A Scroll of Remembrance

 Scripture:

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.”  ‭Malachi‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Malachi here tells of those who feared the Lord speaking together and God listened to what they said.  He goes on to say that there was a scroll of remembrance on which the names of those who feared the Lord and honored His name were recorded.  What we speak in private, God records in heaven.  if it is honoring to the Lord, our name gets recorded.

Application:

I want my name to be known in two places.  I want my name known in heaven and I want my name known in hell.  I want my name recorded in heaven because I have feared and honored the Lord above anyone and anything else.  I want my name recorded in hell because I have done everything I can to plunder hell and populate heaven.  I want to speak what honors the Lord.  I want my mouth to always speak what is uplifting to the Lord and His name.

Prayer:

Father, help me to fear and honor You above any person.  Help me to hear Your voice clearly who I can walk straight before You.  Teach me Your ways and show me how to respond and react in every situation.  Let my life bring You glory and record my name in heaven as one who honors and fears You above anything else.

Yours,

Jeff

What God Pays Attention to

 Scripture:

“Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.”  Malachi‬ ‭2:13-15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Malachi describes God’s people crying out to Him with tears and weeping and groaning because He is not listening to their prayers.  God replies to them that He witnessed their vows to their wives and how they have not been faithful to them.  The next verse says that God hates divorce.  God is saying to them that He is not hearing their prayers because of the way they have treated their wives.

Application:

God pays attention to the vows we make to our spouses and how we treat them.  Peter says that our prayers can be hindered because we are not treating our spouses right.  We must see that God takes marriage very seriously and watches how we treat our spouses.  We are to guard our heart and remain loyal and faithful to our spouses.  When we make commitments, we must follow through because these are the things God pays attention to.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be the husband Cheryl needs and the father Joshua and Jordan need.  Show me how to love them well and to lead them well.  Guard my heart and show me each day how to love better.  I want to serve You well in my generation.  Let me be a man who lives by my promises and covenants.

Your Son,

Jeff

A Cleansing Fountain

 Scripture:

““On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity.”  ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭13:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Zechariah tells us of a day when a fountain will be opened for David’s lineage.  It would be a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity.  When Jesus came to this earth as a descendent of David, He opened up a fountain that cleanses from all sin and impurity.  His blood is that cleansing fountain that never stops flowing.

Application:

The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin and it is a continual fountain that never stops.  In other words, his blood is not for one time in our lives, but never stops cleansing us.  When we are in Him, we are purified continually.  Sin has no power over the child of God.  Sometimes it is easy to step into guilt and condemnation for not being a good enough Christian, not praying enough, not doing enough.  There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus because there is a cleansing fountain that continually cleanses us.  We just need to realize that and walk in it.

Prayer:

Father, help me to see myself as You see me.  Help me to never stop coming to the fountain of life and forgiveness.  Let guilt and condemnation leave my life and let the blood of Christ continually cleanse me from anything that would try to condemn me.  Help me to live a life that pleases You in every way.  Let my 2021 be a year to walk with you at new levels.

Your Son,

Jeff

Ask for Rain

 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 us to ask the LORD for rain in the spring because He makes the storm clouds.  He sends the rain and is in control of the heavens.  He can make anything a lush pasture.  

Application:

There are some areas of my life that I seldom take to God.  I know He is my provider, but I seldom ask Him for much.  He has the ability to bless and prosper my life, but I seldom ask Him for things that benefit me.  Asking for rain in the spring to a farmer is the same as asking God to bless us financially.  I need to begin asking God for His financial blessings in my life.  He has all powerful and ability to provide what we need.

Prayer:

Father, bless my life and take care of my family financially.  I want to be debt free and be able to purchase a home that will allow Cheryl’s mom to live with us.  At the same time, I don’t want to be so tight financially that we can’t do anything or go anywhere.  Help me to make wise decisions while you bless us financially.

Your Son,

Jeff

Start 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 here to Zerubbabel And tells him not to despise the small beginnings of rebuilding.  It says God rejoices to see the work “begin” and to see the plumb line in his hand.  A plumb line is used at the beginning of a construction project to make sure the project is square and level.  Once the walls are erected, there is no need for a plumb line.  The observation here is that God rejoices when He sees His people start things.

Application:

God is pleased and rejoices when His people start things for Him.  The end of the verse talks about his searching eyes.  His eyes search for those with a loyal heart and also for those who will start things for Him.  Sometimes we feel like God wants us to do something, but we fail to start because we don’t have sufficient supplies or resources.  Sometimes the failure is not in doing something, but in starting something.  It takes faith to start something new and God rejoices when He sees faith operating in our lives.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be one who starts things for You.  When You put something on my heart, let me not stop the work by not starting the work.  Then help me to finish strong the things I start for you.  I want to do “everything” You ask of me in my lifetime and leave no project unstated.  Help me to be a starter and a finisher of all You put in my heart.

Yours,

Jeff

Humility and Righteousness

 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, at this point, has been prophesying the destruction of pretty much everything and everyone.  God was fed up with idolatry in every nation and was ready to strike them down like in Noah’s day.  Zephaniah tells the people to seek the LORD.  He tells them to follow His commands.  He goes a little farther to tell them to seek to do what is right and live humbly.

Application:

Humility is a quality that the LORD loves.  He is attracted to humility because the humble realize they can’t help themselves and need Him.  The proud feel they can live without Him and God hates that.  Doing what is right and living humbly are huge in God’s eyes.  These are the qualities God blesses and prospers.  I want to live a life of humility and do what is right, even when the whole world seems to be going the other direction.  

Prayer:

Father, my hope is in You.  I need You in my life every day.  I don’t want to face a single moment without Your presence guiding me and directing me.  Thank You for blessing my life and ministry.  You are amazing.  Thank You for helping us financially to get the Gospel around the world this year and do more for Your kingdom.  I amazed at Your goodness.  Pour out Your Spirit in 2021 as we do our best to proclaim Your Kingdom to the ends of the earth.

Your Son and Friend,

Jeff

YET

 Scripture:

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”  ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3:17-18‬ ‭NLT

Observation:

Habakkuk made the right determination when he heard about what the LORD was about to do to‬‬ his people and the nations.  God was sending the Babylonians to punish the nations for their disobedience to Him.  When Habakkuk heard what was coming in the form of judgment, his determination was that even when all these terrible things happen, YET, he would rejoice and be joyful in the God of his salvation.  

Application:

When things are going bad all around us, we still have a choice in how we will respond to it.  Even when we see things drying up all around us and nothing going right, we can still rejoice and be joyful.  YET, means that when things are going bad all around, we can still choose to rejoice and be filled with joy.  We are not to be controlled by our emotions, our surroundings, or our situations.  We are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, who gives joy to his people.

Prayer:

Father, let me be conduit of Your joy and peace today.  Help me to rejoice as You would want me to.  No matter what happens around me, let me always be filled with joy.  Let Your joy consume my life.  Let me not be controlled by anything but You.  When things are not going well, I want to remain in joy.  Help me to live this way in Your Name.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Those Who Trust Him Get Close

 Scripture:

“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”  ‭‭Nahum‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In the midst of Nahum describing how terrible the vengeance of the LORD is towards His enemies, he describes how good God is.  He says that the LORD is a strong refuge, or place of safety when trouble comes.  He goes on to tell us that God is close to those who trust in Him.  In other words, God can be your best friend or He can be your worst enemy.  

Application:

I have found in my life that God is the best friend you could ever have.  He is amazing and thrives on blessing His children.  As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us.  He is always close to those who trust, rely, and look to Him for direction, provision and details.  He is a strong refuge we can trust to keep us safe then trouble comes.  I want to draw closer and closer to the LORD during these troubled times we live in.

Prayer:

Father, continue to work in my life to bring me closer to You.  I want to walk with You and talk with You as friend with friend.  You are my everything and I will serve You all the days of my life.  I belong to You.  Let nothing separate me from Your incredible love.  Let me walk with You in a deeper way and know You more each day.

Your Son,

Jeff

Life Goals

 Scripture:

“The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:14-16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This passage and it’s context speak of Christ’s coming back to earth to set up His kingdom for His millennial reign.  When He comes next time, He comes in power and with great might.  He will rule the nations with a rod of iron this time.  When He comes, He will be followed by an army on white horses who are dressed in pure white linen.  Earlier in Revelation we are told the saints wear white linen, which is the righteous acts of the saints.

Application:

One of my life goals is to be in that army that rides on white horses and comes back to set up the reign of Christ on this earth.  I also want to be on the chain gang that chains Satan and locks him up for the thousand years.  Jesus truly is the King of all king and Lord of all lords.  I want to follow Him now and serve with Him then.  

Prayer:

Father, let my life make a difference for You and Your kingdom.  Wash me and make me clean.  Let my life speak of righteousness and let my linen garments be pure.  Help me to live in purity and power on this earth.  Guide me and teach me everything I need to serve You well in my generation.  Also, let me be on one of those white horses and on the chain gang as well.  I am so tired of Satan’s stealing, killing and destroying.

Yours,

Jeff

Endure Persecution

Scripture:

 “This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.”  ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

John the Revelator tells us here, in the middle of describing terrible judgements coming on the earth, that we must endure persecution patiently, obey God’s commands, and maintain our faith in Christ.  Our job isn’t to fix things that are going wrong at this point, but to endure, obey and maintain our faith.

Application:

As it becomes more and more clear that we are living in the Last Days, we must focus on what we were told in the book of Revelation.  We must focus on enduring, obeying and maintaining our faith.  God will give us the strength we need as we continue to pursue the right things.  Rather than overthrow, fight with all our might, etc. we are told to endure patiently.  Our goal is to maintain our walk with the Lord no matter what comes on the earth.

Prayer:

Father, help me to endure, obey and maintain my faith.  Teach me to walk with You in the difficult times we live in.  Show me exactly what I’m to do each and every day.  Let my life bring You honor in my generation.  Help me to demonstrate to others what it means to walk with You well.  Let my life count for You and Your kingdom, that’s what I live for.  Help me to fulfill everything You have planned for my life.

I am YOURS,

Jeff

Overcoming

Scripture:

 “And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.”  ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Just prior to this verse it says that the accuser of the brethren had been thrown down to earth.  It says he was the one who constantly accused the saints before this point.  When he was thrown down, those on earth defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and their testimony.  They were not afraid to die.  

Application:

If we want to defeat the accuser of the brethren, we must do it by the blood of Jesus.  The blood is powerful and is the only thing we can stand on.   Our own good works are not strong enough to defeat the enemy, but the blood of Christ is all-powerful.  Secondly, he is defeated by our testimony.  We need to share our testimony as often as possible.  When we testify about what God has done, faith is increased and the enemy is defeated.  Lastly, we must not be afraid to die.  Fear destroys too many Christians.  We have nothing to fear.  If we die, we go to a much better place.  Fear of death must lose its hold on us.

Prayer:

Father, help me to overcome the enemy every day.  Teach me to apply the blood of Christ and share my testimony.  Teach me to live a fearless life.  Fill me with Your Spirit and let me shine for You today.  Baptize me fresh in Your Spirit and fire.  Let my life be used for Your glory.  I offer myself to You.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Worship in Heaven

 Scripture:

“They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.””  ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭7:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

For many years I have been fascinated with the worship of heaven recorded in the book of Revelation.  It is so pure and focused in it’s language.  It is totally focused on God and not on how God makes me feel.  It speaks of the attributes of God and what He deserves.  John understood what worship really is and gave us a glimpse of what it will be like in heaven.

Application:

I want to worship on earth like I will in heaven one day.  I want my worship not to be focused on me and how I feel, but on the awesomeness of God.  I long to sing songs that attribute to Him the glory due His name.  Worship in heaven also is not increased or decreased based on how people feel, but on who God is.  I want to worship every day, good days and bad days.  I want my worship not to be based on my feelings or emotions, but on who God is.

Prayer:

Father, let me bring You worship that blesses Your heart.  Help me not to be controlled by my feelings and emotions, but by who You are.  Let me know You more so I can worship You better.  Help me to worship You based on what You deserve and not what I feel or don’t feel.  Help me to worship You in purity and with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

Your Son,

Jeff

Who Is Worthy?

 Scripture:

“And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.””  ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The angels, the living beings and the elders sing in heaven, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered - to receive power and riches and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”  They understand the incredible sacrifice Christ made on the cross.  He was the only one in history worthy to be the sacrifice and He was the only who was worthy to receive worship.

Application:

Jesus deserves our very best worship, prayer, lifestyle, etc.  Jesus was the perfect sacrifice on our behalf.  He is worthy of anything and everything I can give Him.  I don’t own enough to offer Him for His sacrifice, therefore I offer Him my life.  I want to live a laid down life before my king.  I want to lay down my life and take up His.  He is the only one worthy.

Prayer:

Jesus, I lay my life before You.  You alone are worthy of all I have, all I am, and all I can do.  You are worthy of the best sacrifice.  You sacrificed Yourself so I could have life,  Received the gift of my life and let it be used for You and Your purposes.  Let every breath I breathe bring You honor and glory and praise.  Let my life lead others into relationship with You.  

Thankfully Yours,

Jeff

God’s Discipline

 Scripture:

“I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”  ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jesus is speaking hear through John.  He says that He corrects those who He loves and tells them to be diligent and to turn from their indifference.  God’s correction is not because He hates us or is angry with us, but because He loves us and wants us to be in a place to walk in His blessing.

Application:

When we are disciplined by the Holy Spirit, we are not being pushed away by God, but it is God drawing close to us and showing us what we need to do.  He disciplines us because He loves us.  He gets on our case sometimes because he wants the best for us.  When He speaks, we should do what it says and be diligent to turn from indifference and run towards God instead of remaining indifferent about our issues.

Prayer:

Father, help me not to run away from discipline, but to run toward You at all times.  Teach me to follow You with all my heart.  Help me to be quick to change when You speak to me.

Your Son,

Jeff

Confidence in your Calling

 Scripture:

“But as for me, I am filled with power— with the Spirit of the Lord. I am filled with justice and strength to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion.”  ‭‭Micah‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Micah prophesied some really difficult things against Jerusalem and Samaria.  He stood boldly for the Lord and spoke what God was saying, which was some very difficult things.  Micah stood and said he was filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord.  He knew he was filled with justice and strength to be bold.  He was confident of his position and his assignment.

Application:

As God’s servants, we need to be confident of our assignment, our calling and our position.  We need to know who we are and how we are to respond to anything that comes our way.  There are many things the Lord has shown me, but I am not as confident in who I am in Him as I need to be in order to do what He has asked me to do.  I need to rest with my confidence in my calling and be more bold about it.

Prayer:

Father, You are amazing and I love You more each day.  Help me to walk in confidence in my calling.  I want to serve You well and walk in the places You want me to walk.  Teach me to hear Your voice daily and to be bold and confident in what You want to do.  Open my ears to hear what You are saying and enable me to hear Your heart and express it to Your people.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God’s Heart for the Lost

Scripture:

“But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?””  Jonah‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jonah had gone to Nineveh, against his own will, because God sent him there to warn the people of God’s judgment coming upon them.  He eventually obeyed the Lord and then got mad because they repented and God relented from destroying them because of their contrition.  God gave Job an illustration and showed him that he had no right to be upset about what God had done.  The Lord closed with saying, “Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”   God loves lost people.

Application:

We should love lost people as much as the Lord loves them.  They should not feel our anger at what they are doing, but our compassion because they don’t know Christ.  There is a world living in spiritual darkness, and we are to be the light of the world.  God feels sorry for them, we should too.  God loves them, we should too.  

Prayer:

Father, let me love lost people as much as You do.  Help me not to see the things they do, but to understand they are spiritually blind and just need their blinders removed.  Let me feel sorry for the lost people around me.  Give me compassion for those who are spiritually lost.  Let my life help bring many lost people to Christ.  Let me have Your heart.

Yours,

Jeff

Build Each Other Up

 Scripture:

“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,”. ‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jude tells us here to build each other up in our most holy faith and to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe the two are linked together.  We need to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit so we can build each other up.  We can’t build others up when we are weak in faith.  We get strong in faith by praying in the Holy Spirit.

Application:

We live in some very difficult and trying days.  We need to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit more than ever before.  We also need to build each other up whenever we have a chance in the most holy faith.  We should be faith encouragers, bringing hope to those who are struggling.  I want to build up more people’s faith than ever before.  Therefore, I need to pray more in the Holy Spirit.  

Prayer:

Father, help me to spend more time with You, praying in the Holy Spirit.  I want to be an encourager in these COVID 19 days we are living in.  Help me to keep a right perspective and to stay in prayer continually.  Fill me with Your Spirit to overflowing and help me to live in a manner that pleases You.

Your Son,

Jeff

Love and Obedience

 Scripture:

“Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.”  ‭‭2 John‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

John, the beloved of Jesus, tells us that love means doing what God commanded us.  He goes on to say that His command was to love one another.  In other words, love means obedience and obedience means love.  Therefore, we should be people who have love as a main characteristic of our lives.

Application:

John tells us in First John that God is love.  Jesus was love personified.  If we are in Christ, we are to be people who demonstrate the love of God in our lives.  We must learn to walk in the love of Christ.  I want love to pour out of me like it poured out of Jesus.  I want to love God and love people well.  I need to remember that love is obedience and obedience is love.  

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in love and obedience every day of my life.  You are incredible and I want to serve You well.  Help me to love like You love.  Enable me to love the sinner and the saint.  Teach me to love deeply and to demonstrate Your love to those around me.  Help me to love in a way that pleases You.  Show me when to confront and when to hold back.  Show me when loving means saying something and when loving means keeping my mouth shut.  Teach me Lord so I can represent You well.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

The Worst Punishment

 Scripture:

“People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.”  ‭‭Amos‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Amos was sent to deliver a message to God’s people who had strayed away from Him.  He was to tell them of the coming disaster if they didn’t repent and turn back to God.  He prophesied some really terrible things to God’s people and then closed that section with this verse above.  It was like the ultimate devastation was people looking for a word from the Lord and not being able to find it.  He equated not hearing the word of the Lord with the worst punishments possible.

Application:

We are blessed when we hear the word of the Lord and we should never take that for granted.  Not long after Amos prophesied this, there was 400 years of silence where there was no prophetic word from the Lord to Israel.  The heavens were closed from prophetic revaluation and his prophecy came true.  We need to take seriously the word of the Lord and seek it out more and more in our days.  We must pursue the Lord and hear His words ringing in our hearts at this hour.

Prayer:

Father, I want to hear Your words for my life daily.  I want to hear Your words for the church I lead.  I want to hear Your words for the nation I live in.  Help me to seek you more and more.  I want to know Your thoughts, your will, and Your desires.  I want to know You and Your voice more intimately.  Help me to know You better and better.

Your Son,

Jeff

Seek Justice and RIghteousness

 Scripture:

“Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.”  ‭‭Amos‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Amos is crying out for Israel to return to the Lord.  He tells them what He requires as part of this return.  He tells them to hate what is evil and love what is good.  He tells them they need to be crying out for justice in their courts and perhaps then He would have mercy on them.  God desires justice and truth for His people. 

Application:

America is in this place right now.  I believe God wants truth and righteousness in our courts.  He desires righteousness in our dealings.  We need to personally turn toward God, truth, justice, and honor what is right.  As a nation, we need to seek truth and let justice roll down like a river.  We need integrity as a solid ground to stand on.  

Prayer:

Father, as much as it depends on me, let my life demonstrate justice and righteousness.  Help me to set an example for those around me of doing the right thing, even when that is difficult.  Let my nation turn from it’s deception and run toward justice and righteousness.  Let truth reign in America.  Expose every lie and deception and bring about Your will in our nation.  Turn us back to the Lord our God.

Your Son,

Jeff

Perfect Love Expels All Fear

Scripture:

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”  ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

I John speaks much of love and loving one another.  John tells us that GOD IS LOVE.  Therefore, if we say we are in Christ and God is in us, we should love one another.  If God is love and God is us, then fear cannot operate in our lives.  When God’s love is perfected in us, fear must leave.  Fear must be expelled from our lives and we the only way to do this is to understand God’s incredible love for us.

Application:

Fear is very real in our world today.  With the signs of the end times all around us, it is easy to walk in fear.  Even Jesus said that in these says men’s hearts would fail them for fear.  Even though Jesus spoke it, we don’t have to walk in it.  Even in fearful times, perfect love still expels fear.  I want to be so full of God’s love that fear has no part in me.  I want to walk by faith and not be controlled by fear.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, let Your love fill my life.  Let Your goodness and grace consume me.  Help me to walk with You and love like You love.  Let my love expel all fear and help me to be fearless.  I want to serve You fully and not be afraid of anything that could come my way.  Let my love increase and my fears decrease.

Yours,

Jeff

Simple Faith

 Scripture:

“And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.”  ‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

John has a unique way of simplifying everything about Christ in the book of First John.  In this verse, he tells us that Christ’s command is simply to believe and love.  We are told here to believe in the name of Jesus Christ and love one another.  These are the two most important items in the Gospel.  Simple faith is summed up in “Believe and love.”

Application:

Theologians take simple truths and make them much deeper than they really are.  I don’t believe God wanted to hide Himself or make things hard to understand.  God keeps things simple.  He wants us to believe in Christ and love one another.  That’s the heart of Christ’s teachings and John’s teaching.  We must demonstrate to the world what it means to believe and love one another.  

Prayer:

Father, let my life reveal to the world what belief and love look like.  Help me to exemplify a true walk with You and true faith to those around me.  Enable me to walk in simple truth and love people that way You do.  Teach me to live a life that demonstrates Your power and love flowing through a person to so Your will in the earth.  Let my life count for You.

Yours,

Jeff

The Outpouring

 Scripture:

““Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.”  ‭‭Joel‬ ‭2:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Peter told us this was being fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, but I believe there is a double fulfillment.  I believe God is going to pour out His Spirit once again in powerful ways.  Notice when He does, that everyone is poured out upon.  Old, young, rich and poor.  God is no respecter of people.  When He pours out His Spirit, everyone is going to get wet.

Application:

I believe we are going to see on more great outpouring of the Spirit of God before things wrap up on this earth as we know it.  I want to align myself with the Lord and be about His business when He pours it out.  I want to be part of the greatest outpouring of the Spirit of God the world has ever seen.  I am looking for it in my generation.  May my life be ready to flow with Him When He decides to move.  Until then, I pray and fast for the outpouring.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, pour out Your Spirit once again on all flesh.  Let us see the day of awakening and the day of Your power and goodness.  Align Your Church around the world and pour Your Spirit out on her.  Before the end of things as we know them, saturate Your Church with Your power and let the world see Your glory.

Your Son,

Jeff

Come Back

 Scripture:

“So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him.”  ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭12:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Hosea tells Israel that they have walked away from God and worshiped images made by hand.  He let them know that God was displeased with their behavior.  God cries out to His people, even after many attempts, to come back to Him.  He tells them to act in love and justice and to always depend on Him.  Notice part of their going away from Him was seen in not depending on Him.

Application:

In the Christian life, there are times when we drift.  Maybe we don’t turn our backs on God, but we simply stop depending on Him and trusting Him like we did early in our walk.  When we do this, we are telling GOd we don’t need Him anymore and that we can handle life on our own.  I hear Him calling, “Come Back.  Come back to walking in intimacy with Me.  Come back and walk trust me to open all the right doors in your life.  Come back and lean on Me again.  Come back and believe and trust in Me again.”

Prayer:

Lord, I come back to You.  I look to You.  Help me to not make decisions on my own, but to walk in step with Your Spirit.  Help me to live a Spirit-led life that is dependent on You.  Help me to walk in obedience at all times and to believe You can do what You ask me to do.  Help me to trust You more than I trust myself.

Your Son,

Jeff

Love and Not Obligation

 Scripture:

“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”  ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God is speaking to His people.  They were offering sacrifices, but their heart was far from Him.  They were worshiping other gods and wanting to include worshiping the Almighty with worshiping the other things made by hand.  God spoke clearly and strongly letting them know He wanted their heart and not just their words and sacrifices.

Application:

It is easy to allow Christianity to become something we do instead of serving God out of passion and love.  God doesn’t want robots who do right things at the right times.  He wants people who long after Him and worship Him with pure hearts.  He wants worship fueled by love instead of simply obedience.  God wants us to seek Him out and desire Him.  I want my life to be a life of passionate desire for the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, you are awesome and I want to serve You well all the days of my life.  Let my love for You never grow cold and stale.  I want to finish my days in passionate pursuit and not religious obligations.  You are my heart’s desire and I long for You.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Love Covers

 Scripture:

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”     ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Peter tells his audience that the end of the world was coming quickly.  He then tells them because of that, they should show deep love for each other.  He adds this little statement, “lover covers a multitude of sins.”  When God saw the very first sin, His love for man made him a covering.  

Application:

We often hear of tough love and many believe that real love confronts to bring healing.  I personally believe in both, but I also see what Peter is saying here.  There is a time when love will cover things over and a time when love will expose things to bring healing and restoration.  I am in a situation when I have to overlook some things right now and this verse is helping me.  There is a time for each type of love, I just need to hear from God as to when to display each.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to love like You love.  Show me when to be strong and direct and when to overlook or cover things.  Help me not to be an enabler, but to truly bring healing to multitudes.  I want to serve like You would serve and live like You would live. Teach me Your ways.

Yours Forever,

Jeff 

Accept His Authority

 Scripture:

“Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.”  ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Peter tells us here that Christ has gone to heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father.  He goes on to say that his position is above all authorities, powers, and angels.  They all accept His authority.  There is no doubt about His authority in heaven, 

Application:

There is no doubt about Christ’s authority in heave, but sometimes we struggle to believe that on earth.  We must have absolute confidence that Christ is greater than any other principality or power.  We must see Him like the angels and demons see Him.  He is greater than any person or thing that can ever come against us and He is interceding for us even now before the Father.  We must accept His rule and reign in our lives.  He is authority.

Prayer:

Jesus, let me walk in confidence each day that You are elevated above everything that could ever come against me.  You are higher and greater than an enemy arrayed against me.  You are my everything.  Thank You for loving me and placing me under Your authority.  Help me to walk in the authority You have given me as well.

Yours,

Jeff

Ten Times More Capable

 Scripture:

“Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.”  ‭Daniel‬ ‭1:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Daniel and his friends had been deported to a country which was not there own.  They had to learn a new language and the culture of Babylon.  They quickly learned the language, culture and history of Babylon and the king was extremely impressed.  The king felt when he consulted with them that they were ten times more capable than any of his other advisors.  God can make us ten times for capable in the secular world and bring us to the top of our fields if we do things His way.

Application:

As children of the living God, we have the Spirit of God living within us.  We have the founder and creator of wisdom and knowledge living in our hearts.  We should stand out to the rest of the world as people who are ten times more capable, not only in spiritual things, but in secular things.  Christians should be seen as the most capable in every area of society.  God doesn’t just give us wisdom on how to live a godly life, He gives us wisdom that the world needs.  We should be the consultants that the world looks to when they need direction.

Prayer:

Father, let me stand out as ten times more capable than those around me so that You can be glorified in my life.  Help me to live surrendered to Your purpose and plan for me.  If you can bless Daniel and his friends in a country that was not their own and have kings asking them for their wisdom, then You can bless my life and let me consult leaders and influencers.

Your Son,

Jeff

Peace Farmer

Scripture:

“And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”  ‭‭James‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

James tells us here that peacemakers plant seeds of peace and get back a harvest of righteousness.  In the notes of the NLT it says they will reap a harvest of good things or of justice.  Planting seeds of peace really stuck in my mind as I was reading this morning.

Application:

I want to be a peace farmer in my generation and in this time in history.  I want to plant seeds of peace everywhere I go.  When we sow seeds of peace, good things, justice and righteousness will grow.  This world is in chaos and peace is one of the things Jesus died to give us.  I want to walk in peace every day and let the world know there is a better way.

Prayer:

Father, I give You my life today.  Let me be a peace farmer.  Help me to sow seeds of peace everywhere you lead me.  Jesus, You brought peace everywhere You went.  Let me walk in Your divine peace, which is a fruit of the Spirit and let my life exude peace to those around me in this crazy time we live in.

Your Son,

Jeff

The Lord is There

Scripture:

 ““The distance around the entire city will be 6 miles. And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord Is There.’ ””  Ezekiel‬ ‭48:35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Ezekiel describes His city in this passage along with the description of where each tribe would have their boundaries and would stay.  In the last verse, the Lord says “from that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord is There’”.  He named the city as the place He would be.

Application:

In the Old Covenant the Lord was in one place at one time.  The city referenced about was called “The Lord is There.”  Now the Lord lives inside each of His people and wherever we go, His presence is with us.  He is not contained within a city or a building, but in the hearts of His people.  When people come in contact with us, May they say, “The Lord is There” or “The Lord is with him.”  May it be recognizable in our churches that “The Lord is There.”  I want to world to encounter Christ in a real way and when they walk in our building I want them to say, “The Lord is Here.”

Prayer:

Father, let me reflect Your glory.  Help me to walk in step with Your Spirit and to yield completely to Your will.  Enable me to demonstrate Your goodness to the world around me.  Let people say, “The Lord is There” concerning our place of worship, my home, my heart, and my life.  Let Your presence increase in my life.  I want more of You in my life every day.  Fill me up till I overflow.  I want more of You!

Your Son,

Jeff

Justice

 Scripture:

“And the prince may never take anyone’s property by force. If he gives property to his sons, it must be from his own land, for I do not want any of my people unjustly evicted from their property.””  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭46:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God is talking about the prince being able to extend their property and give property to their sons.  It says that the prince cannot give someone else’s property to their sons because God doesn’t want any of His people evicted from the property.  God takes care of the little guy and doesn’t want them crushed by the rich and famous.

Application:

God is a god of justice.  He doesn’t like to see His little ones crushed or taken advantage of.  Even the king can’t take advantage of the little people in God’s eyes.  God hates unfair trade, incorrect measures, and lying.  He will fight on behalf of those who are being taken advantage of.  This year the Lord has had me praying for justice more than any time in my life.  He is just and as His people, we should cry out for justice.

Prayer:

Father, bring justice in the United States.  Expose corruption at all levels and reveal Your plans and purposes for this nation.  Deal with those who lead people falsely.  Let lies and hypocrisy be exposed and dealt with.  You bless right measures and accurate counts.  Reveal truth and let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in my nation.

Yours,

Jeff

Face Down Worship

 Scripture:

“Then the man brought me through the north gateway to the front of the Temple. I looked and saw that the glory of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord, and I fell face down on the ground.”  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭44:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Ezekiel had some powerful encounters with the Lord and angels.  In this one, He saw the glory of the Lord as it fulled the Temple and he fell face down on the ground.  Though he had been in the presence of the Lord many, many times in his life, Ezekiel still understood that face down is the heart of true worship.  Face down means I’m not looking at myself anymore, I am humbling myself before the King of all Kings.

Application:

Sometimes we need to come to the place of face down worship.  First, we need the presence and glory of God to come into our meeting times with Him.  When it comes, there is no problem with face down worship because when He comes at that level, the only option is to fall on your face before Him.  I want to glory of the Lord to come into the house of the Lord once again in a strong way so people fall face down before Him in worship.

Prayer:

Come Holy Spirit.  I long for Your presence.  I long to encounter you like Ezekiel did.  I long to enter Your glory and be changed.  Show me Your glory.  Let Your presence fill my life at new levels.  Let Your presence so fill our church that people fall face down in worship.  Come to Your people O Lord!  I long for You.

Your Servant,

Jeff

Wastelands to Gardens

 Scripture:

“And when I bring you back, people will say, ‘This former wasteland is now like the Garden of Eden! The abandoned and ruined cities now have strong walls and are filled with people!’”  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36:35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking here to Ezekiel about His people who had been exiled and taken away from there homeland.  He planned to restore them, but their home had become a wasteland that seemed good for nothing.  The Word of Lord was that the wasteland would become like the Garden of Eden and that GOd would restore and rebuild its cities.

Application:

Sometimes in life it can feel like we have entered into a wasteland that isn’t prospering and hasn’t been maintained.  We can have times when we feel like we are in the desert, but God turns deserts into gardens and causes growth in what seems impossible places.  We have to stop seeing wastelands and start seeing gardens.  God wants to turn our dry areas into blossoming flowers.

Prayer:

Father, take the dry places of my life and let them blossom again.  Pour Your Spirit on my life and let me flourish in You.  I want to know You more and more.  I want to walk with You and work with You to build Your kingdom.  Let me preach with passion that You can turn people’s wastelands into the Garden of Eden.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Feed The Sheep

 Scripture:

““Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep?”  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God speaks through Ezekiel here to the leaders of Israel.  He says that sorrow awaits the shepherds who feed themselves instead of feeding the sheep that have been entrusted to them.  He speaks to leaders about serving themselves instead of serving those who had been entrusted to them.  Leadership is not about getting ahead and feeding our own egos, reputations, or influence.  It is about taking care of the sheep entrusted to us.

Application:

Leading as a shepherd is crucial in the body of Christ.  I don’t want to lead like a CEO, but a shepherd that feeds the sheep so they follow, not out of position or title, but because they are getting healthier and their needs are being taken care of by their shepherd.  I need to get serious about feeding those better who are entrusted to my care.

Prayer:

Father, forgive me for trying to lead an organization instead of leading people.  Help me to serve Your people well and feed them what You desire them to eat.  Help me to make those You have entrusted to my leadership strong and healthy.  Enable me to lead Your people well and may they be super strong and resilient because they have eaten what is good for them and not just what feels good.

Your Son and Servant,

Jeff

When God Speaks

 Scripture:

“Although I have caused his terror to fall upon all the living, Pharaoh and his hordes will lie there among the outcasts who were slaughtered by the sword. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!””  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭32:32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

During the previous several chapters of God’s revelations to Ezekiel, God repeatedly says He is going to destroy the different nations for their sins.  He goes into detail about many nations.  In this passage, God has spoken that Egypt will fall into the pit and be destroyed for how they treated His people.  He ends His words to them by saying, “I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”  It is like He is saying, “it is spoken, therefore, you have no hope because when I speak a thing, it comes to pass.”

Application:

When God concludes speaking with saying, “I the Lord have spoken.”  We can rest assured, whatever He spoke, will come to pass.  He is a God of His Word.  When He speaks something from His mouth, it will come to pass, we can rest assured of that.  God doesn’t lie and we can trust His word.  We would do well to know what God has spoken and walk in it.  When Jesus said, “It is finished”, it was like God saying, “I have spoken.”  Through he cross, God has spoken about our freedom from sin, our sicknesses being healed, our deliverance being completed.  He has spoken and we can rest assured that what He said is true and trustworthy.  We need to hear His word, the Bible, because HE HAS SPOKEN.  We need to accept what He has spoken.

Prayer:

Father, You have spoken to us through Your word.  Your word is alive and powerful.  When You speak a thing, it will come to pass.  Speak over my life.  I want to fulfill Your will in every area.  I want to follow You completely.  Let my life be used for Your glory.  Help me to hear Your voice and know that what You speak... will come to pass.

Yours,

Jeff

God’s Ultimate Plan

 Scripture:

““And the day will come when I will cause the ancient glory of Israel to revive, and then, Ezekiel, your words will be respected. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭29:21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God had been speaking about destruction coming to everyone everywhere it seemed like.  Then He throws in these words about Israel.  He says that the glory of Israel will revive, then Ezekiel’s words will be respected and they will know that God is the LORD.  The other things I observed here is that Ezekiel preaches a lot before his words were respected.

Application:

God’s ultimate plan is always to bring people back to Himself so He can bless them.  He wants us to have fellowship with Him.  He will do whatever it takes to bring us back into relationship with Him when we walk away and do our own thing.  Even in judgments, God talked to Ezekiel about reviving Israel.  God wants revival more than we do, we just need to tune into Him.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are awesome, powerful, majestic, and glorious.  You love us and desire relationship with us, even when we mess us and do our own thing.  Your ultimate plan is always to bring us into knowing You more.  Even in judgment, You are looking for revival.  I want to be part of that revival that I know is coming to America.  Help me to be in tune with You so I can walk in it.

Yours,

Jeff

God’s Got Your Back

 Scripture:

““This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Philistia have acted against Judah out of bitter revenge and long-standing contempt. Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will raise my fist of judgment against the land of the Philistines. I will wipe out the Kerethites and utterly destroy the people who live by the sea.”  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭25:15-16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God has such a heart for His people that, even when He punishes them, He will judge those He used to judge His own people.  He will bring revenge on those who mess with His people.  In this passage, God is speaking about Philistia who came with revenge against Judah.  He says He will utterly destroy them and raise His fist of judgment upon them.  God remembers everything and vengeance belongs to Him.

Application:

God keeps good records of how His people are treated and He will repay.  In the NT we see God who is defined by love and good things.  In the OT we are introduced to a God who fights and destroys those who come against His people.  The good news for us is that during the season we are in, God still sees every time we are mistreated.  He still sees every detail of our lives and He will right every wrong.  God takes care of His own and He will work on their behalf.  Our place is to remain faithful to Him and walk in His ways.  When we do, the God who judges the people of Philistia will work on our behalf.

Prayer:

Father, You are so good to Your own.  You have blessed me, favored me, given me opportunities in so many places.  You have helped me so many times I can’t recount them.  Thank You for reminding me this morning that You’ve got my back and that nothing happens to me that You don’t see and that You will repay those who fight against Your own.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Not in My Day

 Scripture:

““I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭22:30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God told Ezekiel that He was going to destroy Israel for their many sins and how they had prostituted themselves with other gods.  As the LORD was finishing up His words on this topic, He told Ezekiel that He didn’t want to destroy Israel, but that He looked for a person to stand in the gap and rebuild the wall of righteousness, but couldn’t find anyone.

Application:

May we never be a country where nobody is standing in the gap.  Our nation is struggling right now and turning away from God.  Fortunately, we have many intercessors who are standing in the gap and rebuilding the wall.  This is a terrible message for Israel, but a good message to America.  May we always have someone standing in the gap, especially during this election season.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be one of the ones You are looking for to stand in the gap and call people to righteousness.  Teach me to follow Your ways, to hear Your voice and to walk in step with You every day of my life.  Show me better how to stand in the gap and build a wall of righteousness.  Empower me to bring others into the same so there are always many interceding on Your behalf for the people of The United States.

Yours,

Jeff

You Can’t Blame Someone Else

 Scripture:

““‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live.”  Ezekiel‬ ‭18:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking here to Ezekiel concerning children paying for their parents sins.  He says that if a child does what is right and keeps His decrees, that child will surely live.  Nobody is judged based on their parents, their upbringing, or anything else.  We will stand before God based on what we did and we can’t blame anyone else.  God is a just God and He would never make one person pay for someone else’s sins.

Application:

I can fully trust God and know that He would never blame me for someone else’s actions.  I will stand before Him on my own and He will judge me according to what I did and I don’t have to fear receiving condemnation for what someone else does.  I make my decisions and I will stand before God on them.  I want to live right before God and man. I want to serve Him well in my generation.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being just.  Thank You for not judging me for someone else’s sins.  You are faithful and true.  Your ways are the highest and Your thoughts are above all.  Help me to live my life in completer obedience to You.  Speak to me clearly so I may run with Your instructions.  What I don’t hear, I can’t do. Open my ears to hear You and my eyes to see You.

Your Son,

Jeff

God’s Love and Faithfulness

 Scripture:

“And I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!””  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭16:62-63‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking through Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem in this passage.  He tells how they have abandoned Him and done terrible things, down to sacrificing their children to other gods.  As he approaches the end of promising destruction to His people for their gross sins, He says, “I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord... when I forgive you of all you have done.”  Even in the midst of judgment, you can see God’s extreme love and faithfulness to His people.

Application:

God judges sin!  There is no doubt about that.  He hates sin and disobedience, and His justice demands that sins be paid for.  Even when we have messed up and walked away from God and His ways, He is always looking for a way to restore us to Him.  Even when He has expressed his hatred of our lifestyles, He never loses sight of His extreme love for us.  We can be confident that God doesn’t walk out on us when we mess up.  He is faithful and always restores.  He just waits on us to see the error of our ways.

Prayer:

Thank You Father, for never giving up on me.  Thank You for Your love and faithfulness, even when I mess up and do my own thing.  You are incredible!  Your love is amazing and Your faithfulness is incredible!  Help me to honor that and never give You reason to have to put up with my disobedience.  Help me to honor You all the days of my life.  I want to do your will all the days of my life.  Let me walk in step with You and never miss out on Your desires and will for my life.

Yours,

Jeff

Don’t Copy Those Around You

 Scripture:

“and you will know that I am the Lord. For you have refused to obey my decrees and regulations; instead, you have copied the standards of the nations around you.””  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭11:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God was speaking to Ezekiel about His people.  He says that Israel and Judah had copied the standards of the nations around them instead of following God’s standards.  He says that His people had refused to obey His decrees and regulations.  God has a way of doing things and He expects His people to live according to His ways, not the ways of the people around them.

Application:

It is easy to want what other people have.  The grass always seems greener in someone else’s yard.  When God’s people walk away from Him, it is usually because something looked more valuable or better to them.  When they compare with the world the world may look better, but God doesn’t want us to desire the things of this world.  He doesn’t want us to compare ourselves with other people.  he wants a people who will trust Him and do things His way instead of trying to do what everyone else is doing.  We need to make sure we are seeking God for His will in our lives and not just wanting what others around us may have.

Prayer:

Father, You said that godliness with contentment is great gain.  Help me not to compare with the world around me, but to follow You completely.  Teach me to hear Your voice and to be led by Your Spirit.  Show me how to honor You well and not seek after the things this world sees as important.  Help me keep my focus on You and on Your Kingdom.

Yours,

Jeff

Expose Deception and Bring Justice

Scripture:

““Have you seen this, son of man?” he asked. “Is it nothing to the people of Judah that they commit these detestable sins, leading the whole nation into violence, thumbing their noses at me, and provoking my anger?”  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭8:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this vision, the LORD took Ezekiel and showed him the sins of Israel and Judah.  He took him inside the Temple and showed him what was going on behind closed doors and in secret.  He exposed the terrible things that led the whole nation into violence, thumbing their noses and God and provoking His anger.  Israel and Judah were born to be places where God was honored, not mocked.  Their sins brought about the wrath of God.

Application:

If God could take us inside the halls of Washington DC we would see some very corrupt things going on in our nation.  We have walked away from God and His principles.  We have thumbed our noses at Him and we have provoked His anger.  God isn’t angry when pagan nations walk away from Him.  He gets angry when His people walk away from Him.  The US was founded by Him and for Him.  Inside Washington there is corruption in massive ways. It must be exposed and repented of, then the blessing of God can come on our nation again.

Prayer:

Father, expose every evil deed happening in our country.  Expose those who are deceiving people.  Expose the lies, the hypocrisy and those who are cheating.  Your people are crying out to You to expose and bring justice to this nation that proclaims with their lips that they are under God.  Turn this country back to Yourself.  Expose corruption.  Show the hidden things and let those who have been working in secret be dealt with so You can bless our nation again.  We long for You.  There is a strong remnant in the US who loves You and desires to follow You completely.

Your Son,

Jeff

Let His Word Sink into Your Heart

 Scripture:

“Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself.”  ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This comes at he beginning of Ezekiel’s ministry where God is calling him and telling him that the people would not listen to to him, but he had to go and speak the word of the Lord anyway.  As his ministry preparation, the Lord had him eat the scrolls of the Word of God.  He then told him to let God’s words sink deep into his own heart and listen to them before going to deliver them to others.

Application:

Any time I am going to preach God’s word, I need to let it sink down into my own heart first, before I share it with anyone else.  I need to allow God’s word to work in my own life as I prepare to share it with those around me.  Before we teach, preach, or prophesy, we should allow those words to sink into our own heart so we share what we have processed and not just good information.  I want to preach from my spirit and not just from my head.

Prayer:

Father, help me to spend time in Your word allowing it to work on me before I present it to others.  Let it sink deep into my spirit so I present it to your people with accuracy and fervency.  Help me to communicate well on Your behalf as You give me opportunity.  Forgive me for messages I haven’t spent time letting sink into my own heart before sharing.

Your Son,

Jeff

Peace and Holiness

 Scripture:

“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”  ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The author of Hebrews tells us to work at living in peace with everyone.  In other words, there is some work to do if we are going to live at peace.  It means we have to do something.  Work means exerting some force or energy.  He goes on to say that we are to work, exert energy or force, at living holy because without holiness we won’t see the Lord.

Application:

We are told to “work” at living in peace and “work” at living holy.  We are often told these days that the Christian life has nothing to do with works.  Salvation has nothing to do with works, but works demonstrate our salvation.  We have to put some effort into living at peace with everyone.  We have to put some work into living holy.  That means these things don’t come easy or without determination.  They are things we have to work toward.  These are two areas that we need to work at.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live at peace with all men and to live a life of holiness.  I want to serve You well and demonstrate Your goodness to the world around me.  Let me be a peacemaker and live a life of holiness.  Help me to build a bridge of peace to those who have hurt me.  I want to be wholly Yours.

Your Son,

Jeff

Better Covenant, Better Promises

 Scripture:

“But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.”  ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8:6‬ ‭NLT‬

Observation:

The author of Hebrews does an amazing job describing how the ministry of Jesus was so much better than the Covenant God made with Moses.  Jesus here is seen as far superior to the old priesthood.  We are seen to have a better covenant and better promises within that covenant.  Because of Jesus, we have better promises and our sins have truly been eradicated.

Application:

Today my heart is overwhelmed at all Christ did for us.  He has paid the way to a better covenant with His own precious blood.  He is our mediator.  He works on our behalf and has already paid the price for all we need.  We have a high priest who is better than the priests of the Old Covenant.  We should serve with greater passion for Christ because of what He has done for us.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for sending Your Son to mediate a better covenant on my behalf.  I want to thank you ou by giving You my life and dedicating my days to Your purposes.  Enable me to do more for You and Your Kingdom.  Teach me to walk in Your ways and to do the things that are important to You.  Jesus, thank you for mediating for me.

Yours,

Jeff

Future Hope

 Scripture:

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”  ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The author of Hebrews tells us just prior to this, that God cannot lie, what He promises He will perform.  We have great hope because of His oaths and promises.  After his portion, the author speaks of us going through veil one day because Christ went through the veil.  Hope of eternal life Strongly anchors our hope in this life.  Hope takes us into God’s inner sanctuary.

Application:

The hope of eternal life is a promise from God and He does not lie.  This hope should become the anchor for our souls.  It is the hope of heaven that draws me to live right now.  It is the hope of heaven that causes me to obey and walk according to God’s ways.  If I have no hope beyond the grave, why work for the Lord in this life?  Our hope is not in a president or a politician.  Our hope is in the one who conquered death and has promised eternal life.  Our hope is strong and this hope leads us through the veil and into God’s presence.

Prayer:

Father, I anchor my hope to You and Your purposes.  I anchor my hope to eternal life and not the things that are in this life.  Help me to live with hope in a world that has none.  Help me to demonstrated to others that you can walk in hope because of Christ when everything looks hopeless.  Increase my faith and trust of You each day.

Yours for Eternity,

Jeff

Hard Hearts

 Scripture:

“Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.””  ‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The author of Hebrews says here that when we hear God’s voice, not to harden our hearts like Israel did when they rebelled.  He associates hard hearts with rebellion.  Nobody wakes up one day and decides to rebel against God.  They just allow their heart to harden a little bit because of things around them.  As the heart hardens, it doesn’t feel what it use to feel and doesn’t respond to the voice of the Lord like it once did.  It then ends up in rebellion.

Application:

A hard heart is dangerous in our relationship with God.  Our job is to keep our heart soft and pliable.  Hearts get hard when things don’t go the way we feel like they should.  Hearts get hard when we cry out and God doesn’t answer like we think He should.  Hearts get hard when we do what we want instead of what we know He wants us to do.  The only way to keep our hearts soft and pliable is to respond quickly when we hear God speak and to spend time in His presence.  We must allow His word to penetrate our hard hearts and open ourselves to Him and trust Him, even when it feels like He hasn’t done what we think He should have.

Prayer:

Father, let my heart be tender and soft before You.  Let me never have a hard heart, which leads to rebellion.  Help me to always be sensitive to Your will, Your ways, and Your leading.  Help me to understand that Your ways are not my ways and You that You don’t have to do the things I want You to do.  Let my heart remain soft before You all the days of my life.  Let me never grow hard.

Yours,

Jeff

A Word for America

 Scripture:

“Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had!”  ‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭5:21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The people of Judah had been disobedient to the Lord and had forsaken His ways.  They had worshipped other gods and the Lord God Almighty was punishing them for it.  Jerusalem was in ruins and there was no hope for the people.  Devastation was everywhere the prophet looked.  Then the prophet cried out, “Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again!  Give us back the joys we one had.”

Application:

I don’t like to look back very often because I am a forward looking individual, but recently I have been looking back on what the US was like when I was young.  It was a joyful place.  It was a blessed nation who couldn’t be compared to.  We always had our enemies and those who didn’t like us, but life was good and we felt safe at all times.  We never had to worry about the things we worry about today.  My cry today is for God to bring us back to the joys we once had.  That will require a massive turning toward Him, but it is possible.   America must turn back to God or we will never have our peace and prosperity again.

Prayer:

Father, would You move in America one more time.  I cry out to You.  Have mercy on this nation and pour out Your Spirit here.  We have left our first love and I ask You to forgive us.  Let America be a Christian nation once again that sees the goodness of serving You.  We have forsaken You and I ask You to forgive us.  May our hearts turn toward You and may Your blessing once again come upon my country.

Yours,

Jeff

Waiting on God

 Scripture:

“The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”  Lamentations‬ ‭3:25-26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah was lamenting Jerusalem being destroyed and God’s people being destroyed.  Even in his crying and tears, he knew that they were being punished for their disobedience, yet God was still good to those who search for Him.  He was confident that it is good to wait quietly for God’s salvation instead of trying to do things on our own.

Application:

Waiting on God isn’t easy in a culture where we want to be in total control of of destiny and future at all times.  Waiting quietly is even harder.  Waiting for God is sometimes viewed as laziness or failure to exhibit a strong work ethic.  We need to be the hardest workers in the world, while waiting on God for the next step.  What He gives us to do, we must do with all our might, yet wait on Him quietly.  We must work His works while we wait for His salvation.

Prayer:

Lord God, teach me to balance of waiting on You and working hard for You and Your kingdom.  Help me to walk the line of being diligent about the things You have definitely spoken about, yet wait in the areas You have not spoken.  Help me not to work ahead or without You, but to wait and work together with You.

Your Son,

Jeff

Put Generosity into Action

 Scripture:

“And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.”  Philemon‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing to Philemon about Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave.  He tells Philemon that he is praying that he will “put into action the generosity that comes from your faith.”  Faith should cause us to put generosity into action.

Application:

Faith should cause generosity in our lives.  We have to put that generosity into action.  As we understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ, we should also put into action our generosity.  As believers, we should be the most generous people in the world.  Christ gave Himself completely for us, we should also be generous as we take on His likeness and allow Him to work in and through our lives.  I want to live a generous, Christlike life.

Prayer:

Father, I want to live a generous life.  I want to put this into action and live a life that exemplifies generosity.  You are generous and always give more than enough.  Help me to live a life that is generous in every way.  Teach me to trust You to be generous to me as I try to be generous for You.  Help me put generosity into action.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God Defends His People

 Scripture:

“But the one who redeems them is strong. His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He will defend them and give them rest again in Israel. But for the people of Babylon there will be no rest!”  Jeremiah‬ ‭50:34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking of Israel and Judah here when He says “He who redeems them is strong.”  Even though God punished them through the Assyrians and Babylonians, he still says He will defend them and give them rest again.  He also declares that He will punish the Babylonians for their treatment of Judah, even though they were doing it at His command.  God fights for His own, even when He punishes them.

Application:

Our God is faithful, even when we are unfaithful.  He will always bring us back to a place of rest when we trust in Him and turn from our own ways.  He will punish those who persecute us and will have vengeance of those who bring us harm.  We can also know from this verse that God is STRONG.  He is the LORD of heaven’s armies.  The one who fights of us is STRONG, therefore we have nothing to fear.

Prayer:

Father, You are strong and You give strength to Your people.  You are the God who fights our battles.  Fight for your daughter Cheryl today.  Heal her completely of this COVID 19.  Let her breathe freely and rest in You.  Help me to see You working in and through this.  My life is in Your hands.  I will follow You forever.  I am Yours.

Your Son,

Jeff

God Uses Ungodly People to Bring About His Judgment

Scripture:

 “I myself will go with Elam’s enemies to shatter it. In my fierce anger, I will bring great disaster upon the people of Elam,” says the Lord. “Their enemies will chase them with the sword until I have destroyed them completely.”  Jeremiah‬ ‭49:37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking through Jeremiah here concerning Elam.  He says He will shatter it and bring disaster on it.  Then He says how He will do it.  He says, “Their enemies will chase them with the sword until I have destroyed them completely.”  In other words, God is going to use their natural enemies to destroy them, but it would be Him doing it.  God uses ungodly people to bring about His will in the earth at times.

Application:

God can use anyone He chooses, whether to bring about justice, blessing, judgment, etc.  He has used ungodly kings to bless Israel in great ways.  He has used evil nations to destroy other evil nations.  God uses unlikely people and nations to bring about His will on the earth.  We must realize that some of the things that happen in the natural may actually be coming from God.  He can use natural disasters, enemy armies, etc.  He can use whatever means He wants to wake up His people.  We need to be able to see what is Him and what is use natural.

Prayer:

Father, open my eyes to see into the spiritual realm.  Help me to discern what is You working and what is just natural events taking place.  When my Father is doing something in the earth, I don’t want to mistake it for something else.  Help me to see clearly what You are doing and who You are working through.  Let me not judge Your choice of people, nations, and nature, but see what You are doing and work with You to accomplish what You are doing in the earth.

Your Son,

Jeff

Ministry Struggles

 Scripture:

“Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The Lord our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt!”  ‭Jeremiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah had been prophesying to a remnant in Judah who told him they would listen to whatever he said and would do exactly what he told them.  When he told them to stay put and not to go to Egypt to try to rescue themselves, they said he was lying and decided to he was the problem.  He ended up having to go to Egypt with them.  He was accused of being a liar when he spoke on God’s behalf.

Application:

When you deliver God’s mail, some are going to like it and some are not.  Some will listen and do what God is speaking and some will leave you, thinking they know better and that you are not hearing from God anymore.  We must stand faithful to deliver the word of the Lord whether people want to follow what He says or not.  We must speak God’s word, even if nobody listens.  Our accountability is to the LORD, not to those around us.

Prayer:

Father, give me a backbone to speak what You are speaking.  Help me to hear clearly and deliver accurately the word of the Lord.  I want to be Your voice.  Help me never to waiver when I know I have heard from You.  Enable me to stand strong when people don’t want to receive Your word.

Yours,

Jeff

Bad Things Happen to Good People

 Scripture:

“So the officials took Jeremiah from his cell and lowered him by ropes into an empty cistern in the prison yard. It belonged to Malkijah, a member of the royal family. There was no water in the cistern, but there was a thick layer of mud at the bottom, and Jeremiah sank down into it.”  ‭Jeremiah‬ ‭38:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah had been clearly and passionately delivering the word of the Lord to his people.  As a result, they didn’t turn to God, but had him thrown into an empty cistern.  He was put down into a thick layer of mud on the bottom to die.  He was eventually saved, but had to walk through this awful experience.

Application:

We tend to think that when we are obedient to the LORD that everything will go well for us and we will never have problems.  Jeremiah was one of the godliest men who ever lived.  He prophesied on the LORD’s behalf with excellence, yet ended up in a muddy cistern.  Sometimes we end up in bad situations because of the Gospel.  It is in those places that God shows up and resumes us.  Being in a muddy cistern may be because you did something right and not something wrong.  Sometimes bad things happen to really good people.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, thanks for reminding me today that things not going my way doesn’t mean that You don’t love me or that I have missed you.  Help me to not equate blessing and prosperity with serving You correctly, but to serve You with integrity, whether I see the goodness of God or I’m in an old muddy cistern.

Your Son,

Jeff

Then

 Scripture:

“Perhaps the people of Judah will repent when they hear again all the terrible things I have planned for them. Then I will be able to forgive their sins and wrongdoings.””  ‭Jeremiah‬ ‭36:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking through Jeremiah to the people of Judah and tells them that He is planning some pretty bad stuff for them because of their disobedience and unbelief.  His heart is heard clearly in the word “then”.  He says that when they hear the terrible things I have planned for them... “THEN” they will repent and I can forgive them.

Application:

God’s heart is always to restore fellowship and relationship with Him.  When He disciplines, it is so that people will turn and repent so He can forgive them and bless them.  His heart is always for relationship and He will do whatever He can to keep us in a good relationship with Him because He desires to bless us.  Therefore, we must take out anything He convicts us of or that we know hinders our relationship with God.

Prayer:

Father, help me to follow You completely.  Help me to endure discipline, knowing that You desire to bless me and strengthen me.  Help me to walk according to Your ways and to pursue You above all else.  Heal Cheryl today and make her well.

Your Son,

Jeff

What They Deserve

 Scripture:

“You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles. You see the conduct of all people, and you give them what they deserve.”  ‭Jeremiah‬ ‭32:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah says of the LORD that He has all wisdom and does great and mighty miracles.  He also says that God sees the conduct of all people and gives them what they deserve.  The same God who has all power, wisdom, and does great miracles, is the same God we will stand before one day in judgment.  We love to talk about His power and His love, but we don’t talk much about His giving us what we deserve.

Application:

God has all wisdom and the power to do great and mighty miracles.  He know exactly what needs to happen for each and every person.  He also knows our conduct and whether we deserve His blessing or not.  God’s grace stepped in through Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and now I don’t have fear judgment.  Jesus was judged on my behalf so I don’t get what I deserve, I get what Jesus paid for.  All I can do is thank God for the price Jesus paid so I can walk in God’s blessings and not in what I deserve.

Prayer:

Thank You LORD for letting me see that You are great and incredible in power and might, yet You have chosen to operate at this time in grace.  Thank You for sending Your Son to die so I can live in freedom from sin and it’s power.  Thank You for not giving me what I deserve, but what your Son paid for.  You are incredible and I appreciate your sacrifice.  Let me live my life in honor of your precious gift of grace.  Let me never take Your grave for granted.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Seasons of Discipline

 Scripture:

“I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.””  Jeremiah‬ ‭29:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah had just told the people that God was putting them into captivity for 70 years because of their disobedience to Him.  He tells the people to pray for the peace of the place they are being banished to.  He tells them during that time to seek the LORD and He will be found by them.  He then tells them He will end their captivity, restore their fortunes, bring them home.

Application:

God never turned His back on His people.  He allowed them to be overthrown by Babylon because of their disobedience, but He gave them instructions of what to do during the season of discipline so they cold come back out and be restored.  God has our restoration plans before we even get disciplined.  He always has a plan to bring back, restore, and bless no matter what e have done.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for not giving up on me.  You always restore and bless my life,  You never give up on us.  You are faithful and trustworthy.  Help me to be more like You every day.  I want to reflect Your glory and represent you well.  Enable me to walk in Your traits and remain faithful to You all the days of my life.

Yours,

Jeff

The Power of God’s Word

 Scripture:

“Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?”  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23:29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Lord speaks here through Jeremiah and says that His word is like fire and then goes on to say that it is like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock in pieces.  God’s word is powerful and can burn out the bad in our lives as well as crush the areas that need crushed.  His word will burn, but it will also heal.

Application:

After many years of reading through the Bible each year and doing these daily washes, I can say that God’s word continually speaks to us as we are faithful to read it and study it.  We must allow his word to burn out everything that needs to go from our lives.  We also need to let the hammer of His word crush things in us that are not right.  I don’t want to just read words from a history book, but want to let God’s word change my life into what He wants for me.

Prayer:

Father, I want to serve You well in my generation.  Let Your word burn and crush my life.  Renovate my life with fire and let me be more like You as a result.  Help me not to just read Your word, but let Your word read me and refine me.  Teach me to live according to Your word and Your ways.  Pour out Your Spirit in my life, my home and my church.  I need You now more than ever.

Yours,

Jeff

The Lord Stands Beside 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 was ranting about the destruction of God’s people and how God was going to destroy them.  He was frustrated with being a prophet and speaking the word of the Lord because it was always bad news and nobody wanted to hear what he had to say.  He would rather not speak, but couldn’t hold the word of the Lord inside.  He came to the realization that the LORD stands beside him and that God would cause those who persecute him to stumble.  He knew in his heart that God would defend him for speaking on God’s behalf.

Application:

When we speak the word of the Lord, the Lord will defend us much better than we cold ever defend ourselves.  I need to walk in confidence that the LORD is standing beside me, even when I feel persecuted.  I want to walk by faith and fulfill the will of God in my life, then trust Him to fight my battles.  There is a great warrior standing beside me.  I need to act like it.

Prayer:

Father, let me see You as the great warrior who is standing next to me, ready to deliver problems to my enemies.  Help me to walk by faith and to know You are fighting my battles and that You have my back. Let me walk in confidence every day that You are with me and that no weapon formed against me will prosper.  Teach me to trust You more.  Show me the way forward and help me to walk in it.

Yours,

Jeff

God’s Words

Scripture:

 “When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.”  Jeremiah‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

When Jeremiah discovered the word of the Lord, he devoured it.  He ate God’s word as much as he could. The word of the Lord became the delight of his heart and his greatest joy.  

Application:

God reveals Himself in and through His word.  When we go the Word of the Lord, we should be constantly discovering and devouring.  We should be seeking out what God is trying to tell us through His word.  His word should be our joy and delight, but often we don’t even read it.  As believers, we are to fall in love with God’s word and stay hungry for it throughout our lives.

Prayer:

Father, help me to never take Your word for granted.  Help me to find joy and delight in studying Your word.  Let my life be built on Your word and help me to never stray from Your words.  You are my everything and I want to serve You well.  Help me to fall in love with your word once again.  Let it change my life.

Your Son,

Jeff

Only God

 Scripture:

“Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, you are the one, O Lord our God! Only you can do such things. So we will wait for you to help us.”  Jeremiah‬ ‭14:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah asks the question, “Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain?”  He completes the thought by saying, “You are the one, O Lord our God! Only You can do such things.”  Therefore, he determined, “we wait for you to help us.”  Jeremiah realized that only God can really help us when we are in trouble.

Application:

When trouble comes, no other god can help us.  We can’t help ourselves.  Only God Almighty can really help us.  There are times when we need divine intervention.  There are times when nothing we do will be able to get us out of the situation we are in.  No other gods can make it rain, only God.  We need to learn to wait on God because He is the only one who can really help us.  We can’t help ourselves.  We need Him.

Prayer:

Father, I need You in my life.  Only You can bring the rain and only You can turn things around for me.  Only You can restore what the enemy has taken away.  Only You can bring Cheryl and I to the place You have for us.  Only You can bless Word of Life with all You have for it.  Only You can take us where we need to be and bless us.  SO I wait for You Almighty God.

Yours,

Jeff

The Whole Earth Trembles

 Scripture:

“But the Lord is the only true God. He is the living God and the everlasting King! The whole earth trembles at his anger. The nations cannot stand up to his wrath.”  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah tells us here, under the influence of the LORD, that God is the only real and true god.  He is the living and everlasting king.  All others gods are made by man’s hands and can do nothing on their own.  Here we are told that the whole earth trembles at God’s anger and nations can’t handle His wrath.  he is the Almighty God.

Application:

Do we really believe that the whole earth tremble at God’s anger and the nations can’t stand up to His wrath?  Do we really believe we serve the Almighty God?  Do we really believe what His word says about Him?  If we do, then we must also learn to submit to Him and His ways.  We must learnt to follow His voice and serve Him well in our generation.  We have lost the fear of the Lord in our time.  We need to get back to realizing that God is able to destroy us, as well as the nations of the earth with one word from His mouth.  If the whole earth trembles at His voice, we should also.

Prayer:

Father, bring back the fear of the Lord to Your people. Let us respect You as You deserve to be respected.  Help me personally to walk in the fear of the Lord at a new level.  Help me to hear Your voice and to walk in submission to You and Your Plans for my life.  Teach me to live a life You approve of.  I don’t jus want Your anointing, I want Your approval.

Your Son,

Jeff

Prepare for Action

 Scripture:

““Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them.”  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God is speaking to Jeremiah getting him ready to speak to Israel and Judah as a prophet.  He tells Jeremiah to “Get up and prepare for action.”  He is then told to tell them everything God says to tell them and not to be afraid of them or what they think.  God was setting Jeremiah apart to speak on His behalf and wanted to make sure he was ready for what he would face.

Application:

Sometimes we feel like preparation is not important when it comes to ministry, especially prophetic ministry.  Because prophetic ministry is oftentimes fairly spontaneous, people feel they don’t need to prepare because God will speak to them and they will deliver what He says.  Preparation is an important part of ministry.  We should always be preparing for the next thing God has for us.  We should never settle in where we are and feel like we have arrived, but be constantly preparing for God’s next move in our lives.

Prayer:

Father, let me now despise the seasons of preparation, but work hard so that I am ready for whatever You place in front of me.  Teach me to live a life that is constantly preparing for greater things in You.  Train me, teach me, prepare me, mold me, shape me, and form me into what I need to be in order to fulfill Your will in and through my life.  Help me to live prepared for the next thing You want to do in me.

Yours,

Jeff