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Today is Wednesday June 3, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Ezra, please read chapters 3-5 in your Bible or Click Here to read them.
https://www.allonlinebible.com/Ezra/3,1-5,999/3.html

Today's Message: Willing to Sacrifice
Too often we put our wants and desires ahead of God's will for our lives, but those who are willing to sacrifice their time for God will always receive His blessings.

Zerubbabel and the returning Jews left the luxuries of Persia for the hardships of Jerusalem. What once had been the glorious promised land was now a heap of rubble. However, they pressed on and began rebuilding the Temple. Many needs for existence such as food and shelter for their families and animals claimed their attention, but personal necessities were set aside until they had first rebuilt the altar of God and reestablished worship to the One True God. "And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening." (Ezra 3:1-3). The decision to serve God does not guarantee that one will live a life with out any problems. Satan will use everything in his power to convince us that we cannot finish the task we have set out to accomplish. However, we have the Power of the Almighty God with us and He will always give us the strength to endure every obstacle we face.

As the builders completed the foundation of the Temple the priests and the Levites began rejoicing and all the people around them began praising and giving thanks to God as well. Some of the elders were weeping after the foundation was laid. "And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off." (3:10-13). It is unsure why the elders were weeping, perhaps they were weeping with joy over seeing the altar complete or they realized their past sins and how they contributed to the destruction of the Temple. It is a good thing for us to sorrow over our past sins, which have brought the judgment of God upon us, but after repenting and forsaking them we are to forget about them. We should not continue to grieve over past losses that blur opportunities for the present and the future, but thank Him for His mercy and grace. We need to daily move on with our lives and join the Israelites as they praised and gave thanks to God.

When our hearts desire to be obedient to God and His Word, the Holy Spirit will teach us to abandon our dependence on ourselves and material things and rely on God to provide for us. Now, this does not mean that all we are to do is sit there and pray and read and everything will be handed to us. Yes, is a great thing to do, but we must be willing to do whatever God calls us to do. If we just sit there we will never fulfill His purpose for our lives. Sacrificial giving, devoted work, and faithful attendance in church are outward manifestations of a restored relationship with God. Every single thing we do for God brings us closer to Him, we may be called to do some pretty boring things, but they are not boring to God. He is actually testing us to see if we are worthy of handling more important things. If we are unwilling to do the small stuff what would keep us from walking away from the big stuff? "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:31-33)

Today's Psalm: 23:3
"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Your grace is beyond measure and more than sufficient for our daily needs. When we are weary and discouraged You restore our soul and renew our hope, in this life, and most especially through the eternal perspective of life's circumstances. Thank You for Your anointing and outpouring of blessings that overflow in our lives. Thank You for the work that You call us to do, it's comforting to know that we are so important to You that You call us to do even the smallest of tasks. In Jesus' name........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night.
God Bless,
Christina

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P.S. I apologize for getting this out a day late, I was doing other work for God.