Victory and Peace

O. T. #2329 "Victory and Peace"

Nov. 30, 2022

Zechariah 14-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

Do you need victory in your life today like I do? It is available. Are we in need of peace today? It is available, also. Read on to find out how.

During the Messiah's reign on earth in the Millennium:

• The land of Israel will be restored. The Jews will dwell in safety in the city because their sin and enemies are removed. (verse 10)
• Reassured, again, Jerusalem inhabitants will dwell in safety since their relationship with the Lord will be restored. (verse 11)
• The Lord will fight for His people in Jerusalem, bringing a horrible plague upon their enemies. (verse 12)
• Great tumult (trouble, destruction) will come upon their enemies, although at first they seemed to be victorious, but the Lord will intervene and strengthen Judah with victory.(verse 14)
• The plague will fall upon the soldiers and animals of the invading army. (verse 15)

Now that is what I call victory. 

Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming love. He loved me before I knew Him and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory, with His redeeming blood. Have you received this victory in your soul, dear one?

It comes only through knowing Jesus Christ as Savior. Simply ask Him to forgive you of your sins, believe in your heart that Jesus is God's Son, the only way to heaven. What peace, love, and joy will come into your life. Victory over sin is possible only through Jesus.

LET IT GROW

Peace on earth, good will to men. That is what we all pray for, hope for, desire, right? There are so many wars, problems, and disagreements in the world. For the first time, peace will come to Jerusalem (during the Millennium). 

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

We can have peace in our hearts when we know Jesus as our Savior, and we are obeying His Word, leading of His Spirit, and worshiping only Jesus.

LET IT GO

Help us open our hands and let go of control, doing things our way, seeking answers in other places, Lord Jesus.

We need Your peace today, for our nation is a mess. Money seems to be the driving force behind everything bad. 

Bless the families with peace who have tragically lost their loved ones this month in killings. Hold them in Your Everlasting Arms of love.

Everlasting King and Lord

 O. T. #2328 "Everlasting King and Lord"

Nov. 29, 2022

Zechariah 14-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Zechariah is looking into the future with concern of the return of the Lord Jesus to the earth to set up His kingdom. (verses 1-8) With a third of the Jews surviving the Tribulation, the Lord will set up His Kingdom on earth. He will establish Himself in the Temple and proclaim Himself to be God.  

Some unusual things will happen:

• Jesus' feet will land on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. (verse 4)
• Then there is a great earthquake and the Mt. of Olives splits in half, north and south. Physical changes take place. (verse 5) It is all on a great mountain; Jerusalem on one and Mt. of Olives one another. It sounds like all the other hilly land, except where the Temple is, will be leveled. 
• All the saints will come with Thee. (verse 5)The armies of heaven will follow Jesus to earth and the saints. Other scriptures can go along with this-Rev. 19;Romans 11:25-26.
• Out of darkness will come light. Jesus is the Light of the world. 9verses 6-7)
• With the lands around Jerusalem flattened, the city could become a seaport of the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. Jesus is the Living Water which flows from the throne and does not end, spiritually speaking. Either literally or spiritually taken, verse 8 will establish Jerusalem as the Word of God going out from it. 

Continued O. T. #2328

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LET IT GROW

In verse 9, we know in that day:

• Jesus shall be king over all the earth.
• One Lord will be worshiped-Jesus. There will be no other object of worship, for all people will be in right relationship with Him (Savior). Christianity will be the universal religion, then.
• Perhaps there will be one language, whichever one it is, God has established it before the creation of the world.

LET IT GO

Jesus is the only King, Savior, and Redeemer. 

You alone are worthy of worship, glory, honor, and praise.

Help everyone who reads this believe in You.

Thank You for Your everlasting love.

Tying Up Loose Ends

O. T. #2327 "Tying Up Loose Ends"

Nov. 28, 2022

Zechariah 14

LET IT GLOW 

Do we need to tie up loose ends of our life-things we have put off doing, for another day?One day will be our last day here, so we need to make preparations. Before we take a trip, I get our things up to date, financially. That will make it easier on our children if we do not return home for one reason or another. 

Here we are, studying the last chapter of this book. do you realize that we only have one more book to go, and then we will have finished the Old Testament. A big shout out of thank you for faithfully studying with me thus far. May the Lord bless you!

Zechariah connects the second coming of Christ as he gathers together everything and ties up any loose strings or ends there might be. The church will be removed from earth so we do not have to experience the kind of judgment brought on. The first three verses is the last siege of Jerusalem. Here the prophet speaks of the later part of the Great Tribulation period of 7 years. The Day of the LORD cometh after the Antichrist brings horrible tribulation. 

You will recall the past sieges upon Jerusalem by the Babylonian army and the Roman army (before N.T. time). The last battle upon Israel will be the Battle of Armageddon, where only 1/3 of the Jews remnant survive. 

What does Zechariah prophesy here?

• Conquerors will siege Jerusalem and divide the spoils. (verse 1)
• Nations will come there to do battle. (verse 2)
• One will set himself up the Temple of God and proclaim himself  to be God (the Antichrist). 
• He will vent his wrath upon Israel, deport people, and only a remnant will remain in the city.
• When the battle happens, it is a sign from heaven that the Lord is getting ready to return. (Matthew 24:30)
• Those armies will be slain by the breath of Christ, so don't be shaken, troubled, by spirit, word, nor by letter. (2 Thess. 2:2)
• God will use this occasion to fight for Isael, His beloved.

How will the Jews be rescued in Jerusalem? Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives (east side) and the mountain will split and provide a way of escape for those trapped in Jerusalem. (verses 4-5) This earthquake was predicted nearly 200 years earlier than Zechariah in Amos 1:1. 

God provides a way of escape for His children, especially when tempted.

LET IT GROW

On the Mt. of Olives, Jesus spoke with His disciples about the end times. (Matt. 24) Near this mountain, an angel promised that Jesus would return in the same manner as He had left. (Acts 1:11; Ez. 11:23)

Only God's people will escape His punishment. (Matt. 24:16-20) god knows who His people, believers, are. 

Friend, are you one of those believers?

LET IT GO

What a day that will be when we are taken out of this cruel world! (Raptured) If we are still alive at that time. 

Jesus is going to carry out all that the Father has planned.

It is best to let go of the hold we have on this world before that happens.

Focus on serving and loving Jesus Christ, our Savior. 

Then we won't be disappointed to leave it all behind.

Friend, I hope to one day meet you here, there, or in the air.

 Golden Anniversary

Today we made it. We climbed the highest mountain, survived the storms, went through rough seas of life, together. It is hard to believe that it has been 50 years since we said, "I do."  Oh, it wasn't the wedding of the year. That happened the night before when two of our friends got married. It was a simple ceremony that Saturday night-my cousin stood beside me, his brother beside him, and our pastor in front. A church full of our families and church family came.  My parents did not want us getting married. They had plans for me to go to college instead. So I had to decorate the church and reception room by myself. (They knew hard times was ahead for us, since I was only 18 and he was 19.) He didn't have a job and I had never had one.  This back-woods boy and country girl who thought they knew what love was got married and survived the hardships of life.

Eight years later we moved with two children to attend a university. We graduated and he pastored (worked part-time jobs) and I taught in elementary schools. We moved around the state and even in West Virginia, as the Lord opened the doors. So many people and experiences during those years to recall.

We were able to move back home after being gone 17 years. Funny that we had our 25th anniversary after we moved back. He pastored 22 years at the same church and I taught at 2 schools.  We bought a tire shop to supplement our income so I could retire. We had it 16 years and sold it 2 months ago.

Memories. Hardships. Trials. We all have them. I realize that few make it through 50 years of marriage, though. God has certainly been with us, faithfully providing, strengthening our faith, using us to share His gospel of love. so many have come to Christ during those years of ministry. I would not trade it for anything, even though we were away from our parents and family.

Yesterday we spent Thanksgiving alone, eating a meal we both cooked, watching parades, football, and shows together. It was peaceful, just the two of us. As you get older, it doesn't take much to live happily ever after. We gave thanks for our meal and family together.

How did we do it, last 50 years? Loving each other, caring for each other, lifting each other up when down, forgiving each other, and loving God. However long we have left together, we will continue to give thanks.

Our celebration today will be going out to eat, avoiding crowds of shoppers, and saying "I love you!" He offered to take me to Hawaii, but I have opted for a new house. We have lived in this cold in the winter and hot in the summer house that I grew up in long enough. It is hard on these old bones. My rocking chair is there when I need it, but not today. We have places to go and things to do. (Probably, we will spend a few days in Branson next week, less you think we are doing nothing.)

So friends, have a blessed day. Share God's love wherever you are and go. 

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Cor. 9:15)

That verse came up on my devotional reading this morning. I know it refers to salvation in Jesus Christ, but can it also apply to our gift of 50 years?

Thanksgiving Day is Coming!

Thanksgiving Day is Coming! 

Nov. 23-24, 2022 

It is a busy time of the year, especially for the cooks. May we take time to recall what the meaning of this holiday is-giving thanks to our God. 

Praise ye the LORD, O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever,  (Psalm 106:1)

What can you thank the Lord for today?

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy. (Ps. 107:1

Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Ps. 107:8)

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. (Ps. 107:22)

But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased. (Ps. 115:3)

Will we thank our God for life and breath and every beat of our heart? Will we thank Him for salvation and eternal life with Him? Is Jesus Christ the one we serve instead of our self?

Grace and mercy are but a breath away; strength to carry on, too. 

Rejoice evermore, Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

So whatever we are going through, dear one, God is with us. Give thanks. Whatever lies before us, give thanks. 

Give thanks during this thanksgiving time of celebration. Don't let it pass away as just another holiday, or time with family. Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Suffering and Refinement

O. T. #2326 "Suffering and Refinement"

Nov. 22, 2022

Zechariah 13-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Yesterday, I spent 3 hours in the dentist chair, getting a temporary crown on a tooth that has two places cracked in the enamel. It was a struggle, taking 4 shots to deaden the spot. I chewed on my jaw skin and it is sore. I had to take a nap when I got home. Wow, how sore it is today! But that is a small thing in comparison to what the 4 families of the students in Idaho are going through, having their loved one murdered. Please God give them strength, hold them close to you.

When it seemed that Israel had turned against God through their history, there has been a righteous remnant who still trusted and followed God. Those believers were refined like gold and silver through the fire of difficult circumstances and the furnace of affliction. They experienced it in Egypt and Babylon. The time of Jacob's trouble will be the most difficult furnace to endure. 

As the goldsmith refines gold and silver to remove the impurities, so will the tribulation to come in the last days will accomplish for Israel. Are we in need of refinement today?

LET IT GROW

How does this apply to us? The church has defiled people who need to repent of sins, be cleansed, and turn from their wicked ways. (1 John 1:9) When we do, then the Lord will cleanse and bless the church, bringing healing to our land.

Does God have to put us through the furnace of suffering before we call on Him and seek His face? (Heb. 12:3-11)

... they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. (verse 9b)

We are to obey God no matter what the rest of the world does. Also, let the trial and troubles purify our hearts. Determine to be a part of the remnant that is faithful to God. 

LET IT GO

Where is God? Look up. He is in control even in our suffering.

Everything is going to be all right.

God is faithful and true to His Word. 

He's got the whole world in His hands. He's got you and me, brother and sister, in His hands.

Keep us close to You, Father.