zechariah 8 - template for our objectives
The prophet Zechariah describes the future restored Jerusalem in this passage, shedding light on the plan God has for His people that dwell within it. In the Old Testament, Jerusalem was the city where God's Spirit dwelled with His people, and today God's Spirit lives within His people. What Zechariah describes is what God longs to be built by His Spirit at work within us.
here is how the lord uses us at thp
to carry this out in/around hartford:
"men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem" (v.4)
"The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there" (v.5)
The picture of thriving life, for both young and old, compels us to train believers in their responsibility with vulnerable populations. Hartford (and the region) has a thriving network of organizations working towards these ends, and our programs embolden those efforts, while challenging participants to consider how God calls them - in their contexts - to do this work.
"they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God" (v.8)
Being the People of God comes with the assurance of purpose and the blessing of all of the Fruits of the Spirit. We seek to usher believers to that experience of relationship, that buoys us when tested to stand on God's faithfulness, and learn to see His faithful and righteous acts around us.
"'Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.'" (v.9)
The Lord speaks countless times through the Scriptures calling believers to build up the Body. One of THP's main vehicles is partnership with organizations in the Christian community, empowering them to boldly continue their work. While strengthening them, our own exercising grows our faith and ability to perform the work of the Church.
"The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew... Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong" (v.12a, 13b)
Again, the Lord calls for the people to work, but now for the sustenance of the community. It is important to instill in believers their role of being vessels of blessing to the community. The Lord's strength equips us to prepare the services and support that generate the longstanding abundant life that God promises to His people.
"I will save you, and you will be a blessing" (v.13a)
The balance between faith and works is often a tricky balance for believers, but none of the work that is connected to THP is down without the intention of God's glory being amplified, and without the Holy Spirit leading. The work is the Lord's Work, and He chose us to carry it out - it was never ours. But with the Lord leading, it is much more fruitful. So, we praise Him fervently.
"Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely" (v.16, 17a)
Christlikeness is an active conscious lifestyle. It is too easy to follow what society does, which is most often working against the Heart of God. We must learn to see the ways in which our society harms God's creation, and actively carry out Zechariah's words as advocates of anyone overlooked and oppressed. Understanding the larger context of ministry within society is a heartbeat of The Hartford Project.
"love truth and peace" (v.19b)
The Word of God is truth, and all of our programs are anchored in biblical teaching. We strive to stoke a hunger in our participants for more of the revelation of who God is through His Word. When we become more familiar with Him and love Him deeper, the Lord draws His People together at His Heart - where all the Fruits of the Spirit perfect, including peace.
"many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him" (v.22)
We operate out of a conviction that God is using Hartford as a well for the work of the Kingdom. We will faithfully continue our work of exposing the breadth of God's ongoing work, and captivating the hearts of His People to carry the Work to their contexts. Our mission is only a piece of all the ways God is using Hartford as a vehicles: we strive to partner and support missions running the race with us to glorify God through this city.
"'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'" (v.23)
The Presence of the Lord is attractive to the human soul, that yearns for its Creator. When we become visible disciples with our lives, those around us see the Lord at work. As Zechariah writes, when that happens people begin tugging at our hems to meet the Lord. This is ultimately the Work we are all called to: lead others to an authentic encounter with the Lord, and to give Him praise as His Spirit draws them to a life with Him!
________________________________________________________
Click here to hear how The Hartford Project sees the Lord at work in Hartford, and why we are part of this work!
"The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there" (v.5)
The picture of thriving life, for both young and old, compels us to train believers in their responsibility with vulnerable populations. Hartford (and the region) has a thriving network of organizations working towards these ends, and our programs embolden those efforts, while challenging participants to consider how God calls them - in their contexts - to do this work.
"they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God" (v.8)
Being the People of God comes with the assurance of purpose and the blessing of all of the Fruits of the Spirit. We seek to usher believers to that experience of relationship, that buoys us when tested to stand on God's faithfulness, and learn to see His faithful and righteous acts around us.
"'Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.'" (v.9)
The Lord speaks countless times through the Scriptures calling believers to build up the Body. One of THP's main vehicles is partnership with organizations in the Christian community, empowering them to boldly continue their work. While strengthening them, our own exercising grows our faith and ability to perform the work of the Church.
"The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew... Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong" (v.12a, 13b)
Again, the Lord calls for the people to work, but now for the sustenance of the community. It is important to instill in believers their role of being vessels of blessing to the community. The Lord's strength equips us to prepare the services and support that generate the longstanding abundant life that God promises to His people.
"I will save you, and you will be a blessing" (v.13a)
The balance between faith and works is often a tricky balance for believers, but none of the work that is connected to THP is down without the intention of God's glory being amplified, and without the Holy Spirit leading. The work is the Lord's Work, and He chose us to carry it out - it was never ours. But with the Lord leading, it is much more fruitful. So, we praise Him fervently.
"Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely" (v.16, 17a)
Christlikeness is an active conscious lifestyle. It is too easy to follow what society does, which is most often working against the Heart of God. We must learn to see the ways in which our society harms God's creation, and actively carry out Zechariah's words as advocates of anyone overlooked and oppressed. Understanding the larger context of ministry within society is a heartbeat of The Hartford Project.
"love truth and peace" (v.19b)
The Word of God is truth, and all of our programs are anchored in biblical teaching. We strive to stoke a hunger in our participants for more of the revelation of who God is through His Word. When we become more familiar with Him and love Him deeper, the Lord draws His People together at His Heart - where all the Fruits of the Spirit perfect, including peace.
"many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him" (v.22)
We operate out of a conviction that God is using Hartford as a well for the work of the Kingdom. We will faithfully continue our work of exposing the breadth of God's ongoing work, and captivating the hearts of His People to carry the Work to their contexts. Our mission is only a piece of all the ways God is using Hartford as a vehicles: we strive to partner and support missions running the race with us to glorify God through this city.
"'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'" (v.23)
The Presence of the Lord is attractive to the human soul, that yearns for its Creator. When we become visible disciples with our lives, those around us see the Lord at work. As Zechariah writes, when that happens people begin tugging at our hems to meet the Lord. This is ultimately the Work we are all called to: lead others to an authentic encounter with the Lord, and to give Him praise as His Spirit draws them to a life with Him!
________________________________________________________
Click here to hear how The Hartford Project sees the Lord at work in Hartford, and why we are part of this work!
