North Hills Family,

I hope you are enjoying and feeling challenged by our sermon series in Ezra. The theme of RETURNING, REBUILDING, and RESTORING is one that I hope we can all apply both individually and corporately as we grow through this series.

The good news is that God inspires and provides for us to make worship the main priority in our lives, just like He did for the returning exiles. Have you made the necessary adjustments in your thinking to maintain such a focus? Are you able to identify areas of opposition that tempt you to compromise or become discouraged? Knowing your own heart and where you're vulnerable is key to living a life of repentant faith that pleases God and brings joy.

For me, it's often something very simple, like neglecting an intimate time of personal worship through the Word and prayer that causes my focus to shift and my heart to drift. I've found that a "Back to basics" approach is usually the best way to get back on track when things get tough.

And remember that in Christ, God is FOR us and not against us. When we seek Him we find true peace.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Taking heart together in Him,

Jim