Here I am at the end of the semester and oddly enough I feel like I could keep going another month. I don't think I have ever felt like that. Don't get me wrong, I am excited the break is here and I can use the rest, but I have this inner conflict.

Today in class we went through the book of Haggai, tough book. When the Israelites returned to Jerusalem after the exile in Babylon, they were focusing on getting their lives and homes back in order. God saw this happening and even though it was he who was working to restore Israel, they left the temple in shambles. Their priorities were completely off. Haggai came on the scene to tell them all, "Hey! Get your priorities straight, God wants your first and your best!"

Thankfully, Israel listened and they worked on the temple. But then a new problem arose. Because the people were working on the holy work of the Lord which he had commanded, they assumed their lives were right with GOd. Haggai, came again to tell them, just because they were in ministry, they were still capable of sin.

Two applications that we drew from this: first, God demands that we do not give him our worst. No he wants our best and he desires for us to put him above our own welfare. Second, even though we might be in ministry or doing good things, does not mean that God is pleased with us. He desires our hearts to be right with Him and that we give him our best.