VERSE: 1 Thessalonians 1:7–so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. TRUTH: Paul is writing to the believers in Thessalonica and encouraging them because they have a reputation of being an example of how to live the Christian life. We are all examples of something, whether good or bad. If we are seeking to imitate Christ it will show in our lives and others will see it. RESPONSE: Lord, I praise You and I desire to live my life like You everyday. I want to be an example to others how to live their life following Jesus.

VERSE: Ezra 10:12–The all the assembly replied with a loud voice, “That’s right! As you have said, so it is our duty to do so.” TRUTH: The people had been confronted with their sin. Their response was to fall in agreement and commit to making it right. When we are confronted with sin, do we make excuses and try to justify our behavior? Or, do we accept and acknowledge our ways and seek to make them right? RESPONSE: Lord, when I have wronged You, I want to not waste time and energy making excuses, but just acknowledge Your Lordship and do what You would have me do to repent.

VERSE: Ezra 9:10–“Now, our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments.” TRUTH: What is confession? Confession is seeing our wrongs as God sees them and accepting that is what they are. Then coming to God saying, “I see these things as You see them and I never want to do that to You again.” Ezra recognized the people had sinned and he went before the Lord and simply confessed that sin, knowing that God saw the uncleanness and not making any excuses for it. Do we have any confessions that we need to make? RESPONSE: Lord, You see my wrongs and I want to…

VERSE: Ezra 8:22–For I was ashamed to request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, “The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and is anger are against all those who forsake Him.” TRUTH: Ezra was traveling a long way carrying lots of gold and treasure. He was a target for raiders and thieves, yet he didn’t ask for soldiers or protection because he didn’t want the king to think he didn’t trust God. Ezra knew that in this case, his witness to the king was…

VERSE: Ezra 7:10–For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. TRUTH: Ezra had set his heart. He made a conscious decision that he was going to study God’s Word, practice God’s Word, and teach God’s Word. This is what we should be doing. We make a choice that we are going to devote ourselves to God’s Word. We study it, so that we know what it says. We practice by applying what we learn to our daily life. Then, we teach and instruct others in what we’ve learned and practiced. RESPONSE: Father,…

VERSE: Ezra 6:7–Leave this work on the house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. TRUTH: God protects His work. After being accused in the last chapter and told to stop doing what God had commanded them to do, in this chapter the Jews receive the verdict of the king. The king rules that the work is to continue. Even more than that, he orders the people who were against the rebuilding to donate supplies to help. God will open the doors to be obedient to Him, we just have to remain faithful to…

VERSE: Ezra 5:5–But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until a report could come to Darius, and a written reply be returned concerning it. TRUTH: The Jews began rebuilding and the opposition came against them, again. This time, the Jews refused to stop building, even while they waited for the appropriate legal process to be followed. Unlike before, they continued to work and to build and to be obedient to God’s command, trusting that He would take care of the legalities and would protect and honor their obedience. RESPONSE: Lord, You are over all things and even when…

VERSE: Ezra 4:13–Now let it be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, they will not pay tribute, custom or toll, and it will damage the revenue of the kings. TRUTH: This may come as a surprise (or not), but not everyone want us to be successful following God. In fact, you may have seen many times where the more focused on being obedient to God you are, the greater and more intense the attack. In Ezra’s day, their enemies didn’t want them to finish their work, so they sent his letter to the king to get him to order them to…

VERSE: Ezra 3:11–They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, “For He is good. His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.” And all the people shouted with a great shout then they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. TRUTH: As we see God’s work done, we are to praise Him. He is indeed good and He is worthy of our praise. The people could see all that the Lord had done and they were excited to see what else would be done as a result of having the house of the God. As we look at our lives today, do we…

VERSE: Ezra 2:69–According to their ability they gave to the treasury for the work 61,000 gold drachmas and 5,000 silver minas and 100 priestly garments. TRUTH: Out of love and devotion to God, we are to give gifts to God to help the work of God. The people in Ezra’s day gave gifts to see the temple restored. They gave according to their ability. Are we giving according to our ability? Do we seek to give as much as we can to the work that God is doing? What is our ability to give? Are we measuring our giving based on others or based on our own ability? RESPONSE: Father,…