Whose Asset? -- Above and Beyond

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Subject: Whose Asset?

Author:
Vicky

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Date Posted: 02:58:12 01/04/06 Wed

Good morning sweet ladies. I spent time in Ezra 4&5 this morning. In chapter 4 the people of the region where Jerusalem was located became concerned about the rebuilding efforts of the Israelites. First they tried to "help," but were turned away by those doing the work. When they were turned away they wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes and spoke against the rebuilding effort. Let's take a look at Ezra 4:11-13.
(This is a copy of the letter they sent him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men of Trans-Euphrates: The king should know that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations. Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes will be paid, and the royal revenues will suffer.
I have thought about these verses this morning, especially verse 13. I found myself wondering what was the problem with having the temple rebuilt. Why are these people so adamantly against this? It became painfully obvious to me when I stopped and thought about the words in verse 13. The enemy was unhappy with what appeared to be competition. Think about those words: The king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored...Ladies, can I remind you that at this time they were NOT rebuilding the city; they were merely rebuilding and repairing the Temple of their GOD. That was the real issue at hand. The pagans living around the area where Jerusalem was located didn't want this Temple reconstructed because they were afraid of the GOD of Israel.
Let's draw a parallel in our own lives. How does this line up in your life? Is there any rebuilding or repair that needs to be done on your temple? You see, we ARE HIS temple today. Our GOD doesn't dwell in a building anymore, HE DWELLS IN THE HEARTS OF HIS PEOPLE. Are there any broken down walls in your heart? Anything in need of repair as we embark upon this new year? Ladies, let me assure you that as you begin to rebuild and restore broken places the enemy will stand and try to bring this rebuilding to a halt. The enemy knows that when you rebuild the broken places and allow the Holy Spirit to reconstruct attitudes and actions inside your heart he (the enemy) will lose ground. I can assure you this morning that he will not stand by idle and let this take place. He will fight because he knows that when your heart is truly committed to the FATHER he loses a useful asset. Does it make you uncomfortable to even think about being an asset for the enemy? If so, then I encourage you this morning to put on your armor and grab a hold of the hand of your GOD...HE will direct the rebuilding and repair process. My prayer this morning is that you are up for the job. I pray that you will commit yourself to doing whatever it takes this year to have a temple holy and pleasing to the FATHER.

Have a wonderful day! Know that I am praying for you and I am cheering you on as you maintain your temple walls.

ONLY and ALWAYS Because of JESUS-
Vicky
Psalm 119:10

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