From My Heart to Yours

Hanging Out With God

2008-09-05T13:29:27Z

(Fri., Sept 5, 2008) I’ve been thinking about a phrase that is very common today, ‘hanging out.’ As best as I can tell it refers to socializing with others, spending times with friends. It seems to have a connotation of doing whatever – nothing specific planned, just being together. It focuses on friends spending time with each other. The emphasis isn’t on the activity itself, but one being together. In our very busy, production oriented and often impersonal world, that sounds nice! Unfortunately I’m not very good at it myself.

But I’ve been thinking about this whole concept of ‘hanging out’ more in context of my relationship to God than to other people. Perhaps because I’m not real good at hanging out with people I’m not real good at hanging out with God, either. Working toward a common goal is fine, sacrificing to benefit God’s work is great, even times of deep conversation and serious discussion come easy to me. But just hanging out, not doing anything special, focusing on enjoying each other’s presence – that’s what I need to cultivate more with God and with others. It seems to me that’s what Paul’s praying without ceasing it all about (1 Thessalonians 5:17). That’s the essence of the branch abiding in the vine (John 15). And that’s what I need more of in my life. So I’m trying to learn how to hang out with God during the day. No matter what I am doing, I try to be more conscious of Him, more aware of His presence, more in connection with Him emotionally and spiritually. I don’t have to have a work project going with Him or a deep conversational prayer structuring the time. I just need to enjoy His presence all day every day. I think that’s what He wants from me more than anything else. It certainly sounds easy enough. I’m looking forward to doing a lot more hanging out in the future – with the God of the universe!

Eph 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Col 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

How would you define ‘hanging out’?

What does the principle of praying without ceasing mean to you?

Have you been hanging out with God lately? If not, what can you do to improve the quality and quantity of your time with Him?

Self-Centered Sinlessness

2008-09-03T17:14:55Z

(Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008) Sin is something we all try to avoid, and rightly so. But lately I’ve been realizing that there’s more to it than just keeping from sinning. God has been convicting me of my real motive for not sinning. I’ve been doing it out of selfish motives and reasons. He showed me that the real reason I avoid sinning is because I don’t want the guilt and consequences in my own life. In other words, my motives are very self-centered. So what should my reasons be? I would really like to say that I abhor sin because my love for God is so strong I don’t want to offend Him but instead want to honor Him in any way I can. Now I hope there is some of that in me, but in all honesty that isn’t always my first thought when tempted.

When God brought this to my awareness it was a real wake-up call as to how shallow and self-focused my whole life is. If the only reason I choose to not give in to sin is because I don’t want the consequences of guilt, distance form God and possible divine discipline, then I’m missing something important. That alone isn’t always a strong enough motive to not sin! Sometimes a ‘little’ sin may seem well worth the price! I know I would live a much more holy life if I didn’t want to offend God in anything I said, did, thought or didn’t do that I should.

What’s the solution? I try to be more aware that my sin is against God, the One whom I love and who loves me. David recognized this (Psalm 51:3-4; 2 Samuel 12:9-14), as did Joseph (Genesis 39:9) and the prodigal son (Luke 15:21). Recognizing our own selfish reasons for not sinning and asking God to make us aware of them is a first step. Becoming aware of God and His love for me when I am tempted is a better motive to resist than just thinking about myself. So I ask God to help me get my eyes off myself and onto Him in all things, including sin.

Ps 51:3-4 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

Gen 39:9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"

Luke 15:21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Honestly search your heart and ask God to reveal to you any self-centered sinless you may have. Ask Him to forgive you of it and to bring true conviction of sin to you.

Try to remember tempted that the only right reason to not sin is because of our love for a holy God, not out of fear of the consequences in our lives.

Running When the Energy is Gone

2008-08-28T12:49:55Z

(Wednesday, August 27, 2008) It’s great to run when I feel energetic and full of pep, when I feel like I can run forever without tiring. Those are wonderful days to exercise. But they are getting fewer and further between all the time. Now I feel I run more in pain than in pleasure. But I keep running anyway because it’s not all about how I feel. In running there is a phrase, ‘hitting the wall,’ that refers to the sensation felt by long distance runners when they deplete their body’s glycogen stores and begin running primarily on stored body fat. A new source of energy takes over, and they have power they didn’t expect to help them keep going.

Life can be the same way. Sometimes life is great and we love every second of it, but other times it can feel like an uphill grind all the way. When we run through life we sometimes find we are out of get-up-and-go. This can be caused by a problem at work or at home, a health or a financial issue, something someone says or something they don’t say. We sometimes need an extra boost of energy to face life, something from a source outside ourselves. To keep going when we run out of power we need His power. Isaiah 40:29 and 31 say, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. … but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” So don’t stop when things get tough, ask God for that new energy that comes from His Spirit. There are times our strength will always run out, but His never will! Do you need some today? Ask Him and depend on His provision.

Esther: Providential Care (Book of the Week)

2008-08-25T20:34:13Z

(Aug 25, 2008) One day a Christian man had an orchard of thousands of trees. His whole family depended on it for food. One morning he found half-grown apples being destroyed by strange worms. Every tree was affected. The family gathered and prayed, then spent the whole day picking off worms, but they multiplied far faster than they could be picked. Weary from working all day at top speed and desperate, they prayed and went to sleep. Early the next morning they started to see hundreds of strange birds landing on the trees. They stayed all day eating worms but never hurt the trees or apples. They spent three days there, then left. All the worms were gone and the crop was saved. Coincidence? No way. Our sovereign God was in control of the whole thing. He cares for and provides for His own. Unfortunately we forget about that. When we do, we should read the book of Esther!

DANGER TO GOD’S PEOPLE (Esther 1 - 3) A sordid story unfolds (Esther 1) in the first chapter of Esther. The scene is the great Persian city of Shushan. After a series of banquets (really great drunken orgies) King Ahasuerus (Xerxes in secular history) commands his queen, Vashti, to provide the entertainment for the grand finale. Because of her own standards of modesty, she refused and was banished from the kingdom forever. Therefore the king began a world-wide search for a new queen.

A Jew named Mordecai, who had a minor job at the palace, entered his cousin (who he was raising) in the contest and she won! Now it must be noted that the Jews were not to remain in Persia. They should have returned with Ezra or Nehemiah, but didn’t want to leave the prosperity and fine living in Persia for the poverty and difficulties of Jerusalem. Thus they were out of God’s will. As a result there is no mention of God’s name, prayer or sacrifices in the book of Esther. Still, God keeps His promises to protect His people.

After Esther is made queen Mordecai overheard a plot to kill the king, told Esther, and she reported it (Est 3). The plot was stopped and the king saved. That’s all part of God’s plan.

The plot thickens when Haman, the prime minister and favorite of the king, pushes through legislation to have all the Jews in the kingdom killed. His hatred for Mordecai, who won’t bow to him, makes him miserable. That sets the scene for God’s deliverance. He uses Esther to save her race and influence her stepson Artaxerxes to allow Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls.

DELIVERANCE OF GOD’S PEOPLE (Esther 4 - 10) When Mordecai hears about the plot to destroy all Jews he is really upset and sends word to Esther, asking her to intercede for her people, even though it may mean her death. To speak out to the king was forbidden, and to reveal that she was a Jew could also mean her death. However she courageously does so, inviting the king and Haman to a banquet she would have just for them (Esther 5).

Meanwhile Haman is miserable because of his hatred of Mordecai. His wife says he will feel better if he builds a large scaffold and anticipates his killing of Mordecai, so he has it built.

One night the king had a hard time sleeping (one of those little things that God uses in a big way). He read from his histories and discovered Mordecai’s work in saving his life, and the next day finds out that Mordecai was never rewarded for it. He determines to take care of this.

When prideful, self-centered Haman comes to work the next day the king asks he which he thinks the king should do to honor a man he deeply appreciates. Thinking the king is referring to him, Haman lays out his own prideful dreams of glory and honor, only to find out the king meant it for his enemy Mordecai -- and he had to be the one to honor Mordecai! Talk about a bad day at the office!

Later that day, when Haman showed up for the banquet with Esther and the king, she revealed his legislation to destroy all Jews. The king was furious at how he was tricked and left the room to get control of his anger. Haman fell upon Esther begging her for mercy, and when the king entered he thought Haman was attacking Esther. He had Haman killed immediately on his own gallows! Not only that, but the Jews were allowed to kill those who wanted to destroy them. In addition, Mordecai was elevated to Haman’s job as top advisor to the king! Talk about a happy ending!

Even today the Jews celebrate this important deliverance as the Feast of Purim. They give gifts, eat together, and children reenact the events in the book of Esther (similar to the way we celebrate Christmas). Truly this is a wonderful reminder of God’s sovereignty and His providential care of His people, even those who are out of His will. What a great God we have!

TITLE: After the main character

AUTHOR: Unknown (possibly Mordecai)

DATE of WRITING: About 473 BC

PLACE of WRITING: Shushan, Babylon

TIME COVERED: 10 years (483 - 473 BC)

RECIPIENTS: Jews dispersed in Persian Empire.

KEY VERSE: 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

KEY WORD: The Jews (51 times); also Jew and Feast

PURPOSE: To study how all the Jews were saved from extermination by Esther

THEME: God’s providential care

Spend some time reading this book this week.

The Importance of a Running Mate

2008-08-22T12:05:16Z

(Friday, August 22, 2008) I like to run alone and usually do. I enjoy being free to go my own pace & direction while letting my thoughts drift wherever they want to go. I am more creative when in my right brain and cherish those special times. However other times its best for me to run with someone else. They can set a better pace and motivate me to keep going when I would slow down. Talking while running can distract from the distance or discomfort of running. Jogging with my wife is especially enjoyable. Running with a friend can make the time go quicker, the load seem easier, the burden can be shared and the time used for encouragement and edification.

In life, too, I usually ‘run’ alone. That’s the way I’m made. But there is a time when I need others to ‘run’ alongside. I need those who can set a better pace and be a good example for me, who can encourage and train me (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Other times I need to invite a younger ‘runner’ into my life to help them get started (1 Corinthians 4:16). I need to help guide them as they run the Christian race.

Always I need to have Jesus with me as I travel through life. In the 1960’s Malcom Boyd wrote a book entitled “Are You Running With Me Jesus?” Inviting Jesus to run with us isn’t the best way to do it, though. We should follow His lead and run with Him wherever He goes (Mark 2:14). He should be setting the pace and choosing the direction for every step I take throughout life.

Are you more of a loner? That’s OK – but there are times when you need others and when others need you. Don’t miss those times! Are you a people person? Good, people can benefit from your lead, but other times you need to set the pace instead of following. Make sure you correctly discern one from the other. No matter if you prefer to run through life alone or with others make sure you run with Jesus every step of the way through every day. That’s the best way to progress through life.

Why Sleep?

2008-08-20T19:42:48Z

(Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008) Have you ever wondered why God made us so we need to sleep? We could certainly get a lot more done if we never needed rest. I sometimes meet people who only need a few hours of sleep a night and I envy them because they have more time to do things in life. But everyone needs sleep, even though we need different amounts. If I don’t get close to 8 hours a night my daytime effectiveness is greatly affected. But that means I spend 1/3 of my life sleeping and that seems like a waste of time. Still, that’s how God made us. We need sleep for our bodies and minds to renew and rejuvenate. Worn cells are replaces and muscles strengthened while sleeping. An effective form of torture is to keep people awake for long periods of time. Sleep is a very important factor in our overall health (Psalm 127:2). Good sleep makes us healthier, and over-all good health helps us sleep better. To paraphrase Ecclesiastes 3, “there is a time to exercise and a time to sleep.” Both are equally necessary.

So, too, our souls need time to rest and rejuvenate, time to relax and recharge. We need times of fun, times of worship, times of meditation and times of relaxation and refreshment. God made our soul to need times of refreshing. He makes us lie down in green pastures and leads us beside quiet waters (Psalm 23:2). Good health requires not only proper diet and exercise but periods of relaxation and rest as well. That’s where most of us fail. We are too busy. God only gave us seven 24-hour days in a week so He doesn’t expect us to do more than can be done in that time frame. And He certainly doesn’t expect us to neglect our health or rest to do it. If we are too busy to have time to relax and get proper sleep, then we are too busy. So if that is your case, find out what God wants you to do and then drop the rest, no matter how good it is. There really is time for everything when we only do what God wants us to do.

Nehemiah: Renewal (Book of the Week)

2008-08-18T13:31:30Z

(Mon, Aug 18, 2008) What comes to mind when someone uses the word “revival”? Do you think of a series of special meetings, of loud and emotional preaching? Websters says it is the stirring of religious faith among the indifferent characterized by public confession of sin and profession of renewed faith. Basically, revival means to bring back to life. “Re” means to do again, “vive” means life. It refers to bringing something BACK to life which had been alive. Therefore revival basically refers to bringing God’s people who have drifted back to a fresh closeness to Him. It is different than evangelism which appeals to unbelievers to make a first-time commitment. Salvation can’t be lost, but we can become cold and in need of renewing. Periodically through history God has sparked revivals which have brought His people back to Him. One was during the time of Nehemiah.

BACKGROUND Ezra had led a small remnant of Jews back to their homeland, the majority preferring to stay in the opulence of Babylon. Fifteen years later word came to Nehemiah that things were still in bad shape in the land (Neh 1). It wasn’t his fault, and there didn’t seem to be anything he could do from 1500 miles away. Still...

1. Revival begins with one devoted believer. Nehemiah turned to God in prayer and fasting and sincerely called upon the Lord. He confessed his sin and the sins of his people. He totally committed himself to God to be used in any way necessary. God worked in Artaxertes’ heart to let him return and give him needed supplies. Nehemiah was allowed to return to Jerusalem.

2. Revival spreads to a few ready ones first. Any good fire needs two things: a hot spark and then some kindling ready to catch fire. Nehemiah was the spark, and the first thing he did in Jerusalem was to find a few good men who were open and ready for God to work. He surveyed the situation and gathered facts before acting, then spread his vision to a few he felt were ready. You can’t expect all the green wood to catch right away, only wood that is dry and ready catches right away. It takes a good core group to start a revival, then the spark spreads. Pretty soon others caught the vision and before long they were rebuilding the walls.

3. There must be unity among believers for revival to spread. Nehemiah organized the people to work on the walls, each one working near his own home. However, as is to be expected, enemies opposed. The people pulled together, though. Unity is important for a revival to spread. Disunity, unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy, etc., can pour water on a revival fire before it really gets going.

4. Revival must be based on knowing God’s Word. Nehemiah got the people together and Ezra read and taught God’s word all morning. They liked it so much they asked if he’d do that in the afternoon, too. As a result they humbled themselves and worshipped God. They wanted to come back the next day for more! An appetite for God’s Word is a necessary sign for revival. Not only did they learn it, but they obeyed it, putting into practice what they learned.

5. Revival means confessing sins in prayer. The people automatically prayed and confessed their sins (Neh. 9), acknowledging His majesty and past help for them. Prayer, starting with confession of sin, is a must for revival.

6. Revival leads to publicly showing a renewed commitment. The people responded to Ezra’s teaching by ratifying their covenant with God. They officially promised to follow God only. Publicly the Jews promised (Neh 10) to not marry unbelievers, worship God on the Sabbath, pay their tithes and help provide for the temple and its priests and Levites.

7. Revival results in changed lives. As a result of this people moved back into Jerusalem and it as well as other cities thrived and prospered. The walls and city of Jerusalem were dedicated to God. Malachi ministered during this time, too.

8. To be the real thing, the results must be lasting. For 12 years things continued well under Nehemiah and Ezra’s leadership. Then Nehemiah had to return to Babylon and, when he returned a year later, the promises they made had been broken. They had married unbelieving wives and weren’t properly caring for God’s temple. Before long they again responded to Nehemiah’s and Ezra’s call to renewal and revival came again.

This ended Old Testament history. After 400 silent (no Bible books were written, but the Maccabees lived during this time) John the Baptist came on the scene, preparing the way for the Messiah. With that the New Testament began -- and another call to revival. Where do you stand? Are you in need of renewing? Is your spiritual life on fire and vibrant, or does it need to be revived? Follow the steps Nehemiah and, if God wills, you’ll have revival beginning in those around you.

TITLE: After the main character

AUTHOR: Nehemiah

DATE of WRITING: About 420 BC

PLACE of WRITING: Jerusalem

TIME COVERED: 30 years (445-415 BC)

RECIPIENTS: Returned Jews

KEY VERSE: 1:1-7 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

KEY WORD: Walls (32 times) Build (23 times)

PURPOSE: Tell how the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt under Nehemiah

THEME: Steps to Renewal/revival

Spend some time reading this book this week.

The Heart of the Matter

2008-08-15T12:04:30Z

(Friday, August 15, 2008) One of the main reasons I run is for the health of my heart. I have some minor personal issues and a poor family history, so keeping my heart muscle in good shape is of major importance to me. I don’t HAVE to do so, but the quality and perhaps even quantity of my life may be affected. Keeping your heart strong and efficient is important, too. The heart beat of the average person is about 75, but for a runner it’s usually 50 to 60 beats per minute. Hearts of runners are typically a bit larger and stronger, so they beat more efficiently and less times in a day. When someone exercises three or more times a week for at least 30 minutes with their pulse about 120 or more, they are helping their cardio-vascular system strengthen and improve.

As a Christian I must keep my spiritual heart in top shape as well. Jesus said “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). The Bible uses the term ‘heart’ to refer to our inner self that thinks, feels and decides. It is the seat of emotions (Psalm 105:25; I Peter 1:22) as well as thought (Esther 6:6; Prov 2:10). It refers to our true character or personality (Jer 3:17; Matthew 5:8). God knows our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). We are to love God with our whole heart (Matthew 22:37). So, spiritually speaking, my heart is the real inner me. Its very important I keep my spiritual heart, the inner me, pure and right with God, spiritually healthy, strong and efficient. I can’t neglect my physical heart or the results will catch up with me. Neither can I neglect my spiritual heart, my inner person, for that is the real me. As important as my physical heart is, my spiritual ‘heart’ is even more significant. Keeping it clean, strong in God, pure in thought and action and focused on Him in all things is vital to my present and my future. So how’s your heart – your spiritual heart that is?

Foot Care - Faith Care

2008-08-14T10:53:59Z

(Thursday, Aug 14, 2008) Let’s face it, feet are not one of the more glamorous parts of the body. We all have parts we think are great and love to show off – but seldom are feet listed in that group! Yet all runners know that it is very important to take care of our feet. If not the rest of our body suffers. Healthy, dependable, callused, strong, sturdy feet are the foundation of our exercise ritual, but they aren’t seen by others and seldom get any notice or acclaim.

So, too, our faith must be strong, solid and sturdy to carry us through life. It’s not something others can see, but it’s the foundation of our daily walk with the Lord. Like our feet, others see the results of what healthy faith can do in our lives even though they can’t see the faith itself. Part of the spiritual armor Paul mentions in Ephesians 6:14-15 are the sandals of peace to wear on our feet. Peace comes from trusting God is in control of everything, not being shaken by fear and trusting His will be done no matter what. Another piece of our armor is the shield of faith. It is our outer protection against all that life throws at us.

How’s your hidden foundation of faith? Is your trust in God as strong as you’d like? Is it stronger than it was awhile ago? The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), because anything we do for any other reason just won’t stand up before Him. I hope you have good, healthy feet, but even more so I hope your spiritual feet, your faith in Jesus, is strong and solid, and getting more that way every day! Don’t neglect your feet, and especially don’t neglect your faith!

Ezra: Return (Book of the Week)

2008-08-11T15:49:33Z

(Monday, Aug. 11, 2008) Ki ng Richard III went out walking one night among his army. There he found a guard fast asleep at his post. Promptly he took a knife and stabbed him in the heart. He pinned a note to him which said,: I found him asleep and I left him so.” It’s a good thing our King doesn’t do that to His subjects when they fall asleep spiritually! He tries to bring them back to alertness. The book of Ezra illustrates this spiritual truth.

RESTORATION The book opens with the Jews in captivity for their idolatry. Still God is faithfully working for them. This discipline has kept them from every returning to idolatry since then. God blessed them materially. Previous to this time they were farmers and shepherds, but in Babylon they learned to be business men and bankers, trades they still excel in. God was working in the hearts of godly leaders as well as in King Cyrus to allow them to return. Like the father of the prodigal son, He lovingly looks for their return. He is the ‘God of the Second Chance’.

When Zerubbabel sent out a call to return to the land, only 50,000 Jews answered. This was a very small percentage of those in Babylon. The majority didn’t want to leave their newly-found prosperity. It was God’s will for His people to live in the land He gave them, but they chose staying in the world. Only a very committed godly minority returned. Out of all mankind, it is always only a small minority which accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation. And it is only a small minority of that group that then go on to put Jesus first in daily life and live as a disciple of His.

Upon arriving back in the land, Zerubbabel started rebuilding the temple. The Samaritans opposed this, so the work stopped for 15 years. Haggai and Zechariah preached during this time. When the temple finally was rebuilt it was so inferior to Solomon’s Temple that those who remembered the former wept.

ESTHER Between Ezra 6 and 7 is a gap of 58 years, during which the events in the book of Esther took place.

REFORMATION Eighty years after Zerubbabel, Ezra came on the scene. He lead a second group back to the land. Ezra was a priest and scribe (copied the Bible by hand). He reputedly knew the whole Old Testament by heard and was a very committed believer. He founded the Sanhedrin to decide cases and give guidance to the Jews worldwide. He instituted the synagogue system which held the Jews together while away from the temple. It was a place of teaching, worship, fellowship and community activities. The church today is based on the synagogue. Ezra also wrote I & II Chronicles, Ezra and Psalm 119. He edited the whole Old Testament, gathering the inspired books and forming them into the Old Testament as we have it today. He made sure all was perfect, in groups and order, edited and updated. In doing so he replaced the old Hebrew script with the newer, square Assyrian characters, which are still in use today. God chose Ezra because of His deep Bible knowledge. He studied, practiced and taught it (Ezra 7:10). The Bible is the key to returning to God, not emotional appeals, guilt, etc. When God’s people no longer have an appetite for God’s Word, it is a sign that revival is needed. Loss of appetite is a sign of sickness. Ezra fed himself and others a good, balanced diet of God’s Word.

Only 1,514 able men volunteered to return with him. After 4 months of travel they arrived at Jerusalem, only to find the people had again turned from God. The sin of intermarrying unbelievers led the people from God. The unbelieving wives had to be sent home. Then the people turned back to God. Sin brings sorrow!

TITLE: After the chief character, Ezra

AUTHOR: Ezra (priest)

DATE of WRITING: 456 BC

PLACE of WRITING: Jerusalem

TIME COVERED: 81 years (538 - 457 BC)

RECIPIENTS: Jews after the captivity

KEY VERSE: Ezra 7:6-10 This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

KEY WORD: “Go Up/Went Up” “Jerusalem” (47 times)

PURPOSE: To show the history of Israel as they return from captivity and get re-established.

THEME: The importance of returning to God when away from Him.

Spend some time reading this book this week.