Ezra declared that the Jewish men who had returned from exhile and who had married foreign wives should put away their wives and children from those wives. This was a painful and extreme measure, a difficult pill for them to swallow. Nevertheless, many chose to do so to please the commands of the law of Moses that forbid them to marry foreign wives.

As New Testament believers in Christ we know that there is no distinction to be legally observed that would prohibit marrying a person from a different culture. The distinction is this; have they been washed in the blood of Jesus and are they in fellowship with Christ? For the NT Christian, the pain comes in deciding to separate from our pagan ways. The Holy Ghost can help take the pain out, though.

My grandfather had smoked excessively all his adult life. He was in the hospital for a back surgery and by God’s Spirit, told my grandmother to take his smokes home. He claims to have never even wanted one from that day on. God did the separation and took away the pain.

READ/HEAR:  Ezra 10

Ezra was distraught by the Godly culture pollution taking place as God’s people adopted the customs and ways of the heathen tribes they intermingled with. His response … confession and prayer in travail for God to intervene.

Our nation needs this kind of prayer right now. Christians contend for their children who are being subverted by a Godless culture. Vigilant intercessory prayer is the foremost tool for parents and leaders who refuse to let a generation slip into apostasy.

Pray for Marcy Westmoreland Sakrison. She is running for the Georgia House seat vacated by David Stover. She is contending for Christian values in government and schools. I know Marcy and she is the real deal!

READ/HEAR: Ezra 8,9

It’s amazing how Artexerxes, king of Persia, offered to foot the entire bill for the completion of the restoration of the temple in Jerusalem. Ezra, the priest, was the focal point recipient of this gesture. He must have been a Daniel-type person who had won the king’s confidence and trust with a life of authentic Godliness.

God will always come through with His provision if we will wait, trust, and maintain a life of integrity before Him. He is a provider by nature. If He withholds our needs, it’s only to cultivate character qualities within us.

READ/HEAR: Ezra 6,7

The Jews who were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem met with great resistance. Political opportunists attempted to hinder and stop their progress by slandering the reconstruction to Artexerxes, king of Persia. He complied and momentarily halted their progress. Not until a new king took the throne did the work begin again, and that at the prompting of several Godly prophets.

If you are doing a good work for God, chances are that you will encounter similar resistance. The key is to listen to God’s voice alone and hold steady on your course of action. No weapon formed against you will prosper. With God, all things are possible. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done here in earth as it is in heaven.

READ/HEAR: Ezra 3-5

Ezra chronicled the rebuilding of Jerusalem with great detail. He numbered the returnees and inventoried the sacred items. God was putting it all back together so worship could once again occur in the Holy City.

We are all called to be worshipers. As God rebuilds the lives of broken people, he cleans them up and gives them a place in His Kingdom to worship Him and be His ambassadors.

God rebuilds lives, relationships, marriages, families, destinies. The key is to come back to Him to worship. Worship melts us down and permits God to reshape us they way He wants us.

READ/HEAR: Ezra 1,2

Upon reading the accounts of the Kings of Judah and Israel, we see God blessing the ones who honor Him and chastening the ones who don’t follow the Godly standards David established. We see kings who start well but end in disaster. We see kings who start poorly but turn to God.

Life is a faith walk. Maintaining our faith and lifestyle of devotion to the Lord requires a daily committment to the disciplines of scripture reading, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. At any time, a transgressor can repent and turn back to God and receive a merciful pardon and a clean slate. The kingdoms affected would be that person’s family and circle of friends.

Serve God and walk in blessings, or serve yourself and suffer. We learn.

READ/HEAR: 2 Chron. 35,36

King Josiah was faithful to remove the idols of Israel. This pleased God greatly and held off God’s punishments that were due to the nation because of their rebellion.

Idols are life items that displace God. When an intentional effort is made to remove life’s distractions from preventing God’s best is made, we pave the way for abundance of favor and spiritual blessing. This is not a legalism or good works gesture. This is simply putting God first in everything. You can do that by prayer and committing your deeds to God.

Manasseh was an evil king but was kidnapped by the Assyrians. In his bondage, he humbled himself and cried out to God. The Lord heard him and caused him to be released and restored. He went on to do some positive things in his reign.

At any time, humility can bring restoration and positive change. Life’s humbling circumstances can bring us to our knees to seek God. Many with grave illnesses turn to God and receive forgiveness and restoration.

Parents are wise to teach children to halt when they get into trouble, humble themselves, and cry out to God. A lifetime of humility allows God to preserve and promote.

READ/HEAR: 2 Chron. 32,33

When Hezekiah asked the people to bring in portions for sacrifices and provisions for the Levites, they brought so much that the leftovers were piled in heaps. They responded abundantly when given the chance.

Our missionary from India is home for a two year furlough. He needed a lawn tractor to mow his very steep lawn. A plea was made. One generous family came forward and bought him a brand new lawn tractor. It will be more than enough.

God can do anything and meet ANY need. Just have faith and give Him a chance!

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

READ/HEAR:  2 Chron. 31

God’s Church is not a building but a group of people who have been made clean by the blood of Jesus. In studying King Hezekiah, we see a leader who had a true burden to rebuild and restore for the Lord.

Through the years that I have served the Lord, I have seen a diminishing of importance of where you worship and what you wear and an increase in importance of relationship with God and His people.

Those that build the church are relational, loving, and merciful. They are warm but firm in their convictions. They are giving rather than looking to receive. They are prayerful rather than condescending. They are involved and responsive rather than aloof and distant. They are full of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.

This building is eternal and the gates of hell shall not prevail.

READ/HEAR: 2 Chron. 29,30