bible-study – Faith Encounters

So the LORD sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, 15 on September 21 of the second year of King Darius’s reign. Haggai 1:14 NLT

Have you ever had your enthusiasm “sparked”? I’ve talked with a few people lately and life’s challenges have had them feeling a little blah at the best and even depressed at their situations at the worst. One of Satan’s tactics is to steal our hope and our joy. They may need a “spark” of hope to carry on.

Haggai (whose name means “festive”) was called by the Lord to encourage God’s people during their return to Israel after their Babylon exile. It was a difficult, but exciting time. Haggai was specifically called to encourage the leader Zerubbabel (the governor of Judah) and his religious counterpart–Jeshua, the high priest. As these two leaders listened to the words spoken by Haggai their hearts were sparked to begin to rebuild the temple of the Lord.

The Hebrew word ‘ur means to rouse, awaken, stir up, excite, to incite, to arouse to action, to open the eyes. Some of God’s people are slumbering. Life’s circumstances have overwhelmed some and others are at a standstill. God directed faith-filled words can spark action. They can wake up the slumbers and encourage the hopeless. What kind of words do you need today to spark you into action? Encouragement, comfort or exhortation? God desires to give you what you need. Go to Him first, then to others as He directs. Remember the verse: Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church? James 5:14. Maturing believers must take responsibility for their spiritual health.

The life group I lead unexpectedly lost a dear member about two weeks ago. It is one of life’s mysteries we still can’t quite get our minds around. She was only 46 and had a lot of life left to lead. Unexpectedly, another Life Group of ladies asked if they could join our group last night to love on us, pray for us and bring dessert! It was the most amazing time. It sparked joy and blessing–even as we prayed together. Spontaneous laughter, worship and peace filled the room. It is often difficult during a time of mourning to know what to do. This unique and divinely inspired example of love is exactly what our group needed.

I have found it so true that there is something that happens when we share in community together. Zerubbabel and Jeshua teamed up together to accomplish what God called them to do–lead the people to rebuild the temple. The people were focusing on their own needs, which is understandable. They had been gone for 70 years and had to rebuild their own lives. But God brought them back for a reason. These leaders needed Haggai to remind them of their own calling and purpose. Often we need each to do that for each other. People always need the gift of encouragement!

2 Timothy 1: 6,Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Have you ever tried to light a candle with one of those small igniters and have them click, click, click and finally you realize you have used up the fuel? It is very frustrating. God wants us to stay “fueled” up by His Spirit, so He can use us to spark others. If we are waiting for others to “spark” us, you may miss being the light He needs you to be. Thinking you don’t need others is also faulty thinking. We can do more together. Burn longer together. Be a brighter light together.

Many translations use the word “stirred” in place of the New Living Translation sparked. So if you are more comfortable with the word “stirred”, may I ask what stirs your heart? Music? Testimonies? Fellowship? Spending time in prayer, listening for His voice, His comfort and His instruction are ways to stir up not only your gifts, but be the spark for others. It took perseverance for them to rebuild the temple. It didn’t look like the old one. Older Jews, who had witnessed the old temple were grieving. The younger ones were tempted to live their own lives, not understanding the importance of the re-build. But God continued to speak through His prophets to encourage them in their task. He wants to encourage us to do the same. Do not grow weary in doing well, my friends. Your very faith-life could encourage others right now. He could be use you to spark faith and hope in some hopeless places, so keep on letting your light shine.

Father, I ask that you help us walk brightly with You. Teach us how to stir up the gifts You have given us so they don’t die out and grow dormant. Help us to speak words of hope and faith that will encourage others. You are so trustworthy. Thank you for raising up more Haggai’s in this day and age, that we may hear Your word clearly and be stirred to do Your will, In Jesus’ Name, amen.

One Sabbath day, as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years, and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness! Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God! Luke 13: 10-13. NLT.

One thing teachers, usually don’t like to have to deal with, is interruptions. They are focusing on communicating their thought–giving their best so their listeners will get their point, but here we find Jesus interrupting his own teaching because he saw a woman in need. But is this an example that we too, should be following? Personally, I think it might be appropriate!

I don’t know if you have ever saw a person who was bent double, I have. I felt so sorry for them. For the most part, to them, it is a ground level view of life–full of shoes, legs and a very sore neck trying to look up. Eating may be difficult because of the angle the esophagus and stomach are in. This condition robbed her of the ability to have a lap. She couldn’t hold her babies like normal or even communication with others was hindered.

This woman had been in this condition for 18 years. I am sure by now she had adapted as best she could. People around her had grown used to her as well. Nobody expected anything different for her, that was just her life. But one Sabbath day, Jesus saw her.

One Sabbath, this un-named faithful woman went to the synagogue in spite of her condition. I don’t think she made any excuses that she couldn’t stand or sit very long, she went as usual. Sometimes we may feel if we don’t do something extra ordinary, we won’t receive anything extra ordinary–but it is often doing the right thing that puts us in the right place for the right thing to happen. But her faithfulness put her in the right place for the most extraordinary thing to happen.

Jesus saw her. He stopped teaching and called her over, laid hands on her and she was healed. Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. What an amazing sight it must have been. Then the scripture goes on to say: How she praised God. What a rightful response!

This woman was worth Jesus stopping his teaching to bring freedom to her life. Who is worth your stopping? Your interruption? It is hard in our busy world to make the stops sometimes. Maybe she was a beloved and cared for woman, or maybe she was just a deformed woman everyone took for granted who hid in the background. We don’t know. But what we do know is after 18 years of suffering, our Lord saw her and set her free. He stopped what He was doing and released her. Maybe sharing a smile, a word of encouragement or compliment may help someone feel seen or freed. Stopping and really looking at your food server or check-out person can make their day. Giving a gift of food or even a little cash makes a difference. My friends, if Jesus can stop his teaching to help someone, what can we do? This means we must first stop focusing on just ourselves, and that can be a hard thing to do, right? I want to share a very small example:

While I was in the check out- line at the grocery store the other day, I overheard the check out person talking with the bagger. The bagger was an older woman who, apparently, wasn’t feeling her best. To be honest, she didn’t look too well either. After I paid and received my bag, I simply leaned over to her, touched her shoulder and (out loud) but quietly asked Jesus to touch her. She looked startled, but then smiled as I wished her a better day. I have never seen her before, nor probably will I ever again, but I do know I did my best to encourage her. Was it appropriate? I don’t know, but it was in my heart to do so. I keep praying for her as well. This was a quick stop in both our days, prayerfully, I believe it made a difference.

I think sometimes, we are afraid to “stop” because we are afraid it might “cost” us more than we want to give. We may feel overwhelmed with the time, talent or treasure it may involve, so we pass on by. But we can’t possible consider what it may be purchasing, not only for the other person, but also for ourselves. If the Holy Spirit says stop, then stop. We can trust Him for provision and blessing, we truly can.

Father, I thank you for helping us not be afraid to “stop” and follow the Holy Spirit lead. Help us overcome our fear that it might “cost” us more than we want to give, or fear we aren’t enough. You are always enough, dear Lord, and we trust You to help us in this area. In Jesus Name, amen.

Tag: bible-study

Faith and “Spark”

Faith and “Stops”