Encountering Opposition - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Nehemiah 6:8-9,

"I sent him this reply: 'Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.' They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, 'Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.' But I prayed, 'Now strengthen my hands.'"

This was Nehemiah's response to a letter sent him from Sanballat, a man who opposed the reconstruction of the walls and gates in Jerusalem. God had arranged for the Jews held captive in Babylon to return and rebuild the temple and the walls and gates of the city to reestablish it. This was all in preparation for the eventual first coming of Jesus Christ (five-hundred years later).

Sanballat played for "Team Cain" and sought to oppose what God was doing. Nehemiah, on the other hand sought to do God's will. Sanballat's ploy was to discourage the work Nehemiah and the Jews were doing by generating some "fake news". He threatened to get a report back to King Artaxerxes, falsely claiming that Nehemiah was planning to revolt against Artaxerxes and set himself up as king in Judah.

None of this was true, but intended by Sanballat to discourage the work the Jews were doing. "Team Cain" always has its players to discourage God's people doing God's will, "Team Abel".

The apostle John wrote, "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you" in making reference to the account of Cain and Abel. The reason we may be surprised when Team Cain turns on us is that what we do on God's behalf is always good, and yet, here they are - a menace against what we do. The reality is that the world does not oppose us because of the nature of what we do, but simply that we do things on God's behalf. Leave it up to the spiritual dark side to use its "useful idiots" to turn on us.

In the midst of this kind of adversity, take encouragement in Jesus' words, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12.

It is while we do those things the Lord wants done that we encounter such opposition. Take heart! The Lord's blessings are ours!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Is the Lord the Cause of Some Times of Desperation? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Nehemiah 5:1-5,

"Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. Some were saying, 'We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.' Others were saying, 'We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.' Still others were saying, 'We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others."

The occasion for these complaints and outcry from a number of the returnees to Jerusalem under Nehemiah took place during an apparent famine. Since the Lord had arranged for the return of Jewish captives in Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and gates and to build a new temple, why the famine? Since the Lord made other arrangements for his plans for Jerusalem to go forward (influencing King Artaxerxes, etc.) why didn't he simply provide conditions so these returnees would not suffer in a famine?

I believe the explanation for this lies in the outcome of this account. The Jews were taking advantage of one another, charging interest, taking land and slaves from among their fellow Jews. Clearly there were some real flaws in the national fabric of the returnees. The outcome was a commitment on everyone's part to do the right thing. That change came about because of the desperation the famine caused which precipitated action that might not have taken place had things not been so difficult.

By allowing a famine to take place at this point in time, the Lord was already preparing his people in certain ways for when the Savior was to come to the nation. Due to the desperation of the people, it created such an outcry that reform had to take place and under Nehemiah's leadership these things were dealt with.

This is a very instructive account for us in our own lives. We may find ourselves in a desperate situation, struggling with something. It just may be that, as the Lord allowed difficulty in the lives of his people in Nehemiah's day to bring about needed change, so the Lord may be using difficulty in our lives to bring about some kind of change.

As the writer of Hebrews puts it, "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all... God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:7-11.

Sometimes we only do some of the things that need doing or change some of the things in our lives that need changing when a point of desperation sets in. I firmly believe the Lord engages in our lives in such a way.

How about you? If you are struggling in one way or another, is there something the Lord may be trying to do in your life?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Where to Go in Times of Trouble - Ruminating in the Word of God

"The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Nehemiah 4:14,

"Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

As Nehemiah and those with him rebuilt the walls and gates of Jerusalem, they were threatened by the locals. To keep the work moving and provide encouragement for the workers Nehemiah expressed his confidence in the Lord's ability to be their protector.

The book of Psalms is replete with such observations about the Lord as our protector, refuge and strength in times of trouble. It is most often when we feel such threat of trouble that our level of faith finds its measure.

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9.

"Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes." Psalm 17:7.

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1.

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:4.

In Psalm 144:2 David says, "He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me."

When it comes to those times of trouble (and we all have them, no matter how many smiling faces show up on a Sunday morning), there is no better place to go than to our wonderful Lord who will shelter us under his wings.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Documenting the Work - Ruminating in the Word of God

"The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Nehemiah 3:1-2,

"Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them."

Chapter three of Nehemiah documents the various people who participated in the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. The entire chapter is consumed with this documentation. The Lord had arranged for the Jews to be released back to their homeland from captivity in Babylon, and wanted a reestablished Jerusalem. All of this and other activities to eventuate and facilitate the coming of God's Son, Jesus Christ five-hundred years down the road. The Lord makes his plans in advance...

This documentation of who rebuilt this part and that part reminds me that today, we all participate in the building of God's kingdom, his family. Each of us have our part to do. We all do. God has equipped each one of us for our particular part, and all of us are needed to get the job done. "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."

I wonder if there will be a time in the next age when an accounting is done of the many ways God's people participated in the building of his kingdom, just like this documentation of the building of Jerusalem's walls and gates as was done in Nehemiah 3?

What part would you be remembered for?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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The Opposition of Team Cain

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Nehemiah 2:10,

"When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites."

After Nehemiah had heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, with  the gates burned and the people there living in "great trouble and disgrace", he approached King Artaxerxes and received his help to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild it. After securing letters from the king to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, these officials, Sanballat and Tobiah, sought to oppose Nehemiah.

This took place during a time when the Lord had decided to reestablish the nation of Israel to prepare for the arrival of his Son, Jesus Christ, which would be another five-hundred years down the road. Israel had been destroyed by the Lord for their idolatry and a remnant that had been taken into Babylonian captivity had been allowed to return.

The plans and intentions of God are always opposed by those who "play" for the team of humans that oppose him. I call them "Team Cain", those who are in league with the spiritual dark side. Here in this account we see Team Cain in yet another instance of resistance to God's agenda.

I am yet again reminded of the apostle John's words, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." John 3:12-13.

What John refers to as "the world", I simply call "Team Cain". Team Cain always opposes the things God does - they are animated by the spiritual dark side. Since they are so very active today… what does the spiritually dark side see coming down the road?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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God Entertains My Requests?! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Nehemiah 1:5-6,

"Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel."

After hearing the plight of the returnees in Jerusalem and the city's broken and burned walls and gates, Nehemiah, while still in Susa, prayed to God. In looking for God's help to get King Artaxerxes to grant him leave (he was cupbearer to the king) to go help the people in Jerusalem, he asked God to listen to his prayer for help.

God did listen to Nehemiah's prayer and King Artaxerxes granted Nehemiah's request.

I am always amazed that God listens to our prayers, specifically my prayers, whenever I reflect on it. Why should he do such a thing? I am fully aware of God's love for all of us, including me, but I am also aware that I come from lost and fallen mankind. God loved us so much he sent his Son to pay the penalty for our sins so that we have opportunity to join his family, his kingdom, this too I struggle to wrap my mind around.

As the psalmist says,

"When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?"

Yet, God loves us! And, he listens to the prayers of those who are his.

Jesus taught us saying, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-10.

The apostle John reflects this in his teaching on prayer and though he provides an important condition we need to be aware of, it is still astounding and amazing to me, "Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him."

Imagine! The Creator of the entire cosmos listens to one such as me! Just breathtaking to reflect on, to behold!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Sin Devastates! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 10:1,

"While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites—men, women and children—gathered around him. They too wept bitterly."

Israel had suffered horrific judgments of God due to their embracing the idols of their neighbors. Intermarrying with them, they adopted the idols and the idol worship with the disgusting practices of her neighbors. It all required a turning of their backs on God.

The few (and their offspring) who survived the destruction of the nation by the hand of God were eventually allowed to return to the homeland following a seventy year captivity in Babylon. Now that the Persian king set them free to return to their homeland, some of them slipped right back in to the old ways of their forebears.

However, when Ezra the priest heard of it he became distraught with grief over the sin. As others witnessed Ezra's response, they join in his grief, "They too wept bitterly."

Sin destroys, sin brings ruin, sin devastates. It certainly has its allure in many ways, but when we order our lives contrary to the Lord's desires for us by engaging in sin, it always ultimately brings its consequences - it is always destructive.

Paul wrote a wonder chapter on how to face sin in our lives and its allure to us. Romans 6 is a wonderful read and points the way for us. Give it a read and see what you think...

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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How To Avoid One Horrific Sin - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 9:6-7,

"I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today."

Thus begins Ezra's prayer of confession of the sins of the nation when he heard some of the Jews, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with the peoples surrounding them... again!

As Ezra acknowledged later in his prayer, the Jews were not to intermarry with their neighboring peoples due to their idolatry with its practices. He quotes the Lord himself in his prayer, "The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance." Ezra 9:11-12.

Earlier in Israel's history, the nation had abandoned God after they took possession of the land he had promised Abraham's offspring. They intermarried and turned to idol worship and so fell outside of God's intentions of reaching out to the world through his covenanted people. They no longer served his agenda and so he had them destroyed, first the northern ten tribes by Assyria, and then later the southern two by the Babylonian army. Only a small remnant survived and were carried off to Babylon and surrounding areas for a seventy year captivity.

Now that the Lord had arranged for them to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple and Jerusalem with its walls and gates, the returnees not only returned to their homeland, they also returned to the stench of their sin by resuming the horrible practices! As it is written, "As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly." Proverbs 26:11. This is exactly what Israel had done... just like any of us who allow ourselves to be drawn back into sin after having overcome it.

This particular sin placed the Jews in jeopardy as their purpose was to be used by God in the roll-out of his plan of salvation. God was working to this end and the nation strayed from God's intentions for them. Fortunately, through Ezra's leadership, the nation changed course, helping set the circumstances for when Jesus Christ would be born into the nation to fulfill his ministry of reconciliation.

Turning our backs on God by pursuing other things is a horrible sin. I find a very effective antidote to this proclivity of our sinful nature in Colossians 3:1-4, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

This we can do by immersing ourselves in Scripture, by encouraging one another in fellowship to the focus on God's wonderful and majestic character and nature, and the amazing things he has done. 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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A Choice To Be Made, A Consequence Following - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 8:22,

"The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him."

This was a statement Ezra had made about his God to the Persian king Artaxerxes. He points out the blessings we receive from God when we look to him, rely on him, when we place our faith in him, a well as the anger God expresses to all who reject him.

Ezra's observation reminds me of the truth Paul provides us in Romans 2:6-11, "God 'will repay each person according to what they have done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism."

A choice to be made and a consequence, either way, as a result of that choice. Not making the choice is a choice in itself and results in God's great anger, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:36.

For those who choose God, there is a great blessing Jesus spoke of, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24.

Simple and clear, isn't it?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Literature From Another Realm! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 7:6,

"This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given."

I note in the above verse that "the Law of Moses" was something God had given Israel. Why is it called "the Law of Moses" instead of simply "the Law of God"? Since God gave it, why not just reference it in that way?

Very often God uses intermediaries in communicating to mankind. Those intermediaries include prophets, priests, kings, apostles and many others. He has even used animals! (See Numbers 22:28.) When he gave his law to Israel, he did so through Moses.

The Lord provided Moses with the ten commands on tablets of stone. However, what became known as "the Law of Moses" comprises the first five books of our Bibles and was written down by Moses, hence, "the Law of Moses". This is what is referenced in our verse above.

The Scriptures, our Bibles, comprises a library of books that are different and unique to any and all other literature mankind possesses. All of it, all sixty-six books, have dual authorship: divine and human. God determined what was to be written and it was cast in human literary form - the form the human writer employed in his day. That human writer was considered a prophet in all instances since what was written was the communication of God himself to man through human agency.

Peter speaks of this in 2 Peter 1:20-21, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

Consequently, this literature is very unique and different from all other writings. It impacts like no other literature when we read it and understand it the way God intended. For those who approach the Scriptures (and we all can!) in sincerity, as God has purposed, it does things in our lives nothing else does. "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.

The Scriptures bring about spiritual transformation in a way no other literature can, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

We all only have a limited amount of time in this life. We all have only so many minutes available to us. I cannot think of anything nearly as important and productive in our lives than to immerse ourselves in the Scriptures!

Crack that thing open and get reading!!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Bringing Us an Inexpressible and Glorious Joy! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 6:22,

"For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel."

The Lord caused joy among the returnees to Jerusalem because, as we read, the Lord had intervened by changing the attitude of King Darius resulting in the rebuilding of the temple.

When God works, there should be a tremendous heartfelt joy in the lives of his people. There could not possibly be a  greater joy when we recognize the things the Lord does in our lives and the lives of those around us. Peter took note of this, "Though you have not seen him [the Lord], you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9.

Should we ever find ourselves lacking in joy, even a cursory reflection of what the Lord has done for each one of us should bring remedy. It is my thought that the overwhelming and amazing things the Lord has done for us, taking our punishment for all our sins and promising us an eternal future in his family with all of the enchanting and glorious things we have to look forward to has to be met with our own personal "inexpressible and glorious joy"!

How could it not?!

Got joy?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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God Knows What You Are Doing Right Now - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 5:5,

"The eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received."

The governor of Trans-Euphrates and others went to question the Jews when they began rebuilding the temple. The temple Solomon built had been destroyed when the Babylonians captured and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. Now, following a seventy year captivity in Babylon, the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland with the permission from King Cyrus to rebuild the temple.

All of this was orchestrated by God and so when the Jews working on the temple project were questioned by the locals, God insured the work was not stopped, "The eye of their God was watching..."

The nature of God is unfathomable to me and his "omniscience" is something I struggle to conceive. Omniscience is the quality or state of knowing everything. How do I, a man clearly lacking that quality, wrap my feeble brain around that?! Yet, there it is and he knows everything all the time. He just simply knows it all! He understands everything, he knows everything, he is aware of everything, he observes everything. It is simply astounding!

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13.

"You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain." Psalm 139:1-6

"The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." Psalm 15:3.

"... the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought." 1 Chronicles 28:9.

Breathtaking, isn't it?!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

"You Have No Part With Us!" - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 4:2,

"Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God ..."

When the Babylonian captives were allowed to return to their homeland to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem, the surrounding peoples sought to ruin their efforts. In a sham offer to "help" the Jews, these members of "Team Cain" (those who oppose God's grand agenda of redemption) attempted infiltrate the ranks of people doing God's bidding to bring it all to naught.

When it comes to Team Cain's efforts to derail what God is doing in the world, there is no end to the deception, dishonesty and deceitfulness employed.

Whole "Christian" religions and denominations, shyster theologians with their counterfeit teachings, TV "evangelists", all claim to seek our God.

Homosexuality has been introduced into church groups, allowed by pastors, leaders, church administrators, etc. who lacked the wisdom of the Jews of Zerubbabel's day. The fake "social justice" promoted by Team Cain in pursuit of their agenda has been adopted by churches and various Christian ministries in both the language they use and the positions they adopt... by leaders who lack the wisdom of the Jews in Zerubbabel's day.

Abortion, the removal of God from schools and the public square, the attempt at finding equivalence among the world's "religions", etc. - all introduced to the church, accepted and adopted by pastors, elders, leaders, all who lack the wisdom of the Jews in Zerubbabel's day.

Team Cain seeks to join us, God's people, by claiming they also seek our God. We must lay aside our naivete and stick to God's Word. As Jesus said, they are wolves in sheep's clothing.

Our response to all who would lead us astray should be, "You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel..." Ezra 4:3.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

"In accordance with what is written" - Ruminating in the Word of God.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 3:2,

"Then Joshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses the man of God."

When the Jewish returnees with Zerubbabel arrived back to their homeland from the Babylonian captivity, they built the altar in Jerusalem and began to offer the prescribed offerings. What was prescribed for worship was what the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. These things were written by Moses as God gave them. We find Moses' writings in the first five books of our Bibles.

I note the Israelites sought to do things God's way, by his intentions and his design. This is important in that the offerings and sacrifices God gave Israel through Moses' writings pointed the nation toward God's coming Savior, Jesus Christ. The offerings and sacrifices spoke of God's coming offering of his Son to pay the penalty of all the sins of all mankind.

Two verses later we read the Israelites celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles, "Then in accordance with what is written, they celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day."

That phrase, "in accordance with" was in reference to the Scriptures, our Bibles. The recognition of God, the worship of God, the service to God was performed "in accordance" with God's word, the Scriptures.

Perhaps there are things today that might benefit by being pursued "in accordance with what is written". Whether it be in our worship, in our daily living, in our witness to others, God has provided us direction, he has pointed the way through his word in our Bibles!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.