Scripture:
Genesis 41:51-52 "Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, 'God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father's family'. Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my grief'".
Observation:
Joseph saw an amazing turnaround in his life. He went from years of terrible misfortune where he ended up in prison, to being second in charge of all Egypt in a moment of time. He was blessed beyond measure in the land that was the land of his punishment for things he had not done. God can take the bad things in life and bless you so much that you forget all the troubles it took to get there. You can be fruitful in the land of your grief.
Application:
Joseph is an amazing story of integrity and character when things are going wrong and you are being falsely accused of things. He remained faithful to God and, years later, God was faithful to him in bringing him into the place of God's favor. Divine turnarounds still happen. God can still dramatically change situations and circumstances, but we must live faithfully in the bad times like Joseph did. When we live right, we can expect divine turnarounds!
Prayer:
Father, You are incredible! I love you with all my heart. Let me be faithful to You in the difficult times so that the divine tunrarounds can happen. I want to be fruitful in the land of my grief. Help me stay on track and serve You faithfully every day.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, August 13, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
The Power of a Smile
Scripture:
Genesis 33:10 "And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!"
Observation:
Jacob had been away for many years after stealing his brother's birthright and blessing. He had fled for his life because Esau wanted to kill him. As he was on his way home he was scared to death that Esau would kill him for what he had done years before. When he finally sees his brother face to face, Esau smiles at him and welcomes him home. At that point Jacob says, "what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!"
Application:
Jacob was blown away to see his brother, whom he had deeply offended and done wrong to, smile at him when they came together again for the first time. He was overwhelmed by his brother's friendly smile and claimed it was like seeing the face of God. A smile makes huge statements! A smile toward a person who thinks you don't like them, is a beautiful picture of God. A smile is easy to do and extremely powerful to those around us. I think we all need to smile more. A smile calms raging emotions, brings peace into a troubled situation, and says "Everything is okay between us". A Smile tells those around us, "God is taking good care of me".
Prayer:
Father, let me smile more so others can see the face of God within my face. Help me to smile when I feel good and when I feel bad. Help me change someone's attitude today with a smile. Let my countenance say, "God has been good to me".
Yours,
Jeff
Genesis 33:10 "And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!"
Observation:
Jacob had been away for many years after stealing his brother's birthright and blessing. He had fled for his life because Esau wanted to kill him. As he was on his way home he was scared to death that Esau would kill him for what he had done years before. When he finally sees his brother face to face, Esau smiles at him and welcomes him home. At that point Jacob says, "what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!"
Application:
Jacob was blown away to see his brother, whom he had deeply offended and done wrong to, smile at him when they came together again for the first time. He was overwhelmed by his brother's friendly smile and claimed it was like seeing the face of God. A smile makes huge statements! A smile toward a person who thinks you don't like them, is a beautiful picture of God. A smile is easy to do and extremely powerful to those around us. I think we all need to smile more. A smile calms raging emotions, brings peace into a troubled situation, and says "Everything is okay between us". A Smile tells those around us, "God is taking good care of me".
Prayer:
Father, let me smile more so others can see the face of God within my face. Help me to smile when I feel good and when I feel bad. Help me change someone's attitude today with a smile. Let my countenance say, "God has been good to me".
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
The Lord Blessed Him
Scripture:
Genesis 26:12 "When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him."
Observation:
Isaac planted crops and the Lord blessed him by giving him a one hundred fold return on his investment. He harvested a hundred times what he sowed! When God decides to bless someone, He does an incredible job of it. The blessing of God is extremely powerful. Isaac had favor on his life and the Lord chose to bless him. The next verse says that he became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow.
Application:
If there is anything to be desired in life, it is the blessing of God. When the blessing of God comes on your life, everything changes. God doesn't do things half way. When His blessing comes on a person, they will be blessed. We need to be in a place where He can bless us. Isaac was re-digging the wells his father Abraham had dug. He was doing the right thing and seeking the God of his father. We must do the same.
Prayer:
Father, I want to walk in your blessing. I want to see supernatural provision like you did for Isaac. I want to have the blessing and favor of God on my life in increasing measures. Help me be in the place and doing what You want me to do so that the blessing may flow. I know You are a God who works financial miracles. Work some in my life.
Yours Always,
Jeff
Genesis 26:12 "When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him."
Observation:
Isaac planted crops and the Lord blessed him by giving him a one hundred fold return on his investment. He harvested a hundred times what he sowed! When God decides to bless someone, He does an incredible job of it. The blessing of God is extremely powerful. Isaac had favor on his life and the Lord chose to bless him. The next verse says that he became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow.
Application:
If there is anything to be desired in life, it is the blessing of God. When the blessing of God comes on your life, everything changes. God doesn't do things half way. When His blessing comes on a person, they will be blessed. We need to be in a place where He can bless us. Isaac was re-digging the wells his father Abraham had dug. He was doing the right thing and seeking the God of his father. We must do the same.
Prayer:
Father, I want to walk in your blessing. I want to see supernatural provision like you did for Isaac. I want to have the blessing and favor of God on my life in increasing measures. Help me be in the place and doing what You want me to do so that the blessing may flow. I know You are a God who works financial miracles. Work some in my life.
Yours Always,
Jeff
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
What am I Withholding?
Scripture:
Genesis 22:12 "Don't lay a hand on the boy! the angel said, do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son."
Observation:
God had spoken to Abraham and told him to go and offer his "promised son" as a sacrifice to the Lord. Abraham obeyed to the point of tying his son up and laying him on the altar. As he was ready to plunge in the knife, the angel of the Lord stopped him. He was extremely blessed that day because of what he "did not" withhold from the Lord. When we withhold from God the things He asks for, it shows that we love those things more than Him.
Application:
God wants to know that He is first in our lives. He wants to know that we are willing to give up everything for Him. This morning I feel the question is more about what we are withholding from God than what we are giving Him. We all have certain things that we are just not willing to let go of. We all have areas of our lives that God wants us to give to Him, yet we withhold them instead of giving them freely.
Prayer:
Father, help me to freely give whatever You have given me. I say it all the time, "I will do whatever You want me to Lord", yet I withhold in some areas. Help me to walk in complete and total surrender before You. Help me walk in complete obedience at all times. Abraham was blessed because of what he did not withhold. Teach me to withhold nothing from You!
Yours Completely,
Jeff
Genesis 22:12 "Don't lay a hand on the boy! the angel said, do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son."
Observation:
God had spoken to Abraham and told him to go and offer his "promised son" as a sacrifice to the Lord. Abraham obeyed to the point of tying his son up and laying him on the altar. As he was ready to plunge in the knife, the angel of the Lord stopped him. He was extremely blessed that day because of what he "did not" withhold from the Lord. When we withhold from God the things He asks for, it shows that we love those things more than Him.
Application:
God wants to know that He is first in our lives. He wants to know that we are willing to give up everything for Him. This morning I feel the question is more about what we are withholding from God than what we are giving Him. We all have certain things that we are just not willing to let go of. We all have areas of our lives that God wants us to give to Him, yet we withhold them instead of giving them freely.
Prayer:
Father, help me to freely give whatever You have given me. I say it all the time, "I will do whatever You want me to Lord", yet I withhold in some areas. Help me to walk in complete and total surrender before You. Help me walk in complete obedience at all times. Abraham was blessed because of what he did not withhold. Teach me to withhold nothing from You!
Yours Completely,
Jeff
Monday, August 6, 2012
Don't Mess with God or His People
Scripture:
Genesis 20:18 "For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham's wife, Sarah".
Observation:
Abraham had told Abimilech that Sarah was his sister and not his wife, which was half true. When Abimilech realized what had happened, he returned Sarah and asked forgiveness from Abraham. Even though it was Abraham's lie that caused the whole thing, God had caused all the women of the region to be infertile because of how Sarah was treated. This shows me that God steps up to fight when his children are treated unfairly.
Application:
If God would bring infertility to a whole region because they messed with Abraham's wife Sarah, how much do we think God will do for us today? Sometimes our view of God is so small and we think He is uninvolved in people's lives, but He is very concerned about His people at all times. It seems like we read these stories about what God did in the past as historical fiction instead of realizing we serve the same God who has the same power today. God has not changed! We must change our perspective of Him.
Prayer:
Lord, let my eyes be opened to see You in all of Your glory. Help me to walk with You and realize that what You did then, You still do today. Nothing is impossible for You. Help me to live like that. Help me understand You better each day and know You more and more.
Your Son, Jeff
Genesis 20:18 "For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham's wife, Sarah".
Observation:
Abraham had told Abimilech that Sarah was his sister and not his wife, which was half true. When Abimilech realized what had happened, he returned Sarah and asked forgiveness from Abraham. Even though it was Abraham's lie that caused the whole thing, God had caused all the women of the region to be infertile because of how Sarah was treated. This shows me that God steps up to fight when his children are treated unfairly.
Application:
If God would bring infertility to a whole region because they messed with Abraham's wife Sarah, how much do we think God will do for us today? Sometimes our view of God is so small and we think He is uninvolved in people's lives, but He is very concerned about His people at all times. It seems like we read these stories about what God did in the past as historical fiction instead of realizing we serve the same God who has the same power today. God has not changed! We must change our perspective of Him.
Prayer:
Lord, let my eyes be opened to see You in all of Your glory. Help me to walk with You and realize that what You did then, You still do today. Nothing is impossible for You. Help me to live like that. Help me understand You better each day and know You more and more.
Your Son, Jeff
Friday, August 3, 2012
Build an Altar
Scripture:
Genesis 12:8 "There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and He worshiped the Lord".
Observation:
Everywhere Abram went on his journey to Canaan, he would build an altar, dedicate it to the Lord and worship there. This shows me why we call Abraham the father of faith. He honored the Lord in every situation. Building an altar was not an easy task. It took work! He honored God enough that he would work hard to build God an altar. God got the glory for everything in his life. Abraham could have been prideful and showed how far he had come, but he knew without God, he was nothing.
Application:
An altar is a place of sacrifice. It is a place where we honor God over ourselves and anyone else. An altar reminds us that it is God that has given us anything we have. It is God who has brought us this far. It if God who leads us every day. An altar is a place of sacrifice and worship. Worshiping and honoring God should be part of our everyday lives. He is worthy!
Prayer:
Father, let me honor you better in my life. Help me to build an altar of sacrifice and worship to You with my life. You are worthy and to be honored above all else. May Your name be praised in all the earth.
Your Son,
Jeff
Genesis 12:8 "There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and He worshiped the Lord".
Observation:
Everywhere Abram went on his journey to Canaan, he would build an altar, dedicate it to the Lord and worship there. This shows me why we call Abraham the father of faith. He honored the Lord in every situation. Building an altar was not an easy task. It took work! He honored God enough that he would work hard to build God an altar. God got the glory for everything in his life. Abraham could have been prideful and showed how far he had come, but he knew without God, he was nothing.
Application:
An altar is a place of sacrifice. It is a place where we honor God over ourselves and anyone else. An altar reminds us that it is God that has given us anything we have. It is God who has brought us this far. It if God who leads us every day. An altar is a place of sacrifice and worship. Worshiping and honoring God should be part of our everyday lives. He is worthy!
Prayer:
Father, let me honor you better in my life. Help me to build an altar of sacrifice and worship to You with my life. You are worthy and to be honored above all else. May Your name be praised in all the earth.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Subdue it!
Scripture:
Genesis 4:7 "You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master".
Observation:
Cain and Abel had both offered sacrifices to God. Abel brought the firstfruits of his labor and Cain brought an offering. Abel's sacrifice was accepted by God, but Cain's was not. God came to Cain and asked him why he was so dejected. In this interaction, the Lord says to him, "if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master".
Application:
What you don't control, controls you! Sin always is crouching at the door wanting into our lives. We must subdue it and take dominion over it. We cannot allow ourselves to be controlled by sin, we must be its master. We cannot allow anything to master us except the Master. One of the fruit of the Spirit that we don't hear alot about is "self-control". God gives us the ability to have self control as we follow Him. We must subdue anything in our lives that God doesn't want!
Prayer:
Lord, let my life shine for You. Help me to walk in obedience to You and Your Word at all times. Teach me to live knowing that sin is crouching at the door wanting control. Let me be led by Your Spirit into a life that reflects You best.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Genesis 4:7 "You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master".
Observation:
Cain and Abel had both offered sacrifices to God. Abel brought the firstfruits of his labor and Cain brought an offering. Abel's sacrifice was accepted by God, but Cain's was not. God came to Cain and asked him why he was so dejected. In this interaction, the Lord says to him, "if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master".
Application:
What you don't control, controls you! Sin always is crouching at the door wanting into our lives. We must subdue it and take dominion over it. We cannot allow ourselves to be controlled by sin, we must be its master. We cannot allow anything to master us except the Master. One of the fruit of the Spirit that we don't hear alot about is "self-control". God gives us the ability to have self control as we follow Him. We must subdue anything in our lives that God doesn't want!
Prayer:
Lord, let my life shine for You. Help me to walk in obedience to You and Your Word at all times. Teach me to live knowing that sin is crouching at the door wanting control. Let me be led by Your Spirit into a life that reflects You best.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
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