Did you know you were in God's hands? Acts 19-20

Acts 20:32 (NASBStr)

And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Paul is leaving the church in the city of Ephesus and professes he doesn't believe he will ever see them again.   He doesn't know what he has in his future but he does know that it won't include more communion and service with them.   Because he knows this fate he does the ultimate: He turns them over to God and to Christ (the meaning of: "... the word of His grace).   Paul may not be able to be with them but leaves them in great hands: The hands of God and the power of Chris't changing the lives of these believers.   Paul knew he was just the conduit for God.  So, since he couldn't be there, God was still in charge.   He was able to let go of his responsibilities and recognizes that God was not finished with these believers even if he was.   God is in charge of the development of believers.  Pastors, preachers, missionaries, teachers, etc. are just God's tools to accomplish the refining of His people.   The tools ought not to think they are indispensable.   God will still accomplish His purpose.  Paul outlines this purpose:  Building up and securing the inheritance for the final sanctification of the believer.   God is the one who sanctifies.   God is the one who builds up.   When we are left in the hands of God we can be assured that God will accomplish His will: Strength and sanctification.  

Do you have faith in God to give away what you have? Malachi

Malachi 3:10 (NASBStr)

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

In most of Scripture, the Hebrew word for "test" in the above verse is used in the concept that God is testing us.  It is used 27 times in the Old Testament.  Although it is used most in the Psalms, perhaps the most famous is this usage in the book of Job:

Job 23:10

But He knows the way I take;

When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

In all but one of the cases the word is used in this way, that God is testing us and trying us.   But, here in Malachi we see that God throws down the gauntlet and challenges us to test Him.   When we think of that framework we might find ourselves overwhelmed.   Imagine the act of "testing" God!   Unbelievers test God but certainly not believers!!   Believers are to live in the Fear of The Lord.   Testing God does not seem respectful to the position we believe God takes in our lives.  We live in faith toward Him and putting Him to the test doesn't set well in the life of faith.  In fact in just a few short verses Malachi will condemn the wicked for testing God, as does the Psalmist:

Malachi 3:15 (NASBStr)

So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up but they also test God and escape. ’”

Psalms 95:8-10 (NASBStr)

Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,

As in the day of Massah in the wilderness,

 “When your fathers tested Me,

They tried Me, though they had seen My work.

 “For forty years I loathed that generation,

And said they are a people who err in their heart,

And they do not know My ways.

The only way to rationalize these conflicting views is to remember that in Malachi 3:10 God is telling us to test Him in regard to our giving.  Unbelievers and unbelief should never test God.  That is arrogant and wicked.   But, if God tells us to test Him in regard to our giving that He will continue to provide even as we give away what He gives us, then, by faith, that should be our practice.   We should not test God when we don't give.   The context here is that when God gives to us we should not hold onto it because we think we will have nothing.  God says when He blesses we are to bless others with that giving and that He will continue to open the store houses of heaven to overflow our lives.   God is not low on resources.   God can and does bless us based upon our attitude toward how we bless others.  

Do you understand the activities of God? Ecclesiastes 11-12

Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NASBStr)

Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.

Man prides himself on what he knows.  He builds universities and colleges to convey what he knows to lessor souls.   He trades what he knows for power, prestige and position.  He boast about what he knows to his friends and enemies.   Yet, what does man actually know?   He can't even come to the knowledge that God made the heaven and earth.  He can't, according to Solomon's words above, tell us where the wind is going or how bones are produced.   You might have a few scientists, today, who will argue with Solomon's statement now that we are in the early 2000s.  But, Solomon's point is true:  Man doesn't know as much as he thinks and he certainly does not know the "activity of God."   God knows what He is doing.   Yet, we don't know what He is doing.  We only know that what He is doing is good and has a good purpose to save man.   But, those with the "knowledge" can't come to the faith that God has made the universe, forms the child in the womb and makes the wind blow where He wants (ask Job about the last of these activities).  It is only have we come to faith in God that we can appreciate the grace of God and His work in our lives.   We can rest assured that He is doing good in our lives.  His activities are good.   His care for us is involved in those activities.   I recently meet with a pastor who was going through some tough times.  He heard about me through one of my clients who the pastor had lead to The Lord.   The pastor was struggling about going to the mission field.  The mission field was with one of my life long missionary friends in Togo, West Africa.  His life experiences matched mine in so many areas.   He was praying for clarity and I was praying that God would use me to further the Church.   God used an atheist who came to Christ and was my client two years ago to bring us together.   We do not know the activities of God.  We can only rejoice that God is in control and His activities are right and good.  

Do you do "window" or "mirror" work? Psalm 137-139

Psalms 139:23-24 (NASBStr)

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

 Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

 And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way.

Those who mean to do good work in this life and to live righteous before God (and, hence, man) must be willing to state the above in sincerity to God.  Those who wish to walk with God in sincerity must confess their exposure to God (the entire of Psalm 139 and specifically this portion).   We often find ourselves doing "window" work in our lives - observing all those outside the window of our lives and judging how they live.    The Psalmist, here, concentrates, rather, on "mirror" work.   He closed the window to the outside world and looks at the reflection starring back at him.   The entire Psalm is about God's omniscience and omnipresence.   As he draws the song to an end he makes these theological terms practical and essential for living.   He asks God to do what God is already doing.   He need not ask.   God examines us, without our pleas to do so.   Yet, the prayer to implore God is for the Psalmist, not for God.   He is acknowledging God's activity of observance in his life and humbly asks God to expose him.   Today's society is about diminish, deny and deflect your faults, not expose.   But, the writer knows if he wants to be on the "everlasting way" that entrance ramp is in self-confession and humble admittance of the obvious - he is not pure.   In 1 John 1:9 we are told that if we confess our sins to God that God is faithful and just to forgive.  Perhaps the above Psalm is where John was reading or thinking when he penned those words.  When we ask God to search us and try us we can be assured we will come forth as gold - Just ask Job (Job 23:10).   

Do you know where and when to pray? Nehemaih 1-4

Nehemiah 2:1-4 (NASBStr)

 And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. So the king said to me, “Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, “ Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?” Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.

Have you ever been caught in the conversation about prayer and how we should pray?   Or, how long we should pray?  Or, where we should be when we are praying?   The variety of answers to these questions might be as wide spread as the people you ask.   In the above verses from the life of Nehemiah we have some insight worth noting.    Nehemiah was a "cupbearer" for the king.  That meant his role was to be the bartender for the most powerful man in the land.   But, beyond serving the drinks the cupbearer was responsible to drink from the cup prior to the king to assure the drink was not poisoned.   If, as in the above, you came before the king to serve his drinks and you face was anything but bright, the king would be leery of the cocktail  you just made him.   Such is the case in the above.   Nehemiah's face was discontent because he heard about how bad it was back in Jerusalem.   When the king asks him the reason for his sadness the last line in the above verse says, "So I prayed to the God of heaven."   Just before he answered the king Nehemiah said a silent prayer, asking God for wisdom and sovereign rule.   It doesn't say what he prayed, only that he prayed.  In a tough moment Nehemiah prayed, instantly and quickly.   Yet, we should note this "brief" prayer was on the heals of months of prayer.   Note that this took place in the Jewish month of "Nisan".   That was March-April on our calendar.   The news about Jerusalem had come to Nehemiah in the Jewish month of Cheslev (November-December).  That is when Nehemiah started to pray about this situation.  He might have said a brief prayer at the moment of the discussion with the king, but he actually brought the king and this discussion up before the Throne of Grace for the entire winter months.  Note the last verse of the first chapter:

Nehemiah 1:11 (NASBStr)

O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man.”

Now I was the cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah had prayed for months for this very moment in time.   He was not praying because he was afraid or nervous.  He could afford to spend a "brief" prayer time here because he had spent a "deep" time of God for months prior.   Prayer is not about when or where or how much, but that you take everything to God so that when the time comes to talk to God it is not a new conversation but simply a continuous conversation from moments before.   We should be talking to God continually. That makes our prayers, no matter when, simply a continuing conversation with God.  The question is not when should I pray or where, but why am I not right here ... no matter where here is located. 

Did you know that God is concerned about the railing around your back deck? Deuteronomy 20-22

Deuteronomy 22:8 (NASBStr)

“When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you will not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone falls from it.

OSHA stands for Occupational, Safety and Health Association.   OSHA laws were passed in 1970 and were intended to protect workers from employers who cut corners and created potential work-place tragedy.  The US Government is behind OSHA and they can be fierce when the come into a work place if the business or industry has neglected its workers safety and health.  Apparently that even though the US Government has so much to do they still care if the low-wage earner of a fast-food industry is protected from hot grease.   That is what makes the above verse so amazing.   The God of the universe takes care of the entire human population, knows them by name and the very number of hairs on their head and yet, is concerned that the houses built by the nation of Israel have a balcony around the roof.   To under the the "parapet" we have to recall that houses in that day were flat roofed.   The roof was actual another place to live and even bath (think David and Bathsheba story).   To assure that no one fell off a roof, the God of the universe made it a law to put a railing around the roof to assure no one fell.   Yesterday it was reported that a man feel from the third level of a NFL stadium to his death.   OSHA will be fully involved.  It is nice to know that while the government takes care of the big industries in our lives, the God of creation was already watching and making sure that the makers of houses in the days of Israel did not cut corners.   God is the God of big things and the little things.   Nothing goes beyond His notice.   You can bet He is equally concerned about the activities of your day, today.  

Do you know how to obtain holiness? 2 Peter

2 Peter 1:4 (NASBStr)

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

There is some debate about how we can be like God; and, for some, BE God.  During the Greek world, in which Peter was writing, there was much talk about how to be like the gods.   They, the philosophers of the day, thought that "matter" was evil and since we were in the human body we had to transcend the body.   Through knowledge and intellectual thought, to them, we could become like God.  Peter, here in this passage is about to tell the Christians of the day that their bodies are NOT evil and, in fact, ought to be the containers of holiness.   He is telling us that we CAN BE partakers of God's holiness.   He tells us that we can be holy in this body, not by our own efforts, but by faith in God's promises.  It is by those promises and our belief in them that allows us to be partakers of God's holiness.  Our bodies are destined for corruption.  The flesh wants us to succumb to the temptations of life and of Satan.  But, God saved us from that fate and gave us His promises that will not only save us, will make us holy for Him, as well.   We do not get saved by our own efforts and we do not get holy by our own efforts.  It is by faith in God's promises that we can attain salvation and the holiness demanded by God that comes with that salvation.  

Do you know how to talk to philosophers? Acts 17-18

Acts 17:17-20 (NASBStr)  (Paul at Athens)

So he was "reasoning" in the synagogue with the Jews and the God- fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were "conversing" with him. Some were saying, “What would this "idle babbler" wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a "proclaimer" of strange deities,”—because he was "preaching" Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we "know what this new teaching" is which you are proclaiming? For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.”

Notice the words used in this portion of Scripture to show the events with Paul and the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.  It should be noted that Paul was "driven" here by Jews who didn't want him in Thessalonica or Berea.   God used the rebellious nature of the Jews toward Christ to drive Paul to the very epicenter of Greek thought.  Paul's visit that day to the Greeks would forever change the forms of Greek thought.   Note the words used:

Reasoning - dialegomai - meant to ponder and resolve in one's mind

Conversing - sumballo - lit., “to throw together” (sun, “with,” ballo, "to throw")

Idle Babbler - spemologos - Primarily an adjective, it came to be used as a noun signifying a crow, or some other bird, picking up seeds (sperma, “a seed,” lego, “to collect”). Then it seems to have been used of a man accustomed to hang about the streets and markets, picking up scraps which fall from loads; hence a parasite, who lives at the expense of others, a hanger on.

Proclaimer - katangeleus - “a proclaimer, herald” (akin to katangello, “to proclaim”), “a setter forth (of strange gods).” It is found in inscriptions in connection with proclamations made in public places.

Preaching - euangelizo (ευαγγελιζω, 2097), “to bring or announce glad tidings” (Eng., “evangelize”),

Teaching - didache (διδαχη, 1322), akin to No. 1, under DOCTOR, denotes “teaching,” either (a) that which is taught, e. g., Matt. 7:28, kjv, “doctrine,” rv, “teaching”; Titus 1:9, rv; Rev. 2:14- 15, 24, or (b) the act of teaching, instruction,

The lesson for us to learn is that when conversing with the unbelieving world about truth we need to incorporate and utilize many different forms of argumentation and debate.  One method doesn't always work.  Compared to modern day indicators of success, Paul was not successful at Athens.  The majority rejected his message of the risen Christ.  Yet, God was successful utilizing him.  He equipped Paul with a variety of styles to convey the message of Christ.  He reasoned; conversed; babbled to some; proclaimed to others; preached and taught.   The lesson: Multiple methods don't guarantee success that people will believe you, but they do assure you have done your job in delivering the message.   

Did you know that you are mentioned in Scripture? Zechariah 8-14

Zechariah 8:23 (NASBStr)

Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”

The Jewish nation has had a history of being ridiculed, hated and persecuted.  If we were to take the highlights of their historical journey would see something quite different than what Zechariah, through the Spirit, was prophesying to the nation in the above verse.   The nation, when this verse was actually spoken, was in captivity in Assyria.   They started out as the smallest of all nations, chosen by God, with nothing desirable by anyone.  The Egyptians turned them into slaves, the nations around them sought to destroy them, the Babylonians, Medes, Assyrians, Romans, Germans, and Arabs have all sought to annihilate them.  Today they are the most polarizing nation on the earth; even more than the U.S.A.   More people hate Israel than any other nation.   Yet, in the above prophesy they are told they will be sought after and ten men from "all" nations will grasp their garments and hope to go with them because "God is with you."   Remarkable as this may seem, add to the prophesy that almost every Jew in the world has rejected Christ, THEIR Messiah.   When this portion of Scripture states that the nations will want to follow the Jews to Christ we can't see it without remembering that the disciples were Jewish men and when they were sought by all men to hear the gospel message.   The gospel first came to the Jews and then the Gentiles clamored to hear it (Acts 10).   We will one day see this prophesy fulfilled even more, but until then, if you are a Gentile who believes in Christ, the Jewish Messiah,  you have not only had the privilege of have "God with you," you are one of the ten, the above prophesy talks about.  

Is your axe sharp? Ecclesiastes 9-10

Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NASBStr)

If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

Wisdom for practical use is often either totally ignored or taken richly for granted.   We don't think about the common things of life and their connection with being wise or having wisdom.  When we Fear The Lord we have the beginning of Wisdom.  When we listen to the Words of God we build on that beginning and stack wisdom on wisdom.  When we have Christ reigning in our lives we have wisdom springing from the heart.   It simply makes sense that we would then, in our day-to-day life, utilized wisdom as a way to improve our work skill sets and our production over life.   The above observation by Solomon confirms this thought.   I foolish person simply takes his axe and hits harder and harder.   The wise man makes sure that the axe is fully sharpen before striking it against the log.  If you want to be successful you must either stumble onto wisdom or you must allow it to flow from your hear as you submit to God through Christ.   True success comes from a heart of wisdom.   But, success might be defined differently by Solomon than it is by Wall Street, Hollywood or athletic competition.   We can go through life and use a dull axe (never incorporating Godly wisdom), or we can allow God to sharpen our axe and use it more effectively in life.   

Did you know that God wants us to worship at night? Psalm 134-136

Psalms 134:1-2 (NASBStr)

 Behold, bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord,

Who serve by night in the house of the Lord!

 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary

And bless the Lord.

The night air brings a lot of useless chatter.   Talk radio fills the darkness with empty government conspiracy theories and/or the rehearsing and rehashing of the latest sporting event.  Talk, talk, talk replaces the star gazing of old and empty conversations are employed to watch over our eye-lids, as they clamor for sleep.  However, in the above portion of Psalm 134 we read that God is active in the night and calls for worship, no matter the time frame.   The Levite was to make sure the fire in the alter or the candles by the alter did not go out into darkness.   But, here, the Levite is reminded that he was not to turn to idle chatter. No, he was to use the time to bless The Lord (called upon to worship and acknowledge the goodness of God).  Just as God watches over us all night and doesn't slumber or sleep and blesses us in the night watches, so should we bless and praise God in the night.   In Psalm 132:4 we read about the industrious servant of God who will not give sleep to the eyes or slumber to the life until they find a place for God and worship.   We tend to limit worship to an hour, or two, on Sunday morning.  We lose sight that true worship is 24x7.   We can and should take opportunity in the night to sing our song of praise to the King of King.   

Does God has His hand on you and your work? Ezra 6-10

Ezra 7:8-10 (NASBStr)

He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. For on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Ezra was determined, in his life, to make a difference for God.   The remnant of Israelites who were returning from captivity needed a leader; someone who could encourage them and motivate them to finish the work.   God sent Ezra.  God sent Ezra and placed His hand on him.   This was tough work.   The rebuilding of the temple was not popular, often fought against and never really looked like the last temple (see the first 6 chapters).   The times were so bad that the people wanted to quit and God sent Haggai and Zachariah to assist Ezra in the motivation of the people.    Because Ezra was willing to study God's Word and learn it and practice it, God put His hand on him.   God does that.  When we "set" our hearts to find God's Word, learn it and obey it, good things happen.  God puts His hand on people who do that.   The word "set" in the above verse means to establish it.   Ezra established his heart.  He put the reading of God's word, learning it and practicing as his main thing.   He didn't worry about the outcome.  From studying God's word he knew what the outcome would be.  Those who believe God's Word have God's hand upon them.   

Do you know how to become a Godly leader?

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (NASBStr)

“Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel.

It is amazing how many times you can read a portion of the Bible and never remember reading it, seeing it, or observing the lesson found in that passage.  Such is the above passage.  Here is a portion of Scripture that jumped as it was read.   God knew that the nation of Israel would clamor for a king.  He knew they would want to be like the world and want a physical leader to look up to and "follow" (worship?).   So, in the Law He gave them guidelines about this king, even though He knew that very king would lead the people away from Him.  In this passage we see that the king, to keep him on track with God, was to not just keep a copy of this Law in front of him and remember to use it, was to actually write out the law in the presence of the Levites.   This was to be done so that he would always remember and do the words that are found in the law.   In the story of the kings of Israel you have a time when King Josiah, at at a very young age, was read the law and it produced a revival in the land.  Did Josiah read this just before the revival that occurred in 2 Kings 23? It is possible.   The key to learn here is that leadership, to follow God, must know the Book and must be in the Book to be a great and godly leader.   Those in leadership should make it a practice to write out the Word.  They should make it a practice to memorize and mediate on the Word.  That is how you get quality leadership.   It is not the nature content of the man that makes a great leader.  It is the content that is poured in.   When God's Word goes in, Godly leadership comes out. 

Do you know how God is using suffering in your life? 1 Peter 4-5

1 Peter 4:2 (NASBStr)

... so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Conduct follows belief.  Peter is concerned, in this book, that some of the believers who have been "dispersed abroad" would fall from the faith and succumb to the sins, again, of the flesh.   To assure they don't he tells them, in verse one of this chapter, to "arm themselves" with the same purpose and resolve of their Savior: Who put an end to sin and its rule over man but suffering.  So, Peter goes full cycle and shows them that the suffering that Christ went through ended the chain of sin over them.   So, now, they are to trust that the suffering they are now experiencing is also to have  an affect on sin; this time, to end it in their lives.   Good doctrine should always proceed great living, but good living must always follow great doctrine.   To "arm yourself" (4:1) was to set your mind with the correct resolve about suffering.   God uses suffering in our lives to direct us into His holy will.  Note in the above verse (4:2) that we are to "no longer" live in the flesh, like other men, but we are to live "for the will of God."  Note, also, what Peter says in the last verse of this chapter:

1 Peter 4:19 (NASBStr)

Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

It is only after we arm ourselves with the resolve that God knows what He is doing with suffering in our lives that we can entrust our souls to Him.  He is "faithful" and always "doing what is right."   That means whatever suffering I am going through, for the cause of Christ, is known by God and used by God to prepare me in my fight against sin.   Peter is very much concerned about the conduct of those who are being dispersed abroad by the suffering Rome was bringing on believers.   (cf. 1:12, 14- 15, 18, 23; 2:23; 3:3- 4, 9, 21; 4:15- 16; 5:2- 3; cf. 2:18, 20).   He wanted them to realize that suffering was within the will of God and was for the purpose of conforming us to the image of the Son of God.  We are to "arm ourselves" with that resolve and purpose and that, by faith, will enable us to live the rest of the time "no longer for the lust of men, but for the will of God."  

Did you know that God uses earthquakes in your life? Acts 15-16

Acts 16:25-26 (NASBStr)

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.

Have you ever had an earthquake in your life?  It could be guessed that no one would look forward to  or praise God for an earthquake, of any measurement, size or experience.   Most of the time people would describe all earthquakes in our lives as negative experiences.   Take a long look at the above passage.  Paul and Silas were in prison for their faith witness for Christ.   For most of us, that alone would be catastrophic.   It says in the verse just before this that they were tossed into the inner prison and shackled.   All this for casting a demon out of a young lady and setting her free from the first time in her life.  However, the young lady was making money by her demon possessed life and that made the town lords very anger.  So, into prison they went.   But, that "earthquake" in their lives was not enough to silence Paul and Silas; they began to sing.   Odd!   Yet, their faith caused God to move.  He could have simply put everyone to sleep and allowed Peter and Silas to float out of the prison with no one really knowing how or why.  He did that previously to Peter in the past chapters (Acts 12).  But, this time God brings an earthquake and shakes the doors open and the shackles free.  The result is not the death of the prison guard, as happened before (12:19), but life for the him and his entire family.   God can deliver us many ways.  Sometimes it is an earthquake in our lives and we don't know why.   God is in the business of deliverance.   He might do it by closing the mouths of lions (Daniel); He might do it by cooling the flames of fire; He might do it by having a baker set free from jail and suddenly remembering you were in jail, falsely (Joseph).   God delivers and He uses earthquakes.   The next time you have an earthquake in your life, look for a chance to win someone to Christ.  

Do you know what God's restoration looks like? Zechariah 1-7

Zechariah 1:16-17 (NASBStr)

Therefore thus says the Lord, “I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it,” declares the Lord of hosts, “and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.”’ Again, proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”’”

God is in the business of restoration and transformation.   God had sent the nation into captivity due to their lack of obedience via faith in His Word.   In this book the people are returning and the prophet Zechariah is encouraging them in the work of rebuilding and refocusing on the things of God.   Despite their captivity the people were returning with a bent to rebel, again.  In the above verses Zechariah gives them a motivational message using the words that would allow them to see that despite the suffering God had a plan.   He is not just returning them to Jerusalem, He is returning to Jerusalem.   It would be one thing to be free and go home.  It is another to have God with you.   God would be with them and with them with "compassion."    This restoration of life is always based upon God's unending compassion for His people.   The compassion, however, leads to the rebuilding of the house (... my house will be built in it.).   Not any house built anyway, but with a plan (a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem).  But, it will not be an empty city.  It will be a city that flows and overflows "with prospretity" and "The Lord will again comfort".   These two verses give us a detailed description of what it means for God to restore us.  Christ's work on the cross brings Him into our lives with a relationship that is built on compassion.  As He reconstructs us to His measurement of perfection He dwells with us and comforts us and produces in us prosperity.    God is in the business of restoration.  

Which is better? Money or Wisdom? Ecclesiastes 7-8

Ecclesiastes 7:12 (NASBStr)

For wisdom is protection just as money is protection,

But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.

In today's society, given the choice, most people would take money over wisdom.   To prove the point you only  have to look at people who are given a choice to work on Sunday at double time the pay rate or attend a worship service where God will be revealed and, presumably, wisdom preached.  People will work for money but not work (go the extra mile in study) for wisdom.  In the above passage Solomon is giving us a great truth about the "protection" offered by money and wisdom.   The Hebrew word for protection in the passage is translated as "shelter" in the NIV and "defense" in the KJV.  The word is often used the O.T. to refer to the "shadow" we are in when behind a rock or mountain.   What the passage is telling us is that both money and wisdom can offer protection as it hides us in the shadow of the rock.  Both offer defense.  Those who are rich often use their money for protection against the storms of life.   The problem with the comparison, however, is that money doesn't have an eternal or lasting value.   A fool can possess money and never change the character of his life.   He can protect himself against many things in life with his money.  But, he can protect himself against his own folly.  The one who has wisdom is the one who preserves his life.  The one who has wisdom makes wise choices and those choices are a defense against the storms of life.   The foolish can afford a big, fast boat to enjoy the lake but doesn't even consider the storm that is approaching and choose to get the boat and passengers to safety.   The wise person has already sought shelter for their wisdom gives them prudence and discernment.   Money can only protect you from earthly issues.  Wisdom covers this world and the next.  

Do you know how to quiet your soul? Psalm 131-133

Psalms 131:3 (NASBStr)

O Israel, hope in the Lord

 From this time forth and forever.

You can't really understand the above, third verse in Psalm 131, if you don't read and commit yourself to the truths of the first two.   The third verse is the product of verses one and two.  Read the whole Psalm together:

Psalms 131 (NASBStr)

 O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;

Nor do I involve myself in great matters,

Or in things too difficult for me.

 Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;

Like a weaned child rests against his mother,

My soul is like a weaned child within me.

 O Israel, hope in the Lord

 From this time forth and forever.

The writer can employ us to "hope" in The Lord, only until and after we have released our pride and dependance upon ourselves.  We think we know so much.  After all, we are taught that education raises our potential.   We are told that once we get a degree or certificate of accomplishment that we can have security and even safety ... we are educated.  Yet, in this Psalm the writer realizes that God is a mystery and what is doing in the lives of His people is not always understood.   Preachers think they can explain it all to us.  They have it figured out.  Yet, here we have the writer of Holy Writ who tells us, "No, I don't know!!"   He has decided to be like the child, fully satisfied with the breast milk of a mother; sleeping in the arms of His God.   He has lost his pride and quieted his soul.  Only then can we appreciate the last two lines. We can only "hope" in The Lord when we no longer worry about "what" is happening to us, and "why" it is happening.   Instead we rest in the complete sovereign will of God and relax in His Love and His power to care for me.   We can do this now and forever because He is consistent and He is loving in His consistency.  Note how the writer of the previous Psalm tied his hope in The Lord to the Love of The Lord:

Psalms 130:7 (NASBStr)

O Israel, hope in the Lord;

For with the Lord there is lovingkindness,

And with Him is abundant redemption.

Did you know that God controls even foriegn kings? Ezra 1-5

Ezra 5:1-5 (NASBStr)

Temple Work Resumed

 When the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them, then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them supporting them.

 At that time Tattenai, the governor of the province beyond the River, and Shethar- bozenai and their colleagues came to them and spoke to them thus, “ Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure?” Then we told them accordingly what the names of the men were who were reconstructing this building. But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until a report could come to Darius, and then a written reply be returned concerning it.

The above passage in Ezra is taken and recorded after several incidents of labor dispute between the returning Jews who were re-building the temple and the people of the land, loyal to the foreign king.  The current land dwellers (who had taken possession of the land when the Jews were carried away to captivity) objected to the Temple in Jerusalem being re-built.  King Darius had told the returning Jews they could rebuild the temple.  However, he had died between the decree and the final restoration.  The people of the land, out of jealousy, tried to stop the land by writing to the new king, Artaxerxes.  That is were our lesson comes from.   The prophets Haggai and Zechariah became the encourages in the process.  Their "motivational" speeches became reminders of what the purpose of the return was all about.  The re-rebuilders of the Temple were in fear of the current land dwellers.   Haggai and Zechariah stood between the land dwellers and the returning Jews.  They refocused the Jews on who God was and that God was indeed with them.   But, they also appealed to the authority to locate the original decree of King Darius.   Here we have the prefect example of faith in God and God providing them wisdom on how to deal with the problem.  There was no open rebellious act that wasn't first directed by faith toward God and in wisdom with God.  Haggai and Zechariah were wise men who not only knew the Word of the God they knew the word of the king.   They focused the people faith away from their fear and back to faith toward God.  The only way to escape our fears is to have faith in God's love for us that He will never allow anything to happen to us that we don't need and He can't control.  Perfect love cast out all fear.  

Do you know why there are poor people? Deuteronomy 13-15

Deuteronomy 15:9-11 (NASBStr)

Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, ‘ The seventh year, the year of remission, is near, ’ and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to the Lord against you, and it will be a sin in you. You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings. For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land. ’

God cares about the poor in the land.   He makes the statement in the above verses to be aware that the poor will always be in the land.  It should be noted that this is in the context of God's people.  Even in the midst of God's plan He knows there will be poor people.  We must realize that God allows this for us to show the same mercy and grace He shows us.  We are our completely poor and without if we don't have His grace.    He warns us not to hold anger, frustrations, evilness in our hearts and withhold good from the poor when we have been blessed to give.  God blesses us, not to hoard, but to give.   In the context in the above verse Moses is writing about the year of jubilee, when the nation was to release anyone who had been enslaved, for any reason.   The year of jubilee was an opportunity to show God's grace to others and faith to God.  When you release those who worked for you and gave them freedom you also had to trust that God would again bless you.   Giving to others has a two-fold aspect.  The first is your extending grace and mercy to others.  The second is that you must now trust God to replace what you gave to others to care for your own needs.   To give is to demonstrate God's grace and faith toward God.   

How do you respond to mistreatment? 1 Peter 1-3

1 Peter 3:8-9 (NASBStr)

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

Peter is writing to the church, that, because of persecution and the anti-christian way of the authorities, is suffering under undo hardships.   This is the same Peter who took a sword in the garden and sliced off the ear of one of the military men who came to arrest Jesus.  Peter was zealous for Christ and didn't mind going to arms for the cause.  Of course, within hours of the sword in the garden incident, Peter shriveled up like a dead flower when asked if he was a follower of Christ.   So, years later, this same Peter is writing a letter to others who are suffering for the cause.   "To sum up" is how he begins this section, above.   He has already told them to follow the example of Christ, who when He was reviled, did not revile in return (1 Peter 2:21).  So, here he tells us to seek harmony, sympathy, brotherhood, kindness and humility.  He tells us we are not to return someone's evilness or insults with our own.  Yet, he tells us that ignoring them is not an option. We must also give them a blessing.  A Blessing!!   We aren't supposed to hate them, beat them, argue with them, or even tolerate and ignore them.  We are supposed to bless them.  Note the kicker at the end: "for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."   We are blessed as we act like Christ and bless others, despite how they treat us.  We can only do this as we allow Christ to live in us by faith through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  The summary of Peter's words is to act like Christ and to offer love and blessing despite how we are treated.  That life style draws attention from others.   And, it points them to Christ, not us.  

Do you grow? Acts 13-14

Acts 14:21-23 (NASBStr)

After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “ Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

One of the most powerful aspects of the Christian faith is the individual growth of each believer.   God wants to save us from the penalty of hell.  But, God really wants to conform us to the image of His Son.   The conforming is done through the teaching and encouragement of the church.   In the above passage we see Barnabas and Paul returning to the place they had first preached the gospel.  Their purpose of returning was to encourage the saints in their walk with Christ and each other: give them a reference point for the suffering they were going through and would go through; and, established the more mature in the group to be leaders who would continue the process of growth.   We ought be concerned about converts.  But, we also ought be concerned about growth.  Growth is expected in the Christian walk.   But, it also must be the intent of the leadership.   We ought not simple expect growth to happen.   On this first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas made it their purpose to return to assure the disciples had ever opportunity to grow.   The reason for the second missionary trip was to check on that growth.  Note the following.   We ought always to be checking if people are growing and how they are doing:

Acts 15:36 (NASBStr)

Second Missionary Journey

 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”

Do you get caught comparing your gifts with others? Haggai

Haggai 2:3-5 (NASBStr)
‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison? But now take courage, Zerubbabel, ’ declares the Lord, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage, ’ declares the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the Lord of hosts. ‘As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear! ’

We are often, in this life, caught up in the world of comparisons.  We argue among ourselves which team is better, which product is better, and, regretfully, which Pastor, ministry or church is better.   This church isn't like my old church; or this Pastor can't preach like so and so.  Paul warns us that this type of comparison is not wise (1 Corinthians 10:12).   In the above passage we see that God draws their attention to their own comparison of the temple the returning remnant was building as compared to the tempe that Solomon built: NO COMPARISON.  Yet, God reminds them, I am with you.    It matters little what the temple looks like.  It only matters if God is in it.  Don't get caught comparing your gifts and abilities to others.  Or, don't envy the gifts and success of others.  The only thing that matters is that God is with you were you are at.  Joseph was in prison with God and would not be wise to envy his evil brothers just because they were at home with dad.  Joseph was where God wanted him.   One of my favorite prayers is by the great preacher A.W. Tozer.  Note his wise words:

“Dear Lord, I refuse henceforth to compete with any of Thy servants. They have congregations larger than mine. So be it. I rejoice in their success. They have greater gifts. Very well. That is not in their power nor in mine. I am humbly grateful for their greater gifts and my smaller ones. I only pray that I may use to Thy glory such modest gifts as I possess. I will not compare myself with any, nor try to build up my self-esteem by noting where I may excel one or another in Thy holy work. I herewith make a blanket disavowal of all intrinsic worth. I am but an unprofitable servant. I gladly go to the foot of the cross and own myself the least of Thy people. If I err in my self judgment and actually underestimate myself I do not want to know it. I purpose to pray for others and to rejoice in their prosperity as if it were my own. And indeed it is my own if it is Thine own, for what is Thine is mine, and while one plants and another waters it is Thou alone that giveth the increase.” (A.W. Tozer, The Price of Neglect)

Are we too casual in worship? Ecclesiastes 5-6

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (NASBStr)

 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.

Are we to casual in our worship?  Have we reduced God to a song, a beat, a show?   Is He "cool" with us as we rush in to worship Him, coffee cup in hand, donut in our mouth, and the Saturday football game on our minds?  Why do we jump up and down as we think we are seeing God, yet everyone in God's Word who came face-to-face with God, fell on their face in repentance and in shame and in fear?   Is that what Solomon is trying to get us to consider in the above verses?   Do we "guard" our steps when we come into the house of God?   In the day of the Tabernacle there was a great fear to come into worship God.   Two of Aaron's sons came in once with the wrong fire on their sticks and were struck dead.   Cain came to offer a gift with the wrong heart and was rejected by God.   Yes, David danced before The Lord and the writer of Hebrews tells us to come boldly into the throne of grace (Hebrews 10), but, does that mean casual and looking cool?   We are able to come in boldly because of what He has done on the cross by destroying the veil that was between us and God.   We don't come boldly in simply because we are cool and God is cool with us.  Solomon is telling us to be careful how we approach God.  We must always remember that our rash words are often foolish before God.   Elvis Presley gave us a song entitled, "Only Fools Rush In", referring to how careful we are to be to fall in love.    We often warn our young people to heed that warning.   Yet, when it comes to worship we are so casual we reduce the experience of worshipping the Almighty God to the scent of a rock concert or college football game.   Are we too casual in worship? 

Did you know God loves you? Psalms 128-130

Psalms 130:7 (NASBStr)

O Israel, hope in the Lord;

For with the Lord there is lovingkindness,

And with Him is abundant redemption.

If you have ever been in trouble and had to wait for something or someone, this Psalm (130) can be a real sense of strength and assurance.   The Psalm starts out stating that the writer is in the depths and crying out.   We don't know what trouble, but the need for deliverance is urgent according to the word choices penned.   The cry is for God to hear, respond and deliver.   Twice (vs. 5 & 6) the writer states they are "waiting" for God to deliver them; to respond to the supplication.   The need for deliverance is real and alive.   God is the sole source of this deliverance.   And, God does not disappoint.   God does deliver.   The Psalmist explains that his hope is in The Lord, who is full of lovingkindness and has overflowing redemption.   Our hope is not in a cold, heartless, legal God.  Our hope is found in the abundant love of God who's sole mission is the redemption of His people.   God redeemed us.  God redeemed me.   God did so by giving His son as the payment for our sin.   Out of pure love my redemption was purchased by the Son of God.   I can be assured that God hates my sin and hates it when I sin.  But, I can be more assured that God will and has redeemed me from that sin by the depth of His lovingkindness.   Our hope is in The Lord.   Note the following:

Psalm 33:18

Behold, the eye of The Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness.

Our hope is not in the acts of works we do to save ourselves but in the never ending depths of God's redemptive love.  

Do you know what happens when we humble ourselves before God? 2 Chronicles 33-36

2 Chronicles 34:27 (NASBStr)

Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,” declares the Lord.

The above words are spoken to King Josiah, who, at the time was 26 years old.  He began to reign in Judah at the age of 8.  At the age of 16 he had a soft heart for God and lead the people back toward God.  The above words are spoken by the prophetess Huldah, who had delivered the message as sent by God.   Josiah's father, Amon, was a wicked king who never sought this type of repentance.   His grand father, King Manasseh, was evil, as well, but sought repentance late in life.   That might have been the original reason Josiah had a soft and sensitive heart toward God.  But, the reason for the above statement is that when King Josiah "heard" the word of God he quickly humbled himself and repented.  Notice that he was already moving along admirable as compared to his father.   However, when a man humbles himself before God and responds to God's Word, God can do great things.   God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.  King Solomon, the Psalms, Christ and the Apostle James all tell us that God resists pride but opens His heart and hears to the humble.   Despite our standing before God (King Josiah was already doing well), he needed to humble himself.  How much more me!!

Did you know the neck is connected to the heart? Deuteronomy 10-12

Deuteronomy 10:16 (NASBStr)

So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer.

Did you know that the neck muscles are connected to the heart muscle?  Now, most physiology teachers might not agree, but that is what God says in the above verse.   Apparently, if our hearts are in the wrong spot, our necks will be as well.   The phrase "stiffen your neck" had particular meaning in the culture of the Israelites.  God first used it of His people in Exodus 32:9 (NASV uses "obstinate" rather than "stiff-neck").   They had just made their molten calf under Aaron's leadership and God was set to destroy them.   God used the term to explain to Moses that this people would not bow their will to God.   When we have a stiff neck we can't move it.   When can't move it, we can bow it.   When we can't bow it, we can't demonstrate our respect or compliance with the one who is Greater.   A stiff neck is showing the hard heart.   If our neck is still we can't turn aside to the left or right to see the path God wants for us.  We simply keep moving forward on the path of destruction.   People who can't bow their heads show that they, in actuality, can't bow their hearts.   In Acts 7:51, at the end of Stephen's famous sermon (just before he gets stoned to death), he tells his audience they are a stiff-necked group of listeners.  It uses the phrase to tell them they are "resisting the Holy Spirit."  Note his words:

Acts 7:51 (NASBStr)

“You men who are stiff- necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.

When we refuse to bend to the Spirit's leading we are being stiff-necked.   That is because our neck is connected directly to the heart.   They only way to relax the neck is to bend the heart to the will of God.   If you find yourself having a difficult time bending to the will of God, check the condition of your heart. 

Do you know the formula for defeating Satan? James 4-5

James 4:7-8

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double- minded.

Note that the above follows the previous verses about our need for humility to receive grace.  James has just told us that God "resist" the proud but gives grace to the humble.   In our above verse he tells them that "after" they submit to God they are to "resist" the devil.  Before we note the way and order James gives is for this work, we must remember that because of Christ's work we CAN resist the devil.  The Church writers believed this was not only possible but real. (See also 1 Pet 5:8- 9; Eph 6:13).   Having remembered that now note the order James gives us.  We must first humble ourselves.  We can't beat Satan and evil on our own.  We must first submit to God in humility.  This "submit" is written in the aorist imperative in the original Greek. This is a one time act done in faith.   What that means for us is that we give ourselves to God and He gives us the power and strength to resist the devil.   James than repeats the formula again: Come to God (applied, in faith) and God will give you humility and empower you to clean your hands and purify your hearts. Despite our double mindedness.  The key is the order of these steps and the act of God in the process.   

Do you know why bad things happen? Acts 11-12

Acts 11:27-30 (NASBStr)

Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

Why did this happen?  Why was it recorded?  What was going to do?   It seems to move the church to focus on the care of others within the church.   Was that the purpose?   Everyone gave in the "proportion" that they had means.   God had blessed some financially and with property.  Others were not blessed in that way, but were eventually blessed through the grace of others.  Everyone's needs were meet but not in the same way.   That is what God does for us.  Bad things happen in the world.   In this case, a famine.   It wasn't the fault of the people of the church but because of general sin in the world.   But, in the midst of sin in the world the church had a chance to explode with grace.   God made sure, despite the famine, that some would still own property, food, fields and wealth.  God does that.   But, He didn't bless them because He wanted them to be fat.   Rather, in the midst of this general famine in the world, God would still be able to act, but through His people.  He could have simply had their crops grow and made the famine on the lands of the unbeliever.   He did this discriminatory blessing and cursing in the past ... see the story of Moses and his work with Pharaoh.   God could have  made it possible for all believers to have mana from heaven.  He did that for the Israelites in the wilderness.  But, in this case, God wanted to use His people to bless His people.   God does that.  We are His conduit for blessing to others.   Satan may have been behind the famine.   He may have wanted to scatter and destroy the church through difficulty, suffering and strife.  He will do that in the future (see the beginning of the next chapter).  But, in this case God's people responded to the Spirit and cared for the Body of Christ.   Why did the famine happen?   To give God's people a chance to be God's people.  

Did you know you can escape fear? Zephaniah

Zephaniah 3:14-15 (NASBStr)

Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion!

 Shout in triumph, O Israel!

Rejoice and exult with all your heart,

O daughter of Jerusalem!

 The Lord has taken away His judgments against you,

He has cleared away your enemies.

The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;

You will fear disaster no more.

We shout in many situations in our life.   We shout when we want someone's attention.  We shout when we want to be noticed.  But, most of the time we shout when something great has happened ... more than likely with a sports team we favor.  We love to shout when they score and win.  We love to shout when our new baby walks their first steps.  We love to shout when that same baby walks across the stage at graduation.   In the above passage Zephaniah is telling the nation of Israel to "shout for joy."   To really appreciate the admonishing, however, you have to recall what he has been telling the rebellious nation in chapters one and two of the book.  This book is filled with warnings and condemnation of how God is going to take the nation into captivity for their sins.  The coming judgement is real, deserved, on the horizon and unavoidable.   But, yet, in the midst of this judgment the writer is telling them to prepare to shout for joy.   God is, one day, through the Messiah (Jesus) going to take away their pain, suffering and, more importantly, their judgement.  He wants them to "shout for joy" in the first line because he states they will "fear disaster no more" in the last line.  We are to rejoice and exult in our hearts.   This is calling on them to exercise faith toward God.  Faith that their present judgment was based upon God's love but was not permanent.  Faith that God would, indeed, take away their dissevered judgement, permanently.   Romans 8:1 tells the believer there is "no more" condemnation waiting for the believer.   By faith we believe God has taken that fear away.   We no longer fear any disaster.