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Scripture for today:
Nehemiah 11-12; Psalm 1; Acts 3
Scripture-My special verse today:
Psalm 1:6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Observation:
It is affirming to know that God watches over me. This is a promise that I love. But, it requires something out of me. I must be a righteous person or at least strive to be. Putting God’s will instead of Jeff’s will is gray at times. The more I align myself to the Lord the more it becomes clearer.
Application:
I desire to be counted among the righteousness and not the wicked. How pure are my motives? How pure is my heart? How pure are my hopes and dreams? The questions will determine whether I am counted in the righteous party. The proverb says that as a man thinketh he doeth.
Prayer: Help me to be the person I think I am.
Scripture for today:
Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14
Scripture-My special verse today:
Psalms 126:4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.
Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
Observation:
How pertinent is the restore our fortunes? We hear of the collapse of Wachovia and bought for wholesale by Citi for a $1 a share. So many are saying restore my fortune/ pension. But, we want our fortunes but do we want to give up everything to follow Christ. Yes, in those days it might have meant something different. But did it? Everything is still everything!
Application:
We still struggle with giving up everything to follow Christ. The majority of Christians would be hard pressed to name one thing they have substantially given up for Christ. Christianity has lost its commitment factor and has been replaced as a religion of the comfortable. For example, the Bible calls us to tithe our income but the average committed Christian gives two percent and feels they are on fire for Christ.
Prayer: Help me to desire to become a disciple of yours that you would recognize.
Scripture for Today:
Ezra 4; Psalm 113; 127; Luke 9
Scripture-My special verse for today:
Ezra 4:24 Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Psalms 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
Observation: The enemies of Judah and Benjamim are the reason for the standstill of the temple. Their lies and schemes stalled the plans of God. Satan is always desiring to destroy the spirit blowing in the hearts of believers. If believers are weak, then they pack up and go home. It is also necessary when building for God to be sure that it comes from God not just what we want. Because without his presence our plans are futile.
Application: What a great lesson to never forget. The people of God should not be surprised when others outside the church seek to destroy our plans. The people of Good should not be surprised when we plan without God that our plans fail. As a church leader, these lessons are fatal if overlooked.
Prayer: May I know when I plan to do ministry in the Church or even in planning that God has His hand in it!
Scripture for Today:
Ezra 1; Psalm 84; Psalm 85; Luke 7
Scripture-My special verse today:
Ezra 1:5 Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.
Psalm 84:10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Observation:
God moved in the hearts of the family heads at just the right time. It is hard to wait on God. God moved the hearts to prepare and undertaking to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. The Psalmists says that a single day in his house is better than a thousand elsewhere.
Application:
The modern day Church is hemorrhaging due to the culture. the pull is so strong that spending time time in the temple verses playing sports or attending them on the Sabbath is rare. Very few today take a stance that they would rather be in the household than with screaming fans cheering on their team. I long for the time when God move sin the hearts of people to unite under his Name. God stirring the hearts of the people made me want to be apart of it.
Prayer: Help me to not grow faint in a culture that follows the stirring of the culture verses the stirring of Jesus.
Scripture for today:
Ezekiel 38; Ezekiel 39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20
Scripture-My special verse today:
Psalm 145:4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
Observation: Each generation is called to be generational. They are called to what Dr. Jeff Myers calls (pass the Baton) in the race of life. Life is not a sprint but is a marathon that is for the distance. This longevity requires that i think through what needs to be taught and why. Hoem Schooling fits this motif of being generational. I desire for the next generation to look at a blessing what Kristi and I started with our four great kids.
Application: Why is thinking generational so hard for men? We desire to live for the moment or for the next promotion or for the next purchase but God requires that we are faithful first. Being submissive to God is not natural for men because of our lone ranger mentality. We always pay the piper when when our decisions are made for pleasure or for the moment. Generational thinking requires men that hearts are sold out to HIM for a lifetime.
Prayer: My prayer is to be counted as a generational man of God. Time will tell!
