Say the Word

Scripture:

Luke 7:7  "That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed".

Observation:

A centurion came to Jesus because his servant was sick.  When Jesus told him he would come to his house to heal the servant, the man replied to Jesus, "say the word, and my servant will be healed".  Jesus said that this man's faith was remarkable.  He even said of the man, that He hadn't found such faith in Israel.  The centurion knew that Jesus had authority.

Application:

Do we really believe that Jesus has authority?  Do we really believe that we have been given authority?  God has all power and authority.  When we approach him, we should approach Him with great faith because He can simply say the word, and everything will change.  With a word, He put the universe in order.  With a word, our entire lives can change.  We need to live lives of faith, knowing that God just has to say a word.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to walk in great faith.  Help me to see You for who You really are.  You are incredible and yet You love me.  Increase my faith and trust in You.  Increase my prayer and devotional life that I may know You more.  You have heard my prayers, now say the word over my family, my church and my region.

Yours,
Jeff

Believing Brings Blessing

Scripture:

Luke 1:45  "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

Observation:

When Elizabeth met Mary, John the Baptist, leaped in her womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.  She exclaimed about Mary, "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her".  Elizabeth directly related God's blessing to Mary's belief that God would fulfill His promises.

Application:

Just like Mary, God promises us things.  The difference between us and Mary is that we tend to struggle to believe that the impossible is really possible.  We struggle to believe that God can really do what He says He can do.  We must believe that God is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do.  We must become true believers, then we will see the blessings.

Prayer:

Father, teach me day by day to believe You for the things that You have promised me.  Help me to walk by faith and not by sight.  Help me not only believe, but like Mary, to believe that You will fulfill Your promises.  I want Your blessing in my life, increase my belief.

Your Son,
Jeff

Increase

Scripture:

Leviticus 26:9  "I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you".

Observation:

While God was giving His law to Moses and the people of Israel, He also reminded them of His covenant with them.  He set up many, many laws and restrictions, but then told them that if they did their part of the covenant, He would also do His part.  If they did their part, He would give them favor, increase their numbers and keep His covenant.

Application:

When we do our part, God always does His part.  When we follow Him wholeheartedly, we can expect increase.  God loves to bless and prosper His people.  He loves to make them fruitful and to favor them in every area of life, but He needs us to do our part of the covenant.  When we do things God's way, we get God's results!

Prayer:

Father God, You are the giver of every good gift.  You are the one who delights in blessing His people when they do what is expected of the.  You are faithful!  As I follow You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, would You bless my life, my family and my church.  Let Your favor be on my life in greater measure and let me see increase in everything I put my hand to.

I Am Yours,
Jeff

Leave Some of You Blessing

Scripture:

Leviticus 23:22 "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you.  I am the Lord your God
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Observation:

God told His people not to harvest the edges of their land or to go back after they harvest to get every single piece of produce.  He told them to leave some behind to take care of the poor.  God is always looking out for the poor and He asks us not to be stingy, but bless them freely.

Application:

In our lives, we shouldn't live so tight that we never share with those in need.  God blesses us so that we can be a blessing.  He wants us to share the blessings of our lives with those in need.  We should never be selfish because our God doesn't want us to live lives like that.  We are to live for Him and find opportunities to bless others.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live selflessly.  Help me to live in such a way that my life becomes a blessing to those around me.  Help me not to be stingy, but to share your blessings.

Yours,
Jeff

Respect the Elderly

Scripture:

Leviticus 19:32  "Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.  I am the Lord".

Observation:

God spoke 613 laws through Moses.  We are no longer under these laws, but they do help us to see the heart of God and the things that please Him.  Here we are told to stand up in the presence of the aged and to show respect for the elderly.

Application:

Many cultures around the world do an outstanding job honoring and respecting the elderly.  In the United States, we are terrible at respecting and taking care of our elderly.  We see them as a burden instead of someone to be honored and respected.  God loves it when we show respect for those who are older than us and when we take care of them.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be sensitive in this area.  Help me to see the needs of the elderly and step in to help out.  Help me to always demonstrate respect in every way for them.  Show me how I can do better at this area of life.

Yours,
Jeff

When God Comes in Power

Scripture:

Leviticus 9:24  "Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar.  And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown".

Observation:

When Aaron and Moses blessed the people of God, the glory of the Lord appeared to all of them.  Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed their sacrifices.  When the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell on their faces.

Application:

When God really shows us like we've been praying for, we must realize that it will leave us not knowing how to respond.  When God comes in power, you want to shout, jump up and down, but you also want to fall on your face.  Mixed emotions come when God comes in power.  It is very exciting, but also very humbling.  I want to see the fire fall from heaven once again.  When it falls, I will surely have mixed emotions.

Prayer:

Father, let the fire of your presence and glory fill our church and your people.  Come and pour out Your Spirit in my life, my church and my community.  Come Holy Spirit and move among us stronger and stronger as we walk into these last days.  Manifest your glory more and more!

Your Son,

Jeff

Keep the Fire Burning

Scripture:

Leviticus 6:12  "The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out.  Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it".

Observation:

God told His people that fire on the altar of the burnt offering must always be kept burning.  They were to ensure that the fire kept burning  and never went out.  Each morning, they had to re-kindle the fire, add wood, etc. to make sure it never went out.

Application:

It is work to keep a fire burning continually.  You have to constantly be adding firewood and stoking the fire to make sure it doesn't go out.  Just like this, it is work to keep the fire of our personal relationship with God burning and not going out.  In order to stay fresh and to keep the fire burning, we must re-kindle the flame every morning.  We need to take out the old ashes of yesterday's fire and put fresh wood on the altar.  We can do this by spending time daily in prayer and in God's word.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for restoring my personal fire lately.  Thank you for pouring out Your love and Your Spirit in my life.  I never want to grow stale in my relationship with You.  Bring someone across my path for me to witness to today.  Let someone get saved today and relight my personal fire more and more.

Yours,
Jeff

No Defects

Scripture:

Leviticus 3:1  "If your offering is a fellowship offering, and you offer an animal from the herd, whether make or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect".

Observation:

When God is telling us about how to present offering and sacrifices to Him, He continually points out that the offerings are to be without defect.  God doesn't want an offering, He wants us to offer Him our very best.

Application:

Many times we give God our leftovers.  We give Him what is left and is the least valuable of what we have.  We should give God our very best.  We are no longer under a sacrificial system of worship, but at the same time, we are told in the New Testament that we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God.  God doesn't want defective worship, He wants us to give Him our best.

Prayer:

Father, help me to always remember what You have done for me and to honor You with the best that I have.  Help me not to give You my leftovers, but to present the best offering of myself to You.  You are worthy of my best.

Your Son,
Jeff

Working with Jesus

Scripture:

Mark 16:20  "Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it".

Observation:

Jesus had just died, been buried, then resurrected.  He showed Himself to His disciples and gave them instructions about preaching the good news to the ends of the earth.  They did what He said and the Lord worked with them to confirm his word by giving signs to back up what they were saying.

Application:

When we work "with the Lord", we can expect Him to confirm his words with signs and wonders.  When you preach Jesus, He will come and let people know that what you are saying is true.  Our job is to preach, His job is to confirm what we preach with signs and wonders.  I love the words, "and the Lord worked with them".  I want Jesus to work with me when I present the Good News.

Prayer:

Lord God, I want to work with Jesus more and more in my life and ministry.  I want people to see Jesus high and lifted up.  As I present Jesus to people, come and confirm what I am speaking with signs and wonders that will back up what I'm speaking on Your behalf.  I want to work with Jesus to fulfill the Great Commission.

Your Servant,
Jeff

Watch

Scripture:

Mark 13:35-37  "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"

Observation:

Jesus was talking to His disciples about the last days and what would happen and what to do.  In this portion, he tells them to "watch!".  He says we are not to be sleeping, but awake, because we don't know when He is coming.

Application:

Now, more than ever, we need to be watching for the Lord's return and living our lives accordingly.  We are told to understand the signs of the times and to live understanding that Jesus could come back at any time.  He gave us signs to let us know the approximate time of his return.  The signs are all around us, we need to wake up as the body of Christ and finish His work on earth.  We need to live "watching and expecting" His soon return.

Prayer:

Father, help me keep my perspective in these last days.  Help me to walk closer in step with You than ever before.  I want to be effective as I see the day approaching.  Help me fulfill Your will in the earth and to welcome You back when You come.  Help me to live like today was my last day on earth every day.

Your Son,
Jeff

If You Can

Scripture:

Mark 9:22b-23  "'But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.'  'If you can?' said Jesus.  'Everything is possible for one who believes'".

Observation:

A man came to Jesus and told him about his son who had a demon spirit.  It threw him into the fire and into the water to try to kill him.  In the process of asking Jesus to cast out the devil, the man said some words Jesus didn't like, 'if you can do anything".  Jesus came back and said, 'If you can?'  It was almost like Jesus was offended by the man saying "if you can".

Application:

The fact is... HE CAN!!!  There is nothing too difficult for God to do.  Many times we come to God with our "if you can" instead of simply believing that He not only can, but he will answer our prayer.  God wants us to be people of faith.  He doesn't want us wondering if he can do something.  He wants us knowing that nothing is impossible for him and for those who serve him.

Prayer:

Father, increase my faith!  Help me to know that you not only can, but that you will work on my behalf.  Teach me to walk in strong faith and to never doubt.  I love you and want to know You better each day.  Let my life bring You glory both now and forever.

Your Son,
Jeff

Use What You've Been Given

Scripture:

Mark 4:24-25  "'Consider carefully what you hear', he continued.  'With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more.  Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them'".

Observation:

Jesus told those around Him to consider carefully what they were hearing.  He just told them some parables about the kingdom and H e wanted them to seek the truth in what they heard.  He told them that they had to use what they heard and that when they use it, more will be given to them.  He was saying that we must hear the word and do what it says, then we would receive more.

Application:

Many people are running around looking for some great revelation, but they are not doing anything about the revelation they have already been given.  When we act on the revelation we have, we will be given more!  We must seek to put into practice everything we've been hearing for years in our lives.  When we do, we will receive more and begin to walk in more.

Prayer:

Father, let me be a doer and not a hearer only.  Help me to put into practice everything You have spoken to me.  Teach me to walk in the revelation I have already been given and expect more to come.

You're the best,

Jeff

The Forerunner's Message

Scripture:

Mark 1:7-8  "And this was his message, 'after me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit'".

Observation:

When John the baptist describes what Jesus was coming to do, he describes Jesus as one who is more powerful than him.  He also says that he is not worthy to stoop down and untie Jesus' sandals.  Then he says that He would baptize them with the Holy Spirit.  As Jesus was being introduced to the world, He was introduced as one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.  This was one of the main features of his resume.

Application:

When we think of Jesus and try to describe Him, we usually thank about his "seeking and saving the lot" or a number of other things like being a servant, but seldom do we think of one of His primary roles being that He would baptize us with the Holy Spirit.  We need to see this as one of the main reason Jesus came, then we would emphasize it more.  We need to seek Jesus for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and power.

Prayer:

Father, help me as a pastor to emphasize what You emphasize.  Help me to represent You well and help me to describe Jesus accurately.  Show me truth and let me communicate it properly.  Jesus, baptize me completely and fully with the Holy Spirit.  May He rest on my life and may I be led, controlled and filled by Him.

Yours,
Jeff

Inspections

Scripture:

Exodus 39:43  "Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded.  So Moses blessed them".

Observation:

God gave Moses a lot of things to do and extreme details concerning what He wanted and how He wanted it.  Moses had to trust others, skilled people to manufacture their part of the whole project.  Moses "inspected" their work and blessed them when he saw that it was done right according to what the Lord had told him.

Application:

I am a person that struggles with delegation.  I know what the Lord has spoken and feel like I need to do the entire task myself so that I do it exactly how I feel the Lord wants me to do it.  I struggle with asking people for help and really struggle in "inspecting" what others have done and possibly having to tell them I want it done over because it was not what I was looking for.  I need to learn that inspection is a good thing and that people will never get better at what they do unless what they do is inspected.

Prayer:

Father, I have struggled with this for years.  Help me to be bold enough to inspect the work of others and bless them when it is done well.  Help me to be able to say when something is not up to my standards and when it needs to be done differently.  Help me to "inspect" the work of those who help me and to speak up when it is not well done.  I really need Your help in this Lord.

Your Son,
Jeff

Let Skilled People Do the Work

Scripture:

Exodus 36:1  "So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded".

Observation:

When God wanted his tabernacle built, he didn't use the cheapest labor, nor did he use the cheapest materials.  Every piece was constructed by professionals who knew what they were doing and the materials they used were the absolute best.  Most of the articles were overlaid with pure gold.  They didn't go cheap and professional people did the work with excellence.

Application:

Usually in the church world today, we want to be good stewards, which is good, godly and important.  Our definition of being a good steward generally means we do everything as cheap as we can because we are using God's money.  When God wanted His house built, He did it right and with expensive taste.  What we do for God should be done with excellence.  His house shouldn't be the cheapest thing on the market, but a picture of excellence.

Prayer:

Lord, help me not to confuse being a good steward and being just plain cheap.  Help me to determine correctly and according to what You want, what needs to be done and with what materials.  I am guilty of the cheapest price always dictating what we do at our church.  Forgive me and help me to trust You completely and to do everything we do with the excellence that You deserve.

Your Son,
Jeff

No Treaty With The Enemy

Scripture:

Exodus 34:12  "Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you".

Observation:

God made a covenant with Moses concerning the people he was leading.  In the covenant, God told him that when they entered the land of their enemies to possess it, that they should not make any covenants or agreements with them and that they shouldn't marry the daughters of the enemy.  He wanted to make sure his people would never worship or serve other gods.  God said that these enemies would become a snare to them.

Application:

We need to make sure that we are not compromising with the enemy in any area of our lives.  We are in covenant with the King of Kings and cannot have any other gods or competition with Him in our lives.  When we compromise with the enemy, he will always become a snare or trap to us.  we want to live free from all entrapments of the enemy.

Prayer:

Father God, You are amazing and I love You.  Help me to have no other gods in my life and to not compromise in any area.  You are the only one I want to be snared by.  I am Yours and Yours alone.  Strengthen me to live a life of no compromise.

Yours,
Jeff

Making Good Decisions

Scripture:

Exodus 28:30  "Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord.  Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord".

Observation:

In this scripture, God designed a way for Aaron to always make right decisions.  He put the breastpiece and Urim and Tummim over his heart to lead him into making good decisions.  He wore these when he went into the presence of the Lord to give him the ability to lead well.

Application:

Decisions determine your destiny.  Good decisions are crucial in life and leadership.  God gave Aaron a Urim and Thummim to help him make good decisions.  He gave us His very own Spirit to lead us into all truth and to show us things to come.  He gave us everything we need in order to make great decisions.  We must come into His presence, with clean hearts, and ask for His direction.  He will guide us.

Prayer:

Father, let Your Spirit guide me as clearly as that Urim and Thummim guided Aaron.  Help me to come into the holy place and meet with You so that I can have clear direction and make decisions that are right in Your eyes.  Let me be led by Your Spirit and not my own mind.

Your Son,
Jeff

Keep It Burning

Scripture:

Exodus 27:21  "In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening to morning.  This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come."

Observation:

In the tent of meeting, God told Moses to have lamps that would be kept burning from evening to morning as a lasting ordinance.  Lamps being lit tells me that someone is in the house and awake, therefore I can come in at any time.

Application:

I believe that through this ordinance, God was showing us that the lights never go out and we are welcome to approach him any time of any day or night.  God wants us to know that He never sleeps nor slumbers.  He wants us to know that no time is a bad time to meet with him.  We can come to him any time of any day and we will be received.  He's not too tired to hear our prayers.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for being like Motel 6, where the lights are always on and there is always room for us.  Thank you that we can approach you any time of any day and that we don't have to wait for a special service or anything else.  We can boldly approach your throne anytime.  Thank you for a simple sign that says we are welcome in your presence day and night.

Yours,
Jeff

Little by Little

Scripture:

Exodus 23:30  "Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land".

Observation:

God was telling His people that they would come out of the wilderness and enter into the land of the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites.  He told them that He would be with them and His angel would lead them.  He then told them that "Little by little" He would drive out the inhabitants of the land before them.  He said they weren't ready for the whole thing.

Application:

Sometimes God works in our lives "little by little".  He knows what we can handle and what we need.  He promised the whole land to the children of Israel, but He was going to give it to them "little by little".  In our lives, we need to be okay with "little by little".  God has promised us some incredible things in the New Covenant, but sometimes we are not ready to walk in that quite yet and we may need to grow into it "little by little".

Prayer:

Father, forgive me for complaining when things don't move as fast as I would like them to.  Help me to walk with You every day, knowing that You are bringing me where I need to go and that You will bring me fully into all that You have promised and shown me.  Teach me contentment on that way to full possession of the land.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

God's Treasured Possession

Scripture:

Exodus 19:5-6  "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.  Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites".

Observation:

God told Moses that if he and the people of Israel obeyed him, they would be God's treasured possession.  He said that even though He owned the entire earth, that his greatest possession would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  God strongly desires obedience because He wants us to walk the earth as a kingdom of His priests.

Application:

In the New Testament we are called a chosen generation and a royal priesthood.  Our job is to walk in obedience to the Lord, He then delights in us and causes us to walk with Him as priests in His kingdom.  When we obey the Lord, we become His treasured possession.  We are treasured above all that He has when we walk in obedience to him.  Our job is obedience to Him, He then delights in us and blesses us exceedingly.

Prayer:

Father, I know that I am Your treasured possession.  I belong to You and You alone.  Help me to live a priests life that is separated to You and for You.  Help me to represent You well.  You are amazing and I want to walk closer and closer each day.

Your Son,
Jeff

Healing and Listening

Scripture:

Exodus 15:26   "He said, 'If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you'".

Observation:

When God's people came across the Red Sea there was great victory in the camp.  Three days later, when water was scarce, they were murmuring and complaining about God and wanting to go back to Egypt.  God sweetened bitter water and made it okay to drink, then He told them that if they listened to Him and did what he said that they would not get the diseases the Egyptians got.  He then reminded them that He is the Lord who heals.

Application:

I have heard this all of my life and quoted it many times myself when preaching.  This morning it stood out to me that all of this promise was conditional.  If we listen carefully to the Lord and do what is right in His eyes.  If we pay attention to his commands and keep all His decrees, then He won't let these things come upon us.  God is 100% definitely our healer, but we also must listen to and obey Him.  When we walk in disobedience, we can't expect God's healing, protection, etc.

Prayer:

Father, thanks for sharing this with me today.  Help me to rightly divide the word of truth.  Help me to apply all I read in my life.  I want to live a healthy and blessed life.  Teach me to live in a way that is pleasing to You and let no diseases come into my life.  You are the God who heals me.  Help me to do my part.

Yours,
Jeff