Wisdom and Success

 Scripture:

“If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

We are told in this passage that if we make a prize, or value, wisdom, she will make us great and she will honor us. Knowledge is knowing facts, wisdom is the application of knowledge. Wisdom is knowing the right thing to do and doing it. Wisdom is gained from years of experience. When we live with wisdom, we will be successful in everything we do. 

Application:

Growing in knowledge is easy, read more and study more. Growing in wisdom comes from life experience. Wisdom sees the future results of our decisions clearly and with accuracy. We must pursue wisdom if we want to be honored or successful. Wisdom does the right thing, even when others are doing the wrong thing. We must make hard decisions that are wise, whether they are popular or not. Then God can bless our lives.

Prayer:

Lord God, teach me to walk with the wise. Help me to apply the knowledge I have and to use the experiences of life to guide my thoughts. You are the source of all true wisdom so I come to You and ask You to make me wise. Teach me the ways of the wise and give me the strength to follow them.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

A Thief in the Night

 Scripture:

“For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing here concerning the coming of Jesus Christ. The New Testament Church was continually expecting the imminent return of Jesus to the earth. When He went away, he said, “As you see me go, I will return again,” They lived their lives expecting the Lord’s return at any moment. It has now been over 2,000 years and His coming is closer than ever. They lived with an urgency and we must do the same.

Application:

When everything looks peaceful and secure, we need to keep our heads up and our eyes open. We are expecting the soon return of Christ to this earth. The signs of the times are everywhere right now. Coming like a thief in the night reminds me to be ready at all times and to live on mission for Him at all times. Seeing all the signs around us, we must live our lives with an urgency like never before. We must get people ready for our Lord’s coming. 

Prayer:

Father, let me have a fresh sense of urgency in my preaching and in my life. Help me to remain focused on bringing people into Your kingdom and helping them be ready when the thief comes in the night and it’s too late. Help me to work while it is day because the night is coming when we won’t be able to build Your kingdom any more. I want to extend Your kingdom in all the earth while I wait for Your return.

Yours, 

Jeff

Delightful Humility

 Scripture:

“For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭149‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist lets us know here that God delights in us and that He crowns the humble with victory. God not only likes us, He delights in us. As a grandparent, I delight in my grandson. I delight in seeing him walk and talk. I delight in just watching him play. He not only delights in us, but enables the humble to come out on top. 

Application:

Our part in this process is to walk in humility and live a life that brings even more delight to our Lord. Humility attracts God’s favor and blessing. Humility is something God always responds to. Therefore, we cna never walk in pride or arrogance. Our best position is one of humility and understanding that we are nothing without God. It is also helpful in life to know You are delightful in the Lord’s eyes. Rather than seeing myself as a mess up that God puts up with. I need to see myself as someone He delights in.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for delighting in me. Thank You for confirming to me that You enjoy being with me and watching over me. Help me to always walk in humility before You, knowing that without You my life is nothing. Your are the source of every good thing in my life. You are my reason for being. Work in Pakistan today and use the teachings we sent over for Your glory and the healing of many. 

Sincerely,

Jeff

Meditate and Enunciate

 Scripture:

“I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist says here that he will meditate on God’s majestic, glorious, splendor and his wonderful miracles. First we are to meditate on God’s awesomeness and His miracles, then we are to tell about them. It says that every tongues will proclaim God’s awe-inspiring deeds. When you meditate on something long enough, you will begin to talk about it.

Application:

We proclaim what we meditate on. If we meditate on how bad things are, out of our mouth will come much negativity. When we meditate on the goodness of God, His power, His miracles, His incredible deeds, we are much more likely to talk about them. Jesus said that out of the abundance of our heart, our mouth speaks. We must dwell on the right things, then we will speak and live the right things.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty,

You are beyond comprehension. You are too glorious for words! Help me to meditate on Your goodness and all You have done for me and in the word of God. Teach me to think on these things, and then to speak these things. Let my mouth speak of Your power and Your love. Let my heart dwell on those things.

Yours,

Jeff

God Works His Plans

 Scripture:

“The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭138‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist declares here that the Lord will work out His plans for my life. This tells me God has plans for my life and that He will work them out as I walk with Him. He goes on to ask God not to abandon him because God had made him. He understood that God’s love endures forever. This is a Psalm of David and he often cries out for the Lord not to abandon him. David loved the presence of God and feared losing it. 

Application:

I want to start by saying that God WILL WORK on His plans for my life because His of His faithful love endures forever. I don’t have to continually seek God for His will and plan for my life. I just have to walk with Him and He will work out the details. Rather than stress about what are God’s plans for my life, I should just seek Him and let Him work out the details.

Prayer:

Father, You are good and Your mercies are forever. You are highly exalted over all the earth. Your name is above every name, yet You cover me with loving kindness. Help me to live a God-centered life instead of a Jeff-centered life. Teach me to walk with You and to trust that Your plans for my life will come to pass as I walk in Your ways.

Your Son,

Jeff

Gratitude

 Scripture:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭136‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist here reminds us to give thank to the Lord because His faithful love endures forever. This seems like a simple verse, but thanksgiving and gratitude are powerful. When we give thanks to God, we are saying that He is God and we are not. When we give thanks to God, we are reminding ourselves that it is not about us, but about Him. When we give thanks to God, self-reliance is destroyed because we know that any good thing we have done is totally because of the Lord and not ourselves. Giving thanks to God honors God.

Application:

I need to express my gratitude to God more and more often in my life. He has blessed me over and over again. He has brought me through every attack of the enemy. He has worked countless miracles on my behalf and He is faithful. I want to tell the Lord each day about something I am thankful for.

Prayer:

Father, Your love endures forever. Help me to walk in gratitude to You at a deeper level. Help me to understand that every good and perfect gift comes from You and not me. Help me give honor to You for working tremendously in my life. Help me to see Your hand in the little things and in the big things.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

The Value of God’s Word

 Scripture:

“Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭72‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist says here that God’s instructions, or His word, as more valuable than millions in gold and silver.  He realized the incredible power and value of God’s word. His Word is alive and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. His word is seen here as having amazing value.

Application:

I need to ascribe more value to the word of God. I love God’s word and I have always been faithful to read and study it, but I don’t think I have the level of love for God’s word that the Psalmist demonstrates. I have to seek myself the question, “What is the value of God’s word to me?” Is it worth millions? I want to know and love God’s word more throughout the days of my life.

Prayer:

Father, Your word is powerful and sometimes I don’t think I value it enough. Help me to value Your word as I should. Give me a fresh hunger for the pure honey of Your word. Let me mind and spirit take in everything I need each time I open Your word. Teach me to value Your word above millions in gold and silver.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

My Life is My Offering

 Scripture:

“What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭116‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist asks a great question here. He simply asks what he can offer the Lord because of all the Lord has done for him. This positions him in a place of gratitude and humility, both characteristics God honors deeply. He realizes that God has done things for him, then he looks for what he can offer the Lord. He wants to give the Lord something valuable to show his appreciation for all the Lord has done in his life.

Application:

Sometimes we have to take time to look back at our lives and see where the Lord has brought us from and where He has taken us to. He has done so much for me personally! He has blessed my life over and over again. He has opened doors for me that astound me. He has trusted me with assignments I feel are above my head. My only response is to offer what I have. My response to the Lord being so good to me is to offer my life and my obedience to Him. My offering is my life.

Prayer:

Father, You have been so good to me. Therefore, I offer my life to You. Use it for Your purposes. Show me Your heart and desire for my life and I will do my best to follow it completely. Open doors and I will walk through them. My life is Yours. Use the remainder of my days for Your glory and the extension of Your kingdom.

Yours,

Jeff

My Helper and Shield

 Scripture:

“All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The prior verses have the same emphasis, but instead of “all you who fear the Lord”, they say all the priests and all of Israel should trust the Lord and then finish with the exact same line, “He is your helper and your shield.” The Psalmist is telling God’s people that God is trustworthy. He is our helper and our shield. 

Application:

We need to learn to trust the Lord. Trusting Him means relying on Him instead of taking things into our own hands. When I think of a helper, I think of someone who stands beside you, helping you do what you are meant to do. I picture someone who hands you what you need to do the work. When I think of a shield, I think of battle. He not only helps us, but protects us from the attacks of the enemy. When we trust Him, we have a helper and a shield from our attackers. 

Prayer:

Lord, so many mornings I have come to this place of learning to trust You more and more. Teach me to lean on You and not my own understanding. I offer You my life and ask You to help me do Your will and shield me from every enemy. Guide my steps and let me fulfill everything You have set for me. Teach me to trust You. You are my everything.

Your Son,

Jeff

Mighty Things

 Scripture:

“With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭108‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist records this simple, but powerful verse. It is a word of confidence in God. He says here that with God’s help, we will do mighty things because God will trample down our foes. This reminds me that the God we serve can do mighty things that are beyond belief. Nothing is impossible for Him and He delights in his children. 

Application:

We must see the future through verses like this. Verses like this inspire our faith. Like the Psalmist, we realize that we can’t do it without God’s help, but that with His help we WILL do mighty things. It is not that we MIGHT do mighty things. Sometimes we need to speak victory into our future. Sometimes we have to speak by faith what is to come, but it is always the Lord who gets the credit for it. We need to say, “I will come through this.” “We will over come” “with the Lord’s help. It is our faith working together with God’s word that causes our enemies to be trampled.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious. You are all-powerful and I love You with all my heart. With Your help, I will do mighty things! I declare this morning that You will trample my foes and will bless my life. I receive all the promises of Your word and walk in Your power. I do all things for Your glory and honor and You are with me. You are my God and I trust in You. Therefore, mighty things are in my future.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Testing and Fulfillment

 Scripture:

“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This verse helps us to understand that there are seasons of life that are testing seasons and there are seasons of fulfilling our dreams and desires. Joseph’s character was tested for about 17 years before he saw the fulfillment of the dreams he had been given. God’s process usually spends a lot of time dealing with our character before He launches us into His destiny for our lives.

Application:

During the testing season, Joseph was found faithful in whatever bad situation he ended up in. He walked with God and served Him well when he was a slave and when he was in prison. This prepared him to become the second most powerful person in the world at the time. We can’t despise the season of testing. We must remain faithful during the testing time, then we will walk in the fulfillment season. We usually want the fulfillment season without the testing season, but God doesn’t operate that way.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to live in each season of my life according to Your ways. Help me to remain faithful when things don’t seem to be happening on my agenda or when I want them to. Help me to trust You and mot my own timing for the things You have shown me. Let me have a faithful and obedient heart in all things.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Last Days

 Scripture:

“Then the nations will tremble before the Lord. The kings of the earth will tremble before his glory. For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem. He will appear in his glory.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭102‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This passage speaks of the nations and kings trembling before the Lord. It says that they kings will tremble before His glory. Then it says the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem and appear in His glory. This Psalm doesn’t show an  author, so I could be off here a little, but most of the Psalms were written when Jerusalem was strong. This says, God will rebuild Jerusalem and appear in His glory. This could be a last days passage talking about when Christ returns and establishes His kingdom. At that time, the nations will tremble before Him, Jerusalem will be strong again, and He will appear.

Application:

I believe we are living in the last days. It won’t be long before the Lord comes back to establish His rule and reign on the earth. Right now is a time when God is moving things and setting things up for His return, when He will come in glory and the nations will tremble before Him. Now is the time to look to God like never before and serve Him passionately. Nations will rise and fall, the whole earth will shake, but our faith is not is nations, kings, or presidents. Our faith is in the King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords.

Prayer:

Father, we see You working around the globe. We see you establishing Israel and Jerusalem We see You shifting governments and aligning things globally for the return of Christ. During this time, let me prove faithful to You and Your word. Let my life be used to facilitate Your will in the earth. Help me to never fear, but to know You are in control and You are working in every nation to bring about Your return. We submit to You and Your plan in all things.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Undivided Heart

Scripture:

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart,
 that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11

Observation:

The Psalmist here asks God to show him God's way so he could rely on God's faithfulness. He then asked for an undivided heart so he could fear God's name. The word for integrity comes from the word integer, which is a number that does not include any fractions. It is a whole number. There is no division in it. An undivided heart brings about integrity. 

Application:

I want to live an undivided life. I want to wholly follow the Lord in every area. I want to be ALL IN with God and not partial obedience. This comes through sanctification, separation, and continually seeking the Lord. Abiding in Christ also brings about an undivided heart. I long to abide in Him and live as He lived on this earth, that I may fear His name. 

Prayer:

Father, give me an undivided heart. I want to walk with integrity and righteousness. Help me to truly surrender all to You and to live an undivided life, completely sold out to You and Your will and purposes in the earth. Teach me to abide in Christ at all times an to do His will.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Turn Us O God

 Scripture:

Psalm 80:19 "Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved."

Observation:

This phrase is repeated several times in this Psalm. The Psalmist knew that if Israel would be turned again to God and His face shined on them, they would all be saved. God is our salvation and strength. When God shines His face on you, everything changes. Our part is to turn to Him completely, He then will rescue us from our sins and mistakes.

Application:

God always desires His children to turn to Him completely. He shines His face and rescues those who run to Him and turn to Him. Our job is to turn from our ways and seek Him. Then we will be saved. Repentance always precedes revival. It all starts with us seeing how far we are from God and turning completely to Him.

Prayer:

Father, show me the areas I need to surrender to You. Help me to lead the way in turning completely to You. Shine Your face on our nations once again. Rescue us from all that is wrong and restore righteousness. I look to You. You are my help and my hope. You are my source. You are everything to me. Save our nation. 

Yours,

Jeff

Thinking and Praying Generationally

 Scripture:

“So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭78‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

I often say that Christianity is only on generation from extinction. The job of every believer is to help the next generation set their hope anew on God. We can never forget His glorious miracles and we must teach the next generation to obey His commands. We have a great responsibility. We must see a move of God in each generation so each generation will know Him and see His goodness and His power. 

Application:

We need to keep verses like this in our mind as we plan church events, calendars, etc. We must keep children’s and youth ministries as a priority in the Kingdom. They must have an encounter with God or we will never generationally advance the Kingdom of God. We must provide settings for children and youth to hear about the miracles of God and to be taught His ways. We must invest in the next generation. They are crucial for the future of the church.

Prayer:

Father, help me to think generationally as a pastor and leader. Help me to pray generational prayers. Show me how to effectively communicate with the next generation the incredible things You have done in my life. I have watched You perform too many miracles to enumerate. Help me to share them with people younger than me so they will know how real You are. Let them then pursue You and have testimonies to tell their children and their children’s children.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

The Next Generation

 Scripture:

“Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭71‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This passage speaks of the Psalmist being old and gray. He asks the Lord not to abandon him in his old age, but to let him proclaim God’s power to the next generation. He desired to proclaim God’s mighty miracles to all who came after him. What a beautiful heart! He wanted God to use him in his old age and to be able to share God’s testimonies with the following generations.

Application:

What will we do when we are old and gray? Well, I’m not that old, but I am definitely gray.  I have less years in front of me than I have behind me. I am at the stage in life where I also want God to use me to declare His power to the next generation. I long to walk in the demonstration of God’s incredible power so the coming generations can experience what I have experienced in God. Each generation must encounter God for themselves and I want to be part of handing off to the next generation.

Prayer:

Father, don’t ever stop using my life to bring You glory. As I age, let me walk even greater in Your power and goodness. Show me how to remain strong in my walk with You. I want my life to be poured into the next generation so they can hear the stories of all You have done in my life. You have truly demonstrated so much in my life, but I ask You to let me be used at greater levels in my old age so the next generation can have an example of what it means to walk with God.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Humility Always Wins

Scripture:

“The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭69‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

Observation:

The Psalmist says here that it is the humble that will see their God at work. He also encourages those who seek God for help. Humility always wins in God’s eyes. He comes through for those who remain humble before Him and lean on Him and not themselves. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.

Application:

The strongest position we can be in is the position of humility before God. When we humble ourselves before Him and realize we cannot overcome without Him, then we will see Him work. As Mark Batterson says, “We must work like it all depends on us and pray like it all depends on God.” Humility works while waiting on God to come through. God always comes through for those who seek Him and remain in humility before Him.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I humble myself before You. You alone are my strength and my salvation. You are my fortress and my protector. You are my everything. Help me to walk in humility before You all the days of my life. Teach me Your ways and let my life bring You praise in all I do.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

He Collects Our Tears

 Scripture:

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist here speaks of God keeping track of all his sorrows, or wanderings. He says that God has collected all his tears in a bottle and recorded each one in His book. In other words, God sees, knows, and remembers each tear we shed in our lives. God keeps good records and knows the pain behind every tear. 

Application:

We don’t have a God who is unapproachable. We don’t have a God who is simply a figure or an idol. We have a God who is alive and who knows all. He knows when we are doing good and when we are doing bad. He knows the feelings we have and He knows the tears we shed. Nothing gets past Him! We must live our lives knowing that, even when we feel alone and like nobody sees or hears us, that God sees and hears and stores our tears in His bottle. He cares about us and our feelings.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are high and lifted up, yet You care about the tears I cry. You are the king of the universe, yet You love me with an everlasting love. You are kind and compassionate. You are touched by the feelings of our infirmities and by Your stripes we are healed. Give me strength today to preach my mother’s funeral. Help me to say what You want said and to do what You want done. Guide my words and thoughts I pray. Use this day for Your glory.

Your Son,

Jeff

The Sacrifice of Thankfulness

 Scripture:

“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭50‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist gives us a pattern to seeing God rescue us when we are in trouble. He says that we should make thankfulness our sacrifice and keep our vows to Him. It says that when we do that part, we will call on Him when in trouble and He will rescue us, then we will give Him glory. I have never really thought of thankfulness as a sacrifice to God, but it really is. Sometimes it is difficult to remain thankful, but God wants us to do that and to keep the vows we make to Him.

Application:

We need to focus on living lives of thankfulness to God in all things. A sacrifice of thanksgiving would be us remaining thankful when things are not going good for us. Thankfulness is a choice. We can be thankful to God for all He has done in our lives, or we can be bitter because He didn’t do everything we wanted Him to. We must choose thankfulness. As for vows, we need to refrain from making vows we won’t be able to keep. We must be careful about the promises we make to God and others.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are amazing and I worship You this morning. Thank You for all You have done in my life. Thank You for the many open doors and for the many blessings You have bestowed on me. You have truly been good to me and I don’t deserve it. Give me the strength to fulfill my vows to You and help me not to make ones I can’t keep. Teach me to be wise with my words. As I prepare the message today for my mom’s funeral, please give me Your insights and let people turn to You because of what is said. 

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Longing For God

 Scripture:

“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This verse describes a person’s longing for God. The author compares it to the longing of a deer for water. As I searched my mom’s Bible this last couple days since her death, I came to realize that this verse was my mom’s favorite verse in the entire Bible. I recall her telling me how a deer would stay away from water at times when hunters were present because the hunters knew the deer needed water and would come to drink. She described to me how the deer would try desperately to get to water without getting caught because of thirst.

Application:

Our longing for God should be like the deer panting and longing for the water during hunting season. As the deer would do anything to get som water, we should pursue God the same way. We should acknowledge that we cannot live without Him and should pursue Him like a man in a desert who desperately needs water. He is our living water. He is the source of life for us and we must learn to passionately pursue Him.

Prayer:

Lord, I repeat the Psalmist this morning. As the deer panteth for the water, so my souls longs after You. I need You Lord. I long for Your presence. I want to know You intimately and to walk with You completely. Let me always be a passionate pursuer of You and Your presence.

Yours Always,

Jeff

God Lifts Us Out of the Pits

 Scripture:

“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭40‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist declares here that it was the Lord who lifted him out of the pit of despair. He realized it was God and not himself. He understood that it was God Almighty that put his feet on solid ground and steadied him as he walked along life’s path. This sets a great example for us on how to come out of bad places and trying times. 

Application:

Our place is to realize, like the Psalmist, that it is God who lifts us up when we are down. It is God who puts our feet on solid ground and it is God who steadies our steps as we walk. Our trust must be in God to get us out of every trouble life brings us. Rather than staying in despair, we must turn to God completely and let Him lift us out of that pit as well. We cannot pull ourselves out of certain situations, we must trust God and rely on Him. He is able!

Prayer:

Father, last night I lost my mother. Don’t let me live in a put of despair, but help me to walk through this time with strength that only comes from You. You are my source and my everything. Speak to me this morning and steady my steps. Let me take only the steps You want me to take and walk on the path You have set for me. I am Yours forever.

Your Son,

Jeff

Heart’s Desires

 Scripture:

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This simple verse is quoted throughout a believers years. It is a verse that many stand on to get what they want from the Lord. What I observe about this verse is that when I have truly delighted myself in the Lord and He is the center of everything in my life, my heart’s desires are not selfish and usually don’t have much to do with what I want, but with what He wants. My desires change as I pursue God and His purpose and plans for me life.

Application:

Periodically we need to ask ourselves, “Am I pursuing what I want or what God wants for me? Am I delighting myself in the Lord and His plans or am I pursuing my own plans?” We need to ask God what He wants us to do and allow Him to transform our desires, then we will get to the heart of His will. Make God the center of everything in your life and He will then give you what you desire.

Prayer:

Father, You are great and glorious. I come to You this morning and give You my heart, my mind, my soul, and my strength. I want Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done in my life. As I make You the center of my life and I answer “yes” to Your heart and desires, bless my life and everything I touch. Demonstrate Your goodness in and through my life. I am Yours. I’m all in. I delight myself in You.

Your Son,

Jeff

Close to the Brokenhearted

 Scripture:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist in this passage tells us that the Lord is close to those who are brokenhearted, but also that He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. God is always close to us, but He may allow us to feel His presence more when we are brokenhearted. He also doesn’t like to see His children crushed. He doesn’t always stop us from having our spirits crushed, but he does rescue us in those times.

Application:

As my mom lies between life and death today, my heart is broken. My mother is such a special woman of God. My heart is broken today, but I have felt the closeness of the Lord over the last couple of days. He has never left me nor forsaken me. My heart feels crushed at times, but the Lord is my rescuer. He is the source of my strength and the one who will bring me through. My brother asked me if I was going to be able to preach my mom’s funeral, which will be hard, but I know God will be close and will give me the strength I need during this time.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for reminding me of just how close You are during my difficult season. I love my mom with all my heart. She has been an incredible example of a godly woman t me and everyone around her. Give me strength each day and teach me to lean on You more and more. My strength is in You. You are my rock and my redeemer. You are my everything.

Yours,

Jeff

Favor and Joy

 Scripture:

“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭30‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist declares here that God’s anger only lasts a moment, but His favor lasts throughout our lives. God does get angry, but His anger never lasts long. His favor, though lasts throughout our lives. Favor makes things go right for you. He closes this verse with saying that weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. In other words, there will be times when we weep, but those times also won’t last forever. Joy always comes again.

Application:

We will go through seasons of grief and sorrow, but we can be confident that joy will come again. We also need to know that God’s favor is not temporary in our lives, but something that He bestows upon us for a lifetime. In order to walk in something, you have to believe it. You can only walk in what you know in your heart, not your head. I want to walk in confidence concerning God’s favor in my life. He has put favor on my life, but I have seen it as a temporary blessing rather than seeing it as a permanent part of my life. I want my faith to increase to believe deep inside that God’s favor is on my life and never goes away.

Prayer:

Father, as I walk through a difficult time this morning and go see my mother, who may die today, let me be confident that weeping is okay, and may last for a season, but that joy will come again. Let me have a heart revelation that I walk in the favor of God every day of my life. Let me expect it based on Your word and not my feelings. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

He Renews My Strength

 Scripture:

“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist declares that God renews his strength and guides him along right paths to bring honor to God’s name. When we are tired, God renews our strength. He is the source of our strength. He will lead us in the direction we are to go if we allow Him and seek Him. 

Application:

I often try to renew my strength personally. I try to sleep in and or to the gym to render my strength, but the Lord is really the source of my renewal. I need to rest and work out. These are good for the body, but when our spirit is renewed, we are flooded with strength in every way. Real strength comes from our spirit. As I align my spirit and follow God’s guidance on His paths, I will be renewed and strengthened.

Prayer:

Father, renew my strength. Sometimes I get tired and weary. Fill me with Your Spirit and guide my life. Show me how to walk with You each and every day so my life may bring You honor. Lead me along the paths that lead to You and Your strength. I need You to fill me with strength in this season of my life. All that I have is Yours. Let me find my strength.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Victory and Unfailing Love

 Scripture:

“You give great victories to your king; you show unfailing love to your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭50‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

David wrote this Psalm to the Lord. In this verse he declared that God gave him great victories and unfailing love to him and his descendants. What a powerful statement! He understood that it wasn’t his great leadership abilities or his great armies that won him victories, but the God that he served. He understood that it was God who brought him the victory every time. He also understood the love of God.

Application:

God has been so good to me. He has supplied for me over and over again in my life. He has blessed me and given me great victories that are too many to recall. He has done things in my life that are too wonderful for words. God is incredible and serving Him is fantastic. It is the greatest adventure there is. God has loved me with His unfailing love. My application is that I must continue to offer Him my life, my love, and my obedience.

Prayer:

Lord, You have been so good to me through the years. You are incredible and it is an honor to serve You. I surrender my life to You completely. Let Your good hand be upon my life. Help me to walk in victory over every foe and let me walk in Your unfailing love. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for giving me so many victories. You are worthy of my very best.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

My Shelter and My Refuge

 Scripture:

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This simple verse says much to a person going through a difficult time. It tells me that God is a shelter for those who are put down my others and oppressed. When we feel pushed down, He is there for us. He is also a refuge in times of trouble. A refuge is a place of safety. God is my safe place when things are troubled around me.

Application:

If God is my shelter and my refuge, then I can trust that I am safe in His arms. God is my safe place when things are difficult around me. Therefore, I can run to Him in any and every situation. I need to trust and seek God more and rely on self less and less. I need to trust that He will protect me instead of wanting to defend myself. I must trust God more each day.

Prayer:

Lord God, You are great and glorious. You are awesome and amazing. You are my defender, my shelter, and my refuge. You are my hiding place and my safe place. Help me to run to You instead of trying to find refuge in my own ways. Help me to trust more in You and less in me. You are my shelter when things gets difficult. Hide me in Your arms.

Yours,

Jeff