Category Archives: God’s Will

Belief, Bible, Calling, Courage, Deliverance, Fear, God's Will, Scripture, Trust

DEEP WATER

ZECHARIAH 10:11

“And they will pass through the sea of distress and He will strike the waves in the sea, so that all the depths of the Nile will dry up; and the pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.”

I was recently at a hotel where they had this beautiful pool. Actually, they had two pools, one shallow and one deep. At the end of that deep pool was a diving tower with three levels. The top level had to be at least twenty feet high. Did that stop the kids from climbing up and jumping off? Not a bit. That deep water below was not scary at all. Why was that? Because they knew there was someone watching out for them – their parents. They would not hesitate to jump in to rescue them if their children were in danger.

Why am I talking about pools? Today’s verse refers to the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea and the Jordan River on dry ground. Listen to what Isaiah says in 43:2. “When you walk through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. And shall smite the waves in the sea.” These waters are a symbol of the afflictions they would face, but God would bring them through. He is always standing by watching over His children.

APPLICATION

I have faced afflictions in my life where I felt I was underwater. I was drowning in self-pity, worry and doubt. I did not see a way out. Have you experienced that? But here I am, years later, and God is still using me. I don’t understand how He does it, but He rescues me each and every time. He knows my need way before I know it.

We should not be afraid of deep waters, of challenges that lie ahead. If God is calling you into the waters, He has a life vest just your size. In fact, He has tailormade it just for you. It’s not a used, worn out vest. Are you in over your head? Call out for Him right now.

Sometimes the Lord asks me to just dip my toe in that water. Other times He tells me to jump headfirst. I may have to wade or swim. But one thing I know – He is right there with me. The Lord “will strike the waves in the sea” at just the right time. He has been preparing me for these waters. I shall not be afraid.

Father God, lead me to the water’s edge and let me hear Your voice when to proceed.

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Abiding, Abundance, Bible, Boasting, Brokenness, Dependence, Enslavement, Filled, Glorify, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Promises, Scripture

FILLED UP

ZECHARIAH 10:10

“I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them from Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon until no room can be found for them.”

I have fond memories of family gatherings at my Grandma Carter’s house in Georgia. Just about every Thanksgiving and Christmas, all the family (uncles, aunts, cousins galore) would come and eat and laugh and eat some more. The house would literally be running over with people. Grandma didn’t have a big house, so every room was full. What a blast!

Here in verse 10 today, we see God promising that He will fill the land of Israel again to overflowing with His children who will return from Egypt and Assyria. What a change from the desolate landscape of previous years. People will be looking for places to live. But just like my Grandma’s house, these people will be celebrating and loving each other.

APPLICATION

God wants to fill you to overflowing with His love and His Spirit. You may feel like the children of Israel in Egypt and Assyria. You feel trapped, enslaved by some sin or some circumstance. Oh beloved, put your trust in the same God who delivered Israel. He knows exactly where you are. He allowed you to go there. So, He can bring you out. But you have to be willing to go with Him.

Paul tells us in Colossians 2:6-7, “6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” As you walk with the Lord, He will fill you to overflowing. Do you believe that? I do.

I experienced this recently on a trip to Africa. During the worship time at a conference, I was praying for our speaker when God suddenly drove me to my knees in prayer. I have never experienced that before. As I prayed, I began to weep, and then He spoke to me so clearly. He told me to have the men (about 100 of them from all over Africa) to pray over this speaker in their heart language. It was an incredible moment of overflowing. Allow Him to fill you, as well, as you submit to Him and give the Spirit room to move.

Lord, I praise You for Your Spirit which fills me to overflowing.

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Affliction, Bible, Death, Failures, God's Will, Grace, Scripture, Sin

REMOVING THE BAD STUFF

ZECHARIAH 9:7

“And I will remove their blood from their mouth and their detestable things from between their teeth. Then they also will be a remnant for our God, and be like a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like a Jebusite.”

I have been so fortunate to have never had an abscessed tooth, much less one that required removal. I know people who struggle with their dental health. They just have bad teeth. They do all the right things, but they develop abscessed teeth. If they can’t be healed with medication, they have to come out. Why? Because the infection will spread and cause more problems.

In today’s verse, God says He will “remove their blood from their mouth and their detestable things from between their teeth.” This refers to the sacrifices the Philistines offered in their idolatry. These things had to be removed. God judged them for this practice. It could not remain because the effects would spread into Israel and to His people. The “cancer” of idol worship had to come out.

APPLICATION

Is there something in your life that needs to be removed? Are you harboring a hidden sin that can grow and infect your whole life and the lives of others? God still does surgery on us today. He wants to cut out that sin that infects us. James tells us why in James 1:14-15. “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Sin is like that abscessed tooth. Left in your mouth, it will continue to infect, eating away at the bone. You can numb it for a while. You can ignore it temporarily, but it must come out. Sin will lead you down a dark road. We know it leads to destruction. Once we confess our sins, He will forgive us. Our initial prayer of confession which leads to salvation seals us by His Holy Spirit. But everyday sins (and I do mean everyday sins) can hamper our spiritual growth and take us out of the battle.

I try to confess my sins to the Lord daily. I usually quote part of Psalm 51 where David asked God to cleanse him and wash him. That’s what I want. I desire to live sinless, but I have a long way to go. One day, I will live sinlessly in eternity. Until then, I keep pulling those abscesses. They are painful and they stink. Get rid of them.

Father God, pull out all my abscesses of sin. Cleanse me today that I may be used of you.

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Bible, Children, Encouragement, Eternity, Family, God's Will, Praise, Scripture

MONGREL

ZECHARIAH 9:6

“And a people of mixed origins will live in Ashdod, and I will eliminate the pride of the Philistines.”

I have never owned a pure bred dog. All my dogs were mixed. My last dog was part Chow and part Australian Shepherd. We got him at the animal shelter. He was a mutt – cute, but a mutt. Those kinds of dogs don’t have much monetary value. Their value is only in the eyes of the beholder.

The Hebrew word in today’s verse for “mixed origins” really means bastard, one born out of wedlock, or one born of mixed heritage. When Alexander destroyed the Philistine cities, he repopulated them with people from other conquered nations. Any children born afterwards were of mixed races. Thus, the term used here referred to them. The pride of Philistine was gone. Their nation would be no more.

APPLICATION

Now, what can we get from this verse today. Listen, as children of the King, we have a royal heritage. Peter tells us that in 1 Peter 2:9. “But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Your value to God is not based on what you were. It doesn’t matter where you came from. You are now a child of the King. You are part of His family. You carry the authority of Jesus to conquer the enemy. You are worth everything to God. He spared nothing to bring you home. Don’t let anyone ever tell you differently. You matter a lot to Him.

I never felt anything but love from my parents. Sure, they disciplined me. There were times we did not see eye to eye. But I never doubted their love for me. But as much as we loved each other, God loves me so much more. His love never waivers. He will love me for eternity. I am His and He is mine. Praise the Lord!

I praise Your holy name, O God. I know I am Your child and will live with You forever.

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Affliction, Battles, Bible, Danger, Enemies, Fighting, God's Will, Persecution, Protection, Safety, Scripture

IT DOESN’T LOOK GOOD

ZECHARIAH 9:5

“Ashkelon will see it and be afraid. Gaza too will writhe in great pain; also Ekron, because her hope has been ruined. Moreover, the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.”

I have had some tough experiences. Let me explain. I have shared with you in the past about my two stem cell transplants. Well, with the first one, I didn’t quite know what to expect. It was a new experience. But when I found out I had to have my second one, I knew what was coming. I could see the days of nausea and sickness. I knew I would be weak and fatigued. I knew what was headed my way. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Asheklon, Ekron and Gaza knew what was coming. They had heard of Tyre and Sidon’s fall. They knew the invading power was headed south towards them. The Lord says in today’s verse that they would “be afraid,” “writhe in great pain” and their “hope has been ruined.” There was no escape. They must have felt completely helpless. Can you imagine how they felt, looking each day to see if the armies of the enemy were approaching?

APPLICATION

Thanks be to God we don’t have to worry about that as believers. Sure, the enemy is always attacking us, but he is already defeated. Our victory is rooted in Jesus. Our tower of refuge is our God and Redeemer. The enemy’s fiery darts may come, but with our shield of faith and battle armor, he cannot make a dent. Jesus defends us.

How do I know that? Because the Bible tells me so. I love Psalm 23. Don’t you? It says in verse 4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” He is always with me. God has my life in view. He can see enemies coming long before I can.

That is why I don’t worry about the enemy. God has it all under control. If the enemy strikes me, it is only because the Lord has allowed him. And if God has allowed it, then with His strength I can handle it. Look up Philippians 4:13. When things don’t look good, look up. He is there – always.

Your vision is trustworthy and sure. I know You are watching over me.

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Accountability, Bible, Calling, Church, Direction, Family, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Presence, Scripture

HERE THEY COME

ZECHARIAH 8:20

“‘The LORD of armies says this: “It will yet turn out that peoples will come, that is, the inhabitants of many cities.”’”

You may be one of those people who love to shop on Black Friday. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it is traditionally the Friday after Thanksgiving when the Christmas shopping season begins. Here in the U.S., huge crowds gather outside stores offering reduced pricing on items. People get a little crazy on this day and crowds can become unmanageable. Personally, I stay as far away as possible from shopping areas on that day.

The people aren’t gathering in Jerusalem to shop here in verse 20. The Lord says that people are going to come to Jerusalem from all over. We will see in the next few verses why they are coming, but we know it is all about the Lord. They have seen how He has restored Israel, and they want to be a part of that. Instead of being shunned by the nations, Israel is seen as a destination point.

APPLICATON

I want to be in the midst of wherever the Lord is, don’t you? I love Moses’s words to the Lord in Exodus 33:15-16. “15 Then he said to Him, ‘If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. 16 For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are on the face of the earth?’”

Listen, we should look different from the world. We should be attracting people to come be a part of us. Last night my home church had a members’ meeting. We welcomed a couple of dozen new members to our church. People are coming to join our body of believers. Why? I would hope it is because they sense the presence of the Lord in our midst. We feel just like Moses. We are distinguished by His Holy Spirit among us.

I pray you are part of a body of believers. If not, seek one out. You need that fellowship. You need that accountability under a shepherd. And the body needs you. You, as a believer, are filled with the Spirit of God. As you join others with the same Spirit of God, the unity of the church universal is strengthened. Come to His gathering place and feel the presence of the Lord.

I come, Lord, into Your presence each week as I gather with other believers. Thank You for the fellowship I have with them.

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Accountability, Bible, Commands, Direction, Exhortation, God's Will, Judgment, Peace, Scripture, Truth

CLEAR COMMANDS

ZECHARIAH 8:16

“‘“These are the things which you shall do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace at your gates.”’”

I remember many years ago, when I worked at the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes, that I gave one of the boys in my cottage permission to wash my car to earn a little extra money. The kid was about fourteen, so I just assumed he knew how to wash a car. (A word to the wise – never assume anything, lol). Let’s just say the car wash had a lot to be desired. But he was so proud that he had done it. I didn’t have the heart to tell him how bad it was. So, what did I do? I decided the next week when he asked again that I would help him and direct him. It turned out a lot better, and he learned a new skill.

Clear directions are important. They help us walk with the Lord better, don’t they. Well, in today’s verse we see the Lord telling the people of Israel some pretty clear commands. He says, “These are the things which you shall do.” That’s pretty clear. Then He tells them to speak the truth to one another and to judge with truth and peace. If we could all do that, life would be so much less quarrelsome. God knew that. They were returning to their land. They were completing the temple rebuild. They were starting again. Here were some simple, clear commands to follow.

APPLICATION

Years ago, I was a trainer in Crisis Intervention. One of the skills I taught in that was for the staff to always give clear and concise instructions to the kids they were dealing with. Doing that would often prevent a kid from getting upset and confused. Most crises can be prevented if we practice those things. Our Father in heaven knows that. He gave us just ten commandments to follow, not a thousand. Man took those ten commandments and stretched them into hundreds. Jesus narrowed it down further when asked which was the most important commandment. I have referenced this passage before, but it bears repeating.

Matthew 22:36-40 says, “36 ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ 37 And He said to him, ‘“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.’”

Can you follow that? Obviously, you can if Jesus told us to do it. He would never tell us to do something that He would not enable us to do. So, today, strive to follow the clear, simple commands of our Savior. It is total agreement with our verse from Zechariah today. Speak truth, practice justice and peace with all men. That’s my goal today. I hope it’s yours.

Father, I am not able on my own to do anything You ask of me. But through Your power and Your Holy Spirit I can.

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Abiding, Bible, Change, Confession, Dependence, God's Will, Goodness, Relationships, Scripture

I HAVE NOT CHANGED

ZECHARIAH 8:14

“‘For this is what the LORD of armies says: “Just as I determined to do harm to you when your fathers provoked Me to anger,” says the LORD of armies, “and I have not relented,”’”

Boy, things sure change in life, don’t they? I am in my hometown of Pelham, Ga this week teaching at a Children’s Camp. This camp is at the same location of a former club my parents were members of. We used to fish and water ski out there. But wow! This place has changed so much. New buildings. New pool. New roads on the property. It is so different. I am just glad I haven’t changed that much. Lol

God does not change. One of His attributes is immutability, which means unchanging. God tells the people in Zechariah 8:14 that He has “not relented.” That means He is not sorry for His actions. He would not change them. His actions are true and right. Now, before you feel sorry for the Israelites, God goes on in the next verses and tells them how He is now going to bless them because they have repented. That will change God’s response to us.

APPLICATION

How does this attribute of God affect us? I’m glad you asked. God’s unchangeability (I made that word up) is so key to our theology. Malachi 3:6 says, “‘For I, the LORD, do not change;…” What a promise! Our God does not change. He is not wishy washy. He doesn’t react to us and shift His thinking. He says He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We may change our minds. We may try to adapt our faith to situations. Not God! We can always depend on Him to be the same.

So, we know if we are walking in His promises, He will bless. If we are walking in sin, He will rebuke us. That’s just the facts. We can rely on that. How many people do you know who are always the same? They never change. Not many, if any. I want to live that way. My prayer is this, as found in Hebrews 13:18. “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.” Man, if I could always live that way!

If you are like me, you struggle sometimes to live that way. But it is not up to us. We have a Savior Who is unwavering. He does not change. Amen? That is something to hold on to. You can always come to Him. He will always be there. He is always ready to hear you when you pray. He is there! Call on Him. Lean on Him. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Father, I praise You because You are unchanging. I will turn to You.

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Bible, Blessing, Eternity, God's Will, Uncategorized

JUST BE A BLESSING

ZECHARIAH 8:13

“‘“And it will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.”’”

You have probably known people that just appear to be too good to be true. You may not have heard this expression, but it’s one we use down south. We say, “They are so sweet, butter wouldn’t melt in their mouth.” This means that they appear to be so nice and kind but are really not. Those kind of people can be hard to deal with. 

God doesn’t want you to be that way. Never had, never will. In today’s verse, He is urging the people of Israel to be a blessing. In fact, He says that is why He is saving them. He had a purpose behind His actions. He has been giving them all these promises in chapter eight. However, He expects them to behave in a grateful manner, not just to Him but to others as well.

APPLICATION

How can you do that? How can you be a blessing to others? Let me tell you something. If you try to do this in your own power, you will fail miserably. You will be doing just find until someone comes along who “butter won’t melt in their mouth.” They will try your last nerve. Try as you might, you can’t be a blessing to them. They just won’t let you. Jesus faced the same kind of people. The religious leaders of the time gave Jesus that attitude. What did He call them? You brood of vipers!

Oh, but listen! Jesus died for them too. Yep, His sacrifice was for all mankind, the Sadducees and Pharisees too. Jesus said in Luke 6:28, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Paul goes on to say in Romans 12:14, “Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse them.” Hmmm! Those two said almost the exact same words. That is our command. To bless others, even those who persecute or curse you.

Of course, the ultimate example we have of this is Jesus on the cross when he said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Wow! Even those who crucified Jesus were blessed by Him. He asked the Father to forgive them. Whomever has harmed you the most, you should bless. That’s a hard pill to swallow, isn’t it? That is why I said at the beginning that you can’t do this on your own. But Christ can do it through you. Will you let Him?

Father, make me a blessing to others, even those who persecute and curse me.

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Abiding, Abundance, Battles, Bible, Change, Deliverance, Direction, God's Will, Maturity, Scripture

BUT NOW

ZECHARIAH 8:11

“‘“But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,”’” declares the LORD of armies.

Don’t you just love the part of a suspense movie or book when everything changes? The bad guys are about to get what is coming to them, and the good guys are wining. It’s that “but” moment. All this has happened, BUT NOW this is about to happen. A change of fortune has taken place. A cosmic shift just occurred.

Our God says in verse 11 that He will not treat the people as He had treated them before. The literal Hebrew reads, “But now not as in the former days, I, the remnant…” The verb in today’s verse, “will…treat,” is not in the text. The action is implied, based on the previous action of God. I like that because God’s ultimate good treatment of His people is always implied. His good intentions are always there.

APPLICATION

What are the “but now” moments in your life? I could name dozens of them in my life, beginning with the change in my life at salvation. And there was the moment He called me to full-time ministry. There were the seasons of ministry that shifted from one place to another. I could go on, but you get the picture.

Write down those moments you can think of and let me encourage you to keep doing that as they occur. I promise you there will be times ahead when you will need to reflect on your “but now” moments. Those moments shift you from one phase of your Christian journey to another. God is doing something. He is saying, “But now, see what I am going to do in your life.”

I am thankful for those “but now” moments in my life because I know each of those moments brought me closer to God. Colossians 1:22 (CSB) says it perfectly. “But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him —” Isn’t that a great “but now”?

But now, Lord, I am Yours to do with as You see fit. Use me, Lord, according to Your will.

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