Scripture:
Jeremiah 23:29 "'Is not my word like fire', declares the Lord, 'and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?'"
Observation:
Jeremiah is delivering the word of the Lord. He is in the process of speaking to false prophets who prophesy lies, things they heard others say, and simply make up things to say that sound good to the people. As he is speaking on God's behalf to the prophets, he adds these words about how God's words generally are; He says God's words are like fire and God's words are like a hammer. Fire burns up everything and a hammer destroys rocks.
Application:
God's words are not always the same. Sometimes they burn like fire and sometimes they crush like taking a hammer to a rock. They are always sent for a purpose. God's prophetic voice is not always going to say, "God is going to bless you and money will come to you and everything around you is going to be blessed". These type words are thrown around so much today. Seldom do we hear a word from the Lord that burns in us like fire or crushes us like a hammer. As for me, I want some fire and hammer preaching from the prophetic voice.
Prayer:
Father God, I want to hear Your words and deliver them accurately. I want to say what You are saying to this generation. I want to speak as a true voice for You. Help me not let my flesh in the way when it comes to the prophetic. Help me accurately declares what You are wanting to declare. Let it be like a fire and like a hammer.
Yours.
Jeff
Friday, June 28, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Where is Your Trust?
Scripture:
Jeremiah 17:5 "This is what the Lord says: 'Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts from the Lord'".
Observation:
Jeremiah says that people who trust in themselves or others are cursed. He says that when we rely on ourselves, we have turned our hearts from the Lord. God wants us to trust Him and look to Him for our wisdom, direction, fulfillment, decisions, etc. He wants us to look to Him with every detail of our lives instead of trying to work everything out on our own.
Application:
Most of what is done in our churches today is born out of human strength and human wisdom. We know how to increase attendance, raise funds, and do the work of the ministry. We have studied our demographics and figured out how to reach people best and how to hold onto them. We have turned our hearts from the Lord and are doing much of the work ourselves instead of looking to Him. We must turn our heart back to Him. It is His church and He will guide us into victory and not we ourselves.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to depend more and more on You. Teach me not to operate only on what I think is the next good move for our church, but help me hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Help me lead from Your voice instead of my head. I thank You for human wisdom, but Your wisdom far supersedes human wisdom. I want to do things Your way and not my way or a way I learned at the last convention.
Yours,
Jeff
Jeremiah 17:5 "This is what the Lord says: 'Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts from the Lord'".
Observation:
Jeremiah says that people who trust in themselves or others are cursed. He says that when we rely on ourselves, we have turned our hearts from the Lord. God wants us to trust Him and look to Him for our wisdom, direction, fulfillment, decisions, etc. He wants us to look to Him with every detail of our lives instead of trying to work everything out on our own.
Application:
Most of what is done in our churches today is born out of human strength and human wisdom. We know how to increase attendance, raise funds, and do the work of the ministry. We have studied our demographics and figured out how to reach people best and how to hold onto them. We have turned our hearts from the Lord and are doing much of the work ourselves instead of looking to Him. We must turn our heart back to Him. It is His church and He will guide us into victory and not we ourselves.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to depend more and more on You. Teach me not to operate only on what I think is the next good move for our church, but help me hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Help me lead from Your voice instead of my head. I thank You for human wisdom, but Your wisdom far supersedes human wisdom. I want to do things Your way and not my way or a way I learned at the last convention.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Saved to Serve
Scripture:
Jeremiah 15:19 "Therefore this is what the Lord says: 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve Me; if you utter worthy, not worthless words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them'".
Observation:
Jeremiah had been prophesying destruction and disaster on God's people because they had not served Him properly. They had done their own thing and ended up in terrible sin and devastation, yet they would not turn to God. If they had just turned to Him in repentance, He would have received them and blessed them mightily, but they would not. In this passage the Lord says that if they would repent, He would restore them so they could serve Him. He wants to restore them, not just for their sake, but that they may serve Him.
Application:
God saves us for a purpose. He saves us that we may serve Him. He rescues us so that we will live a life that pleases Him and share what He has done for us to the world so that they may know Him as well. We are saved to serve! Many times today we act like God is there to serve us and give us whatever we want. He does heal us, forgive us, cleanse us, etc., but He does it that we may make His name great in the earth. He saves us to serve Him and we must get back to seeing it that way.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to make You name famous in all the earth. I want to lift up your name above every other thing. Help me to serve You well while I am here on this earth. You saved me so that I could serve You. Help me to do it well!
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Jeremiah 15:19 "Therefore this is what the Lord says: 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve Me; if you utter worthy, not worthless words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them'".
Observation:
Jeremiah had been prophesying destruction and disaster on God's people because they had not served Him properly. They had done their own thing and ended up in terrible sin and devastation, yet they would not turn to God. If they had just turned to Him in repentance, He would have received them and blessed them mightily, but they would not. In this passage the Lord says that if they would repent, He would restore them so they could serve Him. He wants to restore them, not just for their sake, but that they may serve Him.
Application:
God saves us for a purpose. He saves us that we may serve Him. He rescues us so that we will live a life that pleases Him and share what He has done for us to the world so that they may know Him as well. We are saved to serve! Many times today we act like God is there to serve us and give us whatever we want. He does heal us, forgive us, cleanse us, etc., but He does it that we may make His name great in the earth. He saves us to serve Him and we must get back to seeing it that way.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to make You name famous in all the earth. I want to lift up your name above every other thing. Help me to serve You well while I am here on this earth. You saved me so that I could serve You. Help me to do it well!
Yours Forever,
Jeff
Monday, June 24, 2013
Senseless Living
Scripture:
Jeremiah 10:21 "The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the Lord; so they do not prosper and all their flock is scattered".
Observation:
Jeremiah is prophesying destruction that was coming. As he is prophesying, he throws in this statement that is very powerful. He basically says that the shepherds don't prosper and are senseless because they don't ask God about what they are doing. As I see it, shepherding probably wouldn't take a lot of hearing from God. It seems you would be trained and then do as you have learned. It doesn't seem like a difficult occupation, yet Jeremiah says they didn't prosper in it because they did not inquire of the Lord.
Application:
God is concerned about every detail of our lives. We may wonder why we work so hard and produce such little results. Does God really want to show us how to be prosperous? Does He understand our current jobs and positions? Does He understand my job? To these questions, the answer is yes! He wants to guide us in every area of life into a life of peace and blessing. Many of us think, God doesn't care about my job. It is just what I do, why should I seek Him about it? He wants to bless you and work is what results in blessing most of the time. Therefore He is very concerned and wants to guide us as work and in the mundane things of life.
Prayer:
Father, Help me not to live a senseless life. I look to You to guide me, direct me and show me every step of the way. I need you to show me how to live my life. You are my everything and I place my trust in You!
Yours,
Jeff
Jeremiah 10:21 "The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the Lord; so they do not prosper and all their flock is scattered".
Observation:
Jeremiah is prophesying destruction that was coming. As he is prophesying, he throws in this statement that is very powerful. He basically says that the shepherds don't prosper and are senseless because they don't ask God about what they are doing. As I see it, shepherding probably wouldn't take a lot of hearing from God. It seems you would be trained and then do as you have learned. It doesn't seem like a difficult occupation, yet Jeremiah says they didn't prosper in it because they did not inquire of the Lord.
Application:
God is concerned about every detail of our lives. We may wonder why we work so hard and produce such little results. Does God really want to show us how to be prosperous? Does He understand our current jobs and positions? Does He understand my job? To these questions, the answer is yes! He wants to guide us in every area of life into a life of peace and blessing. Many of us think, God doesn't care about my job. It is just what I do, why should I seek Him about it? He wants to bless you and work is what results in blessing most of the time. Therefore He is very concerned and wants to guide us as work and in the mundane things of life.
Prayer:
Father, Help me not to live a senseless life. I look to You to guide me, direct me and show me every step of the way. I need you to show me how to live my life. You are my everything and I place my trust in You!
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, June 20, 2013
The Lord Worked With Them
Scripture:
Mark 16:20 "The the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it".
Observation:
Just before Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection, He told them in verse 17 that "these signs will follow those who believe". He listed several things that would follow those who believe. In this verse, His disciples did as He said and He confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it. They went out to do His work and He worked with them. When we preach Jesus...He will work with us through signs and wonders.
Application:
Many times we feel like and even use the expression, "I'm working for the Lord". If we are ever going to advance His kingdom in the way He wants, we must stop working "for" Him and start working "with" Him. He worked "with" the early disciples and powerful things happened. When we work "for" Him, we are limited to doing what we can do in our own human flesh. When we work "with" Him, we have resurrection power working with us to accomplish His work. This seems like the logical choice. I want to work "with" the Lord and not just "for" Him.
Prayer:
Father, I want to get on Your agenda and work with You. I want Jesus to work with me like He did the early disciples. Help me to be more sensitive to Your Spirit. Teach me to work with You instead of for You. You are incredible! Thank You for showing this to me today.
Yours,
Jeff
Mark 16:20 "The the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it".
Observation:
Just before Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection, He told them in verse 17 that "these signs will follow those who believe". He listed several things that would follow those who believe. In this verse, His disciples did as He said and He confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it. They went out to do His work and He worked with them. When we preach Jesus...He will work with us through signs and wonders.
Application:
Many times we feel like and even use the expression, "I'm working for the Lord". If we are ever going to advance His kingdom in the way He wants, we must stop working "for" Him and start working "with" Him. He worked "with" the early disciples and powerful things happened. When we work "for" Him, we are limited to doing what we can do in our own human flesh. When we work "with" Him, we have resurrection power working with us to accomplish His work. This seems like the logical choice. I want to work "with" the Lord and not just "for" Him.
Prayer:
Father, I want to get on Your agenda and work with You. I want Jesus to work with me like He did the early disciples. Help me to be more sensitive to Your Spirit. Teach me to work with You instead of for You. You are incredible! Thank You for showing this to me today.
Yours,
Jeff
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Keep Watch...He's Coming
Scripture:
Mark 13:35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn".
Observation:
Jesus is describing last days events to His disciples. He was telling them that He would die, be raised to life, ascend and would come back at a future time. He used this parable to describe what it was like. He said that the owner of a house, when he is going away, will put people in charge and a watchman to look for his return. Jesus was saying that He was going away for a while and would return...we need to be ready for that day.
Application:
Jesus told them to do one thing in this passage...keep watch. He wanted them ready and looking for His appearing. Years ago, we always wanted to live right because Jesus could come at any moment and we need to be living right when He returns. We wanted to be found living life His way instead of our own. Now, it seems people are not awaiting His soon return as much as before. It's like the church has gone to sleep on this issue. We need to wake up and watch...He's coming again! We need to be ready when He does.
Prayer:
Father, I want to be ready at all times. I want to be looking for your appearing. Help me keep one eye on the horizon looking for Your return and one eye on the harvest that needs brought in before You return. Help me live every day with passion and purpose, knowing Your return is nearer now than ever before.
Love You,
Jeff
Mark 13:35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn".
Observation:
Jesus is describing last days events to His disciples. He was telling them that He would die, be raised to life, ascend and would come back at a future time. He used this parable to describe what it was like. He said that the owner of a house, when he is going away, will put people in charge and a watchman to look for his return. Jesus was saying that He was going away for a while and would return...we need to be ready for that day.
Application:
Jesus told them to do one thing in this passage...keep watch. He wanted them ready and looking for His appearing. Years ago, we always wanted to live right because Jesus could come at any moment and we need to be living right when He returns. We wanted to be found living life His way instead of our own. Now, it seems people are not awaiting His soon return as much as before. It's like the church has gone to sleep on this issue. We need to wake up and watch...He's coming again! We need to be ready when He does.
Prayer:
Father, I want to be ready at all times. I want to be looking for your appearing. Help me keep one eye on the horizon looking for Your return and one eye on the harvest that needs brought in before You return. Help me live every day with passion and purpose, knowing Your return is nearer now than ever before.
Love You,
Jeff
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Faith and Forgiveness
Scripture:
Mark 11:24-25 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins".
Observation:
Mark 11:24 is a very popular scripture when it comes to faith. Faith says that when I pray for something, I must believe that I have received it, then I will have it. Jesus said whatever we ask for in prayer will be ours if we believe we have received it. When we pray, we must also believe by faith that it is already taken care of. After His incredible comment on faith, Jesus immediately told them that if they had anything against anyone, they need to forgive so that they can be forgiven by their heavenly father. When we are as serious about offense as we are about seeing God do great things, we will see great things. We must be people of forgiveness like Christ, then our faith will be much more effective.
Application:
Faith is seen when we thank God for something that hasn't happened yet. We must begin thanking God for the answer while the answer is still on the way. At the same time, we must make sure we are in right standing with people and be quick to forgive. Forgiveness and faith work together. If you have faith, but don't forgive, your faith won't take you very far. If you have forgiveness, but don't walk by faith, your prayers are not answered. These two are powerful and must be in our lives.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, I want to be a person of faith and forgiveness. Help me to forgive quickly when people hurt me. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. Teach me more about faith! I want to see answers to my prayers and want nothing to hinder that. Help me eliminate all in my life that is not pleasing to You.
Yours,
Jeff
Mark 11:24-25 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins".
Observation:
Mark 11:24 is a very popular scripture when it comes to faith. Faith says that when I pray for something, I must believe that I have received it, then I will have it. Jesus said whatever we ask for in prayer will be ours if we believe we have received it. When we pray, we must also believe by faith that it is already taken care of. After His incredible comment on faith, Jesus immediately told them that if they had anything against anyone, they need to forgive so that they can be forgiven by their heavenly father. When we are as serious about offense as we are about seeing God do great things, we will see great things. We must be people of forgiveness like Christ, then our faith will be much more effective.
Application:
Faith is seen when we thank God for something that hasn't happened yet. We must begin thanking God for the answer while the answer is still on the way. At the same time, we must make sure we are in right standing with people and be quick to forgive. Forgiveness and faith work together. If you have faith, but don't forgive, your faith won't take you very far. If you have forgiveness, but don't walk by faith, your prayers are not answered. These two are powerful and must be in our lives.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, I want to be a person of faith and forgiveness. Help me to forgive quickly when people hurt me. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. Teach me more about faith! I want to see answers to my prayers and want nothing to hinder that. Help me eliminate all in my life that is not pleasing to You.
Yours,
Jeff
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