that talked about who he was.  He realized that he was set apart to preach Christ from his mother's womb.  he realized that he was part of God's plan of the ages and that, even his from his birth he was set apart for that purpose.

Application:

When you realize that God has been working before we were even born to fulfill His will in your life, it will cause you to believe differently.  When you realize that God put you here for a purpose and that He was intentional in doing that, it will cause you to feel a sense of confidence because you know that God doesn't fail and that His will is going to be accomplished as you respond to Him.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for setting me apart from my mother's womb to serve You.  Thank You that You have been in control of my life since before it started.  you have had You hand on me for Your purposes, now let nothing stop the purposes you have called me for.  Let me not step in the way of what You have purposed for my life.  I am Yours.  Use me for Your purposes more and more.

Thanks,
Jeff

Pay Attention

Scripture:

II Chronicles 33:10  "The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. Therefore the Lord brought the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria against them..."

Observation:

Manasseh and his people heard the word of the Lord, but paid no attention to it.  He sent prophets to speak to them, but they paid no attention to the word of the Lord.  Because they didn't pay attention to the word of the Lord, God brought the Assyrian army against them and Manasseh was killed.

Application:

We need to be a people who pay attention when God is speaking.  We should seek to hear His voice and to pay attention when he speaks.  He should be the center of our lives and we should endeavor to follow Him completely.  When we don't pay attention to Him and His word, we can expect trouble.  God is speaking... are we paying attention?

Prayer:

Father, help me pay better attention to You and Your word.  Help me to focus in on what You are saying and to receive those words.  I want to hear clearly the word of the Lord for my life, my family, my church and my region.  You keep showing me this over and over, help me respond appropriately and to do exactly what You want in every situation.

Yours,
Jeff

Prospering in God

Scripture:

II Chronicles 31:21  "Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered".

Observation:

Hezekiah sought the Lord and had a strong desire to please the Lord and do the right thing always.  He feared God and sought God's council on everything.  It says here that in his work and service for the Lord and in seeking God, he did with all his heart and he prospered.

Application:

Prosperity comes when you are seeking God's will above all else.  In this context, it appears that prospering meant that he was able to to accomplish everything he did for God.  As he was trying diligently to follow the Lord and do what God wanted him to, he prospered at it.  God gave him the power to follow the Lord and accomplish all God wanted him to.  God will help us serve Him as we seek Him.

Prayer:

Father, it seems recently in my devotions that I have been on a theme of seeking You.  Let me be a God-seeker.  Let me not act in my flesh at any time, but seek the Lord on all things that pertain to my life, family, church, city, and future.  Teach me to hear Your voice and respond appropriately.

Yours,
Jeff

Never Stop Seeking God

Scripture:

II Chronicles 26:5  "He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him".

Observation:

Here we read that Uzziah prospered as long as he sought the Lord.  This king, and all the kings who sought the Lord, found out that seeking God and what He wants the nation to do, has great benefits.  As long as Hezekiah was seeking the Lord, he prospered, when he tried to do things his own way, he got leprosy.

Application:

God loves it when His people seek Him.  He wants to be the center of our lives and wants an input on how we live and what we do with our lives.  Many today just live their lives asking God to bless them.  He really wants us to seek Him first and let these other things be be added to us.

Prayer:

Lord, I run to You.  I seek Your face, Your direction for my life, my church, my decisions, etc.  I want You to lead me and not myself.  I trust You more than I trust myself.  You are all-knowing, all-powerful, and love me incredibly.  Therefore, let your Kingdom come and Your will be done in my life.

Yours,

Jeff