When Your Enemies Want Your Blessing

 Scripture:

“Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.”” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭12‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Pharaoh had witnessed all of the plagues God brought on Egypt, yet would not let God’s people go into the wilderness to worship Him. Finally, the last plague, the death of every firstborn son in Egypt, caused him to permit them to go. On their way he asked them to bless him also. The one who would not let them leave and worked them as slaves, decided he wanted them to bless him on the way out. 

Application:

God takes care of His own people. He has the ability to make your enemies ask for your blessing! He can cause our haters to ask us to bless them because they see the hand of God on our lives. I must ask myself, have the people around me seen the hand of God on my life to the point that they want me to bless them? I must ask, am I living in such a way that my neighbors who don’t know God, would say, bless me? I want to live a life that God will bless, but I also want people around me to ask for my blessing.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious. You are all powerful. Let Your hand rest on my life in increasing measure. Let my enemies want me to bless them because of Your goodness in my life. Help me to live in a way that You can work in and through my life. Teach me to walk with You. Let those who hate me want the blessing on my life that the world may see and know that You are God and that You are good!

Your Son,

Jeff

Proclaim His Name

 Scripture:

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭9‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

This verse takes place during the middle of the plagues of Egypt. God is speaking to Moses here about His plan and purpose in the plagues. He was punishing Egypt for not letting His people go to worship Him, but He was also telling Moses that He would show His power and that His name would be proclaimed in all the earth. One of God’s purposes in the plagues was that His name be proclaimed in all the earth. God wants His name proclaimed and goes to great extent to do so.

Application:

Today, we have the opportunity to proclaim God’s name in all the earth. God’s goal has always been that His name be worshiped in all the earth. Today, we are part of the extension of His kingdom around the world. We have the honor to spread His fame and glory among the nations. Rather than using plagues, we use every means possible to proclaim God’s name all over the planet. We must take seriously what God takes seriously, and the extension of His Kingdom has always been on His heart. 

Prayer:

Father, let my life proclaim Your name in every nation of the earth. Use my life for the extension of Your Kingdom. I desire to proclaim Your great name in all the earth. Help me to use every possible means for Your glory and honor and the proclamation of Your name. Let me be more effective and productive in the extension of Your Kingdom.

Yours,

Jeff

The Results are up to God

 Scripture:

“Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭5‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Moses is having an interaction with God because when he stepped out to help God’s people to obey God, they were getting treated worse instead of better. He tells the Lord that ever since he started doing what God told him, the people were worse and God hadn’t rescued them. You can hear his frustration because he expected immediate results, or at least for things not to get worse. God reassured him that victory would come, but there was some things He needed to do to prepare the way.

Application:

Frustration is easy in ministry. Sometimes I do exactly what I feel the Lord wants me to do and there seems to be no results and possibly things get worse instead of better. Many times in leadership we take steps that we believe are God and He doesn’t seem to back them up or bring success in our time. We must learn that obedience is our goal, not success in our own eyes. When we obey, we are blessed! Our job is not to figure out what God is doing, but to do what He says, then trust Him. 

Prayer:

Father, there are many things I have done which I really felt were from You, but didn’t see the results I expected. Help me to trust You with those. Help me to walk in complete obedience, whether I see the breakthroughs I expected or not. Teach me to trust You more and myself less. Help me to see that my obedience will bring victory, just maybe not when I expected it.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Oppression and Multiplication

 Scripture:

“But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

God has always worked through His people by multiplying them in the midst of persecution and oppression. In this passage, the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied. In the New Testament, the more the church was oppressed, the more they multiplied. God has a way for proving who He is through blessing His people in the middle of their struggles. The greater the oppression, the greater the deliverance!

Application:

When we are going through trying times and seasons, we can rest assured that, the greater the oppression, the greater the deliverance. We can also know that, no matter how hard it gets, God will see us through to the other side. He still delivers His people. We may see difficulties, but our God is still a deliverer! We must trust His ways and walk in His truths. Eventually, we will enter the land of our promise. We won’t stay in bondage forever!

Prayer:

Father, help me to see past the present difficulties in life and realize that You are working a greater miracle through the process. Help me to maintain my faith while waiting on the breakthrough. Thank You for showing me this today. You are amazing and I love You more each day. 

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Self Defense

 Scripture:

“When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

When Jesus was ready to be crucified, he didn’t defend Himself or argue His case. He simply went with the flow like a sheep to the slaughter. It amazed the governor and those around Him. Most of us would hire a defense attorney and argue our case. Jesus just stayed quiet. He listened to their false accusations, but didn’t stop them or fight for His reputation. He trusted His Father with the outcome.

Application:

There are times to defend ourselves and times when we should be quiet and do only what the Holy Spirit leads us to do. Self defense is sometimes hard to do because we must trust God with our reputation and fear what others will think of us. Sometimes we must lay our reputation down and trust God to raise us up. Rather than fight for our self-defense, there are times to let God demonstrate His approval. Your reputation may suffer for three day, but resurrection day will come.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, help me to trust You more with my reputation. Help me not to worry so much what people think of me or how they will perceive certain things. I want to please You and do what You want me to do. I want to walk in step with You. Show me when to fight and when to be quiet. Show me day by day how to serve You well.

Yours Forever, 

Jeff

Living Ready

 Scripture:

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭44‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Jesus’ disciples came to Him and asked about when the end would come. He gave answers that sound like they are the headlines of today. It is apparent from His description of the Last Days, that we are living in them. He tells them they must be ready because He would come at an hour they wouldn’t expect Him. His return is extremely close on the timeline of eternity. There is nothing left to fulfill before He comes again.

Application:

We must live each day ready for the coming of our Lord. We must live like we expect Him at any moment. It is easy to get wrapped up in all the things going on in the world around us. It is easy to get consumed with what’s on our daily, weekly, and yearly agenda. As a Christ follower, I must begin to plan my agenda and my calendar while knowing I might not see any of it happen. I must live with an eye on His coming in my daily life. If I knew He were coming tomorrow, I know I would live differently.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live with the urgency that the signs are all around us and Your coming is very soon. Help me to make an impact every day on someone’s life. Teach me to walk with You and not get too distracted by the things go this earth. My life is Yours. Use it in these last days. Show me how to live a life of kingdom impact.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Produce Fruit

 Scripture:

““Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Jesus is speaking here to the Pharisees and chief priests of Israel. They were the religious leaders of their day. His message to them through this and the preceding parables was that they had an opportunity and missed it. Therefore He was giving the opportunity to the gentiles. The words that stood out to me this morning were “who will produce its fruit.” Earlier, Jesus cursed the fig tree because it did not bring forth fruit. His point… He expects fruit from those who follow Him.

Application:

The command that the beginning of Genesis was to be fruitful and multiply. God has given us the opportunity to extend His kingdom around the globe. We must be fruitful! We must produce fruit for the Kingdom. I need to examine my life and ask the question, “what is hindering me from producing fruit for God’s kingdom?” Rather than making excuses, I need to ask hard questions about how to become more fruitful.

Prayer:

Father, Jesus said that we would bear much fruit if we remained in Him. Help me to remain in Christ and walk in the Spirit at all times. Let my life bear much fruit for Your kingdom. Help me to live a fruitful life that produces and multiplies for Your kingdom. Teach me to be more effective in every way. 

Yours,

Jeff

Increase My Faith

 Scripture:

“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The disciples came to Jesus because there was a demon they were not able to cast out. They asked Him why they couldn’t do it and He replied with “You have so little faith.” He then went on to tell that that if they had faith like a grain of mustard seed, they would be able to say to the mountain to move from one place to another and it would move. He closed with saying nothing would be impossible for them. 

Application:

I never want to hear the Lord say to me, “You have so little faith.” I want my faith to increase throughout my life. I want to walk by faith, live by faith, pray with faith, and see mountains move. I want to speak to mountains, problems, sicknesses, diseases, and impossible situations with faith in my heart. Jesus said tat out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. I want faith in my heart and faith in my words. 

Prayer:

Father, increase my faith! Teach me to live a life of faith and not fear. Help me to speak by faith into impossible situations and see Your hand move the mountains. Show me how to increase my faith each day. I want to grow in this area. Show me the way! Help me to see the mountains moved before they move.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Kingdom Mathematics

 Scripture:

“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Jesus makes a powerful statement here that identifies the importance of unity in every part of life. He starts with a kingdom and says it will be ruined if it is divided against itself. He then moves to talking about every city, then every household divided against itself will not stand. In other words words, no matter how mig or small the entity, division kills and unity blesses.

Application:

From Jesus’ teaching here, we must realize that unity is extremely powerful and that division destroys nations, cities, and families. We must give ourselves to be people who promote unity and stand against division. We must ask ourselves if we are one who brings togetherness and unity or one who divides. We must be cautious about bringing division into our nation, our city, our church, our business, our community, and our family. 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, let my life be given to promoting unity among people. Let my church be completely unified. Let every area of my life be unified. Use me to bring unity into divisive situations. Let the mathematics of the kingdom operate in my life. Help me to be a multiplier and not a divider. 

Your Son,

Jeff

As You Go!

 Scripture:

“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

In this passage Jesus is speaking to His disciples. He tells them, “as you go… proclaim this message.” Then He goes on to tell them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. The emphasis here is on the fact that it is understood that His disciples will be going, but “as they go” they should demonstrate His power. Going doesn’t appear to be an option in this context. As His disciples today, we are to go. As we go, we should expect signs, wonders, and miracles.

Application:

Many people want to see signs and wonders, but never go on mission with God. These are the things we do “AS WE GO.” If we wait for seeing signs, wonders, and miraculous power, we will keep waiting and never enter the harvest fields. Our first commission is to GO, then to do the other things. If we are not going and proclaiming, we can’t expect to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons.

Prayer:

Father, You have opened so many incredible doors for me in this life. Help me to always be on the GO for You and Your kingdom. I say yes to Your will and the extension of Your kingdom. Teach me to walk in Your power as I go. Flow through my life as I go. Work around me and demonstrate Your goodness as I go. Confirm Your word with sign following as I go. Your Kingdom come and Your will be done as I go.

My Forever Answer is YES,

Jeff

Pray for Workers

 Scripture:

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Jesus had just done a lot of work healing, delivering, and touching people’s lives. He had been busy about His Father’s business. He then speaks to His disciples and tells them that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. He then gives an instruction, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send our workers into his harvest fields.”

Application:

In Matthew 5-9, Jesus did an incredible number of miracles, teachings, deliverances, etc. He had been very busy. He then sits with His disciples and talks about asking the Lord of the harvest to send workers. I tend to do a lot of speaking, preaching, going, praying, etc. I am not as good at asking God to send workers to help in the mission. I tend to just do what needs to be done myself. We need each other. For the Kingdom to be extended, we need more workers and we must ask God to send them.

Prayer:

Father, send workers into Your harvest fields. Remind me often this year to pray for the workers to go into the harvest. Today, I ask You to send workers to Word of Life, to our region, and to the nations of the world. Send out Your laborers who are ready to get busy for Your kingdom. Send us ore workers and help me learn not to try to do everything myself, but to let the workers work. Help us build systems and structures for lengthening and strengthening people for the harvest.

Yours,

Jeff

Special Moments of Affirmation

 Scripture:

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John, these verse declare that eaten was opened, the Spirit came on Jesus in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.” This was just prior to Jesus beginning His public ministry. His Father made a very special experience where He could demonstrate to Jesus and everyone around Him that God was affirming Him. The Father told Jesus that He loved Him and was well pleased with Him before sending Him out to start his ministry.

Application:

When a spiritual father sends his son to daughter out to do ministry, it is imperative that we speak our words of affirmation into their lives publicly. Just like God created a very special event that would be unforgettable, I need to do a better job at honoring those who are being sent out and affirming them in front of others. I need to create a very special experience that helps people see that I love them, believe in them, and am sending them.

Prayer:

Father, show me how to create special experiences for those who are being sent out. I want to affirm them well. Give me wisdom and insight about how to create unforgettable experiences that validate those being sent and instill confidence in them that I love them and affirm them in ministry.

Yours,

Jeff

The Ways of God

 Scripture:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

After the death of Israel, his sons were afraid of what Joseph would do to them because of what they had done to him. They came to him asking forgiveness. Joseph told them that they intended harm for him, but God used it to save the lives of their families. He saw God’s hand in the many years of his personal trials and tribulations. He not only told them he wouldn’t harm them, but that he would provide for them and their children. Rather than being angry at what they had done to him, he ended up taking care of them. This is what happens when we forgive others as God forgives us.

Application:

When we walk with God there will be many opportunities to be hurt, offended, and to get bitter. People will say things about us that are untrue. People will intentionally do harm to us, but if we walk in step with the Spirit, we will see God turn our troubles into triumphs, our struggles into strategies, and our hurts into healing. When we walk with God, He will help us bless those who persecuted us and provide for those who took everything from us. These are the ways of God!

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious! You are mighty and powerful! You are truly incredible and I love You with all my heart. Help me to walk see Your hand in the good times and the bad. Enable me to demonstrate Your love and grace to those around me. You have truly been good to me and I want to let Your love flow through my life in increasing ways. Teach me to forgive and restore.

Yours,

Jeff

Tell The Story

 Scripture:

“Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭48‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

After they were reunited, Jacob told Joseph that the Lord God Almighty had appeared to him at Luz and there the Lord BLESSED him. Part of that blessing followed in the next verse which says that  he would be fruitful and multiply and increase in numbers. He told his son about the blessing of God on his life. He passed to the next generation the story of his blessing.

Application:

It is an incredible thing to be BLESSED by the Lord! When He blesses something, it will prosper and be productive. Jacob not only received a blessing directly from God, but he told his sons about his blessing. He told the story of how the Lord blessed him. When God blesses our lives, we must pass the story to the next generation. They must know that God is good and that He blesses His people. We, as children of Abraham, inherit that very same blessing. Now we must tell the story.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for blessing my life. Thank You for taking care of me all these years. You are truly faithful! Help me to be a good storyteller to my children and their children. I am good at telling Your stories to the world, but help me be better at telling the stories to my own children and their families.Your faithfulness to me is incredible. Help me to tell the story well to my generations.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

The Best of the Land

 Scripture:

“Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭45‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

When Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers, everyone was astonished. Pharaoh, not only decided to bless Joseph’s family, but to give them the best of the land of Egypt to live in until the famine was over. Even during a famine, God supernaturally brought Jacob and his descendants to Egypt and gave them the best land in Egypt to dwell in. 

Application:

God takes good care of His people! He has ways of providing for us that we can’t even think of. God was working years and years on a plan for Israel and his family to be provided for and to have the best of the land of Egypt during a famine in Israel. We must be reminded that nothing goes unnoticed by God. It is no surprise to Him when we lose a job, walk through loss, grief, difficult times, etc. When we feel like things are going bad and we are going into a famine, we must remember that God has been working on our blessing and deliverance for years ahead of that time. If we trust Him, He will bring us into the best of the land.

Prayer:

Father, You are so good to Your children! You are faithful and have been working in my life to align me with Your blessings for longer than I can imagine. Help me to trust You more each day. Teach me to walk in complete obedience and to do Your will at all times, knowing that You have my back Speak to me and show me things to come. Prepare me for what You have for me.

Yours,

Jeff

Standing Out From the Crowd

 Scripture:

“So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”” Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Joseph had interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and gave him instructions concerning what to do to prepare for the famine that was coming. Pharaoh looked around at all his wise men and thought about who could implement the plan Joseph gave. The Spirit of God was on Joseph, according to the Pharaoh. He was elevated in his position to be the most powerful man in Egypt because, even an ungodly man could recognize the Spirit of God was on his life.

Application:

When we walk in the Spirit and operate in the gifts of the Spirit, God will cause even our enemies to be amazed and to trust us. When we walk in humility, respect, and honor, people feel they can trust us. There was no selfish motive for Joseph in interpreting the dreams. He was simply doing what he was asked to do. When we walk as Spirit-empowered people, the world will see God’s hand on our lives and will trust us more and more.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, overflow my life. Fill me to capacity and overflowing. Let Your Spirit fall on my life until the ungodly recognize that You are with me. Let me walk in humility, character, respect, and honor like Joseph and then demonstrate Your power, wisdom, and love through my life. I am Yours.

Forever,

Jeff

Dream Again

 Scripture:

“His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬

Observation:

Joseph had a dream where his brothers bowed down to him. His brother’s reaction was total rejection. They didn’t like his dream and sarcastically asked him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” They hated his dream and were determined to stop it from coming to pass. The next verse says, “Then he had another dream.” This time his brothers and his parents were bowing down to him. He didn’t understand the dream, but conveyed the dream to his family. When they ridiculed his dream, Joseph dreamed again.

Application:

Nobody will understand the dreams in your heart. Others will try to kill your dreams. Dream haters will tell you that your dream is impossible. People will tell you that it will never work or that you are not qualified to step into your dream. We can allow this to frustrate us and take the wind out of our sails. Just like Joseph we must dream again. We must allow faith to breath life into our dreams when others have taken the life out of them. When we are young, we tend to have great dreams about our lives, but somewhere through life those dreams get squelched. It’s time to dream again.

Prayer:

Father, I want to dream the dreams of God. I long to see Your desired future for my life, my family, my church, and my future. During this fast, speak to me and let my heart dream again. Don’t let my faith be limited by those who can’t see the dreams of my heart. Let me dream again!

Yours,

Jeff

Value Added

 Scripture:

“But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.” He added, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭30‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Jacob had served Laban for fourteen years, which was payment for his wives. Jacob decided it was time to move on and build his own family. When he approached Laban about leaving, Laban asked him to stay. Laban had realized that God had blessed his life because of Jacob. He told Jacob, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.” When the blessing of God is on your life, even the people around you get blessed in the process. The places we work can be blessed simply because they employ us. God’s people become a “value added” to those above them.

Application:

This thought adds value to the believer. It increases our net worth. I remember a pastor who wanted to rent a building for his congregation and the owner didn’t really want to rent to a church. The pastor said, “If you will rent to me, God will bless your business and fill all your vacancies. Eventually, the owner rented to the church and almost immediately he got leases on all his property. He realized he was blessed because of helping out a church. We must believe that God’s blessing on our lives can cause our companies, our neighborhoods, our families, etc., to be blessed. God will bless our business so He can bless our lives. This makes us valuable assets on anyone’s team.

Prayer:

Father, let Your blessing fall on my life in 2025 in greater measure. You have been good to me all these years, but I know there is more. Help me to trust that You will take care of Your own and that You will put people into our lives to be a blessing to us. Let me see myself as a blessed person and walk in confidence concerning this topic. I see Your blessing on the Patriarchs, now let it fall on my life. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

The Blessing of the Lord

 Scripture:

“Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.”Genesis‬ ‭26‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

When Abraham died, the blessing of God came on his son Isaac. God actually spoke to Isaac and gave him the same promises that were given to his father. Shortly after God blessed him, it says, “Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.” God supernaturally blessed Isaac and caused everything he touched to prosper, from the seed in the ground to the cattle on his land. As a result of this blessing, his non-believing neighbors came to him because they “clearly saw” that God was with him.

Application:

A hundred fold is a massive return on investment. The blessing of the Lord has a way of making people prosper in supernatural ways. We must realize that God can take a little and make much of it. Everyone in Scripture who it says, “and the Lord blessed” that person, they began to prosper in every area of life. We can and should work hard and be diligent people, but when the hand of the Lord is on our lives, His blessing will make things happen that can happen no other way. One of the ways God lets the world know He is with us is through blessing His people.

Prayer:

Father, I ask You to bless my life, my family, my church, and my ministry. Place Your hand of multiplication on everything I do and let my life be blessed. I ask You for one hundredfold return and supernatural provision. Let the people around me see that You have blessed my life as I have followed You with all my heart. Let the world see the blessing of following You completely. 

Your Son,

Jeff

The Lord Will Provide

 Scripture:

“So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Abraham had taken his son Isaac, his promised child, to sacrifice him in obedience to the Lord. When God saw Abraham’s obedience and being willing to sacrifice his own son to the Lord, God provided another way. A ram was caught in the thicket just at the right time and the Lord provided a sacrifice. After that, Abraham called that place, “The Lord will provide.” (Jehovah Jireh)

Application:

God provides for what He orders. When He calls us to do something, He will provide the means necessary for our obedience. Many times in life we feel the Lord tell us to do something that looks insurmountable. In those moments, we must remember one of the names of God is “The Lord will Provide.” Where God guides, He provides. Where God leads, He feeds. Our job is to be aligned with Him and surrendered to His will, then we must trust that He will provide what is necessary.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are my provider! You are the source of every good thing in my life. You have been so good to me. Help me to live by faith, knowing that You are with me and that You will provide for every need in my life and ministry. Teach me to trust You more and more. Help me to see You as the God who provides. There are some huge provisions necessary in the coming years, help me not to be faint hearted, but to trust You completely.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God is With You

 Scripture:

“At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭21‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Abraham was so blessed by God that those who were opposed to him recognized that God was with him in everything he did. They didn’t want to mess up their relationships with him because they realized that God was with him and they didn’t want to mess with God. 

Application:

I read passages like this concerning people in the Old Testament especially and long to see God walk so strongly with me that even those who don’t like me would recognize that God is with me. I want there to be a lot of evidence to those around me that God is with me and that I am with Him. The above verse also says God was with him in everything he did. I want to live in the blessing and favor of God and The only way to live there is through obedience to whatever He speaks. 

Prayer:

Father, Let Your hand be strong on my life. I know You are always with me, but I want the world to know that. Help me to live a life of obedience to Your word. I realize Abraham received this statement after he had left everything and followed wherever You would lead. Help me to be a true follower of Yours and say yes, no matter what the cost. I long for Your presence.

Yours, 

Jeff

The God of the Impossible

 Scripture:

“Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” ‭Genesis‬ ‭18‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

God had spoken to Abraham about Sarah having a son at 90 years old. When she heard it, she laughed because it seemed ridiculous for a ninety year old woman to conceive and give birth to a son. The Lord spoke to Abraham some powerful words, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” He finished by saying, “I will return to you next year and Sarah will have a son.”

Application:

Sometimes we need reminded that nothing is too hard for the Lord. We are to be a people of faith and belief, even when life throws us things that seem impossible. There is no impossibility in God. He can do whatever He determines to do. We must learn not to question whether God can do something, but to watch how He does it. He is the God who makes the impossible possible. He is the God of whom it is said, “Nothing is impossible for Him.” We also need to change our thinking concerning our own lives. We must live like we serve a God of limitless possibilities.

Prayer:

Father, increase my faith. Help me to never give up too soon. Help me to walk in Your Spirit and do what You want me to do. Help me to never rule out a miracle, but to believe You are able to do what You say You will do. Increase my faith in the God of the impossible.

Yours,

Jeff

Trust God: He Will Fight Your Battles

 Scripture:

“But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai.”Genesis‬ ‭12‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Abram was traveling with his wife Sarai in Egypt. She was gorgeous and Abram told her to lie and tell them she was his sister and not his wife. He thought if they believed she was his wife, they would kill him and take her. Pharaoh ended up taking her anyway, then getting mad at Abram for lying to him about Sarai. Serious diseases came on Pharaoh and his house. He knew it dealt with Sarai and called Abram out on it. God has a way of taking care of His people.

Application:

When we walk in obedience to the Lord, He will fight our battles. He takes care of His own. When the enemy thinks he has us, God will bring trouble on him. We should have confidence that God will do whatever it takes to make sure His people are well taken care of. We need to trust Him more and ourselves less.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to trust You. I know in my head that You will fight my battles, but when problems a raise, I still want to take control and try to fix things. Help me to walk with You and to be confident that You will do what needs done for my life to be successful. I know this always comes back to the concept of trust. I want to trust You more and me less every day.

Yours,

Jeff

Tell the Story

 Scripture:

“After the flood Noah lived 350 years. Noah lived a total of 950 years, and then he died.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Noah lived 600 years and the flood came, then he lived another 350 years after the flood. He lived 950 years! 100 of his 950 years were working on an ark that seemed ridiculous to those around him. After the flood there had to be a great respect level from the following generations. When a person lives that long, they must get to see their children and grandchildren for many, many generations. He lived to tell the story to his family line for generations.

Application:

We must learn to tell the stories of our lives to our children and our children’s children. We must tell them what the Lord has done in our lives. We must tell them the stories that our lives are built around. It seems now that we get distracted with social media and entertainment. We should be focused on impacting our own families for many generations.

Prayer:

Father, help me to tell the stories of my life to my children and grandchildren. Help me to be faithful to tell the stories of my parents and what You did in and through their lives. Let me be a storyteller, telling what God has done in the Jacob family. Let my generations know You and know how You work in the lives of people. 

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Complete Obedience

 Scripture:

“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

This simple verse is placed where God told Noah to build an ark. Noah was about 500 years old when he was told to build an ark and he worked on it for about 100 years. He was definitely 600 when the flood came. He had to make a major life change when he was 500 years old. He was told to build something for an event that had never happened before. He was going to be ridiculed for working 100 years on something that had never been necessary before, but this verse says that he did everything just as God has commanded him.

Application:

Sometimes what God tells us to do makes no sense. Sometimes He tells us to do things in our older years that may not seem right to those who are around us. Our job is to do what Noah did and completely obey the Lord. My job is to do everything the Lord commands, whether I understand it or not. I want to be the person who does what the Lord says and not what makes sense to people.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in complete obedience to Your call and purposes for my life. Help me to say yes to You no matter what You ask. Help me to finish what You desire for me to do so I can hear well done when I see You face to face. I long to walk in complete obedience and not in what man thinks is right. Show me how to walk this way and lead me in the direction You want me to go.

Your Son,

Jeff

Original Intent

 Scripture:

“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.””Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

When you want to get to the purpose of something, you have to know the original intent to the designer. What did they see as the purpose of whatever they designed. When you look at God’s original intention for man, you quickly see it was to fill the earth and subdue it and rule over it. We were made to rule over the earth.

Application:

As believers, we must realize that God didn’t put us on this earth just to get by and hopefully leave the world a little better place. He created us to rule over everything He created. We were made in His image so we could use what he gave us for His purposes. Rather than living a substandard life, we are to realign and rule with Him. We are more than conquerors! We are overcomers! We are victorious, but we must live like it. 

Prayer:

Father, in 2025, help me to live as one who was designed to rule over the earth and everything in it. Help me to walk in Your purposes for mankind, being made in Your image. Let me look more and more likee You this year. Let my life bring Your glory and fulfill Your purposes.

Yours Forever,

Jeff