"But as soon as they had rest, they did evil again"

Think back to the times when you felt the closest to God ... those moments when you could almost physically touch His presence. What were your circumstances? Well, if you are like me, the large majority of those times came during great duress, grief, and even turmoil ... often self-induced. On the other hand, the times I can recall failing the worst or falling the hardest, my surrounding circumstances were close to ideal. There wasn't anything looming over my head ... no serious stress factor.

In my reading today I was in Nehemiah 9 where the people confess their sins and the Levites praise God and plead with Him for freedom from slavery. They recount numerous times when God had mercy and rescued His people. Times would get better and sure enough the people would turn away from God in arrogance and land themselves right back in a bad predicament. When times were terrible they sought after God and committed themselves to Him. When times were good they grew complacent and rebelled against God. This cycle repeated over and over.

There are so many lessons here, but what strikes me the most about the Old Testament is how closely my own Christian life resembles the plight of the nation of Israel. When I'm down and out, oh do I plead to God! I probably pray 30 times a day. But when everything seems fine, I'll go several days without even taking time to crack open His word. How quickly I forget Him and get absorbed in my own selfish little world. All the while He holds the keys to eternity and freely offers the grace and empowerment to live an extraordinary life.

Man I'm foolish!

Firming Feeble Knees

"Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees"
Isaiah 35:3

One of my favorite things to do that I get to enjoy 2 or 3 times a year is a long mountain hike. It's a hobby many don't understand. Oh they get the "beautiful nature" thing and the attraction of incredible sights, but most can think of something they would rather do with their time than strenuous, sometimes dangerous mountain treking. But I find peace, connection with God and His creation, and personal gratification of completing a great task. I draw many spiritual connections and similarities between hiking and my walk as a Christian.

On a long and mountainous hike, backs ache, knees grow weak and hurt, feet are sore and blistered. Discouragement can set in early as your body takes a chastizing. You can quickly become bitter as pain increases. More than once you doubt your ability to make it. Being swallowed by this doubt and fear, it can be easy to want to give up ... find an easy road and walk away. As with our race of faith, God calls us to be renewed. "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:3). If we like Jesus endure this chastening, "God deals with (us) as with sons" (vs.7). And how did He deal with Jesus after His suffering was finished and the race won? God sat Jesus at His right hand on the throne!

We are to renew our spiritual vitality. We must take time to be healed, strengthen faith, and continue the race. There were times on our long hikes that we had to stop, re-energize, re-motivate, and continue on the path. We must, in our race of faith, stop and pray, seeking wisdom and peace. God warns us to not become defiled, letting any root of bitterness spring up. Look to the prize! Look to the finish line! "We are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken" (Hebrews 12:28).

Now read Isaiah 35 to see God's promises for those who run the good race, and take some time to firm feeble knees. God loves you! Be renewed! Have faith!

God Wins!

Ezra Ch. 1- 6

Ch. 1 God Uses Whom He Wills To Fulfill His Purpose

In the 1st year of Cyrus King of Persia “in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah” God “stirred up the spirit” of Cyrus to “build Him a house in Jerusalem.”

The people of God had come out of captivity from the Babylonians (vs.5 – survivors). In order to fulfill His purpose God first spoke through Jeremiah and then “stirred up the spirit” of the king to fulfill His Word.

WOW #1: He used Jeremiah to proclaim His purpose

WOW #2: He moved a king to fulfill that proclamation


Ch. 2

The Lord Knows His People Personally

Every “survivor” was numbered and accounted for. God had a plan and purpose for each and every one – He is thorough and specific. Then there was the cleansing and the restoring His treasury. They removed priests unfit for the priesthood and sought first the kingdom of God. Their offerings didn’t compare with those of David’s time but they were acceptable to God. The Lord will ensure the success of our “undertakings entered on according to His will, with an aim to His glory, and dependence on His assistance” (Matthew Henry).

God Uses Common People

“Common people” were important to this rebuilding and are important in ALL His plans (Neh. 7:70-72).


Ch. 3

PRAISE!

God’s people had been chastised and punished for their unfaithfulness. Now they were being restored.

After blowing it so bad, how should we react? Gather, Worship, Celebrate, Work, and Sing!

First and foremost they were UNITED together as one. It could have been enough to be content with their arrival and resettlement … but they didn’t stop there. They immediately went to work on the #1 feature of the temple – the Altar – central to approaching God and seeking His blessing. They WORSHIP 1st.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”


Tears & Cheers

Notice how some who were alive when the 1st temple was burned looked back and wept. This temple was plain compared to the other.

We have to be careful not to concentrate on the past lest we rob ourselves of the future.


Ch. 4 The Attack

Q. What’s a good sign you’re doing God’s will?
A. Satan Attacks.

Every work of the Lord draws the attention of the enemy. Vs. 2 – they tried to infiltrate: “Let us build with you …” (These were Jews that had intermarried with Assyrians). They were denied, so they turned to scare tactice and discouragement. They hired trouble makers. This went on for years.

The Enemy’s Toolkit: Infiltration, Discouragement, Trouble, Frustration, Fatigue, Accusation

The Defense:

Infiltration: Guard, evaluate, and be wary of being involved in any “partnership”. Do not be unequally yoked!

Discouragement: “Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.”
Isaiah 12:2 “… I will trust and not be afraid …”
Do not yield to discouragement. Know what God has called you to do. Focus on TODAY.

Trouble: God is bigger than any troublemaker – any Goliaths. Remember who it is that we serve!

Frustration: Prayer vs. Worry.

Fatigue: Continual physical, emotional, and spiritual refreshment. Do not neglect this! God calls us to His rest – rest on the Sabbath – lack of worry (rooted in believing that God is truly with you). Obey God and pray for His peace continually.

Accusation: This tool actually worked and the construction of the temple stopped. The enemy won this battle. Satan has a whole army to carry out his bidding.
Expect it and evaluate it! Get back up! The same Grace that saved you … the same power that resurrected Jesus … that grace and power will see you through to the end. Get up!


Satan Uses The Same Tools Today

3 Channels to tempt us:
1. Himself
2. The World System
3. Our Flesh


3 tactics to tempt us:
1. Lust of our eyes
2. Lust of our flesh
3. Pride of Life

Defense: Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7)


Ch. 5 God’s Plan Shall Stand

It ends up that they had no right to stop the work in the first place, and with the prophetic message of Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Joshua) began the work again. No sooner had they begun than opposition was raised again … But they gave no heed. Why?

vs.5 “But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them.”

About 15 years lapsed from the end of Ch. 4 to Ch. 5. During that time God prepared two prophets to renew and strengthen the work. He will see His work through to the end.

The official decree from King Cyrus years ago had been to rebuild the house of God (vs. 13). God had clearly set them to do His work.

If God has clearly set us to do His work for Him, let us go through with it in spite of all opposition. God reveals our weakness and His all-sufficiency through trials and storms. We are to be “servants of the God of heaven and earth” (vs. 11).


Ch. 6 God’s Plan Fulfilled

The Decree is found! King Darius (the one who shut them down) issued a decree to search for the command of King Cyrus. They found it in Ecbatana 265 miles from where they were – with natural means alone, this would not have happened, but they found it because “God’s eye was upon them.”

The Enemy’s Attack Becomes Their Benefit
The king that would have hindered the progress is now used to help with great gifts! The decree commanded that all their needs be supplied and expenses met.

vs.9 “And whatever is needed … it is to be given to them daily without fail.”

When we obey God we at once ensure His cooperation for the accomplishment of the task at hand!

Rejoicing: The work began with mixed emotions but it ended with all the people rejoicing (vs. 16).

Psalm 146-148 the Psalms of Haggai and Zechariah

The joy of worshipping and serving God is always accompanied by Satan’s attempts to spoil it … but Satan cannot thwart the plans of God!
Communion: Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread

This is the 1st Passover since King Josiah’s more than 100 years earlier.

vs.20 They Were Clean – purified themselves.

vs.21 Unity – they partook together.

vs.22a Who Partook? Those who had separated themselves from the filth/uncleanness of the nations of the land.

vs.22b Why? In order to seek the Lord God of Israel.

Every work of the Lord draws the attention of the enemy. He may win a few battles but never the War!

What one thing determines your child's success more than any other single factor?

If you were asked what one thing determines your child's success at school, with friends, and in life more than any other single factor, what would you answer?

Perhaps you'd say it was down to the quality of education they received, or the type of parenting they were exposed to, or the type of friends they chose. These are responses I get all the time. While they are all good answers, the biggest factor that determines the success of your child is one you may have never heard ... and in about 15 years not one person, out of hundreds (maybe thousands) I've asked, has been able to tell me what it is.


In 1991 Saddam Hussein and his Iraqi army invaded Kuwait, subjected its people to terrible brutality, and poised to attack Saudi Arabia – giving them control of half the world’s oil supply. We demanded Hussein withdraw his forces, but he refused. On January 17th Operation Desert Storm was launched. What do you think was our first objective? Saddam’s tanks? Planes? Soldiers?



No, instead the allies destroyed the Iraq’s communication network with smart bombs and other weapons. The Iraq generals had no way to coordinate their efforts. The war ended a few weeks later.



There is so much relevance here for the family. When the lines of communication break down, family members become “out-of-touch” and distant from each other. When husbands, wives, and siblings stop talking they slip into misunderstanding and resentment. Anger takes over. Emotional walls are built. This spells the beginning of the end.



So many studies have driven home the same point, but one specific example is Dr. Blake Bowden of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Center (Marilyn Elias, “Family Dinners Nourish Ties with Teenagers,” USA Today, 18 August 1997). He and his colleagues conducted a study of 527 teenagers to learn what family and lifestyle characteristics were related to mental health and adjustment. What they observed may shock you.



Who were the teenagers least likely to be on drugs, to be depressed, or to be in trouble with the law … the ones more likely to be doing well in school and to be surrounded by “positive”, supportive friends?



Answer: the ones whose parents ate dinner with them five times per week or more.

(Clearly there is power in “breaking bread” together)



Families bring stability and mental health to children, but in America the traditional family has been attacked and is quickly dissolving. In our society, time is hard to come by. However, we show what is most important to us by where we spend our time ... right? The children of parents who have time for them for conversation, interaction, etc. do much better in school and in life. Unfortunately, only one-third of U.S. families eat dinner together most nights.



Sounds too simple huh? You mean to tell me that the one thing that determines my child's success at school, with friends, and in life more than any other single factor is sitting down and eating dinner with the family five times or more per week? YES!



This will not be easy if it’s something you don’t already do, but is anything worth doing ever easy?



Challenge: Start now. Put your foot down and make family dinner MANDATORY.



Warning: It will get worse before it gets better.



Tell me how it goes.

Something New

It's in front of me ... there, but unstable. He wants me to step on it. "Have Faith. Trust!" He says. I work hard to build it more sturdy. The clock is ticking. "Step Out!" He shouts again. I look behind me. What once seemed confining ... restrictive, now appears warmer ... even welcoming. Should I go back? I feel a nudge. Someone else looks at my new unfinished platform and comments on it's beauty. I set my eyes on it once more but I can picture it giving way to chaos. "Trust Me!" I hear again. I crouch down - elbows between knees - head between hands - hair between fingers. Stress, stress, stress. "Stop Worrying" He whispers, "I'm right here." I hang my foot out over the precipice, take a deep conscious breath, exhale, stepping ...

It Ain't Fixed Yet!

I couldn't tell you how many times I've seen it ... especially in relationships: One or both go overboard and say or do something "out-of-the-ordinary" ... someone goes overboard and says or does something "they didn't mean". Yes you did. You did mean it. You may not be proud of it, but somewhere deep inside, you did mean it.

Not an accident or a temporary lapse - there's something deeper and darker there that no one wants to admit. Usually, if left undealt with, there's a spell in the relationship where everything seems to have improved - better moods, better communication, more affection, etc. Our first tendency is to believe everything is ok and move on. We behave as if it will just go away. News Flash! It Ain't Fixed Yet!

It will marinate and grow in strength until - KABOOM! Now you've really gone overboard. Now it really is too late.

#1 Gotta deal with it. It's real and not going away on it's own. You own some blame.

#2 Seek guidance. Knowledgeable OUTSIDE counseling. You'll be amazed at what you uncover. Do NOT shy away from this. It must be done before you move on.

#3 Tell your significant other what you are doing and allow them to witness the results. Only then will they be open to taking similar steps themselves. You have to deal with the individual before you deal with the relationship.

#4 Put it in writing. If your relationship is very confrontational and you never seem to finish what you are trying to say, it may be best to put it in writing. This leaves no room for interruptions or your own emotions clouding your purpose. No judgmental or accusatory comments - deal only with YOUR responsibility.

#5 Seek couple's counseling - It's that important to you ... isn't it?

#6 DO NOT LEAVE OUT THE SPIRITUAL SIDE! In order to make a decision or come to a conclusion, you need to consider all pieces of the pie. Unfortunately most people exclude over 50% of the info available to them by shoving the spiritual aspect under the rug. It amazes me how many people are terrified of digging in spiritually. Their decisions will never be correct with this approach. If you do not believe in spiritual things, I'm sorry, you're screwed.

My Own Worst Enemy

Aren't we all?

I read something lately that reminded me of how my stubborn nature can actually benefit me. Henry Ford once said, "Failure is merely an opportunity to more intelligently begin again."

Often the difference between a successful person and someone settling for mediocrity is that a successful person expects some level of failure and they don't stop there. Most people don't even give their dreams try #1. They quit before they begin due to self-doubt and limiting beliefs. Some face a single failure, fold, and go right back to what they were doing before. That's it! Persistence. I'm good at that, but not always in a good way.

Here's the deal, stop fearing failure. Get up and try again. Learn and redo from a more educated position. But the bottom line is don't give up.

How many failures are you willing to experience before achieving your dream?

To the Jew First

I was given some new revelation this weekend about God's original (and only) plan. It has to do with first fruits, counting of the Omer, and God's order and purpose. God has Plan "A". He does not have and never will have a Plan "B". God chose the nation of Israel. He didn't choose them because they were better or bigger. He chose them to complete His Plan "A".

We are in the first month of the Jewish calendar Nisan. We are in the season of celebrating the passover, the resurrection, and Pentecost. Counting the Omer is a God-given command that lasted 49 days every single year. It begins tomorrow. An omer was a measurement of the first fruit of the barley harvest brought to the temple on the day after passover. The commandment of the barley omer served to remind Israel that the land and its produce belonged first to God. The produce of the land could not be enjoyed until God had received his due. Until the barley omer was harvested and offered in the Temple, the rest of the crops were not deemed kosher.

The Counting of the Omer is a count down to Shavuot, the time of giving of the Torah and the time of the giving of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost). As such, it is a spiritual journey of preparation. It is a journey which is begun with Passover, the symbol of our Salvation in Yeshua (Jesus), and completed at Pentecost, the symbol of our completion through the Spirit. The distance of days between the two events should be a time of spiritual reflection, growth, purification and preparation. The Master's resurrection makes the counting of the Omer a season of special significance and joy. For his disciples, it is a time to remember the resurrected Yeshua (Jesus). All of his post-resurrection appearances fell within the days of the Omer count.

Counting the Omer continues the cycle in a believer's life of "working out their salvation" (Phil 2:12)

But there is more ...
We modern day Christians have lost much of the Jewish understanding of our faith. This is partially due to the edicts of the early church. The council of Nicea declared that believers would not be allowed to commemorate Passover but would observe instead the resurrection on a new holiday called Easter.

Here's the deal, God has one plan and that plan involves and always has involved the nation of Israel. It's all over His word, old and new testament: "To the Jew first and also to the Gentile" (Romans 1:16). It's not that His salvation is given to the Gentile INSTEAD of the Jew but after and because of the Jews.

In the counting of the Omer, God promised that if the people obediently brought their first fruits to Him, He would bless them with the harvest. Well, it all has to do with God's purpose and order to things. The Jewish nation is no better that any other nation just as husband is no better than wife ... but there is a God-given order to things and we do have God-given duties. The nation of Israel was chosen to be the first fruits. Until they turn back to God and receive salvation ... we will not receive the harvest - Christ's second coming.

Generations change, but God and His plan do not. Starting in the 1960's the Messianic Jewish movement began to move. We are seeing prophecy fulfilled right before our eyes yet we miss it altogether. Our prayers and hearts should be directed to the nation of Israel. We are the kings and queens (those confident and mature in their faith) that must help lift the nation of Israel to be grafted back into Abraham's tree. Romans 11 has never come so alive. "Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25-26).

"For since their (Israel's) rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who are dead!" - Romans 11:15

God is moving in Israel! It has begun. Prepare yourselves my brothers and sisters and pray for Israel!

karate man

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