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Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they added to the calamity.’ – Zechariah 1:14-15

God is angry with those who feel secure? It appears that there were nations that were so secure in themselves that they had little need for God. I shake my head at their ignorance until I realize that my own securities drive me further away from God.

I find certain areas of my life where I am secure. I have led worship a long time and there are parts of that job I can do easily and under my own power. Because I am secure, I can get over confident. Why pray for help and favor? I’ve done this before, I have this covered. What a dangerous place to be. I think that it part of the reason I took on the teaching role. I knew I was way over my head. I knew to do that, I desperately needed God.

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After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. – Luke 8:1-3

Jesus is in full swing of his ministry. He is traveling with friends. On missions, he is healing, teaching and stirring up the crowds. He is reaching celebrity status. A few verses later it says that there were so many people trying to crowd around Jesus that they almost crushed him. Nobody was pushing in for an autograph, they wanted to touch God.

To support and finance the whole tour was a group of women. They had evidently saved some money and were now taking care of Jesus and the twelve. They were financing the whole experience. This had to be an upside down picture of the culture of the day. It seems a great picture of community. A picture of give and take in context of community.

We speak and teach about community. It is part of what we are at exchange. We are a community of people who follow Christ and serve in his cause. I’d like to think that we do a great job at community. I’d like to believe that we connect with each other deeply. We don’t. we do OK, but not to the level we need to. We have to do better. We have to give community and take community.

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Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god. – Ezra 1:7

King Cyrus had just heard from God. God instructed him to build a temple. Not a temple for Cyrus, but for God. Cryrus sends out word to all the people asking for donations to the temple. He then heads for the loot Nebuchadnezzar had earlier stolen from Jerusalem. It had originally been meant for God. Nebuchadnezzar had stolen it and placed it in the temple of another god. It was time to redeem the stolen goods.

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