Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and He was intreated of us. (Ezra 8:21-23)
Ezra called for fasting and prayer as they sought the Lord to protect them. Ezra recounts the steps that were taken as they journeyed from Babylon to Jerusalem, being faithful to the work God had called them to do. Having testified that God would provide and protect, they prayed for His guidance and deliverance, and God heard their prayer and kept them safe all the way to Jerusalem. He also provided for their needs and for the work which they would do when they arrived and the temple was completed.
God is faithful and will keep His promises and act according to His precepts and principles, but He is not mocked. Those who claim His Name but do not live in Him or in obedience to His Word demonstrate that they remain under judgment. Those who claim His great salvation and yet don’t seek Him but live as if He doesn’t exist demonstrate their lack of discipleship and understanding. God provides for His own and will accomplish His purposes in His people but is not some great cosmic genie who gives us everything we want. He gives us what we need and will give above all we ask or think, though as Ezra did, we often have to ask, not because He doesn’t know our needs, but for our growth in learning to trust Him and His timing.
God’s people ought to fast and pray to seek His face, discern His will, and petition our Father for the work He has entrusted to us to do. We grow in our knowledge of Him and trust His ways as He brings us through troubles and trials of this life and provides for our needs in our lives and in our ministry for Him and for others. All things will work together as He has proclaimed even if we don’t see the ultimate good He has purposed. While we lean on His everlasting arms and trust Him, He has called us to serve, serve His Church, serve one another, and to serve others, in ministry, missions, and discipleship, until the last person who will be saved during this church age is saved and God is done with the work of the church.
Until God takes us Home, God’s people are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
God is faithful and will keep His promises and act according to His precepts and principles, but He is not mocked. Those who claim His Name but do not live in Him or in obedience to His Word demonstrate that they remain under judgment. Those who claim His great salvation and yet don’t seek Him but live as if He doesn’t exist demonstrate their lack of discipleship and understanding. God provides for His own and will accomplish His purposes in His people but is not some great cosmic genie who gives us everything we want. He gives us what we need and will give above all we ask or think, though as Ezra did, we often have to ask, not because He doesn’t know our needs, but for our growth in learning to trust Him and His timing.
God’s people ought to fast and pray to seek His face, discern His will, and petition our Father for the work He has entrusted to us to do. We grow in our knowledge of Him and trust His ways as He brings us through troubles and trials of this life and provides for our needs in our lives and in our ministry for Him and for others. All things will work together as He has proclaimed even if we don’t see the ultimate good He has purposed. While we lean on His everlasting arms and trust Him, He has called us to serve, serve His Church, serve one another, and to serve others, in ministry, missions, and discipleship, until the last person who will be saved during this church age is saved and God is done with the work of the church.
Until God takes us Home, God’s people are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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