Honouring God

Honouring God

Meditation from Ezra Chapter 2

This chapter lists the names of the leaders & people who returned to Jerusalem. We can learn the characters of honouring God through this chapter.

1. Obeying Leaders : The list starts with the names of the leaders who led the people to return to Jerusalem; the top leaders & the sub leaders. By mentioning their names the Lord shows his approval. (2:2)
The majority didn't listen to them & their names are missed. Their choice to stay back is logically justifiable as they were comfortable, yet by disobeying the leaders they were dishonouring God's plan.
We honour God by obeying our leaders.

2. Godly Influence : Common people, priests (2:36), levites (2:40), singers (2:41), gatekeepers (2:42), temple servants (2:43) & Solomon's servants (2:55) are mentioned.
It shows the influence across different kinds of people and across generations.
Negative & destructive influences spread fast. We need to be careful what influence we are making by our words, choices & life.
We honour God only when our influence on others is godly.

3. Eternal Things : A group of priests could not find their entries in the genealogical records; which meant losing their priesthood and provisions. (2:61-63).
Yet they chose to return to Jerusalem. It shows the desire they had for the house of God.
We honour God when our mind is on the godly & eternal things & not on earthly possessions.

4. Freewill Offerings : As soon as they returned to the house of the LORD, some of the people made freewill offerings. (2:68)
We honour God when we give our resources to Him and His kingdom works, wholeheartedly.

May the Lord help us to honour Him by obeying our leaders, by influencing others only by godly ways, by seeking the eternal & not earthly things and by serving the Lord wholeheartedly by giving us & our resources.

Today's Intercession:

# Pray for the school admission process for the upcoming academic year.

# Pray that the Lord ordained children may come and get the admission.

# Pray for the setting up of the new school building and for all the arrangements.

# Pray for all the needed resources for the next academic year - staff, teachers, vehicles, furnitures, etc.

# Pray for the plans of God to be fulfilled and for His name to be glorified.

Have a blessed day!

Signs of Returning to God

Signs of Returning to God

Meditation from Ezra Chapter 1

The book of Ezra chronicles the returning of the people from captivity to Jerusalem. The first chapter shows the characters or signs of the people who return to the Lord and His work.

1. Spirit Led : The Spirit of God wants to stir the hearts of everyone but only a few respond, they are the Spirit led. (1:5)
We are sensitive, but our sensitivity is misplaced. We are sensitive to the words of people & we get easily offended. But we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, to God's voice.
If we are flesh-led, our physical ears will be sensitive to people's words, but if we are Spirit-led, our spiritual ears will be sensitive to Spirit's words and we will obey God.

2. Sincere & Faithful : When King Cyrus gives the order for the Israelites to return, he also gives in their charge the vessels & possessions of the Temple. The things weren't just given away, but a proper inventory was made and given to responsible people. (1:8-10)
God is looking for sincere & faithful people, who are not careless, but careful & sincere in work and in every small or big responsibility.

3. Sacrificial : Though the Israelites returned back in three groups to Jerusalem right after the end of 70 years, only a few returned. They became so comfortable in captivity  that they didn't want to leave its comfort. Returning back meant sacrifice!
The pleasure of sin or the comfort of the world stops many people from returning to the Lord and to partake in His kingdom works.
If we look at the sacrifice of the Saviour, no sacrifice that we do will seem great or demanding!

When there arose these few people who are Spirit-led, sincere & sacrificial, the gentiles around, including the people in authority, gave freewill offerings for house of God. When we come to the right place of heart, the Lord will stir the hearts of people around to assist us in His work.

Today's Intercession:

# Pray for the people who are participating in the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad being conducted from 15 Jan to 4 March 2019.

# Pray for the people to come to knowledge of the Truth & true Salvation.

# Pray for the people to get an opportunity to hear the Gospel.

Have a blessed day!