Sunday, April 24, 2016

CONSIDER

Today’s Reading: Haggai 1-2

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Seen on the right of the photo is the Tomb of Zechariah. It is located on the foothills of the Mount of Olives facing the Temple Mount. It is cut into the rock and made entirely from that rock. Tomorrow, God willing, we begin our readings in the book of Zechariah. Haggai and Zechariah ministered in Jerusalem as a dynamic duo following the first return of the Jews from Babylon. These two prophets had the assignment of urging the people to complete the rebuilding of the Temple.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Haggai 1:5, 7, 2:7a

Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!…” Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!…and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,” says the Lord of hosts.

 

Haggai was probably one of the older generation who remembered what the Temple of Solomon had looked like. They started construction of a new Temple with great enthusiasm (read Ezra 3:10-13). But the people who had not been to Babylon harassed and discouraged the project. Construction was halted as a result, but Haggai and Zechariah did their job and the Temple was finally completed (read Ezra 4:24-5:2).

The word “consider” is repeated by Haggai five times. Daily through this blog we “consider,” “think about,” “contemplate,” “examine,” “review,” “ponder,” “evaluate,” “assess,” etc. Haggai tells his people and us, “Consider your ways!” As a result of Haggai’s preaching, “The Lord stirred up the spirit” of both the governor and the high priest and resumed building the Temple (Haggai 1:14). Consider Haggai 2:5-7. King Herod, 500 years later, enlarged their Temple, and when Jesus entered that Temple, the “desire of all nations” was present (Haggai 2:7). The ultimate fulfillment of Haggai’s prophecy will be at Jesus’ return to Jerusalem, as predicted by the angels and recorded in Acts 1:6-11.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, through this blog and through the preaching of my pastor, I pray that my spirit will be stirred up so that I may be motivated again to work tirelessly for You, working with Jesus Who said, “I will build My Church,” and in Whose Name I pray. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve just found in my home library book #8 in the series, Day unto Day, by Jim and Cathy Cantelon (New Testament commentaries), and Nizar and Ellen Shaheen (Old Testament commentaries). There are eleven paragraphs on Haggai, chapters 1 & 2. Here’s just one paragraph from my son-in-law, Nizar, and my daughter, Ellen:

“Even before they had received the official notification (the decree of Persian Emperor Cyrus which had earlier permitted the construction of a new Temple), the Lord had stirred up the people because of the exhortation of Haggai (along with that of Zechariah), and they resumed the building of the Temple; it had been lying unfinished for about 16 years. In his exhortation, Haggai told them the reason they had not experienced the blessing of God upon their fields and finances. They had put their own interests ahead of the interests of God. God desired them to build His Temple and thereby bring glory to Him (1:8). By leaving His dwelling in ruins, they were not honouring God. When believers today do not work to build up the Kingdom of God by pointing the lost to Jesus, and when they do not support or participate in the work of the Lord (the local church and other outreach ministries), then this also does not bring glory to God. Our faithful service to Him and fulfilling His desires should be our primary concern. Many people today are guilty of the same thing for which Haggai rebuked the people of Jerusalem in his day. There was nothing wrong with working hard in their fields or building fine homes; what was wrong was that they did these things while neglecting their duty to the Lord. Their priorities were out of order, and thus the Lord’s displeasure was upon them. For this reason they had not been blessed in their work or income.”

Yours for faithfully keeping the Lord our top priority and experiencing His blessings,

David

P.S. The Day Unto Day series consisted of eight books published over two years. Although it has been out of print for over 20 years, when you do a Google search, it’s amazing how many copies are still floating around for sale. For example, here is one, here is another, and here is yet another.

8 thoughts on “Sunday, April 24, 2016

  1. Thank you Eleanor for your kind words and your understanding! I am very thankful for this blog! It allows people to “speak up” when something bothers us! I so appreciate that very much. Forgiveness is a journey, it doesn’t get easier, at least not for me, as one gets older! However I am so thankful that God understands completely! Some days are great! Some days are………….again, thank you to everyone for your prayers,
    I pray the Lord blesses each and everyone today, bring healing to those who need healing, bring comfort, hope, peace and joy to all. Bring forgiveness where needed. In Jesus Name I Pray AMEN!

  2. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah were great men of God who had their priorities right as I believe you do too Pastor David. Amen! Remember Rev. Paul Kaufman preaching the sermon at the Bible School graduation in Hong Kong on “Consider your ways.”(Haggai 1:5). Was very impressive for me to remember all these years. Is a very special blog to me today on my special day. Am looking for the Lord to speak and show up in special ways. I have been reading the Day unto Day series all along which has increased my understanding. Like your prayer in that series too Pastor David. By the way, I think we can have more than one Pastor at a time. I noticed that “…they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.”(Haggai 1:15). The Lord speaks! Thank you Sah for your post today! Have a great day today! It is sunny in the Maritimes!

    • maybe I missed something but Ger, is it your birthday today? you mentioned “special day” if it is may God grant you a very special birthday greeting, may the year go very well for you, keep learning and leaning of the Lord in every way! blessings to you Ger!

  3. Amen, Nizar & Ellen, amen! “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. We work to spread Your Word and foundation with all we meet. Wishing blessings upon all saints. I will be away for a few days and will keep all in my prayers.

    May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. Rom 15:5, NIV

    We sang this song at Church, this morning; still ringing in my ears:

    Great I Am, Phillips, Craig & Dean
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Yh4exnBU0

  4. Today and our church this morning’s message was a salvation message titled “The Mystery of His Death”.. hearts were open for prayer, Thank Your Jesus!!!

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