Ezra
2023
Ezra1:1-11
April 26, 2023 • Pastor Ron Arbaugh • Ezra 1
It’s pretty amazing how God can prepare people to do the right thing at just the right moment! Even a pagan king. Make no mistake here—Cyrus was not (never became) a believer. But God, we are told in Prov.21, is the One who moves the heart of kings. They think they are in control but it is always God pushing the buttons.
Ezra 2-3
May 3, 2023 • Pastor Ron Arbaugh • Ezra 3, Ezra 2
We all know (I hope) that fear is something we all have to deal with. Having great faith does not negate or nullify fear. To be afraid is normal; even wise. But not giving in to fear is essential as we walk with the Lord. When God asks you to join His work, I promise fear will be your constant companion. Just don’t give in…
Ezra 4:1-5:17
May 10, 2023 • Pastor Ron Arbaugh • Ezra 4, Ezra 5
We simply cannot have divided loyalties. We must choose—and remain committed to—who we will serve. For whom we live. This is what we still see happen today when so many Christians (and much of the church) sees nothing wrong with dating/marrying people outside our faith. We must choose… Separation does not mean that we crawl into caves and stay away from the world around us. No, it means we understand the world is our mission field and our job is to bring light to the world! Not to let their darkness influence us. We must be influence-ers rather than influenced. Leaders not followers. Thank God for strong leaders…
Ezra 6:1-7:10
May 17, 2023 • Pastor Ron Arbaugh • Ezra 6, Ezra 7:1–10
Ezra is about leadership. Like Nehemiah was about leadership. God always raises up leaders to do His work. When God wants to bless a people, He sends them leaders after His own heart. When a nation is deserving of judgment, well, He sends us our current crop of politicians (on both sides). God wants to bless His remnant and Ezra rides in to be used by/for God…
Ezra 7:11-8:36
May 24, 2023 • Pastor Ron Arbaugh • Ezra 7:11–28, Ezra 8:36
Ezra is put in charge… The prophet Haggai delivered a message to the people who were struggling financially at this time: the gold is mine and the silver is mine, says the Lord… Now, God proves it! I like considering how impossible this must have seemed to the people. They were barely surviving and this enormous, expensive task is given them to accomplish. ‘How can we ever do this?’ they would ask. ‘It’s impossible.’ But, as we know, nothing is impossible with God! I would love to have seen their faces when Ezra’s caravan pulls into town with more money than they ever dreamed about! Many would be broken (in a good way) for having ever doubted that God can do all things…