Living By Faith

King James Bible Study Daily Devotional

Message Title: Living By Faith
Date: Friday June 03, 2011
Chapters: Ezra 6-7
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-june-3
Details of Today's Chapters: Darius confirms the decree of Cyrus, the Temple is furnished and worship is restored, and Ezra’s expedition to Jerusalem and his thanksgiving.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen... Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear... But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:1,3,6.

The word diligently is defined as a steady, careful application, a constant effort to accomplish a task given, it's an exertion of the body or mind without unnecessary delay. We can serve God all day long, but unless we personally seek the “living by faith alone” relationship with God than we will never accomplish very much for God, ourselves, or anyone. God rewards us when we diligently seek Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. Of course, our faith goes up and down like a roller coaster, but as we steadily seek to accomplish His will even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.

Fourteen years had passed after the Jews laid the foundation of the Temple and the rest of the work ceased, after some encouragement through Haggai and Zechariah the work finally continued until the Temple was complete. This time the work was not only backed up by God Himself, but king Artaxerxes as well.

“Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered... And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,” - Ezra 6:8,14-16.

The key to their success was the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah, which was the power of God and His Word instructing them to rebuild the Temple according to God's commands. God's work can only be sustained and strengthened through our faith, which leads to obedience to His Word, one power that Satan cannot take from us. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” - James 2:18,19.

Ezra was born during the Jews Babylonian captivity, he was a descendant of Aaron, Israel's first high priest. He was sent to Jerusalem to bring spiritual leadership to the people. The key to Ezra's effectiveness in accomplishing the will of God is that he diligently prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, in other words, he studied God's Word and followed it.

“For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments... Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee...Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?” - Ezra 7:9,10,12,13,23.

God's Word is the source of strength by which His children cannot be defeated. Ezra was committed to seeking, doing, and teaching God's Word. This should be a reminder that, if we want God to really bless our lives, we too must diligently prepare our hearts to seek the truth in God's Word and do as He commands. “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” - II Peter 1:8-11.

Everyone reading this is at different levels of their Christianity, some may be learning of Christ as we speak, some are babes in Christ or have been saved for years. Some are returning to a life with Christ in it or been faithful since birth. Some have followed Him afar, never been taught the Word of God at all or have been faithfully reading, following, and teaching God's Word for years. Whatever level we are, there is always room for improvement, therefore, we need to diligently, by faith, work to increase that level. “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” - Hebrews 5:12-14.

We are all special, chosen by God Himself and accepted of Him only through our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. It's by faith that we are saved, not by how much we do for God or anyone else, many people believe in Jesus, but sadly have gone to hell because they never told Him personally that they believe in Him and are depending on Him for their salvation. It's only by faith that we are saved, not our works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:8-10.

Every chapter, every verse, and every word, in the Bible is there to help us learn, to grow, to know His commands, and to teach us to follow them. If we truly want Jesus to be Lord of our lives and want to see the blessings flow through the trials we face we need His Word, it's the only thing that produces the faith we need to move those mountains, the bigger the faith the bigger the mountains, but it is only by faith that we not only become hears, but doers of God's Word. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him... Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves...But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” - James 1:12,21,22,25.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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