Scripture:
Zechariah 13:9 "This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people', and they will say, 'The Lord is our God'".
Observation:
Just prior to this, the Lord was saying through Zechariah that He was going to wipe out two-thirds of his own people because they were following idols, etc. It is a time of judgment in this scripture, but, even in judgment we see the heart of God. The one-third left, He refines and purifies so that He can be theirs and they can be His. He simply wants a holy people who He can have a deep relationship with.
Application:
God wants to refine and purify our lives. He wants it, not to hurt us, but to help us walk with Him closer. He has always desired a people who are fully and completely His. He wants a people who are totally sold out to Him and who will do His will in the earth. The cool thing about God is that He supplied His Son to make us righteous and His Spirit to help us walk the walk. He makes is easier on us.
Prayer:
Father, you went out of Your way and sacrificed Your only Son so that I could have this special relationship with You. You have blessed me with Your Spirit to show me how to live and to give the strength I need to live completely for You. Thank You and help me to to follow You completely. I want to know You, follow You, trust You and walk with You closer and closer.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Monday, December 28, 2015
Ask for Rain
Scripture:
Zechariah 10:1 "Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people and plants of the field to everyone."
Observation:
Zechariah makes a simple, yet very profound statement here. He says, "Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime". He goes on to give God credit for thunderstorms and showers that we need so much.
Application:
This verse causes me to think about some of the simple things I never ask God for. In the springtime, we expect it to rain. We simply expect that April showers will bring May flowers. Sometimes we neglect to ask God for the simple things. When it doesn't rain for a year, we begin to call on His name to rescue us, but do we pray every Spring for rain? God wants us to ask for the simple things that we think are simply natural occurrences.
Prayer:
Father, sometimes I neglect to ask You for things because I feel like You already know my situation. Remind me to ask for the simple things that I may take for granted. Help me to ask You for the simple things and to rejoice when You provide.
Yours,
Jeff
Zechariah 10:1 "Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people and plants of the field to everyone."
Observation:
Zechariah makes a simple, yet very profound statement here. He says, "Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime". He goes on to give God credit for thunderstorms and showers that we need so much.
Application:
This verse causes me to think about some of the simple things I never ask God for. In the springtime, we expect it to rain. We simply expect that April showers will bring May flowers. Sometimes we neglect to ask God for the simple things. When it doesn't rain for a year, we begin to call on His name to rescue us, but do we pray every Spring for rain? God wants us to ask for the simple things that we think are simply natural occurrences.
Prayer:
Father, sometimes I neglect to ask You for things because I feel like You already know my situation. Remind me to ask for the simple things that I may take for granted. Help me to ask You for the simple things and to rejoice when You provide.
Yours,
Jeff
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Diligent Obedience
Scripture:
Zechariah 6:15 "Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God".
Observation:
In this passage, a prophetic word is given. Usually, when a prophetic word is given, there is also a condition that accompanies it. Here a beautiful promise is made about the rebuilding of the temple and how God would make it happen. The promise is accompanied by the words, "This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God".
Application:
I have received many, many prophetic words throughout my life, and many of them have come to pass. I have learned through the process that God can show you His will for your life, but if you stray away from following His voice and obeying His direction, He doesn't have to bring it to pass. We must live in a constant state of diligent obedience to the voice of the Lord. When we do, every word He speaks over our lives, will come to pass.
Prayer:
Father, I don't want to miss out on anything You have planned for my life. I want to serve You completely and fulfill all of Your will for my life. Help me to hear clearly Your voice and to obey with diligence, all you want me to do.
Your Son,
Jeff
Zechariah 6:15 "Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God".
Observation:
In this passage, a prophetic word is given. Usually, when a prophetic word is given, there is also a condition that accompanies it. Here a beautiful promise is made about the rebuilding of the temple and how God would make it happen. The promise is accompanied by the words, "This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God".
Application:
I have received many, many prophetic words throughout my life, and many of them have come to pass. I have learned through the process that God can show you His will for your life, but if you stray away from following His voice and obeying His direction, He doesn't have to bring it to pass. We must live in a constant state of diligent obedience to the voice of the Lord. When we do, every word He speaks over our lives, will come to pass.
Prayer:
Father, I don't want to miss out on anything You have planned for my life. I want to serve You completely and fulfill all of Your will for my life. Help me to hear clearly Your voice and to obey with diligence, all you want me to do.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
At That Time
Scripture:
Zephaniah 3:20 "At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes, says the Lord."
Observation:
God had been speaking through Zephaniah about wiping out the whole world and destroying every nation for their disobedience. He was speaking disaster that He was going to bring upon the earth. Then He begins to talk about the remnant of Zion. He says at that time He would restore their fortunes and give them honor and praise.
Application:
Generally, we give up on God just a little too early. The word this morning is, "at that time". God has set times when He is going to work. We may have to put up with things for a while, but at the right time, God will intervene. I'm sure the children of Israel thought He was way late when God decided to bring them out of Egypt, but it was at the right time. We need to hold onto God and His promises and never give up. At the right time, they will come to pass.
Prayer:
Father, there are many things I have felt in my spirit that have not yet come to pass. Give me the strength to endure until, "that time" comes. Help me to stay focused on You until "that time" comes. I want to serve You well. Strengthen my faith when I'm not seeing the results I would like to see at the time I would like to see them.
Your Son,
Jeff
Zephaniah 3:20 "At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes, says the Lord."
Observation:
God had been speaking through Zephaniah about wiping out the whole world and destroying every nation for their disobedience. He was speaking disaster that He was going to bring upon the earth. Then He begins to talk about the remnant of Zion. He says at that time He would restore their fortunes and give them honor and praise.
Application:
Generally, we give up on God just a little too early. The word this morning is, "at that time". God has set times when He is going to work. We may have to put up with things for a while, but at the right time, God will intervene. I'm sure the children of Israel thought He was way late when God decided to bring them out of Egypt, but it was at the right time. We need to hold onto God and His promises and never give up. At the right time, they will come to pass.
Prayer:
Father, there are many things I have felt in my spirit that have not yet come to pass. Give me the strength to endure until, "that time" comes. Help me to stay focused on You until "that time" comes. I want to serve You well. Strengthen my faith when I'm not seeing the results I would like to see at the time I would like to see them.
Your Son,
Jeff
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Be Silent
Scripture:
Habakkuk 3:20 "The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him".
Observation:
Habakkuk had been prophesying about Babylon and the judgment that would come on them because of the way they treated people and the gods they worshiped were made by their own hands. Habakkuk closes his word to them by simply saying, "The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him".
Application:
Sometimes when we are in the midst of trouble, confusion, or not knowing what to do, we simply need to realize that God is in his temple and be silent before Him. Usually when we are in trouble, we give God every detail of what He needs to do to get us out of the situation. We pray exactly what we think needs to happen. Sometimes, we need to simply come to the place of worship and remain silent before him. He knows our needs before we ask. Sometimes we need to simply be quiet in His presence and let Him do what He wants to do in our lives.
Prayer:
Father, help me to cast my cares upon You because You are for me, and then simply rest in Your presence. Teach me to be silent in Your presence, knowing that You are God of all the universe and that You love me and have my back.
Silently,
Jeff
Habakkuk 3:20 "The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him".
Observation:
Habakkuk had been prophesying about Babylon and the judgment that would come on them because of the way they treated people and the gods they worshiped were made by their own hands. Habakkuk closes his word to them by simply saying, "The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him".
Application:
Sometimes when we are in the midst of trouble, confusion, or not knowing what to do, we simply need to realize that God is in his temple and be silent before Him. Usually when we are in trouble, we give God every detail of what He needs to do to get us out of the situation. We pray exactly what we think needs to happen. Sometimes, we need to simply come to the place of worship and remain silent before him. He knows our needs before we ask. Sometimes we need to simply be quiet in His presence and let Him do what He wants to do in our lives.
Prayer:
Father, help me to cast my cares upon You because You are for me, and then simply rest in Your presence. Teach me to be silent in Your presence, knowing that You are God of all the universe and that You love me and have my back.
Silently,
Jeff
Monday, December 21, 2015
The God Who Cares and Crushes
Scripture:
Nahum 1:7-8 "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness".
Observation:
Nahum shows us both sides of our Lord in one statement. He shows us the loving compassion of the Lord; He is a god who loves us, is a refuge for us, and who cares for us. At the same time he is a just God who won't put up with those who are opposed to Him. He is good to those who are His, but He will judge those who are not.
Application:
Some people really struggle to understand how a loving god can send people to hell or allow bad things to happen in the world. He will go to the ends of the earth to help those who love Him, but He will also bring trouble on those who refuse to follow him. His love made a way for us to have an incredible relationship with Him, yet His justice will bring punishment on his enemies. As a dad and husband I understand this. I love my wife and sons and will go overboard to bless them, but if someone speaks bad about them, I will not be very kind in my response.
Prayer:
Father, You are amazing to me! You have taken incredible care of me through the years and I am grateful. One day every enemy of Yours will be defeated and You will reign over all. Thank you for being my refuge and caring for me.
Yours,
Jeff
Nahum 1:7-8 "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness".
Observation:
Nahum shows us both sides of our Lord in one statement. He shows us the loving compassion of the Lord; He is a god who loves us, is a refuge for us, and who cares for us. At the same time he is a just God who won't put up with those who are opposed to Him. He is good to those who are His, but He will judge those who are not.
Application:
Some people really struggle to understand how a loving god can send people to hell or allow bad things to happen in the world. He will go to the ends of the earth to help those who love Him, but He will also bring trouble on those who refuse to follow him. His love made a way for us to have an incredible relationship with Him, yet His justice will bring punishment on his enemies. As a dad and husband I understand this. I love my wife and sons and will go overboard to bless them, but if someone speaks bad about them, I will not be very kind in my response.
Prayer:
Father, You are amazing to me! You have taken incredible care of me through the years and I am grateful. One day every enemy of Yours will be defeated and You will reign over all. Thank you for being my refuge and caring for me.
Yours,
Jeff
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Loving life
Scripture:
Revelation 12:11 "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink back from death".
Observation:
John tells us in this passage about those who overcame the enemy. He says that they did it by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. The part most people leave off in this verse is that they also overcame the enemy by not loving their lives, even to death.
Application:
Loving Life, that is how I have answered many people through the years when they asked how I was doing. I believe God wants us to love life, but to not love it so much that we are afraid of death. We are to enjoy life on this earth, but we must be more tuned in to eternity so that we see things from an eternal perspective. We can't love our lives so much that we are more concerned about this life than the life to come. We must keep perspective while on this earth. We must enjoy it, but not serve it.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me to enjoy life, yet not be afraid of death. Help me follow You through whatever may come my way. Let my foundation in You never be shaken. Help me to love my life less and less and love You and Your life more and more. I never want to shrink back from death, but be an overcomer.
Yours,
Jeff
Revelation 12:11 "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink back from death".
Observation:
John tells us in this passage about those who overcame the enemy. He says that they did it by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. The part most people leave off in this verse is that they also overcame the enemy by not loving their lives, even to death.
Application:
Loving Life, that is how I have answered many people through the years when they asked how I was doing. I believe God wants us to love life, but to not love it so much that we are afraid of death. We are to enjoy life on this earth, but we must be more tuned in to eternity so that we see things from an eternal perspective. We can't love our lives so much that we are more concerned about this life than the life to come. We must keep perspective while on this earth. We must enjoy it, but not serve it.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me to enjoy life, yet not be afraid of death. Help me follow You through whatever may come my way. Let my foundation in You never be shaken. Help me to love my life less and less and love You and Your life more and more. I never want to shrink back from death, but be an overcomer.
Yours,
Jeff
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