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 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.

How do you fight an adversary who lies, cheats and steals and maintain your honor by not doing the same?

I believe you expose their treachery for all to see. You shine light on it. All must then acknowledge the evil and choose which side to take.

Jesus said in John 3:19-20, “God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

Evil does not want to be exposed, and will attempt to block its activities from our view. Be vigilant.

This applies to the current election in the USA. Be suspect of those who do not want light on the truth.

Dear Lord, you are the light of the world, and we trust you to shine on our world so we may see what is good and what is evil. Show us the truth and place your hand of guidance on our people, courts and leaders to protect all from the evil one. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You have probably seen movies, where one person wronged another and it started a “cold war” between them, where neither will talk to the other. Until they can put that bad experience behind them, they cannot complete some important objective that is critical to both of them. Ultimately it comes down to one of the characters apologizing, in order to become “right” with the other, and the other granting forgiveness.

This is the type of relationship man has with God. Paul writes in Romans 3:24,25, “..assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”

People are in a “cold war” with God, separated from him until we believe that Jesus was raised by God from the dead. Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and our belief in him, makes us “right” with God, so that we can finish the story and live in and with God eternally.

Dear Lord, though it may seem to some that we have to do the work to become right with you. Really, you have done all the work already. We must only accept this righteousness you offer. Help us to accept your gift, and remember it regularly in prayer, reading scripture, attending church, and receiving your holy communion. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Worry is an interesting emotion. When we succumb to worry, we can worry about anything and everything, losing good things, bad things happening, what people think, that people don’t care, etc.

But worry doesn’t prevent problems in the future, it steals the joy from today.

When we worry, we are living the pain and discomfort of problems that will probably never occur.

Jesus said in Luke 12:25-26, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

And In Matthew 6:28-32 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ”

It is faith in what Jesus told us that allows us not to worry.

Dear Lord, give us the faith in your promises to protect us so that we do not need to worry. And Lord please bring Justice and Integrity to the US election process, for your Glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen

We have all probably seen the stories of great sports coaches, military leaders, and business executives who led their teams and players to great results and performance; Performance that they probably would not have had without that leader’s support and guidance. As a result, the leader and the players are recognized and awarded.

In a similar way, God has a plan for his creation and each of us have a part in that plan. God also wants us to do great things and succeed while we work our part in His plan.

Psalm 35:27 says, “Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”

God wants you to be a great Teacher, Lawyer, Engineer, Pilot, Business person, Pastor, Student, Parent, or whatever your calling may be. We need to know and live with the confidence that when we put God’s will first He wants us to succeed.

Dear Lord, what confidence it gives us to know that when we have your will as our priority, you are supporting us and taking pleasure in our success. May our success bring you glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.