Scripture:
II Chronicles 2:5 "The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all others gods".
Observation:
Solomon had taken over as king of Israel. David had desired to build God a temple, but God told him no because he had shed too much blood, but that his son would build the temple. As Solomon began preparations to build God a temple as a place of worship, he said, "The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods". He wanted to build God something great because that is how he saw God. Nothing short of great would do.
Application:
I am reminded of the seeing some of the incredible cathedrals in Europe. When you walk into them, you are amazed at the architecture and the fact surrounding these great structures. They always built God the best building in the city because He is awesome. We should remember that God doesn't dwell in temple made by hands any more, but in His people. Whatever we do, we should do to reflect His greatness. Our lives should reflect the greatness of our God.
Prayer:
Father, let You name be glorified in my and through my life. Let my life be a temple that brings You glory. Let me live in such a way that people are blown away at who You are.
Yours, Forever,
Jeff
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
We Fight, God Does the Work
Scripture:
I Chronicles 19:13 "Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight".
Observation:
Joab, David's military man in charge, was talking to his troops about the Ammonites and the army they were about to go up against. His advice when they were going into battle was to tell them to fight hard and be brave for God and his people. Then he lets them know that it is really the Lord who is doing the fighting. He finishes with, "The Lord will do what is good in his sight".
Application:
Some people simply resign in life to, "God's will is going to be done, so why should I fight or try anything?" David's army had the right idea. They knew God was with them, but they also knew that they must fight some battles, lose some of the troops, and possible give their lives. We must be people who are willing to fight to defend what is ours, while knowing God is going to work with us to accomplish His will.
Prayer:
Lord, give me a heart of tenacity that doesn't give up too easily. A heart that fights for what it wants. You know I want what You want for my life. All I desire is for your will to be done in my life. Help me to learn to fight for your will in my life.
Yours,
Jeff
I Chronicles 19:13 "Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight".
Observation:
Joab, David's military man in charge, was talking to his troops about the Ammonites and the army they were about to go up against. His advice when they were going into battle was to tell them to fight hard and be brave for God and his people. Then he lets them know that it is really the Lord who is doing the fighting. He finishes with, "The Lord will do what is good in his sight".
Application:
Some people simply resign in life to, "God's will is going to be done, so why should I fight or try anything?" David's army had the right idea. They knew God was with them, but they also knew that they must fight some battles, lose some of the troops, and possible give their lives. We must be people who are willing to fight to defend what is ours, while knowing God is going to work with us to accomplish His will.
Prayer:
Lord, give me a heart of tenacity that doesn't give up too easily. A heart that fights for what it wants. You know I want what You want for my life. All I desire is for your will to be done in my life. Help me to learn to fight for your will in my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, June 19, 2014
God Doesn't Forget his Promises
Scripture:
I Chronicles 16:15 "He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations".
Observation:
God doesn't forget. David was telling the priests how he wanted God to be worshiped. While he is giving a demonstration of the type of songs he wants sung and how, he throws in this little verse, "He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations".
Application:
When God promises something... It will come to pass! God is faithful and can be trusted to do His part of the covenant. When He makes a covenant, it is eternal. When he makes a promise, it is good for a thousand generations. We must stand on verses like this when we are disgusted with life and fell like God is not coming through for us when we want Him to. His promises may not come when we want them to, but they will come as sure are the morning high tide.
Prayer:
Father, I love you. You are faithful forever and your promises are yes and amen forever. You never forget what You promise and the covenants you make. Thank You for being trustworthy. Help me to trust you more, even when I don't see what You are doing.
Yours,
Jeff Jacob
I Chronicles 16:15 "He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations".
Observation:
God doesn't forget. David was telling the priests how he wanted God to be worshiped. While he is giving a demonstration of the type of songs he wants sung and how, he throws in this little verse, "He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations".
Application:
When God promises something... It will come to pass! God is faithful and can be trusted to do His part of the covenant. When He makes a covenant, it is eternal. When he makes a promise, it is good for a thousand generations. We must stand on verses like this when we are disgusted with life and fell like God is not coming through for us when we want Him to. His promises may not come when we want them to, but they will come as sure are the morning high tide.
Prayer:
Father, I love you. You are faithful forever and your promises are yes and amen forever. You never forget what You promise and the covenants you make. Thank You for being trustworthy. Help me to trust you more, even when I don't see what You are doing.
Yours,
Jeff Jacob
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Unfaithful to the Lord
Scripture:
I Chronicles 10:13-14 "Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse".
Observation:
When Saul, the king of Israel, died, it says he was unfaithful to the Lord. It then goes on to list what exactly it was that made him unfaithful to the Lord. First it says he did not keep the word of the Lord. Second it says he consulted a medium. Lastly it says he did not inquire of the Lord. He received death because of these things. God sees these things as extremely important in our lives.
Application:
The bottom line of what Saul died for was the fact that he did not seek the Lord's guidance and sought guidance from a medium. God wants us to look to Him for guidance first and foremost. He wants us to seek His counsel. He wants us to look to Him as our provider, teacher, guide and friend. Faithfulness to God, in this context, simply means having God at the center of our lives and seeking His input on everything we do.
Prayer:
Lord, I look to You. I want your leadership in my life. I want to be led by You. I want to hear Your voice and follow it completely. I want to accomplish Your will with my life and not my own. Help me to live a life that pleases You more each day.
Your Son,
Jeff
I Chronicles 10:13-14 "Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse".
Observation:
When Saul, the king of Israel, died, it says he was unfaithful to the Lord. It then goes on to list what exactly it was that made him unfaithful to the Lord. First it says he did not keep the word of the Lord. Second it says he consulted a medium. Lastly it says he did not inquire of the Lord. He received death because of these things. God sees these things as extremely important in our lives.
Application:
The bottom line of what Saul died for was the fact that he did not seek the Lord's guidance and sought guidance from a medium. God wants us to look to Him for guidance first and foremost. He wants us to seek His counsel. He wants us to look to Him as our provider, teacher, guide and friend. Faithfulness to God, in this context, simply means having God at the center of our lives and seeking His input on everything we do.
Prayer:
Lord, I look to You. I want your leadership in my life. I want to be led by You. I want to hear Your voice and follow it completely. I want to accomplish Your will with my life and not my own. Help me to live a life that pleases You more each day.
Your Son,
Jeff
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Priests: Able Men
Scripture:
I Chronicles 9:13 "The priests, who were heads of families, numbered 1,760. They were able men, responsible for ministering in the house of God".
Observation:
As Chronicles is giving a long list of genealogies, it sticks in this little comment on the priests. It says "They were able men, responsible for ministering in the house of God". "Able" would mean they were prepared, ready, well-trained, etc. They had to be born in the right family, but they also had to be able men who could handle their responsibilities. They were responsible for ministering in the house of the Lord.
Application:
Sometimes people feel "called" into ministry and jump in, plant a church, and then struggle for a long time. They have the right heart, the right passion, the right prayer life, etc., but maybe were not able or responsible. Able comes from the same root as ability. Sometimes we have to develop our abilities so that we are able. God gives the passion, heart, desire, etc., but we have to develop the abilities and strengthen them and be responsible for them.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to be a better leader. Help me develop the skills necessary to lead Your people better. Help me carry my responsibilities well. Help me hone my leadership skills to become more effective for your kingdom.
Yours,
Jeff
I Chronicles 9:13 "The priests, who were heads of families, numbered 1,760. They were able men, responsible for ministering in the house of God".
Observation:
As Chronicles is giving a long list of genealogies, it sticks in this little comment on the priests. It says "They were able men, responsible for ministering in the house of God". "Able" would mean they were prepared, ready, well-trained, etc. They had to be born in the right family, but they also had to be able men who could handle their responsibilities. They were responsible for ministering in the house of the Lord.
Application:
Sometimes people feel "called" into ministry and jump in, plant a church, and then struggle for a long time. They have the right heart, the right passion, the right prayer life, etc., but maybe were not able or responsible. Able comes from the same root as ability. Sometimes we have to develop our abilities so that we are able. God gives the passion, heart, desire, etc., but we have to develop the abilities and strengthen them and be responsible for them.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to be a better leader. Help me develop the skills necessary to lead Your people better. Help me carry my responsibilities well. Help me hone my leadership skills to become more effective for your kingdom.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, June 16, 2014
Crying Out to God During the Battle
Scripture:
I Chronicles 5:20 "They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered them Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle".
Observation:
In this verse we see that God's people were in battle and they cried out to the Lord. All through the Old Testament we see things like this recorded. People were in battle and they cried out to the Lord and He won the victory for them. God is an incredible deliverer, but He wants His children to cry out to Him.
Application:
God gives His children the victory. but victory only comes through battles fought. Sometimes we feel like we shouldn't ever have a battle to fight if we have enough faith and if God is for us. The issue isn't really about whether we will have battles or not. The issue is whether we will cry out to God in the midst of the battle or just try to fight through it on our own. He responds when His people cry out to Him, but as long as we wage war on our own, He will stand by and watch.
Prayer:
Father, teach me to cry out to You early in the battle instead of waiting for the last stand. Teach me to lean on You completely every day. Thank you for being a God who doesn't judge us for getting into the battle, but delivers us when we cry out to You.
Your Son,
Jeff
I Chronicles 5:20 "They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered them Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle".
Observation:
In this verse we see that God's people were in battle and they cried out to the Lord. All through the Old Testament we see things like this recorded. People were in battle and they cried out to the Lord and He won the victory for them. God is an incredible deliverer, but He wants His children to cry out to Him.
Application:
God gives His children the victory. but victory only comes through battles fought. Sometimes we feel like we shouldn't ever have a battle to fight if we have enough faith and if God is for us. The issue isn't really about whether we will have battles or not. The issue is whether we will cry out to God in the midst of the battle or just try to fight through it on our own. He responds when His people cry out to Him, but as long as we wage war on our own, He will stand by and watch.
Prayer:
Father, teach me to cry out to You early in the battle instead of waiting for the last stand. Teach me to lean on You completely every day. Thank you for being a God who doesn't judge us for getting into the battle, but delivers us when we cry out to You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Friday, June 13, 2014
A Marriage Command From the Lord
Scripture:
I Corinthians 7:10-11 "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife."
Observation:
This is written by Paul to the church of Corinth. He very clearly spelled out that this was not his command, bu the command of the Lord for them, and for us today as well. The Lord spoke through Paul that wives should not separate from their husbands and, if they do, they must remain unmarried. Husbands are not to divorce their wives. He called this a "command" and said it was not from him, but from the Lord. A command is not optional.
Application:
There is way too much separation and divorce in the church today. When people don't feel good, they say, "God wouldn't want me to feel this way because He loves me". Therefore they take commands like this and throw them away instead of learning to love, forgive, and heal relationships with their spouses. When separation happens, according to Paul, there should not be remarriage. These are hard words that we usually ignore because "surely a loving God wouldn't want me lonely the rest of my life". He doesn't want us lonely... He wants us to heal our relationships with our spouses and to make them last for a lifetime.
Prayer:
Father, work in marriages today. Heal broken hearts and restore love to homes. Teach people to forgive, love and walk in humility of spirit. Help the church to see your commands as commands and not options. Show us truth and let us walk in it.
Yours,
Jeff
I Corinthians 7:10-11 "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife."
Observation:
This is written by Paul to the church of Corinth. He very clearly spelled out that this was not his command, bu the command of the Lord for them, and for us today as well. The Lord spoke through Paul that wives should not separate from their husbands and, if they do, they must remain unmarried. Husbands are not to divorce their wives. He called this a "command" and said it was not from him, but from the Lord. A command is not optional.
Application:
There is way too much separation and divorce in the church today. When people don't feel good, they say, "God wouldn't want me to feel this way because He loves me". Therefore they take commands like this and throw them away instead of learning to love, forgive, and heal relationships with their spouses. When separation happens, according to Paul, there should not be remarriage. These are hard words that we usually ignore because "surely a loving God wouldn't want me lonely the rest of my life". He doesn't want us lonely... He wants us to heal our relationships with our spouses and to make them last for a lifetime.
Prayer:
Father, work in marriages today. Heal broken hearts and restore love to homes. Teach people to forgive, love and walk in humility of spirit. Help the church to see your commands as commands and not options. Show us truth and let us walk in it.
Yours,
Jeff
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