Write My Name on the Scroll

 Scripture:

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.” ‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This passage says that in God’s presence, a scroll was written to record the names of those who feared God and always thought about the honor of His name. This scroll was written to remember the names of those who feared God. There is a link here between the fear of God and those who honor Him. Both should be in our lives.

Application:

I want to live a life that honors God and makes Him look good. This comes from having a proper fear of the Lord. We should desire the holiness that Malachi speaks toward. I want to live a life that gets the books in heaven opened because I feared and obeyed the Lord completely. I don’t want to be on the fence in any area. I want to be fully submitted to God at all times. Honoring His names is so important as well. We should want God’s reputation to be awesome when people look at our lives.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are awesome and worthy of worship. You are my strength and my life. You are my everything. Help me to live humble before You and to fear You every day of my life. Let me have a healthy fear of the the Lord and let my life bring You honor. Help me to live a life that makes You look good. Let me never smear Your reputation in any way. Help me to represent You well.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Be Faithful to Your Promises

 Scripture:

“Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.” ‭‭Malachi‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God speaks here to the people of Israel about their unfaithfulness to Him, which is demonstrated by their unfaithfulness to their wives. When we make a vow before God, He expects us to fulfill it. If we make a covenant with someone, He expects us to live up to the covenant we have made. God doesn’t ask us to do the easy thing, but to do the right thing at all times.

Application:

When we make commitments to God and others, He expects us to fulfill them. If we are going to follow Him, it is not at our convenience, but according to His covenant. Christianity isn’t just about what we get from God, but about how we serve God. Me must serve Him wholeheartedly. He wants His people to follow Him completely and not half-heartedly. We need to think about our commitments, God takes them seriously.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to make good on every promise I have made. Help me to walk out what I preach every day. Teach me what to do and when to do it. Show me how to walk in the Spirit at all times. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Show me Your ways and help me to follow them with all my heart.

Yours,

Jeff

Refined and Purified

 Scripture:

“I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭13‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God tells His people that He will bring through the fire of difficulty and will refine them. He says at that time, they will call on His name and He will answer them. God then says, “These are my people,” and they say, “The Lord is our God.” 

Application:

God has always looked for a people who will serve Him completely and who will honor His name. Our job is to work with God to purify our lives and allow the refiner to work in our hearts. Then we will see the day of God’s blessings. I want to be one He says, “These are my people.” Sometimes, when in our church and I see all the nations, I will say, “These are my people.” It is a way for saying I want to be associated with these people.

Prayer:

Father, let me live a life that makes You say, “He is my son!” I want to please You in every way. You are my all in all and I ask You to purify my life and let it be used for Your purposes. You are amazing and it is an honor to serve You and represent You.

Yours Always,

Jeff

God Makes us Strong

 Scripture:

“By my power I will make my people strong, and by my authority they will go wherever they wish. I, the Lord, have spoken!”” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This simple verse is short, but powerful. God says to His people that He would make them strong. Our strength doesn’t come from ourselves, it comes from God. Secondly, He tells them that by His authority they will go wherever they wish. He closes this section by saying, “I, the Lord, have spoken!” 

Application:

When God speaks a word, He has the authority to back it up and bring it to pass. When God speaks to an individual, a church, a country, etc. He doesn’t just throw around words. He has all authority and power to bring to pass whatever He speaks. We can be strong, not because of ourselves, but because God Almighty lives within us. My job is to hear what God is saying, then trust that He has the authority and power to bring it to pass. 

Prayer:

Father, let my ears be open to Your voice. Let me hear Your heart concerning my life. Help me to walk in confidence and strength. Teach me to walk in Your ways and to extend Your kingdom. Touch my region with a mighty revival. Bring my church into revival and awakening I pray. Let people in my area encounter You in a real and powerful way!

Your Son,

Jeff

Truth and Peace

 Scripture:

““This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The traditional fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer, autumn, and winter are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people of Judah. So love truth and peace.” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭8‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God tells His people here what they should be concerned about. They were wanting to know about the rebuilding of the Temple and when to have fast and feast days, but the Lord told them to concern themselves with loving truth and peace. God wasn’t as concerned about the festivals and the special days, He was concerned how His people were in their daily lives. 

Application:

What God wants from His people isn’t strong adherence to a list of rules and regulations. He wants His people to be people who walk in truth and peace. Truth and peace are the foundation for the rest of the spiritual activities like feast days, etc. We should make walking in truth and peace our strongest desire because these are the things that please God and bring Him glory. 

Prayer:

Lord, let me be a truth lover and a peace lover. Let my life exemplify these two characteristics. I want to serve You well and to do Your will. Empower me to live at peace and to speak truth at all times. Help me not to only share the truth when it is convenient, but always. Help me not to water down Your Word, but to preach it clearly and honestly and let truth be spoken.

Yours Always,

Jeff

Small Beginnings

 Scripture:

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)”Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Zechariah gives a word to Zerubbabel from the Lord at this point in his message. Zerubbabel had started rebuilding the Temple of the Lord and this passage commends him for doing it. It says that the Lord rejoices to see the plum line in his hand. In other words, the Lord loves to see the work begin. The Lord told him not to despise small beginnings because God was happy to see the work get started. 

Application:

God always looks for obedience. He doesn’t ask us how we are going to complete everything, but is glad to see us get started. Sometimes in life, we have to obey God and start something He puts into our hearts. God is happy with our first steps of faith. He rejoices over the foundation, not just when the building is finished. He loves obedience from His people to do what He says. 

Prayer:

Father, I have tried to build what You put into my heart many years ago. I try to follow You as close as I possibly can. Help me not to get frustrated with small beginnings because, but to see Your bigger plan. Help me to be strong where I am as I do my best to fulfill what You put into my heart. Help me not to get frustrated when things don’t grow like I would want them to. Help me be content with simply obedience and to stop comparing with others who started near the same time.

Yours,

Jeff

Live Humble and Righteous

 Scripture:

“Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.” ‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Zephaniah, after prophesying the destruction of God’s people for their sin and rebellion, tells them to seek the Lord and follow His commands. He tells them to do whatever is right and live humbly, then maybe the Lord will protect them from the day of God’s anger.

Application:

The prophet confronts God’s people with their sins and rebellion. He then tells them there is still hope and describes how to come to God. We should always come before God by doing right and living humbly. Pride will always be rejected by God. Humility is the language of heaven. It is the language that gets God’s attention. As God’s people, humility, obedience, and righteous living, will bring our protection and provision. 

Prayer:

Father, You are good and Your mercy endures from generation to generation. Help me to live in such a way that You are well pleased. Let my life influence others for You and Yours kingdom. Empower me to live humbly, walk justly, and live fully submitted to Your will and Your desires.

Yours,

Jeff

Surefooted in the Lord

 Scripture:

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)” ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

As Habakkuk is closing his prophetic revelations, he says that God makes him as sure footed as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. There are two types of deer in Israel, one is the fallow deer and the other is the ibex. The ibex lives in the mountains and have incredible skills at climbing on the edges of cliffs an on rocks that seem impossible to stand on. I have watched them on the mountaintops and it is truly incredible to see the places they can go because they are surefooted.

Application:

If God makes us surefooted as a deer on the heights, then we are better off than we thing we are. Sometimes it feels in life like we have lost our footing and things are not going like we planned or thought they would. We must realize that the Lord is our strength and He gives the ability to tread on the mountains. There are places we could never go, but with the Lord being our strength, we are surefooted and can do whatever He wants us to do. I am surefooted, not because I have perfected climbing the heights, but because I belong to the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, You are the best! You make my feet as sure as a mountain deer. You are my life and my strength. You are the source of every good thing in my life. Help me to trust You more and more each day. Teach me Your ways and let me walk in Your paths. When You lead me out on the edge, remind me that I am as surefooted as a mountain deer.

Your Son,

Jeff

Come!

 Scripture:

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬

Observation:

After an incredible description of the New Jerusalem, we hear an invitation coming from the Spirit and the bride. They are saying “come” to anyone who is thirsty to drink from the water of life. They are extending an invitation to everyone who will listen to “come.” It is God’s desire for people to come to Him, the fountain of living water.

Application:

God provides the water of life freely for us, but we have to “come” to Him. God doesn’t push us, He invites us. He invites us to an incredible life that He has planned for us and then tells us to come. I also see in this passage that it is the Spirit and the bride that are saying “come.” The bride is the Church and the Spirit is the Spirit. The Church and the Spirit are meant to work together to invite people to the river of life. We must invite, but the Spirit will convict and work through us. I want to be a voice for God telling people to “come” to Him.

Prayer:

Father, You are incredible and I love You. Let me be an instrument in Your hands, calling the world to come to You. Let Your invitation to the water of life come through my voice as much as You desire. Help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit and to make the invitation as often as You want me to. Let me and my church get better at inviting people to the water of life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Judgement Day

 Scripture:

“Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭20‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The subheading for this portion in my Bible said “The Final Judgment.” After the Millennial reign of Christ, Satan will be released for a short time to deceive the nations once more. At the end of that season, this verse takes place. It basically tells us that everyone will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and the only thing that matters is if you name is in the Book of Life. Having your name there is the most important thing in your life.

Application:

First, there is a lot of teaching being shared today that there is no place of eternal torment, which we call hell. Jesus spoke much about hell and the awfulness of it. Here it is seen as a lake of fire. My application today is simply that I must let people know what is coming and the importance of having your name in the book. Secondly, I need to do everything possible to love people into the Kingdom and help them get their name in the book of Life.

Prayer:

Father, let my life be used to plunder hell and populate heaven. Let my life be about getting names written in that precious book. Help me. Empower me. Teach me. Show me how to help people move from darkness to light. Use my life to build and extend Your kingdom rule and reign. Let me make the most of every opportunity to bring people to Christ. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Are We Watching?

 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:

Jesus spoke these words in the midst of a section about the coming Great Tribulation and worship of the Beast and False Prophet. He told us, “I will come as unexpectedly as a thief!” He continues and let us know that those who are watching for His return are blessed. They who keep their clothing ready will not have to walk around naked and ashamed. 

Application:

I believe with all my heart that the coming of Jesus is very soon. When He comes, it will be like a thief in the night. He will come quickly, suddenly, and those who are ready and looking for His return, will go with Him. Our job is to be ready and wearing our white robes at all times. White robes demonstrate the righteousness of God’s people. We need to live out our lives in righteousness and live prepared for the coming of the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I know You are coming soon! I see the signs all around me. I read Your Word and see the news of what is happening all over the earth. Everything You said would happen in the end is happening before our eyes today. Help me to live with my white garments on. Help me to extend Your Kingdom in the time I have left here on earth. Show me how to follow You well. Speak to me. Open doors of ministry and provide the resources to build Your kingdom here and around the world. I want to finish strong.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Face-down Worship

 Scripture:

“The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him. And they said, “We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, the 24 elders fell on their faces and worshiped God Almighty. Their words are powerful words of worship. “We give thanks to You, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now You have assumed Your great power and have begun to reign.” They start with thanks and end in submission.

Application:

Just as the 24 elders fell on their faces before God Almighty, we should fall on our faces before Him. He is the only one worthy of our worship and honor. Worship should be our response to the goodness of God in our lives. Worship is more than singing a song, it is face down, humbling ourselves before the King of the Universe. I believe in face-down worship.

Prayer:

Father, You are the only one worthy. You are holy. You are mighty and I extol Your name. Let my worship be exactly what You want. Teach me to worship face-down. Let every area of my life be submitted and surrendered to You. Let my life bring You the glory and honor You deserve. 

Forever Yours,

Jeff

A Vast Crowd

 Scripture:

“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

John the Revelator saw a vast crowd that was so huge it couldn’t be counted. They were from all over the earth, and they were standing in front of the throne of God and before Jesus. They cried out, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” These were the saints of God worshiping the Almighty.

Application:

Worship is what God has always wanted from His people and in the end, worship is what He will get. My job in this is to fill out the crowd and make it vast. Our job is to reach people around the globe with the Good News of Jesus so they can worship Him on this day described by John. My job is to make the crowd and vast crowd. I want to lead more people to Christ in my latter years than in my former years.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I look forward to worshiping around Your throne. It will be the joy of my heart to one day stand before You and bring You what You deserve. Empower me now to make the crowd and vast crowd from every nation, tribe, and language. Show me the right doors and provide the resources for us to touch more nations with Your Gospel. You’re my reason for living.

Your Son,

Jeff

Heavenly Worship

 Scripture:

““You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

The worship in the book of Revelation always stands out to me. I love how everyone in heaven worships together. In this passage John describes the scene at the throne of people where the twenty four elders fall before the Lord and place their crowns at His feet. They describe the Lord as worthy to receive glory and honor and power because He created all things and they exist because he created what He wanted to create. 

Application:

Jesus is worthy of all the praise, glory, and honor I can give Him. He created all things and keep them moving. He is my life and my light. Without Him, nothing we see would exist. He is not only worthy of worship with words, He is worthy of worship by giving Him our very best in every area. He is worthy of our sacrifice. He is worthy of our gifts. He is worthy of our obedience. He is worthy!

Prayer:

Lord, You are worthy!!! You created everything I see and You sustain the world with the word of Your mouth. You are incredible and I worship You. Help me to give You my very best in every area. Teach me to walk with You in humility and strength. Let my life bring You glory. Help me to live a life that will bring You honor. 

Yours,

Jeff

Justice and Love

 Scripture:

“Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.”‭‭Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This passages tells us about the incredible unfailing love of God for His people. Micah asks the question, “Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people?” Micah had just prophesied God’s wrath coming, but he also knew the love of God that never fails. He knew that God’s punishment will last a season, but His favor will last a lifetime.

Application:

We must be able to know God in all of who He is. He is justice and love combined. He hates sin, but loves sinners. He doesn’t overlook sin, but forgives those who come to Him. I want to know all of God’s characteristics, not just the good ones I claim in the verses I like. God is fear-invoking, yet full of love and compassion. He is awe-inspiring, yet cares about our smallest needs. He is incredible!

Prayer:

Father, I want to know You in all Your ways. Teach me to walk like You. Help me to represent You well. I want to know You in all Your ways, not just the ones I like. Teach me Your ways. I want to know Your heart clearer and clearer. Show me how to serve You well.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Ministry for Personal Gain

 Scripture:

“You rulers make decisions based on bribes; you priests teach God’s laws only for a price; you prophets won’t prophesy unless you are paid. Yet all of you claim to depend on the Lord. “No harm can come to us,” you say, “for the Lord is here among us.”” ‭‭Micah‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God speaks here to the rulers, priests, and prophets. He says they have made it all about the money instead of all about representing God. He says the rulers are controlled by bribes, the priests teach for a price and the prophets want pay. Ministry cannot be about money. It must be about the heart of God and doing what He wants you to do.

Application:

As a minister, my life must remain devoted to the Lord first and foremost. I cannot make decisions based on money, but on the will of God. My answer must be yes, Lord, yes, to whatever He speaks to me. I will stand accountable to the Lord one day, not for how much money I made, but for representing Him well and delivering His word with accuracy and conviction. I want to walk in humility and serve the Lord well in my generation.

Prayer:

Lord, let ministry never be about money for me. I do want to see Your blessing on my life because I want my family to see Your goodness. I want to leave a legacy and an inheritance to my children that they may see the blessing of serving God completely and totally. Keep my heart pure and let ministry never be for an offering or for personal gain. 

Forever Yours,

Jeff

God’s Heart for the Nations

 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:

Jonah was upset that the Lord had caused Nineveh to repent. He knew the Lord was going to do that, but didn’t want God to do it because he hated the Ninevites. God replied to Jonah’s disgust by asking him “shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” The heart of God has always been for people. 

Application:

When we experience the heart of God, we will weep for cities that don’t know Him. All people are on God’s list of those in need of Jesus and i need of someone to speak to them. God doesn’t want anyone in any city to walk in spiritual darkness. He wants the eyes of people to be opened spiritually and them to come to repentance. I want to be part of answering God’s cry for my city and for the cities of the world. 

Prayer:

Father, use my life to bring people to Christ. Help me to see the vast number of people around the world like You see them. Fill me with Your Spirit and let me reach more and more people in my latter years. I want to see more people come out of spiritual darkness and into Your amazing light. Let Loudoun County see the light of Your glory. Let those around me see the light of your glory. Let there be a revival of repentance and turning to You.

Yours,

Jeff

Without a Single Fault

 Scripture:

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.” ‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Jude gives glory to God in this passage and tells us that He “is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.” In other words, we can’t save ourselves or be holy enough, but God can bring us into His presence without a single fault because of Jesus Christ. God not only tells us not to fall away, but gives us everything we need to do so.

Application:

We need to know that when we put our trust and faith in Christ, He is able to keep us as we pursue Him. We need to walk in confidence that we have been cleansed from sin and are pure before God Almighty. We need to know our position in Christ. He has already overcome the world, therefore, we have also. If we remain in Him, we will be presented “without a single fault.” We must believe that the blood of Jesus truly takes away all our sins and their stains.

Prayer:

Father, Thank You for sending Your dear Son to die on my behalf. Thank You that my sins are blotted out and under the blood of Jesus. Thank You that one day I will come into Your glorious presence without fault. You saved me. You sustain me. You are the source of everything in my life and I worship You today. Help me to see myself as You see me.

Yours,

Jeff

Truth and Love

 Scripture:

“Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.” ‭‭2 John‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

John says here that grace, mercy, and peace will continue to be with those who live in truth and love. Truth and love are powerful in the Kingdom. When we operate in them, we will see results in our lives. When we pursue truth and love, we will walk in grace, mercy, and peace.

Application:

Truth and love are the bedrock of the Gospel of Christ. As He walked in absolute truth and absolute love, we also must walk as He did. When we operate the way Jesus did, we will see powerful results. Truth is hard when it means confrontation for me. I like people to like me and that can cause me to settle for not being completely truthful. I don’t necessarily lie, but I avoid telling everything I know. 

Prayer:

Father, thank You for convicting me with Your word today. Help me to walk in absolute truth as Christ did. Help me not to water down the truth, but to call it out. Let Your love flow through my life. Help me to love well. You are my example. Empower me to live as You lived here on this earth. I need You desperately.

Yours forever,

Jeff

The Blessing of the Lord

 Scripture:

““The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine!” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭9‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Amos had prophesied some very difficult things because of Israel and Judah’s disobedience to God. He then tells them of a day where they would return to the Lord and to their land and God would bless them because they were following Him. The Lord tells them that the fruit will be produced faster than they could harvest it and Israel would drip with sweet wine. There is a promise that, when they turn to God, He will prosper them and cause them to see growth and abundance.

Application:

When we are seeing lack and wondering how we are going to make it, we must examine our ways and see if we are truly walking in obedience to the Lord. If so, we can be assured that God does reward faithfulness and obedience to Him. Barren times don’t last forever. We must believe that when we serve God wholeheartedly, that He will cause His blessings to flow into our lives. I am looking for the day of fruit coming faster than we can harvest it. 

Prayer:

Father, I want to see Your blessing in my life, my family, my church, and my region. I ask You to let the fruit of continual obedience begin to come quicker than we know how to harvest it. I ask You to fill our church with new people coming to Jesus and being transformed. As I have obeyed the words You gave me, I pray for the day of Your blessing on our obedience. I look for the day of quick and strong growth according to Isaiah 54;1-3.

Your Son,

Jeff

Obedience

 Scripture:

““But you caused the Nazirites to sin by making them drink wine, and you commanded the prophets, ‘Shut up!’” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God speaks here to Israel and Judah about how they treated those who were fully committed to Him. He speaks against them because they made the Nazirites, who are in covenant to never drink wine, to drink wine. These people told the prophets to shut up. They didn’t want to hear what God was saying and therefore, God was coming after them for their disobedience. 

Application:

Disobedience to God and His principles is not a healthy choice to make. As believers, we don’t live our own lives and do what we want. We are in a covenant with a holy God. It is a covenant of love, but it is still a covenant of obedience. When we obey God, we see His blessings. When we disobey Him, we can expect things not to go well for us. Our place is a place of obedience and trust. We obey Him because we know He loves us and wants to bless us. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in obedience to You every day. Open my ears to hear Your voice and give me a heart of obedience in all things. I want to serve You well and walk in Your blessings. You are incredible and I want to reflect Your heart to Your people.

Sincerely Yours,

Jeff

Secure In Christ

 Scripture:

“We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This context of this passage speaks of sin and the believer. It says that God’s children don’t make a practice of sinning. It is no longer their nature to sin. The final words are so powerful because we see both God’s part and our part in walking this out. It says that God’s holds His children securely and the evil one can’t touch them. It also says, we don’t make a practice of sinning.

Application:

God wants us to know that we are secure in Christ and that our salvation is not a revolving door. God goes so far as to say that the evil one cannot touch God’s children. We have a powerful God who works with us to keep us on His path. We also have a part. We have to make a decision to follow God’s ways and not allow sin into our lives. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in a powerful Savior who loves us and protects us from the evil one.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for loving me, forgiving me, cleansing me, and keeping me close to You. Help me to hate what You hate and love what You love. Teach me to follow Your ways completely. Keep me from the evil one in every area. You are amazing and I appreciate You.

Jeff

Living Like Jesus Lived

 Scripture:

“But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

John tells us here that when we obey God’s word, we show how completely we love Him. Our love should be demonstrated by obedience to God’s word. He continues to say those who say they live in God, should live their lives like Jesus did. Jesus lived in complete obedience to the Father in all things.

Application:

Obedience to God’s word is the thing that demonstrates, more than anything else, that we love God. We can say we love God with our lips, but when it is from our hearts, it will be demonstrated by obedience. Jesus lived in complete submission to the will of the Father. As He came to the end of His life and His crucifixion, Jesus asked the Father if there was any other way, then said, “nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done.” Jesus lived to obey the Father and we must live like Jesus lived.

Prayer:

Lord God, thank You for Your Spirit that empowers me to live like Jesus lived. Thank You for the price Jesus paid so I could have eternal life. Help me to live like Jesus lived on this earth, in complete obedience to You. Show me the way forward and teach me to walk in full submission to You at all times. Let my life be used for Your glory every day and in every way.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

What God Says…Will Happen

 Scripture:

““Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, live in Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy forever, and foreign armies will never conquer her again.” ‭‭Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This verse, in its context is speaking about Armageddon and the battle that will one day take place there as a fulfillment to Old Testament prophesy. When that is said and done, the world will know that The Lord is God and He will be with His people and He will be their God. At that point, Jerusalem, which has been conquered many times in the past will never be conquered again. 

Application:

What God says will happen, will take place as He has said. Sometimes His prophesies come to pass quickly and sometimes there are thousands of years, but His word always comes true. God is right now bringing His people back to the land He gave them so many years ago. They are growing stronger and stronger as He promised. Everything is lining up for the fulfillment of this passage. Jerusalem will be holy forever and never conquered again.

Prayer:

Father, Your word is powerful and it is true. So many prophecies have already come to pass. While we wait for ones like this to happen, we know Your will. You want the world to know You are God and You want to be with Your people. You want to be their God and for them to be Your people. Let me be part of restoring people back to You. Use my life to bring people back to You around the world. I am Yours. As we live in these last days, teach me to hear Your voice and to know exactly what to do in each and every situation.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

More Like Jesus

 Scripture:

“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This verse tells us that God has given us some great and precious promises that enable us to share in his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption because of human desires. This lets us know that when we are born again, we receive a new nature, the nature of Christ. 

Application:

We have to live out of our new nature and not our old nature. God has given us great and precious promises. These are available to us, but we must walk in our new nature and not be controlled by our old nature. Fortunately, God has given us everything we need to accomplish His will for our lives. Our job is to follow the Lord and do what the Holy Spirit speaks to us. 

Prayer:

Father, I want to please You in this life more than anything else. I want my life to be used for Your glory. Help me to live out the promises You have given us. Teach me not to give in to the flesh, but to follow You completely and passionately. Teach me Your ways and guide my steps. Let my life bring You honor and praise. Let me live out of my divine nature and not my old nature. Make me more like You.

Yours,

Jeff

Forever My Source

 Scripture:

““O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.”” ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭14‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking to Israel about their constant turning away from Him and serving other gods. He tells them to stay away from idols because He is the one who answers their prayers and cares for them. He tells them that He is like a tree that’s always green and constantly producing fruit. God wanted to be their source for everything they needed, but they continually turned to other gods.

Application:

God wants us to always turn to Him, not away from Him. We should never walk away from God or look to any other source for our needs. He wants to be a continual supplier for us. He longs for us to turn towards Him and not away when things get difficult. He wants to be our supplier. We must always run to Him and not to other means. He is a rewarded of those who diligently seek Him.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are incredible! You are faithful and strong. Your love and mercy is deeper than the sea. Help me to never look to any other source but You. You are all I need. Teach me to walk by faith. Bless my life and those around me. Bless Word of Life today. Bless the work of my hands and my family in every way. You are my source!

Yours,

Jeff