The Calling

 Scripture:

“It doesn't matter if people are civilized and educated, or if they are uncivilized and uneducated. I must tell the good news to everyone. That's why I am eager to visit all of you in Rome.”  ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Paul, when describing his life and ministry, said that it didn’t matter who the people were, rich, poor, educated, uneducated, etc. he was called to share the Good News with all of them regardless of background, etc. He was compelled to share the Gospel globally to whoever God put him in front of.

Application:

God has given me a similar calling. It is unique, and sometimes it causes my schedule to be a little overwhelming, but it is a calling. Not everyone has the opportunities that God has blessed me with. Not everyone has the opportunities God has place in front of me. I must fulfill the will of God for my life each day and share the Good News in every possible location. It drives me, compels me, and constrains me.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are amazing and I worship You. Let my life be used for Your glory and the extension of Your kingdom around the world. Fill me with Your Spirit and open doors no one can close for the extension of Your kingdom. Help me and empower me to make the most of every opportunity to bring souls to Christ. Help me to manage well what You have put into my hands.

Your Son,

Jeff

Never Compromise with the Enemy

 Scripture:

“The men refused to listen, so the Levite grabbed his wife and shoved her outside. The men raped her and abused her all night long. Finally, they let her go just before sunrise,” Judges‬ ‭19:25‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

The Levite in this story had a guest in his house and the men of his area wanted to have sex with the visitor. He said no, but then opened the door and sent his wife out to them and they raped her all night long. She died in the morning and the Levite was angry. He sent her out there knowing it was dangerous and they would rape her, then got really mad when she died.

Application:

You can’t bargain even a little bit the enemy. You can’t lower your standards, even for a moment. When you compromise with the enemy, you can expect to be taken advantage of. As believers, we must stand our ground and never give in or compromise our convictions.

Prayer:

Father, help me to never give in when the enemy wants me to surrender. Teach me to follow Your word, no matter what. Empower me to stand on truth and never back down. I want my life to bring Your praise and honor. You’re the best!

Jeff

Fighting Over God’s Word

 Scripture:

““Quiet!” the men said. “Keep your mouth shut and listen. Why don't you come with us and be our priest, so you can tell us what God wants us to do? You could stay here and be a priest for one man's family, but wouldn't you rather be the priest for a clan or even a whole tribe of Israel?”” ‭‭Judges‬ ‭18:19‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

In the book of Judges, people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. Periodically, a judge would arise and rescue Israel and put them back on the right path. This group found a priest and there was great competition in keeping the priest because they wanted to have someone who could hear from God. Lack of God’s presence causes people to look for Him again.

Application:

We are blessed to not need a priest to hear from God, but we have access ourselves at any time. We must take full advantage of that beautiful fact. We must desire more of God and His word than ever before. We have no excuses because we have Holy Spirit living inside of us. Therefore, we should be hearing from Him more and more. 

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, open my ears to hear what You are saying. Help me to walk in tune with you. Teach me Your ways and help me to walk in Your paths. I want Your will in my life because I trust You completely. Show me the way forward and I will go. Lead me beside still waters and restore my soul.

Your Son,

Jeff

Water from the Rock

 Scripture:

“Samson was tired and weary, but God sent water gushing from a rock. Samson drank some and felt strong again. Samson named the place Caller Spring, because he had called out to God for help. The spring is still there at Jawbone.” ‭‭Judges‬ ‭15:19‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Samson had killed a thousand Philistine men with a single jawbone. God had empowered him the Holy Spirit and he was unstoppable. Later, he was thirsty and told God he didn’t want to die from dehydration after defeating 1000 Philistines. God opened up a rock and water sprung out of it. God seriously worked miracles in Samson’s life.

Application:

We all know about Samson’s terrible decisions, but even in that, God used him greatly. God provided what he needed each step of the way so he could accomplish all God wanted him to. We need to call on the Lord when we are in trouble. He hears our cries.

Prayer:

Father, help me to call on the Lord all teh says of my life. Teach me to walk with You daily and to call on You when I’m in need. Help me live a life that pleases You and to have faith that pleases You. You are my everything. 

Your Son,

Jeff

Spirit and Flesh

 Scripture:

“Then the Lord's Spirit took control of Jephthah, and Jephthah went through Gilead and Manasseh, raising an army. Finally, he arrived at Mizpah in Gilead, where he promised the Lord, “If you will let me defeat the Ammonites and come home safely, I will sacrifice to you whoever comes out to meet me first.””Judges‬ ‭11:29-31‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

It says here that the Spirit of the Lord took control of Jephthah and caused him to raise up and army. This was led by the Spirit and was to bring about God’s will. The problem is that Jephthah got excited about what God was doing and made promises that would later devastate him. The Spirit is exciting when He comes upon you, but you have to watch out how excited you get.

Application:

It is awesome when the Spirit comes upon you. There is nothing like it. You feel powerful and alive and want to make huge commitments to Him. The problem is, in the moment, we can make promises that leave us broken. We desperately want the Spirit’s empowerment in our lives, but must be sensitive not to overcommit in the process. 

Prayer:

Lord, I love Your presence and Your power. I love the ecstasy of those moments in Your presence, but help me to keep my balance and not make promises I will later regret. Teach me to walk in Your power without doing things that will get me in trouble later.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Trust Him in the Storm

 Scripture:

“Cheer up! I am sure that God will do exactly what he promised. But we will first be shipwrecked on some island.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:25-26‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Paul is onboard a ship heading to Rome when it ends up in a terrible storm.  They couldn’t see the stars or the sun for fourteen days and it seemed like all was lost. Paul told the people God had spoken to him and that everyone would be okay. He told them, God will do exactly what He promised, but first we will be shipwrecked. Sometimes God’s plan involves things we don’t like.

Application:

Sometimes we need reminded that God is going to do exactly what he promised, but there may be some shipwrecks in between the promise and the fulfillment of the promise. Life isn’t always easy and God’s promises sometimes have a process instead of simply happening easily, but we can rest assured that God loves us and will do what He said He would Do.  Our job is to remain faithful and obedient.

Prayer:

Father God, You are good and You have plans for my life. Sometimes the winds blow and the storms come and I question Your plans. Help me to trust You at a higher level and to know that You have everything under Your so Tyrol. Teach me not to get too stressed out over the details because You know what you are doing.

Your Son,

Jeff

The Ultimate Goal

 Scripture:

“I want you to open their eyes, so they will turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then their sins will be forgiven, and by faith in me they will become part of God's holy people.””‭‭Acts‬ ‭26:18‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

In this passage Paul is defending himself before King Agrippa and Felix. In defending himself, he gives his story about how he once persecuted the Church, but had an encounter with Jesus that changed his life forever. In his story, he tells what Jesus told him to do. He was commissioned by Christ to open eyes so people could turn from darkness to light and so they could become God’s holy people. 

Application:

When calls a person, it usually entails opening people’s eyes so they can turn from darkness to light and from sin to forgiveness, so they can be God’s holy people. We are all called to bring people into God’s kingdom and to lead them to Christ. The goal of our lives should be the same as Paul’s, bringing people out of darkness and into God’s light. That should be our passion.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, teach me to follow You well. Help me to open the eyes of this generation so they can see the Good News of the Gospel. Empower me to be a witness for Christ everywhere I go. Help me to never be ashamed of the Good News.  I am yours! Teach me more and more.  Nudge me with Your Spirit into situations where I can spread Your Good News.

Your Son,

Jeff

Trust God’s Plans

 Scripture:

“That night the Lord stood beside Paul and said, “Don't worry! Just as you have told others about me in Jerusalem, you must also tell about me in Rome.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭23:11‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Paul had just gone through an awful situation where he was being accused of causing riots for the Jews when he was simply talking about the resurrection. He didn’t look for trouble, but trouble found him. While he was being persecuted, the Lord showed up and stood beside him. He told Paul not to worry because he had a plan to send Paul to Rome. God gave him purpose for his trials.

Application:

When we go through difficult situations that are out of our control it is easy to blame God, or at least be frustrated because He hasn’t fixed the situation. We need to realize that God always has a plan and everything will help accomplish that plan eventually. We may not understand our current struggles, but we can know God will be with us and that He has a plan our lives as we remain submitted to Him. 

Prayer:

Lord, walk with me every day. I want to minister and serve with You and not simply for You. I want Your presence with me all the says of my life and I want to finish the work You have for me. Help me to trust Your plans and not get frustrated when things don’t do like I want them to.

I Love You Lord,

Jeff

Obedience

 Scripture:

“But I don't care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And this work is to tell the good news about God's gift of undeserved grace.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭20:24‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Paul was told he was going to be arrested and thrown in jail. Riots were starting everywhere he went, yet he was determined to do what God had called him to do. Most of us would take his hard time as a sign from God to stop doing what he was doing.  He saw it as a sign to keep going. He was consumed by finishing what God had given him to do.

Application:

Obedience to God is the foremost important thing in our lives. In the end, when we stand before the Lord, He will only ask us if we did what He wanted us to do. He won’t be impressed by anything but obedience and fulfilling His will on the earth. I want to live a life of obedience in every area. If obedience means imprisonment, so be it. If obedience means death, so be it. I want to finish well what God gives me to do and then go be with Him for eternity.

Prayer:

Father, my life is Yours. Do with it what You want. Show me daily what You want me to do and I will follow. Open the right doors and close the wrong doors. Show me every step You have prepared for me. Help me to never fear anything but You and to finish the work You have called me to.

Your Son,

Jeff

Building Great Churches

 Scripture:

“The churches became stronger in their faith, and each day more people put their faith in the Lord.”      Acts‬ ‭16:5‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

As Paul traveled on his missionary journeys, he didn’t stay very long at each site. He would establish elders and go on to the next place very quickly.  It’s amazing that anything stuck! It seems he left novices in charge of the church, but this verse says the churches became stronger in their faith and each day more people put their faith in the Lord. When you do it God’s way, you get God results.

Application:

Sometimes we think of church as a business plan concerning how to grow it and be successful in people’s minds. Paul had a different understanding of the church. He would plant it and leave it in the hands of those God was calling, believing God would train them, teach them, and grow them. Neither is incorrect. The bottom line is we must do what God is calling us to do in the way He is calling us to do it. Doing what the Holy Spirit tells you to do is always the best option.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, lead me, guide me, and show me the way forward each and every day. I want to serve You well in my generation. As we planted seeds in Dodoma Ghana last week, let them blossom, flourish, and let Your kingdom come to that Volta Region. Build Your Church here in Loudoun County. Show me how to reach people here effectively for You and with You.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

The Power of the Lord

 Scripture:

“The Lord's power was with them, and many people turned to the Lord and put their faith in him.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭11:21‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

As Peter was going to the house of Cornelius, the first Gentile recipients of the Gospel, “the Lord’s power was with them, and many people turned to the Lord and put their faith in Him.” Peter had a vision, encountered angels and the Gentiles had dreams, had visions and encountered angels. God was letting the Gentiles know that they were being received by confirming His word with signs following.

Application:

Signs should follow the proclamation of the Gospel. When we follow the Lord, it is always an exciting journey. His hand comes upon our lives and things happen around us that can’t be explained my human reasoning. As ministers, we should long for the power of the Lord to confirm what we are speaking so that people can be open to receive what we have to say.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I don’t want to do ministry for You, but to do ministry with You in my life. I don’t ever want to preach unless You are going to confirm Your word to those who are in attendance. ThankYou for anointing my life and allowing me to serve in Your kingdom harvest fields. Thank You for enabling me thus far, but I never want to lose Your power working in and through my life. Cleanse me and make me new and help me to constantly want in step with You.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God’s Help

 Scripture:

“The Lord helped Joshua in everything he did, and Joshua was famous everywhere in Canaan.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭6:27‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

After the first battle in the Promised Land at Jericho, where the walls fell flat in front of God’s people, it says these words above. “The Lord helped Joshua in everything he did.” Joshua was a great leader, but he was simply doing what the Lord told him to do. He was famous, not because he was great, but because God was great and God helped him.

Application:

I don’t want to ever do ministry FOR God, rather, I want to do ministry WITH God. I want to have the Lord’s help in everything I do. If He doesn’t lead me, I don’t want to go. If He doesn’t help me, I’d rather not do it. I want to live like Joshua did, obeying the Lord in every step and fulfilling His will and purposes.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to follow You well. Help me to live in a way that honors You and that causes You to help me like You helped Joshua. Help me God to reach my region for Christ. Help me to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Help me as I board a plane today to Ghana. I need Your help and don’t want to do these things in my flesh or on my own.  I need You now more than ever.

Your Son,

Jeff

Faith and Courage

 Scripture:

“I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking here to Joshua after the death of Moses. Joshua was about to take God’s people into the Promised Land, but he was going to need to be strong and brave. God told him never to be afraid or discouraged because the Lord would be with him wherever he went. He wasn’t promised the Lord’s help as he went and did what the Lord ordered him to do. 

Application:

Faith always involves being strong and courageous. Faith always requires guts. When you live by faith, you do things that don’t seem very rational to the thinkers around you. Faith knows God is with us and we will never fail because God will never fail. I want to be a person of faith who conquers enemy territories and extends the Kingdom.

Prayer:

Lord, God Almighty, You are incredible and I worship You today. May Your name be glorified in all the earth. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in my life. I surrender to Your plans and purposes for my life. Help me to never walk in fear, but to be led by Your Spirit and faith. I want to know, with utter confidence, that You are with me every day of my life. 

Your Son,

Jeff

Filling Books

Scripture:

“Jesus did many other things. If they were all written in books, I don't suppose there would be room enough in the whole world for all the books.”  ‭‭John‬ ‭21:25‬ ‭CEV‬‬ 

Observation:

Jesus did so much that is recorded in the Gospels, but this verse says that if everything Jesus did was recorded, there wouldn’t be room in the whole world for all the books. In other words, Jesus did a lot that wasn’t recorded in our Bibles. Sometimes, my mind wants to know more. I can’t wait to hear the stories when I get to heaven.

Application:

Most of what we do won’t be recorded in the history books, but that doesn’t make our lives insignificant. Jesus did a lot more than what we know. I want to live a life that records a lot of great stuff accomplished, but I want there to be countless things that nobody knows about that were just done because I love the Lord and follow Him with all my heart. Not everything needs to be shared here on earth. In eternity we will share all things.

Prayer:

God, help me to live in step with You, doing Your will in the earth. Teach me to live doing the will of God every day and fulfilling Your purpose for my life. I love doing life with You and want You to live through me. I want to be one with You Father and leave a legacy of following Christ completely.

Yours,

Jeff

Ask in Jesus’ Name

 Scripture:

“You have not asked for anything in this way before, but now you must ask in my name. Then it will be given to you, so you will be completely happy.” ‭‭John‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Jesus is speaking to His disciples about His going away and then returning one day. He told them in this passage that now they must ask in His name, then it would be given to them, so they could be completely happy. 

Application:

Jesus said some very powerful words about answering prayers given in His name to His Father. Not just once to twice, but several times, Jesus said we would ask whatever we wished and it would be done for us so that the Father would be glorified and also that His people would be completely happy. We need to ask more in His name and we will see greater impact for His kingdom.

Prayer:

Father, let me never get satisfied in my walk with You. I want to grow every day. I want to hear Your voice clearer and clearer every day. Today is our missions convention. Let us see the highest faith promises we have ever seen at Word of Life. I ask this in the name of Jesus and for the purpose of building Your kingdom. You are worthy, let our giving and sacrifice demonstrate our worship.

In the Name of Your Son Jesus,

Jeff

Knowing and Doing

 Scripture:

“You know these things, and God will bless you, if you do them.” ‭‭John‬ ‭13:17‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Jesus was telling His disciples about washing each other’s feet and servants not being greater than their masters, but He adds one sentence that is so powerful. He said that his disciples KNEW those things, but God would bless them if they DID them. The more we know, the more we are expected to obey.

Application:

I love learning and growing in the knowledge of the Lord, but knowing and doing are very different things. I don’t want to just know what to do, but I want to do what the Lord desires. I need to apply what He says and not just fill my head with knowledge. 

Prayer:

Lord, show me how to live a life of DOING and not just KNOWING. I want to extend Your kingdom in all the earth. I want to obey everything You give me to do. I want to serve You well in my generation. I want to be fully and completely Yours.

Your Son,

Jeff

Be The Reason

 Scripture:

“So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus. He was the reason that many of the people were turning from them and putting their faith in Jesus.”  ‭‭John‬ ‭12:10-11‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

John, in telling the story of Lazarus, says here that after he was raised from the dead that the chief priests planned to kill him because he was the reason many of the people were putting their faith in Jesus. They wanted Lazarus dead because many were turning to Christ and putting their faith in Him. 

Application:

I want to be the reason many turn their lives to Christ. Lazarus, when he was raised from the dead, became a powerful witness for Christ. I want to be live a life that causes many to turn from their sins and follow Jesus. 

Prayer:

Father, let my life be used for the extension of Your kingdom in all the earth. Let my life be used to bring many to Jesus. Help me to live in step with Your Spirit. Help me to never be ashamed of You in any way. Let my life count for eternity as I try to do what You say. I want to be the reason hell is plundered and heaven is populated.

Yours,

Jeff