Forgotten Books of The Bible - Ezra 2

 

I have been wearing this patch on my back for the past 13 years. I always get a sense of pride when I wear this logo. It identifies me, not just with CMA, but it also identifies me as a follower of Jesus Christ. Wearing this symbol has changed me. When I wear it, I am more aware of my actions and how they represent my faith. 

One of the complaints of non-Christians is that Christians are so hypocritical. They act one way on Sunday and completely different the other six days. Christians are quick to say we are not perfect. Sometimes I think we use that as an excuse. I see many of my Christian friends on social media feed the theory of hypocrisy in our faith. We should be different!

As I was reading Ezra 2 today, I was struck by verses 59 and 62:

'They searched for their names in the genealogical

records, but they were not found, so they were

disqualified from serving as priests. Another group

returned at this time from the towns of Tel-melah,

Tel-harsha, Kerub, Addan, and Immer. However,

they could not prove that they or their families

were descendants of Israel. ' Ezra 2:59,62. https://my.bible.com/bible/116/EZR.2.59,62

Could you prove you were a Christian?  Do you live your life in a way where people know you belong to Jesus? 

 Even when I am not wearing my CMA colors, I want to make sure my words, my actions, and my thoughts, speak loudly about my faith. We are going to mess up, but we must not take that lightly. We need to make sure our lives are set apart. We must be different than the rest of the world. 

IF people can not see any difference, if there is no joy and peace in our lives, and if there is nothing that points people to Jesus, are we living the life God wants us to live?  Would we be disqualified from serving as a priest? 

Can you prove your life belongs to Jesus?

Forgotten Books of the Bible - Ezra - part 1

 

'And we know that God causes everything to

work together for the good of those who love

God and are called according to his purpose

for them. ' Romans 8:28 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ROM.8.28

I do not know about your Bible Study, but for me, I have many books of the Bible I just ignore. Sure, I have read them. Usually, I read them in passing while I am trying to read the Bible in a year. But, I never really spend much time in them. If I believe God has placed this wonderful book together for the purpose of teaching me his truth, teaching me right and wrong, and preparing me for good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17), then I think he means us to read and study ALL OF IT! So for as long as it takes, I am going to study the books from God's word that I have considered obscure! Don't judge me! Some of you are going to say you can't believe I have ignored this book or that book. I am looking forward to hearing the voice of God!

EZRA - 1

After seventy years in captivity, Israel finally gets permission to return to Jerusalem, to the promised land. King Cyrus of Persia helps them in the process to return home.

Two times in the first chapter of Ezra it says "He {God} stirred the heart of Cyrus" and later "Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin...." 

I love how God works inside us. So many times I think I have a great idea, when in reality it is God stirring my heart. I love taking credit for what God is doing in my heart! LOL! God is also stirring the hearts of other people in our lives. Some of them, like King Cyrus, aren't even believers. Isn't that a wonderful thought? God is using those who are far from him to fulfill his plans for us. That wonderful, reassuring thought, should keep us from the hate we sometimes feel for those who oppose us. I am sure the people of Israel did not hold King Cyrus or any of the Persian leaders, in high regard. Yes, later they would look back and be thankful for this freedom. But, up to that point, it had been a long 70 years of captivity. There was no joy in being away from home, away from Jerusalem, forced to live in a pagan culture, to be outsiders that were oppressed and mistreated. 

Is God stirring something in your heart?  Can you see God working in your unbelieving boss or your unbelieving friends? Can God work through our unbelieving national leaders?  

I pray God will stir something in your heart and that we will all recognize his stirring and also see his hand in the lives of our non-Christian friends to fulfill his purposes. He is able to do all things and we need to trust he is working for our good!

Ten Keys to Life - Rest

 

This is the last of the posts on my Ten Keys to Life. I am not sure what direction this blog will go. God does!

I miss the OLD DAYS when everything was closed down on Sunday. We will never return to those days. I remember those days filled with church, family dinners around the table, trips to the grandparents, and time spent with family. It was a complete day of rest. I treasure my days of rest. 

Why is it I do not observe my own Sabbath? 

No law is going to help us decide to rest.

If there were a law to keep retail businesses and restaurants closed on Sunday today, we would find many activities to fill our lives. I can't picture people getting a real day of rest. 

In all reality, nothing is keeping you or me from returning to those days. We could keep from going shopping on Sunday. We could cook at home, shut the television off, invite family for dinner, and enjoy a day of rest. We have the choice to establish our own "Blue Law." We could choose a day of complete rest. 

The Sabbath or "day of worship and rest" gets a bad rap. So many Christians misunderstand the New Testament conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees, saying the Sabbath is unimportant. The laws of God are designed for us to live our best lives. The commandment to keep the Sabbath day Holy, to rest just as God rested from creation, is as valid today as it was to Moses and the nation of Israel. God blessed a day of rest and even made it Holy to show its value. 

We need to slow our lives down, step away from social media, turn off the television, cook at home, and invite family to enjoy a day of peace and rest. We need to take a day, at least one, to spend time praising God for his goodness, his grace, and his mercy. A Sabbath day is not some magical event that will make our lives perfect. We can't observe one day of worship and rest living the other six days disregarding God. A Sabbath day is an event that helps us get the most out of life on the other six days with Jesus in the middle of each of those days!

'Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who

are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will

give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me

teach you, because I am humble and gentle at

heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For

my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give

you is light.”' Matthew 11:28-30 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MAT.11.28-30

 

Ten Keys to Life - Tend the Garden

 

' On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus

stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him

come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me,

as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow

rivers of living water.’” '

John 7:37-38 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.7.37-38

Stephanie and I live in downtown Bluffton. We love it and I completely enjoy living in this setting. When we lived in our home, I loved taking care of the yard, (yes, even mowing), and growing flowers. The time spent tending the flower beds around our house was such a respite from the hustle and bustle of life. Now, in our present home, two of these small planters are the extent of our gardening. 

Last week we were gone for four days enjoying our CMA family. When we came home Sunday afternoon, I thought the flowers had died. The sun and heat had gotten to them. I didn't give up hope and gave them an emergency drink of water. The next day I watered them again the next morning and then later in the evening. As I watched them each day, they were restored to their original beauty! A little loving care worked wonders!

YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE is just like taking care of a garden. I know so many wonderful Christians that spend 24/7 helping others, serving in ministry, and loving on people. Some need an emergency drink from the LIVING WATER of Jesus Christ.

DON'T FORGET TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!

Sit back, and read scripture just for the pleasure of hearing God's voice. Pray in complete silence and enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit. If you do not "tend to your own garden" how are you to help others? 

Take care of your heart. Connect with the Holy Spirit, feel his presence, and let His life-giving water fill you and refresh you!

Ten Keys to Life - God's word - There is only one source!

 

One of the greatest joys I have in life is sharing the word of the Lord. If anyone would suggest I read the same book thousands of time throughout my lifetime, I would think they were crazy. But, THIS book is not just any book. I truly believe in and witnessed the power of this book in my life! OK, that is not exactly true. It is not the Bible that is doing the work; God is doing the work in me. He uses his word to change me:

'For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is

sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting

between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.

It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing

in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked

and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom

we are accountable. ' Hebrews 4:12-13. https://my.bible.com/bible/116/HEB.4.12-13

I cannot get through my day without hearing the voice of God through his word. It is just as powerful today as it was when Moses penned the Pentateuch. I receive direction, advice, correction, and I learn about God and my faith family through every word, verse, chapter, and book. I praise God for his word!

Can I give you some advice? 

Dig into the word of God. You will not be disappointed. Start reading the book of John. This book is powerful in representing who God is. IF YOU NEED HELP exploring the word of God and want to do it together, I would love to join you and your study. If you are unfamiliar with the entire book and story of God, I would love to help!

If you don't live near me, we can do it face-to-face using technology. I just love helping people discover the truth of God through his word. 

PLEASE contact me:   rhoadzie@gmail.com