Day 124

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Ezra Rebuilding the Leaders Spiritually!

Scripture

May 3—Ezra 7-8: Reforming the Priesthood of God

Observation

The first half of the book of Ezra (chap. 1-6) could correctly be called "the book of Zerubbabel," for it tells the story of that godly leader rebuilding the temple. Beginning with chapter 7, Ezra's story unfolds. Nearly sixty years have elapsed since the completion of the temple. Ezra, a priest, prepares to guide a second company of 1,753 Jews back to Jerusalem to oversee the affairs of the temple and provide the nation with leadership. By kingly decree, Artaxerxes not only allows Ezra's company to return but provides for the temple sacrifices and other necessities of worship. Demonstrating spiritual maturity and excellent leadership qualities, Ezra seeks God's direction before, during, and after the 900-mile journey.

Application

Here is a principle you can spend a lifetime applying: Knowing what to do must be translated into doing what you know. And, "when you know better you do better" per one of Maya Angelou famous quotes.

Ezra was no doubt one of the finest Bible scholars and teachers of his day. But he was more than just a teacher of knowledge. He was a man whose own heart burned for the law of the Lord and for the application of that truth to his life and the life of his nation. "Ezra had determined to study and obey the laws of the Lord and to become a Bible teacher, teaching those laws to the people of Israel" (7:10).

Are you involved in a Bible-teaching ministry? Ezra's advice to you would be this: Let your teaching be the overflow of a life that is practicing God's truth daily! It is hard to make God's truth speak to others until first it has spoken to you. Pick a truth you will be communicating to others next week, and teach it to yourself this week. Pretend you will be the only person in the classroom. What must be translated into action in your life before you are ready to teach it with conviction to others? For the best teacher is one whose life is the text. This means live your life according to the Word!

Prayer

Dear Lord, we know that the largest results of praying come to us who give ourselves and all of ourselves, all that belongs to us to You. We want to give ourselves to You completely in prayer so that our life can produce the largest fruit for Your Glory. In Jesus name! Amen!

Praying Changes Everything!






© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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