Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Posted on January 1, 2024 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
slow and steady
From Open Up Your Heart by jeff Syverson

January 1 

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 1:1-6; Genesis 1:1 -2:25; Matthew 1:1 – 2:12; Proverbs 1:1-6

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night (Psalm 1:1-2 NIV).

Remember the children’s story about the tortoise and the hare?  The “slow and steady” tortoise won the race. When it comes to reading the scripture the same principle is true. It is good to take it slow and meditate on the scripture. Notice that the blessing here is for the one who takes the time not only to read but also to meditate on the scripture all day long.

Note the scripture readings at the top, if you take a few minutes daily following the reading plan, you will read through the entire bible in the coming year. It really is not that difficult. Slow and steady wins the race.

As we begin this year of reading the scripture together, let me encourage you not to just rush through the scriptures. Read them slowly and meditate on them. Open your heart as you read them to all that God has for you today. He always has a fresh word for each day if you take the time to listen.

As you read, meditate, and apply the Word of God to your life, as you delight in it, you will find the blessing described here. You will be like a well-watered tree: fruitful, growing and healthy. You will know that the Lord is watching over your way and directing your paths.

Don’t miss out on the blessing. Take it slow and steady. Meditate, listen, apply and obey. You will see the blessing of God in your life. You have His word on it.

Dear heavenly Father, teach me to read your word slowly, carefully and prayerfully. Teach me to meditate,  listen, apply, and obey. I open my heart to all that you would teach me today. Amen.

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Hallelujah!

Posted on December 31, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Hallelujah!

December 31

Hallelujah! 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 150:1-6 | Malachi 3:1-4:6 | Revelation 22:1-21 | Proverbs 31:25-31

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 150

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, [4] praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, [5] praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. [6] Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord (Hallelujah!) (Psalm 150:3-6 NIV)

The reason I began writing these devotionals was to encourage the congregation I pastored then (Faith Alliance in Middletown, OH) to join me in reading the Bible through in a year. Down through the years others have joined in reading through the scriptures. Now there are people around the world reading the Bible with me. I do hope the devotionals help to encourage you. More importantly, I hope that they encourage you to dig in the text, opening your mind and heart for God to speak to you through his word.

For many of you, you are finishing up reading through the Bible over the course of this past year. That is reason to shout “Hallelujah!” May I encourage you to read through the Bible with me again next year? I do hope that you will continue to open up your heart daily as we read through the scripture from cover to cover. Perhaps you’ve joined in from time to time, let me encourage you to jump in with both feet and read through the Bible this next year.

The texts today, too, demand a shout of Hallelujah! God has given us a beautiful picture of heaven, eternity, and Christ ruling and reigning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You may not have understood every detail in the book of Revelation, but I hope that it has caused you to stand in awe of our majestic God and to look with anticipation to all that he has planned. Malachi too, points us to the coming of the King in his glory. Hallelujah!

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. All history will find fulfillment in his glorious plan. Evil and suffering will come to an end. Wrongs will be made right. God’s kingdom has come in its fullness and it will never end!

He really does have a good plan for each of our lives, and that is found in the life eternal and abundant that he freely offers to each of us.

Rev. 22:17 (NIV) The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Are you thirsty? Do you hear his call? Then open your heart to Him, and experience the free gift of the water of life: Life that is eternal, Life lived to the full. Open your heart to the one who comes “with healing in his wings.” Hallelujah!

Father, thank you for how you have been at work in my life this year. May I continue to grow more and more into the likeness of Christ as I open my heart to you daily. Amen.

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A Glimpse of Heaven

Posted on December 30, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
a glimpse of heaven

December 30

A Glimpse of Heaven 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 149:1-9 | Malachi 1:1-2:17 | Revelation 21:1-27 | Proverbs 31:10-24

Today’s Scripture Focus: Revelation 21

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4 NIV).

Clearly, heaven is a place of indescribable beauty: Precious stones of every sort; streets of gold; gates made of a single pearl. The beauty of the scene described is just about impossible to imagine–and I sense in John’s words that the beauty he is seeing is much more than his words can begin to describe.

More glorious than the beauty of the place is the beauty of the one who is seated on the throne. No need for sunlight, because of the glorious splendor of the radiance of the Father and the Son.

But what makes heaven even more glorious is the nature of our relationship with God. He himself will be with us. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. We will be with God. He will be with us. We will be his people. The words suggest a greater intimacy than is possible in our lives here and now.

Try to grasp the beauty of heaven as you read through the text. Stand in awe of the beauty. Then try to grasp the beauty of the one seated on the throne and the Lamb. Worship them. This is your eternal occupation. But you don’t have to wait until you get to heaven to get started. We can begin now.

Come rule and reign, Lord Jesus! Make us worshippers here as we anticipate worship in eternity. Amen.

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All Creatures

Posted on December 29, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
all creatures

December 29

All Creatures 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 148:7-14 | Zechariah 14:1-21 | Revelation 20:1-15 | Proverbs 31:8-9

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 148:7-14

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens (Psalm 148:13 NIV).

It is interesting how all the readings today come together. Zechariah tells of a “day” when the Lord will rule and reign. Revelation 20 describes the culmination of that day when Jesus will rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It will be in that day, when the words of the Psalmist find their ultimate expression: when all creatures of our God and King will worship Him!

In Psalm 148 all creation joins in praise to God—what could be more fitting? From the angels of heaven to the sun, moon and stars—all creation joins in worship of the creator. Sea creatures of all kinds, wild animals, cattle, small animals, birds; they all join the song of praise! Lightning, thunder, hail and wind all make a joyful noise! Don’t forget the mountains and hills and trees—they were created to praise too! Kings of the earth join in praise along with princes and rulers from all nations. Young men and women, Old men and children—everyone joins in the song!

It is good and right for us to praise the name of the Lord. “His name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” God reigns. Let the earth be glad. Let’s join the angels and worship God our King!

Come, Lord Jesus, rule and reign in me this day. Come, Lord Jesus rule and reign over kings and lords. Come, Lord Jesus, and bring the new creation—let all creation join in praise. Amen.

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King of Kings

Posted on December 28, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
king of kings
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 28

King of Kings! 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 148:1-6 | Zechariah 12:1-13:9 | Revelation 19:1-21 | Proverbs 31:1-7

Today’s Scripture Focus: Revelation 19

[6]“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready . . . [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords (Revelation 19:6-7, 16 NIV).

In his first coming, Christ came humbly as a babe in a manger. When he comes again, he will come boldly in all his glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

In this, another of the great worship hymns of Revelation, all of creation worships as the King of Kings comes in his glory. Imagine what it will be like to hear all creation singing “Hallelujah” as John described it: “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”

Since the fall of man in the garden, all of creation has been waiting in anxious anticipation of this day. The suffering and pain brought on by sin is not forgotten by God. It will be vindicated as Jesus comes in his glory. Those who have endured persecution look to this day of victory. Indeed, all of creation waits for his coming: the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

But they also celebrate the fact that the bride, the church of Jesus Christ (Christ-followers from all ages and all nations), has made herself ready. The Bride is ready. Cleansed and purified. Dressed in fine linen. Let the wedding celebration begin.

Rev. 19:7-8 (NIV) Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready, [8] Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

It will be quite a celebration. Are you ready?

Lord God Almighty, you reign, Hallelujah! We worship you King of Kings and Lord of Lords and we look forward to your coming! Amen.

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The Good Shepherd

Posted on December 27, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 27

The Good Shepherd 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 147:12-20 | Zechariah 10:1-11:17 | Revelation 18:1-24 | Proverbs 30:33

Today’s Scripture Focus: Zechariah 10:1-11:17

The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.3 “My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD Almighty will care for his flock, the people of Judah (Zechariah 10:2-3 NIV).

The image of a shepherd leading his sheep is a familiar theme in Scripture. Here the shepherds of God’s people are being chastised for not leading the people as they should.

It is an incredible responsibility to be a leader of people. The leader is not only responsible for his or her own actions—but is also to lead the people under their care in the right direction.

How had the leaders of Judah been doing? Not very well. The political “shepherds”—the Kings of Judah—were, on the whole, a miserable lot who more often than not led the people further and further into idolatry.

The spiritual leaders weren’t doing much better. The prophets are chided for bringing false comfort. Under the leadership of priests and prophets, the people of God regularly drifted away from the worship of the LORD to worship and serve idols made by human hands. Therefore God’s people “wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.”

Still God is not done with his people. He tells them that he, himself, will come to lead them as their shepherd. He, himself, would come to lead and guide them onto the right path.

Jesus picks up this image as the “Good Shepherd” as recorded in John’s gospel. He is the good shepherd who even lays down his life for the sheep.

Earthly leaders do often fail us. Yet God is with us to lead us and guide us (Psalm 23), and he has given us the good shepherd in Jesus to love and care for us. Follow his lead.

Good Shepherd, lead us each day in your truth. Guide us on the right path. Keep us from wandering from your path. Amen.

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Rejoice Greatly

Posted on December 26, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Rejoice Greatly
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 26

Rejoice Greatly! 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 147:1-11 | Zechariah 9:1-17 | Revelation 17:1-18 | Proverbs 30:32

Today’s Scripture Focus: Zechariah 9

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9 NIV).

One of my favorite parts of the Holiday season is listening to Handel’s Messiah. It is a beautiful work that weaves together so many of the prophetic texts that point to the coming of the Messiah. One such text is taken from this chapter; perhaps you have heard Handel’s musical setting to “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion.” As so much of the prophetic scripture, these verses point to the coming Messiah. They find their fulfillment as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Zechariah knew that the coming Messiah was reason for his people to rejoice.

In Jesus, the prophecies find fulfillment. He is the Messiah, gentle and riding on a donkey. Years before it comes to pass, Zechariah envisioned the gentle King and rejoiced. Indeed, the celebration of Christ’s coming to earth is a reason for all of us to rejoice. So rejoice, O daughter of Zion! As another great Christmas hymn says so well: “Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing!”

Jesus, we rejoice in your coming to the earth in the Incarnation. We find joy in your presence in our lives as Emmanuel. We look with hope to your coming again. Amen.

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Emmanuel: God with Us

Posted on December 25, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 25

Emmanuel: God with Us 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 146:1-10 | Zechariah 8:1-23 | Revelation 16:1-21 | 

Proverbs 30:29-31

Today’s Scripture Focus: Zechariah 8

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, [21] and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.’ [22] And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.” [23] This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you’” (Zechariah 8:20-23 NIV).

The Prophets can be a challenge to read and understand. But underlying the whole of the prophetic scripture is something we dare not miss: God has not forgotten his people and intends to bless them with his very presence: Jesus, the savior is to be born; God with us, Emmanuel. In him, God has come near. Through and through, the prophets point to the coming of God in human flesh to redeem people from the curse of sin. They look forward to the coming of the Messiah: Jesus.

I am always struck by Matthew’s account of the Christmas story. He again and again points out the prophetic significance of each detail of the story. So when I read this passage from Zechariah I am aware that the coming of the Gentiles to pray and worship, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you,” points to the coming of “Emmanuel: God with us.” Jesus came as God in human flesh, God with us, to express God’s love to the whole world that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

To the one who receives Him, he gives the greatest gift of all, Eternal life. Joy to the world! Merry Christmas!

Jesus, Emmanuel, be present in our lives. In our struggles, in our sorrows, in our joys, and in our celebrations, be present today. Amen.

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Generous Hearts

Posted on December 24, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

December 24

Generous Hearts 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 145:14-21 | Zechariah 6:1-7:14 | Revelation 15:1-8 | Proverbs 30:24-28

Today’s Scripture Focus: Zechariah 6-7

“Was it really for me that you fasted?” “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other” (Zechariah 7:5b, 9-10 NIV).

The people of Bethel went to the priests and prophets asking, “Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month as I have done for so many years?” The hypocrisy of the hearts of the questioners was immediately revealed by the words given to Zechariah. “Was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?”

While fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline when used rightly, it is no substitute to obedience or the right heart attitudes. What God especially wanted to see in his people was a heart filled with justice, mercy and generosity; a heart that looked to the poor and the less fortunate with a willingness to help.

Whether fasting or feasting, we dare not forget those less fortunate. We are the hands and feet that respond to God’s compassionate heart for the poor and needy. “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another, do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” God cares for the needy and our hearts should be a reflection of his; an important reminder in this time of feasting.

This Christmas season is a powerful reminder of the generous heart of our God who gave his one and only son for us. Let your heart be a reflection of his.

Father, thank you for your generous heart toward your people. Help me to reflect your heart to those in need. Give me a heart that is justice, mercy and generosity. Amen.

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Not by Might

Posted on December 23, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Not by might

December 23

Not by Might 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 145:8-13 | Zechariah 4:1 – 5:11 | Revelation 14:1-20 | Proverbs 30:21-23

Today’s Scripture Focus: Zechariah 4-5

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 4:6 NIV).

“Who despises the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10).

God had chosen Joshua and Zerubabbel to complete the task of building the temple. The key to their success in accomplishing their God-given task was not their human wisdom or strength. They key to their success was the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

We often look to natural talents thinking they are the sure predictor of future success. But God’s work calls for more than human talents and human strength. God’s work demands so much more–it requires the anointing of God to accomplish his purposes.

God often delights in choosing and anointing the weak and the foolish so that through his power they can accomplish unexpected things–and then all the glory goes to him.

I’m sure that Joshua and Zerubabbel, in their respective roles, felt overwhelmed by the task ahead. God wanted to remind them through this vision that their success in completion of the task did not depend on their human talents, intelligence, or strength. They might be tempted to be discouraged by the lack of progress (to despise the day of small things) but the victory was assured by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. As they walked in intimacy with God–led by the Spirit– and in humble dependence on his strength, the seemingly impossible task would be completed. The temple would be rebuilt and as Zerubabbel placed the final stone, all would cry out, “God bless it, God bless it” (4:7).

We must always remember that any God-sized mission will require dependence on God’s strength and power–it will be too much for our limited human strength. Yet God is always so willing to anoint and empower us as we trust Him and walk in obedience to his commands.

Father God, thank you for empowering me to accomplish the tasks you have given me to do today. I rely not on my own mighty or power, but on your Spirit. May you be glorified in it all. Amen.

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