Cinderella Stories: I Need A Hand: Ezra 7-8

 

…be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, ‘How did these nations worship their gods? I’ll also do the same.’ 31 You must not do the same to the Lord your God, because they practice every detestable act, which the Lord hates, for their gods. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 Be careful to do everything I command you; do not add anything to it or take anything away from it.
Deuteronomy 12:30-32 (CSB)

When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and robe, pulled out some of the hair from my head and beard, and sat down devastated.
Ezra 9:3 (CSB)

1. THOSE WHO EXPEREINCE THE HAND OF GOD…

A. STUDY THE WORD OF GOD

He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested because the hand of the Lord his God was on him.
Ezra 6:6 (CSB)

Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you…
Colossians 3:16 (CSB)

He began the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month and arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month since the gracious hand of his God was on him. 10 Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Ezra 7:9-10 (CSB)

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Luke 11:28 (NIV)

B. SEEK THE HEART OF GOD

I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us, our dependents, and all our possessions. 22 I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who abandon him.” 23 So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and he was receptive to our prayer.
Ezra 8:21-23 (CSB)

2. THE HAND OF GOD…

A. GIVES ME STRENGTH TO CARRY ON

Blessed be the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s mind to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, 28 and who has shown favor to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by the hand of the Lord my God, and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.
Ezra 7:27-28 (CSB)

We set out from the Ahava River on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. We were strengthened by our God, and he kept us from the grasp of the enemy and from ambush along the way.
Ezra 8:31(CSB)

B. GIVES ME PASSION TO SERVE

…I searched among the people and priests, but found no Levites there. 16 Then I summoned the leaders…I sent them to Iddo, the leader…, with a message for him and his brothers, the temple servants…, that they should bring us ministers for the house of our God. 18 Since the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah—a man of insight…along with his sons and brothers, 18 men, 19 plus Hashabiah, along with Jeshaiah, from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and their sons, 20 men. 20 There were also 220 of the temple servants, who had been appointed by David and the leaders for the work of the Levites.
Ezra 8:15-20 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/cinderella-stories-i-need-a-hand-ezra-7-8/

Cinderella Stories: Cinderella Prayers: James 5:16-18, 1 Kings 18:24-44

 

Cinderella prayers are…

1.         Filled with passion

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
James 5:17 (ESV)

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
James 5:15 (ESV)

“From there you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.”
Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT)

2.         Emboldened by righteousness

So keep on confessing your sins to one another and praying for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (ISV)

If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honor, because she isn’t as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life. Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.
1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)

But there is a problem—your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
Isaiah 59:2 (NLT)

We all know that God does not listen to sinners, but he listens to anyone who worships and obeys him.
John 9:31 (NCV)

3.         Inspired by power

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16b (ISV)

I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:13 (ISV)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

4.         Cultivated by simplicity

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
James 5:17 (ESV)

5.         Strengthened by persistence

Elijah was a man just like us, and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the ground for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and heaven sent rain, and the ground produced its crops.
James 5:16-18 (ISV)

Lord, God of my salvation,  I cry out before You day and night.
Psalms 88:1 (HCSB)

At that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the night praying to God.
Luke 6:12 (NCV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/cinderella-stories-cinderella-prayers-james-516-18-1-kings-1824-44/

Cinderella Stories: I’m Outnumbered: Numbers 13:26-14:10

 

They reported to Moses, “We went into the land where you sent us. Indeed it is flowing with milk and honey, and here is some of its fruit.
Numbers 13:27 (CSB)

When your outnumbered stop…

1.         Looking at your obstacles

However, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We also saw the descendants of Anak there.
Numbers 13:28 (CSB)

2.         Listening to the majority

But the men who had gone up with him responded, “We can’t attack the people because they are stronger than we are!” 32 So they gave a negative report to the Israelites about the land they had scouted: “The land we passed through to explore is one that devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw in it are men of great size. 33 We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim! To ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and we must have seemed the same to them.”
Numbers 13:31-33 (CSB)

GOD IS FOR ME

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 (ESV)

GOD IS IN ME

Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27 (ESV)

GOD IS WITH ME

The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
Psalm 118:6 (NIV)

3.         Living in the past

Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. 2 All the Israelites complained about Moses and Aaron, and the whole community told them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Numbers 14:1-4 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/cinderella-stories-im-outnumbered-numbers-1326-1410/

Cinderella Stories: I’m Down But Not Out: Luke 7:11-17

 

Afterward he was on his way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. 12 Just as he neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the town was also with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said, “Don’t weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Then fear came over everyone, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people.” 17 This report about him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity.
Luke 7:11-17 (CSB)

Keep Getting Up Because…

1. Jesus Is Full of Compassion

Afterward he was on his way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. 12 Just as he neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the town was also with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Don’t cry.”
Luke 7:11-13 (CSB)

Then a man with leprosy came to him and, on his knees, begged him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.”
Mark 1:40-41 (CSB)

2. Jesus Is Full of Assurances

When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said, “Don’t weep.”
Luke 7:13 (CSB)

WE HAVE MANY ASSURANCES

Assurances We Are Never Alone
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (CSB)

Assurances of Answered Prayer
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Matthew 7:11 (CSB)

Assurance of Spiritual Guidance
For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.
Romans 8:14 (CSB)

3. Jesus Is Full of Power

Then he came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!”15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Luke 7:14-15 (CSB)

Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens: 8 I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close.
Revelation 3:7 (CSB)

You were made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.
Ephesians 2:1 (NASB)

4. Jesus Is Full of Help

They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
Luke 7:16-17 (NIV)

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14 (CSB) 

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/cinderella-stories-im-down-but-not-out-luke-711-17/

The Bring Series: Jesus Is For Everybody: Luke 14:12-24

 

1. INVITATION – INVITE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:12-13 (NIV)

“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.
Luke 14:21-23 (NIV)

2. EXPECTATION – UNDERSTAND NOT EVERYONE WILL ATTEND

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
Luke 14:15-20 (NIV)

3. CELEBRATION – THOSE WHO COME WILL BE GLAD THEY DID

I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ”
Luke 14:24 (NIV)

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:7 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/the-bring-series-jesus-is-for-everybody-luke-1412-24/

The Bring Series: Be A Bringer: Matthew 9:35-38

 

Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Matthew 9:35-38 (HCSB)

Reaching People is…

1) Motivated by Compassion

When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd.             

Matthew 9:36 (HCSB)

2) Driven by Prayer

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)

3) Accomplished by Work

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 9:38 (NIV)

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”    

Romans 10:13-15

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/the-bring-series-be-a-bringer-matthew-935-38/

Meta: Meta Tithe: Philippians 4:18-19; Proverbs 3:9

 

I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:18-19 (NIV)

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
Hebrews 11:4 (NIV)

1. My Faith Honors The Lord

Honor the Lord with your wealth…
Proverbs 3:9 (NIV)

2. My Faith Helps Me Rethink My Priorities

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.
Proverbs 3:9 (NIV)

Now if the firstfruits offered up are holy, so is the whole batch. And if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Romans 11:16 (CSB)

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 (CSB)

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Malachi 3:8-9 (NIV)

3. My Faith Hastens God’s Blessings

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)

The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6 (CSB)

“…give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38 (ESV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/meta-meta-tithe-philippians-418-19-proverbs-39/