“How Do I Know It’s God’s Plan?”
Ezra 1-6

“Foundations” series
Week #45 of 52
Rick Herrlin

God provided an opportunity.

They put first things first.

Principles in following God’s Plan

1. They did it God's way.
2. They respected God over human pressure.
3. They made Relationship to God most important.

Principles in following God’s Plan

1. They did it God's way.
2. They respected God over human pressure.
3. They made Relationship to God most important.
4. They worshipped God as they served.

Watch out for discouragement!

Principles in following God’s Plan

1. They did it God's way.
2. They respected God over human pressure.
3. They made Relationship to God most important.
4. They worshipped God as they served.
5. Don’t look to the past but the future.

Two Dangers of a past focus are…

I claim credit for past victories.

I think I’m so bad God can’t use me.

The enemies kept up the attack with….
Ezra 4:11-16 Lies, Half truths and Exaggerations and
Ezra 4:18-24 Artaxerxes believed the lies and stopped the work!

Principles in following God’s Plan

1. They did it God's way.
2. They respected God over human pressure.
3. They made Relationship to God most important.
4. They worshipped God as they served.
5. Don’t look to the past but the future.
6. God allows set back to build our faith and show His Power.

Principles in following God’s Plan

1. They did it God's way.
2. They respected God over human pressure.
3. They made Relationship to God most important.
4. They worshipped God as they served.
5. Don’t look to the past but the future.
6. God allows set back to build our faith and show His Power.
7. God provided Abundantly!

My NEXT STEP with God this week:

- Look for God’s opportunities in my life and ministry.
- Make sure I’m following God’s Biblical plan.
- Is God more important to me than my service?
- How is God building my relationship with HIM?
- How have set-backs helped build my faith?
- Other?