184th Week, Zechariah Introduction - chapter 4

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Monday, Zechariah Intro

Zechariah Intro

Jeanie Boldt

THOUGHT

Zechariah, a prophet, was the author of this book and wrote it to give hope to God’s people by revealing God’s future deliverance through the Messiah. The book was intended for the Jews in Jerusalem who had returned from their captivity in Babylon and to God’s people everywhere.

He encouraged the people to finish rebuilding the temple, but his message went far beyond those physical walls and contemporary issues. Zechariah told of the Messiah, the One whom God would send to rescue His people and to reign over all the earth. He proclaimed a stirring message of hope to these ex-captives and exiles — THEIR KING IS COMING!!!

As we study Zechariah’s prophecy, we will see details of Christ’s life that were written 500 years before their fulfillment. Read and stand in awe of our God who keeps His promises. We need to think through the implications of this promised event. YOUR KING IS COMING, and He will reign forever and ever.

God knows and controls the future. We may never see more than a moment ahead, but we can be secure if we trust in Him. May this book strengthen our faith in God. He alone is our HOPE and SECURITY.

PRAYER

King of Kings, thank You for the great Prophets of Old. How amazingly Zechariah spoke of the Messiah. God’s plan was for us. Thank You for coming to save us. You fill us daily with Hope and Security by giving us Grace and Mercy. We bow before YOU!!! All glory, praise and honor go to You and You alone. Open our hearts and minds to receive the words and message of this book. AMEN

Tuesday, Zechariah Chapter 1

Zechariah 1

Verse 3

Mindy Strayer

Verse 3:  “Return to me,” declares the Lord Almighty, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

THOUGHT

The people had distanced themselves from the Lord. According to the Bible they had become spiritually apathetic, and the work that God had called them to do was put on the back burner while other “more important things” took priority. Sound familiar? This has happened to us all. Isn’t it awesome that even when God is angry with us, because we have distanced ourselves from Him by not spending quality and quantity time with Him, or by going after things in life that the Lord does not desire for us, His heart’s desire is for us to return?  He always wants us to be in the right relationship with Him. 

If you find yourself thinking about everything else more than you think about the Lord, then you likely need to ‘return’ to Him. That is one way I know that I am not in the right relationship with God. My thoughts are far from Him. Prayer is our life line. Repent and let God know that you want to get back into a right relationship with Him. Thank Him for loving you. Thank Him for His mercy. Ask Him to send the Holy Spirit to guide us back to the way of the Lord. Praise His name and determine in your heart and mind to walk in His ways.

PRAYER

God, we lift up the Name of Jesus today! Bless His Name! Thank You, Jesus, for Your work on the cross. Because of You we can ask the Lord for forgiveness of our sins. Forgive us Lord of our wrongdoings, wrong thinking and wrong sayings. Cleanse us please, we pray, and renew our relationship with You. Please be with each Salt Shaker this week as we go about our daily lives. Shine Your Light through us this week. We ask this in Jesus Name.  AMEN

Wednesday, Chapter 2

Zechariah 2

Verse 8

Mindy Strayer

Verse 8:  for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye—I will surely raise my hand against them.

THOUGHT

I found some commentary on this passage of scripture from the biblegateway.com website written by a man named Matthew Henry. I thought it helped to explain the depth of Christ’s love for us.

“What Christ will do for His church, shall be an evident proof of God’s care and affection. He that touches you, touches the apple of his eye. This is a strong expression of God’s love to His church. He takes what is done against her as done against the tenderest part of the eye, to which the least touch is a great offence. Christ is sent to be the Protector of His church.”

God cares when we are treated wrongly. But we must remember as individuals, He also cares to the same degree, when we treat others wrongly.  Great or small offence on His people, God is sensitive to them all.

PRAYER

Father God, we love You. Thank You for loving and caring so much for us. Help us to love others as You love us. AMEN

Thursday, Zechariah Chapter 3

Zechariah 3

Mindy Strayer

THOUGHT

There is an awesome ministry in our state called Sound the Alarm. The network of Sound the Alarm pastors was formed in 2004 in Washington for the purpose of uniting the Church of Jesus Christ in our state in repentance, in prayer for spiritual awakening, and, as needed, in united action to stand up for Biblical righteousness.  It is a ministry that encourages the pastors of the state of Washington to be pastors that pray and lead their church congregations to be a praying people.

Our pastor preached on this chapter at a Sound the Alarm Pastor’s Conference last week. It was a message to encourage the pastors in attendance. The message was comparing them to Joshua the priest, as both are the shepherds of God’s sheep (the church). We see in chapter 3 that Joshua is stained in sin, and Satan is standing right next to him accusing him. But God, in His great mercy, rebukes Satan, and He removes Joshua’s filthy clothes (sin), and places new clothes, (all of God’s goodness, righteousness, holiness) on him. He tells Joshua that, ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My requirements, then you will govern My house and have charge of My courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.‘

Our pastors are so in need of our prayers. Many are discouraged in their ministry. Apparently there was a survey put out a few years ago by Christianity Today that said the average American pastor spends 3 minutes a day praying. How can these leaders of the church be hearing from the Lord if they do not spend any time with him in his counsel chamber? Another survey done found that something like 80% (not sure of % but it was high) of pastors would quit their jobs if they had another means of which to make a livable income.  Oh how sad, you guys. 

PRAYER

Let us remember to be in prayer for the leaders of our churches in America. We need to pray that God would be merciful, and rebuke the devil, removing all of his lies. That God would remove any sin that is in the pastor’s lives. Pray for God to renew the hearts of our pastors by placing a burning desire for them, to know Him more deeply every day.  Just think if every pastor in this country was absolutely on fire for the Lord and totally devoted to His mission. Oh God, revive Your church in this country we pray. Strengthen the church leaders that You have chosen to lead Your people. Increase the desire of Your people to pray.  For Your glory, for Your kingdom, for Your name, oh God, revive Your church. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Friday, Zechariah Chapter 4

Zechariah 4

Verse 6b

Delores Little

Verse:  "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty

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THOUGHT

In this chapter we read about Zerubbabel that is also written about in Ezra.  He is helping with the rebuilding of the temple of God.  The scripture I pray in every day is verse 6b.

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” says the Lord Almighty.

This shows me that without His Spirit I can’t really do much at all. My youngest son is into weight lifting.  There is nothing wrong with that but it has become more of an idol to him.  He doesn’t even realize it. He is a born again believer too, but things in this world can take our eyes off the ways of God.

When I was younger and didn’t think God was working quickly enough in my life, I put Him on a shelf and decided to do it MY WAY!! How wrong I was.  I got into deeper troubles by not trusting in Him. I have learned that, “It is not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit.”

PRAYER

Father, thank You for Your Word for teaching us what to do and what not to do.  Father, if we would only listen to You.  Forgive us for the things we mess up. Let us keep our eyes on You daily and nightly. Bless all the Salt Shakers. In Jesus Name.  AMEN