Where are the Faithful?

Posted on January 20, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

January 20 

Where are the Faithful?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 12:1-8 | Genesis 41:17 – 42:17 | Matthew 13:24-46 | Proverbs 4:1-6

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 12

“Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. Everyone lies to to their neighbor: they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts (Psalm 12:1-2, NIV).

Where are the faithful—the loyal? They seem to be missing from the human race. They’ve vanished. So claims the Psalmist.

The widespread human condition: the heart is deceitful, revealed by lips that lie and flatter and boast. We defend our actions, asserting our freedom and independence from God, asking “who is lord over us?”

Perhaps he will not notice our attempts to take advantage of the poor and needy. But the groans of the needy cry out. God will arise and protect (5).

In complete contrast to the faithless, with words that lie, flatter and deceive, are the words of the LORD: flawless, pure, refined as precious metals (6).

The wicked may strut while the human race celebrates the vile, the sinful, the unjust. Yet God is committed to keeping the needy safe protecting them from the advantage of those who would exploit their own power, position and privilege (5).

LORD God, arise, protect the poor and needy. Hear the groans. Meet the needs. May our hearts be turned toward truth and justice—and may our lips humbly reflect the truth. Let righteousness, justice and truth prevail. Amen.

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Bumper Crop

Posted on January 19, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

January 19 

Bumper Crop

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 11:1-7 | Genesis 39:1-41:16 | Matthew 12:46-13:23 | Proverbs 3:33-35

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 13:1-23

“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:23, NIV).

Every farm boy knows that farming is all about the harvest. You work all year long in hopes of a bumper crop. You work in hope of the hundred fold yield.

As a teacher you long for students to hear and put into practice the words that you speak.  To mix the metaphors, you teach so that your students will have a bumper crop of hearing and obeying.

But most years, conditions are not sufficient to produce the hundredfold yield, sometimes it is sixtyfold or thirtyfold. Sometimes the plants dry up and die.

Pesky birds can eat up the seeds that fall on the path—just as the Word of God can be stolen by the enemy of our faith. Trials can be as thorns that choke out and starve the plant. Prosperity, too, can function as rocky soil, keeping us from a fruitful harvest.

But then there is the good soil. It yields an abundant harvest of hearing and obeying the Word of God. It is the soil in which disciples flourish.

It is the fallow ground prepared by the plow of repentance. It is the productive ground that is warmed by the sun of God’s presence and watered by the rains of God’s Spirit. It is soil in which faith is enabled to cause the seed to sprout and grow—that has been readied to hear and obey.

May God till the soil of my heart and yours, that we may always be ready to hear and obey—that conditions will be right for abundant growth and a bountiful harvest.

God, prepare my heart to hear and obey today and always. Help me to resist the temptations that would bring drought and stunt growth. Help me to grow and produce an abundance of good fruit. Amen.

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Careless Words

Posted on January 18, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

January 18 

Careless Words

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 10:16-18 | Genesis 37:1 – 38:30 | Matthew 12:22-45 | Proverbs 3:27-32

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 12:22-45

“A tree is recognized by its fruit . . . . For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:33-38 NIV).

Our words say a lot about who we really are on the inside. They are one of the fruits of our inner life. Jesus reminds us: “out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Our words often say a lot more about us than we realize.

You expect an apple tree to bear apples, a peach tree to produce peaches and a pear tree to bring forth pears. Similarly, you expect an angry person to produce angry words, a dishonest person to speak lies, and a negative person to criticize and put down other people. You expect a loving person to speak loving, encouraging words.  A joyful person can be counted on to brighten up your day with words that bring you laughter.

Your words really do reveal your character.

To the follower of Christ, those words should be words that bless rather than curse; words that lift up rather than words that tear down.  Instead of gossip and slander, the changed heart speaks words of hope and love.

Jesus also reminds us that we are accountable for our words.  We will one day be accountable for every careless word we have spoken.  

Do your words reflect a heart being transformed into the likeness of Jesus? As he changes you from the inside out, you should expect the fruit of your words to be consistent with the transformed heart within.  Open your heart to Jesus.  Allow him to transform your heart into his likeness . . . and your tongue.

Heavenly Father, cleanse my heart and let my words reflect the transforming work of your Spirit. Produce in me good fruit and words appropriate to the life of Jesus within me. Amen.

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The God Who Reveals

Posted on January 17, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

January 17 

The God Who Reveals

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 10:11-15 | Genesis 35:1 – 36:43 | Matthew 12:1-21 | Proverbs 3:21-26

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 35

“Come, let us go to Bethel, and I will build an altar there to the God who answered me when I was in distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” (Genesis 35:3, Tanakh).

Bethel was a special place for Jacob. It was here that God had revealed himself. He had been in distress, and here he cried out in his need; God answered with his very presence.

At God’s prompting, Jacob returns to Bethel. But he and his family must be prepared. He encourages them to purify themselves, to rid themselves of idols, and to change their clothes.

They returned to Bethel. “And there he build an altar and named the site El-bethel, for it was there that God had revealed Himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother” (7).

God appears again at Bethel. This time with a name change and a blessing. He would now be known as “Israel” and would be blessed with the promises given to Abraham.

Israel sets up a monument. This is a place to be remembered. This is where he met God personally and powerfully. This is a place where his life and destiny were unalterably changed.

Perhaps you too have “Bethels”—places where God met you in your despair and need; places where he revealed himself and you were changed. It is good to remember those times, those places, those encounters with God.

Perhaps it is time for a return to Bethel— a time to remember how God met me in the past. Perhaps in preparing to return, there will a fresh encounter with God. These holy times must be remembered. These holy places memorialized. These holy moments experienced again and again.

God of Bethel, I celebrate the times you have met me in the past, and look forward to holy moments of your presence today and in days to come. Amen.

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Is Your Soul at Rest?

Posted on January 16, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

January 16 

Is Your Soul at Rest?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 10:1-10 | Genesis 32:13 – 34:31 | Matthew 11:7-30 | Proverbs 3:19-20

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 11:7-30

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matt 11:28-30 The Message).

Jesus isn’t looking for relentless religious activity. He is looking first and foremost for a relationship with you. Religious activity burns us out. It makes us tired and weary. Trying hard to perform rather than resting in his grace, leads to a treadmill of activity. But it is activity in one’s own strength and for the wrong motives.

Instead of that, Jesus calls you to come rest–to spend time with Him–to get to know him and his ways. To enter into his path of discipleship. Then you walk together in his strength–he comes alongside you and enables you to live and work from his strength, and not just your own.

He is not calling you to laziness, but rather to grace-filled living. Resting in Jesus and his grace, rather than our own strength, our lives find balance and fruitfulness.

I still find it easy to take up the yoke on my own, to try to trudge ahead in my strength. Yet, every time I do, I find myself exhausted and burned out. How about you?

Jesus calls us first to a relationship with himself. Come, find rest for your soul. In his presence, the broken, wounded soul finds forgiveness, healing, and renewed strength. Walking with Him as he bears the yoke, enables us to accomplish much more than we could ever accomplish on our own.

Stop rushing around, and let your soul rest in the presence of the one who loves you with an everlasting love. Refreshed and renewed in his presence, we are prepared for the tasks of the day in the “unforced rhythms of grace.”

Lord of the Sabbath, I am tired and need your rest. I take up your yoke so that we can walk and work together. Teach me the unforced rhythms of your grace. Amen.

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The Final Say

Posted on January 15, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

January 15

The Final Say

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 9:13-20 | Genesis 31:17 – 32:12 | Matthew 10:26 – 11:6 | Proverbs 3:16-18

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 9:13-20

But God will never forget the needy;

the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

  Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph;

let the nations be judged in your presence (Psalm 9:18-19, NIV).

The Psalmist looks to God as a righteous judge and finds hope and security. God is known for his acts of justice. His throne is established in righteousness and he rules in equity. He cares for those who face injustice and stand in need. He will repay the wicked, and he will remember the afflicted and needy.  He will hear the cries of the afflicted (12).

The Psalmist rests in the hope of vindication—God will have the final say, he will remember how his enemies have treated him and will vindicate and set things right. Believing in the rightness of his cause and actions, he is comforted by the thought that a righteous judge will sort these things out and make them right.

The wicked have reason to fear, for they will be caught in their own traps (15, 16). One day they will stand before the Judge to give an account—and given their actions such a thought ought to bring terror (20). But to the Psalmist, and to the needy and afflicted, it brings the hope of vindication.

When life proves unfair, when we are trampled upon by others, when people let us down, we do not lose perspective. Life is often unfair, circumstances are often difficult, people are often unrighteous, but God is just. And he gets the final say.

Righteous Judge, care for the needy and afflicted and remember their cause. Bring hope and vindication. Enable me to find hope in difficult times, even when ill-treated in life knowing that you have the final say. Amen.

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Praying and Going

Posted on January 14, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 14

Praying and Going

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 9:7-12 | Genesis 30:1 – 31:16 | Matthew 10:1-25 |  Proverbs 3:13-15

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 10:1-25

“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:7-8, NIV).

Confronted by the immense need, Jesus called the disciples to pray.  He told them, “the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (9:37).

The situation is no different today than it was in Jesus day. The needs are enormous. The number of people needing ministry is overwhelming. What can we do? Jesus calls us to pray.

Pray for open doors for the gospel. Pray for workers for the harvest field. Pray for a great harvest. Pray! Pray! Pray!

But Jesus is doing something subtle but profound in asking his disciples to pray. He is opening their eyes, their minds and their hearts to the need. He is opening their hearts so that they will hear and respond to the call to go.

Isn’t it interesting that the same people he called to pray in chapter 9, Jesus called to go in chapter 10? The disciples were the first fruits of the answer to their own prayers. They prayed for laborers, and in so doing they were called to be workers.

Jesus calls us to pray and then he calls us to be part of the answer to our own prayers.  He asks us to take the need to the Father, and then to go and become part of the solution. 

When we pray the prayer for laborers, God may raise up someone else–he often does, we can’t be everywhere. Yet most of the time, he also calls us to do something about meeting the need. Bringing it to him ensures that we get his heart for those we minister to, and that we go in his strength.

See a need? Pray about it. And as you do, don’t be surprised if you are called by God to be a part of the solution.

Lord of the Harvest, give me eyes to see the harvest field as you do. Give me a willing heart to be a part of the answer to my prayers for workers. Lord, bring a fruitful harvest for the sake of your glory. Amen.

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A Risk of Faith

Posted on January 13, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 13

A Risk of Faith

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 9:1-6 | Genesis 28:1 – 29:35 | Matthew 9:18-38 | Proverbs 3:11-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 9:18-38

“If I can just put a finger on his robe, I’ll get well.”

“Courage, daughter, You took a risk of faith, and now you’re well” (Matthew 9:21-22, The Message). 

Scripture tells us that “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Note how pleased Jesus was to find faith in each of these people. Also note the incredible things accomplished through that faith.

There are always doubters. The Pharisees play that role in our text. As Eugene Peterson in The Message paraphrases it: “Hocus pocus. It’s nothing but hocus pocus. He’s probably made a pact with the devil.”  The Pharisees continually miss out on the blessings of God because they refused to believe.

The woman, who had hemorrhaged for 12 years, took a creative risk of faith. She thought that if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she would be made well. Jesus saw her faith and rewarded her with an instant healing that changed her life forever.

Two blind men cried out in faith, asking for mercy. When asked if they believed he could heal them, they responded, “yes Lord.” Touching their eyes with healing power, he said, “according to your faith it will be done to you.”

Then there is the girl who is raised from the dead, and a demon possessed mute man who was freed to speak. Indeed, “nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

Yet the Pharisees doubted, they refused to believe. And they missed out on the blessing. 

What is your need? Come, like the woman, take a risk of faith. Cry out, like the blind men, for the grace and mercy of Jesus. It is amazing to see what blessings are brought about as we believe. May it be done according to your faith!

Faithful God, give me the strength to reach out and touch the hem of your garment. Give me the faith to see your healing power. Help me never miss out on the blessing because of unbelief. Amen.

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Bring Them to Jesus

Posted on January 12, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

January 12

Bring Them to Jesus

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 8:1-9 | Genesis 26:17-27:46 | Matthew 9:1-17 | Proverbs 3:9-10

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 9:1-17

“They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, “Cheer up son. I forgive your sins” (Matthew 9:2, The Message). 

All around us are friends in desperate need of an encounter with Jesus. Two stories in Matthew 9 remind us that we can be used by God to bring people to Jesus.

First notice the friends of the paraplegic.  Did you notice the word, “their” in verse 2?  Jesus was impressed by “their” faith.  Whose faith?  The Paraplegic? No, the text implies that Jesus was impressed by the faith of the men who brought the paraplegic to Jesus.  

We don’t know about the paraplegic’s faith, we only know that Jesus commends his friends for having faith enough to bring the man to Jesus for healing.  

It seems to me that this says something very important to us. We, through our prayers and faith, can bring people to Jesus. Our prayers do matter. Our faith does make a difference.

Nothing is too difficult for God; no need too big. We all know friends who need the miraculous intervention of God. Will we bring them to Jesus? Will we take their needs to Him in bold belief through intercession?

Notice also the story of Matthew. After he becomes a follower of Christ, Matthew has a party for all his old friends. Jesus and the disciples show up too. What is Matthew doing? He’s bringing his friends to Jesus so that they might have opportunity to experience the new life he himself has just received.

Whether through prayer or witness, we can play an important part in the lives of our friends as we bring them to Jesus. As we bring people into his presence, miracles happen and lives are transformed.

Loving Heavenly Father, Give me the faith to pray for my friends who need an encounter with Jesus. Help me to step out in faith and invite my friends to meet Jesus. Amen.

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Calming the Storm

Posted on January 11, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 11

Calming the Storm

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 7:10-17 | Genesis 24:52 – 26:16 | Matthew 8:18-34 | Proverbs 3:7-8

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 8:18-34

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matt 8:26-27 NIV).

Throughout the gospels, Jesus shows again and again his authority to heal, to cast out demons, and to do all sorts of miracles. In this text, he demonstrates authority over the wind and sea.

I’m always struck with the fact that Jesus’ miracles were nearly always focused on meeting someone’s need: Bread for hungry people, healing for the sick, freedom for the demon possessed. Jesus knows our need and in his compassion he reaches out to us to meet that need.

The disciples were afraid as they were tossed by the wind and the wave.  Jesus saw their need and brought peace to the storm.

What is your storm? Not all storms are weather related. Some of the strongest are those that rage in the human heart: turmoil because of relationships; frustration at work; difficult circumstances you are facing. Whatever the source of the storm, Jesus knows about it.  He sees it. He is able to calm your storm too. Just as he brings peace to the storm, he is able to bring peace to your troubled soul.

Of course it also true that this storm is a test of your faith. As your faith is stretched, there is an opportunity for growth. Even when Jesus does not put an immediate end to the storm, he is in the midst of the storm with you speaking words of encouragement; reminding you that there is no need for you to be afraid.

Cast your cares on him.  He really does care about you.

Miracle Working God, I feel the wind and see the waves all around me. Calm the wind and the wave. Calm my anxious heart. Amen.

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