The Devil is a Liar

 Scripture:

“For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” ‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭44‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Jesus tells the people concerning Satan, “When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Grace and truth are found in Jesus, lies and deception are found in Satan. Out of Jesus flow grace and truth. Out of the devil flow lies and deception. Satan not only lies, he is the father of lies. They originate in him and he fathers them.

Application:

In our walks with God, we must always remember that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He devours those who listen to his lies. We cannot be deceived by the enemy’s lies and deception. We fight against deception by knowing the truth. Jesus is truth so we must focus our attention on him, then when deception comes, we will be quick to know it. We must also prepare ourselves because Satan loves to whisper to us that God doesn’t love us or isn’t happy with us. He loves to put false statements into our brains. We combat that with the truth of God’s word. We must believe God.

Prayer:

Father, help me walk out my life knowing You more intimately. I want to know You because You are truth and grace. Help me to walk in truth and never in deception. Teach me to walk as Jesus walked. I want to flow in the fullness of what Christ died to give me. Let my life be influenced by Christ and truth, never Satan and his deception.

Yours,

Jeff

Confirmation

 Scripture:

“I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’” ‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this text, John the Baptist is speaking about Jesus and how he knew Jesus was the Messiah. He basically said that when he was called by God to baptize, he was told that the one who the Holy Spirit came and rested on was. Going to baptize with the Holy Spirit. He heard the word from the Lord and then it was confirmed when the Holy Spirit came on Jesus at His baptism.

Application:

As Spirit-filled believers, we believe the gifts of the Spirit are alive and active in the Church today. Many times we are looking for a prophet to come and prophesy over our lives, but really we need to hear from the Holy Spirit ourselves, then let it be confirmed by a prophetic voice or occurrence. Just like the Spirit spoke to John and then he saw the Spirit fall on Jesus, the Holy Spirit will show us things to come, then when they happen, we have our confirmation. Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice.” We need to know the voice of God and not go looking for a prophet.

Prayer:

Father, open my spiritual ears and eyes. Help me to see exactly what You want me to do at all times. Let me walk with You and talk with You. Let my heart be pure before You. Teach me to hear Your voice, then see the confirmation and validation as I walk in obedience. Let me always walk in step with You and not wait for a confirmation. Let that come as I follow Your voice.

Yours Forever,

Jeff 

The Word is LIFE!

 Scripture:

“These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.”” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭47‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

As the book of Deuteronomy is coming to a close and they are preparing to enter the Promised Land, God laid out His plans for blessing and curses if the people followed His commands or not. In this passage, the Lord says that the instructions He had given them were not empty words, but they are your life! He went on to say that if they obeyed the word, they would enjoy long life and occupy the land of promise. The Word of God is more than words on a page, it is life!

Application:

Life comes from knowing and obeying God’s word. His word must become life to us. Jesus said, “Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. God’s words are life and truth. We need to honor God’s word at all times. We should show respect and reverence for the word of the Lord. We must treat God’s word with respect because it is life to us. Life isn’t in the abundance of things, but is knowing God and walking in His word.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are awesome! Let me fall in love with Your words again. Show me truths in Your word. Speak to me through Your word. It is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Your words are LIFE! Help me to treat them like they are. Help me to walk in obedience to Your words again and to fulfill Your will for my life every day.

I Am Yours,

Jeff

The Key To Life

 Scripture:

“You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

At this point in the narrative, Moses is ready to pass leadership on to Joshua who will take God’s people into the Promised Land. Moses is giving his last words to the people of God before he dies and before they enter the Promised Land. He tells them how to make the choice for God that will bring blessing. He says, “You can make this choice” by loving the Lord, obeying Him, and committing yourselves firmly to Him. He goes on to say that this is the key to your lives.

Application:

The key to life, according to Moses and God Almighty, is to love God, obey Him, and to commit ourselves firmly to Him. When we do this part, God will bestow His blessing on our lives and we can live in all the blessings spelled out in Deuteronomy. He also says that this is a choice and that we can also choose to disobey the word of the Lord at which point all these curses come on our lives. As for me, I choose to love God, obey God, and commit myself to God. This is the key to life!

Prayer:

Father God, I love You with all my heart. Help me to obey You completely and to live a life You can bless. I committed myself to You many, many years ago and I am determined to live out my days in honor of You and Your words. Empower me to follow You diligently. Use me for Your glory and fill me with Your Spirit each and every day. Help me to make wise decisions and decisions that honor You.

Sincerely Yours,

Jeff

Blessings or Curses… Our Choice

 Scripture:

“If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬

Observation:

In this passage, the Lord speaks to His children and tells them that when they enter the Promised Land, they better serve Him according to His covenant with them. If they obeyed His commands and operated as He said, they would be the head and not the tail, always on top and never at the bottom. If they didn’t do what the Lord wanted, they would be cursed beyond measure. 

Application:

When we choose to follow the Lord and live life as He tells us to, we are entering a covenant with Him. He is always good on His side of the covenant. When we do our part, He will do His. We must put the Lord first in every area of our lives. We must honor Him, pursue Him, and listen to His voice. When we operate according to His ways, we will get His results, which are incredible. His promises to those who obey Him are amazing. I want to live in His promises. Therefore, I must obey Him completely each and every day.

Prayer:

Father, You are good and Your mercies are new every morning. You are faithful to those who are committed to You. Thank You for loving me and adopting me into Your incredible family! You are the best. Help me to follow You completely. Let my life see Your blessings and never Your curses. Empower me to walk in obedience at all times and to see the benefits of walking with You.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Promises Promises

 Scripture:

““When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭23‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬

Observation:

God tells His people here and in the following verses that it is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. God takes this very seriously. A vow is really a covenant, and God is always very serious about a covenant. This passage tells us to be prompt in doing what you promised the Lord, because it will be looked at as sin. 

Application:

Breaking a vow should be seen as lying. When we make a vow to do something and don’t do it, that makes us a liar. We should let our yes and yes and our no be no. As believers, we should not say that we will do things and then not do them. We should not tell God we will do something and then not follow through. He expects us to fulfill our vows. It is better not to make one than to break one.

Prayer:

God, we all have a tendency to make vows and promises to You, especially when things are not going well for us and we find ourselves in a bad situation. Help me not to say things in an urgent situation that will cause me trouble later. Help me not to make promises I can’t keep. Teach me to refrain from making promises I know I won’t fulfill.

Your Son,

Jeff

Help Your Neighbor

 Scripture:

““If you see that your neighbor’s donkey or ox has collapsed on the road, do not look the other way. Go and help your neighbor get it back on its feet!” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭22‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This word was given to the Israelites as they were preparing to enter the Promised Land. It is a simple statement about what to do when you see your neighbor in need. When something goes wrong at your neighbor’s, help get it fixed would be a 2025 translation. It could also encompass seeing your neighbor’s car broke down.

Application:

The bottom line is that we should be people who care about our neighbors and help them when they have a need. Being a good neighbor is a lost art in America and the church needs to restore what it means to be a good neighbor. As believers, we influence best those we serve the most. If you I want to impact my neighborhood for Jesus, I must look for people with needs and help them.

Prayer:

Father, let me see the needs around me. Let me be a blessing to my community and a helper of those in need. Don’t let my eyes be so focused on myself that I don’t see the needs around me. Teach me to be neighborly.

Yours,

Jeff

Greatly Blessed

 Scripture:

““There should be no poor among you, for the Lord your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God’s people are about to enter the Promised Land in this verse. As they are preparing to go in, He tells them of how He will bless them in the land if they follow His commands. Here He tells them that there should be no poor among all of Israel because God was going to GREATLY BLESS them. When God greatly blesses something, it will prosper and affect everything around it.

Application:

As children of Abraham, we are blessed to be part of God’s covenant with his descendants. When we truly live a life that God blesses, we should be able to eradicate the poverty around us. I would love to see God’s church so blessed that there are no poor among us whatsoever. I would love to see the day when every believer is thriving and not just surviving. We also would have to get the right heart when He blesses us. A heart that shares with, and gives opportunity to the poor.

Prayer:

Father, You are so good! I long to see a people so blessed that there are no poor among us. I long to see the fulfillment of Your promise to the children of Israel. Let poverty be erased in the lives of my people. Let the people of my church and those around us be GREATLY BLESSED, so much so that there would be no more poverty among us. Free Your people from the bondage of poverty.

Your Son,

Jeff

Your Choice

 Scripture:

““Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭11‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking here to His people as they are about to enter the Promised Land. He told them exactly what was expected of them and then told them they had a choice. That choice was the difference between and blessing and a curse. If they obeyed, they would be blessed. If they disobeyed, they would be cursed. God gave them a plan, but the choice was theirs to make.

Application:

God always gives us a choice in what we are going to do. He wants to be chosen by us. He wants His children to choose life and blessing, but He leaves that up to us. He could have built robots who would do everything He said, but He made us in His image. He made us with a choice and gave us the power to choose for ourselves. We make the choice, He provides the blessing or curse. He put the ball in our court and we have to act on it. 

Prayer:

Father, let me always choose life, love, obedience, and submission to You and Your will. Speak clearly to me about what You want me to do. Open Your Word to me and take me deeper. Show me how to live a life that pleases You. Reveal to me more and more Your will. I am Yours!

Forever,

Jeff

In Your Plenty… Don’t Forget

 Scripture:

““But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The Lord speaks to His people just prior to entering the Promised Land and tells them He is going to bless them and cause them to overtake everyone in the territory He was giving them. He told them He was going to prosper them and make them successful, then added this verse. “That is the time to be careful. Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord.” 

Application:

The greatest tests are not always in our lack, but in our prosperity. When we are poor and cannot make it every day without God’s provision, it is natural to walk in His ways and seek Him. At those times we need Him desperately. When we prosper and the Lord allows us to see success and good times, it is easy to stop seeking the Lord and to forget that it was His doing. Our greatest tests will come in success, not poverty. When we are blessed, we must keep our eyes on the Lord and realize it was Him and not us who brought us victory and success.

Prayer:

Father, You have done so much in my life in the past year. You have set me free from decades of debt and I am totally thankful. I know it was Your hand, and not my own, that brought me to this place. Help me to never think it was something I did or that I don’t need You anymore. I desperately need You. Help me to seek You in the good times as passionately as in the difficult times.

Your Son,

Jeff

Blessed in Every Way

 Scripture:

“You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor will any of your livestock be without young. The Lord will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

When God’s people were approaching the land He had promised them. He reminded them of their covenant with Him. If they kept their part, He promised that they would be blessed more than any other people. He said none of their people would be childless, and that He would keep them free from every disease. He made incredible promises if His people would simply obey Him. Today, we are in a new covenant that is better than the old one. God still takes care of those who walk in humility and obedience to Him.

Application:

If we want to live a blessed life, we must do our part of the bargain. As for me, I want to serve the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I want to walk in His favor and live a blessed life. Therefore I must be ready to live in constant obedience to Him in all things. As I do, His blessings will overtake my life.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk with You every day of my life. I want to live under Your covenant and fulfill my obligations in that covenant. Help me to say yes to everything You want me to do. Empower me to live how You want me to live. Show me each and every step to take. Speak clearly to me and let me be a good follower of Christ. 

Forever Yours,

Jeff

A Jealous God

 Scripture:

“Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Moses is speaking to God’s people before the end of his life and before Joshua will lead them into the Promised Land. He tells them not to forget God’s covenant with them, especially concerning idols. He goes on to describe God as a consuming fire and a jealous God. He doesn’t want to be shared with any other gods. He doesn’t want half-hearted devotion. He wants a fully committed people who will follow Him and His ways completely. 

Application:

God is a jealous God. He wants our complete attention and doesn’t want to share us with any other gods. He wants to be first place in our lives. As God’s people. We must live in a way that honors Him as King of all kings and Lord of all lords. God wants complete devotion and He deserves it for all He has done for us. I need to live fully committed in every area to the Lord. I need to live a fully devoted life.

Prayer:

Father, don’t let me get off track. Help me to live a life that pleases You and brings Your honor. Let my life bring Your praise. You are awesome and I love You deeply. Help me to live wholeheartedly surrendered to You and Your will. I trust You. 

Completely and Forever Yours,

Jeff

Unwilling

 Scripture:

“But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Moses is speaking to God’s people just before they entered into the Promised land after 40 years in the wilderness. He is retelling the story of sending in the 12 spies to look at the land. Of course 10 came back saying it was impossible and 2 said let’s go up at once. The people sided with the negative report instead of the faith-filled report. Here Moses describes them as “unwilling to go up.” 

Application:

The root of unwilling deals with the will. Our will is powerful and can wither be submitted to God or we can be self-willed. When a child doesn’t want to obey, we call them as strong-willed child. Our will must be submitted to Christ when we become a follower of His. We don’t want to be strong-willed, defiant, children of God. We want to be obedient children of God who live by faith instead of by our will. As for me, I want to live the Joshua and Caleb life, not be “unwilling” to do what God puts in front of me to do.

Prayer:

Lord God, You are great and glorious! You are awesome and powerful! Help me to always be willing to do what You ask of me. Teach me to beauty of obedience to You at all times. Help me to live a life surrendered to You at all times. I don’t want to be a strong-willed child, but a servant of the One True God. Give me a willing heart.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Speaking ALL God’s Truth

 Scripture:

“Moses told the Israelites all that the Lord commanded him.” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭29‬:‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

This simple passage is so powerful! Moses is seen as probably the most godly man who ever lived. He had powerful interactions with God. When God spoke to him, he didn’t waiver about whether he should tell th people of Israel what the Lord had spoken. He boldly declared what he heard from God. He told them ALL the Lord commanded him to. 

Application:

It is easy to tell some or most of what the Lord speaks to your heart. God wants us to be reliable and faithful to declare ALL He speaks to us and not just what feels good to us. We don’t want to be the people who tell all of the wonderful blessings of following Jesus without telling the horrible future of those who don’t repent and come to Christ. As a speaker, teacher, etc. I need to speak the WHOLE counsel of God. I need to speak ALL that God speaks to me. I want to be a man of God like Moses, therefore I must be willing to speak ALL that God speaks to me, not being worried about the consequences.

Prayer:

Father, let me be found faithful in declaring ALL You want me to declare. Help me to speak the WHOLE truth and not just the appealing parts. Show me how to communicate Your words in simplicity and in power. Let my words accurately reflect ALL that You want me to communicate to Your people. Let my life be pure before You.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Commissioning Sons and Daughters

 Scripture:

“Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭27‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The Lord commanded Moses to lay hands on Joshua in front of the whole assembly of Israel. He commissioned him publicly, expressing his confidence in his spiritual son. Moses let it be known publicly that he trusted Joshua and believed in him to be the next leader of the nation. 

Application:

There is a time when our spiritual sons and daughters need to be recognized, laid hands on, and sent out in front of our people. There is something very powerful about people observing a man of God supporting, laying hands on, and sending out the next leader. When a powerful leader like Moses affirms his replacement in the eyes of the people, it brings affirmation and strength to the next leader. This transition is very powerful and must be demonstrated in our churches.

Prayer:

Father, help me to identify sons and daughters to send into Your ministry. Show me how to prepare them best and how to publicly send them out. Help me to follow You well and to set up the next generation for success. Use my life for Your glory and let me fulfill every plan You have for me.

Yours,

Jeff

Faithful to the Word of the Lord

 Scripture:

“‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says’?” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭24‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

In this passage we see Balaam speaking the word of the Lord and not what Balak wanted him to speak. Balak wanted him to speak curses over Israel, but Balaam would not. His response, when told he had been disobedient to the king, was to tell him he couldn’t be bought with all the silver and gold in the palace. His last statement was, “and I must say only what the Lord says.” 

Application:

As a man of God I must speak what God is speaking on every occasion. I must never compromise the message because certain people may not like it or because large givers might leave. I must be faithful to the Word of the Lord at all times and trust Him that if I do what He tells me to do, He will take care of me and provide for me. I want to be a man of God who is faithful to the call, no matter what the price.

Prayer:

Father, find me faithful to Your word. Help me to follow You well and to speak what You are saying at all times. I want to walk in step with You and to deliver what You are saying. Strengthen me in my inner man to trust You more and not to worry about people being upset with me. I want to serve You well all the days of my life. I want to be faithful to the word of the Lord.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Face Down

 Scripture:

“Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them.” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭20‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The people of Israel were led into the wilderness. They were getting tired of manna and had been without water for some time. They complained to Moses and Aaron about this, wishing they could go back to Egypt and die there. Moses and Aaron did the right thing. They didn’t argue about who was right or wrong, they went to the presence of the Lord and fell facedown on the floor. God’s glory then appeared to them and God spoke to them concerning their next move.

Application:

When we don’t understand what is happening around us, our best position is face down. When we don’t know what to do in any given situation, our best posture is facedown. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord and learn to worship Him facedown. He is the only one worthy of facedown worship. It’s time for God’s people to get off our high horses and lay facedown before Him as an act of humility and submission. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to live my life facedown. Let me live a life You can bless and that sees Your glory. I long for You. Help me to live in a way that pleases You. I give You my life and ask You to fill me to overflow with Your precious Holy Spirit. Let me always remain facedown in worship of my King.

Yours,

Jeff

Convinced of the Call

 Scripture:

“Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea:” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭16‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬

Observation:

Moses was confident of the call of God on his life. In this case, his authority was being questioned and he responded by giving instructions that would prove that he was leader, not by his own will, but by the will, purpose, and plan of God. He declared that it was not his idea to do the things he was sent to do. 

Application:

It is easy to question the call of God on our lives. There are times when it is questioned and our confidence level shrinks. Moses stood in total confidence because his calling wasn’t his idea, but God’s idea. When we know we have been called by God and that we are doing His will, we can walk in confidence. It is important, especially in ministry, to know your calling and to walk in it. When we are doing what God wants us to do, He will back us up. When we are operating in the flesh, we don’t have that support.

Prayer:

Father, You have been so good to me. You called me when I was young and You have walked with me all my life. You have worked so many miracle I can’t recount them all. Help me to fulfill the rest of everything You have prepared for me to do. Work out every detail in my life to bring You glory. Let my ears always be open to hear what You are speaking. Guide my thoughts and direction of my life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Struck Down

 Scripture:

“these men who were responsible for spreading the bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the Lord. Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived.” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Twelve men were sent in to look at the promised land and bring back a report on what it looked like, what the people were like, and what kind of fruit the ground produced. While they were there, they saw giants in the land and fortified cities. Ten spies came back and said, “we can’t go in, we will be destroyed.” Joshua and Caleb came back and said, “The Lord is with us. We must go in at once.” The ten spread their negative word until all Israel was ready to go back to Egypt. The ten were struck dead with a plague and the rest were forced to live in the wilderness 40 years.

Application:

Don’t give what God didn’t ask for. God didn’t ask them their opinion about whether they could defeat the people living there. He just asked for a report about what and who was there. They were scared and spread their fear throughout the crowd. These men were struck down for their actions. God took swift and powerful vengeance on these men for spreading their negativity and He blessed Joshua and Caleb for their positive report. As for me, I want to spread goodness, faith, obedience, and vision for the future. I want to speak what God is speaking and live a life of faith, never disbelief. 

Prayer:

Father, You are great and glorious! You are amazing in every way. I am still in awe of Your presence in our midst yesterday. Help me to move with You and to do what You want me to do every day. Help me to live a life of faith and obedience to what You speak. I want to live a life that honors You and spreads hope and vision instead of negativity and unbelief.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God and Moses

 Scripture:

“When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lord spoke to him.” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭7‬:‭89‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Moses had the Tabernacle constructed exactly as God commanded him. When Moses needed to speak to the Lord he entered the tent of meeting and God’s voice would come to him from between the cherubim on the mercy seat. He clearly heard from the Lord everything he was supposed to do. 

Application:

I have always been jealous of God’s relationship with Moses, and others in the Bible. Moses heard clearly what the Lord was saying in detail. I long for detail. I enjoy following the impressions in my heart that Lord puts there and knowing it is His voice, but I long for the audible voice of God so I can accurately do what He is calling me to do at any given time. I want clarity in our communication.

Prayer:

Father, open my ears and eyes to hear and see what You are doing in the earth in my generation. I want to hear clearly and not wonder, “Is this God or is this me?” I want to know Your voice and follow it with all my heart. Speak to me Lord. Show me things Lord. I want to know You more and more.

Yours,

Jeff

The Aaronic Blessing

 Scripture:

““ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

This blessing was given to Aaron as a way for him to bless the people of Israel. God told him to do it and He would put His name on them and would bless them. God’s blessing follows obedience. When we obey His patterns and instructions, we receive His blessings. 

Application:

We are all considered priests in God’s kingdom now. We are a kingdom of priests. Therefore, we can pronounce this incredible blessing over people’s lives. When we do, God promises to bless them. We need to speak blessings from our mouth and not curses. We need to release the goodness of God on people instead of curses. What we say is so important. I want my mouth to be filled with blessings and not curses.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, let Your praises be always on my lips and Your ways in my thoughts. Help me to walk in a way that pleases You. Let my mouth be a speaker of Your blessings and not curses. Help me to use my mouth wisely. Show me more. Take me deeper. I long to walk with You closely. 

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Give Me Ears to Hear

 Scripture:

“So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each of them with their clan and family.” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭2‬:‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

God told Moses exactly how He wanted the people of Israel to travel when the cloud and pillar moved in the wilderness. Each family, or clan, had to camp in a certain location, north, south, east, or west of the Tabernacle. They were to group around their banners and camp as a group. He also told them what order to go in when it was time to move. They were given very clear instructions and the did everything the Lord spoke to them.

Application:

I was struck this morning by the word “everything.” They didn’t do most of what the Lord told them to do. They didn’t everything that the Lord told them to do. My end game is to hear the words “well done good and faithful servant.” In order to hear those words, I must do everything the Lord gives me to do. In order to do that, I must hear clearly what I am to do, then I must have the heart to do what God said. As always, I want a listening ear to hear what the Lord is speaking to me. I want to be obedient, but need to hear clearly so I can.

Prayer:

Lord God, open my ears to hear Your voice clearly. Let me not be led astray through other means, but let me hear Your voice. I long to hear Your voice I long to know You intimately. I long to walk with You and hear the desires of Your heart. Open my spiritual ears and eyes so I can see what You want for me, then give me the strength to do what You are speaking.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Power From on High

 Scripture:

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭49‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Jesus had died and resurrected on the third day. In this passage He was with his disciples and told them, just before He ascended to heaven to, “stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Jesus was clear that they shouldn’t begin doing everything He had left them to do until they had been clothed with power. 

Application:

We tend to move ahead with our plans and ask God to empower them. Jesus told His disciples to wait for power, then proceed forward. I am guilty of moving forward in my own strength at times when I should have waited for the power of the Spirit. As a Spirit-filled person, I want to walk full of God’s power and not just with a message. I want to be clothed in God’s power as I preach His message. I believe that power is mandatory in the proclamation of the Gospel. 

Prayer:

Father, I want to be clothed with power from on high. I need Your presence and Your power to flow through my life. I don’t want to argue religious jargon, I want to walk in power. Fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit. Let me be led by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and empowered by the Spirit. Holy Spirit, come and rest on my life. I don’t want to do ministry without You. Your presence is everything to me.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Faithful People Multiply What They Are Given

 Scripture:

““He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Jesus tells this story about a nobleman. He was going away and gave one Mina to ten diffent people. When He returned, He wanted to see what happened to the people and with his money. One man had made five more with what he was given, another man made ten more, and on man brought back the one which he was given and returned it to the nobleman. The man took it away and gave it to the one with ten. He then stated, “everyone who has, will be given more, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”

Application:

As stewards that God has entrusted things to, we must be faithful and productive. We must work with what we are given to multiply results for God. We cannot just sit on what we have. We must use it for God’s glory. He has given me so much. I need to be faithful and productive for my master. He is worthy of my very best.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, help me to follow You well and to use what You have given me well. I want to be a good steward of everything You have blessed me with. Show me how to be productive for Your kingdom. Show me how to multiply ministry and extend Your Kingdom into all the earth.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Unworthy Servants

Scripture:

“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

Observation:

Jesus told a story here about a servant and his master. When the servant finishes in the field and comes in, Jesus said that the master doesn’t say sit down and rest, you worked hard. The master tells him to prepare dinner for him. Jesus then says that when we have done everything He asks of us, our response should be “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” 

Application:

Rather than feeling like we have done our work for Jesus and have arrived to some level where we deserve to be rewarded, we should remain understanding that we are unworthy servants who just did our duty. As humans, we like to be rewarded and feel we deserve to be treated good. We should see ourselves, not as those who deserve a break, but as unworthy servants who are simply doing our duty. This doesn’t fly very well in 2025. We like to be honored and rewarded for our service. I need to live a life of service, knowing that a reward is coming in eternity.

Prayer:

Father, help me not to expect to be rewarded on this earth. Help me to live a simple life of serving people with a great attitude. Convict me when I get off base on this. Show me when I need to repent for a bad attitude of somehow feeling I deserve better. Teach me to walk in true humility and to do exactly what You speak to me. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff