Category Archives: Promises

Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Goodness, Money, Promises, Salvation, Scripture

DOUBLE BLESSING

ZECHARIAH 9:12

“Return to the stronghold, you prisoners who have the hope; this very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.”

Given the chance, I would love to double my money anytime. I would swap $10 for $20 all day long. Wouldn’t you? I have never been given that opportunity though. I have thought of playing the lottery but decided not to. Putting my hopes in a lottery doesn’t make a lot of sense. I will let the Lord double my blessings instead.

I just love this verse today in Zechariah. It reminds me of another book of the Bible. In the book of Job, he is restored double what he had lost AFTER he had gone through the test of suffering. Job 42:10 tells us, “The LORD also restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased double all that Job had.” When you get to heaven, ask Job if his suffering was worth it. I bet I know his answer.

APPLICATION

For us to receive those blessings from God, we must come to Him. Our verse says “return to the stronghold.” What is that? Or better yet, who is that? It is the Lord God Almighty. When we return there, He gives us hope. He promises to bless us abundantly. I recall Jesus saying in John 10:10 “‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.’”

Now when the Lord says we will have life abundantly, He means a lot. Our life in Him will be beyond measure. Am I saying we are going to be rich beyond our wildest dreams? Certainly not! Jesus will bless you in ways which you can’t measure by human terms. You can’t put them in a bank. But you’ll know you have the blessings.

Blessings come from the Father through the Son to us, the same path which our salvation comes. That is the greatest blessing of God – salvation. I would not even call this a double blessing. It is beyond description. Let’s just call it what Jesus did – abundant! Have you received it? If not, make today the day that you receive God’s double blessing He has promised.

My cup surely runneth over. I cannot contain all the blessings from You, O Lord.

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Abiding, Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Favor, Home, Oveflowing, Promises, Scripture

LET US GO WITH YOU

ZECHARIAH 8:23

“‘The LORD of armies says this: “In those days ten people from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”’”

I have seen many a child tug on their mother’s dress or coat as they are left in the church nursery. They cried out to them, “Please, let me go with you.” My own children did that. They did not like the nursery. They wanted to stay with us. Mind you, it wasn’t that they wanted to go to “Big Church” with us. It was more about just being with their parents.

In today’s verse, the last verse of chapter 8, the Lord closes out His blessing statements by saying that the Jews are going to be begged by others to take them along back to Israel. They had heard how God had defeated Israel’s enemies and had brought His people home. They wanted to be a part of that. They wanted whatever the Jewish people had.

APPLICATION

We should spread such a sweet fragrance of Christ wherever we go that those we pass will turn and say, “Boy, I want whatever they have.” Can that be said about you? Do people want to follow you? If you are following Christ, they will. Actually, they will be following Christ in you. There’s a big difference.

Why do I differentiate? Because we can become men followers instead of Christ followers. Christ says, “‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” Whew! Who wants to do that? Well, I do. I want to follow wherever He goes. Just like the people coming from the other nations to Israel, I want to be where God is doing something.

If no one is following you in your Christian walk, maybe you need to examine your walk. Ouch, Carl, that hurt. Well, I ask myself that question quite often. Does my aroma smell like Jesus? Does my walk imitate His walk? Would people want to follow me if I did this or that? Good questions to ponder, huh?

Lord, allow me to be more and more like You so others can be led to You.

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Abiding, Attitude, Bible, Choices, Commands, Evil, Goodness, Kindness, Love, Promises, Scripture

DETERMINED FOR GOOD

ZECHARIAH 8:15

“‘“so I have again determined in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear!”’”

I have to admit that my heart has not always been determined for good. In my B.C. (Before Christ) days, I was rebellious and only wanted my own way. I would use people to get what I wanted. My heart was prone towards evil. I put on a good outward expression, but my heart was evil. I only did good if it would help me in my own pursuits. That’s a horrible way to live.

I love this little phrase in today’s verse. God says, “I have…determined…to do good.” He purposed. He decided. He planned. His goodness was not an accident. This same verb is used to describe the woman in Proverbs 31:16. “She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.” The word “considers” is the same word used here in Zechariah 8:15. God desires good for us. He is even planning and considering it for us now. That’s awesome.

APPLICATION

Guess what? You can “determine to do good” as well. Through Christ, you can do good for others, even those whom you don’t particularly like to be around. Just follow Christ’s example. He did good to all. He showed now preference. He reached out to the Samaritans, the publicans, the rich, the poor. He showed no prejudice. Paul tells us in Galatians 6:9, “Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.”

Over in 2 Thessalonians 3:13 we see Paul use the same exhortation to the Thessaloniki church. “But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary of doing good.” All through Scripture we are told to do good. We even quote the Golden Rule, don’t we? You know that. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Those words aren’t exactly in Scripture but do refer to the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31.

The bottom line is do good to others. Be like God. Let others see Jesus in you. Share the love of Jesus. Let it permeate you so much that it just “leaks out” on others. If you have someone in your life who does not like you or even hates you, pray for them. Lift them to Jesus. He can handle them a lot better that you can. And when He gives you the opportunity to bless them, do it. Do good, not evil. Be Jesus to someone today.

Give me the chance to do good today, O Lord. I want to be like You.

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Abiding, Bible, Calling, Captivity, Deliverance, Exile, Home, Promises, Restoration, Salvation, Scripture

SMOTHERED AND SCATTERED

ZECHARIAH 8:7

“‘The LORD of armies says this: “Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west;”’”

Call me weird, but when I read this verse, I thought of Waffle House, a restaurant here in the U.S. They are known for their waffles, breakfast menu and especially their short order line cook lingo shared between them and the waitresses or waiters. For instance, I like my hashbrowns scattered (spread on the grill for crispness) and covered (with cheese). I saw the people of Israel scattered and smothered during their exiles. But God gives them hope in today’s verse.

He tells them that He is going to bring them back home. Whether they were scattered in the east or in the west, they will return. These people had suffered under various domains, but now, God is bringing them home. Don’t you know the shouts went up when they heard this from Zechariah. These early remnants, who had returned first, would be joined in the days to come by their brothers and sisters.

APPLICATION

In Matthew 8:11, Jesus says, “‘And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;’” Jesus foretold the gospel going out to all the world. Gentiles and Jews alike would come into the kingdom of heaven through Him. He was the One who would bring them together.

Do you know any “scattered” or “smothered” souls who need to be brought home to Jesus. I do. I have family members who need to be rescued. I can’t do that. Only Jesus can, but I can do all I can to show them Jesus. I do that in my attitude, my words, my actions and in my lifestyle. I pray that all who see me only see Jesus.

Today, ask the Lord who He wants you to lead to Him. I promise you He has someone in mind. He can use you if you will let Him. Just be Jesus to that person. Share how Jesus has changed your life. Share the joy you have in His Word. Let God do the “unscattering” and the “uncovering” of these individuals. He is able.

I praise You, O Lord, for bringing me home. I praise You for giving me the chance to share that with others.

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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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Bible, Conversation, Listening, Messages, Promises, Scripture

ANOTHER MESSAGE

ZECHARIAH 6:9

“The word of the LORD also came to me, saying,”

Have you ever been in a text conversation with someone that would not end? Just when you think it’s over, they send another message. Do you answer or not? Do you just send an emoji? You keep asking yourself how you can get out of this conversation without seeming abrupt. Am I right? You’ve been there.

Zechariah may have felt like that at times. It seems he gets through one vision, and before he knows it, God is calling his name again. But that was Zechariah’s calling. He was called to be God’s mouthpiece, to tell forth the words of the Lord. Notice it says, “the word of the Lord also came to me.” These weren’t the words of his neighbors or his friends. These came straight from God.

APPLICATION

We sit back and think that only Pastors hear from God. I know some people in my family who feel that way. I only hear from Him because I am in the ministry. That’s hogwash. We can all hear Him. He is speaking to all of His children. They just aren’t listening.

I shared a quote from A.W. Tozer a while back that said, “People don’t want to hear from God because they don’t want to hear what He has to say.” That’s probably more of a paraphrase than an actual quote, but you get the picture. Do you want to hear Him? Luke 11:27-28 says, “27 While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, ‘Blessed is the womb that carried You, and the breasts at which You nursed!’ 28  But He said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.’” Jesus was always pointing us to hear His Father’s voice.

For me, it’s a matter of if I want to hear what He has to say. Honestly, there are days when I want to say, “God, I’m taking a day off and am going to handle things my way.” I don’t do that anymore because I have enough scars from attempting that. The school of hard knocks is real, folks. Just listen and avoid all those bumps and bruises.

You are calling my name again, Lord. My ears are in tune with Your words. Send me Your message.

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Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Encouragement, Filled, Oveflowing, Promises, Scripture

OVERFLOWING

ZECHARIAH 2:4

“And he said to him, ‘Run, speak to that young man there, saying, “Jerusalem will be inhabited as open country because of the multitude of people and cattle within it.”’”

I remember years ago attending a church that was busting at the seams. It had to change to multiple services on Sunday and still had to bring extra chairs into the sanctuary to give everyone a seat. We needed to knock down the walls to open up the area for more seats but couldn’t. What a fun time that was. How exciting to be part of such growth.

The angel gives Zechariah a message about Jerusalem. He tells him that it is going to be so populated that there won’t be a need for walls. The people and cattle are going to spill over the whole area. After years of exile and returning to a diminished number in the land, this was exciting news. The Lord is promising to repopulate the nation to overflowing.

APPLICATION

I have this song going through my mind right now that says, “And now I’m filled to overflowing. I don’t mind the whole world knowing. Yes, I’m filled to overflowing with His soul-supplying, satisfying love.” Gary McSpadden sang that song back in 1979. I loved his music.

Doesn’t God fill us to overflowing with His love? You have been filled to overflowing with His Holy Spirit. As you study His Word, it fills your heart and mind to overflowing. Colossians 2:7 tells us that we are also overflowing with gratitude. “…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.”

I personally like 2 Corinthians 1:5. In the CSV it reads, “For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” Sufferings? Really? Yes, but they are in order for us to receive His comfort so that we in turn can overflow that comfort to others. What a beautiful concept. We are allowed to suffer to receive God’s comfort so that we can comfort others who are suffering. Will you overflow today in some way?

Lord, I’m filled to overflowing. I don’t mind the whole world knowing. I’m filled to overflowing with Your soul-supplying, satisfying love

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Bible, Blessing, Filled, Promises, Scripture

FILLED TO OVERFLOWING

ZECHARIAH 1:17

“Again, proclaim, saying, ‘This is what the LORD of armies says: “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”’”

I remember a fishing trip I took with my dad one time to a local fishing hole. This little pond was full of brim (which is a small panfish). Man, that day we tore them up. My dad had a wire mesh fishing backet that he hung over the side of the boat. It had a flip down lid so all you had to do was push down on the lid and drop the fish in the basket. We caught so many we couldn’t push the lid down anymore. That basket was filled to overflowing.

After all the suffering, after all the judgment and punishment, after all the days in exile, God was restoring Israel. He promised to fill the cities again. “My cities will again overflow with prosperity.” He also said He would comfort and choose them. I just love that. Promises made and promises kept. God always keeps His promises. You know that, right?

APPLICATION

I bet you have examples of times the Lord has filled your coffers to overflowing. That’s why I don’t have a problem asking for the Lord to meet a need. I know His storehouse is filled to overflowing. He wants to meet our needs (and maybe even some of our wants). Philippians 4:19 tells us so. “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

One of the things I have to do as a missionary is ask people to partner with us financially. I have realized that by asking them, I am giving them an opportunity to be a blessing to us and also be blessed by the Lord. I have some friends in ministry who have a real problem asking for financial support. They know they need to, but it can be awkward. That’s true. But blessings are waiting.

Let me let you in on a little secret. Are you listening? I am asking God for two million dollars in 2023 for the ministry I serve with – Every Man A Warrior (www.everymanawarrior.com). God is changing men’s lives around the world through the skills we teach. If you want to be a part of that, go to our site and give right there. I want you to be blessed through the overflowing God has given you. Be blessed.

You are the provider of our abundance, Lord. You truly fill us to overflowing.

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Answers, Asking, Bible, Promises, Questions, Scripture

ARE WE ALMOST THERE?

ZECHARIAH 1:12

“Then the angel of the LORD said, ‘LORD of armies, how long will You take no pity on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been indignant for these seventy years?’”

You dread the question every five minutes. You are on a road trip with your little kids. You know the question. “Are we almost there?” The standard answer is “Yes, just five more minutes.” Of course, those five minutes will last an hour or two, right? We are so impatient. We want everything to be at our fingertips instantly.

The angel that was talking to Zechariah asked the LORD of armies a question. “How much longer, LORD?” You see, for seventy years they had been in Babylon. We knew from Jeremiah 25:11-12 that this was going to happen. “11 ‘This entire land will be a place of ruins and an object of horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. 12 Then it will be when seventy years are completed I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,’ declares the LORD, ‘for their wrongdoing, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation.’”

APPLICATION

The next verse (which we will see tomorrow) begins God’s answer to the question. So, how does this verse apply to us today? One way I believe it applies is that God keeps His promises. Jeremiah prophesied seventy years in exile and then it would end. We see that happening in this verse. We are in an age where we see prophesies being fulfilled. Many, including me, believe we are near the day of Christ’s return. Now, I am not setting a date. Don’t worry. But the point is, God always is true to His Word.

Another point is that it is okay to ask God questions. The angel didn’t hesitate asking Him. Why should we? He tells us to ask Him. He wants to hear from us. He knows we don’t have all knowledge. He knows we have questions. Some questions He won’t answer yet, but He will. But don’t hesitate to ask.

I have so many questions for God. Some will wait until heaven – like “Why did you have to make mosquitos?” Other questions I ask every day. “Lord, why would you rescue me, as wicked as I am?” or “Lord, will You please draw ______ to You? They need Jesus.” I know as long as I ask with the right motives, God will answer in His perfect time.

Lord, are we almost there? How much longer?

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Agreement, Authority, Belief, Bible, Commitment, Covenant, Encouragement, Eternity, God's Will, Judgment, Promises, Relationships, Reputation, Scripture

HE DOES WHAT HE SAYS

ZECHARIAH 1:6

“‘But did My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, not overtake your fathers? Then they repented and said, “Just as the LORD of armies planned to do to us in accordance with our ways and our deeds, so He has dealt with us.”’”

Keeping your word is a big thing. If you become known as someone who can’t do that, you won’t have many close friends. I have tried to keep my word. If I say I will do something, I try to get it done. If I say I will pray for someone, I pray right away so I won’t forget. Have I always kept my word? I am sorry to say I haven’t. I hope at the end of my life to be remembered as someone who did what he said he would do.

The fathers of these Israelites are quoted by God saying that God did just what He said. He told them they would be judged, and they were. Jeremiah said the same in Lamentations 2:17. “The LORD has done what He determined; He has accomplished His word which He commanded from days of old. He has torn down without sparing, and He has helped the enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the might of your adversaries.” God does what He says He will do.

APPLICATION

While these words in Zechariah may seem foreboding, they can be seen in the opposite light. When God makes a promise to you, He will keep it. One of my favorite verses in Joshua 21:45. “Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; everything came to pass.” Isn’t that a great verse?

That same promise applies to you. When the Lord of the universe tells you that you will spend eternity with Him because you have trusted Christ as your Savior and Lord, that’s where you will be one day. When He promises to be with you through every trial you may face, guess where He will be. Right beside you.

The Lord has been so good to me. He has been with me through thick and thin. He has always and will always keep His word. He always does exactly what He says He will do. Get into His Word. Find those promises yourself. Don’t take my word for it. Trust His Word. Joy awaits you.

Word of God speak, would You pour down like rain, washing my eyes to see Your majesty (lyrics to Word of God Speak)

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