Pastor's Corner

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. (Deut 32:4)

Exile-anyone separated from his or her country or home voluntarily or by force of circumstances.

In reading through the book of Ezra over the past couple of weeks, exile was one of the main points that jumped out at me. The nation of Israel was in exile to Babylon for 70 years. This book tells of the return of the people of Israel to their native land. God worked on the hearts of their oppressors and the people of Israel were allowed to go to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the temple. In the world of today there are so many people, institutions, and groups that are opposed to Christianity. It is reassuring to me to know that God can use the hearts and the minds of the unsaved for the betterment of His kingdom. This says to me that if I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, and knowing Him better, He will provide a way for me to keep “rebuilding” my temple. Regardless of who is in authority over us here on Earth, God is in authority over all. He will always make a way for His people, even when there seems to be no way. He will use the saved and the unsaved to bring glory and honor to His great name. We can work at rebuilding our personal temples through getting to know His word and will for our lives. Having the courage and faith of beginning the rebuilding process from ground zero, or a remodeling of sorts for those who have been walking with the Lord a long time and have become stagnant in their faith.
Jake Thomas