"This was because he had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel."
Ezra 7:10
My Take Aways
Something Old:
I want to be an Ezra. A person who God cheerfully puts His gracious hand upon each day.
Something New:
gracious-good hand of God (Strong's 2896)
beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, fair word, be in favor
Something to Do:
Be determined, purposed with intent to study it, obey it, and advance it. (It being the Word of God.)
12 Comments:
I needed that today, Wendy. Thanks! This is God's day - who am I to complain about anything??
What stood out most to me was the total about face done by the King. When first he heard that Jerusalem was being rebuilt, he insisted, based only on knowledge of their past, that all Temple work should stop; but after Ezra (and God) finished with him, he not only allowed the Temple construction to continue, but he helped fund it! Nothing is impossible with God. :-)
Have a great Thursday!
Good morning, GIGs,
Amy, I agree that this was one amazing turn around we read of today in King Artaxerxes! I would love to know what caused it. I wonder what it was the brought the king to this understanding of what he was to do?
I came upon a Mother Teresa quote this morning that I'd like to share with you all--
Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. Ask and seek, and your heart will grow big enough to receive Him and to keep Him as your own. Wherever God has put you, that is your vocation. It is not what we do but how much love we put into it. Mother Teresa
Lord, let me act with love at school and at home today. Use me to touch students, teachers and my family today Lord, in whatever way they need to be touched by you, in Jesus' name, Amen.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Today, on this brand new day, we can rejoice, - a new day is before us, a new day to lift our praises to the LORD! Thank you sweet Wendy, for your lesson this morning, and for your faithful teaching.
I had many errands to do yesterday, and as I was out and about, I could sense the enemy trying to rob me of my peace. The thoughts that I know He placed in my mind, were heavy on my heart. I had prayed and studied the Word that morning, so I was ready for him! Smile! A song came on Family Life radio, that I wish I could remember, I knew it was a song given to me for that moment in time. I smiled, saying the words –as my peace returned. Knowing fully-well, that God’s gracious hand was upon me, I felt His presence. Rather than dwell on the prayers that have not been answered, I began being joyful and thankful for my bountiful blessings, that I do not deserve! God in His gracious mercy has given me more than any one deserves. The key yesterday for me, was that I had filled myself up with Him, first thing. When we skip our Bible study, quiet time, we are more likely to be sensitive to sin – sin is dwelling on what we want to happen, and not trusting in God to deliver our requests in His time.
As we pray in faith and receive answers to our prayers, our faith continues to rise up in knotches. Daily, I am seeing God’s glory around me and through many, many people that I am praying for. The devil remains a mighty force who does not want me praying. He is trying every way possible to get me to believe that my prayers don’t count. But, of course –he is desperate to take any action he can. I know that each one of my requests are heard.
I love how we see Ezra putting into practice his belief. He did not want to ask the King for escort protection; but, he knew in his heart they would be facing many dangers along the trip. He knew God would take care of them; but, he just did not take this for granted. [He] gave orders for all of [them] to fast and humble [them]selves before out God. [they] prayed that He would give [them] a safe journey and protect [them], [their] children, and [their] goods as [they] traveled” (Ezra 8:21).
We don’t want to take God’s blessings for granted. Like Ezra, we want to be…doers of the Word, and not hearers only (James 1:22).
Dear Lord, thank you for another day, to learn more about you. May we honor you today in everything that we do. May we not take our faith for granted. May we live out your Word, in our actions, and words, and the way we use our time. Thank you for the role-models in Your precious Word, for they are examples that we can read, and study, and follow. Thank you for your grace, dear Lord. Help me today, to show the same grace to those around me, that you so freely give me. May my light shine, and my you come out! Amen.
Girls’ –let’s set out to rejoice in all things! I love you all and so dearly love our ‘church’ here on the blog. It’s an honor and privilege to lift up prayers for you all.
Determined ~ Lori
go wonderful to say Good Morning to my FIGS, my sisters
I have been keeping up with my reading but posting was out of the question. But the main thing we must all remember is that the "evil" one is out to take our joy away, like you experienced yesterday sweet Lori. This program is so wonderful, exorts us, lets us understand our Maker, Father, Redeemer, Lord of the Universe, that "evil" is not happy and will do all he can to stop it. That is true anywhere God's work is being accomplished. We must keep His Word in us so that our joy is always at work because Jesus left His Spirit in us. Not just walking around with us, but in us. I was not aware of Him always being with me, guideing me, until I was in my 40's. More than half of my life. (I thought I had told my age, but Jenn told me she didn't realize my age, so here it is again. 70. A rascually 70. :-),
I want to tell you about the last few weeks, not to have you cry with me, but to have you rejoice with me, that God knew and His Spirit was guiding.
My 16 year old grandson that lives 900 miles from me, was shocked by electricity from a computer. It knocked him across the room. Was in the hospital Mon - Fri that week, horrible headache, terrible scary to Eric muscles spasms, weakness in his muscles. Went homw - back in the hospital after 3 days for 5 days more. Blood pressure scary like over 200/170. He is a football player and his BP should have been 110/60. God brought him through it, is still a little weak in his muscles, and has to drink a lot to keep himself hydrated.
At the same time my 21 year old grandaughter thought she was dieing. He left side was numb, and a terrible head ache. Trying to get help, with parents thinking she was taking more diet pills than she should, she went back to the emergency and was told that she had a classic case of MS. Not sure that should have been done. Went to that neorgilist Monday, and was told that maybe it is complex migrains. But doing a MRI today. We are trusting that it is a complex migrains. Which is not a one time thing probably, but lots better than MS. My daughters and myself motto that we repeat to one another is" If I knew what God knows I would want it to be exactly like it is" That is an easy statement but a hard reality when we are hurting. But is so true. Many times all we have to say is "If I knew" and the other one melts in obedience. this could have been a lot worse, Eric's was so serious, the computer is melted in the cord area. Having lost a son, I know that it is not always God's will that some one stays on this Earth, when the reward of Heaven is so blessed.
For the first time, I ran out of room. And I don't have time to comment on todays reading. I will try to get it done tonight or tomorrow.
It was about 7:25 Teach the law to anyone who does not know it, but if they resue to obey the law of your God ......That is what we must do.
Donna- TX
Wendy...A sweet and powerful message this morning...I am keeping you and your family in my prayers
I, too, loved the about face that the king made...we should be very careful when we make decisions without all the facts...don't just take one person's (or one faction)word for something.
I so want to have the gracious hand of God on me, too...I will stay in His Word and keep studying!!!
Praise God for this beautiful day!!!
Blessings, Sue
Hi Everybody,
Wendy your in my prayers…..Your road (storms) reminds me a lot of my own. (Infertility…sons learning disabilities). Hold on precious….keep encouraging Him. ((((HUGS Precious)))). Lots to say here…Just know it was a storm needed for the BOTH of us. Was a time to (Listen). This verse John 6:45: Everyone who (listens) to my Father and (learns) from him (comes) to me. In one short sentences, Jesus sums up the movement of a life of faith. Listen. Learn. Come.
Yes his gracious hand is upon you/us. Feel encouraged because of his gracious hand of the LORD my God is on you/us. (Ezra 7:28). Wendy (I feel blessed) those same words (gracious hand of God) is the same nugget I had underlined during the reading today. I needed to feel it….embrace it. Your key verse too was one of the main ones I underlined….(This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel). (Our sons….have to keep showing them teaching them)…..his voice whispered in my ear. Those “gracious hands” kept showing up through out the reading today :
*Ezra 7:9.… and he arrived at Jerusalem on August 4, for the “gracious hand of his God” was on him.
*Ezra 7:28... I felt encouraged because the “gracious hand of the LORD my God” was on me.
*Ezra 8:18.…Since the “gracious hand of our God” was on us, they sent us a man named Sheribiah…..
*Ezra 8:22.… “Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him
*Ezra 8:31.…And the “gracious hand of our God” protected us and saved us from enemies and bandits along the way.
Wendy….My search went to Our New American Bible in there it calls these hands “favoring hand of our God.”….Thanks for your search….and all you do.
Thinking lots of all of you….May his “gracious hand” be felt.
Amber Matthews TX….Gracious hands…Not too much longer for your sons arrival in Nov. Jocelyn little 17 mo. Old “Emmi”
Brandee…Awesome news about John….feel his gracious hands…son Will.
Denise/Colorado….Praying for your husbands sister Kathleen and her 11 yr. old son Spencer. How are they doing? Very tough situation there….(her husbands affair).
Jodie NE & Lori…God Bless You!!…You and your family are in prayers. Very Very tough storm.
Elizabeth CA…Thanks for the update on your new move and Job… feel his Gracious hands upon you.
Franny….teenage son Dylan in prayers always.
Gaylene….Gracious hands upon you in your studies.
Michelle NE…Missing your friendly touch and words of encouragement to this group.
Michelle VA….Gracious hands upon your Gracious heart. Thank You for you special kind heart to your adopted children and children.
Gina in Missouri…Gracious hands upon your 16 yr marriage in Sept. Thanks for the wonderful example. For your prayer request…..Your in prayers this morning for you to become stronger in his word….also your children Kevin and Cherie.
Jacque….Missing You….A little extended vacation…Keep enjoying!!
Lizzy…Gracious hands upon you and your son Johnny…in my prayers this morning. Be encouraged.
Jane SC…Gracious hands upon your prayer request for your 24 yr old son a job and to return back to church…his girl friend whom he is dating does not go to church and has a child. Gracious hands Lord are needed.
Jessica (Jekka)….gracious hands upon her financial obligations….help her in her unbelief …not to worry…to trust in You.
Jennifer Renee….Gracious hands upon her eye sight…Precious sister whom sees more than we do. Has a swelling heart for others….Finance for her dental work….and a curing hand over her depression.
Jennifer Iowa…Gracious healing hands upon her pain.
Morgen….Thanks for the Wendy prayer yesterday…kneeled beside you…Prayers for daughter Kelsie’s wedding. Preston, a passion for a career choice…and Your teenager Tanner.
Grace & Peace…For you to have this (Grace & Peace). Just that GRACE & PEACE!! ….Thanks for sharing it with us all….to all GRACE & PEACE!!
May all feel His “Gracious/Favoring Hands“…..Rhonda
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Donna TX….May you feel His gracious hands on You and Eric and your 21 yr. old granddaughters MRI today. We have been missing you. Always love your "beloved" memories.
Rhonda
Hi gigs. I'm still with you all but I've been under a little stress.
Wendy, you sound just like Ezra. You have determined to read and study, teach and encourage us every day. The gracious hand of God is on you.
Lori, (((HUGS))) to you. This morning I read the Streams in the Desert devotion for today. It's about the times in the desert when God wants to make His presence known to us.
Donna, I have been thinking about you. Praising God that he got Eric (and you!) Thru that very traumatic time. was it a laptop that was charging? Or a desktop? I have never heard of that happening and it gives me pause now because we use the computer a lot.
Rhoda, thank you for the sweet prayers for everyone. I could use some grace & peace today since my younger son and I are @ the airport on our way to see my older son to help him move to his sophomore dorm. It was a challenge carrying the luggage containing more of his clothes that I nearly lost my peace. Thank you for your prayer covering.
The same verse Wendy chose was what stood out to me as well. Study the Word. The most important three words we can hear. Well, maybe next to I love you or I forgive you.
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it
that is my life verse! and boy am I living it today...we had our boiler burn up where I work (the older side of the bldg) and black soot is everywhere! It burned out our main computer. I am waiting on the insurance adjuster and loaner equipment to come from 100 miles away so we can process all of our daily bank work.
My life verse applies whether it's a good day or not in human terms. The Lord made this day...in and of itself that is reason to rejoice!
Praise Be
Morgen
Rhonda, I needed so your prayers today. Thank you so very much! Having a struggle with discouragement and frustration that turns to questioning and doubting. Get thee behind me Satan!!
I ditto Suzy R "I so want to have the gracious hand of God on me, too...I will stay in His Word and keep studying!!!" I will stay prayed up.
SAPed and am praying for the needs of you sweet FIGs.
Wendy, my kids were on opposite spectrums from each other- one a gifted student, one with learning struggles. We came through it, albeit with many prayers and tears and many days when I thought and felt as though I could help neither. But God is good and today they are both doing well; the one with the learning disabilities is homeschooling (due to moving issues with the Army) two young ones and is loving it! Only through God!
Willing,
Gaylene
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