pastor jeff's neighborhood

November 12
Even When We Don’t Know Where We Are Going

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:169-176 | Ezekiel 24:1-26:21 | Hebrews 11:1-16 | Proverbs 27:14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 11:1-16

By faith, Abraham . . . obeyed and went, even though he didn’t know where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8, NIV)

Faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (1). “And without faith it is impossible to please God” (6). It is the foundation for all of our life as Christians. But it isn’t always easy.

Often we find ourselves in the same place as Abraham who obeyed and went even though he didn’t know where he was going. Often faith requires us to “walk in the dark.” God gives us just enough to light to know the next step and then we must take it.

Steps of obedience when we…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 11
Spurs of Encouragement

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:161-168 | Ezekiel 23:1-49 | Hebrews 10:18-39 | Proverbs 27:13

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 10:18-39

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. [25] Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV)

We all need encouraging words. Often those words of encouragement are ones that we want to hear such as a word of hope when we are going through a tough time; a word of affirmation when we are discouraged. Yet, encouragement doesn’t always mean flowery words of praise for another. Sometimes encouragement…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 10
Standing in the Gap

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:153-160 | Ezekiel 21:1-22:31 | Hebrews 10:1-17 | Proverbs 27:12

Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 21:1-22:31

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. (Ezekiel 22:30 NIV)

What a haunting verse. I was looking for an intercessor, a prayer warrior, someone to stand in the gap, but I found none.

God accomplishes his kingdom purposes through the prayers of his people. The role of the intercessor–the one who stands in the gap–is not to be underestimated in the accomplishment of God’s plan.

Moses stood in the gap on behalf of Israel earlier–and God spared them. But in Ezekiel’s day there was no one who…

November 9
Once For All

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:145-152 | Ezekiel 20:1-49 | Hebrews 9:11-28 | Proverbs 27:11

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 9:11-28

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28 NIV)

In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year to make atonement for his sins and the sins of the people. It was a most holy event and not taken lightly. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (9:22).

Jesus came with a better sacrifice: himself. He had lived a perfect, sinless life. He was the perfect Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world. In his one time, once for…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 8
Unlimited Access

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:137-144 | Ezekiel 18:12-19:14 | Hebrews 9:1-10 | Proverbs 27:10

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 9:1-10

Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. (Hebrews 9:6-17 NRSV)

As one entered into the tabernacle, access became more and more limited. The outer tent, the holy place, contained the lamp stand, the table, and the bread of the presence. Only priests who were serving in the temple, carrying out their rituals, were able to enter here.

Inside of that tent, was another, the “holy of holies” or the “most holy place.”…

Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 7
Panting for His Commands

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:129-136 | Ezekiel 16:43-17:24 | Hebrews 8:1-13 | Proverbs 27:7-9

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 119:129-136

I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. (Psalm 119:131 NIV)

The psalmist describes an intense longing for God’s word and his commands. He describes it like this: “I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.”

Imagine a pet dog on a hot day running toward you, his tongue hanging out, his whole torso heaving with each breath. He runs to you filled with intense longing–seeking affection, but also hungry and thirsty for sustaining water and food. The intensity you sense in the moment, the panting after affection and sustenance is like the intensity of the Psalmist’s desire to know God through his word and to obey his commands. He couldn’t use a more…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson–available from the kindle store at Amazon.com

Nov 6
Your Most Important Prayer Partner

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:121-128 | Ezekiel 14:12-16:42 | Hebrews 7:18-28 | Proverbs 27:4-6

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 7:18-28

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25 NIV)

Along with the duties at the temple, handling the worship and sacrifices, priests in the Old Testament were to bless the people. Intercession was an important element in their job description. Jesus is the ultimate example of this as he is described in Hebrews as the Great High Priest. In speaking of his priesthood, the author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus “always lives to intercede” for us.

How can we be sure that our faith will endure? How can we be sure that we…

November 5
Words of Hope

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:113-120 | Ezekiel 12:1-14:11 | Hebrews 7:1-17 | Proverbs 27:3

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 119:113-120

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” (Psalm 119:114 NIV)

We serve a God of Hope (Rom 15:13). His word is a message of hope. Whatever our circumstance, we can always run to God’s word and find shelter, comfort and encouragement.

A few years ago, I heard David Bryant at the College of Prayer encourage us to be messengers of hope. He repeatedly reminded us to “preach the pink passages.” He explained that he had Bible, in which he had marked all the verses that should cause us to hope with a pink highlighter. He paged through his Bible for us and it was obvious that nearly every page of his Bible had verses highlighted in pink. Many pages were…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 4
Sanctuary

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:105-112 | Ezekiel 10:1-11:25 | Hebrews 6:1-20 | Proverbs 27:1-2

Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 10:1-11:25

“Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’” (Ezekiel 11:16 NIV)

The people of Israel had strayed far from God and broken the covenant again and again. God had been incredibly patient with them, but after years and years of their rebellion and disobedience his patience had found it’s rightful end. It was time for judgment.

In apocalyptic words and images, Ezekiel describes the judgment of God. But in all of the creative imagery, he does not leave the people without a word of…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 3
Growing Up or Growing Old?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 119:97-104 | Ezekiel 7:1-9:11 | Hebrews 5:1-14 | Proverbs 26:28

Today’s Scripture Focus: Hebrews 5:1-14

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” (Hebrews 5:11 NIV)

I’ve heard it said that “Some people grow up in the Lord, others just grow old in the Lord.” Unfortunately sometimes this is the case. There is a big difference between “growing up” and “just growing old” in the Lord. Growth and maturity require more than years of “pew time,” they require years of diligent learning, application and obedience.

Paul urges…