My Foundation

Scripture:

“In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭33:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah here describes the Lord as a sure foundation, providing  salvation, wisdom and knowledge.  He is truly a foundation to build our lives upon.  He is wisdom personified and gives knowledge we can’t have ourselves.  He is the source of every good thing.

Application:

I want to trust the Lord more and more each day.  I have built my life on Him as a foundation, but sometimes I treat life like I am the foundation instead of Him.  When He is the foundation, I don’t stress about what is going to happen.  When He is the foundation, I don’t have to worry about certain things.  I also want to be a person of great wisdom so this morning I ask the God of all wisdom to fill my life completely.

Prayer:

Father, as I leave for India to declare Your word there, go before me.  I pray Your protection over our team and pray for You to pour out Your Spirit on all flesh.  May Your hand be upon us mightily and may many, many people make Your their foundation this week.

Your Son,

Jeff

You Planned Them

Scripture:

Isaiah 25:1 "O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God.  You do such wonderful things!  You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them."

Observation:

Isaiah praises God here and declares Him to be God.  He then says that God does wonderful things and that He planned them long ago and has not accomplished them.  Nothing takes God by surprise.  He planned them all a long time ago.

Application:

When I have things happen in my life, I need to remember that it is not a surprise to God.  He planned it long ago and is now accomplishing it.  God has been working out the details of my life long before I was born.  He knows where I'm going, what I'm doing, and what I'm going to do. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to lean on this verse when I am having a bad day, frustrated or just feeling overwhelmed.  Help me to remember that You are in control and You have planned every day of my life far in advance.  You are amazing!

Your Son,
Jeff

Who Can Change God’s Plans?

Scripture:

“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken— who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this chapter, Isaiah is speaking of Babylon and their future.  God was allowing them to overthrow Israel, but He was also letting everyone know that their day was coming as well and that Israel would return to their land.  The words, “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken - who can change His plans?” Really stood out to me today.  When God speaks... it is going to happen!

Application:

Isaiah was telling everyone that when God speaks, nobody can change His plans and when He has determined to do something, nobody Cna stop Him.  When I come to the Lord, I must realize that His plans are going to come to pass.  I must believe that God is resolute concerning His plans and that He will fulfill them if I walk in step with Him.  When discouraged, I need to remember that what God says is going to happen.

Prayer:

Lord, thanks for reminding me that Your plans for my life, family, church and region are going to come to pass.  You are incredible and there is none like You.  Help me to see you as Isaiah saw You.  Help me to trust You more and more each day.  Walk with me today and let me speak Your words.  Let my life bring You honor today.  Let me pray Your words at the Washington Prayer Gathering.

Yours,
Jeff

My Strength and My Song

Scripture:

“See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord GOD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage God was speaking through Isaiah about what He was going to do to Israel.  He was finished with them and was going to destroy them through the Assyrians.  At the same time, He said, it won’t last forever, but I will wipe our the Assyrians and bring you back to your home.  His goal is that His people will say, “God has come to save me.  I will trust in him and not be afraid.  The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”

Application:

God wants to be our strength and song, our victory and the one we trust.  He wants us to depend in Him for our sustenance and our battles.  He wants to be the center of our lives.  He wants us to yield the glory to Him for all He does in our lives.  When we don’t praise Him for what He has done, we are walking in pride and He then will resist us instead of working on our behalf.  I need to trust God more and praise Him more.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to give Your praise more often and to let the world know how amazing You are.  Open doors for me to declare Your goodness to the nations and I will go.  If You open the doors, I will declare Your praises to the ends of the earth.  You are my strength and my song.  You are my victory. I owe all my life to You.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Fairness and Justice

Scripture:

“His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah here is speaking of the rule and reign of Christ.  He says the Lord will rule with fairness and justice and that the passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is going to do this.  When God rules, it is with fairness and justice.  God despises unfair and non-just actions.

Application:

The Lord has been dealing with me in the area of justice recently and I am seeing more and more how important justice is in His kingdom.  He is a just God and wants those who follow Him to seek justice.  I want to learn more and more about this as I see the Lord’s heart for it more and more in Scripture.    If we represent the Lord on the earth as His ambassadors, we should be people fo fairness and justice.

Prayer:

Father, continue to open my eyes to fairness and justice.  Show me Your view on these things.  I want to serve You well and represent You well in the earth.  Help me to see through Your eyes and hear through You ears.  I want to know Your heart more and more.  Show me what is important to You and let it become important to me.

Yours,
Jeff

The Hard Will of God

Scripture:

“Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Just before this scene, Isaiah sees the Lord high and lifted up on his throne.  He experiences cherubim and seraphim crying holy, holy, holy.  He feels guilty before the Lord and ends up being called by God to which he responds, “Here am I, send me.”  After this powerful enounter with God, Isaiah hears his calling which is to harden people’s hearts, plug their ears and close their eyes so they won’t see.

Application:

Our generation loves to talk about the grace and goodness of God, but what if God called us to speak of His justice, anger and impending judgment?  We see the call of God as bringing life, love and liberty to people.  What is God said, “I want you to make people’s hearts hard, close their ears and their eyes because I want to destroy them.  Would our answer still be “Here am I.  Send me?”  I want to able to say yes to “whatever” the Lord calls me to do.  I want Him to know He can trust me with the hard will of God.

Prayer:

Father, I love Your blessings and your incredible love.  I also want to serve You completely and fulfill Your will for my life.  Help me to do Your will when it is easy and when it is hard.  Help me to be faithful when the blessings are flowing and when it seems there are no grapes on the vine.  More than anything, empower me to do Your will, whatever that is.

Your Son,
Jeff

Restoration and Revival

Scripture:

“Zion will be restored by justice; those who repent will be revived by righteousness.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah says here that Zion will be restored by justice and those who repent will be revived by righteousness.  We don’t talk much about justice any more, but God’s is just.  He does what is just and wants his people to bring about justice for the oppressed.  He also tells us that those who repent will be revived by righteousness.

Application:

I need to learn more and study justice.  I know it is God’s heart, but I don’t have a full understanding of justice from God’s point of view.  I also want to live in righteousness and fulfill all God has for my life.  I want to serve Him well to the end of my days.  I want to be a vessel that brings repentance and revival to others.

Prayer:

Father, use my life to bring about repentence and revival in the hearts of people all over the world.  Teach me your justice and reveal to me more about this topic.  I want to learn.  Flow through my life to bring revival, repentance and righteousness.  On this trip to India, pour out Your Spirit.  Let mulititudes be impacted isn’t this way.

Your Son,
Jeff

Love the Word

Scripture:

“When you come, please bring the leather book bag along with the books I left in Troas with Carpus—especially the parchment scrolls.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing his final letter to Timothy.  He is in prison and has truly given his life for the Gospel.  One of the things he longs for someone to bring him is his book bag and scrolls.  Paul had a love for the word of God that lasted till death.  He didn’t like being apart from his scripture.

Application:

Sometimes when a person has preached and worked in ministry for decades their love for the word of God dimishes and their amount of study of the word diminishes.  Paul, at the end of his life, wanted the word with him.  I want to be more in love with God’s word as I get older than I was when I was young.  I want to be like Paul and have a strong desire to be in the word at all times.

Prayer:

Lord, increase my desire for Your Word.  Let my heart be fixed on Your word.  Let Your Word be life and truth to me and let me hunger and thirst for more of Yoru word.  You are amazing and Your word is life to me.  Let my thirst for You and Your word increase throughout my years.

Your Son,
Jeff

When God Looks at Me

Scripture:

“When I look at you, I see how you have taken my fruit and tasted my word. Your life has become clean and pure, like a lamb washed and newly shorn. You now show grace and balance with truth on display.”
‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Song of Songs has been debated forever whether it is simply a story of two lovers or if it is the Lord and His bride.  If you look at it as the Lord and His Bride, this verse is powerful.  This would be God looking at us as his bride.  It says he sees how we have taken His fruit and tasted His word.  He sees us as having clean and pure lives.  He says we show grace and balance with truth on display.

Application:

Can God look at my life and see that I have eaten His fruit and tasted His word?  Does my life reflect being clean and pure, like a washed and newly shorn sheep?  Does my life display grace, balance and truth?  I want my life to reflect all these things and I want my lover-Lord to see me this way.  I want to live a life that pleases Him.

Prayer:

Lord, let my life be clean and pure.  Let me represent You well.  Help me to walk in Your love and to be passionately in love with You like the Shulamite in Song of Songs.  Let my life be centered on You and Your life.  I want to be completely Yors for You to work in and through.

Your Fiancée,
Jeff

What Am I Chasing After?

Scripture:

“Timothy, you are God’s man, so run from all these errors. Instead, chase after true holiness, justice, faithfulness, love, hope, and tender humility.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Just prior to this verse, Paul tells Timothy that there will be false teachers who claim all kinds of false doctrine and teachings.  He tells him to run away from all the errors and to stay true to what he has been taught by Paul.  He then adds that he should chase after trues holiness, justice, faithfulness, love, hope, and tender humility.  These are the things we need in our lives more than the latest doctrine flying around.

Application:

Rather than chasing the newest revelation someone has received, I need to chase after the list that Paul laid out to Timothy.  I need to be chasing holiness, justice for those who are not receiving justice, faithfulness, love, hope, and tender humility.  When we get these things right, we will make an impact for Christ.  I want to keep it simple and love people well.  I want to be faithful to Him who called me.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to keep ministry simple and serve like You served.  Help me to demonstrated Christ more and more in my life.  Let my life be filled with You to overflow.  Help me to walk as You walked and live as You lived.  I want to serve You and Your Kingdom well.

Your Son,
Jeff

An Overflowing Heart

Scripture:

“My heart spills over with thanks to God for the way he continually empowers me, and to our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, who found me trustworthy and who authorized me to be his partner in this ministry.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing to Timothy and tells him that his heart spills overs for the way the Lord empowers him and partners with him in ministry.  He could have said a lot of things to his spiritual son, but he focuses here on the heart full of gratitude that God would call him and work with him and allow him to be used in ministry.  He is amazed that God calls him trustworthy .

Application:

I need my heart to spill over this week because of the honor of being called to serve the Lord.  I have allowed some discouragement and frustration to enter my heart this week and God is showing me today through Paul that it is a pure joy to be able to serve the Lord and work with him.  It is an honor to be called to serve His kingdom purposes.  I need to focus on the joy of partnering with God to accomplish His will in the earth instead of what I don’t see getting done.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are amazing and I love You.  I’m sorry for allowing myself to be frustrated this week in ministry.  Help me to keep my focus on You and Your will.  I want to hear Your voice and I want a heart that overflows with joy in serving Your people.  Help me to have the right heart in all areas.

Yours,
Jeff

Sharpen the Ax

Scripture:

“Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Wisdom helps you succeed, but you have to use it.  A dull ax makes you work harder than a sharp ax so we need to take the time to sharpen it instead of just using force to finish the task.  Wisdom beats strength every time.

Application:

I am a person who hates to take a break to sharpen the ax.  I tend to use brute strength and force to get things done and in the process hurt myself because I overexterted.  I need to learnt to use wisdom more and more as I age in life.  I want to be successful, but in order to do that, I know I need to use wisdom instead of strength.

Prayer:

Lord, let me walk with the wise instead of being foolish as I have been in the past.  Teach me to value wisdom over strength.  Help me to follow You at all times and to use the wisdom You have provided me with.  I am Yours, convict me when I’m using a dull ax and when I need to take a break to sharpen.

Your Son,
Jeff

Living with Death in Mind

Scripture:

“Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The author here says that it is better to spend time at funerals than at parties because everyone dies and those who are alive should think about this and take it to heart.

Application:

When we spend our lives at funerals, we are reminded about what is really important in life.  At a funeral, we never hear about the person wishing they had made more money, worked harder, or lived more free.  At a funeral you hear what is really important in life.  You hear a lot about family, close friends and people who loved the person.  At a funeral you find out how much of an impact your life made.  We should live like our funeral was going to be soon.

Prayer:

Father, let me live my life in light of eternity.  Help me to do what I do knowing that I will stand before You one day and give an account.  Help me to live with death in mind and to be every congnizant of the brevity of life.  I am yours and want to serve You well.

Your Son,
Jeff

Gentle Wisdom Wins

Scripture:

“Use patience and kindness when you want to persuade leaders and watch them change their minds right in front of you. For your gentle wisdom will quell the strongest resistance.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25:15‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

This proverb is powerful.  The author says to use patience and kindness in persuading leaders and they will change their minds.  He says that gentle wisdom will quell the strongest resistance.  Gentle wisdom wins every time.

Application:

I need to walk in gentle wisdom.  I have been asking God to let me walk in wisdom more and more in my life, but here I’m challenged to add gentleness to it.  When gentleness, patience and kindness are added to wisdom, the result is that it will quell the strongest resistance.  I want to walk this way in my life and bring glory to God through it.

Prayer:

Lord, let me walk with he wise and in gentleness, kindness and patience.  Help me to trust You more and to let You fight my battles.  Let my life demonstrate a powerful walk and trust in You.  Help me not to defend myself, but to walk in gentleness, patience and great wisdom.  Show me how to implement this in my life each day.

Yours,
Jeff

Procrastination

Scripture:

“Professional work habits prevent poverty from becoming your permanent business partner. And: If you put off until tomorrow the work you could do today, tomorrow never seems to come.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24:33-34‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

If you don’t want poverty to become your permanent business partner, you must have professional business habits.  You have to do the things that are necessary and beneficial, whether you enjoy them or not.  Solomons writes here that when we put things off till tomorrow, tomorrow never comes.  That is so true.

Application:

I need to stop putting off till tomorrow what I can do today.  I need better business work habits and to get more done with the time I have.  Much has been put on my plate, but I know with God’s help, I can accomplish so much more than I currently am accomplishing.  I need wisdom for this and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Prayer:

Lord, I want to accomplish more for Your kingdom.  I want to be efficient in my work and effective in ministry.  Help me to live a disciplined life in every area.  I know I need to exercise more discipline in my eating and exercise.  Help me to get healthy again and to use my time wisely.  Help me to say yes to the right things and no to the things that deter me from being a profitable servant.

Yours,
Jeff

Complete Satisfaction

Scripture:

“When you live a life of abandoned love, surrendered before the awe of God, here’s what you’ll experience: Abundant life. Continual protection. And complete satisfaction!”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:23‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Solomon says here that living a life of abandoned love, surrendered before the awe of God, you can expect abundant life, continual protection and complete satisfaction.  What a package deal!  Our job is simply to live our lives abandoned to God and His will, He then blesses us with life, protection and satisfaction.

Application:

I need to hold onto this word.  As I do my part of living full of a love that abandons all for Christ and I stay in a place so awe toward the Lord, He will bless my life.  I need to work on my part of the equation and believe He will do His part.  I am expecting abundant life, protection and complete satisfaction.

Prayer:

Father, let me live my life full of awe in Your presence.  Help me to live abandoned to You and Your will for my life.  Bless me and my family.  Let us see the faithfulness of God.  You know my heart and. Desire to bless others.  Bless my life, that I may be a blessing to others.

Yours,
Jeff

Wisdom is Valuable

Scripture:

“Everyone wants gold, but wisdom’s worth is far greater. Silver is sought after, but a heart of understanding yields a greater return.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

The author here says that wisdom is more valuable than gold.  Everyone wants gold and most don’t realize that wisdom is worth more.  People search for silver, but understanding has greater returns than silver.

Application:

Wisdom and understanding are extremely valuable and we should seek them out with all we have.  A wise person is blessed bu God and people pay great amounts of money to those with understanding.  When you understand something that others don’t, your life becomes more valuable.  I need to seek after wisdom and understanding more and more.  I need to ask more “why” questions to the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to walk with the wise and to seek understanding.  I want my life to be valuable and profitable.  Work in my life in every area.  Help me to discern wise choies concerning my life, family and ministry.  Show me wisdom and help me value understanding.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Success and Wisdom

Scripture:

““You will find true success when you find me, for I have insight into wise plans that are designed just for you. I hold in my hands living-understanding, courage, and strength.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭8:14‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Wisdom is calling out in this verse.  It says that true success will be found when wisdom is found.  It says that wisdom has wise plans that are designed just for me.  We are told that wisdom has living-understanding, courage and strength in it’s hands.  Wisdom is powerful and crucial in our lives if we are going to be successful.

Application:

I need to seek wisdom more and more in my life.  I want what it has to offer.  I want to know the wise plans designed for me.  I want to have understanding, courage and strength.  I am placing wisdom as a value that I am seeking for in my life.

Prayer:

Lord, let me walk with the wise.  I know that wisdom comes from You and Your word.  Help me to never be satisfied in the pursuit of wisdom.  I want to always know exactly what to do in every situation because I walk with the wisdom of the ages as my Father and friend.  Let me know You more and more and let my life be filled with wisdom.

Yours,
Jeff