How did I get to know Jesus, through the invitation of a friend. I was invited to attend a bible study. It sounded serious to me, to learn what the bible was about. Initially it was due to curiosity, I attended a few sessions and found it interesting. I didn’t give it too much thought, after a period of more than a year. The teaching began to sink in. I started to pray and read more. My decision to become a Christian was mainly the effort of the teacher and my mentor.
During the reign of King Artaxerxes, Ezra the scribe assembled a band of Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem. But Ezra found no Levites among them (Ezra 8:15) and he looked for Levites to serve as priests to lead his people. So he called up the leaders to “bring attendants to us for the house of our God.” And Ezra led them all in fasting and prayer for the protection of their family and possession from the enemies a safe trip to Jerusalem.
Under Ezra’s prayerful guidance, he and his students would lead a spiritual awakening in Jerusalem. All they had needed was a little encouragement and wise direction.
That’s how God’s church works too. Through the teaching, encouragement and building up of good mentors, we learn to do the same for others. Such an influence will reach far beyond our lifetime. Work done faithfully for God stretches into eternity. May God help me to mentor others who need help.
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