Salty Zebra

  “I am about to send my messenger, who will clear the way before me. Indeed, the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his temple, and the messenger of the covenant, who you long for, is certainly coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.  Malachi 3:1  I am struck once again today by the dual fulfillment of God’s promises. So much of the last two chapters of Malachi point ahead to the coming of Christ, an event that will not take place for 400 years at that point. For us, it is the simple turn of a page to hear about the fulfillment of this promise, but for the Israelites of the time it would be many generations before they would see it come about. We, though, are found in a similar place with anticipating the second coming of Christ, an event that has also been promised to come “soon” ( Revelations 22:12 ). Having waited over 2,000 years at this point, soon seems like an inappropriate word, but remember, to God a thousand years is like a day ( 2 Peter 3:8 ). ...

  For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge of sacred things, and people should seek instruction from him because he is the messenger of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. You, however, have turned from the way. You have caused many to violate the law; you have corrupted the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.   Malachi 2:7-8  Many of us, myself included, would not think of ourselves as leaders. But the fact is, we all lead someone. As a parent, I have led my children, and they still come to me for help and advice. As and Aunt I have represented Jesus to my nieces and nephews. As a teacher, I have pointed students in Sunday School, Youth group, Homeschool classes, and Adult classes to Jesus. I diligently try to point people to Jesus in my blog as the Salty Zebra. I’ve had people I never would have thought of as watching me tell me that my example influenced them, sadly both for good and bad.   When God puts us in a place of witness for ...

You are offering improper sacrifices on my altar, yet you ask, ‘How have we offended ?’ By treating the table of the Lord as if it is of no importance.   Malachi 1:7  Have your kids, or your mail carrier, ever needed something for a canned food drive and so you comb through your pantry trying to spot things you don’t need? A can of artichoke hearts. A box of sketchy looking pasta. Things you can’t remember why you bought and have no idea how you would use? Guess what, the people getting food from the pantry probably will have little idea of how to use it either! You’re trying to pat yourself on the back for having donated, but what have you given? Did you give your best? Did you think of those in need and come up with things that would bless and benefit them? I’m ashamed to admit this is a true story of mine. Turns out I’m not alone though, which is even sadder…   God had brought the Israelites back from Exile to their homes. He had reminded them of all He had ...

  “The future splendor of this temple will be greater than that of former times, “the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared. “And in this place I will give peace,” decrees the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.   Haggai 2:9  What can I do for God? I am so limited physically, mentally, spiritually. What do I have to offer? The things that He has called me to build, that I have tried to be faithful in, are so small and paltry in my eyes. They are so much smaller than that which has come before me.   I’m reading through Haggai the first part of this week (there are only two chapters). It tells the tale of the Israelites who returned from exile in Babylon. They had been sent back to Jerusalem to build the temple, but when they got there, they got busy fixing up their own homes and kind of forgot to do what they were sent to. So, God sent the reminders. He sent a drought and closed up the skies to rain. The people were hungry, thirsty, they did not have what they needed, ...

  Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, along with the whole remnant of the people, obeyed the Lord their God. They responded favorably to the message of the prophet Haggai, who spoke just as the Lord their God had instructed him, and the people began to respect the Lord. Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s announcement to the people: “I am with you,” decrees the Lord.  Haggai 1:12-13  My health challenges have been many and varied over my adult life. You would think with so much experience; I’d have my priorities in order when I encounter a new kink in my system. Unfortunately, though, I’m afraid I mirror the history of the Israelites in my own life far more than I would care to admit. Now I’m not saying that God sent me Lyme disease or EDS or a brain tumor, or anything else as a punishment. What I am saying, though, is that God knew they were coming to me. Whether He sent them, they were part of His design for me...