God's Promise When we Follow Him

Scripture:

Isaiah 41:10  "Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand".

Observation:

Isaiah is speaking to God's people about who He is and what He will do for them if they will simply serve and obey Him.  He tells them they have nothing to fear because God is with them.  He tells them not to be discouraged because God will strengthen and help them.  God promised to hold them up with His victorious right hand.

Application:

We have a God who wants us to trust Him.  He has already won the victory, but wants to hold us up with His mighty hand.  If God is the victor in all things, then we, as His children, can expect to walk in victory.  We need to take God at His word and be encouraged because He is with us and He will take care of us.  We cannot walk in discouragement, but boldness because our God promises to walk with us, defeating every enemy.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in boldness and confidence because my trust is in You.  Help me to never be afraid to do what needs done and what You tell me to do.  Teach me to walk in your victory and to never doubt.  Let my faith be strong.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Resting in the Lord

Scripture:

Isaiah 30:15  "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:  'Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved.  In quietness and confidence is your strength.  But you would have none of it'".

Observation:

God was speaking through Isaiah and letting him know that all of their fighting, dealing, etc. with their enemies, we useless and would give them no results.  He said that their only hope was returning to Him and resting in Him.  Instead of making deals with enemies and alliances with the ungodly, they would find their strength in quietness and confidence, resting in the Lord.

Application:

It is actually much easier to fight your own battles, figure out your own path, and do your own thing than to rest in quietness and confidence that the Lord will take care of you.  It is not easy to rest, when you see the enemy attacking.  It is not easy to let things go and be quiet when it feels like life is falling apart.  We must learn that trusting God produces better results than fighting every enemy on our own.

Prayer:

Father, help me learn to trust You more.  Teach me to rest in quiet confidence that You are working in my life and that Your will is going to be accomplished.  Help me to know when to fight and when to rest.  Show me the balance of leaning on You and using my own wisdom.  I want Your will above all else,

Yours,
Jeff

The Earth Suffers

Scripture:

Isaiah 24:5  "The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God's instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant".

Observation:

The next verse tells us that "therefore, a curse consumes the earth".  We speak of global climate change and the increase of floods, droughts, volcanoes, earthquakes, storms, waves, etc.  This scripture tells us that the reason for all of this is not our destruction of the ozone layer, but the earth is suffering for the sins of the people on the earth.

Application:

I believe we need to take care of the planet God made for us to live on.  I believe we should do everything we can to help it, but the greatest thing we could do for our planet is to repent for our sins and turn to Jesus with all our hearts.  If the earth suffers because of our sins, then it will be blessed when we return to the God who made it.

Prayer:

Father, let and awakening come to this earth You created.  May the people of this world see the glory of God and repent of their sins and turn strongly to You.  May the earth be blessed instead of cursed, because nations turn to You and begin to serve You.  Send forth a mighty awakening I pray.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Extreme Obedience

Scripture:

Isaiah 20:2  "the Lord told Isaiah so of Amoz, 'Take off the burlap you have been wearing, and remove your sandals.'  Isaiah did as he was told and walked around naked and barefoot."

Observation:

The Lord spoke to Isaiah and told him to walk around barefoot and naked.  He did this for three years!  God often used the prophets as illustrations of the message He was going to speak through them.  He was telling Egypt and Ethiopia that they would walk naked and barefoot as slaves to another nation.  Though it seemed quite extreme, Isaiah did what he was told and became a living lesson to these nations.

Application:

Sometimes we complain that God is asking us to do things that don't make sense.  We feel like He is asking too much of us, yet none of us has been asked to walk around naked and barefoot for three years.  I would question, God pretty severely if He asked me to do something like that.  I would say it was the devil.  I would straight up disobey.  What can God ask me to do that I would say no to?  Am i really willing to say yes to whatever God asks me to do.  I need to be in the place where no to God is not an option.

Prayer:

Father, You have been so good to me.  I know I sometimes struggle with direct obedience.  I try to explain why I can't do certain things.  Help me to live a life of complete obedience to the things You place in my heart.

Yours,

Jeff

The Danger of Self-sufficiency

Scripture:

Isaiah 17:10  "Why?  Because you have turned from the God who can save you.  You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you.  So you can plant the finest grapevines and import the most expensive seedlings".

Observation:

God was talking about Israel becoming desolate and unfruitful.  He compared their future to a field that had just been harvested... Barren.  His reason is shown clearly in this verse, "because you have turned from the God who can save you".  He later tells them that they are importing the most expensive seedlings and planting the finest grapevines, yet they will be unprofitable because they are doing it without God.

Application:

There is wisdom to importing the best seedlings and planting the finest grapevines, so why would God have a problem with that?  Simply put, self-sufficiency.  God wants us to rely on Him and when we do, He will bless us and take amazing care of us.  When we lean on our own understanding and do things our own way, we are telling Him we don't need Him any more.  God truly wants His people to rely on Him instead of simply relying on our own thoughts and wisdom.

Prayer:

Father, let me do things Your way and not only the way I think things should be done.  Let me fulfill Your will in my life and do what You want me to do instead of simply living out of what makes sense to me.  Teach me to rely on You instead of making decisions based on what I think.

Your Son,
Jeff

God's Authority in World Events

Scripture:

Isaiah 14:24  "The Lord of Heaven's Armies has sworn this oath: 'It will all happen as I have planned, It will be as I have decided".

Observation:

Isaiah is in the middle of prophesying destruction for Assyria, Babylon, etc.  In the midst of his prophecy, he states that "It will all happen as I have planned.  It will be as I have decided".  God was saying that He is literally in control of world events and that He raises up and tears down nations.  The heart of every king is in His hands and He is in total control over world events.

Application:

Sometimes when we see world events unfolding, especially now as we near walk into the last days and prophecies are being fulfilled before our eyes, we tend to lose sight of who God is in the middle of all this.  The heart of the kings are in God's hands.  He is in control!  Right now, He is setting things in order so that His will can be done.  Nothing going on right now is a surprise to God.  He knows all and is actually placing people in certain roles for the wrap up of all things.  We can place our trust in Him.  He is in control.

Prayer:

Father, you are incredible!  I worship You this morning.  Your name is above all names and Your Kingdom is everlasting.  I see the signs of the times, but also realize that you are in total control.  Help me to trust you more and to walk in faith.  Speak into my heart things to come.  Show me what You are up to and what is really going on in the earth.

Your Son,
Jeff

The Joy of the Lord

Scripture:

Isaiah 12:3  "With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!"

Observation:

Isaiah gives us a word that we so desperately need.  He tells us that salvation should be a joy to us and bring our lives joy.  Literally the Hebrew would read here that with joy we will drink deeply of the fountain of Jesus.  Jesus is Yeshua, which is salvation.  Joy should be an outward expression of an inward fountain.

Application:

We need the joy of Jesus back in our lives.  I need my joy back!  Life hasn't been easy lately and I have had a lot on my mind.  I have allowed it to steal my joy.  I need to make the decision today to walk in joy.  It is a fruit of the Spirit and my walk with Christ should bring forth joy.  I have always been seen as a very joyful person and I want that back in my life.

Prayer:

Father, help me get my joy back.  I want to overflow with the life and goodness of God.  I want to live a joy-filled life that makes Jesus look good.  Help me to conquer this area once again.  Forgive me for letting the cares of this world rob my joy.  Empower me to live in joy again.

Yours,
Jeff

The Justice of God

Scripture:

Isaiah 3:10  "Tell the godly that all will be well for them.  They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned".

Observation:

At this point in Isaiah, there has been two and a half chapters of nothing but doom and gloom for the people of Israel because they had left the Lord and were serving other gods.  Isaiah was prophesying incredible destruction, yet in the midst of two and a half chapters of doom and gloom comes one verse that says, "Tell the godly that all will be well for them.  They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned'.

Application:

God is truly just.  In the end, people will get what they deserve.  Even when God is seen here judging an entire nation, He throws in the fact that those who have remained righteous before Him will enjoy rich rewards and everything will be well for them.  Even in the midst of God's judgment, we are safe and blessed if we are living a godly life.  Godliness with contentment is great gain!

Prayer:

Father, You are awesome!  You judge each one accurately.  You are just!  Thank You for showing me that, even when you are judging a nation, those who live godly are still blessed.  Help me walk in the ways of the godly and to serve You well all the days of my life.

Your Son,
Jeff

Confidence in God

Scripture:

II Timothy 4:18  "Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.  All glory to God forever and ever!  Amen.

Observation:

Paul, Timothy's spiritual father and mentor, is nearing the end of his life and he reminds Timothy that, no matter what people do to him, God will deliver him.  Paul had tested and proven God throughout his adult life and knew that God would truly deliver him every time.  He had incredible confidence in God, though he had been through so much stuff.  He was confident that God was going to fight his battles and bring him safely into heaven.

Application:

Paul had been through attack after attack in his life.  He had suffered for Christ much and had seen God deliver him every time.  I want to walk in that level of confidence and faith.  In this passage, he tells Timothy with great confidence that God will deliver him from every attack.  We need that kind of faith.  Imprisoned, yet knowing God would deliver him.

Prayer:

Father, increase my faith.  I want to walk in that absolute confidence that Paul walked in.  I want to be able to boldly proclaim that You will absolutely deliver me out of every evil attack and bring me safely into Your kingdom.  You are amazing and I want to be a man of faith.

Your Son,
Jeff

He Claims Me as His Own

Scripture:

Song of Songs 7:10  "I am my lover's, and he claims me as his own".

Observation:

This woman knew she was loved and that she belonged to her husband.  She was very happy because she knew she was wanted and she knew that he claimed her out of all other women to be his own.  His claiming her, gave her a sense of security in their relationship and she knew she was his.

Application:

As a man, my wife needs to know and see that I claim her as my own and that I am proud to be with her.  This woman felt confident in her relationship with her husband because he claimed her.  I want my wife to feel confident about our relationship because I claim her and acclaim her publicly.

Prayer:

Father, help me love Cheryl in a way that gives her the confidence of this woman in scripture.  Help me to give her that security of knowing she is claimed and acclaimed by her husband.  Teach me to love my wife better and better.

Your Son,
Jeff

Make it Obvious

Scripture:

Song of Songs 2:4  "He escorts me to the banquet hall; it's obvious how much he loves me".

Observation:

These are the words of a young woman who is in love.  Solomon records her feelings and shows how much his actions mean to her.  The fact that he escorts her to the banquet hall, and apparently how he escorts her, makes her feel super loved as a woman.

Application:

Sometimes in life and marriage life happens and the romance of our relationships grow dim.  In this passage I see a woman thrilled with the fact that she was escorted to the banquet hall by her man.  I know in  my life I am guilty of "meet me at the restaurant and we will get something to eat".  A woman wants to be escorted to the restaurant.  It shows her that you love being with her.

Prayer:

Father, help me be a better husband to Cheryl.  Help me to see the little things I can do to make her feel loved.  I want her to be able to say, "it's obvious how much he loves me".  Teach me to make her feel that way and to demonstrate it in a way that will make her know it.

Yours,
Jeff

Training for Godliness

Scripture:

I Timothy 4:8  "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come".

Observation:

Paul is telling Timothy, his son in the faith, that physical training has good benefits.  He doesn't say that physical training is wrong or bad.  He believes it is good, but that training for godliness is better.  Godliness gives benefits in this life and in the life to come.

Application:

Going to the gym and working out is great and will make this life on earth more pleasurable because you will feel better.  It is good to work out.  It is simply better, to work out spiritually because that works for this life and for the next life.  Physical exercise produces immediate results, spiritual exercise produces eternal results.  I want to see eternal results.  Time to dig deep and train in God's word and prayer.

Prayer:

Father, help me to train for godliness.  Help me mature and develop into a man of God who is well-trained like a professional athlete.  Give me the discipline I need to grow stronger in my walk with You.  I want to know You more and walk closer with You.

Yours,
Jeff

God Will Judge

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14  "That's the whole story.  Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone's duty.  God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad".

Observation:

Solomon concludes the book of Ecclesiastes with this final word.  He has finished talking about everything under the son he could comment on and closes his remarks with these two verses.  When it's all said and done he tells us to fear God and obey His commands because God will judge us for good and bad.  He sums life up by saying fear God and obey God.

Application:

Sometimes we make life so difficult.  If we get to the end of life and have feared God and obeyed God, we have nothing to worry about.  It sounds simple, but it is truth.  In life, we will have a million decisions to make, but the only one that really matters is, "Will I fear God and obey Him?"  When we get that one right, everything will fall into place.

Prayer:

Father, when it is all said and done, my life's goal is to hear the words, "Well done good and faithful servant".  Help me live in such a way that I stay focused on those words.  Teach me to fear You more and obey Your word with all my heart.  Show me how You want me to live out my life here on this earth before my time comes.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Thinking About Death

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 7:4  "A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time".

Observation:

Solomon was considered the wisest man who ever lived.  He says that wise people think a lot about death.  This sounds morbid, but there is so much truth to it.  He says that fools think only about having a good time.

Application:

Recently I have had to think about death more because of some things that happened in my life this week.  Thinking about death really changes our perspective so much.  When you realize how fragile life is, you think differently about what is important.  Death helps us refocus our lives.  We must think about eternity and how we will spend it.  We must ask ourselves, "if I die, will I be missed?"  "Has my life made any impact on the world?"  "Has my life been meaningless?"  Thinking about death makes you reflect on our lives, which is very healthy for us.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for refocusing my life onto what is eternally important.  Help me keep that focus and re-prioritize my list of important things.  Direct the life I have left to make the greatest impact. More than anything, don't let me step out of Your will for my life.  I truly want to walk in step with You.

Your Son,
Jeff

Togetherness

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 4:9  "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed".

Observation:

Solomon, just prior to this verse, was saying how meaningless life is.  He was saying it is even worse and more meaningless to walk through it alone.  He then comes to make this point that two are better than one because they can help each other succeed.  He realized that most things in life are meaningless, but that with each other there is at least a little meaning.  We need each other.

Application:

Living life alone is extremely difficult.  Having someone to talk to is so important in our lives.  Sometimes, they don't have to say anything or help in any way except just to listen.  Two truly are better than one.  We must learn to lean on each other and God.  Succeeding alone is useless, but succeeding together is valuable.  Success isn't success unless there is a successor.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to walk with others in togetherness.  Help me to walk as one with Cheryl.  Teach me to let people into my life and teach me to ask for help when I need it.  Show me the way forward and lead me into Your will for my life.  I need You God.  You are my only hope.  I desperately want to do Your will and not my own.

Your Son,

Jeff

Prayer for Others

Scripture:

II Thessalonians 1:11  "So we keep on praying for you, asking God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call.  may he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do".

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Thessalonians about the coming of the Lord.  He tells them that he is praying for them.  How he prays for them is beautiful and needs to be implemented in our lives.  He prayed that God would enable them to live a life worthy of God's calling an that God would give them the power to accomplish everything God prompted them to do.

Application:

As we pray for others, we should pray prayers similar to the one above.  Our primary prayer is should be that God's people will live lives that are worthy of Christ's death on the cross.  We should also pray that God would give them the power to do everything He wants them to do.  Notice we are praying that God would give power to do what He wants and not what they want.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to pray wisely for those around me and those that I lead.  Teach me to pray  effectively that all those who I influence.  Let each of them walk worthy of their calling and let each of them do what You ask them to do.  Speak to Your people, myself included, and help us to respond by doing what You speak.

Your Son,
Jeff

Heartfelt Counsel

Scripture:

Proverbs 27:9  "The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense".

Observation:

Solomon was extremely wise and it is seen in this passage.  He tells us that true, heartfelt, counsel, that may not be exactly what we wanted to hear, from a friend is sweet and beautiful.  It is something we should appreciate and that will make our lives better.

Application:

It is never easy to receive counsel of any kind because receiving counsel means I believe the other person may know better than I do about a situation I am in.  We need to see counsel from a friend that is from the heart as something to be desired.  Real friends love you enough to tell you where you are messing up and how to do better.  If you are the friend giving the counsel, remember it must be heartfelt.

Prayer:

Father, help me to receive heartfelt counsel from friends and to give heartfelt counsel to friends.  Help me to give counsel where needed to help my friends be better.  Help me to listen to those around me more instead of thinking I have everything under control.

Yours,

Jeff

Patience and Self Control

Scripture:

Proverbs 16:32  "Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city".

Observation:

The author here makes one of his famous one-liners.  He let's us know that patience is better than being powerful.  Lots of people want to be powerful, but Solomon experienced both and tells us that patience is better.  He also tells us that self-control is better than being a conqueror of a city.

Application:

We should seek the Lord for patience.  Many tell us not to pray for patience because tribulation works patience.  I disagree.  Patience needs to be sought after because patience is found in knowing that the Lord is in control and that the present situation is only temporary.  Patience always wins over power and self-control is huge in our lives.  When we can control ourselves, our enemies won't be a problem.

Prayer:

Lord, help me trust You more and have more patience with current situations.  Help me to control myself in every situation.  Teach me to walk in the fruit of self-control, which is really Spirit control.  I want this developed in my life.  I don't want situations, problems, people, etc. to get me out of control.

Yours,
Jeff

The Right Thing at the Right Time

Scripture:

Proverbs 15:23  "Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!"

Observation:

Solomon had asked the Lord for wisdom instead of riches and honor.  He received amazing wisdom from the Lord.  This verse tells us that saying the right thing at the right time is wonderful.  Knowing what to say at the right time is huge and people who always seem to have the right reply are incredibly wise.  People like being around them.

Application:

Sometimes we say the right thing at the wrong time or we say the wrong thing at the right time.  Getting this straightened out will radically change our lives.  We must learn to say the right thing at the right time.  God's timing is perfect and His reply is always perfect.  We must learn to seek God and listen to the voice of His Spirit if we are going to have the right reply at the right time.

Prayer:

Father, I know sometimes I have the right answer at the wrong time and the wrong answer at the right time.  Help me keep in step with Your Spirit who can lead me to say the right thing at the right time.  Let my words be few, yet powerful, because they are the right thing at the right time.

Yours,
Jeff

Riches and Right Living

Scripture:

Proverbs 11:4  "Riches won't help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death".

Observation:

The author lets us clearly know here that money can't buy your way out of judgement day.  Riches won't matter when this life is over.  We will stand before God and He won't be impressed by our investment accounts.  He will be impressed with right living.  God looks at how we handle money more than how much of it we have.

Application:

We need to live our lives in humility before God.  Right living is blessed by God.  We can make our lives about money or we can make our lives about God.  When our lives are about God, money generally will follow.  When our lives are about money, God takes notice.  When life comes to an end, we won't be judged on how much money we made, we will be judged on how we lived our lives.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I bless Your name.  You are so worthy of praise and honor.  Thank you for reminding me this morning what life is really all about.  I thank You for blessing my life in so many ways.  Help me live in a way that honors You and brings glory to Your name.  Help me to live with the judgment in mind.

Your Son,
Jeff

Wisdom Brings Joy

Scripture:

Proverbs 8:32 "And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful".

Observation:

This proverb starts out with wisdom crying out.  Throughout the Proverb, wisdom says many things, but here wisdom says that whoever follows her ways are joyful.  Wisdom not only makes sense and works, but joy comes from walking in wisdom.  When we walk in wisdom, instead of being led by our emotions, we will be joyful.

Application:

If joy could be bottled up and sold, it would be extremely valuable.  People crave joy and can't seem to get it.  People long for joy, but it eludes them.  We must realize that joy comes from living a life of wisdom.  Wisdom puts things in order and causes us to be successful, which also causes us to feel joy overall.  When we feel like we could use some joy, we need to ask the Lord if we have been walking in wisdom.

Prayer:

Father, let me walk with the wise instead of with fools.  Help me to seek out wisdom and give me the discipline to implement the wisdom I receive.  Teach me to work and walk with more wisdom.  Wisdom get more done in a shorter time and bring joy into our lives.  I want to live in joy.

Yours,
Jeff