So they read in the Book in the Law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the Words of the Law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (Neh 8:8-10)
Ezra came carefully before the people, elevated the Word of God above the people, and read the Word of the Lord and His Law to the people during a great day of worship. He read it distinctly and carefully, he gave the sense of the Scriptures, and he and the other scribes and Levites present there caused the people to understand the reading of the Word of God. They reverenced the Law and understood it to be the very Words of God, holy, pure, perfect, and true.
The people wept when they understood the Word and the sin which they were guilty of in departing from the ways of the Law and its precepts. Ezra comforted and encouraged the people to consecrate the day and to remember it for that day was a holy day unto the Lord. The joy which God brings to those who are His and those who are repentant of their sin strengthens us to continue in the will of the Lord.
As disciple makers and teachers, we are to read the passage we teach and discuss clearly, giving the sense of what God is saying, and cause those we are teaching to understand the context and the message. It is a mandate and a given example unto us that we might be faithful to the Bible in teaching and preaching what God has given us in His Word. We are not to force the text to say something it does not say, nor add man’s opinion to is pages.
As individuals and as congregations we are to hear the Word of God not just with our ears but with our hearts. We are to read its books carefully and distinctly starting at the beginning to get the sense. We are to study its passages to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. We are to memorize its verses, that when temptation comes we might not sin against God, and meditate on its precepts and promises that we might walk in His ways and worship His Name. God’s Word, which doesn’t go out void, will speak to us and He will apply it to us and cause us to grow in Him and become more like Him. That is His purpose in electing to adopt those of us who believe into His family. Proper handling of His Word will lead to our growth as His children and we can then instruct others in the Words of the Lord.
As we grow in Him we learn that His will for His people is for us to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as He provides. We serve, equipped 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
The people wept when they understood the Word and the sin which they were guilty of in departing from the ways of the Law and its precepts. Ezra comforted and encouraged the people to consecrate the day and to remember it for that day was a holy day unto the Lord. The joy which God brings to those who are His and those who are repentant of their sin strengthens us to continue in the will of the Lord.
As disciple makers and teachers, we are to read the passage we teach and discuss clearly, giving the sense of what God is saying, and cause those we are teaching to understand the context and the message. It is a mandate and a given example unto us that we might be faithful to the Bible in teaching and preaching what God has given us in His Word. We are not to force the text to say something it does not say, nor add man’s opinion to is pages.
As individuals and as congregations we are to hear the Word of God not just with our ears but with our hearts. We are to read its books carefully and distinctly starting at the beginning to get the sense. We are to study its passages to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. We are to memorize its verses, that when temptation comes we might not sin against God, and meditate on its precepts and promises that we might walk in His ways and worship His Name. God’s Word, which doesn’t go out void, will speak to us and He will apply it to us and cause us to grow in Him and become more like Him. That is His purpose in electing to adopt those of us who believe into His family. Proper handling of His Word will lead to our growth as His children and we can then instruct others in the Words of the Lord.
As we grow in Him we learn that His will for His people is for us to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as He provides. We serve, equipped 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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