Do you have a Bible hero? Someone in Scripture who inspires you, challenges you, comforts you, or prods you towards God’s purpose for you? The people who fill the pages of the Bible are flesh and blood, real people who walked, moved, lived, loved, sinned, struggled, fell, and got up just like you and me. Their stories are given to us so that we can learn what it means to live in God’s will, walk in His ways, and see His glory in the everyday routine of living.
Ezra is one of my favorites. Ezra 7:4 says, “For Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”
Ezra lived at a time when Israel was struggling to refind its footing as God’s people. Coming back from captivity, they needed to plant deep roots in worship, seal their identity in God’s presence, and learn again what it meant to live in the promises and purpose of the Lord. So Ezra set his heart to doing three things that would not only come to define him, but help shape the people among whom he lived.
Ezra set his heart to study. He committed to saturating his soul with the power of God’s Word. He set his heart to doing everything God’s Word revealed. God’s law became his map, his guide, his lamp, his wisdom, and his path. He set his heart to teaching others. He made it his mission to connect the people around him with the God who had pursued them, loved them, redeemed them, and longed to make them His own. By choice, by diligence, and by example, Ezra lived out what it means to be God’s person in his time and place.
My Jesus Resolution today is to be like Ezra. I want to set my heart on God. I want Jesus to be the focus, the determination, and the deep desire of who I am. I want to immerse myself in His Word, allowing its life-refreshing waters to penetrate the hard places, fill in the broken spots, and heal the wounds left by my waywardness. I want to not only learn about Him, I want to live like Jesus. Walking in His footsteps leaves a trail that leads others straight into the presence of God.
Casandra Martin 
My hero? There are many, but the one whose ministry is sorely in need in these times was Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement.
Pastors leaving churches, people following the so-called prophets of doom and gloom, life in general, we need a Barnabas.
So, he is my hero. At 85+ years of age, I have no interest in aches and pains, nor the fear of what tomorrow brings. My Lord and I have been walking, working together for over forty years and He still makes my tomorrows to be brighter than my yesterdays. And yes, I have changed churches a number of times as I would discover the seats were too often filled with people hoping their visit made a good impression on the Lord.
How sad! We used to sing, “People need the Lord….” Yes, they do, but they also need a Barnabas to encourage hem.
My prayer is that your readers might join in. Welcome the next person you meet, make sure they return it and then, share your experiences.
I have it on good authority, your day will be brighter, for faith more secure and life – in general, will take on new meaning.
Bless you, dear sister……..i am 69 and struggling doing the things i do not want to do and not doing the things i know i should do…..you give hope by the words you share…..i am praying for you and for today for you….please pray for me…..
Cassandra, today the example i look to is Elijah when he ran from Jezebel and was so depressed he wanted to die…he felt so alone, but he shared his feelings with God and he was sustained by God and was strengthened to continue his role as God’s “man”..fear is mine for a wasted life….and i long for hope……Elijah did too and hope became his….. I Kings 19
sorry about the extra “s” in your name…..should have written Casandra