The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ezra 1:1-3, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the Word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying:
2 ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3 “Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.”

There is a lot said about Persia in today’s news! Of course, what was called Persia in the days of King Cyrus, is today known as Iran. They have always been enimies of Israel.

King Cyrus then sent a proclamation throughout all of his kingdom that stated: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.”

Cyrus clearly indicates that the LORD has engaged his people to this task; yet, it appears He has not ordered specific individuals to engage in the operation of the LORD, but left it to those who wanted to be obedient in the rebuilding of the House of the LORD.

It is largely the way He deals with His Church today. Pastors, who are deeply in prayer concerning the will of
the LORD for themselves and for the churches to which each has been assigned, emphasize to their congregations what the LORD desires; then they labor in prayer and leadership regarding the LORD’s will. Prayerful congregations then undertake to follow their pastors’ leadership.

Pastors, who live in prayer with the LORD Jesus Christ, soon find that their congregants are following them in the very way that they are following the LORD. Thus, the
pressure that rests upon the pastor is shared somewhat with his followers.

Does your pastor have a goal for his life? Does he have a goal for the church he leads? –a goal that is shared with his congregation? And is that goal one that rests upon other members of the church? Note that the LORD initiated His goal through Jeremiah and through King Cyrus until it rested on the entire Nation of Israel.

Are you aware of the LORD’s desire for your life? Are you involved in His desire? It took all of the people to do
the LORD’s will in Jeremiah’s day. It is equally –if not more so— in importance today! Are you in your place before the LORD?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom