Nehemiah 2
Inspired thots
Nehemiah was given permission by king Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple of God. He asked the king for the needy after consulting God on what was required. The 3 generations of the Persian kings were godly because there was godly counsel.
Nehemiah went about his task of rebuilding quietly but the enemy caught wind of it. Sanballat and Tobiah were displeased and tried to stir up problems for Nehemiah. How important to be secure in God as the enemy is always around to taunt us and bring us down. But if one ARISE & BUILD on God, the foundation is secure even in enemy territory.
How much more today when the time of Christ's return is soon! God's people needs to arise and rebuild their lives on God.
A daily time out with the Lord Jesus, to hear Him speak to ME. I am asking the Lord to share HIS thoughts with ME, to teach me more about Himself, and how I can be drawn closer to Him... for 'His thoughts are not my thoughts and neither are His ways my ways' Isaiah 55:8,9. This blog is not a theological exegesis. This blog is to record down the INSIGHTS & INSPIRATIONS of God's Word to me; speaking LIFE into my life for Abundant life! :)
Friday, August 24, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Compassion Leads to Intercession
Nehemiah 1
Inspired thots
It would not be easy to move one into ACTION if there is no Identification; identification brings on Compassion upon hearing unfavorable news of others which in turn stirs up the spirit to Intercede.
Nehemiah identified with his people who returned to Jerusalem after exile but had no leader. Hence, Nehemiah was filled with compassion for his people from the report received. An aimless people is a people without hope. The first course of action is towards God; rebuild the temple of God for an identification by the people to the God of their fathers. Then the people's spirit would be stirred up for greater works to God.
Nehemiah prayed and recalled the ways of his people and interceded for repentance with promises of God. How important to know the word of God to move with the Spirit!
Inspired thots
It would not be easy to move one into ACTION if there is no Identification; identification brings on Compassion upon hearing unfavorable news of others which in turn stirs up the spirit to Intercede.
Nehemiah identified with his people who returned to Jerusalem after exile but had no leader. Hence, Nehemiah was filled with compassion for his people from the report received. An aimless people is a people without hope. The first course of action is towards God; rebuild the temple of God for an identification by the people to the God of their fathers. Then the people's spirit would be stirred up for greater works to God.
Nehemiah prayed and recalled the ways of his people and interceded for repentance with promises of God. How important to know the word of God to move with the Spirit!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Realize, Repent, Return
Ezra 8-10
Inspired thots
The return of the exiled Israelites caused a MAJOR clean up by Ezra the prophet as many of God's people including the priests and Levites had married foreign wives; thus, defiling themselves. Ezra interceded for his people on this matter to cleanse themselves before God who brought them back to worship in Jerusalem.
Ezra identified with the sins of the people and interceded with them in prayer and fasting; he is ashamed to stand before God as he acknowledged Israel's sins have mounted up to the heavens. (9:6) But God is a merciful God who hears and receives a repentant heart. When one has sinned, it is important to REALIZE the guilt and REPENT immediately before the Lord with weeping and confession to RETURN to God.
Inspired thots
The return of the exiled Israelites caused a MAJOR clean up by Ezra the prophet as many of God's people including the priests and Levites had married foreign wives; thus, defiling themselves. Ezra interceded for his people on this matter to cleanse themselves before God who brought them back to worship in Jerusalem.
Ezra identified with the sins of the people and interceded with them in prayer and fasting; he is ashamed to stand before God as he acknowledged Israel's sins have mounted up to the heavens. (9:6) But God is a merciful God who hears and receives a repentant heart. When one has sinned, it is important to REALIZE the guilt and REPENT immediately before the Lord with weeping and confession to RETURN to God.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The Hand of God ~ Authority & Favor
Ezra 7
Inspired thots
When the HAND of God is upon someone, much favor pours... Ezra experienced the favor of a foreign king, king Artaxerxes who gave Ezra permission to serve the Lord with all the Levites and authority to carry out their priestly duties according to the word of God.
How Great and Mighty is God who can move even a gentile king for 3 generations: Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes who feared the 'God of heaven'.
Everything is under the hand of God who directs His people who choose to seek Him and His ways. Ezra purposed himself to STUDY the word of God, and to DO it, and to TEACH His statutes and ordinances in Israel. That is my heart's desire too. May the Lord move in me as He did with Ezra for His glory!
Inspired thots
When the HAND of God is upon someone, much favor pours... Ezra experienced the favor of a foreign king, king Artaxerxes who gave Ezra permission to serve the Lord with all the Levites and authority to carry out their priestly duties according to the word of God.
How Great and Mighty is God who can move even a gentile king for 3 generations: Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes who feared the 'God of heaven'.
Everything is under the hand of God who directs His people who choose to seek Him and His ways. Ezra purposed himself to STUDY the word of God, and to DO it, and to TEACH His statutes and ordinances in Israel. That is my heart's desire too. May the Lord move in me as He did with Ezra for His glory!
Monday, August 20, 2012
God Works for His People
Ezra 5,6
Inspired thots
When God moves, He brings EVERYTHING into its proper place. The Israelites continued rebuilding the temple as decreed by king Cyrus. God can move even the gentiles; they acknowledged Him as 'GOD of the Heavens' just like the Chinese.
The Israelites were humble and diplomatic in dealing with queries and opposition; they did not retaliate or be arrogant. They presented FACTS and invited the opposition to confirm their word and works. Speaking the Truth keeps on the Right Path without fear or worry.
King Darius, a descendant of king Cyrus, was wise to keep the decree of king Cyrus as he acknowledged the God of heavens too. He wants the Israelites to pray blessings for him and his sons. Hallelujah! God is in control to glorify His name on earth as it is in heaven.
The temple was rebuilt and the Israelites rejoiced and celebrated.
Inspired thots
When God moves, He brings EVERYTHING into its proper place. The Israelites continued rebuilding the temple as decreed by king Cyrus. God can move even the gentiles; they acknowledged Him as 'GOD of the Heavens' just like the Chinese.
The Israelites were humble and diplomatic in dealing with queries and opposition; they did not retaliate or be arrogant. They presented FACTS and invited the opposition to confirm their word and works. Speaking the Truth keeps on the Right Path without fear or worry.
King Darius, a descendant of king Cyrus, was wise to keep the decree of king Cyrus as he acknowledged the God of heavens too. He wants the Israelites to pray blessings for him and his sons. Hallelujah! God is in control to glorify His name on earth as it is in heaven.
The temple was rebuilt and the Israelites rejoiced and celebrated.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Outcomes from ONE Task
Ezra 3, 4
Inspired thots
The Jews were allowed by king Cyrus to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple of God which was destroyed before their captivity. Such a godly gentile king who was used by God! Hallelujah!
The Jews were united in this task which prompted them to return to their God in faith. God was beginning to move among them to bring them back to Himself.
The gentile believers wanted to help in the restoration of the temple and offered their help to Judah but were rejected uncouthly. Hence, enmity stepped in. Good intentions turned sour;how could the situation be done right? Perhaps the Jews could have explained their decline of help better than being too outright in their response. Rejection is not easy to accept by anyone especially those with good intentions.
Thus, problems arose for the Jews in the building of the temple. The work was slow and the opposition delayed its completion. How important to establish good communication and relations to have peace and success!
Inspired thots
The Jews were allowed by king Cyrus to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple of God which was destroyed before their captivity. Such a godly gentile king who was used by God! Hallelujah!
The Jews were united in this task which prompted them to return to their God in faith. God was beginning to move among them to bring them back to Himself.
The gentile believers wanted to help in the restoration of the temple and offered their help to Judah but were rejected uncouthly. Hence, enmity stepped in. Good intentions turned sour;how could the situation be done right? Perhaps the Jews could have explained their decline of help better than being too outright in their response. Rejection is not easy to accept by anyone especially those with good intentions.
Thus, problems arose for the Jews in the building of the temple. The work was slow and the opposition delayed its completion. How important to establish good communication and relations to have peace and success!
Friday, August 17, 2012
God's Plans Are Not Thwarted
Ezra 1,2
Inspired thots
God can use ANYbody in His plan. He is certainly no respecter of persons. He used Cyrus, king of Persia, to rebuild His temple in Jerusalem. With this edict, the Israelites were brought together to work on restoring God's temple.
With the SAME FOCUS in mind, the people became UNITED. They cleansed themselves and gave freely to the Lord's work according to the capability and ability. They were willing to be involved and seized the opportunity to serve the Lord in the restoration works.
Inspired thots
God can use ANYbody in His plan. He is certainly no respecter of persons. He used Cyrus, king of Persia, to rebuild His temple in Jerusalem. With this edict, the Israelites were brought together to work on restoring God's temple.
With the SAME FOCUS in mind, the people became UNITED. They cleansed themselves and gave freely to the Lord's work according to the capability and ability. They were willing to be involved and seized the opportunity to serve the Lord in the restoration works.
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