"Cyrus, king of Persia, hereby announces that Jehovah, the God of heaven who gave me my vast empire, has now given me the responsibility of building him a Temple in Jerusalem, in the land of Judah. 3 All Jews throughout the kingdom may now return to Jerusalem to rebuild this Temple of Jehovah, who is the God of Israel and of Jerusalem. May his blessings rest upon you. Those Jews who do not go should contribute toward the expenses of those who do and also supply them with clothing, transportation, supplies for the journey, and a freewill offering for the Temple." TLB

 It was in this reading that I saw a parallel to missions support.  We have been called by God to rebuild the temple of God in Mexico and Ireland.  Not a temple in the physical sense but in the sense that as the Bible says,  “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. . .”.1 Cor 6:19‑20 (NIV).   Our calling is to build His body.

 The passage in Ezra goes on the say that all those who have it on their heart to assist in this temple reconstruction are to join them in the work.  We, too, are seeking those whom God has called to come and join us in the work directly.  But the declaration goes on to say in verse four that those who don’t feel called to go with them should participate directly by sending provisions for their journey and labors.

 As in the days of Ezra, the temple building is still under way but somehow we haven’t communicated clearly the need for the financial support for the journey.  Short -term projects, those with a completion date, attract the most attention when it comes to raising support, but the long-term needs, the journey if you will, seem to be harder for the Body to understand.  King Cyrus in the time of Ezra realized that it would take constant provision if the work of rebuilding the temple could continue.  So it is with the temple rebuilding we’re doing in Ireland and Mexico.  We are in need of financial help for the journey and daily provision, i.e., gas, food, electricity, insurance, water, etc. .

 Jesus told His disciples in John 16:24, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (NIV)   It has not been our practice to ask directly for financial help in the past but after reading in Ezra this morning, the Lord convicted me that I was not giving you, the Body, the opportunity to be a part of this ministry.

 I ask you to prayerfully consider joining with us in one or more areas of ministry.  If you would take a few minutes of your time and click on our web site links below you will find the many different types of ministry going on.  From James and Rachel in Ireland planting a church, to Chris and Deanna using house construction to reach families in Mexico, and  Tom and Sheila training ministers in the Huasteca area of Mexico, there is an area where you can participate either in direct participation or through your financial contributions. For information about how your donations are used, please go to: www.lgom.net/financial.htm

 Through our web site, www.lgom.net,  you will find links from which you can contact us so that we can plug you into the area where you desire to serve.  We look forward to rebuilding the temple of God with you now and in the future.

Tom and Sheila Shidler
Life Giving Outreach Ministries
bodybuilders@lgom.net
www.lgom.net

Links on this website: