Category Archives: Abiding

Abiding, Advocate, Bible, Direction, Faithfulness, Following, God's Will, Obedience, Scripture

HALFWAY THERE

ZECHARIAH 7:1

“In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.”

Often when I travel, I will look up the halfway point of the trip. I like to plan where I can stop and lodge for the night or check out any cool landmarks. If the trip is several hours long, this halfway spot will give me a chance to stretch my legs and maybe get something to eat. I also like knowing that I am halfway to my destination.

What you may not can tell from the dates mentioned in verse 1 of chapter 7 is this marked about the halfway point from the beginning of the temple rebuild until it was finished. It had been two years since they started. The temple was taking shape, and the people were probably getting more excited about its completion, which was still two years away. But progress was being made.

APPLICATION

Spiritually speaking, how far along are you in your growth? One tenth? Halfway? Philippians 2:13 says, “for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.” How far along we are spiritually has a lot less to do with us than it does with God. As Paul said in that verse in Philippians, “it is God who is at work in you.”

Just like in my physical journeys, I won’t get to my destination unless I continue on my path. Spiritually, I don’t want to stop halfway. I want to go all the way with Jesus. I want Him to work in and through me to make me exactly what He wants me to be. That may require me to change the direction I am going. That’s okay because I want to be on the path the Lord is on.

Let me ask you another question. Where do you WANT to be on your spiritual journey? Have you given that much thought? God has. He wants you right by His side and He leads you each step. He will not force you to take this journey, but He promises to be with you if you do. Come on, let’s get going.

Wherever You lead I’ll go, Wherever You lead I’ll go!

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Abiding, Battles, Bible, Choices, Obedience, Scripture, Self-control, Submission

OBEY

ZECHARIAH 6:15

“‘Those who are far away will come and build the temple of the LORD.’ Then you will know that the LORD of armies has sent me to you. And it will take place if you completely obey the LORD your God.”

As a child, I did not always obey my parents. I misbehaved in school. I made some horrible decisions as a teen. I knew what my parents expected of me. They made that perfectly clear. However, my flesh got in the way. I simply chose to disobey. Some of those decisions were costly. Others I got away with (or so it appeared).

What does it mean to completely obey? Zechariah is warning the people that all the promises God has made to them will ONLY come to be if they obey Him fully. God doesn’t allow half-hearted commitments. It’s kind of like being “kind of” pregnant. Not so much. You are or you’re not.

APPLICATION

Obedience is that way. God expects us to obey all the time, not just when we feel like it. It’s interesting that, in the Hebrew, “completely” and “obey” come from the same root word for “hear attentively.” In English it would read, “if you hear hear the Lord your God.” Get the picture? You need to really listen, so you can obey.

What do you need to “hear hear” from the Lord today? I love what Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 7:23. “‘But this is what I commanded them, saying, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you shall walk entirely in the way which I command you, so that it may go well for you.”’”

God doesn’t measure out His love based on our level of obedience. Aren’t you glad? But He does desire our obedience. Let’s show the Lord today that we love Him by obeying His Word. Let’s show the world that we are consistent in our obedience to Him. He can use our obedience to draw others to Himself.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.

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Abiding, Bible, Blessing, Commitment, Decisions, Following, Gospel, Loyalty, Memorials, Salvation, Scripture

A MEMORIAL

ZECHARIAH 6:14

“‘Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the LORD to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.’”

Have you ever put something aside as a reminder? I have. In fact, I could probably still find some of those things if I dug for them. That’s just my point. The things we think are so important at the time are really not. They will not last. We tend to put way too much value on things that are temporal. Instead, we should be laying up treasures in heaven.

The Lord tells Zechariah that this crown upon Joshua’s head will become a memorial, a reminder to the people. Back in verse 10, these individuals named here are first brought to our attention. Most scholars believe Helem and Hen are the same as Heldai in verse 10. The crown stands for God’s rule and reign in their lives as Priest and King. God seems to be saying, “Don’t forget this.”

APPLICATION

What is the key moment in your life when you gave your heart and mind to Christ? When did you finally surrender to His call? Think back to that time when you prayed to receive Christ’s offer of salvation. That is a memorial! That is a marker, a milestone. Mark it! Nail it down! You need to remember that moment.

Well Carl, I just kind of grew into Christ. Well, I have to disagree. Just because you are born in a garden you don’t grow into a turnip, do you? God calls each of us to Himself. I love that ole hymn that says, “Have you heard the Savior calling?” Revelation 3:20 tells us, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

There is a moment when you felt that call, when you heard that knock. Ask the Lord to show you when that was, if you are not sure. Why am I stressing this? Because we need those markers in our lives. As we share our story with others those markers give us our talking points. Use them to show others what He has done for you and what He can do for them.

I heard Your call and answered, Lord. Now, use me to glorify You.

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A BRANCH

ZECHARIAH 6:12

“‘Then say to him, “The LORD of armies says this: ‘Behold, there is a Man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD.’”’”

When I hear the word “branch” I think of a couple of things – a small stream or creek and a tree limb. Let’s stick with the second idea for today’s verse. Tree limb or branch – can’t you just see that right now? It reaches out to bear fruit or provide shade, depending on the type of tree it is.

But the word used here in Zechariah 6:12 for branch is the Hebrew word tsemach. It means a bud or a sprout. The same word is used in Jeremiah 23:5. “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch;’” We all know Who that is pointing to, don’t we? Jesus, our Messiah.

APPLICATION

The Hebrew meaning really changes how I look at this verse. Jesus started as a lowly, little sprout – a baby. But He grew into a man – the God Man. He is the one referred to here in verse 12, not Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, as some think. Sure, Zerubbabel was the one lauded for rebuilding the physical temple in Jerusalem. But it did not last, did it? It was destroyed.

Jesus built the spiritual temple, which can never be destroyed. This Branch of David is the one responsible for the eternal stones that were laid. I love how Peter describes us as part of this structure. 1 Peter 2:5 says, “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Because of my acceptance as Jesus as my Branch, my Savior, My Lord, I have been made a part of the spiritual house. My sacrifices to Him are daily. I offer myself upon the altar daily to be used as He sees fit. A sacrifice’s job is to just lay on the altar, not to give input on how it is used. The High Priest – Jesus – decides that. He is our Branch.

You are my Branch, O God. You delivered me through Your sacrifice.

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Abiding, Advocate, Attitude, Bible, Blessing, Glory, God's Will, Promises, Scripture

LOOK AT WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE

ZECHARIAH 6:10

“‘Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah; and you shall go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon.’”

Too often we overlook the work of the Lord in our lives. We either don’t think He is working, or we think we have somehow accomplished this ourselves. How foolish! I am guilty of this. I know you are shocked, right? I want the credit, or I want to complain. I needed to be reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness today in this verse.

Take a look at the names mentioned in today’s verse. Heldai means “the Lord’s world.” Tobijah means “the Lord is my good.” Jedaiah means “God knows.” Josiah means “the Lord supports.” And Zephaniah means “the Lord hides.” Aren’t those great reminders that the Lord is active and working? These instructions the Lord gives Zechariah all relate to these five individuals whose names all point back to God.

APPLICATION

How is the Lord working in your life? Well Carl, I just don’t see the Lord doing anything in my life. Really? Did you wake up this morning? Psalm 3:5 says, “I lie down to sleep, I awake again because the Lord sustains me.” Hmmm. Did you eat yesterday? How about your health? Is it good? All these are signs the Lord is working.

The Lord has a vested interest in our daily lives. He wants us to live in such a way that points back to Him. Why? To glorify His name and bring others into the kingdom. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 tells us this. “…so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” Are you doing that? I ask myself that question each day.

Will you live today in a manner that reflects that this is the Lord’s world, that He is your good, that He knows, that He supports, and that He hides His Word in your heart? He wants that for you. I want that for you. Decide right now to do that. That will definitely please the Father.

You are at work in my heart today, O Lord. Help me show others the way.

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Abiding, Bible, Dominion, Fighting, God's Will, Indwelling, Love, Protection, Scripture

DOMINATION

ZECHARIAH 6:7

“When the strong ones went out, they were eager to go to patrol the earth. And He said, ‘Go, patrol the earth.’ So they patrolled the earth.”

When I was in high school, I played football. We were a small school and normally only had 25-30 players. I usually played both offense and defense, only getting off the field at half-time or the end of the game. We played one school from Alabama that was probably three times our size. Needless to say, we were completely dominated by this team. Their size, strength numbers just overwhelmed us.

The same is true for the “strong ones” mentioned here in verse 7. These “strong ones” represented the Roman Empire, which we know dominated the known world. They were a force that most nations had no chance against. Their numbers and the force of their fighting were too much. So, the mention of them patrolling the earth is a reference to this domination.

APPLICATION

Before you get worried about being dominated, let me put your mind at ease. As a child of the King, we know He has complete domination. The difference between His domination and Rome’s is God dominates with love. You can’t discuss God’s love without referring to 1 Corinthians 13. “4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, 6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails;…”

When we give our hearts to Jesus, God sends His Holy Spirit to fill us. That Spirit reminds us over and over about God’s amazing love. On those days when you are feeling low, remember just how much He loves you. Listen to the Word of God again in Romans 8:38-39. “38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God’s dominating love! It gives us hope. It conquers fears. It brings us peace. I pray you know His love today. If you don’t, ask Him to come into your life today as you confess your sins and accept Jesus as your Savior. You will never be the same.

Love lifted me, love lifted me. When nothing else could help, love lifted me.

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DIRECTION

ZECHARIAH 6:6

“with one of which the black horses are going out to the north country; and the white ones are to go out after them, while the spotted ones are to go out to the south country.”

Following a map is a skill everyone needs to learn. With the emergence of Mapquest and Google Maps, people have no idea how to use a map. But maps don’t require a smart phoneor a data plan. Could you read a paper map if you needed to? We need to know where we are going if we hope to get there.

In verse 6, we see the white, black and speckled horses going north and south. This was a message to the people about their conquerors. Two are going north (Babylon and the Greeks.) The Roman empire would go south to conquer Egypt. It’s not so important where they are going. It was more about who is sending them. The Lord God is controlling them and sending them where he wishes.

APPLICATION

If the Lord told you today to load up your “chariot” and head to some other city or country, would you go? There is no mention of these empires rebuffing God’s direction. They probably were not even aware that He was using them. God can use you the same way. These words from Eliphaz the Tenamite to Job holds true for us. “‘Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.’”

When we submit to His will, we become a useable vessel. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be put on a shelf. I want to be used. That may mean that I pack my chariot and follow where He leads. I am not guaranteed anything. We are just told to yield to His authority. He decides what direction is best for us.

Back in the 1980’s, I was called to serve an agency in another state. Let me just say, it wasn’t what we expected. But looking back now after almost 40 years, I can see how the Lord used this in my life. Is God trying to get you to go somewhere? Just say yes and follow.

Where You lead me I will follow. Where You lead me I will follow.

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Abiding, Appearance, Bible, End Times, Following, God's Will, Messages, Scripture

SENT BY THE LORD

ZECHARIAH 6:5

“The angel replied to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out after taking their stand before the Lord of all the earth,”

Years ago, I used to go to Washington, D.C. to lobby for issues that involved children. I was sent by the agency I worked with or another childcare agency. My role was to represent the group that sent me. I was to argue for their needs, not my own.

These four spirits (which we saw in the horses and chariots) had been “taking a stand before the Lord.” So, we must believe that they were receiving their orders. Why was this important? Because the people needed to know that God was aware of what had been happening and what would happen. These four spirits could only do what He allowed.

APPLICATION

Just like those four spirits, we may be sent by the Lord to accomplish His mission. Now, we don’t physically stand before the Lord in heaven, but we do stand before Him, don’t we?  Ephesian 6:14 says, “Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,” Who do you think is dressing you for battle?

We come to the Lord and stand before His holy throne every day as we pray and study His Word. You may be seated at your table or physically laying prostrate on the floor, but you are spiritually standing before His throne. Listen closely. You don’t want to miss His order. He wants to send you out.

I have received lots of orders in my lifetime from various bosses or supervisors. Some I did not like. Others I was okay with. But what I thought really didn’t matter. When I stand before my Lord, I will receive whatever He gives me. I will do my best to follow His command. I don’t always do it well, but I am trying. What is the order you have from the Lord? Can you hear Him?

I will serve only You, O Lord. It is You I want to follow.

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THE VISIONS KEEP COMING

ZECHARIAH 5:5

“Then the angel who had been speaking with me went out and said to me, ‘Now raise your eyes and see what this is that is going forth.”

Sometimes it feels like something will never end – like a tennis match on tv, lol. My wife loves to watch tennis. She played a lot of it years ago and just loves to watch matches. But for me, they seem to just keep going and going. It seems they are almost done and then it continues.

Zechariah must have felt like that. He gets through with one vision and here comes another. We are going to see this vision over the next few days. But I want you to notice something in this verse. The angel tells Zechariah to raise his eyes and see. He knew Zechariah had seen a lot and maybe was a little tired. So, he directed his eyes to this next vision. He wanted to make sure he was looking.

APPLICATION

Where are you looking? Are your eyes wandering? In order to see what the Lord would have us do we have to be looking at Him. We can’t be distracted. Oh, that is a ploy of the devil. He wants to get our eyes off of Jesus. He wants us to look at anything other than Him.

Isaiah 45:22 tells us, “‘Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.’” Wow! God wants us to look at Him. He says, “Look to Me.” There is no other means for salvation. It only comes through Him There is no other source for direction. He points us in the right way. Where are you looking?

For most of my teenage years, my eyes were looking inwards. I wanted to please myself. I wanted what I wanted. It was not until I met my Master at age 16 that I started looking at Him. There have been days since when my eyes have gotten turned. But thanks be to God, He has never moved. He is there, waiting for me to look towards Him again. My eyes are fixed now.

Fix my eyes only on You, O God. I do not want any other view.

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Abiding, Bible, Following, Light, Scripture

UNENDING

ZECHARIAH 4:11

“Then I said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?’”

I just arrived home from a couple of weeks out of the country. One thing I know about international travel – you have to have fuel. Not only do the planes, trains or automobiles you use have to have it, but so do you. Man, I’m tired. I was pretty much doing something every day I was there, which I prefer. But boy, I needed fuel.

These two lampstands were mentioned earlier in this vision. When I wrote about them in an earlier blog, I mentioned that they were the source of oil for the bowl on top of the lampstand, giving it an unending source of oil to keep the seven lamps burning. It was a symbol of God’s unending source for the nation. He was always there and always would be there.

APPLICATION

Aren’t you glad He is your unending source? As a child of the Father, we have His unending love. Jeremiah 31:3a says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love;” We have His unending protection. In Psalm 61:4 we are told, “Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.”
We have His unending Spirit residing within us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”

We have no reason to be tired spiritually because the source of our spiritual energy is not of ourselves. It is from God. He energizes us. When we get spiritually tired, check out which power source you are plugged into – yourself or God. Hmmm, that gave me a gut check, especially coming home from this trip.

The light of Christ shines through you not because of your efforts. There is nothing you can do to make that flame brighter except…die to yourself and let more of Him shine. Just like those lamps on that lampstand could not shine without that source of oil that flowed into them, neither can you shine brightly unless you allow Jesus to flow through you.

Flow through me, Lord Jesus. Let Your light shine brightly.

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