Leaving Laodicea

The book of Malachi ends with the description of two groups of people that will respond differently when the day of the Lord comes.  One, those who fear the Lord and long for His appearing, will see the "Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings" (Mal. 3:2).  The other group, those who do not know or love the Lord, that Day will be a day of "burning like an oven" (Mal. 4:1).Question for us is this:  Which group are you in?  And what are you prepared to do about it?To find the answer to these eternal questions, keep listening.The following is a study on Malachi 4:1-6.

In Malachi 3:16 says:  Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.Did you catch that?  A book of remembrance was written before Him.Is your name written in the Lord's book of remembrance?  Has He recorded your service rendered to the King of Kings so He can reward you in due time?  Is there anything in your devotion to the Lord Jesus worthy of remembering?  If so, praise to the Lord.  All glory belongs to Him.  But if not, why?  Why waste another second of your finite life living for the trinkets and toys of this fallen world when you can live for the praise and adoration of the King and be called His special treasure.The following is a study on Malachi 3:13-18.

In Malachi 3:16 says:  Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.Did you catch that?  A book of remembrance was written before Him.Is your name written in the Lord's book of remembrance?  Has He recorded your service rendered to the King of Kings so He can reward you in due time?  Is there anything in your devotion to the Lord Jesus worthy of remembering?  If so, praise to the Lord.  All glory belongs to Him.  But if not, why?  Why waste another second of your finite life living for the trinkets and toys of this fallen world when you can live for the praise and adoration of the King and be called His special treasure.The following is a study on Malachi 3:13-18.

How can we know and experience the Love of God (1 John 4:8) when we are often surrounded by pain and despair, broken lives and broken marriages, sickness, disease, rejection and betrayal, and everything else that makes up living with fallen people in a fallen world?  How can we, like Job, confidently say:  "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15)?  How can we live like that?  How can we have the faith that trusts in Him regardless of the circumstances?  How is that even possible?Want to know the answer to these questions?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Psalm 27:1-14.

How can we know and experience the Love of God (1 John 4:8) when we are often surrounded by pain and despair, broken lives and broken marriages, sickness, disease, rejection and betrayal, and everything else that makes up living with fallen people in a fallen world?  How can we, like Job, confidently say:  "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15)?  How can we live like that?  How can we have the faith that trusts in Him regardless of the circumstances?  How is that even possible?Want to know the answer to these questions?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Psalm 27:1-14.

The Pharisees plotted together against Jesus and put forth a lawyer to try to trap Him in His words.  The lawyer asked, "Which is the greatest commandment in the law?"  And Jesus' answer was twofold:“'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 22:37-40)The word for love is agape.  "You shall agape the Lord and you shall agape your neighbor."How do we love (agape) God?  And how do we love (agape) others like we're suppose to love (agape) God?  How is that even possible?  To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on the Love (agape) of God.

The Pharisees plotted together against Jesus and put forth a lawyer to try to trap Him in His words.  The lawyer asked, "Which is the greatest commandment in the law?"  And Jesus' answer was twofold:“'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 22:37-40)The word for love is agape.  "You shall agape the Lord and you shall agape your neighbor."How do we love (agape) God?  And how do we love (agape) others like we're suppose to love (agape) God?  How is that even possible?  To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on the Love (agape) of God.

After almost three chapters of blistering accusations in Malachi against His people and His priests, the Lord offers a profound challenge to them based on their obedience.  And the area in which He challenged them was, of all things, money.Command:  "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house."Challenge:  "and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts.Promise:  “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."Results:  “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts (Malachi 3:10, 12).Do you believe the promise given to them also applies to you?  If so, will you accept the challenge to not rob God?  And, if not, why?The following is a study on Malachi 3:6-12.

After almost three chapters of blistering accusations in Malachi against His people and His priests, the Lord offers a profound challenge to them based on their obedience.  And the area in which He challenged them was, of all things, money.Command:  "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house."Challenge:  "and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts.Promise:  “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."Results:  “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts (Malachi 3:10, 12).Do you believe the promise given to them also applies to you?  If so, will you accept the challenge to not rob God?  And, if not, why?The following is a study on Malachi 3:6-12.

Often we find ourselves, like the people in Malachi's day, lodging a complaint against God.  Why?  Because He didn't do things the way we thought He should.  Because we don't like the situation we are in.  Because we want more than what He has sovereignly given us.  Because He didn't meet our expectations.Just like spoiled, selfish children.But the granddaddy of all complaints is found in Malachi 2:17 where the people accuse God of blessing evil and ignoring good:  "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them."  Or, "Where is the God of justice?"Want to see how God responds?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Malachi 2:17-3:5.