ewethelamb

  VENGEANCE IS MINE Yesterday, a friend shared an encouraging testimony.  Over the past few months, she had a hard time living with her sister, who is fussy and easily bothered by the trivial. They each have their own lives to manage, church, work, running errands, doing chores, and personal lives. They hardly get a chance to see each other often. However, each time they met, her sister showed unhappiness. She would bang the chair, making some sounds to indicate that she was in a bad mood. When asked what had happened, she ignored her. My friend quietly prayed to God for her sister.  This continued until one day, both were at home, and again her sister suddenly took a chair and banged it hard in front of her. She was frightened by her action and sudden outburst. She felt a chill run over her and was threatened by her uncouth demeanor. In addition, her eyes displayed strong hostility towards her. She had to quickly retreat to her room to pray as she felt that it was n...

CONFESSION OF SINS https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra%2010&version=NKJV   Ezra 10:4 Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.   The book of Ezra gives accounts of the return of the Jews from exile and the building of the second temple of God. It was not only a time of celebration and welcoming the returning Jews. It was also a time of repentance, seeking forgiveness and restoration with God from the Babylonians’ captivity. Before a corporate repentance service was held, a significant person, named Shechaniah (probably a leader, someone who contributed to the spiritual revival of Jerusalem), entreated Prophet Ezra and said, “Arise, for this matter is your responsibility …” meaning to arise and address the sinful states of the people. Responsibilities of Leadership This teaches us that God often impresses the pastor or elder to pray, preach, and teach on topics that address the people’s sins so t...