ZECHARIAH & MALACHI

I finish up the Old Testament today!  Tomorrow, Matthew.  But here are just a few thoughts: 1) ACTIVELY WATCHING- I was thinking about this as I read it this morning.  In Zech. 4:10, it says:  "... the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth."  It came to me that God is not only watching; He is actively watching.  He is looking to and fro and He is looking at us!  2) HOW GOD WANTS US TO LIVE- Here are two passages found in Zechariah that tell us how God wants us to live our lives: Zechariah 7:9-10  "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:  10  And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart."  Zechariah 8:16-17  "These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:  17  And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD." Do you notice that it tells us how to treat others around us?  God is concerned about how we treat others!  We are to speak well, do well, and even think well.  This is how God wants us to live. 3) BRING THE TITHES- We are to bring the tithes into God's storehouse, and I for one believe that to be the New Testament Local Church that you belong to.  Where you are actively apart of that local church, you should give your tenth (tithe) to the Lord's Work.  A tithe is where we start as a Christian, not where we end.  I have come to give about 30% of my income over the years and God has been faithful to meet every need and allow me to be a blessing.  Let us allow the Bible to speak for itself:  Malachi 3:8-10  "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  9  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.  10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."   I think God means what He says, and says what He means!  Prove Him and let the blessings of God rest upon your life! Well so much for today!  May God richly bless you and yours.   Pastor Mike Mutchler