Let Him in the Boat

Posted on May 9, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Let Jesus in the Boat

May 9

Let Him In The Boat

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 68:1-6; 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17; John 6:1-21; Proverbs 14:32-33

Today’s Scripture Focus:  John 6:16-21

When they had rowed about three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading (John 6:19-21 TNIV).

The disciples found themselves in a dangerous place. They had rowed their boat three and a half miles from shore and a storm was brewing. The strong winds started blowing and the waters were growing rough. Despite the seasoned fishermen that were among them, they seemed to be getting nowhere and were growing frightened.

Then Jesus shows up walking on the water. At first it made them even more frightened. But then they heard his encouraging words: “It is I; don’t be afraid.”

Immediately fear turned to hope and they took him on board. Immediately they reached their destination. They were instantly transferred to the desired shore. That must have been quite a ride.  

In their own strength, it all seemed impossible. With Christ in the boat, all things are possible.

When we find ourselves in difficult places, even frightening places, we need to let Jesus in the boat. In his presence we find joy and strength. When he is there, fears are turned to hope. In his strength we reach our destination despite the wind and waves.

Are the seas of circumstance getting rough and choppy? Do all your best attempts seem to be getting you nowhere? Don’t give up. Don’t be afraid. Let Jesus in the boat.

Jesus, I let you into my boat today. Calm the storm of my soul; the anxiety, the worries, the fears. I know that when you are near, everything changes. I put my hope in you today. Apart from you I  can do nothing, but with you all things are possible. Amen.

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

Speak, Lord, Your Servant is Listening

Posted on May 8, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

May 8

Speak, Lord, Your Servant is Listening

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 67:1-7; 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22; John 5:24-47;  Proverbs 14:30-31

Today’s Scripture Focus:  1 Samuel 2:22- 4:22

So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. [10] The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9-10 NIV). 

“I suspect that the difference between a person of seasoned prayer and one of smaller prayer experience is the amount of time they spend talking rather than listening.” Calvin Miller

Are we listening? Are we really listening? Are we taking the time to know the heart of the Father so that we know—really know—his voice?

In Samuel’s day, the word of the Lord was rare. Not many were hearing from God. Not because God was not speaking. It was because the people were preoccupied with other things—and they weren’t seeking or listening.

Even Samuel needed to learn how to listen. And the key to learning to listen is take the time to know the Father’s heart, to know him deeply and intimately. And of course, we must wait expectantly, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”

We are very good at talking, but not so good at taking the time to wait in God’s presence and listen. We, too, need to learn the lessons of young Samuel. Take the time to wait in his presence.  Say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” and then enjoy the fellowship of a two way conversation with God.

“Those whose prayers are unending monologues make themselves a giant mouth while making God a small ear. The best prayers are dialogues of rapport. Presence is being ‘with God.’ It is neither talking nor listening. It is abiding in the presence of God.” Calvin Miller

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening . . .

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

Hold on to Hope

Posted on May 7, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

May 7

Hold on to Hope

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 66:16-20;1 Samuel 1:1 – 2:21;John 5:1-23;  Proverbs 14:28-29

Today’s Scripture Focus:  1 Sam. 1:1-2:21

“My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies for I delight in your deliverance.  There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God” (1 Sam 2:1-2 TNIV).

When others would be tempted to give up, Hannah held on to hope. She continued to trust God for a child even though she had been barren for many years. She refused to give in to the disappointment of things seen and continued to look in hope to that which was yet unseen.

Hannah had many battles to fight as she held on to hope. She had to battle the circumstances.  She had been unable to conceive for many years. The situation appeared hopeless. Yet she held on to hope in the one who was her Rock and Deliverer.

She also had to face persecution. If being childless was difficult, having a rival constantly taunting her made things nearly unbearable. There was another wife who had no trouble bearing children. She persecuted Hannah and made fun of her. Yet Hannah held on to hope.

She even had to face misunderstanding—and this by a religious leader—when she went to the LORD’s house to pray. Eli, the head priest, saw her praying and thought she was drunk and scolded her. Hannah politely set the record straight and went on praying. Being misunderstood would not keep her from holding on to hope.

She was a woman of prayer. She was a woman who trusted God. She was a woman who knew how to worship. All of this enabled her to keep her focus on God, her Rock.  

One day God answered her. She conceived. Her hope became a reality. She was able to rejoice in the deliverance of the LORD.

Don’t give up hope. Don’t be distracted from it by the trials, persecution or misunderstanding.  Keep your eyes on the one who is always faithful to His promise. Hold on to hope.

God of Hope, fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in you that I may overflow with hope by the power of your Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

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

The Place of Abundance

Posted on May 6, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
the place of abundance
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

May 6

The Place of Abundance

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 66:5-15;Ruth 2:1-4:22;  John 4:43-54;Proverbs 14:26-27

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Psalm 66

For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.  [11] You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; [12] you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water,  yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance (Psalm 66:10-12 ESV).

Sometimes the road to the place of abundance is a very difficult one. Often it calls for a time of testing and refinement. The psalmist looks at the difficult road they have been on and calls the people to “bless the Lord.” Why? Because God has taken them through the time of testing without allowing their feet to slip and he has brought them out to a place of abundance.

He recounts the difficulty of the time of testing. He describes it as a net in which they were trapped (one translation uses the word prison), and how the times of testing feel that way. He describes it as a crushing, oppressive burden on their backs. It was as if men were riding over their heads—utterly crushing and devastating. It was a time of going through fire and water. We have all gone through such times. They are not easy and they are not fun. But God does use such times to refine our faith and our character.

They also prepare us for the place of blessing—the place of abundance. Often in the nation of Israel, the times of testing were a means by which God brought his people back to himself. The times of testing led to times of repentance and revival that led to “the place of abundance.”

Perhaps the crushing burden you are under will be just the thing to prepare you for the place of abundance. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t lose hope. Pour out your heart to God and look for Him to rescue from the midst of the fire and water and to bring you into the place of abundance.

Lord, give me strength in times of testing. Give me hope to carry on. Remind me that these difficult times prepare us for the place of blessing. I turn to you and cry out to you. Meet me here and carry me on to the place of abundance. Amen.

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

Where You Go I Will Go

Posted on May 5, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Where you go I will go

May 5

Where You Go I Will Go

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 66:1-4; Judges 21:1 – Ruth 1:22; John 4:4-42; Proverbs 14:25

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Ruth 1:1-22

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. [17] Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17 NIV). 

Loyalty does not get the credit it deserves. It is a virtue both beautiful and rare in our culture. The story of Ruth calls us back to rediscover this virtue.

Ruth is described as a “woman of noble character,” a virtuous woman. It is the supreme compliment given to a woman in the scripture. Why was she given that title?  The text indicates that it was primarily because she was loyal.

Indeed, loyalty was the beautiful quality that Boaz saw in Ruth when he praised her:

Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband–how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” Ruth 2:11-12 (NIV). 

Loyalty is a rare quality in a day of no commitment. It is also a praiseworthy and attractive quality. May its beauty be seen and noticed in our lives.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be loyal like Ruth. Help me to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so that I, too, may become a person of noble character. Amen.

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

Second Fiddle

Posted on May 4, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

May 4

Second Fiddle

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 65:9-13;Judges 19:1-20:48;John 3:22- 4:3; Proverbs 14:22-24

Today’s Scripture Focus:  John 3:22- 4:3

You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’  [29] The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.  [30] He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:28-30 ESV).  

A famous conductor was asked, “What is the most difficult instrument to play in the orchestra?”  He answered, “Second fiddle.” Why? I think it is mostly because it requires humility. Often the person playing in the second chair has worked just as hard and is just as good musically, but he or she has to take the second chair so that there can be harmony.

John the Baptist knew that he was called to play second fiddle. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John’s disciples struggled with fact that the crowds were now going to Jesus. John assured them that this was just as God had ordained it.  

He understood that he was the “best man” who was to find joy in attending to the bridegroom and listening to his voice.

We too are called to decrease that Christ may increase. As we humble ourselves, listen to the voice of the bridegroom and attend to his wishes, we find our joy complete.

Harmony in the body of Christ requires that we learn to “play second fiddle.” The lessons of humility are not easy ones, but they are essential to bringing harmony to lives and relationships.

Heavenly Father, please give me a humble heart that is willing to take second place, that is always willing to serve. May I decrease that Jesus may increase. Amen.

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

Born Again

Posted on May 3, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Born Again
From Open Up Your Heart by jeff Syverson

May 3

Born Again

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 65:1-8;Judges 17:1-18:31;John 3:1-21;Proverbs 14:20-21

Today’s Scripture Focus:  John 3

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again” (John 3:3 TNIV).

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 TNIV).

Jesus clearly teaches that we must be born again. There must be a spiritual rebirth to enter into God’s kingdom. It is a transformation that takes place when we turn from our old way of life and place our trust in Christ as Savior and Lord.  

It is all made possible because God loved us enough to send Jesus to die for us. He deals with our sin problem. He brings forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe.

It is much like the transformation of a butterfly. Beginning as a worm-like creature we enter the Chrysalis and are transformed to a new way of life. We emerge as a beautiful butterfly. So, when we come in repentance and faith and invite Christ into our lives, he transforms us and we are made new. We emerge from the experience a new creature. In the words of Jesus, we are “born again.”

Life abundant—lived to the full—and everlasting results from being born again by the Spirit. It begins with a simple prayer of faith where we confess our need to be forgiven and invite Christ into our lives to become our Savior and Lord.

God loves you and has done everything you need to spend eternity with him through the death of Jesus on the cross. Enter into his life and be born again to a whole new way of life. Open your heart to a relationship with Jesus.

Heavenly Father, thank you for providing a way for us to born again into your kingdom. Thank you for life eternal and all the blessings of your grace. Continue to transform me more and more into the image of Jesus. Amen.

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

When Jesus Got Angry

Posted on May 2, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
When Jesus got angry
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

May 2

When Jesus Got Angry

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 64:1-10;Judges 15:1-16:31;John 2:1-25;Proverbs 14:17-19

Today’s Scripture Focus:  John 2

So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money  changers and overturned their tables.  To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” (John 2:15-16 TNIV). 

Zeal for his Father’s house consumed Jesus as he overturned tables and chased out the moneychangers from the temple. Jesus was filled with righteous indignation.

The temple was to be a place of worship and prayer. It had become a smelly, noisy marketplace. The true purpose of the temple was being lost in the confusion created by sheep and cattle and doves and money exchange.

It was also an evidence of a lost sense of mission as it was the court of the gentiles that was being used for this purpose. This was to be a house of prayer for all nations, as Isaiah said.

Places of worship too easily lose their sense of purpose, their sense of mission. They become places where our personal comfort and convenience is more important than prayer, worship and witness.

Likewise, each of us is a “temple of the Holy Spirit.” We too need to be careful to guard our life’s mission and purposes. We dare not get too busy with other things so that we forget the real reason we are created: to bring glory to God.

Perhaps it is time to clear the temple of our lives of things that hinder and distract. Indeed it is time to return to God’s purposes for us.

Dear Heavenly Father, may my heart be stirred to whole-heartedly pursue your purposes for my life. Make me a passionate worshipper, a powerful pray-er. Let me bring you glory in all I do. Amen.

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

Behold the Lamb of God

Posted on May 1, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
behold the lamb

May 1

Behold the Lamb of God 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 63:1-11; Judges 13:1-14:20; John 1:29-51; Proverbs 14:15-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: John 1:29-51

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me’” (John 1:29-30 NRSV).

From the beginning to end, the Gospel of John paints a spectacular and exalted picture of Jesus. The testimony of John the Baptist is a case in point. What do we learn about Jesus’ identity through his testimony as recounted in the gospel of John?

Jesus is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John paints a picture of Jesus mission through the familiar imagery of sacrifice in the Hebrew Scriptures. Surprisingly, Jesus is the lamb for the sacrifice. In so doing he foreshadows Jesus who will die for our sins.

Jesus is the one who “was before,” hinting at Jesus’ pre-existence as a member of the Trinity. He is pre-eminent and worthy of exaltation and honor.

Jesus is the one who “baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” The eschatological hopes of the prophets find their fulfillment in Jesus. He is the one in whom Israel’s hope (and that of the whole world) is found. He is the one who will ascend to the right hand of the Father as the enthroned Messiah who will pour out the Spirit and empower the church.

Jesus is the chosen one, the very Son of God. There can be no doubt that Jesus is God incarnate in human flesh.

Jesus, the exalted Messiah and King; the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; He is worthy of our praise. Worship him from the depths of your heart!

Jesus, you are the exalted Messiah and King, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Thank you are taking away my sin. Praise the Lord! Amen.

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

Message of Life

Posted on April 30, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

April 30

Message of Life

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 62:1-12; Judges 11:1-12:15;John 1:1-28;Proverbs 14:13-14

Today’s Scripture Focus:  John 1 

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:12-13 NIV). 

Jesus–the Word who is God–came in human flesh to live out God’s message to us. The one who created all things comes to live like one of the created to communicate God’s love for us.

To a world in darkness, he brings light. To all who receive him, he brings life. God could have communicated his most important message–the message of salvation, the message of life–only through words. He certainly did spell it out clearly in the scriptures. Yet, God’s love for us was so great, that he decided to communicate the message not only through words, but also by a living demonstration as Jesus humbles himself and takes on human flesh. God incarnate–the Word with us.

He demonstrates life lived to the full and calls all to a relationship with him that brings life abundant and eternal. Then he demonstrates his incredible love by dying on a cross to bring us forgiveness and life eternal.

Don’t miss the message clearly communicated through Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection. Many do. Yet to all who receive him (who believe in his name) he gives the right to become children of God–children born of God.

God loves you and sent his son to die for you. Jesus’ life and death shine forth the truth that we can be forgiven, that we can live life in vital relationship with him–a life lived to the full for eternity. Open your heart to Jesus, invite him in. Open the door by faith and enter into fellowship with Jesus. He stands at the door and knocks. Let him in.

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to follow Jesus, I want to receive life abundant and eternal. Forgive me from my sin as I turn from my old path and place my confidence in Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I open the door of my heart to a life of fellowship and life. Amen.

Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment