Focused

 Scripture:

“Be sure to pray that God will make a way for us to spread his message and explain the mystery about Christ, even though I am in jail for doing this.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:3‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Colossians here and tells them to keep on praying. In this passage, he tells them while they are praying, to pray that God will make a way for them to spread His message and explain the mystery of Christ, even though he was in jail. In his jail cell, he was more concerned with spreading the Good News than his own personal blessings.

Application:

When I am faced with trials and hard times, may my focus remain the building of God’s kingdom around the world. When problems arise, it is easy to lose focus of your calling. I want to live like Paul, who never lost sight of his calling, even when in prison for doing it.

Prayer:

Father, enable me to have the right focus at all times. In good times and in bad times, help me to be thinking of extending Your kingdom. Show me how to live in a way that honors You above all else. Let my life bring Your praise and glory. Teach me how to keep focused in the difficult times and to accomplish much for Your kingdom.

Your Son,

Jeff

Know Your WHY

 Scripture:

“We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so all of Christ's followers will grow and become mature. This is why I work so hard and use the mighty power he gives me.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:28-29‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Paul writes that he preaches, teaches, and warns, so all Christ’s followers will grow and become mature. He said that is his why. He said that’s why he worked so hard and used God’s mighty power. He did everything he did so that Christ’s followers could become strong and mature in Christ. Paul knew his WHY.

Application:

If we want to be successful in any endeavor, we have to know our WHY. Why we do what we do is called motivation. Without motivation, we will never get anything done. There must be a reason. There must be a WHY. Sometimes I have to ask myself why I am doing what I am doing. In order to stay on track and accomplish anything, I must spend time periodically focusing on the WHY.

Prayer:

My WHY has always been simply that I want to obey You in every area of my life. My desire is to do Your will and to walk in step with You. My WHY is also that the nations may know You and be impacted by Your goodness. I want my life to count for Your kingdom. I want people in heaven because I worked, preached, taught, gave, and went. You are my WHY.

God’s Questions

 Scripture:

“Why do you talk so much when you know so little?” ‭‭Job‬ ‭38:2‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

After many rounds of Job speaking with his friends and defending himself before God, God speaks up and begins to interrogate Job. The first question the Lord asks Job is, “Why do you talk so much when you know so little?” This is a question, but also a powerful statement concerning Job’s pride. God began to ask Job serious questions that made Job feel insignificant and powerless. God was establishing that without Him, Job was nothing. 

Application:

Humility is the greatest trait of those who follow the Lord. As His people, we are to be humble before the Lord and others. God doesn’t like it when we act like we know it all. He would rather us come running to Him for mercy than to confront Him and challenge His integrity or knowledge. When we come before the Lord, we are in the presence of all power and authority. We are in the presence of the one who knows everything. We must come humbly.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to walk humbly before You and not question You when things go wrong. Help me to walk humbly before You. You are all-powerful and all-knowing. You know better than I ever will. Reveal Yourself more and more to me and help me to represent You well. Show me more of Yourself. I am here to learn.

Your Son,

Jeff

God All-Powerful

 Scripture:

“No one can stare at the sun after a breeze has blown the clouds from the sky. Yet the glorious splendor of God All-Powerful is brighter by far.”  ‭‭Job‬ ‭37:21-22‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Elihu had a strong perspective about who God is. He had great reverence for the Lord Almighty. Here he states that the sun in bright, but God All-Powerful is brighter by far. He says you can’t stare at the sun, but God is brighter by far. 

Application:

I need to grow in my reverence and respect for the Lord. I need to see Him as brighter than the sun, higher than the mountains, stronger than anything on earth, and exceedingly above all I can imagine. We need to see the Lord as God All-Powerful. There is nothing  and no one greater than Him.

Prayer:

God All-Powerful, help me to truly see you in that way. Walk with me and talk with me daily. Share Your word with me and teach me the deep things of God. Show me Your ways and reveal to me Your paths. Help me to stay in step with You at all times and to move when You say move. Help me to live a life submitted to You in every area.

Yours,

Jeff

God Speaks in Different Ways

 Scripture:

“God speaks in different ways, and we don't always recognize his voice. *” ‭‭Job‬ ‭33:14‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Elihu had enough and finally spoke up to Job. He was the youngest so he let the older gentlemen go first. He gave Job some great wisdom. In this passage, he told Job that God speaks in different ways, but we don’t always recognize his voice. This is great insight.

Application:

Sometimes God speaks in a thundering voice. Sometimes God speaks in a gentle breeze. God speaks through dreams. He speaks through people prophetically. Sometimes God speaks through circumstances and situations, but God still speaks. We must learn to tune in to what God is saying, no matter how He is saying it. Our heart must be inclined to Him so we can learn of Him.

Prayer:

Father, let me know when You are speaking to me. Help me to recognize Your voice and to live my life in obedience to it. Make it clear, no matter how You choose to speak to me, so I can do what You say. Give me a heart of wisdom and understanding and help me to lead well. 

You’re Amazing,

Jeff

Fear Only God

 Scripture:

“God is the one to fear, because God is in control and rules the heavens.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭25:2‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Bildad, Job’s friend is speaking here and speaks some great words to his friend. He tells him that God is the one to fear because He rules the heavens and is in control of everything. He was telling Job not to fight against God, but to fear God when he didn’t understand what God was doing in his life.

Application:

When we don’t understand what is happening in our lives or why, we look to our awesome Father and we continue to fear Him more than we fear the things that are happening around us. Fearing anything over God is useless because He is greater than whatever else we could fear. We must learn that God is in control and we can trust Him. When things don’t go well for us, He is still God.

Prayer:

God Almighty, let me not be a good times believer, but let me live submitted to You in the good times and in the bad. Help me to fear You over fearing anything else this world throws at us. Teach me what it means to fear You and help me to walk it out well.

Your Son,

Jeff

Trials and Tests

 Scripture:

“But he knows what I am doing, and when he tests me, I will be pure as gold. *” ‭‭Job‬ ‭23:10‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Job realized that he was being tested by God. He knew he was innocent, but that something was up with the Lord. In this passage he tells his friends that God knows exactly what he was doing, how he was acting, and what he was saying, and was willing to stand before God because he knew when he was tried by God he would come out as pure gold.

Application:

Gold is purified by turning up the heat around it. Sometimes in life we will be tested. Our goal should be that when we are tested, we come out of that season as pure as refined gold. Rather than trying so desperately to get out of some bad situations, maybe we should be asking God to use them to try us and purify us. The bottom line is, we can never give up in the middle of trials, but allow ourselves to be purified through them.

Prayer:

Father God, help me to realize that we will go through some trying times when our faith will be tested and it may seem like You are not taking care of us. There will be times when we will walk through trials of our faith. Help me to come out as pure gold. When tested, let my faith be pure. Help me to maintain my walk with You throughout every storm and trial of life.

Your Son,

Jeff

Yet, I will See God

 Scripture:

“My flesh may be destroyed, yet from this body I will see God. Yes, I will see him for myself, and I long for that moment.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭19:26-27‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

At this point, Job has pretty much given up. He feels like God is judging him for something he didn’t do. He completely believes God is attacking him, yet he declares, “my flesh may be destroyed, yet from this body I will see God… and I long for that moment.” Job longed for death yet had confidence that in death he would see the Lord and all would be better. 

Application:

Sometimes when we are going through a hard time and even life itself seems to be slipping away, we must keep our eyes on the Lord. Job knew he was ready to die and go be with the Lord. This gave him confidence beyond the pain of that day. When things are bad, we can have confidence that God is still with us and that we will see Him one day. 

Prayer:

Father, You are good and Your mercy endures forever. You are faithful and just. When I don’t understand what I see in front of me or what is happening to me, help me to trust Your heart and know that You are faithful. When things are difficult and I don’t know what to do, lead me with Your hand and guide me with Your Spirit. Let my confidence in You grow each day.

Yours,

Jeff

Witness and Protector

 Scripture:

“Even now, God in heaven is both my witness and my protector.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭16:19‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Job is defending himself here by telling his friends he is being punished for something he didn’t do. At this point he had lost everything and his friends were accusing him of sinning against God and of speaking negatively of God. His response was that God in heaven was his witness and protector. Even when he felt like he was being punished unjustly by God, he still saw God as his witness and protector.

Application:

God know all and is a witness to everything we do in our lives. Nothing escapes His knowledge. We can’t pull anything over on God. He knows the deep recesses of our hearts and every detail of our lives. As Job, we must realize God is both our witness and our protector. We must live knowing God knows every detail, yet He is still our protector. God loves us and protects us, even though He knows every thought we have.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are righteous and holy. You are amazing and powerful. You are all-knowing and all-powerful, yet You choose to love us. You are my protector, even when you know my messed up thoughts. You love me, even though You know every time I question You like Job did. You are incredible and I appreciate You more as I ponder this verse.

Yours,

Jeff

The Mystery

 Scripture:

“Can you understand the mysteries surrounding God All-Powerful?” ‭‭Job‬ ‭11:7‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Zophar is speaking here to Job concerning his ailments and the terrible things he was going through. He says this thought-provoking question to Job, “Can you understand the mysteries surrounding God All-Powerful?” Job was suffering and wanting to accuse God because he felt he was innocent. Zophar’s question concerning the mysteries of God is important.

Application:

Sometimes we question why God does certain things and doesn’t do other things. Sometimes I question why God heals some people that don’t seem to deserve it and doesn’t heal some who I feel deserve it. This year, God has been dealing with me concerning being okay with the mystery. I will always pray for healing and miracles, but I don’t feel I need to have an answer all the time. Im learning to be content in the middle of the mystery and to trust God in the middle of the mystery.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk with faith pathway in a way that please You above all else. Help me to have all teh faith needed to see miracles, signs and wonders, but also to walk in the mystery sometimes when things don’t seem to happen. Teach me to honor You in my faith, my walk, my life, and my teaching. Let me live a life that bring You honor.

Your Son,

Jeff

Ask God For Help

 Scripture:

“Job, if I were you, I would ask God for help. His miracles are marvelous, more than we can count.”  ‭‭Job‬ ‭5:8-9‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Job has lost everything at this point and his companions came to comfort him. Eliphaz sees what’s going on and tells Job, “I would ask God for help. His miracles are marvelous, more than we can count.” He gives great words to Job. He knew that God was a way maker and a miracle worker and wanted Job to cry out to God.

Application:

Sometimes we try to work everything out and fix things on our own when all we really need to do is to ask God for help because He does countless marvelous miracles. We must turn to God before things get too bad. We need to learn to run to God daily and know that He is the all-powerful God who can and will meet our needs. He is faithful to His kids.

Prayer:

Father, help me to follow You well throughout my life. Help me to live a life of faith and belief and trust in You no matter what happens around me. When I don’t know what to do, remind me to ask. Sometimes I simply forget to ask. I want You to be the center of my life and I want to live a life that makes You look good. Teach me when to ask and when to just walk through things.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Accusing God

 Scripture:

“In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭1:22‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

God had spoken to Satan about Job being a righteous person. Satan said he was righteous because God had a hedge around Job’s family. God gave permission for Satan to touch anything Job had, but not himself. In a single day, he lost his children, his livestock, his fields, and much more. At the end of the day, he worshiped God and did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong. 

Application:

We should take a lesson from Job when it comes to bad things happening in our lives. He knew better than to accuse God of doing wrong. He knew who his enemy was… and it wasn’t the Lord God Almighty. He was upset. He cried. He lamented. He despised the day of his birth, but he didn’t accuse God. We must learn to be careful what we attribute to God. Satan in our enemy and he brings death and destruction. Jesus came to give us life and abundant life. We must never accuse God when things go wrong in our lives.

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for times I have accused You of not taking good care of me. Forgive me for the times when I have questioned Your love and You goodness because things were not going well in my life. Help. Me to understand better and live out a life that bring Your praise and realizes that good and bad happen, but the Lord is always good.You are awesome, no matter what I am personally walking through. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Knowing Christ

Scripture:

“Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭CEV‬‬ 

Observation:

Paul tells us here that nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus and that he has given up everything else because he wants to know Christ. He says here that he counts everything else in life as garbage compared to knowing Christ, which was the most valuable thing in his life.

Application:

Knowing Christ Jesus is life! He is my everything! He is my why. He is my purpose. He is why I was born  and he is why I will die. nothing compares to Him. I want to live my life knowing Him more and more intimately. I want to become the person He wants me to be. I want to live a life of godly pursuit. I want nothing in my life to compete with the position Christ has.

Prayer:

Father, let me know You more and more each day. Reveal Yourself to me as I pursue You. Let me know Christ in a more personal way every day. I want to know the depths of Your love and the heights of Your righteousness. I want to walk in step with You throughout my life and to bring You glory and honor. You have done so much for me. You are my everything. Help me to serve You well and bring others into Your kingdom.

Your Son,

Jeff

When Promotion Comes

Scripture:

“Then the king ordered his messengers to take their fastest horses and deliver the law as quickly as possible to every province. When Mordecai left, he was wearing clothes fit for a king. He wore blue and white robes, a large gold crown, and a cape made of fine linen and purple cloth. After the law was announced in Susa, everyone shouted and cheered,” ‭‭Esther‬ ‭8:14-15‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Mordecai served God well and defended his people. He did what was right and served well. He endured some very difficult times, but when it was time for his promotion, God placed him in royal clothes with royal authority. He went from s anybody outside the gate to a powerfully influential person inside the gate.  When God promotes, it will astound others.

Application:

God raises up those who serve Him with integrity and honor. He lifts up those who do the right things continually over the long haul. When God decides to promote you, He is really good at it. Our job is to remain faithful to God and to His purposes, when we do things His way and in His honor, we will see the day of promotion.

Prayer:

Lord God, help me to serve You with humility and to bring honor to Your name and to Your people. Help me to live and to lead well in my generation. Help me to be the person You want me to be above all else. I trust Your plans for my life. Teach me to follow Your voice and live as You desire.

Your Son,

Jeff

Knowing the Times

 Scripture:

“If you don't speak up now, we will somehow get help, but you and your family will be killed. It could be that you were made queen for a time like this!”” ‭‭Esther‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Haman had already gone to the king and there was already a decree issued that all the Jews were to be put to death. Mordecai cried out to Esther, his cousin, who had some political clout, and told her what was happening. She was nervous because, though she was queen, she didn’t have authority in the kingdom. Mordecai told her that if she didn’t speak up, somehow they would get help, but she would be killed.

Application:

There is a time when you can’t be silent anymore. I believe there is a time to be silent and not say much, but there are times when desperate times call for desperate measures. There is a time when not saying anything is just as wrong as saying something. We must really seek God to know the heart of the Father and to speak what He wants spoken at the time He wants it spoken.

Prayer:

Father, I want Your heart. I want to know exactly when to stand up and cry out and when to sit and be silent. I want to walk in tune with You and say what You are saying. Give me an ear to hear what You are saying to the Church. I long to walk closer to You and more intimately with You. You are my everything and I don’t want to work or do anything apart from You. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Led by Love

 Scripture:

“Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.”

Ephesians‬ ‭5:2‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Paul tells the Ephesians to let love be our guide because Christ loved us and offered His life for ours as a sacrifice that pleased God. A guide takes us on a journey to a destination. Love should take our lives on a journey, leading us to help people, build people, strengthen people, and love people.

Application:

Sometimes we are led by hurt, pain, anxiety, fear, etc. rather than by love. It is easy to allow hurt and failures from the past stop us from loving people in the present. We must learn to be led by love and not by rejection, frustration, etc. Being led by love means doing things for others instead of only for self. It means taking down the walls that protect us from hurt and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable.

Prayer:

Lord, I want to live this verse well in my life. Help me to not just love, but to be led by love. Let Your love fill my heart with compassion. Show me how to live well in my context. Teach me to love like You love. Enable me to demonstrate the love of God to everyone I come in contact with. Teach me Your ways and help me to follow You well.

Your Son,

Jeff

Love More

 Scripture:

“I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:19‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Just prior to this verse, Paul is telling us that God’s love is so high, deep, wide, and extreme that we can’t fathom it. He says here that he wants us to know all about Christ’s incredible love because then we will be filled with all that God is. We know that God is love, therefore, when we are filled with His love, we are filled with Him.

Application:

God’s love is incredible and we should pattern our lives after His generous love. We should strive to know more and more about His love for us and for the lost. It is too much to be measured according to this passage. When we understand God’s love, it says here we will be filled with all that God is. I want to live in the fulness of who God is at all times.

Prayer:

Father, I bless Your name and worship You. You are my rock and my redeemer. You are my strength! You keep me going when I am weak. You are my source of every good thing in my life. Let me know and walk in Your incredible love more and more. Teach me to love as You love.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Man of God

Scripture:

 “Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their assistants organized two choirs of Levites to offer praises to God, just as King David, the man of God, had commanded.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭12:24‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Nehemiah had instructed everyone to re-establish the city of Jerusalem. He gave God’s people exactly what needed to be done. In this passage he makes reference to establishing two choirs of Levites to offer praises, “Just as King David, the man of God, had commanded.” David was known as a great king, probably the most remembered king in Israel’s history, but he was also known as “the man of God.”

Application:

Throughout my life, I have desired to be a “man of God.” More than any other title, “man of God” has always appealed to me. More than “pastor” or “evangelist” or anything else, I long to be a man of God. More than being known as a great leader, I want to be known as a man of God. I want that first and foremost, above every other title. 

Prayer:

Lord, more than anything else in life,, I want to be a man of God. I want my life to reflect You and I want to live for Your glory. I want to walk with You and hear Your heart. I long to know what You are thinking and to live in Your presence. I long to live in the secret place of the most high. I long to hear Your voice and know Your heart.

Your Son,

Jeff

God Characteristics

 Scripture:

“But, our God, you are merciful and quick to forgive; you are loving, kind, and very patient. So you never turned away from them—” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭9:17‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Nehemiah’s description of the Lord here is awesome. He tells of God when he says God is merciful, quick to forgive, loving, kind, and very patient. These are incredible attributes and are spoken of throughout the Bible. 

Application:

I should be taking on the characteristics of God in my life as I continue to grow in Him. I should be becoming more merciful, quick to forgive, loving, kind and very patient. These attributes are what people should see in me if I represent the Lord to the people around me. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to represent You well. Let people describe my life the same way they described Yours. Help me to walk out Your word and live as You would have me live. Teach me to be merciful, quick to forgive, loving, kind, and very patient. Empower me to live a life that represents You well in my generation.

Your Son,

Jeff

Work, Fight, and Pray!

 Scripture:

“But we kept on praying to our God, and we also stationed guards day and night.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Nehemiah is a great example of how prayer and works go together. He was attempting to rebuild the walls of the city of Jerusalem that had fallen down while having enemies attack his people as they were trying to build. He prayed and put plans into action. He realized that you have to pray, but you also have to work to make something happen. He was determined to finish the project so he prayed, worked, and fought, all at the same time.

Application:

There are some people who are totally prayer people and some people who are works people. The fact is, we need to be both. As Mark Batterson says, “you have to work like it all depends on you and pray like it all depends on God.” The combination is powerful! When we give God our very best in getting the work done, but are in a place of humility where we realize we can do nothing without God, we are in a good place. 

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to work and pray until I see Your Kingdom come and Your will being done on earth. Help me to keep the proper balance of spiritual and natural in my life. I realize my need for You to intervene in the affairs of my life every day. I need You desperately and want You to dictate every step I take.

Yours,

Jeff

Sin and Humility

 Scripture:

“Lord God of Israel, you have been more than fair by letting a few of us survive. But once again, our sins have made us ashamed to face you.” ‭‭Ezra‬ ‭9:15‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Ezra realized the priests and the people who had returned, had married foreign women, which he knew God didn’t approve of. When it came before him, he humbled himself and asked everyone to fast and pray. His approach to God when he found all this out was in total humility and brokenness. He tells the Lord He has been gracious to let a few of them survive, but their sins made them ashamed to face the Lord. 

Application:

Today, we have lost the true conviction for our sins. We know and understand God’s love and forgiveness really well, but have forgot about His power and righteousness. When we sin, we should humble ourselves before God and repent for those sins. When we sin, we do it against a holy God. We should feel ashamed, as Ezra did, when we sin rather than flaunting our sin, we should humble ourselves before God and beg His forgiveness. 

Prayer:

Lord God, help me to never take sin lightly. Show me where I am missing the mark and help me to confront it with humility. Teach me to view sin like You view sin. Enable me to live a life that pleases You in every area. When I do mess up, please let Your conviction be strong upon me and let me quickly repent. I want to walk closely with You and don’t want any sin to mess that up.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God Can Use Anyone to Accomplish His Purposes

 Scripture:

“Because King Artaxerxes was so kind, Ezra said: Praise the Lord God of our ancestors! He made sure that the king honored the Lord's temple in Jerusalem. God has told the king, his advisors, and his powerful officials to treat me with kindness. The Lord God has helped me, and I have been able to bring many Jewish leaders back to Jerusalem.” ‭‭Ezra‬ ‭7:27-28‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Ezra, in this passage, was telling how the kings of Babylon were helping rebuild the Temple of the Lord God Almighty. It is incredible that God put it into the heart of a foreign king to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. It also says that God helped Ezra bring many Jewish leaders back to Jerusalem. God put it into the heart of people that didn’t know Him to send His people back and to bless them on the way back.

Application:

God can do whatever God wants to do! He can take a foreign king and have him finance the work of the Kingdom. God can use people who don’t even know Him to be a blessing to His people. We need to realize that God is not limited to the way we think things can be accomplished. God can cause our enemies to bless us if He wants to. May we always see God as the one who makes a way where there seems to be no way.

Prayer:

Father, You are incredible! Help me to not limit my thinking to only what I can see or imagine, but to see things how You see them. Teach me to believe You for greater things. Increase my faith in You each day and let that faith honor You in every way. Let my life be lived for Your glory and Your glory alone.

Your Son,

Jeff

His Faithful Love

 Scripture:

“They praised the Lord and gave thanks as they took turns singing: “The Lord is good! His faithful love for Israel will last forever.” Everyone started shouting and praising the Lord because work on the foundation of the temple had begun.” ‭‭Ezra‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Cyrus had released some of the people of Judah to go back and begin to repair the Temple in Jerusalem. They had been in Babylonian captivity for 70 years. As the work started, the people shouted and praised God because they were seeing the beginning of the rebuilding of the Temple. They were living out the prophetic words of Jeremiah and realized it. 

Application:

When we see God doing things in our region, our church, our family, etc. we need to take the time to give Him praise and honor Him. We never want to take the Lord for granted, but to shout out His praise when we see Him moving. Our hearts should be full of praise when we see God moving in our midst.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to honor You well, especially when I see You moving in my life. Help me to follow You completely and fully. Let me always be a praise and worship person, who lifts up Your name with all my heart. You have blessed my life over and over again. You are good and Your faithful love never ends. Thank You for pouring Your faithful love over my life. You are the best!

Yours Always,

Jeff

Freedom in Christ

 Scripture:

“Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again.” Galatians‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing here and letting the Galatians, who were trying to make Gentiles follow the Jewish laws, know that there is freedom in Christ. He is telling them that God is not as concerned about us following every detail of the Law as much as He is us following Him. He was telling them that Christ set us free and now we should be really free.

Application:

Christ wants us to walk in freedom, but freedom doesn’t mean I can just do anything I want. Freedom means I don’t have to follow the man made laws of the flesh, but need to follow the laws of the Spirit, which He will lead me into. He wants me alert to His Spirit and not just a follower of legal terms and laws.

Prayer:

Father, let me walk in tune with Your precious Holy Spirit. Help me to understand freedom and Law. Teach me Your word and let me see the difference. More than anything, help me to follow the voice of Your Spirit throughout my days. Let my ears be open to hear You and my eyes open to know You Lord.

Yours.

Jeff

Children of Abraham

 Scripture:

“So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham's family, and you will be given what God has promised.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:29‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Paul is saying here that Gentiles who belong to Christ are adopted into the family of Abraham and thereby, are able to be given what God promised to Abraham and his descendants. We are part of the covenant God made with Abraham, even though we are not physical descendants. God’s covenant with Abraham was powerful, and we get to enter into it.

Application:

Since we have been adopted into the family of God, we need to act like the children of God and not like we are not part of the family. We have incredible promises, and should walk in them. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. We should never feel like an outsider with God, but see Him as a father who loves to bestow wonderful blessings on His children.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family. Thank you for allowing me to step into the covenant You made with Abraham through faith. Help me to believe it, act on it, and walk it out in my daily life. I want to see Your incredible blessings. You always take great care of me and my family. You are good and I appreciate You Lord.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Honoring God and Not Self

 Scripture:

“But Hezekiah was so proud that he refused to thank the Lord for everything he had done for him. This made the Lord angry, and he punished Hezekiah and the people of Judah and Jerusalem.”  ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭32:25‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

Hezekiah did great throughout most of his life and leadership. He honored God and led his people away from evil, but later in life he got proud and didn’t thank the Lord for everything He had done. The Lord wasn’t happy and punished Hezekiah and the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Leadership impacts the leader and also those under them.

Application:

When God places us in a position of leadership, we need to make sure we live humbly before Him and give Him all the glory and honor for everything He has done. It is the Lord who raises up and who puts down, our trust must be in Him and not ourselves. As for me, I want to walk in humility and trust God to fight my battles rather than trying to fight on my own.

Prayer:

Lord God, You are worthy of honor, praise, glory and my utmost devotion. You are the one who has blessed my life. Without You, I am nothing. You are the source of every good thing in my life and I realize that. You are my everything! Help me to serve You well in my generation and to do all You ask me to do. I want to finish well.

Yours,

Jeff

Spiritual Fathers

 Scripture:

“Zechariah was Uzziah's advisor and taught him to obey God. And so, as long as Zechariah was alive, Uzziah was faithful to God, and God made him successful.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭26:5‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Observation:

This is two days in a row that the same thing happened, which I have never realized before, maybe it’s the translation difference. In this passage, we see that Uzziah was taught by Zechariah to obey God and as long as Zechariah was alive, Uzziah was faithful and God made him successful. Zechariah was a spiritual father to Uzziah, but his work didn’t continue after he died. 

Application:

When being a spiritual father, we must be careful to connect our sons and daughters to Christ and not only to ourselves. Our goal must be that they will do well, long after we have passed away or moved on. Their walk with God cannot be based on us, but on Christ. We need to make sure those we lead have a strong walk with the Lord that will never be shaken.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be the person You want me to be. Thank You for pointing this out to me the last couple days. I want to raise spiritual sons and daughters that will go farther and deeper with You than I ever could. Help me to train them well and cause them not to lean on me, but to lean into You. Let their lives be impacted more by You than by me.

Your Son Forever,

Jeff