1. BACK WHERE THE PROBLEM STARTED - COMPROMISE Ezra 9:1 Ezra’s Prayer About Intermarriage After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. KEY WORDS: The people had not kept themselves separate from the practices of the area PRAYER POINT: At this time in the year, there are many practices that are defiling - may the LORD grant that the reman be spared! An uncompromising group of people even in the midst of family, social or financial pressures 2. PRAY FOR THE RETURN TO AND MAINTENANCE OF THE STANDARD OF BIBLICAL LIVING Ezra 9:2 They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.” 1 Peter 2:9-11 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 3. A RETURN OF TRUE PERSONAL CONVICTION AND A FEAR OF THE LORD Ezra 9:3-4 When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled. Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice. PRAYER POINT: Pray that everyone whose heart is movable will soon and sincerely repent and press into GOD for correction and cover 4. RECOGNIZING GODS KIND SUSTENANCE EVEN IN OUR FAITHLESS MOMENTS Ezra 9:8 “But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. PRAYER POINT: May we be encouraged by help that finds us even when we are not in right standing, and use it as an inspiration to return to the Faithful GOD who makes even HIS goodness lead us to repentance.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 08:16:09 +0000
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