Scripture:
Deuteronomy 15:4 "However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, He will richly bless you".
Observation:
As God's people were ready to go into the Promised Land, He told them that when they get there they did not need to have any poor among them because He was going to bless them. If they did things the way He told them, there would be no poor among them, but if they didn't, poverty would follow.
Application:
God loves to bless those who are His. He does not cause poverty among those who are His. He does richly bless and bring prosperity to those who follow His completely. We must remember that God is a God who takes good care of His people and provides all they need to overcome poverty. As we follow His ways and do things His way, we can expect our God to provide for us all we need. He delights in doing so.
Prayer:
Father, thanks for reminding me today just how good You are. You are incredible! I love the way You are eager to bless those who are completely Yours. God before me today in Togo and let Your word break the power of the enemy. Let God arise in this nation and let His enemies be scattered.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Little by Little
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 7:22 "The Lord Your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you".
Observation:
As Israel was ready to go into the Promised Land, they were told by the Lord that they would destroy every enemy in the land and that He would be with them and fight for them. He then told them that they would drive out the other nations, "little by little". He did this because "little by little" they could inhabit the land, but if it happened all at once, they wouldn't be able to settle into it without issues.
Application:
We like to see the victories where God comes in and nukes our enemies and wipes them out immediately, but when He does that, we may not be ready for inheriting everything we desire at the time. We must learn to be content with where we are and what God has given us, knowing that He is driving out our enemies "little by little". He will do His work, but sometimes it is not in our timeframe.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to get ahead of You. Help me to trust You completely. When things are not moving forward as fast as I would like, please help me to trust You and not lean on my own understanding. Your ways are higher than mine and Your thoughts are higher than mine.
Love Always,
Jeff
Deuteronomy 7:22 "The Lord Your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you".
Observation:
As Israel was ready to go into the Promised Land, they were told by the Lord that they would destroy every enemy in the land and that He would be with them and fight for them. He then told them that they would drive out the other nations, "little by little". He did this because "little by little" they could inhabit the land, but if it happened all at once, they wouldn't be able to settle into it without issues.
Application:
We like to see the victories where God comes in and nukes our enemies and wipes them out immediately, but when He does that, we may not be ready for inheriting everything we desire at the time. We must learn to be content with where we are and what God has given us, knowing that He is driving out our enemies "little by little". He will do His work, but sometimes it is not in our timeframe.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to get ahead of You. Help me to trust You completely. When things are not moving forward as fast as I would like, please help me to trust You and not lean on my own understanding. Your ways are higher than mine and Your thoughts are higher than mine.
Love Always,
Jeff
Friday, March 18, 2016
No Lack
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 2:7 "The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything".
Observation:
Moses and the people of Israel were nearing the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Moses told the people that God had really blessed them and watched over them. He reminded them that for forty years, God had been with them and they had lacked nothing.
Application:
There is a saying I grew up hearing. It says, "Where God guides, He provides". I've also heard "Where God leads, He also feeds". The bottom line is, when we are walking with God, He will take care of us. He always takes care of His people. Just as the people of Israel spent 40 years in a wilderness where God took care of them, we can also rest assured that God knows how to take great care of His children. He is our provider when we are seeking Him and His will in our lives.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for providing for me and my family every day. Your amazing miracles never cease! Thank you that I have never lacked anything because of You. You are my source and the one I can depend on. Let me live in Your will at all times and have no lack in my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Deuteronomy 2:7 "The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything".
Observation:
Moses and the people of Israel were nearing the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Moses told the people that God had really blessed them and watched over them. He reminded them that for forty years, God had been with them and they had lacked nothing.
Application:
There is a saying I grew up hearing. It says, "Where God guides, He provides". I've also heard "Where God leads, He also feeds". The bottom line is, when we are walking with God, He will take care of us. He always takes care of His people. Just as the people of Israel spent 40 years in a wilderness where God took care of them, we can also rest assured that God knows how to take great care of His children. He is our provider when we are seeking Him and His will in our lives.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for providing for me and my family every day. Your amazing miracles never cease! Thank you that I have never lacked anything because of You. You are my source and the one I can depend on. Let me live in Your will at all times and have no lack in my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Trusting the Lord Through Obedience
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 1:32-33 "In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go".
Observation:
God here is rebuking the Israelites for not obeying Him when He told them to go into the Promised Land. He told them that, even though He led them by fire and a cloud, they didn't trust Him when He told them to go into the land He had given them. They looked at their own strength instead of His and God saw that as not trusting Him.
Application:
God desires his people to trust Him at all times. The things that He asks us to do sometimes seem out of our range of potential, but He wants us to trust Him instead of looking at our own power and hat we think we are capable of. We must learn to trust that God can do what He says He will do. He is able, but sometimes we sell ourselves short of His best, which God sees as disobedience.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in obedience in every are of my life. Teach me Your ways and help me to walk by faith and fulfill all Your purposes in my life. Help me to never shrink back on things You have spoken to me, but also to hear Your voice clearly so I can walk in the confidence in need to. Make You voice clearer to me every day.
Yours,
Jeff
Deuteronomy 1:32-33 "In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go".
Observation:
God here is rebuking the Israelites for not obeying Him when He told them to go into the Promised Land. He told them that, even though He led them by fire and a cloud, they didn't trust Him when He told them to go into the land He had given them. They looked at their own strength instead of His and God saw that as not trusting Him.
Application:
God desires his people to trust Him at all times. The things that He asks us to do sometimes seem out of our range of potential, but He wants us to trust Him instead of looking at our own power and hat we think we are capable of. We must learn to trust that God can do what He says He will do. He is able, but sometimes we sell ourselves short of His best, which God sees as disobedience.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in obedience in every are of my life. Teach me Your ways and help me to walk by faith and fulfill all Your purposes in my life. Help me to never shrink back on things You have spoken to me, but also to hear Your voice clearly so I can walk in the confidence in need to. Make You voice clearer to me every day.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Settlers
Scripture:
Numbers 32:5 "If we have found favor in your eyes, they said, let this land be given to your servants as out possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan".
Observation:
As the people of Israel were approaching the Promised Land, the Reubenites, the Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh, asked if they could just stay and settle in the land just before the Jordan River instead of going in and possessing what the Lord had given to them. They decided they were content to settle in a land that was close, but not quite what God had promised.
Application:
There is a tv commercial playing these days that shows the "settlers", a family who didn't want to move forward into the future, but decided to "settle" where they were. The father says, "we are settlers, that's what we do". Many times we settle with God's second best instead of possessing all that God has promised us. We get feeling good where we are, and never move into the fullness of our inheritance. God has great things in store for our lives, may we move past being settlers.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to settle with just whatever happens in life. Help me to inherit all You have promised and not just get satisfied with where I am. Help me to see the fullness of what You want and to press forward into Your best instead of settling for second best. You are awesome and You have fantastic plans for my life and my family's lives. Help me not to get satisfied with anything bur your complete and perfect will.
Your Son,
Jeff
Numbers 32:5 "If we have found favor in your eyes, they said, let this land be given to your servants as out possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan".
Observation:
As the people of Israel were approaching the Promised Land, the Reubenites, the Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh, asked if they could just stay and settle in the land just before the Jordan River instead of going in and possessing what the Lord had given to them. They decided they were content to settle in a land that was close, but not quite what God had promised.
Application:
There is a tv commercial playing these days that shows the "settlers", a family who didn't want to move forward into the future, but decided to "settle" where they were. The father says, "we are settlers, that's what we do". Many times we settle with God's second best instead of possessing all that God has promised us. We get feeling good where we are, and never move into the fullness of our inheritance. God has great things in store for our lives, may we move past being settlers.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to settle with just whatever happens in life. Help me to inherit all You have promised and not just get satisfied with where I am. Help me to see the fullness of what You want and to press forward into Your best instead of settling for second best. You are awesome and You have fantastic plans for my life and my family's lives. Help me not to get satisfied with anything bur your complete and perfect will.
Your Son,
Jeff
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Vows to the Lord
Scripture:
Numbers 30:2 "When a man vows a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must do everything he said."
Observation:
God speaks here about making a pledge. He takes a pledge very seriously. When we pledge something to God, he expects us to follow through on what we say. He says we must not break our word, but follow through on what we said.
Application:
This is and Old Testament principle, but we must examine our own lives and ask the question, "how many promises or oaths have I made and not followed through on?" Seeing how God views this in the OT should cause us to want to follow it in the NT. We need to be careful about the vows we promise to God. He takes them seriously and we should as well.
Prayer:
Father, help me in this area. I know there are things I have promised You and not done. I know there are things I have promised people and not done. Help me to know when to speak and what to speak at all times. Help me follow through on my promises.
Yours,
Jeff
Saturday, March 12, 2016
When God Speaks in Past Tense about the Future
Scripture:
Numbers 21:34 "The Lord said to Moses, 'Do not be afraid of him, for I have given him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon'".
Observation:
Moses was about to face, Og, king of Bashan in battle. Og was huge and powerful according to other passages of Scripture. When God told him to go for it, He used past tense to describe a future event. He said, "I have given him into your hands". Moses hadn't even gotten there yet and God let him know that the battle was already decided.
Application:
God knows tomorrow better than we know today. He knows what it coming and He has already been there working out the details. We must realize that nothing takes God by surprise. In our lives, we can say that our opponent was already defeated at the cross and our victory is assured. We must learnt to trust God more each day and walk in reverent fear of Him. He knows the battles we will face tomorrow and He knows what must be done. Our job is to follow Him where he leads.
Prayer:
Lord God, You are incredible! Your ways are above our ways and your thoughts are above our thoughts. When we see defeat, You see victory! When we see impossibilities, You assure us that our enemy has already been defeated. Thanks for seeing my future and taking care of it before I get there. Serving You is amazing!
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Numbers 21:34 "The Lord said to Moses, 'Do not be afraid of him, for I have given him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon'".
Observation:
Moses was about to face, Og, king of Bashan in battle. Og was huge and powerful according to other passages of Scripture. When God told him to go for it, He used past tense to describe a future event. He said, "I have given him into your hands". Moses hadn't even gotten there yet and God let him know that the battle was already decided.
Application:
God knows tomorrow better than we know today. He knows what it coming and He has already been there working out the details. We must realize that nothing takes God by surprise. In our lives, we can say that our opponent was already defeated at the cross and our victory is assured. We must learnt to trust God more each day and walk in reverent fear of Him. He knows the battles we will face tomorrow and He knows what must be done. Our job is to follow Him where he leads.
Prayer:
Lord God, You are incredible! Your ways are above our ways and your thoughts are above our thoughts. When we see defeat, You see victory! When we see impossibilities, You assure us that our enemy has already been defeated. Thanks for seeing my future and taking care of it before I get there. Serving You is amazing!
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Friday, March 11, 2016
When God's Got Your Back
Scripture:
Numbers 16:45 "Get away from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once. And they fell facedown."
Observation:
There were a couple rebellions in a row against Moses and Aaron by the Israelites. The people were upset because they thought they were going to die in the wilderness and the God had forsaken them. They continually complained and wanted to go back to Eygpt. They then began to question the authority of Moses and Aaron. At this point, God told them to get away because He was going to destroy all of them at once. God stood up for Moses and Aaron and was ready to destroy His entire nation on their behalf.
Application:
When God's got you back, nobody will be able to destroy you. God will go overboard to take care of those who are truly His and have walked in obedience to Him. He will defend you from every attack and will go to great lengths to make sure come out on top. We must live lives like Moses and Aaron, that are completely sold out to the Lord and totally obedient to God's ways. We must believe that God's got our back and that He will take care of His own when we walk in covenant with Him and do things His way.
Prayer:
Father, let me walk in complete obedience like Moses and Aaron. Teach me to walk humbly before You and to know that You have my back on all occasions. You are amazing and I love walking with You. Be with me today as we face the challenges this day brings.
Your Son,
Jeff
Numbers 16:45 "Get away from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once. And they fell facedown."
Observation:
There were a couple rebellions in a row against Moses and Aaron by the Israelites. The people were upset because they thought they were going to die in the wilderness and the God had forsaken them. They continually complained and wanted to go back to Eygpt. They then began to question the authority of Moses and Aaron. At this point, God told them to get away because He was going to destroy all of them at once. God stood up for Moses and Aaron and was ready to destroy His entire nation on their behalf.
Application:
When God's got you back, nobody will be able to destroy you. God will go overboard to take care of those who are truly His and have walked in obedience to Him. He will defend you from every attack and will go to great lengths to make sure come out on top. We must live lives like Moses and Aaron, that are completely sold out to the Lord and totally obedient to God's ways. We must believe that God's got our back and that He will take care of His own when we walk in covenant with Him and do things His way.
Prayer:
Father, let me walk in complete obedience like Moses and Aaron. Teach me to walk humbly before You and to know that You have my back on all occasions. You are amazing and I love walking with You. Be with me today as we face the challenges this day brings.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Buts Can Destroy Our Destiny
Scripture:
Numbers 13:27 "They gave Moses this account: 'We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there'".
Observation:
Moses asked a leader of each tribe of Israel to go spy out the promised land for 40 days. He told them to bring back a report of what it was like. It was not their place to decide whether they could win or not, God had already given them the land. They came back and reported as asked. The report was awesome, then came the "but".
Application:
Many times in our lives we have great opportunities, then something happens and we decide we can't take advantage of the opportunity. A "but" gets in the way. This is a great promotion, but, it will make me need to leave the area. This is a great opportunity, but I'm not trained for it. I don't have the skills for it. I would love to go there, but we will never have the money. We need to stop allowing our "buts" to lead us and allow the Spirit of the Living God to lead us.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to be led by the "buts" of life. Help me to see You for who You are and to realize that when I walk with You, nothing is impossible. Help me to see the opportunity and not the problems that come with the opportunity. Teach me to follow You wholeheartedly and to live by faith.
Your Son,
Jeff
Numbers 13:27 "They gave Moses this account: 'We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there'".
Observation:
Moses asked a leader of each tribe of Israel to go spy out the promised land for 40 days. He told them to bring back a report of what it was like. It was not their place to decide whether they could win or not, God had already given them the land. They came back and reported as asked. The report was awesome, then came the "but".
Application:
Many times in our lives we have great opportunities, then something happens and we decide we can't take advantage of the opportunity. A "but" gets in the way. This is a great promotion, but, it will make me need to leave the area. This is a great opportunity, but I'm not trained for it. I don't have the skills for it. I would love to go there, but we will never have the money. We need to stop allowing our "buts" to lead us and allow the Spirit of the Living God to lead us.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to be led by the "buts" of life. Help me to see You for who You are and to realize that when I walk with You, nothing is impossible. Help me to see the opportunity and not the problems that come with the opportunity. Teach me to follow You wholeheartedly and to live by faith.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Humility Wins
Scripture:
Numbers 12:3 "Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth".
Observation:
Miriam and Aaron were getting jealous of Moses and began to speak against him. They began to question his authority and say that God had also spoken through them. God heard and defended Moses. God told them that He spoke to His prophets through dreams and revelations, but He met with Moses face to face. Moses was the most humble man on that planet, they were full of pride. Humility wins!
Application:
God always resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. God watches out for those who are humble before Him and who walk in obedience to Him. He raises up the humble and puts down the proud. We need to realize this fact and walk accordingly. Humility wins! We don't have to promote ourselves, just walk humbly before our God and He will fight our battles.
Prayer:
Father, help me in this area. Help me to remain humble before You all the days of my life. Help me to walk in obedience in every area. I want to be fully Yours. Thank You for allowing my life to matter and to make a difference. You are my everything and without You I can do nothing.
Yours,
Jeff
Numbers 12:3 "Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth".
Observation:
Miriam and Aaron were getting jealous of Moses and began to speak against him. They began to question his authority and say that God had also spoken through them. God heard and defended Moses. God told them that He spoke to His prophets through dreams and revelations, but He met with Moses face to face. Moses was the most humble man on that planet, they were full of pride. Humility wins!
Application:
God always resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. God watches out for those who are humble before Him and who walk in obedience to Him. He raises up the humble and puts down the proud. We need to realize this fact and walk accordingly. Humility wins! We don't have to promote ourselves, just walk humbly before our God and He will fight our battles.
Prayer:
Father, help me in this area. Help me to remain humble before You all the days of my life. Help me to walk in obedience in every area. I want to be fully Yours. Thank You for allowing my life to matter and to make a difference. You are my everything and without You I can do nothing.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
An Offering to the Lord
Scripture:
Numbers 8:21 "The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord and made atonement for them to purify them".
Observation:
As the people of Israel were preparing for the ministry in the Tabernacle, all of the items inside the Tabernacle were dedicated to the Lord. Each item used in ministry was set apart, cleansed and offered to the Lord. In this passage, the Levites, those who would work in the Tabernacle, were offered as a wave offering to the Lord. Before God would allow them to work on His behalf, they had to be presented as an offering.
Application:
In the New Testament, we are told that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and a holy nation. We are told that we are to offer our bodies to the Lord as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to the Lord. We need to continually offer ourselves the Lord as an offering. We need to give ourselves completely and totally to His purposes for our lives. We belong to Him, we need to act like it.
Prayer:
Father, once again I come to you and I offer my life to You. Cleanse me, set me apart for Your service, and work in and through my life, Let me be a wave offering to You. Let my life be used for Your glory and may Your name be praised in all I do.
Yours,
Jeff
Numbers 8:21 "The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord and made atonement for them to purify them".
Observation:
As the people of Israel were preparing for the ministry in the Tabernacle, all of the items inside the Tabernacle were dedicated to the Lord. Each item used in ministry was set apart, cleansed and offered to the Lord. In this passage, the Levites, those who would work in the Tabernacle, were offered as a wave offering to the Lord. Before God would allow them to work on His behalf, they had to be presented as an offering.
Application:
In the New Testament, we are told that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and a holy nation. We are told that we are to offer our bodies to the Lord as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to the Lord. We need to continually offer ourselves the Lord as an offering. We need to give ourselves completely and totally to His purposes for our lives. We belong to Him, we need to act like it.
Prayer:
Father, once again I come to you and I offer my life to You. Cleanse me, set me apart for Your service, and work in and through my life, Let me be a wave offering to You. Let my life be used for Your glory and may Your name be praised in all I do.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, March 7, 2016
The Priestly Blessing
Scripture:
Numbers 6:24-27 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. So they will put on my name on the Israelites and I will bless them".
Observation:
God told Moses that when the priests blessed the people of Israel with the above blessing, that He would put His name on them and would bless them. He specifically told them exactly how to bless the people of Israel. God made a promise here that when the priest did their part, He would do His part and He would bless His people and put His name on them.
Application:
We need to understand the power of blessing people and the benefits of it. As a pastor, I want my people blessed by God in every way. I want to see God bless them and keep them. I want to see God make his face to shine on them and be gracious to them. I want to see God turn His face toward them and give them peace and I definitely want God to put His name on them and bless them. I feel convicted to speak blessings over the people who call me pastor.
Prayer:
Father, bless the people under my care. Let Your hand of blessing be upon them. Keep them and make Your face shine on them. be gracious to them and turn your face to them in their time of need. Give my people peace and put Your name on them. Bless my people God. Bless my home and my region in the same way.
Your Son,
Jeff
Numbers 6:24-27 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. So they will put on my name on the Israelites and I will bless them".
Observation:
God told Moses that when the priests blessed the people of Israel with the above blessing, that He would put His name on them and would bless them. He specifically told them exactly how to bless the people of Israel. God made a promise here that when the priest did their part, He would do His part and He would bless His people and put His name on them.
Application:
We need to understand the power of blessing people and the benefits of it. As a pastor, I want my people blessed by God in every way. I want to see God bless them and keep them. I want to see God make his face to shine on them and be gracious to them. I want to see God turn His face toward them and give them peace and I definitely want God to put His name on them and bless them. I feel convicted to speak blessings over the people who call me pastor.
Prayer:
Father, bless the people under my care. Let Your hand of blessing be upon them. Keep them and make Your face shine on them. be gracious to them and turn your face to them in their time of need. Give my people peace and put Your name on them. Bless my people God. Bless my home and my region in the same way.
Your Son,
Jeff
Friday, March 4, 2016
The Heart of Jesus
Scripture:
Luke 19:41 "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it".
Observation:
Jesus came into Jerusalem nearing the end of His life. When he came in, the above verse says that He saw the city of Jerusalem and wept over it. Later, it says that destruction was coming on the city because they did not recognize the time of God coming to them. Jesus knew what was coming on his city and wept over it.
Application:
Our prayer should always be, "Lord, let my heart be broken with the things that break Your heart". When a city or region doesn't recognize the time of God coming to them, God's heart breaks. It is not His will for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. We need to ask God to break our hearts for those who don't know Him and who don't recognize the times we are living in.
Prayer:
Father, let me see my city the way You see my city. Help me to walk with tenderness of heart and with the compassion of Christ everywhere I go. Don't let me miss the day of God coming into my region. Help me to live each day on mission for You and with tears in my eyes. I want to be more like You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Luke 19:41 "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it".
Observation:
Jesus came into Jerusalem nearing the end of His life. When he came in, the above verse says that He saw the city of Jerusalem and wept over it. Later, it says that destruction was coming on the city because they did not recognize the time of God coming to them. Jesus knew what was coming on his city and wept over it.
Application:
Our prayer should always be, "Lord, let my heart be broken with the things that break Your heart". When a city or region doesn't recognize the time of God coming to them, God's heart breaks. It is not His will for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. We need to ask God to break our hearts for those who don't know Him and who don't recognize the times we are living in.
Prayer:
Father, let me see my city the way You see my city. Help me to walk with tenderness of heart and with the compassion of Christ everywhere I go. Don't let me miss the day of God coming into my region. Help me to live each day on mission for You and with tears in my eyes. I want to be more like You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Never Give Up In Prayer
Scripture:
Luke 18:1 "The Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up".
Observation:
After this intro, Jesus went on to tell a story about a widow who was seeking help from a judge. She kept going back to the judge over and over. She was very persistent. Eventually the judge said, 'because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!' Jesus goes on to say, "will God not bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?"
Application:
We need to learn to pray and never give up. We must be like the persistent widow who got the judge to act on her behalf because she kept bothering him. We must cry out to the Lord night and day until justice comes. Sometimes in my life, I know I give up too early. When i don't see the answer, I may quit praying about it.
Prayer:
Father, help me in this area of persistent prayer. I want to be one who get prayers answered because I don't give up and I come to You night and day. I ask You to revive my region. I ask You to move in my church. I ask You to work in my family. I will continue to come on these topics until I see change. Holy Spirit empower me to be persistent when I don't see the answer.
Yours,
Jeff
Luke 18:1 "The Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up".
Observation:
After this intro, Jesus went on to tell a story about a widow who was seeking help from a judge. She kept going back to the judge over and over. She was very persistent. Eventually the judge said, 'because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!' Jesus goes on to say, "will God not bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?"
Application:
We need to learn to pray and never give up. We must be like the persistent widow who got the judge to act on her behalf because she kept bothering him. We must cry out to the Lord night and day until justice comes. Sometimes in my life, I know I give up too early. When i don't see the answer, I may quit praying about it.
Prayer:
Father, help me in this area of persistent prayer. I want to be one who get prayers answered because I don't give up and I come to You night and day. I ask You to revive my region. I ask You to move in my church. I ask You to work in my family. I will continue to come on these topics until I see change. Holy Spirit empower me to be persistent when I don't see the answer.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Making Heaven Rejoice
Scripture:
Luke 15:10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents".
Observation:
Jesus had just given a couple illustrations about the Kingdom of God. He said that when a lady finds her lost coin, she is going to rejoice and call her friends together to celebrate. He then says that there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels when one sinner repents.
Application:
I love to see people happy. It does my heart good to see people celebrate and rejoice. In this verse, we see how heaven responds when a sinner repents. Every time a sinner repents of their sin, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels. If we want heaven rejoicing, we must win souls for the King.
Prayer:
Father, I want to bring you great joy with my life. I want to see angels rejoicing because another sinner has come to repentance. I give You my life and ask you to enable me to bring many into Your kingdom. Let many repent because of our work together. I want to see great rejoicing in heaven.
Your Son,
Jeff
Luke 15:10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents".
Observation:
Jesus had just given a couple illustrations about the Kingdom of God. He said that when a lady finds her lost coin, she is going to rejoice and call her friends together to celebrate. He then says that there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels when one sinner repents.
Application:
I love to see people happy. It does my heart good to see people celebrate and rejoice. In this verse, we see how heaven responds when a sinner repents. Every time a sinner repents of their sin, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels. If we want heaven rejoicing, we must win souls for the King.
Prayer:
Father, I want to bring you great joy with my life. I want to see angels rejoicing because another sinner has come to repentance. I give You my life and ask you to enable me to bring many into Your kingdom. Let many repent because of our work together. I want to see great rejoicing in heaven.
Your Son,
Jeff
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Audacity Gets Results
Scripture:
Luke 11:8 "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need".
Observation:
Jesus' disciples had just asked Him to teach them to pray. He gave them the Lord's prayer, then told this story about a man who needed some things in the middle of the night. His neighbor came asking for some things in the middle of the night and was given them, not because of friendship, but because of his shameless audacity.
Application:
God doesn't mind us coming to him with shameless audacity. He doesn't mind when we call on Him in the middle of the night. He doesn't mind us crying out to him when we need him. He doesn't answer to protocol as much as He does to shameless audacity. We must learn to bring our needs to the Lord and not be ashamed to ask for help.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are awesome and I love You deeply. Help me to pray some audacious prayers. Help me to know that I won't bother You when I come to you. You always listen and reply with what I need. Help me to get some audacity in approaching You.
Yours,
Jeff
Luke 11:8 "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need".
Observation:
Jesus' disciples had just asked Him to teach them to pray. He gave them the Lord's prayer, then told this story about a man who needed some things in the middle of the night. His neighbor came asking for some things in the middle of the night and was given them, not because of friendship, but because of his shameless audacity.
Application:
God doesn't mind us coming to him with shameless audacity. He doesn't mind when we call on Him in the middle of the night. He doesn't mind us crying out to him when we need him. He doesn't answer to protocol as much as He does to shameless audacity. We must learn to bring our needs to the Lord and not be ashamed to ask for help.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, You are awesome and I love You deeply. Help me to pray some audacious prayers. Help me to know that I won't bother You when I come to you. You always listen and reply with what I need. Help me to get some audacity in approaching You.
Yours,
Jeff
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