Today’s Reading: Ezek 9:1–11:25, Rev 3:1–13, Job 33:8–18

Today’s Theme: Marked by God

There is no clear theme today, so we take one of the points as our title. Towards the end of our reading, we hear the promise of being marked by God as His own possession, if we persevere till the end. So be encouraged to press forward in your walk with the Lord.

Ezekiel 9:1–11:25

Does sin grieve you?

And the Lord said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.”(Ezekiel 9:4, ESV)

God notes if we are grieved by sin and those who rise against Him.

Reaping what you sow involves God’s personal activity

As for me, my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will bring their deeds upon their heads.”(Ezekiel 9:10, ESV)

Reaping what we sow is not just karma, God is personally involved with meeting out punishment and reward.

Pray strategically

And he said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity and who give wicked counsel in this city;(Ezekiel 11:2, ESV)

The Lord showed Ezekiel the problems in leadership of the nation. Lord, help us to pray strategically concerning the leadership of our nation.

Cry out to God

And it came to pass, while I was prophesying, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then I fell down on my face and cried out with a loud voice and said, “Ah, Lord God! Will you make a full end of the remnant of Israel?”(Ezekiel 11:13, ESV)

Ezekiel was not happy about God’s judgement, he was heartbroken for his people.

The gathering

Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’(Ezekiel 11:17, ESV)

This happened after Babylon and is happening again today.

A heart of flesh

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,(Ezekiel 11:19, ESV)

This is not just a promise for the future redemption of Israel, but one we can apply to our own lives in Christ today. Lord, keep me from having a hard heart.

Revelation 3:1–13

Don’t believe the hype

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.(Revelation 3:1, ESV)

Lord, keep us from the deception of believing our own hype or what others say about us, and keep us from being caught up in the reputation of our church, denomination or ministry. We should not live off past glory but should live for You every day.

Complete the work

Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.(Revelation 3:2, ESV)

Lord, please help us to always finish what we start and to complete the work.

Turn to the bible’s truth

Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.(Revelation 3:3, ESV)

The remedy is to turn to the truth and promises of the Bible, and to repent of heartless, religious observance.

3 amazing promises

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.(Revelation 3:5, ESV)

Three amazing promises to encourage us to endure and overcome; we will walk in white robes of total righteousness, we will have complete security in eternal life and we will have Jesus speaking up for us before God and the angels.

Total control

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.(Revelation 3:7, ESV)

Jesus has total sovereign control.

A healthy, mission focused church

“ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.(Revelation 3:8, ESV)

Many see this as an open door to mission work.

Right teaching in keeping the word and right living in not denying the Name, characterise this church which is the healthiest of the 7.

God’s special love

Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.(Revelation 3:9, ESV)

God has a special love for His faithful people.

Called to persevere

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.(Revelation 3:10, ESV)

The perseverance of the saints is not some mystical thing, it is a command from the Lord to patiently endure till the end.

Marked by God

The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.(Revelation 3:12, ESV)

A great promise pointing towards stability and an important position in God’s house.

Jesus will write God’s name on us. Just as a child writes his name to make clear his ownership, care and protection over his toys (like when Andy writes his name on Woody and Buzz Lightyear in the animated film Toy Story), so God will mark us as belonging to Him personally, throughout eternity.

Job 33:8–18

The greatness of God

“Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.(Job 33:12, ESV)

This young man understands the greatness of God.

God is always speaking

For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.(Job 33:14, ESV)

God is always speaking in many ways although we are not always listening.

God speaks even when we sleep

then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings,(Job 33:16, ESV)

God speaks to us in dreams when we are asleep.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition Revelation 3

Today’s Reading: Ezek 6:1–8:18, Rev 2:12–29, Job 33:1–7

Today’s Theme: Judgement for God’s Glory

Today’s theme is the judgement of God. God’s judgement is for His own glory to display His holiness, justice, truth and love.

The judgement and discipline of God calls us to repent and walk in holiness.

Ezekiel 6:1–8:18

Judgement for God’s Glory

And the slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the Lord.(Ezekiel 6:7, ESV)

This great judgement is for the glory and honour of God, notice the theme of destroying idols and alters.

Be sensitive to God’s heart

then those of you who escape will remember me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from me and over their eyes that go whoring after their idols. And they will be loathsome in their own sight for the evils that they have committed, for all their abominations. (Ezekiel 6:9, ESV)

Wow, what an insight into God’s affections and feelings, more than the sin of the lost, the unfaithfulness and wandering of the people He has chosen to save breaks His heart.

Idolatry leads to death

And you shall know that I am the Lord, when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, under every green tree, and under every leafy oak, wherever they offered pleasing aroma to all their idols.(Ezekiel 6:13, ESV)

Idolatry will lead to death, if we idolise anything or anyone, it will lead to our spiritual death. Idolatry is a deadly sin as it directly affects the zealous passion and jealousy of the Lord resulting in our judgement.

You might not be able to repent!

And my eye will not spare you, nor will I have pity, but I will punish you for your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the Lord.(Ezekiel 7:4, ESV)

A great warning to all who think they can sin now and repent later, NO, God will judge you in the middle of your sin, rebellion and compromise.

The Lord who strikes

And my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the Lord, who strikes.(Ezekiel 7:9, ESV)

God is not anti spanking, He is a God who strikes us in discipline and expects us to follow this pattern with our own children.

Money, a functional idol

They cast their silver into the streets, and their gold is like an unclean thing. Their silver and gold are not able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. They cannot satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it. For it was the stumbling block of their iniquity.(Ezekiel 7:19, ESV)

Money which can become a functional idol and hence be a stumbling block. It cannot save us in times of judgement or discipline from God, when difficult situations arise money can become worthless to us and only God can help

Seek God now

Disaster comes upon disaster; rumor follows rumor. They seek a vision from the prophet, while the law perishes from the priest and counsel from the elders.(Ezekiel 7:26, ESV)

When disaster and judgement strike, it is often too late to seek council, we must seek the Lord before the fact and then He will guide us in the difficult times.

Ezekiel’s status

In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, with the elders of Judah sitting before me, the hand of the Lord God fell upon me there.(Ezekiel 8:1, ESV)

This shows us that Ezekiel was respected.

Hidden sin… No such thing

Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’ ”(Ezekiel 8:12, ESV)

Leaders committing sin in secret and darkness causes disaster to fall upon God’s people. Lord keep us from the folly of so called hidden sin… nothing is hidden from You.

Babylonian religion

Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.(Ezekiel 8:14, ESV)

This is the blatant old religion of Babylon, now adapted into many world religions and esoteric schools of theosophy in the new age movement. We need to run this nonsense out of the church.

Don’t worship nature

And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord. And behold, at the entrance of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east, worshiping the sun toward the east.(Ezekiel 8:16, ESV)

The worship of nature is all around us in the environmentalist movement and new age movement. We need to guard against this, notice they had turned their backs on the Lord.

God is free

Therefore I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.”(Ezekiel 8:18, ESV)

Crying out to God does not mean He has to do a thing. He is not bound by cosmic rules etc as is implied by the word of faith movement.

Revelation 2:12–29

False teaching is evil

So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.(Revelation 2:15, ESV)

God will hold us responsible for false teaching especially ones that lead to debauchery.

Combat false teaching

Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.(Revelation 2:16, ESV)

God fights false teaching with teaching of the Bible through servants He raises up to combat the false teachings.

The overcomes reward

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’(Revelation 2:17, ESV)

A great, personal promise and incentive for all of us to overcome in the area of upholding and teaching the truth.

A healthy church

“ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.(Revelation 2:19, ESV)

This was a good church, they were working, loving, had faith, served and were enduring, all healthy signs for a church community.

God knows your actions which come from your heart

and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.(Revelation 2:23, ESV)

Look at the language the Lord uses here, He says yes I search the heart and mind and know the heart and mind… but will reward according to what you do, because what you do came from your heart. So the excuse God knows my heart will not fly.

We must stand up as a church against both sexual immorality and women not submitting to authority, these sins are linked in many ways.

Hold fast

Only hold fast what you have until I come.(Revelation 2:25, ESV)

In the midst of a corrupted church system, God calls His people to hold fast to the truth.

The conquers reward

The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,(Revelation 2:26, ESV)

A great promise and reward to look forward to, this gives us insight into the work we will have to do in the kingdom

Job 33:1–7

Humble and bold

Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you.(Job 33:7, ESV)

I think this gives us some insight into the type of man Elihu was, he seems like a humble and gentle man who at the same time was bold to stand for truth.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Revelation 2

Today’s Reading: Ezek 3:16–5:17, Rev 2:1–11, Job 32:11–22

Today’s Theme: God’s Watchmen

Today’s theme looks at our call to be faithful watchmen. We are called to defend the faith, raise the alarm about the enemy and most importantly to watch over our own hearts.

As watchmen we need to speak up boldly.

Ezekiel 3:16–5:17

Our Pastors

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.(Ezekiel 3:17, ESV)

Our pastors fulfil this role in our lives today.

God’s Watchmen

But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”(Ezekiel 3:21, ESV)

Because of the position of the watchman he has responsibility for the people up until warning them to flee the wrath to come. This again reinforces the idea that the watchman is an elder in the church.

Paul picked up on this when he told Timothy to guard the doctrine to save his hearers and himself.

Although we can take application for our own lives where we are the only saved ones in our family, circle of friends or work place etc.

Prophetic symbolism

And you, O son of man, behold, cords will be placed upon you, and you shall be bound with them, so that you cannot go out among the people.(Ezekiel 3:25, ESV)

God uses prophetic symbolism here.

Visual aids

And you, take an iron griddle, and place it as an iron wall between you and the city; and set your face toward it, and let it be in a state of siege, and press the siege against it. This is a sign for the house of Israel.(Ezekiel 4:3, ESV)

God was making the sign really clear with a visual model. Pictures and visual aids can help us to display God’s truth.

Read in faith

Moreover, he said to me, “Son of man, behold, I will break the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and they shall drink water by measure and in dismay.(Ezekiel 4:16, ESV)

We should read God’s word in faith not anxiety.

The centre

“Thus says the Lord God: This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.(Ezekiel 5:5, ESV)

Jerusalem is the centre of the world.

Don’t reject God

And she has rebelled against my rules by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against my statutes more than the countries all around her; for they have rejected my rules and have not walked in my statutes.(Ezekiel 5:6, ESV)

Again this theme of rejecting God has come up, we should not reject the one who loves us and set His affection upon us.

Abomination brings judgement

And because of all your abominations I will do with you what I have never yet done, and the like of which I will never do again.(Ezekiel 5:9, ESV)

The motivation for the terrible judgement.

The Jewish story

Therefore, as I live, declares the Lord God, surely, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will withdraw. My eye will not spare, and I will have no pity.(Ezekiel 5:11, ESV)

This explains the Jewish story of exile, persecution and judgement.

God’s personal anger

You shall be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror, to the nations all around you, when I execute judgments on you in anger and fury, and with furious rebukes—I am the Lord; I have spoken—(Ezekiel 5:15, ESV)

God has personal anger and fury against sin.

Revelation 2:1–11

Guardians of the truth

“ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.(Revelation 2:2, ESV)

This was a church where truth was really important. Right doctrine and practise took high priority as well as hard work which the Lord commends.

Don’t grow cold

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.(Revelation 2:4, ESV)

The negative thing was that the love they had at first was abandoned as they entered into a cold service and apologetic defence of the faith. We must be weary of this trap, we need to keep our love for the Lord alive.

Love… A doing word

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.(Revelation 2:5, ESV)

Notice the returning to first love involved doing and not feeling.

Persevere

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’(Revelation 2:7, ESV)

A wonderful promise and reward that should encourage us to persevere.

The persecuted church

“ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.(Revelation 2:9, ESV)

This church is representative of the persecuted church.

The crown of life

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.(Revelation 2:10, ESV)

Notice the devil’s work is quite specific and has a wider purpose under Gods sovereignty.

There was no rebuke for this church, just an encouragement to stay faithful and a promise of the crown of life for those that do.

Persevere

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’(Revelation 2:11, ESV)

Another great encouragement for us to persevere in the Lord.

Job 32:11–22

Be ready to answer

I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words.(Job 32:12, ESV)

This is the sad reality, many operating in their own wisdom cannot answer the questions of the world but we must study to show ourselves approved and be ready to give an answer for our hope.

Speak up

I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.(Job 32:20, ESV)

When the Holy Spirit is bubbling up inside of us it is time for us to speak out.

Don’t be partial or flatter

I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person.(Job 32:21, ESV)

When declaring the truth it is important that we do so without the fear of man which leads us to things like flattery, lies and partiality.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 2

Today’s Reading: Ezek 1:1–3:15, Rev 1:1–20, Job 32:1–10

Today’s Theme: The Royal Trinity

Today’s theme is the awesome power of our God the Royal Trinity. God is one unique essence with three distinct persons who are God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (not one God in three modes or manifestations and not three individual / separate Gods).

Ezekiel 1:1–3:15

God’s awesome presence

Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.(Ezekiel 1:28, ESV)

Even though Ezekiel has written this down the sheer awesomeness of seeing the glory of The Lord in this vision is beyond comprehension. One thing that stands out is that the bodies of God and the Heavenly host seem very glorious. Also there seems to be a great deal of order and ceremony in the presence of God.

The Trinity in the Old Testament

And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.(Ezekiel 2:2, ESV)

The Holy Spirit entered the prophet and literally put him on his feet. We can see members of the trinity at work here.

Don’t refuse to hear

And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.(Ezekiel 2:5, ESV)

Dear Lord, help us to hear and not refuse to hear.

Don’t be afraid of words or looks

And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.(Ezekiel 2:6, ESV)

It brings perspective and encouragement to remember this when sharing the Gospel, and even when ministering in church.

Don’t rebel

“But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”(Ezekiel 2:8, ESV)

We are God’s servants, we should not rebel against His word, we should receive it and give it to others.

Eat, chew and swallow

And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.(Ezekiel 3:3, ESV)

We need to eat (read), mediate on (chew) and apply (swallow) God’s word. The word of God is sweet like honey.

God given backbone

Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads.(Ezekiel 3:8, ESV)

Notice God did not give him a stubborn heart like theirs but He did give Him the backbone and straightforward determination he needed to deal with them. He made his face and stand hard to deal with a hard people.

Resolute in righteousness

Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.”(Ezekiel 3:9, ESV)

We need to be harder, more resolute in righteousness than our hearers are in sin and rebellion, this way iron will sharpen iron rather than both us and them becoming blunt.

For God’s glory

Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great earthquake: “Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place!”(Ezekiel 3:12, ESV)

This great vision and the Lord’s commission to Ezekiel was all for the sake of God’s glory.

Be affected by the message

The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the hand of the Lord being strong upon me.(Ezekiel 3:14, ESV)

Although the taste of the word was sweet the mission issued in it was serious and caused great heaviness and bitterness of soul to the prophet. If we are not affected by the message we have to deliver we are in great danger ourselves.

Revelation 1:1–20

The revelation of Jesus

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,(Revelation 1:1, ESV)

Not John but Jesus.

This can be problematic for us when explaining that soon for man is not the same as soon for God.

The Royal Trinity

and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood(Revelation 1:5, ESV)

Two significant things here, first we see the Trinity, He who was, is and is to come is the Father, the Sevenfold Spirit is the Holy Spirit and Jesus is the Son.

Also note that Jesus is both a faithful witness and the King over all kings, He rules right now.

We have actually been freed from our sins, this is a glorious and awesome truth.

Father and Son

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”(Revelation 1:8, ESV)

The Father and the Son both use the same words of self disclosure revealing their shared nature as God.

Jesus the Victor

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.(Revelation 1:17–18, ESV)

Unequivocal truth that Jesus is divine, He is the Son of God and is the great victor holding the keys of death and hell.

Also note John’s relation to Him and his descriptions, this puts all the false modern testimonies about seeing Jesus into perspective. When we see the glorious Lord we would not get paly, we will fall down and worship Him.

Those that are and those that take place after this

Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.(Revelation 1:19, ESV)

Two lenses through which we interpret various parts of the book.

Held in God’s favour

As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.(Revelation 1:20, ESV)

Thank you Jesus that you hold the church in your hand of favour.

Job 32:1–10

Beware pride

Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.(Job 32:2, ESV)

This was Job’s sin, he had pride and justified himself over and against God.

Understanding comes from God

But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.(Job 32:8, ESV)

This young man is very respectful but is also passionate for God’s glory. He understands that wisdom comes from the Spirit of God and is not necessarily acquired through age.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 1

Today’s Reading: Mal 2:10–4:6, Acts 28:1–31, Job 31:23–40

Today’s Theme: God, Treasurer and Treasure

Today’s theme is that God both treasures His people and is the greatest treasure to His people. The theme of giving to the Lord of earthly riches and not trusting in riches is looked at as well as our call to live to store treasure in heaven through holy living.

Malachi 2:10–4:6

God, The One Father

Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?(Malachi 2:10, ESV)

God is our Father and the one who created us all. As mentioned in Acts He created us all from one blood, He deserves our alliance.

Honour the church building

Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. (Malachi 2:11, ESV)

Some people play down the importance of the church building but the Lord loves His sanctuary, we should honour it too.

God is holy

But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.(Malachi 2:14, ESV)

Our sins are open before God, we simply cannot live in open sin and expect God to hear our prayers and receive our service, God is holy.

Guard your spirit

Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. (Malachi 2:15, ESV)

Men need to guard against being unfaithful to their wives which leads to divorce. The Lord tells us we need to guard our hearts regarding this, as Jesus reveals unfaithfulness always begins in the heart.

Don’t weary the Lord

You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”(Malachi 2:17, ESV)

Hearing and believing false teaching wearies the Lord it causes us to live in a false reality made of apparent facts and assumptions.

The messenger

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.(Malachi 3:1, ESV)

This is John the Baptist.

The forerunner

But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.(Malachi 3:2, ESV)

John was like this, he purified hearts in preparation for Jesus.

Pray for the oppressed workers

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.(Malachi 3:5, ESV)

Pray for those who are oppressed in their place of employment. Think beyond your own work place, consider those suffering in the third world where they are paid pennies each day. We should advocate and actively help them through fair-trade etc.

Repent, give to the Lord

From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’(Malachi 3:7, ESV)

God is calling His people to repentance, in particular it is repentance over their giving. Tithes in these days for Israel was wrapped up in their taxes as they were a theocratic (ruled by God) kingdom.

The application for us today is not that we must give just 10% but that we must give consistently, generously and with a joy filled heart.

Trust God

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.(Malachi 3:10, ESV)

This was not a tithe of money, it was a tithe of food. Notice the blessing is an agricultural one, this was God’s way of running this nation but it required the trust of His people.

Great profit

You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts?(Malachi 3:14, ESV)

There is so much profit in this life and eternity if we live for God.

God’s treasures

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.(Malachi 3:16, ESV)

God has a book of remembrance for those who genuinely fear Him. We should live so as to be in that book. By this we are treasures to God and He will keep us.

No grey lines

Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.(Malachi 3:18, ESV)

With God it is black and white, either we serve Him or we do not.

Elijah has come

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. (Malachi 4:5, ESV)

Jesus told us this was John the Baptist.

Restoration

And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”(Malachi 4:6, ESV)

This is where restoration and revival begins, with restored relationships in the home.

Acts 28:1–31

Demonic exposure

When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.(Acts 28:3, ESV)

This actually happened, however we can see a lesson here too, when the fire of God’s truth comes we need to be prepared for the fact that demonic spirits will not be able to take the heat and will be exposed.

A false god

When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”(Acts 28:4, ESV)

Not as we know justice, this is a false god literally called Justice.

Demons consumed

He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.(Acts 28:5, ESV)

Those demonic powers are consumed by God’s word.

Healing on the Mission

It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him.(Acts 28:8, ESV)

Although it is not mentioned here I’m sure this was accompanied with sharing the good news.

Kindred spirits

And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.(Acts 28:15, ESV)

True believers take great encouragement when we see other believers, especially when we are in a new place.

The Hope of Israel

For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.”(Acts 28:20, ESV)

Jesus is the Hope of Israel.

Convince through the scriptures

When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. (Acts 28:23, ESV)

We should try to convince the lost and Jews in particular through the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

Be convinced

And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.(Acts 28:24, ESV)

Convinced seems synonymous with belief.

Convinced = Belief

Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”(Acts 28:28, ESV)

Praise God for His mercy, we are gentiles.

The Kingdom of God

proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:31, ESV)

Praise God, what an end to Acts, it ends with God in victory again (without hindrance). Paul proclaimed two things, one was that the kingdom has come in the church, second, everything else is to be seen in the light of Jesus. With boldness he preached the Gospel and so should we.

Acts ends with Paul teaching, we should not shun teaching we should embrace it as God’s way of conveying His truth, to His people and the world.

Job 31:23–40

Don’t trust in riches of this world

this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I would have been false to God above.(Job 31:28, ESV)

Trusting in earthly riches and honouring ourselves is us robbing God of the honour He deserves. We have turned ourselves into false gods.

Internal rot

if I have concealed my transgressions as others do by hiding my iniquity in my heart,(Job 31:33, ESV)

When we harbour evil in our hearts it is like we are rotting from the inside. We need to have a clean heart before God and man.

We have an advocate

Oh, that I had one to hear me! (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!) Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!(Job 31:35, ESV)

Thanks be to God that we can come boldly before the throne of grace and that Jesus is our advocate.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 28

Today’s Reading: Mal 1:1–2:9, Acts 27:1–44, Job 31:9–22

Today’s Theme: Sloppy Leftovers

Today’s theme is that we should not give God the sloppy left overs but give Him our best. This attitude will filter throughout every area of our lives so that we also love and honor each other more.

Malachi 1:1–2:9

Gods purpose in election

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” (Malachi 1:2-3 ESV)

This was said that God’s purpose in election might stand as an example to us all, note the motivating factor of God’s election is a special love that He does not have for everyone.

Honour God

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ (Malachi 1:6 ESV)

This is the Lord’s question to us today, we should honour God as our father, instead, so many completely dishonour Him by seeing how far they can go.

Polluted food

By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. (Malachi 1:7 ESV)

The Word of God corrupted, badly interpreted and taught.

Sloppy Leftovers

When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 1:8 ESV)

We should not be giving God the sloppy left overs of our time, energy or resource. He should get the prime cut of these things which is why it is important to spend time listening to Him in His word and in prayer at the very start of the day and to serve Him throughout the day with joy and vigour.

Give good pleasure

Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. (Malachi 1:10 ESV)

God does not have pleasure in religious people, those involved in external observance and ordinance or those who simply attend church. God only gets pleasure from those who put their faith and trust in Him.

Don’t cheat

Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. (Malachi 1:14 ESV)

Cheating will bring a curse to our lives, it is impossible to cheat God, He is the great king on the throne.

Turn others from iniquity

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. (Malachi 2:6 ESV)

One of the purposes of being a priest, we are a royal priesthood.

Study Gods Word

For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 2:7 ESV)

A leader in the church should study the word of God so that they can give a biblical answer when asked questions. The same applies to all Christians as God’s priesthood.

Pray for neglected sheep

But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, (Malachi 2:8 ESV)

A pastor’s call is serious, their lives and teaching affect so many, this is why their judgement is more severe. We should pray for those who have leaders causing them to stumble.

Thank God that we have good pastors.

Acts 27:1–44

Gods quiet work

We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. (Acts 27:7 ESV)

God is quietly at work here directing Paul’s steps.

God’s plans will succeed

and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:24 ESV)

God’s plan would not be thwarted, God intended to save the empire. Those around us can benefit because of God’s purpose in our lives.

Receive the word in faith

So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. (Acts 27:25 ESV)

God’s word to Paul via the angel was received in faith, we should also receive the word of God in faith.

Let’s stick together

Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 27:31 ESV)

Mother Greenidge used this scripture to encourage us to stick it out together.

The whole man

Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” (Acts 27:34 ESV)

God is concerned with the whole man.

Don’t give up

and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. (Acts 27:44 ESV)

This is often referred to as the saying ‘even if you make it by the skin of your teeth… don’t give up’.

Job 31:9–22

What if someone did it to you?

then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down on her. (Job 31:10 ESV)

This is the right way to measure lust. If a man allows his heart to be enticed it is as Jesus said adultery in the heart. A great deterrent as a married man is to consider your wife sleeping with another man as a result of your thoughts and actions.

The fire of lust

for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon, and it would burn to the root all my increase. (Job 31:12 ESV)

Lust is a fire that brings ultimate destruction.

Abortion is murder

Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb? (Job 31:15 ESV)

God makes babies in the womb, abortion is murder.

Social Justice

“If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, (Job 31:16 ESV)

From here to verse 22 Job speaks about social justice and responsibility and that not pursuing this would be a terrible sin.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 27

Today’s Reading: Zech 12:1–14:21, Acts 26:1–32, Job 31:1–8

Today’s Theme: The Spirit of Grace

Today there is no clear theme but we do speak about the spirit of grace which God pours out, granting repentance to His people. We see God’s grace in the very creation of man and then in His plan to redeem and restore man to His own Glory.

Zechariah 12:1–14:21

Man’s spirit

The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him: (Zechariah 12:1, ESV)

We are not extensions of God, nor are our spirits a part of or akin to the Holy Spirit. God created man’s spirit when He breathed into man the breath of life.

The heavy stone

On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it. (Zechariah 12:3, ESV)

This is a good lens to see today’s news through and explains the troubles in the Middle East. It also gives us direction on future events. We should pray that our nation will not hurt itself meddling in Israel as we have done in the past.

Jesus son of David, Son of God.

On that day the LORD will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them on that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the angel of the LORD, going before them. (Zechariah 12:8, ESV)

A nod to the Messiah who is of the Davidic line and is God.

Armageddon

And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:9, ESV)

This points to Armageddon

The spirit of grace

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10, ESV)

This will be a sovereign move of God at the return of Christ to the Glory of God, The Jews will see Jesus who was nailed to the cross and because God gave them a spirit to repent they will.

There is a fountain

“On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness. (Zechariah 13:1, ESV)

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins, Jesus is the fountain of life.

Demons judged

“And on that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more. And also I will remove from the land the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness. (Zechariah 13:2, ESV)

Be encouraged, false teachers and demons days are numbered.

False prophecy is evil

And if anyone again prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not live, for you speak lies in the name of the LORD.’ And his father and mother who bore him shall pierce him through when he prophesies. (Zechariah 13:3, ESV)

God takes false prophecy really seriously.

Jesus, the struck shepherd

“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the LORD of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones. (Zechariah 13:7, ESV)

This can be seen in both a good and bad light, it was used to describe the essential truth of what happens to followers when a leader is struck and in particular context to Jesus when He was arrested. However in this context it is God’s judgement on a bad leader in Israel and the wicked followers.

The fire of refinement

And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’ ” (Zechariah 13:9, ESV)

God’s fire which is often hard times will refine our character in God.

Protect the women

For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. (Zechariah 14:2, ESV)

This is terrible, we put our household and wives / daughters in danger when we rebel.

Jesus’ 2nd Coming

On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. (Zechariah 14:4, ESV)

The great prophecy of Jesus at his second coming.

The Lord’s army

And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. (Zechariah 14:5, ESV)

Jesus comes with saints and angels.

Yet future

And it shall be inhabited, for there shall never again be a decree of utter destruction. Jerusalem shall dwell in security. (Zechariah 14:11, ESV)

This must be a future event yet to come as since this prophecy Jerusalem was destroyed in 70AD.

Acts 26:1–32

Listen patiently

especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. (Acts 26:3, ESV)

This is a bold and good request when someone is being shared the Gospel, it’s worth asking them to listen patiently.

The miracle of salvation

And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. (Acts 26:11, ESV)

Paul was a zealous persecutor of the church before he met with Jesus. It is a glorious miracle that he is now a disciple.

Divine appointment

But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, (Acts 26:16, ESV)

Paul’s calling to ministry was a divine appointment of the sovereign Lord. God call us all to service and being Your witnesses.

The mission, outlined

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Acts 26:18, ESV)

The purpose of Paul’s mission to the gentiles is outlined by Jesus. To open their eyes, turn them from Satan to God. This is the core purpose of all ministry.

The end and goal of the Gospel is that we might have an inheritance to the glory of God.

Repentance is necessary

but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. (Acts 26:20, ESV)

Repentance is turning to God. True repentance will result in changed behaviour.

The gospel, summarised

that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:23, ESV)

A great summary of the validity and end of the Gospel with particular focus on the hope the resurrection gives us.

Be rational

But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. (Acts 26:25, ESV)

Paul did not accept the abuse from Felix and maintained that the words he spoke were true and rational. Paul was a rationalist in a sense and we should also be. Our gospel is rational.

Seek to persuade

And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28, ESV)

Oh yes Paul sought to persuade and so should we.

Job 31:1–8

A covenant with our eyes

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? (Job 31:1, ESV)

This is a covenant all godly men should have, as Jesus warned us when we look with lust we are guilty of adultery.

A gross caricature

Is not calamity for the unrighteous, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? (Job 31:3, ESV)

This is simply not true, we do go through hard times as well.

The lust of the eyes

if my step has turned aside from the way and my heart has gone after my eyes, and if any spot has stuck to my hands, (Job 31:7, ESV)

We must be careful of the lust of the eyes and coveting, materialism and short sighted lust in general, our hearts must not follow our eyes, we should walk by faith and not by sight, Lord help us.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 26

Today’s Reading: Zech 10:1–11:17, Acts 25:1–27, Job 30:16–31

Today’s Theme: Good Shepherds

Today’s theme is about the good shepherds God has given to the church. We thank God for our own pastors who guide, feed and protect us and pray for those under bad shepherds.

Zechariah 10:1–11:17

Thank God for our shepherds

For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd. (Zechariah 10:2, ESV)

We need pastors, we need leadership or we will be afflicted with false teaching and practice.

Bad shepherds beware

“My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic steed in battle. (Zechariah 10:3, ESV)

God loves His sheep and will deal with bad shepherds who lead them astray or neglect them. We can take comfort that those attempting to lead God’s people astray will be judged.

God’s compassionate restoration of Israel

“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them. (Zechariah 10:6, ESV)

God restores Israel and His people not out of obligation but in His compassion and simply because He is God.

God whistles

“I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before. (Zechariah 10:8, ESV)

Lord whistle (call, draw) for those who are wayward or under judgement

Judas, a bad shepherd

Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD, to the potter. (Zechariah 11:12–13, ESV)

There are echoes here to what the bad shepherd Judas did to the Lord.

Bad shepherds

For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs. (Zechariah 11:16, ESV)

This is the antithesis of what a good shepherd is. Pray for every church with bad shepherds to be restored.

Acts 25:1–27

Clear argument

Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” (Acts 25:8, ESV)

Paul knew his case and made it clear. We should make our points clearly.

Don’t try to impress men

So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. (Acts 25:17, ESV)

Liar, he delayed for 8 days, he was just trying to impress the man, Lord keep us from trying to impress people with lies.

Job 30:16–31

Have a firm view of God

You have turned cruel to me; with the might of your hand you persecute me. (Job 30:21, ESV)

We must not let circumstances cause us to change the way we see God.

Job’s sickness

My skin turns black and falls from me, and my bones burn with heat. (Job 30:30, ESV)

The physical affliction must have been very difficult to handle.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 25

Today’s Reading: Zech 8:1–9:17, Acts 23:23–24:27, Job 30:1–15

Today’s Theme: God’s Passion

Today’s theme is about our passionate God. God is not some cold force, He is full of passion, desire and delights in good things. We as His children, inherit His passion for His glory and rejoice in the things that He delights in and bring Him pleasure.

We should share the truth with the passion of God in our hearts. God will actively see His will come to pass in the fire and energy of His own passion, for His glory.

Zechariah 8:1–9:17

God is passionate

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. (Zechariah 8:2, ESV)

Our God is full of deep passions and affections, He is not untouched and impersonal, instead He is intensely passionate, full of holy jealousy.

The jealousy of God is vitally connected to the expression of that zeal, for His glory, in the wrath of God.

Shared delights

Thus says the LORD of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the LORD of hosts? (Zechariah 8:6, ESV)

God and His people have shared joys and delights. Ask yourself the question; are the things you take joy in, the things that God delights in?

God desires relationship

and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.” (Zechariah 8:8, ESV)

God desires appropriate relationship with His people, in faithfulness and righteousness.

Enjoy the fruit of peace

For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. (Zechariah 8:12, ESV)

We should sow peace in our families, ministries and communities, and enjoy the reaped fruit.

Called to honesty

These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the LORD.” (Zechariah 8:16–17, ESV)

God hates lies and dishonesty and calls His people to honesty and peace, knowing that this will invoke a blessing from Him.

Live in peace with God

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace. (Zechariah 8:19, ESV)

Same point as the last; we should love the truth of God’s word and living in peace with Him.

Jesus the Jew

Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ” (Zechariah 8:23, ESV)

This in some ways, was happening at the time of Jesus, but I think it is ultimately pointing to the future.

In a very real sense, there is a Jew that men from all nations have taken hold of and followed, His name is Yeshua (Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God).

The Fragility of Nations

But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions and strike down her power on the sea, and she shall be devoured by fire. (Zechariah 9:4, ESV)

No nation should have confidence in its resources because God can take it all away.

Jesus the King

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9, ESV)

The prophecy is fulfilled by King Jesus.

The kingdom of Jesus

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Zechariah 9:10, ESV)

The future kingdom of Jesus.

God restores double

Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. (Zechariah 9:12, ESV)

We are kept by hope and our hope shall not make us ashamed. Our God is a good Father, thank you for giving us double and rescuing us.

Acts 23:23–24:27

God’s purpose will be facilitated

Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. (Acts 23:23, ESV)

Look at the amount of men and resources that have been mobilised to facilitate God’s purpose through Paul’s life. God is able to give us favour and in His providence, make a way for us to fulfil His agenda, through the resources of the world.

Nicknames and Slander

For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. (Acts 24:5, ESV)

The new perspectives on Paul are not new, he has always been seen as an enemy of the Jews. Also note one of our early nicknames, like Christian, was Nazarenes.

Legal argument

Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. (Acts 24:13, ESV)

Paul did not completely abandon his legal argument, he had one and he made it. Know when to use logical reasoning like this.

The same God

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, (Acts 24:14, ESV)

Jews and Christians share the same God. Notice we believe the OT, we do not practise it.

The hope of resurrection

having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. (Acts 24:15, ESV)

Resurrection is central to our Gospel hope and is shared with the Pharisees and Judaism of the day.

Resurrection belief leads to godliness

So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. (Acts 24:16, ESV)

In light of the coming resurrections (plural), we must strive to have a clear conscience before God and man, we must not walk in compromise.

The Explicit Gospel, Unashamed

After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. (Acts 24:24, ESV)

Paul was not ashamed of the explicit Gospel.

Wrestle and Reason

And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” (Acts 24:25, ESV)

We must wrestle and reason with men concerning things of the kingdom and gospel, knowing that this will alarm many, we must still make every effort to reason with them.

Job 30:1–15

Job is mocked

“And now I have become their song; I am a byword to them. (Job 30:9, ESV)

The lowest of men were now making up songs about Job, this shows the extent of his fall and suffering. When someone is going through hard times we should not mock them.

Financial trials

Terrors are turned upon me; my honour is pursued as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed away like a cloud. (Job 30:15, ESV)

Difficulty with finances may be a test of faith rather than the result of sin, discipline or poor stewardship. Trust in God through the trial.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 24

Today’s Reading: Zech 6:1–7:14, Acts 22:22–23:22, Job 29:13–25

Today’s Theme: Use Practical Wisdom and Justice

Today’s theme looks at the pursuit of social justice and the use of practical wisdom. We begin with Jesus the Messiah who branches out and builds God’s true house, the Church. As the body of Christ we should be kind to each other.

In the NT reading we see Paul using the practical everyday wisdom that God has given him, in very difficult circumstances. Finally in Job, we see that Job was like an MP, using his life and influence to pursue justice.

Zechariah 6:1–7:14

Jesus branches out and builds the church

And say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD. (Zechariah 6:12, ESV)

The Branch is a reference to the coming Messiah. Jesus fulfils this prophecy not by rebuilding the temple like Zerubabel did, but by building His church, as He mentions in Matthew 16:18.

Don’t waste your time

“Say to all the people of the land and the priests, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? (Zechariah 7:5, ESV)

If our religious activity is not truly for God, it is a waste of time.

Be kind to each other

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” (Zechariah 7:9–10, ESV)

God wants us to pursue mercy and justice and wants us to be kind to each other.

Acts 22:22–23:22

Know and use the law

But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” (Acts 22:25, ESV)

God led Paul by His Spirit, to use the law of the land to his advantage. Lord, help us to use the law of the land to further the cause of the Gospel.

God will strike

Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” (Acts 23:3, ESV)

Those who oppose the Gospel put themselves in danger of being struck by God.

Be alert and perceptive

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” (Acts 23:6, ESV)

We need to be alert and perceptive like Paul, this was a great strategic move.

Take courage

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:11, ESV)

Jesus himself came to comfort Paul, the Lord wants us to take courage in our stand for Him too.

Practical wisdom

Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” (Acts 23:17, ESV)

Paul used the practical wisdom and common sense that God had given him, he did not go into prayer about this, his actions were quite straightforward.

Job 29:13–25

Job the MP

I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. I broke the fangs of the unrighteous and made him drop his prey from his teeth. (Job 29:15–17, ESV)

Job was no slouch, he lived out his faith in the pursuit of social justice and it seems he had the position and influence to do something about it. We could think of him as a godly MP or Lord today.

Be a councillor

“Men listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel. (Job 29:21, ESV)

Not shy, very wise and respected, Job was the chief of the men of his city. Lord, help us to be people that others can turn to for advice.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 23