Take Your Grief to God

 Scripture:

"The people went to Bethel, where they sat before God until evening, raising their voices and weeping bitterly."  Judges 21:2

Observation:

When the people of Israel realized one of their tribes had let them down and not shown up for battle, they were upset because they had made a commitment that whoever didn't show up would be destroyed.  What did they do?  They took their grief to the Lord.  They sat before God, raising their voices and weeping bitterly.  

Application:

There are times in our lives when we need to cry out to the Lord all day long with fasting and weeping.  There is a time when we must seek the Lord in our grief and desperation.  When we have nowhere to turn, we must learn to turn to God, who will turn things around for us.  God will always make a way for those who seek Him and humble themselves before Him.

Prayer:

Father, help me to seek You out more and more.  I want to spend more time in Your presence.  When I am overwhelmed, help me to turn to You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  You are my everything!  Let me always trust in You and turn to You for everything in my life.

Your Son,

Jeff

Name Some Places

 Scripture:

"When he finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone; and the place was called Ramath Lehi." Judges 15:17

Observation:

Samson had just been handed over to the Philistines by his own people.  They tied him up and took him to the Philistines to appease them.  Samson broke the ropes like nothing, grabbed the old jawbone of a dead donkey, and killed a thousand men with it.  When he was finished, they named the place "Ramath Lehi", which means, jawbone hill.  They named the place after what God did there.

Application:

I feel the Lord speaking to me today about naming some places according to what He did there or does there in the future.  Naming a place gives honor to what the Lord did there.  I have seen the Lord do so many things in my life, I should name the places as a memorial to what the Lord has done.  I desire to see God move stronger and stronger.  As I see it, I want to name the places accordingly to give the Lord honor for what He did in that place.

Prayer:

Father, help me to find ways to honor what You do in and through my life.  Without You, I can do nothing.  With You...all things are possible!  You are the key.  You are the answer.  You are the source of every good thing in my life and I want to honor You well.

Your Son,

Jeff

The Jealousy of God

 Scripture:

"Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen.  Let them save you when you are in trouble!"\

Observation:

During the time of the Judges, Israel would stray away from God and serve the gods of the nations around them.  When they would get in trouble, they would turn to the Lord God Almighty of their fathers and cry out to Him to save them.  In this passage, God speaks back and says, "Go cry out to the gods you have chosen.  Let them save you".  God is a jealous god and wants to be first place in the lives of His people.

Application:

God wants to bless us.  He wants to be our source and our resource.  Our job is simply to place Him first and operate His way.  When we do things His way and worship Him as He desires, we will see the goodness of the Lord.  When we stray away from Him and allow other things to turn us, He gets jealous of them.   We need to make sure we are not going after other gods, like the god of entertainment or the god of money.  We need to stay in right relationship with the one who paid an incredible price for our salvation.

Prayer:

Father, let me never walk away or stray from You.  Help me to keep in step with the Spirit at all times.  You are the only one worth serving.  You are the only one worthy.  You are holy and righteous and I love You much.  Let my life bring You praise and glory.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Am I Not Sending You?

 Scripture:

"The Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand.  Am I not sending you?"

Observation:

When God spoke to Gideon to save Israel, he told him to go in the strength he had.  He finished that statement by saying, "Am I not sending you?"  Of course, Gideon didn't feel he could rescue anyone, let alone all Israel.  When God told him to do this, He also told him that He, God, was sending him.  When God sends us on a mission from Him, we can walk in confidence that He will do whatever is necessary to bring victory.  Knowing we have been sent is crucial.

Application:

God sent us generally speaking in the Great Commission, but He also sends us on individual missions and assignments.  When on any of these assignments, we need to know our authority.  As Gideon was sent to fight the Midianites, so God sends us to work on His behalf.  We must walk in confidence, hearing the words in our hearts, "Am I not sending you?"  When we are on God's assignment, we are walking in delegated authority to accomplish what He needs done in that arena.  We must be willing to confidently walk into that destiny.

Prayer:

Father, as I walk out Your assignment and mission today in Honduras, help me to walk in confidence and authority as one sent by You and on Your mission.  Enable me to communicate exactly what You want said and pour out Your Spirit as I speak. Empower me today to accomplish Your purpose and plans in this region of the world.  Thank You for sending me.  It is an honor to serve.

Your Son,

Jeff

No Compromise

 Scripture:

"And I have also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.'"

Observation:

God told the people of Israel He was going to give them the Promised Land, but they needed to kick out the inhabitants.  He would be with them and give them success, but they had to fight.  When they entered the land, they ended up compromising with many of their enemies instead of kicking them out as the Lord told them.  They began to worship the gods of their enemies and God was disturbed.  They would go and do their own things, then come back crying out to the Lord and He would send a judge to rescue them.

Application:

When we get saved, God gives us the ability to kick out every enemy and to live a victorious life.  He wants us to choose Him and His ways instead of playing with the enemy in our lives.  God desires a people who are fully committed to Him and who won't allow compromise with the enemy.  We must drive out anything that is not of God in our lives and serve Him completely with no compromise.  The enemy will wants to snare us, but if we kick out everything not of God, he has no place to work from.

Prayer:

Father, help me to eliminate everything that is not of You.  Help me to please You in everything I do.  I want to finish well and to accomplish everything You want for my life.  Teach me to live boldly for You and to not compromise in any area.

Your Son,

Jeff

Boldness in Every Situation

 Scripture:

“Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.””  ‭‭Acts‬ ‭26:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Paul was defending his case under King Agrippa.  He told him, and those looking on, that he hadn’t done anything wrong.  He told them his salvation testimony about how Jesus, who was suppose to be dead, came to him and spoke to him.  King Agrippa said Paul was trying to convert him and Paul said, “I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”  Paul wasn’t afraid to tell the whole gathering he wanted to see them saved.

Application:

Paul was bold in his presentation of the Gospel.  I need to be more bold and confident in my presentation of the Gospel.  I don’t want to back down to kings, authorities, rulers, etc. concerning the faith that is within me.  I want to boldly proclaim Jesus Christ as Paul did.  He used a court case to turn into a testimony and then said he was praying for everyone there to come to Christ.

Prayer:

Father, increase my boldness in You.  Help me to never be intimidated, afraid, or shut up concerning the Good News.  Help me to walk in boldness and authority, no matter what situation I am in.  Increase my boldness and confidence in You today.  Help me to make the most of every opportunity to lead someone to Christ.

Yours,

Jeff

A Clear Conscience

 Scripture:

“So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”  ‭‭Acts‬ ‭24:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Paul was on trial at this point.  He had been accused by the Jews in Jerusalem of causing uproars and riots.  A group of Jewish leaders decided not to eat until Paul had been killed.  The Romans, whisked him away by night and brought him to Felix where he could be tried as a Roman.  As Paul was explaining what happened to him, he said, “I strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”  

Application:

This statement stood out to me this morning because I believe it is how we should live our lives.  We should strive to live life with a clear conscience before God and man.  In other words, we should live so that nobody can find anything that would be a hindrance to us.  We should live so that before God and man, there is no dirt to find on us.  I want to live a life that can be investigated by anyone, including God, and be found innocent.  I want to live with a clear conscience at all times and in every case.

Prayer:

Father, I want my yes to be yes and my no to be no.  I want my conscience clear before You and man at all times.  Help me to live a life like Paul where I can say that I strive to live with a clear conscience, not doing anything that would be sketchy in any way.  Teach me to live that way.  Help me to live life with no regrets, doing You will and remaining with a clear conscience.

Your Son,

Jeff

Ready to Die

 Scripture:

“Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.””  ‭‭Acts‬ ‭21:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Paul was on his way to Jerusalem and many were prophesying that in Jerusalem he would be bound and eventually killed.  They wanted Paul to stay and not go to Jerusalem because the Lord had shown them what would happen.  Pauls’ reply was honest, but powerful. He told them to stop it because they were breaking his heart.  Then he told them he was ready to be bound and to die for the name of Jesus.  In other words, don’t cry for me.  I’m ready for this.

Application:

At times we all have to ask ourselves, “Am I willing to die for Jesus?”  Real commitment to Christ is seen by the answer to that question.  All of the disciples died a martyr’s death.  We should expect no different.  I believe we have wreaked the church by telling them to come to Jesus and all your problem will go away. Following Jesus has a big price tag and we need to be honest about that.  It is a good practice to ask ourselves this question.  I want to say “absolutely”, but you never really know until you are put into the situation.  

Prayer:

Father, I want to say I’m willing to die for You and Your cause in the earth, but I don’t know until I’m in that place.  Help me to be ready at all times to give my life for You.  Christ gave His life for me and my life is not my own, but Christ that lives in me.  I want to serve You well in my generation.  Help me to live a selfless life that is fully and completely surrendered to You.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Signs and Wonders

 Scripture:

“Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”  ‭‭Acts‬ ‭14:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Paul and Barnabas were at Iconium on their first missionary trip.  It says that they stayed in Iconium a long time, speaking boldly and that the Lord was granting that signs and wonders were being done by their hands.  Later, people try to worship them because nobody could do the signs and wonders they were doing unless they were a god.  

Application:

From the beginning of the expansion of the Church, signs and wonders have been part of the preaching of the Gospel.  Many say that they were only necessary for the early church to be established, then there was no need for them, but I believe that they are just as necessary in proclaiming the Gospel today as they ever have been.  I believe our generation needs to see the power of God in demonstration.  I believe signs and wonders should still accompany the preaching of the word of God.  We need to cry out to God to make Himself known to our generation by powerful means.

Prayer:

Farther, stretch out your hand and back up Your Word with signs and wonders.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, and work miraculous signs in my generation so the faith of people is not in the wisdom of man but in the power of God.  Let this world see Your awesome power!  Let this generation see the hand of God in action.  Come Holy Spirit and move in our services, our lives, our region, and everywhere we go.  Pour out Your Spirit on all flesh and let them see the reality of a powerful God.

Your Son,

Jeff

Uncommon

 Scripture:

“And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Just before Cornelius sent for Peter and Peter was to go to his house to share about Christ with his family, Peter had a vision of all kinds of animals coming down from heaven in a sheet.  When he saw this vision, a voice spoke to him and said, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”  This was showing Peter that God could cleanse Gentiles as well as Jews, but also letting us know that God can cleanse anyone.

Application:

When people come to Christ, we shouldn’t look at their past, their nationality, their skin color, or any other thing.  We should see them as “uncommon”.  When God comes into a person’s life, they are no longer common people.  They are His children.  They are washed, cleansed, changed and have a new identity.  We must see people like God sees them.  We shouldn’t judge based on anything they have done.  They are now “uncommon” because of the blood of Jesus.  When we see people as uncommon, we add value to their lives.

Prayer:

Father, help me to see value in every person regardless of their background, history, race, ethnicity, etc.  Help me to see them, not as common, but as washed by the blood of Jesus.  Help me to value and honor people who don’t look like me or talk like me.  Help me to lead your people well Lord and judge nobody.

Your Son,

Jeff

Say the Hard Things

 Scripture:

Acts 8:22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.  For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."

Observation:

Simon the sorcerer had come to Christ and was baptized.  He saw the Holy Spirit come upon people when Peter laid hands on them.  He asked if he could buy the ability to do the same.  Peter then told him his heart wasn't right with God and that he needed to repent.  He also noted that he was poisoned with bitterness and bound in iniquity.  Not very understanding with a brand new Christian.  Peter said something bold and strong to a new convert, this is something we would try not to do in the church today.

Application:

Sometimes you have to say the hard things.  Peter was actually judging this man's heart, which we teach is not right for anyone to do these days.  Where are the Peters who will confront sin and wrong in people's hearts? Today, we just show as much love as we can and never confront, just hoping the Holy Spirit will deal with them.  Maybe we are to say hard things today and we may have different Kingdom results.  I know I'm guilty of not saying some things that need to be said to people who are going astray.  It's easier for me to be kind and not say anything, but I feel the Spirit leading me to be more bold in confrontation.

Prayer:

Father, help me to say the right things, even when they are hard.  Help me to truly make disciples and not wishy-washy believers who continue to live in sin.  Help me know when to speak and when to be quiet.  Teach me to work closer with You.  I want to be Your mouthpiece, for good and for bad.

Yours,

Jeff

All of Them Were Healed

 Scripture:

“Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.”  ‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Acts five speaks of the early church.  Peter and John had just been persecuted for healing a lame man.  The Holy Spirit had been poured out.  They prayed and the place they gathered was shaken.  Here it says that crowds gathered and they brought those who were sick and tormented by devils.  It adds this phrase, “and all of them were healed.”  People brought others to be healed and they were all healed.

Application:

I long for the day when “all of them” get healed in our services.  I believe we can walk today in the same power and grace that the early church walked in and I don’t see a scriptural reason why we should expect any less from our God than what they experienced.  Healing has been an attribute of God since the beginning and has always been part of the Gospel.  I long to see God heal more and more.  I personally believe it confirms the fact that God loves people when He heals them.  

Prayer:

Father, move in Your church once again.  Let Your people see the day when everyone gets healed in our services again.  I long to see You work in this way.  Confirm Your word with signs following.  Let the world see that You are God and there is nobody like You.  Let the church become the place to go an get healed from whatever the enemy has done in lives.  Let Your power flow through Your church again.  I long to see You work in this way.  Use my life to pour through.  Teach me whatever I need to know.  Show me how to walk at this level.  I don’t want anyone to be able to deny the power of my God.

Your Son,

Jeff

Finish What Jesus Began

 Scripture:

“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach”. ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

As Luke is starting the book of Acts, the history of the early church, he tells Theophilus that he wrote previously about everything Jesus BEGAN to do and to teach.  The book of Luke ends with Jesus going up in the ascension.  If the book of Luke was just about what Jesus BEGAN to do and to teach, it means that He is still doing and teaching.

Application:

Jesus is still doing things and He is still teaching.  His death, burial, resurrection  and ascension tells me He is now working in and through His Church.  What He is doing on the earth today, He is doing through those who believe.  Jesus is still turning the world upside down, He is just doing it through His people.  I long for Jesus to do and to teach through my life.  I want to represent Him well and I want His Spirit to flow through my life without measure.  If Jesus is still working, let Him work through me.

Prayer:

Jesus, I want to be on Your mission on the earth.  I want You to continue Your work and teaching on earth through my life.  Help me to be part of the team that finishes Your work on earth.  I long to see your works in greater measure in these Last Days.  Teach me to make the most of time and to use my time well on earth.  I want to help finish what You started.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Remember What God Has Done

 Scripture:

““The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you.”  ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭23:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Joshua was near the end of his life and he called Israel together to reaffirm their covenant with the Lord.  He reminded them that they could never follow other gods because it was the LORD who brought them out of Egypt and defeated all their enemies in Canaan.  He reminded them of what God had done for them, giving them strength and confidence to continue.

Application:

Sometimes we need reminders of what the Lord has done for us.  It is easy in life to focus in on the problems that are surrounding us and get overwhelmed.  It times like this, we must look back and remember what the Lord has done for us.  When it’s been a while since I’ve seen a healing, I must remember that God hasn’t changed.  When it’s been a while since a I saw a promise fulfilled, I must look back and remember what the Lord has done for me in the past.  I am amazed when I look back at what the Lord has done in my life.  I need to remember more often when I get discouraged in the present.

Thanks Lord,

Jeff

All God’s Promises

 Scripture:

“So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there.”  ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭21:43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Joshua records for us that the Lord gave Israel ALL the land He had told them He would give their ancestors.  They had to take the land and settle the land, but He gave them all of it and as they would enter and fight for it, they would defeat the current occupants and inherit the cities.  When God makes a promise, it will come to pass.  ALL God’s promises are reliable.

Application:

God is not like man.  Man will make a lot of promises to us and never come through on them.  God does what he says He will do.  If God promises something, He is able to perform it.  He is not only able, He WILL do what He promises.  He is faithful and strong.  He knows how to defeat our enemies and provide good things for His children.  All we need is a promise from God because He will do what He promises.  God’s word is full of promises for us as believers.  We must read His promises, fight for His promises, and inherit His promises.  The problem is not with God.  It is with us.  We have to fight to inherit the promises He has made to us.

Prayer:

Father, help me to fight for what You have promised me.  Empower me to do Your will at all times.  Give me faith, trust and patience concerning the things You have promised.  I know the problem is not with You.  Teach me to fight the faith fight when things are not going like I think they should.  

Your Son,

Jeff

How Long Will You Wait?

 Scripture:

“So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?”  ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭18:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

After quite a while in the Promised land, there were still seven tribes who still had not taken possession of the territory the Lord had given them.  They were waiting on Joshua to give them the land and were trying to be obedient, but were not moving forward to possess what was theirs.

Application:

Sometimes waiting can be a big problem in my life.  I tend to wait for God to make it super clear before I move on it.  I wait for things around me to be right before I start what I know God has said.  I tend to make excuses for not doing what I know I am suppose to do, but God is saying to me to recently to stop making excuses and begin taking possession of the things He has given to me.  I don’t want to miss God, or His timing, but I also don’t want to miss God because I was waiting for the perfect timing, etc. when He has already spoken.

Prayer:

Father, forgive me for making excuses and not going after the things I know You have given me to do.  Help me to move forward and take possession of the things You have prepared for me.  Teach me to follow You and let me inherit everything You want me to inherit because I was diligent to complete my assignments instead of waiting fo Ruth perfect timing.

Your Son,

Jeff

Killing Giants in Your Old Age

 Scripture:

“From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites—Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, the sons of Anak.”   ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭15:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Caleb was 85 years old and had spent forty years wandering through the wilderness and five years defeating enemies throughout Israel as they established themselves in the Promised Land.  At 85 he told Joshua to give him the land that was promised to him 45 years before.  It had giants in it, but was a good land.  In this passage it simply says he drove out three sons of Anak.  Anak was a giant.  We love to speak of David as a young man killing Goliath, but Caleb did this at 85 years old.  Caleb was a man of faith who knew His God would help him in any battle.

Application:

I want to be slaying giants in my old age.  I don’t want to retire and do nothing the rest of my life.  I want to spend my latter years kicking some giants out of people’s promised lands.  As I grow older, I want to live wiser, yet bolder for God.  I want to finish my years defeating the enemy and teaching others to do so as well.  

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, help me to finish strong in life and ministry.  I want to extend Your Kingdom in greater and greater ways as I age on this earth.  Help me to live a life of faith like Caleb, still killing giants in his old age.  Restore my body and renew my strength so I feel stronger and stronger.  Never let my vision die, but let me keep going after You and Your will until I see you face to face.

Yours,

Jeff

What God Gives, Nobody Can Take

 Scripture:

“The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.””  ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭10:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Joshua was taking a lot of territory and defeating king after king.  Five kings came together because of fear of the Israelites and were prepared to join forces and attack Israel.  God spoke to Joshua and told him not to be afraid because they were already given into his hand and none of them would be able to stand against Joshua.  

Application:

I love God’s words here, “I have given them into your hand.”  God calls it done, finished and completed before it every happens.  God speaks it in past tense.  When God gives something into your hands, nobody can take it away.  It is a done deal when God is involved in the process.  I also see here that God gave them into his hand, but he still had to go in and fight against them.  Sometimes God gives us things, but we have to enforce the will of God and not just wait around to see if it will happen.  God considers is done before we even go to battle, but we have a part to play.  I need to be more aggressive about taking the ground the Lord has already prepared for me.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for fighting my battles and defeating my enemies.  Help me to go in an fight the battles Yo have already won for me.  Teach me to walk by faith, knowing that what You have given, I am able to do.  Show me the way forward each day.  There is nothing I want more than simply completing every assignment You give me and extending Your Kingdom in all the earth.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Deception: Inquire of the Lord

 Scripture:

“The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.”  ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭9:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The Gibeonites had come to the Israelites to make a treaty.  They told them they were from far away and how they had come a long distance because they heard how powerful Israel was and wanted to make a treaty early, before there was trouble.  Instead of asking the Lord, Joshua and his men made the treaty with them, thinking they were from far away.  The Gibeonites were actually very close and had deceived them. The Israelites leaned on their own thoughts instead of asking the Lord.

Application:

We must be careful to walk continually before the Lord and not being deceived by any tricks or lies of the enemy.  Satan is the father of lies and will make things looks better than they are to attract our attention.  We must not ever make a treat with the enemy.  Therefore, we must be aware of his schemes.  The only way to do this is to stay in constant communion with the Father.  He will show us what to do all along the path of life.  I don’t want to make decisions that seem good to myself and others, but I want to make decisions that are good with God and lead to blessing.

Prayer:

God, help me to never be deceived by what looks attractive or easier than following You.  Help me to walk in step with Your Spirit every day and not turn to the right or the left.  Show me how to live long and finish strong.  Open the doors You want me to walk through and close the ones that are not of You.  Lead me every day.  I want to serve You well.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God Promotes

 Scripture:

“That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.”  ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The day they crossed over the Jordan River, God exalted Joshua in the sight of all the people.  They were accustomed to Moses and following him.  They knew that Moses had done signs and wonders as God’s leader of the people.  When they saw the wonder of the Jordan opening, they knew that God has approved of Joshua’s leadership.  God had promoted Joshua, and the people knew it.

Application:

Promotion doesn’t come from the East or the West.  Promotion comes from the Lord.  It is God who promotes, and He does a really good job of doing it so the people know that was the Lord’s doing and that the next leader is God’s choice.  Joshua had been Moses’ servant for many years before his promotion came.  We must serve well where we are at all times, then God will promote us in His season and for His purposes.

Prayer:

Father God, I want to live a life that is fully submitted to You and Your will.  I want to live a life that brings You honor.  I don’t want to open doors or make things happen in my life.  I want You to guide my steps and I don’t ever want to get ahead of You.  I want Your leadership in my life and I want Your will to be recognizable to all.  Open the right doors at the right time and help me to serve You well where You have me at all times.

Your Son,

Jeff

Steps of Obedience and Faith

 Scripture:

“Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’ ””. ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

God told Joshua, Israel’s new leader, that it was time to inherit the land promised to Israel.  Instead of sending 12 spies into the land to check it out, he sent two.  He knew Moses sent 12 and only 2 came back with positive reports.  Joshua only sent two.  They returned with a good report and the Lord told Joshua to prepare to go across the Jordan river.  His instructions for crossing the Jordan wasn’t to build a ferry, but to have the priests carry the ark of the covenant into the water.  When they stood in the water, the river would stop flowing and allow Israel to cross over.  

Application:

God gave Joshua a command to obey that didn’t make sense.  He was to take a step of obedience and a step of faith.  God’s commands generally involve faith and obedience, which go hand in hand.  I want to be a person who lives by faith and obedience.  I want to hear the voice of God clearly and obey fully, knowing God will do what he says he will do.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in faith and obedience to You at all times in my life.  I want my actions to be Your actions.  I don’t want to do anything out of Your will or of my own mind, but I want to truly be led by Your Spirit.  Teach me to hear Your voice more clearly each day and follow in complete obedience.  Show me every step to take and every door to walk through.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Eternal Life

 Scripture:

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Jesus, in this passage, is praying to be glorified as the Father is glorified.  He prays for eternal life for all who had been entrusted to Him on this earth.  He then gives a simple definition of what eternal life is.  He says that eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ who was sent by the Father.  Knowing God is eternal life.  Rather than trying to explain how we will live in heaven forever, Jesus says that knowing God is eternal life.

Application:

When you are connected to the eternal God and He is living through you by His Holy Spirit, you have eternal life inside of you.  We don’t have to wait for eternal life, we have it now.  Christ in us is the hope of glory.  Jesus said out of our belly would flow rivers of living water.  Rivers of life eternal.  We have the source of life living inside of us.  We must realize that eternal life has already started because we know God and know that He sent Christ into the world.  I want to live a life so full of God’s life that I exude LIFE.

Prayer:

Father, I want to have more and more of Your Zoe life flowing in and through me.  Let me live yielded to You in every way.  Let Your eternal life flow inside of me and out to as many people as possible.  Let Your river of life flow through me.  I am Yours!  I want more of You in me.  Let Your life so fill me that death, sickness and decay flee from my life.  

Your Son,

Jeff

God’s Peace

 Scripture:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  ‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Jesus was getting ready to be crucified and was preparing His disciples for His departure.  He was telling them He was going to send the Holy Spirit to guide them and teach them.  He also told them that He was leaving them His peace and that He was giving it to them.  He told them not to be troubled or afraid because they would have His peace.  

Application:

Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  It comes from abiding in the vine and letting the vine produce it in us.  Jesus left us his peace and told us not to be troubled or afraid.  There is incredible trouble and fear in the world today.  Only Jesus can bring true peace.  Now is the time when believers should be distinguished from the rest of the world because of our peace.  The world is anything but peaceful right now and it is our turn to walk in God’s peace and let the world see that following Christ frees us from fear.  We need to be walking, living examples of Christ’s peace to the world.

Prayer:

Father, let Your peace fill my life completely.  Let me now be stressed or anxious about anything, but to truly know You and allow Your peace to enter my heart.  Help me to live in peace constantly and to never worry or stress about things.  Jesus, You left me Your peace, help me to live in it daily and constantly.  Fill me with Your peace that the world may see Your goodness.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Human Praise

 Scripture:

“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”  ‭‭John‬ ‭12:42-43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

John is describing the life of the leaders and Pharisees in Jesus’ day.  They believed in Jesus, but would not admit it because they loved human praise more than praise from God.  They were more concerned with what people thought of them than what God thought of them.  

Application:

It is easy to be caught up in pleasing man over pleasing God.  Many times we process things by thinking about what people will think instead of what God will think.  This is natural because man is standing right in front of us physically and we can’t see God, but it is dangerous because we are to live a life submitted to the purposes and plans of God Almighty.  Jesus confronted the Pharisees often because they lived for the applause of man over the approval of God.  We must live our lives to make heaven smile and not to impress others.

Prayer:

Father, help me to keep my perspective right.  I am a people pleaser.  I like to have the approval of man.  Help me to walk out my life in a way that bringsYou praise and honor.  Help me to care less about what people think of me and more about what You think of me.  Let me live a life You can trust and that honors You above any other thing.

Your Son,

Jeff