Category Archives: Battles

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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Battles, Bible, Defeat, Famine, God's Will, Judgment, Persecution, Prophesy, Scripture

JUST WHAT DO THESE COLORS MEAN?

ZECHARIAH 6:2

“With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses,”

If you know anything about me, you know that these two colors, red and black, mean one thing to me. Go DAWGS! The University of Georgia’s colors are red and black. I went to school there and have cheered for our teams ever since. In my office and in my wardrobe, there are a lot of red and black things. Some people say I bleed red and black. I am sure that’s quite true, lol.

We’ll look at the colors of the horses today and tomorrow and see what they represented in the vision of Zechariah. The first one is the red horse. Scholars pretty much agree that this represents the bloody empire of Babylon. They were known for their ferociousness in battle. And the black horse symbolized the Persian (Medes and Persians) empire which also brought in famine and death. We’ll see the other two horses tomorrow.

APPLICATION

Okay Carl, what can you get out of this verse to apply to our lives? Well, let’s see. Both of these horses represented empire that had defeated Israel and had been used by God to judge the nation. So, what has defeated you? What has caused you a spiritual famine? We have all faced those times.

In my life, I can point to one thing that has caused defeat and famine. When I stop having my daily Quiet Times with the Lord, my world begins to fall apart. I stop seeing things like God sees them. I become selfish and self-centered. I long for the things of the world. That always brings spiritual defeat and famine.

It is so important for us to spend time every day with Jesus. Read John 15 today. Make a note at the number of times the word “remain” or “abide” appears in that chapter. Do you not think it is important? You have got to spend time with Him to stay attached to Him. Then and only then will you ward off that defeat and famine. Will you still have tough times? Sure, but He will be with you. Do not fear!

Father, I know through You I can walk victorious every day.

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Appearance, Battles, Bible, Confession, Deception, Evil, Forgiveness, Judgment, Salvation, Scripture, Sin

THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL

ZECHARIAH 5:6

“And I said, ‘What is it?’ Then he said, ‘This is the ephah going forth.’ Again he said, ‘This is their appearance in all the land.’”

Let me begin this blog by saying that I cannot get the picture of our world right now as it relates to this verse out of my mind. Every day when I walk around our city, I see the appearance of evil. Maybe the Lord has just given me spiritual eyes right now. I do not want to sound judgmental. Believe me, I know my sins stink just as bad. But there just seems to be a flaunting of sin all around us.

God, through the angel, is showing Zechariah the ephah, the measuring basket, that is full of the people’s sins. They had been unrepentant. Their sins were rampant. They had reached a full measure demanding justice. Some scholars equate the use of the ephah with their sin of stealing mentioned earlier since they would use it falsely for measuring grain to sell.

APPLICATION

I recall my late brother-in-law telling me that the older he got, the more he saw how sinful he was. The light exposes sin, and the closer we get to it, the more we see it. Look at the words of Paul in Ephesians 5:11-13. “11 Do not participate in the useless deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.”

Our sins will be exposed one day. As a matter of fact, they are exposed now to God. He knows everything we do. I love verse 8 in Psalm 90 which says, “You have placed our guilty deeds before You, our hidden sins in the light of Your presence.” Actually, I don’t really love that verse, but you know what I mean.

Don’t let your sins fill the ephah. Empty them out every day. Confess them to the Lord and seek His forgiveness. If you are not a believer in Jesus, come to Him now and receive forgiveness and eternal life. If you are a believer, purify your heart and walk in holiness today.

Cleanse me, Father, and let me walk hand in hand with You today.

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Angels, Battles, Belief, Bible, Defense, Fighting, Glory, Protection, Scripture

WATCH THE BATTLE

ZECHARIAH 1:21

“And I said, ‘What are these coming to do?’ And he said, ‘These are the horns that have scattered Judah so that no one lifts up his head; but these craftsmen have come to frighten them, to throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.’”

Have you ever watched a good fight? I remember the old Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier fights. I particularly remember all of us boys talking about it for days before it happened. The night of the fight we would often all get together at one our houses to watch these two men duke it out for the Heavy Weight Championship. Blow after blow fell until one of them was crowned the champion.

The horns and the craftsmen are going to “throw down” according to the angel who is talking to Zechariah here in verse 21 of chapter 1. A cosmic battle is taking place for Israel. Zechariah is watching it happen before it happens. We, of course, know the result of this battle. Israel was restored and is still among us today.

APPLICATION

Oh, the battles that are going on right now in heaven on your behalf! You can’t see them, but you can be reassured that they are happening. How do I know? Because the Word tells us so. Deuteronomy 20:4 says, “for the LORD your God is the One who is going with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”

How about the story of Elijah and his servant in 2 Kings 6? “15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, ‘This is hopeless, my master! What are we to do?’ 16 And he said, ‘Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.’ 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘LORD, please, open his eyes so that he may see.’ And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 

Unseen to you right now are hordes of angels in heaven and our Lord sitting on His throne. At His command they soar to earth to battle our adversaries. You don’t believe this? Just ask the Lord. He defends His own. If you are one of His children, He will come to your aid. He will “throw down” those horns in your life.

Father, I trust You to protect me and keep me.

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Battles, Bible, Defense, Husbands, Jealousy, Love, Rescue, Scripture

A JEALOUS GOD

ZECHARIAH 1:14

“So the angel who was speaking with me said to me, ‘Proclaim, saying, This is what the LORD of armies says: “I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.”’” 

Jealousy is often portrayed as a bad thing. Sure, jealousy can make us do stupid things. It can lead us to lash out at others. But I want you to know that I am jealous – for my wife. Just let some other man look at her the wrong way. My jealousy erupts to protect and defend her. My love for her will allow nothing else. Proverbs 6:34 warns me though against any extreme reaction. “For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.”

God is saying to the people through the angel and then through Zechariah that He is a jealous God. Matthew Poole says this about verse 14. “I have been jealous against, but now am jealous for Jerusalem; my love is now heightened to a very high degree of compassion for my people, and of indignation against her enemies and oppressors.”

APPLICATION

That’s how God feels about you now. He is a jealous God. He loves you with an everlasting love. He will rise up against your enemies to defend you. He will guard and protect you. You belong to Him, and nothing can change that. Once you have given your life to Jesus, that covenant is sealed. You may be attacked. You may suffer at times. But God is there to bring you through.

What are you jealous about? You have no right to be. Acts 7:9 shows us a negative result of jealousy. “‘The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him,’” You know the story of Joseph. He was sold as a slave, falsely accused by his master’s wife, sent to prison, forgotten about for a couple of years and then finally put into power by Pharoah.

You are probably thinking you are quite sure about that kind of rescue. Well, honestly, I would prefer a different route to freedom also. But I trust my God, who loves me jealously, to have my back. I may not approve of His methods, but I trust His purpose. Do you? Will you come all this jealous God to love you for eternity? He is waiting for your response.

Lord, Your jealousy over me is not sinful. It is pure and holy.

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Accountability, Allies, Battles, Bible, Comfort, Friends, Laughter, Relationships, Scripture

ANOTHER PROPHET

ZECHARIAH 1:1

“In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying,” 

You have probably heard the saying “Two are better than one.” I had rather have someone with me when I am traveling so we can give each other a break when driving. Climbers will often have a companion with them as they transverse a difficult mountain in case they need a belay. I believe God made us to need others in our lives.

Well, we are beginning a new book today which will take us several months to complete. Zechariah, by whom this book is named, was a contemporary of Haggai, the book we just finished. These two prophets were both relaying God’s message to His people. I am sure, in a country no bigger than Israel, they knew each other or at least of each other’s message. Perhaps they encouraged each other. Hang with me as we look at these 211 verses in this book, the longest of the minor prophets.

APPLICATION

Who is your companion in your walk with Christ? It may be your spouse or a close friend (those could be the same person). Perhaps it is a mentor. Whomever it is, thank the Lord for that person right now. We all need someone on this journey. In the ministry I am a part of, Every Man A Warrior, we teach men that they need other men in their lives to hold them accountable, to be their allies in the battles of life and to encourage them.

Maybe you’re saying Carl, I don’t have anyone in my life right now to come alongside me. Then find someone. You may be needed in the life of someone. You need someone to cry with and to laugh with. My wife and I have friends with whom we can do that. What a comfort they are to us. Ask the Lord to show you that person or persons.

Through the years I have had the privilege to minister with a lot of different people from all over the world. I have been blessed by them and hopefully I have been a blessing to them. I am sure Haggai and Zechariah were like that, if only for a little while. But above all, I have the Lord Jesus who is always with me. He can be your best friend too.

Thank You, Lord, for putting others in my life to do life with. I know You sent them to help me walk closer to You.

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Battles, Bible, Courage, Defense, Enemies, Protection, Scripture

THEY ARE ALL GOING DOWN

HAGGAI 2:22

“‘And I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots and their riders, and the horses and their riders will go down, every one by the sword of another.’”

When I played football in high school, I was bad about trash talking the opponent. I would get in front of a guy and say things like “You are mine!” or “You’re going down.” I would say just about anything to try to intimidate them. Of course, then I would proceed to hit them as hard as I could on the next play. Trash talk is nothing new. Goliath did it to the Israelite army. Jonathan faced it the day he climbed the hill with his companion.

God is doing some trash talking here in verse 22. Now, I’m not being sacrilegious. The difference is no one doubted His ability to do just what He said He was going to do. He wasn’t bragging. He was stating a fact. He was going to destroy the enemies of Israel. Every soldier and chariot would go down. I bet the Israelites who heard this message from Haggai were jubilant!

APPLICATION

Wouldn’t it be nice if God still did that? Do you have a “hit list” of individuals you wish God would take down? Be honest. Well, that’s a matter for another blog. But He does still defend us and if necessary, take down our enemies. One of my favorite verses is Exodus 14:14 (which I have shared before). It says, “The Lord will fight for you while you remain silent.” Hmm, that’s the hard part – staying silent.

Another passage is Deuteronomy 20:4. “‘For the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’” Do a search for God’s protection. You will be amazed at the number of verses you will find. What will that tell you? That God has your back. He will defend you. He may not step right when you want Him to, but He will in His perfect time.

Let me tell you something else I got out this verse. I don’t want to be one of those enemies in God’s cross hairs. I don’t want to be that person someone else is asking God to take down. To prevent that I have to stay connected to the Lord. I have to be centered in His will. So, if someone does try to ask the Lord to destroy me, He can respond back, “You’ve got the wrong person. I know that guy. He’s alright.” Would He say that about you?

Father, thanks for Your protection. I know You are always there to defend me.

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Abiding, Battles, Bible, Foundation, Scripture, Shaken, Trust

SHAKE IT UP

HAGGAI 2:6

“For this is what the LORD of armies says: ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.’”

When I was a little boy, a new cooking product called “Shake and Bake” came out. It was a seasoned bread crumb coating originally marketed to mimic the flavor and texture of Southern fried chicken. It was introduced in 1965 by General Foods. I have got to tell you, it did NOT mimic Southern fried chicken. My mama’s fried chicken was the best. She tried that new product, but quickly went back to her recipe.

Now, how does that story tie in with our verse today? There is only One who can truly shake the heavens and the earth. Others may try to “shake things up,” but only God has that power. This shaking wasn’t about a physical shaking by earthquakes or volcanoes. This was a shaking of all that existed so that the shaken things would be dissolved and only what was solid would remain. Only what was of God was firm and unshaken. That was the message to the people. Get grounded. Stay firmly planted.

APPLICATION

I vividly remember a video I took of a woman in Liberia shaking off the chaff from the rice she had just pounded to break it up. She poured the pounded rice into a shallow wicker tray and would shake it and toss it into the air. The wind would blow away the husks and only the rice grain would remain. It was fascinating to watch.

That is the image I want you to see today as you read this verse. What are you – the rice or the husk? Will the winds of discontent blow you away? In Matthew 7 we are told the story of the two houses that were built on sand and a firm foundation. When the winds came in the storm, one house remained – the one built on a solid foundation.

How firm is your foundation? Shakings occur in our life. There are times when it seems everything around us will fall. But if we remain firmly rooted in Him, we can weather any storm. Dig deep. Pour a firm foundation. And when the shakings come, trust in Him. Only He can get you through.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”

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Battles, Bible, Courage, Encouragement, Labor, Mentoring, Modeling, Scripture

TAKE COURAGE

HAGGAI 2:4

“‘But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the LORD of armies.”

We all need encouragement from time to time. We all need people in our lives who can do that. I am so blessed that I have several people who serve in that role. There are a few, trusted friends who will come alongside me come thick or thin. They will tell me to take courage and keep fighting. I don’t get down very often, but when I do, I know I can turn to them for comfort.

Haggai pens these words of the Lord and tells Zerubbabel, Joshua and the people to take courage. He uses that phrase three times. But look at the end of the verse. He adds, “and work.” Similar words are used two other places. David tells his son, Solomon, these same words twice in 1 Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 28:10 reads, “‘Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.’” Verse 20 says, “Then David said to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.’” 

APPLICATION

God will give us the courage to act. Courage demands action. What is the purpose of courage unless we are stepping up to a challenge? Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the ability to act in the face of fear. If the Lord has given us the courage we asked for, then we need to step out in faith and believe He will continue to encourage us in the process.

The people of Israel probably needed constant encouragement as they repaired the temple. It is hard to see results when you are working on it day by day. I love to see before and after pictures of projects. What you don’t see is the daily grind. That daily grind requires someone to say, “Take courage and work.”

There are many times I have the privilege to tell someone to take courage. I may not use those exact words, but that is the message. Encouragement comes in all forms. How has God gifted you to show that to someone? Ask the Lord today if there is someone in your life who needs to hear those words – take courage and work.

Be strong and take courage. Do not fear or be dismayed.

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Accountability, Battles, Bible, Commands, Danger, Destruction, God's Will, Scripture

I HUFF AND I PUFF

HAGGAI 1:9

“‘You start an ambitious project, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?’ declares the LORD of armies. ‘It is because of My house which remains desolate, while each of you runs to his own house.’”

Call me weird (many people have), but when I read this verse, I immediately thought of the children’s story about the big, bad wolf who huffed and puffed and blew down the houses of the little piggies. Their houses fell, of course, because they were built of inferior products (straw and sticks). But even the little piggie house built out of brick could not have withstood the breath of God.

We may think we are building something, but if it is not according to God’s will, it will not last. Here in verse 9, we see that. Because they had neglected God’s house, their houses would not stand. Because they had been disobedient, He would “blow it away.” They were so concerned about their own stuff and had no regard for the things of God.

APPLICATION

Look at these words from James 4:13-15. “13 Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” 

Get the picture? Our plans don’t matter. I heard a quote this weekend which is worth repeating. “God doesn’t care if you make Him part of your plan. He wants to make you part of His.” Are you part of His plan? Are you focusing on Him and not you? He has such great plans for your life. Believe that! He wants to use you.

So, how do we neglect God’s house today? By not giving. By not serving. By not obeying. All those are signs of neglect. And just like a physical house will fall down from lack of care, our spiritual house will collapse also if it is not properly cared for. Watch out for those signs of spiritual rot and decay. Be proactive, not reactive.

O Lord, I want to care for Your house. I want to be that servant who is diligent and faithful.

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