September 25, 2018: SOAP #3218:  Ezra 2-3; Luke 8

Scripture:  Ezra (NIV) 3:3 Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD, both the morning and evening sacrifices. 4 Then in accordance with what is written, they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day. 5 After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings, the New Moon sacrifices and the sacrifices for all the appointed sacred feasts of the LORD, as well as those brought as freewill offerings to the LORD. 6 On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, though the foundation of the LORD’s temple had not yet been laid.

Observation:  A large group had returned from their captivity to rebuild their temple and re-start the feasts and offerings.  In verses above we see that they built an altar and started making sacrifices even though they had not yet laid the foundation of the temple.

Application:  I cannot wait until everything is perfect before I start serving the Lord!   I must start where I am and with what I have.  There is nothing more I need in order to obey His will for me!  Lack of resources or facilities is only an excuse the enemy uses to stop me from stepping out to do God’s will.  If I am faithful using what I have, God will bring growth in ministry and available resources.  I need to let God prove His faithfulness by stepping out in faith by using what I already have to do as He directs.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, remind me of this when I hold back from doing what you have assigned me to do because I cannot do it perfectly, or because I am lacking what I think I need.  Show me how to use what I have for your glory. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!