Scripture:
Amos 5:14 "Do what is good and run from evil do that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven's Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed".
Observation:
Amos has placed judgment and pronounced gloom and doom and several surrounding nations. now he turns this judgments toward Israel. He is telling Israel that they are going to be destroyed because they have not followed God's commands. Finally, we see a little hope for them as he says, "Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live!"
Application:
God wants to be our helper, but we must be in a position to receive His help. Holy Spirit is also called our comforter. He is there to bring us comfort in the midst of any storm. This is what He wants to do, but Amos tells us how to get to that point. He says we must do what is good and run from what is evil. This is where most of us fail. God is wanting to bless us, but we are not willing to run away from evil and toward God. We are satisfied with the lives we are living, so we don't get more of what God has in store for us. If you want to really live, do what is good and run from evil.
Prayer:
Father, I want to live the life You have prepared for me. I want to finish the course strong. Give me strength to do what is good and run from evil. You are the best and worthy of all honor. I want Your blessing and I am willing to live the life You want me to. Let my life be pleasing in Your sight almighty God.
Amen,
Jeff
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Walking Together
Scripture:
Amos 3:3 "Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?"
Observation:
Amos is conveying a message from the Lord to His people. He is telling them why He has to punish them for their sins and this simple verse is thrown into the mix of what God is saying. They had rebelled against God and His decrees and God pronounces judgment on them. Then He says, "can two people walk together without agreeing on a direction?"
Application:
For two people to walk together, agreement must be present, at least on the direction they are going. Unity bring the commanded blessing of God, but we seldom find it because we can't agree on the direction we want to go. Sometimes walking together is easy because one person is leading and the other is following. Sometimes there is agreement by conversation on which direction to take. Cheryl and I walk together sometimes and usually we don't have an agreed upon route beforehand that we agree on. We begin to walk and watch each other's steps. If I start going in a direction, Cheryl walks with me. When we get to the next intersection, she may begin to turn right and I go with the flow. We don't have a major discussion to bring unity, we simply watch each others movements. Unity comes by watching others and flowing together.
Prayer:
Lord, let me be a peacemaker and a person who brings unity. I want to walk with my family, my church and my community. I want to demonstrate walking together to others who can see it and run with it. If we each hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, and have enough humility to believe we might miss it once in a while, we can walk together. Help me show unity to the world.
Love You,
Jeff
Amos 3:3 "Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?"
Observation:
Amos is conveying a message from the Lord to His people. He is telling them why He has to punish them for their sins and this simple verse is thrown into the mix of what God is saying. They had rebelled against God and His decrees and God pronounces judgment on them. Then He says, "can two people walk together without agreeing on a direction?"
Application:
For two people to walk together, agreement must be present, at least on the direction they are going. Unity bring the commanded blessing of God, but we seldom find it because we can't agree on the direction we want to go. Sometimes walking together is easy because one person is leading and the other is following. Sometimes there is agreement by conversation on which direction to take. Cheryl and I walk together sometimes and usually we don't have an agreed upon route beforehand that we agree on. We begin to walk and watch each other's steps. If I start going in a direction, Cheryl walks with me. When we get to the next intersection, she may begin to turn right and I go with the flow. We don't have a major discussion to bring unity, we simply watch each others movements. Unity comes by watching others and flowing together.
Prayer:
Lord, let me be a peacemaker and a person who brings unity. I want to walk with my family, my church and my community. I want to demonstrate walking together to others who can see it and run with it. If we each hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, and have enough humility to believe we might miss it once in a while, we can walk together. Help me show unity to the world.
Love You,
Jeff
Thursday, October 29, 2009
God is ...
Scripture:
Jonah 4:2 "I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people".
Observation:
Jonah was venting his frustrations to God because he wanted God to destroy Ninevah. When God saw Ninevah's response to his word, He decided not to destroy them and this upset Jonah. In the midst of his ranting and raving he makes a declaration about God that is awesome. Jonah says the reason he went the other direction when the Lord called him was because of this very thing. He knew that if he told Ninevah what was coming upon them that they would repent and God would release them from their punishment. He didn't like that fact that God would change His mind about someone after He said He was going to destroy them. Our God is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to turn back from destroying people who turn to Him.
Application:
If these characteristics about God are true, then He is awesome! Jonah was so convinced of God's mercy, compassion and unfailing love that he didn't want to speak on God's behalf. He was convinced that God would change His mind if the people repented and turned to Him. If we are to be continually becoming more and more like our father, then we should be known as merciful and compassionate people who are fill with love. If we are to take on His attributes, then we are to become people who always give a second chance, a third chance and many more chances for people. We must become people who believe in others and have a strong hope that they can change. God never gives up on anyone, neither should we! Some of the people who get on our last nerve may just be the greatest people of God in the making. Don't give up on them in the process.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to be more like You. Lately I have become short with people and had less mercy and compassion than I had before. I repent and once again turn to You to help me with this. I want to have Your attributes. I want to be more like You. Help me to take on these characteristics that are so much a part of who You are. You are my Father. Place that DNA inside me that I may be a good reflection of who You are.
I wanna be like You,
Jeff
Jonah 4:2 "I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people".
Observation:
Jonah was venting his frustrations to God because he wanted God to destroy Ninevah. When God saw Ninevah's response to his word, He decided not to destroy them and this upset Jonah. In the midst of his ranting and raving he makes a declaration about God that is awesome. Jonah says the reason he went the other direction when the Lord called him was because of this very thing. He knew that if he told Ninevah what was coming upon them that they would repent and God would release them from their punishment. He didn't like that fact that God would change His mind about someone after He said He was going to destroy them. Our God is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to turn back from destroying people who turn to Him.
Application:
If these characteristics about God are true, then He is awesome! Jonah was so convinced of God's mercy, compassion and unfailing love that he didn't want to speak on God's behalf. He was convinced that God would change His mind if the people repented and turned to Him. If we are to be continually becoming more and more like our father, then we should be known as merciful and compassionate people who are fill with love. If we are to take on His attributes, then we are to become people who always give a second chance, a third chance and many more chances for people. We must become people who believe in others and have a strong hope that they can change. God never gives up on anyone, neither should we! Some of the people who get on our last nerve may just be the greatest people of God in the making. Don't give up on them in the process.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to be more like You. Lately I have become short with people and had less mercy and compassion than I had before. I repent and once again turn to You to help me with this. I want to have Your attributes. I want to be more like You. Help me to take on these characteristics that are so much a part of who You are. You are my Father. Place that DNA inside me that I may be a good reflection of who You are.
I wanna be like You,
Jeff
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
All My Fault
Scripture:
Jonah 1:12 "'Throw me into the sea', Jonah said, 'and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault'".
Observation:
Jonah knew he had been disobedient to God and was trying to sail the opposite direction from where God was sending him. He didn't realize that his disobedience would put others into the place of danger. This verse reminds me that my obedience or disobedience to God has consequences on those around me. Every decision I make affects someone else's life.
Application:
We need to think about this before we act or choose to "not fully obey" the Lord. We need to live our lives in complete obedience. Jonah realized that his disobedience was causing problems for everyone on board the ship. He realized that he was the problem for everyone else on board the ship. We need to seriously think about our obedience level with the Lord because people will be impacted by every wrong decision.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to fully obey You. I want Your hand of blessing on my life. I want to serve You fully, but I also realize there are times when I don't "fully" obey what I feel You have put in my spirit for some reason or another. Give me strength to always do what you are calling me to do and to finish the work You have given me to do. I want my life to bring blessing to others and not for them to be adversely affected by my disobedience.
I love you Lord,
Jeff
Jonah 1:12 "'Throw me into the sea', Jonah said, 'and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault'".
Observation:
Jonah knew he had been disobedient to God and was trying to sail the opposite direction from where God was sending him. He didn't realize that his disobedience would put others into the place of danger. This verse reminds me that my obedience or disobedience to God has consequences on those around me. Every decision I make affects someone else's life.
Application:
We need to think about this before we act or choose to "not fully obey" the Lord. We need to live our lives in complete obedience. Jonah realized that his disobedience was causing problems for everyone on board the ship. He realized that he was the problem for everyone else on board the ship. We need to seriously think about our obedience level with the Lord because people will be impacted by every wrong decision.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to fully obey You. I want Your hand of blessing on my life. I want to serve You fully, but I also realize there are times when I don't "fully" obey what I feel You have put in my spirit for some reason or another. Give me strength to always do what you are calling me to do and to finish the work You have given me to do. I want my life to bring blessing to others and not for them to be adversely affected by my disobedience.
I love you Lord,
Jeff
Monday, October 26, 2009
Put on Your New Nature
Scripture:
Colossians 3:10 "Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him".
Observation:
Paul tells the Colossians to "put on" their new nature. He speaks of it like putting on a garment. he adds to the statement that we should be renewed as we learn to know God and become like Him. Being renewed is work. Renewing a car takes time and effort. Renewing a car requires alot of sanding away the old and stripping it down to the original state, then rebuilding it with new parts, paint, etc. As we know God more and more, our old nature should be stripped away and we should be rebuilt to look like Jesus and reflect his character in our lives.
Application:
I want to stay in the garage until His work on me is complete. The renewing process is work and doesn't just happen without us "putting on" the Lord Jesus Christ. Many Christians come to Christ, get content and never grow into maturity and become like the God we say we serve. His goal for us is that we become like Him, yet we don't stay in the renewing garage long enough for Him to do His work on us. When He starts sanding and stripping things away, our flesh doesn't like it. We must be determined to allow His processes to work in our lives instead of looking for an easy way out. Stay in the garage and on the Potter's Wheel until you look like the Creator Himself.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to mature in You. I want to grow up and become more like Christ every day. Put me in the garage and let me withstand the stripping and sanding until Your image is seen more clearly in me. Let me be a good representative of yours. Help me not to run when problems come, but to realize I am Your workmanship and that I need to stay in the garage until I am fully renewed.
Love you,
Jeff
Colossians 3:10 "Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him".
Observation:
Paul tells the Colossians to "put on" their new nature. He speaks of it like putting on a garment. he adds to the statement that we should be renewed as we learn to know God and become like Him. Being renewed is work. Renewing a car takes time and effort. Renewing a car requires alot of sanding away the old and stripping it down to the original state, then rebuilding it with new parts, paint, etc. As we know God more and more, our old nature should be stripped away and we should be rebuilt to look like Jesus and reflect his character in our lives.
Application:
I want to stay in the garage until His work on me is complete. The renewing process is work and doesn't just happen without us "putting on" the Lord Jesus Christ. Many Christians come to Christ, get content and never grow into maturity and become like the God we say we serve. His goal for us is that we become like Him, yet we don't stay in the renewing garage long enough for Him to do His work on us. When He starts sanding and stripping things away, our flesh doesn't like it. We must be determined to allow His processes to work in our lives instead of looking for an easy way out. Stay in the garage and on the Potter's Wheel until you look like the Creator Himself.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to mature in You. I want to grow up and become more like Christ every day. Put me in the garage and let me withstand the stripping and sanding until Your image is seen more clearly in me. Let me be a good representative of yours. Help me not to run when problems come, but to realize I am Your workmanship and that I need to stay in the garage until I am fully renewed.
Love you,
Jeff
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Don't Worry
Scripture:
Philippians 4:6 "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done".
Observation:
Paul is writing this letter to the Philippian people from a jail cell. He has every right to complain and talk about how terrible his life is for following Jesus. Instead, he is telling them to always be joyful in the Lord. He tells them not to worry about anything, just begin to pray about everything. He says to tell the Lord what you need and thank him for what he has done. He says that then we will experience God's peace. He places an order that will get rid of worry: 1. pray 2. tell god what you need. 3. thank him for all he has done.
Application:
Living this out is harder than it seems. it seems easy to just pray, tell God what you need and thank Him for what He has done, yet it is very difficult to do. Why is it that the simple things we know we need to do are the hardest things to do? God gave use the prescription, we just have to go get it filled. If you want to get rid of worry, begin to set aside a time to pray every day and bring your needs to Him. Make sure you take time to be thankful in his presence. No father wants to bless and unthankful child. Last, relax and let Him do the work instead of stressing out about it.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to worry about the things I have no control over. Teach me to pray more, and more effectively. Forgive me for complaining about my present situation. Help me live a life that will bring You glory. You are the best and I love You with all my heart. Thanks for blessing me with a great life, a wonderful family, a fantastic church that is making a difference in people's lives. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Jeff
Philippians 4:6 "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done".
Observation:
Paul is writing this letter to the Philippian people from a jail cell. He has every right to complain and talk about how terrible his life is for following Jesus. Instead, he is telling them to always be joyful in the Lord. He tells them not to worry about anything, just begin to pray about everything. He says to tell the Lord what you need and thank him for what he has done. He says that then we will experience God's peace. He places an order that will get rid of worry: 1. pray 2. tell god what you need. 3. thank him for all he has done.
Application:
Living this out is harder than it seems. it seems easy to just pray, tell God what you need and thank Him for what He has done, yet it is very difficult to do. Why is it that the simple things we know we need to do are the hardest things to do? God gave use the prescription, we just have to go get it filled. If you want to get rid of worry, begin to set aside a time to pray every day and bring your needs to Him. Make sure you take time to be thankful in his presence. No father wants to bless and unthankful child. Last, relax and let Him do the work instead of stressing out about it.
Prayer:
Father, help me not to worry about the things I have no control over. Teach me to pray more, and more effectively. Forgive me for complaining about my present situation. Help me live a life that will bring You glory. You are the best and I love You with all my heart. Thanks for blessing me with a great life, a wonderful family, a fantastic church that is making a difference in people's lives. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Jeff
Friday, October 23, 2009
Pleasing God
Scripture:
Philippians 2:13 "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him".
Observation:
Paul reveals here how we become pleasing to God. Many times we stress over how to make our lives pleasing to God. We feel like we will never be good enough to please Him. This verse lets us know that it is God who works in you to give you the desire and power to do what pleases Him. In other words, He gives you the desire and power to get the job done. We are not on our own when it comes to pleasing God. When you feel the desire to please God more in your life He put the desire there in the first place, now He will give you the power to do it.
Application:
Serving God is meant to be a joy and not a drudgery. God doesn't want us to walk through life like miserable people trying to please a God who is unpleasable and always feeling condemnation because we are not good enough. Serving God should be simple and joy-filled. He puts a desire in your heart, you want to do it, then He gives you the power to do it. We must stop trying so hard to do right and learnt to BE right by dwelling in Christ ad allowing Him to work in and through us. Ask Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, then be willing to follow where He leads and do what He says. he will give you what you need to fulfill God's will for your life.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to lean on You more and less on myself. I want to finish the race You have given me to run. I don't want to do it in my own strength, but rely on Your unending strength. You are amazing and made it so easy and we try to complicate it with our works based mindset. If we just follow Your voice, we will fulfill Your will. Speak Lord and I will listen.
Love You Always,
Jeffrey
Philippians 2:13 "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him".
Observation:
Paul reveals here how we become pleasing to God. Many times we stress over how to make our lives pleasing to God. We feel like we will never be good enough to please Him. This verse lets us know that it is God who works in you to give you the desire and power to do what pleases Him. In other words, He gives you the desire and power to get the job done. We are not on our own when it comes to pleasing God. When you feel the desire to please God more in your life He put the desire there in the first place, now He will give you the power to do it.
Application:
Serving God is meant to be a joy and not a drudgery. God doesn't want us to walk through life like miserable people trying to please a God who is unpleasable and always feeling condemnation because we are not good enough. Serving God should be simple and joy-filled. He puts a desire in your heart, you want to do it, then He gives you the power to do it. We must stop trying so hard to do right and learnt to BE right by dwelling in Christ ad allowing Him to work in and through us. Ask Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, then be willing to follow where He leads and do what He says. he will give you what you need to fulfill God's will for your life.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to lean on You more and less on myself. I want to finish the race You have given me to run. I don't want to do it in my own strength, but rely on Your unending strength. You are amazing and made it so easy and we try to complicate it with our works based mindset. If we just follow Your voice, we will fulfill Your will. Speak Lord and I will listen.
Love You Always,
Jeffrey
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