Fetch Home Again

O. T. #2355 "Fetch Home Again"

Jan. 9, 2023

Malachi 3-Part 5

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of Hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? (verse 7)

LET IT GLOW

When our son was young, he had a friend that lived down the street about his age. They would play in the neighborhood streem and wooded area. When it started getting dark, I would call him in for supper. I wanted him to return home again. So it was with Israel, for they had wandered away from God's ordinances, and He was calling them to return home, fetch home again.

What is the problem that God has with His people? Even from the days of their ancestors, Israel had scorned God's decrees and failed to obey them. They had disobeyed for so long that the Jews did not even realize their true condition. 

What smart alecks they were! They did not know that they had gone away from Him. They had been going to the Temple for all the services; they tithed to certain extents. They did this, that, and the other, so how could they return when they had not even left God, so they thought.

Today ritualism has been substituted for relationship; pageantry for power; feeling for the Holy Spirit. They may know the right vocabulary, but not the power of God or salvation. They Jews should have known the ordinances of God, since He gave it to them so long ago, but they had not followed them.

Return means turn back; fetch home again. 

Repentance is walking in one direction, realize you're going the wrong way, then turn right around and go the opposite way. They agreed with God against themselves. When we repent of our sins, we ask God to forgive us and we change our ways. The lost believe in Jesus as Savior, then turn away from those sinful ways.

Like the prodigal son who went into a far country, God says to repent and come home. Fetch home again, Christian. God loves us and wants us to live for Him so He can bless us. Return to God and He will return to you. Do you know folks needing to do this?

LET IT GROW

When we were in college, preparing for the ministry, we had 2 small children. A lady from our home church would send $25 monthly to us, anonymously, which helped buy milk for our children so many times. We gave back to the Lord in our tithes. He always took care of us. (Although the kids and I wore hand-me-downs, we were grateful.)  How great is Jehovah Jire! I try to give to those struggling in college financially, to spread that love.

How can we return to God when we have never gone away? That is what the people were asking Him. And God told them right up how in verse 8:

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.

They had cheated God of what was due Him, with tithes and offerings. Those outside the church don't tithe. Tell them to repent of their sins. Yet, judgment begins at the house of God. The Israelites robbed God by:

• not giving God a tenth of one's grain, fruit, animals, or money, thus robbing God; (Lev. 27:30-34)
• robbing themselves; not fulfilling the covenant they made with God, so He couldn't fulfill His promise of bless them; (Neh. 10 and 13)
• robbing others; meeting the needs of the poor and those in need.

The Macedonians had given to Paul and he told the Corinthians: How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. (2 Cor. 8:2)

Those believers had an overflowing generosity as they gave to the poor in Jerusalem, even while they were poor, too. This resulted in overflowing joy. Although we live in the day of grace. we still realize that we should live only on 90% of our income and give God the 10%. It is a matter of the heart, a heart of worship and a heart of generosity. Do we give out of a loving heart? Are we helping those in need?

LET IT GO 

Help us give out of a loving heart, Lord, not out of a routine.

Remind us that You have given us all that we have, that You own it all and are lending it to us.

Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Change or Not Change

O. T. #2354 "Change or Not Change"

Jan. 6, 2023

Malachi 3-Part 4

For I am the LORD, I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (verse 6)

LET IT GLOW

When someone makes accusations against us, don't we tend to get on the defensive? But when we realize those things are true that they are saying about us, we shrink into humility, right? I suppose it is easier for others to see our faults than for us. 

Israel thought God was being unfair in all His accusations against them. However, the accusations were true. I think that is what the priests and people did not want to admit. They had sinned against God and against their brothers. God was blunt to point out the specifics, too. 

God is faithful. He always comes through with His promises. He is, was, and will always be holy, holy, holy. God will always do what is right. They should have been thankful that He did not kill them all and wipe the nation of Israel off the face of the earth.

The word change, in the Hebrew language, means hate. 

It is impossible for God to hate, for love is His nature. Now, we have read of times when He got angry and impatient, even silent for 400 years, but not hating.

God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the Son of Man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)

God keeps His Word and promises and covenant. There is no one like Him. Our God is greater, stronger, healer, awesome in power, our God.

So, are we like Israel and deny our sins, or do we admit with God that we have sinned? Grace is always shown to us and God forgives when we admit it and ask His forgiveness. Have you done so today, friend?

LET IT GROW

As I have read commentaries, I realize that those men did not consider the meaning of the word change. The do not speak about God not hating, but they focus on God not changing in our terms. 

For instance, Billy Graham sid this about our key verse: God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And because He is unchanging, He is utterly trustworthy and faithful. God is unchanging in His holiness. (Is. 6:3) He is unchanging in His demand for holiness and integrity in our lives. (Lev. 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15-16) He is unchanging in His judgment; God will judge all the earth, welcoming some into His eternal presence and sending others to eternal death. (Matt. 7:22-23) God is unchanging in His love: He sent His Son to die on the cross for us sinners.

Either way, we can agree that God is immutable and does not go back on Hia Word/Covenants. Israel will not be destroyed because of the covenant He made with Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel). It is not what they can do for Him, but what God can and will do for them. They have a future. 

If it were not for God's intervention and love, they would pass out of existence. (Falwell)

The Jews should have been grateful that God was unchanging in His nature, purposes, and promises. (Wiersbe)

God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. 

LET IT GO

Thank You Father for forgiveness, love, faithfulness.

Help us to be forgiving, loving, and faithful, too.

 

Doing Unto Others

O. T. #2353 "Doing Unto Others"

Jan. 5, 2023

Malachi 3-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Here are some things for us to consider. Do unto others like you would have them do unto you. How do you give to others as a Christian? Do you fill a shoebox of toys for children? Do you give gift cards to those who lost their job? Do you take a meal to a family of a sick loved one? Do you support help in the local church? How much time do we give to the Lord? Are we available to give a hug to the grieving? 

When Jesus comes to reign during His Millennial time as King: 

• He will come unannounced. His appearance will be sudden and unexpected. He will judge sinners and establish His kingdom on earth. (Matthew 24:36; 1 Thess. 5:3) (verse 3)
• There will be an unprepared people. (verse 1) There will be a worldwide terror when the wrath of God is poured out on sinners. No one will be able to stand before His judgment seat.
• The unclean nation of Israel will be cleansed and accepted by God through water, fire, and blood. Jesus shed His blood for sinners so they could be cleansed from sin. (verse 3-4) (Zech. 13:1)
• Once the priests and people are cleansed, their sacrifices will be acceptable to God. 
• There will be an unsparing judgment. (verse 5)
• He is an unchanging God. (verse 6) (Wiersbe)

He is our Everlasting God, our Hope, our Deliverer. He is the defender of the weak and comforts those in need. What a time it will be! The King of the world will reign supreme!

LET IT GROW

Malachi is clear as to whom God will judge in verse 5:

1. Sorcerers. It was forbidden because it means trafficking with demons. (Ex. 22:18; Lev. 20:27) Idolatry and witchcraft are a part of this.
2. Adulterers. The Israelites divorced their wives in order to marry heathen women. 
3. False swearers. This kind of witness dishonors God and is a sin. (Ex. 20:16; Deut. 19:16-20)
4. Those that oppress the hireling of the wages; widows, fatherless, and turn aside the stranger. Those people are helpless and at the mercy of others. (James 5:1-8)

When we help give to those listed in need, we are honoring God and showing His love. Who have we helped lately? When it is well with my soul, then I reach out. 

LET IT GO 

Open our eyes and heart to help those in need. 

God has given us so much, so we should give to others. 

Soap and Fire Can Cleanse

O. T. #2352 " Soap and Fire Can Cleanse"

Jan. 4, 2023

Malachi 3-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

There is a time which I can recall, that I got mad at a person, blowing my stack under my breath. Spittin' and spudderin' around.  My attitude was lousy. I allowed another's actions to dominate my attitude. Then the Lord humbled me and showed me that I was the one with the wrong attitude. (Maybe their motives were of love but carried out in the wrong way. Their controlling ways could be controlled by God if I turned it over to Him.) God has a way of putting us in our place, whether it be through physical suffering or mental anguish, or emotional breakdown. He knows how to bring us to repentance and change our heart and mind. In the scheme of things, the situation really did not matter a hill of beans. Everything worked out. Lesson learned: I am to love that person and help them with their controlling weakness. Maybe you have been through a similar situation.

Malachi is referring to the second coming of Christ in the Millennium in verse 2. Two questions are put to the Israelites:

1. Who may abide the day of His coming?

2. Who will stand when He appears?

In the Hebrew language, abide means forebaring; sustain; to keep in; stand refers to continue; worry; sorrow.

If Christ came right now, who of us could endure, remain the same, carry on life as usual? I think we will all fall down before Christ, the Holy One of Israel, and worship Him, as well as repenting of our sins. For we are sinners that would be in the presence of a Holy God. How can we face Him when He appears?

New Living Translation says it this way: For He will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 

What will happen?

• Jesus will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. (verse 3)
• He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so they may offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. 

Refining metals involves heating with fire the raw metal until it melts. The impurities separate from the liquid metal and rises to the surface. They are skimmed off, leaving the pure metal. (That is when the reflection of the worker appears in the smooth pure surface. Without the heating and melting, there is no purifying. When we are refined by trials, we are purified, and it is clearer to those around us that we belong to Jesus. 

Don't we want to be more like Jesus? Even if the process requires being put in the fire, suffering, or loosing things, will be able to give thanks in everything? Testing is never fun, but it for a purpose.

LET IT GROW

Have you ever bleached clothes or linens and discovered something colored got in the mix somehow? Well, the colored item lost its color when bleach hit it. Jesus will cleanse the hearts of sinners in a similar manner. 

The cleansing "lye" was alkali used to whiten cloth. The washing and bleaching of cloth is used here as an additional symbol for the purifying process. 

The Lord first brings judgment, in order to bring blessing. God has to refine and purify His people, removing what does not belong so they can receive His covenantal benefits. He is fire and furry, sacred and beautiful. God disciplines His children for a reason. (Hebrews 12:3-11)

Worldwide terror will come when the wrath of God is poured out on sinners. Those covered in the precious blood of Jesus will survive. (We will be judged upon our works.)

Are you prepared, dear one?

LET IT GO 

He's still working on me, making what I ought to be.

That is grace, mercy, and love.

Old and New Years

 O. T. #2351 "Old and New Years"

Jan. 3, 2023

Malachi 3

LET IT GLOW

Happy New Year, ya'll! I forgot to say that yesterday. I like turning over those spiral devotionals sitting on my desk to the beginning of a new year. How many times have we started over our dedication to God? Suppose it doesn't matter the number, but that we do it. Isn't it good to make resolutions? It forces us to look at ourselves, be honest about our failures, and our need to change. We need God's forgiveness of our falling short of being what we ought to be. Like Paul, I have not attained His perfection. Yet, Jesus dusts me off when we fall down, and sets my feet on the right, clear road again. 

Thank you, friend, for walking with me through the Old Testament. There have been some long and hard roads, hard words to absorb. But we are about to come to the end of this path and turn on another path of the New Testament with Jesus. I am so glad that I don't have to walk it alone. Although the road has been rough, rougher for some than others, we carry on, trusting in Jesus, the perfector of our faith.

 May you look forward to the year ahead with confidence in God-He loves you more than you can imagine, and cheers you on to fulfill His purpose for you. May your walk with God be closer than ever and your spirit in tune with His will, so that you will never lose your footing or courage along the path of life. (from Day Spring) May He give you the desire of your heart (His desire) and make all your plans succeed. (Ps. 20:4)

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Ps. 20:7)

What' your spiritual game plan? The following is a good guide: Seek the Lord on a regular basis. Treasure His truth in your heart. Openly tell others of Him. Rejoice and delight in God's workings. Spend more of your free moments meditating on His principles. Give God your full respect. (Swindoll)

LET IT GROW

With that said, let's look at the third chapter. Who is God's messenger that He is saying will prepare the way? Bible scholars say it is John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus. Did you know that Jesus quoted the first verse in Matthew 11:10? 

Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 

What was special about this John?

• He was a man with spirit and power of Elijah. (Luke 1:17)
• He prepared the people for the coming of the Lord.
• He turned hearts of the fathers to their children.
• He caused the rebellious to acdept the wisdom of the godly.
• Of all who ever lived, there was none greater than John the Baptist. (Jesus said that in verse 11)
• He is called the last of the old covenant propjets. (The old covenant did not end with the birth of Jesus in the manger, but by the death on the cross.)
• He presented Jesus to Israel as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. 
• John preached repentance of their sins, baptized them, and introduced Jesus.

John prepared a way for the King to come, leveling the roads and removing the obstacles so that the King might enjoy an easy and comfortable trip. (Wiersbe)

Are we preparing people for the second coming of Jesus? Are we helping others come to know Him as Savior, by not being a stumbling block, judgmental? Is His love abounding in us, overflowing to others? (These questions are always for me.)

LET IT GO

Forgetting those thing behind, let's press on to the mark God has for us to attain.

Be grateful for last year and for a new year ahead.

 

Calling Evil Good

O. #2350" Calling Evil Good"

Jan. 2, 2022

Malachi 2-Part 8

LET IT GLOW

As Malachi continue his message, the people continued their resistance to God's truth. They had argued with him about God's love (1:2), God's name (verse 6), and God's teaching about marriage and divorce 2:14), Now they would argue about 3 other matters: the justice of God, giving to God, and serving God. People who argue with God rarely receive blessings from God. It's when our mouth is stopped and we submit to His will that we can experience the grace of God. (Rom. 3:19)                             [Resource:The Wiersbe Bible Commentary]

Malaci did not stop preaching, but went on dealing with those "sins of the saints."

You have wearied the LORD with your words. How have we wearied Him? (verse 17a)

Wearied means to be exhausted; to tire; faint.

 In verse 17, we find the answer: You have wearied Him by saying that all who do evil are good in the LORD's sight, and He is pleased with them. You have wearied Him by asking, "Where is the God of justice?"

God does not get weary in a physical sense because He has no body:28), but He does get weary of some of the things His people say and do. The Jews were divorcing their wives and marrying pagan women who worshiped idols. They brought defiled sacrifices to God. They robbed Him of tithes and offerings. Also, they complained about having to serve the Lord. Had God blessed them, it would have meant approving of their sins. The Israelis had forgotten the terms of the covenant and conditions of blessings that God had laid down in His Law.

God was tierd of the Jews' pious prayers, testimonies, hypocritical service. God lays it on the line, tells it like it is. God saw the rich racals getting richer while the poor got poorer. The poor saints of God were the ones who were not prospering at all. 

How faithful are we to God? So we surrender our all to Him or just half-heartedly worship and give to Him? Are our words backed up by our actions? 

LET IT GROW

Does it seem that it pays to do evil? New morality seems to be prevalent today. Least we think so, remember Elijah thought he was alone as he served God. Keep in mind that the God of justice sees all, hears all, and knows all. Judgment will eventually come, perhaps tomorrow. The evil ones may seem to be getting away with sin, but eternity is coming for all. 

Because sentence against evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Eccl. 8:11)

Mankind does not seem to changed, God was tired of the way the people of Israel had cynically twisted His truths. He would punish those who professed a counterfeit faith while acting sinfully. We know that God was silent for 400 years, before sending John the Baptist to prepare the way of Jesus. Sad, isn't it?

If we are honest, we have wondered where God's justice is now. Why does He wait to execute it? Friend, let us not grow weary in well doing. He is working out His plan. Sifting the wheat. Will we be found faithful?

LET IT GO 

Let us draw near to God with a faithful, humble heart.

May we do what we say and say what we so.

God is faithful.

Right and Wrong

O. T. #2349 "Right and Wrong"

Dec. 30, 2022 

Malachi 2-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

I realize divorce is a touchy subject. So I am trying to approach it Biblically. What does the Bible, and God, say about it?

There are more Scriptures concerning divorce. Matthew 19:8-9 explains that it was because of the hardness of the Israeli hearts that Moses permitted men to divorce their wives. At the beginning, it was not approved. Jesus said in theses verses that only fornication (sexual impurity), they should not divorce their wife. If that was not the case, the man would commit adultery when he remarried, and the one she marries committed adultery, too. Moses permitted divorce, not command it. Christian couples should not discuss divorce, but do whatever it takes to work things out. (See Matthew 5:31-32)

Mark 10:9 says, What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 

Marital problems are spiritual problems, according to Jerry Falwell. He goes on to say,"If one's relationship with God is correct, he will never have marital problems."

LET IT GROW

Another thing Malachi brought up was that Israel wearied the Lord. (verse 17) How had they wearied the Lord? It was by saying that all who do evil are good and the Lord was pleased with them. 

God's patience was wearing thin. Those faithless, disobedient priests and people had skepticism and self-justification, so judgment was on the way. They were calloused and lacking in spiritual discernment. They had no intention of taking right and wrong seriously. (MacArthur)

Malachi was trying to lead the sinners to repentance.

Wow, this seems to be prevalent in our society and government today

.LET IT GO 

Keep us learning what is right and wrong in Your eyes, God.

Help us to stand for the right and rebuke the wrong.

Forgive our killing of babies, allowing homosexuals .