‘Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. ‘
Ezra 1:5
I’m learning.
And.
God.
Has been.
Faithful.
In.
Teaching me.
That.
I must.
Move.
When.
He.
Moves.
My spirit.
This morning.
As I.
Began.
Reading.
Ezra.
I noticed.
How.
God.
Stirred.
The spirit.
Of.
Cyrus.
The king.
Of.
Persia.
‘Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,’
Ezra 1:1
Then.
God.
Stirred.
Others.
To.
Join.
King Cyrus.
As he.
Rebuilds.
The temple.
Of.
The Lord.
‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’
Ezra 1:2-4
Look.
God.
Has.
Stirred.
My spirit.
To be.
The example.
Or.
Light.
For.
Coaches.
Administrators.
And.
Student.
Athletes.
In.
College.
Athletics.
When.
I first.
Started.
My journey.
I thought.
It was.
All.
About me.
So.
I strived.
To be.
The best.
In.
My field.
However.
That.
Left me.
Broken.
And.
Empty.
Now.
I know.
From.
The word.
Pastor Cochran.
Delivered.
This.
Past.
Sunday.
That.
It’s bigger.
Than me!
‘But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, ‘
Philippians 1:12
I pray.
That.
The example.
I set.
As I.
Imitate.
Christ.
Helps.
Others.
Come back.
To.
The Lord!
‘Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.’
I Corinthians 11:1
I’m not.
Perfect.
But.
I know.
I’m striving.
To.
Please.
The Lord.
Daily!
Many.
Think.
I’m crazy.
And.
Some.
Have.
Come.
Against.
Me.
But.
I know.
This.
Is.
The persecution.
Of.
A true.
Servant.
Of.
The Lord.
‘But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.’
II Chronicles 36:16
I pray.
That you.
Become.
Bold.
And.
Not.
Ashamed.
Of.
The gospel.
Because.
God.
Has.
A purpose.
For.
You.
In.
His kingdom!
I love you!
And.
I pray your day is blessed!
In Jesus name, Amen!
