Pinecrest Baptist Church

The world in which we live knows nothing of peace. The majority of man’s time on earth has been marked by war and conflict. We as God’s children have an assignment here on earth - to represent the King of Heaven as an ambassador of peace. We have the sacred responsibility to help people accept God’s peace in exchange for their hostility and sin.

We are all leaving a legacy, a memory of what we stood for and how we lived our lives outside of self-interests. What will you be remembered for? Are you building an eternal heritage for those who come behind?

How many of God’s people can say they have a truly effective prayer life, that prayer is a high priority in their daily schedule? Here are some struggles and solutions to having a powerful relationship with God in prayer.

How is it possible to move on from past hurts? Does God just expect us to forget how bad we’ve been treated and not seek vengeance? Here is an example from scripture of what can happen when we fail to move on and forgive.

Haggai concludes his prophecy with a personal message to Zerubbabel, the discouraged governor who was overseeing the rebuilding project. God is still in charge and will use any and all circumstances to bring about His plan! When the outlook is bleak, try the uplook!

We continue to examine the fact that we cannot mix our good deeds with the holiness and righteousness of God. Christ became the propitiation for the sins of man. God’s holiness has been fully satisfied by the sacrifice of His Son, and He can now look again in favor upon men. By all means, say “Yes” to God’s grace!

Despite all of our efforts to live morally and do good works, mankind falls short of God’s standard - perfection. How can we stand before Him perfect? Only by faith in the finished work of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross and the empty tomb. Don’t pass up God’s amazing grace for religious tradition!

The prophet Haggai continues to identify the reasons the Jews are not experiencing God’s blessings. He urges them to get specific about their sin and identify the idols that have broken off fellowship with God. Our obedience brings God’s blessings!

Israel was given a great privilege - they were given the Word of God! But they faltered in their responsibility to share it and live it before the world. How much greater is our responsibility today, for we have the completed Word of God and the example of Jesus Christ? Let’s not miss our advantage point.

Back in their home capital after exile in Babylon, many Israelites were filled with discouragement at the prospects of the new temple not measuring up to the old temple of Solomon. God, through His spokesman Haggai, offers them encouragement and hope that He will shake the world from this place when His Son Jesus comes to take over! One greater than Solomon is at work and God will ultimately receive glory from their efforts on rebuilding the temple.