Help Me With My Unbelief (Feb 27)

Posted on February 27, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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February 27
Help Me Overcome My Unbelief

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 32:6-11 | Leviticus 20:22- 22:16 | Mark 9:1-29 | Proverbs 10:18

Today’s Scripture Focus: Leviticus 19-20

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. [22] “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” [23] “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” [24] Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:21-24 (NIV)

Everything is possible for the one who believes. It seems simple enough. But it was a difficult lesson for the disciples of Jesus to learn. It is hard for us too. The lessons of faith are never easily learned.

A boy was terribly tormented by a demon. The disciples were unable to set him free and this was causing quite a stir among the people in the crowd (and the religious leaders). Jesus rebukes them again for their lack of faith: “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

The boy’s father honestly expresses the struggle of a heart that earnestly hopes but struggles with doubts: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” In response to that honest confession, Jesus sets the boy free in an instant.

The simple statement of Jesus, “Everything is possible for him who believes,” is a source of hope and expectation to us as we pray. The boy’s father expresses the true state of most of our hearts: a mixture of hope and doubt—a combination of belief and unbelief. Yet Jesus seems to focus on the faith of the man—however incomplete—and seeks to encourage him to trust him even more.

Yes, we all struggle. Our faith is often mixed with unbelief. It is hard to overcome what we see in order to walk by faith. Yet Jesus looks into our hearts and sees the seeds of faith and encourages them to bloom. He calls us to trust him more; to trust him for even the impossible. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Lord, help us to trust you; help us to overcome our unbelief knowing that everything is possible to the one who believes. Give us the grace to trust you more.

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Too Much Information (Feb 26)

Posted on February 26, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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February 26
Too Much Information

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 32:1-5 | Leviticus 19:1 – 20:21 | Mark 8:11-38 | Proverbs 10:17

Today’s Scripture Focus: Leviticus 19-20

“Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. [8] Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” (Leviticus 20:7-8 NIV)

Sometimes it is easy to get bogged down or give up when you are reading through Leviticus. Regulations concerning mildew, bodily discharges and oozing sores may be a little “too much information” for most of us. But it is good to see the reason behind all these guidelines. God has chosen the people of Israel to display his glory to the nations. They are his chosen, dearly loved, holy people.

In many ways, the regulations set the people of Israel apart from the other nations. Often the regulations were given to protect them from disease or illness. Other regulations were given to keep them from the idolatrous practices of the nations around them. Admittedly, in some cases, it is hard to understand the reason for the regulation. But in all cases, God is showing his special care and protection for the people he has chosen to be holy.

In the New Testament, we who are believers in Christ, become his holy, chosen and dearly loved people by entering into relationship with God through faith apart from the works of the law. We walk by the new way of the Spirit rather than by the law. Still, we too are called to show God’s glory to the nations by living lives of holiness. In a world of compromise, God is calling his people to follow him—to become his holy people. He promises that he will be there to “make us holy.”

God has chosen you to be one of his Holy people. He is working in you to accomplish his holy purposes. He has given you his Spirit to enable you to live freely in his strength and power. He still longs for a holy people that will show his glory to the nations. As we give ourselves to Him and allow him to work in us and through us, he proves himself to be “the Lord, who makes you holy.”

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Stored Up Goodness (Feb 25)

Posted on February 25, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

storedupgoodness2February 25
Stored Up Goodness

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 31:19-24 | Leviticus 16:29 – 18:30 | Mark 7:24- 8:10 | Proverbs 10:15-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 31:19-24

How great is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. (Psalm 31:19 TNIV)

God is storing up blessings for you. He is a good, benevolent and generous God who loves you and looks to bless you. There are times when life seems unjust and unfair—times when we wonder if God is ever going to answer our prayers. But be strong and wait in hope. When the time is right he has goodness stored up for those who fear him. And he intends to bestow those blessings in the sight of all when the time is right.

Sometimes we cry out for mercy and we think God has forgotten us. The Psalmist describes such a time: “Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. In my alarm I said, ‘I am cut off from your sight!’ Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help” (21,22). Even when we think we are alone and abandoned, God is there hearing our cry for mercy. When the time is right, he pours out his goodness and love.

Sometimes following the LORD takes us down a difficult path. People look at us and wonder why God seems not to have noticed our injustice and pain. One day he will vindicate you for your faithfulness. Those who stay true and trust, will one day experience the “stored up blessings” of God in such a way that all will see and know that God is with you, and has been all the way.

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD” (24). Your faithful waiting will one day be rewarded.

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Heart Problems (Feb 24)

Posted on February 24, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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February 24
Heart Problems

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 31:9-18 | Leviticus 15:1-16:28 | Mark 7:1-23 | Proverbs 10:13-14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Mark 7:1-23

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain for their teachings are merely human rules.” (Mark 7:6-7 TNIV)

The Pharisees knew how to look spiritual. They knew how to play their spiritual games. They focused on the external and lived by the rules.

They were religious, but they were not godly. Their hearts needed a major cleansing.

Saying the right words, playing by the rules, and doing what others expect is not the essence of Christianity. What God is looking for is a heart that is changed from the inside. The transformed heart then works itself out into everything we do.

Don’t get so focused on the externals that you miss the heart of the matter—a heart that needs to be transformed. Open up your heart to Jesus and allow him to cleanse you from the inside out. Everything else will follow.

To focus only on the externals will lead you to pretending to be something that you are not—that is only hypocrisy. Yet, allowing Jesus to deal with your heart, allows you to live in fullness and freedom and authenticity. People will see the real thing and be amazed.

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Last Minute Dinner Plans (Feb 23)

Posted on February 23, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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February 23
Last Minute Dinner Plans

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 31:1-8 | Leviticus 14:1-57 | Mark 6:30-56 | Proverbs 10:11-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: Mark 6:30-56

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. [36] Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” [37] But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” (Mark 6:35-37 NIV)

Had they been paying attention? Were they ready for a big test? It was time to find out. Jesus saw an overwhelming situation and decided to test the faith of his young disciples.

Jesus had demonstrated his authority over nature, sickness, demons and even death. The disciples had been in the company of one that found no task impossible. Once again, Jesus and the disciples face a seemingly impossible task: feeding 5000 people with a few fish and loaves of bread. This time, Jesus turns to his disciples and says, “You give them something to eat.”

Jesus didn’t immediately offer to do it. He gave the disciples an opportunity to deal with the overwhelming situation first. They immediately recognized how impossible it would be to feed such a big crowd. They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

Then Jesus steps in and again reminds them who he is. No circumstances are too overwhelming for Jesus. He takes the limited resources at hand—five loaves and two fish—and feeds thousands with basketfuls left over.

We too find ourselves in overwhelming circumstances some times. Our resources seem limited. But in the hands of Jesus, no task is too big; no problem too overwhelming.

What opportunities before you seem overwhelming? Where do your resources seem limited? Take it all to Jesus and watch him work the impossible.

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Sackcloth to Joy (Feb 22)

Posted on February 22, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

sackcloth2updateFebruary 22
Sackcloth to Joy

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 30:6-12 | Leviticus 13:1-59 | Mark 6:1-29 | Proverbs 10:10

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalms 30:6-12

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, [12] that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.” (Psalm 30:11-12 NIV)

The Christian life is characterized by joy. Not that it is always easy—it is not. But joy flows from a relationship with Christ, not from our circumstances, so it is may be found in the most unusual places—especially the difficult ones.

The Psalmist tells us something surprising: that sackcloth and mourning often lead to deep joy. When desperate times came to God’s people in the Old Testament, the prophets and leaders would often call the people to cry out to God in sackcloth and ashes. Culturally, this was a way of expressing deep sorrow and grief. When faced by desperate times and difficult circumstances, sackcloth and ashes expressed the cries of their desperate hearts for the intervention of God. From the place of humility we cry out to God, the ultimate source of our joy.

Furthermore, dressing in sackcloth is a way to express repentance from sin. In times of revival, God’s people began to acknowledge their sin and to turn from it. They recognized that they have failed and begin to turn again to God. In the same way, repentance serves to free us from our guilt, and then our wailing can be turned to dancing. The chains of guilt and condemnation fall to the floor and can we begin the dance of joy.

Sackcloth and ashes was also a way of expressing faith and hope that God might hear their prayers, bring healing to their land and revival to the people of God. The joy of a revived heart flows from a life that humbly confesses sin and looks with faith for a fresh touch from God.

Looking for joy? Humble yourself. Turn from you sin. Look with eyes of faith. Allow God to revive your heart. Then let the dance begin!

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Whom Shall I Fear? (Feb 17)

Posted on February 17, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

February 17
Whom Shall I Fear?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 27:1-6 | Leviticus 4:1 – 5:19 | Mark 2:13 – 3:6 | Proverbs 10:1-2

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 27:1-6

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 KJV)

David often found himself in a place where he had to face his fears. Chased relentlessly by his enemies, he spent much of his life seeking a safe place to hide.

David here reveals his secret to facing his fears: God himself is his place of safety, his stronghold, his fortress. The circumstances around him change constantly, but his relationship with God is rock solid.

In the midst of darkness and confusion, the Lord is his light. In the midst of the battle, the Lord is the one who rescues and saves Him. In the midst of uncertainty and fear, the Lord is the safe place where he can run.

He longs for times of worship and prayer—precious times spent in the presence of the Lord. As he cries out to God and worships him with all his heart, the fears melt away in the beauty of the Lord’s presence.

Psalm 27:4 (NIV) One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

When you face circumstances that tempt you to fear, it is good to seek his face; it is good to gaze upon his beauty. Remembering who he is, we can say with David, “The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”

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A Solitary Place (Feb 16)

Posted on February 16, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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February 16
A Solitary Place

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 26:1-12 | Leviticus 1:1 – 3:17 | Mark 1:29-2:12 |
Proverbs 9:13-18

Today’s Scripture Focus: Mark 1:29 – 2:12

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35 NIV)

The day before had been incredibly busy for Jesus. Mark describes it this way: “That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons.” He had been up late healing people and setting them free from demons. The whole town had been at his doorstep.

If it had been me, I’d have been tempted to sleep in the next morning–to hit the snooze button a few times at least. Jesus, however, did nothing of the sort. “Very early, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed.” Jesus desired intimate conversation with his father and would not let a busy day or lack of sleep keep him from the joy of fellowship through prayer. He delighted in these times of conversation with the heavenly Father. Refocused and refreshed he was ready for the day ahead.

How much more true for you and me. We dare not neglect the solitary place—the place where we can get alone and meet with our Heavenly Father—to have intimate conversation with the one who loves us most. Find a quiet place and pour out your heart to him. Make it a daily practice and don’t let anything crowd out those special times in your schedule.

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Dwelling Place (Feb 15)

Posted on February 15, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

February 15
Dwelling Place

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 25:16-22 | Exodus 39:1 – 40:38 | Mark 1:1-28| Proverbs 9:11-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: Exodus 39-40

“Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar; and it will be most holy.” (Exodus 40:9-10 NIV)

With meticulous detail, every last instruction was followed in preparing a tabernacle for the Lord. Now it was time to consecrate the tabernacle–time to anoint it with oil and set it apart for holy use. And time to set apart the priests by anointing them for God’s service.

Then the glory of the Lord descended on the Tabernacle and Tent of Meeting. So much so that Moses couldn’t enter the Tent of Meeting.

All of this is a picture of what God longs to do in us today. God no longer “tabernacles” in a structure built by human hands. He “tabernacles” (lives) in us by His Spirit. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

He calls us to consecrate our bodies and become the vessels he can fill with His glory. He longs for you to give yourself wholly to Him; to become a holy vessel he will use for his glory.

“Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.”

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

He has set you apart for his purposes, allow him to fill you by His Spirit and use you for his glory!

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Fearing God without Being Afraid (Feb 14)

Posted on February 15, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

February 14
Fearing God Without Being Afraid

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 25:8-15 | Exodus 37:1 – 38:31 | Matthew 28:1-20 | Proverbs 9:9-10

Today’s Scripture Focus: Proverbs 9:9-10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 NIV)

Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom. It is among the most admirable qualities a person can possess (Proverbs 31). The one who fears God is promised many blessings, including guidance “in the way chosen for him” and an intimate relationship with God in which the “Lord confides in those who fear Him” (Psalm 25). But what does it mean to fear God?

It does not mean being afraid of God. Some people live in servile fear—and that is not the kind of fear God delights in. Being afraid of God will not lead to worship or obedience.

Sinclair Ferguson defines the fear of God this way: “That indefinable mixture of reverence, fear, pleasure, joy and awe which fills our hearts when we realize who God is and what He has done for us.”

A. W. Tozer speaks of the fear of God as “astonished reverence.” He writes: “I believe that the reverential fear of God mixed with love and fascination and astonishment and admiration and devotion is the most enjoyable state and the most satisfying emotion the human soul can know.”

To rightly revere God, to stand in awe of Him, is to fear Him. This “astonished reverence” is foundational to a life lived in the fullness of his blessing, a life of intimate fellowship that brings the Father pleasure and brings our hearts deep satisfaction.

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