Set Your Heart

Of the many people who influenced my life, certainly teachers are among them and I am grateful for them! While teaching is a vocation, the role of teaching comes to each of us. One of my favorite teachers from Scripture is Ezra; he devoted himself to teaching God's Word to the people. His preparation to teach is one I find particularly noteworthy: "Ezra had set his heart (resolved) to study and interpret the Law of the LORD, and to practice it and teach His statues and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:10). Pay close attention to the order in which Ezra prepared: it began with his own heart. Furthermore, he put into practice the Godly principles! It's true we should "practice what we preach" because there are many who watch what we do more than listen to what we say. Ezra is a tremendous example to every Believer to care first-and-foremost for our hearts. As Verse 9 says, "the good hand of his God" was on Ezra," and so is God near and with those who humbly and genuinely seek The Father. Whatever your profession is or was, we are teachers to family, friends, neighbors and strangers. Let us consider the heart from which our lives teach ... set your heart!