Scripture:
Joshua 15:63 "But the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who live in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day."
Observation:
God had given the entire Promised Land to the people of Israel, but they had to fight for it. The tribe of Judah gave up on conquering Jerusalem instead of pressing until they won. The Bible records here that the Jebusites stayed there in Jerusalem with the people of Judah. This was not God's plan, but man settled for it.
Application:
In our lives, sometimes there are things God wants us to have, but we can settle than less than God's best instead of fighting for His promises. I need to fight for the promises God has given me and walk by faith when it seems the promises won't come to pass. Whenever we settle for second best, we will always pay the consequences down the road. I want God's best for my life.
Prayer:
Father, don't let me be a settler. Help me to press into the promises You have made me in my life. Teach me to fight for what You desire for me. Take me from being passive to walking in authority and not settling for second best or whatever is given to me.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, April 9, 2018
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Obedience Brings Victory
joScripture:
Joshua 8:18, 26 "The the Lord said to Joshua, 'Point the spear in your hand toward Ai, for I will hand the town over to you'. Joshua did as he was commanded... For Joshua kept holding out his spear until everyone who had lived in Ai was completely destroyed."
Observation:
Ai had just defeated Israel when Israel attacked them because Achan had stolen some items that belonged to the Lord. When that was cleared up, Joshua led them back to Ai, this time ready for battle. As they approached, the Lord said to Joshua that he should lift his spear toward Ai. Joshua lifted it and kept holding it out until Ai was destroyed. He didn't stop his obedience until the job was completely finished.
Application:
Sometimes the weight of carrying the spear can get heavy, but when God speaks to us, we need to fully complete the task we are given. We don't know if the Lord said to hold it out until the job was finished, it just says he was to hold out his spear. Joshua then held it out until everything was finished. He made sure he obeyed the Lord completely. He finished the task he was given with wholeheartedness.
Prayer:
Father, help me to finish the works you have given me to do. Help me to be a person who finishes what You start. Help me not to quit too early, but to finish what You start in my life. Enable me to lift the spear until You are finished defeating my enemies.
Yours,
Jeff
Joshua 8:18, 26 "The the Lord said to Joshua, 'Point the spear in your hand toward Ai, for I will hand the town over to you'. Joshua did as he was commanded... For Joshua kept holding out his spear until everyone who had lived in Ai was completely destroyed."
Observation:
Ai had just defeated Israel when Israel attacked them because Achan had stolen some items that belonged to the Lord. When that was cleared up, Joshua led them back to Ai, this time ready for battle. As they approached, the Lord said to Joshua that he should lift his spear toward Ai. Joshua lifted it and kept holding it out until Ai was destroyed. He didn't stop his obedience until the job was completely finished.
Application:
Sometimes the weight of carrying the spear can get heavy, but when God speaks to us, we need to fully complete the task we are given. We don't know if the Lord said to hold it out until the job was finished, it just says he was to hold out his spear. Joshua then held it out until everything was finished. He made sure he obeyed the Lord completely. He finished the task he was given with wholeheartedness.
Prayer:
Father, help me to finish the works you have given me to do. Help me to be a person who finishes what You start. Help me not to quit too early, but to finish what You start in my life. Enable me to lift the spear until You are finished defeating my enemies.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, April 6, 2018
Don't Bring Trouble
Scripture:
Joshua 6:18 "Do not take any of the things set apart for destruction, or you yourselves will be completely destroyed, and you will bring trouble on the camp of Israel."
Observation:
God always makes covenants with His people. Here He tells them not to take any plunder from Jericho when He gives it into their hands. He tells them to destroy everything and then the valuable things would go to God. He wanted it all. Here the Lord reminds them not to keep any for themselves, and if they profited personally from this, He would bring trouble on their camp.
Application:
We can't have what belongs to the Lord. He does ask for certain things from His people. He wants us to follow Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. When He says not to touch something, we shouldn't touch it. When we honor Him, our lives are blessed. When we dishonor Him, our lives will always have trouble. If God says He wants something, we must respond.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for showing me this today. I want to walk in obedience to your word and your Spirit. I want to live a life that You can bless. Help me to live according to Your ways. Show me day by day what you want for my life and I will say yes.
Yours,
Jeff
Joshua 6:18 "Do not take any of the things set apart for destruction, or you yourselves will be completely destroyed, and you will bring trouble on the camp of Israel."
Observation:
God always makes covenants with His people. Here He tells them not to take any plunder from Jericho when He gives it into their hands. He tells them to destroy everything and then the valuable things would go to God. He wanted it all. Here the Lord reminds them not to keep any for themselves, and if they profited personally from this, He would bring trouble on their camp.
Application:
We can't have what belongs to the Lord. He does ask for certain things from His people. He wants us to follow Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. When He says not to touch something, we shouldn't touch it. When we honor Him, our lives are blessed. When we dishonor Him, our lives will always have trouble. If God says He wants something, we must respond.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for showing me this today. I want to walk in obedience to your word and your Spirit. I want to live a life that You can bless. Help me to live according to Your ways. Show me day by day what you want for my life and I will say yes.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Leadership
Scripture:
Joshua 3:7 "The Lord told Joshua, 'Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses.'"
Observation:
Moses had died and he did the best he could to prepare Joshua and the people for Joshua's leadership of Israel. At this point, the Lord steps up and lets Joshua know that He was going to make a great leader of Joshua in the eyes of the people. Moses had done his part in preparing Joshua, but Joshua also needed God to raise him up in the eyes of the people.
Application:
In Christian leadership, we can prepare, work, study, and do everything we possibly can to become better leaders, but God must always remain the center. He is the one who has the ability to raise us up in a moment. Leaders arise out of bad situations and sometimes God may stir things up a little so your leadership can develop. In Christian leadership, we need to do our part, but also know that God ultimately raises up leaders.
Prayer:
Lord, make me the leader I need to be in order to accomplish what You want me to accomplish. Teach me to lead well. Help me to walk in a way that pleases You above all. You know what's best and I submit to You. I am doing my part in preparation, now I surrender to You.
Yours,
Jeff
Joshua 3:7 "The Lord told Joshua, 'Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses.'"
Observation:
Moses had died and he did the best he could to prepare Joshua and the people for Joshua's leadership of Israel. At this point, the Lord steps up and lets Joshua know that He was going to make a great leader of Joshua in the eyes of the people. Moses had done his part in preparing Joshua, but Joshua also needed God to raise him up in the eyes of the people.
Application:
In Christian leadership, we can prepare, work, study, and do everything we possibly can to become better leaders, but God must always remain the center. He is the one who has the ability to raise us up in a moment. Leaders arise out of bad situations and sometimes God may stir things up a little so your leadership can develop. In Christian leadership, we need to do our part, but also know that God ultimately raises up leaders.
Prayer:
Lord, make me the leader I need to be in order to accomplish what You want me to accomplish. Teach me to lead well. Help me to walk in a way that pleases You above all. You know what's best and I submit to You. I am doing my part in preparation, now I surrender to You.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Locked Doors
Scripture:
John 20:19 "That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! 'Peace be with you,' he said."
Observation:
The disciples were together in a place with the doors locked and suddenly, the resurrected Jesus was right there with them. He didn't need a key to open the door. He just appeared, breaking the laws of physics and of the natural world.
Application:
As I was reading this morning, I realized that Jesus doesn't need open doors to walk through. We always pray that God will open doors and close doors, and it is accurate because Revelation talks about door being opened and closed. What I'm getting this morning is that, even when the doors are closed, Jesus can show up anywhere, any time. He doesn't need the doors to be opened. I need to invite Jesus into everything I am doing. He is above the laws of nature and physics. He can walk through closed doors. What seems closed, may not be closed for Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord, let me walk in greater faith today. Help me to follow You completely. Teach me You ways. Walk into every part of my life, the opened and the closed areas. More than anything God, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in my life.
John 20:19 "That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! 'Peace be with you,' he said."
Observation:
The disciples were together in a place with the doors locked and suddenly, the resurrected Jesus was right there with them. He didn't need a key to open the door. He just appeared, breaking the laws of physics and of the natural world.
Application:
As I was reading this morning, I realized that Jesus doesn't need open doors to walk through. We always pray that God will open doors and close doors, and it is accurate because Revelation talks about door being opened and closed. What I'm getting this morning is that, even when the doors are closed, Jesus can show up anywhere, any time. He doesn't need the doors to be opened. I need to invite Jesus into everything I am doing. He is above the laws of nature and physics. He can walk through closed doors. What seems closed, may not be closed for Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord, let me walk in greater faith today. Help me to follow You completely. Teach me You ways. Walk into every part of my life, the opened and the closed areas. More than anything God, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in my life.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
The Power of Jesus
Scripture:
John 18:6 "As Jesus said, I AM he, they all drew back and fell to the ground!"
Observation:
Jesus was ready to be arrested. Judas had betrayed Him into the hands of those who wanted Him killed. There was a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards there to arrest Him. When they asked if He was Jesus, he said, "I AM". When he said that, they were all thrown to the ground in front of Him.
Application:
Jesus could have wiped this entire group out with a single word. Just by saying I AM, they all fell on the ground. I'm sure they were totally afraid of Him at this point. When the skeptics are falling out in the Spirit, you know there is serious power being released. Jesus willingly went with them instead of fighting for himself. We need to walk in the power of God, yet the love of God and the humility of Christ above all.
Prayer:
Father, let Your power work in my life. Help me to fulfill all You want me to do in my life time. I want to serve You well. Teach me to love and to walk in humility like Jesus did. Help me to submit to the will of God above all, like Jesus did. Help me to live more like Jesus every day.
Your Son,
Jeff
John 18:6 "As Jesus said, I AM he, they all drew back and fell to the ground!"
Observation:
Jesus was ready to be arrested. Judas had betrayed Him into the hands of those who wanted Him killed. There was a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards there to arrest Him. When they asked if He was Jesus, he said, "I AM". When he said that, they were all thrown to the ground in front of Him.
Application:
Jesus could have wiped this entire group out with a single word. Just by saying I AM, they all fell on the ground. I'm sure they were totally afraid of Him at this point. When the skeptics are falling out in the Spirit, you know there is serious power being released. Jesus willingly went with them instead of fighting for himself. We need to walk in the power of God, yet the love of God and the humility of Christ above all.
Prayer:
Father, let Your power work in my life. Help me to fulfill all You want me to do in my life time. I want to serve You well. Teach me to love and to walk in humility like Jesus did. Help me to submit to the will of God above all, like Jesus did. Help me to live more like Jesus every day.
Your Son,
Jeff
Monday, April 2, 2018
Proof
Scripture:
John 13:35 "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
Observation:
Jesus had been talking to his disciples about the Jewish leaders and how they were going to come against him and kill him. He tells them in verse 34 "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other".
Application:
Jesus gives His disciples a new commandment and then tells them that obedience to this one commandment will prove whether they are His disciples or not. The proof is in the obedience to this one command. He says if we love one another well, it will prove to the world we are his disciples. We must learn to love what God loves and hate what God hates.
Prayer:
Lord, let Your love flow through my life. Help me to love well. Let Your Spirit flow freely through my life so that all may feel Your love. Help me to love those who are easy to love as well as those who are hard to love. I see how You loved Judas when You knew he would betray you. Help me to love Your people well.
Yours,
Jeff
John 13:35 "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
Observation:
Jesus had been talking to his disciples about the Jewish leaders and how they were going to come against him and kill him. He tells them in verse 34 "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other".
Application:
Jesus gives His disciples a new commandment and then tells them that obedience to this one commandment will prove whether they are His disciples or not. The proof is in the obedience to this one command. He says if we love one another well, it will prove to the world we are his disciples. We must learn to love what God loves and hate what God hates.
Prayer:
Lord, let Your love flow through my life. Help me to love well. Let Your Spirit flow freely through my life so that all may feel Your love. Help me to love those who are easy to love as well as those who are hard to love. I see how You loved Judas when You knew he would betray you. Help me to love Your people well.
Yours,
Jeff
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