As I write this I am very aware of how tired I am even after sleeping for most of the day. I was totally useless during class time. But before the day is up I want to share with you Ezra 7:10,

Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

These 3 things must come together. Think about it...

If you study God's word but don't put it into practice your study is useless. Really, I'm not kidding. See James 1:22-25.

If you practice God's word but don't teach it in some way, what good are you? Jesus himself said, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." He calls on all of us to love people and make disciples.

If you teach God's word but do not study it, can you teach it rightly? We can only depend so much on our old understanding. But when we study God's word, our roots grow and we ourselves are renewed and refreshed. =]

If you teach God's word but do not practice it, you will surely feel like a hypocrite. I have seen leaders stop teaching because of this. They are rightly convicted of their hypocrisy but their response is to stop teaching rather than to start practicing. Of course that is not always the case... sometimes God is just calling his children to go elsewhere... but once in a while I cannot help but wish that we could have persevered on together.

Scripture records that God favored Ezra and blessed him because he gave his life to these 3 things. I believe if we do the same we will likewise be blessed. Keep praying and encouraging one another that we will see our ministry blessed and bearing fruit... we have to... otherwise we only have ourselves to blame when we cannot find the faith to go on...