Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

Matthew 1

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. v17

The start of Matthew provides a broad brush overview of how Jesus came about.  There is God's plan to create a strong and powerful nation to glorify and serve Him, then there is sin and evil by the Israelites and so God punishes the Israelites through division and exile.  Then He restores all of us - Jews and Gentiles - through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Matthew's account of the geneaology here is a reminder of who God is.

• He is a great God that wants great things for His children
• He is just and merciful
• He is full of love, patience, and compassion for all 
• His plan is perfect

Of course there is more to God than just this.  But this overview by Matthew is a good start and a reminder that God loves me, He forgives me, and wants the best for me...all I need to do is trust, love and submit to Him.  He will do all the rest.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God.   Words cannot define how great You are!  You don't need me yet You desire to not only use me as part of Your plan but You love me beyond what I can even imagine.  I am not worthy of such love and blessing.  I am lazy, impatient, and I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me trust, love and submit to You with more of my heart, mind, and soul.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

Malachi 4

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. v2

Jesus will return - the 2nd coming.  It will be a day of judgement and only those who believe and have faith in Jesus Christ will be saved.  I must not only have faith however, I must live with a level of intentionality so that I can fully become the man God intends for me...to play the role in terms of spiritual head of the household as God intends and commands me to play this role.

I have previously read and posted bout this and I pray that I can and do become the man God intends for me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are all.  You are everything.  You have created everything, know everything, are everywhere...and You are an active God that works in all times in all places.  You certainly don't need me but You love me, You died for me and You are an active force and spirit in my life.  This is despite my many sins of harshness, impatience, and selfishness, and more.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for these and my other sins.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Give me strength.  Help me be bold and daring.  Help me love and encourage and  be selfless.  Help me glorify You Jesus.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Malachi 3

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. v10

I withhold my time, my talent, and my treasure thinking I am saving something for myself.  When instead, God says that I will blessed the MORE I give. 

I have previously read here how generosity begets blessings not just for the recipient but also for the giver.  I have also read about how I am to be a cheerful giver...that I should be cheerful for what is happening within me as a result of my giving.

My Prayer: Lord, You gave it all - the ultimate sacrifice...not just for me, but for all mankind.  And You continue to give...every day and in all ways.  How great You are Jesus!  You don't need me yet You love me.  You love me despite my sin.  I am lazy and harsh with my words.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend me to be.  Please help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me have a bold and daring faith.

So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

Malachi 2

So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. v15

Unfaithful is defined as "not adhering to vows, allegiance, or duty".  To me, this is a more broad definition that encompasses a number of responsibilities including being spiritual head of the household, encouraging your wife and children in both spiritual and secular matters, running the household.  To me faitfulness implies faithfulness to the role you accepted at marriage.  While this seems like more work it actually calls me up to be the man God intended for me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the ultimate model for my life.  I so desire to be more like You.  I know I can never be You - who can!?  You are the one and only true God who creates all, knows all, and is full of love, compassion, and mercy for all of His children, no matter what they do.  You died for me and all of Your other children who live now and for those that come after me including Zach and Dustin.  What a great God You are.  I am not worthy of all of the love and blessing You have and provide for me.  I sin and I will continue to sin.  I am harsh with my words. Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble..."

Malachi 2

“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble..." v7-8

As I have been a community group leader and I teach Sunday school class to the elementary school boys, people look to me to provide leadership.  This is a responsibility that the Lord gives to those who he can trust because He knows that positions of leadership influence others through their actions and words - how they live their faith.

The challenge then for me is to live a faith worthy of the responsibility entrusted to me by God. 

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48

My Prayer: Lord, You are God that is all knowing.  You have a purpose for me and a role for me in Your kingdom...to be part of Your plan.  I don't know Your plan but I feel blessed that I can be part of Your plan.  You are a great God...one full of love, compassion, kindness, gentleness...all the fruits of the spirit and more!  You don't even need me...yet You not only love me, You use me and redeem all of my sin for Your glory.  How great You are!  I am not worthy of such blessing.  I am impatient, and I use harsh words.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be more like You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me lead a life worthy of Your name.

“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord."

Malachi 1

“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord." v14

With regard to whatever we offer the Lord, whether it is our time, treasure, or talent, it must be our best.  Our offering must reflect a love of the Lord that He deserves and that shows that we love Him with all of our hearts, mind, strength, and soul:

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’....Luke 10:27

That our offering must reflect our best is also found here:

You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the first wool from the shearing of your sheep...Deuteronomy 18:4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are not only worthy of my love and worship, You are worthy of my first fruit...the best of what I have to offer in terms of my time, treasure, and talent.  You have blessed me beyond description.  Yet I am not worthy of such blessing.  I am lazy, and I am impatient, and I am harsh with my words.  Thank You that You love me anyway.  Please forgive me for these sins and help me love You with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength.  Help me glorify You with my life Jesus.

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

Zechariah 14

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. v9

There certainly will come a day when Jesus comes again back to earth...the end of times.  Indeed on that day Jesus will reign over the whole earth...but does He not now already?  I must live with the end in mind and live with a recognition that Jesus reigns over all of the earth now...and forevermore.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are Lord over all.  You created everything and You are everthing.  You were here in the beginning and You will be here at the end of all times.  There is no earth Lord except You.  Jesus, You are great indeed!  You don't need me yet You love me.  I am not worthy of such love.  I am selfish...I am impatient...I am harsh with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me be more like You.  Help me also have a bold and daring faith.