In Zechariah 1:1, we learn that “the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet” (NKJV). It is the same Zechariah whom Ezra notes as being a prophet “to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem” (Ezra 5:1) and as helping the people prosper as the temple was rebuilt (Ezra 6:14). Moreover, we learn from Nehemiah that Zechariah served not only as God’s prophet, but he was also a priest and head of house (Neh. 12:12, 16). In all that he did, Zechariah served God faithfully. Prophesying to God’s people after their captivity, it is fitting that Zechariah’s name means “Yahweh [i.e., Jehovah] has remembered.”[1] Jehovah God remembered His people through their captivity, and He remained with them following their return home. Although God remembered them, the people had failed to remember Him. It was time for God’s people to turn back to Him (Zech. 1:3-4). It was time for God’s people to carry out His will in their lives. Admittedly, Zechariah can be a challenging book due to the nature of his writing. Much of Zechariah’s prophesying is apocalyptic with colorful scenes and images. While this can create a layer of difficulty in understanding God’s message, it does not make the task impossible. Zechariah’s message can be split into two main sections: his prophesying while the temple was being rebuilt (Zech. 1-8) and his prophesying following the completion of the temple (Zech. 9-14). Among the lessons taught by Zechariah, …

Haggai is one of the shorter books of the minor prophets, but it is not lacking in valuable lessons and practical application. This short book delivers a powerful punch and brings a stern reminder to be about the work of the Lord. The Lord wanted the people to rekindle their zeal and priorities on finishing the temple. By the mouth of Haggai, the Lord’s message was delivered, “Consider your ways” (Hag. 1:5 NKJV). The prophecy of Haggai comes 15 years after Judah has been released from captivity (520 B.C.). Upon their arrival at Jerusalem, the people were zealous and desirous of rebuilding the temple, but it did not take long for them to become distracted and slothful. The people had determined that it was not a good time to finish the temple (Hag. 1:2). Yet the Lord questioned their priorities. “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins” (Hag. 1:4). This God-given message challenged the people to consider their attitude of negligence and laziness. Difficult duties should be faced courageously and without delay. Haggai sheds light on many of the problems they faced daily, and the problems were directly linked to their misplaced focus. Their lives and their work had been unsatisfactory. Therefore, their harvest had been poor; they did not have enough to eat or drink, their clothing did not keep them warm, and their wages went for nothing. The situation was related to putting money into a …

Zephaniah served God as one of His prophets sent to the people of Judah (Zeph. 1:1, 4, NKJV). While Zephaniah’s message is delivered in only 3 chapters, his short message packs a powerful punch. Zephaniah prophesies to God’s people in Judah, bringing them a message of God’s impending judgment for their sinful ways.             At the time of Zephaniah’s prophesying, the people of Judah had made sin a habit. Idolatry was rampant (Zeph. 1:4-6). Many were complacent, believing that God was not active in the lives of His people (Zeph. 1:12). Even in Jerusalem, the people were “rebellious and polluted” (Zeph. 3:1). Moreover, the people had no faith in God and those in authority were abusing their positions (Zeph. 3:2-3). God’s people had chosen to be an unrighteous people. As a result, they were ripe for judgment. The sins of the people of Judah would result in God’s judgment (Zeph. 1:17). God tells His people by the mouth of Zephaniah, “For the day of the LORD is at hand, for the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests” (Zeph. 1:7). In other words, God’s judgment was sure and was coming soon – “The great day of the LORD is near; it is near and hastens quickly” (Zeph. 1:14). God’s judgment was sure for the people of Judah just as it was sure for all nations (Zeph. 2:4ff). Despite man’s unrighteousness, the LORD’s righteousness would be clearly seen as “He brings His justice to light” (Zeph. 3:5).             …

The excitement is continuing to grow around the Academy. The first quarter is now well underway and a new quarter will begin in January. The Academy will move to its permanent location (next door to the Home or Recovery) in January. Our instructors are doing a fantastic job of delivering advanced biblical instruction to those individuals desiring to seek further spiritual maturity. The Academy’s website and Facebook page provide a flow of information concerning the activities of the Academy. In the upcoming quarter, we will be offering classes on the books of Exodus, Job, and John as well as Church History and English. The classes are available in person, on Zoom as well as being recorded for later viewing. This offers an avenue to take classes if you cannot be there in person or even at the time of the class. Students may enroll in full-time, part-time, or simply audit classes. We enrolled 47 students in the fall quarter and anticipate even more in January. Our Heavenly Father has blessed this work greatly and we seek to glorify Him through this ministry. The Academy has been blessed with significant financial support from our brethren at North Jefferson, Blossom, Centerville Rd – Garland, University Tyler, and others in support of this work. The Academy continues to covet your prayers and financial support as we help move Christians to greater heights of spiritual maturity and service. Pray that this work will train future and present preachers, elders, deacons, teachers, and workers for …

Habakkuk’s ministry was during a wicked time, where sin ran rampant, and God’s patience would soon run thin. It seems that God’s ear had already begun to turn from Judah and  Habakkuk’s burden to bear, including seeing firsthand the overflow of wickedness in Judah (1:3-4, NKJV). Still, secondly, the knowledge of the destructive force soon to come upon Judah.             Our minds can’t fully understand God’s timeless nature, just as it was challenging for the prophet Habakkuk to know why God was not responding to his cries of “violence” (1:2) in what he would consider a timely fashion. Habakkuk wanted to know how long it would be before God punished the wicked in Judah. Like many of us today, Habakkuk questions God concerning the injustice and wickedness that affects the innocent (1:13). He pleads with God to bring about righteous judgment because the “wicked surround the righteous; and perverse judgment proceeds” (1:4). All the while, God had already been lifting up a nation to bring about judgment on Judah, and the severity of it would be something Habakkuk would not believe though it were told to him (1:5). The Chaldeans (1:6), a nation more wicked than Judah would soon come in as if an unstoppable force wreaking havoc on Judah.             Understanding how God can use a nation more wicked than Judah to execute judgment on His own is challenging, but man’s injustices and evil ways will not go unchecked. Just as the chastening rod was coming for Judah, judgment …