I Have Seen the Lord! (June 1)

Posted on June 1, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

June 1
I Have Seen the Lord!

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 124:6-8 | 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10 | John 20:1-31 | Proverbs 16:14-15

Today’s Scripture Focus: John 20

“I have seen the Lord!” (Mary Magdalene, 18) “The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (20) “My Lord and my God!” (Thomas, verse 28)

The Resurrection brought hope and joy to Jesus’ disciples. It brings hope and joy to us today. To the grieving, like Mary Magdalene, it brings the hope of the Resurrection. This life is not all there is. There is life eternal. There is a resurrection. Mary came to the tomb grieving and left rejoicing in hope because she was confronted by the risen Christ. The resurrection too, brings hope to us as we grieve. We don’t grieve as those who have no hope—the Resurrection of Christ brings the hope of the resurrection to all followers of Christ.

 

[Excerpt from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. The entire devotional and 364 others is available at amazon.com]

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Take a Prayer Retreat This Summer

Posted on May 31, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Retreatpine

Join me this summer for a prayer retreat. It is always good to get away and the seek the Lord. I encourage you to “rekindle the flame” of your spiritual passion at one of our prayer retreats this summer.

Here is more information:
flame

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It is Finished (May 31)

Posted on May 31, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote from Jeff Syverson's devotional book "Open Up Your Heart"

Quote from Jeff Syverson’s devotional book “Open Up Your Heart”

May 31
It is Finished!

Today’s Scripture Readings:
Psalm 124:1-5 | 2 Samuel 17:1-29 | John 19:23-42 | Proverbs 16:12-13

Today’s Scripture Focus:  John 19:23-42

When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.John 19:30 (NASB)

It is finished! The work that Jesus came to do was completed. His death would bring life to all who would believe.

It is finished!  All signs point to death and defeat. Yet, this is all part of God’s plan. Death is being swallowed up in victory. What appeared to be a defeat was in fact a glorious victory.

It is finished! Because of Christ’s death on the cross, our sins are forgiven and new life is ours. By faith we enter into life eternal and abundant. Because he died we have life.

It is finished! Jesus took upon himself all our sin. He bore the burden so we can find freedom and forgiveness.

It is finished! His wounds bring our healing: spiritual, emotional and physical.  By his stripes we are healed.

It is finished! Satan is defeated. Deliverance is ours through the triumph of the cross.

It is finished! All the spiritual blessings we could ever desire–all we need–are found in the one who was obedient to death–even death on a cross.

It is finished!  Look to Jesus. Press forward in faith. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

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The Spirit is Willing But… (May 3)

Posted on May 30, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 123:1-4 | 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23 | John 18:15-19:22 | Proverbs 16:10-11

Today’s Scripture Focus: John 18:15-19:22
Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you? He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priests’ servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him. “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.(John 18:17-18 NIV)

Peter was a man who aspired to greatness. His adventurous spirit of faith was undeniable. But while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. Peter was about to learn that lesson in a humbling but life changing way.
……

We often go through a time of humbling that teaches us to trust not in ourselves, but in our God. Apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15) yet we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

[Excerpts from Open up your Heart by Jeff Syverson, available at Amazon.com]

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

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I Don’t have a “Kindle” so how can I read your book?

Posted on May 29, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

pastorjeffsneighborhood's avatarpastor jeff's neighborhood

Maybe you don’t have a “kindle” e-reader but you would like to read my new devotional book, “Open Up Your Heart.” Did you know that you can read the book on your computer or tablet or phone? There are free Kindle apps for many different platforms. Download one of the apps, and then you can buy and read the book.

Check out this page:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771

Then find my book here:

http://www.amazon.com/Open-Up-Your-Heart-ebook/dp/B00CODYK0C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369526326&sr=1-1&keywords=open+up+your+heart

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Making Plans (May 29)

Posted on May 29, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 122:6-9 | 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22 | John 18:1-24 | Proverbs 16:8-9

Today’s Scripture Focus: Proverbs 16:8-9

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

Planning is important. To fail to plan is no virtue. Yet, in every plan God has the last say. He is the one who directs and establishes our steps.

It’s easy to get ahead of God. Wait is a common word in the scripture when it comes to discerning God’s will. It does not come easily.

It is also easy to drag behind. We sense God’s direction but for some reason we procrastinate our obedience. We fear the step of faith. We prefer the comfort of the boat and we are not really sure we want the adventure of walking on the water.

[Excerpt from today’s devotional from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson]

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson.

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson.

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Jesus’ Unanswered Prayer (May 28)

Posted on May 28, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 122:1-5 | 2 Samuel 13:1-39 | John 17:1-26 | Proverbs 16:6-7

Today’s Scripture Focus: John 17:1-26

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23 NIV)

You learn a lot about a person when you hear them pray. You find out what is really in their heart—what are their priorities and passions. Perhaps that is why I find this text so intriguing. It gives us a picture of how Jesus’ prayed for his followers—including you and me.

Jesus was concerned for the unity of the church: “that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.” Why does his pray for this? “Then the world will know you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Excerpts from “Jesus’ Unanswered Prayer” in Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson.

Open Up Your Heart is available at Amazon.com.

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Whatever (May 27)

Posted on May 27, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson.

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson.

May 27
Whatever

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 121:1-8 | 2 Samuel 12:1-31 | John 16:1-33 | Proverbs 16:4-5

Today’s Scripture Focus: John 16:1-33

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23-24 ESV)

Whatever you ask. These are among the most amazing words from the mouth of Jesus. Apparently, they are so amazing that he needed to repeat it several times to allow the profound truth to sink in.

——————————

Yes, there are conditions to the promises like abiding in the word, asking in his name, and being faithful to our mission to go and bear fruit. These all imply an intimacy with God that leads to obedience to his commands—a familiarity with God’s will, both his heart and his word. Still, the promises are amazing: “Whatever you ask.”

[Excerpts from today’s devotional from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. Available on Amazon.com]

 

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Busy or Abiding? (May 26)

Posted on May 26, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From "Open Up Your Heart," by Jeff Syverson. Now available at Amazon.com.

From “Open Up Your Heart,” by Jeff Syverson. Now available at Amazon.com.

May 26
Busy or Abiding?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 120:1-7 | 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27 | John 15:1-27 | Proverbs 16:1-3

Today’s Scripture Focus: John 15

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV

You were created to live a “fruitful” life. We all want that: to make a difference; to accomplish something important; to leave this life with a legacy of significance. But how do we get there? How do we live the “fruitful life”? How do we “bear much fruit”?

——————————

Jesus tells us that if we want to live fruitful lives, we must start by “abiding.” At its heart to abide is to “spend time with.” Abiding requires slowing down and spending time in the presence of the Father. Abiding requires slowing down long enough to abide in his word—to get our marching orders for the day. Abiding requires spending time meditating on scripture and enjoying time in the presence of God—times of abiding in his love.

[Excerpts from Busy or Abiding? in Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. The devotional in full along with 364 others is available at Amazon.com.]

365 Daily Devotions to encourage you in your daily time with God

365 Daily Devotions to encourage you in your daily time with God

 

Maybe you don’t have a “kindle” e-reader but you would like to read my new devotional book, “Open Up Your Heart.” Did you know that you can read the book on your computer or tablet or phone? There are free Kindle apps for many different platforms. Download one of the apps, and then you can buy and read the book.

Check out this page:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771

Then find my book here:

http://www.amazon.com/Open-Up-Your-Heart-ebook/dp/B00CODYK0C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369526326&sr=1-1&keywords=open+up+your+heart

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I Don’t have a “Kindle” so how can I read your book?

Posted on May 26, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
365 Daily Devotions to encourage you in your daily time with God

365 Daily Devotions to encourage you in your daily time with God

Maybe you don’t have a “kindle” e-reader but you would like to read my new devotional book, “Open Up Your Heart.” Did you know that you can read the book on your computer or tablet or phone? There are free Kindle apps for many different platforms. Download one of the apps, and then you can buy and read the book.

Check out this page:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771

Then find my book here:

http://www.amazon.com/Open-Up-Your-Heart-ebook/dp/B00CODYK0C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369526326&sr=1-1&keywords=open+up+your+heart

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