ARCC Sermons

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September 27th

The bible reading today is in Nehemiah chapters 6 and 7.

What do I see God doing in our reading today? I see Him “Keeping His promise”. The promise He gave to their forefather Jacob, when he was scared and feeling alone and wondering about the future....“Behold, I am with you and I will keep you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God brought these Judean exiles home, just like He promised, back to the land that He gave them. Many rejoiced, but most continued in their despair.

“God help us to lay hold of your promises and believe... every day...leaving the results and timing up to You by faith.”

God was with them in Babylon. Just like He promised Jacob, that He would be with them and keep them wherever they would go. God watched over the Judean exiles. He kept them, just like He promised. Just like the good shepherd who watched over his father’s flock, even when he moved his sheep from one mountainside to another.

God was keeping His promise, not just to Nehemiah, but to all of the beaten-down Israelis of faith. The people saw and heard the promise giver in Nehemiah. Their faith was boosted and lifted up for the work ahead with God.

In our reading I also see God teaching His kids. God could have miraculously erected the perfect wall around Jerusalem all by Himself. He parted the Red Sea all by Himself. He fed 3 million Israelites in the wilderness by sending mana and quail from heaven...all by Himself. God quenched the thirst of three million wilderness wanderers by a river of water that came forth from the rock of Horeb in the desert...all by Himself.

So why did He use the exiles to rebuild Jerusalem and the wall around them? God was wanting more than the city restored, He wanted spiritual fellowship restored with Him and with each other.

Look at the houses going up, the Temple going up, the wall going up, what do we see? Men, women, children working together on a God-given assignment.

What was God teaching them? He was teaching them that the best medicine for “their depression” was a good workday. Everyone didn't do the same work, but everyone had a work to do. They were working together on something greater than themselves. They were working on something that God was building.

Oh, friends, the wall went up in 52 days because friends and families worked together to do the job. May the Lord help us to see the church this way. God is at work and invites us to work together on His God-sized assignments...the work is energizing and a reward in itself. But the fellowship of the saints during the work of the Lord is priceless!

What happened next gives us more insight into why God was using families and friends to do the work of this ministry in Jerusalem....“Now Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall...” So Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem instigated a plan to stop the work on the wall around Jerusalem.

Think about it...they weren't just trying to stop the Judeans’ work on the wall. In reality they were taking on God...what a mismatch.

Do you see it? When we are working together on God’s assignments, whatever comes against us, is coming against Him, and He is the Captain of undefeated angel armies. That’s some kind of construction superintendent!

They started out by pretending to be neighborly. But Nehemiah saw right through it. So Nehemiah simply gave them a nod and kept on working.

Nehemiah probably knew some history on these guys...they had been bullying the returned exiles for years. But I think there is another reason why Nehemiah would not be persuaded to leave the wall for some R&R with the unscrupulous politicians of the region.

Nehemiah looked around at the workers on the wall...some young...some old...but all were giving their all to finish the wall. So Nehemiah boldly said...”I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

Nothing was going to distract Nehemiah and his people from the work God gave them to do...“Not my will but yours be done Father”....not Nehemiah...but Jesus...praise God that he would not be distracted from his assignment...the cross for you and me!

Have a great day!

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September 26th

The bible reading today is in Nehemiah chapters 1-5.

1000 years after the time of Moses and some 400 years before the birth of Jesus, the nation of Israel was in a desperate condition. Both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah were completely destroyed.

Continuing in review, 70 years after Babylonian captivity, 50,000 Jews out of the 3,000,000 Jews deported, took advantage of King Darius’s offer of allowing God’s kids to return to their promised land to rebuild Jerusalem, especially their temple.

That’s only about 2% of the Israelis that were exiled to Babylon, but they went “anyway. They went “home”. They went home to “devastation”, but they went home “to rebuild” their homes, their cities, and their promised way of life.

There was a second wave and a third wave of Jewish exiles that would leave their homes in the Persian provinces to return to their homeland in Israel. Nehemiah would be a part of that third wave.

Apparently Nehemiah’s brother, Hanani, had returned to Jerusalem for a short period of time. After his visit to Judah, Hanani came back to his home in Susa. There he talked with his brother about the dire circumstances that plagued the people of Israel after their return from exile.

“And Hanani said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Nehemiah’s body was in the capital city of Persia at this time, but from the text, his heart was in Jerusalem.

“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps your covenant with your people...hear me...They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭1:4-5, 10-11‬ ‭ESV‬

Nehemiah’s heart was broken for his people’s plight and his heart remembered the land and the once beautiful city of David that God had given to them. Something had to give...or better still “Someone”. So Nehemiah prayed to “the Lord” and volunteered to be “the “someone” that God could use if He wanted to.

That reminds me of another someone...“And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here Am I...Send me.”And he said, “Go...

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6:7-9‬ ‭

Nehemiah was saying, “Here am I, Lord...use me up for Your glory and the benefit of Your people. And, I’m reminded of another “someone” whose life message mirrors Nehemiah’s and Isaiah’s...“Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The Apostle Paul....“Here am I Lord...” pour me out”...” use me up”...” send me”...as a sacrificial offering for the sake of the believers in the Philippian church.

And guess what Paul said of Christ...Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant...humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:6-8‬ ‭

Nehemiah was willing to give himself away for his people. So was Isaiah and so was Paul.

Nehemiah was willing to work and fight for the good news of God. That He would restore the full of truth city...the beautiful holy city of Jerusalem on the mount of Zion!

It’s a great story...it’s the rest of the story...

Have a great day

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September 25th

Today’s bible reading is in Ezra chapters 7-10.

“And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel....

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭6:14-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“then Ezra...the second Moses by Jewish tradition 60yrs later went up from Babylonia.

Ezra was a direct descendent of the first high priest in Israel, Aaron, and the last high priest before the exile to Babylon, Seriah. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭7:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Everything else about Ezra is interesting, but the last thing mentioned is the main thing...“for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.”

And what did he do? He taught Israel the very words of God. More than any other man, Ezra’s teaching ministry stamped the people of Israel with its lasting monogram ...“as the people of the book”.

Scribes were more than just glorified secretaries. They were messengers of the will of God. They took the place of the prophets with one major difference: prophets were messengers of God’s new revelation to His people...ScrIbes explained and applied the old revelations of God to His people.

Of this order, Ezra was the founder of this type of messenger. Ezra would correspond to the churches’ elders, doing their best leading through their teaching of the word of God and applying it to the lives of the Christ-followers under their charge.

Remember what we read about Persia’s king showing favor toward Ezra by giving him all that he requested for his ministry in Israel. Certainly, the hand of God was upon Ezra.

“For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month, he came to Jerusalem. 3-4 months traveling 900 miles from Babylon to Jerusalem by way of the Euphrates River “for the good hand of his God was on him”. And Ezra gave God credit for his successful journey.

Now let us note the Godly intention of Ezra’s heart. .First, *Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the Lord. Second, *Ezra set his heart “to be a doer” of the Words of God. And Third, *Ezra set his heart “to teach” God’s statutes and laws in Israel.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭7:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What a Godly intention for every disciple of the Savior God Jesus...

1. To dedicate our hearts to study the Word of God personally.

2. To dedicate our hearts to obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit from the word of God.

3. To dedicate our hearts to teaching the words of God to others...explaining it and applying it to their lives.

All three together is “Christian discipleship” in an Old Testament nutshell. Preparing our hearts to disciple others by studying, obeying, and teaching the words of God. And Ezra was living that discipleship 450 years before Christ called His first disciples.

So when the apostle Paul was encouraging Pastor Timothy to learn the will of God, to do it, then teach it to others so that they can live it and teach it to others also. That wasn't brand new, was it?

Now enjoy the rest of Ezra’s story...

Have a great day

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September 24th

The Bible reading today is in Esther chapters 6-10.

When I read through the book of Esther, I certainly see Godly character (flawed, yes), but overall I see the righteous character of God in the life of Mordecai and his younger cousin, Esther.

For instance, Mordecai took responsibility for raising and caring for his orphaned cousin. He not only knew what God was expecting of him, He was determined to do it by God’s strength.

In Esther, I see a Godly truthfulness and courageousness that came forth for the benefit of others, even when it meant her own hurt. Yes, I see God’s righteousness in and through their lives, especially when the pressure was on.

As I read through the book of Esther, I see that it is more than a moral tale of how we must stand tall and firm in the midst of difficult circumstances. I see the foreshadowing of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I see our need to totally depend on Jesus...“the intercessor/mediator", that Esther pictured in small measure, who stood in the gap for those who desperately needed saving like you and me.

Jesus our perfect intermediator. Our perfect intercessor who hung on a cross in our place, between heaven and hell, between righteousness and sinfulness, between judgment and mercy. He took hell and gave us heaven. He took our sinfulness and gave us His righteousness. He took our judgment and gave us God’s merciful salvation.

Yes, Esther played the intercessor for the Jewish people of her day. But Jesus, You are always better. Thank You!

There is one more thing that captures my attention in our reading of Esther chapters 1-10...God’s complete sovereignty over the affairs of life.

Hammon was a key figure in the court of Persian King, Ahasuerus. Hammon hated Mordecai and the nation of Israel. Hammon was out to hang Mordecai and totally destroy and annihilate the Jewish people across the world. Hammon persuaded the king to command his armies to make preparation for the murderous attacks on Jewish men, women, and children.

The slaughter was coming. Fear and panic seized the Jewish nation.

Was God wringing His hands in worry? No!!!

Did it cross His mind that the annihilation of his people would interfere with the lineage of the promised coming of the Messiah Jesus? No!!

Why not? Was it because He was counting on coincidence? Such as...A Jewess named Esther was chosen by the Persian king to be his queen...and it would be her Godly appeal to the king that would correspondingly save her cousin from the gallows and her Jewish countrymen from the bloody sword.

Was all of that just a coincidence? Did the planets just align themselves perfectly for all that to happen? No and No!

God Himself ordained and carried out everything that we read in Esther.

Why do I see it that way? Let’s listen to Solomon teaching his children and grandchildren...“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭

Throwing the dice...a game of chance...a game of random chance...And Solomon taught that God decided which number would come up!

What about the dust motes flying around my room...does God manage all those? Yes.

You've seen them as an early morning beam of light penetrates the darkness of your room. Thousands of them floating in the air. I agree with Spurgeon who taught his church that those dust particles move in their particular position in accordance with God’s appointment.

But is it just the proverbs that convince me that God designs and plans and carries them out upon the earth? No, it’s at the cross...“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:22-23‬ ‭

God designed and carried out just how His elect were to be saved from the penalty of their sins. Nothing about it was random. The prophets said the Christ was to suffer, and by his wounds we who believe Him are healed...eternally!

Have a great day

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September 23rd

Our bible reading today is in Esther chapters 1-5

“Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Mordecai and his younger cousin, Esther, were taken captive by the Persians when they defeated and took over the kingdom of Babylon. Apparently their parents died during the exile in Babylon and Mordecai became provider and protector of Esther.

When wicked King Ahasuerus got rid of his Persian wife, he ordered his servants to find him a new wife. They found Esther. And she became a lady in waiting inside the king’s harem.

Mordecai made a decision to hide his cousin’s identity from the Persians. He told Esther to pretend that she was Persian and never let anyone know that she was a Judean.

I'm sure that Mordecai was just trying to save her life. And I get it. But I am reminded of the words of Jesus to His disciples.

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:32-33‬ ‭

In our Esther reading we will learn that God used Esther’s change of heart later to save her people. But who is to say what God may have done earlier had she identified her self courageously as belonging to Yahweh.

Many Christians live like “undercover agents”, hiding their true identity as followers of Jesus.

Who is to say what God may do in our world if only we would faithfully and courageously and repeatedly identify ourselves with Jesus...Lord of Lords and King of Kings ...the crucified and resurrected Savior of sinners like us.

Esther was chosen by the king to be his next queen. Wonder how God was going to use her in her new position as Queen in Persia.

“Then Haman (the king’s counselor), said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom.

Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them.

If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed.....So....Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, and to plunder their goods.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭3:8-9, 13‬ ‭

Wow, that was a terrible and most frightening edict for Jews in the kingdom of Persia, which was just short of worldwide.

“When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was.

Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the Jews’ destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people. Esther replied to her cousin...“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death,except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.” And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?””

‭‭Esther‬ ‭4:1, 5, 8, 11-14‬ ‭

And then Esther made her decision after time alone with her Lord.

“Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf...I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭4:15-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

No more hiding for Esther. She would identify herself as a Jew. She would identify herself with the God of Israel. That would opennly put her under the same condemnation and annihilation as was every Jew in the world.

And her confession of faith before King Ahasuerus would also be dangerous. For if he were to refuse her request for an audience, it would mean immediate death...Queen or no Queen.

But did you hear her commitment? “If I perish, I perish...”

She was willing to publicly testify of her personal relationship with the Lord and her Jewish family...come what may...even death.

Bev and I would have many occasions over the years of raising our three children to use Esther’s story, especially to encourage them when they were afraid of a task they knew that they had to accomplish a hard thing. “Be brave...like Esther...go for it...trust God with the outcome!”

So what happened? Well, that’s the rest of the story.

Have a great day

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September 22nd

The bible reading today is in Zechariah 8-14.

In Zechariah’s day, not many people came to Jerusalem. It was still in a ruined state, downtrodden and broken to pieces.

But...God promised a great restoration. A great and marvelous redemption for Israel and especially Jerusalem. One day the peoples of the nations will come to the glorified city, seeking the Lord of angel armies...

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭8:20, 22‬ ‭

This promise will ultimately be fulfilled in the Millennial 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth before God creates the new heavens and new earth. Jerusalem will be the headquarters of Jesus’ kingdom and people will come from every nation to seek and worship the Lord.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭8:23‬ ‭ESV

God will show such favor, such grace, to the people of promise. To Israelis and Gentiles who believe Jesus. In those days of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom that people all over the world will ask the people of God’s salvation if they could go with them to Jesus.

Every so often in our day in America, we see lost family members ask if they can go to Jesus with us. One day there will be such a spiritual revival among the followers of Jesus that people from every nation will find their way to us to get us to lead them to know and believe Jesus. May that happen again. And if not soon then we will see it in the restored Jerusalem.

“Your people of the faith of Abraham shall all be righteous. Right with God through Christ; they shall possess the land of Israel forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be “glorified”. The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the Lord over it all...“in its time” I will hasten it...to its place... to its fulfillment in the story that I am writing!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60:21-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Wow, what a promise from God to all who believe Him. Starting with the Jews that God chose to bear witness to the God of salvation...the Messiah...Jesus...who would come from the line of Judah to save His people from their sins.

You know how we make plans for our future and then visit those plans regularly looking forward with excitement to the good ending of our plans?

Well, God was giving a distressed Israeli people hope by helping them to revisit the good and wonderful plan for their future...in their own land forever...ruling alongside the Messiah...and seeing their witness to Messiah Jesus bring thousands, perhaps millions into the eternal kingdom of God.

Let’s listen to just a little more of the encouragement of God for the exiles who came home to a desolate capital city of Jerusalem.

“Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭8:3-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“The place where you live will be the place where I live. Old people will feel safe enough to sit and visit in the streets. Your city will be called a “full of faith” city. And the mountain where you dwell will be called holy...set apart for my use only.”

And all because You, O Lord, will live and work in our midst in a special way. “Lord, would You work in our cities here in America like that...obviously to a lesser degree...but at least in a small measure?”

But if not, we will trust You and worship You and look forward to our future with You, in Heaven at death or rapture....and in the Millennial kingdom and the new heaven and new earth to come!

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September 21st

The bible reading today is in Zechariah 1-7.

If all we had was the prophecies of Haggai, one might think that God was more interested in His Temple than His people who had just returned from Babylonian exile. Zechariah gives us more of the story. He shows us that God is interested in the lives of His people as well the House of God’s presence.

The prophecy of Zechariah is noted for his use of visions, pictures, and symbols. And we will look at some of them in today’s podcast. But before that, let us look at God’s main request of His people.

“Therefore say to them, Zechariah, “Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. Don't be like your fathers...

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭,4 ESV‬‬

The first thing that strikes me in God’s request of His people is the statement, “Don't be like your fathers.” What a condemning statement God gives about their fathers. “Don't be like them.” So what was the major characteristic in the fathers’ lives that kept them from being an example that their kids should follow?

Faith and Love. Don't be like your fathers’ faithlessness...be full of faith in Me. Don't be like your fathers’ who lost their first love for Me. Love Me with all of your hearts.

Apparently, plenty of Israeli sons and daughters coming home from Babylon had lost their first love for the Lord. And apparently, many sons and daughters of Judah were coming home with little trust and hope in the Lord alone for their futures.

No wonder God spoke to them so directly, so pointedly...”Return to Me”...and “I will return to you!”

Reminds me of a verse in James 4:8...“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

‭‭James‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Believe Me...trust in My promises for you. Love Me...more than anything else!

John Gill gives an interesting slant...“Return to Me”...meaning...”return to the worship of Me...”

Reminds me of Paul’s message to the church at Rome on the worship of God. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service of worship.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭

God wanted something from His people. He wanted them to love Him. To faithfully worship Him and Him alone. Why? Was it because He was lonely? Was it because He needed to feel more significant?

No...God is totally satisfied in Himself. In the fellowship of the triune Godhead...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God wanted His kids to come back to Him and desire Him above all. Living out their lives with Him as living offerings of worship unto Him and service unto Him. Why? Because as they drew near to Him again, they would realize that He had never left them...that He had never moved.

He believed in them and still did. He wanted to use them for good and greater works. And He loved them, enough to die for them and give them everything they would ever need for life in the now and for life eternal.

Oh dads and moms, keep walking close to Jesus. It will be good for you, and because little eyes are watching and admiring hearts are trying to be just like you...may the children follow you all the way to Jesus.

Now one of the visions among many...“I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red sorrel and white horses. So the angel who talked with me said to me, ‘Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭1:8, 10-11, 14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus was that man standing in the midst of the myrtle trees...in the midst of Israel. He told Zechariah that God had His angels to patrol the earth. And those angels reported that all was at rest...except for Israel. Jesus interceded for Israel. He told Zechariah that He was jealous and zealous for Israel.

“Therefore, thus says the Lord (Jesus), 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 to cause her to prosper.

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭1:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Is Jesus still jealous and zealous for the faithful of Israel? Yes. And for the land too.

“I will bless those who bless you...

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you, Israel...For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good Israel.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭122:6, 9‬ ‭

And if the Holy Spirit inspired David said that...we must too!

It gets better...and that’s the rest of the story.

Have a great day

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September 20th

The bible reading for today is the short 2 chapter book of Haggai.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.”

‭‭Haggai‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This little book sheds more light on why it took so long to get back to work on rebuilding the Temple in the war torn Jerusalem. God speaks through Haggai to Zerubabbel, Gov. of Judah. He tells him that God knows that the returned exiles are full of excuses for not getting back to work on the Temple.

The people were saying that it wasnt time to get back to business. They had lost heart and lost spiritual sight that they had been invited by God to work with Him on the House. It wasn't their business, it was God’s. Excuses wouldn't cut it.

And so what were some of the excuses? The land was still desolate especially after 70 years of neglect. The work was hard. They had little money and not enough manpower. They suffered crop failures. Hostile enemies resisted them. They remembered easier times in Babylon.

“If this is so hard, with so many obstacles...evidently, God doesn't want us to do this. At least not anytime soon.”

Wow! I can imagine the conversations around the supper table. God would supply if He wanted us to press on. No Im not going back to the quarry tomorrow...maybe never.

Friends I've had those very same kind of reactions and responses to hard work, hard circumstances, seemingly impossible assignments from God.

How many times did Bev remind me that the work of God. The work that He stirred us to do may be hard, but it would be a work of faith. Trusting Him for our daily bread, trusting Him for our moment by moment strength to press on one more day, trusting Him for tomorrow’s supply. No more excuses, Jim. No more excuses fellow followers of Jesus.

“Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”

‭‭Haggai‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Ooooh....the people were saying that it wasn't time to rebuild the Temple for their worship of God. But apparently it was time to rebuild their homes for their luxurious worship of themselves. Ouch!

Who did they love? Their priorities were in wrong order. They were content to let the cause of God go unattended at the expense of their own comfort.

Instead, they should have felt no rest until the work of God was as prosperous as their personal lives. They should have been willing to sacrifice in time, in effort, and in resources for the work of God... at least as much as they sacrificed for their own luxury.

“Someone should get to work on the temple. I hope someone steps up. As soon as I finish the remodeling on our home, I'll try to help some.”

Well, the Temple hasn't been open for business for over 50 years, we've got a makeshift tabernacle as it is. We are getting by...

The excuses sound familiar. Haggai was the alarm clock, unwelcomed, but necessary.

God used the prophet to get the people back to work...back to where God was!

Thanks for waking me up Haggai ...Holy Spirit...God is at work...I want to be a part of it till the day I die.

Have a great day

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September 19th

The bible reading today is in Ezra 4-6 and Ps 137.

In Ezra chapter 4, the Samaritans, .made up of Assyrians who married Israelis for several generations since the Assyrian defeat and capture of the northern kingdom, made an offer to help build the Temple. But the Judeans refused their offer.

The Samaritans wrote a letter to the king of Persia full of accusations against the Judeans. The king of Persia responded commanding the Jews to cease building the Temple.

The text...“The Samaritans approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Ezzerhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.”

But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ houses in Israel said to them, “ “You have nothing to do with us...in building a house to our God; but we “alone” will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭4:2-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

At first, the Samaritan appeal to help the Jews rebuild their Temple seems like a generous offer. It was going to be a huge job. Surely the Judeans could use all the help they could get.

“Let us build with you...” Did they really want to help? Without strings attached? That is what Godly helping starts with no hidden agendas just looking for ways to assist someone with “their” work.

But Zerubbabel and the High Priest, Joshua, and the chiefs of the tribes in Israel knew what I didnt. They knew the motive behind the Samaritan offer. They were looking for a way to ease into a partnership with the Judeans, especially for the use of the Temple itself.

They had some Jewish ties but they also had ties with Assyrian gods and goddesses, the main one being Ashur, known as the Sun God, and the Tree God. The Samaritans thought they could go through the “Temple motions” of worshipping Yahweh and worship Ashur as well.

No wonder Zerubabbel told them in no uncertain terms that they had “no part”...“no common fellowship” on this mission to rebuild the House of God. Not even. a "thank you though”. Just a straight forward “no...” we “alone” will build this house unto the Lord...”

Reminds me of the apostle Paul’s teaching...“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:14-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Zerubabbel knew that the Samaritans were posers, unbelievers, pretenders, with wicked motives. He courageously led the Judeans to reject their offer.

So the Samaritans conspired with Artaxerxes, the king in Persia to put a stop to the Temple building. And so by kings edict and force, the rebuilding of the Temple ceased.

Somewhere between 9 and 15 years later “...Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭5:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Even the Godliest can be beaten down and separated from his dedication to fulfill his God given mission. Even Zerubabbel needed the support of the prophets to get back to work. Working with God on his God-sized assignment...regardless of the consequences.

Thanks, Lord, for using these ordinary men to do extraordinary things. They started and stopped and then started again...with You and with each other.

May our churches do the same....with the assignments You give us.

Have a great day

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September 18th

The bible reading today is in Ezra 1-3.

By the time of our reading, the first wave of exiles had returned to Judah under the leadership of Ezra.

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭

The beginning of Ezra gives another illustration of God having the kings of the earth in his hands.

Prov. 21:1...“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”

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“...the Lord stirred up the spirit of king Cyrus...Why?

God, after 70 + years since the destruction of the Temple, was going to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. And He was going to release Judean exiles from Persia and use Persian resources to get the job done.

And what was the first thing God did? He turned the heart and mind of king Cyrus toward His plan.

Just a brief detour...Reading this passage of scripture today encourages me to pray for government leaders with faith. Such as...“O Lord, as You stirred the heart of the Persian king and moved him to bless Your kids there, I'm asking You to move on the government leaders of Kenya to bless Your children there...so build a hedge of protection around the Christians in the country, especially those in Isiolo, protecting them from radical Muslim terrorism and murder. Thanks, Lord.”

God rules in the affairs of men by His stirring the spirits of men, including the works of believers.

Cyrus gave permission to every Jewish exile remaining in Persia to leave and return to Jerusalem in order to help in the rebuilding of the Temple! The same God that raised up the spirit of Cyrus to proclaim liberty to the Judeans, raised up their spirits to accept the benefit from Cyrus and join God in the restoration of the Temple.

There would be the temptation for some to remain in the foreign land. For many of the children and grandchildren had never lived in God’s promised land. They were born and raised in Babylon. Their visual/practical roots were in Babylon.

Reminds me of something that Jesus said to his disciples. “But Jesus answered them (Pharisees condemning Jesus for ministering to people on the Sabbath), “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

‭‭John‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus saw the Father working, therefore Jesus joined him.

All the Judeans in Persia should have seen “God working” to get them home to Judah. They should have seen God working on rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. They should have seen Him at work and hearing Him say...”Come, join me...let’s go home.”

“O Lord help me to connect the dots...and see “Your working” as “Your invitation” to join You.

Before we are through reading these first chapters we’ll see the construction of the altars and the laying of the foundation of the house of God. Both speak to the Messiah Jesus who gave Himself to the altar of the cross for our salvation, making Him the cornerstone and the one and only foundation for our eternal salvation...Awesome!

Have a great day