Scripture:
Hebrews 5:8-9 "Son, though He was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him".
Observation:
Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered. He then became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. I see a word that stands out to me here. It is the word "obey" related to eternal salvation. It doesn't say for those who believe, but for those who obey him. Faith and obedience work hand in hand.
Application:
Our works must prove our faith. Like James said, if you want to show someone your faith, you will have to show them your works, because works and faith go hand in hand. Our faith should result in obedience to Christ. Many times today we want to do our own thing and want God to bless it, but we should be seeking His will for our lives and walk in obedience to Him.
Prayer:
Father, You are amazing! Thanks for sharing this with me today. Help me to walk in obedience to You always. Help me to be more focused on eternity than on the things of this present life. Keep my eyes on You at all times. You are my salvation and my very life. You are my everything.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, October 31, 2016
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Restoration Cry
Scripture:
Lamentations 5:21 "Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old".
Observation:
God's people had been exiled and were being treated terribly. They knew that they were being punished by God for their sins. They knew that they had walked out on God, but they also knew that God was merciful and full of compassion. Therefore, they cried out to him and asked Him to restore them to Him. They cried out to the Lord to renew them back to like they were in the past when He was their God and they were His people.
Application:
David cried out for God to restore the joy of his salvation. The people of God cried out that God would restore them after they had messed up. When we feel distanced from God, whether we did something wrong or not, we need to cry out to God to restore us. Sometimes in our lives, we get out of sync with God and we need to cry out for Him to restore us to where we have been in the past. God responds to restoration cries.
Prayer:
Father, restore my joy. Restore my hope. Restore my vision and passion. I cry out to You today for restoration of everything the enemy has tried to steal from me. I love you and know that You have much more in store for my life. Help me to walk in unity with You always and to do everything You ask me to do.
Yours,
Jeff
Lamentations 5:21 "Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old".
Observation:
God's people had been exiled and were being treated terribly. They knew that they were being punished by God for their sins. They knew that they had walked out on God, but they also knew that God was merciful and full of compassion. Therefore, they cried out to him and asked Him to restore them to Him. They cried out to the Lord to renew them back to like they were in the past when He was their God and they were His people.
Application:
David cried out for God to restore the joy of his salvation. The people of God cried out that God would restore them after they had messed up. When we feel distanced from God, whether we did something wrong or not, we need to cry out to God to restore us. Sometimes in our lives, we get out of sync with God and we need to cry out for Him to restore us to where we have been in the past. God responds to restoration cries.
Prayer:
Father, restore my joy. Restore my hope. Restore my vision and passion. I cry out to You today for restoration of everything the enemy has tried to steal from me. I love you and know that You have much more in store for my life. Help me to walk in unity with You always and to do everything You ask me to do.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Endurance Till Blessing Comes
Scripture:
Jeremiah 52:33 "So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king's table".
Observation:
All through Jeremiah, God would speak about a period when his punishment would be over and he would once again bless Judah. Here we see at the beginning of this chapter that Jehoiachin was exiled for 37 years, then he was brought out of prison and was seated at the king's table the rest of his life. God is faithful to do what He promises, even though it may take longer than we would like.
Application:
Thirty seven years is a long time. In 37 years, you have pretty much given up on your dreams, visions, and any hope of dignity being restored to your life, but with God 37 years is like a minute. When our blessing seems like it is being delayed, we must hold onto the promises of God because they will come. They may not come when we would like them to, but they will come. Sometimes we just have to endure some seasons.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in endurance. Help me to never give up on the things You have given me to do. Help me to fulfill all that You have called me to do. In the areas that will take longer than I would like, help me to wait quietly for the promises. Teach me to endure until the blessing comes.
Yours,
Jeff
Jeremiah 52:33 "So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king's table".
Observation:
All through Jeremiah, God would speak about a period when his punishment would be over and he would once again bless Judah. Here we see at the beginning of this chapter that Jehoiachin was exiled for 37 years, then he was brought out of prison and was seated at the king's table the rest of his life. God is faithful to do what He promises, even though it may take longer than we would like.
Application:
Thirty seven years is a long time. In 37 years, you have pretty much given up on your dreams, visions, and any hope of dignity being restored to your life, but with God 37 years is like a minute. When our blessing seems like it is being delayed, we must hold onto the promises of God because they will come. They may not come when we would like them to, but they will come. Sometimes we just have to endure some seasons.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in endurance. Help me to never give up on the things You have given me to do. Help me to fulfill all that You have called me to do. In the areas that will take longer than I would like, help me to wait quietly for the promises. Teach me to endure until the blessing comes.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Even in Judgment, God restores
Scripture:
Jeremiah 48:47 "Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come, declares the Lord. Here ends the judgment on Moab."
Observation:
In this portion of Scripture, God is giving out destruction messages to those nations around Israel. He tells Moab, and several others, that He will utterly destroy them. At the end of telling about their incredible destruction, He tells them that He will restore their fortunes.
Application:
Even in judgment, God talks about restoration. Even when He had decided to destroy nations, He would come back through, most of the time, and tell them that He would restore them later. God's sword falls both directions. It will come through to judge, then it will come through to restore. We need to realize that God is a loving God who will bring discipline, but even when disciplining, already has plans for restoration. God is a restorer of broken things, broken people, and broken nations.
Prayer:
Father, that you for letting me see that, even in judgment, you speak of restoration. Help me to understand your discipline better and to know that You plan is always to restore us. I love You. You are truly a Good Good Father.
Yours,
Jeff
Jeremiah 48:47 "Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come, declares the Lord. Here ends the judgment on Moab."
Observation:
In this portion of Scripture, God is giving out destruction messages to those nations around Israel. He tells Moab, and several others, that He will utterly destroy them. At the end of telling about their incredible destruction, He tells them that He will restore their fortunes.
Application:
Even in judgment, God talks about restoration. Even when He had decided to destroy nations, He would come back through, most of the time, and tell them that He would restore them later. God's sword falls both directions. It will come through to judge, then it will come through to restore. We need to realize that God is a loving God who will bring discipline, but even when disciplining, already has plans for restoration. God is a restorer of broken things, broken people, and broken nations.
Prayer:
Father, that you for letting me see that, even in judgment, you speak of restoration. Help me to understand your discipline better and to know that You plan is always to restore us. I love You. You are truly a Good Good Father.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, October 24, 2016
Do Not Be Afraid
Scripture:
Jeremiah 46:28 "Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you, declares the Lord. Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go completely unpunished".
Observation:
God tells the people of Jacob His "servant", even though they had not been living for Him like they should. He also lets them know that He will completely destroy all the nations they were scattered to, but that He would not completely destroy them. He let them know that He would discipline them, but only in due measure. They couldn't go unpunished, but He would not destroy them.
Application:
God does discipline His people. He does allow things in our lives to teach us lessons. He always lets us know, though, that He will bring us back and be with us in the midst of the trials. Even when we are not serving Him well, He doesn't turn His back on us, but will discipline us in hopes of us returning to Him with all our hearts. As a father, I understand this well. Sometimes you have to let your children make mistakes and suffer consequences so that they will stop making the mistakes.
Prayer:
Father, I am Yours. Teach me to walk with You through good and bad times, knowing that You are with me and will deliver me from every situation, even the ones I bring on myself. Help me to know Your voice and to walk with You closely.
Your Son,
Jeff
Jeremiah 46:28 "Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you, declares the Lord. Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go completely unpunished".
Observation:
God tells the people of Jacob His "servant", even though they had not been living for Him like they should. He also lets them know that He will completely destroy all the nations they were scattered to, but that He would not completely destroy them. He let them know that He would discipline them, but only in due measure. They couldn't go unpunished, but He would not destroy them.
Application:
God does discipline His people. He does allow things in our lives to teach us lessons. He always lets us know, though, that He will bring us back and be with us in the midst of the trials. Even when we are not serving Him well, He doesn't turn His back on us, but will discipline us in hopes of us returning to Him with all our hearts. As a father, I understand this well. Sometimes you have to let your children make mistakes and suffer consequences so that they will stop making the mistakes.
Prayer:
Father, I am Yours. Teach me to walk with You through good and bad times, knowing that You are with me and will deliver me from every situation, even the ones I bring on myself. Help me to know Your voice and to walk with You closely.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, October 20, 2016
What is Too Hard for God?
Scripture:
Jeremiah 32:27 "'I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?'"
Observation:
God had been speaking through Jeremiah about how, after the captivity in Babylon, He would take Judah and Israel back home and would bless and prosper them in the land He promised them. He was telling the people that they were going to have go through a difficult time because of their disobedience, but that they would come back again and thrive. He let them know here that nothing was or is impossible for Him.
Application:
Sometimes when we are overwhelmed, we tend to think nothing will ever change and that things will never get better. When we are in those circumstances, we need to hold onto the words of the Lord. Truly, nothing is too hard for the one who created the universe. Nothing is too difficult for the God we serve. We must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me to never lose faith. Help me to realize that You are able to absolutely anything and that You specialize in blowing our minds with Your ability. Help me to walk by faith and to truly trust You more each day. I know You are able, but sometimes I struggle with whether You will work on my behalf. Teach me to trust you more and more.
Yours,
Jeff
Jeremiah 32:27 "'I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?'"
Observation:
God had been speaking through Jeremiah about how, after the captivity in Babylon, He would take Judah and Israel back home and would bless and prosper them in the land He promised them. He was telling the people that they were going to have go through a difficult time because of their disobedience, but that they would come back again and thrive. He let them know here that nothing was or is impossible for Him.
Application:
Sometimes when we are overwhelmed, we tend to think nothing will ever change and that things will never get better. When we are in those circumstances, we need to hold onto the words of the Lord. Truly, nothing is too hard for the one who created the universe. Nothing is too difficult for the God we serve. We must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me to never lose faith. Help me to realize that You are able to absolutely anything and that You specialize in blowing our minds with Your ability. Help me to walk by faith and to truly trust You more each day. I know You are able, but sometimes I struggle with whether You will work on my behalf. Teach me to trust you more and more.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Repentence
Scripture:
Jeremiah 26:13 "Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you".
Observation:
The people were not listening to Jeremiah when he was prophesying that they would be taken away and serve Babylon. They wanted to listen to the prophets who were saying everything was going to be okay and that God would bless them. Jeremiah tells them here that if they reform their ways and actions to obey the Lord, that the Lord would relent of sending disaster. If they would repent, God would turn from what he had determined to do against them.
Application:
When we mess up and do wrong, God, who loves us, will bring someone to try to straighten us out or He will simply convict our hearts by His Spirit. Either way, when we determine to repent and follow His ways, He will turn from what was coming and begin to bless us. God loves repentance and obedience. The bad situations of our lives can usually be turned around when we repent and obey God. When we mess us, our first decision must be to repent and turn to God, then He can change the situations we have gotten ourselves into.
Prayer:
Father, help me to be quick to repent when I have strayed away from You. Help me to walk in humility and to receive correction and instruction from You. Help me to walk in submission to You and You ways. I love You Lord.
Jeff
Jeremiah 26:13 "Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you".
Observation:
The people were not listening to Jeremiah when he was prophesying that they would be taken away and serve Babylon. They wanted to listen to the prophets who were saying everything was going to be okay and that God would bless them. Jeremiah tells them here that if they reform their ways and actions to obey the Lord, that the Lord would relent of sending disaster. If they would repent, God would turn from what he had determined to do against them.
Application:
When we mess up and do wrong, God, who loves us, will bring someone to try to straighten us out or He will simply convict our hearts by His Spirit. Either way, when we determine to repent and follow His ways, He will turn from what was coming and begin to bless us. God loves repentance and obedience. The bad situations of our lives can usually be turned around when we repent and obey God. When we mess us, our first decision must be to repent and turn to God, then He can change the situations we have gotten ourselves into.
Prayer:
Father, help me to be quick to repent when I have strayed away from You. Help me to walk in humility and to receive correction and instruction from You. Help me to walk in submission to You and You ways. I love You Lord.
Jeff
Saturday, October 15, 2016
A Tree Planted
Scripture:
Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; Its leaves are always green, It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit".
Observation:
The one who trusts and has confidence in the Lord is told here that they will be blessed. It says they will be like a tree planted by water. They will have strong roots and doesn't have to fear when heat comes. It is always producing, even in drought and difficult times.
Application:
When we fully trust the Lord and walk in His ways, we can be confident that He will take care of us. We will see the blessing of following Him. Even during seasons of drought, we will not be shaken or moved. We will be able to walk through whatever life throws us and still produce fruit,
Prayer:
Lord God, help me to walk in trust and confidence more and more. Teach me Your ways and help me to know You more intimately every day. I want to completely trust You instead of leaning on my own ways and ideas. Help me to hear Your voice and follow.
Yours,
Jeff
Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; Its leaves are always green, It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit".
Observation:
The one who trusts and has confidence in the Lord is told here that they will be blessed. It says they will be like a tree planted by water. They will have strong roots and doesn't have to fear when heat comes. It is always producing, even in drought and difficult times.
Application:
When we fully trust the Lord and walk in His ways, we can be confident that He will take care of us. We will see the blessing of following Him. Even during seasons of drought, we will not be shaken or moved. We will be able to walk through whatever life throws us and still produce fruit,
Prayer:
Lord God, help me to walk in trust and confidence more and more. Teach me Your ways and help me to know You more intimately every day. I want to completely trust You instead of leaning on my own ways and ideas. Help me to hear Your voice and follow.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, October 14, 2016
Our Hope is in You
Scripture:
Jeremiah 14:22 "Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this".
Observation:
Jeremiah was prophesying terrible destruction to God's people because they had turned from Him and were serving other gods. They were making idols and worshiping them. At the end of God speaking destruction to Judah, Jeremiah asks if any of the worthless idols could bring rain or showers. He then says, our hope is in you because You do all of this.
Application:
The things of this world will never give us what we need. God is the creator of everything we see and He is the only one who can take care of His people. Our hope cannot be in our jobs, our finances or anything else we can build for ourselves. Our hope is in the Lord. He is the one who lifts up and puts down. He is the one who blesses and makes good things happen for those who follow Him.
Prayer:
Lord God, my hope is in You. You are my source and my resource. You are my everything and I appreciate all You do for me. You have blessed me and rescued me so many times I can't tell them all, but you have been incredibly good to me. Help me to trust You more each day and to realize that it is You and not myself that I can put my hope in.
Your Son,
Jeff
Jeremiah 14:22 "Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this".
Observation:
Jeremiah was prophesying terrible destruction to God's people because they had turned from Him and were serving other gods. They were making idols and worshiping them. At the end of God speaking destruction to Judah, Jeremiah asks if any of the worthless idols could bring rain or showers. He then says, our hope is in you because You do all of this.
Application:
The things of this world will never give us what we need. God is the creator of everything we see and He is the only one who can take care of His people. Our hope cannot be in our jobs, our finances or anything else we can build for ourselves. Our hope is in the Lord. He is the one who lifts up and puts down. He is the one who blesses and makes good things happen for those who follow Him.
Prayer:
Lord God, my hope is in You. You are my source and my resource. You are my everything and I appreciate all You do for me. You have blessed me and rescued me so many times I can't tell them all, but you have been incredibly good to me. Help me to trust You more each day and to realize that it is You and not myself that I can put my hope in.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, October 13, 2016
The Lord Our God
Scripture:
Jeremiah 10:10 "But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath".
Observation:
God is speaking through Jeremiah and telling Israel and Judah that they have gone astray from the covenant He had made with them. He was telling them that their idols were worthless and that they had broken covenant with God. The covenant was that they would obey Him and follow Him and he would bless them.
Application:
We must always remember who it is that we are serving and who it is that we are in covenant with. He is the all-powerful one. He is the all-knowing one. He is the ever-present one. When He is angry, the earth trembles and nations cannot endure his wrath. We need to lift our perception of who God is and humble ourselves before Him. He is worthy of honor, respect, and adoration. He has the power to take our lives at any moment or to bless our lives abundantly. This should cause us to humble ourselves before Him and do things His way.
Prayer:
Father, I humble myself before You this morning. Have Your way in my life. Direct my steps and I will follow Your path. Teach me to walk in obedience to You. Let my life bring your praise and glory. Let my heart walk humbly before You every day of my life. I am Yours.
Love,
Jeff
Jeremiah 10:10 "But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath".
Observation:
God is speaking through Jeremiah and telling Israel and Judah that they have gone astray from the covenant He had made with them. He was telling them that their idols were worthless and that they had broken covenant with God. The covenant was that they would obey Him and follow Him and he would bless them.
Application:
We must always remember who it is that we are serving and who it is that we are in covenant with. He is the all-powerful one. He is the all-knowing one. He is the ever-present one. When He is angry, the earth trembles and nations cannot endure his wrath. We need to lift our perception of who God is and humble ourselves before Him. He is worthy of honor, respect, and adoration. He has the power to take our lives at any moment or to bless our lives abundantly. This should cause us to humble ourselves before Him and do things His way.
Prayer:
Father, I humble myself before You this morning. Have Your way in my life. Direct my steps and I will follow Your path. Teach me to walk in obedience to You. Let my life bring your praise and glory. Let my heart walk humbly before You every day of my life. I am Yours.
Love,
Jeff
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Moving Forward
Scripture:
Jeremiah 7:23-24 "but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all i command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward".
Observation:
God speaks through Jeremiah here and tells Judah that He wanted them to obey Him and he would have been their God and they would have been His people, but they wouldn't listen. He wanted them to walk in obedience so it would go well with them, but they wouldn't. They went backward instead of forward.
Application:
God wants us to always be moving forward in our relationship with Him. Even Paul, in the New Testament, tells us to forget the things that are behind and reach toward the things that are ahead. We are to be a people who are always moving forward with God and not looking backward or moving away from Him. We are to look to Him and follow Him completely.
Prayer:
Father, help me to live a life of always moving forward in my relationship with You. Help me not to look around me, behind me, or anywhere else but at You. Help me to follow Your voice and walk through the doors You open. Help me to finish all you want me to.
Yours,
Jeff
Jeremiah 7:23-24 "but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all i command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward".
Observation:
God speaks through Jeremiah here and tells Judah that He wanted them to obey Him and he would have been their God and they would have been His people, but they wouldn't listen. He wanted them to walk in obedience so it would go well with them, but they wouldn't. They went backward instead of forward.
Application:
God wants us to always be moving forward in our relationship with Him. Even Paul, in the New Testament, tells us to forget the things that are behind and reach toward the things that are ahead. We are to be a people who are always moving forward with God and not looking backward or moving away from Him. We are to look to Him and follow Him completely.
Prayer:
Father, help me to live a life of always moving forward in my relationship with You. Help me not to look around me, behind me, or anywhere else but at You. Help me to follow Your voice and walk through the doors You open. Help me to finish all you want me to.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Fire and Wood
Scripture:
Jeremiah 5:14 "Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty says: 'Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes'".
Observation:
God is speaking through Jeremiah and telling him what He was going to do. God was telling Jeremiah that His people had not been listening to Him and to what He was trying to tell them. They were running after other gods and serving them instead of serving the One True and Living God. God was telling Jeremiah that He was going to cause his words to consume the rebellious people.
Application:
When we speak on God's behalf, we should always seek his face and make sure we represent Him well. We should be asking Him to make the words that come out of our mouths His words. We should be asking Him to anoint the words we speak so that they are fire and the people who hear are like wood that is consumed. Only God can penetrate a hard heart. Only God can set our words on fire by His Spirit and cause them to carry His power. When we speak for the Lord, we need to be asking Him to let His fire fall on the words we speak.
Prayer:
Father, when I speak, let my words be anointed of You. Let me represent You well. Let Your fire fall when I speak and let people's lives be consumed by Your word. Let conviction fall. Let Your glory rest on my life. I give myself to You. Speak through me.
Yours,
Jeff
Jeremiah 5:14 "Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty says: 'Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes'".
Observation:
God is speaking through Jeremiah and telling him what He was going to do. God was telling Jeremiah that His people had not been listening to Him and to what He was trying to tell them. They were running after other gods and serving them instead of serving the One True and Living God. God was telling Jeremiah that He was going to cause his words to consume the rebellious people.
Application:
When we speak on God's behalf, we should always seek his face and make sure we represent Him well. We should be asking Him to make the words that come out of our mouths His words. We should be asking Him to anoint the words we speak so that they are fire and the people who hear are like wood that is consumed. Only God can penetrate a hard heart. Only God can set our words on fire by His Spirit and cause them to carry His power. When we speak for the Lord, we need to be asking Him to let His fire fall on the words we speak.
Prayer:
Father, when I speak, let my words be anointed of You. Let me represent You well. Let Your fire fall when I speak and let people's lives be consumed by Your word. Let conviction fall. Let Your glory rest on my life. I give myself to You. Speak through me.
Yours,
Jeff
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Here I Am, Here I Am
Scripture:
Isaiah 65:1 "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, "here am I, here am I'".
Observation:
God is speaking through Isaiah here and tells us that He revealed himself to those who didn't ask for him and He was found by those who were not looking. He called out to a nation that didn't call out to Him. God pursues those who aren't pursuing Him.
Application:
God is amazing in that He came looking for us before we came looking for Him. He reached down to us, before we looked up to Him. He is the initiator in our relationship. It is He who reached out first, our job is simply to accept Him and walk with Him.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for looking for me when I wasn't looking for You. Thank You for seeking me out. Thank You for choosing me and loving me when I was unlovable. You are incredible!
Love,
Jeff
Isaiah 65:1 "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, "here am I, here am I'".
Observation:
God is speaking through Isaiah here and tells us that He revealed himself to those who didn't ask for him and He was found by those who were not looking. He called out to a nation that didn't call out to Him. God pursues those who aren't pursuing Him.
Application:
God is amazing in that He came looking for us before we came looking for Him. He reached down to us, before we looked up to Him. He is the initiator in our relationship. It is He who reached out first, our job is simply to accept Him and walk with Him.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for looking for me when I wasn't looking for You. Thank You for seeking me out. Thank You for choosing me and loving me when I was unlovable. You are incredible!
Love,
Jeff
Friday, October 7, 2016
Prepare the Way!
Scripture:
Isaiah 62:10 "Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations".
Observation:
God was speaking here through Isaiah telling the people that He was going to bring them back to their homeland where they had been exiled from. He was saying to prepare the way for the return of the people. He told them to get ready by building the highway, removing the stones, and raising a banner.
Application:
I feel this is a direct word for me concerning the church I lead. I feel like the Lord is saying to help people pass through the gates and into relationship with the Father. He is saying to prepare the way for the people by putting together a plan for people who get saved to grow. He wants us to build up a highway to allow for more and more to become disciples of Christ. He wants us to remove the things that stop people from coming to Jesus and growing in Him. He wants us to raise this banner and let people know that highway is open.
Prayer:
Father, help me to implement what You are showing me this morning. Help me to be able to communicate this with our church leadership and family. Let multitudes come down the highway of salvation at Word of Life. Make it easy for people to meet Jesus, grow in Him and then help others grow in Him.
Your Son,
Jeff
Isaiah 62:10 "Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations".
Observation:
God was speaking here through Isaiah telling the people that He was going to bring them back to their homeland where they had been exiled from. He was saying to prepare the way for the return of the people. He told them to get ready by building the highway, removing the stones, and raising a banner.
Application:
I feel this is a direct word for me concerning the church I lead. I feel like the Lord is saying to help people pass through the gates and into relationship with the Father. He is saying to prepare the way for the people by putting together a plan for people who get saved to grow. He wants us to build up a highway to allow for more and more to become disciples of Christ. He wants us to remove the things that stop people from coming to Jesus and growing in Him. He wants us to raise this banner and let people know that highway is open.
Prayer:
Father, help me to implement what You are showing me this morning. Help me to be able to communicate this with our church leadership and family. Let multitudes come down the highway of salvation at Word of Life. Make it easy for people to meet Jesus, grow in Him and then help others grow in Him.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, October 6, 2016
God's Favor
Scripture:
Isaiah 61:7 "Instead of shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours".
Observation:
God was speaking here through Isaiah about a day when Israel would once again enter their land after captivity. At that time, they would have been disgraced and dejected. Here God tells them that instead of disgrace, their would rejoice and received a double portion. He goes on to tell them that they would have everlasting joy.
Application:
Even when we do wrong and mess up, God has plans to prosper and bless us as His children. We have to reap what we sow, but after that, God will always raise us up as His children. No matter what we are going through today and even if we rightly deserve what is going on today, we don't have to stay there forever. God will step in and bring joy again to those who are broken. God's favor and blessing are incredible.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding me this morning of Your goodness, blessing and favor. You are amazing. You treated Israel incredibly and You treat us the same. Thank You for not holding my mess ups over my head. Thank You for blessing my life over and over again. You are the best!
Yours,
Jeff
Isaiah 61:7 "Instead of shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours".
Observation:
God was speaking here through Isaiah about a day when Israel would once again enter their land after captivity. At that time, they would have been disgraced and dejected. Here God tells them that instead of disgrace, their would rejoice and received a double portion. He goes on to tell them that they would have everlasting joy.
Application:
Even when we do wrong and mess up, God has plans to prosper and bless us as His children. We have to reap what we sow, but after that, God will always raise us up as His children. No matter what we are going through today and even if we rightly deserve what is going on today, we don't have to stay there forever. God will step in and bring joy again to those who are broken. God's favor and blessing are incredible.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding me this morning of Your goodness, blessing and favor. You are amazing. You treated Israel incredibly and You treat us the same. Thank You for not holding my mess ups over my head. Thank You for blessing my life over and over again. You are the best!
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Where God lives
Scripture:
Isaiah 57:15 "For this is what the high and exalted one says, 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite'"
Observation:
God is speaking through Isaiah here and tells him that God lives in a high and holy place, but that He also lives with people who are contrite and lowly. He comes to revive the heart of the lowly and the contrite.
Application:
When you see the lowly, contrite people of the world, you can rest assured that God is with them. He makes sure the lowly and contrite have what they need. God always gives grace to the humble and resists the proud. With God, it is better to be poor and humble, depending on Him, than to be rich and successful while depending on ourselves. Humility before God has great rewards and pride always destroys.
Prayer:
Lord, You are with those who are lowly and contrite. You are the friend of the broken. Help me to walk in humility before You. Teach me the way of the humble. Teach me to be where You would be and to walk where You would walk. Help me to be more like You every day.
Yours.
Jeff
Isaiah 57:15 "For this is what the high and exalted one says, 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite'"
Observation:
God is speaking through Isaiah here and tells him that God lives in a high and holy place, but that He also lives with people who are contrite and lowly. He comes to revive the heart of the lowly and the contrite.
Application:
When you see the lowly, contrite people of the world, you can rest assured that God is with them. He makes sure the lowly and contrite have what they need. God always gives grace to the humble and resists the proud. With God, it is better to be poor and humble, depending on Him, than to be rich and successful while depending on ourselves. Humility before God has great rewards and pride always destroys.
Prayer:
Lord, You are with those who are lowly and contrite. You are the friend of the broken. Help me to walk in humility before You. Teach me the way of the humble. Teach me to be where You would be and to walk where You would walk. Help me to be more like You every day.
Yours.
Jeff
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
God's Word
Scripture:
Isaiah 55:11 "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it".
Observation:
God is speaking though Isaiah and telling him that God's words never return empty, but are powerful and they will accomplish what He wants them to accomplish. When God speaks... It will happen. When God speaks, things change.
Application:
We must have great confidence in the word of the Lord. When God's word tells us something... It will come to pass. When we have a word from the Lord and we know it is from the Lord, we must wait patiently for it because it will come to pass and God will accomplish all He wants to accomplish.
Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You more and to put my faith in your word. Your words are life and truth. Thank You for sharing this with me this morning.
Yours,
Jeff
Isaiah 55:11 "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it".
Observation:
God is speaking though Isaiah and telling him that God's words never return empty, but are powerful and they will accomplish what He wants them to accomplish. When God speaks... It will happen. When God speaks, things change.
Application:
We must have great confidence in the word of the Lord. When God's word tells us something... It will come to pass. When we have a word from the Lord and we know it is from the Lord, we must wait patiently for it because it will come to pass and God will accomplish all He wants to accomplish.
Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You more and to put my faith in your word. Your words are life and truth. Thank You for sharing this with me this morning.
Yours,
Jeff
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