Category Archives: Modeling

Accountability, Bible, Blameless, Conviction, Discipline, God's Will, Modeling, Obedience, Perseverance, Scripture

ACCURATE

ZECHARIAH 1:7

“On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, that is, the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, as follows:” 

For many years I oversaw the Quality Assurance programs for the children’s homes ministries where I served. You have to be kind of accurate when you do that. Many times funding sources depended on the accuracy of my data. I enjoyed that work and learned little secrets to keeping accurate data. Those who worked with me knew I expected them to work with excellence. That’s what the Lord expects from us.

So, when I read today’s verse in Zechariah, I thought to myself that God wanted Zechariah to make sure he was accurate in putting down this information. When you read the verse, you may wonder how this applies to you. Well, I go back to our basic premise about Scripture – every word is inspired by God. Therefore, it was important to Him that the twenty-fourth day of Shebat in Darius’ second year be noted. Don’t miss that.

APPLICATION

Application time! How accurate are you? What do you let slide in your walk with Christ? I am not saying you need to be legalistic and do things out of rote habit. No! What I am saying is you need to do everything you do with excellence. Immediately, I think of Colossians 3:23-24. “23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Did you catch that? It is the Lord Christ whom you serve! You do not represent just your family, your employer or your church. You represent Jesus. I promise if you are working to please Him, everything else will be covered. If there are things you are doing to “cut corners,” examine them. Don’t do anything that would reflect bad on our Lord.

My dad always taught me to do things right the first time. I watched him meticulously hang wallpaper and wall murals. He would painstakingly smooth out every wrinkle and make sure the pattern was matched perfectly. I want to do the same with my life. I want my life to match up perfectly with Jesus. I want to show others how to live their lives surrendered to Him. And you?

Thank You, Lord, for showing me how to walk perfectly on this earth. Help me model Your lifestyle to others.

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Abiding, Accountability, Bible, Choices, Death, Following, Life, Modeling, Obedience, Scripture

DEATH AND TAXES

ZECHARIAH 1:5

“‘Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?’” 

I have heard it said many times, “There are two certainties in life – death and taxes.” While that may be true, no one likes to dwell on either. Here in the U.S., it is tax season. Everyone is expected to file their federal income taxes by April 15. I’ve already done mine and was fortunate to get a little refund. However, it will all happen again next year. At least death is a one-time deal, right? I am not worried about that because I know where I am going.

Today’s verse is kind of somber. God is reminding the people that everyone dies. Their fathers had died. Their prophets had died. There is no escaping that. Why does God do that? What was He trying to say? He was warning them that those in the past who had resisted His commands had passed away. Resisting God does you no good. Only He is eternal.

APPLICATION

Is there someone to whom you are hanging on to? You think everything will be fine as long as they are around. Warning – they won’t always be here. We can’t place our trust in anyone here on earth. We are all just passing through this earth. You may have been fortunate enough to have godly parents who taught you right. They may still be alive. Enjoy them. But our parent’s faith won’t do a thing for us as far as getting into heaven. That only comes from our own faith in Christ.

The good news is our parents’ lack of faith isn’t counted against us either. Deuteronomy 24:16 says, “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.” We also know Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,…”

You must come to God through Jesus. Just because you grew up in a Christian home, that does not make you a Christian, anymore than being born in a garage makes you a car. Right? So, come to Jesus. Let Him give you the plan He has for your life. Only He can be trusted to do that.

O Father, I am so thankful I am resting in Your hands and not my own.

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Bible, Following, God's Will, Holiness, Modeling, Scripture

BIGGER AND BETTER

HAGGAI 2:9

 “‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of armies, ‘and in this place I will give peace,’ declares the LORD of armies.”

Everyone wants things bigger and better. Isn’t that right? If a two-bedroom house is good, a three-bedroom house is better. If you have earned $1 million, $2 million is better. Get the picture? We tend to think that way, but is it right? Is it God’s way? Let’s take a look at today’s verse and see.

God tells the Israelites that the new temple “will be greater than the former.” Was He declaring that it would be bigger and better? I don’t think so. You see, this new temple would be the very temple in which Jesus, His Son, would walk. The Messiah would enter it, bringing in His peace. That would make it better, not the adornments.

APPLICATION

So, what can you expect from your Heavenly Father? Will He make your life “bigger and better”? He may or He may not. What we can expect is that God wants us to be more like Him. He wants us to be holy. In Leviticus 19:2 God tells us, “‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.’” Peter shares this again in 1 Peter 1:14-16, “14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written: ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’”

Being holy is bigger and better. Walking with Him is being bigger and better. Now, the world will tell you just the opposite. It focuses on material gains or fame. Those things do not make you bigger or better. Who you are in Christ is all that matters. What do you want others to see in you? That is the real question.

For me, I just want them to see Jesus. That begins with my wife. I want her to see Jesus in me every day as we pray. I want my children and grandchildren to see Jesus in their dad or poppy. That is what will make me bigger and better. After all, there is nobody any bigger or better than Jesus. Right?

Make me like You, Lord. Help me to be holy, just as You are holy.

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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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Attitude, Bible, Bondslaves, Commands, Faith, God's Will, Labor, Modeling, Obedience, Scripture, Service

LET’S CUT SOME WOOD

HAGGAI 1:8

“‘Go up to the mountains, bring wood, and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be honored,’ says the LORD.”

When I was in seminary, I lived in a small four room house in the country that was heated by a wood-burning heater. That was my only source of heat. No problem, right? It doesn’t get too cold in North Carolina. Well…we had one of the coldest winters while I lived in that house. I was begging my neighbors for firewood. I was looking for any downed trees I could cut up. I need to cut some wood to stay warm. Cold is a great motivator.

The people of Israel needed to cut some wood, too. But they were not cutting it to burn. Cold was not their motivator. The Lord told them to cut some wood to rebuild the temple, to make repairs to its structure. They had allowed it to fall into disrepair. Obviously, some of the wood had either been damaged or had rotted. They needed to get out of their comfort and shed a little sweat to fix the temple. This, He said, would please Him.

APPLICATION

What is your motivation for serving the Lord? He may not call you to build or rebuild a church. He may, however, call you to another purpose. It may require something of you – time, money, energy. What are you willing to do for Him? Just like the Israelites, our service for God pleases Him. Our works don’t get us any more grace, but it sure brings a smile to our Master’s face.

The book of James tells us that faith without works is dead. (James 2:20) That does not mean that our faith depends on our works, but it does mean that our faith is made evident through our works. I serve God, not to get Him to love me. I serve God because He loves me. I serve because I love Him. I need to cut some wood for Christ. How about you?

Your “wood cutting” may be in the form of serving in the Children’s ministry at your church. It may be witnessing through a street ministry. Yours may be by singing in the choir. Whatever “wood cutting” job the Lord has for you, do it knowing that it pleases the One Who called you to it. That should bring a smile to your face, as well.

I want to serve You, Lord, not grudgingly or under compulsion. I want to serve You simply because I love You.

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Abiding, Accountability, Bible, Commands, Faithfulness, Modeling, Priorities, Scripture

PRIORITIES

HAGGAI 1:2

“This is what the LORD of armies says: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.”’”

In my ministry and in my life, I am always prioritizing and reprioritizing events. What is number one on my list could change depending on the day. It’s a daily ritual. I look at my calendar and adjust it according to what has become more important. It doesn’t mean I won’t do the other things. It just means some irons getting hotter than others in the fire and must be dealt with.

The problem in Jerusalem was the temple had been pushed so far down on the list that it was not even registering anymore. While they were building their own homes and taking care of themselves, they had left the temple in disrepair. They excused this time and time again by saying “The time has not come…” Procrastination! Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow, right?

APPLICATION

As believers, we can be just as guilty. In these current post-Covid days, we see this a lot. I’m going to get back in church soon. The kids just really love watching church online in their pajamas. It is so much more convenient. Covid changed things, for sure. But it is time to return to our places of worship. I know a lot of believers out there agree. Some people may have legitimate reasons for being home, but most don’t have an excuse.

But this isn’t just about going to church. The greater risk we face daily in our priorities is simply putting God first. Matthew 6:33 says it clearly. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” A command with a promise. What more could you ask for? Read that verse in its full context later. Jesus told us how to prioritize.

My habit each morning is to get in God’s Word and pray. Some habits are good ones. This is one of those. When I don’t get this done first thing in the morning, I feel I have robbed myself of something. I truly believe the Lord has a special message each day for me. It may be a word of encouragement or one of chastisement. Either way, I am blessed because I am seeking Him first. Give it a try. Stick with it. You will be blessed.

Give me the discipline, Lord, to do what You ask of me each and every day.

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Advice, Bible, Leading, Modeling, Obedience, Relationships, Scripture

LEADING THE WRONG WAY

ZEPHANIAH 3:3

“Her leaders within her are roaring lions, her judges are wolves at evening; they have no bones to gnaw in the morning.”

I have had the privilege to have served under some great leaders. I have known others who led well. I have always tried to learn from these role models. However, others I have known have not led well. Their employees were uncontented. The turnover rate was high. What made the difference between these two types of leaders? Integrity!

Jerusalem’s leaders and judges were treating the people horribly. Zephaniah compares them to lions and wolves. Not exactly a great compliment. They were taking advantage of their positions and causing harm to the people. People were starving, and they were feasting. For this, they would be judged more harshly.

APPLICATION

If you are a leader in your church or place of work, you have the responsibility to lead well. James 3:1 gives us a warning. “Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment.” Teachers are leaders. God holds us to a higher standard. Why? Because we are leading others. They are trusting us to lead well.

Another great verse about the importance of good and godly leaders is Proverbs 11:14. “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory.” Isn’t that good? We need good leaders, not leaders who use their power to put people down. Pray for your leaders. Ask the Lord to give them wisdom.

I have been in some type of leadership role for the past four decades. I have to admit that I have not always led well. I have allowed my ego to get in the way at times. But God has forgiven me of those failures and has put a servant leadership heart in me. I try to lead by serving now. Will you do that? Allow Jesus to show you how He led and imitate Him.

Lord, without Your guidance I will fail as a leader. Show me how to lead and love well.

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Abuse, Battles, Bible, Enemies, Humility, Modeling, Scripture, Taunting

TAUNTING

ZEPHANIAH 2:8

“‘I have heard the taunting of Moab and the abusive speech of the sons of Ammon, with which they have taunted My people and boasted against their territory.’”

No one likes to be reproached or reviled. Taunting is uncomfortable, isn’t it? In my childhood, I can recall a couple of times when I was taunted by someone. Once on the playground by a class bully. Another time in high school a classmate tried to get me to fight by saying some bad things about me. Taunting is not something God approves of.

Here in Zephaniah, we see the taunting of the Moabites and the Ammonites against God and His chosen people. It reminds me of David and Goliath when Goliath stood and taunted the army of Israel. David rightly pointed out that Goliath wasn’t just taunting and reviling Israel. He was reviling God. All reviling against God’s people is reviling against Him.

APPLICATION

Have you been taunted by someone or made fun of? Maybe someone has made fun of you because of your beliefs. Perhaps you were picked on as a child and have never gotten over those comments. Give it all to God. He can soothe those hurt feelings. Remember, you are His child and created in His image. He made you, and He doesn’t make any junk.

Maybe you are the one taunting others. Maybe you are the bully. Oh, you wouldn’t call yourself a bully, but you say or do things that revile or taunt others. You even do it in jest and try to make it seem like a joke. That does not honor God, and He is not pleased. Ask God to forgive you of that taunting spirit and then ask those whom you have hurt to forgive you.

Whether you are the taunter or the tauntee, we have a lesson to learn here today. God is not pleased with a reviling spirit. He wants us to have peaceable spirits. He desires a humble heart and one that serves others. Romans 12:10 says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” That’s my new memory verse. Live that today.

Father, forgive me when I have reviled You by taunting others. Give me that servant heart so I can show them honor.

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Bible, Despair, Joy, Modeling, Peace, Praise, Scripture, Singing

GLOOM, DESPAIR AND AGONY

ZEPHANIAH 1:15

“That day is a day of anger, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness,”

Back in the 1970’s a comedy show hit the airwaves of the U.S. entitled “Hee Haw.” One of the songs that was sung regularly on the show was about gloom and despair. The lyrics were:

Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me

These words may not all fit today’s verse, but they sure come close to how someone who was facing the day of the Lord and His judgment would feel. Of course, it wasn’t about having bad luck. It was all about bad choices – specifically one – rejecting Jehovah in favor of idolatry and rebellion. That choice would certainly bring gloom, despair and agony.

APPLICATION

We who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and have accepted Him as Lord and Savior have no reason to worry about gloom, despair or agony. Our hope is in Him. Certainly, none of those words describe our Lord. He is joy, light and radiance. He brings peace and comfort. He exudes the glory of God.

So, why do so many Christians walk around singing that old Hee Haw song? They almost act like Eeyore, the donkey from Winnie the Pooh. Every time you see them all you hear about is how bad things are. They are children of the King, but they act like a lowly peasant who has been downtrodden and forgotten.

I choose to walk in victory. I choose to sing a different song. I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. He has put a new song in my heart. Will you sing with me? Will you praise His holy name? Let the world know about the joy you have because you have chosen to follow Jesus. They need to hear it and you need to proclaim it.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!

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Bible, Modeling, Offering, Redemption, Repentance, Sacrifice, Scripture, Testimony, Worship

OUR SACRIFICE TO GOD

ZEPHANIAH 1:7

“Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, because the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests.”

As a man of God, I am called to sacrifice for my family. There have been many things that I willingly gave up or decided not to do because of my family. Other things required an action to my sacrifice. I had to choose to do something which was sacrificial in nature. Now, hear me clearly. I have almost never wanted to make a sacrifice that cost me something. But each time I did, it was worth it.

In verse 7 of Zephaniah 1 we see the prophet declaring that God is the one who prepares the sacrifice. God had rejected man’s sacrifices of bulls and sheep because they were not given as true sacrifices. They were merely an action the people did out of tradition. There was no true sacrifice from the people. So, now He is preparing the sacrifice. Through judgment He is consecrating His people.

APPLICATION

Romans 12:1 tells us, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Our sacrifice to God is not a bull or sheep. Our sacrifice to God is ourselves. And as with any sacrifice, we must be put on the altar, dead to ourselves.

The altar of God had a point on each corner where the sacrifice could be tied down so it would not slip off the altar as it was burning. I know I need to tie myself down each time I offer myself to Him. I am usually not a willing sacrifice. I go kicking and screaming. But just as the sacrifice that was given correctly and burned on the altar gave a sweet aroma to God, our willing sacrifice of ourselves puts a sweet scent in the air to God.

What part of you have you not sacrificed to God? What are you holding back? He demands it all. A partial sacrifice is not a sacrifice. He demands a complete and whole sacrifice of yourself. Will you offer it to Him today? Will you lay yourself own on the altar of God and allow Him to raise you back up?

I offer myself today, Lord, as a willing, living and holy sacrifice to You.

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