Emotional Praise

 Scripture:

“Sing to the LORD, for he has done magnificent things, let this be known throughout the earth! Cry out and shout for joy, O citizens of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel acts mightily among you!”” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah had just told Israel that they were going through some difficult times, but that in the future, God was going to bless them. When blesses, he said they should sing to the Lord for the magnificent things He has done, they should tell the whole world, and try should shout and cry out because God is working among them. 

Application:

When God does something for you, the appropriate response is to demonstrate your emotions. He loves it when His people sing, shout, cry out, and declare His great name to the whole world. God instructs us here to do those things because of what He has done for us. Sometimes we act like we are not emotional creatures and that God doesn’t like us to celebrate, but throughout Scripture I see God telling us to demonstrate our emotions in response to His blessings.

Prayer:

God, never let me lose my praise and my shout. Help me to never become religious and pious, but to treat You how You want to be treated. I love to dance, shout, sing, and cry out to God. Teach me to do that with all my heart. You have done amazing things for me and I want to shout it to the nations.

Yours,

Jeff

Times of Encounter

 Scripture:

“They called out to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord who commands armies! His majestic splendor fills the entire earth!” The sound of their voices shook the door frames, and the temple was filled with smoke.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

When Isaiah encountered the presence of the Lord, it was life-transforming. He saw seraphim crying out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy.” Their voices shook the doorframes and the temple was filled with smoke.  It was an awe-inspiring moment that changed him forever. 

Application:

In our lives, we need times where we strongly encounter God. I don’t believe we should be experience-based in our theology and beliefs, but I do believe that God encounters His people to build the faith and strength their walk. Encounters like this are throughout Scripture. Holy moments like this happened in the Old and New Testaments. There is no reason it should not happen today. My life has been marked by some awesome moments in the presence of the Lord. 

Prayer:

Father, I want to encounter You! I want to see You high and lifted up. I want to see Your throneroom. I want to experience Your incredible power. I want others to have some encounters like I have had in the past. Let me be a conduit for Your glory and power. Show me how to help people to truly encounter Christ. 

Your Son,

Jeff

The Justice of God

 Scripture:

“Tell the innocent it will go well with them, for they will be rewarded for what they have done. Too bad for the wicked sinners! For they will get exactly what they deserve.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Isaiah begins his prophetic words with a strong rebuke of God’s people. In this verse, he declares the justice of God. He tells the innocent that they will be rewarded and the sinners that they will get what they deserve. He shows justice both directions, to the righteous a blessing and to the unrighteous a curse. 

Application:

As for me, I want to be on the blessing side of God’s justice and not the cursed side. I want to live a life that brings a smile to God’s face and makes Him want to bless me, not bring judgment into my life. Justice is coming one day when God will make every wrong thing right. I want to live in such a way that blessings flow and not punishment. 

Prayer:

Father, let my life be filled with Your love, Your grace, Your compassion, and Your strength. Help me to live with eternity in mind. When I stand before You, I want to hear well done good and faithful servant. Let my life be used for Your glory. Open doors and help me to walk confidently through them. Show me every decision I need to make. I want to follow Your voice and Your ways. 

Yours,

Jeff

A Crown of Righteousness

 Scripture:

“Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Paul is writing here to Timothy. It is his final letter as he is fast approaching his own death. He declared that a crown of righteousness was reserved for him when he graduates to heaven. He then completed his thought by saying that it was also reserved for all those who have free their affection on His appearing. That’s anyone who is looking affectionately for the Lord’s appearing. 

Application:

Have I set my affections on Christ’s appearing? Do I live to receive a crown of righteousness? Do I live for the temporal or the eternal? These are questions we must ask ourselves. As for me, I want to receive a crown of righteousness. I want to live on this earth with eternity in mind. I want to be about my father’s business till He comes again.

Prayer:

Lord, You are everything to me. You are my life. You are my source and my resource. You are my hope and my help. Teach me to live with my affections on Your appearing. Let me live a life that honors Your name and expects Your return. I want to take as many people to heaven with me as possible. Help me to be effective in everything You entrust me with.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Waters Cannot Quench Love

 Scripture:

“Surging waters cannot quench love; floodwaters cannot overflow it. If someone were to offer all his possessions to buy love, the offer would be utterly despised.” ‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

We are told here that no waters can quench love. Even floodwaters can’t overflow it. In other words, love is super powerful. According to the author, it is something you can’t buy, no matter how rich you are. Love is a powerful force and people will do crazy things for it. 

Application:

We have to be careful with love. It has caused people to do crazy things. It can become a fire that cannot be quenched. Love is a beautiful thing, created by God to hold two people together throughout their lives. It is something valuable and powerful. Nuclear bombs are also valuable and powerful. We must handle love like a nuclear bomb, with great caution and respect. Love is meant to be shared between two people for life.

Prayer:

Father, let my love for You grow every day. To have been faithful and good to me and I want You to know that out of my love for You, I will scale mountains and preach Your word all over the earth. Let my love for Cheryl increase every day as well. Let me be the husband she needs and the lover she wants. 

Yours,

Jeff

Pursuing My Bride

 Scripture:

“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places of the mountain crags, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” ‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, Solomon is pursuing his bride. There is a deep desire for the groom to hear the voice and see the face of his beloved. He is pursuing her passionately. 

Application:

As a man, we are the pursuers of our brides. They need to know that we love them, and desire them. They should never question our love for them. We should be pursuing them constantly. My wife should feel the desire within me to be with her. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to be a better husband to my wife. Show me how to pursue her appropriately. Teach me how to show her love and to let her know how much I love her. Help me to be the husband that Cheryl needs every day and in every way. Let her feel from me how special she is.

Yours,

Jeff

Exercise

 Scripture:

“For “physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Paul tells Timothy here that physical exercise has value, but godliness has more value because it is good for mow and for life in heaven. He tells Timothy to focus more on things that will be eternal than things that will go away on earth. 

Application:

Physical exercise is good, but spiritual exercise is better. One makes us feel good now, the other works now and after we die as well. One is temporal and one is eternal. I like the fact that he doesn’t forbid exercise, he actually says it is valuable, but spiritual exercise is more valuable. We must take care of the temporal, while investing in the eternal part of us all the more. We need physical exercise, but we need spiritual exercise more.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be a balanced person. Help me to take care of the body You gave me to work with while on this earth. Help me to lose weight and get this physical body healthy so I can serve You better, stronger, and longer on earth. Teach me to prioritize the eternal in my life. I want to invest in my walk with You. I want to know You more.

Yours Always,

Jeff

Fear God and Follow Him

 Scripture:

“Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

After much talk about everything in life being meaningless, Solomon closes his quotes with these verses. He summarizes everything he has pondered and tells us to fear God because He will evaluate every secret thing, whether good or evil. he tells us to keep God’s commands. After telling us how nothing really makes sense in this world, he tells us to fear God, because He keeps good records.

Application:

When life is at its end, we will stand before God. We will give an account for every idle word and every action in our lives. He knows every detail and we must live our lives knowing we will stand before Him one day. Our goal should be to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” We should live for the approval of God and not the applause of man. 

Prayer:

Lord God, You are great and glorious. You are powerful and victorious. Help me to walk humbly before You and to fear You appropriately. Teach me Your ways and show me Your paths for my life. I need You and I ask You to help me navigate life in a way that is pleasing to You and that fears You.

Yours,

Jeff

Content or Craving More?

 Scripture:

“It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile – like chasing the wind.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Solomon declares here that contentment is better than having a heart that always craves more because following those cravings is like chasing the wind. Always craving more of something tells God and those around us that we are not happy with what God has provided for us. 

Application:

In America, we work super hard to get more and more stuff. We work hard to get positions, money, power, and prestige, but all of these are worthless in the scope of life. Paul said, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” We need to learn to be content where we are while being diligent at our work. There is a fine balance between working hard because we crave more, and working hard because we love God and want to represent Him well. Our hard work must come from a heart to please and honor God, not from a heart to increase ourselves.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be content with where I am while pursuing Your will and doing what You ask me to do with my life. Help me to be effective, yet without craving more and more. Teach me the balance of living a very disciplined life and being covetous of more things.

Your Son Forever,

Jeff

Wisdom, Knowledge, Joy, and Wealth

 Scripture:

“For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth – only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile – like chasing the wind!” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭26‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

Solomon says here that God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to the one who pleases Him. He adds that the sinner has the task of amassing wealth, only to give it to the one who pleases God. I other words, God blesses His children with everything they need and the worldly work hard to get wealthy. 

Application:

In all of our getting, we must get wisdom and understanding. Following God has incredible benefits. We can expect unexpected blessings. We can expect to be the head and not the tail. We can expect to be the first and not the last, not on our merits, but because of the blood of Jesus Christ. We receive what we didn’t work for while the world works hard for everything they have, only to have it stripped away. As for me, I want to serve the Lord and walk in His blessings of wisdom, knowledge, joy, and wealth.

Prayer:

Father, let my life be fully surrendered to You at all times. Teach me to walk with You and to build Your kingdom. Give me wisdom, knowledge, joy, and wealth. Let me live in the place of Your blessing. I want to extend Your Kingdom more and more, but I need the resources to do it. 

Yours,

Jeff

Don’t Grow Weary in Doing Right

 Scripture:

 “But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing what is right.” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

This simple verse is so powerful for our daily lives. We should not grow weary in doing what is right. In other words, we need to keep on doing right things, even when we don’t see the results we were looking for. 

Application:

When we live our lives the right way and do what is right, rather than doing what is easy or convenient, we can expect the blessing of God. We should not grow weary in doing right, rather, we should continue to work hard, follow the voice of the Spirit, and the good seed we are sowing will eventually overtake the bad seed and we will be blessed. 

Prayer:

Lord God, help me not to grow weary in doing the right things. Help me to walk in confident obedience to You at all times. I want to serve You well and I want You to be able to count on me in every situation. I am tired, help me not keep weary, but to be refreshed in my spirit. 

Your Son,

Jeff

When the Righteous Become Numerous

Scripture:

“When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭2‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

I like this translation. Older translations tend to say “when the righteous rule”. This one says “when the righteous become numerous.” There is a big difference. In our political system, we have stood on electing righteous people based on this verse.

Application:

I have always addressed our politics by saying things like, “if we see revival in America and millions convert to Christ, the righteous will automatically get elected into office. Rather than focus on the position of one or two righteous people, our goal should be to see the righteous become more numerous than the unbeliever in our country. The way to see God’s blessing on our nation is through increasing the number of believers, not electing one person. We must see souls saved in increasing numbers, then we won’t need to worry about elections.

Prayer:

Father, let my life be used to bring in a harvest for You and Your kingdom. Help me to plunder hell and populate heaven. Teach me to reach more people. Help me to lead our church into being a disciple making church. Help me to lead well.

Yours,

Jeff

 

Patience and Words

 Scripture:

“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭15‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

The author here speaks of patience and a soft tongue as powerful weapons in our hands. Sometimes, we fight hard for things that are not necessary and we simply need to patiently wait. A soft word at the right time or and in the right way, can break bones.

Application:

I like things to happen quickly. Patience wins the day, so I need to learn patience better. Patience also deals with trust, when our trust level increases, our patience level increase because we trust that whatever we are waiting for is going to happen. I also want my tongue to speak right words, at the right time, and with the right heart.

Prayer:

Father, You are awesome and I ask You to help me to wait patiently on You. Help me to speak the right words. Let my life be used for Your glory. Teach me Your ways and reveal to me the path You want me to walk. I need You Lord. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God Rewards Humility

 Scripture:

“The reward for humility and fearing the LORD is riches and honor and life.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭4‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

This Proverb is short and sweet, yet powerful. It says that God honors humility and fearing God with riches, honor, and life. Our job is to walk in humility and fear God. He will then bring His blessing into our lives. 

Application:

As believers, we don’t pursue riches, fame, honor, prestige, etc. We pursue God and fear Him. When He sees our humility and our fear of Him, He rewards us with those things. Our pursuit is God, His rewards are awesome. Jesus said to seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these other things would be added to us.  We are to pursue the blesser and not the blessing.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are my everything and I appreciate You. Help me to walk in humility and to honor You with my life. Teach me the fear of the Lord. Show me the paths of righteousness and help me to walk in them. Let my pursuit be of You and not money, riches, or fame. You are my reward. You are the one I pursue.

Yours,

Jeff

My Plans or God’s Plans?

 Scripture:

“There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the LORD which will stand.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬ ‭NET‬

Observation:

This Proverb is simple, but something powerful to consider. It basically says that we can make all the plans and ideas we want, but it is what the Lord wants that is going to happen. In other words, we should spend our time seeking the Lord for His plans rather than spending all our time developing our plans. His plans always work, ours don’t.

Application:

Planning is good and important in life, but before we plan, we need to know the will of the Lord. If our plans our simply “our plans,” they may or may not happen, but the plans of the Lord will come to pass. I need to seek God more to be on His agenda rather than spending time planning my future. He holds my future, so it is better to simply seek Him.

Prayer:

Father, I seek You this morning. You know the end from the beginning and You know how to get me where I need to be. My life is in Your hands. Help me to seek Your wisdom, guidance, and direction for my life. Help me not to lean on my own understanding, but to acknowledge You, seek Your face, then make our plans.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Purified by Fire

 Scripture:

“The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold, likewise the LORD tests hearts.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

This passage tells us that the crucible and the furnace refine silver and gold. The author then goes on further to say that the Lord tests our hearts in the same way. The righteous will go through the fire sometimes, but it is not a fire of destruction, it is a fire of purifying. We must be open to God’s purifying fire and His blessing. He gives both.

Application:

There are times when God allows us to go through some very difficult situations. There are times when we are tested and tried by fire. These situations don’t feel good, but they produce faith in greater levels. They produce value and make us better people. When God is testing us, we must hold on, because we will come out more pure than before. We can’t give us when the heat goes up.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are awesome and I love You with all my heart. You are my everything. You are my rock and my fortress. You are my strength and deliverer. Help me to know when I am being tested by You and when let me come out as pure gold. Purify my heart and let it be right before You always. Examine me and cleanse me of anything that You want out of my life. I am Yours and Yours alone.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Guard Your Life

 Scripture:

“The one who guards his words guards his life, but whoever is talkative will come to ruin.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭3‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

This Proverb is powerful and true. It basically says that when we talk a lot, we will end up in a bad place, but if we guard our words, we guard our lives. Our words will make us or break us.

Application:

Words are super powerful in our lives. We end up becoming what we speak. We must be diligent to guard what comes out of our mouths. I want to know when to talk and when to be quiet. I want to hear the voice of the Spirit telling me when to be quiet and when to speak. I want to be Spirit led and Spirit driven. I want to live by this verse by speaking less, but what I say be more powerful. 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are incredible and I love You so much. Thanks for sharing Your word with me today. Help me to guard my mouth. Empower me to say less, but speak more authoritatively and powerfully. I want my words to matter. Help me to uplift You and Your kingdom through my speech. Let my mouth be used for Your glory. Show me when to speak and when to stay silent.

Yours,

Jeff

Anxiety or Joy?

 Scripture:

“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but an encouraging word brings him joy.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12‬:‭25‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

This proverb is simple, yet powerful. It tells us that anxiety weighs us down, but encouragement brings us joy. Your is true that anxiety has a way of weighing us down and causing us to feel hopeless. They way out of anxiety is into the presence of the Lord. He is not anxious about anything. 

Application:

If anxiety weighs people down, I need to do whatever I can to be an encouragement to those around me. I don’t want to walk around weighed down and I don’t want those around me to live that way either. I want to be an encourager to those around me. I want to lift people up and not weigh them down.

Prayer:

Father, You are incredible and I love serving You. Help me to serve You well in my generation. Help me not to be weighed down with the cares of this life. Teach me to trust You in every area. Let my life bring joy to those around me. Teach me to walk with You in joy and not anxiety. 

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Wisdom Cries Out

 Scripture:

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭8‬:‭17‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

In this passage, it is easy to overlook who is speaking. Sometimes verses like this appear to be God speaking to us, and it is, but these are the words of wisdom. This section starts with “wisdom cries out.” Wisdom says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” 

Application:

When we love wisdom, wisdom loves us. God loves us at all times, wisdom doesn’t chase us down. Wisdom loves those who love wisdom and seek it. We are told that those who seek wisdom will find it. We should always ask God for wisdom. He is the source of all wisdom and we need wisdom to guide our lives. When we love and seek wisdom, we will find it and be blessed for it.

Prayer:

Father, let me be wise. Let me make right decisions and be led by Your Spirit. You are the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Teach me to mine for wisdom and to seek it out before I make any decisions in life. Help me to stay on Your course and fulfill Your plans for my life. Let me find wisdom as I follow You.

Yours,

Jeff

God’s Words Bring Health

 Scripture:

“My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight, guard them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and healing to one’s entire body.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭NET‬‬

Observation:

This proverb truly demonstrates wisdom for the reader. It tells us to pay attention and listen to God’s words. It says we must guard them and keep them in front of us. He continues by saying that God’s words are life and healing. 

Application:

In Exodus, God said, “I am the Lord who heals you.” In this passage we read that we should pay attention to God’s words because they bring life and healing to our body. Listening to God’s words is important, not only to our souls, but to our bodies as well. God’s word is alive and powerful and sharper than a two edged sword. It can operate on our lives if we let it. We must pursue God’s word and put it into action, then we won’t need to worry bout our healing. 

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are awesome and I worship You. I need You Lord. Help me to love Your words because they more and more each day. Let Your word bring healing to my body and life to my soul. Let my life be centered on Your Word. Speak to me clearly that I may walk in Your will at all times. Show me each step to take and lead me in Your paths of righteousness.

Yours,

Jeff