A Heart That Trusts (July 17)

Posted on July 17, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

aheartthattrusts2

July 17
A Heart That Trusts

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 74:12-23 | 1 Chronicles 24:1 – 26:11 | Romans 4:1-12 | Proverbs 19:15-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Romans 4:1-12

Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Now to one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. (Romans 4:3-5 ESV)

If you are looking for an example of faith, real faith, it’s hard to ignore Abraham. Clearly, he trusted God. Nearly all the New Testament writers make a point about that (see Galatians 3, James 2 and Hebrews 11 for a few more examples).

He trusted God when the way was unclear. Hebrews 11 describes his faith this way: “When called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, he obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country.” He trusted God and followed him “even though he didn’t know where he was going.” Have you ever been there? I have. Faith often requires following God “in the dark.” We walk by faith and not by sight. Abraham trusted God even when the way was unclear.

He trusted God when the promise seemed impossible. God promised a son through whom his descendants would be as the stars of the heaven, as the sands of the seashore. But he was “past age” and “as good as dead” —and Sarah was barren (Heb. 11:11-12). When it was all said and done, he trusted God to do the impossible and a son was born (that doesn’t mean there weren’t a few struggles of faith along the way—and a few missteps). He trusted God to fulfill an impossible promise. He trusted God when the cost seemed unbearable. Most strikingly, Abraham trusted God enough to be willing to sacrifice the son of the promise simply because God asked him to. Abraham’s faith was tested severely, and he passed the test. In this life, we all face trials of faith (James 1).

What was the secret of this man who knew how to trust God? What was the key to his faith: “He considered Him faithful who made the promise” (Hebrews 11:11). He knew God personally and knew that he could be trusted. He knew that God was always faithful to his promises.

This is the essence of faith—of a heart that trusts God: resting in the faithfulness of God.

Open your heart today to know the God who is faithful to his promises. Take your questions, burdens and worries to him—knowing that he cares and is faithful—and find rest for your soul.

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Cleaning Up the Mess (July 16)

Posted on July 17, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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July 16
Cleaning up the Mess

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 74:1-14 | 1 Chronicles 22:1 – 23:32 | Romans 3:9-31 | Proverbs 19:13-14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Romans 3:9 – 31

“There is no one righteous, not even one; [11] there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. [16] ruin and misery mark their ways, [17] and the way of peace they do not know.” (Romans 3:10,11,16,17 NIV)

Left to myself, I can make a mess faster than anyone I know. I can’t explain how or why, I just know it’s true. Put me in a room and it will show signs of my inherent messiness in short order.

Paul tells us that spiritually speaking the same is true of all of us. We all have a tendency to make a mess of our lives and everyone else’s. “Ruin and misery mark their ways” (16).

Until we see the mess we’re in, we don’t see our need for the remedy to our situation. We are blind to the ruin and misery caused by our sin.

How does he describe the mess we’re in? “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away and become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves, their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

God gave us the law, in part, to show us what a mess we’re in. He also wrote the requirements of the law on our hearts (conscience) and that is a pretty good reminder too (2:14-15).

Sin is messy. It messes up our lives and those around us. More importantly it messes up our relationship with God. It is a poison that does incredible damage and ruin. “Ruin and misery mark their ways.”

Because we’re all “a mess,” spiritually speaking, we need someone to clean us up and make us new. The law shows us how messy we are and points us to Jesus, the one who is able to deal with the sin in our hearts. He made a way for the sin and its consequences to be dealt with: the cross. As we turn from the mess we make because of our sin and turn to Him, confessing our sin and opening our heart to a relationship with Jesus, he comes to dwell in our heart and make us new. Sin and guilt are dealt with. We enter into a relationship characterized by faith and trust which brings life—life lived to the full (life as it was meant to be lived) now and in eternity (where it only gets better).

Then each day we open up the “mirror” of the word, to see the areas of our life where we are still a little messy. We allow him to make adjustments. This is the daily transformation that comes as Christ is formed in us through faith (James 1:19-25). Open your heart to Jesus today, and allow him to enter the “mess you’re in” and bring his transforming “glory.” As you do, you begin to look a little more like Jesus everyday (2 Cor. 3:18). That’s a makeover we all need every day.

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God is the Strength of My Heart (Jul 15)

Posted on July 15, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

godisthestrength

July 15
God is the Strength of My Heart

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 73:15-28 | 1 Chronicles 19:1 – 21:31 | Romans 2:25 – 3:8 | Proverbs 19:10-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 73

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26 ESV)

Some questions just can’t be answered to the heart’s satisfaction. Questions like: “Why do the wicked prosper?” As Asaph begins this Psalm he pours out his heart to God. He is in a place of suffering while the wicked only seem to prosper. How can this be? Somehow life just doesn’t seem fair. Why am I the one getting beat up and burned out, and not the wicked?

In the first 14 verses, Asaph seems to be “in a fog.” When you are hurting, things are often that way. Your situation seems worse than it really is; the situation of those we envy seems much better than it really is. When life gets us down, we don’t see things clearly (22) and we tend toward self-pity. Even trying to understand becomes oppressive (16). Our heart left to itself tends toward grief and bitterness (21, 22).

But there is a turning point in this lament Psalm: verse 17. “Till I entered the sanctuary of God.” The lament is an important part of our prayer life. We need to pour out our hearts, like Asaph, in complete openness and honesty. We need to open our hearts to God: even our questions, doubts, fears and wounds. But we do so in his presence, and when possible in the company of a loving group of fellow believers who are there with us to help us move from bitterness to strength. We need to enter the sanctuary of His presence.

We pour out our hearts to God, and suddenly we become aware of his presence—his nearness. “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel” (23-24).

In his healing presence, our hearts our strengthened. He, himself, becomes “the strength of our heart and our portion forever.” (26). We find the courage and strength for the day. We are able to place the unanswerable questions in the hands of the Sovereign Lord and move ahead in the joy of his presence.

“As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” It really is good to be near God. Pour out your heart to him and he will draw near to you. ”The Lord is near to all who call on him. To all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Let your heart be strengthened in his presence.

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The Honest Heart (July 14)

Posted on July 14, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

An Honest Heart

July 14
An Honest Heart

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 73:1-14 | I Chronicles 16:37 – 18:17 | Romans 2:1-2 | Proverbs 19:8-9

Today’s Scripture Focus: Romans 2: 1-24

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things (Romans 2:1 NIV)

“Pastor Jeff, that was a great sermon today! I only wish that Mrs. Jones was here today to hear it.” I’ve heard words like that many times as people were leaving the church after a Sunday worship service. Nearly always the person who makes the comment is completely blind to the fact that they probably needed the message more than Mrs. Jones did.

Who needs the good news (the gospel, which is the power of God)? We all do. Especially those of us who don’t think we need it. In Romans 1, Paul points out the obvious fact that those living in idolatry and lifestyles characterized by sin, need good news. Chapter 2 points out that the one who thinks they have it all put together needs the good news too. The one who is tempted to think the sermon was for someone else. The one who is quick to point the finger at someone else, whose heart is filled with self-righteous pride, needs the good news just as much or more than the one they are so quick to condemn.

Some of us play the religious game very well. Paul points out that the good news is about life transformation, not playing religious games. The Pharisees played religious games better than anybody. And Jesus had some harsh words for them because of it.

Often the one who finds it most difficult to enter the kingdom is the religious one; the one who is not aware of their need. It is also a cause of lukewarm living. The diagnosis of the lukewarm Laodicean Church was this: “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing,’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Rev. 3:17).

Who needs good news? We all do– especially the self-righteous. The world already has enough bad news. We don’t need any more self-righteous judges pointing their fingers and bringing shame and condemnation. What it needs is people who have opened their heart to Jesus and are allowing his love to heal their hearts and flow through them to bring words of healing and salvation to others.

What brings people to Jesus? Not your condemning attitude. Too often the church comes across as bringing condemnation instead of hope and love. Listen to the words of Paul:

“…do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”

God’s kindness, tolerance and patience: that sounds like good news to me!

Open your heart to Jesus and allow him to deal with your self-righteousness and pride. Experience a fresh touch of his love, his kindness, his tolerance and patience. Then you may actually have some good news to share with a world that desperately needs it.

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Open Your Heart (July 7)

Posted on July 7, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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July 7
Open Your Heart

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 145:14-21 | 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17 | Acts 25:1-27 | Proverbs 18:19

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 145:14-21

What is prayer? O. Hallesby looked to Rev. 3:20 and said: “To pray is to let Jesus come into our hearts . . . All he needs is access. He enters in of His own accord because He desires to come in. And He enters in wherever He is not denied admittance. As air enters in quietly when we breathe, and does its normal work in our lungs, so Jesus enters quietly into our hearts and does His blessed work there.

He calls it to “sup with us.” In Biblical language the common meal is symbolical of intimate and joyous fellowship. This affords a new glimpse into the nature of prayer, showing us that God has designed prayer as a means of intimate and joyous fellowship between God and man.” (O. Hallesby, Prayer, p. 11-12). In a similar way, Today’s Psalm (145) reminds us that our heavenly Father delights in drawing near to us, when we call out to Him.

Meditate on these truths: He is: righteous in all his ways (17), loving toward all he has made, near to all who call on him in truth (18), the fulfiller of desires of those who fear him (19), the one who hears our cries and saves us, and the one who watches over all who love him (20). He loves you and longs to be near you—to be close to you. As you delight in him, he enjoys fulfilling the desires of your heart. When you fall down, he lifts you up and comes along side you to help you on the way (14). When we come in our humility, he opens his hand and satisfies our deepest desires. (16)

Open your heart to Him today. Tell him what is on your heart. Do not hold anything back. He wants to hear your cries and satisfy your deepest desires. Your pain, your sorrows, your fears, your questions; he wants to hear them all. He wants to draw near to you, but he waits until we call on him—until we call on him in truth. You do not have to pretend in his presence—you do not have to put on any masks. He can see your heart just as it is. But he wants you to open it up “in truth.”

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13

Jesus is waiting at your heart’s door. He is knocking today. He wants to enjoy fellowship with you. Open up your heart to him and enjoy his presence. He wants to be your friend. Open up your heart. Open it wide. Don’t hold anything back. Enjoy your time with him today.

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Search Me, O God (June 26)

Posted on June 26, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

June 26
Search Me, O God

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:13-24 | 2 Kings 9:14-10:31 | Acts 17:1-34 | Proverbs 17:27-28

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 139:13-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV)

God knows us completely. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees the motives behind our words and actions.

We think we know ourselves, but as Jeremiah reminds us: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV). Our minds and heart play many games to justify our behavior. Other times morbid introspection leaves us in a hopeless pit of false guilt and despair. But God sees through it all.

It is wise to pray the prayer of the psalmist daily. “God, you know me thoroughly. So search my heart. Test me and know my thoughts and cares. Show me the areas where I am causing offense.” As God searches our hearts, truth is revealed so we can deal with it.

Armin Gesswein often reminded us at the College of Prayer that, “what God wants is not morbid introspection, but Holy Spirit inspection.” As he searches our hearts, we can repent and be set free. God’s searchlight brings repentance and transformation and leads to freedom.

God search our hearts so we can be set free from sin and its effects and find the life that is full, free, and everlasting.

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Singing at Midnight (June 25)

Posted on June 25, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

SingingatMidnight2

June 25
Singing at Midnight

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:1-12 | 2 Kings 8:1-9:13 | Acts 16:16-40 | Proverbs 17:26

Today’s Scripture Focus: Acts 16:16-40

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose (Acts 16:25-26 NIV)

Sometimes going to a prayer meeting can get you in trouble. At least that was the case for Paul and Silas when they were in Philippi. On the way to pray, their paths crossed a demon-possessed fortune teller. She started following them and would shout: “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”

After many days of the woman shouting, Paul had finally had enough of it, he commanded the demon to leave her and she was immediately delivered and set free. This would seem a positive end to the story, but there is more.

Others were making money off of the fortune teller. Now that she had been delivered of the demon, their source of income had been taken away. This led to confrontation, a beating and finally, imprisonment for Paul and Silas.

How would Paul and Silas react to these unexpected circumstances? They prayed and praised God, at the top of their lungs, into the night. About midnight, they were still praying and praising, and doing so loud enough that the other prisoners couldn’t help but listen.

Finally, about midnight, an earthquake interrupted the prayer and praise. The prison was demolished. The chains were broken. Paul and Silas were set free. Prayer and praise led to God breaking chains and setting captives free.

The jailer too was set free—spiritually—his initial reaction was to take his own life. Paul reassured him and led him to faith. He and his household were set free from their chains to serve the living God.

When confronted with impossible circumstances, remember that prayer and praise can powerfully deliver and set us free. As you approach midnight, do not fear. Do not give up. Keep singing. Keep praying. Keep looking for the intervention of God.

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Messy Growth (June 24)

Posted on June 24, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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June 24
Messy Growth

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 138:1-8 | 2 Kings 6:1-7:20 | Acts 15:36-16:15 | Proverbs 17:24-25

Today’s Scripture Focus: Acts 15-16

So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. (Acts 16:5 NIV)

The church in the book of Acts was growing in numbers, in faith, and in problems. Sometimes when we think of the church in Acts we forget that growth is often a difficult and messy process. It is wonderful to see the growth in faith and growth in numbers. Yet with all the excitement of growth there inevitably comes struggle, conflict and problems. All these require creativity and flexibility.

As a ministry team Paul and Barnabas had a great run. Barnabas was there at the beginning of Paul’s ministry encouraging everyone to give Paul a chance. He had been there to travel and minister with Paul. Issues developed and there came a day when these two godly men had to part ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus. Paul partnered with Silas. Despite the disagreement, the church continued to grow. Growth is messy sometimes.

Paul showed flexibility in handling his young disciple Timothy. While at other times and in other places Paul would stand strong against the need for circumcision, here he shows some flexibility as Timothy is circumcised. Growth sometimes requires creative flexibility. The ministry goes on without a hitch and the Church continued to grow.

Paul had ministry plans, but God had a better idea. Confronted by a vision, Paul shows creative flexibility and sets aim to bring the gospel to Macedonia. The church, now entering the European continent, grows more than geographically: it continues to grow in numbers and the believers continue to be strengthened in faith.

Growth is often messy. It can lead to conflict, to struggle and all sorts of problems. Remain flexible, follow God’s leading and trust him to give you wisdom and creativity. As you do, God works and the church continues to grow in numbers and to be strengthened in faith. What appears to us to be merely a problem is often a path to growth.

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I’ve Got a Better Idea (June 23)

Posted on June 23, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Ivegotabetteridea

June 23
I’ve Got a Better Idea

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 137:1-8 | 2 Kings 4:18-5:27 | Acts 15:1-35 | Proverbs 17:22

Today’s Scripture Focus:  2 Kings 4:18-5:27

Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.“(2 Kings 5:10-11 NIV) 

Naaman was a valiant warrior, but he was also a leper. Urged by his wife’s helper, he set off to find healing from the healing prophet whose reputation for doing extraordinary miracles was already becoming well established: Elisha.

Journeying to Elisha’s door, he is directed by Elisha’s servant:  “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” Naaman was hoping for something different—something that seemed more “prophet-like.”

Angered by the suggestion of Elisha’s servant, he sketches out a scenario more to his liking: “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy” (5:11). And more than that, if he needed to wash in a river, why not one more to his liking? He continues: “Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” (5:12). Naaman’s healing required humble submission to the simple acts of obedience prescribed by God through his prophet Elisha. When he stopped negotiating and started obeying, God answered and brought the miracle he desired.

Often the answer to our prayers requires an act of obedience. The miracle we seek depends on following through on the revealed will of God. We suggest alternate scenarios. We try to set the conditions for obedience. We want the miracle—the answer—but we want to dictate the steps it takes to get there.

The answer comes as we humbly submit to the acts of obedience that the Lord sets out in front of us. Often the path we have been seeking opens when we follow through on that one thing God has asked us to do but that we are resisting.  Do it—stop resisting, complaining, or trying to dictate alternate scenarios—follow through and see the miracle God brings.

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God’s Abundant Supply (June 22)

Posted on June 22, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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June 22
God’s Abundant Supply

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 136:23-26 | 2 Kings 3:1-4:17 | Acts 14:8-28 | Proverbs 17:22

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 3:1 -4:17

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. [4] Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” (2 Kings 4:3-4 NIV)

The widow found herself in a desperate place. Unable to pay her debts, her children were about to be taken into slavery. God saw the need and sent his prophet Elisha. God intended to work in such a way that His power and provision would magnify his goodness (as he so often does).

Elisha told her to gather jars from her neighbors—as many as she could. Then she began to pour the little bit of oil she had left into the jars. God began to multiply the oil and it continued to pour until she had filled all the jars she could gather. Then she was able to sell the oil and pay off the debt and have some left over to live on.

Elisha’s word to the woman demanded two things: obedience to God and expectant faith. As she obeyed the word of the Lord (gathering jars) and as she acted in expectant faith (pouring the oil in the jars), God provided.

God sees your need. He is more than able to meet it. His ability to provide is unlimited. Walk in obedience to God’s leading step by step, expecting his provision.

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