How Long, O Lord? (Jan 21)

Posted on January 21, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 21
How Long, O Lord?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 13:1-6 | Genesis 42:18 – 43:34 | Matthew 13:47 – 14:12 | Proverbs 4:7-10

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 13:1-6

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? . . . But I will trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:1-2, 5-6 NIV)

We’ve all had times when we can relate to the psalmist’s questions. There are times when we wonder if the Lord is really listening—times when the answer is slow in coming.

In those times, we too wrestle with our thoughts and emotions. It is easy to become discouraged—easy to become disheartened.

So how do we handle those times when God seems distant and the answer we seek never seems to come? The same way the psalmist does.

We lament. We openly and honestly cry out to God. We lay out our thoughts and feelings.

We trust in his unfailing love. We can always rest in the character of God–even when we don’t sense his presence. This is a time to remember his names and attributes. This is a time to remember his promises. As we remember his greatness and rest in his love, despair turns to hope; rays of truth begin to push aside the darkness of our doubts and fear.

In time we are able to sing, “I will sing to the LORD, he for he has been good to me.” Nothing breaks through the shadows of circumstance like worshiping God through singing. As we sing and remember God’s goodness, we break free from discouragement. Questions begin to fade as the joy of the Lord becomes our strength.

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Can We Find Anyone Like This? (Jan 20)

Posted on January 20, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 20
Can We Find Anyone Like This?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 12:1-8| Genesis 41:17 – 42:17| Matthew 13:24-26| Proverbs 4:1-6

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 41:17 – 42:17

“So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “since God has made all this know to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41:38-40

Joseph had been through quite a journey of ups and downs. Rejected and betrayed by his brothers, he was sold into slavery. Taken to Egypt, the hand of the Lord was upon him and he proved faithful and successful. He was taken into the service of Potiphar. There again, the Lord prospered him, and he proved faithful. Potiphar’s wife made advances and his integrity was tested. Joseph proved faithful, but Potiphar’s wife’s deceitful ways meant that he suffered great injustice again: he was thrown in prison. There again he proves faithful and successful. But further injustice was seen in the cupbearer who fails to follow through on his promise.

Yet, in all of this, Joseph waited patiently on God. When the time was right, God exalted Joseph. The times of testing, the perseverance through difficult and sometimes unjust circumstances had taught him lessons of faith and trust. Now he was ready–and God brought him from the lowest place to the highest place.

Joseph, relying on God’s Spirit, is able to interpret the dream of Pharaoh. He carefully gives the glory to God. Yet Pharaoh is impressed by his discernment and wisdom. He knows that this is a man who evidences the “Spirit of God” (38). What a powerful testimony.

Joseph proved faithful through incredibly difficult and unjust circumstances. He continued to trust when things seemed hopeless. He refused the temptation to allow bitterness to poison his spirit (despite the injustice, rejection and betrayal he suffered). When God exalted and used him, he proved humble and trustworthy–and he exalted and magnified the Lord.

The world, like Pharaoh, is looking for men and women of like character– people of integrity, men and women who are spirit-filled and walking in intimacy with God. May others look to us and say, “Can we find anyone like this, one in whom is the Spirit of God?”

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Straight Paths (Jan 10)

Posted on January 10, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 10
Straight Paths

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 7:1-9 | Genesis 23:1 – 24:51 | Matthew 8:1-17 | Proverbs 3:1-6

Today’s Scripture Focus: Proverbs 3:1-6

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; Don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who’ll keep you on track.” Prov. 3:5-6 (The Message)

Life is a journey with many twists and turns. To us, the path ahead is uncharted and often unpredictable. Yet to God, the path is seen clearly. He sees the implications of every fork in the road. He knows what is ahead and how the path ahead fits in with his purposes and plans. Like a good shepherd, he desires to lead and guide us.

Therefore we are asked to trust him with all of our hearts. The wisdom for living life to the full is not found in our limited human understanding, therefore we must ask Him for wisdom and discernment as we journey ahead step by step.

But as we seek Him, trust Him, acknowledge him in all we do; as we allow him to guide us by his word and the gentle whisper of his Spirit, he goes before us and prepares the path. Indeed, he makes it straight.

Yes, he directs our paths. But more literally, he straightens our paths. This suggests that God is actively engaged in preparing the paths ahead of us. Not only telling us which fork in the road to take, but also preparing the path for our journey.

The story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24 is a prime example. God will not always follow the exact blueprint in bringing two people together, but notice how God has prepared the path of Abraham’s servant to find a wife for Isaac. Angels are sent ahead to prepare the path. Each detail is worked out to precision to accomplish the Lord’s will. God’s hand not only guides, but also prepares the way. The paths are straightened and God’s will is done in a most wonderful way.

Confused about where God might be leading? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Or as Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase says it, “He’s the one who’ll keep you on track.”

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God Will Provide (Jan 9)

Posted on January 9, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 9
God Will Provide

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 6:4-10 | Genesis 20:1 – 22:24 | Matthew 7:15-29 | Proverbs 2:16-22

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 20:1 – 22:24

“So Abraham called the place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” (Gen. 22:14, NIV)

How do you respond when God’s command to you is absolutely unthinkable? That is the dilemma Abraham faces. God had promised him a son. God had provided the son, Isaac, in his old age in the most miraculous way. He was the son of the promise.

Now God seems to be telling him something that flies in the face of everything he had previously said and done. He tells him to take his son to the mountain to sacrifice Him. It made no sense at all.

Abraham’s walk with God was intimate enough that he knew this was the voice of God. We don’t know what questions might have gone through his head, but the text tells us that he obeyed and went. Would we have had that much trust? Do we know him well enough to know his voice, when the voice calls us to do something unthinkable?

When confronted by the obvious question of his son, “Father, where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham voiced the hopeful trust of a man who walked in obedience and faith, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”

When it was obvious that Abraham was willing to go through with the unthinkable act, the Angel of the Lord stopped Him. He was then told the purpose of this trial of faith. Isn’t it interesting how often God withholds the purpose of a thing until after we have gone through it?

And indeed, Abraham’s words of faith, turned out to be true. God did provide a ram and a blessing.

Abraham’s test of faith was extreme, yet we are all called to trials of faith. Abraham points the necessity of persevering faith even when the command doesn’t make sense; the necessity of instant obedience even when the way ahead is unclear

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Worry or Trust (Jan 8)

Posted on January 8, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 8

Worry or Trust?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 6:1-3 | Genesis 18:20-19:38 | Matthew 6:25-7:14 | Proverbs 2:6-15

Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 6:25 – 7:14

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)

We all have needs, the most basic of which are described in this passage: “what shall we eat?” “what shall we drink?” “What shall we wear?” and “where will I live?” So, what do we do when we find ourselves in need?

Recognize that God knows that you need these things (32). There is no need to get worried or anxious about it. God knows you need these things. Most of our worry and anxiety is over things that will never happen, or over things that have already happened and which cannot be changed. Don’t worry about tomorrow, “each day has enough trouble of it’s own.”

Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well. He doesn’t mean we should be irresponsible. Bills need to be paid, matters need to be dealt with. Yet, we can get so busy worrying about things that we lose all energy for the things that really matter: kingdom things—God’s priorities. We can get so busy worrying that we neglect the steps of obedience that are before us.

Worry saps our energy and keeps us from accomplishing much anything. It is counterproductive. Instead of worry, there is one more thing we must do: we should pray. Jesus tells us to “ask, seek and knock.” Powerful promises are given to us if we will seek the Lord in prayer. Instead of becoming depressed and worried, take it to the Lord in prayer. Trust him to give you peace and joy despite your circumstances. Walk in obedience to his commands and look expectantly for his provision.

You can worry or you can trust God. You can’t do both. He is asking you to trust Him. That means putting behind your worries and calling to him in prayer; continuing to press on with his work and will whatever circumstances you may find yourselves in at the moment. He knows your needs, but he wants you to come in faith, expectantly and persistently (asking, seeking knocking) for His provision.

Open your heart: ask, seek, knock. Wait expectantly for his provision: he does care for you!

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Too Good to be True (Jan 7)

Posted on January 7, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 7
Too Good to be True

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 5:4-12 | Genesis 16:1 – 18:19 | Matthew 6:1 -24 | Proverbs 2:1-5

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 16:1 – 18:19

Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (Genesis 18:13-14 NIV)

How could she help but laugh? It seemed too good to be true. “So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘after I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?'” She had longed for a child for many years. Now, well after her childbearing years were over, God promised that she would bear a son.

The promise had come earlier, of course (but it was impossible then too). She had given up hope and even come up with an alternative scenario (remember Hagar and Ishmael?). Abraham bargained with God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” But Ishmael was not God’s answer to the promise.

Abraham and Sarah were promised a son, Isaac (meaning Laughter). Indeed he would be the laughter of an old couple that had no hope of their own—a source of joy that only the God of the impossible could bring.

God said it best: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” How true. When confronted by the improbable, even the impossible, we too may laugh. Often God’s promises seem too good to be true. But we serve a God who is able to do the improbable, even the impossible. Therefore the laughter should not come from doubt, but from the joy that flows from hope (Rom. 15:13).

Open your heart to the amazing possibilities that God has in mind for you. Find joy in your relationship with the God who promises you the improbable and does the impossible.

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Waiting in Expectation (January 6)

Posted on January 6, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

January 6
Waiting in Expectation

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 5:1-3 | Gen 13:6 – 15:21 | Matt 5:27-48 | Proverbs 1:29 – 33

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 5:1-3

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3 NIV)

We all know the struggle the Psalmist describes. We pray and pray and wonder if God is listening. We lay our requests before the Lord and wait eagerly for the answer.

Waiting with expectation is the difficult but necessary condition of the heart that would get the ear of God. It demonstrates our faith in the unseen promises despite the circumstances we see. It reveals the kind of faith God delights in and rewards: persevering faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God. Because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

We don’t like to wait. And the waiting is made even more painful when our expectations are not being met (at least not on our time table). Sometimes God makes us wait expectantly for a long time. It is easy to become disappointed in the process. It often seems easiest to just give up. The Psalmist refuses to give up. He continues to look up with eager expectation.

God will not always meet our expectations. Sometimes he has other plans, and in those times disappointment can seem overwhelming. We can become angry and bitter. Sometimes we lash out at God. We sometimes try to run away.

But when God does not meet our expectations, it is because he has other plans—better plans. That does not mean they will be the plans we desire—and some of the best roads are the most difficult roads—but they will be best. The things that can cause us to become angry and bitter are meant to make us grow and become better. The greatest opportunity for growth comes in the times when we “walk in the dark” and the only hand we can hold on to is God’s. Sometimes, even his hand is hard to find. But he is there even in the long, lonely dark night of the soul.

Wait expectantly. Wait eagerly. Don’t become discouraged by the wait. Don’t become disappointed when your hopes are not met. God often has eternal purposes for things that we cannot see. He is good and he loves you—and whatever plans he has for you are bound to be better than anything you could ever hope for.

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Hallelujah (Dec 31)

Posted on January 6, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

December 31
Hallelujah!

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 150:1-6 | Malachi 3:1-4:6 | Revelation 22:1-21 | Proverbs 31:25-31

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 150

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, [4] praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, [5] praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. [6] Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord (Hallelujah!) (Psalm 150:3-6 NIV)

The reason I began writing these devotionals about 10 years ago was to encourage the congregation I pastored then (Faith Alliance in Middletown, OH) to join me in reading the Bible through in a year. Down through the years others have joined in reading through the scriptures. Now there are people around the world reading the Bible with me. I do hope the devotionals help to encourage you. More importantly, I hope that they encourage you to dig in the text, opening your mind and heart for God to speak to you through his word.

For many of you, you are finishing up reading through the Bible over the course of this past year. That is reason to shout “Hallelujah!” May I encourage you to read through the Bible with me again next year? I do hope that you will continue to open up your heart daily as we read through the scripture from cover to cover. Perhaps you’ve joined in from time to time, let me encourage you to jump in with both feet and read through the Bible this next year.

The texts today, too, demand a shout of Hallelujah! God has given us a beautiful picture of heaven, eternity, and Christ ruling and reigning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You may not have understood every detail in the book of Revelation, but I hope that it has caused you to stand in awe of our majestic God and to look with anticipation to all that he has planned. Malachi too, points us to the coming of the King in his glory. Hallelujah!

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. All history will find fulfillment in his glorious plan.

He really does have a good plan for each of our lives, and that is found in the life eternal and abundant that he freely offers to each of us.

Rev. 22:17 (NIV) The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Are you thirsty? Do you hear his call? Then open your heart to Him, and experience the free gift of the water of life: Life that is eternal, Life lived to the full. Open your heart to the one who comes “with healing in his wings.” Hallelujah!

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Generous Hearts (Dec 24)

Posted on December 24, 2014 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Generous Hearts

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 145:14-21 | Zechariah 6:1-7:14 | Revelation 15:1-8 | Proverbs 30:24-28

Today’s Scripture Focus: Zechariah 6-7

“Was it really for me that you fasted?” “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” (Zechariah7:5b, 9-10 NIV)

The people of Bethel went to the priests and prophets asking, “Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month as I have done for so many years?” The hypocrisy of the hearts of the questioners was immediately revealed by the words given to Zechariah. “Was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?”

While fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline when used rightly, it is no substitute to obedience or the right heart attitudes. What God especially wanted to see in his people was a heart filled with justice, mercy and generosity; a heart that looked to the poor and the less fortunate with a willingness to help.

Whether fasting or feasting, we dare not forget those less fortunate. We are the hands and feet that respond to God’s compassionate heart for the poor and needy. “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another, do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” God cares for the needy and our hearts should be a reflection of his; an important reminder in this time of feasting.

This Christmas season is a powerful reminder of the generous heart of our God who gave his one and only son for us. Let your heart be a reflection of his.

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Not by Might (Dec 23)

Posted on December 23, 2014 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 23
Not by Might

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 145:8-13 | Zechariah 4:1 – 5:11 | Revelation 14:1-20 | Proverbs 30:21-23

Today’s Scripture Focus: Zechariah 4-5

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6 NIV)

“Who despises the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10)

God had chosen Joshua and Zerubabbel to complete the task of building the temple. The key to their success in accomplishing their God-given task was not their human wisdom or strength. They key to their success was the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

We often look to natural talents thinking they are the sure predictor of future success. But God’s work calls for more than human talents and human strength. God’s work demands so much more–it requires the anointing of God to accomplish his purposes.

God often delights in choosing and anointing the weak and the foolish so that through his power they can accomplish unexpected things–and then all the glory goes to him.

I’m sure that Joshua and Zerubabbel, in their respective roles, felt overwhelmed by the task ahead. God wanted to remind them through this vision that their success in completion of the task did not depend on their human talents, intelligence, or strength. They might be tempted to be discouraged by the lack of progress (to despise the day of small things) but the victory was assured by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. As they walked in intimacy with God–led by the Spirit– and in humble dependence on his strength, the seemingly impossible task would be completed. The temple would be rebuilt and as Zerubabbel placed the final stone, all would cry out, “God bless it, God bless it” (4:7).

We must always remember that any God-sized mission will require dependence on God’s strength and power–it will be too much for our limited human strength. Yet God is always so willing to anoint and empower us as we trust Him and walk in obedience to his commands.

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