Haggai – Let It Rain

v9 – Israel went into captivity and returned home

     -they did not put the Lord first

     -they did not rebuild the temple

vs9-11 – Haggai says 2 Things would happen if Israel did not put the Lord first…

(1) He will blow away Israels’ blessings

-the Lord wants to bless His people, but disobedience causes a God reaction

-the problem is never the lord, but our disobedience to His Word and voice

(2) It will not Rain

-v10 – there would not be an open heaven

-v11 – there will be a drought and no rain at all

             WHY DO WE NEED SPIRITUAL RAIN?

(1) Because of the condition of our nation

(2) Because of the condition of the body of Christ in general

(3) Because we do not have much time left

-the return of the Lord is going to happen quickly

WHAT ARE SOME EFFECTS OF SPIRITUAL RAIN?

-blessings of the Lord, His presence, goodness and grace

The Lord Himself is the Rain…Hosea 6:3

and Jesus leaves blessings from the Rain wherever He is present

-we need Jesus badly

                                       RAIN STATEMENTS

1. THE RAIN IS FOR EVERYONE – Zechariah 10:1

a. everyone in the entire world

b. everyone who wants the Lord and His blessings

c. Revelation 3:20

***You can see where it is raining or where it has been raining

2. ASK FOR RAIN – Zechariah 10:1

-Cry out to the lord – Ps 34:15,17 & 55:17

-we need to ask for the latter rain – Zechariah 10:1 – a slow continuous rain

-we want a slow effective rain and not a flood

3. MANY THINGS COME ALONG WITH RAIN

-thunder, lightning, wind, hail, tornadoes

-when it rains and the Lord comes, the enemy and trials come also

-there can also be a drought at times and there is no rain.  Why a drought?

1. the Lord is teaching us not to go by our feelings

2. The Lord is revealing what is in our heart

-He is revealing what the real you is and what you really think…….

There many Ingredients that must be present for their to be rain…

1. A spirit of expectation – it means to look for something

2. Faith – knowing the Lord will do it

3. Repentance – a 180 degree turning from sin to Jesus

4. Endurance – never giving up…continuing to fight the good fight of faith