God Gives More Than Enough

Scripture:

“Then Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God answered, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.””

‭‭II Chronicles‬ ‭25:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Amaziah had hired 100,000 troops from Israel to help him fight.  he was paying them 100 talents of silver each.  A prophet of God came to him and said he won’t need Israel to help him, but rather just to go and God would fight their battles.  Amaziah replied to him, “What shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?”  The man of God told him the LORD is able to give you much more than this.  

Application:

Sometimes we only look to the flesh or what we know we have in the bank when determining what to do.  God is able to give us much more than we think we are able to come up with.  The prophet was telling the king not to worry about giving the men all the money he had spent because the LORD could easily give it back to him.  God does work financial miracles and I want to see Him do this for the church I pastor.  I want to walk in the faith that says, “God can give us much more than what we think He can.”

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in faith and to see victory for Your people.  Work miracles for us to be able to get the building You have put in my heart for us.  Teach me to believe and trust You at higher levels.  I believe, now help me walk it out and see You work a mighty answer to my longtime prayer.  Increase my faith in the area of finances.  I know You are able. 

Your Son,

Jeff

The Saddest Tombstone

Scripture:

“He was thirty-two years old when he became king. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and, to no one’s sorrow, departed. However they buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.”

‭‭II Chronicles‬ ‭21:20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Jehoram was an evil king.  He did evil in the sight of the LORD.  He killed all of his brothers and the princes who could threaten to take over his kingdom.  He led Judah away from the things of God and served other gods.  At the end of his life, the writer added this simple phrase that spoke to me this morning, “to no one’s sorrow.”  Apparently nobody was sorrowful at the death of Jehoram.

Application:

I believe this passage reveals the saddest tombstone ever written.  If nobody is sorrowful because of your death, you didn’t live a very good life.  This passage spoke to me about what I want to see at my funeral.  I want to live a life that will make people miss me when I’m gone.  I want to live a life that be missed on the planet because of the good I have done for those around me and for those who I will never meet.  I don’t want to live a life to myself where nobody will know be sorrowful at my funeral, but a life of impact that helps as many as possible.

Prayer:

LORD, help me keep my focus on loving You and loving others.  Let my life be impactful for Your kingdom and let me help others every day.  Let my life be a blessing to those around me and to those I will never meet here on this earth.  Help me to number my days and use them well to be a blessing.

Your Son,

Jeff

Rely on the LORD

Scripture:

“And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand.”

‭‭II Chronicles‬ ‭16:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.””

‭‭II Chronicles‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Asa had been an awesome king who had done right in the eyes of the LORD.  In this one instance, he relied on people instead of on the LORD, to accomplish something.  He made a treaty with the king of Syria instead of allow the LORD to defend him.  The second verse tells us that God’s eyes are looking through the whole world to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.  It closes by saying that Asa had wars from that point onward.  He had enjoyed incredible peace when he trusted the LORD above people, but once he leaned on man, he had battles the rest of his rulership.

Application:

God is a jealous God.  He wants us to rely on Him and look to Him instead of leaning on our own understanding and doing what seems good to men.  Making an alliance with the Syrians seemed like a good thing to do, but it wasn’t a God thing to do.  I want to do God things and not good things.  I want God to show Himself strong on my behalf.  Therefore I must learnt o trust Him and not my own ways of thinking. 

Prayer:

Father, teach me to trust You more and more and lean less on the opinions of man.  Help me to lead well and accomplish Your will instead of my own.  Help me to never lean on people when You want me to lean on You.  Teach me to when to use the wisdom You gave me and when to wait for a word from the LORD. Help me to lead Your people well.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Seasons of Rest

Scripture:

“He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was quiet under him. And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the LORD had given him rest.”

‭‭II Chronicles‬ ‭14:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

King Asa commanded Judah to seek the LORD and obey His commands.  He earnestly sought the LORD and destroyed the gods made of man’s hands in Judah.  He destroyed the works of the devil and honored the LORD, therefore the Lord gave him rest from war.  Rest comes when we have sought the LORD and begin to operate in His blessing.  Rest is promised to us when we seek the LORD and obey His commands.  Rest is a sign of the blessing of God.

Application:

There are seasons of rest in the Kingdom of God that come to God’s people.  These are blessed times of things prospering, enemy’s backing off, and the goodness of God being felt in a real way.  God desires His people to enter His rest.  When we put our trust and confidence in the LORD, there is rest for us.  I want to enter the LORD’s rest in my life.  I want to rest in His promises and walk in His blessing.  The answer is found in seeking Him and obeying Him.  I have been in a season of rest recently and it is so good to watch he LORD fight my battles and defend my life.  It is truly a blessing.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in faith and obedience every day of my life. I want to live in Your blessing of rest and peace.  You are my everything and I want to serve You well.  Teach me not to worry or doubt but to walk in total trust and confidence in my walk with You.  You’re the best and I want to walk humbly before You all the days of my life.  Let me see breakthroughs and blessings I have waited on for a long time as I continue to seek You.

Yours,

Jeff

Well Ordered

Scripture:

“Now all the work of Solomon was well-ordered from the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was completed.”

‭‭II Chronicles‬ ‭8:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

This portion of Scripture describes the incredible beauty of the House of the LORD and the house of Solomon.  It speaks of his wealth how famous he was for his wisdom.  In this particular passage it gives a simple secret to what he did.  It says, “all the work of Solomon was well-ordered” from the beginning to the end.  He built the incredible Temple for the LORD and got the job done because his work was well-ordered.

Application:

God is a god of order.  He brings beauty out of chaos.  He causes the orbit of the planets, moons, and the entire universe to function properly because it was well-ordered from the LORD.  When our lives are well-ordered, things get done.  I need to order my life better in order to accomplish more for my king.  I want to live a well-ordered life that finishes projects and completes everything the LORD gives me to do in my generation.  

Prayer:

Father, help me to order my life well.  As I cry out each morning LORD, “order my steps”.  Guide my life and give me the strength to live a well-ordered life that accomplishes much for Your kingdom.  Teach me to be diligent and to complete things You give me to do.  Help me to live a disciplined and well-ordered life.

Your Son,

Jeff

Covenant Keeper and Mercy Giver

Scripture:

“and he said: “ LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.”

‭‭II Chronicles‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Solomon was dedicating the Temple he had built for the LORD.  The glory of the LORD filled the Temple and Solomon prayed before his people.  He attributed God with keeping His covenant and mercy with His servants who walk before Him with all their hearts.  

Application:

God is a merciful, covenant keeping God!  He is faithful to His promises and does what He says He will do.  Our part in this covenant is to walk before the LORD with all our hearts.  When I am faithful to the LORD, I remain in covenant with Him.  When I walk before Him with all my heart, His mercy comes into my life.  I want to walk before the LORD all the days of my life with ALL my heart.  I never want to be a half-hearted believer.  I want to be ALL-IN all the days of my life.  

Prayer:

Father, hear my cry this morning.  I love You and want to serve You well in my generation.  I long for Your presence.  I long for You glory to fill my life at increasing measures.  I long to walk before You with all my heart.  I don’t want to serve You only when convenient, but at all times.  Help me to serve You well, hear You voice and do what You desire.  I give myself to the extension of Your kingdom in all the earth. 

Yours,

Jeff

God Honors Sacrifice

Scripture:

“Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.”

‭‭II Chronicles‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

There was a time when David had counted his fighting men, which displeased the LORD.  The LORD spoke to David and gave him three punishments, which he could choose.  David chose to have a plague for three days.  The plague killed 70,000 people and David wanted it to stop so he bought the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.  Ornan offered it to David, but David said he wouldn’t offer to the LORD that which cost him nothing.  He built an altar to the LORD there, which became the place where God’s temple would be built by Solomon.  David’s sacrifice became Solomon’s blessing.

Application:

Nobody likes sacrifice.  Sacrifice usually costs you more than you want to pay.  Sacrifice means you are giving up something valuable to you.  When God sees us sacrifice on His behalf, He always sees it and always blesses it.  God blesses sacrifice!  Sacrifice was part of His plan from the beginning.  In the OT there were animal sacrifices, in the NT we present our bodies as a living sacrifice.  What we lay down before God, He turns into a place of blessing.  I need to remember that there is sacrifice in serving God, but that He always blesses sacrifice and uses it for His kingdom.

Prayer:

Father, I offer you my life today once again on the altar of sacrifice.  I give you all that I am because You are worthy of it all.  You loved me when I was unlovable.  You adopted me into Your family and You have blessed my life.  Help me to live a life that pleases You and let my sacrifice become a blessing to You and someone else.  I am Yours.

Your Son,

Jeff

A Loyal Heart and a Willing Mind

Scripture:

““As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”

‭‭I Chronicles‬ ‭28:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

As David was preparing Solomon to take over his kingdom and also preparing him to build the Temple of the LORD God Almighty, he gave him some instructions.  He told his son to serve God with a loyal heart and a willing mind.  He then instructed his son to seek the LORD and the LORD would be found by him.  David knew what it took to follow the LORD and had done a good job of demonstrating it.

Application:

Serving God takes a loyal heart, a willing mind, and a heart that seeks the LORD.  A loyal heart never turns from God under any circumstance.  Loyalty remains faithful, no matter what is going on or how long since God has answered your prayers.  A willing mind seeks the LORD and does what He says.  We must be willing to do what the LORD speaks to our hearts.  Lastly, I never want to lose being a God-seeker.  The more we seek Him, the more we find Him and the more we find Him, the more we love Him.

Prayer:

LORD, as David left instruction to Solomon as to how to serve the LORD and live a blessed life, help me to follow these instruction as well.  Let my heart always be loyal to You and let my mind be willing, no matter what You ask me to do.  Let my desire for You grow all the days of my life.  Help me to never stop seeking You.

Yours,

Jeff

Prophecy With Instruments

Scripture:

“Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. And the number of the skilled men performing their service was:”

‭‭I Chronicles‬ ‭25:1‬ ‭NKJV

Observation:

It says here that David and the captains of his army separated some sons of Asaph, Herman and Jeduthun that they may prophesy with harps, stringed instruments and cymbals.  They were to be skilled in their instruments, but I see a combination of worship and prophecy in this context.  

Application:

I love the spontaneous song of the LORD and singing forth prophetically with music.  To prophesy is to speak on God’s behalf.  We know Asaph wrote many of the Psalms of Israel.  What he sung...became Scripture.  He was truly singing prophetically.  I want to increase my skills in music and be able to flow more and more in prophetic song before the LORD.  I have always loved it, but want it to increase in my life.

Prayer:

Father, help me to sing the song of the LORD.  Enable me to sing Your songs from my heart.  Let me hear what You are saying and put it into music.  Attune my ears to heaven and let me hear melodies ordered in heaven and played over my hands and voice.  Help me grow in this area.

Your Son,

Jeff

The Spoils of War

Scripture:

“King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had brought from all these nations—from Edom, from Moab, from the people of Ammon, from the Philistines, and from Amalek.”

‭‭I Chronicles‬ ‭18:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

In this chapter there is record of the many nations and peoples that David defeated.  When victory is won, there are always what we call the spoils of war.  This is the animals, weapons, chariots, silver and gold of the enemy.  Rather than King David taking all the spoils for himself and his nation, He dedicated all the spoils of war to the LORD.  David honored the LORD with whatever was put in his hand instead of being selfish and the LORD blessed him.

Application:

I might not have a physical battle to fight in my life, but there are times we have victories and breakthroughs in our lives.  It could come as a promotion, a raise, a bonus, an unexpected blessing, etc.  I need to remember to honor the LORD whenever I am blessed because ultimately, every good and perfect gift in my life comes from Him.  I want to honor the LORD in every area of my life and whatever He gives me, I want Him to know it is His.  Everything I have must be dedicated to the LORD for His use.

Prayer:

Father, help me to never take You for granted.  Teach me to honor You with all the increase of my life.  Help me to remember that everything I have belongs to You because without You, I wouldn’t have anything.  You have blessed me immensely in my life.  Help me to live open-handed and use everything I have for Your purposes.

Your Son,

Jeff

Seeking God Never Stops

Scripture:

“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!”

‭‭I Chronicles‬ ‭16:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

David had just brought the ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem and he delivered a Psalm into the hands of his worship leader.  This verse was a part of that Psalm.  It tells us to “seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!”  David’s pursuit of the LORD didn’t stop when the ark came to his city, it just got started.  Seeking God is a lifelong pursuit.

Application:

David told us to seek the LORD, His strength, and His face evermore.  I have found in my life that the more I seek the LORD, the more I find Him and when I am content with what I have in Him, I start to dry up spiritually.  I have always been a God seeker, but sometimes that wanes and I get in a rut.  I want to seek Him continually all the days of my life.  I want to always be a pursuer of God.  I want to know Him more every day.

Prayer:

Father, don’t let my love and passion for You ever grow cold and stale.  I want to know You more and more every day.  Let my passion for You increase in my years instead of decrease.  I long for You to come and show Yourself strong in my life, my family, my church and my region.  I want to know You as never before.  I desire more of You and I will continue to seek You all the days of my life.

Love,

Jeff

Sons of Isaachar

Scripture:

“of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;”

‭‭I Chronicles‬ ‭12:32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

I love the description of the sons of Isaachar in this verse.  It says they had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.  They could discern, not only the times, but what to do in those times.  They were people of keen insight into what God was doing and saying and they knew what the next steps were.

Application:

We are living in very difficult times.  This year we have had Coronavirus, riots in our streets, and churches closed because of the virus.  We need some sons of Isaachar who understand the times and what to do in these times.  I want to be one of those who knows what’s going on and what to do about it.  I want to walk in step with the Holy Spirit and do what He leads.  I want to be a person of insight.

Prayer:

Father, open my eyes that I may see what You are doing in the earth.  Let me be more like the sons of Isaachar and know what to do in each season.  Show me the way forward in my generation.  Let my heart be attuned to Your Spirit and know what to do each day.  Work in me Holy Spirit.  I am yours.  Help me to lead well in my generation.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Mighty Men of Battle

Scripture:

“The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house. The sons of Tola were mighty men of valor in their generations; their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred.”

‭‭I Chronicles‬ ‭7:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, we see the sons of Tola.  It says they were mighty men of valor in their generations and they numbered twenty-two thousand six hundred.  Tola knew something about raising sons who were powerful men of valor in their generations, which tells me it went on for more than one generation.  He started fathering warriors who fathered warriors.

Application:

Recently, the LORD has been dealing with me about spiritual fathering and raising up sons and daughters for Him.  I feel a shift in my assignment toward fathering.  I want to raise up men and women who will carry the Gospel much farther and faster than I ever could alone.  I want to raise up warriors for the Kingdom who will make a difference in society.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to live a life like Tola, who was known for raising sons who were mighty men of battle.  Let there be generations who will follow You wholeheartedly because they had a father who treated  and trained them right.  Help me to LORD to fulfill every assignment You have on my life.

Yours,

Jeff

When God Fights For You

Scripture:

“And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. Then they took away their livestock—fifty thousand of their camels, two hundred and fifty thousand of their sheep, and two thousand of their donkeys—also one hundred thousand of their men; for many fell dead, because the war was God’s. And they dwelt in their place until the captivity.”

‭‭I Chronicles‬ ‭5:20-22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Here it says that the Sons of Reuben, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh fought against the Hagrites.  It says they cried out to God in battles and He heeded their prayers because they put their trust in Him.  They received 50,0000 camels, 250,000 sheep and 2,000 donkeys, and 100,000 of their men died and it says, “because the war was God’s” this happened.  

Application:

When they cried out to the Lord in battle, the battle became the Lord’s battle and not theirs.  Once they gave it to Him, it was His battle.  I see something powerful in this.  When we cry out to the LORD to help us, the battle is no longer ours to fight, it is His.  He takes ownership of the battles we give to Him and He always delivers.  Our job is to give Him the battles, His job is to conquer our enemies.  He does a better job fighting that we will ever do.  I need to continue to relinquish control to the LORD in every area of my life.

Prayer:

Father, help me to truly deliver my battles into Your hands.  Help me to trust You to fight on my behalf and ton know that You’ve got this.  Provide land and a building supernaturally for our church.  I cry out to You.  Show Yourself strong on our behalf.  Demonstrate Your power and empower Your church.  Work strong on our behalf as we lift up Your name in all the earth.

Your Son,

Jeff

Our Aim - Pleasing God

Scripture:

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”

‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Paul tells the Corinthians in this verse that he makes it his aim, to please God, whether in heaven or on earth.  Immediately following this verse he goes into speaking about the judgment seat of Christ.  Paul understood that one day we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be judged on what we did and what we did not do.  Based on that, he made it his aim to please God.

Application:

Our goal, in any situation, should be to please God.  We should aim to please Him with our attitude, heart, soul, mind, actions, reactions, and how we treat people.  We use to ask the question, “what would Jesus do?”, today I’m thinking, “what would please God?”  They are similar, but pleasing God should be our goal.  Living like Jesus is always pleasing to God.  I want God to be pleased with my life in every area.

Prayer:

Father, You know my goal in life is to here You say well done good and faithful servant.  Help me to my aim on pleasing You and not on myself.  Help me to live life that brings You honor.  Empower me to live humbly before You and to keep my aim on the pleasing You and not pleasing myself.

Your Son,

Jeff

Don’t Give an Advantage to Satan

Scripture:

“Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭2:10-11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Corinthians here for the second time.  The first time he had to address some pretty serious issues.  Now he is writing again and tells them that if they forgive someone, he also forgives them.  He goes on to say that he has forgiven them in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us.  He closes by saying that we know Satan’s devices or schemes.

Application:

Sometimes we focus on defeating Satan through spiritual warfare, fasting and prayer.  This is great, but if we don’t walk in forgiveness, we are giving Satan an advantage that he will use in our lives.  Not forgiving someone opens the door to the enemy, no matter how much you pray and fast.  Peter tells us concerning our wives that our prayers are hindered because things are not right in the relationship.  Jesus said if we are bringing a sacrifice to the altar, leave it there and go get it right with the individual, then come back and present your offering.  I need to walk in constant forgiveness.  I don’t want to give the enemy any advantage.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in constant forgiveness.  Enable me to not be offended and have issues with my brothers and sisters.  Help me to love people as You love them.  Teach me not to give an advantage to Satan because of how I treat people.  I want to live free from offense in any form or fashion.

Yours,

Jeff

The Response God Loves

Scripture:

“because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you, ” says the LORD.”
‭‭II Kings‬ ‭22:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Josiah was king when a copy of the Law of the Lord was found.  It was read to him and he responded by tearing his clothes, weeping, destroying all false gods, and by sanctifying everyone and everything he could.  God told him in this verse that because his heart was tender and he humbled himself, the things the Lord had spoken would not happen to him.

Application:

God loves a humble heart that responds in humility and brokenness when He speaks.  He loves it when we respond to His voice by wholly following Him and turning far away from any other gods.  He is looking for those today who will turn to Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.  He moves in response to those who humble themselves and seek Him diligently.

Prayer:

Lord God, I humble myself before You.  Empower me to serve You well and to do everything You put in my heart.  I want to be fully Yours and to live a life of humble abandonment to You and Your will.  Teach me to walk with out daily and show me the way forward.  I need You God.  I need You to lead me and show me the way forward in every area.

Your Son,
Jeff

God’s Confirmation

Scripture:

“So Isaiah the prophet cried out to the LORD, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz.”
‭‭II Kings‬ ‭20:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

King Hezekiah appeared to be dying when God gave him another 15 years of life.  As a confirmation that God was doing this, he asked that the sundial be moved ten degrees backward.  He felt that forward would be an easy thing for God, but backward would be impossible.  There, in front of his eyes, God moved the sundial ten degrees backward.  Either God moved the sun in the heavens, the earth, or He bent the rays of light, but He definitely confirmed miraculously that Hezekiah’s life was extended.

Application:

God is all-powerful!  If He can make the sundial go backward ten degrees, there is nothing impossible for Him.  I need to realize more and more His capacity and walk confidently that nothing is impossible for Him.  God is greater than anything the enemy can throw in my way.  I want to walk in greater faith and confidence.

Prayer:

Father, my life is Yours.  Lead me, guide me, show me the way I should go each and every day.  Let my life bring Your glory.  Help me to realize that I serve the God who is truly all-powerful and let me understand that you would literally move heaven and earth on my behalf.  Set the captive free through my life today and let deliverance come.

Yours,
Jeff

Do not Answer Him

Scripture:

“But the people held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.””
‭‭II Kings‬ ‭18:36‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

King Hezekiah was running Judah and Sennacherib, king of Assyria sent word that he was coming to destroy them.  He sent Rabshakeh with a word to tell them their God would never be able to defeat the armies of Assyria and to negotiate a treaty.  King Hezekiah told the people, “do not answer him”. The people held their peace and didn’t give an answer to him when he came boasting that they would defeat the people of Judah.

Application:

The enemy will always put questions in your heart about whether God will really come through for you or not.  He will always try to make you doubt God.  When the enemy puts those thoughts in our minds, our best position is to not answer him, even in our own thoughts.  When God has spoken, we can rest assured He will do what He says He will do.  The enemy will come and try to get us to walk in unbelief, but we must not listen and reply.  We don’t want to give the enemy a foothold.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, help me to respond appropriately when the enemy tells me that You are not going to bring me through situations.  Let Your voice be more clear and louder than the voice of the enemy.  Let my faith be more in You and not my feelings.  I am Yours and want to serve You well in my generation.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Integrity

Scripture:

“Moreover they did not require an account from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to be paid to workmen, for they dealt faithfully.”
‭‭II Kings‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

When the Temple was being rebuilt and renovated, there were men of integrity who worked on the building.  They built a box to collect offerings in and they paid out of that for all the workmen.  Here it says that they didn’t require accounting from the men who paid the workmen because they dealt faithfully.  Trust increases with faithfulness and integrity.

Application:

Our goal as believers should be to have the trust of those around us.  They should say of us that they don’t need to account for their money or their spending because they walk in integrity.  My personal goal has always been that those who know me best, respect me the most.  I want to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord and that demonstrates integrity.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live a trustworthy life.  Enable me to do the right thing, even when it isn’t the easy thing.  Help me to walk in truth at all times.  I want to serve You well with my life.  I am Yours.

Your Son,
Jeff

Favor with the King

Scripture:

“And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed a certain officer for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, and all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the land until now.””
‭‭II Kings‬ ‭8:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

The woman referred to in this story is the same woman who gave Elisha her last meal.  At that point in her life, God gave her continual supply of food for her to eat.  Later her son died and Elisha raised him from the dead.  After that, the prophet told her to go away for seven years because famine was coming.  She did as the man of God said and when she returned, she asked the king for her land back and he gave it as well as all the produce of the land for that past seven years.

Application:

This widow woman listened to the voice of the prophet in her life and prospered.  She was taken care of in remarkable ways as God provided for her needs.  If God can give a widow woman favor with a king so he gives her seven years of produce, He can do the same for me.  I want to increase my level of trust in God.  I want to walk in faith and see miraculous favor for my life and my church.

Prayer:

Father, release miraculous favor into my life.  Let everything I touch be blessed.  Bless my home, my wife, my sons, my church, and my community.  Let Your favor rest upon my life and let me see the day of good things.  I am Yours.  Provide for me like You did for this woman I pray.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Don’t Complain About God’s Techniques

Scripture:

“Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.”

‭‭II Kings‬ ‭5:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Naaman, the commander of the army of Syria,  had leprosy and came to Elisha because the king told him there was a prophet in Israel.  When he came, Elisha told him to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times.  He got angry and said that other rivers were more clean and asked if he couldn't use one of them.  He eventually went to the Jordan River, dipped seven times, and was healed of his leprosy.

Application:

God doesn’t always work in the way we want Him to.  Sometimes His answers come in ways we don’t think are appropriate.  His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.  I can’t get upset when God’s answer is different than what I was thinking.  I must yield to God’s ways instead of trying to figure out a better way for God to work in my life.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, help me not to complain about Your techniques.  Help me not to complain when You say to do something that doesn’t seem to make sense to me.  Let me hear Your still small voice and show me the way to go each and every day.  Help me not to lean on my own understanding, but to let my steps be directed by You.  Help me to spend less time trying to figure out why You are doing what You are doing and more time walking in obedience.  

Yours,

Jeff

God of the Impossible

Scripture:

“Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’ ””
‭‭II Kings‬ ‭2:21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Elisha had received the mantle of Elijah.  People came to Elisha and said the land wouldn’t produce and the water was bad, therefore they were in distress.  Elisha had them bring him salt and went to the source of the river and put the salt in.  He then spoke to them and said that the Lord healed the water and it wouldn’t no longer produce death and barrenness.  God can take natural things and do the supernatural.

Application:

God is the God of the impossible.  Elisha wasn’t a scientist, but a prophet.  He didn’t know the laws of chemicals, but he knew his God.  He obeyed God and amazed the scholars who couldn’t figure out what to do.  Nothing is beyond our God.  He is able to stop Coronavirus in its tracks.  He is able to stop the rioting in our streets.  He is able to bring peace into any situation.  He use needs someone who walk s by faith and obeys His voice.  I want to walk in faith and believe God for miracles that bless people.

Prayer:

Father, heal our land.  Demonstrate Your power among us and bring healing to our divided land.  Give us the solution to COVID 19.  Show Your power and goodness by healing radical wounds.  Reveal Yourself in power to this generation.  We need You and ask You to come and work among Your people.  Help me to walk with You and to be part of what You are doing.

Yours,
Jeff

Emotions and Faith

Scripture:

“So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.””
‭‭I Kings‬ ‭19:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

After Elijah had his encounter with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel he heard that Jezebel was after him to kill him.  He fled to hide in a cave, but the LORD spoke to him and asked why he was there.  Elijah replied he had been zealous and now he was the only one left following the LORD and they were seeking his life.  He went from the mountaintop to the valley very quickly.  He went from confronting 450 prophets of Baal to running from a single woman in a short time.

Application:

After great victories, we must be cautious because great valleys can come easily.  I want to have consistency in my life and not have mountaintop and valley experiences, but I also know that is now generally reality. I can not allow my own emotions and feelings to control my life, but the word of the LORD.  I need to hear from God clearly and do what he says at all times.  I want to walk bold and confident, but the only way to do that is to hear and do the word of the LORD.

Prayer:

Father, I want to live a life that pleases You.  I don’t want You to find me depressed in a cave and need to bring me out because I listened to those around me instead of listening to You.  Help me to walk boldly and confidently in Your kingdom.  Teach me to follow You well and to fulfill all You have given me to do.  Let me not be swayed by feelings or emotions, but by You at all times.

Your Son,
Jeff

God Supplies for His People

Scripture:

““Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.””
‭‭I Kings‬ ‭17:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

God spoke to Elijah and told him to go down to Zarephath because He had commanded a widow woman to provide for him.  Widows, in that day, would generally be extremely poor and have nothing to help anyone with.  This woman was down to her last meal, but God touched her heart to provide for the man of God.  God can bring resources from the most unlikely sources.

Application:

Jesus said things like, don’t worry about tomorrow, what you will wear or what you will eat because God feeds the birds of the air.  We must realize that God does provide for his people, if He has to perform miracles to do it.  The second application for me is that God loves to use the most unlikely people to bless your life.  God always has a widow woman who can provide for you as your trust him.

Prayer:

Father, help me to always look to You as my source and my provider.  You have never let me down.  You have been faithful to me all the days of my life.  Thank You for all You have done for me.   Help me to see Your hand in every provision of my life.

Yours,
Jeff

Beware of Lying Prophets

Scripture:

“He said to him, “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ” (He was lying to him.)”
‭‭I Kings‬ ‭13:18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

A man of God was sent on a mission and told by the LORD not to eat or drink until he had returned.  Another prophet brought him into his house and told him an angel told him to give the man of God something to eat.  The prophet was lying and it cost the man of God everything.  It is dangerous to listen to the wrong people.

Application:

We have the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.  We must be confident when we have heard the voice of the LORD and not be swayed by the good opinions of others, even if they say they have seen an angel.  When God speaks, He doesn’t change His mind.  It is so easy to be influenced by people around us who seem to have heard from God and the enemy loves to make us think they are hearing clearer than we are.  We must know the voice of the LORD now more than ever and must do what He says.

Prayer:

Father, open my ears to hear You clearly.  Don’t let me influenced by anyone but You.  Help me to stand in confidence when I have heard Your voice and not be intimidated by those who seem more spiritual.  Teach me to stand strong in my walk with You.

Your Son,
Jeff