pastor jeff's neighborhood

December 15
The Worthy Lamb

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 140:9-13 | Micah 1:1-4:13 | Revelation 6:1-17 | Proverbs 30:1-4

Today’s Scripture Focus: Revelation 6:1-17

“I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a loud voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked and there before me was a white horse! It’s rider held a bow and he was given a crown, and he rode out as conqueror bent on conquest.” (Revelation 6:1-2 NIV)

In Chapter 5 and 6, the spotlight of heaven is focused squarely on the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. The scroll whose seals would bring forth the judgment of God upon the earth needed to be opened. The wrongs must be righted. Justice must be brought for the sin of man. But who is worthy to open the scroll?

Jesus, “The Lion of the…

quote from open up your heart by Jeff Syverson

December 14
Running from God

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 140:1-8 | Jonah 1:1-4:11 | Rev. 5:1-14 | Proverbs 29:26-27

Today’s Scripture Focus: Jonah 1-4

But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. [2] He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. (Jonah 4:1-2 NIV)

Have you ever run from God or from a mission to which he has called you? I think most of us have. I think that the book of Jonah is popular because we all can relate to the reluctant prophet. I’m always amazed that God chose Jonah instead of a more…

December 13
Holy! Worthy!

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:19-24 | Obadiah 1-21 | Rev. 4:1-11 | Proverbs 29:24-25

Today’s Scripture Focus: Revelation 4

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8b ESV)

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11 ESV)

Imagine that you are standing before the throne of God in heaven! That is what John is describing here: his vision of heaven. The scripture often suggests that we set our mind on heavenly things. Perhaps we need to return to these verses again and again.

Can I encourage you to read through the chapter verse by verse and meditate on it? What do you see? What is happening? What do you hear? What do you feel?…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. Available at the kindle store at Amazon.com

December 12
Lukewarm

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:13-18 | Amos 7:1-9:15 | Rev. 3:7-22 | Proverbs 29:23

Today’s Scripture Focus: Revelation 3

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! [16] So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16 NIV)

God’s desire for us as his children is that we would live in an intimate relationship with him. We sometimes use the expression, “being on fire for the Lord.” The tendency for fire is to go out, unless it is tended. Similarly, the tendency in relationships is for love to diminish unless it is given time and attention.

As with any relationship, our relationship with the Lord can over time become…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson.

December 11
Where Can I Go?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:7-12 | Amos 4:1-6:14 | Revelation 2:18-3:6 | Proverbs 29:21-22

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 139:7-12

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12 NIV)

“Where…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. Available on Amazon.com

December 10
Your First Love

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:1-6 | Amos 1:1-3:15 | Revelation 2:1-17 | Proverbs 29:19-20

Today’s Scripture Focus: Revelation 2

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. [4] Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. (Revelation 2:3-4 NIV)

The Ephesian church was doing many things right. They receive mostly words of praise as Christ evaluates their progress. They were working hard, and persevering in the faith. They dealt with false teachers in the proper manner. They showed their perseverance by remaining true to the faith while enduring hardships because they were Christians.

Yet there was one glaring fault in the Ephesian church. They had lost their first love.

It’s easy to do. We do the right things, but it becomes more of…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 9
The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 138:1-8 | Joel 1:1-3:21 | Rev. 1:1-20 | Proverbs 29:18

Today’s Scripture Focus: Rev. 1

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18 NIV)

How does one approach a book like Revelation? Some treat it as an exercise in speculation. They are fascinated about interpreting all the details and symbols in light of today’s news and trying to set dates for Christ’s return. Other people get confused by it all, and just try to avoid it.

Let me suggest another approach, one that I have found helpful. Try reading Revelation as a book of worship. Stand in awe of the…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 7
Forever

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 136:10-26 | Hosea 6:1-9:17 | 3 John 1-15 | Proverbs 29:12-14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 136

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:26 NIV)

Repetition can be a powerful rhetorical device. It brings emphasis making the point crystal clear. It enables the reader or listener to remember.

Repetition can be a powerful liturgical device. It helps us slow down and focus on a key theme long enough to let it sink in. It gives time for the truth to engage not only the mind, but the heart.

This Psalm is a great example. The love of God (Hebrew: hesed) is the focus. This Hebrew term, actually is much fuller than is suggested by the word love. It is certainly that, but so much more. It is the relentless love…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 6
Love and Obedience

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 136:1-9 | Hosea 4:1-5:15 | 2 John 1-13 | Proverbs 29:9-11

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 John 1-13

“And this is love that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 1:6 NIV)

John makes several connections repeatedly throughout his letters. He repeatedly connects love for God to our obedience—especially obedience to the two great commandments (to love God and to love our neighbor). “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” 1 John 5:3.

He also repeatedly suggests that if we love God, we will walk in love toward brothers and sisters. Love for God will manifest itself in love for other people.

Here again, in verse 6, John…