Chapter 23 - Jesus' Ministry Begins

Matthew 3-4; 11

Mark 1-3

Luke 8

John 1-4

Introduction to the Reading:
Ok, so another Europe story...Dave and I were hiking along the coast just North of the city of Fishguard in Wales, which is part of the United Kingdom. Fishguard is the last stop on the train as you head West, and is quite a small town. We hiked up the coast to the city of Cardigan, which is nothing more than a small fishing village. Here is a map if you care to check it out. Anyways, as we were walking along the shore, a man with a fishing boat asked us if we wanted to go out with him to check his lobster pods. We were more than happy to get to know a local so we joined him. Unfortunately, there were no lobsters in his cages, but he did invite us to join him for a drink at a small pub in the village.

The pub was tiny. It only had one table. We got a drink and started to chat. We asked him about himself, and it turns out that he actually was an opera singer. This is the village where he grew up, but he lived in London most of the time. He spoke about how he had hung out with Leonard Bernstein and other great composers. He told us about the various halls around the world in which he had sung. And although I know nothing about opera, we could just tell by the way he was talking that he was more than just average. Sure enough, when we had a chance to look him up on the internet the next day, it turns out that he was a world renowned opera singer.


As we will read today, we get to witness people's reaction to Jesus. Many people didn't know what to think the first time they heard him. They could tell by the way he talked and the things that he did that he was definitely more than average. They knew that this was someone special, someone important. As you witness Jesus today through the pages of scripture, what impression do you have? How do you answer the question, "Who is this?"

Before You Read: Today we start by reading about one my favorite people: John the Baptist. John is quite the character: eating locusts and honey, wearing camel's hair, living out in the wilderness. Yet for all of his eccentricities, the last thing he wants is the focus on him. He isn't shouting out in the wilderness, "Hey! Hey! Look at me!" His message isn't about himself. 


What a great reminder for us. People may think we are unique. They may even think we are "Jesus freaks." Our message shouldn't be, "Hey! Hey! Look at me!" It shouldn't even be, "Hey! Hey" Look at my church." Our message should be the same as that of John, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Stops Along the Way:

• Middle of page 322: What truth(s) does the Father's testimony teach us about Jesus?
• Top of page 323: How could Jesus resist the Devil's temptations? What does this teach us about him?  Why was it necessary for our sakes that he resist the Devil's temptations?
• Middle of page 324: What does the title "Lamb of God" teach us about Jesus' work and purpose?
• Top of page 326: What do Jesus miracles reveal to us about who he is?
• Middle of page 327: How does Jesus himself summarize his purpose?
• Middle of page 329: Much like my introductory story, the woman at the well realized there was something special about Jesus. Jesus' miracles tipped her off. What brought them to believe in him as the Messiah though?
• Middle of page 331: Jesus miracles proved that he spoke with authority and gave evidence that he was truly God. But his authority went beyond just power over physical health. What greater authority did Jesus have as the Son of God?
• Bottom of page 334: We will explore this more over the next couple of weeks, but what various responses did people have to Jesus? How did different people answer the question, "Who is this?"

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:
So who do people say Jesus is? How do they answer the question, "Who is this?" We will continue to look at this question over the next few weeks. Even many unbelievers today will call him a great philosopher. Muslims respect him as the greatest messenger of God. What do your friends and family think of Jesus?


And who do you say Jesus is? It's a question that Jesus will ask Peter next week. It's a question that I'd like you to think about personally over the next week. How would you answer the question, "Who is this?'



Prayer/Hymn:

Beautiful Savior,
King of Creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I'd love Thee,
Truly I'd serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.


Beautiful Savior,
Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!

Chapter 22 - The Birth of the King

Matthew 1-2

Luke 1-2

John 1

Introduction to the Reading: 

Have you ever sat down and read the Christmas story? It sounds silly, but really, when was the last time you just read the whole Christmas story? From little on, at least for many of us, we have either heard the Christmas story at church or read bits of it with our families. I'm sure nearly everyone has seen some version of it on television. But let me ask again, when was the last time you just read the Christmas story?

I clearly remember one Christmas sitting down with no other purpose than to just read the Christmas story. I remember specifically because that is literally all I had planned for the day. I was backpacking Europe, and we had ended up in Berlin. Almost everything was closed, so there wasn't much we could do anyways, but Dave and I figured the best way to celebrate Christmas that year was to read the Christmas story. Ok, we did have one other item on the agenda: we had also bought ourselves chocolate cake (see the picture below). We would eat chocolate cake and read the Christmas story.

So why do I bring this up? The reason is because I still remember how much I enjoyed reading the Christmas story. Without all of the distractions that normally go with Christmas and with all the time in the world, I just took my time and pondered each page. On top of it, being in a different situation and environment allowed me to look at things from a fresh perspective.

Today we get to read the Christmas story without all the "distractions of Christmas." We get to read the story not from the perspective of the calendar year, but from the time frame of The Story - History. As you read today I won't interrupt, but I ask you to keep this in mind: What struck you differently today? Try to read the Christmas story as if it were your very first time hearing about it. What stood out that you may have not noticed before? Let God's grace overwhelm you once again.

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:

So what did you notice? What struck me as I read the Christmas story this week was how surreal it seemed. Then again, I don't know if surreal is the right word at all. Everything was so real! What do I mean? Well let me put it this way:

As I've mentioned a few times already in the blog, we bought a house. It was quite exciting - for a bit. Looking at houses, getting the paperwork together, walking through with the inspection - all the things that needed to get done before closing were super exciting and everything was quite stressful. But we had a rental clause in our offer so when it came to closing, it was honestly quite boring. The owners weren't even there! We sat down, signed some papers, got some food, and went back to our apartment. In fact, I didn't walk in the house again for over a month. When I finally walked in to "our house" it was very truly ours, yet at the same time it didn't seem like that big of an event. 

For centuries, no millennia - believers waited for the coming Messiah. As the time got closer, there were more and more prophesies. On top of it, the people of Israel through whom the Messiah would come, had some exciting times - kings, wars, deportation, re-habitation... Then there was silence. For 400 some years everything was quiet: no prophecies, no water being divided, nothing. 

Finally, on what I'm sure felt like a normal day, an angel appears to a normal girl in a normal city. Yes, angels appear to announce the birth, but to shepherds in a field, not to the crowds in the Colosseum in Rome. The baby is born in a feeding trough. Jesus own parents even seem to forget who their child is as they rebuke him for spending too much time in the temple. In many ways, it all seems so normal. Could this really be God in the flesh? Could the Upper Story come crashing into the Lower Story with so little of a bang?

Then again, I'm not really surprised at all. Having been following God's story over the last 21 weeks, it's interesting how God doesn't do things in the normal way, or I should say, how he does things in the seemingly normal way. For us, it would be normal to have such a huge event plastered on every television and computer screen. It would be normal to send up fireworks for such an event. It would be normal to pick Hollywood stars or at least those who have auditioned before a live television audience to be the stars.  But as we've read over the weeks, how often does the Lord use regular people - like Abraham or David or even me - to carry out his work?

Just because in many ways the Christmas story isn't spectacular, does it make it any less real? Not at all. Yet there are some miracles here, aren't there? God takes on human flesh! God leaves the glories of heaven to dwell on earth! And perhaps the greatest miracle: God does this for me!

Making it My Own:

So what do you do with the Christmas story? You tell it! To finish off the story I started with...At the hostel in Berlin, we started talking to a number of the people staying here (which is one of the reasons I love hostels: you make friends from all over the world even as you are making dinner...but now I'm off topic). As we talked, many of them had no idea what to do to celebrate Christmas. I made a suggestion: go to church! They all were amazed since they had not thought of it. Soon we had a dozen people trampling through the snowy streets walking to church. People who wouldn't have even thought about church had I not brought it up. I'll never forget the lesson I learned: people want to hear the story of Christmas. People are interested in hearing the Gospel that is proclaimed in worship. Sometimes, we just need to invite them!

Hymn:

by A. Katherine Hankey

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know it's true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

Refrain

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love

.

I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

Refrain

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

Refrain

Chapter 21 - Rebuilding the Walls

Ezra 7
Nehemiah 1-2, 4, 6-8
Malachi 1-4

Introduction to the Reading: 

When I read this chapter, one word came to mind. It's not a word that most people probably would have thought of, but nonetheless, I find this chapter filled with references to it. What is the word? When I read this chapter, I think "Worship." 

Maybe it is because I've always been fascinated with the way we as Christians have worshiped over the centuries. Maybe it's simply because I had just gotten back from worship when I read this chapter. Either way, bear with me this week as I point out what I see as an interesting connection between the history of the Israelites in this chapter and the way we worship the Lord today.

Before You Read - Background of the Reading:

Ok, for those of you who aren't big into timelines, this is the last time with this timeline...

You will notice that the Jews living in captivity returned in waves. If you remember, the first group came back under Zerubbabel around 536 B.C. and rebuilt the temple. We will be reading about the 2nd and 3rd waves today. We begin with a reading from Ezra, a priest who returns to Jerusalem with the permission of Artaxerxes, the new Persian ruler. (And quite possibly the son of Vashti or Esther - either way he would have grown up around Esther as the queen which may explain his kindly disposition to Ezra.)

Breaks Along the Way - p. 294 :

It's interesting how the Lord provided for the exiles who returned home. This Persian ruler gives in abundance not only supplies for those returning, but even money for the offerings. As much as I could comment on this aspect, I don't want to overlook another amazing give the Lord had given the people: Ezra himself!

It reminds me of all the spiritual leaders the Lord has blessed us with in our churches, and in particular the gift that God has given us in Pastor Ben. While the Lord was with Ezra, his learning was acquired through many hours of long study. Remember how we read, "Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord." The pastors in our churches are not newbies to the faith. They have spent years studying the scripture in preparation for teaching them to us. Pastor Ben not only learned the scriptures from his parents and teachers as a child, he continued his study through college and later at the seminary in order to grow in his understanding of God's Word. It's easy to take for granted the great blessing the Lord has given our church body in the educational system we have for our spiritual leaders in the public ministry. What a blessing!  

In addition, the Lord blessed his people with other church leaders; "Priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants and other workers at this house of God." The Lord has blessed us to with individuals from our congregation who serve in various capacities: from those who teach our children to those who play the guitar, from ushers to sound technicians - all blessings the Lord has provided us!

Thank the Lord that as we gather for worship and Bible study, like the Israelites we have Ministers of the Gospel who can share genuine insights into the scriptures and proclaim the the scriptures in truth and purity!

Let us pray a prayer of thanks for the spiritual leaders God has given us!

Bottom of p 299:

"Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other..." Can you imagine? At Victory of the Lamb we are talking about building a worship facility, and there definitely can be challenges (purchasing property, city zoning ordinances, building codes, etc., etc.). But as part of our plans, we aren't budgeting for a wall, and I'm certainly not aware of any talk of hiring security guards while doing it. 

Yet while we can be thankful, not all of our brothers and sisters have the same level of safety.  I could give you examples I've heard from distant places like China or instances from the past like when I spoke with fellow Christians in Latvia about their experiences during communism, but there are even examples closer to home. Last year I lived in Flint, Michigan. If you've heard of Flint you probably know that that last year it was the most violent city in the nation. While the congregation I was a member of wasn't targeted per se, it was certainly impacted by the community around it. The large glass doors were shattered by a large rock one Sunday morning. The shed was broken into twice - in the same night. Just a couple of months ago the pastor's home was broken into. Safety is always a concern. The organists have to take special precautions when practicing late at night. When I was at the church building late into the evening I would bring my dog along to keep watch. Like Nehemiah did when he heard the report from Jerusalem, we weep along with our fellow Christians in other places who face bodily danger in carrying out the task of spreading the Gospel. 

Yet, like the people of Jerusalem, the members of the congregation didn't let the circumstances deter them from spreading the Gospel. Like the Jews, they took precautions for their safety, but they also trusted the Lord. They joined the community watch in order to make a difference in the community. They didn't rebuild walls, but they did refurbish vacant lots to improve the neighboorhood. In spite of the dangers, they walked door to door handing out fliers about the church.

Let us pray for all believers that the Lord be attentive to our prayer to keep his protective hand over our brothers and sisters who risk their physical safety for the sake of proclaiming the Gospel, and let us thank the Lord that we can worship him in safety and security.

Bottom of p 301-

Alright, this is where the parallels to worship are so evident to me: We gather around to hear the Word of the Lord read. Then, like the Levites who "instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there," Pastor through his wonderful sermons helps us understand the context and helps us apply it to our lives. (I also noticed that the people were not only nourished spiritually, but they they also had physical nourishment. I smiled as I read this thinking about the wonderful spread of food that the volunteers prepare every Sunday!) Finally, notice how the Word produced an effect. While we aren't commanded to celebrate special festivals like the Feast of Tabernacles like the Israelites had to, we too naturally want to celebrate when we hear about what the Lord has done for us. The Feast of Tabernacles which is described here was a remembrance of how the Lord was with them as they lived in tents in the wilderness and how he delivered them from the slavery in Egypt. We celebrate Christmas as we remember how God came to live with us and Easter when we remember how we have been set free from our slavery to sin, death and the Devil.

Let us pray that the Lord continues to work through his Word to move our hearts to celebrate what wonderful things he has done for us!

Bottom of p 303-

What does the Lord have to say about our offerings? Well to sum it up, he wants first-fruits that come from a heart of faith. In fact, he wants our whole lives as a living offering! You will notice that Malachi writes in a very unique pattern: 

• The Lord makes a statement. 
• The people deny it questioningly. 
• The Lord answers their question briefly. 
• The people have a followup question. 
• The Lord gives a detailed response.

In this first section, the Lord says that he is not pleased with their offerings because they are what you might call "leftovers" - blind, lame and diseased animals for sacrifice. Yet I know exactly how tempting it is to give the leftovers: when I sit down to pay the bills my first thought usually isn't, "What can I give to the Lord." My first thought is usually, "Do I have enough money to pay for these things I wanted to buy." Can you see the parallel?

Then, when the people ask why the Lord doesn't accept their offerings, he goes even deeper: because he wants their whole life to be an offering. Have you ever had someone give you a birthday gift or Christmas gift who you knew didn't like you and may have even been bad mouthing you behind your back? The gift doesn't mean much if it's not given in love, and it especially doesn't mean much if you act disrespectfully right after you give it! If we don't seek to live lives according to God's will, then our offerings don't mean much, do they? God wants us not only to offer our treasures, but our lives as well!

In the final part of this section, we are reminded to trust the Lord with regards to our ability to give offerings. This passage is a favorite of mine when I'm trying to budget. I'm not saying we go hungry in our household just so that we have offerings to give. Yet as I try to figure out how everything will work out in the long run, it's often easiest to start the cutting in the budget in the donations column. It's easy to think, "Well at least if I cut offerings, this will have a minimal impact." But what is the impact really? "Test me in this," says the Lord almighty," and see if I will not throw open the flood gates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." 

Let us pray that the Lord move our hearts to worship him not only by bringing the best of our treasures, but also by offering our very lives as a living sacrifice to him.

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:

So what does the Lord do for us in worship? He turns our hearts! Malachi prophesied that "Elijah" would come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. The prophet he was speaking of was John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. John preached a message of repentance that the people would turn from sin and trust in Jesus the Lamb of God.

Through the prophets of our day - those who proclaim God's word to us - the Lord turns our hearts as well as we await the day of the Lord and Jesus appearing. As we walked through the history of the Old Testament, we've seen how time and time again the Lord called his people to repentance through his Word. We've seen how important it was that the people be reminded over and over of God's promises and his upper story. We too, as we await the coming of Jesus, gather regularly to be reminded of God's promises and how our lower story is connected the to that even greater upper story.

Let us pray, "Come, Lord Jesus! Come!"

Prayer/Hymn:

by James Montgomery

To your temple I draw near;
Lord, I love to worship here.
Here are sacrament and Word;
Here believers meet their Lord.

I through Christ am reconciled;
I through Christ become your child.
Abba, Father, give me grace
In your courts to seek your face.

While your glorious praise is sung.
Touch my lips, unloose my tongue,
That my joyful soul may bless
Christ the Lord, my righteousness.

While the prayers of saints ascend,
God of love, to mine attend.
Hear me, for your Spirit pleads;
Hear, for Jesus intercedes.

While I listen to your law,
Fill my soul with holy awe
Till your gospel brings to me
Life and immortality.

While your ministers proclaim
Peace and pardon in your name
Through their voice, by faith, may I
Hear you speaking from the sky.

From your house, when I return,
May my heart within me burn,
And at evening let me say,
"I have walked with God today."

Chapter 20 - The Queen of Beauty and Courage

Esther 1-9

Introduction to the Reading:The Book of Esther is awesome to read. It reads just like a novel. You have protagonists that you cheer for, a heinous villain, a beautiful queen, and an intriguing plot. And the awesomest (if that's a word) part is that it really happened! (It actually makes for a really good movie too! Check out "For those who want more" at the end for details.)

Today I recommend just reading and enjoying the story. We'll analyze and apply when you are done reading. But before you start turning the pages, I do want you just to take a mental note of one thing: how often is the Lord's name mentioned. Count the number of times "The Lord," or "God," or "The Almighty," or any other name for God is mentioned.

Before You Read - Background of the Book of Esther: The events we are going to read today take place roughly 40 years after the rebuilding of the temple was completed, which we read about last week. I extended my timeline from last week to give you a better idea:

So what can we tell from this timeline? (Other than giving away the fact that Esther will become Queen - sorry for a bit of a spoiler there. Don't worry, that's just the beginning of the book.) Well politically there haven't been any big shifts in power.The Persians are still on top of the political heap. There is, however, a new ruler on the throne. Not only is Jerusalem quite a ways away physically from the Persian capitol of Susa, but even if Xerxes had been born at the time of the temple rebuilding, he was just a boy. While a number of Jews are still living in Jerusalem and the surrounding area, there are still a large number scattered throughout the Middle East. In the book of Esther we turn our focus from Jerusalem to Susa, the capitol of Persia. And we meet a king whose most trusted advisors, if he were living today, would be Jim, Jack, & Johnny. 

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder: So what did you think? Isn't it a fun book to read? So now that we are through, how many times is God's name mentioned? Well maybe I misses one, but I didn't see his name mentioned once. That's quite odd for a book of the Bible. With that said, do you have any doubt if God was involved in seeing things work out for his people? As you look back, it's so clearly evident that God had everything under control! Evil was avenged. God's people were saved. The Lord got the the glory!

Yet, to compare to to our lives, how often doesn't your life feel a bit like Esther's? Does it seem like God is missing? This week I was biking and hit a rut, messing up the back rim on my bicycle. Was that God's doing? What was his plan? I don't know! God didn't plaster his name all over my rim to tell me that he had a plan. What's God's plan with the forest fires in Colorado or the floods in Wisconsin? Beats me! For that matter, there was no traffic on my way home from work today. How does that work into God's plan? We often want to know the details. We want to know exactly what God is up to. Yet he doesn't tell us. 

We want to see miracles, just to know that God has things under control. This week in my personal devotion I read how Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:35-41). You know: Jesus and his disciples are out on a boat. Jesus is sleeping when a storm comes up. Afraid, his disciples wake him up. First he rebukes the wind and the waves, then he rebukes them. In the end, what they fear the most is Jesus (with a reverent fear that is). So I'm thinking, "Wouldn't it be awesome to see that!" 

Yet as I thought about it, isn't the Lord teaching us the same lesson by having each of these events recorded in scripture? He's telling us, "Trust me! I've got things under control! "

Maybe we don't see with the clarity that we want exactly how God is directing the day to day affairs of our life. Maybe we don't see God's name written all over the events of our day. Esther and Mordecai didn't know how God would use them. Yet as they looked back and as we look back at their lives, it's all too evident that God was indeed involved. As I look back at my life and all the times I didn't know what God was up to, in retrospect I see that he was with me all the way. He keeps telling me and telling you, "Trust me! I've got things under control! "

Prayer/Hymn: 

By Edward Hooper

Jesus, Savior, pilot me 

over life's tempestuous sea; 

unknown waves before me roll, 

hiding rock and treacherous shoal. 

Chart and compass come from thee; 

Jesus, Savior, pilot me. 

As a mother stills her child, 

thou canst hush the ocean wild; 

boisterous waves obey thy will, 

when thou sayest to them, "Be still!" 

Wondrous sovreign of the sea, 

Jesus, Savior, pilot me. 

When at last I near the shore, 

and the fearful breakers roar 

'twixt me and the peaceful rest, 

then, while leaning on thy breast, 

may I hear thee say to me, 

"Fear not, I will pilot thee.

For those who like more:

Alright, want to watch a movie this weekend? Why not watch the story of Esther? And I'm talking about a quality film production! From one review, "The story was faithful to the Bible but the film also created an imaginative background that allows us to envision the time in which Esther lived."

Netflix (Sorry, not streaming)

Amazon

And if you aren't crazy about the details, there is also the Veggie Tails version (I can't say I've seen it personally so I can't comment on the accuracy....).

Amazon

Chapter 19 - The Return Home

Ezra 1-6

Haggai 1-2,

Zechariah 1, 8

Introduction to the Reading: First of all, I have to start off with an apology. For those of you who have been following these posts, you'll notice that I failed to write something last week. It's been crazy busy. I've been working extra hours at work. I'm training for a triathlon, so I've been rather busy working out. As some of you know, we just closed on a house. And we've had a number of family events going on. It seems like the summers just fill up. Every moment there is something going on.

Before You Read - Background to the Reading: For the next three weeks, we will be reading about the time period after the Israelites exile in Babylon. It's a time period, to be honest with you, that I'm not very familiar with myself. Sure I've read these parts of the Bible before, but I just don't know them as well as other portions. Maybe it's because in school we always got to this part of the Old Testament right before summer break. Or maybe it's because there aren't the memorable miracles like Moses dividing the Red Sea or Elisha raising a person from the dead. Either way, I needed a bit of an overview. So I made myself a timeline:

At the very end of our reading last week, there was a new world power that had taken the stage: Persia. What had looked like the end of the story, we will hear this week was just the beginning. With a new sheriff in town, so to speak, the Israelites are going to have a chance to come home. After 70 years, things are going to be quite a bit different. You can just imagine the grandparents reminiscing during the trip home about "the good ol' days." We know things hadn't been that good before they left, but now there was a chance at a fresh start. That's exactly what we need sometimes: a fresh start.

Time to Slow it Down - Middle of page 266 after Commentary: Well the Israelites got right to work when they got home. No, things weren't as glamorous as the days of Solomon's Temple: you can just picture the chaos as some people cheer with excitement while others cry thinking how wimpy the new temple is compared to the old. Yet it was a step in the right direction: the people, moved by God's love, built a temple for his glory and offered him their first fruits. It was exactly the fresh start they needed. 

But soon the moment came to a screeching halt. The work on the temple slowed until nothing was happening. Is there a building project half finished that you drive by on a regular basis? What message do you get as you pass by? You can just imagine kids who remember walking by the temple ever since they were infants who are now teenagers, looking at the work just sitting idle. There are saws and boulders just lying there. What message did they get as they walked by?  But like lighter fluid on a campfire (which I do not recommend, for the record,) their desire was hot for a moment, but soon fizzled until all that was left was a smoldering pile. 

Can you relate? I can. My admission of guilt at the beginning of this post was more than an apology. It was also an admission that I'm not that much different than the Jews of our lesson. When I started the Story, I was excited. I wanted to get back into the scriptures. I wanted to worship him by spending time admiring his love. It was exactly the fresh start that I was looking for. Like the Jews on the temple, I went right to work. Yet, I'll admit, my excitement has waned. I still want to read...it's just that other things have somehow taken priority. But what message does that send you? Have those other things that were so important, made me any happier? Were they really as important as I had made them out to be? 

What I needed this week was a breeze:  a gentle breeze blowing on smoldering coals. The Holy Spirit was that breeze, working through the Word. As he spoke to the Jews in the days of Zerubbabel, he spoke to me and perhaps he speaks specifically to you as well.  He asks us what is really important. Then with his words of love he renews our zeal....

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:

Interesting how everything came together, isn't it? What spurred the people on to finish the temple? A little opposition! What got the people the supplies they needed? A little opposition! It's like the Lord had it all planned out...maybe that's because he did!

So have you hit opposition in your life? How did you respond? Even more importantly, have you encountered opposition in your faith life? Has someone challenged your faith or how you put your faith into action? Now is the time to put that faith to work! Sometimes when we face opposition or we struggle in our faith, we may feel like God is abandoning us. Yet as I look back in my life, it is usually those times that the Lord is using whatever challenge that I face as a catalyst to grow my faith. 

The doctrines of scripture that I've struggled with the most, are the very ones that I now run to for comfort when I feel my sin. For example, for a long time I struggled grasping how the Lord could work through water, bread, and wine in the Sacraments. My faith was challenged whenever I tried to rationalize how God could work through simple earthly things. Yet when I came to realize that what made these earthy things actual Means of Grace was God's promise connected to them, then the Sacraments became my source of comfort. Every time I go to the Lord's Supper or see my Baptism certificate, I find peace in God's Grace in these Means of Grace. What doctrines have you struggled with? What truths of scripture have you found yourself debating with friends or co-workers? Use these challenges as catalysts to dig into the Word.

The Lord wants us to be happy. But I've come to know that his primary goal isn't that we are  happy just in this life, but that we have happiness forever with him in heaven. Sometimes he shakes us up a bit so that we re-focus our priorities. Sometimes the Lord needs to knock us on our backs for us to start looking up. Just as Jesus would be the greater glory that would someday fill the earthly city of Jerusalem, we have the promise that one day we will see Jesus' glory fill the eternal city of God in heaven.

Hymn of the Day/Prayer:

Words: Ge­org M. Pfef­fer­korn, 1667 ; trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Au­gust Crull, 1923.

What is the world to me,
With all its vaunted pleasure
When You, and You alone,
Lord Jesus, are my Treasure!
You only, dearest Lord,
My soul’s Delight shall be;
You are my Peace, my Rest—
What is the world to me?


What is the world to me?
My Jesus is my Treasure,
My Life, my Health, my Wealth,
My Friend, my Love, my Pleasure,
My Joy, my Crown, my All,
My Bliss eternally.
Once more, then, I declare—
What is the world to me?