God uses all kinds of people to acomplish His will. (Matthew 1:1-17)

Matthew 1:1-17

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

The Ancestors of Jesus the Messiah

1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David of Abraham:

² Abraham was the father of Isaac.
Isaac was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.
³ Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar).
Perez was the father of Hezron.
Hezron was the father of Ram.
⁴ Ram was the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
⁵ Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).
Obed was the father of Jesse.
⁶ Jesse was the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).
⁷ Solomon was the father of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam was the father of Abijah.
Abijah was the father of Asa.
⁸ Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.
Jehoram was the father of Uzziah.
⁹ Uzziah was the father of Jotham.
Jotham was the father of Ahaz.
Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.
¹⁰ Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh.
Manasseh was the father of Amon.
Amon was the father of Josiah.
¹¹ Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon).
¹² After the Babylonian exile:
Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.
¹³ Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud.
Abiud was the father of Eliakim.
Eliakim was the father of Azor.
¹⁴ Azor was the father of Zadok.
Zadok was the father of Akim.
Akim was the father of Eliud.
¹⁵ Eliud was the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar was the father of Matthan.
Matthan was the father of Jacob.
¹⁶ Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.



 
In the first 17 verses of Matthew, we meet 46 people whose lifetimes span 2000 years. All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied considerably in personality, spirituality, and experience. Some were heroes of the faith - like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some had shady reputations - Like Rahab and Tamar. Many were very ordinary - like Hezron, Ram, Nahshon, and Akim. And others were evil - like Manasseh and Abijah. God's work in history is not limited by human failures or sins, and He works through ordinary people. Just as God used all kinds of people to bring His son into the world, He uses all kinds today to accomplish His will. And God wants to use you.





Joe























 

Are you willing to return to God? (Malachi 3:7)

Malachi 3:7

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁷ Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’



 
God's patience seems endless! Throughout history, His people have disobeyed, even scorned, His laws, but He has always been willing to accept them back. Here, however, the people have the nerve to imply that they have never disobeyed ! Many people have turned their backs on forgiveness and restoration because they have refused to admit their sin. Don't follow their example. God is ready to return to us if we are willing to return to Him.



 
Joe

















 

Let your hands be strong. (Zechariah 8:9)

Zechariah 8:9

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁹ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty.



 
God had to give the temple workers a little push to get them moving. They had heard the prophets words of encouragement; at this time they needed to stop just listening and get to work. We need to listen to what God says, but after He has made our course of action plain, we need to "be strong" and do what He wants.



 
Joe


























 

We are not trapped by our heredity. (Zechariah 1:2-6)

Zechariah 1:2-6

New King James Version (NKJV)


 

² “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. ³ Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. ⁴ “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.”’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord.

⁵ “Your fathers, where are they?
And the prophets, do they live forever?
⁶ Yet surely My words and My statutes,
Which I commanded My servants the prophets,
Did they not overtake your fathers?

“So they returned and said:

‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us,
According to our ways and according to our deeds,
So He has dealt with us.'


The familiar phrase "Like father, like son" implies that children turn out like their parents. But here, God warned Israel not to be like their forefathers, who disobeyed Him and reaped the consequences - His punishment. We are responsible before God for our actions. We aren't trapped by our heredity or environment, and we can't use these as excuses for our sins. We are free to choose, and individually we must return to God and follow Him.



Joe


















 

God chose you ! (Haggai 2:23)

Haggai 2:23

New International Version (NIV)


 

²³ “‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”



 
God closed His message to Zerubbabel with this tremendous affirmation, "I have chosen you." Such a proclamation is ours as well - each of us has been chosen by God (see Ephesians 1:4 below). This truth should make us see our value in God's eyes and motivate us to work for Him. When you feel down, remind yourself, "God has chosen me!"
 

Ephesians 1:4

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.



 
Joe






















 

God is eager to bless you ! (Haggai 2:18-19)

Haggai 2:18-19

New International Version (NIV)



 

¹⁸ ‘From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid. Give careful thought: ¹⁹ Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit.
“‘From this day on I will bless you.’”



The people re-laid the temple foundation and immediately God blessed them. He did not wait until the project was completed. God often sends His encouragement and approval with our first few obedient steps. He is eager to bless us.




Joe

















 

Stop praying about it ... do it ! (Haggai 2:4)

Haggai 2:4

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁴ ... ‘Be strong, ... ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.



 
"Be strong ... and work. For I am with you." Judah's people had returned to worshipping God, and God had promised to bless their efforts. But it was time for them to work. We must be people of prayer, Bible study, and worship - but eventually we must get out and do what God has in mind for us. He wants to change the world through us. God has given you a job to do in the church, at your place of employment, and at home. The time has come to be strong and work because God is with you.



 
Joe
















 

Don't ignore your spiritual life. (Haggai 1:3-6)

Haggai 1:3-6

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

³ Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai: ⁴ “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? ⁵ This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! ⁶ You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!




God asked His people how they could live in luxury when His house was lying in ruins. The temple was the focal point of Judah's relationship with God, but it was still demolished. Instead of rebuilding the temple, the people put their energies into beautifying their own homes. However, the harder the people worked for themselves, the less they had, because they ignored their spiritual lives. The same happens to us. If we put God first, He will provide for our deepest needs. If we put Him in any other place, all our efforts will be futile. Caring only for your physical needs while ignoring your relationship with God will lead to ruin.


Joe



















 

Are you a leader? Be careful ! (Zephaniah 3:3-4)

Zephaniah 3:3-4

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

³ Its leaders are like roaring lions
    hunting for their victims.
Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time,
    who by dawn have left no trace of their prey.
⁴ Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain.
    Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God’s instructions.





Leading God's people is a privilege and a responsibility. Through Zephaniah, God rebuked all types of leadership in Jerusalem - officials, rulers, prophets, and priests - because of their callous disobedience, irresponsibility, and sin. If you are a leader in the church, consider yourself in a privileged position, but be careful. God holds you responsible for the purity of your actions, the quality of your example, and the truth of your words.



 
Joe















 

Do you accept the counsel of others ? (Zephaniah 3:2)

Zephaniah 3:2

New English Translation (NET)

 

² She is disobedient;
she refuses correction.
She does not trust the Lord;
she does not seek the advice of her God.




Do you know people who refuse to listen when someone disagrees with their opinions? Their root problem is pride - inflated self-esteem. God's people had become so proud that they would not hear or accept God's correction. Do you find it difficult to listen to the spiritual counsel of others or God's Words from the Bible? Don't let pride make you unable or unwilling to let God work in your life. You will be more willing to listen when you consider how weak and sinful you really are compared to God.


 
Joe


















 

Don't trust money, trust Christ. (Zephaniah 1:18)

 

Zephaniah 1:18

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁸ Your silver and gold will not save you
    on that day of the Lord’s anger.
For the whole land will be devoured
    by the fire of his jealousy.
He will make a terrifying end
    of all the people on earth.


 

Money is not evil in itself, but it is useless to save us. In this life, money can warp our perspective, giving us feelings of security and power. Just as the Israelites' wealth could not save them from the Babylonian invasion, so at the final judgment, our riches will be worthless. Only Christ's redemptive work on our behalf matters for eternity. Christ alone will ransom us if we believe in Him. Don't trust money, trust Christ.




Joe




















 

That’s just the kind of prophet you would like! (Micah 2:11)

Micah 2:11

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹¹ Suppose a prophet full of lies would say to you,
    “I’ll preach to you the joys of wine and alcohol!”
That’s just the kind of prophet you would like!



 
The people liked the false prophets who told them only what they wanted to hear. Micah spoke against prophets who encouraged the people to feel comfortable in their sin. Preachers are popular when they don't ask too much of us and when they tell us our greed or lust might even be good for us. But a true teacher of God speaks the truth, regardless of what the listeners want to hear.




 
Joe
















 

What do you think about as you lie down in bed. (Micah 2:1)

Micah 2:1

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

2 What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night,
    thinking up evil plans.
You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out,
    simply because you have the power to do so.



Micah spoke out against those who planned evil deeds at night and rose at dawn to do them. A person's thoughts and plans reflect his or her character. What do you think about as you lie down to sleep. Do your desires involve greed or stepping on others to achieve your goals. Evil thoughts lead to evil deeds.



 
Joe

















 

How is your appetite for God's Word? (Amos 8:11-13)

Amos 8:11-13

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

¹¹ “The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord,
    “when I will send a famine on the land—
not a famine of bread or water
    but of hearing the words of the Lord.
¹² People will stagger from sea to sea
    and wander from border to border
searching for the word of the Lord,
    but they will not find it.
¹³ Beautiful girls and strong young men
    will grow faint in that day,
    thirsting for the Lord’s word.




The people had no appetite for God's Word when prophets like Amos brought it. Because of their apathy, God said He would take away even the opportunity to hear His Word. We have God's Word, the Bible. But many still look everywhere for answers to life's problems except in Scripture. You can help them by directing them to the Bible, showing them the parts that speak to their special needs and questions. God's Word is available to us. Let us help people know it before a time comes when they cannot find it.



 
Joe



















 

I'm just a Shepherd (Amos 7:14-15)

Amos 7:14-15

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹⁴ But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. ¹⁵ But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’




Without any special preparation, education, or upbringing, Amos obeyed God's call to "Go and prophesy to my people in Israel." Obedience is the test of a faithful servant of God. Are you obeying God's call to you?



 
Joe















 

God's plumb line. (Amos 7:7-9)

Amos 7:7-9

New International Version (NIV)



 

⁷ This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. ⁸ And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos?”



 
A plumb line is a device used to ensure the straightness of a wall. A wall that is not straight will eventually collapse. God wants people to be right with Him; He wants the sin that makes us crooked removed immediately. God's Word is the plumb line that helps us be aware of our sin. How do you measure up to God's plumb line?



 
Joe


















 

Are you in the place God wants you to be? (Amos 1:1)

Amos 1:1

New International Version (NIV)


 

1 The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa...



 
Amos raised sheep - not a particular "spiritual" job - yet he became a channel of God's message to others. Your job may not cause you to feel spiritual or successful, but it is a vital work if you are in the place God wants you to be. God can work through you to do extraordinary things, no matter how ordinary your occupation.



 
Joe


















 

Turn to God while there is time... (Joel 2:12-13)

Joel 2:12-13

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹² That is why the Lord says,
    “Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
    Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
¹³ Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
    but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
    He is eager to relent and not punish.



 
God told the people to turn to Him while there was still time. Destruction would soon be upon them. Time is also running out for us. Because we don't know when our lives will end, we should trust and obey God now, while we can. Don't let anything hold you back from turning to Him.



 
Joe
















 

"For I am God, and not a man." (Hosea 11:9)

Hosea 11:9

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁹ I will not carry out my fierce anger,
    nor will I devastate Ephraim again.
For I am God, and not a man—
    the Holy One among you.
    I will not come against their cities.


 
"For I am God, and not a man." It is easy for us to define God in terms of our own expectations and behavior. In so doing, we make Him just slightly larger than ourselves. In reality, God is infinitely greater than we are. We should seek  to become like Him rather than attempting to remake Him in our image.





 
Joe











 

Is your bow crooked? (Hosea 7:16)

Hosea 7:16

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

¹⁶ They look everywhere except to the Most High.
    They are as useless as a crooked bow.
Their leaders will be killed by their enemies
    because of their insolence toward me.
Then the people of Egypt
    will laugh at them.





 
A crooked bow is unreliable. Its arrows miss the target and its owner would be quite vulnerable in battle. Life without God is as unreliable as a crooked bow. Without God's direction, our thoughts are filled with lust, cheating, selfishness, and deceit. As long as we are warped by sin, we will never reach our full potential.



 
 
 
Joe
















 

Give up your pride. (Hosea 7:10)

Hosea 7:10

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹⁰ Their arrogance testifies against them,
    yet they don’t return to the Lord their God
    or even try to find him.




Arrogance (pride) keeps a person from returning to God because arrogance acknowledges no need of help from anyone, human or divine. Pride intensifies all our other sins because we cannot repent of any of them without giving up our pride.


 
Joe














 

Like mist and dew (Hosea 6:4)

Hosea 6:4

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁴ “What can I do with you, Ephraim?
    What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
    like the early dew that disappears.



 
God answered His people, pointing out that their profession of loyalty, like mist and dew, evaporated easily and had no substance. Many find it easy and comfortable to maintain the appearance of being committed without deep and sincere loyalty. If you profess loyalty to God, back it up with your actions.





 
Joe






























 

God sees everything ! (Hosea 7:1-2)

Hosea 7:1-2

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

7 “I want to heal Israel, but its sins are too great.
    Samaria is filled with liars.
Thieves are on the inside
    and bandits on the outside!
² Its people don’t realize
    that I am watching them.
Their sinful deeds are all around them,
    and I see them all.


 
God sees and knows everything. Like Israel, we often forget this. Thoughts like "No one will ever know," or "No one is watching" may tempt us to try to get away with sin. If you are facing difficult temptations, you will be less likely to give in if you remind yourself that God is watching. When faced with the opportunity to sin, remember that God sees everything.



 
Joe


















 

Be a star. (Daniel 12:3)

Daniel 12:3

New International Version (NIV)



 

³ Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.





Many people try to be stars in the world of entertainment, only to find their stardom temporary. God tells us how we can be eternal "stars" - by being wise and leading many to God's righteousness. If we share our Lord with others, we can be true stars - radiantly beautiful in God's sight !



 
Joe





















 

God is trying to get your attention. (Daniel 9:14)

Daniel 9:14

New International Version (NIV)


 

¹⁴ The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.



Daniel spoke about how God continually tried to bring Israel back to Himself. Yet even after disaster struck them, they refused to obey Him. God still uses circumstances, other people, and most important, His Word to bring His people back to Him. What would it take for God to get your attention?



 
Joe











 

How will your life measure up? (Daniel 7:10)

Daniel 7:10

 
 
New International Version (NIV)

 
 

¹⁰ A river of fire was flowing,
    coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
    ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
    and the books were opened.





 
Daniel saw God judging millions of people as they stood before Him. We all must stand before almighty God and give an account of our lives. If your life were judged by God today, what would He say about it? How would He measure it against His will for us? We should live each day with the full awareness that we must appear before God to give account for how we used our lives. How will your life measure up?





 
Joe 





















 

Trust God like Daniel (Daniel 6:21-23)

Daniel 6:21-23

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

²¹ Daniel answered, “Long live the king! ²² My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”
²³ The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.



 
The man or woman who trusts in God and obeys His will is untouchable until God takes him or her. To trust God is to have immeasurable peace. God who delivered Daniel, will deliver you. Do you trust Him with your life?



 
Joe



















 

Pray regularly. (Daniel 6:10)

Daniel 6:10

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹⁰ But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.



 
Daniel stood alone. Although he knew about the law against praying to anyone except the king, he continued to pray three times a day as he always had. Daniel had a disciplined prayer life. Our prayers are usually interrupted not by threats, but simply by the pressures of our schedules. Don't let threats or pressures cut into your prayer time. Pray regularly, no matter what, for prayer is your lifeline to God.



 
Joe












 

Conduct your life above reproach. (Daniel 6:3-4)

Daniel 6:3-4

 
New Living Translation (NLT)
 
 

³ Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
⁴ Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.
 
 
Daniel made enemies at work by doing a good job. Perhaps you had a similar experience. When you begin to excel, you will find that coworkers may look for ways to hold you back and tear you down. How should you deal with those who would cheer at your downfall and even try to hasten it? Conduct your whole life above reproach. Then you have nothing to hide, and your enemies will have a difficult time finding legitimate charges against you. Of course, this will not always save you from attacks, and like Daniel, you will have to rely on God for protection.


 
 
Joe
















 

How well do you represent God at your job? (Daniel 6:1-3)

Daniel 6:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

 

 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, ² with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. ³ Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.





At this time, Daniel was over 80 years old and one of Darius's top three administrators. Daniel was working with those who did not believe in his God, but he worked more efficiently and capable than all the rest. Thus, he attracted the attention of the pagan king and earned a place of respect. One of the best ways to influence non-Christian employers is to work diligently and responsibly. How well do you represent God to your employer?



Joe

Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife Patricia !