Open Up Your Heart (July 7)

Posted on July 7, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

[This was the first devotional I wrote for the book, and the source for the name, Open Up Your Heart]

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.

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

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

Order Open Up Your Heart at Amazon.

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Psalms, Worship and Prayer (July 6)

Posted on July 6, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

psalmshymns

July 6
Psalms, Worship and Prayer

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 145:8-13 | 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4 | Acts 24:1-27 | Proverbs 18:16-18

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you. (Psalm 145:8-10 NIV)

One of the reasons I love to read the Psalms before I pray, is that they prime the pump of worship. They help us to focus on the goodness and greatness of God. As we are awestruck by his glory, we are ready to praise and worship. With wide-eyed wonder we are then ready to pray. Worship and praise affects my praying in every way—it provides right perspective, it produces faith, it helps us focus and refocus our requests. As we worship, we realize the joy of his presence and we are changed.

What do we learn about our God in this short passage? He is gracious and compassionate. He is slow to anger and rich in love. He is good to all—having compassion on all he has made. Later, we read of the glorious splendor of his kingdom. We are reminded that he is faithful and trustworthy. Each of these truths should give us reason to pause and meditate.

The Psalms have long served the people of God as a prayer book. I encourage you to read them slowly, meditate on the truths you find. Now your heart and mind is engaged and you are ready to pray.

[Excerpt from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. Find the e-book at the kindle store at Amazon.com]

 

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Meditating on Your Works (July 5)

Posted on July 5, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Meditating

July 5
Meditating on Your Works

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 145:1-7 | 1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17 | Acts 23:11-35 | Proverbs 18:14-15

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 145:1-7

“On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works I will meditate.” (Psalm 145:5 ESV)

It is easy in the busyness of our lives to neglect meditation. It is easy to rush through our devotional times with the Lord; to rush through our prayers. When we do, we neglect the discipline that is most likely to bring a sense of the presence of God to our daily lives: meditation.

When we slow down our reading and praying and take time to meditate and listen, we become more aware of His presence and more sensitive to His voice. Our whole perspective on the day changes as we remember the greatness of the God who loves us and cares for us. As we walk through the day aware of his goodness, we recognize his good works all around us.

Our negative attitudes and thought patterns begin to melt away with the sense of his glorious presence. The trials of life seem more bearable knowing he is with me. Even the most difficult circumstances and people cannot steal our joy when his presence is near, for “in his presence is fullness of joy.”

(Excerpt from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. The e-book is available in the kindle store at Amazon.com. Check it out!)

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New Songs (Jul 3)

Posted on July 4, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

July 4
New Songs

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 144:9-15 | 2 Kings 23:31-25:30 | Acts 22:17-23:10 | Proverbs 18:13

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 144:9-15

I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, (Psalm 144:9 NIV)

What is your favorite hymn or worship song? Is it a new song or an old song? Why is it special to you?

I have often asked questions like this to people. It is good to hear the stories behind the songs that have taken on special meaning to people. One of the things I have found is that every favorite song is attached to a memory or experience. Sometimes it is the memory of an experience that was instrumental in your spiritual journey. Sometimes it reminds you of people who have been influential in your life of faith. Sometimes it triggers thoughts about ways that you’ve experienced God in worship or prayer.

It is good to cherish those memories and experiences and the songs that go with them. Yet it also points us to the reason why we also need “new songs.” We can’t rely only on past experiences. We need dynamic, fresh experiences with God in our walk of faith; new experiences that will be tied to new songs. If our faith is to grow, there must be new experiences; there must be new songs.

There is nothing wrong with old songs—I grew up with hymns and continue to find great spiritual nourishment through them. Yet, like the psalmist, we should look for the ongoing work of God in our lives that will produce new songs. As we grow in faith, may new songs also spring up in our heart. So take up your instrument and sing. Old songs; new songs; sing them both with passion and joy. We serve a great God and he is worthy of our praise!

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Quotes (Jokes, Joy and Junk)

Posted on July 3, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Jokes
“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”
–Will Rogers–
Joy
“A joyless life is not a Christian life, for joy is one constant in the recipe for Christian living.”

–William Barclay (Flesh and Spirit, p 78)
“Many Christians look as gloomy as if they were going to their own funeral.”
–A.B. Simpson (The Christ Life, 79)—
“The religion of Jesus should be as bright as the blossoms of the spring, the songs of the warbling birds and the springing pulses of reviving nature.” 
— A.B. Simpson (The Christ Life, 80) —
“The root of joy is gratefulness…It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”
David Steindl-Rast
(quoted by Brennan Manning in Ruthless Trust, 33)
“Joy is the gigantic secret of the Christian.”
— G.K. Chesterton —
“The living presence of Jesus awakened joy and set people free. Joy was in fact the most characteristic result of all his ministry to ragamuffins.”
– Brennan Manning –
“If you have no joy in your religion, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.”
— Billy Sunday —
“Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
— C.S. Lewis —
“When I met Christ, I felt that I had swallowed sunshine.”
— E. Stanley Jones —
“There is not a Scripture that says, ‘Be sad.’  I looked for one but I couldn’t find one.”
–Armin Gesswein–
Junk
“Junk is something you keep for years and then throw out two weeks before you need it.” –Anon.–
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With All His Heart, Soul and Strength (July 3)

Posted on July 3, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

July 3
With All His Heart, Soul and Strength

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 144:1-8 | 2 Kings 22:3-23:30 | Acts 21:37-22:16 | Proverbs 18:11-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 23

Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses. (2 Kings 23:25 NIV)

Reading through the book of Second Kings can get tiring. Again and again we see Kings who fail to live up to the calling of their position. Again and again we see people more than willing to follow the compromising example of their leaders. Some of the kings were worse than others, but all told it was a sorry lot. But there are a few bright spots, and Josiah is one of the brightest.

Josiah called for a return to Torah—a return to the covenant God had made with his people. He had the unique distinction of being a ruler who turned to the LORD “with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength.”
________

God is looking for leaders like Josiah, those who will turn to him—who will worship and serve him with all the heart and soul and all the strength they have.  Will he find such a person in you?

—————

Excerpts from Today’s Devotional from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. The E-Book is available in the Kindle store at Amazon.com. Check it out today!

 

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A Strong Tower (July 2)

Posted on July 2, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

July 2
A Strong Tower

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 143:7-12 | 2 Kings 20:2-22:2 | Acts 21:17-36 | Proverbs 18:9-10

Today’s Scripture Focus: Proverbs 18:10

“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10 ESV)

God reveals himself through his names. We sometimes choose names because we like they way they sound. But biblical names are given to say something about the person and their character.

This is especially true of God as he reveals himself through his names. God reveals his names so that we might better understand who he is. Each of them is a reflection of his character. As we call on his names, we are reminded of who he is and we are encouraged. Like a strong tower that protects the city, He reminds us through his names that we are safe in the hands of our loving heavenly Father. He is:

“The LORD our Healer”
“The LORD our Peace”
“The LORD our Righteousness”
“The LORD our Provider”

He is:
“Our Rock, Our Fortress, Our Deliverer, Our ever present help in times of Trouble.”

He is Almighty God–the one for whom nothing is too difficult.

And we’re only getting warmed up–there are hundreds more. Search the Scriptures and run to the name of the LORD! Remembering who he is brings comfort and safety–His name is a strong tower; a place of safety. Run to His Name and find safety!

[From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. Available at amazon.com.]

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Open Your Eyes, Lord (July 1)

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

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

July 1
Open Your Eyes, Lord

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 143:1-6 | 2 Kings 18:13-19:37 | Acts 21:1-16 | Proverbs 18:8

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 19

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. (2 Kings 19:14-16 NIV)

Hezekiah was one of the rare good Kings of Judah that followed the LORD. The Lord blessed and prospered his reign. Yet, this does not mean that his reign was completely free from trouble. Following the LORD in no way means a trouble free life.

The problem that Hezekiah faced was the impending attack of the king of Assyria. Assyria had already attacked and defeated the Northern Kingdom, now they were on the door of Jerusalem and threatening attack.

Hezekiah was confident that the LORD would deliver the people of Judah from the hands of Assyria. The Assyrian king sent a commander to try to get the people of Judah to doubt the LORD and to live in fear of the impending attack of Assyria. The commander began to taunt the LORD God much to the dismay of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah soon after receives a message from the commander of the Assyrian army with further threats and taunts. How would Hezekiah handle this trial of his faith? He spreads out the message before the LORD and he cried out to God in prayer.

The Prophet Isaiah sends God’s answer to King Hezekiah and reassures him that God has heard his prayer. The threats of Assyria were empty threats. They had no reason to fear.

How do you handle a trial of your faith? How do you handle the taunts of the enemy? Hezekiah sets a great example. Lay out the problem before the LORD and cry out to him in prayer. He hears and he will answer.

[From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson. Now available at Amazon.com]

 

 

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Tozer on God and Grace

Posted on June 30, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

AWTzer  TozerHead

 

God
“We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.”
That Incredible Christian, 46.

“It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is erroneous or inadequate.”
The Knowledge of the Holy, viii

Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and to bring Him nearer to our own image.
The Pursuit of God, 101.

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”
The Knowledge of the Holy, 7.

God-centered or Man-centered?
“Christianity today is man-centered, not God-centered. God is made to wait patiently, even respectfully, on the whims of men. The image of God currently popular is that of a distracted Father, struggling in heartbroken desperation to get people to accept a Saviour of whom they feel no need and in whom they have very little interest. To persuade these self-sufficent souls to respond to His generous offers God will do almost anything, even using salesmanship methods and talking down to them in the chummiest way imaginable. This view of things is, of course, a kind of religious romanticism which, while it often uses flattering and sometimes embarrasing terms in praise of God, manages nevertheless to make man the star of the show.
Man: The Dwelling Place of God, 27.

Grace
Nobody ever got anything from God on the grounds that he deserved it. Haven fallen, man deserves only punishment and death. So if God answers prayer it’s because God is good. From His goodness, His lovingkindness, His good-natured benevolence, God does it! That’s the source of everything.
The Attributes of God, 47.

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Reckless Abandon (June 30)

Posted on June 30, 2013 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

June 30
Reckless Abandon

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 142:1-7 | 2 Kings 17:1-18:12 | Acts 20:1-38 | Proverbs 18:6-7

Today’s Scripture Focus: Acts 20

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:22-24 NIV)

Paul may be uncertain about his future, but he is clear about his calling and purpose in life. He senses that the Holy Spirit is preparing him for prison and hardships in the days to come. Would this deter him from his task? Not at all! It seems to only intensify his passion for his God given calling to preaching the gospel.

—–
Paul’s reckless abandon to serve God in taking the gospel to the Gentiles is a challenge to us all. We are so easily deterred from the task, giving way to distractions, to fears, and to our desires for comfort. We who have encountered the risen Christ, even if our encounters were perhaps less dramatic than the Damascus Road, have a story to share. We whose lives have been shaped by the grace of God have a message to pass on.

May God give us such a determined heart to press on in the call of God for our lives whatever the cost. May he strengthen our hearts to follow him with such reckless abandon.

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