The Right Response

Posted on September 4, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Worship and preaching require a response

September 4

The Right Response

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 99:1-9 | Ecclesiastes 7:1 — 9:18 | 2 Corinthians 7:8-16 | Proverbs 22:17-19

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 7

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV).

How do you respond to your pastor’s message? It’s an important question. When God speaks to you through his word—and especially through the preaching of his word—how do you respond? Unless you respond—and respond rightly—you’ve missed out on a vital part of your worship experience.

Worship is our response to God’s glory. He is always the audience in worship. It’s easy to see how that works through singing. We sing to Him; praising for who he is and thanking him for what he has done. But the whole worship service is a response to God as he reveals himself to us. Even the message—or sermon—or whatever your pastor calls that time when he talks and you doze in and out (I’m teasing, I hope). But worship isn’t really happening through the preaching of the word until we respond.

As scripture is read and explained and applied through preaching, God speaks to us. His word to us requires a response. That response is an important part of our worship.  

Paul was encouraged by the way the Corinthians had responded to his earlier letter. He had to say some tough things—and he hoped they would receive his words in the right spirit. More importantly, he hoped that they would hear and respond rightly.

Their godly sorrow is the evidence that they had  heard and responded to the message they received. The Holy Spirit brought conviction. They knew what Paul was saying was true. The words cut like a sword and they had to respond. Godly sorrow led to repentance: A total change of mind about sin—a determination to turn in the other direction.  

Each week, we come expecting God to confront us with his truth, and to point us to some needed changes. Godly sorrow leading to repentance is always evidenced by obedience to the truth revealed. 

Worship doesn’t happen by just sitting in a pew; it doesn’t happen only through the singing. An important and often neglected part of the worship service takes place as we hear and respond to the Word of God as it is read and expounded—such a response is a pleasing sacrifice of worship that is sure to bring God delight.

Father, speak to me through your word daily and especially through the preaching of your word on Sunday. When you speak, help me to respond to what you say. I recognize that this is an important part of worship. Amen.

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Good Friends

Posted on September 3, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

September 3

Good Friends 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 98:1-9 | Ecclesiastes 4:1 – 6:12 | 2 Corinthians 6:14- 7:7 | Proverbs 22:16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Ecclesiastes 4-6

“Two are better than one…if one falls down, his friend can help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV).

It’s a dangerous thing to try to live the Christian life on your own. You really do need some friends for the journey; Friends who will be there to encourage you when you get down; Friends who will keep you accountable and speak the truth in love when you are tempted to fall; Friends who will be faithful even when you do fall; Friends who will accept you and love you through it all.

Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto, his faithful sidekick. Yet many today try to live the Christian life on their own, without a group of faithful friends to come alongside them to help them on the journey. Two really are better than one…and a cord of three strands is not easily broken. There is strength in the fellowship of good friends.

Christianity is best lived out in “one another” relationships with other friends. Too often we have viewed church as “sitting in a pew listening to a sermon.” I’m certainly not against doing that, but Christianity is so much more. We need to connect with each other on a deeper level. We need to laugh, cry, share and pray with one another. The journey is not always an easy one. But good friends are gifts from God that help us along when we get to the tough spots.

Thanks for traveling with me on this journey, thanks for being a friend.

Father, thank you for those friends I journey with. May our fellowship grow deeper and stronger. Help me to be the kind of friend that encourages others to grow in their faith and that walks with others through their times of trial. Amen.

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I’m Bored

Posted on September 2, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

September 2

I’m Bored

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 97:7-12 | Ecclesiastes 1:1 – 3:22 | 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 | Proverbs 22:15

Today’s Scripture Focus: Ecclesiastes 1:1 – 3:22

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher “Utterly Meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”  “All things are wearisome; more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 8  NIV).

The Teacher is bored. “Everything is meaningless” “All things are wearisome.” He has tried stimulating every one of his senses with the best life could offer. Where did it take him? Nowhere. He was bored.

In these chapters, he describes a search for meaning in life through education, money and possessions, power, position, relationships (hundreds of them—the most beautiful women of all the earth), and the pursuit of pleasure. He had it all, by the world’s standards, and still he felt that he was coming up short.

Somehow, he knew that there must be more to life than hedonism and materialism. Ecclesiastes is about that pursuit for life’s meaning and purpose. It speaks about the dead end of trying to live life “under the sun”—in the pursuit of money, pleasure and things. If it seems a little hopeless at times, perhaps that is because life lived that way is hopeless, meaningless and indeed, boring.

But the Teacher points us to another way of life—a way worth pursuing: “To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness” (2:26). Where is purpose and meaning in life to be found? Pleasing God. All other pursuits only lead to a dead end. Pleasing God brings wisdom, knowledge and happiness.

Many of us live as the Teacher did, pursuing life’s meaning and purpose through the pursuit of money, pleasure and things. Perhaps we haven’t gone done that road far enough yet to realize that it is a path that goes nowhere. But the Teacher had tried it and found it a journey that leads to meaningless and hopelessness. We do well to heed his words and seek the wisdom, knowledge and happiness of pleasing God.

Heavenly Father, I am sometimes tempted to pursue life under the sun as the teacher did. Remind me that these pursuits are a meaningless dead end. Help me to find meaning in pleasing God in the wisdom, knowledge and happiness he only can give. Amen.

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When God Asks the Questions

Posted on September 1, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
When God asks questions
From Today’s Devotional in Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

September 1

When God Asks the Questions

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 97:1-6 | Job 40:1 – 42:27 | 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 | Proverbs 22:14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Job 40-42

“Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me” (Job 40:7, NIV).

Job has asked his questions. He has finally said all that he could think of to say. Now he is waiting for the answers. Then something surprising happens. God shows up not to answer the questions, but to ask His own.

The questions that God asks are real “doozies,” questions that only he can answer. Questions like: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?” “Who marked off its dimensions?” “Who stretched a measuring line across it?” God continues his questions for several chapters.  Each is a question that no man could ever answer.

God answers Job’s questions not with answers, but with even more difficult questions.

I think God is telling Job (and us): Remember who I am. I know the answers to your questions and thousands much more difficult. Life does not always make sense. It is not always fair.  But I am the creator, the sustainer, the sovereign Lord over all things. I have it all under control. Trust me.

The answer to God’s questions is not found in words, but in falling on our faces in humility, repentance and worship before the awesome creator of all things. The questions call for a response: surrendering all that we are to Him; becoming a living sacrifice.

In the end, God rewards Job for his perseverance through the trials. He always does. Sometimes he does so down here, sometimes in eternity. But he is always faithful to reward us for persevering through life’s trials.

“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about, The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:1).

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

He may not answer our questions.  Even if he does, the answers (or questions) might not be to our liking. But he will be with us, and he is faithful to reward those who hold on tight to him through the trials—to those who persevere.

Father, help me to trust you when my questions are not answered. Help me to press ahead in faith even when I’m confused. Fill with me joy as I press ahead trusting in your compassionate and merciful heart. Amen.

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Eternal Glory

Posted on August 31, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

August 31

Eternal Glory

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 96:7-13 | Job 37:1 – 39:30 | 2 Corinthians 4:13 – 5:10 | Proverbs 22:13

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV).

I love the phrase Paul uses to describe troubles: “Our light and momentary troubles.” Remember his light and momentary troubles? “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed” (4:8-10).

A few chapters later he further details his “light and momentary troubles”:

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and have been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country; in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and been cold and naked” (11:23-27).

How can he say that such things were light and momentary troubles? Because Paul focused the eyes of his heart on the hope that is to come—his focus was eternal glory. He knew that the rewards for his faithful service would so far outweigh the suffering and pain he had experienced here that they could only be considered light and momentary troubles.

We tend to magnify the troubles down here and lose sight of the glory that is to come. It seems the natural tendency. Paul did the opposite. He focused more on the glory that was to be revealed. From that perspective, even the most devastating events were viewed as “light and momentary troubles.”  

Therefore “we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (4:18).  Keep looking up! Keep pressing on.  There is yet glory to be revealed.

Father, enable me to keep my eyes focused on the glory that is to come rather than on the light and momentary troubles of daily life. Fill me with hope as I look forward to all the blessings of eternity. Strengthen me with joy as I press ahead through trying times. Amen.

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Sing a New Song

Posted on August 30, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

August 30

Sing a New Song

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 96:1-6 | Job 34:1 – 36:33 | 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 | Proverbs 22:10-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 96

“Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the Earth” (Psalm 96:1 NIV)

Do you like to sing new songs? The Psalmist did. I do too. It’s not that there aren’t great old familiar songs to sing—and there is a place for that too. But, we dare not get stuck in a rut. Here the psalmist calls us to worship the Lord with new songs. 

Why new songs? God is always doing something new and fresh. We must proclaim “his salvation day after day.” If our relationship with God is growing—if there is a newness and freshness in our walk with him—there will be new songs to express that vitality. With every fresh move of the Spirit of God upon the church there are many new songs.

I’ve noticed that people tend to like the songs that remind us of experiences we’ve had with the Lord. Some songs bring me back to my childhood experiences, others to college, others to conferences where God met me in an unusual way. But just as God desires a fresh intimate walk with me each and every day, so there will be new expressions of praise. A daily, fresh encounter with Jesus is likely to lead to new songs of praise—and will often bring new meaning to some of those great old classics as well.  

We must also sing new songs, because there are new people to reach. New songs must be written and sung in the heart language of each and every generation; each and every language; each and every culture. We must declare “his glory among the nations” and that will require new songs that will enable people of every language, nation and people to bring praise to God in ways most meaningful to them. Someday, we’ll all get together and worship God around the throne in heaven. People from all nations will be there, each singing to God in their own unique way (read Revelation 4 and 5). The sound will be glorious. I can hardly wait.

Singing new songs is a challenge for some of us. In many ways it is easier to sing familiar songs.  There is a place for both, of course. But don’t get stuck in a rut in your walk with God. Don’t get stuck in a rut in your singing either. Keep learning, keep growing and keep singing with all your heart! He really is worthy of our praise.

Father, put a new song in my heart. With mercies that are new every morning, keep my walk with you fresh and vibrant. Keep me singing whether on the mountaintop or in the deepest, darkest valley. May my new song bring you pleasure, and bring encouragement to other travelers on the way. Amen.

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Glowing with Glory

Posted on August 29, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

August 29

Glowing with Glory

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 95:1-11 | Job 33:1 – 33:33 | 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 | Proverbs 22:8-9

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 3

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).

Moses walked intimately with the Lord and the effect was sometimes seen on his face–it would glow with reflected glory. But over time, the glory would fade, so Moses began to put a veil over his face.

The New Testament promises a “surpassing glory” that goes beyond what Moses experienced. As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are transformed into the very likeness of the one we worship–the Lord Jesus Christ.

I’m encouraged to know that as I spend time with Jesus daily, he begins to rub off on me. Little by little, day-by-day, I reflect more of the life of Christ within me in my daily attitudes, character and behavior.

It’s God’s intention for each of us to experience a little more of that glory today than we experienced yesterday. Of course, it doesn’t just happen with time. It requires seeking the Lord.  It requires time in his presence. It requires times of intimate fellowship with the one who loves us most. Maybe that’s why some of us don’t seem to be glowing much. Maybe that’s why some of us aren’t growing much.

There is so much more of the glory of Christ to be revealed in us. There is so much more of his glory to be reflected on our faces and through our lives. So, with Moses, our prayer is, “Show us Your Glory!”

Lord, show us Your glory. Shine the glory of Jesus into our hearts as we fellowship with him. May we be transformed from the inside out—attitudes, mindset, character, behavior. May his radiance shine from our faces and draw others to Christ. Amen.

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What is that Fragrance You Are Wearing?

Posted on August 28, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

August 28

What is that Fragrance You Are Wearing? 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 94:12-23 | Job 28:1 – 30:31 | 2 Corinthians 2:12 – 17 | 

Proverbs 22:7

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere” (2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV).

“What is that fragrance you are wearing?”

“It’s called ‘fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.’ Do you like it?”

As we know and walk in the fullness of Christ, we begin to take on an aroma–-the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Wherever we go, that pleasant aroma follows us. Just by being around us, people sense Christ’s joy, or his love, or his kindness, or one of his other winsome character qualities. As Christ lives out his life in us, we become more and more like him, and people begin to notice the difference.

It is this fragrance of Jesus that we should bring with us everywhere we go. Then doors open to share the hope we have in Christ. We no longer need to be peddlers who force our way intrusively into every conversation in a “telemarketer” fashion–which only turns people off anyway.

Paul looked for open doors (and prayed for them), and remained sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. He sought to share the hope he had in Christ, but knew that he was not a peddler on a sales call, he was a sincere lover of Christ who wanted to bring the fragrance of Jesus wherever he went–hoping it to be the fragrance leading to life to everyone in the room. Not everyone finds the aroma to their liking, but those whom God has prepared are bound to notice and ask about the fragrance we are wearing.

One of the best parts of the fragrance “knowledge of Christ” is that as we wear it, the aroma rises to heaven and brings a smile to the face of our heavenly Father. “For we are the aroma of Christ to God” (2:15 ESV). Isn’t it good to make God smile?

Father, I give myself as a living sacrifice to you. May the aroma of my obedience to Christ be pleasing to you. May the aroma of Jesus in me also be pleasant to others and may they be drawn to know Jesus. Amen.

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Purer than Gold

Posted on August 27, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

August 27

Purer Than Gold 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 94:1-11 | Job 23:1-27:23 | 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11 | Proverbs 22:5-6

Today’s Scripture Focus: Job 23-27

“But he knows the way I take; When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 NIV).

Job was wrestling with feelings of abandonment from God. He wanted to state his case before the Almighty, but he seemed unable to find him. Often the trials of life bring on such feelings of abandonment. “But if I go to the east, he is not there, if I go to the west I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.” 

We all have these “dark nights of the soul” where God is teaching us to trust him in the dark. They are difficult times because they stretch our faith, but they can be times of incredible growth.

Job was also wrestling with feelings of injustice. He didn’t understand why he was enduring all these trials: had he not been faithful to the Lord? He thought that if he could only argue his case with God, he could show his integrity and blamelessness and that the trial would be over. Of course, Job didn’t understand the underlying theme which we saw in the early chapters. He was going through these trials not because of disobedience, but because Satan was testing the character of this righteous man, hoping to prove that difficult times could shake him from his trust in God. 

God saw the integrity of his character and allowed the test to take place. What Satan meant for evil, God planned to use for good. He always does.

Tough times are a test of our faith, and an opportunity for growth. Conventional wisdom (Bildad and Eliphaz) assumes that the tests come because of our disobedience. Job reminds us that this is not always the case. Sometimes the tough times are tests of our faith given to us so we can grow and mature in the faith.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4, NIV). 

These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy (1 Peter 1:7-8, NIV).

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5, NIV)

Despite the feelings of abandonment and injustice, Job continued to trust God and persevere in his faith. His statement is an amazing one, filled with wisdom: “But he knows the way that I take; When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

God knows all your ways, he sees you in your trial. He hasn’t abandoned or forgotten you. He is using this tough time to test and refine your faith. When he has tested you, you too, will come forth as gold.

Father God, I sometimes struggle to understand your ways, when you seem distant and silent to my cries, when life seems unfair. Teach me to trust you in the dark. Help me to press on when there is no light in sight. I struggle sometimes, but I do wait upon you. Amen.

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Comfort Received, Comfort Given

Posted on August 26, 2023 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
We are comforted so that we might bring comfort to others.

August 26

Comfort Received, Comfort Given 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 93:1-5 | Job 20:1 – 22:23 | 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 | Proverbs 22:2-4

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. [5] For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV).

God reveals himself through his names. It is good to meditate on them to find a fresh revelation of the truths they contain. Think on these: “God is the Father of compassion,” He is “the God of all comfort.” We all do well to allow those truths to sink deeply into our hearts. While life can be difficult and there is more than enough suffering for all of us, he is the Father of compassion and the God of all Comfort who comforts us in all our troubles. That is good news.

In our readings in Job, we see a man struggling to understand the sufferings he is going through. The answers seem hard to come by, especially with the “many words” of his “miserable comforters” who don’t understand a thing about his situation. But in the text here in 2 Corinthians 1, we learn something about the mysteries of the ways of our God of compassion and comfort.

Even our suffering is not lost on God. As we draw to him through the trial, he gives comfort and grace and peace. He even gives us joy to strengthen us as we walk through the circumstances we cannot understand.

The comfort God gives is meant to overflow. He comforts us not only that our need is met, but also so that we have comfort to give away to someone else in need. As he fills you with his comfort, you become one he can use to comfort others.

Our God of comfort beckons us to cry out to him in the midst of troubles that we may receive his presence which comforts us. Our Father of Compassion holds out his arms ready to embrace us and uphold us without regard to where we’ve been or how we’ve failed. It is good to have a friend in Jesus who joins us in our times of suffering. The Holy Spirit, the comforter, is also there pouring out his love into our hearts (Rom. 5:5). Yet even with all of that comfort, God also knows that we sometimes need a shoulder to cry on, someone to encourage. That’s where you and I come in. The wounded healers who’ve found comfort and healing in the arms of our loving Father, allow the comfort of Christ to overflow through them to bring healing to others.

Receive His comfort today; allow it to overflow and bring comfort to others. It’s one of the ways he “works all things together for good.”

God of Comfort and Compassion, thank you for being with me through times of trial. Help me to pass on the comfort and compassion I received to others who are struggling to find hope in the midst of their problems. Give me eyes to see those who are struggling and the compassion to be of help. Amen.

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