Podcast appearances and mentions of king artaxerxes

The sermon centers on Ezra as a divinely appointed leader raised up to reverse spiritual decline in God's people, emphasizing that true revival begins with individuals who possess the right pedigree, training, and circumstances—each sovereignly orchestrated by God. It highlights Ezra's priestly lineage, his deep commitment to studying and obeying God's law, and the favor he received from King Artaxerxes, all of which were instruments in God's plan to restore worship and faithfulness in Israel. The preacher underscores that while gifts and opportunities are vital, obedience to God's call is the decisive factor that enables individuals to become 'men and women for the moment' in their generation. Drawing from biblical examples like Noah, Joseph, David, and Jesus, the message calls believers to recognize their God-given identities, diligently develop their gifts, and remain alert and obedient in faith, trusting that God will use them in His appointed time. Ultimately, the sermon calls the church to repentance, renewed devotion, and bold witness, confident that God can raise up revival through faithful individuals who honor Him with their lives.

For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel (Ezra 7:10). The book of Ezra began with God moving the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia, to provide for the people of Israel to return to Jerusalem. Once there, they began rebuilding the temple of God with finances from the royal treasury. It's curious that this book was given the name Ezra, even though the man Ezra doesn't show up till here. Of course, the Bible's main task is to tell us about God, not folks like Ezra. Here, we get a glimpse into the nature of God, who seems mischievous, in the best sense of that word, of course. Ezra is introduced this way, "Ezra came up from Babylon" (7:6). What was Babylon? Well, Babylon was the city of the emperors who tried to eradicate Israel. The stories of Esther and Daniel tell us just how strong the enmity towards the Jews was. It wasn't just Israel, but Israel's God that was the issue. This God needed to be dethroned. But now, out of this Babylon comes Ezra, who "had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel". So, while Daniel and his friends were being persecuted by the establishment and while Haman was scheming against the Jews, God had a secret agent studying his law in Babylon. And when the time was right, he emerges and travels to Jerusalem fully prepared to teach this law to the returned exiles. And the story gets even better. He has a letter from King Artaxerxes in his back pocket which includes this, "And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them" (7:25). From out of the city that tried to annihilate God's people, the king sends forth someone who has the capacity to teach the ways of God to this new community which is re-establishing the worship of God in Judea. So, what happens when Ezra finally arrives in Jerusalem? Will the returned exiles accept this newcomer? According to Nehemiah, the people eagerly and attentively listened to the word God from daybreak till noon (Nehemiah 8:1-3). From daybreak to noon! That puts perspective to the words of the Psalmist: Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path (119:105). The scriptures don't become a lamp and light just because we want them to; for that to happen, we need to make the commitment to know them. Revivals in the church include a renewed commitment to studying the scriptures. Paul tells us that "these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did (1 Corinthians 10:6). Things like the forty-year wilderness wanderings with Moses and the Babylonian exile. I don't think I need to say anything more. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn.

"Revival That Lasts"(If You Build It, He Will Come - Nehemiah Series, Part 4)Nehemiah, 8:1-3, 5-6Revive Us AgainWhat comes to mind when you think of the word revival? Does it take you back to your childhood when churches would hold services every night of the week in an attempt to recapture the love of Christ again?  There's absolutely nothing wrong with a church attempting to grow closer to God through a week of services to seek His face but real, lasting revival begins in an individual's heart, then spreads to his or her family and then spreads to the church, then the community and then quite possibly the nation. Taken from the root word revive, it quite literally means to bring back to life, to become active, to flourish again. Our nation and our world are in a state of decay. The more that God is removed from a society, the more that society descends into depravity, filth, moral decay and chaos. We are living in a time where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. Absolute truth is becoming unacceptable and intolerable, especially the Word of God. The Truth of Scripture has even become intolerable in many churches. The Truth of God's Word has been exchanged for a lie. Many churches are lukewarm at best, many more are dead altogether. But Christian, all is not lost. This Sunday we will finish our 4-week sermon series in Nehemiah with Nehemiah Part 4: Revival That Lasts. God used Nehemiah to bring about revival in Jerusalem. The Lord began by placing a burden in Nehemiah's heart for the Jewish people and for the city of Jerusalem. Then Nehemiah, as cupbearer to the king, moved forward in faith by asking King Artaxerxes of Persia to not only let him travel to Jerusalem but to fund the rebuilding of the wall.  Then Nehemiah inspired and rallied the Jewish people to accomplish the impossible, to rebuild 2 ½ miles of completely destroyed and burned walls and gates surrounding the city of Jerusalem and with God's help, they did it in just 52 days! In this final sermon, we will learn how God used both Nehemiah and Ezra to not only bring about revival for the Lord, but revival that would last. Ezra read the forgotten Word of God to the Jewish people and they responded with confession of sin and a returning to God. Beloved, our God is a God of mercy, his heart is always longing for forgiveness, restoration and revival. I believe we witnessed the beginning of a revival in this country 3 years ago, February 8th, 2023 on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. No famous theologians, no big-name worship leaders or musicians...just a group of students who were hungry for an encounter with God. They humbly confessed their sins and shortcomings and simply poured out their hearts to Jesus. That revival spread to many other college campuses around the country and it's still burning today.Christian, do you long for revival? God is always ready!  If you'll completely and humbly confess your sins and surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, then you are positioned for revival to break out in your own heart, and in the hearts of your family members and then who knows, perhaps then in your church, your community, the nation and the world. All things are indeed possible with our great God!Revive us again Lord, I pray! I love y'all...Your brother in Christ Jesus our Lorddoug 2 Chronicles 7:14If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Today’s Bible Verse: “In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before.” — Nehemiah 2:1 Nehemiah 2:1 captures a quiet but pivotal moment. Nehemiah had been carrying deep grief and burden over the condition of Jerusalem, yet this was the first time the king noticed it on his face. What seemed like a small moment of vulnerability became the beginning of God opening a door for restoration. “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Meet Today’s Host: Jennifer Slattery Discover more devotions with Jennifer at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Jennifer Slattery is a national speaker and multi-published author, She’s passionate about helping believers live with bold faith, rooted in surrender to Christ’s purpose. Jennifer co-hosts both Your Daily Bible Verse and Faith Over Fear, encouraging listeners to step into their God-given identity. Her teachings blend Scripture with personal insight to help others embrace God’s power over fear and move forward with confidence.

Friday Bible Study (5/8/26) // *Nehemiah Sent to Judah* // 2 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2 And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3 I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.” 6 And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. 7 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.Website: https://mbchicago.org *FOLLOW US* Facebook: https://facebook.com/mbc.chicago Instagram: https://instagram.com/mbc.chicago TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mbc.chicago Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others *TO SUPPORT US* Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch DAF Donations: https://every.org/mbc.chicago PayPal: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AA74AC7V5WYMJ #Nehemiah #BookOfNehemiah #BibleStudy #BibleExplained #Bible #BiblicalStudies #BibleTeacher #WordOfGod #BiblicalLessons #BibleJournal #BibleReading #BibleStudyNotes #biblestudycommunity #ChicagoChurch #BibleVerse

Ezra 7:1-10 New International Version Ezra Comes to Jerusalem 7 After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 2 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 3 the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, 4 the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, 5 the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest— 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. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. 7 Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. 8 Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. 9 He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ezra 7:7-12 New International Version 7 Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. 8 Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. 9 He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. King Artaxerxes’ Letter to Ezra 11 This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel: 12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, teacher of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ezra 7:9-12 New International Version 9 He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. King Artaxerxes’ Letter to Ezra 11 This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel: 12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, teacher of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ezra 7:13-28 New International Version 13 Now I decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including priests and Levites, who volunteer to go to Jerusalem with you, may go. 14 You are sent by the king and his seven advisers to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the Law of your God, which is in your hand. 15 Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his advisers have freely given to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, 16 together with all the silver and gold you may obtain from the province of Babylon, as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests for the temple of their God in Jerusalem. 17 With this money be sure to buy bulls, rams and male lambs, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and sacrifice them on the altar of the temple of your God in Jerusalem. 18 You and your fellow Israelites may then do whatever seems best with the rest of the silver and gold, in accordance with the will of your God. 19 Deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles entrusted to you for worship in the temple of your God. 20 And anything else needed for the temple of your God that you are responsible to supply, you may provide from the royal treasury. 21 Now I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you— 22 up to a hundred talents[a] of silver, a hundred cors[b] of wheat, a hundred baths[c] of wine, a hundred baths[d] of olive oil, and salt without limit. 23 Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should his wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons? 24 You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God. 25 And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them. 26 Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.[e] 27 Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way 28 and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ezra 8:1-23 New International Version List of the Family Heads Returning With Ezra 8 These are the family heads and those registered with them who came up with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes: 2 of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershom; of the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel; of the descendants of David, Hattush 3 of the descendants of Shekaniah; of the descendants of Parosh, Zechariah, and with him were registered 150 men; 4 of the descendants of Pahath-Moab, Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah, and with him 200 men; 5 of the descendants of Zattu,[a] Shekaniah son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men; 6 of the descendants of Adin, Ebed son of Jonathan, and with him 50 men; 7 of the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, and with him 70 men; 8 of the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah son of Michael, and with him 80 men; 9 of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah son of Jehiel, and with him 218 men; 10 of the descendants of Bani,[b] Shelomith son of Josiphiah, and with him 160 men; 11 of the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah son of Bebai, and with him 28 men; 12 of the descendants of Azgad, Johanan son of Hakkatan, and with him 110 men; 13 of the descendants of Adonikam, the last ones, whose names were Eliphelet, Jeuel and Shemaiah, and with them 60 men; 14 of the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai and Zakkur, and with them 70 men. The Return to Jerusalem 15 I assembled them at the canal that flows toward Ahava, and we camped there three days. When I checked among the people and the priests, I found no Levites there. 16 So I summoned Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam, who were leaders, and Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of learning, 17 and I ordered them to go to Iddo, the leader in Kasiphia. I told them what to say to Iddo and his fellow Levites, the temple servants in Kasiphia, so that they might bring attendants to us for the house of our God. 18 Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, and Sherebiah’s sons and brothers, 18 in all; 19 and Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and nephews, 20 in all. 20 They also brought 220 of the temple servants—a body that David and the officials had established to assist the Levites. All were registered by name. 21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Built Together, Battling Together This Sunday I will continue Part 3 of a sermon series on Nehemiah. Nehemiah is a timely message for our church at Misty Creek and a timely message for our world. The Lord is always ready to do a new thing in the world but to see God's hand move first requires a step of faith and obedience. In my life, the movement from the Lord only happens after the step of obedience, I have example after example of this happening. It's always the case in Scripture as well. The Lord wants to know that we will put the full weight of our trust and hope in him. When we do this, we are positioned to see God do great and mighty things. This is exactly what Nehemiah did. He was living a comfortable life in Susa as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Living in Persia, Nehemiah was far from his home and his people in Jerusalem but God put a burden on his heart for his people.  That's what God does so often, He breaks our heart for what breaks his. And so, Nehemiah trusted God and did what he was asked to do. He pushed through his fear and approached the king to ask for permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall around the city. And furthermore, He courageously asked the king to fund the project with timber and supplies. And beloved, here's the beautiful thing, when God asks you to do something you're never in it alone, he goes before you and paves the way for victory. And that is exactly what he did for Nehemiah.  This Sunday, we will learn how Nehemiah rallied the Jews to do the impossible, to begin rebuilding 2 ½ miles of broken down and burned wall around the city of Jerusalem. We'll watch how he united the Jews and taught them to build together while battling their enemies together. Christian, the lesson for all of us through Nehemiah is a message of unity. This is God's will for us in Christ Jesus. Just before Jesus Christ went to the cross, he prayed one of the most powerful prayers in human history.  John 17:20-21“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  Beloved, in this prayer in chapter 17, Jesus first asks the Father to glorify him so that he could glorify his Father. Then he prays for his disciples. Then he prays for you and for me, the future believers!  He prays for us to be united, to literally be one just as he and the Father are one! Simply amazing and altogether beautiful. This is the ultimate message that Nehemiah teaches us. There is only so much that we can accomplish by ourselves but when we are united by the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, there is absolutely nothing we can't do! And the added bonus is this: the world will see our unified witness and praise our God in heaven.  Lord, help us to live our lives with humility, surrendered to your will and your purpose for us as your children. Help us to love you with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. And today and every single day, to your great name be great glory!I pray all these things in the mighty and matchless name of Yeshua, Jesus! Yes, Lord let it be so, Amen! I love y'alldoug

“At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, ‘I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.’” (2 Kings 5:2–3 NLT) Often the most profound and far-reaching spiritual opportunities are those that happen “behind the scenes.” What’s more, the person who appears to be the main figure in a given situation isn’t always the person God chooses to work through. One example of this can be found in the book of Nehemiah. King Artaxerxes was obviously the most powerful man in the Persian Empire, ruling over Babylon and much of the Middle East. His word was law. Nehemiah, in contrast, served as the king’s cupbearer. Though his position was several steps down from the ruler of the kingdom, Nehemiah served a vital function—one that kept him always near Artaxerxes. A cupbearer’s job was to taste a drink before the king did to make sure it hadn’t been poisoned. If a drink was poisonous, then that was the end of the cupbearer’s job—and the end of his life for that matter. But the cupbearer did more than sip beverages. Because he spent so much time around the king, he often would become an advisor to the monarch, someone who exerted influence on him. Cupbearer was a very prestigious position in the palace. A cupbearer lived in affluence and influence. But Nehemiah had another allegiance. He was, after all, an exiled Jew—one who felt passionately about his abandoned homeland. He knew that the walls of Jerusalem had been burned down and were lying in rubble—and that something needed to be done. So, he leveraged his position, at great risk to himself. He asked the king to allow him to return to Jerusalem with a group of fellow exiles to rebuild the walls. He could have lost his life by asking such a thing. But he saw a spiritual opportunity to work behind the scenes to accomplish something meaningful. Another example can be found in 2 Kings 5. A young Jewish girl, whose name is never mentioned, said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy” (verse 3 NLT). Her master was Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army—one of the towering figures of his day. The young girl was a maid who served Naaman’s wife. She, too, saw a spiritual opportunity to work behind the scenes and seized it. Her subtle suggestion prompted Naaman to seek out the Israelite prophet Elisha. Naaman made the journey to Israel and was healed of his leprosy. These stories serve as reminders that God can and does use anyone to accomplish His purposes. And though the names of the people He uses may be lost to history, they are never lost to Him. He will faithfully reward all who make themselves available to Him. Reflection question: How can you make yourself available to God? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailA broken wall can feel like a broken promise, and that's exactly where Nehemiah's story hits home. We lean into the moment he hears Jerusalem is in trouble and shame, and we ask the same question many of us carry: what do you do when your faith is real but your circumstances look like ruins? We walk through Nehemiah's response step by step: grief that turns into fasting and prayer, repentance that takes ownership, and the quiet strength of serving with excellence even in a hard place. As cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah has influence, but he also has risk and responsibility. Then comes the “big ask” for permission, protection, resources, and materials to rebuild, and we talk about how obedience and alignment with God can lead to favor you could never manufacture. From there, the rebuild gets gritty. The work moves forward while enemies threaten, and the picture becomes unforgettable: building with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other. We connect that to spiritual warfare, perseverance, and the kind of courage that protects families and futures. We also make room for a clear gospel moment, celebrating the freedom and forgiveness found at the cross and the hope we have because Jesus is risen. If you're ready to stop living stuck and start living brave, press play, share this with a friend who needs endurance, and subscribe so you don't miss what's next. After you listen, what “wall” is God asking you to rebuild?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

Ezra 4 New International Version Opposition to the Rebuilding 4 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “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, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.” 4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.[a] 5 They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia. Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes 6 At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes,[b] they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. 7 And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic language.[c][d] 8 Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows: 9 Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary, together with the rest of their associates—the judges, officials and administrators over the people from Persia, Uruk and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa, 10 and the other people whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates. 11 (This is a copy of the letter they sent him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants in Trans-Euphrates: 12 The king should know that the people 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. 13 Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and eventually the royal revenues will suffer.[e] 14 Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king, 15 so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place with a long history of sedition. That is why this city was destroyed. 16 We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates. 17 The king sent this reply: To Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the secretary and the rest of their associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates: Greetings. 18 The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence. 19 I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition. 20 Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them. 21 Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. 22 Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests? 23 As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop. 24 Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ezra 7 7 Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, 2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, 3 son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, 4 son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, 5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest— 6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. 7 And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. 8 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. 11 This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel: 12 “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. Peace. And now 13 I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you. 14 For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand, 15 and also to carry the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, 16 with all the silver and gold that you shall find in the whole province of Babylonia, and with the freewill offerings of the people and the priests, vowed willingly for the house of their God that is in Jerusalem. 17 With this money, then, you shall with all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and you shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God that is in Jerusalem. 18 Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do, according to the will of your God. 19 The vessels that have been given you for the service of the house of your God, you shall deliver before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatever else is required for the house of your God, which it falls to you to provide, you may provide it out of the king's treasury. 21 “And I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, requires of you, let it be done with all diligence, 22 up to 100 talents of silver, 100 cors of wheat, 100 baths of wine, 100 baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23 Whatever is decreed by the God of heaven, let it be done in full for the house of the God of heaven, lest his wrath be against the realm of the king and his sons. 24 We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God. 25 “And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach. 26 Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment.” 27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, 28 and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

Nehemiah 2:1-20 ESV In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it.” And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me. Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

Ezra 4 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.” 4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. 6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. The Letter to King Artaxerxes 7 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.[a] 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows: 9 Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River. 11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) “To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace[b] and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, 15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.” The King Orders the Work to Cease 17 The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now 18 the letter that you sent to us has been plainly read before me. 19 And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. 20 And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid. 21 Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me. 22 And take care not to be slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?” 23 Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. 24 Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

[Nehemiah 2:1-4] Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. [2] So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don't look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, [3] but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” [4] The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, Don't get discouraged when things don't happen on our __________________. All you need is 20 seconds of ____________ ____________. [Nehemiah 2:5-8] I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” [6] The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request. [7] I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. [8] And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king's forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me. [Proverbs 21:5] Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. You can accomplish great things when your _____________ is greater than your _____________. [Matthew 17:20] “You don't have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” God opened the door and Nehemiah had the ____________ to step through it. [Isaiah 40:31] But those who wait for the LORD's help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles' wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired. Pray and plan while you __________________ ___________ on God.

Ezra chapter 7 introduces Ezra the priest and scribe, a man devoted to the law of the Lord. King Artaxerxes grants Ezra authority and resources to return to Jerusalem and strengthen the spiritual life of the people. Scripture highlights Ezra's defining commitment: he set his heart to seek the law of the Lord, to practice it, and to teach it in Israel. Because of God's gracious hand upon him, Ezra leads a mission not just of rebuilding structures, but of restoring God's Word and guidance among the people. Hashtags: #Ezra7 #EzraTheScribe #SeekDoTeach #GodsWord #SpiritualLeadership #RestoreTheLaw #GodsHandUponUsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.“Thank you for listening to SendMe Radio — where we share the Gospel, inspire faith, and keep you connected with powerful stories and updates from around the world. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe so you never miss a message.And remember — you can listen to SendMe Radio streaming 24/7 at www.sendmeradio.net or simply say: ‘Hey Alexa, play SendMe Radio.'

[Nehemiah 1:1-4] These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. [2] Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. [3] They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” [4] When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Without ____________ you are vulnerable to your enemies. [Proverbs 25:28] A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Without boundaries our lives we would be in ____________. [Proverbs 4:23] Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Guard your _________ like a guard would guard a prisoner. What you ____________ yourself to will affect your heart. [2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV] We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, [Colossians 3:2 CSB] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. God wants us to ____________ the walls in our life. [Isaiah 58:12 NIV] Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. We need to ____________ what comes in and goes out of our heart. [Psalms 119:11] I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Knowing and applying ____________ ____________ is what will enable us to guard our heart.

Friday Bible Study (2/13/26) // Ezra 7: 11-28 (ESV) // Ezra Sent to Teach the People // 11 This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel:[a] 12 “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. Peace.[b] And now 13 I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you. 14 For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand, 15 and also to carry the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, 16 with all the silver and gold that you shall find in the whole province of Babylonia, and with the freewill offerings of the people and the priests, vowed willingly for the house of their God that is in Jerusalem. 17 With this money, then, you shall with all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and you shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God that is in Jerusalem. 18 Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do, according to the will of your God. 19 The vessels that have been given you for the service of the house of your God, you shall deliver before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatever else is required for the house of your God, which it falls to you to provide, you may provide it out of the king's treasury.21 “And I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, requires of you, let it be done with all diligence, 22 up to 100 talents[c] of silver, 100 cors[d] of wheat, 100 baths[e] of wine, 100 baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23 Whatever is decreed by the God of heaven, let it be done in full for the house of the God of heaven, lest his wrath be against the realm of the king and his sons. 24 We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.25 “And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach. 26 Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment.”27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, 28 and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW USFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have you ever gazed at the rubble of your life—broken dreams, strained relationships, or spiritual weariness—and wondered if restoration awaits? In Nehemiah 2:1-8, Pastor Dorrell highlights Nehemiah's courageous petition to King Artaxerxes for rebuilding Jerusalem's walls after four months of prayer, reversing an irrevocable decree. The message asserts God's hand of favor rests on those who repent, pray persistently, and invest personally in restoration, as Nehemiah did. Be challenged to identify rubble in your life, seek God's hand through prayer and action, and become an agent of rebuilding for others.Eastland is a Place to BelongEastland Baptist Church is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We are a welcoming and close-knit family community that loves to care for each other through the Church. We strongly believe in loving and supporting each other and our neighbors. Our members don't just attend our Church; they feel a strong sense of belonging.Join UsFind service times and our location at https://www.eastlandbaptist.org/join.Connect with UsWebsite: https://www.eastlandbaptist.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastlandbaptisttulsaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastlandbaptistTo support the ministry of Eastland Baptist Church, tap here: https://www.eastlandbaptist.org/give

Personal preparation is the foundation for collective transformation in our faith journey. Nehemiah's response to Jerusalem's broken walls demonstrates the power of individual heart preparation before attempting to fix collective problems. Rather than blaming others or seeking quick solutions, Nehemiah spent days mourning, fasting, and praying. He recognized God as a covenant keeper, embraced personal repentance, and acknowledged specific failures. Through prayer and preparation, God positioned him strategically as cupbearer to influence King Artaxerxes. God has similarly placed each of us in specific positions for His purposes, requiring us to prepare our hearts through confession, prayer, and remembering His promises.

What triggers you - past trauma or divine purpose? Pastor Dave challenges us to stop letting the enemy's triggers keep us stuck and instead be motivated by God's calling. Through Nehemiah's story of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, we see how God prepares, provides, and protects those who pursue their purpose, even in the face of opposition. Your survival through trials isn't just survival - it's preparation for your calling. Ready to serve? God wants to use your story to help others find freedom. Watch now to be inspired!Nehemiah 1:3 And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.Look at Nehemiah 2:17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”Nehemiah 2:1-6 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”So I became dreadfully afraid, 3 and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?”4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?”So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it.”6 Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.Nehemiah 2:6-9 Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.7 Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the [c]temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.9 Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”Nehemiah 2:12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode.Nehemiah 4:6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.Nehemiah 3:5 Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord. NKJV

What triggers you - past trauma or divine purpose? Pastor Dave challenges us to stop letting the enemy's triggers keep us stuck and instead be motivated by God's calling. Through Nehemiah's story of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, we see how God prepares, provides, and protects those who pursue their purpose, even in the face of opposition. Your survival through trials isn't just survival - it's preparation for your calling. Ready to serve? God wants to use your story to help others find freedom. Watch now to be inspired!Nehemiah 1:3 And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.Look at Nehemiah 2:17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”Nehemiah 2:1-6 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”So I became dreadfully afraid, 3 and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?”4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?”So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it.”6 Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.Nehemiah 2:6-9 Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.7 Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the [c]temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.9 Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”Nehemiah 2:12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode.Nehemiah 4:6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.Nehemiah 3:5 Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord. NKJV

Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, received heartbreaking news about Jerusalem's broken walls and suffering people. Instead of rushing into action, he began with God through extraordinary prayer. His prayer model teaches us to start with worship, confess our sins, and then make bold requests. Nehemiah asked God for favor with the very king who had destroyed Jerusalem's progress. Though he prayed for success today, God answered months later, teaching us that powerful prayer requires waiting on God's perfect timing. When facing challenges or opportunities, we should begin with God rather than relying on our own abilities.

Courage doesn't always roar—it often looks like quiet faith, shared hope, and steadfast prayer. In every challenge, God reminds us we're not meant to walk alone. This week, we're exploring what it means to live Better Together: Courageous Wisdom—to lean on one another, stay joyful in hope, patient in the waiting, and faithful in prayer. If you are new to Community Church, WELCOME! We would love to get to know you. Please fill in the following form and we look forward to connecting with you: https://bit.ly/cc-new-connect You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/ ================ This Week's Scripture: // Nehemiah 1:11-2:10 (NIV) // "LORD, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king. Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” The king said to me, “What is it you want?”Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king's letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. 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.

The temple is finished. The wall is finished. The people have rededicated themselves to the Lord's house, and on today's episode, the remnant of Israel rejoices. With the work completed, Nehemiah returns to Persia to serve under King Artaxerxes as he had before, just as he had promised. All is right with the world, and God's people serve Him faithfully from then on, right? Wrong! In fact, not long after Nehemiah leaves, the work of the temple is all but abandoned and Eliashib, who is in charge of the temple storehouses, clears out a room for Tobiah the Ammonite official, who happens to be a relative. Nehemiah returns once more to set things straight.Nehemiah 11 - 1:01 . Nehemiah 12 - 6:25 . Nehemiah 13 - 14:09 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Friday Bible Study (12/12/25) // Ezra 4 (ESV) // Adversaries Oppose the Rebuilding 4 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.The Letter to King Artaxerxes7 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.[a] 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows: 9 Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River. 11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) “To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace[b] and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, 15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”Website: https://mbchicago.org FOLLOW US Facebook:   / mbc.chicago   Instagram:   / mbc.chicago   TikTok:   / mbc.chicago   Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch DAF Donations: https://every.org/mbc.chicago PayPal: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but... #Ezra #DanielBatarseh #BibleStudy #mbchicago #mbcchicago #Bible #versebyverse #church #chicago #livechurch #churchlive #chicagochurch #chicagochurches #sermon #bibleexplained #bibleproject #bibleverse #bookbybook #oldtestament #explained

As mentioned previously, Nehemiah is a continuation of the Ezra, recorded the history of Israel and their return from exile. Nehemiah, an exile who lived in Persia's capital and served King Artaxerxes as his royal cupbearer, hears news that Jerusalem has been laid waste. The wall surrounding the city had been greatly compromised and the gates that would have maintained a secure entrance had been burned down. In great dismay, Nehemiah asks the king if he can return to help restore the city. With the king's approval and with papers in hand, Nehemiah goes back to Jerusalem, but the local governors are not happy that he has come. Nehemiah surveys the damage under cover of night, then urges Israel to join him in the work of rebuilding the wall and gates.Nehemiah 1 - 1:02 . Nehemiah 2 - 3:44 . Nehemiah 3 - 9:24 . Nehemiah 4 - 15:42 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, we were introduced to Ezra, a scribe in exile who had been trained in the law of Moses and who had “determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach it's statutes and ordinances in Israel.” King Artaxerxes has expressly commanded Ezra to do just that. After we review some of the family heads who accompanied Ezra for the journey back to Jerusalem, we discover that even the leaders of those who had returned from exile had disobeyed the commands of the Lord by marrying foreign women. This was forbidden under the law of Moses, and can be cited as one of the reasons Israel abandoned the Lord and pursued other gods.Ezra 8 - 1:01 . Ezra 9 - 7:21 . Ezra 10 - 12:49 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Ezra - Altar and sacrifices restored. Temple restoration begun. Enemies hinder the work. The letter to King Artaxerxes. The king replies and work stops. Temple work resumed. Enemies write to Darius. Revelation - The scroll with seven seals. Angels exalt the Lamb.

Join us for this week's sermon!Whether you're seeking hope, direction, or a deeper connection with God, this message is for you. Each week, we open God's Word together to find truth, encouragement, and strength for the journey.

Nehemiah's story reveals the power of proximity in three key relationships. First, being next to God through prayer, fasting, and confession prepared his heart for God's calling. Second, his position next to King Artaxerxes provided the authority and resources needed for his mission. Finally, working next to others transformed his individual burden into a community movement that rebuilt Jerusalem's walls. The wall was never the ultimate goal - it was the byproduct of holiness and nearness to God.

Today we started to read the book of Nehemiah who was in exile in Susa, the capital of the empire of the Medes and  Persians. He is obviously a very special personality for he had become cupbearer to King Artaxerxes – a very responsible and trusted position to ensure the king was not poisoned.Nehemiah records that “… my brothers came … from Judah.  And I asked them … concerning Jerusalem.  And they said to me, ‘The remnant there in the province that survived the exile is in great trouble and shame.  The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed …” [Ch. 1 v.2,3]  The Temple had been rebuilt, as we have just read in Ezra, but nothing else.In reacting to this news, “I sat down and mourned and wept for days …” [v.4].  He is then “praying before the God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.” [v.4,5]    We prove we mean what we say, especially in loving God, by what we then do.The climax of his prayer is in v.11, “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayers of your servants who delight to fear your name.”  Do we “delight” in fearing God?  By “name,” we primarily mean – his ‘reputation' toward those who love and therefore serve him truly.  We need to get our minds around this.Chapter 2 tells us that “in the month of Nisan” (4 months later) in serving the king as his cupbearer, but having continuing great sadness about the plight of Jerusalem that “the king said to me, ‘Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick?  This is nothing but sadness of the heart.'  I was then very much afraid” [v.2]What should we do when we are “very much afraid”?   If we are truly godly, as Nehemiah was, we should instantly pray.  Nehemiah tells the king the cause of his sadness, saying, “Why should not my face be sad when the city, the place of my father's graves, lies in ruins …” [v.3]“Then the king said to me, ‘what are you requesting?' So I prayed to the God of heaven …” [v.4]  What instant and urgent prayer was involved here!   Imagine it!  Nehemiah then asks, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favour in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my father's graves that I may rebuild it” [v.5]  The request is granted – because he responded in a godly way although in great fear –– there arose a challenging and wondrous opportunity.  The account that unfolds in this book from hereon is an inspiration to all who are fully committed to serve God at every opportunity.  Do you have that sense of commitment?How much will such be needed as life in this world becomes ever more uncertain – so let us all set our minds on developing that commitment more and more – and the foundation for this is to ‘feed' on God's word every day.

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT) When should we pray? According to the apostle Paul, “at all times and on every occasion” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT). That pretty much covers everything. You pray in the morning. You pray in the afternoon. You pray in the evening. The idea here isn’t a nonstop monologue morning, noon, and night. The idea is to keep an open line to God, calling on Him frequently throughout the day. When the beauty of nature fills your senses while you’re taking a walk, praise God for His creation. When you read breaking news about a natural disaster, ask God to ease the suffering. When your kids greet you after work, thank God for your family—and then ask Him for the wisdom and patience to settle the dispute that’s been brewing since lunchtime. Any time is a good time to pray; no time is a bad time to pray. The prophet Daniel perfectly illustrated this point. Daniel was a trusted advisor to King Darius. The king’s other advisors grew jealous of Daniel and schemed to bring him down. The problem was, Daniel was squeaky clean. He had no skeletons in his closet. The only thing he was guilty of was being faithful to God. Three times a day, Daniel went to his house, opened all the windows, got down on his knees, and prayed. Daniel’s enemies convinced the king to sign a decree that outlawed praying to any god but the king. Anyone who disobeyed the decree would be thrown to the lions. If ever there was a bad time to pray, this was it. Daniel knew all about the king’s decree. And he had several options. He could have taken a sabbatical from prayer until the decree expired. He could have found a more private place to pray. He could have journaled his prayers instead of saying them aloud. But his prayer routine meant too much to him. Daniel 6:10 says, “He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God” (NLT). He didn’t pray for a miraculous escape from the death penalty. He didn’t pray for revenge against his enemies. He gave thanks to God. Daniel understood that when we see God for who He is, we see our challenges, problems, and needs for what they are. This was a man who knew how to pray. So was Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes when the people of Israel lived in exile in Persia. Nehemiah used his influence to make the king aware of the plight of the Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The king asked Nehemiah, “Well, how can I help you?” (Nehemiah 2:4 NLT). Look at the words that follow: “With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied …” (Nehemiah 2:4–5 NLT). During perhaps the most consequential conversation of his life, Nehemiah saw a good time to pray. And if we keep our prayer line open, we will recognize equally good times to pray—whether it’s for the strength to endure one of life’s storms or the words to present the gospel to an unbeliever. Any time is a good time to pray; no time is a bad time to pray. Reflection question: When were some good times to pray in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezra 7-8; Luke 20 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, host Hunter guides us through a meaningful journey in Scripture, as we open the pages of Ezra chapters 7 and 8, and finish with Luke 20. As Hunter reads and reflects, we follow Ezra leading the Israelites out of Babylon—a profound echo of the Exodus led by Moses—as God's gracious hand brings his people home after years of exile. We'll also hear Jesus challenging religious leaders in Jerusalem, teaching about divine authority, true obedience, and the promise of resurrection. Throughout the episode, Hunter explores the powerful theme of exodus—moving from captivity to freedom, from the kingdoms of this world into God's kingdom through Christ. We're invited to see how God's mercy and deliverance reach across generations, guiding us homeward today just as surely as they did for Ezra and the Israelites. Settle in as we listen, pray, and are reminded that God's gracious hand is still upon his people, leading us toward his love, mercy, and true life. Let's set our hearts homeward together on this October 7th edition of the Daily Radio Bible. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Ezra is leading an Exodus. As Moses led the people of Israel into the Promised Land, Ezra is leading an exodus out of Babylon. He's going home. For 70 long years, the Israelites were held captive in Babylon. Now the tide's turned. God has once again shown himself strong, and the kings of the day are now bowing in deference to the God of Israel. They're actually paying for their subjects to leave. The theme of Exodus is perhaps the most profound and significant theme that we read throughout all of Scripture. God is performing a grand exodus – He's taking people from the kingdoms of this world into the kingdom of our God in Christ. When God's gracious hand of deliverance is on his people, nothing can stop him. It may take some time—maybe 70 long years—but when the tide of God's mercy has shifted, when the flood comes in, there's nothing that will stop it. The gracious hand of our God was always upon Ezra, but now it is evident for all to see. Ezra was trusting. He was faithful. He was obedient, long before King Artaxerxes had his change of mind and heart. Jesus, too, is leading an Exodus. But he is far greater than Moses. He's far greater than Ezra. And God's gracious hand is certainly on his Son, Jesus—the Father exclaimed on multiple occasions: “This is my Son, whom I love.” People of every tribe and nation and language from every place on planet Earth are being led out and onto an exodus into life. In him, the destination is ultimately the same for all of us. We're all headed back to that new Jerusalem in God's new kingdom with our new King, our Liberator, our Jesus. Greater than Moses, greater than Ezra—He's leading us back home. There may be days of great confusion and heartache, and lots of questions along the way, but rest assured: we are headed home. God is leading this exodus. And as we read in this story, they volunteered to go—it was open and available for everyone to return. So sign yourself up today, to walk with him as we walk with him. God's gracious hand is upon the Son, and we are in him. So that gracious hand is upon you too. And this becomes more and more evident in our lives the more we set our hearts toward home. So let's set our hearts homeward. Be swept up in the tide of mercy and love that is yours today. And know his gracious hand is upon you. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul today. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

As Fr. Mike reads from Nehemiah today, we hear about how the hearts of the people of Israel were moved as Ezra reads the book of the law of Moses to them. In our reading of Esther, we have the beginning of the crisis that will unfold throughout the book as Haman, backed by the king, seeks to destroy the Jews. Today's readings are Nehemiah 8, Esther 3 and 13, and Proverbs 21:5-8. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Have you ever felt a heavy burden to act, yet God seems silent? We hate waiting; it makes us feel powerless and anxious, tempting us to force a solution on our own timetable. Examining Nehemiah's four-month wait before King Artaxerxes, Pastor Daniel argues that the initiative for opening doors belongs to God, not us. The sermon illuminates how true faith is demonstrated not by rushing ahead, but by patiently praying and actively preparing for the opportunity God will provide. While we wait, God is not inactive; He is working on our hearts and on the hearts of those in authority to bring about His perfect will. This message challenges listeners to trust God's sovereignty in the waiting, allowing Him to build the strength and courage needed for the work He has prepared.Eastland is a Place to BelongEastland Baptist Church is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We are a welcoming and close-knit family community that loves to care for each other through the Church. We strongly believe in loving and supporting each other and our neighbors. Our members don't just attend our Church; they feel a strong sense of belonging.Join Us Find service times and our location at https://www.eastlandbaptist.org/join. Connect with UsWebsite: https://www.eastlandbaptist.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastlandbaptisttulsaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastlandbaptistTo support the ministry of Eastland Baptist Church, tap here: https://www.eastlandbaptist.org/give.

The temple is finished. The wall is finished. The people have rededicated themselves to the Lord's house, and on today's episode, the remnant of Israel rejoices. With the work completed, Nehemiah returns to Persia to serve under King Artaxerxes once again, just as he promised. All is right with the world, and God's people serve Him faithfully from then on, right? Wrong! In fact, not long after Nehemiah leaves, the work of the temple is all but abandoned and Eliashib, who is in charge of the temple storehouses, clears out a room for Tobiah the Ammonite official, who happens to be a relative. Nehemiah returns once more to set things straight.Nehemiah 11 - 1:12 . Nehemiah 12 - 6:19 . Nehemiah 13 - 14:09 . Isaiah 21 - 21:07 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Nehemiah, an exile who lived in Persia's capital and served King Artaxerxes as his royal cupbearer, hears news that Jerusalem has been laid waste. The wall surrounding the city had been greatly compromised and the gates that would have maintained a secure entrance had been burned down. In great dismay, Nehemiah asks the king if he can return to help restore the city. With the king's approval and with papers in hand, Nehemiah goes back to Jerusalem, but the local governors are not happy that he has come. Nehemiah surveys the damage under cover of night, then urges Israel to join him in the work of rebuilding the wall and gates. Nehemiah 1 - 1:10 . Nehemiah 2 - 3:43 . Nehemiah 3 - 9:41 . Nehemiah 4 - 15:45 . Isaiah 18 - 20:58 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, we were introduced to Ezra, a scribe in exile who had been trained in the law of Moses and who had “determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach it's statutes and ordinances in Israel.” King Artaxerxes has expressly commanded Ezra to do just that. After we review some of the family heads who accompanied Ezra for the journey back to Jerusalem, we discover that even the leaders of those who had returned from exile had disobeyed the commands of the Lord by marrying foreign women. This was forbidden under the law of Moses, and can be cited as one of the reasons Israel abandoned the Lord and pursued other gods.Ezra 8 - 1:07 . Ezra 9 - 7:46 . Ezra 10 - 13:13 . Isaiah 17 - 20:35 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In this Bible Story, we learn of another hero sent by God, Nehemiah. Nehemiah oversees the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s temple. He gives them hope, and encourages them to trust in the protection of God. Yet no wall could truly protect them from their real enemy. This story is inspired by Nehemiah 1-13. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Nehemiah 5:19 from the King James Version.Episode 171: As the sun was shining on the Persian Empire, Nehemiah, a servant from the Jewish exiles was serving the King as his cupbearer. When Nehemiah, heard of the return of the exiles and the current state of his homeland, he wept. King Artaxerxes noticed a sadness in Nehemiah and asked him what was troubling him. When it was revealed that Nehemiah wanted to go and help his people, the King gave him leave and sent a team of workers with him. Yet the project was not without opposition, Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, and the Ammonites all did their best to demoralize the people. But God was with them and 52 days later, the wall was rebuilt!Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 2.17In this episode, we witness a fresh movement in Israel's return from exile—led not by a builder like Zerubbabel, but by a teacher and priest named Ezra. Sent by King Artaxerxes, Ezra returns to Jerusalem decades after the temple's completion, carrying royal authority and a heart devoted to God's Word. His mission? To study, obey, and teach the Law of the Lord.We explore Ezra's arrival, his reliance on God's hand of protection, and his grief when he discovers Israel's spiritual compromise. The story turns from joyful return to heartbreaking repentance, as the people confess their sin of intermarriage with pagan nations. Through Ezra's brokenness and bold leadership, we're reminded that true revival begins with God's Word and leads to real repentance. This is not just a history lesson—it's a call to examine where we have set our hearts.Find our videocast here: https://youtu.be/FfyaQL2JKXAMerch here: https://take-2-podcast.printify.me/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone⁠License code: 2QZOZ2YHZ5UTE7C8Find more Take 2 Theology content at http://www.take2theology.com

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 1:4-7; 2:20; 9:1-6 SHOW NOTES: For encouragement on your spiritual journey, we invite you to visit our ministry website, Discover God's Truth, where you will find additional resources to enhance your Walk with God. An inspired leader, Nehemiah, served as King Artaxerxes' cupbearer in Persia when an envoy delivered the report of Jerusalem's distress. Nehemiah's initial response to the discouraging news about Jerusalem's condition was emotional. He then turned his face to the Lord and cried out in prayer. "When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said, 'O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people, Israel.'” Nehemiah 1:4-6 However, the enemies surrounding Jerusalem tried to discourage, mock, and deny their right to the city. Nehemiah responded with firm confidence in the God of heaven and reported that the people in Jerusalem would start rebuilding the wall. We conclude this lesson with the prayer in Chapter Nine. This is one of the great prayers of the Old Testament. It praises God for His character and His conduct. “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, for he lives from everlasting to everlasting!”"Then they prayed: 'May your glorious name be praised! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise! You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.'” Nehemiah 9:5-6 SONG: "God of This City" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYegE7VRnLU&list=RDqYegE7VRnLU&start_radio=1

God often moves His people from seasons of comfort into seasons of calling. Just as Nehemiah served in the prestigious position of cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, many of us have found ourselves in comfortable places. Yet God's kingdom work frequently requires us to step beyond our comfort zones into spaces where our hearts break for His purposes.

Nehemiah 1:11b (“I was cupbearer to the king.”),Put it into his heart to be kind to me. In those days I was the king's cup-bearer. Nehemiah 5:14-19 NLT14 For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes—neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance. 15 The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way. 16 I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall. 17 I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands! 18 The provisions I paid for each day included one ox, six choice sheep or goats, and a large number of poultry. And every ten days we needed a large supply of all kinds of wine. Yet I refused to claim the governor's food allowance because the people already carried a heavy burden. 19 Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.

Nehemiah 1:1-11 NLT 1 These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. Nehemiah's Concern for Jerusalem In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. 5 Then I said,“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! 7 We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.8 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. 9 But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.'10 “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. 11 O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” In those days I was the king's cup-bearer. 

In 458 BCE, a group of foreign billionaires initiated a coup in Judea in order to exempt themselves from paying taxes. They succeeded thanks to the first edition of the Torah. Join our tribe on Patreon! Check out these cool pages on the podcast's website:Home PageWho wrote the Bible: Timeline and authorsAncient maps: easy to follow maps to see which empire ruled what and whenClick here to see Exodus divided into "sources" according to the Documentary Hypothesis The podcast is written, edited and produced by Gil Kidron

As Fr. Mike reads from Nehemiah today, we hear about how the hearts of the people of Israel were moved as Ezra reads the book of the law of Moses to them. In our reading of Esther, we have the beginning of the crisis that will unfold throughout the book as Haman, backed by the king, seeks to destroy the Jews. Today's readings are Nehemiah 8, Esther 3 and 13, and Proverbs 21:5-8. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.