King Cyrus gave Ezra a command to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Ezra gathered everything together and the people who wanted to go back some 42000. As a begin to rebuild the temple persecution came. The people of the land did not want him to have their nation back again. Ezra went back to the king to get a letter from him saying that he was to rebuild the temple. Through all the persecution Ezra knew that he was supposed to rebuild no matter what. He never gave up hope he never gave up anything. He still was going to do what God told him to do. Through any persecution in our lives, we are to see this and not what we see right in front of our face. When we see the end we looked through God’s eyes. And when we see the end we can walk through it and go to the other side. As it says in The Bible in the Lord’s prayer, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

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The Israelites that first returned after the captivity, begin rebuilding the temple, by order of king Cyrus. Apparently, it took a long time to rebuild the temple. As they were rebuilding, the people Nebuchadnezzar had put in Israel, didn’t like the Israelites coming home and rebuilding anything. They wrote to now king Artaxerxes that they were rebelling against the king and should be stopped. The king agree and the work on the temple was stopped. In the second year of Darius, God stirred the hearts of the prophets and told the Israelites to begin again. This time king Darius agreed with the Israelites. When the king called us out of captivity and told us to return home. We began and it seemed the the whole earth came against us. Some stopped and others pressed through the persecution. Our king is calling us home. We as individuals have to rebuild our temple in the image and likeness of God. God has given us everything we need to finish the task. And it is for us to finish by pushing through the persecution.

Crain Blanchard.

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Every believer will suffer persecution. This isn’t a new testament principle. It’s a biblical one. The Israelites had returned to Jerusalem. The bible says that when they read the word of God and saw the temple, the old men cried. The young men shouted for joy. The noise was so great they couldn’t hear the crying. Everyone was set in order of the work. Everything was going as planned, when the people of the land objected to the Israelites rebuilding the temple. They wrote a letter to the king saying they wouldn’t pay taxes and were going to rebel against the king. The king stopped the work on the temple. We as believers are the temple of God. We begin the process of rebuilding and something comes along to try and stop us. God says when you are tempted, He will always make the way of escape. So we aren’t tempted beyond what we are able. So it was with the Israelites. Believers being persecuted is nothing new.

Crain Blanchard.

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In the book of Ezra, is the story of the return from captivity. Israel had walked away from God. He sent them into captivity for 70 years. God stirred the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia, to let the Israelites return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. King Cyrus gave them all the treasures from the temple and money to rebuild. He said anyone who wants to go, can. 42,000 men responded. It took them 7 months to walk from Babylon to Jerusalem. The old testament is as relevant to us today as it was then. God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. The return from captivity is about us. When God stirs the heart of man to return home, it is the act of traveling from sin to grace, home. And it takes faith, just like the Israelites had in their return home.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul was writing to Timothy in Ephesus. Ephesus was a free and rich port in the Roman empire. They had all the modern conveniences, running water, sewer systems, paved roads and street lights. They also had Roman air conditioning. The city was wealthy. There was over 100,000 people. The temptation to chase money was great. Paul wrote as Jesus said, honor your master, so that God isn’t blasphemed. Even if your are a slave. God said that godliness with contentment is great gain. This is what we should strive for. God also said that the love of money is the root of all evil. So, how do we obtain godliness? By reading the word of God and doing what it says. And letting God have His way in your life. Then comes contentment, the peace of God that passes all understanding. I’ll say it again, godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6).

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 5 how to deal with the church, people. He said don’t recieve any accusations against an elder. Except that 2 or 3 witnesses come to you. Paul talked about the church taking care of widows indeed. He says they must be 60 years old, know for their piety, and have no family left. These widows are taken care of by the church. We are to treat elders are as fathers, older women as our mothers, young men as brothers and young women as sisters. This is where Paul talked about not laying hands on any man suddenly. He said be careful that you don’t partake in any man’s sin. Paul was telling Timothy to be careful, pray and let the Holy Spirit guide you through.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul talks to Timothy about the perils of Christianity. He begins, in chapter 4, talking about seducing spirits, devils. He said some will fall away from the faith and listen and follow doctrines of devils. When Jesus was tempted, the devil spoke 1/2 truths to Him. It sounded good, but it wasn’t true. The doctrines of devils will led you to hell. God created all things for good. He wanted us to recieve all the good things with thanksgiving in our hearts. The only way we will know the truth is by the word of God. Paul said bodily excercise profits little. But godliness is the goal. He exhorted Timothy that he walked in faith and godliness and don’t let anyone despise his youth. Paul said do all these things to the saving of yourself and all that hear you.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul wrote to Timothy about who can be in the role of leadership in the church. God will always have people in the church that will rise to occasion as leaders. Paul set down requirements for a bishop and deacon. Basically the requirements are the same. Paul said they couldn’t be a novice in the faith, avoiding pitfalls that most Christians go through. Huband and wife are called together into leadership in the church. Leadership in the church is a calling of God. You can’t fake it. It becomes apparent to the church who God called. In 1 Timothy 3, Paul list the things a church leader can and can’t do. Then he tells Timothy to behave himself in church. Leading a church will test your faith and resolve to do God’s will. There is a scripture that says to lay hands on no man suddenly. I will tell you for a fact, there have been people in the church I would have layed hands on suddenly and repeatedly. So, Paul says knowing that God called you to lead this church, do it with all godliness and faith.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul wrote to Timothy about many things. The church, the people, are individuals but must walk in the same direction if they want to be effective in their community. People outside the church watch and listen to see if what the church is saying or doing is true. So Paul writes about certain behavior in the church. It don’t know what prompted Paul to talk about modesty. But it is important that we as believers dress modestly. God never said we couldn’t be fashionable. He said modest. Apparently the women fashions were showing more body parts than God said was modest. Paul also addresses authority in the church and that no one is to usurp that authority. Today is an age of rebellion. I wonder if they went through the same thing. So Paul writes to Timothy to put the church back in order.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul writing to Timothy to encourage him as bishop of Ephesus. Just because a person has a position of authority, doesn’t mean that they don’t struggle with their own salvation. We try to be constant in the faith, but we gather in church to be inspired, encouraged and have our faith emboldened to live in this world. Paul tells Timothy with all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks to be made for all men, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. God wanting all men to come unto the knowledge of the truth and be saved. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man Christ Jesus. So, Paul writes to Timothy and the church on how to live a godly life in that century and ours.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com