Bishop David concludes his series for Lent 2024.
Bishop David has recorded a series of evening devotions in Haggai to take us through the 40 days of Lent from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday. These will be released in the early hours each morning on the Diocesan YouTube channel & Facebook page so that you can use them at a time that suits. They will also be made available as a post on the St Molua’s website and Facebook page each day.
Day 40
At the end of our series God says to us as he says to Zerubbabel through Haggai, “I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.” No matter what we face, God is on the throne, and he is with us.
Day 39
Zerubbabel’s line, the line of David, will continue all the way to Jesus. God can be trusted to fulfil his promises but while we wait, let us give ourselves wholly to his service.
Day 38
Zerubbabel, originally referred to as ‘Governor’ is now called God’s servant. We must pray earnestly that God will raise up leaders for the work of his kingdom, and for the glory of his name.
Day 37
The prophet is saying that those who oppose God’s laws and God’s ways will ultimately be overthrown. The Word of the Lord will last forever. Don’t give up!
Day 36
God choses Zerubbabel to lead the people through dark days, but God is still at work. So too in our day, God is alive and at work so let us remain steadfast, abounding in the work of the Lord.
Day 35
When Haggai was writing, his world like ours, was in turmoil. Now, as then, God’s Word and truth must be proclaimed to every generation. “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.”
Day 34
Consider the resurrection of Jesus. To believe it strains credibility, but true Christian belief takes us beyond the rational. We stand upon and trust what the Old and New Testaments tell us about the risen Jesus.
Day 33
Take time to consider what your lot would be if God had not sent Jesus to the cross. Let us truly appreciate what he has done for us. “Yes, Jesus loves me.”
Day 32
Haggai takes us to the God of creation, redemption, and sanctification – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – who blesses us.
Day 31
Let us consecrate ourselves to God and his service and live lives that are worthy of our calling.
Day 30
The people took what was rightfully God’s to satisfy themselves. It didn’t work out well. Lord, help us to be generous people.
Click on page links below for earlier videos in the series
Day 29
God speaks to us at exact times in specific ways and always in line with scripture. We should, “give careful thought to act on the prophetic word,” that God gives us.
Day 28
‘Consider’. How we live matters. Haggai understands that God is the creator and the source of the earth’s goodness. We must examine our hearts for greed and selfishness and take seriously our stewardship of the earth.
Day 27
Even though we sin, if we repent God is full of love and merciful toward us. Lord, bring us to the cross of Jesus.
Day 26
We need both to understand the times in which we are living, and to be salt and light where God has placed us. Our parishes should be a blessing to their local communities.
Day 25
It matters what the church teaches, and it matters what we believe. Prioritise getting to know, love and obey God’s Word.
Day 24
The people built lovely houses for themselves while God’s house lay in ruins. Let us put God first, including ensuring that our church buildings are fit for worship.
Day 23
These verses paint a picture of an unclean person making everything around them unclean. Repent and ask Jesus to cleanse you from all sin.
Day 22
The challenge today is to leave behind dead, lifeless religion and embrace a living relationship with the living God. We are called to holiness.
Day 21
We are in desperate need of peace in all spheres of life. Wherever you find yourself today, be an instrument of God’s peace.
Click on page links below for earlier videos in the series
Day 20
God’s work done God’s way will never lack his provision, so let’s get on with doing the work he has entrusted to us, and let’s be generous.
Day 19
Lord God, break into our lives, our churches, and our communities with times of refreshing. Set our hearts alight with love for you!
Day 18
God the Holy Spirit is clearly and powerfully at work in these verses. Let us pray for revival in our day.
Day 17
Be strong. God is with you, and he is able!
Day 16
God can do a new thing. Ask him to give you a vision for what he wants to do and to birth that vision.
Day 15
Haggai helps the people to face their disappointments. May God help us move on from nostalgia and give us hope for the future.
Day 14
Haggai speaks a word of encouragement and also a word of challenge. Let us respond by completing the tasks to which God has called us.
Day 13
Is there a kingdom task that God is asking you to do? Ask him to change your heart and give you a new willingness.
Day 12
God says to each of us, “I am with you”.
Day 11
Pray for all those in our diocese with a public speaking ministry. Pray too that God would raise up others to speak the Lord’s message.
Click on page links below for earlier videos in the series
Day 10
God’s voice changes everything. Complacent leaders have heard him speak through Haggai and responded with repentance. Revival has come!
Day 9
Haggai demonstrates his familiarity with God’s Word. Let us be people who allow the Word of God to challenge the very depths of who we are.
Day 8
God blesses our obedience but is angered by our disobedience. Haggai is sent to call the people to repentance and to action. Let us examine our hearts.
Day 7
By not rebuilding God’s house the people have failed to honour him. They have become materialistic and secular. May God fill our heart with the things that fill his heart.
Day 6
God commands the rebuilding of the Temple. The Church still has practical needs. Have you a skill you could offer?
Day 5
Haggai challenges the leaders of his day. Our world still needs prophetic leaders. Pray that you might become one of them.
Day 4
God is so easily crowded out of our lives. Let us give ourselves to him and focus on what has eternal worth.
Click on page links below for earlier videos in the series
Day 3
Have we got our priorities right before God? Seek first his kingdom.
Day 2
God’s people had become defeated and apathetic. Let us not succumb to hopelessness. ‘Come Holy Spirit’.
Day 1
Haggai was called the Lord’s messenger. Pray that God will give you the courage to speak his word.
