Bible Scripture Reading

Today's Blog Title: "The Command To Build God's House"
Today' Blog Scripture Reading: Haggai 1:1-15
Today's Blog Key Verse: Haggai 1:7-8 "Thus says the LORD of hosts" "Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorify," says the LORD."

"Zerubbabel and Joshua" Verse 1: Ezra 2:2 identifies Zerubbabel as the individual who led the exiles back to Judah.  He a member of the royal family of David.  Joshua the high priest is mentioned in both Ezra 3:2,8 and Nehemiah 12:1,8.  He held the highest priestly rank.   It is significant that the two most influential leaders in Judah, responded so quickly to the prophets message.  When leaders respond quickly to God, is much easier for the believing community to follow.  

"The time has not come" Verse 2: The people had decided that rebuilding the Lord's dwelling among His people was not important.  How modern an objection! Sorry, "there just isn't enough time right now for PRAYER."  "I'd like to read my Bible, but I have to get up EARLY for WORK." "I'm too TIRED to do ANYTHING but COLLAPSE and read the news."  The people of Judah were also busy with their own AFFAIRS to have TIME or MONEY to INVEST in rebuilding the temple of God.  As a result they LOST OUT!

"Elaborate homes" Verse 4:  The principle building material in Jerusalem was stone.  Those who wanted to make their "houses" elaborate installed wood panels.  The people of Haggai's time were making their homes elegant, rivaling royal residences and the holy temple itself.  But they STILL did not FEEL that the "time was right" to begin WORKING on the renewed temple.  While this verse is not a blanket condemnation of elegant living among God's people, it certainly calls for a re-evaluation of priorities.

"Consider your ways" Verses 5-6: What a series of images in these two verses.  Their point is so clear.  The harder the people of Judah worked, the further behind they got!  Compare also verses 10-11.  There is a lesson here for us today.  God is the one who makes any EFFORT BEAR FRUIT.  We NEED to PUT God FIRST.  When we DO, the Lord will BLESS us.

"That I may take pleasure in it" Verse 8:  The people were instructed to go to great lengths to get "wood" for paneling the temple of the Lord, verse 4.  "That I may take pleasure in it," means that God's JOY in the temple is related to His PLEASURE in the people who would WORSHIP Him there.  "Be GLORIFIED," clearly means that God does not need to receive more glory, Psalms 24:7-10, however, He gladly receives the adoration of His people.

"Runs to his own house" Verse 9:  Because of their preoccupation with personal comfort, the people were IGNORING the central spiritual concerns of their LIVES.  Their FAULTY principle of life was being SHAKEN by the Lord.  Jesus would later PROCLAIM the TRUE and ABIDING principle for the LIFE of FAITH: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you," Matthew 6:33 

In Verse 10,  the BLESSING and CURSING formula of the Lord's Covenant with His people comes into play, Deuteronomy 28.  "Dew" is a poetic way of speaking of "rainfall."

"The remnant of the people" Verse 12:  The remnant of the people were literally those who made the trek back to Judah from their place of captivity in Babylon; it also refers to those with a larger population who are FAITHFUL to the Lord.

"I am with you" Verse 13: What a message from the Lord! Despite the fact that you've ignored Me, I'm on your side.  Don't misunderstand the troubles you've had, I'm on you side. God so often must overlook our failures and on our part, we MUST learn to interpret our disappointments as CORRECTIVE of GUIDING events.  We must NEVER FORGET that God is on our SIDE.  In Haggai's day, that meant TRUSTING God enough to leave each individual's personal pursuits to rebuild the temple.  In our day, that means you and I TRUST God enough to GIVE His Word, and His Work, our DAILY PRIORITY.

Verse 14, bears witness to the work of God's Spirit on the human "spirit" of His leaders and His people to ACCOMPLISH His tasks.  It is reminiscent of God's work in stirring up the people to BUILT the original tabernacle, Exodus 35:29, 36:2.  ALWAYS within Israel a remnant existed.  Paul stated there was such a remnant in Elijah's time, Romans 11:2-4 and then compare 1st Kings 19:18.

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse Writing from 1st John 4:9-11.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi   

 

Bible Scripture Reading

Today's Blog Title: "Introduction to the Book of Haggai"

INTRODUCTION

The Book of Haggai is the 10th of the 12 Minor prophets and is the first of three postexilic prophets who ministered in Judah to the tiny community established after the Jews were permitted to return to their homeland.  Haggai, appears briefly in Judah to accomplish a specific mission.  His carefully dated messages or sermons, focus our attention on a four month period in 520 B.C., when Haggai called God's people to complete rebuilding of God's temple, which was began 18 years before.

Haggai's message has nothing in common with the prophets who cried out in Israel before the Assyrians crushed the Northern kingdom in 722 B.C. and before the Babylonians invaded and destroyed Judah.  he says nothing if idolatry, nothing of injustice or violence.  Instead Haggai simply urges the people of Judah to put God first and to demonstrate their commitment by finishing the construction of the temple.

There is another important difference, the words of the former prophets were largely ignored by God's people and led to a national disaster and captivity.  But Haggai's words were heard, and the whole community rallied to the task.  A new, though much smaller temple rose on the site of Solomon's magnificent building.  God was to be put first, and His worship was to be celebrated again in a house dedicated to his Name.

DATE AND AUTHORSHIP

Little is known of the prophet Haggai except what is in the Book that bears his name.  Haggai is mentioned by Ezra in Ezra 5:1 and 6:14 and by Zechariah 8:9.  The name Haggai means "Festival" which is an appropriate meaning given the prophets work in restoring temple worship.  But what is most remarkable about Haggai's ministry is its brevity for his messages were given in a span of only 4 months in 520 B.C. 

OUTLINE OF HAGGAI

I. The First Message: A message of motivation  Haggai 1:1-15
    A. The circumstances of the message Haggai 1:1
    B. The content of the message Haggai 1:2-15
         1. The need to rebuild the House of the Lord Haggai 1:2-6
         2. The Commission to Rebuilt Haggai 1:7-11
         3. The compliance to rebuild Haggai 1:12-15

II. The Second Message: A message of consolation Haggai 2:1-9
      A. The circumstances of the message Haggai 2:1-2
      B. The content of the message Haggai 2:3-9
           1. The question Haggai 2:3
           2. The encouragement 2:4-9

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blog.com for a Blog Writing from Romans 5:19. 

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, has Been and ALWAYS Will be in Complete and Total Control!!! May God's Peace, Strength, Love 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, in this dark, sinful, and dying world.  May we as John at the close of the Book of Revelation say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come."

Your Sister In Christ,
Cindi
  


  

Bible Scripture Reading

"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       
    

Bible Scripture Reading

Today's Blog Title: "A Call To Repentance"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 2:1-15
Today's Blog Key Verse: Zephaniah 2:3

In verses 1-3, the people doomed for judgment in the "Day of the Lord" were commanded  to "gather together" perhaps in repentance.  In verse 3, "Seek the Lord",  is the language of true repentance, renewal, and regeneration.  What characterizes a person who truly seeks the Lord?  The prophet mentions humility, expressed in a willingness to submit to God and "do what He commands."  He mentions RIGHTEOUSNESS, which is a COMMITMENT to doing what is RIGHT and also establishing what is right within one's society.

In verses 4 and 5, the focus of Zephaniah moves from the description of God's judgment on Judah and Jerusalem to a description of DIVINE JUDGMENT on the surrounding nations.  

The "seacoast shall be pastures" is a reference that the coastal cities of Philistia and the coastal plain that the Philistines dominated for so long would one day become the possession of the Hebrews.  The same God who brought destruction upon the people of Judah in verses 1-4, would restore their fortunes.

In verses 8 and 9, we read that "Moab shall be like Sodom and Ammon like Gomorrah."  The peoples of Moab and Ammon to the east of Judah were hostile to the Hebrews from the earliest times.  Here in verse 9, is God's promise of retribution. (See Genesis 19:12-29)

In verse 11, "the LORD will be awesome to them," may have a double meaning in these words.  For the RIGHTEOUS people of Judah and Jerusalem, there would be a response of AWE and WONDER before God, who had responded to the PRAYER of His servant.  But for the WICKED there would be quite  another response, one of TERROR and DREAD. "People shall worship Him," means that not only would there be a RIGHTEOUS remnant in Judah, there would also be people coming to God from the nations of the earth.

In verses 13-15, we will note that Assyria to the east.  But the ancient armies could not march across the desert and entered the land of the Hebrews from the north.  "The pelican and the bittern" were birds  found in remote areas, Isaiah 34:11.  Their presence in the ruins of Nineveh, attest to the  severity of the destruction announced on these people.  "The rejoicing city," in verse 15, is ironic and is seen as an act of the city's complacency.  Soon the JUDGMENT of God would DESCEND suddenly, and the region would be useful only for HERDING ANIMALS.

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Scripture Writing from James 5:11. 

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 out to heaven with hand and with the other reach out to the lost and dying of this world.  May we like John at the close of the Book of Revelation say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come." 

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi   

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 18 May 2014, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords"

Today's Blogs Title: "The Great Day of the Lord"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading:  Zephaniah 1:1-18
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Zephaniah 1:14

In verse 1, "The word of the Lord came," means that the messages of the Old Testament prophets did not arise from the prophets "own will," but from God Himself, 2nd Peter 1:20-21.  Zephaniah means "Hidden in the Lord," a name that relates to the principle message  that the prophet presented, Zephaniah 2:3.  The names of the prophets were often significantly associated with the message that God gave them to present to the people.

In verses 2-6, six groups are singled out for judgment:

(1)  The remnant of Baal
(2)  The idolatrous priests
(3) Them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops
(4) Them that worship and that swear by the Lord, and swear by Malcham, devotees of a syncretistic worship system
(5) Them that are turned back from the Lord
(6) Those that have not sought the Lord

Baal was the Canaanite storm god often worshiped by idolatrous Israelites, Jeremiah 7:9.  "Chemarim" was an honorable Canaanite term for their priests but may translate "idolatrous priests"  in Hebrew, and is used here to designate non-Levitical priests.  "Worship" of the stars of heaven  "upon the housetops" refers to Sabaism here identified with Malcham.  This practice was introduced by the ungodly king Manasseh, 2nd Kings 21:3-5 and was associated with the "queen of heaven," Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17.

In Zephaniah 1:7-8, "the day of the Lord" refers to the impending Babylonian invasion of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem.  He pictures the victims of this conquest as the princess (nobles), the kings son (royalty), and the wealthy who wear imported garments.  Zephaniah's prophecy was fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C., slew the sons of Zedekiah (Josiah's youngest son), blinded Zedekiah, and led him captive to Babylon, 2nd Kings 25:7.

In verses 9-13, "those that leap on the threshold" probably are the priests of Dagan, who would not step on the place where he had fallen, 1st Samuel 5:5.  They may also be creditors who crossed over the threshold of their debtors, Deuteronomy 24:10-11.  The "fish gate" was situated on the northern side of the city.  It may have derived its name from nearby fish markets, that sold catches from the Sea of Galilee. 

In verse 14, "the great day of the Lord" is a familiar prophetic image to what God has prepared to take place at history's end.  But it is also used to identify events or periods  of time in the flow of history when something "similar" takes place. 

Here the description of the dark and bitter to fall on ALL mankind at history's end is appropriate in Zephaniah's warning to Judah, for when the Babylonians invade the land what they experience will be very similar to the terrors of the judgment that will strike ALL in the end times.

There is a brighter aspect to the Day of the Lord.  After judgment purifies God's people, survivors will be welcomed in His Glorious and Peaceful Kingdom.  This PROMISE is conveyed later in Chapter 3, but it also forms the background for the invitation God extends in Chapter 2:1-3.

Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Scripture Reading from Psalm 38:8.

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!! May we as Christians reach to heaven with one hand and with the other reach out to the lost and dying of this world.  May like John at the close of the Book of Revelation say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come."

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi





 

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Today's Blog Title: "Introduction into the Book of Zephaniah"

Today we begin number 9 of the 12 Minor Prophets. the Book of Zephaniah.  Zephaniah is a book of contrasts, and no prophet paints a brighter picture of Israel's future.  Zephaniah has been called "the orator" because of the oratorical style evident throughout the prophecy.  

Zephaniah has some literacy affinities with Isaiah, but more with Jeremiah and Joel.  Both he and Joel paint very dark pictures of the day of the Lord, but in both books beautiful rays of light penetrate the darkness.  Two recurring expressions are important: (1) "remnant," 1:4, 2:7, 9, 3:13 and (2) the "day of the Lord," 1:7-10, 14-16, 18, 2:3, 3:8, 11, 16.

The purpose of Zephaniah's prophecy is to set forth what the day of the Lord will mean to ungodly Judah, to the world powers, 1:2-3:7, and to the godly remnant, 3:8-20.  His theme is the day of the Lord, which destroys the false remnant of Baal, Chapter 1, destroys the God rejecting nations, Chapter 2, and purifies the true remnant, 3:8-20.

Beyond the prophecy that bears his name, nothing is known about Zephaniah.  His name means "Yahweh Hides."  The meaning of his name offers some clue to the characteristics of the prophecy.

OUTLINE OF ZEPHANIAH

I. The Introduction
II. The predictions of judgment in the light of the day of the Lord 1:2-3:7
     A. The warnings of judgments delivered 1:2-2:15
          1. Against Judah 1:2-2:3
          2. Against Judah's enemies 2:4-15
     B. Woe upon Jerusalem pronounced 3:1-7

III. The exhortation in the light of the day of the Lord 3:8-20
      A. To wait for the Lord 3:8-13
      B. To rejoice in the Lord 3:14-20

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 heave with one hand and with the other reach out to this lost and dying world.  May we as John at the close of the Book of Revelation say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come."

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

     

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 10 April 2014, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "A Hymn Of Faith"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 3:1-19
Today's Key Verse: Habakkuk 3:19 "The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills."

Starting in verse 2, we read the prayer of Habakkuk.  One of the most important things that we as Christians need to learn  is to PRAY wisely.  Habakkuk's request for speedy judgment seemed wise to the prophet.  After all, he knew that in WRATH God would remember MERCY.  Yet the prophet had no real conception of what divine judgment would mean for his people, or himself.  It is wiser for us to ask God to do what is best and to be GRACIOUS.  Otherwise the Lord may give us what we ask for--and later we will discover that is NOT what we wanted!!

"I have heard" in verse 2, shows that Habakkuk knew the stories of God's mighty acts as celebrated in song and in the feasts and festivals of Israel.  These mighty acts included: (1) The Exodus from Egypt (2) The Miracles by the Red Sea and (3) The conquest of the land.  As Habakkuk mediated on God's works in human affairs, he was overcome with an awe-inspiring sense of greatness of the Lord, and he prayed for God's renewed involvement in Israel.

"Teman" in verse 3, is a poetic reference to God's appearance at Sinai, Deuteronomy 3:2. The "Holy One" in verse 3, is a name associated with both forgiveness and judgment.  Here in this verse, JUDGMENT is in view, and Habakkuk is given visions of God acting in judgment.  It was best for Judah that God judge that nation soon.  These visions, however, were to prepare the prophet and the reader for what was to come.  We as Christians today, must be emotionally prepared and committed to holding tightly to God when troubles come.

The poetic visions of JUDGMENT in verse 3-15 are descriptions intended to pull away the veil of time and space and look beyond the material universe to sense God's elemental power unleashed in JUDGMENT.  While the specific incidents in which God's anger flared are only hinted at, the place references and descriptions suggest three historic incidents.  

The first picture is of God marching from Sinai along the path His people traveled after receiving the Law. The second is of God's punishment for their sins along the way, and thirdly, the idolatry at Midian.  Other word pictures suggest the Genesis flood, and the destruction of the Egyptian army after Israel's Exodus from Egypt.

In verse 16, Habakkuk was overcome with a sense of awe at God, as well as a sense of his own weakness.  The prophet encouraged the godly not to be anxious in adversity.

In verse 19, "the LORD God," or "YAHWEH" which is tied to the term "Adonai," which means, "Lord."  God will strengthen those who TRUST in Him, Psalm 18:32,39. FAITH is that wonderful capacity to TRUST God and find COMFORT in Him, when all in this world seems to crumble around us.  Habakkuk has sensed the disaster which will soon strike Judah and he has discovered that despite everything, he can still REJOICE in the Lord.  As Habakkuk concludes his book, he reminds us, that those who live by FAITH will have the same confidence that a sure footed deer has in climbing mountains.  We as who are righteous as God's Children, and with God's STRENGTH, will occupy "the high hills."

This concludes our study on the Book of Habakkuk. The next Blog Writing will take us into an introduction to the Book of Zephaniah. 

Click on this link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse Writing from 1st Corinthians 6:19-20

May God's Peace, Strength, Love and Grace be with you all.  May we a Christians reach to heaven with one hand and with the other reach out to the lost and dying of this world.  May we as John at the close of the Book of Revelation say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come."   

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi