So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Mark 6:7-13

So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. Mark 6:12-13

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:7-13. Excerpts from the commentary's for the fourth and final (of four) division (vv12-13):

•  The title of this division per the commentary: "Go Preaching the Word and Doing the Work of the Kingdom." 
• "[The disciples] were not to compromise their message even if it brought rejection and persecution. They had to have the courage to tell the truth about Jesus and the gospel." 
•  "If “repentance” was the first word out of the mouth of John, Jesus, and the apostles (Acts 2:38), it must be an important component of the gospel and the Christian life." 
• The commentary refers us to Thomas Watson's treatise on repentance - The Doctrine of Repentance - where Watson outlines "six ingredients necessary for true repentance...including sight of sin, sorrow for sin, confession of sin, shame for sin, hatred for sin, and turning from sin and returning to the Lord."  We are further referred to Joel 2:12, Acts 26:20, and Ezekiel 14:6.
• "We are called to turn away from all our abominations—not just the obvious ones or the ones that create friction in others. The goal of repentance is not to manufacture peace among others with perfunctory repentance, but rather to turn to God wholly." 
• "Repentance is rooted in a hatred of sin and a joyful awareness of God’s loving-kindness, which leads to joy: “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)."

Indeed Repentance must be stressed as core to the gospel - Satan is waiting to consume and eternally condemn those who do not.  We should be sharing the Gospel as Good News, so good that it should motivate us into the arms of the One True God who offers what no other can - life to the full now and for eternity!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion - saving me and all other believers not because of what we have done but because He is SO good.  I am not deserving of my salvation as my sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

Malachi 3:6-10a

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:10a

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books.  While yesterday my study included a commentary assisted overview of the book of Malachi and an unassisted review of Malachi 3:6-10a, today my study is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 3:6-10a.  This commentary for this text is includes the following excerpts:

1. Main idea and introduction to the text: "God’s commitment to His covenant trumps Israel’s rebellious history, holding out repentance to Israel and lavishing blessing on both Israel and the nations. Even though the people have fluctuated in their affections and devotion to God, He has not changed, which, as we will see, is the very foundation of His promise of restoration."
2. Division #1 - Malachi 3:6: The text begins with God's promise of mercy for Israel based on a promise He made to Jacob in Genesis 32:28.  God keeps His promises. The commentary shares: "Most of the time, when the Israelites are referred to as the children of Jacob, it’s a rebuke for their disobedience. It’s a reference to the name of their forefather before the divine blessing was bestowed. Yet, even though they were faithless, God would remain faithful to them, as He was to their father, Jacob. Their rebellion has led them far from God, but restoration is still possible if they desire change."  We are are challenged today with the same promise - repent and return to God and He will return to You (see v7).   
   
3. Division #2 - Malachi 3:7-10a: True repentance and reconciliation with God focuses on humility, where the commentary shares how Israel was challenging God by asking God how to return to Him, thinking they were already living as God intended.  God disputes this and offers a sharp rebuke - the commentary calls the dialogue here not one of "clarification" but one of "disputation."  We should not be so arrogant to argue with God believing His judgement is wrong.  Instead we should seek clarification about why and how we can live as He desires us to. We exist to glorify God.  God's rebuke focused on how the Israelites were not tithing to God - v8 - calling them robbers.  Our possessions come from God and belong to Him.  We should give back to God what is His in obedience to His commands - see also 2 Corinthians 8-9.  In response to those who claim that we are no longer under the law but under grace, the commentary shares that "grace never expects less;it always demands more...We should not give to God because we are under obligation to tithe, we should give because He has already given us the inexpressible gift of His Son Jesus Christ."  See also Luke 18-19. "Malachi is not necessarily calling out those who have been faithfully giving, asking them to give more; Malachi is calling out those who gave nothing. He is calling out those who haphazardly gave. He is calling out those who are giving without worshiping. God doesn’t need your money. He wants your heart. He wants you to understand that a closed hand is unable to receive a blessing. With a generous, open hand, you are opening yourself up to receive God’s blessings. With a rebellious, closed hand, you are hindering your ability to receive God’s blessings."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Father God Jesus for Your grace and mercy and how You keep Your promises despite how I often fall down.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll! And he said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.”Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be cleaned out according to what is on the other side. I will send it out, declares the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.”

Zechariah 5:1-4

Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll! And he said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.”Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be cleaned out according to what is on the other side. I will send it out, declares the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.” Zechariah 5:1-4

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 5:1-4, which the commentary outlines as the first of three divisions for the text 5:1-6:15 (5:1-4, 5-11, 6:1-15).  The commentary is brief for this text but shares that in Zechariah 5, "we see the sixth and seventh visions that the Lord showed His prophet. These visions go together. Some interpreters see them as one vision because they work together to provide one message. In the sixth vision, recorded in Zechariah 5:1-4, the prophet sees a flying scroll, which represents the power of the Spirit to reveal sin....The flying scroll filled with charges and judgments is a reminder that evil offends God. He looks, He knows, He cares, and He judges when God’s people cheat one another or steal or fail to tell the truth....The Lord promises swift and severe judgment for the sin of the people, banishing thieves from the land and bringing complete destruction to the house of those who swear falsely by His name."  Certainly, we should all be aware of our sin.  The hope is that God softens our hearts to repent of our sin and turn towards Him.  Believers and non-believers alike can then run into the arms of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins and salvation.

Comment and discuss this sin.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good - SO good.  You don't just reveal sin but You forgive sin and save - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the mercies that are new every morning and never cease.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by.

 Zechariah 3:1-10

And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by. Zechariah 3:4-5

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 3:4-5, which the commentary outlines as the fourth of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10).  The commentary provides a theme for vv4-5 by providing the following title for this division: God Wants Us to Feel Guilty When We Are Guilty.  It then shares: "God wants us to feel guilty when we actually are guilty, because only then will we bring our guilt to Him and be forgiven. Apart from the convicting work of God, we are likely to keep deceiving ourselves and continuing in our sin, even as our sin destroys us."  The commentary continues by highlighting that it is Joshua's guilt that drives him into the arms of the Lord to seek forgiveness.  God that cleanses Joshua of his sin and then makes it clear by sharing with others that this has been done. The commentary further describes: "[t]here is no lingering doubt in our minds about where we stand with God."  The commentary also emphasizes that we should remain humble recognizing that until we face Jesus face to face on Judgement Day, we will continue to sin and should seek to go to Him for forgiveness (see also Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - giving me mercies that are new every morning and that never cease.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of these mercies and for Your forgiveness.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by.

 Zechariah 3:1-10

And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by. Zechariah 3:4-5

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 3:4-5, which the commentary outlines as the fourth of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10).  Today's verses pivot from the previous two posts, which focused on how Satan seeks to either make us feel hopeless about our sin, or how Satan wants us to feel "accustomed" or "comfortable" with our sin so that continue in it.  Vv4-5 depict how God removes our iniquity from us - of course we must have a repentant heart and seek God's forgiveness.  When we have a repentant heart and ask Him for forgiveness, God removes our sin from us, and we are righteous in His eyes - also known as imputed righteousness.  Thank You Jesus for how You do this for us!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for taking on flesh and willingly giving up Your life so that I could have life now to the full and for eternity with You in Heaven.  I am not deserving of these blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments.

 Zechariah 3:1-10

Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. Zechariah 3:3

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 3:3, which the commentary outlines as the third of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10). The commentary shares Satan Wants Us to Feel Innocent When We Are Guilty as the title for this single verse 3.  The commentary then shares two ways that Satan seeks to keep us from going to God for forgiveness when we sin.  The first way is to make us feel "hopeless," that God cannot and will not forgive us.  The second strategy God uses to keep us from going to Him for forgiveness is when we feel normal - that nothing is wrong with our sin - when we sin, so we continue in the sin.  This latter strategy is in play with v3.  The commentary then describes Joshua's condition in the Hebrew translation as being "filthy" in the strongest possible terms, including excrement.  The commentary shares that "Joshua is standing there, trying to serve the Lord, yet he is absolutely contaminated. The irony, though, is that Joshua seems to think he is acceptable. After all, he is “dressed,” showing that he considers himself to be prepared to serve and minister in the temple. He is standing before the Angel of the Lord, apparently believing that he is ready to do God’s work and to be in the Lord’s presence. He thinks he is fine. This is a portrait of how Satan will work when we are contaminated with sin. He will try to convince us that we are innocent, even when there is great guilt in our lives."  We are referred to 1 John 1:8 and 10 where John shares that we all sin and need a savior - all of humanity.  We are encouraged to practice the spiritual disciplines, particularly daily Bible study and prayer as a means for us to abide and remain in Him and Him in us. See also John 15:1-11. We need to stay close God for God to stay close to us.  The commentary wraps with "we open ourselves us to Satan’s deception. He wants us to feel innocent when we are guilty so that we deceive ourselves and continue in our sin."  Draw near to God!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that helps me - by giving me faith, and by giving me mercies that are new every morning and never cease!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.   Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”

 Zechariah 3:1-10

And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” Zechariah 3:2

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 3:2, which the commentary outlines as the second of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10).  The commentary aptly provides the theme for how it sees the text: God Wants Us to Feel Sorrowful When We Are Guilty.  First the commentary shares that "God’s sovereign ability to reprimand Satan in this manner is a reminder that the Lord and Satan are by no means equal forces in the universe. As powerful as Satan’s tactics against God and God’s people can be, he is no match for the Lord. Accordingly, when Yahweh rebukes Satan, the enemy becomes silent. The commentary then shares how the fire at the end of v2 describes the opposition, oppression, and exile/captivity of God's people.  At the same time, we are exhorted to see how such trials are designed to shape us into more of God's image: "God’s Word commands us, “Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?” (see Hebrews 12:6-7). God wants His children to feel grief and sorrow over our sin because grief and sorrow over sin are the ways that God brings us back to Him" (see also 2 Corinthians 7:10).  Satan wants us to see the shame and guilt of our sin with no hope.  God, instead, provided His Son Jesus Christ as a way out to have forgiveness and victory over sin and death.  The commentary concludes with: "God loves believers so much that He won’t allow us to sin and feel good about it. However, unlike the way Satan attacks us with guilt, God’s kind of guilt will never lead us to hopelessness and despair. Instead, He will allow His people to experience godly sorrow over their sin so that they will return to Him. He’s always ready for us to return to Him so that we can be forgiven." Amen!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who gives us hope - the victory over sin and death is already won.  Thank You Jesus!  You are an awesome God who loves us.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message to me today and every day.

Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. Cry out again, Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.

 Zechariah 1:14-17

Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. Cry out again, Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem. Zechariah 1:16-17

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 1:14-17, which the commentary outlines as the second of four divisions for the text vv1:7-2:13 (1:7-13, 1:14-17, 1:18-21, 2:1-13).  Here, v14 shares how God is "exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion."  God does not need it but He seeks glory for Himself only and He is jealous when His people give away their worship and glory to other gods that cannot compare to the One True God.  God is also angry with Judah's neighbors who have oppressed God's people and led them astray with worship of foreign gods - God is angry that these neighbors are at peace while God's people are struggling.  Vv16-17 then pivots to how God has "returned to Jerusalem with mercy," and how God's people will once again experience prosperity and the comfort of being in the arms of God.  Key once again to this prosperity, comfort, and fellowship with God is repentance of God's people.  God's patience is not unlimited and He is all powerful - knowing this and keeping in mind He knows all of our sin, we should run into His arms and stay there as reverent fear of God should serve as a preservative, keeping us from straying from Him.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is full of grace and mercy that never ceases...thank You Jesus for this grace and mercy and that I can never be separated from Your love.  Amazing indeed.  Yet I am undeserving of such grace, mercy and love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve you, my family, my church, and others.  help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

So they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’”

 Zechariah 1:1-6

So they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’” Zechariah 1:6b

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 1:6b, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions - entitled God’s Reassuring Words Call Us to Return to Him - for the text vv1-6 (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b).  The commentary calls to mind the often quoted saying "you never realize how much you miss something until its gone." Of course in this case, God's people had gone captive and into exile as God sought to get their attention for their wandering from Him (and their resulting wickedness).  God speaks through Zechariah and He does not want God's people to repeat what their ancestors had done with their wandering from God.  He reminds them that after being taken captive and into exile, they had finally recognized what they had done - missed God's fellowship and returned to Him.  This is what God sought through Zechariah and what He still seeks for believers now.  Let us not ever forget how gracious God is and even in our punishment we should see what He is doing in our lives and know that He never stops loving us and always seeks for us to return to Him.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are always good and You never stop loving us, and Your amazing grace for believers continues to flow - ceaselessly.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your goodness, love, and amazing grace.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers?

 Zechariah 1:1-6

Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? Zechariah 1:4-6a

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 1:4-6a, which the commentary outlines as the second of three divisions - entitled God’s Repeated Warnings Call Us to Return to Him - for the text vv1-6 (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b).  Here, the commentary emphasizes the repeated warnings God issues to His people to not be like their ancestors (vv2,4-6) who are described in the commentary as Judah and Israel before their exile and captivity in Babylonia and Assyria respectively.  The prophets Isaiah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah all warned God's people to repent and turn from their wicked ways and deeds. One such warning that echoes the warning in Zechariah is provided in Jeremiah 3:12-14.  Unfortunately, God's people did not heed His warnings and call to repent and the commentary describes how Jeremiah "watched with tears in his eyes as his beloved city Jerusalem was destroyed and God’s people were taken away."  Jeremiah's weeping is captured in the book of Lamentations.  The commentary then connects the warnings here in the OT to the gospel and how all of us will die - and we should take the opportunity to save ourselves for eternity by confessing our sins and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - thank You for softening my heart and for making me one of Your elect.  I am not deserving of such grace and compassion.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers?

 Zechariah 1:1-6

Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? Zechariah 1:4-6a

I resume my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a unassisted review of Zechariah 1:4-6a, which the commentary outlines as the second of three divisions for the text vv1-6 (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b).  Here, the Lord seeks for us to remember - and in this case for negative reasons.  Don't do what God's people have repeatedly done.  Throughout redemptive history as portrayed in the Old Testament, God's people repeatedly turned away from God, sinned and were wicked in God's eyes.  God hates sin.  One of the many broad themes of the OT is the cycle of sin and God's wrath, and we see this very early on in Genesis 3 where among other means of punishment after the Fall, Adam and Eve are sent out from the garden of Eden.  Consistent with yesterday's message, God continues to emphasize here that He reigns, is all powerful and all knowing, hates sin, and seeks obedience.  He also loves His people and does not want to punish them but will if He needs to get our attention. Once again, fear should serve as a preservative to keep us close to God.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, once again, I am reminded of Your amazing grace in that while I was still hostile and an enemy to You, You saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving - not by a long shot.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts.

 Zechariah 1:1-6

Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 1:3

I resume my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 1:1-3, which the commentary outlines as the first of three divisions for the text vv1-6 (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b).  The introduction to this chapter of the commentary shares "[t]he hope of the gospel is that lost people can be found and that distant and wandering believers can come back to the Lord....Jesus calls us to return when we wander far from Him."  The commentary then shares how believers are not immune to straying from God and it points out how believers still struggle with divorce, pornography, racism, lack of tithing, etc.  Zechariah and his family are described in v1 - Berechiah - his father, and Iddo - his grandfather.  These names in Hebrew are defined with Zechariah's name meaning "the Lord Remembers," Berechiah's as "the Lord blesses," and Iddo's as "in time" with the combination of these names describing how the Lord remembers and blesses as His set time.  God gave Zechariah a message to encourage His people who had returned from Babylonian captivity and exile to continue in their efforts to rebuild the temple - yet due to various factors work stopped.  Haggai delivered a similar message. The commentary describes God's people as being complacent and discouraged in their fellowship with God - and God became very angry.  Zechariah exhorts God's people to a "renewed closeness of the Lord," and the commentary outlines three divisions, each of which provide a motivation to return to the Lord.  The first division or motivation provided by the commentary is God’s Righteous Wrath Calls Us to Return to Him.  In v2 Zechariah share how angry God was the people's ancestors and their lack of faithfulness and resulting sin.  We are referred to Psalm 78:10-11 that describes God's people and their spiritual state prior to Babylonian captivity and exile. Zechariah implores God's people to see the God they are spurning - the Lord of hosts - He who reigns over all, creator of Heaven and Earth and all of its inhabitants.  We are reminded that yes God is love, compassion, mercy, etc. but he is just, we are commanded to love Him (most important commandment), and scripture is clear that the "wages of sin are death" (Romans 6:23).  As such, when we sin and especially when we spurn God we should be clear that God has every right to be angry.  He may be slow to anger (Nahum 1:3) but a righteous and just God does get angry with us when when we sin. The commentary shares: "[w]hen people deliberately take the path of sin and rebellion, when we determine to distance ourselves from Him, we experience God’s anger, His righteous wrath, just as the Jewish people did in their history. God is angry at sin in my life and in your life. And when we rebel against Him, we place ourselves into His anger zone."  We should be very careful straying from God and a reverent fear of God should drive us into His arms - John Piper refers to "fear as a preservative," helping us understand that God may love us but at the same time He is just and all powerful and can mete out His wrath and judgement just as easily as He can love. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord God You are an awesome God who loves and save - thank You Jesus for Your amazing grace.  I am not deserving of such incredible love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts.

 Zechariah 1:1-6

Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 1:3

I resume my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 1:1-6, which the commentary explores with a chapter entitled Go Home! and three divisions (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b).  Darius is mentioned in v1 and we can recall him also playing a role in Haggai and his God-directed decree (see also this background and Ezra 1) to support Judah's return to Jerusalem from exile to rebuild the temple. The broader message of vv1-6 emphasize a common and very important theme in scripture - repentance and to remain near to God.  God is gracious (amazingly so!) and scripture is replete with examples of this grace with the Old Testament in its near entirety standing out as an example of this grace.  Zechariah delivers a message to Judah to not be like so many of its ancestors who wicked and turned away from God, and as a result they went into captivity and exile.  Judah is called to repent and turn to God, and course to stay close to God.  V6 indicates "they repented." I am immediately drawn to James 4:8a where it says: "[d]raw near to God, and he will draw near to you."  The parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 also emphasizes the theme of coming home to God.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is always full of grace and compassion, pouring out such grace daily and ceaselessly - thank You Jesus.  Of course I am undeserving of my salvation and for the grace You pour out for me.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD....Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.

 Haggai 2:15-19

I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD....Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you. Haggai 2:17, 19

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 2:15-19, which the commentary outlines as the second division (entitled The People Were to Consider Where They Had Come From and Be Encouraged by What God Had Called Them To) for Haggai 2:10-23, the next set of verses covered by a new chapter in the commentary.  Here, the commentary emphasizes how God calls people to repentance.  God makes our sin clear to us, while at the same time, He makes His grace clear to us.  A sister in Christ pointed out to me Psalm 51:16-17 yesterday which is very appropriate for my study this morning on how God calls us to repentance.  In this Psalm, David cries out to God seeking reconciliation after Nathan confronts David about his sin of adultery and murder.  Vv16-17 describe David's "broken and contrite heart," which God "does not despise." The amazing nature of God's grace then becomes clear to us in this state - we see the free offer of Jesus, and it becomes all the more amazing when we recognize how it was accomplished - by Jesus' willingness to die on the cross for us.  Israel was disobedient for sure as they turned away from God, but God softened their heart and they returned to Him.  In return, they are blessed.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who made clear my sin to me, softening my heart and making me one of Your elect - thank You Jesus for saving me!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD....Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.

 Haggai 2:15-19

I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD....Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you. Haggai 2:17, 19

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 2:15-19, which the commentary outlines as the second division for Haggai 2:10-23, the next set of verses covered by a new chapter in the commentary.  Here, God reminds the people how, in response to their sin and how they turned away from Him, that all things come from Him and He can easily take away just as He provides. While Israel did turn back to the Lord and He promises to bless them (see also Haggai 2:1-9), we must remember that we exist to glorify God, and woe to us if we do not.  We all sin and need a Savior.  God's people needed to repent and so do we. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, all comes from You as You reign and You provide for all needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Most importantly, You save!  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and how You provide.  I am not deserving as my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean.

 Haggai 2:10-14

Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. Haggai 2:14

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 2:10-14, which the commentary outlines as the first division for Haggai 2:10-23, the next set of verses covered by a new chapter in the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary:

• God wants the people to understand the depth of their sin.  "First, their sin has caused them to become spiritually dead and defiled. Second, because they are dead and defiled, no amount of activity on their part would profit them until they had repented of their sin....God illustrates for them a central truth that is found throughout Scripture: our sin has separated us from God and has caused us to be spiritually dead."
• We are referred to Revelation 3:1-6 where it shares how those who are spiritually dead will not experience eternity with Jesus in Heaven and this includes those in the church who are lukewarm to God or feeling as if their good works are sufficient.  V14 reminds us that no amount of good works are sufficient until we truly repent. See also 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and Matthew 23:27. 
• Repentance and our heart condition are key.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace. Thank You Jesus for Your love and amazing grace.  I am not deserving of the love You pour out for me nor for my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

 Haggai 2:1-5

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. Haggai 2:4-5

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 2:1-5, which the commentary outlines as the first division for Haggai 2:1-9.  The commentary describes how God makes a promise to His people in these verses and the commentary shares how God's words with this promise provide four clear steps that result in the fulfillment of God's promise:

1. God wants you to see your sin - to define the problem (see also posts on Haggai chapter1).  "[God] was bringing conviction of sin to them. Conviction always occurs through clarity. Their sin is laid bare for them to clearly see, and they can no longer deny it." Of course this leads them back to God in repentance. 
2. Once they repent, God provides hope.  God wants His grace to free His people from the cycle of sin and shame and how this leads to pain and discouragement.  God does not want this - that is why He forgives us. See also Romans 5:8.
3. Repentance leads us into obedience to God - and God in the text is calling His people to work - so we should! The commentary shares "transformed hearts leads to transformed hands."
4. Once we follow steps #1-3, we will experience God's presence.  "Verse 5 points out that because God’s presence is among them, they will not have to be afraid. They can rest in God’s presence. He is a strong tower that brings grace, yes. He brings hope, yes. Finally, though, He brings rest....As we see throughout the whole of Scripture, there are many reasons why one will be blessed by following God, but none is more significant than the promise of God’s presence."  See also Psalm 84:10.
   

 Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus!  You are great and a day in Your courts are indeed better than a thousand elsewhere.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  I am SO grateful.  Yet I know that I am undeserving....my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

 Haggai 1:13-15

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king. Haggai 1:13-15

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 1:13-15. What encouragement! In vv1-12, we see God speaking to Israel, urging them to consider their ways and to prioritize Him above their own desires and comfort - this is the greatest commandment!  The people obeyed and feared the Lord - repentance.  Then, in v13, God, through Haggai, declares that He is with the people. God then moved in the hearts of Zerubbabel (governor of Judah), Joshua (high priest), and the remnant of the people (those who repented) and led them to continue rebuilding the temple. This is a fantastic text of how God moves in the hearts of His people.  First, He is compassionate.  Surely He is disappointed in Israel, but He offers forgiveness if they repent and prioritize Him above all else.  He is then with us - walking with us.  What more can we want!?

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You grace is amazing indeed - You saved me while still an enemy and hostile to You.  I am no different than Israel in any point in her history.  My is grave and daily...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

 Haggai 1:12-15

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king. Haggai 1:12-15

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 1:12-15 which is covered in the commentary with a chapter title Fear of God Leads to Repentance and the chapter provides two divisions (1:12, 1:13-15) and five (1:12, 1:12, 1:13, 1:13, 1:14) subdivisions. Here, in response to God's call to Israel to "consider [it's] ways" and repent (see earlier posts here and here), Israel does indeed repent and as God does in all of His compassion and love, He forgives Israel and declares "I am with you," which of course is a tremendous encouragement and source of peace.  Israel's fellowship with God and their heart change leads them proceed with rebuilding of the temple - putting God first. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 3:16 where believers and the church are referred to as God's temple. Just as Israel focuses on building the temple, believers should focus on building their relationships with the Lord and with one another.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves us and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for those who turn towards You.  Thank You Jesus for softening my heart and leading me to You, for saving me.  I am not deserving of such blessings...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.

 Haggai 1:7-11

You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors. Haggai 1:9-11

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:7-11, the fourth sub-division.  The commentary entitles this subdivision as Repenting Will Point Them to God’s Pleasure.  Here, God calls Israel to repent and to resume rebuilding of the temple (vv7-8).  He then reminds them of how a pursuit of self-desire and self-worship led to God turning away and withholding His provision.  Excerpts from the commentary:

• Believers should heed this message to consider our ways - our sin of course - and turn towards God to transform our hearts and lives to be more like Him.  Repentance and heart change is key (see also Proverbs 4:23 and Matthew 5:21-30) as behavior change follows heart change.
  
• VV9-11 describes that if you don't repent God withholds the blessings that flow from fellowship with Him. 
• "[People] can repent, follow God’s way, and flourish as they find themselves in harmony with the world as God intended it; or they can reject repentance and risk God’s wrath as He actively works against them, keeping them from flourishing."
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I have experienced with my own eyes how obedience to Your commands and a relationship with You is good and You satisfy as no other can - You ARE the Living Water!  Thank You Jesus for the blessings You pour out daily for me.  I am not deserving of such blessings nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.