Zechariah 6-7, Isaiah 61, Revelation 15

What God said to me – Are you “religious” or “spiritual” in your approach to Me?  You would think they were the same thing, but they are not.  During the time Israel was in captivity in Babylon a group of men came to Zechariah to find out how they could gain My favor.  During their years in captivity, they had continued to fast and mourn at the appropriate times as dictated by their “religion”.  The problem is that they weren’t fasting to find Me, they were fasting to get something from Me.  That is religion – to do something for Me in exchange for something I would do for you.  However, a relationship with me is not transactional – it is not quid pro quo.  There is nothing you can do to compel Me to save you or bless you.  My grace is freely given to My children.  Your relationship with Me is to be spiritual not religious.  I desire your fellowship and obedience out of love and not out of obligation.  Quit trying to please Me to get something from Me but try to please Me because you want to be in My presence and strengthen our relationship.

Zechariah 3-5, Isaiah 60, Revelation 14

What God said to me – I have told My children, the true church, to love one another – that you would be known by your love for one another.  As My child you are also to love the Jews because they are also My chosen people.  As the end approaches the attention of the world and of the enemy, Satan, is becoming more and more focused on Israel.  There is rarely a neutral response to them – they are either loved or hated.  They are hated by My enemies because I love them and chose them.  Though I have judged them harshly for their sin, I have not forgotten them.  They are still My covenant people and their day of repentance and total restoration is coming.  So, you as My child must love them and pray for them.  Pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem.  They are about to face a trial and tribulation greater than they have ever faced as I pour out My final judgment on them and cause them to repent and return wholeheartedly to Me.  So, love them and pray for them – you’ll be spending eternity with these, your brothers.

Zechariah 1-2, Isaiah 59, Revelation 13

What God said to me – Humanity for the most part is limited in their perspective and the ability to see beyond time and space.  It’s difficult to see beyond the temporal into the eternal ramifications.  People tend to focus on My love out of their need to be loved and accepted so they project their own desires into My love and extrapolate it to mean I love them the way they are so they can live any way they want.  The reality is that My love for My children will not allow them to continue to live in sin but transforms them so they can walk in holiness. People think My goodness means that nothing they consider “bad” comes from My hand and yet I use “bad” things every day to bring about good for My children.  I allowed My own Son to die because “I AM” good.  Don’t let your understanding of Me be limited to one characteristic because your view becomes temporal rather than eternal.  When something happens to you or in the world that you deem unloving or bad, you lose faith because your restricted viewpoint can’t see the overall picture.  Look at everything in the light of My overall character and sovereignty so you can hold on to the truth that “I AM” working for your good and My glory in all that happens.  This is the perseverance and faith of the saints.