The Refiner’s Fire

Scripture:

“He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.”
‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage the Lord says He is coming and will sit like a refiner of silver.  He will burn away the dross.  It says He will refine the Levites like gold and silver “so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.”  The purpose of the refining is so the priests could offer acceptable sacrifices once again.

Application:

God has always wanted nearness with His people.  He has always made a way for His people to come to Him.  His goal for us is always better than our goals for ourselves.  When we feel like we are being refined, it is not just to punish us, but to cleanse and purify us, so He can walk closer to to us.  His desire in the purifying is to improve our priestly relationship to Him.  When we walk through the fire, we are cleansed, purified and able to draw nearer to the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, cleanse me.  Purify my heart and let Your Spirit flow through my life.  I want nothing between You and me.  I want my life to bring You honor and glory.  Your are my reward.  You are my strength and my desire.  I long for You.  Come and purge my life so Your glory can grow stronger and stronger.  I want to see revival in my generation.

Yours,
Jeff

Worthy of our Very Best

Scripture:

“You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.”
‭‭Malachi‬ ‭1:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, the Lord gets on His people’s case about their whining, “it’s too hard to serve the Lord”.  He says they are bringing stolen and crippled offerings to Him.  God doesn’t want us to offer Him something that costs us nothing or that is not our best.   A true sacrifice must cost us something. He blesses those who offer Him their very best.

Application:

I don’t want to offer God my leftovers.  I want to offer Him my very best.  I don’t want to give Him anything that has no value, but to give Him the best part of my life.  God is worthy of my best gifts, my best sacrifices, and my best time.  I need to prioritize my life so that God doesn’t get a little piece of my leftovers, but the best of my life.

Prayer:

Father, forgive me for being too complacent in my walk with You.  Light up my devotional life and help me to walk closer with You in 2020.  Teach me to delight myself in You and to give You my very best.  You are my Lord and my God, help my life to reflect that Better each day.

Yours,
Jeff

Ask the Lord

Scripture:

“Ask the Lord for rain in the spring, for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭10:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Zechariah tells God’s people to ask the Lord for rain in the spring then goes on to say that He will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture.  Sometimes we have not because we ask not.  Possibly we are asking for produce instead of asking for the rain that brings the produce.

Application:

Our job is to ask the Lord for rain in the spring.  He sends the showers and blesses the fields to make them productive.  Maybe we are asking for the wrong thing sometimes.  We should be asking for rain, which we can’t produce.  We need God to provide what only He can provide, but the farmer works hard to make the environment right for growth.  Pray for rain and work the fields.

Prayer:

Father, help me to work like it all depends on me and to pray like it all depends on You.  You are incredible!  I pray today for rain from Your Spirit.  Pour out on me, my family, my church and my region.  I long for the rain of Your Spirit to bless the work of our hands.

Yours,
Jeff

Is It Impossible For Me?

Scripture:

““This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭8:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God was speaking through His prophet and telling the people how awesome the future would be with the new temple being built, but the people couldn’t see it after years of deportation.  He spoke to His people and said, “All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people.  But is it impossible for Me?”

Application:

When we walk through difficult times, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and to think there is no way things will ever turn around.  It is easy to feel like things will never be good again in our lives, but God will drop us a word that says, Is it impossible for Me?  We must realize that nothing is impossible for our God.  He can change anything and everything.  We need to realize that God is capable changing any situation.  What looks impossible to us is totally within the realm of God’s ability.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, Increase my faith.  Help me to walk by faith and not by sight.  Teach me to trust You completely and to know that You can do anything.  Your power is greater than anything I can imagine.  Help me to never see a lost cause, but to know You are able.  Help me to see through eyes of faith and not by what the world sees.  You always worked through a remnant.

Yours,
Jeff

Begin the Work

Scripture:

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God speaks through Zecharaiah and tells His people not to despise the small beginnings.  He goes on to say that the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.  He likes seeing the plumbline in the hand of Zerubbabel.  The plumbline is one of the first tools used in getting the foundation and walls built on a building.  God rejoices when we get started, not only when we complete something.

Application:

We tend to get excited when something big happens and we an celebrate.  God celebrates when we start things, not just when we complete them.  As the new year approaches, there are some things that I need to start.  God rejoices when we start things for Him and His kingdom.  Rather than worrying about how we will finish, maybe we should just get started and not worry about small beginnings.

Prayer:

Father, let Your Spirit empower me to start what needs started, no matter whether it looks small or not.  Help me to do the little things and get started in right directions and not be so focused on the completion, but on getting things moving that need to get moving.  Help me not to be so focused on the cost that I never get started.

Your Son,
Jeff

Filled with Glory

Scripture:

“I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
‭‭Haggai‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The prophet speaks of a time when God would shake the nations and bring them to the Temple, which God’s people were rebuilding at the time.  The Lord tells them that He will fill this place with glory and bring the nations to it.  The people were discouraged because some of them remembered the glory of the former Temple.

Application:

As I was reading this morning, I felt these words jump off the page and into my heart.  I felt like it was a direct word for me.  God is going to shake the nations of the world and they, and their treasure, will be brought into Word of Life.  The best part is that He said here that He would fill the place with glory.  I have longed for the glory of God to be manifested in our midst.  I want people to encounter Him when they walk through the doors.

Prayer:

Father, shake the nations and let Your glory fall at Word of Life.  Fill the building with Your glorious presence.  I long to see You move in greater dimensions.  I long to see Your glory.  Come Holy Spirit and fill us as we seek Your face. Shake the nations and let them be saved in our church.  Shake the nations and let them meet You.  Raise up an army that will take Your glory to the nations.

Your Son,
Jeff

Seek the Lord

Scripture:

“Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.”
‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Zephaniah sees that God’s punishment if coming on His people because of their sin and disobedience.  He tells them to seek the Lord and follow His commands.  He says to do what is right  and live humbly before God, then He will protect them from His anger on the day of destruction.  God is always looking out for those who humble themselves before Him.  Humility attracts the favor of God.

Application:

God love sit when we humble ourselves before Him.  If humility attracts His favor and blessing, we must come to realize He is more able to lead our lives than we are.  We must begin to seek Him with humility and cry out to Him to rescue us.  I need to humble myself before the Lord and seek Him more.

Prayer:

Lord, You are good and Your mercy endures forever.  You are faithful and kind to those who love You.  Let my life be a life of humility before Your throne.  Help me to walk humbly before You and to always seek Your face.  I want You in my life.  I want Your favor and blessing on my life.  I want You to bless my family and the church I lead.  Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in my life.

Your Son,
Jeff

Let the River Flow

Scripture:

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, flowing with water clear as crystal, continuously pouring out from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The river was flowing in the middle of the street of the city, and on either side of the river was the Tree of Life, with its twelve kinds of ripe fruit according to each month of the year. The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:1-2‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

From the throne of God flows a river of the water of life.  It is crystal clear and produces trees that bear all kinds of fruit.  It also has leaves that are for the healing of the nations.  This picture is very similar to a picture that Ezekiel had where a river flowed from the Temple.  His described all kinds of fish as well.  The river brings healing wherever it goes.

Application:

Jesus said that rivers of living water would flow from our bellies.  We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and the river of God flows through us at this point, then it will be in heaven.  My job is to align myself with the Lord and to let His river flow through me.  I am standing on many prophetic words concerning the church I pastor which have said that a river of healing would flow there for the nations.  I am seeking God for it to grow stronger and stronger.

Prayer:

Father, let Your river flow in my life, my family, my church and my region.  Pour out Your Spirit in mighty ways and heal Your people.  Demonstrate Your power and show the world Your awesomeness.  Break open the wells of healing that have flowed in the past and even more.  Let the true river of God flow that cleanses, heals, restores, and brings multiplication and life.

Your Son,
Jeff

Wonderfully Blessed

Scripture:

“Then the angel said to me, “Write these words: Wonderfully blessed are those who are invited to feast at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!” And then he said to me, “These are the true words of God.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

John received a word from then angel which said, “wonderfully blessed are those who are invited to feast at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!”  The angel added, “These are the true words of God.”  Possibly the angel was jealous because the invite to the marriage supper is only for humans and not angels, but either way, this scripture lets us know that we are wonderfully blessed to be invited.

Application:

When we are walking with Jesus, we need to see ourselves as wonderfully blessed.  About two thirds of the world’s population has never heard the name of Jesus.  We are wonderfully blessed to know Him and walk with Him.  We are wonderfully blessed to have heaven as our home and to one day attend the marriage supper of the Lamb.  I must realize every day that I am truly wonderfully blessed.

Prayer:

Lord, let me always be thankful and to know that I am wonderfully blessed.  You have brought me into Your kingdom and chosen to bless my life.  You have adopted me into Your family and lifted my head.  You are my everything and I am wonderfully blessed to be, not only Your Son, but your bride. I look forward to the Marriage Supper!  Thanks for inviting me.

Yours,
Jeff

Worship Continually Conquers the Beast

Scripture:

“Then I saw what looked like a vast sea of glass blended with fiery flames. Standing beside the sea were those who continually conquer the wild beast, his image and the number of his name. They each held the harps of God and they were singing the song of Moses, God’s servant, and the song of the Lamb: “Mighty and marvelous are your miracles, Lord Yahweh, God Almighty! Righteous and true are your ways, O Sovereign King of the ages!”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭15:2-3‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, John sees those who continually conquer the beast and his image and the number of his name.  They are seen singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.  “Mighty and marvelous are your miracles, Lord Yahweh, God Almighty!  Righteous and true are Your ways, O Sovereign King of the ages!”  It was worshippers who continually conquered the beast.

Application:

If we want to continually conquer the beast and his image and his number in these last days, the key is found in our worship.  Every foe is conquered through worship.  Worship exalts the living God and causes us to see His glory.  Worship causes us to lift our eyes to the King of all Kings.  Continual victory comes to those who worship the Lord continually.  I want to always be a worshipper.

Prayer:

Father, help me to to walk in continual worship.  Let my life be a life of worship.  You are worthy of my very best.  You are worthy of it all.  Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in my life, my home, my church and my region.  You are incredible and I worship You this morning.

Your Son,
Jeff

The Accuser

Scripture:

“Then I heard a triumphant voice in heaven proclaiming: “Now salvation and power are set in place, and the kingdom reign of our God and the ruling authority of his Anointed One are established. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who relentlessly accused them day and night before our God, has now been defeated —cast out once and for all!”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12:10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, John heard a triumphant voice in heaven that declared God’s reign and rule being established forever.  He says that the accuser, who accused relentlessly day and night before God, was defeated and cast out once and for all.  This description of Satan is so true.  He is ever accusing us and trying to get us to walk in condemnation.

Application:

Satan does not want us to walk in confidence concerning our relationship to God.  He wants us to always feel like we are not good enough to enter into God’s presence.  We have been given access to the Lord through the blood of Jesus, but Satan doesn’t want us to have confidence in this because he knows the power we will walk in when we don’t have a guilty, condemning conscience.  We must walk confidently in the fact that the blood of Jesus has made us clean and the accuser is not standing on legal grounds when he accuses us.

Prayer:

Lord, increase my confidence in our relationship.  The accuser does a good job of making me feel inadequate, below expectations, and like a failure.  He is good at accusing me of not being good enough.  Open my eyes to what Christ did on the cross, giving me victory over the lies of the enemy.  I want to walk in greater confidence in my relationship with You.  I want to know You more and more and to demonstrate Your goodness to the world.

Your Son,
Jeff

Answered Prayer

Scripture:

“Then the angel filled the golden incense burner with coals of fire from the altar and hurled it onto the earth, releasing great peals of thunder, voices, lightning flashes, and an earthquake.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭8:5‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

In Revelation 8 there is a picture of the prayers of the the saints filling incense bowls.  This verse describes when the incense bowls are filled.  The answers are seen as coals off the altar being hurled into the earth, causing great thunder, voices, lightning flashes and earthquakes. This is a powerful picture of what I would call earth-shaking prayer.

Application:

Today I hear the Lord saying that I have prayed some prayers for a very long time, but that all of them have been held in an incense burner for a season.  They are about to be released and I will start to see some earth-shaking answers.  When we are faithful to God, He always comes through.  Maybe not in our timing, but He always responds to the prayers of His people. When He answers, He has the power to shake the heavens and the earth.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are awesome and I revere You.  I honor You and love You with all my heart.  Let the bowls be filled and let answers start coming back to earth powerfully.  Demonstrate Your power and move in May family, my church and my region.  Pour out Your Spirit and shake the heavens and the earth with a mighty revival.

Your Son,

Jeff

The Door Opener

Scripture:

“Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Philadelphia, for these are the solemn words of the Holy One, the true one, who has David’s key, who opens doors that none can shut and who closes doors that none can open:”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

John received the revelation of Jesus Christ on the isle of Patmos.  Here he tells us that Jesus has David’s key that opens doors that none can shut and closes doors none can open.  Jesus has the key of David, which get us where we need to get and closes what needs closed.

Application:

Instead of trying for force doors to open and to hold doors closed that need closed, I need to realize that Jesus is the key that opens doors and shuts doors.  I can push on doors all day long, but is Jesus doesn’t want it opened, I’m pushing in vain.  My walk with Jesus is the most important thing in my life, then I can walk through the doors He opens and I can know that He will shut doors that need shut in my life.

Prayer:

Jesus, You are the key that opens all the doors I need opened.  Help me to walk hand in hand with you.  Teach me to stop trying to open doors and to trust that You will open them at the right time.  Show me the balance of fighting for something by faith and simply trusting that You will give me what I need.  Show me when to push on the door and when to simply a trust You will open it at the right time.  Give me insight concerning doors in my life.

Your Son,
Jeff

The God of Miracles

Scripture:

““Yes,” says the Lord, “I will do mighty miracles for you, like those I did when I rescued you from slavery in Egypt.” All the nations of the world will stand amazed at what the Lord will do for you. They will be embarrassed at their feeble power. They will cover their mouths in silent awe, deaf to everything around them.”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭7:15-16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God speaks to His people through Micah that He would do mighty miracles for them like He did in Egypt for His people.  He said all nations would stand amazed at what He will do for them.  Their power will look feeble compared to the awesome power of the living God.  He has always been the God of miracles.  he proves Himself to the world through miracles.

Application:

I felt like this morning’s reading was a direct word for me personally.  It was like the Scripture flew off the page.  “I will do miracles for you”.  I have always believed that a miracle settles the issue for people who argue about the validity of God.  I am preaching a series on the Miracles of Christmas currently and I am looking for God to begin to do miracles in my life, my church and my region.  I believe that God’s word needs to be confirmed with signs, wonders, and miracles.  Today has increased my faith for miracles.  I believe, but I need to come to a higher level of belief.

Prayer:

Father, You are the God of miracles.  You worked miracles all through the Bible and I have seen You work miracles in my life.  I want You to demonstrate Your power once again and let the world see the awesomeness of the Lord God Almighty.  Pour out Your Spirit and move in and through Your church again.  Let the world the see Your goodness and power.

Your Son,
Jeff

Requiring Payment for Ministry

Scripture:

“You rulers make decisions based on bribes; you priests teach God’s laws only for a price; you prophets won’t prophesy unless you are paid. Yet all of you claim to depend on the Lord. “No harm can come to us,” you say, “for the Lord is here among us.””
‭‭Micah‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Micah speaks very harshly about three groups of people who all say they depend on the Lord, but require payment for ministry.  God speaks out through Micah saying that the rulers were making decisions based on bribes, the priests were teaching for a price and the prophets were only prophesying for payment.  His biggest rebuke was that all three were saying that they depend on the Lord.

Application:

Requiring money for ministry has always rubbed me the wrong way.  I have always felt that ministry should flow out because of a love for the Lord and His people.  I also understand that ministers have mouths to feed and payments to make.  Periodically, the Lord will test me in this and send me somewhere to speak where no payment comes in any form.  He tests my reaction to not receiving anything back.  Sometimes I get a rebuke from the Lord, asking me if I was ministering for money or out of love for Him and His people.  I want my answer to always be right.

Prayer:

Father, help me to keep my eyes on You and You alone.  You are my provider.  You are my rock and my strength.  Help me to minister truly out of love for You and Your people and never to get money.  Keep me pure in this area.  Let my heart always remain pure in this area.

Yours,
Jeff

God Always Has a Plan

Scripture:

“Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.”
‭‭Jonah‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

I love this passage because it shows me that God always has a plan.  Even though He was punishing Jonah with the storm, He had a plan to rescue Jonah from dying in the sea.  The Lord has incredible power to arrange things in our lives to bring about our salvation and our repentance.  He is always working to bring us closer to Him.

Application:

I see from this scripture, that even when God is punishing us, He is still a rescuing God.  He knows how to arrange the circumstances of our lives to bring about His will.  Our best place is the simple place of obedience because God will bring about His will in the earth and it is much better to listen the first time than to run from the call of God.  I need to walk in confidence that, even when I think I have messed us and missed God on something, He will arrange something to redeem the situation.

Prayer:

Lord, you are amazing!  You always have a plan and a back up plan.  Teach me to listen the first time and respond when You call me to do something.  Help me to hear clearly and walk in confidence in Your voice and Your word.  I want to live in obedience and not in regret.

Your Son,
Jeff

Ecstatic Delight

Scripture:

“Now, to the one with enough power to prevent you from stumbling into sin and bring you faultless before his glorious presence to stand before him with ecstatic delight,”

‭‭Jude (Judah)‬ ‭1:24‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Jude closes his book with this fabulous ending, which continues to speak of the glory, majesty and great power of the Lord.  He tells us that Christ has enough power to prevent us from stumbling and to bring us faultless before the throne of God to stand before Him with ecstatic delight.  Who comes to Him with ecstatic delight?  Those who don’t stumble and remain faultless.

Application:

I want to finish well what God has started in my life.  I want to leave the legacy of a life well lived for the Lord, not one that messed up at some point.  The key is to stay in prayer and in God’s word continually.  I don’t want to enter heaven barely getting there, but as one with ecstatic delight when I stand before Him.  I want to live a life on earth that makes it an honor to stand before my Lord one day.

Prayer:

Father, keep me from stumbling and present me faultless to Yourself when I am finished on this earth.  I want to finish well and strong.  I want to live a life that bring You honor and makes You look good to those around me.  Teach me to walk with You day after day.  I want to reside in Your presence here on earth before I get the honor of standing before You in heaven.

Yours,

Jeff

The Unifying Commandment

Scripture:

“This love means living in obedience to whatever God commands us. For to walk in love toward one another is the unifying commandment we’ve heard from the beginning.”
‭‭2 John‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

John tells us here that real love causes us to obey God’s commands.  He goes on to say that walking in love toward one another is the UNIFYING commandment that they has heard from the beginning. Obeying God’s commands here means walking in unifying love towards God’s people, our brothers and sisters.

Application:

Walking in unity and love sounds like the most simple command, but it is probably one of the hardest commands we will ever be given.  We must learn to walk in love, serve others, and strive for unity in the body of Christ.  I need to reach out to some people to bring unity and will do that this week.  I want to see the fulness of God’s power and glory.

Prayer:

Father, let my life bring love and unity in Your body.  Help me to continue the path of unity in my personal life, but also n Your kingdom.  I have slowed my work towards unity in the body and I ask You to enable me to pick it back up and continue the journey.  Let my life demonstrate love and unity for Your kingdom.

Yours,
Jeff

A River of Righteousness

Scripture:

“Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”
‭‭Amos‬ ‭5:23-24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God was rebuking His people for turning to other gods, even while worshiping Him.  He tells them “Away with your hymns of praise!  I will not listen to the music of your harps.”  Instead, He told them He wanted to see a mighty flood of justice and a river of righteousness.

Application:

We must never be a people who worship God with our lips, but don’t serve Him with who we are.  God loves our praise, but He is more concerned about our right living.  If He has to choose between our praise and our righteousness, He will always choose our righteousness.  Powerful and acceptable worship and praise comes from hearts of those who are truly following the Lord.  We can’t praise a God we are not serving.

Prayer:

Father, let my life reflect Your righteousness.  Let my life pursue justice and right living.  Help me to never worship and praise You without living a life submitted to You and Your will.  Teach me to follow You well and to walk in Your paths.  I am Yours.

Your Son,
Jeff

Walking Together

Scripture:

“Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?”
‭‭Amos‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Amos is sending out a strong rebuke to Israel and the surrounding nations because they hd turned their backs on God.  I have heard this verse used over and over again about two people walking together, but didn’t realize it was really God walking with Israel.  They couldn’t agree on a direction. In other words they weren’t going the same way God was.

Application:

God is all wise, all-knowing, and all-powerful.  If we are going to walk with Him, we must agree on the direction.  If we truly believe He is all-wise, all-knowing and all-powerful, then we would do well to follow His direction instead of our own.  My job is not to try to get God to do things my way, but to let God set the direction of my life and line myself up with His direction.  He sets the direction I am to walk, I must walk in it, then we can walk together.  I don’t want to walk alone through life.  I want to be one who walk with the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, I want to walk with You as Enoch walked with God.  I want to go Your direction.  make Your will clear for me to see at all times and give me the strength to walk the way You direct.  Thank You for healing my knee in the physical so I can walk again with out pain.  Now give me strength to walk with You through life.  You set the course and we will walk together.

Yours,
Jeff

Setting Your Affections

Scripture:

“Don’t set the affections of your heart on this world or in loving the things of the world. The love of the Father and the love of the world are incompatible.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, John reminds us of what Paul told the Colossians, “set your affections on things above, and not on this world.”  John goes on to say that the love of the Father and the love of the world are incompatible.  Loving God and loving the world can’t work together.  We must set and local our affections in on the things of God and His kingdom.

Application:

We need to set our affections in the right place.  My affections are the things I long for.  My desires need to be on the things of God above everything else.  I need to live in this world, but not be controlled by this world.  I need to be part of this world, but not allow the cravings of this world to dominate my life.  My pursuit must be the things of God, then He will take care of the rest.

Prayer:

Lord God, help me to set my affections on You and Your kingdom.  Teach me to walk in this world, but not to have all of my affections here.  Don’t let me get sidetracked with the things of this world, but let me finish he work You have sent me to do.  Heal my leg today I ask You in the name of Jesus.

Yours,
Jeff

Gather the People

Scripture:

“Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Bring the leaders and all the people of the land into the Temple of the Lord your God, and cry out to him there.”
‭‭Joel‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God has just spoken through Joel that He was going to bring judgment on His people.  He said they would be devastated, but then speaks through Joel to the priests and leaders.  The Lord tells them to announce a time of fasting and to call a a solemn assembly.  He tells them to bring everyone into the Temple and cry out to Him, then He may change His mind on the coming destruction.

Application:

When God’s people see that things are getting bad, they must call a a solemn assembly and a time of prayer and fasting and coming back to Him.  When we see the enemy on the horizon coming at us, it is time to cry out to the Lord our God.  We must learn to see what is happening and turn to the Lord with all our hearts for the healing of our land.

Prayer:

Father, let my heart be attuned to You.  Let me see what is happening in the spiritual realm and let me be part of gathering Your people to pray and seek Your face when things need to turn around.  Help me to respond when You are calling Intercessory and men and women to gather and seek Your face.  Teach me to see and to sound the alarm when it is needed.

Yours,
Jeff

Never Get Hardened

Scripture:

“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God is speaking to His people and telling them to plow the hard ground of their hearts, plant good seeds of righteousness and seek Him.  The result will be that he will come and shower righteousness on them.  He called their hearts hard so they could not receive seed.

Application:

Our hearts need to always be softened in the Lord’s presence so He can shape us and mold us into what He wants us to be.  It is our job to plow our hearts and keep them soft enough to receive the seed of Hid word.  I need to stay pliable in the master’s hands and stay sensitive to the voice of the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, never let me grow hard in my heart toward You or Your word.  Help me to stay plowed and ready at all times to receive Your word into my life.  Give me a heart that is pliable and shapable.  Help me to follow You completely and never with a hard, callous, or cynical heart.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

God’s Desire

Scripture:

“Then I will return to my place until they admit their guilt and turn to me. For as soon as trouble comes, they will earnestly search for me.””
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God has just ranted about how He was going to punish Israel and Judah for their sins.  He talked about how he was going to destroy them.  This sounds awful unless you can hear His heart.  His goal in the punishment was simply that they would return to Him and seek Him.  He felt that trouble would cause them to turn to Him.  His desire was to bless them, but He would use trouble to get them into a place of seeking Him, then He could bless them.

Application:

God has always desired a people who would seek him and walk according to His ways.  He has always longed for a people who would be completely His.  I want to be a person that doesn’t need trouble in order to seek God, but will pursue Him when things are gong well and when things are going bad.  I want to be a God seeker at all times.

Prayer:

Lord, You know I love You.  I earnestly desire more of You in my life.  I want to be constantly filled with Your Spirit and to walk with You in greater measure.  I want You presence With me at all times. I want to fulfill Your will in the earth.  I sense You drawing me this year.  Help me to respond and give You the desire of You heart, all of me.

Your Son,
Jeff

When God Doesn’t Make Sense - Obey Anyway

Scripture:

“When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.””
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God spoke to Hosea and told him to go marry a prostitute as an example to the people of Israel about their relationship with Him and how they have gone after other gods.  I’m sure Hosea had lived a clean life and stayed away from prostitutes.  This was something he would have avoided at all cost, yet God was speaking to him so he did it.  It made no sense for his personal life, but would send a strong message to Israel.

Application:

Sometimes God doesn’t make sense to us.  He may call us to do things that are way out of our comfort zone.  Our job is to say yes and do what He says, then we will be rewarded for our obedience.  When God speaks things into my heart, I must respond to them and act accordingly.  I can’t try to reason when God speaks, I must listen and obey.  He may have something in mind I haven’t thought of yet.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in step with You every day.  When You speak to my heart, help me to respond and do what You are speaking.  I have separated my life for Your purposes, but there are times I am hesitant to do what You are speaking because it may not make sense.  Help me to step out and obey.  When I stand before You, I want to know that I did everything I believe You spoke to me in my life, when I understood it and when I didn’t.

Yours,
Jeff

Be Intentional, Purposeful and Self-controlled

Scripture:

“Since we are approaching the end of all things, be intentional, purposeful, and self-controlled so that you can be given to prayer.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Peter tells us that since we are approaching the end of all things, we should be given to prayer.  In order to do that, he says, we need to be intentional, purposeful and self-controlled.  Being given to prayer take intentionality and self-control.  It is up to us to make prayer a priority in our lives.

Application:

I need to discipline myself to spend more time in prayer as the Lord’s coming is nearer than ever before.  Now is the time to be spending more time with the Father and not less.   Now is the time to be intentional about my personal devotional life.  I sense the Lord drawing me closer in this season, but it will take intentionality and self-control to do it.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, help me to intentionally spend more time in Your presence.  Empower me to live a purposeful life of prayer and study.  Teach me to be more self-controlled and disciplined in my devotional life.  I desire to walk with You in a closer way.  I long to walk in step with the Spirit.  Help me to discipline my life so I can do that.

Your Son,
Jeff

Where God Rests His Eyes

Scripture:
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“For the eyes of the Lord Yahweh rest upon the godly, and his heart responds to their prayers. But he turns his back on those who practice evil.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Peter tells us here that God’s eyes rest on the godly and his heart responds to their prayers.  He goes on to say that he turns his back on those who are doing evil things.  When we live godly, He takes notice.

Application:

I want the eyes of God on my life at all times.  I want to live a life that makes Him rest His eyes on me and for Him to respond to my prayers.  My job is to live a godly life.  His job is to watch over me and respond to my prayers.  I want to live more sold out for Jesus every day.  He is my hearts desire.  I long to be with Him and to walk with Him closer and closer.

Prayer:

Lord, I want more and more of You in my life.  I want You to watch over me and respond to my prayers.  Help me to live a life that grabs the attention of the Most High.  Teach me to live godly and to focus my attention on You at all times.   You are incredible!

Your Son,
Jeff

Precious to God

Scripture:

““Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.””
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭10:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Daniel had been fasting for 21 days and an angel came to him who said he had been sent with a message the first day he started praying and fasting, but had been help up from coming.  When the angel got there, Daniel felt weak.  The angel told him he was very precious to God, therefore be encouraged and strengthened.  Daniel then felt stronger.

Application:

Sometimes just hearing the words, “you are precious to God” can strengthen you to do what you need to do.  God is love and He loves us more than we can ever imagine.  When we go through difficult times, we must never doubt the love of God and how precious we are in His sight.  Strength comes from knowing Your Father loves you and that you are special to Him.

Prayer:

Lord, let me walk in confidence with You and to never forget that You love me and that I am special in Your eyes.  Help me to grow stronger and stronger in the coming days.  I want to finish well in serving You.  I want to walk strong and healthy and finish Your assignments for my life.  Help me to accomplish all You want me to accomplish in and through my life.

Your Son,
Jeff

Capable Brings Elevation

Scripture:

“Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Daniel proved himself more capable than all the other administrators.  He had great ability, which caused the king to prepare to place him over the entire empire.  His capability caused him to be raised up over and over again.  He was a hard working, diligent, smart and humble person and was elevated to incredible positions because of it.

Application:

I need to behave my capacity to lead and my diligence as a leader.  I know I am capable of more and better leadership than what I have given to this point in my life.  I want to enhance my skills and lead God’s people well.  I need to study, pray, seek God and implement what He gives me so that my life may be more effective for His Kingdom.

Prayer:

Father, increase my capacity.  Help me to lead well and administrate with excellence.  Help me to lead with skillful hands those You put in my care.  I want to increase my capacity to serve You and lead others so that we may all be more effective and impactful for Your kingdom.

Your Son,

Jeff

Wisdom and Discretion

Scripture:

“When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Daniel was a prophet who saw incredible visions and dreams about all the kingdoms of the world.  He was powerfully prophetic, yet he was also extremely wise and discreet.  He knew what to say and when to say it.  He handled himself with poise and always knew the wise thing to do.

Application:

Only the Spirit of God can give the kind of wisdom and discretion that Daniel walked in.  I want to walk with the wise and be filled with God’s incredible wisdom.  I long to make right choices and wise decisions that will bring blessing to the people around me.  I need to seek the Lord and listen for His voice more and more so that my choices will be His choices and my thoughts will be His thoughts.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I want to walk in Your wisdom and know what to do at all times.  I want to know You voice and follow Your commands.  I long to accurately represent You with. My life.  Hear my cry this morning and teach me to walk with wisdom and discretion that I may reflect You well.

Your Son,
Jeff

You Will Know

Scripture:

“Ezekiel is an example for you; you will do just as he has done. And when that time comes, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.””
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭24:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Ezekiel was told by the Lord that his wife was going to die, but that he shouldn’t mourn or do any of the normal grieving.  He was to show the people that they wouldn’t even mourn when their Temple and everything they have known was taken away.  He closes this section by saying that then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

Application:

God’s desire, even in powerful judgment, has always been that His people would know and serve Him as Lord of their lives.  Even in His times of fierce judgement, God has always had redemption as His purpose.  He has always looked for a people who would be completely His and who would have Him as their only God.  When we make Him the true Lord of our lives, He is very pleased and His blessings begin to flow.

Prayer:

Father, I want my life to honor You and please You.  Be glorified in all that I say and do.  Help me to be a good example for You.  Today as I minister in Ghana, help me to represent You well.  Work with me to confirm the words I speak on Your behalf.  Build Your Kingdom here today I pray.

Your Son,
Jeff

Like Birds From a Cage

Scripture:

““This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against all your magic charms, which you use to ensnare my people like birds. I will tear them from your arms, setting my people free like birds set free from a cage.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭13:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, the Lord is speaking to the false prophets who had ensnared the people of Israel with their charming words.  God got fed up with them and told them He would set His people free and they would come out like birds from a cage.  I had a picture of birds flying out of a cage as fast and as free as they could get, doing what they were designed to do, flying high and soaring instead of being in bondage.

Application:

My application today is to pray that those I minister to would be truly set free like birds from a cage.  I want to see people released from the power of sin and Satan and truly set free.  I want to see them live as they were designed to live, free and happy and full of life and joy.  I want to align myself with God and see the captives set free.  As I go to Ghana today, I want to see the captives released, healed, and brought into their destinies in Christ.

Prayer:

Father, work in and through my life.  Use me to open the cages and set people free to soar in life.  I avail myself to You and ask You to flow through me to release those in prison to sin, sickness and suffering.  My heart’s desire is to see liberty for those in bondage.

Yours,
Jeff

Take Hold of Me Lord

Scripture:

“Then on September 17, during the sixth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, while the leaders of Judah were in my home, the Sovereign Lord took hold of me.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭8:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Ezekiel had some really powerful encounters with the Lord Almighty.  On this one, he says that the Sovereign Lord took hold of him.  He goes on in the coming verses to say that the Lord picked him up by the hair and transported him to see some things.

Application:

Just as Ezekiel had some really powerful encounters with God, some New Testament saints had the same.  I want to have God encounters with my maker.  I want the Lord to take hold of me and show me things to come and things going on around me.  I desire to encounter the Lord in powerful ways and to hear His heart for the world.  I want to walk with Him and for Him to know He can take hold of me at any time.

Prayer:

Father, take hold of my life.  I want to encounter You and to walk with You.  I long to work together with You for the advancement of Your kingdom.  You are incredible and I offer myself completely to You.  Show me what You want me to see. Speak to me in my dreams.  I long for You.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Scripture:

“Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins.”  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭NLT‬

Observation:

God here explains why He is bringing judgment on His people.  He starts by saying that after the judgment, they will remember Him and recognize how hurt He was by them when they went after idols.  He finishes by saying, then they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins.  God’s punishment had a purpose, to bring His people back to Him.

Application:

God’s main reason for punishing people in the Old Testament was so they would realize their wrongdoing and come back to Him.  He wanted to bless them, but couldn’t until they were right with Him and turned away from all idols in their lives.  He hurts when we disobey Him.  Like a father who wants to bless his son, but can’t because the son is doing wrong, so the Lord wants to bless us if we will follow Him wholeheartedly.

Prayer:

Father, I don’t want my life to hurt You in any way.  I want You to be pleased with me at all times.  Keep me in check by Your Spirit.  When I am start in a wrong direction, step in and turn me around.  I want to walk in step with Your Spirit.  I want to walk in Your blessing.  Thank You for blessing my life in so many ways.  You are incredible.

Yours,
Jeff‬

Expressing Excellence

Scripture:

“may he work perfection into every part of you giving you all that you need to fulfill your destiny. And may he express through you all that is excellent and pleasing to him through your life-union with Jesus the Anointed One who is to receive all glory forever! Amen!”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:21‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

The author of Hebrews prays for God’s people and asks God to work perfection in them, giving them everything they need to fulfill their destinies.  He goes on to say, “may he express through you all that is excellent and pleasing to him through your life-union with Jesus the anointed one.”  Jesus wants to express through us what is pleasing to God.

Application:

When we co-labor with Christ, His will is going to be fulfilled.  We don’t have to do the work on our own, it is Christ’s work and He lives in us.  Our goal should be life-union with Christ, then He will bring us into our destiny.  My heart wants to work with Christ instead of working on my own for Christ.

Prayer:

Jesus, help me to work together with You instead of trying to work for You.  Help me to see what You are doing and to lend You a hand instead of trying to do everything myself.  Teach me to walk in step with You, letting Your power and glory strengthen me as I work together with You.  I want to live in life-union with You at all times.

Your Son,

Jeff

Presentable to God

Scripture:

“And since we now have a magnificent High Priest to welcome us into God’s house, we come closer to God and approach him with an open heart, fully convinced that nothing will keep us at a distance from him. For our hearts have been sprinkled with blood to remove impurity, and we have been freed from an accusing conscience. Now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out!”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:21-22‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

Here we see that because of Jesus, we can approach God with confidence and boldness.  He welcomes us into His presence and we are fully convinced that nothing will keep us at a distance from him.  We are now clean, in stained, and presentable to God inside and out.  Our confidence is not in our own righteousness, but in Jesus sacrifice.  We are free from an accusing conscience.

Application:

We need to believe what the Word says above all else.  The enemy wants us to think we don’t have access because we have done wrong things and disobeyed God at times.  Jesus blood paid the eternal sacrifice and was sufficient to cleanse us completely.  We must walk in that confidence and know that we are presentable to God.  I cannot make myself more presentable to God by my works.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family.  I am amazed at Your love for me.  Thank You for confirming this morning that I am cleansed, I stained and presentable to the Father.  Help me to walk in that confidence more and more.  Show me how to lead Your church.  Teach me how to lead as You would lead.

Your Son,

Jeff

Receive God’s Promises

Scripture:

“So don’t allow your hearts to grow dull or lose your enthusiasm, but follow the example of those who fully received what God has promised because of their strong faith and patient endurance.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

The author of Hebrews here tells us not to grow dull or lose enthusiasm.  Rather, he says we should follow those who fully received God’s promises through faith and patience.  It is by faith and patience we inherit God’s promises.  

Application:

When we operate in faith, we tend to think faith will open doors and move mountains instantly.  Sometimes it does, but sometimes faith needs patience to be added to it.  When things are not moving as quickly as we would like, we must learn to walk in faith and patience.  God will do what He says He will do, but we must be patient in the process, knowing we will receive the promises.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in faith and patience.  Don’t let my heart grow dull and don’t let me lose my enthusiasm.  Energize my spirit and help me to hold onto Your promises.  Open my ears to hear Your promises as well.  Enable me to live by faith AND patience, knowing You will do what You say Your will do.

Your Son,

Jeff

When God Adds His Witness

Scripture:

“Then God added his witness to theirs. He validated their ministry with signs, astonishing wonders, all kinds of powerful miracles, and by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which he distributed as he desired.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Observation:

The author of Hebrews says here that God added to the witness of the apostles.  He validated their ministry with signs, wonders and miracles, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  When God validates, or backs up, what you are saying, it is a powerful thing.  Our message needs validation.

Application:

We should read things like this and earnestly desire for God to validate our ministry like only He can.  When God takes our verbal witness and adds His witness to it, our ministry takes on a much stronger impact.  When God backs up our words, people will listen.  I need God to validate my ministry more and more so that lives will be impacted for the Kingdom.

Prayer:

God, I ask You to come in powerful signs, wonders and miracles.  Validate our ministry and add Your witness to mine.  Back up what I teach Father.  Help me to be a vessel that You can work through.  Lead me into the place where You display Your glory.  Take me deeper and pour out Your Spirit more and more.  I want this for Your glory and honor.  I want to see revival in my generation.  Come Hopy Spirit and confirm Your word.

Yours,
Jeff

Don’t Lose Your Luster

Scripture:

“How the gold has lost its luster! Even the finest gold has become dull. The sacred gemstones lie scattered in the streets!”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah is lamenting about Jerusalem and Judah because of the state of things there during the Babylonian captivity.  He says how the gold has lost its luster and become dull.  In other words, the potential for beauty was there, but it had lost its shine.   The only way for it to get back was to have the Lord bring back the captives and turn things around.

Application:

Sometimes in my life, my luster shines brighter than others.  When you are walking the Spirit and things are going well, you feel like you shine bright, but then things start going out of your control and you quickly lose your shine.  This little light of mine becomes very true.  Jeremiah’s remedy was to turn back to God.  When our shine goes dim, we need to begin to seek the Lord.  In His presence is fulness of joy.  Everything we need is found in Him.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to walk with You continually and never lose my shine and luster.  I want to shine bright for you all the days of my life.  Help me to walk in step with Your Spirit and to be refreshed in Your presence continually.  I want to dwell with You.  I want to be with You and let Your glory fill my life.

Yours,
Jeff

Turn Back

Scripture:

“Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:40‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Prior to this passage, Jeremiah was speaking about the destruction that had happened as God’s judgment for the sins of Jerusalem.  He was lamenting how God had destroyed and punished His people and then this verse tells us to test and examine our ways and return to the Lord.

Application:

The best thing we can do when we realize we have done wrong is to simply turn back to the Lord with all our heart.  We need to learn to always walk be Him examining our ways.  If we will do this, we won’t have to be turning and repenting much.  I need to walk in a continual examination of myself.  As John Crist says, “Check your heart”.  We have the Holy Spirit to help us walk this walk.  He will show us what needs to change.  Our job is to follow His lead.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to walk in step with the Spirit.  Teach me to live a life that You can bless and that will honor You and Your kingdom.  When I do mess up, enable me to quickly examine my heart and return to You and Your ways.  I want to serve You well and for my life to bring Your praise.

Yours,
Jeff

God Humbles Us

Scripture:

““In those coming days,” says the Lord, “the people of Israel will return home together with the people of Judah. They will come weeping and seeking the Lord their God.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭50:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah prophesies here that God’s people will come out of Babylonian captivity.  He says they will return home again, but they will come weeping and seeking the Lord their God.  God had used Babylon to punish His people.  He wanted them to humble themselves before Him so He could bless them.

Application:

When God really delivers you, the only option is tears of humility and seeking more of the Lord.  Just like the people of Israel and Judah, God wants us to look to Him.  Everything is much better when we continue to look to the Lord and obey what He says.  We have the choice to humble ourselves before Him now or be humbled later.  My choice is to humble myself before Him now.

Prayer:

Lord, You are my everything.  I humble myself before You.  Show me any area of my life that is not right with You.  I want to walk in Your blessing and favor.  Show me Your path for my life.  Teach me to walk in Your ways and to follow You wholeheartedly.  I am Yours and I want Your will for my life.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

What Ruler Can Oppose The Lord?

Scripture:

“I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan, leaping on the sheep in the pasture. I will chase Edom from its land, and I will appoint the leader of my choice. For who is like me, and who can challenge me? What ruler can oppose my will?””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭49:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah tells Edom here what the Lord is going to do to them.  God spoke through Jeremiah saying that He would appoint the leader He wants there and then tells asks the questions; “Who is like Me? Who can challenge Me? And What leader can oppose My will?”  The answer: Nobody.

Application:

Nobody can oppose what the Lord wants to do.  He will allow things to go on for a certain amount of time, but God will not be mocked.  When He speaks, it will be strong and He will straighten things out.  There is no leader like Him.  There is nobody who can do what He can do.  My best choice is to humble myself before Him and walk in His ways.  I want Him on my side at all times.  He is incredible!

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are faithful!  You area strong!  You never fail and Your ways are beyond comprehension.  I love You and want to serve You well in my generation.  Come in all of Your power and move in my region.  Come and bring an awakening to northern Va.  Come and move strongly in my family, my church and my region.  Walk with me as I go to Ghana and work powerfully through me as I go.

Yours,
Jeff

How Can You Stay Still

Scripture:

““But how can it be still when the Lord has sent it on a mission? For the city of Ashkelon and the people living along the sea must be destroyed.””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭47:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In the verse prior to this one Jeremiah is talking about the sword of the Lord.  He then comes into this verse and says, “how can it be still when the Lord has sent it on a mission?”  He was speaking of the sword of the Lord and was saying that when God sends something on a mission, it cannot be still.

Application:

God isn’t sending swords into battle these days, but He is sending His people on mission.  Our response should be like Jeremiah’s about the sword, “How can I be still when the Lord has sent me on a mission?”  As the body of Christ, we have been sent on a mission.  We must not be still when we’ve been sent by God on His mission.  God is looking for an active people who are advancing His kingdom in all the earth.  We must rise up and do something with the Great Commission.

Prayer:

Lord, let me never be still when You have sent me on a mission.  Help me to accomplish all You have for me in my lifetime.  Enable me to take the Good News of Christ to the ends of the earth.  Help me to actively and not lazily, build Your kingdom here and around the world.  I don’t want to be an unprofitable servant.

Your Son,
Jeff

Pray for Us

Scripture:

“Jeremiah the prophet. They said, “Please pray to the Lord your God for us. As you can see, we are only a tiny remnant compared to what we were before. Pray that the Lord your God will show us what to do and where to go.””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭42:2-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The people had been seriously reduced in size and had nothing left.  They planned to go to Egypt where maybe they could survive instead of being punished by the Babylonians.  They asked Jeremiah to pray for them so they would know what to do and where to go.  They had already decided what they were going to do, but went to Jeremiah to get God to bless their plans.   Instead God told them they would be destroyed in Egypt as well.

Application:

Many times in our lives we pray that God will bless our decisions and give us what we want.  God knows what we need, we know what we want.  We must learn to pray in accordance with God’s will on the situations we face.  We can’t make our decisions then ask God to bless them.  We need to seek the Lord before the decision is made, then do what He says.

Prayer:

God, you know my heart.  You know I want to do Your will in the earth.  I long to hear Your voice clearly.  I long to know Your heart and Your desires.  Open my ears to hear You and to know what You want done in each and every situation in my life.  Help me not to take things into my own hands, then ask You to bless my decisions.  I want Your input on all things.

Yours,
Jeff

Our Choices

Scripture:

“Jeremiah replied, “You won’t be handed over to them if you choose to obey the Lord. Your life will be spared, and all will go well for you.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭38:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah speaks here and tells King Zedekiah that if he obeys the Lord, his life will be spared from the Babylonians and all will go well for him.  The Babylonians were coming and God was punishing His people, but even in the midst of God’s punishment, we see Him telling the king that if he would follow the Lord, his life would’ve spared and things would go well for him.

Application:

Doing God’s will is paramount in our lives as believers.  We must give ourselves completely to His will in our lives.  When we do, we can expect that things will go well for us and we will prosper as He chooses to prosper us.  God does defend those who humble themselves before Him.  He takes care of those who submit completely to Him.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to follow You wholeheartedly.  Help me to listen to Your voice and hear the prophetic word like Jeremiah.  Let my ears be open and my heart be ready to submit to You and do Your will in the earth.  I am Yours.  Work in my life.  Your Kingdom come and Your will be done.

Your Son,
Jeff

Blessed by Obedience

Scripture:

“Then Jeremiah turned to the Recabites and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed your ancestor Jehonadab in every respect, following all his instructions.’ Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.’””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭35:18-19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Recabites had followed the instructions of their ancestor Jehonadab perfectly.  They were obedient to his command never to drink wine all the days of their lives.  They did it out of respect for their ancestor, but God honored their desire to do right and said they will always have descendants who serve the Lord.  Their obedience to do what is right caused the blessing of God to come on their family for generations.

Application:

Obedience brings blessings.  There is no doubt about it.  When we obey the Lord and do His will, the blessings of God will overtake our lives.  When we questions God and do what we want instead of what He wants, we are stopping up the blessings of the Lord.  We must always walk in obedience to what the  Lord has put in our hearts.  He wants to bless us, but that requires obedience.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are incredible.  Every act of obedience is recorded in Your books.  You take good notes when You people obey You.  Empower me to live in obedience in every area of my life.  I am Your first and foremost.  I want to do what You want at all times.  Help me to know You and Your desires more clearly each day.

Yours,
Jeff

But Then

Scripture:

“This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Jeremiah was predicting 70 years of Babylonian captivity, “but then” God would bring His people home and do all the good things He had promised.  God was planning to allow consequences for their behavior, BUT THEN He was going to bring them back and bless them.

Application:

There are always times and seasons in God.  There are times when we are experiencing difficulties and times when we prosper.  God always blesses His people eventually.  Sometimes when we are going through a bad or difficult time, we need to hear the Lord saying “BUT THEN”.  We need to realize that bad days won’t last forever and to know that God will bring us out in His timing and not ours.

Prayer:

Father, I love You and want to constantly walk with You.  Help me to realize that there are times and seasons.  In this season, thank You for the “but then”.  Thanks for letting me know that this season will end and You will bless my life again.  Fulfill Your purposes in my life.  I trust You.

Yours,
Jeff

When God Changes His Mind

Scripture:

“But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey the Lord your God, he will change his mind about this disaster that he has announced against you.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭26:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah told the people that if they would stop their sin and begin obeying the Lord that He would change His mind about destroying them.  God’s messages of impending judgment always come with a way of escape.  When we turn to Him, He turns to us.  When we humble ourselves before Him, He will change what He had determined to do.  Even what is prophesied depends on us.

Application:

I want to live a life that the Lord can bless.  Wherever there is disobedience in my life, I want God to point it out and I want to fix it.  I want to walk in complete obedience to the Lord and what He has spoken, but I need to hear clearly.  I want the Lord’s direction in my life desperately because I want to fulfill it.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty.  You are incredible!  Your faithfulness reaches the heavens and your goodness knows no bounds.  Open my ears to hear and me eyes to see what You desire from me.  Show me how to lead my family.  Show me how to lead my church.  Show me what You desire and when I obey, bless my life with prosperity, favor, and grace.

Yours,

Jeff

My People

Scripture:

“I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭24:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah prophesies here about the return and re-establishment of God’s people after their captivity.  God was punishing them, but in the process, He said He would give some of them heart that would recognize Him as the Lord.  He said they would be His people and He would be their God when they return to Him wholeheartedly.

Application:

God has always longed for one simple thing.  It is recorded all through Scripture.  He has always wanted a people who would be His and that He could be their God.  He has always wanted a people who would turn to Him wholeheartedly.  When we fulfill our end of wholeheartedly coming to Him, He will be our God and we will be His people, then we will see breakthroughs in our lives, homes and regions.

Prayer:

Father God, don’t let me live a half-hearted or complacent life.  Empower me to live a zealous life for You and Your kingdom.  I want to live full-throttle for You.  I want You to be my God and to walk close to You.  I want to live a life that pleases You.  Show me the way forward and I will go.  I am Yours completely.

Your Son,
Jeff

They Cannot Defeat Me

Scripture:

“But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated. Their dishonor will never be forgotten.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭20:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah had a lot of people against him because of the messages he brought from the Lord.  He wished he didn’t have to deliver them, but he couldn’t stop.  God’s word was like a fire in his bones.  Even though everyone was against him, he knew that the Lord was beside him like a great warrior.  He knew he could not be defeated because he knew his walk with God was strong.

Application:

When we walk with the Lord, He will give confidence that no weapon formed against us will prosper and that He will defeat our enemies.  We must walk in confidence that the Lord stands beside us at all times and that He will take care of us in every situation.  The closer we are with the Lord, the more confidence we have in Him.  Our job is to draw near to Him.

Prayer:

Father, I want to walk closer with You every day.  Help me to discipline my life and align myself with Your will at all times.  You. Are my protector.  You are my shield.  They cannot defeat me because You walk beside me.  Be my protection as I draw near to You.

Your Son,
Jeff

Obedience and the Prophetic

Scripture:

“And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭18:9-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah is crying out destruction is coming to Judah then God takes him down to a potter’s house and shows him a potter working at the wheel.  The pottery was marred in the hands of the potter, so the potter changed the outcome into something different.  Then God said to Jeremiah the above verse which tells us that if God pronounces something, it can still change depending on the obedience of the people.  The obedience of the person or nation impacts the fulfillment of the prophetic.

Application:

Just because God has spoken things, it doesn’t mean they will always come to pass.  They will come to pass as we are obedience to do what He has asked us to do.  Even if the prophetic word is negative, we can turn it around with our obedience.  If it is positive, we can stop it with our disobedience.  We must always walk in obedience to the will and purposes of God, then our prophetic words will come to pass and we will live victorious lives.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to walk in obedience at all times.  You are my protector.  You are my provider.  You are my comforter.  My hope and trust are in You.  Let Your will be accomplished in and through my life. I long for You to move powerfully in my life and in my region.  Come Holy Spirit and bring revival.

Yours,
Jeff

Cling to the Lord

Scripture:

“As a loincloth clings to a man’s waist, so I created Judah and Israel to cling to me, says the Lord. They were to be my people, my pride, my glory—an honor to my name. But they would not listen to me.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭13:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Lord speaks through Jeremiah about His desire and purpose in creating His people.  His desire was that they would cling to Him like a loincloth clings to a man.  He wanted them to be His pride and glory.  He wanted His people to bring honor to His name, but they refused to listen.  God has always longed for a people who would walk closely with Him.

Application:

I want to be the answer to God’s cry in this text.  I want to walk as close to Him as a loincloth is to a man.  I want to live a life that brings Him glory, honor, and praise.  The only way for me to do this is to draw closer to Him each and every day.  I need to cling closer and spend more time in His presence.  It is time in His presence that causes me to reflect His glory.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to walk closer with You each day.  Help me to reflect Your glory in my generation.  Help me to cling to You as close as my skin and to never turn away.  I want to make Your name famous and I want my life to bring Your praise.  Empower me to do it I pray.

Your Son,
Jeff

Is There Healing for God’s People?

Scripture:

“Is there no medicine in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why is there no healing for the wounds of my people?”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭8:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God has been telling Jeremiah about the destruction coming to His people because they have not obeyed Him or followed His ways.  In this verse, Jeremiah replies to God asking if there is no healing for his people.  He is asking God why his people can’t be healed.

Application:

The truth about this passage is that there is healing for God’s people.  The Great Physician is still on the throne and heals His people.  Every wound can be healed.  The problem is that the people were walking in complete disobedience to God’s word and His ways.  Their healing would come through repentance, but they were not willing to repent.  Healing is the children’s bread, but the children must walk in obedience.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in step with Your Spirit every day of my life.  I want to live above only and not beneath.  I want to live a life of obedience to Your every word.  I want healing and life to flow from my life as I serve and work for You.  I am Yours.  All that I am.  All that I’m not.  Everything of mine belongs to You.  You are my everything.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Don’t Waste Good Seed

Scripture:

“This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭4:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah tells God’s people to plow up the ground of their hearts.  The word of God must be received by good soil in order to produce fruit. He said, “Do not waste your good seed along thorns.”  Thorns can grow in hard ground and will choke out the good seed.  God says to get your heart right so you can hear what He is saying.

Application:

We must always come to God’s word with soft hearts.  Being hard hearted never gets us anywhere with God.  He wants us to have a heart that remains soft and flexible before Him so His seed can be received into good soft soil and produce what it is meant to.

Prayer:

Lord, let my heart be soft before You.  Let my ears listen to every word You speak and let my heart be quick to respond to Your will in every area of life.  Help me not to harden my heart, but to remain ready to receive your word at all times.  Help me not to let the cares of this life or anything else harden my heart toward You and Your word.  I want to do Your will above all else.

Your Son,
Jeff

They Will Fight You

Scripture:

“They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God told Jeremiah that He was putting His word in Jeremiah’s mouth and that he was to speak it no matter what the people did.  He also told him that the people would fight against him, but they would fail because God was with him and would take care of him.  God didn’t give Jeremiah false hope, He told him clearly that people would be against him, but that God would be with him.

Application:

Sometimes when things are not going the way we want them to, we feel like God must not be with us.  Sometimes as a leader, when people don’t jump on board with all our thoughts and words, we feel like something is wrong.  Sometimes God will send you to speak His word to a people who won’t listen, our job is to be obedient to Him and do what He wants instead of what we see as successful.  Doing what He wants guarantees He will be with me andI want that more than anything else.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk strong in the calling You have given me.  Teach me not to equate certain things with being a successful minister.  Help me to see obedience to You as my primary calling and to leave the results to You.  When people fight against me, help me not to see it as rejecting me, it rejecting You.

Yours,
Jeff

Be Courteous, Humble and Considerate

Scripture:

“And remind them to never tear down anyone with their words or quarrel, but instead be considerate, humble, and courteous to everyone” (Titus 3:2 TPT).

Observation:

Paul tells his son Titus about working with elders in each city where he is establishing the church.  As he does, he tells him to remind those elders to never tear anyone down or quarrel, but to be considerate, humble and courteous to everyone.  Paul’s words to leaders is that they should walk in humility and never tear people down.

Application:

I want to be a river of living water.  I want life to flow out of me, not judgment and death.  I want people to come to the river and drink because they are refreshed, not put down or fought with.  I need to work on being considerate, humble and courteous to everyone I come in contact with.  It is a huge reflection of our walk with Christ.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to see value in everyone and to make them feel wanted, accepted and valuable.  Help me to not be quick to fight, but to walk humbly before You and others.  Teach me to yield my tongue and emotions to You.  Let a river of life flow out of my life and into everyone around me.

Yours,
Jeff

No One Asked

Scripture:

“The Lord says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭65:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, the Lord says he was ready to respond, but nobody asked Him for help.  He goes on to say that He was ready to be found, but nobody was looking for Him.  He was trying to be found by a nation that wasn’t calling on His name anymore.  God wants us to call on Him.  He is waiting for the call.

Application:

We must call on the Lord for the things going on in our lives.  He wants to be our source.  He wants to provide for His people, but His people must ask.  In James we are told that we have not because we ask not or because we ask with wrong motives.  There are some things I need to ask God for that I haven’t because I haven’t felt I could make them happen in my own strength.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You were ready to respond, but nobody was asking.  You were ready to be found, but nobody was looking.  You can find me.  I’m here asking and seeking.  Bless my life.  Meet every need and provide for me and my family to be out of debt and give us a house that will work for the special needs of my family.  Work You miracles in my life.

Yours,
Jeff

Wait For God

Scripture:

“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭64:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This beautiful verse tells us that since the world was created, nobody has seen or heard of a God like our God.  It continues and says that He works for those ho wait for Him.  Nobody has seen what God will do for those who are committed enough to wait upon the Lord.  He is incredible!

Application:

I need to tie in, lock down, and wait on the Lord in every situation of my life.  I need to not push things ahead, but wait on Him to do what He is going to do.  He can do a much better job than I can, but I need to learnt o wait patiently for Him to work.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to wait.  You are trustworthy, but sometimes I want things to happen in my time instead of Yours.  Help me to trust You more each day and to walk out Your purposes and plans for my life.  I am Yours first and foremost.  With faith and patience we inherit the promises.

Your Son,
Jeff

Restoration and Revival

Scripture:

“The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭57:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage God speaks through Isaiah and tells His people that He lives with those whose spirits are humble and contrite.  He goes on to say that He restores the crushed spirit of the humble and revives the courage of those who repent.  God takes care of those who humble themselves before Him in genuine repentance.

Application:

My job is to stay in an attitude of humility and repentance, God then will restore, and revive.  He takes care of those who humbly walk before Him, depending on Him for everything.  God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.  He never rejects those who come to Hi in humility and brokenness.  I need to walk in humility at all times and remain dependent on God.

Prayer:

Lord, I love You and want to serve You well on the earth all the days of my life.  Teach me to not lean on the arm of my flesh and my abilities, but on You and Your abilities.  Help me to always depend on You and trust You.  Convict me where I’m wrong and lead me into Your presence.  I want to know Your heart and Your ways more and more.

Your Son,

Jeff

God’s Word

Scripture:

“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking here through Isaiah and tells His people that when He sends out His word, it always produces fruit.  In other words, what God speaks is rock solid and never fails to produce fruit.  He also says that it will accomplish everything He wants it to and will prosper everywhere He sends it.  The word of God is powerful!

Application:

We must learn to trust the Word of God over our feelings, insecurities, personal experiences, etc.  His word is trustworthy.  What He says, will come to pass.  God has spoken His word and He continues to speak His word.  When God speaks, we can be confident that nothing will be able to stop it.  My goal is simply to hear what He is speaking and to follow Him completely.

Prayer:

Father, open my ears to hear Your word.  I want to know You intimately.  Help me to trust You over my feelings, thoughts, insights, and emotions.  Enable me to stand on Your written word like never before.   I want to be a man of Your word.

Yours,
Jeff

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies

Scripture:

“For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭51:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Here, God tells Israel that it has nothing to fear.  No man can stand against them because He is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.  This is a prophetic word concerning them returning to their land after being deported.  God let’s them know that if He can stir up the sea and cause the waves to roar, He can take care of His people and defeat their enemies.

Application:

When we feel down, discouraged, or overwhelmed, we must remember that God is still on the throne.  The wind and waves obey Him and He won’t allow more on us that we can bear.  We can rest confident that our God is strong enough to defeat any enemy that arises in our lives.  He is able to provide for His people.  He can move heaven and earth when one of His children is in need.  We must learn to trust Him more.

Prayer:

Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I look to You as my source and my resource.  Help me to walk through this life fulfilling Your plans and purposes.  Teach me to walk closer and closer to You at all times.  Draw me nearer and nearer to You.   Help me to seek after You with all my heart and strength.  I long to see You move mightily in my generation.

Yours,
Jeff

Oh That You Had Listened

Scripture:

“Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭48:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is crying out here to His people Israel who had walked away from Him and ended up in Babylonian captivity.  He says that He wished they had listened to His commands.  If they had, He says they would have had peace like a river and righteousness like waves of the sea.

Application:

When we obey God’s commands, we can expect to walk in peace and righteousness.  There is great peace in following the Lord.  He is our peace. Trusting Him and doing things His way, always brings peace into our lives.  When we try to do things our own way, we end up in chaos, but the Lord brings peace to those who trust Him and live the way He wants.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are incredible and You love Your people.  You loved me before I was ever born.  You knew the days of my life before I ever lived one of them.  Teach me to trust You more with my life, my future, and everything else.  Help me to walk as an obedient son who doesn’t ask questions, but simply obeys his father.  Let Your peace fill my life like a gentle river and Your righteousness roll over my life.

Yours,
Jeff

A New Thing

Scripture:

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Nothing is impossible for God.  He can do whatever He wants to do.  He is able to make deserts blossom and dry wastelands to run with rivers.  He says here that He is about to do something new.  God does not always function the same way.  He loves to do new things and surprise people.

Application:

God doesn’t have to do thing like He did them in the past.  He can always do a new thing.  he is omnipotent and can do as He pleases.  He is not bound to do things the way He has done them in the past.  I believe in the last days, God will do some new things.  I believe He will pour out His Spirit as we have never seen before.  I want to be open when God does a new thing.  I want to be sensitive to His Spirit when He is doing it and to work with Him.

Prayer:

Father, let my spirit be in tune with Your Spirit.  Help me to hear Your voice and move with You at all times.  When You do a new thing, let me be open and receive it with joy.  Help me not to put You in a box, but to flow with You.  Let me be a tree that moves with the wind of Your Spirit.  Show me when You are doing new things and let me walk with You.

Yours,
Jeff

Four Promises to Lean On

Scripture:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah gives this beautiful and powerful word from the Lord.  He tells them not to be afraid or discouraged because: God is with them, He is their God, He will strengthen them, and He will hold them up with His victorious right hand.  These four promises from God have given strength and encouragement to God’s people for centuries.

Application:

Sometimes I can get discouraged and allow fear into my life.  Discouragement takes the courage out of us and stops us from attempting things for God.  These four promises need to stay in my heart and mind throughout the day every day.  He promises that He will be with me.  He let’s me know He is my God.  He strengthens and helps me, and He holds me up with his powerful arm.  It is totally about Him and not about me.  Therefore, I need to let Him do His work and trust Him more and more.

Prayer:

Father, You are incredible.  Thank you for your promises to me.  Help me to not to be fearful or discouraged, but to trust Your promises.  Help me to know the next steps in my life, my family, and the church I lead.  I want to see You work powerfully each day.

Yours,

Jeff

Do Not Answer Him

Scripture:

“But the people were silent and did not utter a word because Hezekiah had commanded them, “Do not answer him.””

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭36:21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Sennacherib had sent a message to the people of Israel saying they should surrender and he would treat them well. He questioned whether their God would be able to save them.  He reminded them that no other nation, and the gods of those nations had been able to stand against the Assyrian army.  He tried to put doubt into people’s minds concerning their God.

Application:

Isaiah says about the people of Israel that they were told, “Do not answer him”,  When the enemy was threatening their very existence, they didn’t say anything.  Satan loves to bring condemnation and guilt to God’s people.  He loves to tell us things will never change and it’s only going to get worse.  We must learn to not listen to him and not say a word.  Silence can be absolutely powerful.

Prayer:

Father, show me when to speak and when to simply wait on You.  Lead me by Your Spirit concerning  when to speak up and when to simply be quiet and confident.  Let me walk with You at a stronger level and let me not say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Yours,

Jeff