Scripture:
Jeremiah 23:5 "Behold the days are coming says the Lord, That I will raise to David a Branch of Righteousness; A king shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth."
Observation:
Jeremiah continues to blast God's people for not following Him completely. In chapter 23 he lets them know that one day a righteous king will come forth from David's descent who will save Judah and Israel. This is a Messianic prophecy speaking of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of years before His first coming, Jeremiah was speaking of him, yet his first coming didn't fulfill all this scripture. Before Jesus ascended to heaven he said he would come again. We are waiting for that second coming today and I believe we are closer than we could even imagine. This time Jesus will come in power and great might. The world will tremble before Him. He will reign and rule this earth with righteousness.
Application:
Jesus will come again and we need to be ready. We must be about our father's business! We need to be laboring for Him when He comes back. He is coming! Let's get the world prepared. Let's make sure our hearts are cleansed and pure. The church has almost stopped talking about the second coming of Christ, but it is this exact doctrine that helps purify the church. If you knew the king of righteousness was coming tomorrow, how would you live differently today? Why not live that way today anyway?
Prayer:
Lord, let us live with the second coming close in our minds. Let us walk closer to You than ever before. I want to know You more this year than I ever have. Speak to me Lord and I will listen. I will follow! I want to be ready and have fulfilled my mission when you come again. Thanks for the reminder this morning.
Jeff
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Devouring God's Word
Scripture:
Jeremiah 15:16 "When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear Your name".
Observation:
Jeremiah has been prophesying the coming destruction of the people of Israel because they have been unfaithful to God. They have continued through the years to live how they wanted and serve other gods and now the One True God is going to punish them for their sins. In the midst of this message, Jeremiah speaks up for himself and talks to the Lord. As he begins, we get some insight into his relationship with God. He says, "when I discovered Your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my delight". Apparently, Jeremiah loved the word of God. He devoured it and it was his joy.
Application:
We need to fall in love with the Word of God again. Doing this daily wash has caused me to fall in love with the Word of God again. I can see it working my life and I love His word more than ever. As Jeremiah, we today are a generation that is far from God. People say they love God, but have no fruit of the Spirit in their lives. They say they are serving God, but their life doesn't show it in any way. We have become like the people Jeremiah is prophesying to. We need to see that even in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, you can serve God by falling in love with His words and devouring them. Jeremiah was promised that he would avoid the destruction coming because of His love for the Lord and true service to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, let me fall more and more in love with Your word. Let me live by it, walk in it, listen to it, and apply it in my life. I want to be more like You. I want to be where Jesus was talking about when He said, "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it will be done for you". Teach me to abide in Your word and to have your word abide in me. You are my rock and my salvation, in Your I trust!
Jeff
Jeremiah 15:16 "When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear Your name".
Observation:
Jeremiah has been prophesying the coming destruction of the people of Israel because they have been unfaithful to God. They have continued through the years to live how they wanted and serve other gods and now the One True God is going to punish them for their sins. In the midst of this message, Jeremiah speaks up for himself and talks to the Lord. As he begins, we get some insight into his relationship with God. He says, "when I discovered Your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my delight". Apparently, Jeremiah loved the word of God. He devoured it and it was his joy.
Application:
We need to fall in love with the Word of God again. Doing this daily wash has caused me to fall in love with the Word of God again. I can see it working my life and I love His word more than ever. As Jeremiah, we today are a generation that is far from God. People say they love God, but have no fruit of the Spirit in their lives. They say they are serving God, but their life doesn't show it in any way. We have become like the people Jeremiah is prophesying to. We need to see that even in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, you can serve God by falling in love with His words and devouring them. Jeremiah was promised that he would avoid the destruction coming because of His love for the Lord and true service to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, let me fall more and more in love with Your word. Let me live by it, walk in it, listen to it, and apply it in my life. I want to be more like You. I want to be where Jesus was talking about when He said, "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it will be done for you". Teach me to abide in Your word and to have your word abide in me. You are my rock and my salvation, in Your I trust!
Jeff
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Clever at Doing Wrong / No Idea how to do Right
Scripture:
Jeremiah 4:22 "My people are foolish and do not know me, says the Lord. They are stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!"
Observation:
Israel had been rejecting the one true God and following other gods for quite some time. God was in heaven wanting to be their god and for them to be His people. He wanted to bless His children, but needs them to walk in obedience in order to do so. He is prophesying through Jeremiah that another country will come and kick them out of the land He gave them. In the midst of his prophecy against them he throws in these words, "They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!" These words jumped out at me today because I see the exact same thing is so prevalent today.
Application:
We are so much like the children of Israel. We love God when we are in trouble and need to get out, but struggle to serve Him when things are okay. People today are truly clever at doing wrong. People have become experts at scheming, lying, and doing whatever it takes to get ahead, but don't have a clue how to live right. We need the voice of a Jeremiah to speak up in this generation. I see so many who are experts at doing wrong, but can't seem to live right for their life. This must change! We need to learn the discipline of doing right, no matter how it affects the outcome. We must have integrity and character even if it hurts us. We must become experts on how to "live right".
Prayer:
Lord, I see our generation in line with where Jeremiah's generation was. We have become clever at dong wrong, but most today don't know how to do right. Teach me how to make a real difference in people's lives so they want to live right. Help me communicate Your truth clearly and teach people how to live right lives before God. I need Your anointing as never before because people don't want to be told they are living wrong before God. They want to do whatever they want and want You to bless it. Help me Lord I pray.
Jeff
Jeremiah 4:22 "My people are foolish and do not know me, says the Lord. They are stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!"
Observation:
Israel had been rejecting the one true God and following other gods for quite some time. God was in heaven wanting to be their god and for them to be His people. He wanted to bless His children, but needs them to walk in obedience in order to do so. He is prophesying through Jeremiah that another country will come and kick them out of the land He gave them. In the midst of his prophecy against them he throws in these words, "They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!" These words jumped out at me today because I see the exact same thing is so prevalent today.
Application:
We are so much like the children of Israel. We love God when we are in trouble and need to get out, but struggle to serve Him when things are okay. People today are truly clever at doing wrong. People have become experts at scheming, lying, and doing whatever it takes to get ahead, but don't have a clue how to live right. We need the voice of a Jeremiah to speak up in this generation. I see so many who are experts at doing wrong, but can't seem to live right for their life. This must change! We need to learn the discipline of doing right, no matter how it affects the outcome. We must have integrity and character even if it hurts us. We must become experts on how to "live right".
Prayer:
Lord, I see our generation in line with where Jeremiah's generation was. We have become clever at dong wrong, but most today don't know how to do right. Teach me how to make a real difference in people's lives so they want to live right. Help me communicate Your truth clearly and teach people how to live right lives before God. I need Your anointing as never before because people don't want to be told they are living wrong before God. They want to do whatever they want and want You to bless it. Help me Lord I pray.
Jeff
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
A Young Bride
Scripture:
Jeremiah 2:2 "Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says: I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness".
Observation:
Jeremiah is rebuking Israel and Judah for leaving the Lord and running after other gods. He is prophesying about Israel being exiled because they had left their first love and pursued worthless idols. In that speech, the Lord says, "I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the wilderness". God is saying that He hasn't forgotten how Israel loved Him and how much it meant to Him. He knows when we are really in love with Him and when we are just going through the motions. He longs to be your god and for you to be His own special possession.
Application:
Are you loving the Lord like a young bride loves her husband? Are you trying as hard to please Him today as you were years ago? Have you settled into the marriage and fallen out of love? God wants us to love Him passionately. He wants us to obey Him fully out of our incredible love for Him. He has remained faithful to His end of the wedding vows, have we remained faithful to our end? He says that in the beginning Israel followed Him, even through the wilderness. Are we still ready to follow the Lord through the wilderness or do we abandon Him when things don't feel good any more?
Prayer:
Lord, bring us back to our first love. Bring us back to that place of wanting to serve You wholeheartedly. You have done all You can do on You end, let us arise and fall in love with You again. Let my heart be enraptured with You. Bring me back to the place of passionate pursuit and total abandonment and commitment to Your will and purposes. I love You lord.
Jeff
Jeremiah 2:2 "Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says: I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness".
Observation:
Jeremiah is rebuking Israel and Judah for leaving the Lord and running after other gods. He is prophesying about Israel being exiled because they had left their first love and pursued worthless idols. In that speech, the Lord says, "I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the wilderness". God is saying that He hasn't forgotten how Israel loved Him and how much it meant to Him. He knows when we are really in love with Him and when we are just going through the motions. He longs to be your god and for you to be His own special possession.
Application:
Are you loving the Lord like a young bride loves her husband? Are you trying as hard to please Him today as you were years ago? Have you settled into the marriage and fallen out of love? God wants us to love Him passionately. He wants us to obey Him fully out of our incredible love for Him. He has remained faithful to His end of the wedding vows, have we remained faithful to our end? He says that in the beginning Israel followed Him, even through the wilderness. Are we still ready to follow the Lord through the wilderness or do we abandon Him when things don't feel good any more?
Prayer:
Lord, bring us back to our first love. Bring us back to that place of wanting to serve You wholeheartedly. You have done all You can do on You end, let us arise and fall in love with You again. Let my heart be enraptured with You. Bring me back to the place of passionate pursuit and total abandonment and commitment to Your will and purposes. I love You lord.
Jeff
Monday, December 14, 2009
God's Promises
Scripture:
Obadiah 17 "But Jerusalem will become a refuge for those who escape; it will be a holy place. And the people of Israel will come back to reclaim their inheritance."
Observation:
Obadiah is a vision given to Obadiah about what was coming to Edom for how they treated Israel as they were being taken into exile. Here God is telling Edom that Israel is going to return, and when they do, Edom is going to be in trouble. God had promised Israel the land and even though Israel had been exiled, His promise remain true. When God promises something, it will come to pass. There may be temporary setbacks, but God will prove faithful to His word.
Application:
This helps me to realize that God's promises never fail. They will come to pass! He knows the beginning from the end and He is faithful to do what He said He would do. So many times, people give up too quickly on God's promises. Maybe they start tithing and don't see results as quickly as they would like and feel like, "it didn't work", so they quit. Who knows if they were not one week from a breakthrough and just gave up too soon? Maybe they were praying for someone and didn't see a change so they quit praying. When God promises something, you can rest assured it will come to pass. We just have to stand in faith and believe it is coming into our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, help me learn to wait on Your promises and not faint in the process. You are a faithful God who loves His children. Your words are true and life giving. I love and appreciate You more than I can express. Help me to endure the times when the promises haven't come through yet. Help me Holy Spirit to walk through whatever comes my way with a pure heart while I wait for the promise.
Yours,
Jeff
Obadiah 17 "But Jerusalem will become a refuge for those who escape; it will be a holy place. And the people of Israel will come back to reclaim their inheritance."
Observation:
Obadiah is a vision given to Obadiah about what was coming to Edom for how they treated Israel as they were being taken into exile. Here God is telling Edom that Israel is going to return, and when they do, Edom is going to be in trouble. God had promised Israel the land and even though Israel had been exiled, His promise remain true. When God promises something, it will come to pass. There may be temporary setbacks, but God will prove faithful to His word.
Application:
This helps me to realize that God's promises never fail. They will come to pass! He knows the beginning from the end and He is faithful to do what He said He would do. So many times, people give up too quickly on God's promises. Maybe they start tithing and don't see results as quickly as they would like and feel like, "it didn't work", so they quit. Who knows if they were not one week from a breakthrough and just gave up too soon? Maybe they were praying for someone and didn't see a change so they quit praying. When God promises something, you can rest assured it will come to pass. We just have to stand in faith and believe it is coming into our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, help me learn to wait on Your promises and not faint in the process. You are a faithful God who loves His children. Your words are true and life giving. I love and appreciate You more than I can express. Help me to endure the times when the promises haven't come through yet. Help me Holy Spirit to walk through whatever comes my way with a pure heart while I wait for the promise.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, December 11, 2009
The Lord is Good!
Scripture:
Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him".
Observation:
Nahum is a book warning Ninevah that judgment is coming from the Lord. Nahum continually tells Ninevah that God is going to release His wrath and anger at them and they will be utterly destroyed. They are seen as the enemies of the Lord. In the midst of raging about what is going to happen to Ninevah, we see this verse tucked in to Israel. The Lord always brings comfort to His people in any situation. In the midst of 3 chapters of prophesied destruction it says, "The Lord is Good". He closes this with "He is close to those who trust Him". God is always good to His people and close to those who trust Him.
Application:
I believe we are as close to the Lord today as we really want to be. The word tells us to "draw near to Him and He will draw near to us". God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good! We love to say it, but do we believe it? Do we really believe He is close to those who trust Him? I want a life that is close to the Lord and from this scripture I see that it goes hand in hand with trusting Him. I want to trust Him more for who He is for He is good.
Prayer:
Lord, let me trust You more today than I did yesterday. I want to come nearer to you every day. You are good and I want to be in Your presence more and more. I love You and long to be nearer to You. You are my rock, my fortress and my deliverer! I will trust in You.
Jeff
Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him".
Observation:
Nahum is a book warning Ninevah that judgment is coming from the Lord. Nahum continually tells Ninevah that God is going to release His wrath and anger at them and they will be utterly destroyed. They are seen as the enemies of the Lord. In the midst of raging about what is going to happen to Ninevah, we see this verse tucked in to Israel. The Lord always brings comfort to His people in any situation. In the midst of 3 chapters of prophesied destruction it says, "The Lord is Good". He closes this with "He is close to those who trust Him". God is always good to His people and close to those who trust Him.
Application:
I believe we are as close to the Lord today as we really want to be. The word tells us to "draw near to Him and He will draw near to us". God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good! We love to say it, but do we believe it? Do we really believe He is close to those who trust Him? I want a life that is close to the Lord and from this scripture I see that it goes hand in hand with trusting Him. I want to trust Him more for who He is for He is good.
Prayer:
Lord, let me trust You more today than I did yesterday. I want to come nearer to you every day. You are good and I want to be in Your presence more and more. I love You and long to be nearer to You. You are my rock, my fortress and my deliverer! I will trust in You.
Jeff
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Blessed Hope
Scripture:
Titus 2:13 "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ".
Observation:
Paul is writing to Titus and telling him how to live right in verse 11 and 12. He then goes on and tells why, "looking for the blessed hope". Living with the Blessed Hope in mind is the only way to live the Christian life. When we keep the return of the Lord in mind, we will focus on the right things.
Application:
If you really believe that Jesus might come back today, would you live the day any differently than usual? If you really believe that Jesus was coming tomorrow, how would you live differently today? We must learn to live with eternity in our hearts and an eye on the coming of the Lord. When this happens, our lives will line up with the will of God. We must stay in the the right mindset, so we don't get overrun by the things of this world.
Prayer:
Lord, keep my eyes on the sky and help me live every day to the fullest for Your kingdom. Keep me looking up and getting ready for Your return. Let my life count for eternity Lord.
Love you,
Jeff
Titus 2:13 "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ".
Observation:
Paul is writing to Titus and telling him how to live right in verse 11 and 12. He then goes on and tells why, "looking for the blessed hope". Living with the Blessed Hope in mind is the only way to live the Christian life. When we keep the return of the Lord in mind, we will focus on the right things.
Application:
If you really believe that Jesus might come back today, would you live the day any differently than usual? If you really believe that Jesus was coming tomorrow, how would you live differently today? We must learn to live with eternity in our hearts and an eye on the coming of the Lord. When this happens, our lives will line up with the will of God. We must stay in the the right mindset, so we don't get overrun by the things of this world.
Prayer:
Lord, keep my eyes on the sky and help me live every day to the fullest for Your kingdom. Keep me looking up and getting ready for Your return. Let my life count for eternity Lord.
Love you,
Jeff
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