Scripture:
Proverbs 4:6 "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you".
Observation:
Solomon had much to say about wisdom. In this verse, he tells us not to forsake wisdom because she will protect us. Walking in wisdom protects us from so many terrible things in our lives. It also tells us to love wisdom and she will watch over us.
Application:
Many times we do things that are not wise. We lean on our feelings instead of on true wisdom. Wise people give their advice and we walk away from it to do what we want to do. Instead of listening to the wise and doing what they say, we decide to so what feels good at the time. We must love wisdom. When we walk in wisdom, we will be protected from our own decisions. We need to seek wise council as we walk out our lives.
Prayer:
Lord God Almighty, help me to walk with the wise and to seek out wisdom. Wisdom will keep us from so many awful things. Teach me to listen to Your word and to the words of the wise. Help me to be humble enough to seek out wisdom and listen to it.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Don't Reject Instruction
Scripture:
I Thessalonians 4:7-8 "For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit".
Observation:
Paul is writing to the people of Thessalonica and at this point talks to them about sexual immorality. He tells them that God didn't call them to be impure, but to live a holy life. He tells them that anyone who rejects his teaching on sexual immorality is actually rejecting God who gave them the Holy Spirit.
Application:
It amazes me as a pastor how many people I give counsel to from God's word, who turn it around and reject what I'm saying because of their particular situation. They would say that I need to be more understanding rather than telling the truth. Here Paul tells those he was talking to about sexual immorality, that those who don't listen and obey, are actually rejecting God. This is dangerous ground. We need to follow the Word of God and never reject God's word for the sake of convenience or any other thing.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in humility before You. Help me to see Your word as the final authority in my life and to never reject it. Help me to live what You say in Your Word and to believe that by doing things Your way, You will bless my life. Help me to realize better in counseling that people who reject the word are not rejecting me, but You.
Yours,
Jeff
I Thessalonians 4:7-8 "For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit".
Observation:
Paul is writing to the people of Thessalonica and at this point talks to them about sexual immorality. He tells them that God didn't call them to be impure, but to live a holy life. He tells them that anyone who rejects his teaching on sexual immorality is actually rejecting God who gave them the Holy Spirit.
Application:
It amazes me as a pastor how many people I give counsel to from God's word, who turn it around and reject what I'm saying because of their particular situation. They would say that I need to be more understanding rather than telling the truth. Here Paul tells those he was talking to about sexual immorality, that those who don't listen and obey, are actually rejecting God. This is dangerous ground. We need to follow the Word of God and never reject God's word for the sake of convenience or any other thing.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk in humility before You. Help me to see Your word as the final authority in my life and to never reject it. Help me to live what You say in Your Word and to believe that by doing things Your way, You will bless my life. Help me to realize better in counseling that people who reject the word are not rejecting me, but You.
Yours,
Jeff
Friday, August 26, 2016
Vindication and Compassion
Scripture:
Psalm 135:14 "For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants".
Observation:
The Psalmist here is speaking of the Lord and tells us that He will vindicate His people and have compassion on his servants. The word vindicate means, "to clear of blame or suspicion". In other words God will clear you of everything the enemy has accused you of and He will have compassion on you.
Application:
Our God is a God of compassion. He loves us and will always be there for us. He is touched by the feelings we have according to the book of Hebrews. He also vindicates us from all offenses. Our enemy is very good at bringing accusation to us about how bad we have been, how we have messed up and how God couldn't love us because of what we have done. We can trust God that He will clear us of the blame and accusation of our enemy, the devil, the accuser of the brethren. We are clear and he loves us!
Prayer:
Lord God, You are faithful and full of compassion for us. You are awesome and I appreciate You more each day. Thank you for clearing me of accusations against me. Thank You for having compassion on me instead of judgment. Thank You for hearing my cry and having compassion on my life.
Your Son,
Jeff
Psalm 135:14 "For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants".
Observation:
The Psalmist here is speaking of the Lord and tells us that He will vindicate His people and have compassion on his servants. The word vindicate means, "to clear of blame or suspicion". In other words God will clear you of everything the enemy has accused you of and He will have compassion on you.
Application:
Our God is a God of compassion. He loves us and will always be there for us. He is touched by the feelings we have according to the book of Hebrews. He also vindicates us from all offenses. Our enemy is very good at bringing accusation to us about how bad we have been, how we have messed up and how God couldn't love us because of what we have done. We can trust God that He will clear us of the blame and accusation of our enemy, the devil, the accuser of the brethren. We are clear and he loves us!
Prayer:
Lord God, You are faithful and full of compassion for us. You are awesome and I appreciate You more each day. Thank you for clearing me of accusations against me. Thank You for having compassion on me instead of judgment. Thank You for hearing my cry and having compassion on my life.
Your Son,
Jeff
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Waiting on the Lord with Hope
Scripture:
Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope".
Observation:
The Psalmist here shares about how he waits for the Lord with his whole being. He says that in the process he puts his hope in God's word. He tells us that we should wait on the Lord with hope placed in his word.
Application:
It is hard to wait for something. Patience truly is a virtue. Waiting means that you trust the person you are waiting for, that they are coming and that they will deliver what they promised. God's word places hope in our lives and hope causes us to be able to wait with confidence that God will come through in our situations because His word is true and doesn't lie. We must have God's word in our hearts and patience in our lives. When we do, we will see the victory. We must hope in God's word and wait on the Lord.
Prayer:
Father, your word is true and I can place my confidence in it. Help me to trust you more while I wait. I think of the song this morning, "while I'm waiting". Help me learn to wait on You instead of acting out on my own in bad situations. Teach me to trust You and Your word. You are faithful, let me trust You more and wait on You. I'm waiting Lord.
Your Son,
Jeff
Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope".
Observation:
The Psalmist here shares about how he waits for the Lord with his whole being. He says that in the process he puts his hope in God's word. He tells us that we should wait on the Lord with hope placed in his word.
Application:
It is hard to wait for something. Patience truly is a virtue. Waiting means that you trust the person you are waiting for, that they are coming and that they will deliver what they promised. God's word places hope in our lives and hope causes us to be able to wait with confidence that God will come through in our situations because His word is true and doesn't lie. We must have God's word in our hearts and patience in our lives. When we do, we will see the victory. We must hope in God's word and wait on the Lord.
Prayer:
Father, your word is true and I can place my confidence in it. Help me to trust you more while I wait. I think of the song this morning, "while I'm waiting". Help me learn to wait on You instead of acting out on my own in bad situations. Teach me to trust You and Your word. You are faithful, let me trust You more and wait on You. I'm waiting Lord.
Your Son,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Keep and Seek
Scripture:
Psalm 119:2 "Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek Him with all their heart - they do no wrong but follow His ways".
Observation:
The Psalmist tells us here that we are blessed when we keep God's statutes and seek Him with all our heart. From this I see that blessing is directly related to keep God's statutes and seeking Him. Doing this helps us follow His ways.
Application:
Everyone wants the blessing of God on their lives, myself included. I want to walk in His blessing and His favor more than anything. Here God tells us that we are blessed when we keep and when we seek. We are blessed when we follow God's word and keep His commands. We are also blessed when we seek Him with all our heart. Keeping and seeking will bring God's blessing into our lives.
Prayer:
Lord God, I want You blessing on my life. I want to do no wrong, but follow Your ways. I desire to follow Your statutes and commands and I seek Your face. I want more of You in my life. Help me to seek You more each day. Empower me to keep and seek as a part of my nature and who I am. Let me be a keeper and a seeker and walk in Your blessing.
Yours,
Jeff
Psalm 119:2 "Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek Him with all their heart - they do no wrong but follow His ways".
Observation:
The Psalmist tells us here that we are blessed when we keep God's statutes and seek Him with all our heart. From this I see that blessing is directly related to keep God's statutes and seeking Him. Doing this helps us follow His ways.
Application:
Everyone wants the blessing of God on their lives, myself included. I want to walk in His blessing and His favor more than anything. Here God tells us that we are blessed when we keep and when we seek. We are blessed when we follow God's word and keep His commands. We are also blessed when we seek Him with all our heart. Keeping and seeking will bring God's blessing into our lives.
Prayer:
Lord God, I want You blessing on my life. I want to do no wrong, but follow Your ways. I desire to follow Your statutes and commands and I seek Your face. I want more of You in my life. Help me to seek You more each day. Empower me to keep and seek as a part of my nature and who I am. Let me be a keeper and a seeker and walk in Your blessing.
Yours,
Jeff
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Take Refuge
Scripture:
Psalm 118:8 "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans".
Observation:
The Psalmist here tells us that taking refuge in the Lord is better than trusting in humans. A refuge is a place of protection, provision, and care. It is a safe place where you can run in troubled times. He is saying God is a better refuge than any human and He is the place to turn.
Application:
It is natural to turn to people when things are difficult in our lives. Our refuge is really suppose to be in God. He is the perfect healer, provider, protector, etc. He is the one who will care for us, give us what we need and protect us from all the power of our enemies. People will always let us down, but God is the perfect refuge. We must turn to Him and trust Him above all.
Prayer:
Father, be my refuge. Help me to trust You more than I trust people. You are the ever-faithful God. You have provided a place of refuge for me like no human could ever do. You are my rock and my salvation and I put my trust in You. Lead me, guide me, and let me trust completely in You and You alone.
Yours,
Jeff
Psalm 118:8 "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans".
Observation:
The Psalmist here tells us that taking refuge in the Lord is better than trusting in humans. A refuge is a place of protection, provision, and care. It is a safe place where you can run in troubled times. He is saying God is a better refuge than any human and He is the place to turn.
Application:
It is natural to turn to people when things are difficult in our lives. Our refuge is really suppose to be in God. He is the perfect healer, provider, protector, etc. He is the one who will care for us, give us what we need and protect us from all the power of our enemies. People will always let us down, but God is the perfect refuge. We must turn to Him and trust Him above all.
Prayer:
Father, be my refuge. Help me to trust You more than I trust people. You are the ever-faithful God. You have provided a place of refuge for me like no human could ever do. You are my rock and my salvation and I put my trust in You. Lead me, guide me, and let me trust completely in You and You alone.
Yours,
Jeff
Monday, August 22, 2016
Even in Darkness
Scripture:
Psalm 112:4 "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous."
Observation:
The Psalmist tells us here that light dawns for those who live uprightly, even when things look dark around us.
Application:
Sometimes we go through times when we feel like we are in darkness. Possibly we can't seem to hear the voice of God or things are not going the way we would like. Sometimes dark times come from the death of a loved one or a downturn in finances, etc. Here we are told that even when darkness comes, God will bring us light if we are living uprightly.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk with You continually and to realize that even in dark times, You are with me and You are helping me. Help me to trust that light will dawn when it feels like darkness is winning. Help me to walk by faith in You and Your word.
Your Son,
Jeff
Psalm 112:4 "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous."
Observation:
The Psalmist tells us here that light dawns for those who live uprightly, even when things look dark around us.
Application:
Sometimes we go through times when we feel like we are in darkness. Possibly we can't seem to hear the voice of God or things are not going the way we would like. Sometimes dark times come from the death of a loved one or a downturn in finances, etc. Here we are told that even when darkness comes, God will bring us light if we are living uprightly.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk with You continually and to realize that even in dark times, You are with me and You are helping me. Help me to trust that light will dawn when it feels like darkness is winning. Help me to walk by faith in You and Your word.
Your Son,
Jeff
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)