Facing Overwhelming Opposition. (Ezra 4: 1-24)

Send us Fan MailThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.Most of us are quite comfortable talking about sin in general. We might discuss the sins of society. We can lament the moral decline of the culture.  We can talk about the failures of politicians, celebrities, or people we have never met.  What makes us uncomfortable is when sin becomes personal. When it has a name, a face. When it is a friend or is within our own family. Someone we know, someone we love. Then suddenly the issue becomes much more difficult. Those are not easy questions. In fact, most of us would prefer not to face them at all. If we're honest, we'd rather avoid conflict. We'd rather hope the problem goes away on its own, or we'd rather pray someone else will deal with it. But sooner or later, every believer, every family, and every church encounters situations where sin simply cannot be ignored.How should we respond when sin is obvious and persistent? Not our own sin this time. Someone else's. What do we do? That's exactly the situation Ezra finds himself facing as we come to chapter 10. In chapter 9, he received a devastating report that said the people had disobeyed God's Word. The leaders had led the way into compromise, and Ezra responded not with anger, but with grief and prayer.Chapter 9 ended with Ezra prostrate on his face before God. Now chapter 10 begins with the question every reader is asking: What happens next? Because conviction is important, and confession is important, and prayer is important, but eventually something must be done. And Ezra chapter 10 shows us what genuine repentance looks like when God's people decide that obedience matters more than comfort.Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.How do you respond when you hear that someone has fallen spiritually. For some people, the first response is gossip. They immediately begin collecting details. Who was involved? What happened? Who knew? How long did it go on? The conversation becomes less about restoration and more about information. Others respond with criticism. They become armchair analysts of someone else's collapse. Saying things like, "Well, if he had done this..." "If she had listened to that..." "If they had been more committed..." Suddenly everyone becomes an expert on a situation they weren't actually living through. Still others respond by barely responding at all. We've become so accustomed to stories of failure that they scarcely surprise us anymore. Every day brings another scandal, another headline, just another story of sin. So, how should we respond when we hear about sin? More specifically, how should a follower of Christ respond? Is there a biblical pattern? Is there a godly response that rises above gossip, judgment, and indifference? Well, I believe there is and Ezra chapter 9 we're given one of the most powerful examples in all of Scripture.What follows is one of the most moving responses to sin recorded anywhere in the Bible. Not because Ezra was perfect and not because he was personally guilty, but because he understood something about God's holiness, God's grace, and the seriousness of sin that many of us have forgotten.  And in doing so, he shows us how God's people should respond when they encounter spiritual failure.Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.How does a vision become reality, and how does a burden become a ministry? How does a calling become a journey or even one day a task completed? What does it actually take to accomplish the work God places before us? That's not merely a question for pastors or ministry leaders, it's a question every follower of Christ must answer. Because God gives all of us assignments, and He gives all of us opportunities. In fact, God gives all of us work to do. , and what are the essential ingredients?As we come to Ezra chapter 8, we're going to discover that Ezra is asking a very similar question. The desire is there.The mission is clear.The opportunity has been given.But now comes the challenge: How do you actually accomplish what God has called you to do? Let's turn together to Ezra chapter 8 and find out….Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.Episode Notes:Have you ever completed a job around the house only to discover that it wasn't really completed after all?My first thought was not especially spiritual. It was something closer to, "Oh no. Not again, there it was again, demanding attention, time, money, and effort."  The work wasn't finished after all.Very little stays finished. Gardens need tending again, houses need repairing, cars need servicing again, and the same thing is true spiritually. That's exactly where the story of Ezra takes us. In the first six chapters of the book, God's people returned from exile. Against all odds, they rebuilt the Temple. They overcame opposition. They finished the project. They celebrated God's faithfulness. And you might expect the story to end there; it's a case of roll the credits, mission accomplished. Temple rebuilt. But, God's work is never merely about buildings. It's always about people. The Temple was finished, but God's work wasn't. And that's actually encouraging. Because it reminds us that God never gives up on His people. When one phase of His work is complete, He begins another. When one task is finished, He starts the next, and when one generation has done its part, God raises up new servants to carry the work forward. So, let's turn together to Ezra chapter 7 and meet a man who understood that restoring people is every bit as important as rebuilding temples…..Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.Episode Notes:Have you ever led a group and felt that people only came to you when something was wrong?  A complaint at work or a conflict to sort out. A budget that won’t balance. Then you get home, and the washing machine has broken down again. After a week like that, you just want someone to say, “I’ve got some good news.” Maybe you know that feeling too. One problem follows another, and you find yourself asking, “Where can I find a little joy in my life?”  Today, I want to share a story that helps answer that question—not just where joy comes from, but how it reaches us. Let’s turn to Ezra chapter 6….Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.Episode Notes:Do you ever struggle with motivation? Not just getting started, although that can be hard enough. I mean staying at something after the novelty has worn off, after the excitement has faded, and after you've discovered that the task requires actual effort.So, what does it take to get you going? And perhaps more importantly, what does it take to keep you going?  Because that's exactly the problem facing God's people in Ezra chapter 5. Ezra chapter 5 gives us a wonderfully practical answer. And as we'll discover, the answer is just as relevant today as it was for those discouraged builders in the day in Jerusalem….Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.I apologise again about the sound quality of today's episode; the problem has now been fixed, so hopefully normal service will resume tomorrow.Episode Notes:Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.Episode Notes:Have you ever watched a restoration project unfold?Maybe it was an old house that fell into disrepair. Maybe it was a classic car sitting forgotten in a barn for decades. At first glance, all you can see is what's broken. Rust. Damage. Decay. Years of neglect. But then someone begins the work of restoration. Little by little, what was damaged begins to change. What appeared beyond repair starts to come back to life. The Bible tells us that we were created in the image of God. We were made for fellowship with Him. We were designed to reflect His character and enjoy His presence. But sin entered the picture. The image was not destroyed; it was marred. Our fellowship with God was broken. Something that was meant to be beautiful became damaged, and ever since, God has been in the restoration business. When we trust in Jesus Christ, that restoring work begins. We are forgiven. We are reconciled to God. But that's not the end of the process; it's just the beginning. God continues shaping us, changing us, and restoring His image in us throughout our lives. So biblically, what exactly is restoration? When we use that word, what do we actually mean? Is restoration simply fixing what's broken? Is it returning to where we were before? Is it recovering what we've lost, or is it something deeper than that? The nation of Israel gives us a remarkable picture of the answer.In Ezra chapter 1, we saw God open the door for restoration. He stirred the heart of King Cyrus and then stirred the hearts of the people to return. In Ezra chapter 2, we met the people who answered that call. Thousands left Babylon behind and committed themselves to God's restoring work. But now we come to Ezra chapter 3; the people have arrived. The journey is over, and the work is about to begin. And here, perhaps more clearly than anywhere else so far in the book, we discover what lies at the very heart of restoration. And if we're willing to listen carefully, Ezra chapter 3 may teach us not only how God restored Israel, but how He restores us as well. Let's see what lies at the heart of restoration….Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.Episode Notes:One of Scripture's most encouraging truths is that God is a God of restoration. He restores what has been broken. He rebuilds what has been ruined, and He brings home those who have wandered away. We see that truth throughout the entire Bible.  The nation of Israel provides one of the clearest pictures of that process in all of Scripture. God chose Israel, placed them in the Promised Land, gave them His Word, and dwelt among them. Yet over time they drifted from Him. They rebelled against Him. Eventually, they experienced His discipline as Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were carried away into exile. Yet even then, God was not finished with them. Just as He had promised, He began the work of bringing them home. At first glance, Ezra chapter 2 doesn't seem very exciting. In fact, if we're honest, it may look like one of those chapters we are tempted to skip. It's seventy verses filled with names, families, and numbers. But what if that's exactly the point? What if God included this chapter to remind us that His work is always accomplished through ordinary people who choose to be faithful? And the question Ezra 2 asks every generation still today is: when God is rebuilding His work, will you be among the faithful? Let's find out as we turn to Ezra chapter 2….Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible.Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon.Episode Notes:Have you ever found yourself a long way from God? Not just having a bad day. Not just missing a quiet time or neglecting prayer for a week. Maybe you've made choices you deeply regret. Maybe you've drifted gradually over months or years. Maybe you've reached the point where you're not even sure what happened. One day you look around and realize you're not where you used to be spiritually. And then the questions start. "Would God really take me back?" "Have I wandered too far?" "Have I been away too long?" It's been months, maybe years, or even maybe decades. And the longer they've been away, the harder it becomes to imagine returning. If that's where you find yourself today, I have some good news. Because the book of Ezra is the story of people who came home after being away from God for a very long time.  The entire book is a story of restoration. It is the story of a God who rebuilds what has been broken and restores what seems lost.So, if you've ever wondered whether restoration is possible...Then Ezra chapter 1 is for you, so let's begin the journey back home to God.Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless...Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update