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Pray daily for pastors in the Slavic countries (as well as your own) that they will have wisdom and power from God to preach the Word effectually and to care for all of the saints. Pray that the convicting power of the Holy Spirit will accompany the preaching of God’s Word throughout all lands. Ask God to stir up Christians to use their God-given freedom to the fullest advantage in making known everywhere the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). |
The Prophet Haggai was called to rouse the remnant who returned to Jerusalem after the captivity to rebuild the temple after it lay in ruins for roughly sixteen years. God will be present if genuine interest is reignited in this project. “I am with you, says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 1:13; 2:4). Giving preeminence to one’s own place instead of the Lord’s place
proved disastrous and produced decrease in physical, as well as spiritual, prosperity.
The house of worship must be built in order for God to be glad and glorified. A right relationship must be renewed and regained. “Consider” (1:5, 7; 2:15, 18). Haggai planted seeds of encouragement and exhortation in good soil. Conviction reached the hearts of the royal and religious leadership, as well as the remnant.
“The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people” (1:14). As they obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and feared the presence of the Lord, His power energized them to do the work. “Be strong… and work” (2:4). Although this temple may not be as magnificent and majestic as the former one, God will fill it with “glory,” and in that place He will provide “peace” (2:7, 9).
Not only is the place important where God is given preeminence, but also the practices within that place must be pure and productive. “The work of the hands” is just as significant as the ways of the heart (2:14). God “will bless” as clean hearts produce righteousness with clean hands (2:19).
God reminds the leadership that He is in control with shaking or with stability. He will “overthrow” the powers that have oppressed His people, as they wait for the fulfilled promise of Messiah and the millennial kingdom (2:22). Secured possession will return to those whom God has “chosen,” as the “signet ring” stamps the promised plan of God’s kingdom (2:23). “For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them again to this land; and I will build them up and not overthrow them, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. And I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:6-7).
God’s people in every generation must consider the ways of their hearts and the work of their hands. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Remember what Jesus said concerning the heart that stashes or supplies. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34). How immensely important it is to worship and work for the Lord with a holy heart.
“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Remember what Jesus said concerning the hand that is not holy in work. “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched” (Mark 9:43). Do not serve with sin-soiled hands. “I desire therefore that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2:8).
What a joy and privilege it is to assist Almighty God in building His church. Let the Lord stir up the Christian community in every country who are heeding His Word and hallowing His ways to build for His honor and glory. May He be pleased with all service rendered to Him from faithful, fervent hands and hearts!
The house of worship must be built in order for God to be glad and glorified. A right relationship must be renewed and regained. “Consider” (1:5, 7; 2:15, 18). Haggai planted seeds of encouragement and exhortation in good soil. Conviction reached the hearts of the royal and religious leadership, as well as the remnant.
“The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people” (1:14). As they obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and feared the presence of the Lord, His power energized them to do the work. “Be strong… and work” (2:4). Although this temple may not be as magnificent and majestic as the former one, God will fill it with “glory,” and in that place He will provide “peace” (2:7, 9).
Not only is the place important where God is given preeminence, but also the practices within that place must be pure and productive. “The work of the hands” is just as significant as the ways of the heart (2:14). God “will bless” as clean hearts produce righteousness with clean hands (2:19).
God reminds the leadership that He is in control with shaking or with stability. He will “overthrow” the powers that have oppressed His people, as they wait for the fulfilled promise of Messiah and the millennial kingdom (2:22). Secured possession will return to those whom God has “chosen,” as the “signet ring” stamps the promised plan of God’s kingdom (2:23). “For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them again to this land; and I will build them up and not overthrow them, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. And I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:6-7).
God’s people in every generation must consider the ways of their hearts and the work of their hands. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Remember what Jesus said concerning the heart that stashes or supplies. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34). How immensely important it is to worship and work for the Lord with a holy heart.
“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Remember what Jesus said concerning the hand that is not holy in work. “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched” (Mark 9:43). Do not serve with sin-soiled hands. “I desire therefore that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2:8).
What a joy and privilege it is to assist Almighty God in building His church. Let the Lord stir up the Christian community in every country who are heeding His Word and hallowing His ways to build for His honor and glory. May He be pleased with all service rendered to Him from faithful, fervent hands and hearts!
Rob Zapotoski
SMS Interim Director
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Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119-105
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The Lord will resume His dealing with the nations, as well as with the Chosen nation, when He has completed the church in this Age of Grace. God is working today “to take out” of the nations “a people for His name” (Acts 15:14). Ask God to empower every witness that is proclaiming this message of love to sinful men. Pray continually that the Holy Spirit will convict men of their need of Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). |