Who is Your LORD?

O. T. #2269  "Who is Your LORD?"

August 31, 2022

Zechariah 1

LET IT GLOW

Do we often stop and consider how powerful our God is? We read it in Genesis how God spoke everything into being, but do we realize there was nothing to start with then? As we pass by large rocky hills along our highway south of us, I wondered if it was heat that caused the materials to harden and become stones or if God just created them that way. We pass by the crops in such large fields in the eastern part of my state. Rice, soybeans, corn, and maze all grew from a tiny seed. What awesome things and awesome God does.

We are preparing for the funeral of a dear friend and deacon of over 35 years(That is why this post is late, so please excuse me.) Today, he is enjoying seeing his faith in sight, the Lord Jesus. However, it is sad for his wife of 53 years to say good by for a while. Since they had no children, they did everything together. While at their church, they welcomed us into their home, accepted our children as theirs, and we even sang together in revivals. How he will be missed, but we shall see him one day, praising our Savior with the heavenly choir. Will you one day join us in heaven? 

.If you have read any of this chapter, one phrase stands out, repeated-the LORD of Hosts. In the Hebrew language, Hosts means service, strength, warfare. The way it is used here, implies the" boundless resources at His command for His people's good. (Dr. Fausset)

Ephesians 2:4 says, He is rich in mercy.

Matthew 28:18 tells us, He has all power. 

Are you in need of some mercy today? God has an abundance of it. We all need God's mercy, which is new every morning. He is the LORD of Hosts. Did you know this phrase and description occurs 52 times in this book. Stop and consider that Jesus has all of heaven's armies available to him. He could have called them down whenever Jesus was on the cross, but He did not. Jesus loves us so much that He was willing to be our sacrifice for our sins and take the punishment for them so wwe do not. such love, dear one! Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior?  

LET IT GROW

Why was the Lord displeased with the fathers of those to whom Zechariah spoke? (verse 2) They worshiped idols back then, had warnings from the prophets. But the people of Judah would not repent and return to worshiping only God. Therefore, God punished them by sending the Jews into captivity for 70 years in Babylon under their rule. How sad it is that they knew the Word said to not have any idols before God, yet they did not obey His command. Is it any different today? The older generation knew God's Word and yet have not taught their children and grandchildren to only love God, the LORD of Hosts. 

Will it take our being ruled by another nation to bring us to repentance and worshiping God instead of wealth, power, and material things?

LET IT GO

You are King of kings, LORD of lords, Almighty God.

Forever You will reign.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your mercies! 

A Forever King is Coming!

O. T. #2268  " A Forever King is Coming!"

August 20, 2022

Introduction to Zechariah

Zechariah was a Jewish priest. He was one of the first returnees to Jerusalem after the 70 year Babylonian exile. He was born in that foreign land. He was a member of the Great synagogue, a council of 120 originated by Nehemiah and presided over by Ezra. Those ruling elders later became the Sanhedrin. 

The prophet identifies his name, which means "Jehovah remembers."  He was younger than Haggai, yet a contemporary. He prophesied during the reign of Xerxes as king and Esther as queen of Persia. His words were quoted more than any other in the Old Testament by the New Testament writers. So they were not forgotten nor unimportant.

Zechariah was given a prophecy in November, the month Haggai missed. (J. V. McGee) So He filled in as God's messenger with His message.

Background

It had been 16 years since the rebuilding of the Temple took place. (Ezra 6:15) Then Haggai encouraged them and it began again. It took around 4 years for its completion. As an outline, Zephariah called for repentance, then he had 8 night visions, followed by 4 messages, then 2 burdens. (John MacArthur)

Verse 1 identifies who the prophet is. Then he jumps in and gives a warning which was from God-He was displease with their fathers. (verse 2) Here, God is identified as Lord of Hosts, over 50 times. The phrase thus saith the Lord is used 62 times. Zechariah has more prophesies of the Messiah than any other minor prophet. thus he dwells more on the person and work of Christ than any of the prophetic writings. 

Theme and Purpose

His purpose was to encourage the builders of the second Temple. He announced prophesy to the Gentiles, and the blessings of the Millennial Age for Israel with the events leading up to it. (The time when Jesus Christ will serve and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.) Then God will display His glory through the nation.

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary, The MacArthur Bible Commentary, J. Vernon McGee's "Zechariah"]

Our King is coming! Are you ready? Will you be one of His children who meet Christ in the air and be with Him forever and ever? If you have trusted Him as your Savior and asked forgiveness of your sins, you are.

Keep the faith, dear one. Let Jesus reign in your heart today as King. 

 

 

To Do Lists

 O. T. #2267   "To Do Lists"

August 29, 2022

Summary of Haggai

LET IT GLOW

We often have a to-do list for the day or week. Those things we want to get done, we consider important go on the list, whether metally or written down. Our priorities are reflected on it. God wants to be be number one on it, yet we often relegate Him to a lesser number, just as the Jews had done at this time. We all have pressures, demands, expectations, and tasks which attack our schedule. Everyone wants something from us-family, friends, employer, church, school, clubs. And we wonder why we run our of energy as we rush through life.

The Jews had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple there after spending 70 years in captivity. The task had begun, but not completed. So God sent Haggai the prophet to bring them back to His purpose. God's house had symbolized His presence. 

LET IT GROW

Looking back through those 38 verses, we discovered Haggai's 4 messages.

1. First was the message of motivation. The people were told to consider their ways, some 4 times. It was liketheir wages earned were put into a bag with holes. Wealth was spent upon them. They left Jehovah out of their life completely. The Jewish leaders were told to repent and obey God's voice. 

Matthew 6:33 tells us, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

2. The second message was one of consolation. As the people returned to the task, they needed encouragement and comfort. As they worked, God was with them. His glory was returning.

3. The third message was one of affirmation. The people built stone upon stone. Jesus is the cornerstone upon which our life is to be built. His Word lasts forever. The priests began reading the Law again.

4. The fourth message was a message of anticipation. There was coming a time when the Lord will reign upon His throne in Jerusalem. Some 500 years later the Messiah came to earth. Although the Jews rejected this Cornerstone, He still lives. There is coming a day when the Jews will acknowledge Jesus as Savior, Messiah, and Lord.

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commenarty]

John 15:16-17 says, Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

What has God told you to do during this study? Are we going to be faithful to do it?

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus, that You are always with us.

May we follow Your Word and do Your will for Your glory.

Keep Him the head of our to do list today.

Where to Look for Answers

 O. T. #2266   "Where to Look for Answers"

August 26, 2022

Summary of Haggai

LET IT GLOW

Don't we always have questions about this and that? This generation is looking for a purposeful life. Will we share it and exemplify it in our life?

We can't leave Haggai without reading some practical lessons given by Wiersbe:

1. The work of God is begun, sustained, and encouraged by the Word of God. When God's servants proclaim God's Word in the power of the Spirit, things begin to happen. Read Ezra 6:14, where the elders of the Jews built and finished the Temple through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah. They did it according to the commandment of the God of Israel and the kings. Renewed preaching heralds a revival.
2. God's servants must work together to build God's Temple. 1 Corinthians 3:9 says, For we are laborers together with God. 

We need to get back to the basics of life-prayer, worship, studying the Bible, family time, reaching out to neighbors. Is your church preaching and teaching the Truth or is it watered down with the social issues? Is it standing on the promises of God or falling for the world?

LET IT GROW

     3. When the outlook is bleak, try the uplook. Vance Havner used to say, "Faith sees the

            invisible, chooses the imperishable, and does the impossible." 

       4. Putting God first is the guarantee of God's best blessing. Romans 14:12 and Matthew

            6:33 direct us. 

       5. Apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, our labors are in vain. God works and

           shows His power through the weak things. (1 Cor. 1:26-31) He works in and through

            us to show His power and good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13)

The Jews were blessed whenever they followed God's instructions, worshiped only Him, and loved others. Are we doing this, too?

LET IT GO

Are we looking for God's will in His Word?

Is the Holy Spirit guiding us in our work?

Are we living by faith?

Do we love God and others before our self?

You Are Chosen

O. T. #2265  "You Are Chosen"

August 25, 2022

Haggai 2-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

Today we are finishing up with the third message by Haggai. It had been four months since God gave him the first message to give the priests. The foundation of the Temple was laid and God told them to consider (think carefully). Apparently, the Jews had repented of their disobedience. It was harvest time and God was giving His people a promise-From this day onward I will bless you. (verse 19)

Ezra 5:2 tells us that Zerubbabel and Jeshua responded by starting again to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem. And the prophet helped them, too. 

Are our church leaders (spiritual guides) obeying God? Are they seeking God's will for the church body? Are the teachers teaching His Word as Truth?

LET IT GROW

The fourth and last message which god gave to Haggai was for Governor Zerubbabel concerning the Millennial Kingdom:

• God was about to shake the heavens and the earth.
• He will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. 
• He will overturn their chariots and riders. 
• The horses will fall and their riders will kill each other.
• When this happens, God will honor Zerubbabel, His servant. He will be like a signet rignet His finger, for God chose him.
• The LORD of Heaven's Armies had spoken! (NLT)

Ultimately, this will happen during the Battle of Armageddon. The signet ring was used by its owner to sign letters and official documents. Zerubbabel's purpose was to bear the mark of honor and authority, carrying out God's will and representing Him in all that he did. Remember, he was the grandson of King Jehoiachin of Judah, carrying on the Davidic lineage of kings. the Messiah would come through Zerubbabel's line. What a privilege!

What confidence this must have given Zerubbabel during the difficult times while rebuilding the Temple. We should have that same confidence as a child of God.

John 15:16 tells us, Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you. 

This should show us how valuable we are in God's eyes and motivate us to work for Him. When we feel down, remember that God has chosen us. Doing God's work and worship should be a higher priority than our comforts. He promises us strength and guidance when we give God first place in our lives.

LET IT GO

Thank You Father, for choosing us to be Your child.

Help us make Your will priority in our life today.

To You be glory and honor and praise.

Looking Within

O. T. #2264  "Looking Within"

August 24, 2022

Haggai 2-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

In verses 10-19, Haggai went to the priests, who were authorities on this subject, and asked them 2 simple questions for the benefit of the people present:

1. holiness
2. defilement
3. then application.

First of all, when an animal was presented on the altar as a sacrifice, the meat was considered holy; it belonged to the Lord and was set apart to be used only as He instructed. by Jewish law, the priests and their families were permitted to eat portions of some of the sacrifices, but they had to be careful how and where they ate it, plus what they did with the leftovers. (Lev. 6:8-7:38)

Does the holy, set apart garment touching the consecrated meat make the food holy? No. Holiness can't be transmitted. In other words, holiness can't be caught. Disobedience by God's people renders sacrifices unacceptable. (verse 14) It was a matter of the heart. the Jews who were sent to Jerusalem to rebuild the city, the Temple, and its economy got sidetracked. They focused more on their own homes than on the rebuilding of the Temple.

Obedience is necessary for worship to be accepted. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Because the people shifted their focus and obedience, then God withheld His blessings of crops. (verses 16-17) Since the Jews did not measure up to God's standards, He got their attention by sending natural disasters to get their attention-no food.

Lately, droughts and floods got the attention of people. At least they did mine. Is God trying to get your attention?

LET IT GROW

The second question concerns defilement. If a person touched a dead body and became unclean, could that person touch another and make them unclean? Yes. Diseases can be caught by the healthy. Thus, people working on the Temple could not impart holiness to it, but they could defile it by their sins. The work was to be done from their hearts, pure and devoted to God. God wanted the hearts of His people turned back to Him. So Haggai was calling them to repentance. 

How is our heart condition? Are we keeping our tithe for our projects or are we faithful to give it back to God? How is our service? Are we going through the motions or are we serving God with a loving heart?

Sin hinders the work of God and robs us of the blessings of God. So we need to look up and look within. Repent and obey.

[Resources: The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, Liberty Bible Commentary, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chron. 7:14)

LET IT GO 

Jesus, You can change hearts and situations.

Have mercy on us sinners.

Please forgive us for allowing abortions, homosexuality, and adultery to be normal.

Where is the Glory of God?

 O. T. #2263

August 23, 2022  "Where is the Glory of God?"

Haggai 2-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

Among the 50,000 Jews who had returned to rebuild Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, were those who had actually seen the splendorous Temple that King Solomon had built. (It was by God's directions and provisions David had prepared.) At this time they had not yet finished the second Temple.

In chapter 2, God was encouraging those Jews to get back to work. Three times God mentions the glory, which means splendor, honor, in the Hebrew language. God told the people that the glory of His Devine presence would be greater in the new Temple than the old one. (verses 3, 7, 9)

Isn't that what we desire in our house of worship? If God is not there, then it is for naught. If we are not singing, reading, listening to sermons that are for the honor and glory of God, then we might as well not go. 

LET IT GROW

MacArthur tells us the various Temple of the Bible built there in Jerusalem on the same sight:

• Solomon's Temple-destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar
• Zerubbabel's Temple -desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes
• The Present Temple-within the heart of believers in Jesus Christ during the Church Age
• the Temple of Revelation 11-constructed during the Tribulation by the Antichrist
• Ezekiel's (Millennial) Temple-built by the Messiah during His 1,000 year reign
• the Eternal Temple of His Presence-in the Eternal Kingdom of God, which will be the greatest Temple of all, a spiritual temple where The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple. 

None of the splendorous Temples can compare with the one which will be built during the Millennial reign of Christ on earth. He will rule as the Prince of Peace upon the throne of David in Jerusalem. What a day that will be!

Is Christ reigning in your temple, heart of a believer in Jesus Christ? In order for that to be, He must be your Savior and King and Lord.

LET IT GO

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, worship His holy name.

Sing like never before; worship His holy name.