Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson
August 11
Constructive Praying
Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 86:1-7 | Nehemiah 1:1 — 3:14 | 1Corinthians 7:1-24 | Proverbs 21: 1-2
Today’s Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 1-3
“O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” (Nehemiah 1:11 NIV)
Cupbearers tend to be men of prayer (being the guinea pig for possible poisoning will bring on that tendency). Contractors tend to be men of action. Nehemiah was both. A Burdened heart led to powerful intercession. The struggle of prayer led to an open door by the blessing of God. A praying cupbearer was given opportunity to put feet to his prayers.
The King saw Nehemiah’s distress and asked him why he looked the way he did. Nehemiah, because the hand of the Lord was upon him, grew bold and not only told the king the reason for his distress but also made some major requests. The praying cupbearer became the contractor on a major project: Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
The foundation for his work was laid in prayer. It always is. Men of action must also be men of prayer. To try to do God’s work without laying the prayer foundation will lead to frustration and walls that won’t stand for long. As one seasoned prayer warrior said, “We must do more than pray, but not until we have prayed.”
Men of prayer must always be men of action. While men of prayer know how to wait until the right time, they don’t procrastinate their obedience when God opens the door. They step out in faith expecting the hand of the Lord to be upon them. They expect God to already be at work, preparing the way for their steps of obedient faith.
Nehemiah’s story also reminds us that it isn’t only the pastor’s job that is important. Whatever we do should be done for the glory of God. Ezra (the ministry role) and Nehemiah (the contractor role) had to work together to get the job done (not to mention prophets like Zechariah). If you are a cupbearer, God can use that for his glory. If you are a contractor, he can use that too. Whatever your vocation or calling, God would have you do it with all your heart unto him (bringing him great glory).
Like Nehemiah, lay the foundation of prayer and look for the opportunity to act. This is the way to glorify God and to accomplish great things for him.
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson
August 10
Hope for the Hopeless
Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 85:8-13 | Ezra 10:1-44 | 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 | Proverbs 21:3
Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezra 10
“We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel.” (Ezra 10:2 NIV)
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” “There is always hope.” How do these two expressions fit together? Somehow Ezra’s story twists and turns through those two clichés. Maybe the hybrid expression would be: “It’s tough to teach an old dog new tricks, but there is always hope.”
The “old dogs” of Judah are returning to their old ways. God had been faithful to them, yet they once again proved to be hopelessly faithless. God had warned them about the effects of marrying the Canaanite women. He had forbidden it and already they had disobeyed big time (I sometimes wonder about some of the lists in the Bible, but I can understand the reason for the list in this passage—it shows the depth of compromise).
By the way, occasionally I hear someone use this as a proof text against “inter-racial marriage”—not the point. The Canaanite people were of the same basic racial background as the people of Judah. The problem is that they had a reputation for sin and idolatry. God knew that intermarriage with Godless people like that would lead to further drifting and compromise. Be careful not to allow your prejudices to skew your interpretation of scripture. The point is: choose a Godly spouse!
That God’s chosen people would so quickly fall back into deliberate disobedience and sin brought Ezra to his knees. Rebuilding the temple was important, but they also needed to rebuild their lives in accordance with God’s design. He saw the sin of his people, and knew that they needed repentance and revival. So he prayed intensely until he got the breakthrough.
I love the response of Shecaniah that signals the beginning of the breakthrough: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel.” You see, there is always hope, even for “old dogs to learn new tricks.”
Paul in 1 Corinthians gives us a a lot of hope in regards to ability to change, despite our past failings. After describing their past lifestyles of sin, he says, “and that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. See, there is hope for you after all (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
Despite our failures, our attempts to distance ourselves from God, our deliberate disobedience, our drifting from the principles of his word, God is still faithful and forgiving. He is a God of grace and mercy. He is a God of hope (Rom. 15:13). He doesn’t give up on his people—even the ones who seem hopeless. People like you and me.
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson
August 9
Seeking the Blessing of God
Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 85:1-7 | Ezra 8:21 – 9:15 | 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 | Proverbs 21:1-2
Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezra 8:21 – 9:15
“‘The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.’ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” (Ezra 8:22-23 NIV)
Yesterday we saw that the blessing of God was upon Ezra because he studied and obeyed the word of God. He was devoted to the word of the Lord and it brought the blessing (the hand) of God. Today we see that the blessing of God (his gracious hand) comes through prayer—intense prayer (such as fasting and prayer). God was showing his blessing in many ways, but there was continued need for the blessing of God. So Ezra and the people began to fast and pray for more of his blessing.
When Ezra saw the compromise of the people, it brought him to his knees. When Ezra saw the incredible job ahead of him—rebuilding the temple—it brought him to his knees. They needed “some reviving to set up the house of God, to repair its ruins…” (9:10 ESV). God had been faithful to bless, but the continued hand of the Lord was needed.
The Psalmist echoes the cry for the blessing of God: “Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you”? (Psalm 85:6).
We all stand in need of the hand of the Lord (his blessing) each and every day. We just can’t do it alone. Therefore we go to him daily in prayer seeking his blessing as we pray, and as we hear and obey his word.
Open up your heart to him today. Share your concerns, your frustrations and your needs; look for the gracious hand of the Lord to bless you.
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson
August 8
The Hand of the Lord
Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 84:9-12 | Ezra 7:1 – 8:20 | 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 | Proverbs 20: 28-30
Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezra 7:1 – 8:20
This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. (Ezra 7:6 NIV)
In yesterday’s reading we saw that the “eye of God” was upon his people. He was watching over them–he knew their problems and was acting on their behalf. It is a comforting truth that we all need to hear.
This passage repeatedly mentions the “hand of the Lord.” God blessed Ezra in extraordinary ways because “the hand of the Lord” was “on him.” The hand of the Lord being upon you is his blessing. Just as in the Old Testament, where we see fathers placing their hands on their children to bless them, and just as Jesus placed his hands on children to bless them, so the Heavenly Father himself places his hand upon Ezra and extraordinary blessings followed.
Blessings like God moving on the heart of pagan Persian King to do everything he could to see that the temple would be built: “The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.” Imagine that! The king granted him everything he asked for. Amazing! He arrived in Jerusalem safely “because the gracious hand of the Lord was with him” (9).
The hand of the Lord also gave Ezra courage to lead the people courageously. He knew that God was with him blessing his efforts.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem, and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me. Ezra 7:27-28
Why was the hand of the Lord on Ezra? The text makes it clear:
“The gracious hand of his God was on him. [10] For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” Ezra 7:9-10 (NIV)
God’s blessing (his hand) was on him because he was devoted to studying and observing God’s word, and teaching it to others. He was clearly a man devoted to the Lord and his word, and the hand of the Lord was upon him.
Look and pray for the hand of the Lord to be upon you as you devote yourself to studying the word and putting it into practice–and as you share it with others.
Apart from him we can do nothing, but with the hand of blessing upon his we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
From Open Up Your Heart by jeff Syverson
August 7
The Eye of God
Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 84:5-8 | Ezra 5:1 – 6:22 | 1 Corinthians 3:5-23 | Proverbs 20: 26-27
Today’s Scripture Focus: Ezra 5:1 – 6:22
“But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped.” (Ezra 5:5 NIV)
God has been watching his people. As they’ve begun to turn to him, he’s turned toward them; he’s watching out for them.
The story of Ezra is the story of God turning his face of blessing toward his people after a time of judgment. The people had been idolatrous and rebellious under the Kings of Judah and had been taken into exile by Nebuchadnezzar, the wicked king of Babylon.
Prophets like Jeremiah and Habakkuk saw it coming, and lamented and wept that the people of God could fall so low that God would remove his hand of blessing, and allow them to come under the judgment of exile in Babylon. The story of Daniel and his three brave friends takes place during this exile in Babylon. It was a hard time for the people of Judah. But as the 70 years of exile were coming near to an end, Daniel (and presumably others) began to pray and seek God for the fulfillment of the promise that God would turn his face toward them again, and bring them back to the land of the promise.
The Kings of Babylon were eventually overthrown by the Medo-Persian empire (as God had predicted through his prophets); God was watching and he was acting on behalf of his people. He would prove faithful to his covenant, and his promise by moving on the heart of a pagan King (isn’t he amazing?).
One of those kings, Cyrus, ordered that the walls of Jerusalem and the temple be rebuilt. He allowed some of the people to go back to begin the job. He also sent along helpers and supplies.
Of course it didn’t take long for opposition to arise. When God is at work, the enemy does what he can to cause confusion, division and frustration. No exception here.
But once again, we see the sovereign hand of God ruling over even the hearts of evil kings. His eye was watching over Judah to protect them, to care for them, to bless them. His eye was watching to strengthen them to accomplish the task of rebuilding the temple. That’s the story of Ezra: The story of God watching over his people, remembering his promises to them, seeking to bless them so they can be a blessing.
But his eye is watching you too. He wants to strengthen you today to accomplish the tasks he has given you. He hasn’t forgotten about you. He’s there to care, to protect, to provide and to bless.
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
MINISTRY
“God made us and God is able to empower us to do whatever he calls us to do. Denying that we can accomplish God’s work is not humility; it is the worst kind of pride.”
–Warren Wiersbe–
MISSIONS
“For years the bulk of American Christians who were committed to ‘missions’ could only participate through giving and praying. Today the call to crosscultural ministry doesn’t even require going; it just requires staying with a purpose.”
Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force, 45
MODESTY
“Modesty is my best quality” — Jack Benny —
“I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken” — Lee Iacocca —
MONEY
“That money talks
I’ll not deny,
I heard it once:
It said, ‘Goodbye.'”
— Richard Armour —
“Live within your income, even if you have to borrow money to do so.”
–Josh Billings —
MOTIVATION
“Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”
–Will Rogers–
“Fear not that your life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall never have a beginning.”
–John Henry Newman–
“Everyone who’s ever taken a shower has an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference.”
–Nolan Bushnell (founder of Atari)–
“There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.”
— Carl Sandburg —
Music (Contemporary)
“All worship services are contemporary, but most are contemporary to some other culture or generation.”
— George Hunter —
I haven’t mentioned it for a while, but we still have openings for our August prayer retreat in Twin Peaks, California. Come away with us to the mountains for a time of teaching, worship and prayer as we seek God together, asking him to rekindle the flame of our spiritual passion. See joyinthehouseofprayer.org for more information or to register.
From Open Up Your Heart
August 6
Nursery Duty
Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 84:1:4| Ezra 3:1 – 4:24| 1 Cor. 2:6 – 3:4|Proverbs 20:24-25
Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 2:6- 3:4
“But as for right now, friends, I’m completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealing with each other and with God. You’re acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then I’ll nurse you since you don’t seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything’s going your way?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3 The Message)
I love kids, but I have often been glad that my preaching and teaching schedule conflicts with the nursery schedule—because I’d be horrible in the nursery. Once they can walk and talk and are out of diapers, I’m fine. But before that I’m clueless.
I’ve found that there is plenty of Nursery Duty in serving as a pastor. But spiritual infancy is not a matter of age—it’s a matter of maturity (the lack of it). It is quite possible to grow old in the Lord without growing up in the Lord. It is very easy for any pastor to relate to Paul’s frustration. Yet I’m challenged to realize that while he calls them to a new level of maturity, he doesn’t spank them—and he doesn’t run from nursery duty. He mothers and nurses them (spiritually speaking, obviously). We must do the same, as difficult as that may be. The “babes” are given to us to develop maturity and character—theirs and ours. We need to learn from them as much as they need to learn from us.
“But as for right now, friends, I’m completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealing with each other and with God. You’re acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then I’ll nurse you since you don’t seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything’s going your way?” (The Message, 1 Cor. 3:1-3)
It’s not terribly surprising that a consumer culture produces so many spoiled spiritual babes, but it is sad. Growing up requires taking up the cross and dying to our selfish immaturity, moving beyond our comfort zone and our need to always have it our way.
Learn to walk, to eat solid food, to explore, to follow God on adventures of faith that will cause you to mature and grow. There’s so much to learn, so much to do, so much to experience, so much of life yet to be lived, so much to accomplish for Him.
“In a broad stroke of the brush, I would say, paraphrasing Thoreau, that as the hour of my particular sunset approaches, I would be appalled to discover that I had died without having lived.” (Brennan Manning, Reflections for Ragamuffins, 219)
To live life in it’s fullness requires getting out of our rut and moving on to maturity. Let’s move ahead together. Don’t get too frustrated by the fact that we walk at different paces—God teaches us patience through that. We are all at different places in the journey, and that’s OK so long as we are moving ahead together—we need to help each other out on this journey of faith. Then soon we can all join together in nursery duty to a whole bunch of new babes in Christ—and that kind of nursery duty is a joy.
