Positions of Power

 Scripture:

“So the king paid no attention to the people. This turn of events was the will of the Lord, for it fulfilled the Lord’s message to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭12‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Rehoboam listened to the counsel of his peers instead of the wisdom of his father’s advisors. He made life extremely difficult on the people of Judah and he paid no attention to them or what was best for them. They suffered terribly because of his decisions, yet scripture records here that this was the will of the Lord because it fulfilled the Lord’s message to Jeroboam. Sometimes God allows us to be ruled by those who are not good because He has higher purposes and deals with rulers.

Application:

Many times we complain about the leaders over us. The Word tells us that God puts people in places of leadership and that we are to submit to them. This story helps me to realize that, even when our leaders are not fair or just, it may be the will of God for them to be there because He is doing something in and through them. This is why we must pray for our leaders. I also must realize that God raises up and puts down and that He is still in control, even when things are not going the way I want them to.

Prayer:

Father, You are awesome and worthy of all my praise. You are great and glorious. There is none like You. You raise up leaders and You send in the rulers we need or deserve. Help me not to question You, but to submit to what You are doing in all things and to build You kingdom regardless of who is in charge.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

Give us the Desire

 Scripture:

“May he give us the desire to do his will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭8‬:‭58‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Solomon had built an incredible temple for the Lord and was dedicating it at this time. He prayed a beautiful prayer at the dedication. In that prayer, he prayed the above verse. He asked God to give them the desire to do His will in everything and to obey. He was the wisest man ever to live according to the Word of God. He knew that desire was necessary for obedience rather than simply will-power. 

Application:

I want God to keep the desire and passion alive in my life so that serving Him is never a discipline, but a desire. I don’t want to serve God out of religious duty, but because He is worthy and I have an intimate walk with Him. I want God to give me the desire to serve Him well all the days of my life and to fulfill everything He wants me to do. I don’t want to live out of discipline, but desire.

Prayer:

Father, let my walk with You never grow cold. Let my desire for You and Your presence increase throughout my life. Let my desire for You increase. Help me to live a life of passionate purpose and not religious ritual. You are worthy of my very best. Grant me a walk of desire.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God’s Wisdom

 Scripture:

“God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

This chapter speaks of the incredible wisdom Solomon displayed as he ruled Israel. The end of the chapter says that kings from around the world sent their leaders to hear him and learn from him. This scripture lets us know that Solomon’s wisdom was God-given and not simply human wisdom. Wisdom is powerful, but God-given wisdom is beyond understanding. 

Application:

I need to ask God for His wisdom more often and seek Him for His understanding of things. God is the author of wisdom and wisdom personified. I want God’s wisdom to flow through my life. I wan to represent Him well and to complete everything He has for me to do.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk in step with You. Grant me wisdom to do all You have asked of me. Teach me to walk in wisdom in all situations. Today, as I counsel, let me give Your counsel and not human counsel. Let me lead Your people well. Help me to know what to do and when to do it. Give me wisdom from on high.

Your Son,

Jeff

Take Courage and Be a Man

 Scripture:

““I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

As David was preparing Solomon to rule in his place as King of Israel he gave him some important advice. I love this because it is so simple, but so profound. He told his son, “Take courage and be a man.” He knew what his son needed in order to rule the kingdom well. He needed to be a man and have a backbone.  He was going to have to make some serious decisions and needed to man up.

Application:

Sometimes in life and leadership we just need to man up. Sometimes the best leadership advice is simply to be a man. Being a man signifies that someone is bold and courageous. Being a man means someone is fierce and makes the hard decisions. I need to man up in my leadership. There are times when I am far too passive and I know it. I need to heed David’s words to Solomon and man up.

Prayer:

Father, help me to make the right decisions and to do the right things. Give me a man’s heart that is bold and confident and not afraid to make hard decisions. Help me to lead like a man and not like someone who can’t make up his mind. Let me be more secure in my position as a leader in Your kingdom.

Yours Forever,

Jeff

God’s Special Favor

 Scripture:

“But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul says here that he worked harder than any of the other apostles and saw results because of God’s special favor. He had put in the work, but God came through and brought the results. He understood that God’s special favor made him successful, but he didn’t lean on that. He worked hard and God worked hard through him. Together, they made a huge impact for Christ in the world in his time.

Application:

Paul was not lazy in any sense of the word. He worked hard for the Lord, yet he also leaned on the grace and favor of the Lord. As God’s servants today, we must not be afraid of hard work. We must work hard, but also lean into the grace and favor of God as partners. I personally long to work with the Lord as one working together to change the world. I can work hard on my own or I can work hard and do it through the power of the Holy Spirit. I choose that option. Both are hard work, but the second brings incredible results. 

Prayer:

Lord God, I will always work hard for You, but I don’t just want to work FOR You. I want to work WITH You. Let Your favor and grace fill my life. Teach me to walk in Your ways and to see Your results. I don’t want to work hard and wear out. I want to work hard, empowered by Your Spirit. Empower my life and give me strength as I get older to accomplish all You want in and through my life. I am Yours.

Jeff

Purpose in Every Step

 Scripture:

“So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul was telling the Corinthians not just to run God’s race, but to run the race to win the prize. In other words, don’t be half-hearted. He then went on with this verse in telling them that he runs the race with purpose in every step. For Paul, every step was filled with purpose. He was focused on winning the race and finishing well. He wanted to finish what Christ had asked him to do.

Application:

I need to live a more focused life. I want to finish everything God had for me and to do it well. Focus brings results and I want to see results for God’s glory and the extension of His kingdom. Therefore, I must live a more focused life with purpose in every step. I want to live a life of purpose and not just survive or get to the finish line. I want to win the race set before me and do everything God has called me to do.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, You are high and lifted up. You are great and glorious. You are my everything. Help me this morning to live a life of purpose and focus in every step I take. Help me to be productive for You and Your kingdom. Use my life for Your glory and empower me to live a life with purpose in every step.

Yours,

Jeff

Power AND Words

 Scripture:

“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Much of what we do in the kingdom of God deals with words. We go to conferences to hear speakers. Our Sunday morning and midweek gatherings are centered on teaching and preaching. God’s kingdom is not just a lot of talk. It is living by God’s power. 

Application:

We need the power of God in our lives if we want to live overcoming and victorious lives. I long for the power of God to be witnessed in and through my life. I don’t just want to talk about the kingdom. I want to demonstrate the kingdom. I believe we have to do a lot of talking in kingdom business, but I believe it is time to demonstrate the power of Kingdom living to the world around us. 

Prayer:

God, I want to live an unexplainable life. I want to live a supernatural life that is blessed and highly favored of You. I don’t want to just talk about Your Kingdom. I want to demonstrate it. Empower my life to be lived at high voltage for You. I don’t want to live a nominal life, but a spirit-led, Spirit-empowered life.

Yours Forever,

Jeff