FEBRUARY 1, 2022

BIBLE READINGS

Haggai 1:13-15

13Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord. 14So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God, 15on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month. In the second year of King Darius

Hebrews 10:24-25

24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

WORDS that MATTER

Our devotions this week reflect the series THE TIME IS NOW that we have been looking at in our Sunday talks based on Haggai. As I have been reading and rereading this Old Testament prophetic book I keep asking the questions, what does this Bible book have to say to me? To us? To our Community of Jesus? Pastor's questions huh.

Here is what I notice in today's reading from Haggai above, that the first words that God speaks through Haggai, is to announce his presence with his people. Remember, these are the very same people who have built their own "high end" homes instead of rebuilding the Temple, saying it is not time for the temple rebuild. God say "I am with you." Now that's a loving God who is committed to his people. Maybe i am wrong, maybe I am the only one, but I often need the reminder that God is a very real presence in my life, and that even when I get distracted and self-focused, God speaks into my spirit and says "I am with you." Those 4 words matter, don't they?

Do you personally know that God is with you? Pause and answer this question.

How might knowing and believing that God says to you everyday "I am with you" affect the way you live out each day? Take a moment on this .... would it make a difference in your day?

You see Haggai wasn’t suggesting Zerubbabel or Joshua do it on their own. We note above in our reading that God stirred up the spirit of the entire community of God’s people. The whole community was called to be part of the rebuild. God stirred up the spirit of all, to begin to rebuild his house, with the promise of his presence among them. They began to work on Building God's house together.

REFLECT

In what ways can a community of Christ-followers encourage you to live enthusiasically for God?

How might your enthusiasm impact those around you?

Who is in your community? Name them aloud, and thank God for each one.




PRAYER

God, You didn’t just ask us to build Your house. You said, I am with you; build my house. Thank You for being with us. With your strong presence and help we will build your house.

Thank You also, for the encouragement and enthusaism of our community members that "spur us on to love and good deeds" so that at the "proper time, we will reap a harvest."

Amen