As we close the chapter of Ezra, I keep hearing the words: "I will do whatever it takes to release your heart to delight in Me." Plan A. "At times you will fail, but I will break your heart over your movement away from Me and I will stir you to ongoing radical repentance...I so easily violate love for others by relating with my well-being more in mind than theirs. I so often see people as opportunities for me to feel fulfilled rather than opportunities for me to relate with the secure unthreatened love of Jesus. And that depersonalizes them into useful objects that I either appreciate or despise." 66 LL The Book of Ezra gave me such hope for my sin. The persistence of the people to follow God in the midst of overwhelming opposition not for the promise of blessings but for the promise of holiness is inviting, intriguing, and simply courageous. I want to live by that priority. I hear that kind of cry for holiness from your lives.
Nehemiah, "What stirs you most deeply? Is it advancing your plan for your life or My plan for My world? ... What broke Nehemiah's heart in chapter 1 wasn't the hardship he would face if he left his job in the Persian king's court to go to Jerusalem. Nehemiah knew he was called to a great work when he heard that My plan was not going forward among My people and when he realized how deeply that troubled him." 66 LL.
Ezra 1:6 "Pay attention to this prayer of your servant that I'm praying day and night in intercession for your servants, the People of Israel, confessing the sins of the People of Israel. And I'm including myself, I and my ancestors, among those who have sinned against you." What a beautiful exhortation for moms to pray for their children who sometimes stray from the narrow path.
Ezra 2:5 Praying under my breath to the God-of-Heaven, I said, "If it please the king, and if the king thinks well of me, send me to Judah, to the city where my family is buried, so that I can rebuild it." Nehemiah rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in 52 days. Unbelievable burden and passion.
For those of you taking care of little ones, building into their lives...
For those of you serving in your churches behind-the-scene...
For those of you taking care of difficult loved relatives...
For those of you teaching bible classes every week...
For those of you moving to love your husbands...
For those of you faithful to God every day...
For those of you surrendering...
"Whatever anyone does out of a sincere desire to Know Me and draw others to Me is a great work." May we all keep on praying under our breath: Send me, dear God! May I hear you calling me to a great work this day, no matter how small it seems to this world. And may you know Ezra 2:8 that the Generous Hand of your God is with you in this..."
Do I see the things around me that are in disrepair and need attention or do I just focus that which is in my own little sphere thinking it is not my responsibility? Open my eyes to see what is around me that needs attention and give me help that only you can provide.
ReplyDelete"My people were not willing to do the hard work of rebuilding the walls to protect themselves from neighboring enemies..."
ReplyDeleteNot willing to do the hard work strikes a chord with me. Nothing is small if it is done out of a sincere desire to know Him and draw others to Him...Does it seem too trivial to spend a few minutes in God's Word and prayer each day? Am I more concerned with comfort than becoming holy? The answer is found in "What stirs you most deeply?" I waiver on that answer. Some days it's me, some days I'm yielded. Actually, it's more an hour by hour, minute by minute thing!
The other quote from 66LL Ezra that hit home for me was the word COMPROMISE "Ezra was deeply distressed by My people's compromise more than by their troubles. His burden for holiness led to tears of repentance..."
Each job, no matter how small is a GREAT WORK when done to advance the Kingdom and draw near to Him.
Happy Monday!
If any of you have a specific healing or prayer request, I have a post on my blog to pray with you. Love, Annette
Thanks Nise, open all our eyes to see what is around us!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Annette,
ReplyDeleteLove the 2 quotes! Your comments draw me back in like I haven't even read it yet!
"not willing to do the hard work"
and so they are a city without walls with little self-control.
"nothing is small if it is done out of a sincere desire to Know Him & Draw others to Him"...moving!
"Am I more concerned w/ comfort than becoming holy?"
I want to lead a bible study this summer using 66 LL and one verse(s) from each chapter but I don't think it will go over---so I wonder why?
I just loved Ezra & Nehemiah!
Like I met them for the first time. But this really speaks to me.
And then the one on compromise!
Oh MY!!!
"deeply distressed by My people's compromise more than by their troubles" - that speaks volumes to me where I am today in Austin, a city that prides itself on keeping it weird.
So here i am commenting on all your comments like I hadn't even read the chapter or book....it's like that, it's just so fresh and real and inviting and ...
thank you!
I've spent the last couple of hours catching up on the past three days' posts. I was out of town for a long weekend with my sweet husband.
ReplyDeleteI loved Crabb's question, "What stirs you most deeply?" and have been thinking about that this morning.
In some ways, it was a very surreal weekend. God is doing so much in both Harry and me, yet we were in Las Vegas, of all places, for a real estate convention for him. Definitely sin city!
I was wrestling with a lot on the inside...on one hand, my judgmental attitude about the sin and oppression and the clear need for the gospel, and then feeling guilty because there I was, supporting the place with my presence.
On the flight home last night, I finished up the book, The Hole in Our Gospel. So convicting and so inspiring. It felt like I was taking a bath after leaving Vegas!
I truly believe that I have caught a glimpse of what God is doing. I have experienced tastes of that sea of joy. I pray it will sustain me in the dailiness of my life. I pray that I will consider every diaper change, every bottle made, every song sung for the millionth time as a great work. May I be a small part of furthering His great plan. I thank God for His faithfulness today!
Sorry for the rambling...I've missed you guys!
I've been out of town...no internet service...having to play catch up...sweet Bev, IF I were in Austin, I would come to your Bible Study on 66 LL...I love it and quote it and read it to my husband all the time. I recommend it to everyone....It has been a big blessing in my life. praying for you....He is using you...all across "bloggy" land....
ReplyDeleteAs I enter Nehemiah I am taken back to the second or third year Greg Matte, my pastor spent the entire church year teaching through the book of Nehemiah with emphasis on the rebuilding of the temple. What amazing wisdom as believers we are rebuilding and redefining the church for this generation.
ReplyDeleteBev, I'm with Annette if I lived in Austin I would be honored and priviledge to sit under your teaching 66 Love Letter Bible Study. You are teaching me so much with all your entries just on this blog "String of Pearls". I praise God for allowing me to be part of this "Just As I Am."
What stirs in me most deeply? It really is not about me, but about God's holiness being developed in my life. Realizing on deeper levels that I am an alien on this earth, heaven is my home. Finding it very difficult to be willing to do the hard work to protect myself from the enemy and all Satan's scheme's.
The songs are "Be Thou My Vision", "Trust and Obey", and "Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah, pilgrim through this weary land, I am weak but thou art mighty Guide me with Thou Powerful Hand. Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven Feed me til I want no more, Feed me til I want no more."
Yes I burst into the first verse on the last one. Praising God for His Amazing Grace and Mercy to me today.