Haggai 2 - 4.6.26
SCRIPTURE
Haggai 2:6-9
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
OBERSERVATION
The word of the Lord came to the Prophet Haggai after the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem. The walls of the city and the Temple were completely destroyed by the Babylonians due to the punishment of their sins and disobedience, but God being ever faithful and merciful returned the Jews to the Promise Land to fulfill His promises to Abraham. Although they were allowed to return to Jerusalem and felt a sense of freedom, they’ve witnessed their homeland utterly destroyed and barren, and the Temple was not like it was in its former glory where God’s tangible presence inhabited it. God gave a special word to Haggai that encouraged His people about the coming glory of the rebuilt Temple, and His presence was closer to them than they could imagine. This would be the same Temple that Jesus would come to visit, to teach, and to cleanse centuries later. Now under the New Covenant mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:19, our bodies are all temples of God where the Holy Spirit dwells.
APPLICATION
Just as those who returned from exile under bondage, there were still dark times and hardships that the Jewish people had to face, but the Lord was with them. When we return to God, once being in bondage to sin, life will not be easy, and we will also face dark times and hardships, but the Lord is dwelling in our hearts now. Collectively, we as the Church serve the same faithful and merciful God who will be with us during the challenges that the enemy, the world, or life will throw at us if we continue to fulfill His will.
PRAYER
Lord, I thank You for Your word, full of power and encouragement during the tough times. I thank You for being faithful and merciful. During the dark times in our lives, it may seem like you are far away, but I know that You are closer to us than we can ever imagine. Thank You for inhabiting us and allowing us to be Your Temple where you dwell. I also want to thank You for the laborers that you send in our lives that also encourage us, like the Prophet Haggai did for his people, as we all are partnering with You to build Your kingdom. I ask you, Lord, to continue to work in us and help us to experience You in new ways, Amen.
- Darrence Hamilton
2 Thessalonians 1 - 4.3.26
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Observation:
We are focusing on praying for 10 people. This Scripture stood out to me as the perfect thing to be praying for them.
May God make them worthy of his calling.
May thier desire for goodness come to pass through God’s power
Faith prompting, being the motivation, for their deeds
Jesus name would be glorified in them
They would be glorified in Jesus by God’s grace.
Application:
Paul was writing this so that Christ followers will be ready when Jesus returns.
The time is drawing closer. I want to cover those who need salvation by praying these things over them.
Prayer:
Father God,
Thank you for your amazing plan for us. Please help me to be aware that part of that plan is to continue to pray for those who need to know you. May you make them aware of all you’ve done for them out of love. Please show them how Jesus paid the price for their sin and they can receive the precious gift of salvation. Help them to know how wonderful it is to be called by you. May they desire goodness and allow your power to bring it about. May faith prompt them to do what you are calling them to do. May your name be glorified in them and through them showing your abounding grace.
Amen
- Cindy Howard
1 Thessalonians 5 - 04.02.26
SCRIPTURE
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
OBSERVATION
“pray WITHOUT ceasing,”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB
Pray without Ceasing…sounds impossible..but this is what Paul is saying as evident by his example…never stop praying (NLT).
At anytime (day or night)—in any attire—in any place—in any position—and under any circumstance—prayer is appropriate.
Praying should be a way of life.
An immersive, complete—ongoing never-ending constant communion with God.
Such an unceasing prayer life would require a massive heart shift.
It’s not necessarily saying that we are always verbally involved in prayer.
But we have come to a place where we are so closely connected to God—
that weview everything in life in relation to God.
If we hear of something bad happening,
we react by praying for God to act in the situation
because we know—God cares.
If we hear of something good that has happened,
we respondwith immediate praise to God for it
because—God—is glorified.
Paul’s letters to his churches are perfect written illustrations of his lifestyle. So many of his heartfelt powerful prayers are recorded in his letters. Some of these prayers seem to burst out spontaneously demonstrating his deep love for God AND those God has entrusted to him.
APPLICATION
REJOICE ALWAYS—GIVE THANKS
As I Pray without Ceasing
These three encompass the Heart of Worship
Rejoice Always…
Perhaps somewhere along the way my heart at times can become worldly focused. I may tend to forget the very purpose for this Rejoice. Circumstances never alter The ONE purpose to Rejoice—
The GOOD NEWS.
Jesus has Saved me! My Eternity is Secure— Whatever comes…
I KNOW I can and Will —ALWAYS REJOICE -
“REJOICE in the Lord ALWAYS; again I will say, REJOICE!” (Philippians 4:4 NASB)
Give Thanks IN All Circumstances
We know in this life we WILL face many troubles and trials. Jesus told us it is a certainty. But why are we to GIVE Thanks for these troubles AND is it even humanly possible to Give Thanks in the midst of trials and troubles?
God allows things in our lives to help us grow to be MORE like Christ. We KNOW God works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). That “Good” means that God even uses hardships in our lives to help shape us to Be More Like Christ. We can be Filled with Thanksgiving knowing that there is purpose—even in the difficulties we can’t understand.
God has purposes in everything HE does!
Suffering brings perseverance; perseverance develops character; character that has been tested develops hope; and God’s kind of hope never disappoints.
If God can use suffering and trials to help us mature, then it is worth the experience and our full surrender and worshipful Thanksgiving!
It may not seem humanly possible —but it is God—Possible!
Amen to your WILL, God! amen! Hallelujah all Glory and Thanksgiving be to God!
“I can do all things [which HE has called me to do
through HIM who strengthens and empowers me
to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency;
I am ready for anything and equal to anything through HIM—
who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.”
(Philippians 4:13 AMP)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
Help me to fully yield to YOU and YOUR Will. Forgive me for the times I rush ahead or lag behind. Whatever state I am in…may I Rejoice ALWAYS. Give me a fresh revelation of Your Gospel Love. The pure Goodness that sets captives free. Help me to see everything through the lens of YOUR Love—to pray without ceasing in an uninterrupted communion with YOU Heavenly Father.
Lead me in the way I should go. Thank YOU for YOUR Sovereign Hand that has placed me purposefully where YOU have—on this day. Prepare hearts to receive what YOU have for them today. Prepare my heart to be ready to Go into Your Harvest Field. Here I am Lord Jesus. Send me.
Tina L Kudelka