Short Reflection from Haggai 1-2

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[6:12 am, 17/02/2022] S.R: ℍ𝕒𝕘𝕘𝕒𝕚 𝟙:𝟟-𝟠

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,' says the LORD."

Friends, let's remember our priority:

1. God

2. Family

3. Church

4. Society.

If you are an IAS officer and have done great work for society but haven't done much for your church, your reward is like a straw in the fire. Building the church in the NT concept is not the physical building but the building (helping grow) of one another because we (the people) are the church. You can build (help others grow) through words of encouragement, texting, praying, visiting, inviting, etc. Everyone can. And knowing all of you in this group, I am sure your contributions aren't straws! 😇👏

I am a pastor but if one day I get married and is not able to maintain my household, the most God-honoring thing is to step down and maintain my household. Family is more important than church. And nowadays, forget the church, people are neglecting family for societal work. It's ok for a soldier to go to war and die leaving behind his wife and children, but that's a different scenario. Nobody will accuse him of neglecting his family. But people for greed, love of money, love of status are neglecting families.

And after all, even if I have the wealth of Elon Musk and give up all my wealth for the upliftment of the poor, and even if I bring a million people to Christ, if my relationship with God is not genuine, I am the most miserable one (cf. Mark 8:36)

Friends, Learn this order of Priority!

 

ℍ𝕒𝕘𝕘𝕒𝕚 𝟚:𝟠

''‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,' declares the LORD of hosts."

Indeed, everything belongs to God.

Short Reflection from Zephaniah 1-3

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[11:30 pm, 14/02/2022] S.R: ℤ𝕖𝕡𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟙:𝟙𝟜-𝟙𝟝

"Near is the great day of the LORD, Near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of the LORD! In it the warrior cries out bitterly. A day of wrath is that day, 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,"

The terrible day is coming but those who know the Lord Jesus Christ will be delivered from the troubles. Praise God for making us Christians. But our friends and loved ones, if they are still not yet born again, they will perish! Ought we not to pray for them and persuade them to repent of their sins unto the Saviour!? 🙏

 

ℤ𝕖𝕡𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟚:𝟛

"Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger."

Christianity is a religion of humility. The humble people on earth are Christians. The proudest Christian is humbler than the humblest non-Christian.

Do you find it difficult to agree? Well, you won't if you understand the biblical understanding of humility!

 

ℤ𝕖𝕡𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟛:𝟝

"The LORD is righteous within her; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the unjust knows no shame."

No matter how His people behave, God will remain faithful and just.

Short Reflection from Habakkuk 1-3

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[7:00 am, 11/02/2022] S.R: ℍ𝕒𝕓𝕒𝕜𝕜𝕦𝕜 𝟙:𝟝

"Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days-- You would not believe if you were told."

God is working every day and amazingly! Like Habakkuk, we wouldn't believe it if we were told! The greatness of God is that He remained hidden, unapproachable, and unsearchable!

 

ℍ𝕒𝕓𝕒𝕜𝕜𝕦𝕜 𝟚:𝟛

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay."

It will certainly come. For some, that's good. For others, that's bad. Regardless, the word of God shall surely come to fulfillment.

 

ℍ𝕒𝕓𝕒𝕜𝕜𝕦𝕜 𝟛:𝟙𝟠

"Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation."

The greatest cause for exultation and rejoicing is God, that God is our salvation!

Short Reflection from Nahum 1-3

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[9:07 am, 08/02/2022] S.R: ℕ𝕒𝕙𝕦𝕞 𝟙:𝟟

"The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him."

I have preached through Nahum at least 3 times. This verse is my favorite. It shines like a bright light on the darkest valley!

 

ℕ𝕒𝕙𝕦𝕞 𝟚:𝟚

"For the LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob Like the splendor of Israel, Even though devastators have devastated them And destroyed their vine branches."

The God of the Bible is a Restorer. He is my God. I am sure, it's your God too, and that we are His people!

 

ℕ𝕒𝕙𝕦𝕞 𝟛:𝟙𝟡

"There is no relief for your breakdown, Your wound is incurable. All who hear about you Will clap their hands over you, For on whom has not your evil passed continually?"

God exalts the humble and humbles the proud.

Short Reflection from Micah 1-7

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[8:22 pm, 01/02/2022] S.R: 𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕙 𝟙:𝟠

"Because of this I must lament and wail, I must go barefoot and naked; I must make a lament like the jackals And a mourning like the ostriches."

Like Micah, I do need to lament and weep before the Lord for the ignorance of my people!

 

𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕙 𝟚:𝟟

"Is it being said, O house of Jacob: 'Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient? Are these His doings?' Do not My words do good To the one walking uprightly?"

For a genuine Christian, every instruction of God is sweet and profitable! Is it to you and me? Hmm!

 

𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕙 𝟛:𝟝

"Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; When they have something to bite with their teeth, They cry, "Peace," But against him who puts nothing in their mouths They declare holy war."

This chapter is against civil and religious leaders. May I never be indicted for this reason! These religious leaders went after greed and threat. They proclaimed peace if they were given food. And they pronounced problems if they weren't fed. My dad used to say the same thing regarding some evangelists in our area that they would pray long and happily if the home they entered prepared a meat curry, but they would be dull if it was a vegetable. 😬😂

Church, let's equally thank God when the church meal is pork or dal after the Worship Service! 😎

 

𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕙 𝟜:𝟚

"Many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."

In one of the groups, I am reading the book of Isaiah. And chapter 2 has this prophecy as well!

Let me just copy-paste what I posted there:

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟚:𝟛

"And many peoples 𝕎𝕚𝕝𝕝 ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕊𝕒𝕪, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕥𝕖𝕒𝕔𝕙 𝕦𝕤 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕨𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕨𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕨𝕒𝕝𝕜 𝕚𝕟 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕡𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕤." For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."

Notice the tense. It's future tense. This is what should happen and will surely happen!

Now, look at what they are doing! They love to go temple. They are inviting people. [And how many of us show up to church with friends gladly? Hmm!]

Look at their intention:  They go to the temple to be taught and to obey exactly! [Many professing Christians don't want to be taught. Even when they are taught, they don't learn anything, they don't obey anything nor remember anything! 😬]

Takeaway: Church is not for entertainment, nor for emotional satisfaction, or to meet friends primarily. It's to know the ways of God and walk/obey them!

 

[1:01 pm, 28/07/2022] S.R: 𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕙 𝟜:𝟙𝟚

"But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, And they do not understand His purpose; For He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor."

Let the people of God be calm and continue to live righteously without desiring the ways of the world. The Lord does care about His glory and He shall vindicate it someday for everlasting!

 

𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕙 𝟝:𝟚

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."

This is concerning Christ, but God often raises man of God from an unlikely place. May He raise up among us too! 🙏

 

𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕙 𝟞:𝟙𝟜-𝟙𝟝

"You will eat, but you will not be satisfied, And your vileness will be in your midst. You will try to remove for safekeeping, But you will not preserve anything, And what you do preserve I will give to the sword. You will sow but you will not reap. You will tread the olive but will not anoint yourself with oil; And the grapes, but you will not drink wine."

Ever experienced something like this? Then, time to return to godliness and righteousness!

 

𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕙 𝟟:𝟠

"Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me."

This is a wonderful chapter. Even our Lord Jesus quoted this chapter in commissioning His disciples. Not only the greatness of God but also the goodness of God is seen in this verse and this chapter. Maybe I should preach a sermon from this chapter one of these days!

Short Reflection from Jonah 1-4

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[8:06 pm, 28/01/2022] S.R: 𝕁𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕙 𝟙:𝟞

"So the captain approached him and said, 'How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.'"

It's possible that even a man of God could be sleeping in sin. That's why we need one another to help us wake up when we find ourselves snoring in sin!

 

𝕁𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕙 𝟚:𝟙𝟘

"Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land."

God can deliver us from the mess of our own doing!

 

𝕁𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕙 𝟛:𝟞

"When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes."

Hmm! We can't afford to think that Modiji or Yogi or Amit Shah doesn't need to hear the Gospel. Perhaps they will be like this king of Nineveh!

 

𝕁𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕙 𝟜:𝟙𝟙

"Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?"

God is a compassionate God. That's the virtue I desire to see more in me!

Short Reflection from Obadiah

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[8:23 pm, 27/01/2022] S.R: 𝕆𝕓𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟙:𝟙𝟘

"Because of violence to your brother Jacob, You will be covered with shame, And you will be cut off forever."

Indeed, blood is thicker than many things. We should learn to take care of our blood brothers, relatives. Edomites were punished by God for not helping their brethren, the Israelites.

Joseph's blood brother (through Rachel) was Benjamin. He treated him 5 times better when they came to Egypt. Something to think through... 🤔😎

Short Reflection from Amos 1-9

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟙:𝟛, 𝟞, 𝟡, 𝟙𝟙, 𝟙𝟛

"Thus says the LORD, 'For three transgressions of _ _ _ and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they _ _ _'"

The judgment formula in Amos Chapter 1, occurs 5 times.

Three things are observed:

1. God is a sovereign judge. He shall bring justice.

2. God is a just judge. He shall repay each one accordingly.

3. God is a patient judge. He waits for people to repent, not striking them at first, but giving them chances and opportunities to mend their way.

This is the same God we worship!

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟚:𝟜-𝟝

"Thus says the LORD, 'For three transgressions of Judah and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they rejected the law of the LORD And have not kept His statutes; Their lies also have led them astray, Those after which their fathers walked. So I will send fire upon Judah And it will consume the citadels of Jerusalem.'"

The judgment formula continues in chapter 2. Now, upon God's chosen people. Indeed, God shall judge accordingly: each one shall give his account to Him!

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟛:𝟚

"You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities."

This sounds so scary when we read casually. But actually, what comforting words of punishment! Even in punishment, they can be comforted and be hopeful that God has chosen them to be His own. Punishments are to bring repentance unto God. Not to damn them.

This is true for Christians as well.

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟜:𝟙𝟚

"Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel."

It was told in Mount Sinai in a positive sense: Prepare to meet your God. It is told here in a negative sense. It is commanded to prepare for the coming of Christ, again in a positive sense. At the same time a negative one for those who wouldn't believe in Christ—face judgment!

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟝:𝟝-𝟞

"But do not resort to Bethel And do not come to Gilgal, Nor cross over to Beersheba; For Gilgal will certainly go into captivity And Bethel will come to trouble. "𝕊𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕆ℝ𝔻 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖, Or He will break forth like a fire, O house of Joseph, And it will consume with none to quench it for Bethel,"

There's no salvation under heaven except in God (Acts 4:12). David abandoned Saul's armour and relied on God's protection.  Joshua abandoned all military strategies and sought to obey God in marching around Jericho 7 times.

Seek God's way, His will, His time!

 

[11:22 am, 27/07/2022] S.R: 𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟞:𝟙𝟜

"'For behold, I am going to raise up a nation against you, O house of Israel,' declares the LORD God of hosts, 'And they will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath To the brook of the Arabah.'"

Sin in life (maybe disobedience, unbridled tongue, lust, envy, worry, and even laziness) is already hard but if we don't fight them, God would raise up a great adversary for us to realize and repent unto the Lord. God always did that in the Bible times.

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟟:𝟝-𝟞

"Then I said, "Lord GOD, please stop! How can Jacob stand, for he is small?" The LORD changed His mind about this. "This too shall not be," said the Lord GOD."

This is one of the reasons why I am happy to be a pastor. To intercede for my church members and be answered by God.

Guys, maybe, certain calamity would have happened to you, if not for somebody's prayer! Could be your parents, friends, pastors, etc...

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟠:𝟜

"Hear this, you who trample the needy, to do away with the humble of the land"

There are some people who are poorer than us, richer than us, and just like us. Let's be compassionate to the poor, not take advantage of them. Let's pity the rich, not curse them. Let's not be envious of anyone! Rather, let's imitate our Lord, to be humble, to be compassionate, and to be gracious!

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟡:𝟙𝟙

"In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old."

Our God is a God of Restoration. That's why every night we come before Him in confession, repentance, and confidence!