ZEAL FOR THE LORD

His disciples remembered that it was written “Zeal for your house will consume me. John 2:17

What is zeal: ardently passionate (literally "boiling" with interest or desire); "to be deeply committed to something, with the implication of accompanying desire – 'to be earnest, to set one's heart on, to be completely intent upon' ", very fervent(zēlos). To seethe or bubble,' and is therefore used figuratively of mental states and emotions. 

Jesus is speaking to the Jewish, educated leaders – they KNEW scripture – yet they were so blinded to the TRUE LIGHT. Psalm 69:9 says: “For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.” The leaders would have known this verse, yet they still could not accept who Christ really was when he cleansed the temple. People were wrapped up in worldly business and using the temple/church for personal gain. Christ put a stop to this by cleansing the temple, which showed his rightful authority. Christ wants the church to be used for pure, authentic worship and prayer. Matthew 21:13 says: “He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

Have we every truly been “ZEALOUS” over anything, according to the definition? If so, are we about the WRONG things? Would God and Christ approve of our use and worship in His house? When we gather together are we here with deep, boiling desire; to offer prayer and intense worship to the Lord; or do we enter into His House half-heartedly? If we are not here to zealously worship and pray then we are just as bad as the Jewish leaders of the days of old.

Father God, thank you for the splendor and glory you show us every day. You alone are mighty to save and worthy of our praise. Help me to be more ZEALOUS for You and not for things in this world. Help me to be 100% committed to serving You alone. Guide my mind to have clear thoughts and intentions when I enter into your House of Worship and Prayer. Help me to not get distracted by worldly things that Satan can use to derail me during our precious times of being able to assemble together. Lord, help us not take these times for granted as, as many around the world are not able to have a time of worship, prayer and studying Your Word without persecution. Forgive me for the times I have entered your house with the wrong frame of mind. Thank you for all blessings you grant me every day, even without my realizing them. Thank you for sending Jesus to die and rise again for everyone. Thank you for your inspired word that you sent to us through faithful men who taught others so that we could learn about You. Be with the missionaries around the world who are continuing to zealously share your salvation message and disciple those they encounter. Help me to disciple those you put in my path. I ask these things in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God's 911 Part 3

"For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday."  Psalm 91:3-6

Verse 3 tells us God will protect us from the temptation traps that try to get us into sin and He will protect us from things sent to physically hurt us.  It’s up to us to believe God’s promise.  God made His protection available to us; we just have to run to Him.  How is your speech? Every word we speak is a spiritual weapon—either for good or for evil.  Choose how you use your words, carefully!

Verses 5-6 tells us the 4 groups of EVIL that Satan uses to attack:

1. Terrors = dangers of the night that cause fear.
2. Arrows = try to pierce us physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
3. Pestilence = sickness, disease or illness that causes fear.
4. Destruction = natural disasters  

Our words are powerful, use them to fight Satan.  He tries to attack where it will hurt us most.  Don’t let him rob you of your joy.  Prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon and it can change impossible situations.  Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to fight attacks from the devil.  Jesus fought against the temptation of Satan in the wilderness by quoting Bible verses to Satan.  We need to have a “bag of spiritual weapons” we can pull out when Satan attacks.  The only way we will be ready for battle is if we practice and learn to use God’s Word ahead of time! Do you read, meditate on and memorize scripture on a regular basis? Faith is not a feeling; it is choosing to believe what God says in His Word and refusing to doubt. We can't do this if we do not know what The Word says. It’s easy to panic when things get out of control, but those are the times when it is more important than ever to call on God.  Call out to God; He always answers your call!  

The verses from Psalm 91:3-6 remind me that: 

1. God saves me / delivers me from my enemies & their schemes. 
2. God covers me with His wings & shields me with His faithfulness. 
3. I will find refuge in Him if I seek it.
4. Because of this, I will not be afraid.