Scripture:
Leviticus 3:1 "If your offering is a fellowship offering, and you offer an animal from the herd, whether make or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect".
Observation:
When God is telling us about how to present offering and sacrifices to Him, He continually points out that the offerings are to be without defect. God doesn't want an offering, He wants us to offer Him our very best.
Application:
Many times we give God our leftovers. We give Him what is left and is the least valuable of what we have. We should give God our very best. We are no longer under a sacrificial system of worship, but at the same time, we are told in the New Testament that we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God. God doesn't want defective worship, He wants us to give Him our best.
Prayer:
Father, help me to always remember what You have done for me and to honor You with the best that I have. Help me not to give You my leftovers, but to present the best offering of myself to You. You are worthy of my best.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Working with Jesus
Scripture:
Mark 16:20 "Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it".
Observation:
Jesus had just died, been buried, then resurrected. He showed Himself to His disciples and gave them instructions about preaching the good news to the ends of the earth. They did what He said and the Lord worked with them to confirm his word by giving signs to back up what they were saying.
Application:
When we work "with the Lord", we can expect Him to confirm his words with signs and wonders. When you preach Jesus, He will come and let people know that what you are saying is true. Our job is to preach, His job is to confirm what we preach with signs and wonders. I love the words, "and the Lord worked with them". I want Jesus to work with me when I present the Good News.
Prayer:
Lord God, I want to work with Jesus more and more in my life and ministry. I want people to see Jesus high and lifted up. As I present Jesus to people, come and confirm what I am speaking with signs and wonders that will back up what I'm speaking on Your behalf. I want to work with Jesus to fulfill the Great Commission.
Your Servant,
Jeff
Mark 16:20 "Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it".
Observation:
Jesus had just died, been buried, then resurrected. He showed Himself to His disciples and gave them instructions about preaching the good news to the ends of the earth. They did what He said and the Lord worked with them to confirm his word by giving signs to back up what they were saying.
Application:
When we work "with the Lord", we can expect Him to confirm his words with signs and wonders. When you preach Jesus, He will come and let people know that what you are saying is true. Our job is to preach, His job is to confirm what we preach with signs and wonders. I love the words, "and the Lord worked with them". I want Jesus to work with me when I present the Good News.
Prayer:
Lord God, I want to work with Jesus more and more in my life and ministry. I want people to see Jesus high and lifted up. As I present Jesus to people, come and confirm what I am speaking with signs and wonders that will back up what I'm speaking on Your behalf. I want to work with Jesus to fulfill the Great Commission.
Your Servant,
Jeff
Monday, February 15, 2016
Watch
Scripture:
Mark 13:35-37 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"
Observation:
Jesus was talking to His disciples about the last days and what would happen and what to do. In this portion, he tells them to "watch!". He says we are not to be sleeping, but awake, because we don't know when He is coming.
Application:
Now, more than ever, we need to be watching for the Lord's return and living our lives accordingly. We are told to understand the signs of the times and to live understanding that Jesus could come back at any time. He gave us signs to let us know the approximate time of his return. The signs are all around us, we need to wake up as the body of Christ and finish His work on earth. We need to live "watching and expecting" His soon return.
Prayer:
Father, help me keep my perspective in these last days. Help me to walk closer in step with You than ever before. I want to be effective as I see the day approaching. Help me fulfill Your will in the earth and to welcome You back when You come. Help me to live like today was my last day on earth every day.
Your Son,
Jeff
Mark 13:35-37 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"
Observation:
Jesus was talking to His disciples about the last days and what would happen and what to do. In this portion, he tells them to "watch!". He says we are not to be sleeping, but awake, because we don't know when He is coming.
Application:
Now, more than ever, we need to be watching for the Lord's return and living our lives accordingly. We are told to understand the signs of the times and to live understanding that Jesus could come back at any time. He gave us signs to let us know the approximate time of his return. The signs are all around us, we need to wake up as the body of Christ and finish His work on earth. We need to live "watching and expecting" His soon return.
Prayer:
Father, help me keep my perspective in these last days. Help me to walk closer in step with You than ever before. I want to be effective as I see the day approaching. Help me fulfill Your will in the earth and to welcome You back when You come. Help me to live like today was my last day on earth every day.
Your Son,
Jeff
Saturday, February 13, 2016
If You Can
Scripture:
Mark 9:22b-23 "'But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.' 'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes'".
Observation:
A man came to Jesus and told him about his son who had a demon spirit. It threw him into the fire and into the water to try to kill him. In the process of asking Jesus to cast out the devil, the man said some words Jesus didn't like, 'if you can do anything". Jesus came back and said, 'If you can?' It was almost like Jesus was offended by the man saying "if you can".
Application:
The fact is... HE CAN!!! There is nothing too difficult for God to do. Many times we come to God with our "if you can" instead of simply believing that He not only can, but he will answer our prayer. God wants us to be people of faith. He doesn't want us wondering if he can do something. He wants us knowing that nothing is impossible for him and for those who serve him.
Prayer:
Father, increase my faith! Help me to know that you not only can, but that you will work on my behalf. Teach me to walk in strong faith and to never doubt. I love you and want to know You better each day. Let my life bring You glory both now and forever.
Your Son,
Jeff
Mark 9:22b-23 "'But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.' 'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes'".
Observation:
A man came to Jesus and told him about his son who had a demon spirit. It threw him into the fire and into the water to try to kill him. In the process of asking Jesus to cast out the devil, the man said some words Jesus didn't like, 'if you can do anything". Jesus came back and said, 'If you can?' It was almost like Jesus was offended by the man saying "if you can".
Application:
The fact is... HE CAN!!! There is nothing too difficult for God to do. Many times we come to God with our "if you can" instead of simply believing that He not only can, but he will answer our prayer. God wants us to be people of faith. He doesn't want us wondering if he can do something. He wants us knowing that nothing is impossible for him and for those who serve him.
Prayer:
Father, increase my faith! Help me to know that you not only can, but that you will work on my behalf. Teach me to walk in strong faith and to never doubt. I love you and want to know You better each day. Let my life bring You glory both now and forever.
Your Son,
Jeff
Friday, February 12, 2016
Use What You've Been Given
Scripture:
Mark 4:24-25 "'Consider carefully what you hear', he continued. 'With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them'".
Observation:
Jesus told those around Him to consider carefully what they were hearing. He just told them some parables about the kingdom and H e wanted them to seek the truth in what they heard. He told them that they had to use what they heard and that when they use it, more will be given to them. He was saying that we must hear the word and do what it says, then we would receive more.
Application:
Many people are running around looking for some great revelation, but they are not doing anything about the revelation they have already been given. When we act on the revelation we have, we will be given more! We must seek to put into practice everything we've been hearing for years in our lives. When we do, we will receive more and begin to walk in more.
Prayer:
Father, let me be a doer and not a hearer only. Help me to put into practice everything You have spoken to me. Teach me to walk in the revelation I have already been given and expect more to come.
You're the best,
Jeff
Mark 4:24-25 "'Consider carefully what you hear', he continued. 'With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them'".
Observation:
Jesus told those around Him to consider carefully what they were hearing. He just told them some parables about the kingdom and H e wanted them to seek the truth in what they heard. He told them that they had to use what they heard and that when they use it, more will be given to them. He was saying that we must hear the word and do what it says, then we would receive more.
Application:
Many people are running around looking for some great revelation, but they are not doing anything about the revelation they have already been given. When we act on the revelation we have, we will be given more! We must seek to put into practice everything we've been hearing for years in our lives. When we do, we will receive more and begin to walk in more.
Prayer:
Father, let me be a doer and not a hearer only. Help me to put into practice everything You have spoken to me. Teach me to walk in the revelation I have already been given and expect more to come.
You're the best,
Jeff
Thursday, February 11, 2016
The Forerunner's Message
Scripture:
Mark 1:7-8 "And this was his message, 'after me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit'".
Observation:
When John the baptist describes what Jesus was coming to do, he describes Jesus as one who is more powerful than him. He also says that he is not worthy to stoop down and untie Jesus' sandals. Then he says that He would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was being introduced to the world, He was introduced as one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This was one of the main features of his resume.
Application:
When we think of Jesus and try to describe Him, we usually thank about his "seeking and saving the lot" or a number of other things like being a servant, but seldom do we think of one of His primary roles being that He would baptize us with the Holy Spirit. We need to see this as one of the main reason Jesus came, then we would emphasize it more. We need to seek Jesus for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and power.
Prayer:
Father, help me as a pastor to emphasize what You emphasize. Help me to represent You well and help me to describe Jesus accurately. Show me truth and let me communicate it properly. Jesus, baptize me completely and fully with the Holy Spirit. May He rest on my life and may I be led, controlled and filled by Him.
Yours,
Jeff
Mark 1:7-8 "And this was his message, 'after me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit'".
Observation:
When John the baptist describes what Jesus was coming to do, he describes Jesus as one who is more powerful than him. He also says that he is not worthy to stoop down and untie Jesus' sandals. Then he says that He would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was being introduced to the world, He was introduced as one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This was one of the main features of his resume.
Application:
When we think of Jesus and try to describe Him, we usually thank about his "seeking and saving the lot" or a number of other things like being a servant, but seldom do we think of one of His primary roles being that He would baptize us with the Holy Spirit. We need to see this as one of the main reason Jesus came, then we would emphasize it more. We need to seek Jesus for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and power.
Prayer:
Father, help me as a pastor to emphasize what You emphasize. Help me to represent You well and help me to describe Jesus accurately. Show me truth and let me communicate it properly. Jesus, baptize me completely and fully with the Holy Spirit. May He rest on my life and may I be led, controlled and filled by Him.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Inspections
Scripture:
Exodus 39:43 "Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them".
Observation:
God gave Moses a lot of things to do and extreme details concerning what He wanted and how He wanted it. Moses had to trust others, skilled people to manufacture their part of the whole project. Moses "inspected" their work and blessed them when he saw that it was done right according to what the Lord had told him.
Application:
I am a person that struggles with delegation. I know what the Lord has spoken and feel like I need to do the entire task myself so that I do it exactly how I feel the Lord wants me to do it. I struggle with asking people for help and really struggle in "inspecting" what others have done and possibly having to tell them I want it done over because it was not what I was looking for. I need to learn that inspection is a good thing and that people will never get better at what they do unless what they do is inspected.
Prayer:
Father, I have struggled with this for years. Help me to be bold enough to inspect the work of others and bless them when it is done well. Help me to be able to say when something is not up to my standards and when it needs to be done differently. Help me to "inspect" the work of those who help me and to speak up when it is not well done. I really need Your help in this Lord.
Your Son,
Jeff
Exodus 39:43 "Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them".
Observation:
God gave Moses a lot of things to do and extreme details concerning what He wanted and how He wanted it. Moses had to trust others, skilled people to manufacture their part of the whole project. Moses "inspected" their work and blessed them when he saw that it was done right according to what the Lord had told him.
Application:
I am a person that struggles with delegation. I know what the Lord has spoken and feel like I need to do the entire task myself so that I do it exactly how I feel the Lord wants me to do it. I struggle with asking people for help and really struggle in "inspecting" what others have done and possibly having to tell them I want it done over because it was not what I was looking for. I need to learn that inspection is a good thing and that people will never get better at what they do unless what they do is inspected.
Prayer:
Father, I have struggled with this for years. Help me to be bold enough to inspect the work of others and bless them when it is done well. Help me to be able to say when something is not up to my standards and when it needs to be done differently. Help me to "inspect" the work of those who help me and to speak up when it is not well done. I really need Your help in this Lord.
Your Son,
Jeff
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