Category Archives: Chosen

Bible, Chosen, Covenant, Emotions, God's Will, Heart, Love, Relationships, Scripture

I LOVE YOU

MALACHI 1:2

“‘I have loved you,’” says the LORD. ‘But you say, “How have You loved us?” Was Esau not Jacob’s brother?’ declares the LORD. ‘Yet I have loved Jacob;’” 

I honestly don’t remember the first time I told my wife, “I love you.” Before you start sending me emails (lol), it was a quick courtship. She knew she was going to marry me after our first date. I knew after the second, and I asked her to marry me on the third. God told us both to commit to each other. Our love blossomed quickly. I tell her daily that I love her because she needs to hear it and I need to say it.

I just love how the Lord starts his message to Israel by saying, “I have loved you.” In the Hebrew that is only two words, but two finer words could not have been written. The Hebrew word for “love” used here is the same word used in Deuteronomy 6:5. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Just as He loves, we are to love.

APPLICATION

1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love, because He first loved us.” Of course, we love Him. Look what He has done for us. He created us in His image. He gave us the Law to point us toward loving Him and loving others. He sent His only Son to die for us to show His love. What else do people need to see in order to see His love.

You have probably heard people say, “How could a loving God send anyone to hell?” The bottom line is – God does not do that. He is loving them and offering them a way of escape. Only their unrepentant hearts lead them to hell. God is love, we are told in 1 John 4:16. “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

Do you know His love today? I pray you do. If you have not experienced the depths of His love, come to Him. Perhaps there is someone in your life who needs His love. Show them His love by the way you love them. God still uses people to perform His works. Love well.

God, You are love, and I want to dwell in it.

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Bible, Blood, Chosen, God's Will, Holiness, Holy, Offering, Scripture

HOLY TO THE LORD

ZECHARIAH 14:20

“On that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, ‘HOLY TO THE LORD.’ And the cooking pots in the LORD’S house will be like the bowls before the altar.”

It seems everyone is trying “normalize” everything. Things we thought were abnormal a generation ago are now mainstream. Same sex marriage has been made equal with normal heterosexual marriage. Pregnancy before marriage is now accepted. Nobody bats an eye. We have “dumbed” down society to a level that is hardly recognizable.

That is not what is happening in today’s verse. In verse 20 of Zechariah 14, Zechariah is bringing these everyday items up to a level of holiness. Holiness isn’t brought down to their level. They are lifted up. That is exactly what the Lord does for us, isn’t it? He lifts us up out of the mirey clay, cleanses us and places us in the heavenlies.

APPLICATION

We need to do the same. We need to reach down and pull up the things that are unholy, change them through Jesus and declare them holy. 2 Timothy 2:21 says, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” Whew! Wow! “Useful to the Master.”

Let me ask you something. Are you useful for the master? Just like the bells on the horses and the cooking pots will be made holy, you may also be made holy through the blood of the Lamb. He wants to use you for His special tasks. He has plans for you. And He needs you to be a holy vessel, worthy of Him.

The great thing about us being holy is it is not up to us. We don’t have to do a bunch of works to earn it. We don’t have to keep 613 laws, drawn up by fallible men. We only have to rely on His holiness. We simply submit and let His holiness pour over us. Are you ready for some holiness on you?

Father, You are holy so I want to be holy. Use me as Your vessel.

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Allies, Bible, Chosen, Enemies, Fighting, God's Will, Purpose, Scripture

ME TOO

ZECHARIAH 14:14

“Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered, gold, silver, and garments in great abundance.”

Being included is important. No one wants to be left out and alone, right? When your teenager goes to the school dance, they don’t want to go alone. They want to be part of a group or with a date. When you go to a ballgame, you normally go with someone. You want to be included and not left out. It’s just a normal, human desire.

The same will hold true on the day described in Zechariah 14. Here in verse 14, we see Judah coming to the fight at Jerusalem. Of course, they want to be included in this fight. After all, the Messiah came through the line of Judah. They have a vested interest in this fight. And for their efforts they will be rewarded with the spoils of war, the verse says.

APPLICATION

You are included! You are not left out. You are part of God’s overarching plan. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” He wants you to come to Him. He wants all to come to Him.

You play a part in that. Just as soon as you come into the family of God, you have a part to play. Just like Judah will come to fight on behalf of Jerusalem against all its enemies, you have a role in the army of God. He may send you to some remote location in the world to help reach a lost people group. Or He may send you across the street to reach your lost neighbor. Either way, you have a part to play.

I remember my freshman year in high school playing on the varsity football team. Mind you, all freshmen dressed out for the game, but none of us were guaranteed playing time. I, however, was a big kid, so I actually got to play in a few games, enough to letter. I would stand by the coaches, hoping to hear them call my name. Put me in coach. I want to play. Are you saying that to Jesus?

I am so thankful to be included in Your family and Your army. Put me in Jesus.

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