Calvary Chapel of Westmoreland's Podcast

As Christians and leaders, we must recognize true Worship of God comes from us giving our very best from the heart. What is acceptable is our broken and contrite hearts that God will not despise. Israel was giving to God a blind, sick and lame sacrifice that depicted the condition of their hearts as being bored and out of living communion and fellowship with God. As a result, their lives became empty of substance and meaning as their Worship became mere dead religion and not living, thriving, and loving for the many blessings God had provided. We learn as modern day believers how to truly Worship God with our hearts.

God starts out in the final book of the Old Testament affirming His love for His people. After this book, there is a 400 year silence until the New Testament begins with the birth of John The Baptist. Malachi's name means My Messenger, God sent him. Life was good in Jerusalem, however, God's people had become complacent; the Temple had been built, and Jerusalem was back in business, but the message of Malachi was one of rebuke. People were just going through the motions of following God, but not sincerely after God. God would exhort them to seek spiritual renewal. This is a message for all of us in these days of challenge.

Returning from our annual family beach vacation, I was very aware of my heart desiring more of God. During the two weeks of just playing, relaxing , listening and observing the massive ocean and powerful surf, God was pursuing me. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" is so true! I'm excited to share today from a Psalm of David on the wonderful things that begin to happen in our hearts and lives when we pursue God!

As believers, Jesus challenges us to be set apart and be different from the world. It's through this difference that allows His followers to be powerful witnesses. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells us what our relationship is to a decaying and dark world: we are Salt and Light. Three things are true of Salt and Light; They are both valuable, both have a positive influence when used, and both work powerfully.

After completing the Sermon On The Mount, Jesus speaks with the disciples about the importance of applying the Word that they just heard; being doers and not hearers only. He warns that the greatest danger is self-deception. The Scribes and the Pharisees had fooled themselves into believing that they were righteous and others were sinful. It's possible for people to know religious language, believe religious doctrines, do religious things, and still not be saved. Matthew 7:13-29 gives us a few illustrations to help us examine ourselves and others.Matthew 7:13-29 - The Dangers of Self-Deception

Today we conclude this fascinating prophetic and timely study of Zechariah. When the pandemic began last March, we started streaming studies in the Book of Psalms to bring comfort. We were all very concerned about the potential of many lives being taken from COVID-19. Since the first news, we also began to realize, because of the many things occurring in the world, that God was using this crisis to speak to all of us about our priorities. We then were led to study the Book of Zechariah, that speaks of the first and second coming of Christ. We've learned about the Nation of Israel and how they had to be disciplined for their rebellion against God's Laws. And we also have learned about the upcoming plan of God during the Tribulation that again will be used to turn Israel to Christ. We finish the book this morning with the view of Jesus' Return to earth. When Christ will reign as King upon the earth!

We have been through some deeply prophetical chapters that clearly show us the times and seasons. We are closer more than anytime we have lived to be alive when Christ returns. As we see how fragile everything in life is today, we are all realizing more than ever that only what is eternal is going to last! As we all work so hard to succeed in life, we must never forget why we have never bought into the World System that wants to deceive the masses. The destruction during the Tribulation is massive and only those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved!

The Prophet, Zechariah, wrote future history concerning the destiny of Israel. We can't see the plan of God apart from the scriptures. The ability to see into the future is given to us from God's Word and the messengers God has raised up. Israel, even though they in the past and at the present time have rejected Jesus as their Messiah, will be shown His mercy prior to His second coming. As the world and the enemies of God attack Israel during the battle of Armageddon, Christ will appear to vindicate His elect and will destroy the enemies of Israel. We can rest in the fact that God is always in control. Even in these days of COVID-19, we are not to live in fear, but in the hope of His soon appearing.

In light of the season of life the world is currently encountering, we only have to study Biblical History and see how God eventually dealt with Israel as they lived in spiritual apostasy and rejected Christ as their Messiah at His first coming. The devastation of a nation that rejects the Word of God suffers the consequences of God's judgement. We more than ever in the time we live in need God's mercy and grace to raise up shepherds after His own heart. That will faithfully teach the truth of His word to His people and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world that is burning in its grief. Christ, and submission to His Lordship, is the only path to healing and reconciliation to a God who is Holy.

Paul has made it clear to us in Romans 1:18 and 3:20, that the whole world is guilty before God; that no one can be saved by keeping the deeds of Law and that God's plan for salvation has always been by His grace through faith. In Chapter 4, Paul introduces us to Justification, the righteousness of God apart from the Law, which we have by faith. He shows us in Chapter 5, that as believers, we have seven benefits through our justification in which we can rejoice and have hope.