Aug 27, 2023
Zechariah: The Day of Small Things
Like Haggai, Zechariah was a prophet among the Jews who returned to their homeland from the Babylonian exile.  His book has more apocalyptic visions and Messianic prophesies than any of the other minor prophets.  But another important focus was the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, which had been in ruins for over 70 years.  It was a monumental task, yet every small step would bring it closer to completion.  The same is true in our lives.  Empowered by God’s Spirit, faithfulness in small things brings about great accomplishments. “Who despises the day of small things?”  Zechariah 4:10a
  • Don’t despise (neglect) small tasks.
  • Don’t despise (overlook) small resources.
  • Don’t despise (ignore) small accomplishments.
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  • Aug 27, 2023Zechariah: The Day of Small Things
    Aug 27, 2023
    Zechariah: The Day of Small Things
    Like Haggai, Zechariah was a prophet among the Jews who returned to their homeland from the Babylonian exile.  His book has more apocalyptic visions and Messianic prophesies than any of the other minor prophets.  But another important focus was the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, which had been in ruins for over 70 years.  It was a monumental task, yet every small step would bring it closer to completion.  The same is true in our lives.  Empowered by God’s Spirit, faithfulness in small things brings about great accomplishments. “Who despises the day of small things?”  Zechariah 4:10a
    • Don’t despise (neglect) small tasks.
    • Don’t despise (overlook) small resources.
    • Don’t despise (ignore) small accomplishments.
  • Aug 20, 2023Haggai: From This Day On
    Aug 20, 2023
    Haggai: From This Day On
    The last three Minor Prophets—Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi—all followed the Babylonian exile. Today’s focus is on Haggai, who was called by God to summon the recently resettled Jews to act in faith and obedience by rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Their priorities had become self-serving as they worked to rebuild their own homes and prosperity, while ignoring the things of God. Because of their disobedience, they were missing the blessings of God. But Haggai told them how that could change “from this day on.” Our lives can change for the better, as well!
    • From this day on, we will learn from the lessons of the past. (2:15-17)
    • From this day on, we will consider the potential of the future. (2:18-19a)
    • From this day on, we will count on the promises of God. (2:19b)
    Won’t you commit yourself 100% to God from this day on?
  • Aug 13, 2023Zephaniah: The Curse of Complacency
    Aug 13, 2023
    Zephaniah: The Curse of Complacency
    “At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.”  — Zephaniah 1:12 Prior to the days of King Josiah’s reforms, the prophet Zephaniah was appointed by God to bring a message of warning to the people of Jerusalem and Judah.  A particularly strong warning was issued against the people who were supposed to belong to God, but lived like He did not even exist.  Though they claimed to worship God and be His people, they were living as practical atheists.
    • There is a great danger when God’s people think He will not judge.
    • There is a great sadness when God’s people think He will not bless.
    • The good news is that God wants to save us from our complacency.  He blesses those who seek Him and obey Him.
    • It’s time to start living like God is real, because He is!
  • Aug 6, 2023Habakkuk: What To Do With a Revelation
    Aug 6, 2023
    Habakkuk: What To Do With a Revelation
    Habakkuk was a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah prior to the Babylonian exile.  In his short book, he expressed some of the same spiritual questions that we may have today—and also the faith to believe that God is fully righteous, wise and merciful.  Even through the hardest times of life, God gives strength and renewal to His people who trust Him. God continues to make His will known, speaking to us today even as He spoke to Habakkuk.  Here’s what we should do with a revelation from God:
    • Receive it.
    • Record it.
    • Run with it.
    • Patiently wait for God’s faithful response.
  • Jul 30, 2023Nahum: Would the Real Jehovah Please Stand Up?
    Jul 30, 2023
    Nahum: Would the Real Jehovah Please Stand Up?
    The small book of Nahum is in some ways a sequel to the book of Jonah.  Jonah tells how God had mercy on the Assyrian capital of Nineveh when they repented of their evil.  But then several generations later, Nineveh had returned to its wicked and violent ways.  It was then God sent a vision to the prophet Nahum about the city's destruction.  This message of judgement on their enemy was also a message of hope for the besieged nation of Judah.
    Nahum poses a couple of interesting questions to consider:
    1. What good was the earlier repentance and revival of Nineveh if in time the people returned to their wickedness and faced destruction?
    • The answer is that our God is the God of the here and now! We can’t change the past nor control the future, but the decisions we make now to obey God do make a difference.
    1. In Nahum, we are presented with two different pictures of God side-by-side. One is a God of justice and judgment who punishes people and nations for their sin.  The other is a God of refuge and compassion who lifts up those who are downtrodden.  Which is the true Jehovah?
    • The answer is that He is both! Justice and compassion are both part of God’s character.  The choice of how we experience Him is up to us!
  • Jul 23, 2023Micah: What Really Matters to God
    Jul 23, 2023
    Micah: What Really Matters to God
    Micah was a prophet from the town of Moresheth in the southern kingdom of Judah, but the message he spoke was aimed at both Judah and Israel.  In his time both nations seemed to be doing relatively well.  But while they were economically prosperous, they were also becoming more and more spiritually bankrupt.  Their religious rituals were not translating into righteous living.  Micah called them to repentance and transformation, and to an understanding of what really matters to God. “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (6:8) “Act Justly” “Love Mercy” “Walk Humbly with Your God”
  • Jul 16, 2023Jonah: Prophet on the Run
    Jul 16, 2023
    Jonah: Prophet on the Run
    Jonah 1:1-17 Jonah was a prophet from the northern kingdom of Israel who was called by God to preach a message of judgment and warning to the Assyrian city of Nineveh.  Instead of immediately obeying, he decided to run from the Lord, setting sail for the distant city of Tarshish.  But God does not give up so easy on His errant children.  There’s a lot we can learn from this prophet on the run.
    • What is your “Nineveh”?
    • Where is your “Tarshish”?
    • You can run, but you can’t hide from God.  This is good news for us!
  • Jul 9, 2023Obadiah: Pride Before the Fall
    Jul 9, 2023
    Obadiah: Pride Before the Fall
    “The pride of your heart has deceived you…”   —Obadiah 1:3a “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”  —Proverbs 16:18 Very little is known about the prophet Obadiah, whose name means “servant of the Lord.”  The vision given to him by God involves the judgment of the nation of Edom, the descendants of Esau.  Though related to the Israelites by blood, the Edomites were a thorn in their flesh for many generations.  They thought they could mistreat others but never pay the price.  But their arrogance toward God and men was their downfall. Pride is dangerous because it distorts your view of yourself.  Romans 12:3 Pride is dangerous because it destroys your relationship with others.  1 Corinthians 13:4 Pride is dangerous because it destroys your relationship with God.  James 4:6 “As it is written:  ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord!’”  1 Corinthians 1:31
  • Jul 2, 2023Amos: A Plumb Line Among the People
    Jul 2, 2023
    Amos: A Plumb Line Among the People
  • Jun 25, 2023Joel: When the Spirit Pours
    Jun 25, 2023
    Joel: When the Spirit Pours
    Joel 2:28-32 & Acts 2:14-21 We don’t know any personal information about the prophet Joel (“Yahweh Is God”) except that his father’s name was Pethuel.  From the text, it is evident his message was directed toward the southern kingdom of Judah, but we do not know exactly when.  Following a devastating locust plague, he delivered words of warning, repentance and hope. In the book of Acts, the Apostle Peter quoted several verses from Joel to explain the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the New Testament believers.  This can help us identify the work of the Spirit in our own lives.
    • When God’s Spirit pours out on His people, barriers are broken down.
    • When the Spirit pours, God’s presence is clearly evident.
    • When the Spirit pours, God’s people are prepared for service.
    • When the Spirit pours, God’s purpose of salvation is accomplished.