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The New International Version Haggai

Haggai

After returning from Babylonian captivity, the Jews began rebuilding the temple of God. But before long they set aside that task to work on their own homes. Haggai reminded them to put God first.

A Call to Build the House of the LORD

1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua  son of Jozadak,  the high priest:

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the LORD’s house.’ ”

Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”

Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but 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.”

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.

“What is really important to you?”

Text: Haggai 1:1-7

Introduction: Pressures, demands, expectations, and tasks push in on every side and assault and disrupt pur schedules. Do this! Be there! Finish that! Call them, Give to my cause! It seems like every time we turn around someone or something requires or wants something from us. Family, job, school, church, clubs, and yes so called friends. Soon there is little left to give, because we run out of energy, money and time. Often, we find ourselves speeding through life, focusing on the necessary, immediate, and urgent. Our problem is not the volume of the demands or lack of scheduling skills, but it boils down to values. What value do you place on God? Why is it important to have values? How can you assure your values are God centered?

1. What value do you place on God?

Putting God first in our lives will enable us to live more joyful lives with the Lord. When we set up anything above God in our life, we are setting an idol above God. The Lord is clear that we must not have idols (Exodus 20:1-26: 1 John 5:21). As Christians, our top priority in life needs to be God and serving Him. Our families, churches, communities and world suffers from a lack of not valuing God?

2. Why is it important to have values?

Barrett Values Centre (BVC)

A. Our values inform our thoughts, words, and actions. Our values are important because: they help us to grow and develop. They can help us to create the future we want to experience.

Every individual and every organization is involved in making hundreds of decisions every day. The decisions we make are a reflection of our values and beliefs, and they are always directed towards a specific purpose. That purpose is the satisfaction of our individual or collective (organizational) needs.

There are four types of values that we find in an organizational setting: individual values, relationship values, organizational values, and societal values.

INDIVIDUAL VALUES

Individual values reflect how you show up in your life and your specific needs-the principles you live by and what you consider important for your self-interest. Individual values include enthusiasm, creativity, humility, and personal fulfillment.

RELATIONSHIP VALUES

Relationship values reflect how you relate to other people in your life, be they friends, family, or colleagues in your organization. Relationship values include openness, trust, generosity, and caring.

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES

Organizational values reflect how your organization shows up and operates in the world. Organizational values include financial growth, teamwork, productivity, and strategic alliances.

SOCIETAL VALUES

Societal values reflect how you or your organization relates to society. Societal values include future generations, environmental awareness, ecology, and sustainability.

3. How can you assure your values are God centered?

The children of Israel were instructed to think and talk about God’s commandments constantly. This would help them to always have God’s values at the forefront of their minds throughout the day to influence their decision-making at home, work, and everywhere else. There was literally not a single time when they were not expected to meditate on God’s values.

“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. You shall also tie them as a sign to your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead. You shall also write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. -Deut 6:6-9

Closure: Is God, His will, and word the most important thing to you? If its not, the struggles in life will depress and utterly defeat you. But when there is a conscience effort to worship god through our obedience to Him in all that we do, He will assist and help us time swiftest transitions. For time is filled with swift transitions, naught on earth unmoved can stand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand.