Retirement Thoughts

 Scripture:

“Paul lived there two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete boldness and without restriction.”‭‭Acts‬ ‭28‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Paul lived a life of fluidity. He moved around a lot saw every opportunity as an opportunity to spread the Gospel. At this point in his life he had been thrown out of many cities where riots broke out because of him. He had been through some incredibly crazy situations, but always sharing Christ. He ended up in Rome at the end of the book of Acts where he spent two years on house arrest welcoming people, proclaiming the kingdom and teaching about the Lord Jesus with boldness.

Application:

You never retire from your calling and purpose. In today’s church we talk about retirement as a time when we can rest, focus on ourselves, and enjoy riding out our days in self-gratification. We must slow down as we get older, but our purpose never dies. When our purpose and passion leave, there is a slow death and a lack of a sense of fulfillment. As for me, I will follow the voice of the Spirit and keep on sowing into lives until Jesus takes me from this planet. 

Prayer:

Father, let my life be used for Your glory in every stage. I want to serve You until the end of my life, continually investing in those around me. Teach me how to walk out my future in wisdom and grace. Show me when to slow down and when to keep moving forward. Teach me to walk in step with You all the days of my life. 

Yours,

Jeff

Believe and Become Like Me

 Scripture:

“Agrippa said to Paul, “In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?” Paul replied, “I pray to God that whether in a short or a long time not only you but also all those who are listening to me today could become such as I am, except for these chains.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭26‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

As Paul was standing before Agrippa he told his personal testimony. Agrippa then thought Paul was trying to persuade him to become a Christian during his defense. Paul responded to Agrippa by telling him that he prayed to God that Agrippa would believe and become like Paul, except for the chains on his wrists. Agrippa was very moved by Paul’s defense. Paul told him that he wanted all who heard him to be like him.

Application:

If I were defending myself before someone as high ranking as Agrippa, would I be sharing the Gospel with the judge, and those in the room? Would I be more worried about my own condition or the condition of those listening? Would I want people to have what I have, except for the chains? I want to serve God well in my generation and I want people to know Christ as I know Christ, but I want to be a better witness and have more concern for the souls of people.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be a soul winner. Let my heart be on the extension of Your kingdom in all the earth. Let me be ready for those who have questions to ask. Let my heart be so full of You that I would share about Your goodness, even while on public trial. Let me have a heart for the lost like the Apostle Paul had. Let me be more concerned about others than I am myself. 

Yours,

Jeff

In Him

 Scripture:

“For in him we live and move about and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭17‬:‭28‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Paul was addressing the people of Athens, who served and worshiped many gods. He explained that his God was the one they were looking for and then told them this phrase, “in Him we live and move about and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’” He was telling them that God was personal and involved in lives. He is so close that we can call ourselves His offspring. 

Application:

God is looking for people who will live, move, and exist, in Him. He wants children, not robots. He wants us to walk with Him, talk with Him, and work with Him. God wants to be the center of our lives, not ourselves. Life is meant to be about God and His desires, not us and our desires. Our very existence is about Him.

Prayer:

Father, You are amazing and I love You’re so much. I want to live, and move, and exist in You. I want to look more like You each day. Take away from me everything that doesn’t look like You. Help me to reflect my Father well. Let people see Your image in my life. Be a father to me in every way.

Yours,

Jeff

Seeking and Sending

 Scripture:

“While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, after they had fasted and prayed and placed their hands on them, they sent them off.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

The church at Antioch is a great New Testament church model. They were Spirit sensitive and were a sending church. In this passage, the leaders were serving the Lord and fasting when the Holy Spirit told them to set apart Barnabus and Saul for the work they were to do. They fasted, prayed, and sent them to do what God was calling them to do. 

Application:

I want the church I pastor to be like the church of Antioch. I want us to be a seeking church and a sending church. I want our leadership to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit clearly and to send out those who are called into their destinies. I want to be a leader who sees callings and gifting, calls them out, and sends them when the Holy Spirit says it is time. 

Prayer:

Father, make me sensitive to Your voice. Help me to clear away all the other voices and to focus on Yours. Teach me to walk in obedience and to fulfill Your will in the earth. Help me to empower others and send them like the church of Antioch. Help me. Resource me. Empower me. I want to send sons and daughters into Your service.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

The Word of God Can’t Be Stopped

 Scripture:

“Immediately an angel of the Lord struck Herod down because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God kept on increasing and multiplying.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭12‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Herod had just sent away the guards who were supposed to be watching Peter in prison. Because Peter had escaped, the guards were being taken to be executed. At that time, people were worshiping Herod and he died from being eaten by worms, “but the word of God kept on increasing and multiplying.” Those opposing the Gospel were being dealt with, but God’s people were multiplying. 

Application:

Even when the world is in turmoil for their bad actions, God can still increase and multiply His church. Anywhere Christians are persecuted, there is also expansion and multiplication of God’s kingdom. Because of this, our thinking ahold be different. We don’t runaway from difficult things, we watch God expand His kingdom in the midst of difficult things. God blesses His people, even when they are being persecuted. This is the God I serve.

Prayer:

Father, You are incredible and I love You with all my heart. Let the word of God increase and multiply here and around the world. Let Your Word go forth in these last days. Help me to do my part in finishing the Great Commission. Let me understand Your kingdom more each day. Show me things to come. Give me strength to follow You completely and wholeheartedly. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Obedience Isn’t Always Easy

 Scripture:

“So Ananias departed and entered the house, placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭17‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Ananias was a great person who walked in obedience to the Holy Spirit. He obeyed when obedience didn’t make sense. He went to the one who had been killing God’s people. He was sent there according his own words, “so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Saul was murdering Christians, but Ananias took a risk because God had spoken to him. 

Application:

Sometimes we have to walk in obedience, even when it doesn’t make sense and doesn’t appear to be safe. There are times when God will ask us to do things that are difficult. He may ask us to go places that are dangerous according to our own understanding. Our job is to walk in obedience. Just like Ananias, God may call us to do things that seem dangerous or risky. We are called to obedience, not only when that is comfortable.

Prayer:

Father, let my life be used for Your glory. Let my answer always be YES. Help me to say yes when yes is difficult and makes no sense. My life is in Your hands. Show me Your ways and let my life be an instrument You can work through because You know my answer before You ask. Let me fulfill every plan and purpose of my life. I want to be completely Yours.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

They Were ALL Being Healed

 Scripture:

“A crowd of people from the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits. They were all being healed.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

There were several times when it was said of Jesus that “they were all being healed.” Here, it is being said about the apostles after Jesus ascended to heaven and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. When God is as work, people are healed. It is apparent in the life of Jesus and the life of the early Church. Healing and deliverance is a very real part of the Gospel message.

Application:

I long to see God’s kingdom come in greater and greater measure. I long to see more people healed by the power of God. It was the norm in the early church for people to be healed and it should be the norm for people today. The kingdom hasn’t changed. We have. As for me, I want to see God restore healing and deliverance to the Church. We see it sometimes, but I want to see the day when, “They were all being healed.” 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, remove from me whatever hinders You from working through me in healing and deliverance. Let my life be aligned well with You. Let Your kingdom come in stronger and greater dimensions. Let Your will be done in and through my life. Help me to accurately proclaim Your message and to demonstrate Your message as well with sign of following.

Yours,

Jeff

The Gift of the Spirit

 Scripture:

“Peter said to them, “Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

When the Holy Spirit was poured out in Jerusalem, a crowd gathered and they all heard the 120 praising God in their many languages. Some thought they were drunk, and others were just amazed. Peter, trying to explain what had happened, stood up and explained to them from the book of Joel what was happening. He went on to tell them to repent and be baptized, then they would received the gift of the Holy Spirit. He continued by saying that this promise of the Spirit was for them, their children, and all who the Lord calls.

Application:

This promise continues today. God is still pouring out His Spirit on those who repent and are baptized. He still baptizes in the Spirit. As God’s people, we should continually be seeking Him and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. I don’t want to miss out on anything God has promised us. I want everything He has promised to give us. I want to see more people baptized in the Spirit than ever before. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to align myself with You and Your purposes. Pour out Your Spirit and baptize people once again. Let us see a fresh outpouring of Your Spirit. Help me to hear and follow Your voice and do what You speak. Let Your word be confirmed with signs and wonders. Awaken our hearts to the power of Your Spirit.

Yours,

Jeff

Don’t Put It Off

 Scripture:

“So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long do you intend to put off occupying the land the Lord God of your ancestors has given you?” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭18‬:‭3‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

In this verse we see that several of the tribes had not inherited and laid claim on their land. They had all gone in a fought for the territory, but these had still not truly occupied the land and divided it among the tribes. Joshua asked them this question, “How long to you intend to put off occupying the land the Lord God of your ancestors has given you?” God gave them the land, they just had to divide it among themselves and occupy it. 

Application:

There are times in my life when I need a word like this from the Lord. I know there are some things right now on my “to do” list that I feel the Lord wants me to do, but I haven’t done yet. As I was reading this morning, those words really struck me. How long do I intend to put off occupying what God has already said would happen? God does His part, then we have to do some things as well. I need to quit putting off what I know I need to do.

Prayer:

Father, help me to stop procrastinating on things I know You have given me to do. Help me to stop putting off things that I know need done. Empower me to live by faith and obedience. There are some things I need to step into and begin working on. Help me to occupy everything You have given me to do and not settle until they are done.

Yours,

Jeff

Faith That Remains

Scripture:

“Now, assign me this hill country which the Lord promised me at that time! No doubt you heard at that time that the Anakites live there in large, fortified cities. But, assuming the Lord is with me, I will conquer them, as the Lord promised.”” … “Caleb drove out from there three Anakites – Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, descendants of Anak.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬, 15:14 ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Caleb tells Joshua that 45 years earlier, when he was 40, he was promised the land of Hebron. At 85, he approached Joshua and  told him that it was time to inherit what he was promised. He had just fought many battles, helping Israel defeat all its enemies in the Promised Land. He still believed in the promise of God and wanted to possess it. He knew there were giants in the land, but still wanted to fight for it. In chapter 15 we see that he drove out three giants from the land at 85 years of age.

Application:

When God makes a promise, He will give you what you need to accomplish what He is calling you to do. We can’t limit God with our own minds. We must believe that God can still use us, even if we’re 85 and most people would have quit. Faith doesn’t retire, it continues to land for Jesus and extends His kingdom. As we get older, our bodies may fail, but our God will never fail. May we walk in giant killing faith all the days of our lives.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious. Help me to never diminish what You are able to do in and through my life. Help me to walk in faith and not by sight at all times. I want to serve You well and finish all You have given me to do. Let my life be marked by supernatural faith and the results of that faith. Teach me to fully You well all the days of my life. May I never limit You because of my limited thinking. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

When God Fights Your Battles

 Scripture:

“The Lord routed them before Israel. Israel thoroughly defeated them at Gibeon. They chased them up the road to the pass of Beth Horon and struck them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. As they fled from Israel on the slope leading down from Beth Horon, the Lord threw down on them large hailstones from the sky, all the way to Azekah. They died – in fact, more died from the hailstones than the Israelites killed with the sword.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NET‬‬ 

Observation:

Notice in the first verse that the Lord routed them before Israel. There was no doubt that it was the Lord and not Israel who defeated their enemies. The people of Israel battled, but the Lord brought the victory. The Lord worked with them. He provided hail stones that killed more enemies than the army killed. When God fights your battles, the warfare isn’t fair.

Application:

When we are aligned with the Lord and doing His will, we can trust the He will enable us to do what we cannot do. When we are walking with Him, no enemy is too big to conquer and no giant is too big to kill. He uses unfair tactics for those who serve Him diligently. When we are attacked, we must remember that the same God who threw hailstones at Israel’s enemies, has our backs and will use unique warfare to destroy our enemies. 

Prayer:

Father, You are good and I worship You. Help me to live a life of faith, conquering territories for You and Your kingdom. I want to know You more. I want to hear Your heart and walk closely with You. Work on my behalf as I serve You wholeheartedly. I am Yours.

Your Son,

Jeff

The Lord’s Advice

 Scripture:

“The men examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the Lord’s advice. Joshua made a peace treaty with them and agreed to let them live. The leaders of the community sealed it with an oath.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭9‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Joshua and God’s people had just crossed the Jordan River, destroyed Jericho, and Ai. The people of the region were terrified of Israel and her God. The Gibeonites acted like they had come from very far away and asked for a treaty with Israel. Joshua eventually realized that they lived close by and were lying about where they lived. This verse tells us how this happened, “they failed to ask the Lord’s advice.” They didn’t or ask God about Their treaty with the Gibeonites.

Application:

As a leader, I need to always consult God on everything I do and every decision I make. Sometimes what seems like the right thing, or a no-brainer, may be a set up by the enemy. We need to consult with God about everything we do, especially when it is in His name. I want to represent the Lord well. Therefore, I need to know His will and seek His face, not just do what seems right in my own eyes.

Prayer:

Father, help me not to take the Holy Spirit for granted. Help me to walk humbly before You all the days of my life. Teach me to follow Your voice and not just do what everyone else does. Help me not to simply do what is easy, but to take Your road. Help me to make right and godly decisions. Show me how to lead your people well.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Recognize the Lord’s Power

 Scripture:

“He has done this so all the nations of the earth might recognize the Lord’s power and so you might always obey the Lord your God.”” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭24‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

God had just caused the waters of the Jordan River to stop flowing and allowed His people to walk into the Promised Land on dry ground. He told them to  set up 12 stones so their kids would be reminded about what the Lord had done for them. One of God’s purposes in this was to so that the surrounding nations would recognize God’s power and that His people would always obey the Lord.

Application:

We should stand in awe of the God who can do the impossible. We should never say no when God speaks to us. We should honor Him more than we do. God set reminders for His people so they would always remember what He was capable of and so they would obey Him. We need to walk humbly before our God and fear Him. He is awesome!

Prayer:

Father, help me to follow You well. Teach me to tremble at Your word. Let my answer always be yes! Help me to respond to You as I should. You are incredible and it is an honor to serve You. You have taken such good care of me all these years. You are faithful and I love You with all my heart.

Yours,

 Jeff

Empowered, Sent, and filled with Peace

 Scripture:

“So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” ‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

After the resurrection, Jesus met His disciples and spoke with them. First He spoke peace over them because He knew they were struggling with everything that had happened. Second, He sent them, just like the Father had sent Him. Third, He breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit. He sent them, empowered them, and gave them the peace they would need to fulfill His mission.

Application:

Jesus doesn’t send out His people unprepared. He gives us everything we need in order to fulfill His mission. Sometimes we struggle with feeling like God has truly empowered us with His Spirit to fulfill His mission. He has literally taken away every excuse before He even sent us. We must walk in confidence and boldness as we complete His mission. 

Prayer:

Father, You are my peace! You are my strength. You are my rock! You are everything I need to fulfill Your purposes in my life. Help me to stay attuned to Your voice and to finish every assignment You send me on. Help me to live as one who is sent at all times, not just on Sundays in the pulpit. Let my life reflect You every day and in every way. 

Yours,

Jeff

Set Apart and Sent

 Scripture:

“Just as you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I set myself apart on their behalf, so that they too may be truly set apart.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Jesus is praying to the Father. He says that He sent His disciples into the world just like the Father sent Him. He then said, “I set myself apart on their behalf, so that they too may be truly set apart.” Set apart is where we get the word “sanctified.” Jesus sanctified us, or set us apart, so we could be sent. 

Application:

We must come to the realization that Jesus set us apart and sent us into the world for God’s purposes. As He was sent, He sent us. As He was set apart, we are set apart. When a person is sent, they have a mission. Their mission is not of their own choosing. A sent one’s mission is the mission of the one who sent them. We must realize that Jesus chose us to separate us and send us as His ambassadors in the world. We must live for His purposes and fulfill His mission. We cannot live unto ourselves.

Prayer:

Father, You set me apart many, many years ago. You sent me on Your mission many years ago and I want to fulfill every assignment You have for my life. Help me to live life on Your mission and not my own. Teach me to walk with You and be confident that I have been set apart and sent to live a life on mission for God.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Love One Another

 Scripture:

“My commandment is this – to love one another just as I have loved you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Many times Jesus said things like, “If you love me, keep my commands.” In this passage He gives his commandment to His disciples, “Love one another just as I have loved you.” Jesus always had a beautiful way of narrowing down the teachings to the main things. He actually boiled it all down in another place to, love God with everything you’ve got and love your neighbor as yourself. The big command of Jesus is to love one another. 

Application:

The heart of the Good News is to love one another. Jesus wants us to live in His love and to work from that place. Jesus loved people. He loved imperfect people. He loved people with issues. We should learn to love like Jesus loved. One of His own disciples was going to betray him, yet Jesus, knowing it, loved him right to the very end. I need to love like Jesus loved.

Prayer:

Father, fill me with Your love. Let Your love flow through my life and teach me to demonstrate it well. You are my everything and I want to represent You well. Teach me Your ways and let me walk in Your Spirit. Let Your love flow through my life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

I Want to Know Him

 Scripture:

““I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me –” ‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Jesus was speaking about His love for those He had been sent to. He spoke of their closeness and how they know the voice of their shepherd. He then stated, “I know my own and my own know me.” As believers we know and are known. We can have a close, intimate, relationship with Christ. He already knows us, but we can always know Him better. 

Application:

Knowing Him should be the pursuit of our lives. Jesus said that His sheep know Him, but many of us don’t feel like we know Him all that well. I know I deeply want to know Him closer. I want to know His heart and understand His will for my life. There’s an older worship song that says, “I want to know You. I want to hear Your voice. I want to touch You. I want to see Your face. I want to know You more.” This song expresses my desire.

Prayer:

Father, I want to know You more. I want to hear Your voice and see Your face. I want to walk with You as Adam did in the garden. I want to see Your glory. I long to know You deeply and to follow You closely. Take me deeper and open my eyes and ears to see and hear You clearly. 

Yours,

Jeff