Deep Reverence

 Scripture:

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

Observation:

This passage describes Jesus offering prayers with loud cries and tears. He was passionate about His prayers and prayed earnestly. Even though He prayed fervently and passionately, this passage says He was heard, not because of His volume or passion, but because of His deep reverence for God. Deep reverence goes farther than loud cries.

Application:

I love passionate prayer and crying out to God with all my heart, but deep reverence gets the job done better and more effectively. Reverence is really respect and awe. When we come to God we must come in awe and respect. We must honor Him for who He is, the king of the universe. He is the all-powerful God and there is none like Him. 

Prayer:

Father, You are incredible and I worship You! I love You with all my heart and I want to know You more each day. Help me to understand deep reverence and teach me to walk in it like Jesus did. I want to be heard, not because of my volume, but because of my deep reverence. Teach me to honor You well.

Forever,

Jeff

Confirmation

 Scripture:

“And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Speaking of the ministry of Jesus it says here that God confirmed his message with signs and wonders and miracles. When Jesus spoke… things happened. His message was backed up with power from on high. 

Application:

Signs, wonders, and miracles, are part of the confirmation package that a ministry is of God and from God. When these things happen, one cannot argue with supernatural results. We need to see more signs, wonders, and miracles in the United States. I personally see them often in other countries where I preach, but the US needs a fresh wave of confirmation that Jesus is Lord and that He rules and reigns. I want to have God confirm His word in my life an ministry. 

Prayer:

Father, release signs, wonders, and miracles, in my generation and in my nation. Let the people of the US see a move of God where nobody can deny that You are moving. Confirm Your word, as you did with Christ and with the early Church. Come and move in our midst doing the impossible and unexplainable so that men’s faith isn’t in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

He Never Changes

 Scripture:

“But Lord, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation.” Lamentations‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, the writer is lamenting the destruction and deportation of God’s people. He is petitioning the Lord to hear his voice and restore his nation. In this one verse, his voice changes and he makes a statement to the Lord. He says, “You remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation.” What he is really saying is, “we have blown it, but You never change.” He reminds the Lord that they had failed, but that He was still on the throne forever.

Application:

No matter where we find ourselves in life, we can rest assured that, even if we move away from God, He never loves away from us. He never changes and isn’t threatened by what happens in our world. We serve the God who created us, sustains us, and who never changes. His covenant lasts forever. He doesn’t fall from His throne, even when things look bad around us. He isn’t changed by situations or circumstances. He is God and there is none like Him. He is great and glorious and never changing. 

Prayer:

Father, You are incredible and You never change. You are all-powerful and have all knowledge. Show me what to do in each and every situation of my life. Teach me to follow You well all the days of my life. Direct my steps and let my life bring You honor. Help me to respond well in every situation. Help me to lead well, no matter what happens around me.

Yours,

Jeff

National Repentance and Prayer

 Scripture:

“Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children, for in every street they are faint with hunger.” ‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This passage is in the midst of lamenting about God bringing devastation on His people for their rebellion. He tells the people to rise during the night and cry out, pour out your hearts to the Lord, pray, plead for your children. The author knows that if we cry out to God, He will hear us, stop the devastation, and heal our land.

Application:

The United States is in a terrible place right now and we need revival and awakening. We don’t have to wait for devastation to come before we cry out to God. We can cry out now and avoid the devastation. We need to see radical repentance in our country or we are going to see terrible things come to pass. As a nation, we must humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand and ask forgiveness. Now is the time to rise and cry out to God.

Prayer:

Father, I cry out to You this morning on behalf of my country. We have broken covenant with You and are open to all kinds of attacks. You have always been our defender, but we have walked away from You. Hear my cry this morning Oh Lord. Bring repentance to this land that made covenants with You many years ago. Have mercy on us, even though we don’t deserve it. Let this nation turn back to You.

Yours,

Jeff

Punishment and Restoration

 Scripture:

“But the one who redeems them is strong. His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He will defend them and give them rest again in Israel. But for the people of Babylon there will be no rest!” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭50‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah is in the midst of prophesying destruction for Babylon, who had taken His people captive at His own word. God had sent Babylon to punish Israel and Judah for abandoning Him, but then when th punishment was over, He is ready to destroy Babylon and give rest to His people in their own homeland. God always looks out for His people. He never forgets His covenant. Even when He has to punish them, His eye in on their return to Him so He can bless them.

Application:

There are people who will speak against us and treat us terrible. We, as leaders, must see them as instruments in the hands of God. Maybe we needed to grow in an area or needed some correction. God can use difficult things to develop us, but then at some point, He will turn and bless us in a big way and He will deal with those who spoke against us. Our faith is in a God who loves us and knows what is best for our lives. We must learn to trust Him in trying times and in good times. We must learn to serve Him when it feels good and when it doesn’t. He will eventually turn the tables on those who are against His children.

Prayer:

Father, help me to discern what is simple relationship issues and what is You developing me. Help me understand that You may allow me to go through some things, but that You are a God of restoration and covenant. Thank You for allowing me to be in covenant with You. You are a good good father and I am honored to be called Your son.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Priority People

 Scripture:

“But I will protect the orphans who remain among you. Your widows, too, can depend on me for help.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭49‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God had just told Edom that He was going to wipe them out and bring total destruction. While speaking of their destruction, God speaks the verse above. He basically says that He will destroy Edom, but He will take care of their widows and orphans. They can depend on Him to take care of them. God has always had a heart for the widow and the orphan. He will go out of His way to take care of them.

Application:

We must learn what pleases God and walk in it. God has always had a strong and sensitive heart for the widow and the orphan of all nations. As believers we should be serious about making sure our widows and orphans are taken care of.Cheryl and I always say that ministries that take care of the widow and orphan are always taken care of by God. Ministries that help the least fortunate are always blessed. We must make a priority of what God makes a priority out of.

Prayer:

Father, help me to see with your eyes and hear what You are speaking. I see Your heart for the hopeless. I recognize You go out of Your way and, even.in judgment, to not overlook the widow and orphan. Help me to have the same heart. Help me to prioritize what You prioritize.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

How Can We Be Still?

 Scripture:

““Now, O sword of the Lord, when will you be at rest again? Go back into your sheath; rest and be still. “But how can it be still when the Lord has sent it on a mission? For the city of Ashkelon and the people living along the sea must be destroyed.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭47‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

I love these words about the sword of the Lord. It says, “how can it be still when the Lord has sent it on a mission?” God had determined judgment on Ashkelon and the people along the sea. He had said that they would be attacked by the sword. This passage speaks of that sword when it is time to rest from war again. For my own life I must ask the question, “How can I be still when the Lord has sent me on a mission?”

Application:

When God says to do something, our only response is “Yes Sir.” We have been sent by Jesus on a mission to make disciples of all nations and we must ask how we can rest when we have been sent on a mission. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” How can we be still when we have been sent on mission for God. We must live every day on mission for Christ. Every conversation, every interaction, everywhere we go is on mission.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live my life as one “sent” by my Father. Help me not to make excuses, but to be diligent in all You have asked me to do. Teach me to walk with You and to follow Yours orders. I want to do my part in fulfilling the Great Commission. 

Yours,

Jeff

When People Question Your Calling

 Scripture:

“Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The Lord our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt!” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah continued giving the word of the Lord, even though people were not responding. People were calling him a liar, but he remained faithful to the Lord. The people wanted to hear what they wanted to hear, but he had a message they didn’t want to hear. It must have been difficult for Jeremiah to continue to declare the word of the Lord when nobody was listening and obeying God.

Application:

There will be times when we are called upon to speak things that people don’t want to hear. We must ask ourselves, will I serve God and do what He says, even when the people I’m suppose to lead don’t want to listen? It seems like today, everyone feels they know more and better than the leaders about what the pastor/leader is supposed to be doing. It is difficult to lead people who have their own ideas about what we need to be doing, but God still calls us. We must do what God says above what the people think about us.

Prayer:

Father, give me strength to do everything You call me to do. I want to fulfill everything You have for me. I want to walk in complete obedience. When I struggle because it feels like people don’t want to listen or take part in where You are leading, help me to continue to follow You and do what You say. Teach me to walk like Jeremiah, who told the truth, even when nobody wanted the truth and and hated him for it.

Your Son,

Jeff

Obedience IS Success

 Scripture:

“So the officials took Jeremiah from his cell and lowered him by ropes into an empty cistern in the prison yard. It belonged to Malkijah, a member of the royal family. There was no water in the cistern, but there was a thick layer of mud at the bottom, and Jeremiah sank down into it.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭38‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬]

Observation:

Jeremiah had simply been obedient to the Lord and spoke what he was suppose to speak to God’s people. He was so hated by everyone that he ended up being thrown into an empty cistern that was full of mud to die. When they lowered him, he sank into the mud. This is not the picture of abundance and prosperity. He eventually was brought out, but he had to go through some really difficult things.

Application:

Sometimes the will of God will take you places that don’t seem very successful. Today, we equate success with ease and blessing. Jeremiah equated success with doing the will of God and speaking what He said. We must learn that outward blessing is not the only sign of obedience to God. Sometimes persecution and difficulty are the results of doing what God says to do. We must be ready for both.

Prayer:

Father, help me to listen to Your voice and to do what You say, without regard to where I might end up. Help me to view success as obedience to the call and not as people liking me or speaking good things of me. Teach me to walk with You and complete Your mission and will for my life, regardless of how that ends up.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Obedience and Honor

 Scripture:

“Then Jeremiah turned to the Recabites and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed your ancestor Jehonadab in every respect, following all his instructions.’ Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.’”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭35‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In the middle of Jeremiah pronouncing destruction for the people of Judah because of their disobedience to the things of God, Jeremiah commends the Recabites. Their ancestor had told them to never drink wine and to live in tents and they had lived exactly like they were told. God said they would always have descendants who serve Him. Their obedience to their forefather was blessed by God as obedience to Him.

Application:

Doing the right things and being faithful to our covenants are very important in our walk with God. We are to be diligent to honor what we speak and to do what we are suppose to do. As I often say, “obedience brings blessing.” I want to live a life that is undeniably blessed by the Lord. Therefore, I need to make sure I fulfill my commitments and honor Him with my whole heart. 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are the God of Jeremiah and You are my God. Help me not to live like the children of Israel and Judah, but to live a life of complete obedience to You and Your word. Show me day by day how to walk in obedience. Speak to me and I will listen. Show me and I will obey. Make every path I am to take very clear so I may obey You completely.

Yours,

Jeff

Seek Him

 Scripture:

“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”” Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God says in two different ways that we will find Him when we seek for Him. First He says we will find Him if we seek wholeheartedly, then He says He will be found by us. Any time there is a double statement in Gods word, it is important.

Application:

We must believe that God will let us find Him when we seek Him. We also must act on it. We must seek Him with our whole heart. 

Prayer:

Father, I seek You this morning. On this men’s conference, meet me and the men in power. I want to encounter You more and more. I want to know Your heart. Take me deeper in You.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Judgment and Restoration

 Scripture:

“Yes, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says about the precious things still in the Temple, in the palace of Judah’s king, and in Jerusalem: ‘They will all be carried away to Babylon and will stay there until I send for them,’ says the Lord. ‘Then I will bring them back to Jerusalem again.’”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭27‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah was told to prophesy to Judah about its fall because of their disobedience to the things of God. In this passage he speaks of the precious things in the Temple, in the palace, and in Jerusalem. He says, because of the rebellion of the people toward God, they would all be carried to Babylon and would stay there until he would send for them. He closed this portion by saying, “Then I will bring them back to Jerusalem again.:

Application:

Even in God’s judgment you can see His heart for restoration. Even when He is disciplining His people, He is planning their healing and planning their restoration. We need to see God through this lens more often. There are times when He will judge a people, a nation, or an individual, but while He is doing it, He is also planning their restoration. God may discipline me, but He is already planning my healing and restoration. God may allow things to be taken from us, but He also has a plan to bring them back. He judges and disciplines, not because He is angry but because He wants to bless us and can’t because of our rebellion. 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious. You are incredible and I bless You this morning. Thank You for showing me this side of You this morning. Even in Your discipline, You are planning our restoration. Even when You allow difficult things in our lives, You are already planning to bless us and restore us. Thank You for loving us so much! Thank You for helping us align with You so we can walk in Your blessing.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

You Must be in His Presence to Hear His Words

 Scripture:

““Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking to Jeremiah about the prophets of Judah. He told Jeremiah that they were speaking of their own accord and not what God was saying. I see here that God asks a couple of questions to Jeremiah that are worth pondering. He asks, “Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence to hear what He is really saying?” He also asked if any of them even cared enough to listen to God. 

Application:

You hear from God in the presence of God. Before we give any message FOR God, we must spend time WITH God. We must HEAR Him before we can speak on His behalf. We must be in His presence in order to hear Him. I need to spend more time in the presence of the Lord, hearing what He wants me to speak to His people. 

Prayer:

Father, I don’t want to prophesy what You are not saying. Help me to be accurate with Your words. I want to speak what You are truly saying to Your people. Speak to me Lord. Open my ears. Help me to spend more time in Your presence and less time focusing on what I can say. Speak to me Lord I pray.

Your Son,

Jeff

The Lord Stands Beside Me

 Scripture:

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

Observation:

Jeremiah had to deliver hard messages to God’s people and they didn’t like him very much. His messages were harsh and not easy, but his job was to deliver them. In this passage he talks about his view of the Lord and the courage it gives him. He says that the Lord stands beside him like a great warrior who will fight his enemies. He knew that his enemies would be defeated by the Lord and they would be humiliated. He had strong confirmation in his heart that as he delivered the word of the Lord that the Lord of the word would fight his enemies.

Application:

As we do what the Lord has called us to do, we can walk in confidence that He will fight our battles and defeat those who rise up against us. I need to walk in the confidence only God can give and know in my heart that He has my back. I want to walk with God and do exactly what He calls me to do, then let Him deal with those who are against me.

Prayer:

Father, You are a good God. You have been faithful to me all my life and I appreciate You. I ask You this morning to confirm my calling and make it clear that I am in obedience to You in every area of my life. Let there be no disobedience in me. Help me to trust that You will take care of my back as I do what You ask me to. I simply want to do Your will in all things. I am Yours. Let me see that You are beside me like a great warrior.

Yours,

Jeff

Plant by the River

 Scripture:

““But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jeremiah was prophesying terrible destruction for the Lord’s people because they had lost their way and were serving other gods. In the midst of his prophecy he makes this statement for those who trust in the Lord and have made Him their hope and confidence. He says that they will be life trees by the riverbank with deep roots. They will not be bothered by heat, or drought. Their leaves will always be green and never stop producing fruit.

Application:

When we remain faithful to God, we have a covenant. Even when others mess up and walk away, we can stand strong through every season. We are promised to have deep roots and to continually be producing for our Lord. We will never see drought when we are connected to Him. Our job is to stay connected, no matter what is going on around us. We can thrive in recession if we are connected to the life-giver. We can prosper in dry times when we are planted by the right river. We determined where we plant. I want to plant by the river.

Prayer:

Father, let my roots go deep and my branches produce much fruit. I want my life to please You.Help me to continually drink from Your river of life and never be dry. Teach me to walk with You and to produce fruit when everything looks dry. Thank You for letting me see fruit this week in Togo. What a blessing!

Yours,

Jeff

True Repentance

 Scripture:

' Lord , we confess our wickedness and that of our ancestors, too. We all have sinned against you. For the sake of your reputation, Lord , do not abandon us. Do not disgrace your own glorious throne. Please remember us, and do not break your covenant with us. ' Jeremiah 14:20-21

Observation:

Jeremiah gives us a true depiction of what repentance looks like. In this passage, he confesses the wickedness of his generation and that of his ancestors. He states that they had all sinned against the Lord. Then he asks the Lord, for the sake of His reputation, not to abandon them. He asks the Lord to remember them and not to break His covenant with them. He acknowledged the sin, turned from it, asked for mercy, then reminded God of His covenant.

Application:

True repentance is acknowledging that we have messed up and gone away from the Lord, then confessing our sins and the sins of our generation. In doing this, we admit that we broke the covenant with God and request that God remember His covenant with us. In a covenant, each party makes promises. Repentance means we are returning to the covenant and asking God to return as well. We must admit that we are the ones who broke the covenant and not the Lord. We can then turn completely to Him and ask for His blessing. Covenant is so important. 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, thank You for reminding me of the importance of covenant this morning. Help me to live up to my end of the covenant with You. I gave You my life for your purposes. Help me not to live for myself, but for You at all times. I want to be completely Yours. Thank You for this trip to Togo and for allowing me to see all You have done here through obedience to You. Help me to trust You with every detail of my life and to follow You completely. Entrust me with more and more so I can extend Your Kingdom more and more I pray.

Yours Forever,
Jeff

Speaking God's Heart

 Scripture:

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

Observation:

God is speaking to Jeremiah about what he is to tell God's people. In this passage, God tells him about the prophets who offer superficial treatments for mortal wounds. He says they give assurance of peace when there is no peace. God makes it clear that He expects His spokespeople to convey His message with accuracy, and not just tell the people what they want to hear.

Application:

God desires pastors, apostles, prophets, teachers, and evangelists who will convey what He is speaking and not just what feels good to the people. As spokespersons for God, we must make sure we are conveying what He wants us to convey and not just speak about what seems right or makes people feel good. God is looking for some people who will speak what He wants spoken, whether it is popular or not. He needs some speakers who will speak from His heart and not just words that they think will connect and help people.

Prayer:

Father, I am in ministry at Your calling. Help me accurately convey what you are speaking at all times. I want to be your voice to my generation. I don't want to speak what I think will work well or what I think will be received well. I want to speak what You are speaking. I want to do what You are doing. Help me to declare your truth in the way You want it declared. Open my ears and let me hear Your voice, then give me the boldness to speak what You are saying.

Your Son,

Jeff

Surrender Your Pride and Power

 Scripture:

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

Observation:

The Lord is speaking through Jeremiah here and tells His people that they need to change their hearts and surrender their pride and power or His anger would burn against them. God always comes against the proud and tells them to change their hearts. I believe pride is something God hates for than anything because you cannot worship and trust God is your pride says you can take care of yourself and you have no need of Him.

Application:

I want to walk before the Lord all the days of my life in genuine humility. There is no place for pride in the people of God. I want God to know that I trust Him with my life more than I trust myself. My reliance and trust must be in Him and not in myself. Every good thing in my life has come from the hand of God and not from my own making. When I am humble before Him, He will fight my battles and bless my life. It is better to walk in humility and trust God than to walk in pride and trust myself. He is right. I am wrong.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to walk in great humility. Let my heart be pure before You. You are the source of every good thing in my life. You are my strength and my salvation. You are the joy of my heart. You are my everything. Let me never trust in my education, my money, my strength, etc. Let my trust be always in You and You alone. Let me demonstrate real, not false, humility.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Spiritual Fathering 101

 Scripture:

“In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.” ‭‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul tells Titus here to encourage the young men to live wisely. He goes on to tell him that he needed to be an example by good works of every kind. He continues by telling him to let everything in his life reflect integrity and the seriousness of his teaching. He is basically telling Titus that he needed to live the life of a man of God in front of the young men and then encourage them to do the same.

Application:

As we have been on a journey into spiritual fathering, it has become clear that young men are important to the church and that they need a relationship with older men in the church. They need the wisdom of the older generation, but they also need examples of how to live for God in a crooked generation. Our spiritual sons and daughters need to see us living our lives as examples and then encouraging them to do the same. This is caught more than taught.

Prayer:

Father, help me step into this next season of my life as it pertains to spiritual fathering. Help me to be a blessing to many son and daughters. Let their lives be better because I am in them. Connect me with the right people and show me how to build relationships with them. Teach me to lead well and demonstrate Your ways to others.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Humility Before God

 Scripture:

“My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God tells us here through Isaiah that He will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts and who tremble at His word. This passage is in the midst of Him speaking of the new heavens and new earth, but God’s principles are always the same. He lifts up the humble and those who honor and tremble at His word. 

Application:

The best place to be in the Kingdom of God is in the place of humility and contrition. God resists, or fights against, the proud and gives grace to the humble. Pride destroys, but humility is honored by God. Contrition, which is expressing remorse or penitence, is also honored by God. We must always walk in humility and give God the glory for all He does. God does not work well with prideful people who think they are something special.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious. You are omnipotent and powerful! You are awesome and I love You! May Your name be exalted in the whole world and may the nations proclaim Your goodness. Help me to walk in humility before You all the days of my life. Help me to know the balance between confidence and pride. Show me day by day how to live a life that You can bless.Let me tremble at Your word.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

A God Like You

 Scripture:

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

Observation:

Isaiah gives a description of how God works on behalf of those who wait for Him. He says that since the world began, no one as seen or heard a God like our God. The difference he describes is that our God works for those who wait for Him. This lets us know that all things are possible, but sometimes we have to wait for Him to move. 

Application:

I have to learn to trust the timing of God and wait patiently for certain breakthroughs in my life. I must trust the God who, since the foundation of the world, there has never been anyone like Him. This also brings me into a place of worship. God has blessed me given me access to the all mighty, all powerful God. The king and creator of the universe works on my behalf when I wait for Him.

Prayer:

Father, You are incredible! No eye has seen and no ear has heard of a God like You. You are worthy of my very best praise and worship. You are higher, greater, more powerful, than anything arrayed against me. Help me to trust You more and to learn to wait. You are trustworthy. Help me to be patient and walk in faith.

Yours,

Jeff

Springs and Gardens

 Scripture:

“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah gives the word of the Lord here and tells God’s people that He will guide them continually. He promises to give them water when they are dry and to restore their strength. He declares that they will be like a well-watered garden and like and ever-flowing spring. This speaks to me of refreshing and strengthening. He starts with saying the will guide you continually. 

Application:

I want to be guided continually be the Lord. I want to live in His presence drinking of His goodness. Then, I can expect to have His strength and refreshing. A spring never stops flowing and a well-watered garden always produces. I want my life to have a continual flow of the Holy Spirit and to produce life for the Kingdom of God. 

Prayer:

Father, guide me continually. I want to fulfill Your will for my life. I long to walk in step with You, causing others to grow and prosper. Jesus promised that out of our belly’s would flow living water. I want to be a trustworthy spring that never stops flowing. Fill me to overflow with Your Spirit. Guide me continually and show me every step to take. I look to You. You are my source and my resource. Let Your Spirit flow through my life like a mighty river and as steady as a spring.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Occupy!

 Scripture:

““Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah is given a word for God’s people here that is powerful. After prophesying lots of judgment and gloom and doom, God says to get ready to be blessed. He tells them to enlarge their house and spare no expense because they would soon be bursting at the seams. They are told that their descendants will occupy other nations and resettle ruined cities. This jumped off the page at me this morning because I believe it is a word directly for me today and the church I lead. I believe we are ready to walk in God’s blessing and see His growth. The second part is even more appropriate for Word of Life. Our descendants will occupy other nations.

Application:

I believe in the coming season at Word of Life, we will see the blessing of God like we have never seen before. We have just this year taken steps to enlarge our borders and the expense has been paid. I believe we will shortly be bursting at the seams. I believe we will send missionaries around the world through our church. Because this is my belief, I must act on it. We must begin to move into our destiny of raising sons and daughters who will occupy the nations.

Prayer:

Father, give me the strength, vision, and direction to lead Word of Life into the destiny You have designed for her. Enable me to lead well and to cast the vision You are putting in my heart. Help me to be faithful to the calling You have put on my life and let me fulfill Your plans and purposes. I want to hear well done good and faithful above anything else. I am Yours. Take my hand and lead me step by step. Let those from our congregation occupy the nations.

Yours,

Jeff

Leave Results in God’s Hands

 Scripture:

“I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah was given the difficult task of telling Israel their sins and calling judgment on them and the nations around them. Nobody seemingly listened to him, but he had to deliver the message. This verse shows his humanity. He says that his work seemed useless and purposeless, but he was obedient. He states here that he trust the Lord for his reward and he left it all in God’s hands.

Application:

Sometimes God asks us to do hard things that seem unproductive. Sometimes God needs us to do things that don’t seem successful in the world’s eyes, but He still wants us to be obedient and faithful to do what He says. When it seems like we are not seeing the results we would like, we must be able to do like Isaiah and leave it all in the Lord’s hand, trusting God for our reward. Even when we feel like our life is not producing the fruit we want or expect, we must walk in obedience and trust God with the results, knowing that God will take care of us when we are obedient to Him.

Prayer:

Father, I confess today that I like to see visible results when I put my whole heart into things. Help me to walk in obedience and trust You with the results. Help me to be more concerned about doing what You say than about seeing the results I think I should see. Help me to be faithful to Your calling and to give You my very best, even when I’m not seeing the results I would like to see.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Peace and Righteousness

 Scripture:

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

Observation:

This passage demonstrates God wishing His people had listened to His commands. He says, “if only you had listened to my commands.” Then you would have peace like a river and righteousness would be rolling over you like waves. In other words, God wanted to bless them with peace and righteousness, but they chose not to listen to Him commands. Today, God wants to bless His people, but He needs His people to choose holiness and obedience to Him over other things.

Application:

Many people are looking for peace, but peace comes from obedience to God. When we walk with God and do what he says on a continual basis, we will see His good hand revealed in our lives. Many want God’s blessings, but don’t want to listen to His commands. As for me, I want to do what He wants me to do. I want to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Prayer:

Father, teach me Your ways. Speak to me and help me to walk in obedience in all things. Let my life exemplify peace and righteousness. Help me to live a life that pleases You. You are worthy of my very best!

Forever Yours, 

Jeff

God’s Not Stuck in a Rut

 Scripture:

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Lord spoke through Isaiah and said He was about to do something new. He said He had already started. He said He was making a pathway in the wilderness and rivers in the dry wasteland. I other words, the Lord can do things we can’t even imagine and He doesn’t have to do what He has already done to accomplish it. He has resources we can’t comprehend. This also reminds me of the creativity of God. He’s not stuck in a rut. He does new things!

Application:

Sometimes we like to sit back and look at what the Lord has done in the past. It is marvelous what He has done in the past, but we can’t live there. God is always active and moving. He is always doing a new thing. He does things we cannot even imagine and wants us to partner with Him in it. We must believe in the greatness of our God. He is able to bring water out of rocks. He is able to split open seas and rivers. He can do what we cannot imagine. I need to stop looking for God to do what He has done in the past and realize He can always do something new. God is creative and will do things in our lives He has never done before.  We need to be open to Him working in and through us in this manner as well.

Prayer:

Lord, You are the God of the new thing! You always amaze me with Your creativity. You have blessed my life this year like never before and it has come through people I would have never thought. Help me not to put You in a box! Teach me to trust You more and to realize that the things I have witnessed You provide and do, are not normal. You continually do a new thing and work in ways I didn’t see coming. Help me to trust You more in these things.

Yours Forever,

Jeff