When God Promotes

 Scripture:

“The Lord greatly magnified Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him greater majesty than any king of Israel before him.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭25‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

David was a great kind of Israel who accomplished incredible things, but this verse says his sons and relatives Solomon was greatly magnified by the Lord before Israel and that God gave him greater majesty than anyone king before him. It’s hard to outdo David, but in God’s eyes, Solomon was more blessed than David. When God lifts a person up, it is powerful!

Application:

It is God who lifts up and who puts down people. It is God who promotes and who demotes. We should live our lives, not seeking promotion, but seeking God. When we seek Him first and foremost, the blessing follows. We must always walk humbly before our God because He can cause things to happen in our lives that we never could. He is awesome!

Prayer:

Father, you bestowed incredible favor and blessing on Solomon. You caused him to be blessed beyond measure. Help me to live a life that You can bless. Teach me how to operate according to Your ways. Are my life apart for Your glory and let me fulfill Your will in all things. Help me to serve You well and to make Your name great in all the earth.

Yours,

Jeff

Training Faithful Men

 Scripture:

“All these were the descendants of Obed-Edom. They and their sons and relatives were respected men, capable of doing their responsibilities. There were sixty-two of them related to Obed-Edom.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭26‬:‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

The home of Obed-Edom was known in the Bible as the only place besides the Tabernacle or Temple that housed the ark of the covenant without it causing some problems. He was blessed powerfully for housing the Ark of God’s Presence, apparently in a manner that God honored and appreciated. This verse tells a little more of the story. His sons and relatives were respected me who could do their responsibilities. 

Application:

When a man lives a life that God can bless, his generations are also blessed. Faithful men raise faithful men. I want to live a life God can bless and see my generations blessed because of my obedience. I want to set an example others can follow and demonstrate a way that works for becoming a man of God.

Prayer:

Father, help me to follow You completely. Teach me Your ways and Your heart. I want to serve You well in my generation and leave a legacy and inheritance for the next generation. Help me to follow You completely and to raise up faithful men who will teach others. Let a strong group of godly men arise that can be trusted with the riches of Your kingdom.

Yours,

Jeff

Insight, Understanding, and Obedience

 Scripture:

“Only may the Lord give you insight and understanding when he places you in charge of Israel, so you may obey the law of the Lord your God. Then you will succeed, if you carefully obey the rules and regulations which the Lord ordered Moses to give to Israel. Be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic!” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭22‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

As David was preparing to hand off his kingdom to his son Solomon, he told Solomon how to lead God’s people. He asked God to give Solomon insight and understanding so he would obey the law of the Lord. He added a promise, “then you will succeed, if you carefully obey the rules and regulations which the Lord ordered Moses.” Success comes from insight, understanding, and obedience. David then told Solomon to be strong, brave, and not to be afraid. 

Application:

To lead God’s people well, we need insight, understanding, and obedience to the things of God. When we do that, we have nothing to fear and we can be brave and strong. Submission to God and His ways is if they to effective leadership and walking in God’s blessing. We need to humble ourselves before Him and do things His ways, with His insight and understanding because He knows all.

Prayer:

Father, let me lead with insight, understanding, and obedience to You always. Teach me to hear Your voice and give me the wisdom to follow it. I long to walk in step with You at all times. I strongly desire to be filled with Your Spirit in greater measure. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God Raises Up and God Puts Down

 Scripture:

““So now, say this to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord who commands armies says: “I took you from the pasture and from your work as a shepherd to make you a leader of my people Israel.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

God spoke through Nathan the prophet into King David’s life. God told David, “I took you from the pasture and from your work as a shepherd to make you a leader of my people Israel.” God was in the entire process, even though the process wasn’t easy. It is God who raises up and God who puts down. 

Application:

We must realize that we are not in the positions we are in because we are good people or because we deserve it, but because God has a plan. David went through some terrible days after being anointed, but God let him know that He was with him all the way through and made him king of Israel. We must live our lives surrendered to the Lord in all things and trust that He will put us where He wants us and use us how He wants to use us. Our job is to remain humble and responsive when the Lord calls.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live humbly before You and to take every step You invite me to take. Teach me to walk in obedience every day and to finish the work You have given me to do. Help me to lean more on You and less on myself. I need You Lord. 

Yours,

Jeff

Speak to God First

 Scripture:

“David asked God, “Should I march up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord said to him, “March up! I will hand them over to you!” So they marched against Baal Perazim and David defeated them there. David said, “Using me as his instrument, God has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out.” So that place is called Baal Perazim.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

David was smart enough not to trust his own decisions, but asked the Lord what to do. He knew it was God who fought his battles and therefore wanted to make sure he wasn’t going ahead of God. Once he heard from God, he marched, and God defeated his enemies. He declared that God used him as His instrument to burst out against his enemies.

Application:

We can be used by God to destroy the works of the enemy when we first hear His voice and do what He is doing. We can’t ask God to anoint us to do our will. We can only ask God to anoint us to do His will. The greatest place we can be is in the place of full surrender to God and His will for our lives. When we work with God, great things happen. When we work in our flesh, disaster usually comes. We must speak to God before we attack enemies.

Prayer:

Father, help me not to rush into battle, but to wait for You to dictate my steps. I want to be doing what You want me to be doing with my life. Help me to follow You well and anoint me to accomplish Your plans, not my plans, for my life. My life is in Your hands. Use me for Your glory and open the right doors at the right moment. I want to live a surrendered life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

His Presence is Everything

 Scripture:

“David’s power steadily grew, for the Lord who commands armies was with him.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭11‬:‭9‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Throughout the Old Testament, we are told about people of whom it would say, “and the Lord was with them.” Those people always prospered. Those people always won battles. Those people always lived very blessed lives that had a supernatural element to them. Here it says David’s power steadily grew because God was with him.

Application:

The greatest thing you can have in your life on this earth is God’s presence and power on your life. When God is with you, things go well for you and He opens doors for you that nobody can shut. He makes things prosper in ways we could never do alone. As for me, I know God is with me because He lives within me, but I also love when He manifests His presence and lets me know He is there. We should continually seek God’s presence in our lives and pursue Him with all our hearts.

Prayer:

Father, You are the best! You are my everything and I love You with all my heart. Help me to walk humbly before You. I want Your presence to be evident in my life. I want You to smile upon me and let Your supernatural favor and grace be upon me. Set me apart for Your purposes and let my life bring You glory and honor. I am Yours. Let my life count for Your kingdom. Bless our events this weekend with Your presence. Come Holy Spirit.

Yours,

Jeff

Raising and Releasing Warriors

 Scripture:

“Altogether the genealogical records of the clans of Issachar listed 87,000 warriors.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭5‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

It is interesting to read the genealogies of some of the people in the Bible. You find little things here and there about families. In this passage it talks about the sons of Issachar. 87,000 warriors came directly through his lineage. He raised warriors, who raised warriors, who raised warriors. It seems that had lots of babies as well because this is a huge number of fighting men from one ancestor. 

Application:

The Bible tells us in other places that the Sons of Issachar knew the times and seasons. They were not only warriors, they understood how to hear from God. As a spiritual father, I want to lead men, who lead men, who lead men. I want to build warriors, who build warriors, who build warriors in God’s kingdom. I want to pass on to the next generation everything the Lord has put in my life.

Prayer:

Father, let this next season of my life be given to raising and releasing sons and daughters who will today sons and daughters, who will change the world. Give me wisdom and insight concerning this and how to walk in it. Teach me to raise and release world changers for Your glory. Help me to father them well and to prepare them for service in Your kingdom.

Yours,

Jeff

The Blessing

 Scripture:

“Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only you would greatly bless me and expand my territory! May your hand be with me! Keep me from harm so I might not endure pain!” God answered his prayer.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Te beginning of I Chronicles is a long genealogy. It tells all the names of the descendants of God’s people. Most of the people we don’t learn anything about, but once in a while a person gets an additional line or two of text. Jabez got a little additional description. It says he was born in pain, but he called out to God and asked God to bless him, expand his territory, and to let His hand be with him. He also asked that would not have to endure pain. Then it simply says, “God answered his prayer.” Then the genealogy continued to the next person.

Application:

Sometimes we have not because we ask not. I am one who doesn’t ask very much. I tend to be pretty self-reliant and don’t want to be always begging God for things. I need to learn that it is not a problem to ask my father for His blessing. I need to ask God more instead of leaning on the fact that He knows my needs before I ever express them. 

Prayer:

Father, bless me. Bless the work of my hands. Bless my family. Bless the church I lead. Bless my county. Let Your blessing be evident in my life and work. I want to see Your name glorified in every nation of the world. Empower me to do Your will and extend Your kingdom in and through my life. Help me to lead Your people well and to serve them with excellence. I want to represent You well. As we celebrate 25 years at Word of Life this week. Bless the weekend with Your presence and bless the church in every way.

Yours,

Jeff

One Bad Decision

 Scripture:

“The son of Carmi: Achan, who brought the disaster on Israel when he stole what was devoted to God.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

The first three chapters of I Chronicles is a detailed lineage of God people from Adam. In this geneology, very little is spoken about anyone. It is simply a list of who was born to who. Once in a while, there will be a very little information about one individual. When it came to Achan, he received additional information that said, “who brought disaster on Israel when he stole what was devoted to God.”

Application:

You can do a lot of good in your life, but it is usually the one bad thing you did that gets you remembered. You can work all your life to build a reputation, then lose it in a moment, causing you to be remembered as the person who fell from grace or did something terribly wrong. I’m sure Achan did some things right in his life, but he went down in history as the guy who stole from God and caused Israel defeat. I want to finish strong and be known for what I did right, not where I messed up.

Prayer:

Father, I want to represent You well throughout my life. I want to make Your kingdom look good, not bad. Help me to follow You completely and to make Your name great. You are worthy of my very best. Help me to live a life that brings You honor and praise. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Living For Eternity

 Scripture:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ‭NET‬

Observation:

Paul wrote this to the Corinthians and it is a good reminder about how we live our lives here on earth. He says we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ after we die. It states that we will be paid back, or rewarded, according to whatever we have done in our earthly lives. Like is a downpayment on our eternal rewards. 

Application:

Everything we do on this earth while we live here, will be judged one day. It will either be valuable or not valuable. God is taking good notes of every moment of our lives. As believers, we don’t have to worry about hell, but in heaven there will be a reward system. We need to live our lives knowing that one day we will stand before God and give an account. As for my, I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Prayer:

Father, help me to live with eternity in focus. Help me to live my life producing valuable things for Your kingdom. Let my answer always be “yes” when You want me to do something. Teach me to live a life of obedience in everything I touch. Let my life be lived for Your glory.

Yours,

Jeff

Power in Clay Jars

 Scripture:

“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Corinthians here and tells them about the extraordinary power in him that belongs to God. That power, Paul said, comes from God and not from us. He used the analogy that we are simple clay jars, containing the power, but not the source of the power. Paul knew he had great power, but he also knew where it came from.

Application:

As God’s children, we have the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We should not shy away from the fact that we have extraordinary power, but we should never forget there that power comes from. We must always point to Jesus, and not ourselves. We are simple conduits of God’s power. We can do nothing without Him, but everything with Him. We just need to learn our place and walk with God to fulfill His purposes.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are great and glorious. You are incredible and I worship You. You are worthy of all my praise and worship. You are worthy of any sacrifice I need to make. You are my everything. Help me to walk in Your power, but remember that power comes from You and You alone. This world needs to see You working through people, but they need to know it is not the people, but God Almighty working through them. 

Yours,

Jeff

All Your Heart

 Scripture:

“The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant before the Lord, agreeing to follow the Lord and to obey his commandments, laws, and rules with all his heart and being, by carrying out the terms of this covenant recorded on this scroll. All the people agreed to keep the covenant.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭23‬:‭3‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

King Josiah ran after God with all his heart. When he heard the word of the Lord, he went through Judah tearing down everything he could have previous worship of other gods. He did his very best to turn God’s people back to God. In this passage, he had just read the scroll found in the Temple and renewed a covenant with God with all his heart and being. Even the people followed him and entered a covenant with God. Unfortunately it didn’t last, but the heart was right.

Application:

We should tremble at the word of the Lord. When we read God’s word, it should shake us like it did Josiah. When we read the scrolls of the Lord, we should look to repent and turn completely to God. It is the natural response when we realize we have neglected the voice of God. I want to serve God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I want to serve Him well in my generation.

Prayer:

Father, forgive our half-heartedness. Help me to run to You and away from anything that You don’t approve of. Teach me to tremble at Your word and to live a life that pleases You. I want to see the blessings that follow a heart that is completely sold out to You. Let me never be a half-hearted Christian. I want to be sold out for You and Your purposes in the earth. 

Yours,

Jeff

God’s Angel Army

 Scripture:

“I will shield this city and rescue it for the sake of my reputation and because of my promise to David my servant.’” That very night the Lord’s messenger went out and killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. When they got up early the next morning, there were all the corpses.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Assyria was coming after God’s people and King Hezekiah cried out to the Lord. It seemed there was no hope for God’s people. When Hezekiah cried out to the Lord, God decided to move. He was told that he would not have to defend against the Assyrians because the Lord would deter them. That night, an angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians and they held quickly from God’s people. 

Application:

When the enemy threatens, we must remember that God can do far more than we think He can do. He can send angel armies to defeat enemies. He has resources we can’t even imagine. We must do our best to serve God, then know that we have a covenant with Him. He will fight our battles as we align ourselves with Him. God can handle any situation that comes our way. We must learn to trust Him more and believe He will take care of His own.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, I worship You! I glorify Your name. I exalt You! You are the only one worthy of praise. When the enemy threatens my life, or my family, or my church, let me respond in faith, knowing God will fight my battles. Let my faith in God grow to new levels. Help me to trust You above the reports of this world. Work Your miracles on our behalf I pray.

Yours,

Jeff

Obedience Brings Favor

 Scripture:

“He was loyal to the Lord and did not abandon him. He obeyed the commandments which the Lord had given to Moses. The Lord was with him; he succeeded in all his endeavors. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to submit to him.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

King Hezekiah was loyal to the Lord and did not abandon Him. He obeyed the Lord‘s commands that were given through Moses. Because he follow the Lord and was loyal to Him, it says the Lord was with him and he was successful in all his endeavors. Success comes from being in with relationship with God. He is the author of success. 

Application:

Success and victory don’t come from us or our hard work. The Lord blesses those who live according to His ways. He is faithful when His people are faithful. God rewards and honors those who listen to His voice and do what He says. God is with you when you walk in obedience and when God is with you, no enemy can prosper against You. 

Prayer:

Lord, let my life be a life of obedience to You and Your word. Help me to follow You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. You are my rock and the foundation of my life. Help me to serve You well. I want to represent You well in my generation. Teach me Yours ways. Let my life be a life of obedience.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Fully Surrendered

 Scripture:

“He did what the Lord approved, just as his father Uzziah had done. But the high places were not eliminated; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense on the high places. He built the Upper Gate to the Lord’s temple.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭15‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

This passage is repeated in one way or another concerning many of the kings of Israel and Judah. Many of the kings did a good job and sought the Lord, but they didn’t go as far as eliminating the high places where other gods were worshiped in their countries. Many kings were defined with these similar words. They did a good job, but didn’t cleanse the land from the worship of other gods. God always pointed this out as a reason why they didn’t see the full blessing of God during their reign.

Application:

As God’s people, we are to eliminate every idol from our lives. We cannot serve God and still allow things in our life that God disapprove of. As I said the other day, partial obedience is still disobedience. We must be a people who are fully surrendered to God and hold no idols in our lives. If God says to do something, we must do it, and do it with all our heart. We must drive out from our lives anything that displeased Him.

Prayer:

Father, I  don’t want the words written about my life that I did a good job, but didn’t fully follow the Lord. If You want something removed, I want it removed. Help me to walk with You daily and to hear what You are speaking. Show me how to serve You well in my generation. I trust You and want to fulfill Your will for my life. Teach me, instruct me, show me, and I will follow. 

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Partial Obedience Partial Reward

 Scripture:

“The Lord said to Jehu, “You have done well. You have accomplished my will and carried out my wishes with regard to Ahab’s dynasty. Therefore four generations of your descendants will rule over Israel.” But Jehu did not carefully and wholeheartedly obey the law of the Lord God of Israel. He did not repudiate the sins which Jeroboam had encouraged Israel to commit.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭10‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Jehu did well. He did much of what the Lord wanted him to do, but he partially obeyed. He left certain things in the land that did not honor the Lord. He had followed the Lord in destroying the descendants of Alan, but didn’t tear down all the Baal images in the land. He was blessed to have four generations rule over Israel. Even though he partially obeyed, he was blessed at some level.

Application:

I have always preached that partial obedience is still disobedience. This passage showed me that God honors obedience, even when it isn’t complete obedience. Jehu got four generations on the throne because he obeyed in certain areas. If he had obeyed fully, he would have seen his family blessed for more generations. The application is that the fuller our obedience, the greater the reward. I want to fully obey all that the Lord gives me to do.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, my life is in Your hands. I am trying to fully obey You in every area of my life. Teach me to follow You well and to walk in complete obedience. I long to see Your blessing on my life and everything I lead. You are incredible and I want to serve You well. Help me not to settle for partial obedience and partial blessing. I want to be all in.

Yours,

Jeff

Led by Money or Led by God?

 Scripture:

“Elisha replied, “I was there in spirit when a man turned and got down from his chariot to meet you. This is not the proper time to accept silver or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, sheep, cattle, and male and female servants. Therefore Naaman’s skin disease will afflict you and your descendants forever!” When Gehazi went out from his presence, his skin was as white as snow.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭5‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Naaman came to Elisha to be healed of leprosy. Elisha told him to dip seven times in the Jordan River. When he did it, he was healed. Naaman wanted to pay Elisha, but Elisha refused to take anything for the miracle. Elisha’s servant Gehazi saw this exchange and was upset. He saw an opportunity for an offering. Gehazi chased Naaman down and lied to him to get some money and clothes. When Gehazi got back to Elisha, he was confronted and Elisha told him that he saw the whole thing in his spirit and that Gehazi would be punished for what he did. Immediately, Gehazi had leprosy.

Application:

Don’t take shortcuts to God’s blessing. We must be people of integrity and faith. We must follow the Lord completely and do what he says, even when it seems we have good opportunities to be blessed. Every financial gift isn’t from God. Every blessing isn’t His hand. We must discern when to receive gifts and when not to receive gifts. We must listen to the Lord over all other voices. We must never use people for their resources. We must do things God’s way and not our own.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are incredible and I count it a privilege to serve You. Help me to walk in purity and integrity of heart. Help me to never be led by offerings or money, but to walk through the doors You open. Teach me to walk humbly before You. Help me to be led by Your Spirit and not by money or any other thing. 

Yours,

Jeff

Speaking God’s Truth

 Scripture:

“The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can seek the Lord’s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. Jehoshaphat said, “The king should not say such things.”” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭22‬:‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

The king of Israel had lots of prophets who told him what he wanted to hear. They would prophesy according to what the king wanted. When Jehoshaphat heard about it, he asked if there were any real prophets left. The king said there was one, but the king despised him because he didn’t prophesy prosperity for the king, but disaster. Micaiah was known for prophesying truth, but not what the king wanted to hear. He suffered for the word of the Lord, but he gave it accurately.

Application:

A real prophet doesn’t speak what people want to hear, but they speak the true word of God. Sometimes that is a word of blessing, but sometimes that is a word of correction or instruction. I want to speak the true word of the Lord. I want to be a pure vessel that God can speak through. I don’t want to be influenced by the opinions of man or what man thinks of me. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk as a true man of God. Help me to speak what You are saying, and not what is convenient. Help me to hear Your clearly and to prophesy accurately. I want to represent You well in my generation. Give me courage and boldness , not to be influenced by the opinions of man, but to speak the oracles of God. Let my words be pure and accurate.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Repentance and Humility Always Wins

 Scripture:

““Have you noticed how Ahab shows remorse before me? Because he shows remorse before me, I will not bring disaster on his dynasty during his lifetime, but during the reign of his son.”” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭21‬:‭29‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Ahab, just verses before this, was described as the most wicked king ever who was led by his wife Jezebel. He was told that he would die and that dogs would eat his body and how wife’s. When Ahab heard the word of the Lord, he fasted and prayed and humbled himself before the Lord. God changed his mind and decided not to bring disaster on him, but later, during the reign of his son.

Application:

God always looks favorably on repentance and humility. He always responds and takes care of those who humble themselves before Him. As soon as God’s people turn to Him in humility and fasting and prayer, He responds by changing situations and bringing life. God always responds positively to repentance. Recently, I’ve had interactions with some people who think God as abandoned them because God hasn’t answered their prayers. In each situation, I have said that God responds more to repentance than to tears. repentance turns the heart of God.

Prayer:

Father, help me to serve You well. Help me to always be quick to repent when I get off course. Forgive my bad attitude recently and show me how to lead effectively. Teach me to follow Your ways above all else. Lead me in Your paths and show me your heart. I love You and want to reflect Your heart in all I do.

Yours,

Jeff

Supernatural Provision

 Scripture:

“She went and did as Elijah told her; there was always enough food for Elijah and for her and her family. The jar of flour was never empty and the jug of oil never ran out, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

God had spoken to Elijah the prophet to go to Zarephath where a pair would take care of him. The he got there, she was about to eat he and her son’s last meal because they had nothing left to eat. Elijah instructed her to feed him first, then she would have enough for her and her son’s. He said there would always be food in the house. She obeyed and God blessed her. It says her jar of flour never emptied and her oil jug never ran out. 

Application:

When God says He will provide, He will provide! Sometimes God asks us to do hard things. Like give away our last meal, but when we walk in obedience, we see His blessing on our lives. We must learn to trust God’s provision and know He will take care of us when we give ourselves completely to Him. I need to trust God more in the area of finances and know He will always take care of me.

Prayer:

Father, take my trust in You deeper. Let me see the good hand of God in my life and the life of the church I pastor. Provide for every need, and let Your Kingdom be established stronger and stronger in our region. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. Teach me to be a man of faith, who sees Your supernatural provision. Let me always be in step with You.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Appointing for Positions

 Scripture:

“After this happened, Jeroboam still did not change his evil ways; he continued to appoint common people as priests at the high places. Anyone who wanted the job he consecrated as a priest. This sin caused Jeroboam’s dynasty to come to an end and to be destroyed from the face of the earth.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭13‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

One of Jeroboam’s sins was that he allowed anyone who volunteered to be a priest at the high places. He didn’t do things God’s way, he did holy things in a manner that God didn’t approve of. He brought destruction on himself and his people because he was using people who were not approved by God to do work that a priest should do.

Application:

In the church, volunteers are hard to find, so we end up putting people into positions they are not ready for. We are quick to give titles that people haven’t earned. I am guilty of giving people positions they were probably not ready for, nor called to do. I need to be more cautious in this area. We shouldn’t just appoint and approve to fill positions, but we need the right people in the right places, who are called by God to be there.

Prayer:

Father, You are awesome and I love You. Thanks for the rebuke this morning. Forgive me for filling positions and empowering people who are not ready for the role or position, or not called for the place where they are serving. Help me to approve what You approve in all things. Help me not to do what is convenient, but what is right in Your eyes at all times.

Yours,

Jeff