Lessons of Faith

Posted on March 13, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
lessons of faith

March 13

Lessons of Faith

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 38:13-22; Numbers 19:1 – 20:29; Luke 1:1-25; Proverbs 11:8

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Luke 1:1-25

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” [19] The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. [20] And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time” (Luke 1:18-20 NIV). 

He was a godly man; faithful and diligent in the service of the Lord. Yet even Zechariah wavered in doubt when confronted by the impossible thing God intended to do.

He and his wife were never able to have a child. Now they were old and well past hope that they would ever have a child. In his service of the Lord at the temple, he was confronted by an Angel who brought the most amazing news: “your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.”

I’m sure he wanted to believe it, but it was a stretch of even his faith.  The mixture of hope and doubt is revealed in his words, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

Because he was unable to believe the words, he was mute until the promise was fulfilled.

Truly nothing is impossible with God. Yet it is difficult for us, even those who have walked long on the path of faith, to believe when the circumstances all seem to point us in the other direction. Zechariah struggled with this test of faith, and we must admit that we have times where lesser things cause us to struggle.

Wherever we are on the path of faith, there are new challenges and tests of our faith.  Zechariah is a reminder that even a seasoned man or woman of faith, is not through learning and growing in the school of faith.

Faithful and Loving Lord, I praise you that there is nothing too difficult for you. I thank you that I am not walking this journey of faith alone but in union with you as I take up your yoke. Grow my faith, strengthen my faith, enlarge my faith when what I face seems impossible. Remind me that with you nothing is impossible and allow me to walk ahead in confident trust in your ability to get me through. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

He Has Risen

Posted on March 12, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
He Has Risen

March 12

He Has Risen!

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 38:1-12; Numbers 16:41- 18:32; Mark 16:1-20;  Proverbs 11:7

Today’s Scripture Focus: Mark 16

“‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said, ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you’’” (Mark 16:6-7 NIV).

There is hope! The resurrection is a reminder of the undying hope that is ours in Christ. Even death couldn’t conquer the Lord Jesus. When things are darkest, he brings light. When things seem impossible, he brings hope.

There is a second chance! Note that Peter is singled out as especially needing to hear this message. He had denied Christ, but Jesus wanted him to know that He had not given up on him. The resurrection story is the reminder that even after our failures, Jesus calls us back into fellowship with himself. He was not done with Peter. He is not done with you either.

There is no reason for fear! “Don’t be alarmed” (6). The unexpected, the unknown and the unseen can be causes for fear. The resurrection is the reminder that he is with us through it all. He has not forgotten about us. He is there. There is no reason for fear.

God of Hope, thank you for the realization that when things are darkest you bring hope. When we feel that we’ve failed you bring a second chance. Replace our fears with hope, our doubts with faith and expectation. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Scourged, Mocked, Crucified, Forsaken

Posted on March 11, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
scourged, crucified, mocked, forsaken
Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

March 11

Scourged, Mocked, Crucified, Forsaken

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 37:30-40; Numbers 15:17 – 16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Proverbs 11:5-6

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Mark 15

“And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mark 15:33-34 ESV).

The prophecy of Isaiah foretold of a day when the Messiah would be crucified: 

“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53, ESV).

He was despised, rejected, stricken, smitten, afflicted, wounded, crushed and chastised. He experienced sorrow, grief, extreme pain and the sense of abandonment and being forsaken by the Father as he bore our sins on the cross.

Why? Because He loved us even while we were sinners. It was our sin that made the cross necessary: “He was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities.” It was because of the suffering of the cross that we are able to be saved—to experience peace with God and the healing of our souls: “Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”

Despite my sin, he loved me enough to die for me. What amazing grace. What amazing love.

As Isaac Watts wrote: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all”

Father, thank you for sending your Son to be despised, rejected, stricken, smitten, afflicted, wounded, crushed and crucified. Your grace is truly amazing. Your love truly astounding. Help me to realize ever more deeply all that Jesus did for me. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

So You Want to Go Back to Egypt?

Posted on March 10, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

March 10

So You Want to Go Back to Egypt?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 37:21-29; Numbers 14:1 – 15:16;  Mark 14:53-72; Proverbs 11:4

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Numbers 14:1 – 15:16

“All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! . . . Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?’” (Numbers 14:2-3 NIV).

The people were fed up with the journey; God was fed up with their contempt and unbelief. Moses found himself in a difficult spot.

The people gave in to their unbelief and fears. They had heard the “bad report” of the 10 spies and gave in to their fears. Even though God had been with them so powerfully and had led them right to the doorstep of the Promised Land, they were ready to give up and go back to Egypt.

God too was almost ready to give up on the people of Israel. He said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.”

Moses stepped into the difficult spot: he took up the role of intercessor. He stood in the gap on behalf of the people of Israel. He appealed to the glorious reputation of God. “What would the Egyptians say if you abandoned your people after all those miraculous signs?” He appealed to the character of God as revealed in his promises, “the Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.” 

God heard Moses intercession. He punished the sin, but didn’t give up on his people. The next generation would be able to enter into the promise.

Being an intercessor is not easy, but it is necessary. Don’t become weary in your intercession. Persevere, believe, and plead your case. God’s work and will is accomplished through prayer.

The people then presumed upon the grace of God. They spent a day in mourning and supposed that God would then be with them. They went in to try to take the Promised Land. But they had waited too long to obey—giving in to their fear and unbelief had kept them from the promise. A day earlier they could have gone in, but now they were under the judgment of God. Now all they could do was wander around aimlessly in the desert until the unbelieving generation had died off.

Don’t miss out on the promise. Don’t procrastinate your obedience. Don’t give in to your fear and unbelief. You may miss out on the blessing.

Gracious Heavenly Father, help me never to become a grumbler, a complainer. Help me to look forward with expectation rather than look backward with regret. May the joy set before me overcome my doubts and fears. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Giants in the Land

Posted on March 9, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Giants in the land

March 9

Giants in the Land

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 37:12-20; Numbers 11:24 – 13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Proverbs 11:1-3

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Numbers 11:24-13:33

“‘We should take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it’. But the men that were with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are . . . we seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.’” (Numbers 11:30-31, 33 NIV)

They were standing at the doorway to the Promised Land. On the other side was a land flowing with milk and honey; a land of abundant produce. Would they step into the promise by faith, or would they doubt and lose out on the promise?

Twelve spies went into the land. Ten came back filled with doubt. Only two came back filled with faith and courage. Though they saw the same things and agreed that the land was indeed everything that God had promised, many saw the difficulties ahead and felt overwhelmed. Caleb and Joshua, however, believed that God would enable them to take the land.

The report was passed on to the people, and the people sided with the ten who doubted, not with the two who had faith. Because of that, a whole generation missed out on the promise. It could have been theirs, but they refused to enter in because of their lack of faith.

Caleb and Joshua suffered the consequences of the doubt and unbelief of others; they too had to wander aimlessly in the wilderness for forty years. But ultimately their faith was rewarded.

Some see the Promised Land. Others see only the giants. Some see the possibilities. Others see only the obstacles. Some enter into the promise. Others refuse the good things that could be theirs and wander aimlessly in doubt–missing out on the good gifts that were intended for them.

Don’t miss out. “We should go and take possession of the Land, for we can certainly do it.”

Almighty God, give me faith-filled vision to see the promise fulfilled and not be distracted by the obstacles. Help me trust you to keep your promises knowing that you are always faithful. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Waiting in Delight

Posted on March 8, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
waiting in delight

March 8

Waiting in Delight

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 37:1-11; Numbers 10:1-11:23; Mark 14:1-21; Proverbs 10:31-32

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Psalm 37:1-11

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord and trust in him and he will do this . . . Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:4-5, 7 NIV).

Delight yourself in the Lord, trust in him, commit your way to him . . . and wait. These are the instructions given to the one who would be rewarded the “desires of his or her heart.” We would prefer to receive the “desires of our heart” right away, but often that is not the way it works.

Being still while waiting on the LORD is the soil in which delight sprouts and grows. It is the good soil which ultimately produces the “desires of one’s heart.” In the process of waiting and praying, we are transformed, and so are our desires. Selfish, foolish, worldly and sinful desires are stripped away by time spent in the presence of the LORD. Motives are tested; faith is refined. The desire that remains is in keeping with God’s best for us.

Yes, he ultimately gives us the desire of our heart, but that desire may need to be refined. That process requires waiting on the LORD and learning to trust him. It also requires surrender to his will: “Commit your way to the Lord.”

God desires intimate fellowship with you. You are his child created to find delight in Him. Know that as you delight yourself in Him–as you wait and pray and enjoy the fellowship—he is preparing you for that which your heart truly desires. 

Don’t give up. Don’t worry about others. Just wait patiently, and find great joy and delight in your intimate walk with God. He delights in you. He will become your heart’s greatest desire and fulfill the true desires of your heart.

Heavenly Father, I wait in silence and stillness. I focus my complete attention on you in your glory and greatness. Fill my heart with delight in this moment. As I linger, purify my desires and straighten them according to your will. Then set me on the path for the day ahead, restored and rejoicing. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Contrast

Posted on March 7, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Contrast

March 7

Contrast

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 36:1-12; Numbers 8:1 – 9:23; Mark 13:14-37; Proverbs 10:29-30

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Psalm 36

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep” (Psalm 36:5, 6 NIV).

The psalmist begins by giving us a message about the sinfulness of the wicked, but soon finds himself awestruck by the ultimate contrast: the glory of God.

The wicked person is described as one with whom there is no fear of God before their eyes. In other words, they live without the reverent awe that one should rightly have of God. Instead, pride is their fall: “in their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.”

The heart of the wicked infected by pride leads to deceitful and wicked speech; and the folly of sinful ways.  

In complete contrast, stands the character of God in the splendor of his holiness.  

“Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.”

Therefore those who love God can take refuge in “the shadow of your wings” and “feast on the abundance of your house.” The righteous can drink at the river of delights. He is the fountain of life, and in His light, we see light.

Meditating on the greatness of God refreshes the psalmist. His concerns about the wicked begin to melt away in the beauty of God’s righteous character. He has found a place of refuge from the hand of the wicked. Surely God will bring protection. Surely God in his justice will do what is right with the wicked.

Sometimes we, too, are concerned about the evil of this world—sometimes hurt by wicked actions or deceitful speech. In those times, we run to the one who is faithful and find refuge in the shadow of his wings.

Lord, thank you for your love which extends to the heavens, your faithfulness which reaches to the skies, your righteousness which is like the highest mountains, and your justice which is like the great deep. Help me to live in your presence and experience afresh your loving character. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Voice of the LORD

Posted on March 6, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

March 6

The Voice of the LORD

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 35:19-28; Numbers 6:1-7:89; Mark 12:38-13:13; Proverbs 10:27-28

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Numbers 6:1 – 7:89

“When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony. And he spoke with him” (Numbers 7:89 NIV).

In the midst of all the lists in Numbers it is easy to miss the little gems like this description of Moses’ prayer life.

We know that Moses met regularly with the LORD in the Tent of Meeting.  It was a place for anyone to “inquire of the Lord” (Ex. 33:7), but when Moses went there something special happened that drew people’s attention. “As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent” (Ex. 33:9-10).

Moses had an unusual intimacy with God: “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Ex 33:11).   

Where did this unusual intimacy come from? Note that Moses went to the tent, expecting to speak and hear from the LORD. He came in faith, believing that he would have an intimate conversation with the LORD. Moses was one who pursued intimacy—and sought for a manifestation of God’s glory (Ex. 34). Those who seek him diligently and expectantly are the ones most likely to find the intimate place with the Father.

Also, we know that such intimacy requires daily conversation. Face to face conversation leads to friendship. Continued cultivation of that relationship leads to deeper and deeper intimacy.

Open your heart to Jesus, pour out your heart to Him. Come expecting to hear the voice of the LORD. Remain there quietly and don’t be surprised to hear the “still small voice”–the gentle whisper of the Spirit. Don’t hurry off; take the time to develop intimacy. Enjoy that time in His presence; allow your “tent of meeting” experiences to become an everyday “face to face” conversation.

Lord God, help me to draw near in faith, with expectancy, as I come into your presence today. Open my ears and my heart to the gentle whisper of your Spirit. Fill my heart with longing for quiet times in your presence. May those times be filled with delight. Speak Lord, your servant is listening. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Amazed, Delighted or Afraid?

Posted on March 5, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

March 5

Amazed, Delighted or Afraid?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 35:11-18; Numbers 4:1-5:31; Mark 12:18-37; Proverbs 10:26

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Mark 12:18-37

“And they were amazed at him.” (Matthew 12:17) ”And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.” (12:34b) “The large crowd listened to him with delight” (12:37b, NIV).

Mark recounts a series of dialogues between Jesus and the religious leaders over various issues. It begins with the question, “by what authority are you doing these things?” This leads to questions regarding paying taxes, marriage at the resurrection and the greatest commandment. Jesus answers each question with unusual wisdom. In each case he demonstrates his authority by his answers and the manner in which he speaks. 

Then Jesus asks a question. It puts the whole thing in perspective. Applying the words of David in the Psalms to himself, he clearly points out his authority as the Son of God (35-37). The crowds listened with delight, while the religious leaders feared him and plotted his arrest.

How do you react to the wisdom of Jesus? Do you question and resist his authority over your life (preferring your independence)? Do you fear what he might say?  

We do better to stand amazed at his wisdom (17) and to delight in what he has to say (37). There is no good reason to fear what he has to say–no good reason to reject or resist it. Yes, it threatens our independence–it crushes our pride as we give over rule of our kingdom to Him.  

Feel free to bring your questions to Jesus. Look to him for wisdom. Stand amazed and delight in his teaching. It brings light; it brings life.

Jesus, I stand amazed at your wisdom, your teaching, your authority. I find delight in you and in your works. Help me to trust in you and your wisdom as I seek to follow your commands and abide in your love. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Helps Those Who Cannot Help Themselves

Posted on March 4, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
God helps those who cannot help themselves
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

March 4

God Helps Those Who Cannot Help Themselves

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 35:1-10; Numbers 2:1 – 3:51; Mark 11:27 – 12:17; Proverbs 10:24-25

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Psalm 35:1-10

“But let me run loose and free, celebrating God’s great work. Every bone in my body laughing, singing, “God there’s no one like you, You put the down-and-out on their feet and protect the unprotected from bullies” (Psalm 35:9-10 The Message).  

It is commonly thought that the idea “God helps those who help themselves” is found in Scripture. It is not. In complete contrast, this scripture could easily be paraphrased: “God helps those who cannot help themselves.” David’s desperate cries in this Psalm show his trust in God who helps the helpless and brings hope to the hopeless. In asking for God’s intervention, he appeals to God’s heart for the down-and-out: the helpless, the oppressed, those without hope.

Scripture after scripture could be cited that remind us that God is especially concerned for those who cannot help themselves—those that society tends to leave behind.

Know that when you are feeling helpless and hopeless, God sees and he cares. His everlasting arms are there to uphold you. He is the one you can turn to, the one who will take up your cause.

The injustice and oppression is not lost on God. The down-and-out, the helpless, the hopeless are not forgotten by God. He sees and he cares. Vindication will come, either here or in eternity.

We are the hands and feet of Jesus, as his body, and we must be found caring for those who especially need our help and attention. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).

The vulnerable may be neglected or even oppressed by the world, but they are deeply loved by God. We are called to express his heart to them—to show His love and compassion in practical ways.

Loving Lord, give me eyes to see the people of this world as you see them. Give me a heart to stand up for and help those in need. Help me to demonstrate my love to you through practical demonstrations of love to those who need it most. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment