This week we get the privilege to look at the book of Ezra. When I started preparing for this week, I was unsure which direction I would go because Ezra carries a lot of the same ideas and themes as Nehemiah. Since the Nehemiah series was so incredibly impacting for me, I wasn't sure there would be anything left to share. Silly, right? Of course each book of the Bible has its own lessons and challenges that can be drawn from it.

While studying Ezra I felt compelled to remind myself of some of the promises that God gave us. Have you done that lately? What is it that God promises us in life? It is powerful to take a walk through scripture and to fully understand what we can stand on in our faith.

Here are a few for you to think on this week:

Philippians 4:19 - And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30 - Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

Romans 10:9 - If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Take a few minutes and read through Ezra before Sunday and you can see how God was at work in the Israelite's lives.

See you Sunday!

Erin