Ezra 4 Adversaries Oppose the Rebuilding 1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the LORD, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and… Continue Reading
Paul won the lost though self-denial, but also through self-control. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we… Continue Reading
Ezra 3 Rebuilding the Altar 1 When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to… Continue Reading
Ezra 2 The Exiles Return 1 Now these were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried captive to Babylonia. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town. 2 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum,… Continue Reading
Ezra 1 The Proclamation of Cyrus 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 2 “Thus… Continue Reading
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name – Matthew 6:9 Oh to know God for who He truly is! The word “hallowed” reminds us that the One we pray to is utterly unlike us. He is divine, we are human. He the Creator, we the creation. His is moral perfection, ours total depravity. We… Continue Reading
Our Father in heaven… Matthew 6:9 First and foremost, prayer is about our relationship with God the Father. He has authority over us, so we owe Him obedience; infinite love, so we know He seeks our good. We fear Him as our Judge but run to Him as our Provider. His power can accomplish anything,… Continue Reading
Sunday, December 11, 2011 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land – Psalm 85:8-9 The Prince of… Continue Reading
I never cease to be amazed at how God works when His people join together to bring glory to His name. I have heard story after story about conversations focused on the gospel that took place as a result of the Tea. Most of our guests came from outside of our church family–many of whom… Continue Reading
Kids and the holidays go together. The crisp air of fall conjures up memories of my sister and me tittering with excitement at bedtime. “Can you wait ’til Christmas?” “No! I can’t!” “Me neither!” The Sears Catalogue (our “Wish Book”) inspired multiple revisions of our gift lists that we prepared for our parents. Spritz cookie… Continue Reading