November 30, 2010
"Return to me and I will return to you."
Those are the words of the LORD as spoken through Zechariah. Years earlier the prophets warned the Israelites to stop their evil ways and evil actions, but they would not listen. Now God is telling them again, return to me and I will return to you. It has to be in that order.
Zechariah had visions that the LORD explained. A couple things stand out to me.
1) "Whoever touches you hurts what is precious to me." (Zechariah 2:8) The NIV says, "Whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye." God knows what is happening, and He cares.
2) Satan was standing by Joshua's side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD says no to you Satan." atan can only do what God allows him to do. There will come a time when the LORD stands up and says—NO! No more. That's it! (Zechariah 3:1-2)
3) "You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by my Spirit; says the LORD All-Powerful." Got a mountain you're trying to climb? Doesn't matter. "Who are you big mountain... you will become like flat land." The key is dependence, total dependence on God. (Zechariah 4:6-7)
4) "People should not think that small beginnings are unimportant." (Zechariah 4:10) A trip of a thousand miles begins with one step. What is important is to have the courage to take the first step.
5) The vision of the flying scroll. "One side says every thief will be taken away. The other side says everyone who make false promises will be taken away." The vision goes on to promise destruction to thieves and those who use God's name to make false promises. Zechariah 5:3-4 in Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) Scofield KJV says, "To steal is to set aside our neighbor's rights; to swear is to set aside God's claim to reverence." Accountability will happen. God is not fooled and will not be mocked.
A special gentleman we met at the nursing home died 2 weeks ago. His memorial service is on Saturday. My husband and I met him at the nursing home we go to every Christmas morning. We always enjoyed his company. He had no use of his body—nothing. And yet, he would have the nurses prop open his Bible so he could read it. He called us this last June (2010). He wanted to come to our church. (This gentleman went to his home church every Sunday. He paid for a special wheel chair taxi to pick him up. He also had to pay to have a staff member go with him.) We were excited that he wanted to come to our church and we arranged the plans for him. When Sunday came, he (and his helper) arrived and went not only to our church service but went to our small group class with us as well. What a testimony.
This gentleman's life was one of joy even though he was trapped in his body. His example puts to shame those who have a Bible but don't bother to read it and those who could drive to church but don't bother. He was 70 years old when he died.
Next Entry: Zechariah 6:9 – 8:23
"Return to me and I will return to you."
Those are the words of the LORD as spoken through Zechariah. Years earlier the prophets warned the Israelites to stop their evil ways and evil actions, but they would not listen. Now God is telling them again, return to me and I will return to you. It has to be in that order.
Zechariah had visions that the LORD explained. A couple things stand out to me.
1) "Whoever touches you hurts what is precious to me." (Zechariah 2:8) The NIV says, "Whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye." God knows what is happening, and He cares.
2) Satan was standing by Joshua's side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD says no to you Satan." atan can only do what God allows him to do. There will come a time when the LORD stands up and says—NO! No more. That's it! (Zechariah 3:1-2)
3) "You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by my Spirit; says the LORD All-Powerful." Got a mountain you're trying to climb? Doesn't matter. "Who are you big mountain... you will become like flat land." The key is dependence, total dependence on God. (Zechariah 4:6-7)
4) "People should not think that small beginnings are unimportant." (Zechariah 4:10) A trip of a thousand miles begins with one step. What is important is to have the courage to take the first step.
5) The vision of the flying scroll. "One side says every thief will be taken away. The other side says everyone who make false promises will be taken away." The vision goes on to promise destruction to thieves and those who use God's name to make false promises. Zechariah 5:3-4 in Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) Scofield KJV says, "To steal is to set aside our neighbor's rights; to swear is to set aside God's claim to reverence." Accountability will happen. God is not fooled and will not be mocked.
A special gentleman we met at the nursing home died 2 weeks ago. His memorial service is on Saturday. My husband and I met him at the nursing home we go to every Christmas morning. We always enjoyed his company. He had no use of his body—nothing. And yet, he would have the nurses prop open his Bible so he could read it. He called us this last June (2010). He wanted to come to our church. (This gentleman went to his home church every Sunday. He paid for a special wheel chair taxi to pick him up. He also had to pay to have a staff member go with him.) We were excited that he wanted to come to our church and we arranged the plans for him. When Sunday came, he (and his helper) arrived and went not only to our church service but went to our small group class with us as well. What a testimony.
This gentleman's life was one of joy even though he was trapped in his body. His example puts to shame those who have a Bible but don't bother to read it and those who could drive to church but don't bother. He was 70 years old when he died.
Next Entry: Zechariah 6:9 – 8:23
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