Worship with Deepest Awe

 Scripture:

“Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist declares here that it is God’s unfailing love that even allows us to enter His house. Then he says that he will worship at the Temple with deepest AWE. Worship should bring about at sense of the awe of God. When something produces awe, it is incredible! It is powerful! Whatever causes us to be in awe has to be something awesome!

Application:

I don’t want to worship by just singing a good worship song. I want a new level of AWE in my life and in my worship. I want to stand in awe of the presence and power of God. I want to be so captivated by God and His goodness, that I stand in AWE of Him continually. I want to capture the AWE of God again.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I want my worship to go to a new level. I want to stand in AWE of You and Your goodness. I want to understand the awe of God and to worship as the Psalmist in deepest awe. Take me deeper Lord. I want to stand in awe of You in greater measure. You are awe-worthy!

Yours,

Jeff

Work for God

 Scripture:

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God tells us here that whatever we are doing, we should work willingly like we were working for the Lord and not people. It is hard to not be a people pleaser and care about what people think. It is important to put this aside and work hard at whatever we do because we are doing it for the Lord. The position doesn’t matter, what matters is that we work hard and do it unto the Lord.

Application:

As believers, our heart should always work with excellence in everything we do. We need to represent Christ well in all that we do. In order to do this we must not work with man in mind, but God. Whatever we do, we should do for the glory of God and not to please man. Man’s honor will fade away quickly, but God’s honor lasts for eternity.

Prayer:

Father, You are amazing and I want to serve You well in my generation. Help me to work as unto You in everything that is put before me. Help me to please You with my life. I want Your name to be glorified. Show me where I need to work on this and help me to please You every day.

Yours,

Jeff

Knowing Him in Suffering

 Scripture:

“I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.”  ‭‭Job‬ ‭42‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In the closing of the story of Job, as God is restoring Job’s fortunes and blessing his life again, Job makes this statement, “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.” Job had been a very godly man his entire life and God blessed him for it. It was only after suffering terrible devastation that he said, now I have seen you with my own eyes. Suffering actually cause him to have an encounter with God he possible couldn’t have had any other way.

Application:

Sometimes walking through difficult things allows us to experience God in a new and a deeper way. Paul said he wanted to know Christ in the power of his resurrection and in the fellowship of His suffering. We must be ready to know God in every season. It seems from these verses that there is something very powerful about serving God and remaining in Him during the trying seasons of life. 

Prayer:

Father, You are good and Your mercies are forever. You are awesome and I am awestruck by You. Help me to endure hardship like a good soldier and to know You walk with You in the good times and in times I can’t explain. I want to know You deeper than ever before. As Job said, “I have heard about You,” and after suffering he said now he had encountered You face to face. I long to know You, whatever that takes.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

All-Powerful

 Scripture:

““Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him?” ‭‭Job‬ ‭36‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

All-powerful is an awesome description of God. We can use the word “omnipotent” as well. God is truly all-powerful. There is nothing too difficult for Him. There is no enemy that can defeat Him. There is no problem He cannot solve. We are blessed to serve the God who is not just powerful, but all-powerful.

Application:

Our application concerning God being all-powerful, is simple, yet profound. We must simply realize that He is who the Word says He is. We must see God as all-powerful. When we do, we will quickly realize that if He is all-powerful, then what He cannot do does not exist. All-powerful means that no problem i ever have is beyond His reach and His ability to fix. When I state that God is all-powerful, then I must follow that up with a response of submission to Him and a desire to serve Him completely.

Prayer:

Father God, You are all-powerful. There is nothing too difficult for You. Help me to act like I have an all-powerful Heavenly Father. Help me to respond when things go wrong like I have an all-powerful father. Teach me to walk with You in awe of who You are and what You are capable of. Teach me to have faith that I can trust You, no matter what situation I face. You are God and You are good.

Yours,

Jeff

Recognize His Voice

 Scripture:

“For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭33‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Elihu, who has been quiet until this time, begins to speak. He tells Job that God speaks all the time, but people don’t recognize it. He goes on to say that God speaks in dreams and visions of the night. He basically tells Job that God speaks, but often men don’t realize or recognize His voice. 

Application:

The reality is that God still speaks today, but it may be in ways we are not looking for or recognizing. I want to be tuned in to whatever God is speaking. I long to know His voice and hear more and more clearly throughout my life. I want to walk in obedience to all God puts in my heart, but I also need to hear His voice in order to obey. I want to be open to whatever way God wants to speak to me. I want God to know He has my attention. 

Prayer:

Father, speak to me through dreams, visions, people, circumstances, and any other way Your see fit. Help me to recognize Your voice and to always respond. When You speak, I want to listen and obey. Teach me to walk with You daily and to work with You daily. Operate in and through my life Father. I am Yours. Speak clearly and help me to hear Your voice.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Wisdom and Understanding

 Scripture:

“And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’”” ‭‭Job‬ ‭28‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

According to Job, true wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord and real understanding is found in forsaking evil. Wisdom and understanding are wonderful and necessary in our lives. Without them, life can seem helpless and hopeless with no direction. Both are found in the Lord. He is the source of wisdom and understanding. Following Him is crucial to our growth in wisdom and understanding. It starts with the fear of the Lord and forsaking evil in every place.

Application:

If we want to grow in wisdom, we must first fear the Lord. God is incredible and we are nothing. We should fear, reverence, and honor Him at all times. We must seek to do His will and follow His path. In doing this, we demonstrate the fear of the Lord. Forsaking evil is a given. When we come to Christ we should forsake evil. We must forsake leaning on our own understanding and look to the Lord. We must follow God with a clean and pure heart. 

Prayer:

Lord God, help me to follow You well. You are the source of wisdom and understanding and I want to walk in both. Teach me to forsake evil and to fear the Lord. Let my life be one of wisdom and understanding. Help me so I can help others.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Tested

 Scripture:

“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭23‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Job is responding to his counselors in this passage concerning what he was going through in losing everything and being seemingly punished by God for something he didn’t do. His response was that when we was tested by God that he would come out as pure as gold. He understood that there are times of testing and proving in our walk with God and he was determined to walk through it and come out the other side better than before. 

Application:

There are always times of testing in our lives. God allows us to be tested to prove our walk with Him. He allows things that will make us stronger. We must not despise testing, but realize that testing will make us stronger if we respond correctly. When tested, we must have the mindset of Job, that we will come out as pure as gold. Keeping that perspective while be tested, will help us through some difficult times we face.

Prayer:

Father, help me to endure testing and tribulation and frustration, knowing that I will come out the other side as pure as gold. Let me have a pure heart before You at all times. Help me to endure the difficulties of life with the right attitude. Let my mindset always be a godly one. Help me to process frustrations correctly and to grow through them.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

I Will See Him

 Scripture:

“I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” ‭‭Job‬ ‭19‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Job was defending his place, and in this passage, he talks about the day he will stand before God. He says that he will see God for himself and with his own eyes. He goes on to say he is overwhelmed at the thought. He understood that one day all the troubles of this life would be over and he would stand in the presence of Almighty God. He understood that things may not be fair on this earth, but that he served a just and righteous God who would bring justice.

Application:

When we are going through bad times and difficult situations, we must remember that one day it will all be over and we will stand before God. How we respond to the current problems will be observed. No matter what happens to us on this earth, we will one day stand before God. That is the day we must live our lives for. Eternity is long and life on earth is relatively short. We must live for eternity, knowing one day we will stand before God and give an account for our lives.

Prayer:

Father, one day I will see You face to face. One day the troubles of this life will be over and I will stand in Your presence. I look forward to that day. I also want to be ready for that day. I want to transition from this life to the next, where I will spend eternity. Let me live each day knowing deeply in my heart that one day I will stand before You and give an account.

Your Son,

Jeff

My Witness and Advocate

 Scripture:

“Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭16‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Job realized something his friends didn’t. He realized that his witness and his advocate were in heaven. He didn’t need to defend himself or what he was doing because he knew he had a witness who knew his heart and his deeds. He knew he had an advocate who would defend his innocence on trials before God. 

Application:

Many times we fight to defend ourselves and our actions to people, explaining how and why we are right. Like Job, we must realize that we have a witness and and advocate in heaven. God knows every detail of our lives and will defend our case. We don’t need to fight with people to show them when we are right, God knows and He will defend us a the appropriate time. Our job is to trust Him and walk with Him. He will defend our case.

Prayer:

Lord, You know every detail of my life. You know when I lie down and when I rise. You know every good deed and every bad deed I have ever done. You are a witness to every detail of my life. I can explain why I did certain actions to others, but You know every truth. You are my defender as well. Defend my case and work on my behalf. I trust You. Help me not to try to defend myself, but to trust You to take care of my in every situation. I am Yours.

Your Son,

Jeff

My Source

 Scripture:

““But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬

Observation:

In the passage, Job is responding to his friends about his relationship with God. He says that true wisdom and power are found in God and that counsel and understanding are His. These are amazing words and thoughts. Whenever we need wisdom, power, counsel, or understanding, God is our source, not the internet.

Application:

God is the container of everything we need to walk out our faith here on this earth. He is the fountain of incredible wisdom. When we lack wisdom, we are to ask God who supplies it generously. Rather than running to other people and the internet, I need to seek the Lord for wisdom and direction in my life. God wants to be my source and my resource. He wants me to pursue Him and allow Him to give me the wisdom I need.

Prayer:

Father God, fill me with Your wisdom, power, understanding, and counsel. Show me every step I need to take. Thank You for walking with me all the days of my life. I want to live closer to You than ever. I want to hear Your heart and know Your desires. I long to walk in step with You. Hold my hand and take me on the journey of life, taking me where You want to take me and doing in and through me what You want to do.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God’s Character and Ways

 Scripture:

“But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end with much.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Bildad’s first response to Job had some powerful thoughts in it. This is one of them. He tells Job to pray and seek the favor of God because, if he is pure hearted and walks in integrity, God would restore his happy home. He also said that though he started with little, God would cause him to end with much. Bildad knew the character of God and how God acts for His people.

Application:

When we know the heart and character of God, it gives us faith in the midst of the difficult times of life. Knowing His characteristics causes us to know that, even though we go through some trying times, God is still with us and He will turn it around. We can rest assured that we will end up blessed in the end, even if we lose a few battles. Knowing God’s character allows us hope for the future, knowing it is in His hands and that He will bless His people.

Prayer:

Father, even in trying times, let my faith arise. Let me trust You completely because I know Your character and Your ways. Let me walk in confidence that everything will work out for Your glory and my benefit because You are God and that’s how You work with Your children. Increase my trust in You and the inner peace in my life.

Yours Truly,

Jeff

Following God No Matter What

 Scripture:

“But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

When Job’s life began to fall apart, his wife told him to curse God and die. He replied to her saying she was talking like a foolish woman. He asked her if we should only accept good from the hand of God and never bad. He was willing to received from God whatever God had for him, whether good or bad.’

Application:

It is easy to submit to God when everything is easy and when He is blessing us incredibly. Job understood like almost nobody else just how awesome God blesses his people. He was a blessed man in every way. He was prosperous and lost it all. It seems like today we want the good things God offers, but don’t want everything God offers. God needs some people who are more like Job in that, whether God blesses them or if everything they have falls apart, they will follow God and obey Him. We must learn to be like Paul who said he knew how to have nothing and how to have everything. He wasn’t different in the good times than he was in the bad times.

Prayer:

Father, let me have unswerving faith in You and Your word. Help me to accept what You have for me and to follow You, no matter what the cost. Teach me to follow You, when it is easy and when it is not. Help me to endure well the struggles I must go through. Help me to walk with You in every season of life. 

Yours,

Jeff

No Fear of Death

 Scripture:

“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul was writing this letter from a jail cell. He truly wasn’t sure if he was going to live or die for Christ. He says that for his living means living for Christ and dying is even better. He goes on to say for the people’s sake it is better that he live so they can benefit and the Gospel could benefit. A person who doesn’t mind death is unstoppable.

Application:

Paul wasn’t sure if he would rather live or die. Either way, it was all about serving Christ and His purposes. He felt that dying is better than living. When we fully understand life and death as children of God, we don’t fear death anymore. Death, for us, is entering into perfect peace, and all of our trials and troubles being over. It means the beginning of life! Death and fear of death has no power over the person who understands this. We must live knowing that whether we live or die, we do it with Christ.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I want to live a fearless life. I want to walk in obedience to You no matter what the cost. Help me to live this life fearlessly and courageously. Teach me to live each day like it was my last. Help me to live in the present with eternity in mind at all times.

Yours,

Jeff

Evangelism Through Favor

 Scripture:

“In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.” ‭‭Esther‬ ‭8‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, we understand that God had saved the Jews through Mordecai and Esther. Part of their asking of the king was that God’s people would be able to defend themselves when attacked on the day Haman had set for their destruction. The king agreed that they could defend themselves without problems. This verse tells us that many of the people became Jews, fearing what the Jews would do to them. When people saw what God did for the Jews, they decided they wanted to be Jews.

Application:

I call this evangelism through favor. When the favor of God is really on our lives, those who are skeptics should be able to see it and want to serve God as well. I have to ask myself, does anyone want to serve Jesus because of the favor of God they see on my life? Do people want Jesus because of how they see Him working in my life? I want a walk with God that is do evident that the strongest sceptic would become a believer because of the life I live.

Prayer:

Father, let people see Jesus in my. Let people come to Christ because they see in my life how good You are. Let the world see the blessings of living as God’s child because of the life I live in front of them. Let my life make the world jealous because of Your favor.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Bravery

 Scripture:

““Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”” ‭‭Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Queen Esther had heard about the coming destruction of her people and Mordecai told her to go before the king to defend them. She knew this could cost her life because nobody went before the king uninvited. She asked people to pray and her response was, “though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” That is bravery personified! She was willing to lose her life to save her people. 

Application:

Bravery is something we all admire, but few are willing to put their lives on the line for the benefit of someone else. True bravery does the right thing, even at the risk of personal detriment or loss. I want to live brave in God’s kingdom and do the right things, even when they may be unpopular. 

Prayer:

Lord, make me brave. I don’t want to back down from anything You ask me to do because of intimidation or manipulation. I want to serve You well and to fulfill Your will for my life 100%, even if that costs me something. Help me to live brave and willing to sacrifice it all for Your kingdom,

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Experiencing the Love of Christ

 Scripture:

“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul says here that he wants the Ephesians to experience the love of Christ, then they would be made complete with the fulness of life and power that comes from God. Power and life come from the love of God. As we walk in the love of Christ and understand it more and more, power and life will flow through us. There is not a lack of power and life, there is a lack of love. We need to be immersed in it.

Application:

Many in the church are seeking life and power through prayer, fasting, and intercession. These are good, but Ephesians tells us that life and power come from experience it the love of Christ. We need an encounter with the love of Christ. We need to seek Him and fall in love with Him until His love completes and establishes us, then His power and life will flow through us.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for loving me. Thank You for sending Your Son to demonstrate Your love to me. Let me experience the fulness of Your love. Let it impact my life and let me demonstrate Your love to those around me. I want to be known for Your love flowing through my life. You have loved me well. Now let me love others well. 

Your Son,

Jeff

Outstanding Men

 Scripture:

“There were 468 descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem—all outstanding men.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

When the wall was reconstructed and people were coming back into Jerusalem and Judah, Nehemiah did a listing of everyone in Judah at the time. They were listed by family name. Perez is mentioned here as having 468 descendants who were all outstanding men. We don’t know what was outstanding about them, but we know that they, in some way, stood out from the crowd. His descendants were superior to other men. They must have been excellent in every way to gain this reputation.

Application:

Recently, having done a dissertation on spiritual fathering, I have had a strong desire to be a father to men. I long to see men strong and who stand out of the crowd as top notch men. I want to raise up a group of men who are excellent in every way, whose wives and families respect them because they are the real deal. I dream of a men’s ministry where our men are outstanding and respected in every way.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, as I more and more step into the role of a spiritual father, I ask You to give me  spiritual descendants like Perez. Let my legacy be that I raised up men who were strong in every way. Men who were disciplined and strong. Men who were worthy of respect and honor. Men who knew God and walked intimately with Him. Men of courage and who walk in the power of God. Men whose lives were above reproach.

Yours Lord,

Jeff

Teaching God’s Word

 Scripture:

“They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭8‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

When Nehemiah finished rebuilding the wall, he and Ezra read the entire book of the Law to the people of Jerusalem. They stood for the reading. Then it says that they read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. The goal of a teacher in the body of Christ is to explain the meaning of the test and to help people understand each passage. Bringing understanding is crucial, not just bringing facts.

Application:

As one who teaches, I need to make sure I am clearly explaining each passage. My goal must be that each person would be able to understand the Word of God and not just memorize a text. I must be diligent to make sure I am making the Word of God understandable and applicable to those I speak to. I need to work at making sure a young adult can understand and apply the Word I teach. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to teach Your Word well. I want those who hear me to understand Your Word and delight in it. Help me to explain Your Word clearly to bring clarity, understanding and application. I want to do well what You have given me to do.

Yours,

Jeff

Undeniable

 Scripture:

“And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

When the wall was built in 52 days, the enemies of Israel became disheartened in their own eyes. They could perceive that the work was done by God Almighty and not just be people. It was apparent that God was involved in the process of the people building the wall. All the nations looked on and realized that God was working in Israel again.

Application:

I want to see God move in such a way that nobody can deny it. I long to see God work in power and to do such a work that people cannot deny that it was Him. I want the world to see the goodness of God in and through the lives of the people of God. Nehemiah walked in obedience to God, and God did the rest. Our job is simple obedience to whatever God asks us to do. His job is to come through in power and demonstrate to those around us that He is awesome.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are awesome and I love You more each day. I want to see You do such a work in the earth that nobody can deny who You are and that You work in and through the lives of Your people. I know it will be like that in the Last Days, but I long for You to demonstrate Your power to the world so that nobody can deny how awesome You are.

Forever Yours,

Jeff 

Rally Cry

 Scripture:

“Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Nehemiah had everyone working on the wall while fighting the enemies off. He realized it wasn’t working and that there were gaps in the wall where enemies could enter. His response was to tell the people that the work was great and extensive, but that they were separated from one another on the wall. He decided to have everyone rally to wherever the trumpet would sound and believed that God would fight for them as they did this. He saw separation and division as weakness, therefore he got everyone together and rallying to the trumpet. 

Application:

Sometimes, when things are not going as well as we would like, we must make a rally call to get the people together to accomplish the vision God has given us. There are times when everyone is working, but not effectively because there is separation. A leader must make the rallying cry and call God’s people together in unity so He will fight our battles. When there is separation and division, we need to rally around the vision and watch God work. They were all working and doing a good job, but they needed to work TOGETHER.

Prayer:

Father, help me as a leader to make the rally call and to bring the team together to accomplish Your will. Show me how and when to make the call. Lead me and guide me into Your truth and help me to fulfill everything You have given me to do. I want to follow well and lead Your people well. Give me the steps and help me to implement them.

Yours,

Jeff

Never Forsaken

 Scripture:

“For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.” ‭‭Ezra‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Ezra makes a powerful statement about what God had done for His people. He says that they were slaves, yet God didn’t forsake them in their bondage. Rather, God gave mercy to repair the house of the Lord, rebuild it, and to build a wall around their city. He understood that they didn’t deserve anything, yet God’s mercy was working on their behalf.

Application:

God works for His people, even when they are the ones who have messed up. God doesn’t forsake us in our self-created bondage. He gives us a way of escape. He extends mercy when we deserve judgment. We must remember where the Lord has brought us from and thank Him for His incredible mercy and grace. He has truly blessed us as His people. He has been so good to me in so many ways.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, thank You for loving me, accepting me, and putting up with me. Thank You for not forsaking me in my bondage, but loving me and bringing me out. Thank You for working in my life, my family, my church, and our region. You are awesome! Help me to serve You well in my generation. Let my answer always be yes to You.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Prophets and Kings

 Scripture:

“So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.” ‭‭Ezra‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

I love this because God’s people had been exiled to Babylon and were being sent back to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem. It says here that they prospered in the rebuilding through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah. It also demonstrates that three kings of other nations commanded the rebuilding of God’s temple. When God wants to get something done, He can cause kings of other nations to make it happen. We also see that it involved Haggai and Zechariah prophesying. We need prophets and kings to hear God’s word and make it happen.

Application:

God has the ability to cause what we are doing to prosper and be unstoppable. He has the ability to cause unbelievers to finance Kingdom work. He has the ability to cause those who are far from Him to get on the team and make His will be accomplished. When we obey the prophetic word, we can expect help to accomplish what God is saying. We must be ready to receive what God says and we must be ready to work with those who are not like us.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I want to work with You on Your will here in Loudoun County, and in the nations of the earth. Help me to listen to the voice of Your prophets and to work with kings and leaders to accomplish Your will in the earth. Send people into my life that can make the dreams You have put in my heart to come to pass.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Faith Expressed in Love

 Scripture:

“For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Galatians because they were slipping back into the Law as a means to salvation. He says here that when we put our faith in Christ and not in ourselves, there is no benefit to circumcision or uncircumcision. He says that the more important thing is faith expressing itself in love. In other words, love is the truest expression of faith.

Application:

We should be more known for our love of people than for our lists of regulations for being a Christian. Believers should be the most loving individuals on the planet. Christ continually broke the ceremonial law in order to help those who were hurting. He didn’t do this to destroy the Law, but to demonstrate that love is the heart of everything God does. I John tells us that God is love. If we are in Christ, love should ooze from our very being. Love should be what we are known for above all else.

Prayer:

Lord, let Your love flow through me. Teach me to let love as the greatest expression of my faith. I want to demonstrate Your incredible love to those around me. If I’m going to be known for something, let it be love and acceptance rather than rules and regulations. Help me to model Your love for all people.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Heirs of Abraham

 Scripture:

“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing Galatians to correct them concerning the observation of the Law and the belief through grace. He argues that the Law was until Christ as a way of getting and keeping people right with God. In this verse he summarizes his thoughts by saying that in Christ, there is lo longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. He continues by saying that we are all true children of Abraham. We are heirs and receive Abraham’s promise as well.

Application:

Faith pleases God, not works. Abraham taught us much and he lived before the Law was given to Moses. He was justified by faith and we are as well. When we come to God in faith, we become the children of Abraham, though we are physically Gentiles. Abraham was given some very powerful promises by God and we are heir to those promises through faith. We should live by faith, knowing that God has great intentions for us.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live well the life of faith. Teach me to trust You each day and to respond to Your calling on my life. I want to please You in every way and I want my life to be a vessel You can work through. Take my hands, my heart, my feet, etc. and use them for Your glory. I am Yours! On this Independence Day in the United States, help me to walk in the freedom You died to give me.

Yours,

Jeff

God Uses Unlikely People

 Scripture:

““This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are his people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you!”” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭36‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Cyrus was the king of Persia. He was a pagan king of a pagan nation while God’s people were in exile. He told everyone that God had appointed him to build a Temple in Jerusalem and allowed God’s people to go back to Jerusalem for that purpose. He was holding God’s people in bondage when the Lord spoke to him. God chose an outsider to send His people home to build a temple for him rather than an Israelite.

Application:

When God has something that needs to get done, he will use unlikely people to do it. Sometimes they may not even know why they are doing what they are doing. God raises us and appoints leaders to accomplish His purposes in the earth. He is in control and will find ways we can’t even imagine to bring about His purposes. We need to trust Him more because we can’t put God in our little boxes.

Prayer:

Father, help me to trust You more and more each day. Thank You for sharing this word with me today. You are in control, no matter who looks like they are in control. You are above all governments, powers, principalities, etc. You are greater than any army or fortress. You have ways of accomplishing things that we can’t even imagine. You know my needs and my desires. I trust You with all of them.

Yours,

Jeff

Far Greater

 Scripture:

““Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side!” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭32‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Hezekiah was a great king. He sought with all his heart to please the Lord. When the king of Assyria was coming after him and threatening his people with destruction, he replied to his people and told them not to be afraid or discouraged because they had a power FAR GREATER on their side than the Assyrians had. He had confidence that God would fight his battles.

Application:

Sometimes, when life gets difficult and it seems we are not in a good position, we need to remember that a power far greater than whatever is against us, is on our side! We must remind ourselves of all the Lord has done in the past and in the present. God is far greater, far superior, far stronger, far more powerful, far better, than anything the enemy can send against us. 

Prayer:

FAR GREATER GOD, You are incredible! You are far greater than anything or anyone on this earth. You are worthy of my highest praise. Help me to walk with You and know that You will fight my battles as I delight myself in You. I long for Your presence and ask You to fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit. Help me to always see that You are FAR GREATER than anything that can come against me.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Guidance from the Lord

 Scripture:

“Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭26‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Zechariah taught Uzziah to fear God and worship Him. This verse says that as long as the king sought guidance from God, he was given success. The thing to observe is that seeking God’s guidance brings about success in all of life. God knows best what we need to do. Seeking His direction and guidance is the best thing we can do.

Application:

Many times it is easier to just go through life making the decisions that seem right at the time. It is sometimes easier to just do what makes sense rather than seek the Lord’s guidance on decisions we must make in our lives. God’s ways always lead to success. We must learn to seek His guidance, even when the decision seems easy to make. Direction from the Lord must be seen as a super valuable asset in our lives.

Prayer:

Lord, here I am once again asking You to guide and direct my life. Show me the things I am to be doing. Make clear the path before me and help me to be led by Your Spirit and not my flesh. Let me always be a seeker of God above all else. Open my ears and eyes to hear clearly and give me a heart to obey completely.

Yours,

Jeff