Ezra

Today’s reading is Ezra 6-10.

Sadly, many in today’s mainstream Christianity may be more impacted by Eastern mysticism and New Age supernatural spirituality than we realize. Even Word based people seem to think becoming God Filled is based solely on some kind of ethereal movement of the Spirit that happens as a complete mystery to the lucky few who happen to come under His sway. No doubt, as John 3:5-8, shows there is definitely mystery to the Spirit, but Ezra shows us the practical, hands on side of becoming God Filled. We obviously cannot control the Holy Spirit, but we can control ourselves, and if we want to be God Filled, we need to follow Ezra’s example: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel” (Ezra 7:10, ESV). Of course, I understand we are under a different covenant with different statutes, yet this principle extends to us as well. No, we cannot control the Spirit, forcing him where we want Him to go, but we can do what God has asked of us. Study God’s Word, do it, and teach others. Commit to these, and watch your life become God Filled.

Tomorrow’s reading is Nehemiah 1-5.

Today’s reading is Ezra 1-5.

The first time you put some box or junk out in the garage, it bothers you, but the more you pass by, the more used to it you get until you don’t even notice the mess anymore. When something is new, it is easy to get after the work, but once the newness wears off, it is easy to be satisfied with unfinished business. That happened to the Jews when they returned from captivity. They jumped into the work of the altar and the temple, but then they had some opposition and discouragement and eventually just got used to having an altar, a foundation, and no temple. They needed a swift prophetic kick in the pants to get back on the ball. We can do the exact same thing if we are not careful. We long to “rebuild God’s temple” (speaking of Christ’s church, cf. Ephesians 2:19-22) in our modern world, but we can be easily distracted by daily life and discouraged by the opposition. If we are not careful, we get used to unfinished work and mediocrity. May God always give us the swift kick in the pants we need to build His temple today.

Monday’s reading is Ezra 6-10.