Where are the Mourners?

 Scripture:

“All who see you will shrink back and say, ‘Nineveh lies in ruins. Where are the mourners?’ Does anyone regret your destruction?”” ‭‭Nahum‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, God is taunting Nineveh. He sends Nahum with a message of destruction because of their disobedience and pride. The prophet saw what was coming upon them and spoke about it. He asked a couple of questions that are triggering questions, “Where are the mourners?” And “Does anyone regret your destruction?” These are real questions that evoke much thought.

Application:

Sometimes it is good to think about your own funeral. This week I have done two funerals. Funerals always cause us to think on our lives and their impact. Once in a while it is good to ask, “Where are the mourners?” And “Does anyone regret your destruction?” I also ask a question of the church I pastor, “If we disappeared from our city, would anyone miss us?” These are tough questions, but make you think about your effectiveness in life. Once in a while we must ask ourselves who will be upset when we are gone. Who would be show up at our funeral?

Prayer:

Father, I want my life to count. I want my life to make a difference for many people. I want to make an impact with my life. Help me to stay focused on what’s important to You and Your kingdom. Let me live a life that would cause lots of mourning at my funeral. Let my life make an impact every day for You and Your kingdom.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

The Ultimate Will of God

 Scripture:

“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

At the end of the book of Revelation we can clearly see the will of God that I have been talking about from the beginning of Genesis this year. His ultimate goal is seen here, “God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people… He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Throughout the Old Testament we see that God has always wanted a people who would be completely His and that He could bless so the whole world would know His goodness.

Application:

God’s ultimate desire and will for us is that we be completely His and He dwell with us eternally. His will is that there be no more suffering, pain, crying, death, or sorrow. That is the end game that He is working on. Currently we live in a fallen state where the curse affects everything we see. One day, the curse will completely be broken and we will see the perfect state God always wanted for His people. It is going to be incredible and our job now is to let the world know so that they may be part of this incredible future.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, Your plans are good and glorious. You are amazing and I love that You want good things for Your children. Thank You for being so good to me. Enable me to bring more and more people to Your banquet. Help me to plunder hell and populate heaven. Let my life be used for Your glory and to bring countless souls to glory. 

Your Son Forever,

Jeff

Loud and Strong Praises

 Scripture:

“Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: “Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Revelation 19 describes what happens when Jesus comes back to set up His rule for the 1,000 Millennial reign of Christ. As He defeats the enemy, there is rejoicing and worship in His presence. John heard it like the sound of a vast crowd, or the roar of mighty waves, or powerful thunder. They were proclaiming, “Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”

Application:

Throughout the book of Revelation, worship is a massive part of what is going on. The worship in this passage is loud and powerful. I love to be in huge crowds worshiping Christ together. There is nothing like it when people raise their voices to God to give Him praise. At the same time, it doesn’t take a crowd to worship with passion. We need to be people who worship strong and passionate in the big crowd as well as in the smaller crowd.

Prayer:

Father, let my worship be fitting for a king. Let my praise ascend to Your throne. Help me to never worship with less than all of me. I want to exalt Your name with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me to create loud thunder with my praises.

Your Cheerleader,

Jeff

Living with a Go Bag

 Scripture:

““Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This is Jesus speaking in the book of Revelation. He says He will come unexpectedly, like a thief. He goes on to say that those who are watching for Him and keep their clothing ready, are blessed and will not be ashamed. 

Application:

We need to be ready at all times for the coming of the Lord. We must be a people who live prepared to go at any time. I am reminded this morning of some training I had with a person who serves and agency of our government. He taught us to always have a “go” bag with all our necessities in it. This would allow us to get out of our hotel or wherever, with our important things quickly if an emergency happened. Living for Jesus should be like living with our go bag ready. We should be looking for His appearance and living for Him while we wait for His return.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I want to be ready at all times for Your coming. Help me to live every day like it was my last day. Help me to make the most of every opportunity in Your kingdom. Show me Your ways and let me serve You well in these last days. Let me live prepared, and helping others get prepared, for Your soon coming. I’m watching for Your return.

Yours,

Jeff

God’s Power Demonstrated on Live Television

 Scripture:

“But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭11‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This is speaking of the two witnesses in the book of Revelation. In the last days, they are given power to call down fire from heaven and to do mighty miracles. In this passage, they are killed in front of the whole world, but their bodies were left on the streets of Jerusalem for 3-1/2 days. After 3-1/2 days, they resurrect in front of the whole world. God publicly, and on the internet where everyone is watching, raises them from the dead on camera worldwide for everyone to witness. 

Application:

God will display His power in the last days like we have never seen. He will officially let the world know He is God and that He isn’t to be messed with. Terror literally strikes everyone who sees this. Though the world doesn’t want to acknowledge God right now. They will one day bow before Him. It is better to bow now, than to be scared to death later at what He does.

Prayer:

Father, I can’t wait to see Your full glory revealed to the world so they cannot deny who You are and what You are capable of. I look forward to the revelation of Your rule and reign. Help me to live a life worthy of  all You have done for me. Help me to recognize Your goodness in my life and to prepare the worlld for Your coming.

Yours,

Jeff

Heaven Will Be Incredible

 Scripture:

“For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬

Observation:

This verse speaks about those who died in the great tribulation, but it also applies to all of us because it describes what heaven will be like. When we arrive there, the Lamb of God will be our Shepherd. He will guide us, lead us, and feed us. He will take us to the springs of life-giving water and will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Being in the care of Jesus will be incredible!

Application:

When we go through trying times on this earth, we as believers can face them because we know that one day everything will turn around. We can be assured that one day we will be in the presence of the Most High and He will wipe away every tear and there will be no more suffering, pain, or death. God will be our shepherd and we will be His sheep. We can look forward with confidence, knowing things get better for us after death, not worse.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious. You are incredible in every way! Help me to keep my focus on eternity and my eyes on You. Empower me to live a life that pleases You and brings Your glory. Show me Your ways and teach me Your paths. I want to live life on earth with You as my shepherd already. I want to drink from the springs of living water every day of my life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Constant Improvement

 Scripture:

““I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

John received an incredible word from Jesus about the seven churches in Asia. This verse is about the church in Thyatira. He conveyed this message from Jesus. He had seen their love, faith, service, endurance, and their constant improvement in all these things. Jesus noticed their constant improvement.

Application:

Constant improvement gets recognized by Jesus. We should never grow content in our walk with God. We should always be improving. This should be something we live by in every area of our lives. Constant improvement means I’m not satisfied in an area and I want to do better. God sees this and God rewards it.

Prayer:

Father, I want to see constant improvement in my spiritual and physical life. Help me to be disciplined and to listen to Your voice. Teach me to constantly be working to be a better person who does exactly what You want me to do.

Your Son,

Jeff

As For Me

 Scripture:

“But as for me, I am filled with power— with the Spirit of the Lord. I am filled with justice and strength to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion.” ‭‭Micah‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Micah had been railing against Israel, Judah and all the surrounding nations because of their evil. He was now confronting their priests and teachers and condemning them for not wanting to ministry without nice pay. In the midst of slamming Israel’s prophets and priests he says, “But as for me, I am filled with power - with the Spirit of the Lord.”

Application:

I want to be able to declare like Micah what God is speaking, but more than that I want to declare, “But as for me, I am filled with power - with the Spirit of the Lord.” I want to walk with God and know who I am in Him. I don’t want to do ministry for a price tag or for offerings, but in obedience to the Lord God Almighty. I want to do exactly what He wants for my life. I don’t want to be corrupted by the things of this world.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live a life that pleases You above everything else. I long to walk a walk worthy of the calling You have called me with. I see church leaders working for offerings and not wanting to declare Your words because it might offend a big giver. Help me to walk in truth and declare Your truth without fear of finances. I want to live a life filled with Your power.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Spiritual Darkness

 Scripture:

“But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”” ‭‭Jonah‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God was speaking here to Jonah who was complaining to God about the people of Nineveh repenting of their sins and turning to the Lord. God told him that Nineveh had 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Then He closes this section by saying, “Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” God was heartbroken for the people of Nineveh. He loved them and wanted to have mercy on them. 

Application:

Many times through the years I have felt the heart of God for a people, a region, or a nation. When people are in darkness, God is grieved! When we really feel the heart of God, it will often be broken for the people He loves who are walking in spiritual darkness. I just got home for Istanbul, Turkey. While there, I got a sense of the heart of the Father for that nation. It was a nation that was once the center of Christianity for the world, but now less than 1% claim a relationship with Christ. We must ask God to let us feel what He feels for the world around us because it will change what is important on our agendas.

Prayer:

Father, let me feel Your heart for your creation. Help me to walk in step with You. Thank You for the times when You have allowed me to feel Your heart for a region or a nation. Help me to never forget that, but to work toward changing that map in those areas. Let me feel Your heart for those in spiritual darkness. 

Your Son,

Jeff

Prophetic Intercession

 Scripture:

'In my vision the locusts ate every green plant in sight. Then I said, “O Sovereign Lord , please forgive us or we will not survive, for Israel is so small.” So the Lord relented from this plan. “I will not do it,” he said. Then I said, “O Sovereign Lord , please stop or we will not survive, for Israel is so small.” Then the Lord relented from this plan, too. “I will not do that either,” said the Sovereign Lord . ' Amos 7:2-3,5-6

Observation:

In these verses are two references about what God planned to do to Israel. In both plans, God was planning things that would overwhelm Israel. Amos interceded for Israel in both cases by saying it was too small and would not survive. In both cases the Lord relented from His plan. The true prophetic gift not only tells what the Lord is planning to do, but intercedes between God and His plans for mankind. Amos changed God's mind about His plans for Israel.

Application:

Intercession and prophecy must work together. When God reveals to the prophet what He is about to do, there are times when the prophet must intercede before the Lord on behalf of those receiving judgment. When we hear what the Lord is going to do in a place or a nation, we can still intercede on their behalf. We can still cry out to God for our nation. What is spoken from God doesn't have to come to pass. Sometimes we can change His mind.

Prayer:

Father, show me when to intercede and when to simply declare Your judgment to what You are going to do. Reveal to me things that are coming. Open my eyes to see what You are doing in the earth. Open my ears to hear Your voice. Show me how to intecede whe Your judgment is coming. Walk with me step by step and let me do what You would want me to in every situation. I belong to You. Let me speak Your word here today in Turkey. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Obey God and Run From Evil

 Scripture:

'Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. ' Amos 5:14

Observation:

Amos is prophesying destruction for Israel because they have walked away from the Lord their God. They were living in luxury while far from God and acting like God didn't exist. The Lord speaks through Amos and tells them to do what is good and run from evil so they can live and have God as their helper. Doing good and running from evil brings life and help from God.

Application:

We must learn to love what God loves and hate what God hates. It should come naturally because of our new nature, but it is usually a fight with our old man to live more and more like Christ. We should ask ourselves if we are doing what is good and running from what is evil. This is a simple statement, but with profound depth. We always told our children that obedience brings blessing. When we obey God and do what He says, we will live blessed lives. Loving what God loves and running from what He hates is simple obedience. When we do it, we are told we will live and have God as our helper.

Prayer:

Father, I want to live a life that pleases and honors You. You are my everything! Help me to love what You love and hate what You hate. Show me each day how to live a life that pleases You and causes Your blessing to flow in my life. Purify my heart and let You Spirit work strongly in and through me.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God Still Speaks Through His Prophets

Scripture:

'Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets. ' Amos 3:7

Observation:

Amos had just prophesied many terrible things about Israel and the surrounding countries. He was telling God's people that judgment was coming and that God was going to be ruthless. What he is saying here is that, even in judgment, God will reveal what is coming to His servants the prophets. God has always spoken through prophets, but because the prophetic gifting has been so abused and misused, many won't listen or even believe that God still does this. God still speaks through His prophets, are we willing to listen?

Application:

Although I don't proclaim to be a prophet, I want to operate as one who brings a word from the Lord. I want to know, at all times, what God is doing and what God is saying. Therefore, I want my eyes and ears to be open so I can know what God is saying to my generation. I want to walk in God's revelation and to accurately convey what He is speaking. I want revelation from God to share with His people at all times.

Prayer:

Father, open my ears. If You are going to speak and reveal Your plans, let me a receptor. Help me to hone my listening skills as Your servant. I want to accurately represent You and what You are speaking to Your people. As You reveal things to me, help me walk in humility before You all the days of my life and to never bring shame to Your name.

Sincerely Yours,

Jeff

God in Me... Me in God

 Scripture:

'All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. ' 1 John 4:15

Observation:

This simple verse tells us that those who declare that Jesus is the Son of God, which is us, have God living in them and they live in God. It is the answer to Jesus request of His Father in John 17 that His people be one with the Father as He was one with the Father. 

Application:

What does it look like to live in God and to have God living in us? How would I live differently if I truly believed I lived in God and God lived in me? I must believe that God lives in me and I must demonstrate that to the world. I believe the world must know God and if God lives in us, we must introduce Him to the world through our lives. We need to be a visual representation of the Father to the world around us just like Jesus was.

Prayer:

Father, I long to walk as one with You. I want to know You deeper and more. I want to know what You are thinking. I want to know what You are feeling. I want You to live in me and through me. I want to be one with You as Jesus was. Help me to understand this better and to walk with You at new and higher levels. Let my life bring You glory. Flow through me today here in Turkey. Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in this nation. Come Holy Spirit and breathe on this nation.

Yours,

Jeff

Live as Jesus Did

 Scripture:

'Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.' 1 John 2:6

Observation:

John penned this simple, yet profound verse. It basically says that if we SAY we live in God, we should live like Christ Jesus did. If we have Christ in us, we should live like He lived, in fellowship with the Father. Pondering for a moment on HOW Jesus lived is amazing. 

Application:

If we were to live like Christ did, our lives would be anything but boring. His life brought life everywhere He went. He healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed lepers, and changed the world for those who came in contact with Him. His words were powerful and full of authority. Our words should carry that kind of weight. We must learn to walk in the limitless anointing Jesus walked in as He walked with the Father, so we should walk with the Father.

Prayer:

Father, I want to know You like Jesus did. I want to walk with You and talk with You. I want to extend Your rule and reign on this earth in my generation. You are incredible and worthy of my very best. Use me for Your glory here in Turkey this week. I am Yours. Let me be one with You.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

A Slave to Jesus

 Scripture:

“They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Peter opened up this letter by saying he was a slave of Jesus Christ. Here he says that you are a slave to whatever controls you. Peter saw himself as being controlled by Jesus, and therefore a slave to Jesus. 

Application:

I want to be totally controlled by Jesus. I have no problem saying I want to be His slave. A slave is totally surrendered to his master and I want to live totally surrendered to Jesus. I want to do His will above my own. We must desire to be controlled by nothing and no one but Jesus. I want to say yes to whatever He speaks for my life. I don’t want to be controlled by anything or anyone but Jesus. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to live as a good slave to Christ. Help me to walk in humility and to do whatever You speak to me. I want to fulfill Your will for my life. Let me live a life completely controlled by You and Your will. I want to be submitted to You above all else. Empower me to live that way. Let me be controlled by nothing but You.

Forever Yours,

Jeff