Scripture:
I Samuel 8:7 "And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them'".
Observation:
Israel had told Samuel that they wanted to have a king over them like every other country. Israel was designed by God to be a theocracy where God was their leader and they were to follow Him. He fought their battles, provided for them, etc. He did an incredible job, but the people still wanted to be like the other nations. They rejected the Lord and the way He wanted to rule them.
Application:
Today we do the same thing to the Lord. We say we want Him to be our Lord, but we really want to run our own lives. We want to be king and when we do, we are rejecting the Lord from leading us, guiding us, providing for us, etc. As long as we are on the throne of our lives, Christ is on the cross, but when Christ is on the throne, we are on the cross. We must give Lordship of our lives over to the King and let Him reign over us. He has been around much longer and knows everything!
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for rejecting You and Your leadership in my life. I'm sorry for the "I've got this, I can do this on my own" attitude. I want to rely on You more and more each day. Teach me to walk with You and yield to You in every area of my life. Jesus, be Jesus in me. No longer me, but thee. Resurrection power, fill me this hour. Jesus be Jesus in me.
You're the best,
Jeff
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Who is Able to Stand?
Scripture:
I Samuel 6:20 "And the men of Beth Shemesh said, 'Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? And to whom shall it go up from us?'"
Observation:
The ark of the Lord had been captured by the Philistines. When they brought it into the temple of their god Dagon, he fell on his face during the night. The next night he fell again in the presence of the true and living God. The people broke out in plagues and realized it was because the God of Israel was in their midst. They sent the ark away to Beth Shemesh and the men of Beth Shemesh looked into the Ark and fifty thousand seventy men dropped dead. Finally they said "Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?"
Application:
Sometimes the enemy knows the power of God better than His own people. These non-believers came to believe that the God of Israel was more powerful than their gods. Nobody can stand against the power of our God. He is amazing and able to defeat every foe. Nobody and nothing are able to stand before Him. May we realize the awesome power of our God and submit our lives completely to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, even the Philistines saw Your power and believed in You. They saw the demonstration of your power when you were in their presence. Arise oh Lord and demonstrate your great power that the world may see that you are God! Move strongly in this region and let the skeptic and the scoffer see the power of God in action. May Your name be lifted up forever.
Jeff
I Samuel 6:20 "And the men of Beth Shemesh said, 'Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? And to whom shall it go up from us?'"
Observation:
The ark of the Lord had been captured by the Philistines. When they brought it into the temple of their god Dagon, he fell on his face during the night. The next night he fell again in the presence of the true and living God. The people broke out in plagues and realized it was because the God of Israel was in their midst. They sent the ark away to Beth Shemesh and the men of Beth Shemesh looked into the Ark and fifty thousand seventy men dropped dead. Finally they said "Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?"
Application:
Sometimes the enemy knows the power of God better than His own people. These non-believers came to believe that the God of Israel was more powerful than their gods. Nobody can stand against the power of our God. He is amazing and able to defeat every foe. Nobody and nothing are able to stand before Him. May we realize the awesome power of our God and submit our lives completely to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, even the Philistines saw Your power and believed in You. They saw the demonstration of your power when you were in their presence. Arise oh Lord and demonstrate your great power that the world may see that you are God! Move strongly in this region and let the skeptic and the scoffer see the power of God in action. May Your name be lifted up forever.
Jeff
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
I Will Build Him a Sure House
Scripture:
I Samuel 2:35 "Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever".
Observation:
God says that He will build a sure house for the priest who does according to what is in His heart and mind. Eli's two sons were living terrible lives as priests, causing Israel to stumble. God told Eli that he was going to kill both sons in a single day and that He would raise up a faithful priest who would do what was in His heart. God is still looking for a people who will do what is in His heart instead of what is in their own hearts.
Application:
When we put God's priorities before our own, He will establish us and build us a sure house. He desires to be first place in our lives. He wants us to have His priorities instead of asking Him to bless our priorities. He wants us to be on His agenda instead of creating our own agenda. He is still looking for a people who truly want "His kingdom to come and His will to be done". We must make the transition from asking God to bless our plans to asking Him for power to accomplish His plans.
Prayer:
Thank You once again for confirming Your word to me. Help me to convey correctly what is in Your heart. Let me be more concerned with what You want in my life than what I want in my life. I want to live a truly "Christ-centered" life. Help me to put your priorities above my own and establish my house.
Yours,
Jeff
I Samuel 2:35 "Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever".
Observation:
God says that He will build a sure house for the priest who does according to what is in His heart and mind. Eli's two sons were living terrible lives as priests, causing Israel to stumble. God told Eli that he was going to kill both sons in a single day and that He would raise up a faithful priest who would do what was in His heart. God is still looking for a people who will do what is in His heart instead of what is in their own hearts.
Application:
When we put God's priorities before our own, He will establish us and build us a sure house. He desires to be first place in our lives. He wants us to have His priorities instead of asking Him to bless our priorities. He wants us to be on His agenda instead of creating our own agenda. He is still looking for a people who truly want "His kingdom to come and His will to be done". We must make the transition from asking God to bless our plans to asking Him for power to accomplish His plans.
Prayer:
Thank You once again for confirming Your word to me. Help me to convey correctly what is in Your heart. Let me be more concerned with what You want in my life than what I want in my life. I want to live a truly "Christ-centered" life. Help me to put your priorities above my own and establish my house.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
God's Provision
Scripture:
Ruth 2:16 "And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let he pick them up, and don't give her a hard time!"
Observation:
Ruth was gleaning the fields after the harvesters had gone through picking the harvest. This allowed the poor to have something to eat. It was the leftovers after the harvest that would go to waste. Here I see Boaz telling his people to purposefully drop some heads of barley for her to get. He also protected her by telling them not to give her a hard time.
Application:
In Boaz's treatment of Ruth, I see how God provides for us, His people. He makes sure there is enough to take care of us through every situation. He not only gives us the leftovers, but purposefully drops blessings on us when we don't expect it. Boaz didn't have to do this for Ruth, but he did. God doesn't have to take care of us, but He does. He is a faithful father!
Prayer:
Lord, I thank you that you always have a plan for my benefit. You always provide enough and more. Thank you for taking care of me all of my life as I have tried my best to serve You. Thank you for being my provider and giving me what I don't deserve. You are amazing and all I can say is thank You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Ruth 2:16 "And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let he pick them up, and don't give her a hard time!"
Observation:
Ruth was gleaning the fields after the harvesters had gone through picking the harvest. This allowed the poor to have something to eat. It was the leftovers after the harvest that would go to waste. Here I see Boaz telling his people to purposefully drop some heads of barley for her to get. He also protected her by telling them not to give her a hard time.
Application:
In Boaz's treatment of Ruth, I see how God provides for us, His people. He makes sure there is enough to take care of us through every situation. He not only gives us the leftovers, but purposefully drops blessings on us when we don't expect it. Boaz didn't have to do this for Ruth, but he did. God doesn't have to take care of us, but He does. He is a faithful father!
Prayer:
Lord, I thank you that you always have a plan for my benefit. You always provide enough and more. Thank you for taking care of me all of my life as I have tried my best to serve You. Thank you for being my provider and giving me what I don't deserve. You are amazing and all I can say is thank You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Monday, August 29, 2011
Build an Altar
Scripture:
Judges 21:4 "Early the next morning the people built an altar and presented their burnt offerings and peace offerings on it".
Observation:
The Israelites had just defeated one of their own tribes who had sinned terribly. They had just wiped out the tribe of Benjamin. Though they had victory in the battle, they were upset because they realized they had just destroyed one of their own tribes. They lost a lot of people on both sides in this battle and wanted to honor the Lord after the victory was won so they built an altar.
Application:
When Israel was victorious, they built an altar. When they suffered defeat, they built an altar. Building an altar was an act of humility before God in which they would offer sacrifices to Him and ask for blessing and cleansing. Today, we need to build altars in our lives to honor the Lord. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit so we don't need to build literal altars, but we must offer our best to the Lord in prayer, giving and sacrifice. He is our foundation for life. He is our strength. We can do nothing without Him.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to build altars again in my life. I want to become a true man of prayer. I want to know you more each day. I want to hear Your voice and respond immediately and quickly. Help me to build an altar today and every day in my life.
Jeff
Judges 21:4 "Early the next morning the people built an altar and presented their burnt offerings and peace offerings on it".
Observation:
The Israelites had just defeated one of their own tribes who had sinned terribly. They had just wiped out the tribe of Benjamin. Though they had victory in the battle, they were upset because they realized they had just destroyed one of their own tribes. They lost a lot of people on both sides in this battle and wanted to honor the Lord after the victory was won so they built an altar.
Application:
When Israel was victorious, they built an altar. When they suffered defeat, they built an altar. Building an altar was an act of humility before God in which they would offer sacrifices to Him and ask for blessing and cleansing. Today, we need to build altars in our lives to honor the Lord. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit so we don't need to build literal altars, but we must offer our best to the Lord in prayer, giving and sacrifice. He is our foundation for life. He is our strength. We can do nothing without Him.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to build altars again in my life. I want to become a true man of prayer. I want to know you more each day. I want to hear Your voice and respond immediately and quickly. Help me to build an altar today and every day in my life.
Jeff
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Never Quit
Scripture:
Judges 8:4 "Gideon then crossed the Jordan river with his 300 men, and though exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy".
Observation:
Gideon and his men had fought with all they had and had pretty much defeated an arm that was massive compared to them. When we get to this verse we see an awesome statement, "though exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy". Gideon and his small army were not willing to give up or slow down until their job was completely finished and the enemy totally defeated.
Application:
Many times in life I see people who quit or give up just before the breakthrough. Many times in life we fight hard, then get tired of not seeing complete victory, and we throw in the towel. We need to be more like Gideon who would not rest until victory was complete. He was exhausted, but still pursuing the enemy! We need that same determination in our walk with God. We must not give up until God says to.
Prayer:
Father, help me to press on when exhausted. Help me to no give up on things until You say stop. Help me to finish the tasks You have given me and to fight the enemy until he is totally defeated. Give me strength to route the enemy in Ashburn, VA, Northern VA and the world.
Yours,
Jeff Jacob
Judges 8:4 "Gideon then crossed the Jordan river with his 300 men, and though exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy".
Observation:
Gideon and his men had fought with all they had and had pretty much defeated an arm that was massive compared to them. When we get to this verse we see an awesome statement, "though exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy". Gideon and his small army were not willing to give up or slow down until their job was completely finished and the enemy totally defeated.
Application:
Many times in life I see people who quit or give up just before the breakthrough. Many times in life we fight hard, then get tired of not seeing complete victory, and we throw in the towel. We need to be more like Gideon who would not rest until victory was complete. He was exhausted, but still pursuing the enemy! We need that same determination in our walk with God. We must not give up until God says to.
Prayer:
Father, help me to press on when exhausted. Help me to no give up on things until You say stop. Help me to finish the tasks You have given me and to fight the enemy until he is totally defeated. Give me strength to route the enemy in Ashburn, VA, Northern VA and the world.
Yours,
Jeff Jacob
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thorns in Your Sides
Scripture:
Judges 2:3 "So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you".
Observation:
God had told the people of Israel to kick out every other inhabitant in the land so that the land would be free from ungodly influence. When they got into the land, it was a lot of work to drive them out so they compromised with them and allowed them to live with them instead of driving them out of the land as God had told them to do. When God gives a clear order with consequences, it must be taken seriously.
Application:
Many people today are living with thorns in their sides and constant temptation for the very same reason the Israelites lost the blessing of God on their lives. Many times people today come to Christ, but don't want to totally walk away from their past life of sin. The "unconquered" areas of life come back to haunt them later. Instead of taking the time and energy to become pure and get rid of all uncleanness, people are satisfied to live with their enemy instead of kicking him totally out of their lives. The enemy must go with all his stuff if we are going to walk in victory.
Prayer:
Lord, let a generation arise that is serious about doing things Your way and not ours. Let us cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of the flesh. Let us walk in purity and not compromise with the enemy in any area of our lives. I want to walk in Your blessings and in the holiness you have made possible for us.
Sincerely,
jeff
Judges 2:3 "So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you".
Observation:
God had told the people of Israel to kick out every other inhabitant in the land so that the land would be free from ungodly influence. When they got into the land, it was a lot of work to drive them out so they compromised with them and allowed them to live with them instead of driving them out of the land as God had told them to do. When God gives a clear order with consequences, it must be taken seriously.
Application:
Many people today are living with thorns in their sides and constant temptation for the very same reason the Israelites lost the blessing of God on their lives. Many times people today come to Christ, but don't want to totally walk away from their past life of sin. The "unconquered" areas of life come back to haunt them later. Instead of taking the time and energy to become pure and get rid of all uncleanness, people are satisfied to live with their enemy instead of kicking him totally out of their lives. The enemy must go with all his stuff if we are going to walk in victory.
Prayer:
Lord, let a generation arise that is serious about doing things Your way and not ours. Let us cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of the flesh. Let us walk in purity and not compromise with the enemy in any area of our lives. I want to walk in Your blessings and in the holiness you have made possible for us.
Sincerely,
jeff
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