Nov 10: Matthew 4, Jeremiah 19, Psalm 89
Nov 11: Matthew 5, Jeremiah 20, Psalm 90
Nov 12: Matthew 6, Jeremiah 21, Psalm 91
Nov 13: Matthew 7, Jeremiah 22, Psalm 92
Nov 14: Matthew 8, Jeremiah 23, Psalm 93
Nov 15: Matthew 9, Jeremiah 24, Psalm 94
Nehemiah_7
Scripture
Nehemiah 7:1-2
After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. 2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.
Observation
Tbh (to be honest), I read through today’s entire passage…a few times…and was a bit at a loss of what to write; but the second half of verse two continued to strike me.As I dug into the commentary, I continued to enjoy what I found.So, here we go…but do understand that a lot of what is written here are not my words. <3
PS Don’t you just love how God takes you on a little journey from time to time? J
Understanding
Taken from https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/nehemiah-7/, the bold for emphasis is mine.
(1-2) The appointment of Hanani and Hananiah.
Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.
1.Then it was, when the wall was built: Everything was in order – both practically (the wall… I hung the doors… the gatekeepers) and spiritually (the singers… the Levites); the work was completed and set right.
a.The singers and the Levites were there to lead the people in worship; the walls were not rebuilt so the people of Jerusalem could look at nice walls. They were rebuilt so they could worship God with greater glory and freedom than ever before.
b.Every victory in our life should take us deeper into praise. If we are not praising God more, and more deeply, with each passing year, are we really having much victory? Maybe we are making it through tough times – but coming out more bitter and sour than ever. That is not God’s victory. His victory leads to a sweeter spirit and to deeper praise.
2.I gave the charge of Jerusalem: Nehemiah wasn’t in this for political glory. He had done a work, and now he could let it go. God would still use him in Jerusalem, but he knew it wasn’t his place to stay in authority.
3.Hanani: This was Nehemiah’s brother, was the one who first told him about the sad state of affairs in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:2). His initiative and concern made him well qualified to govern.
4.He was a faithful man and feared God more than many: This described Hananiah, who was the co-leader of Jerusalem. This is what God needs in a man or a woman to use them greatly.
a.Many folks who aren’t all that gifted – they can’t sing, they can’t remember a bunch of Bible verses, they don’t have a knack for teaching, and so forth – can still be used greatly of God if they are faithful and fear God. On the other hand, many terribly gifted people may always be frustrated in serving God if they are not faithful and fearing God.
Life Application
Now we are back to my words. JMy takeaways from what I emphasized above.
-It’s amazing what God can (and will) do with a faithful heart…doesn’t matter how prosperous, doesn’t matter how gifted.A faithful heart is what God is looking for, what he can embolden, gift, prosper, resource and use.
MAY WE LIVE IN FAITH, BUILD OUR FAITH, STEP OUT IN FAITH.
-Sometimes there are practical things that must be done to better support a spiritual need/desire…but the focus must not linger away to long from the spiritual need/desire.[It’s not about the walls, it’s about the worship inside of the walls.]
KEEP FIRST THINGS FIRST…AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE FIRST THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS THE MOST PRACTICAL THINGS.
-Every victory in our life should take us deeper into praise, deeper into obedience, deeper into love, deeper into alignment with the will of God.That is what true victory looks like – becoming more Christ like.
LIVE IN VICTORY…AND TAKE TIME TO EXAMINE THOSE VICTORIES, REMEMBERING THAT THE VICTORY IS NEVER OURS ALONE…NOT OURS ALONE TO CLAIM, NOT OURS ALONE TO USE.HOW IS GOOD MOVING IN THIS VICTORY?
-Just because God calls us somewhere, doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where he intends for us to stay. We serve an unchanging, but always moving God.
MAY WE KEEP UP WITH THE MOVE OF GOD…AND BE EQUALLY WILLING TO MOVE BOLDLY MOVE FORWARD AND LET GO.
-God’s not looking for the most able bodied, the most gifted, the most…well, he’s not looking for the most ANYTHING.He’s only looking for faithful hearts that are willing to serve Him.He can fill in the rest.
SEE #1 [MAY WE LIVE IN FAITH, BUILD OUR FAITH, STEP OUT IN FAITH.
Now, let’s go out and put this madness in action…
Rei
PS Go love on somebody! <3
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Revelation 1
Observation-What does it say? The traditional view of the author of this book is the apostle John, son of Zebedee. Though some made an argument for another, the evidence seems to support the apostle as the author. The book is written in a time preceding a great persecution of Christians by Rome, possibly under the leadership of Nero. Because of the increasing persecution, some in the church were advocating for a compromise of their values and accepting the practice of emperor worship, as was common in Rome at the time. This attitude of compromise needed to be routed out before the faith of the believers is undermined in hard times.
In the first chapter, we see the introduction of how the book was inspired. John, who is in exile on the island of Patmos, is in worship on “the Lord’s day.” During his time of worship, God reveals this message to him. In the opening John shares the image of Jesus. Seeing Jesus had a great affect on John, and he loses control of himself.
Understanding-What does it mean? On a few different occasions, I have had the opportunity to meet different people of fame. Every time, even though I know they put their pants on just like I do, I get a little weird. I get a little nervous, start sweating on my hands, and then I can’t think of what to say. One time, a large production company came to film a major motion picture at the building where I worked and I acted as “security” for the day. As part of the circus, there was a really big name actor. One of my female co-workers was walking through the building when she saw “Jake.” She later told me how their eyes locked as they passed each other in the hallway. Her heart started beating faster, she lost her breath, and she felt as though she was looking in the “eyes of an angel.” A few hours later, I had the opportunity to have a brief conversation with “Jake.” I found out he was very paranoid, and rather odd, and all the amazement of what my friend told me faded away in a second. “Jake” was revealed as just another guy.
So it’s understandable that John, upon meeting the creator of the universe, fell down “like a dead man.” This is a model worth following. Entering the presence of God in fear and trembling. It pains me to say, I often come to God, not as the creator of the universe, nor as the saviour of my soul, but more like a waiter or a cook. I ask for things as though I deserve them, not considering my reality, that I am a sinner in need of saving. Multiple times through scripture, we are reminded of how great God is, and how we are only made clean through His sacrifice. We are given the image of the burning bush (Exodus 3). In Isaiah 6 we see a vision God on his throne, and the angels singing “Holy, holy, holy.” Time and time again we see those who encounter the living God, and how they respond with complete awe and we ought to follow their lead.
Life Application Jesus forgive me for not entering into your presence with reverence. Help me to know that you are the only one worthy of my praise. Thank you for your sacrifice.