The Hand of the Lord
August 2
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2
"The path to a life full of answers to prayer is through the will of God."
Andrews Murray
August 3
The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him.
Ezra 8:22
"There are no disappointments to those whose wills are buried in the will of God."
Frederick William Faber
Boo thought: Last night I had an incredible middle of the night experience. Moses, our bulldog barked loudly, one time, as if something had startled him. I was sleeping on my back and when I awakened there was a pattern on our cathedral ceiling that resembled a giant angel's wing. (I realized the moon must have been shining through an arched window creating that pattern, but God used that to show me the angels were there. I think Moses, the bulldog, saw it as well.)
Having just been studying Ezra, until well after midnight, and recognizing the battle we are in working fervently to open the new Christian school in 18 days I found great peace in the vision! I praised God, thanked him for showing me there are angels watching over us and went right back to sleep!
The darts have flown the past few days. One couple offering a full scholarship emailed to say they cannot do that now, another student who has been signed up for weeks, is telling his mother he doesn't want to come now, one of our teachers called today to say she has shingles, a rental contract on a small piece of property we have fell through, and other obstacles with the school have raised their ugly heads.
Yesterday, taking a break from the computer and the phone, I trotted down to the dock to sit with the Lord. He was quick to show up and utter: "Do you trust me? Do you think I care about all the things that are happening? Do you believe this is my school and I have it under control?"
Not able to get to sleep last night I opened up today's devotional verses and thought to myself...Who is Ezra and what did he do?"
Check out the commentaries in my NIV Women's Study Bible....The overview says: "The book of Ezra sounds a clear reminder that God is in control of earthly events." The Jews, at this time in history, had been held captive and were being allowed to return to the promised land. "Though the people face adversity, their commitment to each other and to God's commands ultimately brings abuot religious revival, joyful celebration and a successful rebuilding program. Ezra's leadership provides a sure foundation for ordinary people who want their lives to count for God. Ezra's passion for God spills over into his daily life and helps bring revival to his nation."
"After 70 years most Jewish exiles living in Babylon were leading comfortable lives. Consequently, when Cyrus grants them permission to leave...they are unwilling to forfeit their well-paying jobs and sheltered social lives for the hardships of the 900 mile-trek back to broken down Judah. They cannot predict what might happen. Those who stay behind retain their prosperous businesses and predictable schedules. Yet, they miss the joyous fulfillment of joining God in his restorative work."
Last night as we were still out shopping for office and school supplies at 10 PM, I said to my husband, "We are too old to be doing this, the work is too hard!" Here we are at a time in life when most of our friends have either retired or are contemplating retirement and we are sinking time, great effort and money into this huge endeavor.
The commentator continues: "There will always be those who oppose the work of God. Over time this reality can cause God's people to doubt and wonder if he is in control. God understands, and he wants to replace our fears with faith in his ability to overcome any and all opposition."
In chapter 5 the Jewish exiles face opposition and stop their work. They lose their passion for rebuilding. Finally the remembrance that the " eye of God" is watching over them renews their commitment. "When the people keep their focus on God, trusting him to guide and empower them, they find courage to face their difficulties and finish the work God has given them to do. When God accomplishes what humans think is impossible, it is always a reason for joy!"
Six times in Ezra 7-8 the phrase "The hand of the Lord was upon us" occurs.
Ezra relies on God to help him in all walks of life.
Once again God hits the nail on the head for me, when I take the time to sit and listen. We appreciate your prayers for all our students and faculty, for their families, for Halesford Baptist Church who is renting us the space and for Deke and me as we battle forward. God is up to something great. We are making an investment in young lives that we pray will be forever changed!
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2
"The path to a life full of answers to prayer is through the will of God."
Andrews Murray
August 3
The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him.
Ezra 8:22
"There are no disappointments to those whose wills are buried in the will of God."
Frederick William Faber
Boo thought: Last night I had an incredible middle of the night experience. Moses, our bulldog barked loudly, one time, as if something had startled him. I was sleeping on my back and when I awakened there was a pattern on our cathedral ceiling that resembled a giant angel's wing. (I realized the moon must have been shining through an arched window creating that pattern, but God used that to show me the angels were there. I think Moses, the bulldog, saw it as well.)
Having just been studying Ezra, until well after midnight, and recognizing the battle we are in working fervently to open the new Christian school in 18 days I found great peace in the vision! I praised God, thanked him for showing me there are angels watching over us and went right back to sleep!
The darts have flown the past few days. One couple offering a full scholarship emailed to say they cannot do that now, another student who has been signed up for weeks, is telling his mother he doesn't want to come now, one of our teachers called today to say she has shingles, a rental contract on a small piece of property we have fell through, and other obstacles with the school have raised their ugly heads.
Yesterday, taking a break from the computer and the phone, I trotted down to the dock to sit with the Lord. He was quick to show up and utter: "Do you trust me? Do you think I care about all the things that are happening? Do you believe this is my school and I have it under control?"
Not able to get to sleep last night I opened up today's devotional verses and thought to myself...Who is Ezra and what did he do?"
Check out the commentaries in my NIV Women's Study Bible....The overview says: "The book of Ezra sounds a clear reminder that God is in control of earthly events." The Jews, at this time in history, had been held captive and were being allowed to return to the promised land. "Though the people face adversity, their commitment to each other and to God's commands ultimately brings abuot religious revival, joyful celebration and a successful rebuilding program. Ezra's leadership provides a sure foundation for ordinary people who want their lives to count for God. Ezra's passion for God spills over into his daily life and helps bring revival to his nation."
"After 70 years most Jewish exiles living in Babylon were leading comfortable lives. Consequently, when Cyrus grants them permission to leave...they are unwilling to forfeit their well-paying jobs and sheltered social lives for the hardships of the 900 mile-trek back to broken down Judah. They cannot predict what might happen. Those who stay behind retain their prosperous businesses and predictable schedules. Yet, they miss the joyous fulfillment of joining God in his restorative work."
Last night as we were still out shopping for office and school supplies at 10 PM, I said to my husband, "We are too old to be doing this, the work is too hard!" Here we are at a time in life when most of our friends have either retired or are contemplating retirement and we are sinking time, great effort and money into this huge endeavor.
The commentator continues: "There will always be those who oppose the work of God. Over time this reality can cause God's people to doubt and wonder if he is in control. God understands, and he wants to replace our fears with faith in his ability to overcome any and all opposition."
In chapter 5 the Jewish exiles face opposition and stop their work. They lose their passion for rebuilding. Finally the remembrance that the " eye of God" is watching over them renews their commitment. "When the people keep their focus on God, trusting him to guide and empower them, they find courage to face their difficulties and finish the work God has given them to do. When God accomplishes what humans think is impossible, it is always a reason for joy!"
Six times in Ezra 7-8 the phrase "The hand of the Lord was upon us" occurs.
Ezra relies on God to help him in all walks of life.
Once again God hits the nail on the head for me, when I take the time to sit and listen. We appreciate your prayers for all our students and faculty, for their families, for Halesford Baptist Church who is renting us the space and for Deke and me as we battle forward. God is up to something great. We are making an investment in young lives that we pray will be forever changed!
