The Prayers of Jesus

 Scripture:

“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The author of Hebrews says here that God heard Jesus, not because He was the Son of God, but because of His deep reverence for God. Jesus had a deep reverence for God His Father. He prayed with loud cries and tears to His Father, knowing God was hearing and would help Him in every situation.

Application:

God doesn’t play favorites. He hears everyone who calls on Him, especially when they have deep reverence and respect for Him. He also loves heartfelt prayers that are more like cries and pleading. We must come to God in desperation at times in deep reverence and respect for who He is. Then our prayers will be answered.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are worthy of my everything. You are my strength and my heart. You are my vision and my desire to. Teach me, show me, and lead me in paths of righteousness. Help me to pray effective prayers that are deeply reverential. Teach me to pray well and lead well. Help me in all areas to honor You.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

The Power of the devil is Broken

 Scripture:

“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jesus became human in order that He may break the power of the devil over humans. The author says that Jesus became flesh and blood so He could die and break the power of death and the power of the devil. God needed a perfect sacrifice to defeat the devil once and for all. He needed tat sacrifice to be God and man.  Jesus came and broke the power of death and the devil.

Application:

We must begin to believe what Jesus did for us and walk it out. The power of the devil has been broken, we give him too much credit! Jesus became human so we could also have power over the enemy. We must realize what God has done for us and worship Him at greater levels as well as live a life of faith.

Prayer:

Lord God, teach me to walk in victory over the power of the devil and death. Teach me to live in the power of the resurrection 100%. I want to walk in everything You died to enable in my life. Let the power of the enemy be broken in every are of my life. Physical, spiritual, emotional, etc. Bring wholeness to me and my family, and my, church, and community.

Yours Forever,

Jeff Jacob

More Than a Slave

 Scripture:

“He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.” ‭‭Philemon‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul writes this letter to Philemon concerning Onesimus, his former slave. Onesimus had met Paul in prison and became a follower of Christ. As a follower of Jesus, Paul felt he needed to go home and reconcile with Philemon so Paul sent a letter with him told him, “He is no longer like a slave to you, He is more than a slave, for he is a brother.” Paul was telling him that his former slave had met Jesus and now was more than a slave, he was a brother. Old things are passed away and everything becomes new.

Application:

When people come to Christ, everything is made new. There are still ramifications for things done before Christ, but as a believer, we must see people as more than their former state. We must see a new creation. We must receive them as brothers. Paul understood this well because he had been accepted by the people he was trying to kill before his conversion. What we were before Christ, is not who we are after Christ. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to see people like You see them. Help me to never judge people by their past, but by their relationship with You. Teach me to see more than a slave when I see people in Christ. Help me to see the new man instead of the old. Thank you for loving me. Help me to love and defend others as well.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Creator God

 Scripture:

“The Lord made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens.”  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭51‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah was commissioned by the Lord to pronounce terrible disaster on Babylon in this chapter. In the midst of God railing against Babylon, there is a short reprise that gives praise to God. Jeremiah declares that the Lord made the heavens and the earth with His power, wisdom, and understanding. He is the awesome God, to be loved by His people and dreaded by His enemies.

Application:

I recently heard someone giving honor to the Universe for something that happened in their life. I was so bothered by that. Why give honor to the universe when You can have a relationship with the one who created the universe? I don’t understand people and where they get their thoughts. I have a close relationship with the God who can obliterate countries with one breath from His mouth. I serve the God who created everything we see around us and nothing is too difficult for Him. We must realize the awesomeness of the God we serve.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious! You are mighty and majestic! You are worthy of all glory and honor. I honor You today. You are my everything! Without You in my life, I am nothing. I submit to You this morning and want to walk in step with You every day of my life. Teach me to follow You well and to understand You more each day. You are incredible!

Yours,

Jeff

Justice and Mercy

 Scripture:

“I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan, leaping on the sheep in the pasture. I will chase Edom from its land, and I will appoint the leader of my choice. For who is like me, and who can challenge me? What ruler can oppose my will?”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭49‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking through Jeremiah in this passage concerning Edom. As He speaks to them, He tells them that He is coming against them and will chase them from Edom like a lion chasing a sheep. He then tells them He will appoint the leader He wants and lets them know that they can’t challenge Him or oppose Him because He is God Almighty.

Application:

Although we don’t like to see God as wiping out populations and taking over governments to make them do His will, we must read the Bible as truth. God is all-powerful and uses governments, leaders, etc. to enforce His will at times. Sometimes we forget that God puts up and God brings down. he is more in control than we give Him credit for. When God decides to execute judgment, look out! Our place is to walk in the fear of the Lord and to walk in obedience to Him at all times. If I err in life, I want it to be on the side of fearing God and living for Him to the best of my ability. 

Prayer:

Father, many don’t like to read about Your judgment on nations and Your justice. Many won’t read thing like we read today because it doesn’t seem to be the actions of a loving God. Show me Your love and justice. Show me your judgment and mercy. Teach me to know You more and more and to please You in all I do. I want to see Your kingdom come and Your will be done on the earth like it is in heaven.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Accurate Prophecy

 Scripture:

““But how can it be still when the Lord has sent it on a mission? For the city of Ashkelon and the people living along the sea must be destroyed.””  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭47‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah prophesies here about the city of Ashkelon and the people living along the sea. He says they must be destroyed. This sounds like the headlines from the last three weeks in the Israel/Hamas war. Quite literally, this is going on right now and is in the news every day. We hear the city of Ashkelon in the Gaza Strip next to the Mediterranean Sea. The Prime Minister of Israel has declared that Hamas must be completely destroyed.

Application:

God fulfills every promise He ever makes. Sometimes He does it immediately. Sometimes He predicts things that are generations in the future. If God said it…It will come to pass! We can rest confidently in the prophetic word of the Lord. Countless prophesies have come to pass already and many, many more are yet to come. Our place is the trust the Lord, who has all power in His hands.

Prayer:

Father, I yield my life to You. You are incredible and I love You immensely. You have been good to me for many years and I appreciate You. Help me to trust Your word more and more as I read it in the headlines. Help establish my faith in Your word. Teach me to walk in step with You every day of my life and to speak accurately on Your behalf.

Yours,

Jeff

Obedience

 Scripture:

“Whether we like it or not, we will obey the Lord our God to whom we are sending you with our plea. For if we obey him, everything will turn out well for us.””  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭42‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

A group of men approached Jeremiah and asked him to talk to the Lord on their behalf. They knew that obedience to God was a requirement for answered prayer so they said, “Whether we like it or not, we will obey the Lord our God… if we obey Him, everything will turn out well for us.” They knew that things always turn out better when we obey God and do what He says.

Application:

Sometimes we want God to do His part in answering our prayers, but we forget that we have a part to play. Obedience unlocks the blessing of God in our lives. We must be willing to do whatever He says, whether we like it or not. Obedience to God always brings blessing and answered prayers. Why should God answer our prayers if we are not faithful to do what He asks us to do? As a parent, I feel hurt when my sons ask for things, but don’t want to listen to what I have to say.

Prayer:

Father, empower me to walk in obedience to You and Your Word at all times. I don’t want to use You just to get things, but want to work together to make a difference in the world. Show me Your ways and teach me Your paths. Let my answer always be YES.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

The Desire of God

 Scripture:

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

Observation:

Jeremiah records the thoughts of God in this passage. God says through Jeremiah that perhaps the people of Judah would repent when they hear how terrible it’s going to be, THEN I will be ABLE to FORGIVE them of their sins. God’s desire was that they would hear and repent so He could bless them. God wants to forgive us, but we must be willing to repent when we do wrong.

Application:

God desperately wants to bless our lives and forgive our sins and mess ups, but He works with us through repentance. His desire for us is blessing, blessing, blessing, but He needs us to repent of trusting things other than Him. Our place is repentance and a humble heart before God. His place is to forgive us when we mess up. When the two each do their part of the covenant, it is powerful and God’s will gets accomplished. 

Prayer:

Father, teach me to walk with You. Teach me to know Your voice and to delight in Your ways. Help me to walk humbly before You all the days of my life. When I need to repent, let me do it quickly. When I mess up, let me quickly respond to Your voice. Show me daily how to walk in step with Your Spirit. I submit myself to You.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Everlasting Love

 Scripture:

“Long ago the Lord said to Israel: ‘I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.’” Jeremiah 31:3

Observation:

Jeremiah had been prophesying about God’s people being invaded and deported by other countries because of their sin and rebellion to God’s laws. In this passage, he shows God’s heart for His people. He tells them, that He has always loved them with a love that is everlasting. He says He drew them to Himself from the beginning. His place was love unending, their place was rebellion.

Application:

Before the foundations of the world were established, God loved us. His love is everlasting for those who are His. He will never stop loving us. He may need to discipline us, but never out of hatred, out of love. His love never fails, even when we fail. We can rest in God’s unfailing love. He loves us when we mess up and when we don’t. 

Prayer:

Father, Your love is amazing! Thank You for loving me and taking care of me like You do. You are faithful and I can rely on You, trust You, and depend on You. You don’t love me one day and hate me the next. Your love is reliable and trustworthy. Thank You for demonstrating Your love to me by sending Your own Son to die on a cross for me. You are worthy of my greatest love and devotion. Help me to serve You well in my life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Accurate Prophecy

 Scripture:

“So a prophet who predicts peace must show he is right. Only when his predictions come true can we know that he is really from the Lord.””  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭28‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Here, Jeremiah says that a prophet who predicts peace when trouble is coming, must show he is right. The proof of prophetic accuracy is when those predictions come true. A prophet must be judged on accuracy, not emotion or feelings. Many people bring good words, but God is more impressed with conveying His truth than with people liking what we say.

Application:

The proof is in the pudding is a saying in the U.S. When prophecy is accurate, it will come to pass. When we judge a prophet, it must be on accuracy of predictions and not our emotions or feelings. We may not like what he or she is saying, but we must listen because of their accuracy. For me personally, I want to prophesy with accuracy. I want to be used by God in this gift stronger and stronger, and I want to see fruit of things happening that were predicted.

Prayer:

Father, use me in the prophetic ministry. I am Yours and I want all I do to bring Your glory. Help me to see what You are doing and say what You are saying. Help me to convey accurately, Your heart on things. I want to make You look good. I am Yours and all I have is Yours. Help me to live and walk with You and know Your voice.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

False Prophets

 Scripture:

“Do not listen to the false prophets who keep telling you, ‘The king of Babylon will not conquer you.’ They are liars.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God was speaking through Jeremiah and telling all the nations they would have to submit to the king of Babylon. There apparently were other prophets who were saying it would never happen and that the king of Babylon wouldn’t conquer them. Jeremiah calls them liars and says not to listen to them.

Application:

We need to be cautious who we listen to. Today, there are thousands of voices competing for our listening. We need to be very sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit so we know what He is saying at all times. There are those who tell us only what we want to hear and not what God is saying. We must steer clear of them and listen for the voice of God for ourselves. 

Prayer:

Lord, give me discernment to know what is of You and what is not. So many today are sharing prophetic words about Israel, the Middle East, wars, etc. I want to know Your voice. Don’t let me be led astray by something that sounds good and right, but is not You. Keep my ears and eyes open to know what You are speaking and doing in the earth. Let me speak with accuracy what You want me to say to Your people.

Your Son,

Jeff

Prophesy Accurately

 Scripture:

“But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the Lord.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God was telling Jeremiah that the prophets were prophesying in His name, but they were really prophesying their own thoughts. God doesn’t like to be misrepresented. He is like us. He doesn’t like people to put words in His mouth that He didn’t say. He was very angry because of people prophesying what He never said to them and saying it was a “prophecy from the Lord.”

Application:

Prophecy is real and powerful. God uses it to communicate and confirm what He is doing in the earth. True prophets speak what the Lord is saying. Some people claim to be prophesying in the name of the Lord and on His behalf, but they are speaking from their own minds. We need to be careful with prophetic words and make sure it is God and not ourselves. We should not take prophecy lightly, but should realize when we prophesy that we are representing the Lord and we need to represent Him true and well.

Prayer:

Father, I love to speak Your prophetic words into people’s lives. Help me to hear clearly and prophesy accurately. Speak through me Lord. I want to accurately speak what You are saying in this generation. Speak Lord, Your servant in listening. Help me not to speak what I think, but what is accurately conveying what You want to say to Your people.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

The Mighty Warrior Beside Me

 Scripture:

“But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated. Their dishonor will never be forgotten.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭20‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah declares here that the Lord stands beside him like a great warrior who will cause his enemies to stumble. He felt he could not be defeated because the Lord, the mighty warrior, was beside him. Jeremiah had to prophesy some very difficult things that made a lot of people mad, but he knew the Lord had his back.

Application:

God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He is with us! We need to remember that when things are difficult. I need to remember that the Lord stands beside me at all times and He is a mighty warrior. Knowing this gives me strength to stand when things are falling apart around me. This weekend we have been singing, “This is how I fight my battles” a lot. The second phrase says, “it may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by You.” God’s got us. He’s standing right there with us. Therefore, we can be bold.

Prayer:

Father, thank for walking beside me as a mighty warrior. You are the best and it is an honor to serve You. Help me to serve You well in my generation. Let me walk with You as close as possible. I want to know You more and more. Walk with me and talk with me. I’m Yours.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Cling to the King

 Scripture:

"As loincloth clings to a man's waste, so I created Judah and Israel to cling to me, says the Lord. They were to be my people, my pride, my glory - an honor to my name. But they would not listen to me." Jeremiah 13:11

Observation:

Israel and Judah had forsaken the Lord and were worshiping other gods. God confronts them through Jeremiah and tells them that they were created to cling to Him like a loincloth, but they wouldn't. He wanted them to be his glory, honor, and pride, but they chose differently and to be like other nations. 

Application:

We were created to cling to God with all our hearts. He loves it when we are clingy. He loves it when we look to Him to fight our battles and intervene in our lives. We have been grafted into the family of God and His desire for Israel and Judah is now His desire for us. We must cling to God like a loincloth clings to a person.

Prayer:

Father, help me to cling to You in every situation and never to try to work apart from You. I want to be as close as my skin. I long for Your presence, Your touch, and Your glory. I long to know You more intimately. You are my everything. Teach me to be clingy.

Forever Clinging to You,

Jeff

Boast in God and Not in Self

 Scripture:

"This is what the Lord says, 'Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!'"

Observation:

God is speaking through Jeremiah here to His people. He tells them not to boast in anything but Him. Their wisdom, power, and riches, won't get them anywhere. Rather, they should boast in knowing and understanding the Lord, who is faithful, loving, just, and righteous. When we know and boast in Him, He will take care of us.

Application:

We should never boast about our accomplishments. We should only boast about the Lord. Without Him, we can do nothing anyway. He is the source of every good thing and not we ourselves. He is the one who blesses His children and not simply our hard work. God closed this section saying he delights when we honor Him. We must learn to honor God in all things in our lives. When we do, we will see the day of His incredible blessing.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You have blessed my life in so many ways. You are the source of every good thing in my life. You are incredible and I want to give you praise, glory, and honor. You are my all in all. My everything. Without You, I can do nothing. With You, I can charge enemy forces. I don't want to walk a single step in my life without Your guidance, protection, and provision.

Yours Truly,

Jeff

Superficial Treatments to Mortal Wounds

 Scripture:

“They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace.”  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬

Observation:

God is speaking through Jeremiah to the prophets and priests of God’s people. He says that they offer superficial treatments for their mortal wounds and they assure peace when there is no peace. What God was saying was that, no matter how much your prophecy and preach, if people don’t align themselves with the things of God and live as He desires, they will not experience real healing and deliverance. Unless we change our behavior, we will never have peace and healing.

Application:

Life change is necessary for healing in many cases. Sometimes we are trying to rebuke the results of our poor decisions. As Pastor Garcia would say, “You can’t rebuke a harvest.” Our walk with God must go deeper than the superficial if we are going to heal mortal wounds. Our walk with God must provide peace in our lives before we can offer peace to others.

Prayer:

Father, I don’t want to give superficial treatments to people’s mortal wounds. I want to see real, true, healing that flows from Your throne. I want to see lives transformed by Your power. I don’t want anything fake or phony. I want You. Come and meet us this weekend at our staff retreat. Move by Your power in our midst. Heal our staff from mortals wounds and cause them to have real peace that only comes from You.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Pride and Power

 Scripture:

“O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins.”  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah is told here to confront the people of God and tell them to surrender their pride and power and to change their hearts before God. If they don’t, they could expect God’s anger to burn against all their sins. Pride and power are the roots of so many sins. God asks us to lay down pride and power and pick up humility and brokenness before Him. 

Application:

Pride and power must be rooted out of our lives. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. We must remain vigilant and not let pride and power seeking into our lives. When we feel like we can do life without God, we will fall every time. When we lean on Him for everything, we will succeed. We must learn to change our hearts and walk in humility and submission to the plans and purposes of God.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are incredible and I love You more each day. Teach me to follow You well all the days of my life. Help me to eliminate pride and power and learn to walk in humility and surrender to You and Your desires. Show me how to live well every day and let me help others to do the same.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Springs or Cisterns?

 Scripture:

““For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!”  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God is speaking to His people and tells them that they have abandoned the fountain of living water, and dug cisterns that can’t hold water at all. God is the fountain of living water that flows from His throne, cisterns are our attempts to hold water. God is looking for a people who remain committed to the fountain rather than try to build a cistern, a man made way of holding water.

Application:

God is the source of everything we need. When we try to build our own ways and make things happen without Him, we are building cisterns to hold something only He can give anyway. Our best attempts will never satisfy life a never ending spring. God is not interested in our ways, He wants us to be interested in His ways. His ways are better than ours. We can’t make happen in the flesh what God started in the Spirit. 

Prayer:

Father, take away any cisterns I have created. Jesus said we would have living water coming like a spring from our lives. I want to let the river flow and not try to create a manmade replacement. I want to be connected to the source of life at all times. Help me to stay in tune with You all the days of my life and not miss out on what You are speaking at any time. I want to finish strong in my generation.

Your Son,

Jeff

Qualities of a Spiritual Father

 Scripture:

“Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.”  ‭‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing a letter to Titus here and giving him instructions on what to do and how to do it as a leader in God’s Church. He instructs Titus to teach the older men to exercise self-control, be worthy of respect and to live wisely. He says they must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. I see a challenge to older men to live lives that are respectful and worthy of respect.

Application:

As I get older and study spiritual fathering, these are things I need to have strongly in my life to father well.As a spiritual father, one must have self-control, wisdom, and life that is respectable. I must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. I need to exhibit these things to give fatherly advice and wisdom. I need to have these thing before I can give them away. 

Prayer:

Father, let me exude self-control, wisdom, and a life worthy of respect. Let me walk in sound faith and be filled with love and patience. Let these things flow from my life. I don’t want to lead anyone astray, but want to help put men on a solid foundation and show them how to live well. Enable me to raise up strong sons in the faith.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

WAIT for GOD

 Scripture:

“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!”  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭64‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah cries out to the Lord here and makes a strong declaration. He says that since the beginning of the world, ears and eyes haven’t heard or seen a God like YHWH. He not only is powerful, but He works for those who wait for Him! No other God answers like God Almighty. No other god saves like YHWH. The only problem is, He doesn’t always do it in our timing. Sometimes He asks us to wait.

Application:

When we have don’t all we can do, sometimes we simply have to wait on God. God works on behalf of those who wait on Him. I need to learn to wait longer without getting frustrated. I need to learn to trust God when it seems He is taking His time. I need to learn patience and trust more in my life. I like to see things happen NOW, but God may want me to WAIT.

Prayer:

Father, help me to trust You AND Your timing. Teach me not to rush ahead of You or to think You are not going to come through. I know that with FAITH and PATIENCE we inherit the promises of God, but I don’t like to wait. Teach me to trust You completely and to wait for You to move instead of trying to move things myself. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Not WEAK Not DEAF

 Scripture:

“Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.”  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭59‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah commands us to listen because God’s arm isn’t weak and His ear is not deaf. God is all-powerful and hear the faintest cry we cry. His ear is attuned to His people’s voices and His arm is ready to defeat whoever comes against us. When we are in trouble, we must run to Him.

Application:

God reminds us here that He isn’t weak, but strong to save us. We must never see any situation as too much for God to handle. We must cry out to Him, knowing He hears and that He is able to do whatever needs done for us. Then we must walk in faith, believing He is working on our behalf.

Prayer:

Father, help me to trust You more each day. Help me to realize that Your arm is mighty and strong, and that You will use it to defeat my enemies. I place my full trust and reliance in You. I know You hear me when I call. Help me to know deep in my heart that You are working at all times in my life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Reflecting God’s Characteristics

 Scripture:

“This is what the Lord says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you.”  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭56‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God speaks in this passage and says to be just and fair. He goes on to tells us to do what is right and good because He is coming to rescue us and display His righteousness among us. There are four key words for us to work on in this passage. We are to be just, fair, right and good.

Application:

God is coming to display His righteousness, but in the meantime, we are to display what is just, fair, right, and good. Our lives should be a representative of what is important to our God. I need to walk in justice and fairness always because I represent Him and He is just and fair. I need to focus on doing right and good to everyone around me because I am His representative. We are to reflect the character of God in our lives. I need to keep this in my heart throughout each day.

Prayer:

Lord, You are amazing and it is an honor to serve You. Help me to reflect You more each day with my life. Let me live a life of justice, fairness, righteousness, and goodness. Empower me to do the right thing always. I don’t meant to miss out on one thing You have for me to do. Show me the way forward and I will follow. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

JESUS - The Name Above All Names

 Scripture:

“But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that I am the one who speaks to them.”” ‭Isaiah‬ ‭52‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God tells Isaiah here that there would be a time when He would reveal His name to His people and they would come to know its power. He says that then they would recognize it was Him that was speaking to them. I see here the revelation of God’s name and power. The NT says Jesus as been given a name that is above every other name that can be named. There is power in the name of Jesus.

Application:

We must realize the power that resides in the name of Jesus. His name is above all names. His power is beyond comprehension. When we speak the name of Jesus, we speak a name that is greater than anything that can come against us. When troubles come my way, I need to speak the name that brings comfort and healing. When I face difficult enemies, I need to speak the name that can defeat any foe. I need to call on the name of Jesus more and more.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, thank You for blessing us and opening Your word to us. Thank You for allowing us to use the name of Jesus, Your Son. I speak Jesus over my family. Jesus over my church. Jesus over my region. Jesus over every part of my life. I speak the name that is above all names. Rule in my life Jesus. Defeat my enemies Jesus. Show me the way forward and make a way when things are difficult. I lean on the name of Jesus. 

Forever Yours,

Jeff

JOY and GLADNESS

 Scripture:

“Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭51‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This verse tells us that those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return with singing and everlasting joy. Those who have been ransomed will have no sorrow or mourning, rather, they will be filled with joy and gladness. Although this verse is directed at Israel, it covers us also as having been ransomed, or bought back, by the Lord.

Application:

Sorrow and mourning are not our future. They will pass away when we are the children of the Lord and walk in His ways. Rather, we will be filled with joy and gladness according to this verse. Joy and gladness is a choice we must make. We are not in control of what happens to us, but we are in control of how we respond and whether we will walk in joy and gladness or sorrow and mourning. I choose JOY this morning.

Prayer:

Father, I am the ransomed of the Lord. You paid a great price for my salvation and I want to return to the joy of the Lord and away from sorrow and mourning. I choose YOU today and I choose JOY today. Fill me with the joy of Your salvation  and let my life shine for You today. Let my joy be contagious today.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Obedience to God

 Scripture:

“Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.”  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭48‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking here to His children. He says to Israel that He wishes they had listened to His commands because then they would have peace like a river and righteousness like waves of the sea. If they had listened to God their country, and personal lives, would be much different. You can hear in this passage that God strongly wished they had listened because He wanted to bless them with peace.

Application:

God’s commands are not to hurt us, but so He can bless us. His commands are not to be seen as regulations that are demanded, but as a Covenant to be entered into with promises. His promise is, If you do things they way I ask you, I will bless you with peace and victory over every enemy. If you do things your own way, I can’t protect You and a fight your battles. Our obedience is the key that unlocks the blessings of Almighty God.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your word. It is truly a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Your promises are awesome and I appreciate each one. Help me to take care of my part of the Covenant of obedience. Teach me to follow Your ways with all my heart. Help me to live a life that pleases You by Your Spirit. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff