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• Jean Wade

  Happy preparation day or Sabbath Day to all my RBHW family, which ever applies to you. From cool, cloudy Hermiston
  OR. Thanks again for all your prayers and for Gods merciful protection on our move here. A very Blessed Day to all...

• Diane Castanon

  So glad to hear you arrived at your destination. I pray you find a loving, supportive church family to join. Happy preparation day from sunny, soon to be hot, Riverside, CA.

• Harriet

  Thanks Jean I hope all is well with you

• Pauline Brown

  Good morning and happy preparation day. Thank you Pastor Mwansa for your very insightful comment. God can and will use us when our hearts are prepared to follow His leading. There is no impossibility with God.

  27 Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem:

  This verse in the chapter brings to mind Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water, he turneth it whithersoever He will". Let us prepare our hearts so that we can be used of God each and every day until He comes.

• Harriet

  Amen

• Penebid

  Lord, You are the great Creator of all Heaven, You have created other worlds and peopled them with those who lovingly serve You. You have hung the sun to give us great light and the moon to give us lesser light. You have created this world and filled it with beuaty that surrounds each of us inspite of the sin that we have brought upon ourselves. Father, I pray that this day You will fill our hearts with the desire to respond to You as Ezra did. Give us the Grace to go forth and complete Your work. Fill us with a longing to prepare our hearts by seeking Your Law. Give us the wisdom to understand and to practice the Law that You so lovingly laid out for us. Father I praise Your Name, for You are all powerful, all loving, all graceous and You have given Your all to save us from this sinful world. It is my prayer today that You make Ezras of us all, that we with, Your help and strength, may soon finish Your work on this earth and be able to go home with You and live forever with You in Heaven.
  I want to thank all who prayed for my husband this past Wednesday. The doctor has ruled out his heart as the problem, though this coming Wednesday they will do a heart scan to be sure. However, he continues the light headeness and rapid heart beats. The doctor is thinking that there may be something in his stomach that is causing this phenomenon. So a gastric specialist will be consulted. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. .Thank you so much, my precious RBHW friends and family, it is your prayers that have sustained us. Happy preparation day!

• Harriet

  Amen to that prayer sister Pene, you are my Ezra today, still praying for you and your husband.

• Jean Wade

  Am continuing to pray.

• Max Romeo

  Good morning family. As always I am bless by the insights given on the day's reading. I am impress however by verse 25. We read in previous chapters where people on the other side of the river were opposing the building up of the temple and trying to stop the work. Now the instruction is given for those beyond the river who knew the law of God to be judge by them and those who don't know them to be taught the law of God. As God's people we must be mindful of our responsibilities. We must follow the guidelines set for us by God in His word. And those persons that we come in contact with on a daily basis, we must find ways to teach them the way of the Lord. God is indeed a merciful and loving God. Let him be praise.

• Ken Onye Ine

  May God's hand be upon us in this time of history, that we may be strong to do His biddings and accomplish the task meant for the remnants living in the end time.

• Ethiopia Girl

  God's word is such a comfort. Each day as we move through the "old testiment" I'm more convinced that the stories told within its pages is timeless. Every time the Lord delivers Israel out of some punishment or a consequence that they have caused for themselves, I see how willing and loving God is in correcting and shaping me. Each story is a reminder of God's power to do anything we ask in His will when we pray. Thank you, Lord for your word and your faithfulness.

• Eddie Armstrong

  Pastor Mwansa made a statement that resonated with me: "When people respond to the call of God, God provides the means needed to do His will." This reminds me of Philippians 2:13:

  "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

  The restoring and rebuilding of Jerusalem or any spiritual work is entirely the work of God and not our own. We are called by God to be participants in His work, but it is God that will make it happen to fulfill His "good pleasure." If we trust this, we will know that God brings conviction on the hearts of people, this is not our job, but God can use us as a conduit for His grace. As Shawn Boonstra said last Sabbath at the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference camp meeting" We are not cleaver or bright enough to bring conviction or wisdom to anyone. It is the work of God and he is active all the time. There are many out there under conviction. God desires to work through us to bring a knowledge of Him to them. God will send us to them if we yield to His calling everyday. Here is an example from a friend of mine (Chuck) who attends Madison Campus church in Nashville, TN.

  Chuck is always on call for God and is not bashful about inviting people to church and his bible marking classes. On Chuck's day off from work, he and his wife "decided" to eat breakfast at a local restaurant popular here in the U.S. called Cracker Barrel. Chuck, as is his manner, engaged the waitress in conversation and found out her and her husband had just moved to the Nashville area from California. Chuck asked her if she had found a church yet? The young lady said her and her husband were looking for a church, but it had to be one that met on the Sabbath (Saturday)! Chuck was shocked at her response! He asked her if she was 7th Day Adventist. She responded by saying, "I have never heard of 7th Day Adventists." She said, "My husband has been reading the Bible carefully and has come to the conclusion that the Sabbath (Saturday) was the day God wanted them to worship!"

  Chuck gave her a map to Campus church and invited them to attend his class. "By the way," he said, "we meet on the 7th Day Sabbath!"

  My church family, the fields are white for harvest! Knowledge of God's word is increasing and people are running to and fro in the scripture. There are people all over this world wanting to hear what we know! They are under conviction by the working of God's Spirit. They are everywhere! Our paths cross every day! We have a message that people want to hear! The message is all about Jesus.....It starts and ends with him....He is the Alpha and the Omega....

  Also, there are many who were in our ranks but have fallen to captivity. God is calling us to seek them out and invite them to travel back to Jerusalem and rebuild that which was broken down. What a joy it will be for them and ourselves to be part of that journey to restore and rebuild our once broken dwelling with God! I have stories about this as well. I will share at another time. We should take our membership lists and seek them out....for the day of Lord draws near! Let's make cards with maps to our church so we can give it to those we meet and take them back to "Jerusalem" with us! God is good! Happy Preparation day to you in the states and Happy Sabbath to those who have already entered that sacred time with God!

• Jean Wade

  Praise God for your friend Chuck, may God continue to bless he and his wife and each of us as we
  share the love of Jesus with our family and others we meet each day.

• Pauline Brown

  Praise God and thank you Bro. Eddie for this testimony. My heart is rejoicing!! God truly is making up His jewels. Jesus is indeed the "Alpha and Omega" No one else can make this claim. Praise the Lord!!

• Max Romeo

  My Brother thanks for sharing. People are out there who are hungry for God's word and we need to seek them out. Just yesterday I got a phone call from a young man who is requesting baptism. He is not a part of my study group but he made it clear that he want to be baptize at my church. I am meeting with him Sabbath afternoon. I am yearning to hear his testimony. God is still in the business of saving souls. He doesnt wish that any one of his children to perish. Let us continue to pray for each other. The fields are indeed white. God bless

• Sonia

  How true. Amen brother!

• Derek Morris

  Thank you for the reminder, Elder Mwansa, that God provides the means needed to do His will. The fourth chapter of Philippians is filled with precious promises in that regard. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" v.13 and "my God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus" v,19. No wonder we can "rejoice in the Lord always!" v. 4. Wishing you all a blessed Sabbath, filled with joy and rest for your soul. And may the hand of the Lord be upon us all!

• Sweetie Flynn

  Oh Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary pure and Holy tried and true and with thanksgiving , I'll be a living sanctuary for you . It's my prayer in Jesus name Amen !!!!

• smntim

  Amen. It is apparent Ezra had a very close relationship with God. In verses 6, 9, and 28 we read "for the hand of the Lord his God was on him." May this be our individual experience.

• Methuseli Sibanda

  Thank you Pastor Mwansa, this is a powerful devotion. I now believe that something happened to King Artaxerxes, no man without the spirit of God can just wake up one morning and write such a letter. The king is not a Jew but truly writes as a son of God and a believer. Between the lines I read that Artaxerxes had listened to Ezra expound, teach and do the law of God. This left a true conviction in the king's heart. There are lessons to be learned in the letter written to Ezra. The acknowledgment of God of Israel as the true God tells me that the exiles did not hide their faith, they actually shared their faith and many of the Babylonians will be saved. Daniel had shared his faith with king Darius, Dan 6:20 he came calling "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, who you continually serve, been able to serve you". The trio who refused to worship idols are just a testament of how much faithful exiles remained true and faithful to God. This is the challenge we have towards civil leaders to be like Ezra and seek to do the law of God.

• celiagofast

  Good morning pastor Mwansa ..The word of God is so encouraging on this Preparation day..I am thankful that we are approaching The blessed Sabbath once again ...we can lay our burdens down and come before the Lord to lift up lift our voice in Praise for His Goodness and mercies which never fail ,and worship our God in Spirit and in Truth.....I am so thankful for all the answered Prayer in all the RBHW Families lives .and for all the evidences that The Holy Spirit is touching hearts as we see a BIG increase in the precious souls sharing in this REVIVAL ..experience ..I just want to share a promise this morning to encourage ..from2 Tim 2:13,19..If we are faithless ..He remains faithful..He cannot deny Himself..Nevertheless..the solid foundation of God stands having this seal ; "The Lord knows who is His" and " Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity" Have a blessed Sabbath ...each and every one..

• Harriet

  Amen and thanks for the encouragement

• Thubelihle Dube

  Amen Ps Mwansa, May God create in us clean hearts that will diligently work for him

• Simba Muhau

  This has just spoken to my situation thank you Pastor Pardon be blessed

• sblest (Samantha)

  Dear brothers and sisters, Thank-you for your prayers for my husband Neil who had brain surgery yesterday. The Lord hears our prayers and i am so thankful to God for His great love and care for us. It was a long procedure - more than 10 hours, but he is out of recovery and is doing well. Please keep Neil in your prayers as he continues to recover.

• Jean Wade

  Continuing to pray for Neil, you & your family, A blessed Sabbath to you.

• Max Romeo

  I am praying for you both.

• Sweetie Flynn

  Amen !! Praying for your husband ..

• Odence

  Thank you Father for your love and goodness towards us.
  

• celiagofast

  Praise The Lord for your news Samantha ..I pray that the recovery process will proceed as it should ..and be assured MANY prayers will be ascending on his behalf to the throne of grace ..be patient in the Lord ..."one day at a time.."the song goes ..Have aBLESSED and JOYFUL Sabbath...

• mona

  Dear Lord please nourish Neil back to full health. Amen.

• Simba Muhau

  Amen

• Ros Farrell

  Praise the Lord

• Mollie Mandebvu

  To God be the glory

• Pastor Charles C. John

  The statement "the hand of the Lord my God was upon me;" which is repeated twice in today's passage, is the key indicator of Ezra's
  success.Without God's hand upon us, we cannot attract the favor of the political leaders of today into God's work.

  The Scripture says: " A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn." (KJV Proverbs 12:2) And when we trust in the Lord the result will be as stated by the following text:
  "So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man." (NAS Proverbs 3:4)
  The hand of the Lord to be upon someone means to be filled with the Holy Spirit; to have this experience one must know the law of God and put it into practice as also affirmed by Pastor Pardon Nwansa.
  My prayer is for God to assist me to emulate Ezra by loving the Lord God of Israel to obey His commandments as I teach others.
  What about you?
  If that is your prayer too, may the Lord God of the whole Universe grant you the same experience in Jesus name.
  

• celiagofast

  Amen and Amen..

• emakuto

  Amen

• Ros Farrell

  Amen

• Simba Muhau

  Amen

• cmunyoro

  Amen

• Dr. Bill Motende

  Am so glad this morning for the example of Ezra, who not only knew the letter of the 'law of Moses' but also set his heart also prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach it to his fellow Israelites.

  As Adventists, we 'know' the letter of the law, may God grant us grace to emulate this example, to live it and teach it to fellow human beings, in Jesus' name. Amen.

• Max Romeo

  Amen and Amen

• Odence

  Lord I thank you for your grace that allows me to store your statues in my heart.Let your hand help us Lord for we have chosen your precepts.
  

• celiagofast

  Amen DR Bill ...Lord Jesus ..by your Spirit ..help us to "walk the Walk and Talk the Talk"

• Ros Farrell

  I agree in prayer with you Dr. Bill

• lyndsay

  Happy preparation day all. I've been booked off sick for the whole week and as I read this week's chapters I was again chastened by the Spirit. We work ourselves to standstill for earthly things we dream big things for our earthly careers but when it comes to the Lord we are too tired or to busy or we are too short sighted. Ezra was in a foreign country as a captive yet he was moved to serve God. While we still have freedom in our own countries will we be moved to serve God?

  Dear Lord forgive me for being lazy and reluctant to do your work, please give me your Holy Spirit so that I may work in these last days of freedom. In Jesus mighty name I pray amen.

• cwhowell

  thank you for sharing your insight and for your prayer which echos my own.

• Chipo

  Amen Pastor Mwansa. I echo that prayer too.

• AKIN

  May the Lord raise up Ezras today to do His will and teach others to do it.
  I want to be an Ezra!!!!

• Harriet

  Praise the Lord

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