Over the past few days I’ve been battling condemnation from the enemy for several reasons. He keeps repeating lies to me, and I’ve been weakly denying that what he says is true. He usually whispers something along these lines:

You’re useless. You’re being a burden to your family. You’re not working and making money to help out. You’re barely able to pay your own bills. Has God really called you to be a missionary? Get out and work – make yourself crazy trying to find a job. Work harder to try and provide for yourself; trust in your own ability and strength. God’s not going to provide for you. He may have provided in the past, but He won’t this time. You’ve misheard Him. You’re not following Him. You’re doing what you want and claiming it’s what He wants. You’re failing. 

I could go on and on. The devil is such a bully, and all he can do is lie. Since I know he is the father of lies, I know that I can turn around what he is saying and see the Truth. It’s just hard sometimes. And, to be transparent with you, I haven’t been using the powerful weapon of God’s Truth as fervently as I should. 

So this morning, I felt very outcast. 

Fortunately, my loving Father has been encouraging me extravagantly to counteract the voice of the enemy. Abba spoke kind words to me yesterday through so many unexpected friends at the most random times (exactly when I needed it). I should have rejoiced at His love in action, and I did for a little while. However, I eventually kept resorting back to my outcast mindset. I neglected Philippians 4:8, where Paul instructs us to choose to think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. Instead I kept thinking about the lies the enemy kept speaking over me. 

This morning, after waking up to an encouraging message from a friend (dhanyabaad, Jesus!), I started reading Ezra. As soon as I started reading, I could feel Abba telling me that these chapters contained instructions for me. As I read and took mental notes about what He was saying, God encouraged me to share this advice with you. 

So, if you are feeling outcast, if the enemy’s lies are screaming louder than the still, small Truths from our Father, here’s what you should do. 

1. Build God a house. 

In the first chapter of Ezra, we find God’s chosen people scattered and dispersed and in captivity – literally cast out. We are told that God stirred up Cyrus king of Persia (the man in control), so he made a proclamation saying, “Whoever is among you of all His people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—He is the God who is in Jerusalem”‭‭ (Ezra‬ ‭1:3‬).

So these chosen people who had wallowed in loneliness and hopelessness for so long had been given some instructions: rebuild the house of the Lord. This is where God’s people made sacrifices to Him, praised Him, and met with Him. 

Likewise, we have been given instructions to build a house for God. Our house, though, is not physical. In Psalm 22:3 we learn that God inhabits His praises, and Psalm 100:4 teaches that we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. This is the “house” we are to build. 

So step one: praise God. To do this we must take our eyes off our circumstances and instead choose to gaze on the greatness of our God. He is great and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:3). Tell Him how good He is, and really believe it. Exclaim that there is none like Him, for it’s true. Sit in silence before Him, because words don’t even begin to describe how praiseworthy He is. Just be still before Him in adoration. Build Him a house, a place to bring a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15) and meet with Him. 

2. Give Him what you have. 

In the second chapter of Ezra, God’s children gather together and gave freewill offerings for the building of God’s house. Free will offerings were spontaneous gifts (Exodus 35:29) or voluntary sacrifices (Leviticus 22:23), as opposed to one they were required to give. Scripture tells us, “According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priests’ garments” (Ezra‬ ‭2:69‬).

So the people, even though they had been through trials and probably made a tiresome journey back to their homelands of Judah and Jerusalem, gave voluntarily to God – and they gave a lot! They offered up freely whatever they had. 

Scripture verifies that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), for when you give in joy – even when you have very little – you are declaring by your actions that God is faithful, God will take care of you, and God loves the person/cause to which you are giving. It’s like saying, “God, you meet my needs, and do even more so. I am blessed by what You have provided tangibly and I am blessed by Your presence. I am so thankful that I want to share a blessing from Your hand with this person.” Then the receiver of the blessing is filled with joy and thanksgiving to God as well! 

Do you trust God to provide for you? Do you believe He will, even if you give to another? Are you willing to be God’s hands and feet by meeting someone’s needs? 

So step two: give God what you have. This might not be much, but we know what Jesus can do with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread! Once again by doing so you are showing your faith by your works (James 2:14-26). Obey God by tithing first, and then give, give, give as He leads and as you see the needs of those around you. 

3. Obey what God told you to do. 

In the third chapter of Ezra, God’s people finally started obeying Him. They built Him an altar according to His instructions. They began offering burnt offerings morning and evening and keeping their feasts like they were supposed to. They gave money to the laborers who were building God’s house. They provided for those who were called to full-time ministry (priests, builders, worshippers, musicians, etc.). They kept giving (step two) and praising God (step one). All of this combined led to the construction of the new house of the Lord. 

By doing these three things, they ceased to be outcasts and instead were transformed into sons and daughters of the Most High King the way He invited them to be – all the way back in Genesis-Deuteronomy. Yahweh was finally getting the love and obedience He deserves. My, what a patient God we serve!

Likewise, we have been given instructions by God. Regardless of what season you’re in, you are commanded to:

• Study the Word of God to show yourself approved (2 Timothy 2:15)
• Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 4:4)
• Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6)
• Fast (Matthew 6:16-18)
• Meet with the Body of Christ (Hebrews 10:25)
• Share with others about what God has commanded you to do (Matthew 28:20)
• Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, take care of the least of these (Matthew 25:31-46)

Scripture is filled with countless commands of how to walk worthy of the calling (Ephesians 4:1). Some commands are particular to specific people (like pastors, teachers, missionaries, etc.), but there’s a lot you can practically do to obey the Lord. Just get in the Word and find out!

Not only that, but God wants to speak to you specific things He has called you to. Get alone with Him and listen. After you listen to Him, continue doing step three: obey what He has commanded. Why? Because He is so worthy, and He works all things for your good (Romans 8:28). His plans are higher than any we could create on our own (Isaiah 55:9). 

For me, step three looks like:

• Serving my family
• Building my support team
• Sharing what God has done in the mission work I’ve been a part of 
• Fasting
• Memorizing scripture
• Giving financially to those around me in need
• Teaching things God has taught me
• Being part of corporate worship and prayer once a week
• Being part of a book study
• Honing the skill of piano
• Spending time with my little brother
• Babysitting for my older brother
• Visiting people to invest in our relationships
• Trusting Him to meet my needs
• Interceding through prayer
• Preparing for upcoming mission trips
• Sharing on my blog what God is teaching me

Your list will probably look very different from mine, but if God has told you what He wants you to do, focus on that. Step out in faith, love, obedience, and trust. Cling to the hope He gives you, and remember that He never leaves nor forsakes you. 

Also, I must warn you not to get caught up in the mindset that if you do all these things, Abba will love you more. He already loves you with an everlasting love, and He is so proud of you, His child. He is faithful. His promises are secure. He has good plans for you. 

Who’s feeling outcast again? Not this daughter of the King of kings. 

• • •

If you’d like to know what missions work I have coming up, feel free to ask! I’d love to share what Abba is stirring my heart for in the nations. 

Also, if you’d like me to email you with my latest update letter, please give me your email and I’ll get that to you right away!

Lastly, if you have any prayer needs, I would love to pray with you about anything. Let me serve you and love you by approaching the throne of the sovereign as holy One – our Father.