"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 16 September 2014, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."
Today's Blog Title: "Joy In God's Faithfulness"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-20
Today's Blog Key Verse: Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quite you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
"Oppressors, Rebellious, and Polluted" in verse 1, is tragic in view of God's intention that His people of every age should reflect His character and so represent him to the world. But we should not be so scornful of ancient Israel. Instead, we need to ask how well we represent the Lord TODAY. Are we as individuals, Caring, Sensitive, Honest, Fair, and Responsive to the needs of others? As a church, do we stand for both JUSTICE and MERCY as we demonstrate God's Compassion for ALL? Are we serious about influencing our society toward what is godly and righteous?
We as God's Children, of every age, need to live by the highest possible standards. Representing God in our world, calls for more than not just doing wrong, it calls for us to actively do good and right.
The "princes, judges, prophets, and priests" from verses 1-4, whom God had especially designated to work for righteousness, were "more wicked" than the "regular" citizens of Jerusalem. These leaders were destroying and defrauding the WEAK, the NEEDY, and the HELPLESS.
"The LORD is righteous in her midst," in verse 5, means that the Lord is among His people even when they fall terribly short. In verses 5-7, because God is "absolutely RIGHTEOUS" God had no place in the midst of such an evil people. "I have cut off nations," means that God's punishment of Judah's neighbors should have brought the people of Israel to their senses, and those who do not accept correction, invite more severe punishment.
"The fire of my jealousy" in verse 8, means that God's response to the wickedness of Jerusalem was to declare His judgment. He would us other nations to punish the city for its rebellion.
"For then I will restore to the people a pure language," in verse 9, means that the most severe punishment imaginable which God had just announced in verse 8, will NOT prevent Him from doing His people good in the end. But first God must "take away from among your midst those who rejoice in their pride," verse 11.
In verses 14-17, we see the JOY in God's FAITHFULNESS. The people of God would be called to SING because their DELIVERANCE had come. daughter of Zion in verse 14, is an affectionate title for the city of Jerusalem. "In that day," in verse 16, means that people are commanded to abstain from fear, to keep from hanging heir arms in a posture of resignation. Instead, they were to take ENCOURAGEMENT and STRENGTH from the reality that their God lived among them.
"Those who sorrow" in verse 18, means that God is going to make all things right. Those who are enemies of God's TRUTH will be gathered and removed, those who are disenfranchised, God will RESTORE.
"I will give you fame and praise" in verse 20 means that through Zephaniah, God tells His Old Testament people, that despite the failure of that generation, the future for the chosen people will be bright. He says the same thing to us today. Yes, God disciplines us when we sin. Yet in the future we too will be purified, transformed and blessed.
"I will give you fame and praise" also reminds us that ALL that we will ultimately receive is a gift. Our TRANSFORMATION and our HAPPY FUTURE are expressions of God's GRACE, not rewards earned by our own merit. The closing words of Zephaniah in verse 20, "Says the LORD" is a solemn vow of God to do what He has PROMISED. Zephaniah begins and ends with the strong assertion that the Lord is speaking and the implication is clear, "Listen and live," and because God is GRACIOUS we as Christians can say with CONFIDENCE, "Heaven is MINE."
Click on this link at www.cindi
Jesus Reigns, and He is, has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be in Complete and Total Control!!! May God's Peace, Love, Strength, and Grace be with you all. May we as Christians reach to heaven with one hand, and with the other reach out to the lost and dying of this dark and sinful world. May we like John at the close of the Book of Revelation say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come."
Your Sister In Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Joy In God's Faithfulness"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-20
Today's Blog Key Verse: Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quite you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
"Oppressors, Rebellious, and Polluted" in verse 1, is tragic in view of God's intention that His people of every age should reflect His character and so represent him to the world. But we should not be so scornful of ancient Israel. Instead, we need to ask how well we represent the Lord TODAY. Are we as individuals, Caring, Sensitive, Honest, Fair, and Responsive to the needs of others? As a church, do we stand for both JUSTICE and MERCY as we demonstrate God's Compassion for ALL? Are we serious about influencing our society toward what is godly and righteous?
We as God's Children, of every age, need to live by the highest possible standards. Representing God in our world, calls for more than not just doing wrong, it calls for us to actively do good and right.
The "princes, judges, prophets, and priests" from verses 1-4, whom God had especially designated to work for righteousness, were "more wicked" than the "regular" citizens of Jerusalem. These leaders were destroying and defrauding the WEAK, the NEEDY, and the HELPLESS.
"The LORD is righteous in her midst," in verse 5, means that the Lord is among His people even when they fall terribly short. In verses 5-7, because God is "absolutely RIGHTEOUS" God had no place in the midst of such an evil people. "I have cut off nations," means that God's punishment of Judah's neighbors should have brought the people of Israel to their senses, and those who do not accept correction, invite more severe punishment.
"The fire of my jealousy" in verse 8, means that God's response to the wickedness of Jerusalem was to declare His judgment. He would us other nations to punish the city for its rebellion.
"For then I will restore to the people a pure language," in verse 9, means that the most severe punishment imaginable which God had just announced in verse 8, will NOT prevent Him from doing His people good in the end. But first God must "take away from among your midst those who rejoice in their pride," verse 11.
In verses 14-17, we see the JOY in God's FAITHFULNESS. The people of God would be called to SING because their DELIVERANCE had come. daughter of Zion in verse 14, is an affectionate title for the city of Jerusalem. "In that day," in verse 16, means that people are commanded to abstain from fear, to keep from hanging heir arms in a posture of resignation. Instead, they were to take ENCOURAGEMENT and STRENGTH from the reality that their God lived among them.
"Those who sorrow" in verse 18, means that God is going to make all things right. Those who are enemies of God's TRUTH will be gathered and removed, those who are disenfranchised, God will RESTORE.
"I will give you fame and praise" in verse 20 means that through Zephaniah, God tells His Old Testament people, that despite the failure of that generation, the future for the chosen people will be bright. He says the same thing to us today. Yes, God disciplines us when we sin. Yet in the future we too will be purified, transformed and blessed.
"I will give you fame and praise" also reminds us that ALL that we will ultimately receive is a gift. Our TRANSFORMATION and our HAPPY FUTURE are expressions of God's GRACE, not rewards earned by our own merit. The closing words of Zephaniah in verse 20, "Says the LORD" is a solemn vow of God to do what He has PROMISED. Zephaniah begins and ends with the strong assertion that the Lord is speaking and the implication is clear, "Listen and live," and because God is GRACIOUS we as Christians can say with CONFIDENCE, "Heaven is MINE."
Click on this link at www.cindi
Jesus Reigns, and He is, has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be in Complete and Total Control!!! May God's Peace, Love, Strength, and Grace be with you all. May we as Christians reach to heaven with one hand, and with the other reach out to the lost and dying of this dark and sinful world. May we like John at the close of the Book of Revelation say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come."
Your Sister In Christ,
Cindi
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