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Christian Devotional – November 7, 2013
VERSE: Nehemiah 5:9–So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?” TRUTH: The people were mistreating their own brothers and Nehemiah found out about it. He called the people together and confronted their sins. He reminded them that they have a responsibility to God for how they were treating each other. They were to walk in the fear of God. Do we consider how God will respond to what we are doing? When others confront us, do we admit what we’re doing wrong and repent? We are to walk each day in…
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Christian Devotional – November 6, 2013
VERSE: Nehemiah 4:4–Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. TRUTH: The people were doing what God had led them to do, yet they were meeting with opposition and insults. They didn’t stop the work, they simply kept moving forward and doing what they have been told. They took their concerns to God and Nehemiah prayed that He would protect them. When we encounter opposition, are we praying and turning the opposition over to God? He is the one who offers protection and will take care of us. RESPONSE: Father, when I encounter…
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Christian Devotional – November 5, 2013
VERSE: Nehemiah 3:8–Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. TRUTH: This chapter lists all those who worked on a section of the wall. There were lots of people from all different backgrounds and occupations, yet they were all united with the common goal and purpose to complete this project. When we are focused on God and on doing the work that He has for us, we find that we are unified with lots of people. Through God, we are unified and have purpose. We accomplish…
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Christian Devotional – November 4, 2013
VERSE: Nehemiah 2:1b–I had not been sad in his presence before. TRUTH: Nehemiah had a job; he was cupbearer to the king. He had probably been doing that job for many years and yet he makes this amazing statement as he carries the king’s wine to him. When we are in the presence of others, is our mood swayed by each and every little passing thing, or are we generally in a positive mood unless we are burdened by God about something, like Nehemiah was? Our attitude is such a powerful testimony as to our faith and trust in God. Do others see that in us? RESPONSE: Lord, protect my…
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Christian Devotional – November 3, 2013
VERSE: Nehemiah 1:11–“Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king. TRUTH: As Nehemiah begins this book, he explains his problems and concerns. He hears about the desperate situation that his people are in back in Judah and he quickly goes to the Lord in prayer for several days. He asks that the Lord be attentive to him and hear his prayer. Also, he is driven to action and is led to do…
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Christian Devotional – November 2, 2013
VERSE: Hebrews 13:5–Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” TRUTH: Being content with possessions in a world that is constantly screaming, “more, more!” is difficult. Yet, what are we saying when we scream for more? In essence, what we are saying is that we do not trust God to be with us or take care of us. Being content means resting in the truth that God has promised never to leave us or forsake us. We can be content as we rest in His promise. We don’t have…
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Christian Devotional – November 1, 2013
VERSE: Hebrews 12:1–Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. TRUTH: We are not alone. Every decision that we make is witnessed by the saints who have gone on before; all the people listed in chapter 11 who lived by faith are watching. As a result, we are to throw off the sin that is surrounding us and which is threatening to slow us down and trip us up. We cannot run this race to the best of our ability…
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Christian Devotional – October 31, 2013
VERSE: Hebrews 11:3–By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so what is seen was not made out of what was visible. TRUTH: God made the universe out of nothing. He took and formed and created everything that we see, both near and far, from out of the nothingness that was before. How do we know this? We have faith that the words spoken by God both in Genesis and here are true. We cannot scientifically explain it, but we have faith that it is true because God’s Word says it. RESPONSE: Father, Your world is wonderful and amazing! You have created such beauty and detail. I…
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Christian Devotional – October 30, 2013
VERSE: Hebrews 10:23–Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. TRUTH: We have a hope that is true and that we can hold to because the one we put our hope in is faithful. God is the one who has promised to us and we can trust God to keep His promises. Because of this, our hope is grounded in the assurance that He will do everything exactly as He has promised. RESPONSE: Father, I can hope confidently and faithfully in You because You are faithful to Your promises to me. I will cling to Your promises knowing that You will do just as…
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Christian Devotional – October 29, 2013
VERSE: Hebrews 9:27–Just as people are destined to die once and after that to face judgment. TRUTH: Death and then judgment, this is the way that God has set up the world. We are able to recognize that ideas of reincarnation and the like are simply not true based on scripture. We live, then we die, then we face the judgment that God has for us. As the verses before this state, the results of the judgment will be determined by our response to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ with regard to our own sins. RESPONSE: Father, You have made it very clear that once I die, I will face…