About 600 years before Jesus Christ was born, the remaining Israelites in Judah were taken into slavery by the Babylonians, and Jerusalem was destroyed. 70 years later, they were allowed to return, led by their leader Zerubbabel.

Against all odds, criticisms and harassment by neighboring peoples, Zerubbabel leads the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

Zechariah 4:6-7 tells us, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!”

I think the lesson for us in this story is; When we strive to do God’s will, and dedicate our activities to him, our success doesn’t come because of our “force or strength,” but by the God’s Spirit at work.

Paul has a similar message in 2 Corinthians 5:7 saying, “for we live by faith, and not by sight.”

If we stop and look, we will see occasions where God has made things happen according to his plan, against the odds and obstacles.

Dear Lord, help us remember to put your will first, and have faith that when we do, your Spirit will overcome all obstacles. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Most of us are caring and courteous people, and probably reluctant to impose our views on others. As a result, we tend to have difficulty accepting that there is only one way to be saved. What does the bible say?

Paul tells us in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

And in Romans 10:9 he tells us, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Jesus Himself says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

This doesn’t mean that we then run around like a bull in a china shop telling people how wrong they are. Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

And 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”

We are to demonstrate God’s love and grace through our actions, so that we become a magnet for Jesus, not a judge.

Dear Lord, You saved us and are the one way to eternal life. Help us each be a light that draws people to your way, to Your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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You may have heard this before, and if you haven’t, it is something worth thinking about. “Faith is the currency of heaven.” Wait, you might say, you can’t buy things with faith, but as Jesus said to the blind men in Matthew 9:29, ” According to your faith let it be to you.” Or to the woman who touched Jesus’ robe believing it would heal her in Luke 8:48 Jesus said, “your faith has made you well.” On many other occasions in the bible, Jesus tells people they are healed because of their faith. They obviously didn’t pay for the healing like purchasing a product, but the value of the faith is what Jesus said mattered.

Jesus also criticizes others on occasion saying, “you of little faith” in several passages where those involved needed Jesus to rescue them, like Peter walking on the water. So the size of the faith affects the outcome. Maybe this is partly what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 6:20 in saying, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

It is an interesting way to look at faith.

Dear Lord, we know that you want us to have faith, hope and trust in you to guide, protect, and also do great things with us. Help us remember that if faith is a currency, our account is only limited by ourselves. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Great we think, “Faith is confidence in something we want, but don’t see how it can happen.” That doesn’t help us if we don’t know, “How do we get faith?”

In Paul’s letter to the Romans 10:17, He answer’s that question, writing, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

Do you want faith? Read God’s word and hear it preached.

Dear Lord, You lead us to the answers in the Bible. Help us overcome our resistance to read and hear your word preached, so that we might have the faith in what we hope for. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Our doctors tell us to exercise in order to improve and maintain our physical condition, which is a good practice. In the same way we need to work on our spiritual fitness to build our knowledge and understanding of scripture, faith in God’s support, and strength to resist temptation.

Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:8, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” NLT

What I find interesting about this passage is that it addresses how working on being a better Christian is not just about salvation and life after earthly death, it is also about a better life here on earth, reinforcing the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, ” But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” NIV

Dear Lord, help us build our Christian muscles and endurance so that we may experience and the joy of life following you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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