There are days that we just need to be reminded that we are not doing the ministry alone and in our own strength. We were called by the Lord of Heaven’s armies to join Him in His plan to reach the world. When prophets in the Old Testament gave the Lord’s prophecies, they were not always received with great appreciation. People even turned on the prophet who delivered the message. It was not a happy job, being a prophet in those days. This week I read once again of a time when Haggai gave the people the messages from the Lord. In this story, they actually responded with obedience and they feared the Lord. Then Haggai gave the people this message… “I am with you, says the Lord!” Then the Lord did something that always gives me hope. The Lord “sparked the enthusiasm” or zeal of Zerubbabel , Jeshua, and the whole remnant of of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! Then He assured them with this: “Now the Lord says: Be strong…and now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. Do not be afraid…I will fill this place with glory…The future glory of this Temple will be greater than it’s past glory. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies have spoken.”

“Dear Lord, we ask You to continue to speak to us, to strengthen us, to give us vision and hope as we serve you. We pray that You will spark enthusiasm and zeal into our hearts and into the hearts of the people that You have called us to. Help us not to be afraid of those who reject Your Word and Your presence…but to choose faith and courage knowing that we are serving You, the Lord of Heaven’s armies. Prepare our hearts to believe You for the future glory that You will bring about in our churches. May we see You do great and mighty things that we cannot even imagine.”

Cindy Lyons: Founder of Friends In Ministry Women’s Ministry & Senior Pastor’s Wife at High Street Baptist Church