Overawed

 Scripture:

“Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.”  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭49:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist here gives us a reminder about what happens to our wealth when we die.  He tells us not to get over enthused about other people’s wealth gets them big houses, etc. because they will take nothing with them when they die.  No matter how much we accumulate on earth, we cant’ take it with us.

Application:

Our heart must be set, not on things of this world, which will perish one day, but on eternal things.  This earth will one day burn and everything we have accumulated will return to nothing, but eternal investments, Kingdom Investments, are eternal.  I want to be a person who is blessed in this life, but I want to invest more in my eternal future than in my present.  We need to realize that God blesses us in the here and now, but that can’t be the focus of our lives.  Everything we accumulate here will fade away, but what we accumulate in heaven will last for eternity.  

Prayer:

Father, let my life count for eternity.  I do desire to be blessed here in this life, but I want to invest more in the future with You than here on this earth.  Help me to walk a life that balances well the blessings on earth with keeping my focus and attention on heaven.  Teach me not to be overawed by the wealth around me in Northern VA.  Help me to keep my perspective right.

Your Son,

Jeff

Be Still

Scripture:

 “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.””  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist in this passage speaks on God’s behalf and says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”  He goes on to say He will be exalted among all the nations and all over the earth.  In others words, relax because it will all turn around one day.  I will be exalted among the nations and all over the earth.  Don’t be worried or anxious because I’ve got this under control and it won’t last forever.

Application:

When our heart gets anxious or upset because we don’t see God doing what we think He should do, we need to relax, be still, and know that He is still God and that one day He will rule the nations.  We can relax in the present because we know the latter outcome.  My trust is in the never-failing God.  Therefore, I am confident He wins in the end and I don’t have to get upset or nervous about today because we win in the end.  My word for the day is “RELAX”.  

Prayer:

Father, during this Sabbatical time, help me to relax in You and be confident that You have everything under control.  You are amazing and You will be exalted one day.  I would like to see You move in my generation though.  Thank You for bringing Cheryl and me into a steady place.  Thank You for setting our feet on the rock and bringing us into stability.  Let us see the day of Your prosperity and abundance.  I trust You with my life.

Your Son,

Jeff

Firm Steps

 Scripture:

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:23-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist says here that those who delight in the Lord will have firm places to step.  Even then, if that person stumbles, God will uphold him with His hands.  He won’t fail.  God tells us that when we delight in Him, He will take care of us and make, even if we stumble, we will not fall.  Our steps will be firm.

Application:

God takes care of those who delight in Him.  They may fall, but He will uphold them with His hand.  The goal of our lives should be to delight in the Lord.  Taking delight in Him means we seek after Him.  We desire Him.  We love time in His presence.  These things lead to stability, strength, and firm steps.  If we want our steps to be firm and confident, we must delight ourselves in the Lord and His kingdom.

Prayer:

Father, help me to delight myself in You and not in other things.  You are the source of every good thing in my life.  You are my strength and my redeemer.  You are my everything.  As You know Lord, I don’t want to make any move or do anything outside of Your will.  I want to serve You well in my generation.  Teach me to delight myself in You and help me to walk in Your ways.

Forever Yours,

Jeff

Reflection

 Scripture:

“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist says here that those who look to the Lord are radiant.  He says they are never covered in shame.  Shame is not part of those who look to the Lord.  Rather, those who look to Him become radiant or light bearing.  Shame makes you feel dark and depressed, Jesus makes you shine and be full of light.

Application:

The moon doesn’t really shine.  It simply reflects the light of the sun and we can see it brightly radiant in the sky.  When we look to God, our faces become radiant.  His glory begins to reflect on our faces and we are no longer full of shame and disgrace, but filled with Gods’ light and love.  The key is found in looking to the Lord.  What we look at, we will reflect.  What we spend tim gazing at, is the very thing we will reflect.  I want to reflect the glory of the Lord.  Therefore I must keep my eyes on Jesus at all times.

Prayer:

Father, I want to reflect Your glory.  I want to radiate light into a dark world.  Help me to never lose focus on You and Your presence.  Enable me to keep my eyes on You throughout my life and not to look to self or others.  I long to reflect Your glory and shine for You that many may come into Your kingdom.

Your Son,

Jeff

Be Strong and WAIT

 Scripture:

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

David writes here and tells us to wait for the Lord.  While we are waiting, he says to be strong and take heart and wait.  It takes strength and heart to wait for God to come through on things we desire.  Sometimes what we have been believing and trusting God for may take more time than we want it to.  We are to wait on the Lord instead of proceeding on our own.

Application:

I am bad at pushing things through on my own instead of waiting on the Lord.  I like to see progress, therefore, it is difficult for me to wait.  I am realizing sometimes it takes more heart and strength to wait than it does to push forward doing things in my own timing.  Waiting sometimes feels like I’m doing nothing or not accomplishing things, but God loves for us to wait on Him.  It demonstrates more faith to wait than it does to simply pray and get answer quickly.

Prayer:

Father, strengthen me while I wait.  Meet with me while I wait.  Let Your presence be real to me while I wait on You and Your timing for things in my life.  Teach me to wait patiently on You and not to waiver in the process.  I want a building and land for our church, but teach me to wait until it is in Your time.  I have desires that are godly and good, but teach me to wait for Your appropriate time.

Your Son,

Jeff

Trusting God Over Things

Scripture:

 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist writes here that some leaders trust in chariots and horses.  In other words, some trust in their own defenses and their own ability to wage war.  He continues and says, “but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”  Rather than depending on his vast wealth and resources, David chose to trust in the Lord and to allow the Lord to fight his battles.  He had a great army, but trusted God above his army.

Application:

David had horses, chariots, a vast army, massive wealth, etc. but his trust was not in those things.  It was the Lord that delivered him from the bear and the lion.  It was the Lord who handed Goliath over to him when he was young.  David learned early to trust the Lord.  He never forgot where he came from and his trust never turned to himself and his accomplishments.  He trusted God and we must learn to do the same. I need to not rely on what I know, but on the one who knows everything.  I need to trust God over what knowledge I may have accumulated.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to trust You more and more.  Help me not to lean on my own education, resources, or people, but to lean on You at all times.  Help me to live how You want me to live.  I want to extend Your kingdom into all the earth and I know I can’t do that unless You do it.  I need You God more than ever in my life.  Help me to trust You at higher and higher levels.

Your Son,

Jeff

Crowned

Scripture:

“what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The Psalmist here speaks about man and why they God always watches over them.  He says that God cares for them and that He made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.  We have been crowned with glory and honor above the rest of creation.  We are the only ones created in the image of God Himself.  

Application:

Sometimes I don’t feel like this describes me.  My feelings and the enemy say, “You are worthless, valueless, and are not successful at anything.”  When the enemy begins to speak these things, I must react with the Word of God.  I have been created a little lower than the angels and crowned with honor and glory.  God has placed me at the head and not the tail, the top and never the bottom.  I need to be more confident that I am made in the image of God and am not self-made.  I need to speak His word over my life more and more.

Prayer:

Father, help me to see myself as crowned with glory and honor.  Help me to see myself as You see me, created above all else, but a little lower than the angels.  Meet with me today and speak into my life as I go to church this morning.  I want more and more of You in my life.  I am Yours, forever.  Open the doors that need opened.  Shut the doors that need shut and help me to stay on Your track for my life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff