Scripture:
Leviticus 6:12 "Meanwhile, the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must never go out. Each morning the priest will add fresh wood to the fire."
Observation:
This is part of the law of the burnt offering. It tells the people of Israel that the fire must be kept burning day and night and it must never go out. The priests were instructed to bring new wood every morning so that the fire would never go out. With this offering, if you miss one morning, the fire would go out and need re-started, which was against the will of God.
Application:
The spiritual fire in our hearts must never go out as well. If we are to stay on fire for God, we must add wood to the fire every morning. These "daily wash" devotionals have been an awesome way for me personally to keep the fire burning every morning. It allows me every day to feel like God has spoken to me about something in my walk with Him, which keeps the flame of our relationship alive. It is also my early morning prayer walk that keeps the fire going each day. These two keep my fire from going out.
Prayer:
Lord, keeping the fire burning wasn't your responsibility. It was the responsibility of the priests. Help me to hunger and thirst after You and to be diligent about keeping my fire burning. Sometimes I get tired and don't do as good, then I feel it spiritually. Help me stay on track through my daily prayer and daily wash in the word.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Offering God Your Best
Scripture:
Leviticus 3:1 "If you present an animal from the herd as a peace offering to the Lord, it may be a male or a female, but it must have no defects".
Observation:
As we begin the book of Leviticus, I see here that as all of the offerings are ordered and explained to God's people, God always requires it to be without blemish and have no defects. As we enter the book of Leviticus we realize that God wants us to offer our very best to Him. He doesn't want offerings that are defective. He wants the very best for our offerings. He doesn't want the leftovers when it is being offered to Him.
Application:
Many times today we offer God our leftovers. We plan our schedule and if there is any leftover time, we will do something for the Lord. We spend our money, then give the leftovers to God. It's like we say, "Okay God, here is what I am going to do...you can make your plans around mine". God has never wanted to be second place in anyone's life. He wants our best to be given to Him, then He will bless the rest. As you give your best to God, He blesses it, multiplies it, and gives back to us. He doesn't want our leftovers, He wants the best of our lives.
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for offering You leftovers. Help me to offer You my very best. Teach me to give sacrificially of my time, talents and treasures. As I do, would You open the windows of heaven and take care of my life and family.
Love You Much,
jeff
Leviticus 3:1 "If you present an animal from the herd as a peace offering to the Lord, it may be a male or a female, but it must have no defects".
Observation:
As we begin the book of Leviticus, I see here that as all of the offerings are ordered and explained to God's people, God always requires it to be without blemish and have no defects. As we enter the book of Leviticus we realize that God wants us to offer our very best to Him. He doesn't want offerings that are defective. He wants the very best for our offerings. He doesn't want the leftovers when it is being offered to Him.
Application:
Many times today we offer God our leftovers. We plan our schedule and if there is any leftover time, we will do something for the Lord. We spend our money, then give the leftovers to God. It's like we say, "Okay God, here is what I am going to do...you can make your plans around mine". God has never wanted to be second place in anyone's life. He wants our best to be given to Him, then He will bless the rest. As you give your best to God, He blesses it, multiplies it, and gives back to us. He doesn't want our leftovers, He wants the best of our lives.
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for offering You leftovers. Help me to offer You my very best. Teach me to give sacrificially of my time, talents and treasures. As I do, would You open the windows of heaven and take care of my life and family.
Love You Much,
jeff
Monday, September 10, 2012
The God of Peace will be with You
Scripture:
II Corinthians 13:11 "Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you".
Observation:
Paul tells the Corinthians that if they do these few things, the God of love and peace will be with them. Paul had been very displeased with their behavior and how much sin was in the church. He wanted them to get it right before he came back there for a third time. He gives them four things, then says that if they do these, the God of peace will be with them. The four things: By joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. and Live in harmony and peace.
Application:
When we do our part, God does His. Here we can clearly see our part and His part. Our part is to simply be joyful, grow, encourage each other and live in harmony and peace. God's part of this equation, He will be with us! That is powerful and worthy of my attention. When God is with you, your enemies tremble and run the other way. When God is with you, great things happen. I want God to be with me, therefore, I need to work on being joyful, growing to maturity, encouraging others and living in harmony and peace.
Prayer:
Father, I want you to be with me at all times. I love your presence and want to walk with You in intimacy. Help me to live out my part of the deal as I pursue You each day. I want to be with You. I want to know You more. Let my life radiate Your goodness. Help me in these four areas I pray.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
II Corinthians 13:11 "Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you".
Observation:
Paul tells the Corinthians that if they do these few things, the God of love and peace will be with them. Paul had been very displeased with their behavior and how much sin was in the church. He wanted them to get it right before he came back there for a third time. He gives them four things, then says that if they do these, the God of peace will be with them. The four things: By joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. and Live in harmony and peace.
Application:
When we do our part, God does His. Here we can clearly see our part and His part. Our part is to simply be joyful, grow, encourage each other and live in harmony and peace. God's part of this equation, He will be with us! That is powerful and worthy of my attention. When God is with you, your enemies tremble and run the other way. When God is with you, great things happen. I want God to be with me, therefore, I need to work on being joyful, growing to maturity, encouraging others and living in harmony and peace.
Prayer:
Father, I want you to be with me at all times. I love your presence and want to walk with You in intimacy. Help me to live out my part of the deal as I pursue You each day. I want to be with You. I want to know You more. Let my life radiate Your goodness. Help me in these four areas I pray.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Friday, September 7, 2012
We Will Be Judged
Scripture:
II Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body".
Observation:
Paul tells the Corinthians that we will "all" be judged by Christ and will receive whatever we deserve based on what we did in this earthly body. Every one of us will stand before Christ one day and give an account of what we did while we were on this earth. That day doesn't have to be a day of grief and sorrow, wishing we had done more or better. That day can also be a day of rejoicing where we hear the words, "well done good and faithful servant". This day, judgment day, is the most important day in each of our personal histories.
Application:
Most of us live like we will never have to give an account of what we did with our lives. We must begin living for that day instead of living to please ourselves today. We must live lives that will make that day worthwhile. Eternity future will be based on that judgment day and how we lived our lives on this earth. We must live with this day in our minds at all times. If we have to endure something right now for a short time on this earth, we must endure as good soldiers because it won't last forever and we will be judged on how we did.
Prayer:
Lord God, Help me stay eternity focused. You have placed eternity in our hearts, help me to live like it. Let me live my life in a way that pleases you and builds your kingdom here on earth. On judgment day I want to hear, "well done good and faithful servant". Lead me into this Holy Spirit I pray.
Yours,
Jeff
II Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body".
Observation:
Paul tells the Corinthians that we will "all" be judged by Christ and will receive whatever we deserve based on what we did in this earthly body. Every one of us will stand before Christ one day and give an account of what we did while we were on this earth. That day doesn't have to be a day of grief and sorrow, wishing we had done more or better. That day can also be a day of rejoicing where we hear the words, "well done good and faithful servant". This day, judgment day, is the most important day in each of our personal histories.
Application:
Most of us live like we will never have to give an account of what we did with our lives. We must begin living for that day instead of living to please ourselves today. We must live lives that will make that day worthwhile. Eternity future will be based on that judgment day and how we lived our lives on this earth. We must live with this day in our minds at all times. If we have to endure something right now for a short time on this earth, we must endure as good soldiers because it won't last forever and we will be judged on how we did.
Prayer:
Lord God, Help me stay eternity focused. You have placed eternity in our hearts, help me to live like it. Let me live my life in a way that pleases you and builds your kingdom here on earth. On judgment day I want to hear, "well done good and faithful servant". Lead me into this Holy Spirit I pray.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Overwhelming Glory
Scripture:
II Corinthians 3:10 "In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way".
Observation:
Paul is writing to the Corinthian people and talks about the glory that was on the Old Covenant. He shares how Moses had to place a veil over his face because the glory of the Lord was upon him. Then he says that we should expect "far greater glory" because we have the Spirit, which is not fading away. He says that the glory on our lives should make the old glory on Moses look like almost nothing. He calls it "overwhelming glory".
Application:
Paul teaches us that all of us who are saved have the veil removed and both see and reflect God's glory. This is how we are changed into his glorious image 3:18. We should look more and more like Christ every day of our lives, yet we become stagnant in our relationship with Him and content with living inglorious lives. We need to seek God more and more until we see His glory as Moses did, then we can reflect it better.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, I want to see Your glory. I want to reflect your glory in my life that others are pointed to you. I want my light to shine brightly for You. I want to walk in "overwhelming glory" the rest of the days of my life. I don't believe Paul was just talking about something impossible. If it is available, I want it. Let me reflect you well.
Your Servant,
Jeff
II Corinthians 3:10 "In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way".
Observation:
Paul is writing to the Corinthian people and talks about the glory that was on the Old Covenant. He shares how Moses had to place a veil over his face because the glory of the Lord was upon him. Then he says that we should expect "far greater glory" because we have the Spirit, which is not fading away. He says that the glory on our lives should make the old glory on Moses look like almost nothing. He calls it "overwhelming glory".
Application:
Paul teaches us that all of us who are saved have the veil removed and both see and reflect God's glory. This is how we are changed into his glorious image 3:18. We should look more and more like Christ every day of our lives, yet we become stagnant in our relationship with Him and content with living inglorious lives. We need to seek God more and more until we see His glory as Moses did, then we can reflect it better.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, I want to see Your glory. I want to reflect your glory in my life that others are pointed to you. I want my light to shine brightly for You. I want to walk in "overwhelming glory" the rest of the days of my life. I don't believe Paul was just talking about something impossible. If it is available, I want it. Let me reflect you well.
Your Servant,
Jeff
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Take Out the Guessing Game
Scripture:
Exodus 40:38 "The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys".
Observation:
The people of Israel had it so easy when it comes to doing the Lord's will during the time of the Exodus. You didn't have to be super-spiritual to know where the Lord wanted you to be. If the cloud started moving, you needed to move and everyone could see the cloud. If Israel's leaders decided not to follow the cloud, the people would immediately know it, this brought accountability. This took the guessing game out of following the Lord. He guided them very accurately for many years.
Application:
I wish God made it this easy to follow Him today. We are called to live lives of faith, which basically means we can't see the cloud, but still have to follow it. I would love for God to take out the guessing game as to whether I was following Him completely or not. When we can't see Him, we must seek Him all the more. This is what He wants. He wants us to seek Him and His will for us, therefore He doesn't make it as easy as back then.
Prayer:
Father, I want your will for my life to be more clear every day. I would love for the guessing game to be gone and for a cloud to lead me around all day everyday. I would love for you to speak to me from the cloud every day and let me know what to do each day. Teach me to pursue You more. Help me to seek after You more desperately. I want to know You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Exodus 40:38 "The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys".
Observation:
The people of Israel had it so easy when it comes to doing the Lord's will during the time of the Exodus. You didn't have to be super-spiritual to know where the Lord wanted you to be. If the cloud started moving, you needed to move and everyone could see the cloud. If Israel's leaders decided not to follow the cloud, the people would immediately know it, this brought accountability. This took the guessing game out of following the Lord. He guided them very accurately for many years.
Application:
I wish God made it this easy to follow Him today. We are called to live lives of faith, which basically means we can't see the cloud, but still have to follow it. I would love for God to take out the guessing game as to whether I was following Him completely or not. When we can't see Him, we must seek Him all the more. This is what He wants. He wants us to seek Him and His will for us, therefore He doesn't make it as easy as back then.
Prayer:
Father, I want your will for my life to be more clear every day. I would love for the guessing game to be gone and for a cloud to lead me around all day everyday. I would love for you to speak to me from the cloud every day and let me know what to do each day. Teach me to pursue You more. Help me to seek after You more desperately. I want to know You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Incredible Furnishings
Scripture:
Exodus 37:24 "The entire lampstand, along with its accessories, was made from seventy five pounds of pure gold".
Observation:
The lampstand in the tabernacle of Moses was made of 75 pounds of pure gold! Wow! This was just one of the many gold furnishings in the house of the Lord. When God told them what He wanted, it was extravagant. When He had them build a tabernacle, He wanted it to be amazing and nothing but the best was to be used. This was a place for God to meet with man and God wanted it to be done right. Cost was not a factor.
Application:
When we love someone, it isn't a problem to spend money on them, giving them the most special things we can. Today, when we do things for God, we make sure not to spend too much money because it might look like we wasted God's money. We want it to look as cheap as possible so people know we got the best deal possible for God's money. From God's buildings in the Old Testament, I would say that God likes extravagance in our worship of Him. God is worthy of our best.
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for giving You the least I can instead of giving extravagantly. Help me become a better giver and one that blesses You with nothing but my very best. I want You honored in and through my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Exodus 37:24 "The entire lampstand, along with its accessories, was made from seventy five pounds of pure gold".
Observation:
The lampstand in the tabernacle of Moses was made of 75 pounds of pure gold! Wow! This was just one of the many gold furnishings in the house of the Lord. When God told them what He wanted, it was extravagant. When He had them build a tabernacle, He wanted it to be amazing and nothing but the best was to be used. This was a place for God to meet with man and God wanted it to be done right. Cost was not a factor.
Application:
When we love someone, it isn't a problem to spend money on them, giving them the most special things we can. Today, when we do things for God, we make sure not to spend too much money because it might look like we wasted God's money. We want it to look as cheap as possible so people know we got the best deal possible for God's money. From God's buildings in the Old Testament, I would say that God likes extravagance in our worship of Him. God is worthy of our best.
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for giving You the least I can instead of giving extravagantly. Help me become a better giver and one that blesses You with nothing but my very best. I want You honored in and through my life.
Yours,
Jeff
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