28/11/09

God wants you, to strengthen you - be strong

Haggai 2:3,4,5 - Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes as nothing? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith Jehovah; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith Jehovah, and work: for I am with you, saith Jehovah of hosts, according to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, and my Spirit abode among you: fear ye not.


Just little background knowledge before I get to the message.

Zerubbabel / Zorobabel means "sown in Babylon" he was the grandson of king Jehoiachin and leader of the first group of returning exiles from Babylon. He is also the ancestral link between Mary (mother of Jesus) Luke and Joseph (her husband) Matthew. He was appointed governor and was instrument in rebuilding the walls & the Temple in Jerusalem. With him was Joshua (in Greek - Jesus) / Jeshusa (means "he is saved") who was a priest and also instrument in helping Zerubbabel, Ezra & Nehemiah to rebuild the Temple.

Today's message:-

The real Temple is the Body of Christ - we together (those who have a calling in their lives and those who do not) form the Body - Temple. We did not see the glorious Body of the Son of God before the damage was done but we will surely be at the Heavenly marriage when the Body is rebuild and the Son is glorified again.

The Lord is telling each one of us who are called to be part of that Body to be strong. He desires us more than we desire Him. He wants to rebuild us, and through us his people. When He sees us He sees Jesus - His Son and He can not see His Son broken.

Even when we were unworthy His Spirit was with us and now also He is telling us He will not forsake us.

Have you have fallen today? Are you not able to face yourself or the Lord for what you have done?

The Lord is telling you - He loves you and will hold on to you in his Arms to strengthen you, so be strong. He is not going to let go of you, He will build you put his wall around you such that you will not fall again easily.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord God, You are merciful God. You forgave us of our sins by the sacrifice of your Son Jesus. Your mercy forgives us as we come to You by the grace of Jesus Christ. We know we can come to You in whatever state we are in, for You are our only hope. Holy Spirit, strengthen us, fill us that we may see more and more the glory of the Body of Christ...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Ezra 3:8
8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.

Matthew 1:13-16
13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
16 And Jacob (father) begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Luke 3:23-27 (words in italic removed)
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was of Heli (father in law),
24 Which was of Matthat, which was of Levi, which was of Melchi, which was of Janna, which was of Joseph,
25 Which was of Mattathias, which was of Amos, which was of Naum, which was of Esli, which was of Nagge,
26 Which was of Maath, which was of Mattathias, which was of Semei, which was of Joseph, which was of Juda,
27 Which was of Joanna, which was of Rhesa, which was of Zorobabel, which was of Salathiel, which was of Neri,

John 17:4-5
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

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