Scripture:
I Samuel 9:6 "But the servant said, 'I've just thought of something! There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let's go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.'"
Observation:
Samuel's reputation caused those in this region to know that he was a man of God. He was held in high honor because everything he told people came to pass. He was trusted to bring a word from the Lord that was accurate and people knew who he was. His reputation was that of a man of God, a man who really knew God.
Application:
I have always been intrigued by the term "man of God". I have always wanted to be known by those around me as a man of God first and foremost. My desire has always been that when people think of my life, they would say, "he is a man of God". This verse has re-stimulated that desire. It has stirred up that flame. I want to pursue my relationship with God in stronger and deeper measures.
Prayer:
Father, I want to be a man of God. I want to walk with You. I want to know You intimately. I want to grow into the man You want me to be. When people need a word, I want to be a vessel You can flow through. Help me to keep my eyes on You and to become a man who hears from You and declares what You are saying to Your people.
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Monday, May 7, 2018
Don't Be Stubborn
Scripture:
I Samuel 6:6 "Don't be stubborn and rebellious as Pharaoh and the Egyptians were. By the time God was finished with them, they were eager to let Israel go."
Observation:
The ark of God had been captured by the Philistines and wherever they would put it, problems would happen and judgment would begin to come on the people. They decided it was better to send it back to Israel then to suffer the consequences of keeping it themselves. They understood what had happened to the Egyptians when God was angry with them.
Application:
Just as the Philistines realized it wasn't good to be stubborn and rebellious, we need to do the same. They realized what had happened to the Egyptians and learned from it. May we learn that disobedience to God never brings His blessing. May we learn that obedience is better than sacrifice and that we must never be rebellious toward God.
Prayer:
Father, help me to live a life that pleases You. Teach me to follow You completely so that I may live in your blessing. Help me to never be stubborn, but to comply with Your will in everything. I want to live under your blessings and in Your favor. Forgive me for being stubborn at times.
Yours,
Jeff
I Samuel 6:6 "Don't be stubborn and rebellious as Pharaoh and the Egyptians were. By the time God was finished with them, they were eager to let Israel go."
Observation:
The ark of God had been captured by the Philistines and wherever they would put it, problems would happen and judgment would begin to come on the people. They decided it was better to send it back to Israel then to suffer the consequences of keeping it themselves. They understood what had happened to the Egyptians when God was angry with them.
Application:
Just as the Philistines realized it wasn't good to be stubborn and rebellious, we need to do the same. They realized what had happened to the Egyptians and learned from it. May we learn that disobedience to God never brings His blessing. May we learn that obedience is better than sacrifice and that we must never be rebellious toward God.
Prayer:
Father, help me to live a life that pleases You. Teach me to follow You completely so that I may live in your blessing. Help me to never be stubborn, but to comply with Your will in everything. I want to live under your blessings and in Your favor. Forgive me for being stubborn at times.
Yours,
Jeff
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Call Me Mara
Scripture:
Ruth 1:20 "Don't call me Naomi, she said, Instead call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me".
Observation:
Naomi had just come back home to her people. Her husband and both sons had died and life wasn't going very well. When she returned, her people called her Naomi, which means "pleasant", but she wanted to be call Mara, which means, "bitter". Things had been difficult for her and it affected how she saw her life. All along, God had a plan to bless her and take care of her, but in the moment it felt bitter.
Application:
We can't be controlled by our circumstances, but must be controlled by our God. We can't allow our circumstances to determine whether we are going to have a good and prosperous life. We can't call ourselves bitter, when God has named us pleasant. When going through bad times, we must remember that God always has a plan. It may not be comfortable right now, but He will bring us through and take care of us. Instead of getting bitter, we should get better.
Prayer:
Father, help me to see life through Your eyes. Help me not to get bitter when things go bad, but to know You are in control and that You will make everything good in Your time. You are faithful. Help me to put my trust in your faithfulness. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight.
Yours,
Jeff
Ruth 1:20 "Don't call me Naomi, she said, Instead call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me".
Observation:
Naomi had just come back home to her people. Her husband and both sons had died and life wasn't going very well. When she returned, her people called her Naomi, which means "pleasant", but she wanted to be call Mara, which means, "bitter". Things had been difficult for her and it affected how she saw her life. All along, God had a plan to bless her and take care of her, but in the moment it felt bitter.
Application:
We can't be controlled by our circumstances, but must be controlled by our God. We can't allow our circumstances to determine whether we are going to have a good and prosperous life. We can't call ourselves bitter, when God has named us pleasant. When going through bad times, we must remember that God always has a plan. It may not be comfortable right now, but He will bring us through and take care of us. Instead of getting bitter, we should get better.
Prayer:
Father, help me to see life through Your eyes. Help me not to get bitter when things go bad, but to know You are in control and that You will make everything good in Your time. You are faithful. Help me to put my trust in your faithfulness. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, May 4, 2018
Harmony
Scripture:
Romans 14:19 "So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up."
Observation:
Evidently, there was a lot of division going on in the church and Paul wrote them to tell them to love each other and not to judge each other based on what they ate or when they worshiped, etc. People have always had the same tendencies to make others look bad or be judgmental or critical. Paul warns us against it.
Application:
We are to build each other up and not tear each other down. We cannot judge others based on our reading of scripture or our personal convictions. We may be stronger or weaker than someone else. Our job is not to determine who is right or wrong, but to love people and build them up. Our job is to strive for harmony, which is different sounds coming together to make one sound.
Prayer:
Father, let me be a unifier in Your Kingdom. Help me to build people up and bring harmony to your body. Show me how to build harmony and unity. Lead me and I will follow. I want to see Your body strong.
Yours,
Jeff
Romans 14:19 "So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up."
Observation:
Evidently, there was a lot of division going on in the church and Paul wrote them to tell them to love each other and not to judge each other based on what they ate or when they worshiped, etc. People have always had the same tendencies to make others look bad or be judgmental or critical. Paul warns us against it.
Application:
We are to build each other up and not tear each other down. We cannot judge others based on our reading of scripture or our personal convictions. We may be stronger or weaker than someone else. Our job is not to determine who is right or wrong, but to love people and build them up. Our job is to strive for harmony, which is different sounds coming together to make one sound.
Prayer:
Father, let me be a unifier in Your Kingdom. Help me to build people up and bring harmony to your body. Show me how to build harmony and unity. Lead me and I will follow. I want to see Your body strong.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Don't Think You re Better Than You Are
Scripture:
Romans 12:3 "Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning; Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us."
Observation:
Paul is writing here and warns the Romans not to think they are better than they are, but to be honest when they evaluate themselves. He says we are to measure ourselves with the faith God has given us. Notice here it is the faith God has given us, we can't even take credit for that.
Application:
As believers, we are to walk a life of humility and dependence on God. He is faithful and loves us with an everlasting love. We should not think too highly of ourselves because without God in our lives, we are nothing anyway. It is only by the grace of God we can do anything. He is our source of life. Humility always draws the attention of God. He gives grace to the humble, but is against the proud.
Prayer:
Lord, You are amazing! Help me to walk in humility and to not think more highly of myself than I should. You are my source of life and everything I have comes from You. You have been really good to me. You are the one who blesses my life. All I have and all I am is because of You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Romans 12:3 "Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning; Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us."
Observation:
Paul is writing here and warns the Romans not to think they are better than they are, but to be honest when they evaluate themselves. He says we are to measure ourselves with the faith God has given us. Notice here it is the faith God has given us, we can't even take credit for that.
Application:
As believers, we are to walk a life of humility and dependence on God. He is faithful and loves us with an everlasting love. We should not think too highly of ourselves because without God in our lives, we are nothing anyway. It is only by the grace of God we can do anything. He is our source of life. Humility always draws the attention of God. He gives grace to the humble, but is against the proud.
Prayer:
Lord, You are amazing! Help me to walk in humility and to not think more highly of myself than I should. You are my source of life and everything I have comes from You. You have been really good to me. You are the one who blesses my life. All I have and all I am is because of You.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Overwhelming Victory
Scripture:
Romans 8:37 "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is our through Christ, who loved us."
Observation:
Paul says here that despite death, life, persecution, danger, calamity, etc. we have overwhelming victory through Christ. I notice here that it is our through Christ who loved us. Christ is the pathway to overwhelming victory and I want to live there.
Application:
When we are connected to the vine, all of our nutrients come from Him. When we are connected to Christ, overwhelming victory is ours because we are one with Him and He flows through our lives. Everything we need is found in being connected to Christ. That is where our victory lies.
Prayer:
Jesus, live in me and through me. I want to stay connected with you every day. Let your victory flow in my life. Let me live a life that Christ can flow through to touch the world around me.
Yours,
Jeff
Romans 8:37 "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is our through Christ, who loved us."
Observation:
Paul says here that despite death, life, persecution, danger, calamity, etc. we have overwhelming victory through Christ. I notice here that it is our through Christ who loved us. Christ is the pathway to overwhelming victory and I want to live there.
Application:
When we are connected to the vine, all of our nutrients come from Him. When we are connected to Christ, overwhelming victory is ours because we are one with Him and He flows through our lives. Everything we need is found in being connected to Christ. That is where our victory lies.
Prayer:
Jesus, live in me and through me. I want to stay connected with you every day. Let your victory flow in my life. Let me live a life that Christ can flow through to touch the world around me.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
The Faith of Abraham
Scripture:
Romans 4:20 "Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises."
Observation:
Abraham was about 100 years old and never wavered at the promise that he would have children like the stars of the sky. It says here that his faith actually grew stronger. He was fully, not partially, convinced that God was fully able to do whatever He promises.
Application:
I want to live a "fully convinced" life of faith. There are many things I know God has promised me. I want my faith to increase throughout my life instead of decrease. I want to grow more in faith every day. In my old age, I want to have more faith than in my younger age. I want to fulfill everything God has for me in my life.
Prayer:
Father, increase my faith. Increase my trust in Your promises like Abraham. Help me to follow You fully and never waver in my faith. Let my life be an example to others that God will take care of His people when they live by faith. Let my faith in Your be strong and increase all the days of my life.
Yours,
Jeff
Romans 4:20 "Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises."
Observation:
Abraham was about 100 years old and never wavered at the promise that he would have children like the stars of the sky. It says here that his faith actually grew stronger. He was fully, not partially, convinced that God was fully able to do whatever He promises.
Application:
I want to live a "fully convinced" life of faith. There are many things I know God has promised me. I want my faith to increase throughout my life instead of decrease. I want to grow more in faith every day. In my old age, I want to have more faith than in my younger age. I want to fulfill everything God has for me in my life.
Prayer:
Father, increase my faith. Increase my trust in Your promises like Abraham. Help me to follow You fully and never waver in my faith. Let my life be an example to others that God will take care of His people when they live by faith. Let my faith in Your be strong and increase all the days of my life.
Yours,
Jeff
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