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Today is Sunday September 27, 2009 and we are studying the books of Zephaniah and Haggai, please read Zephaniah chapters 1-3 and Haggai chapters 1-2 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-september-27

Today's Message: Necessary Provisions
Doing God's Will does not depend on our timetable or circumstances, He alone determines the time, place, and task in which we are to do for Him along with the necessary provisions needed to do them.

The book of Zephaniah is the thirty-sixth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains three chapters, the author of the book is Zephaniah and it was written to the people in Israel. The purpose of the book was to warn Israel and all nations of the judgment of God. What we are to learn from the book is that God rather save and is mighty to save. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Josiah, through him God warns Israel to repent and foretells the destruction of the enemies of the Jews. “I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked: and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him. Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.” - Zephaniah 1:2-7. God is addressing all the heathen nations, those whom worship false gods, yet worship God as well. He is saying that He will destroy everything, but the remnant of Jerusalem, those whom are faithful to Him, He will save.

Although God is placing judgment upon all whom mock Him, He loves everyone, including those whom hate Him, yet gives all the opportunity for repentance before it is too late. “Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD's anger come upon you. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger.” - Zephaniah 2:2,3. In the midst of suffering God comforts the faithful among the heathen with promises of future blessings, the restoration of their nation, and the prosperity of the church in the latter days. “I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.” - Zephaniah 3:12-15. Today, God takes away the judgment of any person who repents and accepts Jesus as their Savior.

The book of Haggai is the thirty-seventh book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains two chapters, the author of the book is Haggai and it was written to Israel, after the exile; particularly the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem. The purpose of the book was to inspire Israel to have a new zeal for God and make the leaders aware of their responsibility to rebuild the Temple of worship. What we are to learn from the book is that building God's Kingdom should be the priority of every true believer. Haggai was among the first exiles to return from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest. Their purpose was to rebuild the Temple, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD...........Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD. Then spake Haggai the LORD's messenger in the LORD's message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD. And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,” - Haggai 1:7,8,12-14. To encourage their undertaking, the people are assured that the glory of the second temple shall far exceed that of the first, by the appearing therein of Christ, this should be the Desire of all nations. Upon hearing the Word of the Lord, the people renewed their commitment to rebuilding the Temple, the one place designated by God for His people to worship Him. The Temple was completed in just four years, without the Word of the Lord as a standard, we easily fall prey to excuses.

Reading the Word of God imparts the spiritual strength needed to put Him first in our lives and also gives us the strength and will to do His Will. We think we have everything planned, but the truth is that God has everything planned and although we may walk a crooked path, He always gets us to our destination in the time that He has appointed.

Today's Prayer:

Dear God,
Lord, faithful throughout the ages, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and praise. How grateful we are for all Your works and for Your redemptive love that saves us from our sins and prepares our hearts for eternity.  Our life is but a vapor here, but everlasting in the life to come so keep us mindful of eternity in the midst of our temporal existence. In doing so our attitudes and choices will reflect those made in heaven, not those of this fleeting world that is vanishing day by day. In Jesus' Name..........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
God Bless You,
Christina

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