Matthew 1

We see in the genealogy of Jesus that Christ had an imperfect bloodline. Ruth was a Moabite. Solomon was the offspring of a woman David committed adultery with. Yet, it pleased God to bring forth the Messiah from an imperfect background and suspicious bloodline.

What about you? Does your family’s past have shadows of disrepute? Like Jesus, you are the beginning of something special God wants to do.

(My cousin, Alan Demos, has discovered that we are descendants of Robert Barker who was the king’s printer in England, and printed the first King James Bible.)

Malachi 3, 4

When reading the text of chapter 3, one is either relieved to be tithing and thereby escaping the consequences of not tithing, or worried about incurring God’s displeasure because they spent HIS MONEY on themselves.

Patty and I resolved this question in the beginning of our marriage. WE TITHE, no questions asked! God has faithfully met all our needs. His blessing far exceeds what we deserve. God can bless in ways you can’t purchase with dollars and cents. His favor we see upon our family is testament enough for us. We encourage every Christian to automatically give the FIRST ten percent (at least) to their church, the storehouse. Our over 51 years of marriage has proven God the be the greatest giver.

Zech. 14; Malachi 1, 2

God issued a reproof to the priests through this prophet … they were unfaithful to their wives. God made it clear that “Godly offspring” was a priority of His. The sanctity and security of a faithful home is the seedbed for Godly children.

We may underestimate the importance of raising of our children to serve the Lord. A Christian School such as Trinity, Bible-based Sunday School, and children’s ministry are tools God provides to parents to assist in this process. A home where marital unfaithfulness exists can damage God’s reputation in the heart of a child.

Zech. 10-13

Sadly, most Jews want NOTHING to do with Christ Jesus, the Messiah. Their God-given natural giftings are applied to other pursuits and they usually find success therein. (Both of my oncologists are Jewish … they are excellent physicians for whom I am grateful)

Zechariah speaks of a day when the Jews will finally see Christ Jesus as their Messiah. It’s as if the blinders will be removed from their eyes. Until then, we gentiles are the recipients of God’s fullness. Nevertheless, we continue to witness to them. Pray for me as I share Christ with my cancer doctors, Dr. Gerald Goldklang and Dr. Scott Solomon. I love and respect them so much.

Zechariah 7-9

This prophet wrote the accurate and insightful words, “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.” Could he have known the consequence of his words? Did he understand that he was predicting that Jesus would enter Jerusalem in this manner? We wonder.

A noble goal for the New Testament Christian is to have a close walk with the Lord through unceasing prayer and daily meditation upon His Word. We can likewise be voices for God. David said, “My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. [Ps. 45:1]

Zechariah 3-6

Zechariah joins Isaiah and Jeremiah in referring to Christ Jesus as God’s Righteous Branch. “He will reign as King.” Zechariah alludes to the temple He will build. [6:12]

We are the temple Christ is building. We are not a “bricks and mortar” building, but we are “being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” [1 Pet. 2:5] We are “lively stones” or stones that are alive. Each stone is essential. Can you imagine a wall with stones missing? No!

Treat your Christian brother and sister as an important, lively stone that has a critical placement in God’s House.

Zechariah 1, 2

This prophet was given an urgent message to tell … “I am coming!” We know that Christ Jesus came to dwell among God’s people. We also know He intends to come again. What a beautiful phrase … Coming Again.

All we have are the prophecies and descriptions given us in God’s Word, but we can be assured that God keeps His promises. Christ Jesus is Coming Again.

In the parable of the ten virgins, we know that readiness is imperative for the believer to fully experience God’s best. We are wise to place spiritual vigilance in the driver’s seat of our daily existence. Prayer and devotion to God’s Word are critical.

Lord Jesus, we be ready!

Haggai 1, 2

Elvis didn’t invent shakin’.

The shakings and refinings of the Lord are a major theme of this minor prophet. When being shook, the Christian can rest assured that whatever is shaken loose was not securely attached. It was of little eternal value.

It’s not pleasant to be shaken. We find comfort knowing that God is the One doing the shaking.

Hold on the those things eternal. Let the rest go.

Zephaniah1-3

After leveling judgement against His people, God forecasts His blessings upon them when they turn from their idolatry and worship Him with purity of heart.

This is the process every Christian goes through to become a new creation in Christ. The way of the transgressor is hard, but the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. [ Prov. 13:15; 4:18]

Christ has removed the sting of death and given us hope of eternal life and a home in Heaven. Jerusalem is nothing special … I’ve been there … but the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven … that will be SPECIAL!

Habakkuk 1-3

This prophet’s attitude toward life’s challenges is exemplary. He had a confidence in God to avenge him and his nation from their adversaries. In fact, he said, “I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come upon the nation invading us.”

While we are still in our dilemma, we can maintain our faith in a God Who will ALWAYS come to our rescue. We wait patiently for our health, our finances, our joy, our heavenly answer.

What do we do while we wait? WE REJOICE IN THE LORD!