Bit of Honey

Scripture
1 Samuel 14:26-27
When the people entered the forest, behold, there was a flow of honey; but no man put his hand to his mouth for the people feared the oath.  But Jonathan had not heard when his father had put the people under oath.  Therefore, he put out the end of the staff that was in his hand to his mouth and his eyes brightened.

Observation
The men of Israel were hard-pressed, distressed and oppressed, weary, hungry, and weak; for King Saul had put the people under oath, cursing anyone who eats food before evening until he had avenged himself on his enemies. 
But when they entered the forest, honey was dripping everywhere.  No one dared touch it - except Jonathan, Saul's son, who hadn't heard the order.  
Oh how tired, weak, hungry, and blurry-eyed Jonathan was!  And behold, there it was, honey everywhere!  He must've thought, 'Ah, Lord, how good You are to me, providing me 'daily sustenance' for this weary warrior.  Thank You Lord for providing for my needs.'  
He took his staff, dipped it in a 'bit o honey' and ate.   So Jonathan tasted, and his eyes brightened!  He could see clearly now, the fog had lifted, his strength returned.  He felt good, strong, and was ready to keep going!  
Oh how much more will our spiritual eyes be brightened, our countenance changed, our inner man strengthened when we partake of 'our daily bread' - the Word of God.  Our spirit will be revived, refreshed, and illuminated by the presence and power of God through that devotional time at His feet and in His Word!

Application
Reading the Bible every day and spending time with the Savior is of utmost importance in my walk with Him.  Gleaning for myself the  precious words God will speak to me through my reading, journaling, and meditations of Him, will renew and revitalize me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.   Other readings are good, but will not do for me what God's Word will do for my growth and well-being. 

Prayer
O taste and see that the Lord is good!  How sweet are Your words to my taste.  Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb!  Father, thank You for daily bread and the sweetness of Your Word to my soul!  You strengthen me, and brighten my eyes with the 'bit o honey' of Your Word.  I can see and think more clearly when I look to You and draw my sustenance from Your Word.  I love You Lord.  I love Your Word.  In Jesus Name, A-men.

Psalm 19:7-10

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Taking Possession of God's Promises

Scripture
Genesis 23:19-20  Afterward Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (which is at Hebron) in the land of Canaan.  So the field and the cave in it were deeded over to Abraham by the Hittites as a burial site.  

Observation
Abraham's purchase of the field and cave meant that Abraham would now own land in Canaan, the promised land that God spoke to him about in Genesis 12:7 "To your descendants, I will give this land . . . "
It also confirmed that Abraham and his descendants were now connected to the land of promise.  The purchase included the field and the cave (burial site for Sarah), and all the trees which were in the field, and it was deeded over to Abraham for 400 shekels of silver in front of many witnesses.  

Application
Take ownership of the promises of God!  Take them to heart!  I'm reminded of a story about my trekking poles.  I am a hiker, and at times, I use my trekking poles to help me in my walk.  The poles pull me forward and keep me balanced as I walk on uneven and difficult terrain.  In the same way God's promises assure me of my calling, and that I am empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the things He says for me to do.  In my journey with God, His promises help pull me forward and help me balance and keep me from falling over when there are many obstacles in the way.  I can rely on my trekking poles, but even more I can rely on the promises of God for the difficult days of life!  With every planting of the pole, or promise of God, I am able to keep going, keep steady, and continue the journey with confidence and strength from God.  

Prayer
Father, may Your promises keep me going forward in You.  Steady me, balance me, keep me from falling O God.  You are my strength and my confidence!  Just as Abraham intentionally took possession of Your promise, may I too, take possession of the promises I have in You.   In Jesus Name, A-men.

Listen Up! January 8, 2018

Scripture
Luke 8:17-18  For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.  Therefore consider carefully how you listen.  Whoever has will be given more, whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.  

Observation
Consider carefully how you listen.  Be a faithful hearer and doer of the Word.  Take notice of what is being said and respond to the advice or request given.  Make an effort to hear and be alert.  
All will be out in the open, nothing hidden.  If you have been given gifts or talents - ask God how to effectively use them.  

Application
Listen up!  Whatever He says to you, do it!

Prayer
Father, I hear You - I am not finished yet.  I am to be supportive, ready to help and serve where needed.  You have more for me to do.  Thank You Lord for opening my ears to hear and help me be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.  In Jesus Name, A-men.  

Come Away! January 5, 2018

Scripture
Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Observation
Jesus, our Lord and Savior, Healer, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Soon Coming King, often, that means frequently, slipped away from the crowd, the people, family, home, friends, to get alone in deserted wilderness, mountainous places jus to be alone.  And pray.  he talked to God His Father, Our Father, and He did this - often.  

Application
Can you hear them?  "Where's Jesus?"  "Gone again?"  "Where does he run off to?"  "What does he do?"  "When is he coming back?"  
He's praying.  He's listening.  He's alone with God.  I need to do that too more often than I do.  Come Away!

Prayer
Teach us Lord to come away often.  Teach us to listen.  Teach us to love, to wait, to be patient, and to reach out to You.  

Time with Jesus January 4, 2018

Scripture 
Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Observation
"It is not education, wealth, position or political influence, that makes us competent or qualified to do great things for God.  Rather it is time spent with Jesus that makes us ready for His purposes."

Application
Spend time connecting with Jesus every day, at His feet, listening, talking, singing, reading His word, instead of worrying about my level of 'preparedness' or knowledge for the task ahead.  God will make me ready for all He wants to do through me as long as I seek Him with my whole heart and rely upon Him every step of the way.

Prayer
Father, I receive this word in the midst of our church transition.  It is not a title that affirms me, but it is Your Presence with me that gives me courage and authority to do the things You've called me to do so that You might complete in me what You have begun. Time spent with You Lord is never wasted time.  It makes me ready for whatever You have purposed for me for the tasks - the good works You have prepared in advance for me to do.  

Fullness of Joy January 2, 1918

Scripture 
Ps. 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in Your Presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your Presence.

Observation
There is a promise of joy when we walk with and experience the Presence of the Lord.  He will show us the path(s) of life!

Application
He teaches us His ways and shows us the paths of life in Him.  I am learning to walk with my Savior, step by step and my life is forever changed as I choose to follow Him.  

Prayer
Father, You have set my feet on a path of life - with You.  O God, I have joy and gladness in my heart.  Your presence is my light and my salvation.
You are Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life.  In You I put my trust.  It is You I will follow all the days of my life.  

The New Year by Pastor Jack W. Hayford January 1, 2018

2018  My prayer . . . 

Let the new year be a year of growth and harvest.

• Growing in our walks with Jesus - staying close to Him. 
• Growing in the Word of God - deepening in understanding.
• Growing in faith, prayer, and boldness in giving.
• Growing in loving, serving, and helping those we can.  

There is nothing too great for us to expect since we so great a Savior and Lord.