Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 11:4 "He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap".
Observation:
Here we are told that those who observe the wind won't end up sowing and those who look at the clouds won't reap. In other words, if you get distracted by what is going on around you, you won't accomplish anything. If you make excuses, you won't see a harvest.
Application:
If you are looking for excuses, you will always find them. If you are easily distracted, you will never get your work done. This verse tells me that I need to stop making excuses and start being productive. I need to stop being distracted by so many things around me and get the job done.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to be a person of action. Help me to accomplish all you want me to. Teach me not to make excuses, but to do what I need to do. Show me how to live a productive life and to see Your blessing.
Your Son,
Jeff
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Monday, September 11, 2017
Promises Promises
Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 5:5 "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay".
Observation:
Here we are told that it is better not to make a vow, than to make a vow and not pay.
Application:
We need to be careful about making promises that we can't deliver on. It is better not to make a promise, then to make a promise and not deliver. When we don't deliver on our promises, we lose trust. When we don't come through on things, people around us trust us less and less. We need to be careful about making too many promises.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to walk in wisdom and not open my mouth until I'm sure I can do whatever I am claiming. Help me to walk and talk faith, yet be able to deliver. Help me not to make promises that don't come true. I want to be a man of my word.
Yours,
Jeff
Ecclesiastes 5:5 "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay".
Observation:
Here we are told that it is better not to make a vow, than to make a vow and not pay.
Application:
We need to be careful about making promises that we can't deliver on. It is better not to make a promise, then to make a promise and not deliver. When we don't deliver on our promises, we lose trust. When we don't come through on things, people around us trust us less and less. We need to be careful about making too many promises.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to walk in wisdom and not open my mouth until I'm sure I can do whatever I am claiming. Help me to walk and talk faith, yet be able to deliver. Help me not to make promises that don't come true. I want to be a man of my word.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, September 8, 2017
Fear of Man
Scripture:
Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe".
Observation:
In this Proverb, I see that the fear of man puts us in a trap, but putting our trust in God will cause us to be safe.
Application:
It is easy to get caught in the trap of fear of man. When we fear man and his opinions, over God and His opinions, we will get trapped every time. Our job is to please God and fear God, not to fear man. Jesus told us not to fear man who can take our lives, but to fear God who can send us to hell. When we trust in God, we will be safe from all snares.
Prayer:
Lord, increase my trust in You. Help me to follow You completely. I do struggle with wanting people to like me and therefore, somewhat fearing them and what they think. Help me to trust You more and fear man less.
Your Son,
Jeff
Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe".
Observation:
In this Proverb, I see that the fear of man puts us in a trap, but putting our trust in God will cause us to be safe.
Application:
It is easy to get caught in the trap of fear of man. When we fear man and his opinions, over God and His opinions, we will get trapped every time. Our job is to please God and fear God, not to fear man. Jesus told us not to fear man who can take our lives, but to fear God who can send us to hell. When we trust in God, we will be safe from all snares.
Prayer:
Lord, increase my trust in You. Help me to follow You completely. I do struggle with wanting people to like me and therefore, somewhat fearing them and what they think. Help me to trust You more and fear man less.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Wisdom and Knowledge
Scripture:
Proverbs 24:5 "A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth in might".
Observation:
We are told here that a man who is wise, is also strong. Wisdom makes you strong on the inside. We are also told that knowledge increases might or strength. When our knowledge increases, our might also increases.
Application:
I need to pursue wisdom and knowledge. In doing so, I will increase in strength and might. The more I learn, the stronger I will be. The more is increase in wisdom, the stronger I get. I need to focus at this time in my life on increasing in wisdom and knowledge so that I may be strong for the future.
Prayer:
Father, I want to walk with the wise. I want to grow in You and be a person of understanding. As I pursue this Masters in Ministerial Leadership, help me stay focused and finish the course. Help me to learn all I need to in order to be a better leader for You and Your kingdom.
Yours,
Jeff
Proverbs 24:5 "A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth in might".
Observation:
We are told here that a man who is wise, is also strong. Wisdom makes you strong on the inside. We are also told that knowledge increases might or strength. When our knowledge increases, our might also increases.
Application:
I need to pursue wisdom and knowledge. In doing so, I will increase in strength and might. The more I learn, the stronger I will be. The more is increase in wisdom, the stronger I get. I need to focus at this time in my life on increasing in wisdom and knowledge so that I may be strong for the future.
Prayer:
Father, I want to walk with the wise. I want to grow in You and be a person of understanding. As I pursue this Masters in Ministerial Leadership, help me stay focused and finish the course. Help me to learn all I need to in order to be a better leader for You and Your kingdom.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Jehovah will save
Scripture:
Proverbs 20:22 "Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee".
Observation:
Solomon tells us here that, rather than fighting for ourselves and bringing retribution for evil, we should wait for the Lord and He will save us.
Application:
When we take judgement into our own hands, we are stopping God from bringing the judgment He would bring. We need to trust the Lord, even when it comes to being hurt by others. We need to learn to leave them in God's hands and allow Him to punish. OUr job is to forgive, His job is to fight on our behalf.
Prayer:
Father, help me to forgive quickly and easily and leave people to You. You are my defense. Help me to trust You more and more.
Yours,
Jeff
Proverbs 20:22 "Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee".
Observation:
Solomon tells us here that, rather than fighting for ourselves and bringing retribution for evil, we should wait for the Lord and He will save us.
Application:
When we take judgement into our own hands, we are stopping God from bringing the judgment He would bring. We need to trust the Lord, even when it comes to being hurt by others. We need to learn to leave them in God's hands and allow Him to punish. OUr job is to forgive, His job is to fight on our behalf.
Prayer:
Father, help me to forgive quickly and easily and leave people to You. You are my defense. Help me to trust You more and more.
Yours,
Jeff
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Being Generous
Scripture:
Proverbs 11:25 "The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself".
Observation:
Solomon observes here a fact that is so true. People who are generous always have money coming back to them and those that water, or give away, always have money coming back to them. When we take care of others needs, we get taken care of ourselves.
Application:
I need to be generous at all times. A generous person lives a blessed life and God causes them to receive. When we give, we are opening the hand of God to bless our lives. Generosity is one of the characteristics of God. He gave His only Son as well as everything we see around us. We need to be more like Him.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in generosity at all times. Teach me to always be generous, even when I don't have a lot. I want to reflect you well in every way. Help me to do it.
Yours,
Jeff
Proverbs 11:25 "The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself".
Observation:
Solomon observes here a fact that is so true. People who are generous always have money coming back to them and those that water, or give away, always have money coming back to them. When we take care of others needs, we get taken care of ourselves.
Application:
I need to be generous at all times. A generous person lives a blessed life and God causes them to receive. When we give, we are opening the hand of God to bless our lives. Generosity is one of the characteristics of God. He gave His only Son as well as everything we see around us. We need to be more like Him.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in generosity at all times. Teach me to always be generous, even when I don't have a lot. I want to reflect you well in every way. Help me to do it.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, September 1, 2017
Finding Wisdom
Scripture:
Proverbs 8:35 "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of Jehovah".
Observation:
Proverbs here is telling many things about wisdom. It says that whoever finds wisdom finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. Walking in wisdom brings an abundant life and puts us in position to have the favor of God on our lives.
Application:
We need to pursue wisdom. Solomon chose wisdom over everything else and God blessed him incredibly for his choice. When we pursue being wise, we are going to see the favor of God. Our job is to seek Him for wisdom and to begin to walk in it, then the blessings and life will come.
Prayer:
Lord God, help me to walk with the wise. Thank You for allowing me into this MAML cohort. Teach me wisdom through it. Help me to make wise decisions and not emotional decisions. I seek Your wisdom this morning. Help me find it for my life, my church, and my community.
Yours,
Jeff
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