God’s Ways are Higher Than Ours

 Scripture:

“So the king paid no attention to the people. This turn of events was the will of God, for it fulfilled the Lord’s message to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭10‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Rehoboam was king after Solomon. Solomon was an incredible king, but he allowed his many wives to influence him toward the worship of other gods. When Rehoboam became king, the people wanted him to ease some of the workload from them that Solomon had implemented. He sought the advice of the elders and from his peers. He went with the advice of his peers and increased the labor and made it more difficult on them. Then this verse says, “This turn of events was the will of God, for it fulfilled the Lord’s message to Jeroboam.” God used a stupid king, who caused pain for God’s people, to fulfill a prophecy.

Application:

There are certain things that don’t make sense to us. God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. We would never think God would allow the cruel treatment of people in order to get His will accomplished, but He has. God raises up and He puts down. Sometimes nations are judged for their sins by God putting a leader over them that will cause problems. We don’t understand these things, but we know God is operating and putting people where they need to be in order to fulfill His plan. We live in the last days and certain things are prophesied that need to happen for prophecy to be fulfilled. We can pray against them with everything we have, but they will happen. We must ascertain what God is doing and seek Him above all else. It is not our place to question what He does, but to hear His voice and follow Him completely.

Prayer:

Father, I ask You to open the heavens and speak to me. Show me what is to come. Help me to understand Your ways and to know Your thoughts. Help me to finish everything You give me to do. I want to serve You well in my generation. I want You to be able to trust me to do Your will at all times.

Yours,

Jeff

Wholehearted Devotion

 Scripture:

“He prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven and earth. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Solomon had built the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem and was dedicating it. As part of the dedication he prayed. In his prayer he described what God does as, “You keep Your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before You in wholehearted devotion.” God has always been looking for people who would be fully devoted to Him.

Application:

According to Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, God is a covenant keeper and shows unfailing love to those who walk in wholehearted devotion. We don’t have to worry whether God will keep His covenant with us. We have to be careful to keep our end of the covenant with Him. Our job is to live with wholehearted devotion before the Lord. We must be fully devoted if we want to walk in covenant with Him. 

Prayer:

Father, I want to be known as one who is wholly devoted to You and Your Kingdom. I want to live in covenant with You throughout my life. Help me to do my part and I know You will do Your part. Show. Me each day what You desire of me and give me the strength to fulfill Your desires for my life. I am Yours completely. Use my life for Your glory and to bring You honor.

Fully Yours,

Jeff

Power and Presence

 Scripture:

“Solomon son of David took firm control of his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him very powerful.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This verse lets us know that God makes people very powerful when He is with them. Solomon was incredibly blessed, which we learn about in this chapter. He was blessed because he asked for wisdom to guide God’s people well. The Lord said because of his good answer, God gave him power, influence, and wealth beyond measure. When God is with you, nothing is impossible.

Application:

The presence of God changes everything. When God is with us, the enemy is defeated every time. When God is with us, He prospers the works of our hands. God is all-powerful and when He works with us, noting is impossible. I want God with me in increasing measure in my life. I want His manifest presence with me continually. 

Prayer:

Father, more each day I long for Your presence. I long for Your touch. Come and work in me. Make me what You want me to be. Have Your way in my life. Teach me to walk with You and to host Your presence well. Let my life bring You glory.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Messages in Song

 Scripture:

“David and the army commanders then appointed men from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. Here is a list of their names and their work:” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭25‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

David had men appointed from special families, whose job it was to “proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals.” What I observe about this is the fact that is wasn’t called songs, but God’s messages were to be put to music and sung. Putting a message to music makes it memorable. It also demonstrates the importance of the message.

Application:

When God drops a word in my heart, as a preacher, I generally preach it. I do realize there is power in a spontaneous song and throughout my life have used that means to sing to the Lord. I have not really conveyed a prophetic type message to the Lord through music. This is a whole new level. Many of the worship songs today I would put in this category. They are messages about who God is and what He can do for His people. I want to do some song/message writing.

Prayer:

Father, I see here Your heart for hearing messages in music. I personally have always loved singing to You. I want to step into this more and more, but I need You to heal and restore my voice. I ask You this morning to restore my voice and let me sing Your messages with a strong voice. Let me write some messages from You and for You and about You.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Success God’s Way

 Scripture:

“For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭22‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

As King David was handing Israel to his son Solomon, he spoke to him and told him the secret to his success. His secret to success was to carefully obey the Lord and His laws, then to be strong and courageous, never afraid and never losing heart. Doing things God’s way and being courageous about it would bring success to him.

Application:

When we do God’s things, God’s way, we can expect God’s blessings in our lives. I also notice in Scripture that God often tells his servants to be strong and very courageous. I want to grow in being strong and very courageous about the things God asks me to do. I want to learn the balance between courage, boldness, and humility. 

Prayer:

Father, always let me walk in humility, because that is the characteristic You bless throughout Your word. While walking in humility, teach me to be bold, courageous, and never losing heart. Show me how to balance these in a way that is a blessing to You and Your kingdom. Empower me to live in bold confidence in You, but humbly concerning myself. I want to please You with every part of my life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

How God Sees Me

 Scripture:

“And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God!” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

David was told that God was going to bless him and give him an everlasting dynasty through his son. It was such an honor from God that David felt unworthy. His view of himself comes out at the end of the verse. “You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God!” David saw himself as worthless, yet God saw him as worthy. God sees us so much differently than we see ourselves.

Application:

I generally see myself as full of flaws and mistakes. I tend to see my flaws, but God sees my heart. I see my mess ups but God sees my love for Him. We must learn to always walk in humility, but to also understand how God sees us. He sees us as worthy of sending His very own Son to die on a cross for us. He knows our potential and chooses to look past our self-imposed limitations. We must learn to walk in the balance of humility and understanding that in God was are great and powerful. Apart from Him, Jesus said, we can do nothing.

Prayer:

Father God, You are incredible! You see more in me than I see in myself. When I see my failures, You see me as victorious. Help me to walk in humility, but understanding at the same time that You do favor my life. You have demonstrated Your amazing love for me! You are the source of every good things in my life. Thanks for reminding me this morning that You see more in me than I see in myself. 

Your Son,

Jeff

Worthy of the Pursuit

 Scripture:

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

When David was bringing the Ark of God’s presence into Jerusalem, he wrote a song for the occasion. This is one line of the song but a powerful thought. He says that we should search for the Lord… and for His strength. Then he says we must continually seek Him. Searching and seeking are very much part of God’s desire for His people. We search for Him and His strength to do what He wants us to do. Our position is one of continually seeking Him.

Application:

Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to seek the Lord and we are given the promise that then He will allow us to find Him. The constant pursuit of God is the responsibility of every believer. At salvation we enter into a beautiful relationship with the king of glory. It is then our job to seek Him continually because there is so much to learn of His goodness and majesty. We should never stop seeking Him. He is worthy of the pursuit!

Prayer:

Father, I want to know You intimately. Help me to always have a seeking heart after You. Let me be a constant seeker because there is so much of You to find. Help me to never be satisfied, but to seek more of You and Your presence in my life. I want You to fill me to overflowing and I need Your strength today. Breathe life into me this morning and joy. Let my life reflect You well.

Yours,

Jeff

When God is With You

 Scripture:

“And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him.”          ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭11‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Saul had died in battle along with his sons. David was being promoted to be king of Israel. This verse declares why he was being promoted. It says, “David became more and more powerful because the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him.” The secret sauce in leadership is the presence of the Lord. When God is with someone, they will become more and more powerful.

Application:

We should pursue closeness with God above positions and other priorities. It is God who makes us successful in whatever we do. It is He who fights our enemies and declares our victory. It is God whose presence causes success to follow us. It is He who gives us wisdom to make right decisions. It is God Almighty we should spend time with because when He is with us, we will be successful in everything we touch.

Prayer:

Father, You are worthy of it all! You are amazing. Thank You for showing me this verse today. I want Your presence to be evident in and through my life. I want to walk with You at greater levels and to become the person You want me to be. Teach me to walk faithfully before You all the days of my life. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Generational Blessing

 Scripture:

“Ulam’s sons were all mighty warriors and expert archers. They had many sons and grandsons—150 in all. All these were descendants of Benjamin.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭8‬:‭40‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Ulam is not recorded in the Bible as one of the greats who went down in history as a leader, king, priest, elder, etc. Apparently, though, Ulam did something right in his life. He raised sons and grandsons who were warriors and expert archers. He had 150 sons and grandsons, and apparently, they were all mighty warriors and expert archers. He raised his sons well and they followed in dad’s footsteps.

Application:

Your descendants will tell your story better than anyone else. Our kids and grandkids lives will demonstrate our level of effectiveness as a person. I want my sons to follow Christ passionately and to fulfill His calling on their lives. I want my kids and grandkids to follow Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. I want to be known for what my sons and spiritual sons do on this earth. I want to give my life to raise up sons and daughters in the faith who will do great exploits for the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, I want to see those I lead become mighty in Your kingdom. Help me to raise strong sons and daughters of faith who will follow You with everything they have. Help me to be an example for them to follow of what a life of obedience to God looks like. Use my life for Your glory and let my descendants be blessed.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Leaving a Legacy

 Scripture:

“The son of Carmi (a descendant of Zimri) was Achan, who brought disaster on Israel by taking plunder that had been set apart for the Lord.” “Segub was the father of Jair, who ruled twenty-three towns in the land of Gilead.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬, ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭2‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Achan was remembered for bringing disaster on Israel by taking plunder that was set apart for the Lord. Jair was remembered for ruling 23 towns in Gilead. Both men were remembered, but they were remembered very differently. 

Application:

We have to step back sometimes and ask ourselves what people will say about us after we are gone. We will be known by our actions. What we did, how we treated people, and our leadership will outlive us. We are going to be known for something, we just have to determine what that will be. We need to lead such a life that we leave a legacy of the goodness of God.

Prayer:

Lord God, I want to leave a legacy of strong leadership by example. I want to live a life that is blessed by You and that inspires others to follow You. I want to be remembered as a man of faith and dedication to the Lord and His purposes. I’m going to leave a legacy, let it be for Your kingdom,

Your Son,

Jeff

The Promise of His Presence

 Scripture:

“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul says here in the closing of his second letter to the Corinthians to be joyful, grow and become mature, encourage each other and live in harmony and peace, then God will be with you. He promises God’s presence when we operate in joy, maturity, encouragement, harmony, and peace. Most of these are found in the listing of the fruit of the Spirit, but we are promised God’s presence when we walk in these things.

Application:

We must ask ourselves, am I joyful? Am I growing to maturity? Am I an encourager? Do I live in harmony and peace? These things will cause God to be with us. He didn’t say fasting and prayer, and destroying the flesh, although these are good and necessary. He didn’t tell us to conduct spiritual warfare in this passage against the enemy. He told us walk in joy, maturity, encouragement, harmony, and peace.

Prayer:

Father, help me to keep life and ministry simple. Let me be real to the core. Let Your joy fill my life. Let Your love fill my life. Mature me and help me to grow in my walk with You every day. Help me to be a peace keeper and a harmony builder. I long for Your presence. Let me be an example of how Jesus lived on this earth.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Future-oriented Living

 Scripture:

“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This Scripture lets us know that one day we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and will receive what we deserve, for the good or evil we have done while on earth. This verse alone should cause us to live lives that are pure and godly. This verse alone should make us want to serve well in the master’s harvest fields. The sad thing is that most of us live our lives without ever thinking that this day will come upon us in the future and we will give account for every idle word according to Jesus.

Application:

The best way to live life is to live in the present with an eye on eternity. We must live each day knowing and understanding that how we live our lives day to day down here will be rewarded when we step into eternity. My goal in life is quite simply to hear the words, “Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” When we live eternity focused, we will live differently on our jobs, in our neighborhoods, and in society as a whole.

Prayer:

Father, show me how to live each day like it could be my last. Help me to live life in the here and now while keeping an eye on eternity. Let me not get tied up pursuing earthly things, but to put my treasure in things that don’t rust or corrupt. I long to live a life of impact for Your Kingdom. Help me to discipline my life to accomplish more with the time I have left on this earth.

Yours,

Jeff

Reflect His Glory

 Scripture:

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”              ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul spends significant time in this passage speaking about the veil that covered the face of Moses and that covers our faces before Christ. When we come to Christ, the veil is removed and we can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. He goes on to speak of us being changed into His glorious image. I am captured by the fact that we can reflect the glory of the Lord. I want to have Christ glory shining through my life.

Application:

I long to reflect the glory of the Lord. I want to walk with Him in spirit and in truth. I long to walk as one with Him. I want the end of this verse, to be “changed into his glorious image.” I want no veil between me and my Father. I want to reflect His glory in my everyday life. 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, you place this treasure in earthen vessels. Fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit. Let my life reflect Your glory in every way. Help me to walk in step with You at all times and to do what You would do. I long to be one with You. Remove from me anything that hinders this type of relationship. Purify me, cleanse me, and work through me at greater levels.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

As Never Before

 Scripture:

“Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭23‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

King Josiah was a righteous king. This verse tells us that there was never a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with ALL his heart and soul and strength. Then it says there has never been another king like him since. Josiah was one of a kind. He turned to the Lord with everything he had and served the Lord diligently. He is a great example of one who followed the Lord wholeheartedly.

Application:

We need to be people who seek the Lord “As never before.” I want to be a leader who seeks the Lord as never before. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and I want to be on the reward side of God at all times. I don’t want to just get by and slip into heaven. I want to serve God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I want to walk with Him as never before.

Prayer:

Father, I want to know You. I want to do what You are doing and say what You are saying. I want to hear clearly what You want me to do on a daily basis. Use my life for Your glory and help me to stay sold out throughout my days and to finish well the race You have for me.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Upholding My Part of the Covenant

 Scripture:

““Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Hezekiah was given a prophecy about his quick death coming. He went to the Lord and reminded the Lord that he had always been faithful to him and had served him single-mindedly. He also told the Lord that he always did what pleased the Lord, then he broke down and wept. Quickly, the Lord sent a message to Hezekiah that his life was extended 15 years.

Application:

God’s healing is for everyone. He doesn’t have favorites, but when you know you have been serving the Lord well and following His ways, it is easier to say like Hezekiah, “I have always been faithful to you and served You single-mindedly.” When life sends us discouraging news, we can remind God we are in a covenant with Him. When we need a miracle, we can remind God that we have been holding up our part of the covenant. He is a covenant keeping God. In order to do what Hezekiah did, we must walk in purity before the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, You are good and Your mercies are forever. Help me to live a life that You can bless and that I can say, “You know I have served you wholeheartedly in every area.” Let me always uphold my part of the covenant. Teach me to follow Your ways and to walk according to Your paths. Show me each day what You want me to do and give me a heart to follow Your completely.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Receiving Instruction

 Scripture:

“All his life Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.”   ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬

Observation:

Joash was a king who did what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord, but this verse attaches a reason, he was instructed by Jehoiada the priest. Pride says, “I can do this and don’t need anyone’s input.” Humility says, “I need instruction and help.” Joash did right because he listened to the right people. 

Application:

In leadership it is easy to fall into the trap of, “I’ve got this and I know what I’m doing.” That is a dangerous place. We must invite others into the room and receive their instruction. Team leadership is effective leadership. God has put many parts in the body and together we can make a tremendous impact for the Lord. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to remain teachable and instructable at all times. Help me to walk in humility and to learn from those You have places around me. Enable me to listen well before leading strong. Teach me to honor those who are around me by listening to them. I want to lead well and learn well.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Finish Strong

 Scripture:

“But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

When Jehu assumed the kingship he went went hard against the worshippers of Baal. He killed every descendent of King Ahab and all of the priests of Baal. He wanted to do what the Lord had asked of him, but this verse shows that what started well didn’t finish well. He fought hard as it related to his own position and power, but didn’t follow the Lord with all his heart. He only turned to God in the convenient areas of his life.

Application:

Complete surrender to God and His ways is crucial to following Jesus. We must come to God in his terms and not just being part of a bless-me club. We can’t take what we like and throw out the rest of the Gospel. In order to finish strong, we need to be fully surrendered to the parts of walking with God that we like and those we don’t. We don’t eat from God’s smorgasbord, whatever we happen to desire. We eat from God’s table what He wants us to eat. God is looking for those who are 100% loyal to Him.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, let me live a life that finishes strong. Empower me to make right decisions and to do the hard things instead of only the things that make me feel good. Help me to walk in complete obedience and not just be obedient to the things I like. Let me say YES to You, no matter what You ask. I want to finish strong.

Yours,

Jeff

Grab It!

 Scripture:

““Grab it,” Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

One of Elisha’s sons in the Lord had lost an axe head in the river while he was cutting down trees for some renovations to their teaching place. He told Elisha and God made the axe head float for Elisha, which is a physical impossibility. When the axe head floated he told the man to “grab it.” When miracles happen in our lives, there is always a point where we have to reach out and grab it or take a step of faith.

Application:

There are times that God opens doors for me that I never walk through because I don’t reach out and grab the opportunity. There are things I know the Lord has asked of me that are not done because I have not reached out and grabbed them. When God opens a door, we must then take steps of faith to reach out and grab the provision of the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, help me to grab ahold of every opportunity You put in front of me. I don’t want to leave anything undone that You have given me to do. Provide the resources and I will take steps. Help me to walk in complete obedience to You, when it makes sense and when it doesn’t.

Yours forever,

Jeff

What Do You Have?

 Scripture:

““What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

When the widow woman was about to sell her two sons to the creditors and be devastated, she reached out to Elisha. He asked her what she had in her house. She said she just had a flask of olive oil. It was the only thing she had. God never asks us for what we don’t have, just what we do have. He multiplies what we have.

Application:

It is easy to think about what others have and what I don’t have, but God can do more with what I have than I could ever do with what I wish I had. He doesn’t need much to work with. He simply needs an obedience heart. I need to offer whatever I have to the Lord for Him to use it. Rather than seeing what I don’t have, I need to thank God for what I have and let Him multiply it.

Prayer:

Father, I give you everything I have this morning. Whatever is mine, is Yours. Use my life for Your glory. Let me never hold on too tightly to what I have, but to trust You are able to multiply whatever is in Your hands. Teach me to walk by faith and not by sight more and more.

Your Son,

Jeff

If I am a Man of God

 Scripture:

“But Elijah replied to the captain, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and destroy you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and killed them all.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

King Ahaziah sent fifty men to Elijah to bring him back to the king because he has prophesied that the king would die. The king hated Elijah and sent the 50 men to bring him back. When they found Elijah, he said, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven  and destroy you and your fifty men.” Immediately the fire fell and the men were killed. This happened two times.

Application:

Faith says things that are dangerous at times. Faith causes us to say things like, “If I am a man of God…” One has to have a strong walk with the Lord to say things like that or he will be in big trouble. Confidence in God and your walk with God must be at super high levels in order to make bold declarations. I want to walk in the authority of Elijah and be able to declare, “if I am a man of God.” It has always been my desire in life to be known, not as a pastor or leader, but as a man of God. 

Prayer:

Father, I want to be a man of God who can call down fire if necessary. I want to walk with You and accomplish Your will in the earth. Open my eyes and open my ears to see and hear You clearly so I can speak more confidently. I believe the world needs some more Elijahs, and I want to be one of them.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Humility and Repentance

 Scripture:

““Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime. It will happen to his sons; I will destroy his dynasty.”” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭21‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Ahab was a terrible king in Israel. He listened to his wife and served other gods. He went after God’s prophets and did more wrong than almost all of Israel’s kings. When he realized what he had done, he humbled himself before the Lord. God had promised to kill Ahab because of his evil doings, but when God saw his humility and repentance, He decided not to kill Ahab, but to give him a break and let his sons be punished. 

Application:

God always honors humility and repentance. Even when we have made a terrible mess of things, when we repent and walk in humility before God, He will see that and honor us. We deserve punishment, but God gives us grace and mercy. He is forgiving and faithful to us, even when we mess things up terribly. I want to walk humbly before my God all the days of my life and live in the blessings of obedience. 

Prayer:

Father, You have been so good to me all the days of my life. I love You and honor You today. You are worty of my very best in everything I do. Help me to live out my days in humility and repentance when I mess things up. Teach me to live as You would have me live. Thank You for the incredible blessings You have bestowed on me recently. You are amazing! Let me serve You well and bring honor to Your namc around the world. 

Sincerely Yours,

Jeff

Obedience vs. Innovation

 Scripture:

“But even after this, Jeroboam did not turn from his evil ways. He continued to choose priests from the common people. He appointed anyone who wanted to become a priest for the pagan shrines. This became a great sin and resulted in the utter destruction of Jeroboam’s dynasty from the face of the earth.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭13‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭NLT‬

Observation:

Jeroboam did many evil things as a king of Israel, but this one seems to stand out. It says that he chose priests from the common people. God had a way prescribed for who was to be priests and Jeroboam went around God’s prescription and did what seemed right to him. He operated in the flesh and not in obedience to the Lord. He wanted to seem spiritual and have a temple and priesthood, but he wanted to do it his was instead of God’s way, which resulted in utter destruction.

Application:

When we try to do God’s things in our way, we will forfeit the blessing of the Lord. God expects us to follow His ways, not to try to figure out our own way of serving Him. He expects obedience more than innovation. In ministry, we must seek the Lord for what He wants us to do rather than just doing what makes sense to us. His way is blessed, our way is not. 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious and I love You with all my heart. Help me not to try to finish in the flesh what You start in the Spirit. Help me to do things Your way instead of trying to do things my own way, even if I think my way makes more sense. Teach me to walk in obedience over innovation.

Your Son,

Jeff