Zechariah 3  This next vision focuses on Joshua, the High Priest.  As he stands before the "angel of the Lord" ( often used to describe the pre-incarnate Christ) in "filthy garments", Joshua is confronted by the accusations of Satan.  But, the Lord rebukes Satan, not  Joshua... for Joshua represents Jerusalem and the people of God.. and they are the "chosen". 

Then the Lord orders that the filthy garments be removed from Joshua.. " See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you in festal robes."   A clean turban is placed on Joshua's head and a message is given.. from the Lord:

" If you will walk in My ways, and if you will perform My service, then you will govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here."  The Bible Knowledge Commentary explains the significance of this message...

To walk in God's ways.. "describes the personal attitude of the priests (and ultimately the nation) toward God.  To perform God's service.. is to be faithful in the priestly duties. 

If the High Priest obeys God's ways and performs his duties faithfully.. then.. he would continue in his role in God's house;  he would keep the temple free from idolatry and defilement;  and he would receive the privilege of standing with the holy ones who are standing in front of the Lord. 

Verses 8-10 explain that Joshua, the High Priest, is a symbol " for behold I am going to bring in My servant, the Branch".  Ultimately, it is the Messiah, Jesus Christ who will complete the work of the Priesthood.. He will "remove the iniquity of that land in one day." 

As we read in Hebrews, no human priest could do what only Christ can do.. He fully walked in God's ways without faltering.  He alone could perform the service that can save all who believe.. He is the Great High Priest and the perfect Lamb, who was slain.  Because of Jesus, our filthy garments are removed and we receive the "festal robes"!  Because of Jesus, our iniquity is taken away!  Hallelujah!

Father in heaven, once again we thank You and rejoice in the salvation that You have given to us through the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ!  Thank You for choosing us.. for giving us garments of righteousness and taking away all our sin and filth. Oh what a day that will be when we come to stand before You, clothed in His righteousness alone. We can not stand on our own efforts, Lord, but our hope is in Jesus. Thank You for that Living Hope that He gives to all who will come to Him. Father, open the eyes of those still in darkness, so that they will see the beauty of our Precious Lord. We ask this in His name. Amen. 

 Zechariah 2  Another vision comes to Zechariah. This time he sees a man with a measuring tape in his hands.  He was sent to take the measurements of Jerusalem.  The people who had returned to Jerusalem, who were tasked with its rebuilding, were given words of encouragement about their beloved city. 

God said.. "Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle within in."    There will be prosperity in the city again...far beyond  what their earthly eyes could see.  

God said, "For I.. the Lord will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst."  The Lord will not desert His city.. He will come to her. 

God said, "After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye."   The Lord sees what has happened and what is happening to His city.. and He will deal with those nations.  The city of Jerusalem is precious to our God. 

God said, "Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me."  The day of victory will come when Jesus comes to rule.. "Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst.. " 

God said, " And many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people." This has become one of my prayers for our nation... may we be a nation that joins herself with the Lord and be His people!

God said, "I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you."  

The Lord says He will possess Judah.. He will choose Jerusalem.. He WILL.. So.. 

"Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord; for He is aroused from His holy habitation." 

Father in heaven, one day.. we will see every prophecy fulfilled.. every promise completed...and we will truly sing for joy!  Help us to keep believing and trusting.. looking up.. lifting our eyes.. to that which is unseen now.. but will be our eternal dwelling place.  You are coming to reclaim Your property.. not just the city of Jerusalem, but all the earth which Your hands have made.  Thank You for reminding us again, that this world is not our home.. but that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and that He is coming again to take us to where He is that we might be with Him forever.  Our minds are limited but our faith is in You.  You have spoken and You will do what You have promised.  O may we be ready!

amen. 

 Zechariah 1   This prophet preached at the same time as Haggai. This first message occurs 2 months after Haggai's first message and the second one, which starts at verse 7 takes place 2 months after Haggai's last one.  They both addressed the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity.  They both saw the temple.. and stirred up the people and leadership to finish the rebuilding. 

Zechariah's first message can be summed up in verse 3 "Return to Me, declares the Lord, that I may return to you.. "   They are reminded of the past.. when the prophets warned their forefathers.. who did not listen.. and who were dealt with according to their "ways" and "deeds".   

This is what our God does.. He is perfectly just.  He warns us.. but if we refuse to listen and repent, we will face His judgement. Thankfully, He is also merciful and loving and His desire is for us to be in fellowship with Him.  What a sweet word... "Return to Me.. that I may return to You."   So thankful that He has made a way for us!

The second message is a little different.  Zechariah has a vision or dream.  He sees a man on a red horse. There are other horses and angels around... some who have come from patrolling the earth.  The patrol reports that there is peace and quiet in  "all the earth".  Then the Lord speaks with "gracious and comforting words".  The message is that He is "exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion."  He will return to Jerusalem.. the Temple will be rebuilt... the cities will prosper.. and the nations that came against Israel, will be thrown down. 

As we look at Jerusalem today.. in the light of current events, we see that there is no temple.. the nations surrounding her are still fighting against her.. and there is no "peace and quiet" in all the earth. But.. there will be!  A day will come.. and may it come soon.. when the Lord will return to us.. forever!  Meanwhile, let us heed the message of Zechariah.. and return to the Lord!

Father in heaven, we long for that day when we will see the New Jerusalem, coming in beauty and glory. We pray for those who are living out of fellowship with You, that they would heed the warnings and turn back to You.  We pray for those who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ who has made a way for  them to find forgiveness for their sins and new life in Him. Let the Word of God be preached!  Bring revival to our land, Lord God, and to our cities, and to our churches.  May the power of Your Spirit be poured out once again so that there will be a greater harvest for the glory of Your Name. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Haggai 2  This chapter contains 3 separate messages that the prophet was given for those rebuilding the Temple.  

Verses 1-9  are words of encouragement for those who were comparing the current building with the glorious Temple that Solomon had build.  They were told to "take courage"!   Take courage because God was with them.. ( v4).  Take courage because His Spirit "is abiding in your midst." (v5) And take courage because there will be a day when the Lord will "shake the heavens and the earth... all the nations.. and the Temple of the Lord will be filled with glory. (vs. 6-7)  What they lacked.. God does not lack. "The silver and the gold is Mine, declares the Lord of hosts." 

The future house will  have more glory than even Solomon's temple.. it will be a place where there will be perfect peace. (v9)

Verses 10-19 are the second message.. 2 months later.  Here,  the Lord has Haggai ask the priests two questions about the Law.  The questions have to do with what is made holy or unholy.  If someone carried "holy meat" in a garment.. it would not automatically make anything else touched by that garment "holy." However, if something unclean touched anything else.. that would be made unclean.  If I am thinking about this correctly then I would say.. holiness cannot be transferred, but, unholiness.. uncleanness.. can be transferred. 

Haggai said, "So is this people. And so is this nation before Me.. and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean." (v14)   Once again the Lord calls the people to "Consider their ways." From that day forward there would be a change.. a change in the hearts of the people.. and a change in their circumstances.. for the Lord was going to bless them beginning that day.. as the foundation of the Temple was laid.. the 24th day of the 9th month. 

Verses 20-23 This is a message addressed to Zerubbabel, the governor.  Zerubbabel was a descendant of David and named in Matthew in the lineage of Jesus.  It was not an accident or coincidence that Zerubbabel was in this place at this time.  "I have chosen you."  the Lord tells him.  When that day comes.. when all of heaven and earth is shaken.. when all thrones and  kingdoms are destroyed.. when every army is overthrown.. "On that day.. " the Lord tells him, " I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant.. and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you."  Can you imagine how encouraged this man would be after this?  

So what can we take from this passage.. what is the Shepherd saying to us today?  

Perhaps we are disappointed by how things are going.. in our lives.. or in our world.. and we need to be reminded to "take courage".. for a day is coming when the heavens and the earth will be shaken..but the Kingdom of God will never be shaken! We have a God who lacks nothing! Let us be encouraged!

Perhaps we need to be reminded that our God is holy and all that we offer to Him must be holy.. set apart from uncleanness.. from sin and death.  Perhaps we need to consider our ways.. and seek to do everything in His way.. to His glory. 

And perhaps, we need to be encouraged like Zerubbabel.. that God has chosen us for His purposes according to His timing.  We are made for this time and for this place.. because the God of hosts has chosen to put us here! 

Father in heaven, hallowed is Your Name.. You alone are our God, our Creator , and our Provider. Be glorified in our lives as You accomplish Your purposes in each of us.  May our hearts be courageous.. cleansed.. and committed to walking in Your ways.  Your Spirit is in our midst.. You are with us. Thank You! In Jesus' name.. Amen!

 Haggai 1  This prophet lived during the time of the return of Israel after the exile to Babylon.  Darius was king and had given them the permission and command to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.( Ezra 6)  There was some opposition, if you remember, from those living around Jerusalem, so the rebuilding had stalled.  Then the Lord spoke up:  "Consider your ways!" 

The people were saying, " The time has not come, even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt."  They were living in "paneled houses".. they were taking care of their own homes.. but they were neglecting the Temple.. the House of the Lord.  "Consider your ways!"

Think about this, the Lord says, " You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes." ... "Consider your ways!"

Consider your ways.. "give careful thought to your ways" (NIV).  God calls them to take a long look at the path they are on.. the choices they are making.. the direction they are headed... by their neglect of the Temple, they were showing their neglect of worship, of reverence for God, and for obedience to His Word.  They were going in the wrong direction! "Consider your ways!"

"Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house.. " the Lord told them.. "You look for much, but behold it comes to little.... I blow it away.. "  All that they looked for, outside of His will, was useless and empty..  He "withheld the dew.. and the produce"  He "called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands."  A drought.. dryness, parching heat, desolation, waste.. 

Maybe we are feeling the "parching heat".. dryness, drought.  Maybe all that we looking for.. has been blown away....  All our plans and dreams.. all our hard work.. all that we were counting on for the future.. all our treasures... have come to mean nothing.. because we have neglected the most important things.. "Consider your ways!"

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

The good news is that the people of Israel listened to Haggai.  They "showed reverence for the Lord".. and they obeyed Him.  "So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerbbabel.. the governor.. and the spirit of Joshua.. the high priest.. and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God." 

They considered their ways.. and turned around. Then.. God poured out His Spirit on them. 

Father, may we also examine our ways.. may we turn around from pursuing our own wants and desires.. and trying to do things in our own time with our own will.. and turn back to You.. We seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness. We worship You. We honor Your Name and desire Your will. Fill us with Your Spirit .. stir us up, Lord!   May we do all that You have called us to do.. to the glory of Your Name. In Jesus' name we pray.Amen. 

James 5:9-20  "Do not complain, brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing right at the door."  

 James knows all about complaining.. grumbling.. holding a grudge... He and his brothers grumbled against Jesus... until He visited them after He rose again.  We know from John 7: 3-5 that James and his brothers did not believe in Jesus, but after the resurrection they were among the people in the upper room with the disciples. ( Acts 1:14)   Meeting the resurrected Savior should change our attitudes towards others.. James, himself, is our example!

 James advises his readers to look to the "prophets" as examples of "suffering and patience".  They suffered and endured.  They are evidence that the Lord is "full of compassion and is merciful."  Keep trusting. 

He also teaches us to not take oaths but to just be honest in what you do and say.. to pray,.. to sing praises.. to reach out to those  in leadership to pray and anoint you in the name of the Lord. 

James talks about the "prayer of faith".  Pray like Elijah did.. earnestly. 

And, finally, James gives an exhortation for us to help those of our fellowship who might "stray from the truth".. we have a responsibility to one another.. to turn them back.. to love him or her enough to let them know that you see what's going on and help them to turn back to the truth. 

There is a definite sequence to these exhortations.. which I need to make personal.. 

 I need  patience and strength of heart.. waiting on the Lord. 

 I need to repent of my grudges and complaints against other christians.. 

I need to learn from the prophets how to endure in suffering.. 

I  need to speak clearly and honestly. 

I need to pray! Fervently.. 

I  need to seek help for myself  when  I need it.

And then.. I can  help..come alongside my fellow believer who is struggling with sin... and turn them back to the truth. 

Father, do this work in me.. in us.. all who are Your children and desire to walk in Your ways.  Fill us with that godly wisdom that comes from above and with faith that is unwavering.  We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen

 James 5 :1-8

Verses 1-6 address those who are rich... but do not walk in godly wisdom.  These people hoard their wealth.. so much so that it is "rotted" and "moth-eaten".  Their gold and silver is "rusted" or as the KJV says, "cankered".. corroded.  It has been hoarded and hidden away so long that it is not useful.  The "rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire."   This term "rust" indicates that these hoarded riches will turn poisonous.. like the venom of an asp.  

These rich people "have stored up treasures" in the last days..  They have fattened themselves at the expense of others.. and have not realized that the time is coming when they will be judged for their actions. 

James says that those who used others to do the work but refused to pay them for it, would be condemned, because the "Lord of the Sabaoth" hears the cries of the oppressed.  The Lord of the Sabaoth- the Lord of the armies... will answer the cries of those treated so horribly.   The Lord opposes those who live in luxury while trampling down the innocent and righteous. 

James then turns back to the believers.. "Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord."  Don't lose heart.  Just like a farmer waits for his crop to grow until it is fully ready to be harvested.. the Lord is waiting for us, so "You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (v8) 

We can hear the echo of James 1:2-4 " Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. " 

Yes, the rich unbelievers have acted sinfully and defrauded you. But, God will use even this for your good.. believe it and rejoice in it!  Be patient and watch to see what the Lord of the Sabaoth will do.  He will lead His army to your side.  His coming is "at hand". 

Father in heaven,  thank You for all that You have provided for us. Thank You for our daily bread. Thank You for hearing our prayers when we have been treated badly.  There are many today, Lord, who are being oppressed and defrauded. There are many who are persecuted for Your Name's sake.  Hear their cries Lord of the Sabaoth.. and come to them. Help them to be patient and to rejoice in what You are doing and will do.  Help us to be faithful.. and generous.. and truthful.  All that we have comes from You and belongs to You.. we pray for godly wisdom to use what we have been given in the ways that You intend it to be used.  Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!  Father,  help us to be patient as we wait for Your coming.  May we have endurance and be made complete as You work in our lives.  We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 James 4    In James 3:13 said, " Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.." 

Chapter 4 is like an exam.. where we can search our own hearts to see if godly wisdom.. wisdom that is "pure.. peaceable.. gentle.. reasonable.. full of mercy and good fruits.. unwavering, without hypocrisy" is truly ours.. 

Let us examine our selves, James teaches, to see if we are quarreling because of our own selfish  desires.  Let us check ourselves.. have we asked God for what we need?  Have we asked with pure motives? Are we acting in ways that are unfaithful to the God we claim to serve?  Are we allowing pride to get in the way of God's will in our life's choices?

Are we humbling ourselves before God? Submitting ourselves to Him? Resisting the devil? Are we drawing near to God every day? 

If not.. then we must repent.  "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord... "(v10)  It is an act of confession and submission.. "Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom." (v9)  Are we taking our walk with the Lord.. our faith.. our relationship with Jesus.. serious enough to lay it all out before Him? 

Let us examine our relationships with others..  do we speak "against one another"?  Are we judging them? Do we think we know better than the Lord who is the "only one".. the "Lawgiver and Judge,  the One who is able to save and to destroy." ?  Are we careless about the way we speak about others?

We must also examine our plans and projects.. our businesses.. every part of our lives.. in light of God's perfect will.  Are we yielding our plans to Him?   Proverbs 16:9 " The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps."  Are we acknowledging that God is sovereign over the ways we go? Or do we "Trust in the Lord with all [our] heart, "  not leaning "on our own understanding" but acknowledging Him.. so that He will "make [our] paths straight." ? ( Proverbs 3:5-6)

 Let us examine ourselves to see what we are boasting about.. are we boasting about our own accomplishments?  That is what the world does.. just listen to the politicians!!   James calls this kind of boasting "evil". 

There is one more question on this exam.. do we "know what is good".. but not" do it"?  

Father, You open our eyes sometimes.. in ways that are hard to hear.. for we have failed You in so many ways. We come before You, humbly, confessing our sins, and seeking Your grace and forgiveness.  Father, we want to have Your wisdom and we ask for it, knowing that You give it generously.  We ask that Your will be done in every part of our lives.. in our thinking and in our actions.. in our relationships and in our plans. Help us, Lord God, to do the good that we know to do..   Above all else we desire that Your Name be praised and glorified above any other name. You alone are God and we submit to You and draw near to You, by Your Spirit, in Christ Jesus our Savior, for it is in His name that we come. Amen. 

 James 4:1-10

Quarrels and fights? Battles and war?  How is this a problem in the church?  James says that these disputes and arguments are result of individual lusts and covetousness.  It's about not getting what you want.. or having things your way.   It's about your  heart.. 

Instead of looking at others.. arguing or fighting; judging or slandering them... we must look at our own hearts. 

First of all, we need to look to the source of everything.. Jesus our Shepherd.. have we asked Him for what we need? Do we have a steadfast heart that is trusting Him for what we need?

We also must examine are motives for asking... Are we asking "amiss"? Are we asking for something that is wasteful.. useless.. outside of God's desires for us? Are we asking for things that might make us seem "better" than someone else? 

Are we trying to make ourselves fit in with the world instead of standing apart in Jesus?  Then we must turn back.. "Submit therefore to God." v7

We must humble ourselves. Resist the devil. Cleanse our hands and hearts. And.. seek the Lord. 

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." v8   What a precious promise! 

Father in heaven,  You are our provider.. so we ask You for daily bread.. for forgiveness of sins.. and for protection from the evil one. We ask that Your will be done and Your Kingdom come. We ask that Your Name be hallowed and exalted in all the earth...and in  us!  We pray that You will lead us in Your paths of righteousness and as we seek first Your kingdom.. that You will provide all that we need.  May our hands be cleansed and our hearts purified by Your word and by the blood of the Lamb who washes us clean.  We want to draw nearer and nearer to You. Thank You for the promise that You will draw near to us. Bless us today, Lord God, with Your Holy Spirit that You have caused to dwell in us!  We submit to You in full surrender today. In Jesus' name we pray.. . Amen.

 James 3  What is it about our tongues?  Those vital organs that we use to speak.. the language that we use to communicate.. the part of us that has such power... to steer us away from truth and righteousness and into the fire?  James compares it to the bit used in a horses mouth to control their movement.. or a rudder on a ship that controls its direction.  "Even so the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.. " 

A tongue that is not controlled is a dangerous thing.. James says it can set a whole forest on fire.. it can corrupt the whole body.. it can set your life on fire.. the fire from hell.  The tongue can't be tamed.. it is unruly "full of deadly poison".  

We may use our tongues to speak blessings.. and then turn around and speak curses.  It is like a fig tree producing olives.. or a spring producing both salt and fresh water.  It is unacceptable. 

So, what do we do?  James returns to his thoughts in chapter 1.. we ask for wisdom.  We live by true faith that leads to good works. We seek what God alone can give... "wisdom that comes from heaven".. wisdom that is "pure.. peace-loving.. considerate.. submissive.. full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." 

Father in heaven,  we ask that You would write Your words on our hearts, that You would transform our thinking by renewing our minds, and that You would take control of our tongues like the pilot on a ship takes control of his vessel.  Lead us in paths of righteousness and fill us with Your wisdom. We need You Lord.. every day and every hour.. fill us with Your Holy Spirit we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 James 2: 14-26  "What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" 

Faith.. conviction, persuasion, and trust in God, our Creator and provider.. and in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.. will result in action.. works or deeds.  James warns his readers that we do not have true faith if our actions don't show it.  If we have a real relationship with God, our Father and Jesus Christ our Savior.. if we have been given the Spirit of God to dwell in us and fill us.. then we will live in accordance to His word and His will.  We will do the "good works"  He has prepared for us to do.  We will have that true religion that James wrote about in chapter 1.. abiding in the Word, caring for the needy, and keeping ourselves "unstained by the world". 

 James uses the illustration of Abraham's faith.  Abraham "believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. "  Abraham showed that he had true faith by his actions.. as Hebrews 11 recounts.. he left his home and went to a place he didn't know;  he believed God for many descendants before he even had a son; and he offered Isaac up at the Lord's command.  His faith was not empty.. but life changing. 

James says that "faith without works is dead".  If our relationship with God.. our faith..  doesn't change our lives.. then it is as useless to us as it is to the "demons" who "also believe and shudder."  

James writes in verse 22, speaking of Abraham, " You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected."  The King James version translates it this way.. " Seest thou how faith wrought with his works.. "  That word "wrought" is not used much anymore... but the definition of the Greek word used here "sunergeō" is "to work together, help in work, be partner in labor. (Thayer's lexicon".. or as Strong's lexicon translates it.. " to be a fellow worker, that is co-operate; help with. work together."   There is a partnership between our faith and our works.. our trust in God and our actions.. if either of these are missing.. it's useless.  But, when we act because of our faith in God.. or we put faith into our actions.. then James says, " .. as a result.. faith [is] perfected" .. made complete.. accomplishes what God desires.. to the full!

Father in heaven, let Your perfect Word accomplish Your perfect work in each of us. Help us to have real faith that produces good works.. to the glory of Your Holy Name.  May our lives be testimonies of our faith in the Savior, to the presence of Your Spirit, and to the greatness of Your Majesty.  We cannot produce anything on our own, Lord, You know how weak and helpless we are to change our own lives..  Help us, Lord. We surrender to Your will and Your perfect love.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 James 2:1-13  The next thing that James addresses in his letter to the church is the problem of partiality.. or favoritism.   His example is in verses 2-3.  If a rich man enters the meeting and is treated well, but a poor man comes in and is treated poorly.. this is partiality... and that is a sin.  James says that whenever we make "a distinction".. judging "with evil motives"  then we are wrong.  " If you show partiality you are committing sin.. " 

We judge by human standards and not by God's.  We forget that "God chooses the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him.. "  We also forget that it is often the rich who "oppress".. and "blaspheme".  What is more important than someone's wealth or status is their need for salvation.  What we should always do.. no matter who we have entering our doors.. is love them.. for the royal law is: " You shall love your neighbor as yourself.." 

"So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty."  God is looking at our hearts and He judges our motives... and thankfully He shows us mercy and forgiveness when we fail.  Likewise we are to show mercy and not judgement.. for " mercy triumphs over judgement." 

Father in heaven, You see my heart and know my motives. Forgive me for any partiality or favoritism that I have been guilty of.  Change my thinking and the way I see others.  Let me be merciful and not judgmental.. always.. Thank You for showing me Your great mercy and grace. Fill the hearts of all who read these words.. with a greater, impartial.. love for all those we encounter. We ask this in the power of the Name above all names.. Jesus. Amen. 

 James 1:18-27 

Our Father,  "in the exercise of His will" .. deliberately, purposefully.. "brought us forth by the word of truth."  He gave us new birth.. for His purposes.. "so that we might be, as it were the first fruits among His creatures." 

First fruits... the portion of the harvest that was set apart as an offering to God.  The portion that is considered holy.. sacred.. This is what the "word of truth" accomplishes in the life of those who believe and who are made new in Christ Jesus. 

As new creations.. set apart by the Father, James reminds us to "be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger."  Anger..  wrath.. violence... will not lead to righteousness.  Neither will " moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent.. "  Instead, we are warned to "humbly accept the word planted in you, which will save you." 

James draws us a picture.. it is of you or me.. we stand before a mirror and study our own face. Then we walk away.. busy with our duties of the day, and never think about our image in that mirror.  This is the same way that someone lives who hears the Word, but never does what it says.  It's useless to change the kind of person they are..   But, if we look "intently at the perfect law.. and abide by it.. " If we do it.. we shall "be blessed" in all we do.  

Again, James warns us to not be deceived.  To not deceive ourselves. If the Word of God does not change our lives.. if it is just another book.. if we don't take it into our hearts.. we have a "worthless" religion.  But, if the Word of God is living and active.. in us.. if we hear it AND do what it says.. that is "pure and undefiled religion".. for we will do the things that God tells us to do.. "to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world."  

Father, fill us with the Word of Truth so that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds and hearts.  May we be hearers and doers of Your Word.  May the power of Your Spirit have His way in our lives.. every hour of every day.. to the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

 James 1:12   "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial.. "  James circles back to his first point.. trials test our faith..and produce endurance.  When we have passed the test.. when we have stayed faithful to Christ.. we will be "blessed".. We will "receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."   We can "count it all joy".. because of His promise! 

Yes, ask for wisdom. 

Yes, don't waver in believing He hears you. 

Yes, trust the One to whom you belong.

Yes, remember that life is fleeting.  That nothing else has value unless you have Christ as Your hope and life. 

Believe.. persevere ... give Him glory... and rejoice!

Verses 13-17 

We are all tempted. But we must not be deceived.  Temptation is not from God.  God will not tempt us to do evil. " .. He Himself does not tempt anyone."  

Temptation is a result of "evil desire".. we are enticed by those things that we lust after.. those things that are "forbidden".  Sin is birthed, James tells us, when "lust has conceived".   Lust seizes and takes prisoner; it catches the soul and the will. It takes hold and won't let go. When we yield to those desires.. we sin.. and when we sin.. the result is death.  "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters." 

How do we deal with these desires?  James gives us the answer.. " Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow."   We look up!  We turn around.. and fix our eyes on the One who tells us to ask for wisdom.. who can be trusted to care for us and provide all we need. 

I'm reminded of Adam and Eve in the garden. They were tempted by the evil one.. and desired the forbidden fruit.. they yielded to this desire and sin was birthed.  If only they had turned around! If only they would have looked at all the Father of lights had already provided! If only they would have remembered all the good gifts that they had already been given! If only they would have believed the "Word of truth"!

Think of Jesus in the wilderness.. being tempted by the evil one.  He never yielded.  He was hungry but did not lust after bread. He was offered the nations.. but He would not worship satan, looking only to the One True God, His Father. who gave Him authority over all of creation.  He was taken to the top of the temple and told to jump.. to test whether or not the Father would keep His Word to protect Him.. but He refused.  He would not yield. Lust could not seize Him and sin could not be born in Him. He was never deceived.. and He conquered death!  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, let Your will be done in us today.. deliver us from the evil one and the temptations that are common to man.  Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus and to follow in His ways. Keep our minds stayed on You, the giver of every good and perfect gift. You are all we need. Thank You for the Word that brings light and life to all who will believe. Fill us with Your Spirit and Wisdom today we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 James 1:6-8  "But let him ask in faith without doubting..."  Doubt- wavering; uncertainty; disbelief; lack of conviction; apprehension or fear; lack of trust or confidence...   the opposite of faith.  

James tells us that someone who doubts "is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."  This person is agitated... restless...  "Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."  To be unstable or inconstant.. is the negative of  the Greek word that means to "set down or set in place".. to make a permanent placement.. to take a stand. To be stable and single-minded, not vacillating, hesitating, or staggering from the truth. 

In other words.. God said it. I believe it. And that settles it! It is being fully committed to  the Lord.  Believe that He "gives generously to all without finding fault... " Whether we are asking for wisdom or for anything else within His will.. we need to ask in faith... without doubting. 

Verses 9-11 Here James addresses the attitudes of men regarding their possessions.  The "brother of humble circumstances".. and the "rich man"... both have to adjust their attitudes so that God is glorified. The poorer person can rejoice, because of his "high position".. he is a child of God.. fellow heir with Christ. That is amazing grace at work! Christ Himself lifts us up.. gives us dignity and worth.  While the rich person needs to recognize that all he has is worthless to save him.. that life is as short as a flower that springs up.. so beautiful..  but withering quickly.  Unless that man humbles himself before the Lord... all "his pursuits will fade away". 

Father in heaven, You have given us such wisdom through Your word.. and we ask for more.. wisdom for today.. that we might walk by faith, without doubting or wavering, but standing firm in the Truth.  We confess that we are nothing without You, but by Your infinite love and grace, we have become Your children.  Thank You for this amazing grace. Father. fill us with Your Spirit and continue what You have begun in us, for You are faithful and You will bring it to pass. Sanctify us entirely that our spirits, souls and bodies be preserved and complete in Christ Jesus, that we might stand before You blameless when He comes again. We ask these things in His holy Name. Amen. 

 James 1:5-  The second thing that James encourages God's people to do int the midst of their circumstances is to pray..  

Pray for wisdom... ".. if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given him." (v5) 

The Bible Knowledge Commentary says this.. "Knowledge is the apprehension of the truth; wisdom is its application to life. Knowledge is prudent judgement and wisdom is prudent action. Both are found in Christ whose wisdom is foolishness to the world but who is the power of God by which a believer receives righteousness, holiness, and redemption."   Tozer wrote, " Wisdom,  among other things, is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve those ends by the most perfect means." 

James goes on to clarify wisdom in chapter 3 verses 13-18, telling us that wisdom will show itself in "good behavior".. true wisdom is "from above.. pure.. peaceable.. gentle.. reasonable.. full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. "  It is the "seed whose fruit is righteousness.. sown in peace.." ( v. 17-18) 

 In the context of James 1.. this wisdom, that we sometimes lack, can be ours if we ask God "in faith".  We can know how to live joyfully in the middle of our "various trials".  We can endure.. we can be made complete in Christ. We can rest in the truth that God is at work in us to do His perfect will.. in us. 

Father in heaven,  we ask for this wisdom from above. We want to be able to be careful in all we do so that Christ is glorified in our lives.  Produce rigorousness in our lives. Let the fruit of our lives be that which is from Your Spirit... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, humility, and self-control.  Thank You for Your generous gift of wisdom. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 James 1:1-3 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials."   

James is writing this letter to the "dispersed" believers... those who fled from persecution.. those who are still facing difficulties.. those who may be encountering many kinds of trials..   He fills this letter with so much truth that we can see his heart for the Lord and for the Lord's people.  This first exhortation sets the tone.. there are trials that we all will encounter.. so how can we "consider it all joy"?

We need to understand that trials have a purpose... they test our faith.. and produce "endurance,  " James tells us. And we are to "let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be complete, lacking in nothing."  The NIV calls it perseverance.. the KJV calls it patience..  The Greek word indicates that it is all of these.. endurance, perseverance, and patience.. including the idea of "waiting"..   

James is telling his readers that we need this quality.. this attribute of perseverance and endurance... this ability to wait patiently... so that we can be made "complete".. "perfect".. fully mature.. mentally, morally, complete.  It is God's plan to get us there.. and He uses "various trials" to accomplish it. 

As I was thinking on this, II Thessalonians 3:5 came to mind.. " And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ."   The same steadfastness that James says the Lord wants to produce in our lives.. is what Christ displayed in His life here on earth.   Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.." so that we can "run with endurance."    He endured the cross.. that kind of patient waiting.. that kind of perseverance.. that kind of endurance.. is what God, our Father, wants to produce in us.. because He loves us and He wants to make us perfect like His Son. 

So, yes.. consider it all joy.. 

Father in heaven, this is our prayer.. that You would direct our hearts into Your love and into the patient, steadfast endurance of Jesus Christ our Savior.  We don't like trials much.. and it is hard to rejoice in them.. but we know that You are at work, conforming us into the beautiful image of Christ.  So, have Your way and help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  Help us to let endurance have its "perfect result".  Let us say, as our Lord did.. not my will, but Yours be done... and then rest in the truth that You are faithful and You will complete the work in each of us that You have begun. We rejoice in Your promises and Your power to make us complete and perfect in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

 Zephaniah 3  Even though Jerusalem was rebellious and defiled.. even though she no longer trusted in the Lord or drew near to Him.. even though all her people were wretched sinners... 

"The Lord is righteous within her; He will do justice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail... " 

God has not given up on His people. He does not give up on us either.  He has planned to bring justice in all the earth and in every nation. Those who call on His name and serve Him will be saved.  What a wonderful promise is found in verse 17:

"The Lord your God is in your midst, 
A victorious warrior. 
He will exalt over you with joy, 
He will be quiet in His love.
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."

Or as the NIV says.. He will "rejoice over you with singing." 

The Lord looks for the "meek and humble.." (v. 12 NIV) .. the "afflicted and poor" ( NKJ).. the "humble and lowly" (NASB).. those that trust Him, take refuge in Him... and He takes away His judgement and the punishment we deserve.. and He saves us.. "I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will turn their shame into praise and renown in all the earth." (v19b) 

Our God is good!  He is kind!  He is merciful! He is wise!  His love is perfect and His grace abounds!

Hallelujah!

Father in heaven, we rejoice in Your salvation. Thank You for making a way for us to return to You, to be forgiven our sins, to be made new.  Help us to walk in Your holiness and righteousness, through the power of Christ in us, our hope of glory.  We want to be in Your Presence now.. hearing Your song of joy, knowing the depth of Your love. Come and fill us now we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Zephaniah 2  Verses 1 and 2 are a call.. and invitation for God's people to turn back before it is too late. "Gather yourselves together, yes gather.. .before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon you." 

Verse 3 "Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger." 

The rest of this chapter speaks of God's holy judgement on all the nations that surround Israel, those that arrogantly mocked and taunted her.  "The Lord will be terrifying to them, for He will starve (or destroy) all the gods of the earth; and all the coastlands of the nations will bow down to Him, everyone from his own place." ( v11)

Does verse 3 remind you of II Chronicles 7:14?  This passage has become a call to prayer for our church.. ".. if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear form heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. " 

Father in heaven, we come before You to seek You.. to draw near to You.. to bow before You in humility and confession of our sins.  We pray for our nation that is desperate need of revival, that Your Name might be made known among the  people of America once again.  We pray for our community, that hearts would be made new through Jesus Christ.  We pray for our churches, to be faithful, pure, undivided, and true.  Fill us with Your Spirit and make us all that You desire for us to be. Let Your will be done.. may Your kingdom come.. and may Your Name be honored for You alone are God!  Amen. 

 Zephaniah 1 This prophet lived at the time of King Josiah.   Zephaniah's message was focused on judgement to come...  both the coming judgement upon Judah and the future judgement of all the earth. 

In the day.. the "Day of the Lord".. there will be complete destruction.. "I will completely remove all things from the face of the earth, declares the Lord."   Man and beast, birds and fish... everything!  This is a warning of the judgement that is yet to come. 

In verse 4 the message is specifically meant for Judah.. " So I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem."  The people of Judah were practicing idolatry.  Some worshipped Baal. Some worshiped Milcom. Some worshipped the stars in the sky.  All had "turned back from following the Lord." 

The people did not  seek the Lord. They did not call upon Him. The Lord called for them to be "silent" in His presence.. for " the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests." 

When God brought judgement upon Judah.. it was complete. Within one generation, Judah would fall to Babylon.  The sin of idolatry would be punished.  The princes and leaders who failed to stay loyal to God, would be punished. Every part of Jerusalem would experience destruction and devastation. There would be no place to hide.. not even in the darkest places for the Lord would "search Jerusalem with lamps." 

The people had so lost their trust in the Lord that they did not believe that He would do good or evil.. they didn't know Him at all and they did not repent. 

"Near is the great day of the Lord, Near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of the Lord!...  That day will be a day of wrath - a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet and battle cry.. " ( v14-16) 

If it happened to Judah.. it will happen to the whole earth as God has told us.  " I will bring such distress on all people that they will grope about like those who are blind, because they have sinned against the Lord... Neither their silver not their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath. In the fire of His jealousy the whole earth will be consumed for he will make a sudden end to all who live on the earth."  (v18)

We can see very clearly that the world today reflects the attitudes of the people of Judah. All over the world there is much idolatry.. much violence.. much wickedness.  There are not many, it seems who seek the Lord or call upon Him. They walk blindly in their pursuit of gold and silver.. while ignoring the  God who created the heavens and earth and everything in them.  The Word calls us to listen! Listen to this warning and seek the Lord while there is still time.  The Day of the Lord.. is near!

Father in heaven,  we are fixing our eyes on Jesus, our hope is in Him who will deliver us from the destruction to come. Help us to be ready for that day.. walking in faith.. striving to live according to Your word and Your will.  We desire to keep seeking You and keep listening to You.. to remain loyal and committed to our Savior and King. Use our voices to speak the Truth to those who need to hear the warnings that You have spoken to us through Your servants. May we be steadfast and faithful in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Come and fill us Spirit of God, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.