Come build with me.

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joy2give2u -> Come build with me. (6/23/2008 12:27:22 PM)
There is a little book in the bible, probably not read often, packed with a powerful truth especially for singles. God's people had been released from captivity, allowed to return home, and given permission to rebuild God's temple. They started out with passion and excitement only to be distracted by life. They began to focus on building their own houses while leaving God's house in disrepair. God speaks to Haggai, giving him words to speak to the people, and encouraging them to stop focusing on building their own lives and to focus on building His temple. How many of us can see ourselves in this book? How many of us came to the Lord full of passion and excitement, eager to build God's temple now dwelling in us? How many, though still in love with the Lord, became focused with finding a spouse, building a career, praying for marriage and children and trying to build the life for which we hope? Have we become so focused on building our own houses that our prayer life is about finding a spouse? Is our time with the Lord spent hoping and praying he will bless us with marriage and children or a career? Are our minds on the Lord or on our hopes and dreams for the future? Do we spend more time thinking of the life we want, the life we desire, then we do of Him? ****************************************************************************** I believe Haggai has a powerful message to speak to each of us. I also believe as we share what God is speaking to each of us through the book of Haggai our focus will turn from building our own house's to building His. Haggai tells us to "Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house...." My prayer is this thread will find us traveling up the mountain, picking up a piece of timber and together we will begin to rebuild God's temple. Will you join me? Will you climb the mountain by reading the book of Haggai daily? It is a small book easily read in a few minutes. Will you grab hold of the timbers of truth God shows you through your reading and mediating on God's word? Will you bring those pieces of timber to this thread to share with everyone else.........so that together we can rebuild His temple? ******************************************************************************* As we share what God speaks to us through Haggai I ask people share questions, thoughts and especially those things God speaks through reading Haggai. God will speak to each of us differently depending on our own personal walk with Him........please do not post if your post is not about what God is speaking or sharing with you or if it is not questions he has laid on your heart.......... This thread is not a place to lift yourself up or try to discount what another says..........If God is saying something to someone he did not say to you.......that is fine........share what HE IS SHOWING you......it is not anyone's place to decide if something said is or is not from God. Any translation of the bible is fine since God knows the language you understand best and translation you are using when he speaks to you.......He is quite capable of saying what he wants to say through the tool you have in your hands........ If you have a problem with the translation please feel free to share what God is speaking directly to you through the translation you are using but DO NOT make choice of translations an issue. This discussion is not about being right or wrong.....it is about listening to God as he speaks through Haggai and sharing what he is saying to each of us individually..........please refrain from trying to speak for God and instead ask God to speak to you personally through the book and what is shared here. ******************************************************************************** Dear Lord I ask for you to join us in this discussion. I pray you will open our eyes,ears, minds and spirits so that we will know more clearly what you are speaking to each of us individually through Haggai. Lord humble us before you as we go into your Word........humble us as we read what each other share.........give us a humble attitude willing to listen to your voice through what you have shared with each one of us..... God keep us from reading post as though we have all the answers......Instead Lord I pray you will help each of us approach this thread eager to hear your voice.......eager to listen to you. Lord help us come to this thread with a clean slate........excited for you to show us a new perspective........to speak new things to us.......to see a clearer picture of your heart for us. Lord I pray for your Holy Spirit to direct this thread....... As each person reads these words Lord I pray you will begin to do something new in them..... I pray you will lead those who are open to listening and willing to share to read Haggai and begin posting what you are sharing with them through the book. Lord I am so excited with what you are showing me..........how you are speaking to me through this small, two chapter book. I am so excited of the promises you give us. I can't wait Lord to see your glory reflected more and more in each of us as we stop trying to build our own houses and begin to build yours...... Thank you Father for your voice........thank you Father for desiring to speak to each of individually through your word........ We are listening Lord......speak to us. Amen

AlwaysR8chel -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 12:36:37 PM)
. . . . . ........ I'm in.... You guide us, Joy.... What day will you start?

joy2give2u -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 12:40:36 PM)
quote: What day will you start? Today...... I am going outside to read it and asked God to speak to me........and to pray for this thread.

AlwaysR8chel -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 12:44:38 PM)
. . . . . .......... Maybe go by a group of verses at a time? That way discussion will be a little more structured... instead of all over the place? Have a wonderful lunch! [;)]

joy2give2u -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 1:00:37 PM)
quote: ......... Maybe go by a group of verses at a time? That way discussion will be a little more structured... instead of all over the place? I considered doing it by section but felt God wanted it to be more open...... My hope is people will read both chapters each day and then share the thing which stands out most powerfully.......What God speaks to them that day. I don't expect people to post everything God shows them all at once but to read it each day (it is such a short book) then spend some time meditating on it and asking God......What are you showing me today. As people post, I hope others will ask questions or share how those verses spoke to them, and the conversation will flow. The first time you read it Rach what really stood out to you?

joy2give2u -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 2:39:07 PM)
Haggai 1:5,6 Give careful thoughts to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. What are my ways Lord? How do I live my life? Am I trying to build my own house, even using you to help me, when your house is left in disrepair? One of the things which really stood out to me in these verses is that some is given but not all that we know God wants to give us. In my life God blesses me. I have such joy but I want more. I have love abounding but I want to love more........I have faith yet I need more...........I know God but I need to know him more........He is so much more then my understanding of Him today.......I need to know Him more, I want to see His face more and each day I want to see Him through new eyes....I never want to settle or limit how I see him to how I see him today. I have planted seeds of truth in family members, sharing God's love with them, yet the harvest has been little.........I am no longer content with praying for my family members........I am ready to go to work harvesting all the fruit God's heart wants to produce in my family. I have eaten of his Word, savored His truth yet I find myself so very hungry for more. I am not satisfied. What I have learned from the bible has only wet my appetite to have Him speak to me more and more through His Word. I am so thirsty for more of His living water........for more of His spirit. I have seen the power of His spirit. I have seen how he heals physically, emotionally and spiritually........I want to drink in more and more of His spirit. I want to see the heavens open above me and pour out His spirit over my life.......I want to open my mouth and take in the refreshing, cleansing water of His spirit.........I am thirsty for so more to drink. God has blessed me with material things. He has provided a place for me to live, clothes for me to wear and food for me to eat.......He provides hotel rooms dirt cheap so I can treat the girls.......he fixes my car when it breaks.........still I know I am not walking in all the blessings he desires to pour out on my life. I know what I wear now is little compared to what I wear when I am clothes in righteousness.........I know that he wants to take off all the rags, those old worn out clothes which just feel comfortable because they are what I am use too.......he wants to replace them with gowns befitting a princess...........God has so much he desires to give me.......... "You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it" Wow the Lord knows my purse.......this is so true for me.......I work hard yet never seem to have abundance........God promises me he will provide all my needs and he does.........but what do I do with the money he gives me? Am I honoring him with it? Why is it falling out of my purse? Why am I carrying around a purse with holes in it? Give careful thoughts to your ways Dawn.......why am I walking through life utilizing only a fraction of all God desires to give me......Why am I not walking continually under open heavens?

AlwaysR8chel -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 2:40:33 PM)
. . . . ...... Okay... I will post tomorrow... ;o)

Focusing -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 3:48:08 PM)
Yes, we must build with the Lord guiding us! As I read through chapter 1, I highlighted the following ... Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate? ... Consider your ways! ... that I may be pleased ... and be glorified ... My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house ... obeyed the voice of the Lord their God ... and the people showed reverence for the Lord ... then ... I am with you, declared the Lord. We need to remember to keep God first and foremost in our lives and thoughts. Consider your ways! is what He tells us. That He may be pleased and glorified. Yesterday our sermon was on worship. We sang beautiful worship songs I'm coming back to the heart of worship ... It's not about me, it's all about You. May we never forget that simple truth. This is what the Lord desires in our lives: for us to focus on Him. Unfortunately, we become so fixated on what we want that we forget to seek His will. We are so busy running to our own houses ... our own desires, our own wants, our own needs ... that we allow Him to slip away. His house becomes desolate, falls out of repair. We think "Yeah, I see that. But once I take care of my own house, then ... yeah, then I can worry about the house of the Lord." When the fact is, we need to focus on His house first. We need to keep our focus on the Lord. As singles, it's so easy to feel alone, lonely, isolated because we don't have a warm body next to us, sharing our lives, and we are running around seeking to fill our own house. Do we really think God doesn't see this? That He doesn't already know the desires of our hearts? That He doesn't realize we have needs that we want met by another physical person? Of course He does! He is everywhere and he knows everything. I see these verses speaking to our hearts, reminding us to seek after Him. To keep our relationship with Him our number one priority. He is a jealous God. He told us Himself, starting at Exodus 20:5 I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. He will use whatever means He chooses to bring us back to Him. He is in control of our lives. His desire is for us to realize this simple fact. He will never give up on us. We need to learn to be content with what He provides us. It isn't always easy. That's how I see the verses you quoted, Joy: that we are always running around seeking more more more. We are never content. How often do we stop and spend quiet time conversing with God? Not just talking to Him ... but listening for Him to speak to us? Do we take the time to listen for His voice? Or are we too busy running around in our own lives, so focused on our own houses, that we allow Him to fade away? It is a continual prayer of mine, that I never allow Him to fade away from the forefront of my mind. And yet I know there are things in my life that distract me, and cause that to happen. And knowing this, I have people in my life who pray about this specifically. Who help keep Him at the forefront of my mind. That help me see that He is working continually in my life. That I remember daily to go check on His temple and make sure it is beautiful. That it doesn't fall into a state of desolation. God did not create us to be alone. He created us to crave interaction with others. It's important to intentionally seek others who are also desirous of keeping His temple in a state of beauty and honor ... and to edify one another, spurring one another on to good works for the Lord. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. - Hebrews 10:24

iwillfearnoevil -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 4:22:30 PM)
Haggai 1:8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD as i read this earlier i thought to myself that even the act of 'going into the mountains, fetching timber, and building the house' ... the process brings glory and honor to God ... not just a focus on the final product ... take for an example of being healthier which often includes losing weight and exercising ... God's not pleased _only_ when we reach our goal weight but by our daily efforts toward this goal ...

joy2give2u -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 4:23:49 PM)
quote: We are so busy running to our own houses ... our own desires, our own wants, our own needs ... that we allow Him to slip away. great point Sam. I also think we can be busy building our houses while allowing Him to play a role........but that is still not what he desires......he wants us to build His house and let Him build our house........ quote: we are running around seeking to fill our own house. Do we really think God doesn't see this? That He doesn't already know the desires of our hearts? How often we forget this.......Do we have so little faith in God's love that we think if we don't build our own houses they won't get built? I know I have been guilty of trying to find mr. right and when he didn't see me as mrs. right I tried to make him fall in love with me. Often resorting to prayer as my secret weapon to get him to fall in love with me LOL The ironic thing is I didn't really want mr. right but I did want a home, family, children and everything I thought he could give me..........How foolish I was [:D][:D] Why would I spend so much of my time with the Lord asking him to have a man fall in love with me so that I could get from him the things I desired when I was talking to the one who could and will give me those things......LOL quote: We need to learn to be content with what He provides us. It isn't always easy. That's how I see the verses you quoted, Joy: that we are always running around seeking more more more. We are never content. Interesting thought......isn't it cool how God spoke to each of us different with these verses...[:D] quote: How often do we stop and spend quiet time conversing with God? Not just talking to Him ... but listening for Him to speak to us? Do we take the time to listen for His voice? Or are we too busy running around in our own lives, so focused on our own houses, that we allow Him to fade away? I wonder as well how often we convince ourselves that he is the most important one in our house while we continue to work on our house and his is left in disrepair. Great post Sam........I can't wait to see what God shows you as you read it tomorrow. Have a great night everyone........I pray everyone will take the time to read and meditate on Haggai then listening to what God has to share with you through what you read. God speaks when we listen..........[:D][:D]

joy2give2u -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 4:33:22 PM)
quote: as i read this earlier i thought to myself that even the act of 'going into the mountains, fetching timber, and building the house' ... the process brings glory and honor to God ... not just a focus on the final product ... take for an example of being healthier which often includes losing weight and exercising ... God's not pleased _only_ when we reach our goal weight but by our daily efforts toward this goal ... Great observation Ed.......so very true. Not just with weight but other things as well........... I know as I was reading Haggai God told me there are four foundational post I need to rebuild. A long time ago I read the book of Haggai. At the time my whole focus was on losing weight and I thought rebuilding His temple was getting my physical body in shape.........that is a part of it for me.....but this time I realized that is only one post in the foundation.........there are others......... The last time I lost a lot of weight, started competing and looked physically really good....... The problem was that one solid post I put up could not hold the whole temple.......the temple was not designed to be build only on my being in physical shape and looking good........the post gave out under the weight and I gained the weight plus more back....... I know God is telling me I have to build the entire foundation not just focus on one area. The foundation will look different for each of us......... What area of your temple is in disrepair and how do you see God showing you to rebuild it?

hotsaucygma -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 4:52:49 PM)
Interesting idea for a thread Joy! I have not spent much time in Haggai, I'll do so tonight and see if the Lord gives me anything to contribute. In the meantime, it's been interesting to read what you and Sam and Ed wrote.

Blazingson -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 5:46:45 PM)
quote: Interesting thought......isn't it cool how God spoke to each of us different with these verses... I agree, It's very interesting how different the POV's were from everyone who have posted so far. But if you'll notice, all of the different applications posted break down into one thing. "Do we have the correct priorties in place?" Our first priority should always be our service to God. Using the restoration of the temple as a metaphor, some people went to the mountains for timber, others would have stayed behind to prepare the site. Some would've been going about the business of procuring the necessary tools. Some would've been drawing up plans, some would've been collecting other materials and some would've been providing support to those actively involved in the reconstruction. Carpenters, stonemasons, metalsmiths, architects, draftsmen, etc. We each have a role to play, a job to do, skills, talents, passions and desires which we can offer to God in the work He has asked of all His people. We are all involved in the construction of His temple, but we each have a different task. And each one is as critically important as the other. The book is about the priorties of His people. In Haggai's time, the people had their priorties wrong. They were focused on themselves and their own selfish needs and desires and completely ignored the temple. In that time the temple was central to the daily lives of the Israelites. That's where they brought their sacrifices, it's where they learned about God, it's where God, Himself dwelt in the Holy of Holies. Without the temple there would've been no place for worship or sacrifice. No place for the Levites, the priestly class to serve. No place for God to dwell among them. Each of us needs to find where our place is and build from that point on. He is our first priority.

joy2give2u -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 8:00:12 PM)
quote: Using the restoration of the temple as a metaphor, some people went to the mountains for timber, others would have stayed behind to prepare the site. Some would've been going about the business of procuring the necessary tools. Some would've been drawing up plans, some would've been collecting other materials and some would've been providing support to those actively involved in the reconstruction. Carpenters, stonemasons, metalsmiths, architects, draftsmen, etc. We each have a role to play, a job to do, skills, talents, passions and desires which we can offer to God in the work He has asked of all His people. We are all involved in the construction of His temple, but we each have a different task. And each one is as critically important as the other. Interesting way of looking at it......I never looked at it from this angel. Very interesting. quote: The book is about the priorties of His people. In Haggai's time, the people had their priorties wrong. They were focused on themselves and their own selfish needs and desires and completely ignored the temple . It is a great book for encouraging us to take a good hard look at our lives and our priorities. I was wondering Blazingson and Sam what did God show you about your own lives? I agree with everything you both wrote as a voice to every christian........I am just curious how God spoke through Haggai to each of you individually about your lives? quote: In that time the temple was central to the daily lives of the Israelites. That's where they brought their sacrifices, it's where they learned about God, it's where God, Himself dwelt in the Holy of Holies. Interesting statement........makes me think of myself and how I am now God's temple, His Holy Taberancle. Just as the temple was central to the daily live of the Israelites so should the place where the Holy Spirit dwells in us. The temple inside of us, shouldn't it be central to our daily lives? If so what does that look like in day to day life? It was where they brought their sacrifices........in us isn't it the place where we lay down our souls? Where we say Lord I give you my life take it........Isn't it the place where our humanity is sacrified to the Lord? Where they learned about God. The Holy Spirit leads us into all wisdom, he teaches us about God, reveals God to us and reminds us of everything we have learned and experienced with God. Don't we still go to the temple, the place the Holy Spirit dwells in us, to know God? The Holy of Holies......am I the only one who gets blown away when I realized the Holy of Holies is inside of me........that the Spirit of the Lord all mightly has taken up residence inside of me. I use to lift my eyes when I praised the Lord or sought His face because I thought of Him as way up in heaven........Now when I seek His face I can see a glow with in me.......I can see His glory radiating out of the temple within me. quote: Without the temple there would've been no place for worship or sacrifice. No place for the Levites, the priestly class to serve. No place for God to dwell among them. I had to requote this part because it is speaking to me so powerfully........With the temple there would be no place to worship or sacrifice.......I never really looked at it from this angel but how true.....without the Holy Spirit dwelling in us we can sing songs but we can't really worship.... When the Holy Spirit is giving top priority in our lives everything, not just songs, is worship. Even our serving is worship when the temple in us is filled with God's glory and presence. Without the temple there would be no place for God to dwell among them..........Wow Lord.......We become your temple Lord when the Holy Spirit takes up residence......and since he never leaves us he is there no matter the condition of our temple......... I am so sorry Lord I have let your temple get in such disrepair. I am so sorry Lord I let other things take a higher priority in my life then you.......I am so sorry Lord that I was more concerned with building a life, getting married and having children then I was about being obedient to you........ I have this mental picture of the Holy Spirit.......in all his power and might......the very spirit of the Lord almighty......in this ran down shack........Lord I so sorry I cared more about my life then your Glory........please forgive me Lord....... Lord I thank you for your promise to help me.........for your promise to build with me.......and for your promise that the glory of the new temple will far exceed that of the former one.......thank you Lord for this promise..........I love you Lord.......so much.......Thank you. quote: I'll do so tonight and see if the Lord gives me anything to contribute hsgma I look forward to reading what you and Rach share tomorrow.[:D]

Blazingson -> RE: Come build with me. (6/23/2008 9:07:56 PM)
quote: I was wondering Blazingson and Sam what did God show you about your own lives? Like every one, my life gets out of order also. At this point in my life I've become too focused on getting all the financial debt in my life eliminated and dealing with some personal issues. Like the seed that fell among the thorns, the worries of this life choked out the message. I need to get back to my priorties and let God take care of my needs like He promised.

hotsaucygma -> RE: Come build with me. (6/24/2008 2:09:24 PM)
When I read through Haggai last night, several things started rolling around in my mind. First off, this was addressed to a small remenant of Jews that "came home" from captivity- a small number really, compared to the number that had been taken into captivity. I think at least partially because the others had become comfortable with their new "homes" in Babylon. Am I "comfortable" in my sin? Am I still captive to at least some sins in my life- some that I don't look at too closely because maybe I don't really want to see them as sin? They had started working on the temple, what made them stop? Did it just seem like too big of a job? Where were the priests when they stopped working on it? Why weren't they there encouraging the people to keep on with the building not only the building of the temple, but the building of their spiritual life(lives) as well? Does that relate in anyway to our church's today- do we hear enough exhortation to be sure we are building our relationship with the Lord daily? Have we become too complacent as a church? They were told to go up into the mountains to get material to build. Would that have been a fairly far distance? Would there have been time for contemplation on the way? Would it be important to get away from their everyday life to start to shift their focus off of their own homes and lives to the focus on the Lord? They weren't told to just look around and see what they had on hand to give for use in the temple, they were told to go get material- from on the mountain. I would imagine the best material/lumber would be that higher up on the mountain, where you would have to "work" a little harder at getting it... why? Do we give our best to honor God? Do I do the "work" I need to do to give Him honor with my life? So far, I do not have answers to all these thoughts or questions, but they are there- rolling around to make me think about them... I guess it will be interesting to see how God uses them.

Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Come build with me. (6/24/2008 2:17:42 PM)
Chapter 1:12-13 ...All of the people with them listened, really listened, to the voice of their God. When God sent the prophet Haggai to them, they paid attention to im. In listening to Haggai, they honoured God. Then Haggai, God's messenger, preached God's Message to the people, "I am with you!" God's Word. Being a stubborn, "I did it, I must fix it" kind of woman I don't always turn to God for His guidance. I turn to myself then am left perplexed as to why things didn't go right. When I listen really listen, He guides me. He is with me. Once they listened to Him, He was able to move in their lives. I also liked verses 5 and 6 for the same reasons as above. [:)]

joy2give2u -> RE: Come build with me. (6/24/2008 3:36:02 PM)
quote: Like the seed that fell among the thorns, the worries of this life choked out the message. I need to get back to my priorties and let God take care of my needs like He promised. Very true.....why do we doubt his promises and so often try to make things happen by our own hand? quote: First off, this was addressed to a small remenant of Jews that "came home" from captivity- a small number really, compared to the number that had been taken into captivity WOW hsgma I never thought about it being a small number.........When I first decided to do this little experiment in singles....asking people to read the same book every day for a while and see how God speaks to them on something different each day.......I asked God to bring a small number to the thread who would be lead to read it each day and post...........I think it is really neat that you saw that those who did this were a small number.........very cool.......[:D] quote: They were told to go up into the mountains to get material to build. Would that have been a fairly far distance? Would there have been time for contemplation on the way? Would it be important to get away from their everyday life to start to shift their focus off of their own homes and lives to the focus on the Lord? Is it? quote: I would imagine the best material/lumber would be that higher up on the mountain, where you would have to "work" a little harder at getting it... why? Do we give our best to honor God? Do I do the "work" I need to do to give Him honor with my life? why do we think it should be easy? Why do we think doing the things God wants us to do won't be work? As I was thinking about your question........I was trying to think of anyone I knew or had heard of, who was well known for doing God's work, who did not work really hard at what they do? I can't think of anyone. I ask myself am I willing to put in the hard work building His temple will require. Am I willing to die enough to myself to do it? Am I willing to give up my comfortable life I have built in order to take up one of very hard work? Why is it that it is so hard for me to see the reward would be well worth the effort? God promises us "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of host:..." Why is it so hard to believe this truth? Is it because I don't want to do the work? Or because I can't envision the latter glory? As I think of how I have been trying to build my own life as a single. How I have prayed God will allow me to marry and have a family......I can't help but think if I knew the wonderful blessing my marriage will be, when I marry the man has chosen for me, would doing the work be so much easier? Is it possible the reason God wants us, especially us singles, to focus on building His house and not our own is because he knows we can only imagine what will be based on what has been? And he has something new for us......something we never could have imagined? quote: I turn to myself then am left perplexed as to why things didn't go right. When I listen really listen, He guides me. He is with me. Once they listened to Him, He was able to move in their lives. I can relate Tink.......I felt this way when I first read Haggai.......So many of the words touched me powerfully as God revealed to me why things in my life didn't go right.....But when we listen.......when we obey.......then he blesses us........ I love that he says" On this day I will bless you" As Ed said, he does not wait until the job is complete but begins to bless us as we walk in obedience to what he has showed us. I also love verse 1:9 Ye looked for much, and , lo, it came to little.........God's word gives us great expectations.......and when life does not reflect the life God promises we are to live it makes you wonder why? For me I found why in Haggai. My prayer others will as well. Another thing I noticed is that God says in 1:13 I am with you........Before in vrse 14 they came and did work in the house of the Lord...........To me this speaks of a heart condition.......Before they even began to do the work their hearts were in alignment with what God wanted them to do........... I wonder if, in my heart, I am really ready to do the work? Please Lord make me ready. I have to run an errand...........it has been a very busy work day.........but I will be back to post what God showed me last night. I pray each person posting and even those who are only reading will take the time to read Haggai again tonight and ask God to speak something new to them.

AlwaysR8chel -> RE: Come build with me. (6/24/2008 4:33:53 PM)
. . . . ...... is it okay to post cold before I go back and read everyone else's posts?? 'Cause I'm gonna!!! [:D] __________ I just read the first Chapter so far. These verses caught my eye: (NASB) 4"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" 5Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways! 6"You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes." 7Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways! 8"Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified," says the LORD. 9"You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away Why?" declares the LORD of hosts, "Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house. Thoughts: These verses ring true with society.... we are all chasing our dreams and wants... trying to make stuff happen on our own... while we push our thoughts of God... our relationship with God aside. So no matter what we do... how hard we work... nothing seems to satisfy us... See verse 9? It appears as if God makes it so that nothing will satisfy us... how cool is that? He knows better.... just another reason to trust Him! Verses 5 & 7: Consider your ways!!! Goodness... it was said TWICE!!! Self-examination is very important in this life!!! Why do we wait until our lives fall apart and we find ourselves fidgeting in a counselor's office while they ask us questions which cause self-examination? [8\|] Now... I'm ready to go back and read.... [:D] ETA: I think BlazingSon hit the nail on the head.... priorities.... God as our center... I laughed as I read Tinkerbell's post about why things don't go right.... she reminded me of my old self... [:D] We are all growing... learning... very cool. The listening there is an active thing.... .... and knowing that through all things, God is with us.... totally rocks my world.... [;)]

joy2give2u -> RE: Come build with me. (6/24/2008 4:44:04 PM)
I am back.......[:D][:D][:D] Last night I found a little dinner, which was not busy, and hid out in a back booth reading Haggai. I wanted to seperate myself from my life and be open to hear from God. Leaving the house I grabbed my father's bible, which is very dear to me, wanting to read the KJV. Two things really stood out to me. One was something God had not drawn my eyes to before but spoke powerfully to me last night. Haggai 2:11-14 Thus saith the Lord of host; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priest answered and said, No. Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priest answered and said, It shall be unclean. Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the Lord; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean. Wow ..........so every work of their hands........and everything they offer is unclean. I think of all the things being single allows me to do. How involved I am and have been in ministry, in caring for the girls, in building my own house. The hard work I have put into relationships, the dreams I had of marriage, and the work I tried to do, which I thought included the Lord, to make my own hopes and dreams come true. Everything I did, even though it was done with God's presence could not be made holy.......but my building those things, while leaving God's temple in disrepair, could and does make those things unclean. I think of marriage.......What would my life be like today if God had allowed me to marry the man I spent two years praying for? would our relationship have been holy before the Lord? Or would the crumbling temple have made it unclean.........Is God protecting my marriage by leading me to haggai first and telling me to do the hard work required to rebuild his temple? What I wrote in my journal last night........ The work we do on our own, even if it is done with Godly intentions, it is serving God, and showing his love to others, if we put it as a higher priority then the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives it will be unclean. If our priorities are out of order and we care more about building our own homes, having our dreams come true, and God answering our prayers about marriage/careers/single life, the things we do.......the work of our hands will be unclean....WOW If this work, that of building my own life, comes before repairing and maintaining daily the place where the Holy Spirit dwells in us everything is defiled........ I still can't completely grasp this......Even if we are doing the things God wants us to do, building a relationship with the right man, working in the right career, using our freedom being single to serve God more fully, if our priorities are messed up those things will not be all that God wants them to be... Everything I do is unclean unless the Lord and his dwelling place is my highest priority......I will say it again....wow Lord. But typical of God he does not stop there.........he makes us aware of how our wrong priorities have made the things we do unclean........and then says........but now that you have your priorities in order and are, in obedience, building my temple ........From this day will I bless you........Thank you so much Lord......for this promise

joy2give2u -> RE: Come build with me. (6/24/2008 4:50:30 PM)
Hey Rach thanks for posting..... God really gets your attention by posting that twice doesn't he LOL Consider your ways.... I love that God calls us to do self-examinations........to take a good hard look at ourselves and ask questions, which aren't really requiring an answer, yet seem to lead us exactly where God wants us to be so that he can speak transformation into our lives...........[:D][:D] BTW I read your Bump in the Road........I will be praying......and praise the Lord that one of them is gone.....and you are right.......seeing brain surgery as a bump in the road could only be said by a faithwalker [:D][:D]

hotsaucygma -> RE: Come build with me. (6/24/2008 4:53:40 PM)
Just wanted to let you know that if I don't get a chance to post here in the next few days, I will be reading... both Haggai and hopefully here! I'll pop in as I can.

AlwaysR8chel -> RE: Come build with me. (6/24/2008 4:53:45 PM)
. . . . ....... thanks Joy. [;)] Your prayers are very much welcomed and appreciated!

AlwaysR8chel -> RE: Come build with me. (6/25/2008 9:59:44 AM)
. . . ...... I read Chapter 2 last night as the girls were swimming... I grabbed my small jail Bible... I've had this Bible for years... so it's truly marked up.... NIV version... 4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty. ..... The LORD encourages us to 'be strong' and to work... Our bodies and our minds were created for working. If we don't use our minds, than they become dull. If we don't use our bodies, than they get out of shape and stiff. Hard work is a good thing! (Body, mind, soul, and spirit!) 5 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.' ..... We don't need to fear! The Holy Spirit is with us!!! Always! Fear is a struggle for many many people.... and God knows it... He tells us not to fear over and over in the Bible... When will we lay our burdens down and give our fears to Him? What will it take to dare to believe that God is bigger than any circumstance we can live (or die) through??? Do not fear... 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. ..... He will fill His house with glory... all we have to do is live one day at a time... in obedience and love (etc.).... but it is God' responsibility to fill the house... How amazing that He uses us as partners to get the job done! ... but the bottom line is: He does it. 9 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty." ..... PEACE!!!!!!!! Is this good news or what???? Doesn't news of peace make you want to get up and dance before the LORD??? I think the more we trust Him.... the more PEACE flows into us, through us and out of us.... [:D] 17 I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not turn to me,' declares the LORD. ..... I have a note written in the sidelines of my Bible for this verse: "Sometimes God causes bad experiences to happen so we will cry out to Him." Yes. Here is an example of God causing something opposite to happen of what the people wanted. Note: He didn't strike the people.... but he struck their WORK. .... He is a loving and compassionate God... He does and will not harm us.... but what we do.... can be foiled.... for His glory. This is a hard thing to accept.... but it's truth. 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." .... Did we catch the significance of this? God will take a SERVANT! The lowest man on the totem pole... and make him like what?? A signet ring! What is a signet ring? It is unique... a symbol of the wearers authority and power... Who is the Wearer??? [:D][:D][:D][:D] Good morning!! [:D][:D]

joy2give2u -> RE: Come build with me. (6/25/2008 12:55:27 PM)
Hey Rach great post.......thanks for sharing what God spoke to you as you read Haggai again......... I especially like this part...... quote: Note: He didn't strike the people.... but he struck their WORK. So true......I had never thought about it that way but it is so true....... Even during the times of my life where is seems what God is giving is far less then what I have expected.........God has always been with me.....speaking to me......guiding me.........and drawing me ever closer to him. Great point Rach. I can't wait to see what God shows you when you read it again tonight....[:D][:D] I know, I know me and my pushing to read it every night........Doesn't it just blow you away though how God choses what he wants to address based on where are hearts are when we read His words. I heard of a pastor who taught on the same chapter of the bible for an entire year.......when his flock became restless and questioned why he was still teaching on the same passage......his reply was because you still don't get it LOL I don't think God says read this again because you just don't get it........I think he says read it again.......mull my words over in your mind...........meditate on them........chew on them.....drink them in.........over and over again because he has so much more then what we first see on the surface to show and teach us.......... ***************************************************************************************** God spoke some really powerful things into my life last night through Haggai..........I will attempt to post the message behind them but I know I will be unable to post the power or explain the transformation they brought to some of my mindsets......... KJV Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste? Ceiled houses........God reprimands them for being busy building their own house, trying to build their own future but why ceiled? Why does he make a point, at least according to the KJV of using the word ceiled......... Because Dawn when you are busy trying to make things happen on your own.......when you are trying to build your own house you close yourself off from open heavens...........WOW.... WOW. Does that speak to anyone but me? Open heavens is when the wall between heaven and earth is removed and things begin to happen on earth as they do in heaven........when we begin to see what God is doing and hear what he is saying just as Jesus did.......Jesus says he did nothing on his own but only what he saw and heard His father doing and speaking........We are to be transformed each day more and more like Jesus......... How do we become like Jesus........How do we walk under open heavens.........if we are busy putting roofs on our houses? I told you I would not explain this well.......but wow it is powerful Father I am messing this up so much.......it was such a powerful message to me....one word Lord......ceiled........and you hit me with a two by four between my eyes..........Lord I am so sorry I have pleaded and begged with you to allow me to walk under open heavens, all the while I was busy putting a ceiling on my house, keeping me from seeing into heaven. Lord thank you for giving me enough times outside of my own house building process to experience what it means to walk in open heavens a little bit.........for building a hunger in me to walk in it more and more......and thank you so much for showing me that while trying to build my own house I was closing off your heavens by putting a roof on it.........Thank you father that the house you will build for me, the life, marriage, family you will build, while I am busy working on your house will be one without a rood.......with open heavens.........thank you so much Lord...... Sorry I need to take a break before I finish........I am so humbled and awed by my Lord at the moment I can't post the rest of what he showed me.

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