Zachariah 1-5 summary

The Lord sent out angels to examine the whole earth and see its condition. At that time the Lord was a little angry with His people. After the examination the Lord grew more angry because the world was at more rest than His own people. The Lord grew more angry because of the condition of His people and was going to do something about it. In Chapter 3 the Lord spoke to Joshua, at the moment of Joshua’s approach to the Lord he was dressed in dirty garments. The Lord told him to take them off and the Lord gave him a new set of clothes. This is referring to forgiveness. The Lord forgave His peoples sins. Joshua was also asked to follow the commands of the Lord and He would let him govern His house.

In Chapter 4 the Lord told Zerubbabel that the work that was going to be done was not by the might of human hands but by the Lord. The mountains that faces his people the Lord would level. In Chapter 3:9-10 it referred to Christ and the work that was going to be done on the cross. The Lord said that the sins of the land would be removed in a single day. This is the Work of Christ blood when He died on the cross. In chapter five it is referring to the woman in the basket. the woman represents wickedness. The Lord drove wickedness out of His land. The Lord is purifying and rebuilding His kingdom.

Malachi 1

This is a great chapter on honor. Many times we take God for granted, He is the Creator of the world and out ranks the highest Presidents and Generals. At times we, as His followers, don’t give Him our best. If we were to have an appointment with the President of the United States we would make sure everything would be done to his liking. God expects that we would be that excited about Him, we need to give Christ our best. When He tells us to do something, we need to give it our best effort.

Romans 8

This is one of the most intense chapters in the book of Romans. It identifies the war inside of humanity. When I was younger I remember reading this and being amazed of how true the fight between our selfish nature called flesh and following the leadership of Christ called spirit. This is a battle we all can identify with. The great news is Jesus took the penalty for our sin all we have to do is accept the free gift and live a life pursuing and loving the Lord.

Romans 7

The chapter is referring to the law (10 Commandments) and their purpose. They were designed to show us that we are sinful by nature and we can not live up to the standard. As hard as we try in our own ability, we will fail. The following is the Law.

1) You shall have no other gods before me
2) You shall not make for yourself a carved image
3) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
4) Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
5) Honor your father and mother
6) You shall not murder
7) You shall not commit adultery
You shall not steal
9) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
10) You shall not covet your neighbors wife; and you shall not desire your neighbors possessions

This is very revealing to go over. Jesus came to the earth to assist humanity because we are stuck in sin and it is destroying our lives. In our own ability we are not able to fix ourselves. Jesus came to take our deserved punishment for braking the rules. John 3:16 says it so well: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  This verse is telling us to change the leadership of our lives. The best we can do is manage a life that is complicated and filled with messy circumstances of life, and many times we get overwhelmed. If we give our lives to Christ on a daily basis and trust His leadership, all we have to do is follow Him. There will be moments of discomfort in the process, but it is only because we are not use to the pure and excellent leadership of the creator of the world. Over time It gets exciting and addictive. Life with Christ is awkward at first but a great ride once you get use to the change.

Romans 6 “Addictive behavior”

It is interesting how we are made as humans. We are designed to find an identity in something. In this chapter, it is talking about when we follow the influence of sin in our lives, we as a result will became a slave to our own sin and addictions. One of the odd things I have realized about people, we like to be addicted to something. The thing we don’t like, is the bad things that happen from bad behavior and addictions.

There is hope for all of us. We may lean toward addictive behavior and habits, but through leadership in Christ, He can break the cycle and change our desires. A life given to Christ will lead to better habbits and decisions that will greatly influence our families, health, and eternity. Christ says we can accept His leadership and He will set us free of the behaviors that destroy us. That is good news! This draws me to Christ.

Romans chapter 2

This Chapter hilights judgement. This is not something we look forward to in life, but the Lord is a just and perfect judge. in verse 4 it refers to the goodness of the Lord. The Lord is so patient and filled with love toward us. He even blesses us hoping that it will lead to repentace. The Lord truly wants the best for His creation. This chapter will make you sit back and reflect.

Galatians 1 “Voices”

“Voices”, this would be the word I would use to sum up this chapter. In life there are so many voices that try to capture our lives and our devotion. Verse 6 talks about walking away from the one who has called you by the grace of Christ. Obedience to Christ is essential and a life long mission. When the Lord speaks, He expects us to obey. I have experience the pressure of people pleasing and the pressure of society that sends me into confusion, about where to go in life. I am continually seeking the Lord and His leadership in the direction of My heart. I realize Christ has called us, by His Grace. When I am out of grace I am easily moved by the circumstances and the voices of life. There is only one thing the Lord is saying to all of us, and that is to obey His voice. The Bible promises that if we need wisdom, He will give it every time. If you are confused just ask the Lord and He will give the obvious answer.

2 Corinthians 11

Paul and false Apostles
v.1-6 We need to honor and respect those God has put in leadership over us. We need to value their input and leadership over our lives. The super-apostles Paul was talking about may have looked polished as ministers but they were not given the office of Apostle over that church.
v.7-12 Apostle Paul laid his life down for this church.
v.13-15 These so called apostles were seeking glory. they wanted to look good and call themselves apostles, but they were not willing to pay the price that the office of Apostle requires.

Paul boasts about his sufferings
v.21-33 Paul knew in his flesh he was weak. He knew in his weakness God’s strength would be perfected. Our human nature is to tell people how great we are, but the Apostle Paul only boasted in his weaknesses. Paul did not succeed because of his great talent but because of Christ’s Great Strength.

2 Corinthians 7 “Repentance”

v.1 purify ourselves of the things that contaminate us
v.2-4 Paul has a great love for the people. This is an characteristic of Apostolic leadership.
v.5 Paul had to face great resistance through facing rejection and fear.
v.6 The Lord comforts us
v.7 Comforting one another is important and gives hope to the one receiving the comfort.
v.8 Paul spoke strong in his first letter to the Corinthians, but it produced repentance and life to the people.
v.9-10 Godly sorrow and repentance leads to salvation
v.11 fruit of repentance: earnestness, indignation, alarm, longing, concern, readiness to see justice done.
v12-16 Paul was excited to see the love they had for Titus and the encouragement they gave to him.

Paul in this Chapter refers to his personal hardship and fears he has had to face in being obedient to the calling on his life. 1 Corinthians was the first letter Paul wrote to the church Corinth, it was very strong letter. It really shook up the people. He talks about the difficulty of speaking the truth. In him doing so it produced repentancein the life of the people. Titus was refreshed spiritually by being with the church. This is sign of repentance. They were filled with life.

2 Corinthians 6

v.1 in vain – it is possible to refuse or miss the the benefits of grace
v.2 the Lord has heard us and will help us
v.3-5 there is challenges in following Christ
v.6-8 the characteristics we live by daily
v.11 openness is very important
v.12 we are only restricted by our own afflictions

Avoid Things that may capture our hearts devotion to Christ
v.14 yoked – something that binds, unites or connects
     -be careful who we unite to in life.
v.15-18 We are the place where Christ has chosen to abide. We need to protect that relationship by not allowing the things of this world to pollute our relationship with Christ.