Scripture:
Genesis 18:14 "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Observation:
The word of the Lord came to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child and would be "the father of many nations". The problem was, Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 90. They were way beyond child-bearing years and they knew it. Sarah laughed when she heard the news that she was going to have a baby. When she laughed, the Lord spoke to Abraham and said, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?"
Application:
It seems lately that everywhere I turn, I hear "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" Prayer meetings, preaching meetings and personal meetings, all end up in the same words, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" Apparently, God is trying to get my attention and is trying to increase my personal faith level. It is like He is pushing me to trust Him more. This morning I answer, no Lord, nothing is too difficult for You.
Prayer:
Father, increase my faith. Help me to see You in a proper context. In the context of Your awesome power. I want to know You more and to see Your power in my generation. I know You are able, I just want you to touch my generation with a mighty revival and awakening. Demonstrate Your great power in my nation Lord.
Your Son,
Jeff
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Knowing Good and Evil
Scripture:
Genesis 3:22 "And the Lord God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever'".
Observation:
In this passage we see God having to deal with the fact that man had sinned and eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now man had become like God in knowing good and evil and therefore God had to remove man from the garden so he couldn't eat from the tree of life also and live forever. At this point man was banished from the garden of Eden and angels were dispatched to keep man from entering the garden again. What seemed like a blessing, knowing good and evil, ended up being a curse on mankind.
Application:
From that point onward, we are born and our nature tells us there is good and there is evil. Before that point Adam and Eve lived naked and unashamed. Before knowing good and evil, they walked with God in perfect relationship. After knowing good and evil, they were separated from God. Jesus came to be the perfect sacrifice so that mankind can live eternally. He came so that the separation that day, could be overcome and we could walk with God in personal relationship again. Relationship with God is much better than knowing good and evil.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me more on this subject. I want to know You more today and every day. You are my everything and I want my relationship with You to grow deeper daily.
Yours,
Jeff
Genesis 3:22 "And the Lord God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever'".
Observation:
In this passage we see God having to deal with the fact that man had sinned and eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now man had become like God in knowing good and evil and therefore God had to remove man from the garden so he couldn't eat from the tree of life also and live forever. At this point man was banished from the garden of Eden and angels were dispatched to keep man from entering the garden again. What seemed like a blessing, knowing good and evil, ended up being a curse on mankind.
Application:
From that point onward, we are born and our nature tells us there is good and there is evil. Before that point Adam and Eve lived naked and unashamed. Before knowing good and evil, they walked with God in perfect relationship. After knowing good and evil, they were separated from God. Jesus came to be the perfect sacrifice so that mankind can live eternally. He came so that the separation that day, could be overcome and we could walk with God in personal relationship again. Relationship with God is much better than knowing good and evil.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me more on this subject. I want to know You more today and every day. You are my everything and I want my relationship with You to grow deeper daily.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Refreshing Hearts
Scripture:
Philemon 7 "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people".
Observation:
Paul is writing to Philemon and asking him to accept back his former slave who had escaped, met Paul, and gave his heart to the Lord. In the introduction of his letter, Paul says that his love has given Paul great joy because Philemon "refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people". Apparently, Philemon allowed Christ's love and life to flow out of him to an obvious degree and people's hearts were refreshed because of it.
Application:
When people are describing me, would they say, "he refreshes the hearts of God's people"? I want to be a refreshing stream or river that continually gives life to those around me. I want the love of God to fill me up completely until joy and encouragement flow out of my life to as many other people as possible.
Prayer:
Lord let me be a refresher of people's hearts. Let my life bring encouragement to those around me. Teach me to walk with You closer and let Your life fill mine with overflowing joy, that I may refresh hearts around me.
Yours,
Jeff
Philemon 7 "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people".
Observation:
Paul is writing to Philemon and asking him to accept back his former slave who had escaped, met Paul, and gave his heart to the Lord. In the introduction of his letter, Paul says that his love has given Paul great joy because Philemon "refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people". Apparently, Philemon allowed Christ's love and life to flow out of him to an obvious degree and people's hearts were refreshed because of it.
Application:
When people are describing me, would they say, "he refreshes the hearts of God's people"? I want to be a refreshing stream or river that continually gives life to those around me. I want the love of God to fill me up completely until joy and encouragement flow out of my life to as many other people as possible.
Prayer:
Lord let me be a refresher of people's hearts. Let my life bring encouragement to those around me. Teach me to walk with You closer and let Your life fill mine with overflowing joy, that I may refresh hearts around me.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Reverence for the Lord
Scripture:
Malachi 4:2 "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves".
Observation:
As the Old Testament is closing, the prophet Malachi reminds us that as we revere the Lord, we can expect healing to be part of our lives. From the beginning, God has declared He is our healer. He has said it throughout the Old and New Testaments alike. He is our healer. This instance also associates a condition to our healing through Him. It says "for those who revere my name". As we revere the name of the Lord, our healing comes forth in our lives.
Application:
To revere is to honor, respect, and fear the name of the Lord. As we lift Him up and give Him the place He deserves in our lives, our healing will come. He is the healer of all sickness and disease. He is the conquering King! He is amazing and His name is to be praised. I've been struggling with knee pain for some time now and have been for prayer many times, but now I feel like as I worship Him, He will arise with healing in His rays.
Prayer:
Father, I lift up Your name. May your name be exalted above all other names. Help me to honor Your name. You are amazing and I am honored to serve You. Teach me to revere Your name at a greater level.
Yours,
Jeff
Malachi 4:2 "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves".
Observation:
As the Old Testament is closing, the prophet Malachi reminds us that as we revere the Lord, we can expect healing to be part of our lives. From the beginning, God has declared He is our healer. He has said it throughout the Old and New Testaments alike. He is our healer. This instance also associates a condition to our healing through Him. It says "for those who revere my name". As we revere the name of the Lord, our healing comes forth in our lives.
Application:
To revere is to honor, respect, and fear the name of the Lord. As we lift Him up and give Him the place He deserves in our lives, our healing will come. He is the healer of all sickness and disease. He is the conquering King! He is amazing and His name is to be praised. I've been struggling with knee pain for some time now and have been for prayer many times, but now I feel like as I worship Him, He will arise with healing in His rays.
Prayer:
Father, I lift up Your name. May your name be exalted above all other names. Help me to honor Your name. You are amazing and I am honored to serve You. Teach me to revere Your name at a greater level.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, October 17, 2013
We Have Heard that God is With You
Scripture:
Zechariah 8:23 "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you''".
Observation:
Zechariah is prophesying about the restoration of Jerusalem. The Zechariah, the Lord tells Israel that He is going to bless them so much that people from other nations are going to be grabbing at their clothes and begging them to go with them "because we have heard that God is with you". The presence of God changes everything. When the presence of God is with you, those around you just want to be close to you.
Application:
Can you imagine the day when the ungodly are begging to be around us because they know that God is with us? I want to live a life that makes the world say, "we have heard that God is with you". When God is with you, even the ungodly should recognize it and want Him. As a New Testament believer, we have God with us. He is within us. As we yield to Him, we see Him work in and through our lives to a greater degree. May we yield to Him until the world says, "We have heard that God is with you".
Prayer:
Father, teach me to walk with You in such a way that those around me know that You are with me. I want Your voice to speak through me and your hands to touch through me so the world may hear and know that you are with me and want You in their lives as well. I want to make the world jealous so they will look to You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Zechariah 8:23 "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you''".
Observation:
Zechariah is prophesying about the restoration of Jerusalem. The Zechariah, the Lord tells Israel that He is going to bless them so much that people from other nations are going to be grabbing at their clothes and begging them to go with them "because we have heard that God is with you". The presence of God changes everything. When the presence of God is with you, those around you just want to be close to you.
Application:
Can you imagine the day when the ungodly are begging to be around us because they know that God is with us? I want to live a life that makes the world say, "we have heard that God is with you". When God is with you, even the ungodly should recognize it and want Him. As a New Testament believer, we have God with us. He is within us. As we yield to Him, we see Him work in and through our lives to a greater degree. May we yield to Him until the world says, "We have heard that God is with you".
Prayer:
Father, teach me to walk with You in such a way that those around me know that You are with me. I want Your voice to speak through me and your hands to touch through me so the world may hear and know that you are with me and want You in their lives as well. I want to make the world jealous so they will look to You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
The Prophetic "IF"
Scripture:
Zechariah 6:15 "Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God".
Observation:
Zechariah gave this message and within this message is the simple prophetic word "IF". Scripture is full of prophetic "IFs". Most prophecy contains an if, but we generally look at it as if it must happen because it was spoken. Prophecy usually shows us the heart of God and what He wants to do for us, but then there is an "IF" that brings our obedience into the equation. In this case, the promise is that people from far away will come and help build the temple, the problem is that it is conditional upon the obedience of God's people.
Application:
The prophetic "IF" is hard for us to deal with. When we walk in complete obedience to the Lord, all of the "IFs" are removed and we will see the fulfillment of the prophetic promises. God's job is to take care of the fulfillment, our job is to take care of the "IF". As we walk in daily obedience to the Lord, His word will come to pass in our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, I want Your will accomplished in my life. I don't want Your will stopped up because I didn't take care of the "IFs" in my life. Help me walk in complete obedience. I want to see the fulfillment of all You have promised me and put in my heart. Help me uphold my end of the deal.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Zechariah 6:15 "Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God".
Observation:
Zechariah gave this message and within this message is the simple prophetic word "IF". Scripture is full of prophetic "IFs". Most prophecy contains an if, but we generally look at it as if it must happen because it was spoken. Prophecy usually shows us the heart of God and what He wants to do for us, but then there is an "IF" that brings our obedience into the equation. In this case, the promise is that people from far away will come and help build the temple, the problem is that it is conditional upon the obedience of God's people.
Application:
The prophetic "IF" is hard for us to deal with. When we walk in complete obedience to the Lord, all of the "IFs" are removed and we will see the fulfillment of the prophetic promises. God's job is to take care of the fulfillment, our job is to take care of the "IF". As we walk in daily obedience to the Lord, His word will come to pass in our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, I want Your will accomplished in my life. I don't want Your will stopped up because I didn't take care of the "IFs" in my life. Help me walk in complete obedience. I want to see the fulfillment of all You have promised me and put in my heart. Help me uphold my end of the deal.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
The Apple of His Eye
Scripture:
Zechariah 2:8 "For this is what the Lord Almighty says, 'After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you - for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye'".
Observation:
Zechariah is writing about the restoration of Jerusalem and His people. The Lord was saying that He would restore them as they turn back to Him and that He would deal with their enemies. An interesting side note is that God used their enemies in His plan to judge His people, then He says He will destroy them for doing it because they are the apple of His eye. Zechariah says that the people of God are "the apple of His eye".
Application:
As New Testament believers we are spiritual Israel, therefore we can look at this verse and say that we are the apple of God's eye. God loves us more than we believe. He will fight against those who fight against us. He will protect His people. He doesn't let us out of His sight. He may allow the enemy to attack at times for our own growth, but He always comes through for His people. The devil will get what is coming to Him in the end because we are "the apple of His eye". We must learn to live understanding how much God loves us and live in a way that bring Him pleasure.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to say back to You that You are the apple of my eye. You are my everything and I love you deeply. Thank You for reminding me this morning about your incredible love for Your people. You are the best!
Yours,
Jeff
Zechariah 2:8 "For this is what the Lord Almighty says, 'After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you - for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye'".
Observation:
Zechariah is writing about the restoration of Jerusalem and His people. The Lord was saying that He would restore them as they turn back to Him and that He would deal with their enemies. An interesting side note is that God used their enemies in His plan to judge His people, then He says He will destroy them for doing it because they are the apple of His eye. Zechariah says that the people of God are "the apple of His eye".
Application:
As New Testament believers we are spiritual Israel, therefore we can look at this verse and say that we are the apple of God's eye. God loves us more than we believe. He will fight against those who fight against us. He will protect His people. He doesn't let us out of His sight. He may allow the enemy to attack at times for our own growth, but He always comes through for His people. The devil will get what is coming to Him in the end because we are "the apple of His eye". We must learn to live understanding how much God loves us and live in a way that bring Him pleasure.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to say back to You that You are the apple of my eye. You are my everything and I love you deeply. Thank You for reminding me this morning about your incredible love for Your people. You are the best!
Yours,
Jeff
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