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