A New Wardrobe

Posted on October 7, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
A New Wardrobe

October 7

A New Wardrobe

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 110: 1-7; Jeremiah 8:8 – 9:26; Colossians 3:1-17; Proverbs 24:27

Today’s Scripture Focus: Colossians 3:1-17

“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself…”( Colossians 3:12 NIV) 

Sometimes the old clothes just don’t fit anymore—but I don’t mean that the clothes are too small.  Sometimes we need a new wardrobe because we change positions. The young lawyer fresh out of law school usually has a major wardrobe update, for example. He could get by with Jeans and T-shirts in school, but not in the courtroom. The old way of dressing just doesn’t suit him anymore in his new position. 

When we become Christians, similarly, we change positions. What may have seemed natural and appropriate before we were Christians is no longer appropriate. Since Christ lives in me, I need to eliminate the clothes that are not in keeping with who he is, and who I am in him.  

The clothes I speak of are the behaviors and attitudes described in Colossians 3. Paul uses terms such as “put off” or “rid yourself” in relation to a whole list of sinful behaviors. They range from sexual immorality to “anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language,”

We are hidden with Christ in God, We are dead to sin and have been raised to new life. We are to put on qualities that are in keeping with “who we are” in our new position as God’s “holy, chosen, dearly loved people.”

What shall we put on? What will our new wardrobe look like?  “Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  

Each one of those attitudes and behaviors sounds a lot like Jesus, doesn’t it? Of course, what else would we expect? Jesus lives in us, and as we let the Word of Christ dwell richly in us, we should expect a new wardrobe—behaviors and attitudes that reflect the life of Christ within us.

Some of us have some clothes in our closets that just don’t fit anymore.  It’s time to replace them with some clothes that will more beautifully reflect, on the outside, the life of Jesus, on the inside.

Heavenly Father, help me to take off the old clothes—the behaviors and attitudes of my old way of life—and put on the new clothes—the Christ-like attitudes and behaviors of the new life. Help me to get out of the way so that Jesus can rule and reign in me. Amen.

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Let Them See Your Hand

Posted on October 6, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Let Them See Your Hand

October 6

Let Them See Your Hand

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 109:16-31; Jeremiah 6:15- 8:7; Colossians 2:8-23; Proverbs 24:26

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalms 109:16-31

But you, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for your name’s  sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. [22] For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me

(Psalm 109:21-22 NIV). 

The psalmist finds himself in a difficult place. He describes his situation: “I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.” Beaten up by circumstances and, especially by people—accusers, he calls them— he fasts and prays and desperately seeks the Lord (23-25). But he hasn’t given up hope. He looks to the God of hope.

I was moved by one part of his petition especially. He prays that God will work in such a way that everyone will see that the hand of the Lord has done it: “Let them know it is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it.”

I like that. It’s a prayer that looks for God to be glorified—for his name and reputation to be magnified. In essence, he prays, “God answer this prayer in such a marvelous way that everyone will know that you have done it. Let there be no doubt that your hand has accomplished this.”

That’s praying with faith. That’s praying with expectation. That’s the kind of praying that gets us through impossible circumstances (not to mention the grace to deal with difficult people). 

Heavenly Father, work in a way that shows forth your glory. Do something that will cause us to recognize your hand at work in this situation. Let others see your working and be drawn to know you.  Amen.

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Fully Mature in Christ

Posted on October 5, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Fully Mature in Christ

October 5

Fully Mature in Christ


Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 109:1-15; Jeremiah 4:19-6:16; Colossians 1:21-2:7; Proverbs 24:23-25

Today’s Scripture Focus: Colossians 1-2

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me (Colossians 1:27-29 NIV).

Why is Paul struggling and working so hard to teach and preach and plant churches? This passage makes his motivation clear. He wants the believers to grow up in their faith and become fully mature in Christ.

What would that look like? He tells us: “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

One of the signs they are reaching maturity is that they are encouraged in heart. They are not easily discouraged by the difficulties of life. They do not easily lose hope. They remain rooted in the joy and peace that are found in Christ. They also seek to encourage others along the path of suffering—they allow their encouragement to overflow.

Another sign of their maturity is that they are united in love. Dissension and conflict among believers is a sign of lack of maturity. Truly mature believers bring Christ-like attitudes (humility) and behavior (the fruit of the Spirit), which leads to peace.

Also, the mature live out of the full riches of complete understanding that are found in knowing Christ—knowing him deeply and intimately. This requires the discipline of spending time with him; spending time in his word—to know it and apply it and live it out (2:5). It also requires the strength that comes by the Spirit (1:29).

The whole of this process to maturity takes place through grace and by faith—just as the beginning of our life in Christ.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Lord Jesus, live in me, live in your fullness that I might come into maturity. Help me to abide in your word, in your love, and in your presence today that I might continue to be transformed into your image. May my life, my behavior, my countenance, reflect the Christ who lives in me. Amen.

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Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding

Posted on October 4, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Spiritual wisdom and understanding

October 4

Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 108:6-13; Jeremiah 2:31-4:18; Colossians 1:1-20; Proverbs 24:21-22

Today’s Scripture Focus: Colossians 1

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9 NIV).

Paul is thankful and encouraged by the progress of the Colossian Christians. Yet he knows that there is much more that God wants to do in their lives. So he continues to pray for them. The prayer he prays is a powerful one; one that could become a regular part of your prayer life.

He prays for God to fill them with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. If we are to please God and live according to his will, we need the wisdom and understanding that God alone can give by his word and by his Spirit.

The reason he prays this prayer is so that we may “live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way.” We will do this by “bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”

How are we going to live such a life? By the strength and power God gives by His Spirit: “being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might.” Paul knows that bearing spiritual fruit requires spiritual power. That comes only as we walk in the power of the Spirit.

His power brings great endurance and patience and joyful thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. This gives us what we need when times get tough. Endurance and patience are qualities that are especially needed when we go through the trials of life. Thanksgiving is also especially necessary in those difficult times. It takes our eyes off the problems and enables us to put our hope in God and his promises.

Life is filled with difficulties and decisions that require God’s wisdom and strength. This prayer leads us to trust in the one who can give us all that we need to get us through each and every day.

Heavenly Father, fill me with knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding  so that I may live a life worthy of the Lord Jesus and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience, and give joyful thanks to you Father, for you have qualified me to share in the inheritance of your holy people in the kingdom of light. Amen

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Unexpected Peace

Posted on October 3, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Unexpected peace

October 3

Unexpected Peace 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 108:1-5; Jeremiah 1:1-2:30; Philippians 4:1-23; Proverbs 24:17-20

Today’s Scripture Focus: Philippians 4

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

“The misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never happen.” –James Russell Lowell–

We all have times when we are tempted to worry. Yet, worry is counterproductive. It consumes our attention; it saps our energy and creativity; it takes away our peace, our hope, our joy. Paul suggests an alternative to worry: prayer.

Instead of anxiety and worry, we are encouraged to pray– to bring our concerns to the Lord. In prayer, we open our hearts to God and share our deepest concerns. In petition, we lay our requests. With thanksgiving, we recount the ways God has already been faithful.

Somehow as we pour out our hearts and lay out our needs before the Lord –as we recount his blessings and faithfulness–our perspective begins to change. Where there was hopelessness, God births hope; unexpected joy begins to bubble to the surface; anxiety begins to give way to peace.

The peace that comes in times like these transcends our understanding–humanly speaking, it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Yet as we release our doubts and concerns in prayer, and as thanksgiving reassures us to trust, peace, unexpected peace, is freed to calm our anxious spirits. That peace, guards our hearts and our minds.

Don’t waste your time and energy with worry. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Open up your heart; pour out concerns. Allow God to replace your anxious thoughts with peace, with joy, with hope.

Lord, I take the events of this day and lay them before you. Guide my steps, give me wisdom, strengthen me. Help me to trust you, and be filled with gratitude as I pray. Having laid these things at your feet, I now am ready to face the day without worry. Help me to walk with you having a sense of your presence  that peace may guard my heart and mind. Amen.

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Knowing Christ

Posted on October 2, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

October 2

Knowing Christ 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 107:33-43; Isaiah 66:1-24; Philippians 3:4-21; Proverbs 24:15-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Philippians 3

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11 NIV).

When it came to religious heritage, Paul had a lot of things going for him: He was a faithful Jew with good family connections, zealous for the law, a Pharisee who counted himself blameless. Yet, an encounter with Jesus forever altered his whole life and calling. So much so that he considered all his impressive religious credentials as loss for the sake of knowing Christ.

An encounter with Jesus is a powerful thing. Have you come to know him?

Eternal life is found in a relationship with Christ that is entered into by faith in what Christ did for us on the Cross. The issue is not what we bring to the table, but what Jesus brings through the cross. Even Paul, who had considered himself faultless, saw his need for the righteousness that is by faith. Christ enters into the heart of the one who calls out to Him in faith and brings his righteousness and the gift of eternal life.

What Paul found in his relationship with Christ made him want to press in deeper and press on farther. “I want to know Christ . . . I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

He wanted to know Christ as intimately as one could possibly know him. In the victories, “in the power of his resurrection,” and in the difficult times: “the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings.” Paul knew that some of the most intimate moments would come as he walked through trials with Christ, hand in hand.

Do you know Christ? Have you entered into a relationship with him. Have you received his gift of eternal life by grace through faith?

Are you pressing on to know Christ more deeply? Do you want to really know Him?

Lord Jesus, I want to know you deeply and intimately, through tough times and good times. May I draw my life and strength from you each and every day. I invite you into my life and receive your gift of life-eternal and abundant, life lived to the full. Walk with me this day, and from this point forth I pray. Amen.

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Watchmen

Posted on October 1, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

October 1

Watchmen

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 107:23-32;| Isaiah 62:6-65:25; Philippians 2:19-3:4; Proverbs 24:13-14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Isaiah 62-65

I’ve posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out, reminding God to remember. They are to give him no peace until he does what he said, until he makes Jerusalem famous as the City of Praise (Isaiah 62:6-7 The Message).

Through Isaiah, God has given a glorious vision of what Jerusalem is to become. But as with any God-given vision, it must be prayed into existence. Isaiah had the hard work of praying to receive the vision. The Watchmen had the hard work of praying the vision into reality.

Watchmen are the serious prayer warriors who give God no rest until he fulfills his promises and accomplishes the vision he has given. Some assume that once they’ve received a vision from God of what is to be accomplished, that the hard work of prayer is over. The watchmen know that the hard work of persistent prayer has only begun.

Every church and ministry needs watchmen. They catch the God-given vision and pray it into existence. They know the promises of God and pray them into reality.

Watchmen also “watch”–they look for the attacks of the enemy that would seek to thwart the good things God wants to do. They pray prayers of protection and resistance. They pray a shield of protection around the ministry, its leaders and its people.

It is not an easy job to be a watchman, but it is essential. Churches and ministries need the protection of faithful prayer warriors. They need those who can pray the vision and promises into being.  They need those who will persist in prayer until they see the answer. Perhaps God is calling and shaping you to be one who “watches and prays.” Be faithful with the prayer burdens he gives and be encouraged as he uses you in praying for his will to be done “on earth as it is in heaven.”

God, help me to learn to watch and pray. Help me to be sensitive to the burden you place on my heart. Enable me to persevere in prayer until your kingdom comes and your will is done. Amen.

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Humility

Posted on September 30, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Humility

September 30

Humility 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 107:17-22; Isaiah 60:1-62:5; Philippians 1:27-2:18; Proverbs 24:11-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: Philippians 2

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very natureGod, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8 NIV).

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!

Paul encourages the Philippians to imitate Christ’s example of humility. What an example it is! Being in very nature God, he refused to grasp– to hold onto–his divine rights and willingly took on human flesh. In humility, God became man– and was born a babe in a manger. Imagine that, God in human flesh in the form of a helpless baby. He was born humbly: in a manger. His first visitors were humble shepherds. The whole story of his birth is a story of humility.

We see his humility throughout his life and ministry. He lives his life loving and serving others, “taking the very nature of a servant.” He takes the time to listen, to care, to bless, to help others. He lived his life, not looking to his own interests, but looking to the interests of others.

Most impressively, we see his humility in his death–a death in its most humiliating form: death on a cross. In this act of humility he demonstrates love to the highest degree.

In light of his example, we are encouraged to “be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” We should “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” Instead, “in humility, we should consider others better than ourselves.” It is not an easy example to follow, but he has promised to help us. As Paul reminds us, “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”

Father, help me to have the mindset of Jesus—to live out of humility. Pour out your love into my heart, strengthen me by your Spirit so that I can indeed follow the example of Jesus. Amen.

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Learning to Pray from Paul

Posted on September 29, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Learning to Pray from Paul

September 29

Learning to Pray from Paul

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 107:10-16; Isaiah 57:14-59:21; Philippians 1:1-26; Proverbs 24:9-10 

Today’s Scripture Focus: Philippians 1:1-26

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, [10] so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11 NIV). 

Do you ever pray the prayers of Paul? Let me encourage you to do that. Pray them for yourself, and everyone else on your prayer list. Pray them for your pastor and church. Almost every one of the epistles of Paul has at least one prayer. They are all gems. You can learn a lot about prayer through them.

We often focus on the immediate needs. Paul prays for the big things, the overarching things. Instead of a quick fix for the moment, Paul prays for that which will make the biggest impact in the big picture of things. Rather than focusing only on the present need, Paul’s prayers impact the here and now by focusing on the eternal. There is so much to learn from his prayers.

The prayer of Paul for the Philippians is a great starting place:

I pray that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11).

We all need a daily overflowing dose of God’s love. We all need the wisdom and discernment to not only know what is good, but even what is best. We all need Christ’s fruit of righteousness manifest in our lives that we would bring him praise and glory. We all need God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s empowering if we are going to be pure and blameless until the coming of Christ. It’s a great prayer.

Some time ago, I printed out the prayers of Paul and began making them a regular part of my prayer life. I applied them to myself, to my congregation, to others I knew. It had a powerful impact in my life. I encourage you to do the same.

Father, I pray that love would abound in knowledge and depth of insight more and more in my life and in my church so that we may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. I pray that we will be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the praise and glory of God. Amen.

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Joy in the House of Prayer

Posted on September 28, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Joy in the House of Prayer

September 28

Joy in the House of Prayer

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 107:1-9; Isaiah 54:1-57:13;  Ephesians 6:1-24; Proverbs 24:8 

Today’s Scripture Focus: Isaiah 54:1-57:13

“These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:7 NIV).

Prayer should be a joyful experience. Whether personal times of prayer, or corporate times of prayer, those times should be characterized by joy. 

Yet often, our prayers lives and prayer meetings are sleepy and boring. They lack focus. Our words become mechanical, thoughtless and flippant. We pray in unbelief and accomplish little if anything at all. One of the enemy’s greatest victories is found when a prayer meeting loses life and vitality and becomes a boring, redundant exercise proving the faithfulness of a few.

There is joy in God’s presence (fullness of joy) and so when we connect to him in prayer, we can expect a surge of joy. When we pray together, we can expect that joy to be multiplied and to overflow.

Don’t allow your personal times of prayer to become redundant and boring. Try something fresh and new. Don’t get in a rut where you begin to pray mindlessly—and without any real faith.

When you pray with others, be careful not to drone on and on endlessly. Nothing drains the life out of a prayer meeting like a longwinded prayer, or praying exactly the same phrases each week predictably. People tune out. It’s not time to catch up on your personal devotions; it’s time to pray together. It is not a time to try to impress others with flowery sentences and archaic phrases. 

Learn to pray corporately instead of as individuals in a group. It helps to remember the “B’s” of corporate prayer:

Be brief, be bold (pray in faith), be biblical (pray the scriptures, claim the promises), Burden (pay attention to the burdens and insights the Holy Spirit gives), build on each other’s prayers, breakthrough (remain focused on one thing at a time until you sense there is a breakthrough). 

Expect joy in your personal times with God. Come expecting to be a part of a joyful experience when you gather to pray. It is God’s intent to bring joy to your prayer gathering.

Father, in your presence is fullness of joy. Help me to be aware of your presence as I pray that I might find the joy that flows from being with you. Help me to bring that joy to others as we gather to pray. Strengthen me today with your joy. Amen.

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