Purim…

 Divine intervention…..

How many times can we think of in our personal lives when God performed miracles that we can actually see or that we know of…?

I imagine that there are so many that we don’t of …and many that we do…they are not the natural order of things God set in place…bit things he does to surprise us, to bless us and show that he cares and loves  us with an everlasting love…

I remember traveling with my children, going through an intersection, then looking in my rear view mirror only to see that a big truck had blown through his red light micro seconds after we had gone through. I was so grateful and thankful that God, who goes before us and behind us had protected our family. I praised God then and still do for that reminder that he does protect…

There have been so many encounters…God cares for his people and wants only good…

Finishing the book of Esther, there are so many lessons…But, God  saved his people… he brought them through the death threats, by the prayers and fasting and intercessions…God’s name was not mentioned in the book of Esther..but by the very name, “Jew “, they were known as a people who prayed to their God… and that people group still celebrate those days with the celebration of Purim…we can celebrate our deliverance from  the throes of captivity into our Salvation…rejoice, again I say rejoice…

Thank YOU…

Purim means "lots." Like a lottery, which is not rational or predictable, Purim expresses that which is above nature and human understanding.

There are four main mitzvot — religious duties — associated with the Purim observation . 

The first mitzvah (the singular form of mitzvot) is the public reading of the Megillah, the scroll containing the Book of Esther, once on Purim eve and again on Purim day. During this reading at the synagogue, Jews boo, hiss, stomp their feet, and rattle groggers (noisemakers) whenever Haman’s name is mentioned, as a way to blot out his name.

The next mitzvah is festivity and rejoicing. In fact, Jews are required to be happy on Purim. They accomplish this by dressing in costume, holding carnival-like celebrations, gathering with family and friends, and eating the traditional Hamantaschen treats — triangular fruit-filled cookies that represent the villain Haman’s three-cornered hat.

The third mitzvah is sending food to friends. Typically on Purim morning, Jews bustle about town visiting loved ones and delivering specially prepared food baskets. This gift is to symbolize the spirit of kinship and love that will help prevent the appearance of any future Hamans.

The final mitzvah of Purim is giving gifts to the poor. Tradition holds that observant Jews are to give charity to at least two needy people. The intent is to ensure that all Jews are able to experience the joy of Purim.

Many Jews also observe a fast prior to Purim commemorating Esther’s three days of fasting in preparation for meeting with the king. Called the “Fast of Esther,” it is usually observed the day before Purim. Unlike some other Jewish fasts, it is not a time of sadness, but rather of elevation and inspiration.

https://www.ifcj.org/learn/jewish-holidays/what-is-purim

 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. What then shall we say to these things? 

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 

As it is written,“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rom.8.28,Rom.8.31-39

Amazing grace…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkHgxKemCRk&list=RDY-4NFvI5U9w&start_radio=1

https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/645309/jewish/What-Is-Purim.htm

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Purim

Lessons to be learned from pride and arrogance…

 Lessons to be learned from pride and arrogance….

If ever a plan was to be learned about pride and arrogance, The life of Haman is worth the look…

1. Hatred will be punished…

2. God has an amazing record for making evil plans back fire on the planners…

3. Pride and self-importance will be punished..

4. An insatiable thirst for power and prestige is self-destructive…Bible study notes…

 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made. 

Then Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to 

his house, mourning and with his head covered. And Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.” While they were yet talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried to bring Haman to the feast that Esther had prepared. 

Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared to do this?” And Esther said, “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman's house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.

Esth.5.14,Esth.6.12-14,Esth.7.5-6,Esth.7.9-10

 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,let them be trapped in their pride.For the cursing and lies that they utter,

Ps.59.12

 Pride goes before destruction,and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Prov.16.18

 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. 

Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips-and harbors deceit in his heart; 

when he speaks graciously, believe him not,for there are seven abominations in his heart; 

though his hatred be covered with deception,his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.

Prov.26.23-27

Thank YOU…

Humility….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPnGlemJ9fs&list=RDFPnGlemJ9fs&start_radio=1

Give honor where honor is due

 

Give honor where honor is due…

This passage in Esther 6 always makes me chuckle…I picture a proud rooster strutting his feathers around the area showing off his colors, his voice….or Scrooge showing off his wealth, or his fine clothes to those whom would listen…or the in mythology, Atlas showing off his strength to carry the  “world “ upon his shoulders…all want honor for their own accomplishments…Haman wanted the same and felt like he was finally going to bet his “just dues” only to have the tables  turned upon him…I think God  does have a sense of humor and He is just…and delights to do good things for his own…

On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king's young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”

 And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king's palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him. And the king's young men told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” 

And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” 

O    Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.” 

So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

Esth.6.1-11

God speaks of honor is many passages… a few follow…

 Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come.

Exod.12.42

 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Exod.20.12

 And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.

Deut.26.18,Deut.26.19

 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

1Chr.4.9-10

 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;the Lord bestows favor and honor.No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly,

Ps.84.11

 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty,and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Prov.3.9-10

Thank YOU…

Honor God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP1W0K32GRQ&list=RDlP1W0K32GRQ&start_radio=1

Can’t not do it….in other words…do it…

 Can’t not do it…in other words, do it…

Those  are the words, I thought of reading Esther 5…

Esther had asked the Jews to fast for three days, as well as her and her maids…now, they have ended this and she goes before the King and was received…she asks for the king to attend a banquet as well as his advisor, Haman…the wicked man who called for the annihilation of the Jews… but, both men are honored at her invitation…

God is control of this whole situation, but Esther had to act…you wonder if she was quaking in her slippers or was she at perfect peace to approach the king…something that could bring about her death if not accepted…

Over the years, there have been times when we have been given a certain job to do which was totally out of our comfort zone…the nudge so strong that we/I couldn’t not do it…hounded, encouraged, pushed until obedience was the only way to get peace of mind and heart…sometimes it was a simple task and others a huge “step out on faith “ job…

This summer I had a couple…finally accomplished them and was granted such peace and it turned out to be such a blessing to myself and some others, I wondered why I didn’t do it sooner…why did I balk at clear instruction…fear…not understanding why…wanting my own way…whatever the reason….

Esther obeyed…period…she stepped out…

God is the blessed Controller of all things…

Thank YOU….

 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 

So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions. 

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Esth.4.15-17,Esth.5.1-2

 Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.

Deut.8.6

 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,who walk in obedience to him.

Ps.128.1

 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 

And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2Cor 9:12-15

Trust and obey…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-g4B-vzNHPw&pp=ygUodHJ1c3QgYW5kIG9iZXkgZm9yIHRoZXJlIGlzIG5vIG90aGVyIHdhedIHCQmyCQGHKiGM7w%3D%3D

Get ready…

 Get ready….

This last year has been a roller coaster of health issues for me…events I never anticipated…or planned for…and they came as a surprise …life was going along pretty well I thought without much thought of getting really sick…I wasn’t ready for it, my family wasn’t ready for it…oh, estate stuff was in pretty good order, but still….

Reading Esther 4, the Jews weren’t ready for the persecution that was signed into law, their very lives were at stake….they had been living probably well, going along with life, day to day, not realizing there was so much hatred by one power man…one stroke of the “pen” changed that…

How do we meet these changes?

My Bible commentary addresses this…

1.  Calculate the cost…”if I perish, I perish “

2. Set priorities…”I will go before the king”

3. Prepare…”fast and pray”

4. Determine the course of action and move ahead boldly…”for such a time as this”..

 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 your royal position for such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Esth.4.12-16

At the cancer center, you meet a myriad of people…some barely holding on, others meeting the treatments head on…some get to ring the bell for completing their treatments, others face more and more treatments…we are all calculating the cost with our doctors…we are preparing and finding out the course of action and moving ahead( maybe not so boldly, but moving ahead regardless)…

Esther had the backing of a nation…praying, fasting to face the unknown …we can pray for those around us and ourselves who face big challenges…big decisions…I so appreciate those who pray for me and so appreciate the privilege to pray for others…

Thank YOU…

Trust His heart…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFX6HN0dtGE&list=RDVFX6HN0dtGE&start_radio=1

 

What year was that?

 What year was that?

“Death to the Jews “…they cried…

What year  was that? 2024? 1939? 474BC?….all the above…down through the ages, various people groups have tried to annihilate the Jew people for a variety of reasons…hatred, jealousy, pure evilness…

When  you think, that God promised Abraham that the nations of the world would be blessed because of him, one wonders why does the Jewish population gets the boot or the death threats and the the killing chambers of WW2.

Esther 3 speaks of an enraged and jealous man, Haman, who desires to destroy the Jews…

 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. 

Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.” Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day.

Esth.3.5-6,Esth.3.8-9,Esth.3.13-14

When reading about the various reasons for the destruction of Jews, I think  about the verses in Galations..

 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal.5.19-21

Those who sought or seek destroy others live by these acts of the flesh…they are not seeking godly ideas, but their own lusts…over the ages of time… it hasn’t really changed…

“The Greek word diaspora originally meant a scattering (of anything). In the case of the Jewish diaspora, this is an apt term. Beginning in the 8th century BCE, Jews in Israel were conquered and deported from their homelands over and over for centuries by foreign empires. While some were captured and forcibly moved during the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities, for example, others went elsewhere to escape wars or the possibility of being sold into slavery.

The result of this was that Jews eventually spread all over the world, taking their customs and religion with them, although in different countries, these customs would become regionally modified. Thus, the diaspora caused the spread of Judaism all over the world.

Today, there are Jewish communities in every corner of the globe. While the modern state of Israel was established in 1948, there are still far more Jews living outside that traditional homeland than in it. “

https://www.bartehrman.com/jewish-diaspora/

Interesting article…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Jews

Through the Jews came a Savior…not only for Jews for the World…

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John.3.16-21

Thank YOU….

God so loved…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jasoo3UDSwY&list=RDjasoo3UDSwY&start_radio=1

Convergence…Esther 2…

 Convergence….Esther 2…

Our family read Patrick McManus books, both to ourselves and  as we travelled…he was an Idaho author who wrote about his childhood and adulthood , hunting , fishing, growing up, etc…

https://www.patrickfmcmanus.com

One of his stories was about the “law of convergence”…when everything converges at just the right (or possibly the wrong ) time for something special to happen, like the deer and hunter to actually be at the right spot for the perfect shot…

Of course , as a Christian, we know that God is really in control…

The book of Esther would fit into Patrick McManus’ law of convergence…but she really fit into God’s plan to save the Jewish people for the hatred of various people…

Her parents had died so she was being raised but and uncle, living in the capital city of Susa, she was beautiful, she was Jewish, she found favor with various people, including the king, she was made queen in the place of Vashti, she told the king of the plot against him… these things the Word tells us…there may have been a myriad of others…when Esther looked back on her life…

God was preparing her for something special…

We don’t have all the answers for why God does what he does…but there are times, when I look back and say, “wow, God was really planning “that “”…or “isn’t  that amazing how God Worked that out”…

Some call that “watching for God’s fingerprints”…he is there ball the time…working for our good…

Esther 2.

 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rom.8.28-30,Rom.8.38-39

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 

I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. 

I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Jer.29.11-1

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.

Isa.55.8

I lay it down…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atVpW2CHK6A&list=RDatVpW2CHK6A&start_radio=1

Respect…

 Respect…

Respect…

: an act of giving particular attention : CONSIDERATION

: high or special regard : ESTEEM

: the quality or state of being esteemed

respects plural : expressions of high or special regard or deference…Merriam Webster …

I was thinking of the important men in my life over  the years…

My father, my grandfathers, my husband, my father in law, my sons, sons in law, grandsons…and many men through college, business men/associates of my husband and myself, neighbors, pastors, many more…

The majority were people worthy of  respect…honorable…

I thought of Vashti in this scene of Esther 1…she may have felt disrespected by her husband… one commentary wrote, that she may have been pregnant and felt discomfort in showing herself in the front of a hoard of men…probably drunk…by making her stand of “no”, she lost her  queenly standing…banned…although later in life she is mentioned with her son who ruled after Xerxes…

 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 

By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished. 

Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes. 

On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.

Esth.1.4-12

 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”

Esth.1.20

There are those who cross our paths whom we have no respect for… sometimes we have to respect their place in society, whether we personally respect them…I like the last verse, giving an answer for our hope respectfully and gently…honoring others with the truth…God has a plan for every person we meet…

Thank YOU…

 “‘Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God.

Lev.19.3

 Her husband is respected at the city gate,where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Prov.31.23

 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.

Acts.22.12

 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Rom.13.7

 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Eph.5.33

 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 

In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

1Tim.3.2, 4,11

 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

Titus.2.2

 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

1Pet.3.7

 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

1Pet.3.15

Worthy…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdeFFKRX8as&list=RDxdeFFKRX8as&start_radio=1

Reluctance , missed opportunity…

 Reluctance, missed opportunities…

Reading Ezra 8, reminded me about a great leader who conquered mus of the Asian work in the 1200’s…the fearless leader Gengis Khan , ruler of the Mongols….

His request at one time had been…

“Send me 100 men skilled in your religion,” Kublai Khan wrote to the pope about 700 years ago. If they were convincing, he said, “I shall be baptized, and then all my barons and great men, and then their subjects. And so there will be more Christians here than there are in your parts.”

But Pope Gregory X, unable to see the future, only sent two. Neither made it Khan, whose territory at that point stretched over one-fifth of the globe’s inhabited land.

That was the “greatest missed opportunity in Christian history,” David Barrett and Todd Johnson wrote in World Christian Trends.”

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/rectifying-the-greatest-missed-opportunity-in-christian-history/

Ezra was assembling people to return to Jerusalem…and when he had counted them, found no priests amongst  the people. 

 “I assembled them at the canal that flows toward Ahava, and we camped there three days. When I checked among the people and the priests, I found no Levites there. So I summoned Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam, who were leaders, and Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of learning, and I ordered them to go to Iddo, the leader in Kasiphia. I told them what to say to Iddo and his fellow Levites, the temple servants in Kasiphia, so that they might bring attendants to us for the house of our God. Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, and Sherebiah’s sons and brothers, 18 in all; and Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and nephews, 20 in all. They also brought 220 of the temple servants—a body that David and the officials had established to assist the Levites. All were registered by name.”

Ezra.8.15-20

“Ezra’s progress back to Jerusalem was halted while he waited to recruit Levites. God had called these men to special service, yet few were willing to g to volunteer when their services were needed…God has gifted each of us with abilities so we can make a contribution to his kingdom work.” Bible study notes…

 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1Pet.4.10-11

We may not be called to speak to a world leader, but we are called to speak or some other  service for which we are prepared…

A missed opportunity is a missed opportunity….

Thank YOU…

Send me…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lO-UkeNNxaQ&pp=ygURU29uZ3Mgb2YgbWlzc2lvbnM%3D

https://aleteia.org/2019/07/29/the-untold-story-of-popes-letters-to-mongol-khans/

Christianity among the Mongols - Wikipedia

 Reputation…it counts 2..

I took three of my granddaughters to my hair dresser this morning after writing about reputation….i trust this lady with my hair, and trust her with all of my grandchildren’s…and this  sign hangs in her area…just thought I would share…thank YOU…it may not be the leading a people back to their God as Ezra was doing, sometimes it’s the little things that can be a comfort…

I can’t get the photo to transfer…but it says

Always be honest, be kind, keep your promises , smile, say please and thank you,be grateful,laugh, share , do your best, work hard, forgive and forget, love, be happy, say your prayers,shoe grace, speak truth”

Mother bear attitude

 Mother bear attitude….

Reading the second chapter of Zechariah, God speaks of his people as the apple of his eye…they are so special to him…he will raise his hand against those who hurt them…it reminded me of what we call the “mother bear Attitude”…we are precious in his sight…we are engraved in the palm of his hand…

 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.

Zech.2.8-9

“The term "mother bear attitude" refers to a protective and nurturing demeanor, often associated with a mother bear's instinct to fiercely defend her cubs. This attitude can manifest in various contexts, including parenting, leadership, and personal relationships.

Key Characteristics:

• Protectiveness: A strong desire to safeguard loved ones from harm.

• Nurturing: Providing care and support, fostering growth and development.

• Fierceness: Willingness to confront threats or challenges aggressively.

Contextual Use:

• In parenting, it describes a mother who is fiercely protective of her children.

• In leadership, it can refer to a leader who advocates strongly for their team or organization.

• It may also apply to friendships or community dynamics where individuals stand up for one another.

This attitude emphasizes the balance between nurturing care and assertive protection.” AI Chat…

Our attitude…how we treat others…how we treat Jesus…

 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Matt.25.34-46

 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;your walls are ever before me.

Isa.49.16

(When I think  of this verse..I see the nail piercing those palms on which we are engraved…Jesus went to the cross for all those names)….

Thank YOU….

Engraved in your hands…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR0OZS01nL0&list=RDaR0OZS01nL0&start_radio=1

Zechariah 12. On that day…

 Zechariah 12…on that day…

Zechariah 12 is a short chapter with a mighty Word from the LORD himself….(as is the whole Bible)…

Will be nothing like we have ever experienced…

 A prophecy: The word of the Lord concerning Israel.

The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares: “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. 

Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. 

On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. 

All who try to move it will injure themselves. 

On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. 

Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.’ “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. 

They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place. “

The Lord will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem’s inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. 

On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them. 

On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 

On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 

The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives,

Zech.12.1-13

 “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. “

On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more,” declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.

Zech.13.1,Zech.13.2

 Therefore God exalted him to the highest placeand gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.

Phil.2.9-11

 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lambbe praise and honor and glory and power,for ever and ever!”

Rev.5.13

Majesty…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtttQQrxcVQ&list=RDAtttQQrxcVQ&start_radio=1

Majesty…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNnTFDNPT3U&list=RDSNnTFDNPT3U&start_radio=1

Reputation counts….

 Reputation counts…

reputation

: overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general

: recognition by other people as of some characteristic or ability…

: a place in public esteem or regard : good name

Merriam-Webster ….

In Ezra 7, the king,Artaxerxes, knowing and commending Ezra, gives him permission to return to Jerusalem with supplies to use for the temple of God, (wouldn’t it be interesting to see if Artaxerxes is in heaven because of Ezra’s testimony and life?)

 (In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

Proverbs 21:1)

Ezra’s reputation was held in high regard by the king, giving him supplies of food, gold(3 3/4 tons), trusting him to do what he had proposed…letting him go and teach “ any that do not know the law of God…”

 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. 

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. 

This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel: Artaxerxes, king of kings,To Ezra the priest, teacher of the Law of the God of heaven:

Greetings. You are sent by the king and his seven advisers to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the Law of your God, which is in your hand. 

Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his advisers have freely given to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, together with all the silver and gold you may obtain from the province of Babylon, as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests for the temple of their God in Jerusalem. 

With this money be sure to buy bulls, rams and male lambs, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and sacrifice them on the altar of the temple of your God in Jerusalem. You and your fellow Israelites may then do whatever seems best with the rest of the silver and gold, in accordance with the will of your God. 

Deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles entrusted to you for worship in the temple of your God. And anything else needed for the temple of your God that you are responsible to supply, you may provide from the royal treasury. 

Now I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you— And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. 

And you are to teach any who do not know them.

Ezra.7.6,Ezra.7.10-12,Ezra.7.14-21,Ezra.7.25

I like the ending though…Ezra thanks God for his blessing, his good favor through the king…God used a pagan king to rebuild and teach…

One of my notes I found to myself was “Thanksgiving brings peace…”

 But back to reputation, Paul speaks to Timothy about reputation of elders…” He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

1Tim.3.7

So, how to do act and look to others, one of trustworthiness or not? Of good reputation in the community? Food for thought…

Thank YOU…

 Gratitude…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoHrBNTfzIs&list=RDUoHrBNTfzIs&start_radio=1

Paper trails…

 Paper trails….

When my husband purchased a piece of mining property in the 1970’s, besides the ground itself, he acquired the paperwork that went back into the 1930’s, it’s  mining history,  it’s ownership, maps, drill logs, any correspondence, everything the former owners  had written…it was a thorough paper trail which is very important in so many instances…and I am still receiving a part of the current paper trail on that same piece of property..it is filed away for current and future use…almost a hundred years later…

I appreciated Ezra 5 and 6, where “they searched the archives that were stored in the treasury at Babylon”…to find out what had been directed by a former king…

 A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana in the province of Media, and this was written on it:

“Memorandum: 

In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem:Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide, with three courses of large stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury. 

Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; they are to be deposited in the house of God. Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you other officials of that province, stay away from there. 

Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site. 

Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God:Their expenses are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. 

Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and olive oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—must be given them daily without fail, so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons. 

Furthermore, I decree that if anyone defies this edict, a beam is to be pulled from their house and they are to be impaled on it. And for this crime their house is to be made a pile of rubble. 

May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.

I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence. “

Then, because of the decree King Darius had sent, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates carried it out with diligence. 

So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. 

They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. 

The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. 

Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.

Ezra.6.2-16

These people diligently searched for a proclamation about the building of the temple…

We have the same opportunity to search diligently for the building and edification of our lives…we have an ancient book written telling us of God, his judgments, his love, his plan for redemption, his Son, the Holy Spirit…it has spoken to people down through the ages and continues to speak truth now and will in the future…

People have tried to destroy it, archive it, but it remains the very Word of the Living God of the universe…a letter written and saved for us…

Thank YOU….

Ancient Words….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcSAdzLXKVE&list=RDNcSAdzLXKVE&start_radio=1

Appeal to the pocket….wallet…

 Appeal to the pocket….(wallet)….

Some would say the world is run by money...hence we don’t need God who really runs it, who actually gives us our every breath….

The use of money to bribe, contort, change minds has been going on for eons …here in Ezra, some wanted to stop the Israelites from building by saying telling the rulers that they would lose tax revenues if the Israelites continued…grasping at straws, anything to defeat God’s chosen…

 Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and eventually the royal revenues will suffer. Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king,

Ezra.4.13-14

Over time, the Jewish people have prospered in various places with others jealous of their prosperity and have tried to annihilate them…or like Paul, the merchants were more concerned with their economy than with right or wrong…or bringing the same idea to present times…what do we do in the name of economics on moral issues?  Plenty…

 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1Tim.6.10

 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you;never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.What can mere mortals do to me?”

Heb.13.5-6

 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

Acts.16.16-21

 “But where shall wisdom be found?

And where is the place of understanding? 

It cannot be bought for gold,and silver cannot be weighed as its price. 

Gold and glass cannot equal it,nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.

Job.28.12,Job.28.15,Job.28.17

 “If I have made gold my trustor called fine gold my confidence, if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant or because my hand had found much,

Job.31:24-25

 Take my instruction instead of silver,and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels,and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

Prov.8.10-11

Thank YOU….

Silver and gold…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYro45kIRlw&list=RDFYro45kIRlw&start_radio=1

Comparisons 2

 

Comparison 2…

When I was growing up, my mother, a wonderful seamstress, sewed most of my clothing. We were on limited budgets, so sewing at that time was a way to get the most “bang for your buck”…most of my friends had store bought clothing. One year I’m asked if I could have store bought clothing as I was comparing our wardrobes. So with the budgeted amount for either fabric or store bought, we went shopping…I chose store bought…consequently I came home with a lot less.   Lesson learned…don’t compare , be content and appreciate the clothes that my mom had fashioned in love…(she even sewed my prom dresses, which were works of art)…

Other times in life I had to relearn the same lessons, don’t compare, as comparing always brought discontent, lack of joy… 

Once I had a friend who always compared other’s wealth to her’s…she was always unhappy because she felt she came up short and others had more…not admitting to lack of contentment with gifts she had…wealth was to be envied…

David counted his troops which caused a great deal of pain for himself and  others…he fell on God’s mercy for forgiveness…which we all can do when we have sinned…

Thank YOU….

 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.” 

But Joab replied, “May the Lord multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” 

The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah. 

But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel. 

Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.” 

The Lord said to Gad, David’s seer, “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’” 

So Gad went to David and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Take your choice: three years of famine, three months of being swept away before your enemies, with their swords overtaking you, or three days of the sword of the Lord—days of plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord ravaging every part of Israel.’ Now then, decide how I should answer the one who sent me.” 

David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” 

So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. 

But as the angel was doing so, the Lord saw it and relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 

David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown. 

David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Lord my God, let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.”

1Chr.1-17

 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 

We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you.

2Cor.10.12-13

 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Exod.20.17

Turn your eyes upon Jesus…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5X85txs60yY&pp=ygUgdHVybiB5b3VyIGV5ZXMgdXBvbiBqZXN1cyBseXJpY3M%3D 

Comparisons

 Comparisons…

as a junior-higher, I was always comparing myself to others and, in my opinion, came up lacking…I was taller, more stout, bad hair, ugly, clothes weren’t the same, etc, etc, etc…it continued into high school with even more comparisons...comparisons lead to discouraging thoughts, discouraging attitudes and downheartedness…we can never be like someone else…we can never be as good as someone else and on down the line…

 

The point is that we aren’t someone else…we are exactly the person God made us…our hair, body shape, eyes, etc were formed specifically to His direction…

 “For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from youwhen I was made in the secret place,when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Ps.139.13-16

 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 

We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you.

2Cor.10.12-13

 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Exod.20.17

As I read Ezra 3, there were those, the older ones, who were discouraged because the new Temple wasn’t like the old, not as opulent, not as big, not as—-, etc and they wept aloud… while others were joyful to be building the temple for worship again after exile, after returning to their land….

(An aside, we older ones have to watch our attitudes so much, “ the phases” “we didn’t do it like that” , “tradition dictates”, “that’s not the way we did it”, I think you get the drift…)

“Our world is always changing, and once-significant accomplishments decay and disappear.Seek to serve God wholeheartedly. Then you won’t need to compare your work with anyone else’s .” Bible Study notes…

Be encouraged that God knows exactly what he is doing…it may not be the same, but He is the same yesterday, to day and tomorrow…

Thank YOU…

Psalm 139…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgvIssCKkV4&list=RDAgvIssCKkV4&start_radio=1

Bonvoyage…

 

 Bon voyage….

You used to hear of Bon Voyage parities more frequently…a party the sends someone on their way, either to a New house or a long awaited trip…with gifts…old movies included champagne with steamers and confetti, thrown by well wishers toward the departing people…

Fun was had by all…

When the Israelites left Egypt with much “plunder”…which in turn was used to build the tabernacle in the desert…

“And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians.

Exod.3.21-22

Another pilgrimage was the Israelites leaving Babylon to return  to their promised land…they didn’t plunder the citizens of Babylon…the citizens gave freely…the king even gave freely, items which had been taken earlier…

 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:“‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’” 

Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings. When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments.

Ezra.1.2-6Ezra.2.68-69

 Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god. Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. 

In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and of silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Ezra.1.7,Ezra.1.8,Ezra.1.1

These people were excited and ready to journey an arduous trip back to their homes…homeland…to rebuild the temple, their lives….

Journeys aren’t necessarily easy…going back can be difficult…times aren’t the same, people are not the same…but, if directed by God,,we know that He is with us all the time…through the deserts of time and place…

Thank YOU….

He will restore…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWOitGWciPg&list=RDjWOitGWciPg&start_radio=1

Moving…

 Moving…

My “parents in law” started their married life in a converted chicken house in 1934…it became a three bedroom home over their married life, three bedrooms and one small bathroom for four active boys and two adults…heated by a wood stove that nearly ran you out from too much heat…and it was only 1/2 mile from where my father in law was raised…it has been torn down  now 

and is just a memory for the two remaining sons…and families…

The Israelites went to Babylon for about the same amount of years as my husband’s home..they married, they had children, they raised crops, they lived life…just as they were told…a generation plus a few years…

My parents in law never moved away from their original home, until my mother in law moved into rest home near the end of her life…

The Israelites moved to Babylon in captivity, but some had the privilege to return to their land after a prescribed period of time… to rebuild the temple, the walls of Jerusalem…which had been destroyed…under Ezra and Nehemiah…

The temple first…the heart of their worship…rebuilding stone upon stone…

 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:“‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. 

And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’” Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. 

All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.

Ezra.1.2-6

“When the people returned to the land, they were returning to the influence of God’s Word…the prophets Haggai and Zechariah helped encourage them while Ezra’s preaching the Scripture built them up..God’s Word gave them what they needed to do God’s work.”

Bible Study  notes

Isn’t that what we need in our daily lives? God’s word is  our spiritual sustenance, our daily “bread”…what we need to build up one another , admonish, live by..encourage, root out sin..learn from..be transformed by, renewed…etc…

Thank YOU….

Listen to Word of the Lord…

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+word+of+god

Rose colored glasses…

 Rose colored glasses…

There are amazingly wonderful passages in the Word and well as some horrific bad times predicted for end times…distressing times…it can’t be faced with rose colored glasses, covered with flowery speech…times will get bad….we haven’t over the centuries of time gotten better, sin has still remained sin, there is evil as well as good…

I am thankful we have a Savior to whom we can run to…He gives hope to the hopeless…I talk to people all the time whose lives are in struggles which they face…the light seems dim and dreary…but who still cling to the promises of God…it is rough, it is distressful…

“Yet the great suffering is tempered by a great promise of hope for true believers.” Bible Study notes…

 Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long. 

Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,for they are from of old. 

Ps.25.5-6

 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. 

And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Rom.5.1-5

Thank YOU…

 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

Dan.12.1-3

 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you. The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the Lord.” These are the words the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah: “This is what the Lord says:“‘Cries of fear are heard—terror, not peace. Ask and see:Can a man bear children?Then why do I see every strong manwith his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor,every face turned deathly pale? How awful that day will be!No other will be like it.It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,but he will be saved out of it.

Jer.30.1-7

 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

Matt.24.21

 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.

Luke.21.23

My life is built…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GswGE6rQhmE&list=RDGswGE6rQhmE&start_radio=1

Thank You for today….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea-djxn6QnA&list=RDea-djxn6QnA&start_radio=1

Keep me in the moment…

 

Keep me in the moment….

Keep me in the moment…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhnJXDGfPiE&list=RDjhnJXDGfPiE&start_radio=1

I heard this song early this morning…before reading Daniel 10…..he about to receive a message about the future…

 “At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. 

Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 

Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.” 

Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.””

Dan.10.2-3,Dan.10.12,Dan.10.16-19

I thought of Nehemiah as well…and his petition…

 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 

Then I said:“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. 

I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.

Neh.1.4-16

Both were in anguish over their prayers, and God answered in amazing ways…

“God can bring us healing when we are hurt, peace when we are troubled, and strength when we are weak…Trust God to minister to you as he did for Daniel.” Bible study notes…

God was there for these men in a time of need and anguish…as he is for us in ours..it may not be the same or look the same, but HE knows our needs…cares and provides…

Thank YOU….