And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. — Zechariah 12:9 (KJV)

This verse is in the context of the time when  Israel recognizes, towards the end of the Great Tribulation, that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and that they [Israel] killed him. They will mourn and be in great bitterness, as one who lost his firstborn.

The warning is for the nations that come against Jerusalem. This should be a somber warning, as in about one week, on 11/20/11, the Palestinians will be coming before the United Nations to demand their own state, at the cost of dividing Israel. The U.N. General Assembly will then vote on this, the following week.

The United States, long a friend of Israel, supports the Palestinians in their demand for statehood and also supports dividing Jerusalem and reducing Israel’s borders to an indefensible position. How could we, as a nation, turn against Israel?

We must repent, or the United States will suffer for the consequences of their actions.

For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. Obadiah 1:15 (KJV)

Be in prayer for our nation to repent. Be in prayer for Israel.

God bless, Mike

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. — 1 Thessalonians 1:7 (KJV)

What were they ensamples of? According to the preceding verse, they were ensamples because:

1. They were followers of Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus.
2. They were followers of the Lord.
3. They received the word in much affliction.
4. Even in affliction they did it with joy.

The church of the Thessalonians were a model of imitation of how to receive the word of God, even in affliction, and in how to follow the Lord. Receive the word with joy, even in affliction. Be a follower of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Be an ensample to others.

God bless, Mike

Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation. — Psalm 38:22 (KJV)

Don’t let Satan’s attack or your own weakness in the flesh knock you down.  Call upon the Lord. Cry out for Him to make haste.  This is a spiritual emergency!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. — Psalm 46:1-3 (KJV)

God is a very present help in trouble. He is right there to help you. Call upon him!

God bless, Mike

Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? — Zechariah 7:5 (KJV)

Can you imagine? The fasts in question had been going on for 70 years and they weren’t acceptable to God! Why is that? I think it has to do with their hearts. Their hearts were not after God, but rather they lived their lives for themselves and added some godly traditions.

It is an ineffectual salve. It will not heal anything.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. — Psalm 51:17 (KJV)

Any man may fast and many will have a religious motive behind it. They may very well look righteous in all that they do.

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. — Luke 18:9-14 (KJV)

Look at your life before God.  Do it in secret.  Let Him show you your sin. Repent! Live your life for God in all truth.

God bless, Mike

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. — Colossians 3:2 (KJV)

Naturally, our affections are on things on the earth. That is what the old man craves. We are told to put off those things that please the flesh now in order to do those things that please God now.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. — Colossians 3:23-24

Everything you do today to please your flesh will reward you today.  It will also cost you in eternity.

But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. — Colossians 3:25

Instead, Christian, Set your affection ….. not on things on the earth, but rather on pleasing the LORD.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. — Colossians 3:17

God bless, Mike

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: — Colossians 1:16 (KJV)

For by him, meaning the Son, were all things created. This means everything! Nothing is left out. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, created all things.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. — John 1:3 (KJV)

It is a core fact that in order to believe in God, you must believe the fact that all things were made by him.

God bless, Mike

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. — Philippians 4:6 (KJV)

We are told to make all our requests to God. It is through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving that we are to make our requests. Worship the Lord in making your requests unto God. Make earnest petitions before the God of all creation.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7 (KJV)

God will give you peace and keep you.

God bless, Mike

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. — Psalm 32:1

You are bless if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins. There is no other way to come to God. Your sins must be covered by the Blood of Jesus.

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! — John 1:36

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: — 1 Peter 1:19

Are you blessed? Is your transgression forgiven? Is your sin covered?

God bless, Mike

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. — Zechariah 2:8

Think of what it means for an apple to spoil.  It starts as a small blemish and turns to rotten, through and through. At the early stages you can cut out the bad part, but later the whole apple has to go.

The world seems to be against Israel, and Israel has few friends. Woe unto the nations and people that spoil them! What about your nation? Is it a friend or foe of Israel? Are you praying for Israel?

God bless, Mike

But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. — Psalm 31:14 (KJV)

Know it to be true, that Satan is your enemy.  David talks about how God delivered him from his enemies.  Yes, a King has many enemies.  More so does a Christian.  Satan will do all in his power to destroy you and stop you from serving God.  Look back and see the many times that God has delivered you from evil.

Trust in the LORD. See how he has blessed you.  Look back and see if you have trusted God.

God bless, Mike