Scripture:
Numbers 13:30 "But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. 'Let's go at once to take the land,' he said. 'We can certainly conquer it!'".
Observation:
Moses had sent out 12 spies into the land God had promised them. 10 spies came back after investigation with the report that the people were huge, the walls were fortified and they will kill us if we try to go against them. The people, as people always do, gathered around the bad news and choose to believe the 10 spies. The people were in an uproar and then a man of faith stepped up and quieted the crowd. Caleb said "let's go at once and take the land. We can certainly conquer it!
Application:
Caleb and Joshua saw the same enemies that everyone else saw, but they also saw the power of their God and of obedience to Him. They understood that God could defeat any army and loved them enough to do it. Knowing God's power and love should make us step out in faith quickly like Caleb. We can either be people of fear or people of faith, but we cannot be both. God's desires a people of faith.
Prayer:
Lord, increase my faith and always let my response be one of faith and trust in my God. You are unfailing, everlasting and amazingly powerful, yet sometimes I allow fear to control my decisions instead of faith. Help me to grow in faith.
Sincerely,
Jeff
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Multiplication of Ministry
Scripture:
Numbers 11:17 "I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone".
Observation:
Moses was leading a huge group of complaining people and couldn't take it any more. Just above it says he became very aggravated with the people. God's solution to Moses' aggravation with whining people was to put some of the Spirit of Moses on 70 elders who would help him bear the weight of the responsibility for the people. God multiplied Moses' ministry effectiveness by getting 70 other people involved in serving the needs of the people.
Application:
God loves to expand our leadership base. Several times in His word He expands the leadership base to better serve the people when leaders are getting worn out. As a leader, it is easy to get worn out and the solution is usually to involve more people in leadership. The growth of our church will completely depend on how well we can multiply ministry by involving new leaders. We must also make sure that the same Spirit that is on my life is upon them. They can't flow in another spirit.
Prayer:
Father, help me to raise up new leaders to evenly distribute the load. I know this is important for our church and that it is the only way we will grow to be all You want for us. Help me to implement this multiplication of ministry better and to serve the needs of our church better. I want our church to serve you with excellence.
Your Son,
Jeff
Numbers 11:17 "I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone".
Observation:
Moses was leading a huge group of complaining people and couldn't take it any more. Just above it says he became very aggravated with the people. God's solution to Moses' aggravation with whining people was to put some of the Spirit of Moses on 70 elders who would help him bear the weight of the responsibility for the people. God multiplied Moses' ministry effectiveness by getting 70 other people involved in serving the needs of the people.
Application:
God loves to expand our leadership base. Several times in His word He expands the leadership base to better serve the people when leaders are getting worn out. As a leader, it is easy to get worn out and the solution is usually to involve more people in leadership. The growth of our church will completely depend on how well we can multiply ministry by involving new leaders. We must also make sure that the same Spirit that is on my life is upon them. They can't flow in another spirit.
Prayer:
Father, help me to raise up new leaders to evenly distribute the load. I know this is important for our church and that it is the only way we will grow to be all You want for us. Help me to implement this multiplication of ministry better and to serve the needs of our church better. I want our church to serve you with excellence.
Your Son,
Jeff
Friday, September 21, 2012
Let the Spirit Guide You
Scripture:
Galatians 5:16 "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what the sinful nature craves".
Observation:
Paul is writing to the Galatians and telling them not to believe those who are telling them to go back to the Law of Moses. Someone had come in telling them they needed to be circumcised and follow the law of Moses. Paul is responding and saying "not since Jesus". Paul tells them to go about holiness in a new way. He says, "Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives". When the Holy Spirit guides your life, He will lead you into truth and get you away from ungodliness.
Application:
Everyone struggles with the sinful nature to some degree, but those who are constantly and continually walking in the Spirit will overcome quickly. When we listen to the Holy Spirit and let Him lead our lives, we won't be doing what the sinful nature craves. Life the way God wants it for us is more about following the voice of the Holy Spirit and less about the do's and don'ts of religion. When we let Him guide us, it is not even a struggle. We need to focus more on listening to Him and doing what He says, this way we know we will be living right.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I want to be filled completely by You. I want you to lead me and guide me into fulfilling God's will for my life. Teach me to hear your voice more clearly. Help me to see what you see and feel what you feel. Guide me into all truth I pray.
Yours,
Jeff Jacob
Galatians 5:16 "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what the sinful nature craves".
Observation:
Paul is writing to the Galatians and telling them not to believe those who are telling them to go back to the Law of Moses. Someone had come in telling them they needed to be circumcised and follow the law of Moses. Paul is responding and saying "not since Jesus". Paul tells them to go about holiness in a new way. He says, "Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives". When the Holy Spirit guides your life, He will lead you into truth and get you away from ungodliness.
Application:
Everyone struggles with the sinful nature to some degree, but those who are constantly and continually walking in the Spirit will overcome quickly. When we listen to the Holy Spirit and let Him lead our lives, we won't be doing what the sinful nature craves. Life the way God wants it for us is more about following the voice of the Holy Spirit and less about the do's and don'ts of religion. When we let Him guide us, it is not even a struggle. We need to focus more on listening to Him and doing what He says, this way we know we will be living right.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I want to be filled completely by You. I want you to lead me and guide me into fulfilling God's will for my life. Teach me to hear your voice more clearly. Help me to see what you see and feel what you feel. Guide me into all truth I pray.
Yours,
Jeff Jacob
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Abraham's Promise is Mine
Scripture:
Galatians 3:29 "And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God's promise to Abraham belongs to you".
Observation:
Abraham was told by God that he was to leave his country and go to a place God would show him. He told Abraham that He would make him into a great nation and that He would bless him and make him a blessing. God told Abraham that He would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. He said that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him. Now Paul tells us that we are Abraham's heirs and that God's promise to Abraham belongs to us as well.
Application:
Abraham was a very wealthy individual who had the blessing of God on his life in a big way. Everything he touched was blessed supernaturally by God. According to Galatians, I am am heir of Abraham and an heir of the promise God made to Abraham. I am so much more blessed than I have lived out in my personal life. The blessing of Abraham rests on me and I am blessed. Now I must believe it and live in it.
Prayer:
Father, I receive the blessing of Abraham and his descendants. I realize that I am an heir according to the promise. I realize that his blessing comes to me. Thank You for showing me this today. Help me to believe it and walk in it. I want my life blessed like Abraham's was. I want to be a blessing to the nations of the world and to those around me. I want those who bless me to be blessed.
Thanks,
Jeff
Galatians 3:29 "And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God's promise to Abraham belongs to you".
Observation:
Abraham was told by God that he was to leave his country and go to a place God would show him. He told Abraham that He would make him into a great nation and that He would bless him and make him a blessing. God told Abraham that He would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. He said that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him. Now Paul tells us that we are Abraham's heirs and that God's promise to Abraham belongs to us as well.
Application:
Abraham was a very wealthy individual who had the blessing of God on his life in a big way. Everything he touched was blessed supernaturally by God. According to Galatians, I am am heir of Abraham and an heir of the promise God made to Abraham. I am so much more blessed than I have lived out in my personal life. The blessing of Abraham rests on me and I am blessed. Now I must believe it and live in it.
Prayer:
Father, I receive the blessing of Abraham and his descendants. I realize that I am an heir according to the promise. I realize that his blessing comes to me. Thank You for showing me this today. Help me to believe it and walk in it. I want my life blessed like Abraham's was. I want to be a blessing to the nations of the world and to those around me. I want those who bless me to be blessed.
Thanks,
Jeff
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
God's Blessing for Obedience
Scripture:
Leviticus 26:3,5 "If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands...Your threshing season will overlap with the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will overlap with the season of planting grain. You will eat your fill and live securely in the land".
Observation:
God told the children of Israel that there were blessings if they obeyed his decrees and there were curses if they disobeyed them. He promised them that if they would obey him, He would cause their crops to come in so fast that they would be planting while still harvesting. He wants His people to be careful in following Him and to do things His way instead of their own.
Application:
God is looking for our obedience to His word above all else. When we obey, He blesses. It's as simple as that. I want to live under the incredible blessing and favor of the Lord, therefore, I know I must walk a life of obedience to Him. If I want His blessing, I must walk in complete obedience to the Lord. He even promises that we can live in the land securely. I want security for my family.
Prayer:
Father, help me live a life that is pleasing to You. I realize that you bless the obedient and want to be under your blessing. Show me the areas of my life that need work and change. You are the best and I want to serve You well.
Yours,
Jeff
Leviticus 26:3,5 "If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands...Your threshing season will overlap with the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will overlap with the season of planting grain. You will eat your fill and live securely in the land".
Observation:
God told the children of Israel that there were blessings if they obeyed his decrees and there were curses if they disobeyed them. He promised them that if they would obey him, He would cause their crops to come in so fast that they would be planting while still harvesting. He wants His people to be careful in following Him and to do things His way instead of their own.
Application:
God is looking for our obedience to His word above all else. When we obey, He blesses. It's as simple as that. I want to live under the incredible blessing and favor of the Lord, therefore, I know I must walk a life of obedience to Him. If I want His blessing, I must walk in complete obedience to the Lord. He even promises that we can live in the land securely. I want security for my family.
Prayer:
Father, help me live a life that is pleasing to You. I realize that you bless the obedient and want to be under your blessing. Show me the areas of my life that need work and change. You are the best and I want to serve You well.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The Lord's Will
Scripture:
Leviticus 24:12 "They kept the man in custody until the Lord's will in the matter should become clear to them".
Observation:
This verse is found in the midst of a story being told about crime and punishment. The Law of Moses was very clear on most situations and they didn't need to know the will of God on matters because it was spelled out for them. Other crimes, they needed to seek the will of the Lord to know what to do. I love this story because it shows how Israel needed to know the will of God just like we do. It also hows us that God can speak to us and show us what to do when the written Word of God is silent on something.
Application:
Any area where we know the written will of God in, we don't even need to pray about. If God's will is silent on an area, we must pursue Him until His will is known on that subject. Immediately after this verse it says, "The Lord said to Moses..." God will make His will known to us if we are willing to seek Him out and ask Him. He doesn't delight in making Himself hard to follow. He gives us the written will of God in the Bible and his voice to guide us where the Bible is silent. Great package deal!!!
Prayer:
Lord, I want to hear Your voice more clearly. I want Your will in my life. I want the matters of my life to become clear as this verse says they will. I ask You to help me to seek out Your counsel on every part of my life. I want to finish well the days you have planned for my life. I don't want to miss out on one of them because I wasn't hearing from You well.
Your Son,
Jeff
Leviticus 24:12 "They kept the man in custody until the Lord's will in the matter should become clear to them".
Observation:
This verse is found in the midst of a story being told about crime and punishment. The Law of Moses was very clear on most situations and they didn't need to know the will of God on matters because it was spelled out for them. Other crimes, they needed to seek the will of the Lord to know what to do. I love this story because it shows how Israel needed to know the will of God just like we do. It also hows us that God can speak to us and show us what to do when the written Word of God is silent on something.
Application:
Any area where we know the written will of God in, we don't even need to pray about. If God's will is silent on an area, we must pursue Him until His will is known on that subject. Immediately after this verse it says, "The Lord said to Moses..." God will make His will known to us if we are willing to seek Him out and ask Him. He doesn't delight in making Himself hard to follow. He gives us the written will of God in the Bible and his voice to guide us where the Bible is silent. Great package deal!!!
Prayer:
Lord, I want to hear Your voice more clearly. I want Your will in my life. I want the matters of my life to become clear as this verse says they will. I ask You to help me to seek out Your counsel on every part of my life. I want to finish well the days you have planned for my life. I don't want to miss out on one of them because I wasn't hearing from You well.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, September 13, 2012
God's Fire on God's Sacrifice
Scripture:
Leviticus 9:24 "Fire blazed forth from the Lord's presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground".
Observation:
God gave Moses extremely detailed instructions about building the Tabernacle and for sacrifices and offerings for God's people and the priests. Moses and Aaron followed the Lord's directions with all their heart. They did exactly as the Lord spoke to them to do. When they completed the job and everything was dedicated properly to the Lord, fire blazed from the Lord's presence and consumed the burnt offering. The people saw it and knew God was happy with their offerings, yet in awe of His power.
Application:
When God gives directions, He means for them to be accomplished exactly how He says to do them. He is a God of order. He wants us to do what we do with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. The fire let the people that God was pleased with their offerings. As we surrender our lives to God, His fire and anointing will fall on our lives. When we do things His way, we get His results. When we do things in our own human wisdom, we get human results. As for me, I want God results in my life. I want to do things His way.
Prayer:
Father, help me to fully and completely follow Your voice in my life. I love You and want to be fully surrendered to You in every area. Help me not to miss a detail of what You want in my life. I offer myself this morning as a sacrifice to You. May it be acceptable and may Your fire fall on it!
Yours,
Jeff Jacob
Leviticus 9:24 "Fire blazed forth from the Lord's presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground".
Observation:
God gave Moses extremely detailed instructions about building the Tabernacle and for sacrifices and offerings for God's people and the priests. Moses and Aaron followed the Lord's directions with all their heart. They did exactly as the Lord spoke to them to do. When they completed the job and everything was dedicated properly to the Lord, fire blazed from the Lord's presence and consumed the burnt offering. The people saw it and knew God was happy with their offerings, yet in awe of His power.
Application:
When God gives directions, He means for them to be accomplished exactly how He says to do them. He is a God of order. He wants us to do what we do with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. The fire let the people that God was pleased with their offerings. As we surrender our lives to God, His fire and anointing will fall on our lives. When we do things His way, we get His results. When we do things in our own human wisdom, we get human results. As for me, I want God results in my life. I want to do things His way.
Prayer:
Father, help me to fully and completely follow Your voice in my life. I love You and want to be fully surrendered to You in every area. Help me not to miss a detail of what You want in my life. I offer myself this morning as a sacrifice to You. May it be acceptable and may Your fire fall on it!
Yours,
Jeff Jacob
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