20/20/20 Challenge Day #11

Today's Reading...
Genesis 28:10-22
Luke 11:1-13
Luke 11:33-36

Genesis 28:16-17

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I wasn't even aware of it."  But he was also afraid and said, "what an awesome place this is!  It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!"

Observation

Each of the patriarchs; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, had to have their own experience with God.  They could not accomplish God's plan without it.  Their obedience, that was credited to them as righteousness could not come through the journey of their father or grandfather; it had to be their own.

This passage is about that experience for Jacob.  It caused both joy and fear to come to his heart, which drove him to his knees in worship, securing his own relationship and experience with Jehovah God.

Application

The success of my own journey can never be found in the success of someone else's.  There are so many books written by godly men and women charting the success of their journey with Jesus.  These books are great resources of inspiration, but they must never be a substitute for the experience that Jesus want for my life.

Every day I must get a fresh word from Jesus for this journey.  It must be birthed through his word and prayer.  Everything else, as good as it may be, has to be secondary to this.  I simply can't live my life on the principles that someone discovered through their own process of being with Jesus.  I must listen for myself.  It's only then that the experience of others can be useful.

Prayer

Father, speak to my heart with a fresh word from your Holy Spirit daily.  Let me not be guilty of hitching a ride off the word for someone else, but give me fresh bread from you mouth every day.  In Jesus name!

20/20/20 Challenge Day #10

Today's Reading
Genesis 25:19-24
Luke 10:25-42

Genesis 25:21

Issac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children.  The Lord answered Isaac's prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins."

Observation

Isaac's love for Rebekah bleeds out of this one verse and is a powerful example for godly leadership in a home.

Men have been given a great responsibility in leading their home.  Unfortunately, we have a warped view of what that means.  Isaac shows us through his actions what this ought to look like.  He served his wife by interceding for her before God.  His interests were not focused on his own well being, but on hers first.

In Ephesians 5, Paul talks about a man's duty before God concerning his wife and family and Isaac shows us how this is to be lived out.

Application

True and Godly leadership is never about oneself.  In fact, self is the last thing it considers.  When I look at Isaac's life, I have to stop and ask myself some questions.  Am I being the Godly man to my family that his example calls me to be?  Am I covering them spiritually through prayer?  Am I putting them 1st above my own needs?  Am I demonstrating to them a Godliness worth following?

Prayer

Gracious father, let my life be a living example of true Godliness in my home.  May I always look to their interests above my own.  May I, through the way I live out my own life, point them to the cross of your son, Jesus Christ.  In Jesus name!

20/20/20 Challenge Day #9

Today's Reading
Genesis 24
Luke 9:37-62

Genesis 24:12

O Lord, God of my master, Abraham," he prayed. "Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master Abraham."

Observation

The prayers of the ancients seemed to carry some key components.  They were audaciously big, driven in faith by a promise, yet they always gave room for the sovereign will of God.

These men and women seemed to know what they needed.  They didn't, however, assume they knew what was best as far as the path and timing of the answer, so they trusted in God by letting him lead and guide the way.

Application

If my prayers lack any of these components, they'll become anemic and faithless.

If they are only audacious, they can easily become about me and my success.  If they are only prayed in God's sovereign will, they give an attitude of resignation that says, "do what you will, I'm only here for the ride," making us spiritually lazy.

They key then, is to pray audacious prayers that are covered by the sovereign will of God and sought after because of the promise that He has laid out before me.  This is the kind of prayer and attitude that God wants me to walk in.

Prayer

Father God, challenge my heart to believe and pray for bigger things.  Let my heart be submissive to your will and let the promise that you have set before me drive me to my knees to believe you for the best.  In Jesus name!

20/20/20 Challenge Day #8

Today's Reading
Genesis 21:1-7
Genesis 21:22
Luke 8:16-25

Luke 8:5

A farmer went out to plant his seed.  As he scattered it across his field..."

Luke 8:15

...and patiently produce a huge harvest.

Observation

The personal pronouns jump out at me in this passage, "his seed," and "his field."  The farmer's job was to use what God had given him to plant in the field in which God had provided.  He didn't plant other's seed and he didn't use others fields.  He was faithful where he was placed and with what he was given.

Application

Like the farmer, we are called to plant the seeds God has given us in the fields that he has provided us.  Some fields are bigger than others as well as the supply of seed.  The important thing is to remain faithful.

It's foolish and unwise to compare ourselves to what others are doing and have.  Our attitude must always remain faithful in the place he's planted us and be happy and celebrate how he's growing the efforts of others around us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for planting me in Tampa.  For blessing me with seed to sow for your kingdom.  Help me to be faithful in what you have given me, and give me the wisdom to see it grow exponentially for your kingdom.

20/20/20 Challenge Day #7

Today's Reading
Genesis 19:15-16
Psalm 3
Luke 7:1-35

Psalm 3:7

Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God!

Slap all my enemies in the face!

Shatter the teeth of the wicked!

Victory comes from you, O Lord.

May you bless your people.

Observaiton

David's enemies were physical people.  They were rulers and despots who had lined him up in their cross hairs and were physically trying to steal his kingdom out from under him.

Our enemies are not physical (Eph 6:2), but rather they are enemies that are out to destroy our soul, the kingdom of heaven in us.  Psalm 18:16-19 says they are powerful, too strong to subdue and they attack us at our weakest points of distress.  They mask themselves as helpers and as allies, but when invited in the y peel back their masks, attack us and leave us for dead.

However, they are no match for Jesus.  When our faith is in him, he supports us and provides a way of safety and rescue (1 Cor 10:13).

Application

The key is for us to know who our enemies are.  What are the things that tempt you most, that come at you in your times of distress.  We must, with the power of the Holy Spirit know and recognize them and know what triggers them as well.  Once the Holy Spirit reveals them, we must then allow the Holy Spirit to support us, lead us to the place of safety and rescue us.  This is his work, what he has been sent to us to do.  He effectively leads us by knowing the triggers and teaches us to walk away from them and to seek help for them when they show themselves.

Prayer

Jesus ,by your Holy Spirit living in me, reveal to me my enemies.  Let me recognize and know the very things that have the power to entice me and mask itself as hopeful things, yet in reality can only destroy.  Reveal the triggers, the situation, thoughts and place where these masked enemies lurk and lead me away from these things.