Scripture:
Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right".
Observation:
This scripture is a promise we can depend on. Here we are promised blessing and favor when it says, "He will withhold no good thing from them who do what is right". Promises always have something attached to them though. Here it promises God will withhold no good thing, but there is a condition, we must do what is right. That is usually the block that stops us from walking in the kind of life Jesus died to give us.
Application:
When we are committed to walking right, doing right and being right, the blessings of God come upon our lives. most of us want to live the life we want and ask God to bless it. He loves to bless His children, but there is always a condition. If I give my child everything they want, but don't teach them obedience to authority and treating people right, then I have messed them up for life. God works similarly. God isn't in heaven thinking, "how much blessing can I withhold from my children today?" Rather He is in heaven thinking, "how much can I bless them today?" This is dependent upon our heart and lives of obedience. Walk in faithfulness and obedience and He will withhold no good thing from you. WOW! What a promise!
Prayer:
Lord, it sounds so easy. Just do what is right, but doing what is right is usually much more difficult than it seems. The right things are usually harder to do than the easy things. Help me to do the right things and live a life that is pleasing to You my God. You have great intentions for my life and sometimes I miss those because I haven't walked in obedience. Remind me where I have missed something and I will go back and do it.
Love you Lord,
Jeff
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Turned Over
Scripture:
Psalm 81:11-12 "But my people would not listen to Me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices".
Observation:
Asaph spends a few chapters crying out to the Lord and asking Him why their enemies are overtaking them and why He isn't rescuing His people. In Psalm 81, the Lord replies to Asaph and basically says He wants to bless them and take great care of them, but that they didn't want to follow His ways. Therefore He "gave them over" to their own ways. It was not His will, but He wouldn't force them to follow Him.
Application:
There is a point where God "gives people over" to their own devices. This is seen in the Old and New Testaments. God's grace is amazing, but when we push it too far and think like Samson, "I will shake myself as before, but didn't realize the Spirit of God had left him". God's desire is truly to bless His children and for them to conquer every foe, but He asks for submission and obedience. WE live in a generation who wants life their way. They don't want to be told to change. When God comes into our lives, He expects us to die to our flesh and begin to follow His ways instead of our own. Being "turned over" by God is the worst thing that could ever happen to you. When He turns you over to yourself, you will pay the consequences big time. Though His desire is to bless us, He will allow us to be turned over so we can see how much better it was with Him.
Prayer:
Lord, let nobody reading this journal today ever be "turned over". Let us walk according to the ways of God, obeying Him in every area of life. I want my life to be in the place of Your blessing. When we follow You closely, there is blessing, when we follow our own ways, there is a price to pay. Father, forgive me for the times I have wanted to do things my own way. It is Your way or nothing Lord. Thank You for showing me this verse today and keep me on the straight path that leads to Your blessing.
Your Son,
Jeff
Psalm 81:11-12 "But my people would not listen to Me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices".
Observation:
Asaph spends a few chapters crying out to the Lord and asking Him why their enemies are overtaking them and why He isn't rescuing His people. In Psalm 81, the Lord replies to Asaph and basically says He wants to bless them and take great care of them, but that they didn't want to follow His ways. Therefore He "gave them over" to their own ways. It was not His will, but He wouldn't force them to follow Him.
Application:
There is a point where God "gives people over" to their own devices. This is seen in the Old and New Testaments. God's grace is amazing, but when we push it too far and think like Samson, "I will shake myself as before, but didn't realize the Spirit of God had left him". God's desire is truly to bless His children and for them to conquer every foe, but He asks for submission and obedience. WE live in a generation who wants life their way. They don't want to be told to change. When God comes into our lives, He expects us to die to our flesh and begin to follow His ways instead of our own. Being "turned over" by God is the worst thing that could ever happen to you. When He turns you over to yourself, you will pay the consequences big time. Though His desire is to bless us, He will allow us to be turned over so we can see how much better it was with Him.
Prayer:
Lord, let nobody reading this journal today ever be "turned over". Let us walk according to the ways of God, obeying Him in every area of life. I want my life to be in the place of Your blessing. When we follow You closely, there is blessing, when we follow our own ways, there is a price to pay. Father, forgive me for the times I have wanted to do things my own way. It is Your way or nothing Lord. Thank You for showing me this verse today and keep me on the straight path that leads to Your blessing.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Each Generation!
Scripture:
Psalm 78:7-8 "So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying His commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors - stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God".
Observation:
Asaph tells us a profound truth here about the kingdom of God. It is said that the kingdom of God is always just one generation from extinction. Asaph lets us know that we have a responsibility to help the next generation set its hope on God and remind them of His glorious miracles. Every generation must see a move of God!
Application:
I have always felt like I was born out of my time. I was born in a time when I saw the miracles of God as boy and witnessed the power of God in demonstration. I will never forget the things I saw growing up. The next generation seems to see less of the demonstration of the power of God than the previous in every setting I have preached in around the world. What one generation sees, the next generation hears about and believes, then the third generation hears, but doubts it it still possible. I feel like I was born between generations for a purpose, that the things I saw and witnessed as a child can be handed down to the generation coming behind me. I was blessed to see the power of God in action, but there are those coming up today who have never seen those things. I was called by God to be a bridge to that generation. Each generation must see a move of God or we lose ground. We must help them trust in God and obey His commands! We don't want to see them stubborn, rebellious and unfaithful.
Prayer:
Lord, I accept my calling to be a bridge to the next generation. Show me what I must do to bring the power of God to them in ways they can understand. I want man's faith not to be in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God. Demonstrate Your power for this generation!!!! We need You to do the work in our generation. Let Northern Virginia see a move of the Spirit of God that is undeniable!
I will help in any way I can to carry the message to this next generation.
Your Son,
Jeff
Psalm 78:7-8 "So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying His commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors - stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God".
Observation:
Asaph tells us a profound truth here about the kingdom of God. It is said that the kingdom of God is always just one generation from extinction. Asaph lets us know that we have a responsibility to help the next generation set its hope on God and remind them of His glorious miracles. Every generation must see a move of God!
Application:
I have always felt like I was born out of my time. I was born in a time when I saw the miracles of God as boy and witnessed the power of God in demonstration. I will never forget the things I saw growing up. The next generation seems to see less of the demonstration of the power of God than the previous in every setting I have preached in around the world. What one generation sees, the next generation hears about and believes, then the third generation hears, but doubts it it still possible. I feel like I was born between generations for a purpose, that the things I saw and witnessed as a child can be handed down to the generation coming behind me. I was blessed to see the power of God in action, but there are those coming up today who have never seen those things. I was called by God to be a bridge to that generation. Each generation must see a move of God or we lose ground. We must help them trust in God and obey His commands! We don't want to see them stubborn, rebellious and unfaithful.
Prayer:
Lord, I accept my calling to be a bridge to the next generation. Show me what I must do to bring the power of God to them in ways they can understand. I want man's faith not to be in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God. Demonstrate Your power for this generation!!!! We need You to do the work in our generation. Let Northern Virginia see a move of the Spirit of God that is undeniable!
I will help in any way I can to carry the message to this next generation.
Your Son,
Jeff
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Increased Power
Scripture
Psalm 75:10 "For God says, 'I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly'".
Observation:
Asaph has been complaining to God about the wicked prospering and why He doesn't do anything about it. He is somewhat upset with God for not rescuing him at times, yet the everything seems to work out for the ungodly. At the end of his complaining, he hears from the Lord, "I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly".
Application:
Sometimes when we feel down and discouraged, we need to hear the prophetic voice saying he will break the strength of the wicked and increase power for the godly. Sometimes we may feel powerless in certain situations, but God will give us the power we need for every task He gives us to do. He is faithful and will always bring His children through tough times. If He doesn't do it when we want Him to, we can still stand on His word and say He will increase the power of the godly. I also noticed here that the power increase is for the godly. Those who are living ungodly need not apply for power. If you are living Godly, rest assured, there is a power increase coming for you!
Prayer:
You are awesome! Your goodness always leads me closer to You. I read of Your word and it changes my life. Thank you for the assurance that you increase the power of the godly. I want to be in that category and never leave it. Keep me pure and living in godliness. Break the strength of those who are wicked and increase the power of the godly! Lord, I have felt really used recently and I ask You to give me the power to walk through every situation in love.
You never leave us nor forsake us,
Jeff
Psalm 75:10 "For God says, 'I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly'".
Observation:
Asaph has been complaining to God about the wicked prospering and why He doesn't do anything about it. He is somewhat upset with God for not rescuing him at times, yet the everything seems to work out for the ungodly. At the end of his complaining, he hears from the Lord, "I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly".
Application:
Sometimes when we feel down and discouraged, we need to hear the prophetic voice saying he will break the strength of the wicked and increase power for the godly. Sometimes we may feel powerless in certain situations, but God will give us the power we need for every task He gives us to do. He is faithful and will always bring His children through tough times. If He doesn't do it when we want Him to, we can still stand on His word and say He will increase the power of the godly. I also noticed here that the power increase is for the godly. Those who are living ungodly need not apply for power. If you are living Godly, rest assured, there is a power increase coming for you!
Prayer:
You are awesome! Your goodness always leads me closer to You. I read of Your word and it changes my life. Thank you for the assurance that you increase the power of the godly. I want to be in that category and never leave it. Keep me pure and living in godliness. Break the strength of those who are wicked and increase the power of the godly! Lord, I have felt really used recently and I ask You to give me the power to walk through every situation in love.
You never leave us nor forsake us,
Jeff
Monday, August 24, 2009
My Prayer
Scripture:
Psalm 70:4 "But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!"'
Observation:
The Psalmist has a desire for those who search for God to be filled with joy and gladness. He wants them to shout about their salvation repeatedly. His heart is to see people really get it and get excited about the God we serve.
Application:
I called this "My Prayer" because it is also my prayer. I want the people to whom I minister to be filled with joy and gladness. I want to see people excited about their God. we get excited about sports, money, etc. to the point of shouting, but we can't seems to bring ourselves to shout out to our God. I want to see God so real in people's lives that they can't stop shouting, "God is great!" If we really knew the God we serve, it would be no problem to get us to shout and our hearts would truly be filled with joy and gladness. Just knowing heaven and hell are real and we are going to heaven should be enough to make us shout.
Prayer:
Lord, I want my church to be filled with people who understand their salvation and who can't shut up about it. I want to see people so saved that they tell everyone. I want to see people so filled with your Spirit that they overflow on others. I want to see a people who are filled with joy and not just going through the motions of religion. Lord, teach us more of your goodness that we may shout about it! May those who I minister to be so filled with you that they are not dragging around hoping to somehow make it in life, but may they walk in true joy and gladness!
You are the best!
Jeff
Psalm 70:4 "But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!"'
Observation:
The Psalmist has a desire for those who search for God to be filled with joy and gladness. He wants them to shout about their salvation repeatedly. His heart is to see people really get it and get excited about the God we serve.
Application:
I called this "My Prayer" because it is also my prayer. I want the people to whom I minister to be filled with joy and gladness. I want to see people excited about their God. we get excited about sports, money, etc. to the point of shouting, but we can't seems to bring ourselves to shout out to our God. I want to see God so real in people's lives that they can't stop shouting, "God is great!" If we really knew the God we serve, it would be no problem to get us to shout and our hearts would truly be filled with joy and gladness. Just knowing heaven and hell are real and we are going to heaven should be enough to make us shout.
Prayer:
Lord, I want my church to be filled with people who understand their salvation and who can't shut up about it. I want to see people so saved that they tell everyone. I want to see people so filled with your Spirit that they overflow on others. I want to see a people who are filled with joy and not just going through the motions of religion. Lord, teach us more of your goodness that we may shout about it! May those who I minister to be so filled with you that they are not dragging around hoping to somehow make it in life, but may they walk in true joy and gladness!
You are the best!
Jeff
Friday, August 21, 2009
I Shall Not Be "Greatly" Moved
Scripture:
Psalm 62:2 "For only He is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved".
Observation:
For years we sang the song in church "I shall not be, I shall not be moved". Many other times in Scripture we are told that we will not be moved. This is the first time I have seen it put like this, "I shall not be greatly moved". Sometimes we feel like if our faith waivers even a little that we have lost the battle. The Psalmist here puts full trust in God and still says he will not be greatly moved.
Application:
Sometimes we put the bar so high on living a life of total and complete faith that we could never be moved. The Psalmist this morning helped me to see that sometimes we may be moved a little, but we will not be totally moved. We may get bumped around a little, but we will not be overcome and moved totally. I WILL NOT BE GREATLY MOVED is a beautiful picture of our humanity working with God's divinity. We may get moved a little at times, but God won't let us be completely moved. We may get off track some, but God's GPS will recalculate and get us back on track. There are times when we are moved some, but never are we completely knocked down, our rock, refuge, strength, source, and deliverer always comes through, we just may have been moved a little, but never GREATLY moved.
Prayer:
Lord, there are times when our faith waivers and we are moved a little. There are times when I get moved some by people and things that are not You. I want to be moved by You and You alone, but I see today that there is grace for me in this. Thank you for protecting me from every attack of the enemy. I realize that his attacks may cause me to lose foot a little, but will never make me fall. I may get slightly moved, but never greatly moved. Thank you for holding me close.
Jeff
Psalm 62:2 "For only He is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved".
Observation:
For years we sang the song in church "I shall not be, I shall not be moved". Many other times in Scripture we are told that we will not be moved. This is the first time I have seen it put like this, "I shall not be greatly moved". Sometimes we feel like if our faith waivers even a little that we have lost the battle. The Psalmist here puts full trust in God and still says he will not be greatly moved.
Application:
Sometimes we put the bar so high on living a life of total and complete faith that we could never be moved. The Psalmist this morning helped me to see that sometimes we may be moved a little, but we will not be totally moved. We may get bumped around a little, but we will not be overcome and moved totally. I WILL NOT BE GREATLY MOVED is a beautiful picture of our humanity working with God's divinity. We may get moved a little at times, but God won't let us be completely moved. We may get off track some, but God's GPS will recalculate and get us back on track. There are times when we are moved some, but never are we completely knocked down, our rock, refuge, strength, source, and deliverer always comes through, we just may have been moved a little, but never GREATLY moved.
Prayer:
Lord, there are times when our faith waivers and we are moved a little. There are times when I get moved some by people and things that are not You. I want to be moved by You and You alone, but I see today that there is grace for me in this. Thank you for protecting me from every attack of the enemy. I realize that his attacks may cause me to lose foot a little, but will never make me fall. I may get slightly moved, but never greatly moved. Thank you for holding me close.
Jeff
Thursday, August 20, 2009
With God's Help
Scripture:
Psalm 60:12 "With God's help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes".
Observation:
David, for that past few Psalm has been killing me with whining about his enemies. Every once in a while he talks about the Lord, but he has been really upset with those against him. Once in a while during this whining, he will talk about Hid God and how awesome he is.
Application:
David is a great example in the Bible of someone who God loved and was called a man after God's own heart, yet who was very human. These recent Psalms confirm to me that David was a manic depressant. He was very up and down, but definitely loved his Lord and knew that God could help. No matter how bad you feel about not walking in faith, David will help you out because sometimes his faith level seems so low, then he will come through with a verse like this that helps you see how he really feels. He says, "with God's help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes". I believe God is going to do mighty things in my life and will trample down my foes. Many of us want to see God do mighty things, but mighty things are usually done to get you out of really bad problems.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you still do mighty things and I can trust You with my life. You are amazing. Thank you for placing people like David in the word who demonstrate the humanity of us all. He helps me see that You understand our whinings and still come through. You are the best,
Jeff
Psalm 60:12 "With God's help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes".
Observation:
David, for that past few Psalm has been killing me with whining about his enemies. Every once in a while he talks about the Lord, but he has been really upset with those against him. Once in a while during this whining, he will talk about Hid God and how awesome he is.
Application:
David is a great example in the Bible of someone who God loved and was called a man after God's own heart, yet who was very human. These recent Psalms confirm to me that David was a manic depressant. He was very up and down, but definitely loved his Lord and knew that God could help. No matter how bad you feel about not walking in faith, David will help you out because sometimes his faith level seems so low, then he will come through with a verse like this that helps you see how he really feels. He says, "with God's help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes". I believe God is going to do mighty things in my life and will trample down my foes. Many of us want to see God do mighty things, but mighty things are usually done to get you out of really bad problems.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you still do mighty things and I can trust You with my life. You are amazing. Thank you for placing people like David in the word who demonstrate the humanity of us all. He helps me see that You understand our whinings and still come through. You are the best,
Jeff
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