Malachi 3:16 part 1

12Nov06

Malachi chapter 3, Amplified Translation

16Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name.

17And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.

18Then shall you return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who does not serve Him.

Obviously the conversation topics "they" of this text "talked about often" one to another was something wonderful that stirred the Creator's heart in a very positive way. The "book of remembrance" created here because of whatever their lifestyle reflected was, first of all, a place to record their names. Sounds good! Sounds like the New Testament "book of life." (Revelation 20:12)

However, my glorified imagination is wondering if there may be something more. . . angels assigned to record our conversations, our words, maybe? Doesn't the Savior say that by our words we shall be justified, or condemned? (Matthew 12:37) And doesn't He say that we shall "give an account for every idle word" on judgment day? (Matthew 12:36)

hmmmmm. There may be something happening here with our family conversation, our phone conversation, our office conversation, our -at-the-checkout-counter-at-WalMart conversation... that has potential for good and for God.

What about those times the phone rings and I am late for an appointment and decide to answer it anyway but really cut it short... oh I'm sure we can fill a page with our failures of the words we speak. Death and life are in the power of the tongue... (Proverbs 18:21)

No, let's imagine looking at an unexpected bill arriving in the mailbox and rejoicing that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think. Or when someone cuts me off in traffic, I speak God's blessings, God's peace, God's purpose over that person.

Psalm 107:20 says He sends His word to deliver folks from destruction and the doorway of death. Couple that with John 14:12 as Jesus encourages believers that we will do what He did, and I believe we have a vast plethora of possibilities to affect a sick world with Heaven's Treasures in His Name.

I think when we talk about Him, when we "do some PR" for Him, when we brag on Him, that several things happen. I believe we set up a powerful blessing shield... a "righteousness force field," if you will, around us.

I really believe that when we think upon His Name (now there is a whole subject in itself!) -- and talk often one to another about Him, that we push the powers of darkness back. Temptations "lose their power" as an old hymnwriter said. Just thinking that "with men these things are impossible, but with God all things are possible" -- well, it sets up an atmosphere that changes a lot of things!

Isn't it possible that demons are uncomfortable in that atmosphere? Isn't it probable that Light enters an area of darkness when we begin to speak Heaven's probabilities into Earth's improbabilities?

We are told to pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." As we "tune in" to Heaven, and speak often one to another about how things really are in Heaven, about His blessings, about His promises, about what His Word offers in difficult situations.... shouldn't we expect to help announce some Heaven blessings into our earthly experience?

Early on in Jesus' ministry, He was surrounded by many people on a hillside. We call His teaching that day "the Beatitudes." (Matthew 5, 6, 7) His disciples weren't really mature, seasoned followers. This was "pre-cross" era. We can't really say they were "saved," can we?

Peter was impulsive, James and John were interested in pecking order, Thomas probably doubted then even more than he did 3 years later. With Matthew's tax background and bookkeeping mindset, who knows what adjustments he had to make?!

All 12 of these guys are to be commended for having abandoned themselves to the Nazarene, following Him, leaving their careers for an unknown future. Most of us today in America have serious problems imagining the reality of their situations. They were discovering "means of invisible support" as their needs were supplied, day after day, just being with Jesus.

But Jesus turns to them, as well as the whole multitude who were listening to this rabbi say things they never heard in synagogue, and Jesus calls them "the salt of the earth," the "light of the world," and tells them to "let your light so shine so others may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven."

Huh? Are YOU the salt of the earth, the way you are living this minute? Are YOU the "light of the world" in your character, right this very minute? Am I?

Jesus was hearing a Different Drummer, the sounds of Heaven. He was speaking about Divine Purpose for them. He was showing them how it should be done. And showing me.

Any fool can see that a guy is on crack cocaine, or a woman is of questionable character. But those who "speak often one to another" about the miracles and glories of Heaven may see something far different in potential.

Those who "think about His Name" and learn about Him through His Word know that His heartbeat is to redeem. He is all about fixing, changing, healing, restoring, equipping, loving, encouraging.

Just that incredible relationship with Him is called being "in Christ" -- and described as being a "new species" -- a "new creation." Jesus talked of the need to be "born again." When that happens, old habits lose their pull on us, and every day is a new day for adventures with access to Heaven's resources!

I will post some more on this later, but it seems to me that this is a key. Turn the time-wasters off and talk about Him, talk about Heaven, talk about the impossible. Dream of ways to help people, change cities and nations for Him. Ask Him for creative ways to "give 'em Heaven!"

Develop a guard on words, quick responses, the tongue, impulsive words, anger. Get ready to be surprised, but quick to lean on HIM for help.

Learn to listen. We have 2 ears, but only 1 mouth. I remember years ago listening to truckers on the CB channels on the Interstates. I overheard one conversation between 2 guys who were discussing a guy that was "hoggin' the channel" -- one of them said, "Yeah, he's got an alligator radio: all mouth and no ears!" Bible jargon here: "quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to become angry!" (James 1:19) Lord, please help me to conform to Jesus on this one! (Romans 8:29)

Finally, start this at home! With the family... this is probably the most valuable venue conducive to "laying up eternal treasure." At meal times -- and that reminds me. Most families today have no clue what "family devotions" means. A time when the whole family comes together to pray, to read a little Scripture, to talk about the Lord, to discuss spiritual principlies, to "speak often one to another, and to think upon His Name." Powerful stuff.

I'll get into the rewards next time. They are mentioned in verse 17, and in chapter 4 verse 2, but enough for now. BLESSINGS!