Nehemiah 5:16-17 - Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land. Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 - For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
Application:
· Is my behavior guided by principles of service rather than by opportunism?
· The Christian must not be a loafer.
· Do I devote myself to God's work?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Famine
Nehemiah 5:3-6 - Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.” Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.” When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry.
Haggai 1:6 - You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
Deuteronomy 15:11 - There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Mark 11:17 - And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
Ephesians 4:26-27 - “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Application:
· Have I experienced futility in my activities, legitimate or illegitimate
· Do I extend generosity and kindness to the poor?
· Do I express indignation against social injustice?
· Do I do things that rob the church of it's sanctity?
· Have my emotions been purified? Is my anger sinful? Does my anger outlast the day?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Haggai 1:6 - You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
Deuteronomy 15:11 - There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Mark 11:17 - And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
Ephesians 4:26-27 - “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Application:
· Have I experienced futility in my activities, legitimate or illegitimate
· Do I extend generosity and kindness to the poor?
· Do I express indignation against social injustice?
· Do I do things that rob the church of it's sanctity?
· Have my emotions been purified? Is my anger sinful? Does my anger outlast the day?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Fight
Nehemiah 4:15-5:2 - When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water. Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.”
Exodus 14:14 - The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Application:
· Does God fight for me?
· Even though I may be armed for battle and may march out boldly, the victory will be won by God alone.
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Exodus 14:14 - The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Application:
· Does God fight for me?
· Even though I may be armed for battle and may march out boldly, the victory will be won by God alone.
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Together
Nehemiah 3:31-4:8 - Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner; and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs. When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” 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. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.
Psalms 2:2-3 - The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
Psalm 83:18 - Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Application:
· Have I rebeled against the Lord's Anointed One?
· Do I acknowledge the true God and His rule? Do I seek Him?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Psalms 2:2-3 - The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
Psalm 83:18 - Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Application:
· Have I rebeled against the Lord's Anointed One?
· Do I acknowledge the true God and His rule? Do I seek Him?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Water Gate
Nehemiah 3:20-30 - Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest. Next to him, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib’s house to the end of it. The repairs next to him were made by the priests from the surrounding region. Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house. Next to him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from Azariah’s house to the angle and the corner, and Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard. Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower. Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower to the wall of Ophel. Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house. Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shekaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs. Next to him, Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters.
Nehemiah 8:3 - He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Application:
· Do I listen attentively to the reading and exposition of the Scriptures?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Nehemiah 8:3 - He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Application:
· Do I listen attentively to the reading and exposition of the Scriptures?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Army Officers And Cavalry
Nehemiah 2:9-16 - So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites. I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.
Ezra 8:22 - I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”
Nehemiah 6:12 - I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
Nehemiah 4:14 - After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Nehemiah 13:17 - I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day?
Application:
· Am I ashamed of asking for help after proclaiming faith in God?
· Do I propose courses of action contrary to God's word?
· Do I remember the Lord to dispel my fears?
· Do I turn what is sacred into common use?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Ezra 8:22 - I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”
Nehemiah 6:12 - I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
Nehemiah 4:14 - After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Nehemiah 13:17 - I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day?
Application:
· Am I ashamed of asking for help after proclaiming faith in God?
· Do I propose courses of action contrary to God's word?
· Do I remember the Lord to dispel my fears?
· Do I turn what is sacred into common use?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Thursday, February 17, 2011
How Long Will Your Journey Take
Nehemiah 2:4-8 - The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.
Nehemiah 5:14 - Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.
Luke 23:43 - Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Revelation 2:7 - Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Hosea 4:13 - They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.
Application:
· Do I sacrifice what is normally mine in order to serve as an example to others?
· When I die, will I be in paradise with Jesus?
· Will I or have I overcome? Will I be restored to the perfect fellowship that existed before sin entered the world?
· Are there things in my life that have led to moral erosion?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Nehemiah 5:14 - Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.
Luke 23:43 - Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Revelation 2:7 - Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Hosea 4:13 - They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.
Application:
· Do I sacrifice what is normally mine in order to serve as an example to others?
· When I die, will I be in paradise with Jesus?
· Will I or have I overcome? Will I be restored to the perfect fellowship that existed before sin entered the world?
· Are there things in my life that have led to moral erosion?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
I Prayer To The God Of Heaven
Nehemiah 2:4 - The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”
Nehemiah 4:9 - But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
Nehemiah 13:31 - I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, my God.
Application:
· Before answering others, do I utter brief, spontaneous prayers to God? Am I characterized by frequent recourse to prayer?
· Do I pray? Am I watchful?
· Is my motive in my ministries to please and to serve my Lord?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Nehemiah 4:9 - But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
Nehemiah 13:31 - I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, my God.
Application:
· Before answering others, do I utter brief, spontaneous prayers to God? Am I characterized by frequent recourse to prayer?
· Do I pray? Am I watchful?
· Is my motive in my ministries to please and to serve my Lord?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Your Mighty Hand
Nehemiah 1:10-2:3 - “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 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. In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
Exodus 32:11 - But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?
Daniel 2:4 - Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”
Application:
· Even though I have sinned and failed, I am still one of God's people by virtue of His redeeming me.
· Do I seek the favor of the Lord my God?
· Do I delight in revering His name?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Exodus 32:11 - But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?
Daniel 2:4 - Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”
Application:
· Even though I have sinned and failed, I am still one of God's people by virtue of His redeeming me.
· Do I seek the favor of the Lord my God?
· Do I delight in revering His name?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Monday, February 14, 2011
I Will Gather Them
Nehemiah 1:8-9 - “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’
Ezekiel 36:24,26-28,31 - “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land…I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God…Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.
Jeremiah 23:3 - “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.
Application:
· Is my mind and heart being transformed?
· What God requires of His people He always provides.
· God bestows His Spirit to enable the human spirit to do His will.
· Do I have a pliable, teachable heart?
· God's undeserved grace leads to recollection and repentance
· God brings about the change but calls on me to effect it.
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Ezekiel 36:24,26-28,31 - “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land…I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God…Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.
Jeremiah 23:3 - “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.
Application:
· Is my mind and heart being transformed?
· What God requires of His people He always provides.
· God bestows His Spirit to enable the human spirit to do His will.
· Do I have a pliable, teachable heart?
· God's undeserved grace leads to recollection and repentance
· God brings about the change but calls on me to effect it.
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Friday, February 11, 2011
Sat Down
Nehemiah 1:4 - When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Job 2:13 - Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
Ezra 8:23 - So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Esther 4:16 - “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Application:
· Do I allow my presence to comfort people? Or do I feel I need to advise them?
· Do I fast and petition God? Does He answer my prayer?
· Does prayer accompany my fasting?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Job 2:13 - Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
Ezra 8:23 - So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Esther 4:16 - “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Application:
· Do I allow my presence to comfort people? Or do I feel I need to advise them?
· Do I fast and petition God? Does He answer my prayer?
· Does prayer accompany my fasting?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wall Of Jerusalem Is Broken Down
Nehemiah 1:1-3 - The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
2 Kings 21:14-15 - I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance and give them into the hands of enemies. They will be looted and plundered by all their enemies; they have done evil in my eyes and have aroused my anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt until this day.”
Lamentations 2:9 - Her gates have sunk into the ground; their bars he has broken and destroyed. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and her prophets no longer find visions from the LORD.
Ezra 4:12 - The king should know that the people who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.
Application:
· Have I done evil in God's eyes?
· How is the Lord communicating to me?
· Am I rebellious and wicked?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
2 Kings 21:14-15 - I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance and give them into the hands of enemies. They will be looted and plundered by all their enemies; they have done evil in my eyes and have aroused my anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt until this day.”
Lamentations 2:9 - Her gates have sunk into the ground; their bars he has broken and destroyed. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and her prophets no longer find visions from the LORD.
Ezra 4:12 - The king should know that the people who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.
Application:
· Have I done evil in God's eyes?
· How is the Lord communicating to me?
· Am I rebellious and wicked?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
My People
Amos 9:13-15 - “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the LORD your God.
Isaiah 49:8-9 - This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.
Hosea 2:23 - I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
Isaiah 60:21 - Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor.
Joel 3:20 - Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.
Obadiah 17 - But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.
Ezekiel 34:25-26 - “‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.
Application:
· Does the Lord answer me? Does He help me? Does He keep me?
· Do I respond to God's graciousness?
· Am I part of the redeemed?
· When God's judgment and redemption are complete, His kingdon will endure and flourish eternally.
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Isaiah 49:8-9 - This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.
Hosea 2:23 - I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
Isaiah 60:21 - Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor.
Joel 3:20 - Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.
Obadiah 17 - But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.
Ezekiel 34:25-26 - “‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.
Application:
· Does the Lord answer me? Does He help me? Does He keep me?
· Do I respond to God's graciousness?
· Am I part of the redeemed?
· When God's judgment and redemption are complete, His kingdon will endure and flourish eternally.
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Things
Amos 9:11-14 - “In that day “I will restore David’s fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins—and will rebuild it as it used to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name,” declares the LORD, who will do these things. “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.
Acts 15:16-18 - “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—things known from long ago.
Ruth 2:3 - So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.
Joel 3:18 - “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD’s house and will water the valley of acacias.
Application:
· God does what He says
· God's intention was and is to save me
· Divine providence is at work
· When I am fully redeemed, streams of blessing from God's presence will refresh me
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Acts 15:16-18 - “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—things known from long ago.
Ruth 2:3 - So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.
Joel 3:18 - “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD’s house and will water the valley of acacias.
Application:
· God does what He says
· God's intention was and is to save me
· Divine providence is at work
· When I am fully redeemed, streams of blessing from God's presence will refresh me
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sinful Kingdom
Amos 9:8-12 - “Surely the eyes of the Sovereign LORD are on the sinful kingdom. I will destroy it from the face of the earth. Yet I will not totally destroy the descendants of Jacob,” declares the LORD. “For I will give the command, and I will shake the people of Israel among all the nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, and not a pebble will reach the ground. All the sinners among my people will die by the sword, all those who say, ‘Disaster will not overtake or meet us.’ “In that day “I will restore David’s fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins—and will rebuild it as it used to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name,” declares the LORD, who will do these things.
Amos 3:2 - “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins.”
Luke 22:31 - “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.
Isaiah 49:8-9 - This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.
Genesis 3:15 - And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Application:
· Has my strength and prosperity given rise to complacency?
· Does Satan want to test me? Is Satan hoping to bring me to spiritual ruin?
· Will God bless me after He judges me?
· Does God answer me? Does God help me? Does God keep me?
· Will I someday share in the victory of crushing Satan's head?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Amos 3:2 - “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins.”
Luke 22:31 - “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.
Isaiah 49:8-9 - This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.
Genesis 3:15 - And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Application:
· Has my strength and prosperity given rise to complacency?
· Does Satan want to test me? Is Satan hoping to bring me to spiritual ruin?
· Will God bless me after He judges me?
· Does God answer me? Does God help me? Does God keep me?
· Will I someday share in the victory of crushing Satan's head?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Friday, February 4, 2011
Mourning
Amos 8:4-10 - Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, saying, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?”—skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat. The LORD has sworn by himself, the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget anything they have done. “Will not the land tremble for this, and all who live in it mourn? The whole land will rise like the Nile; it will be stirred up and then sink like the river of Egypt. “In that day,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. I will turn your religious festivals into mourning and all your singing into weeping. I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day.
Jeremiah 13:16 - Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. You hope for light, but he will turn it to utter darkness and change it to deep gloom.
Luke 23:44-45 - It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
2 Samuel 18:33 - The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Application:
· I can give glory to God by confessing my sins
· Christ's death gave me direct access to God
· In spite of all that my children do, may my love for them be as much or more than David's love for His children
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Jeremiah 13:16 - Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. You hope for light, but he will turn it to utter darkness and change it to deep gloom.
Luke 23:44-45 - It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
2 Samuel 18:33 - The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Application:
· I can give glory to God by confessing my sins
· Christ's death gave me direct access to God
· In spite of all that my children do, may my love for them be as much or more than David's love for His children
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Skimping The Measure, Boosting The Price and Dishonesty
Amos 8:1-6 - This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: a basket of ripe fruit. “What do you see, Amos?” he asked. “A basket of ripe fruit,” I answered. Then the LORD said to me, “The time is ripe for my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. “In that day,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “the songs in the temple will turn to wailing. Many, many bodies—flung everywhere! Silence!” Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, saying, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?”—skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat.
Psalm 14:4 - Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the LORD.
Amos 2:7 - They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.
Ezekiel 45:10 - You are to use accurate scales, an accurate ephah and an accurate bath.
Leviticus 19:35 - “‘Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity.
Application:
· Do I rely on the Lord?
· Do I care for the poor and oppressed? Do I protect them from injustice? Do I defend them?
· Do I handle my finances unjustly?
· Am I dishonest?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Psalm 14:4 - Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the LORD.
Amos 2:7 - They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.
Ezekiel 45:10 - You are to use accurate scales, an accurate ephah and an accurate bath.
Leviticus 19:35 - “‘Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity.
Application:
· Do I rely on the Lord?
· Do I care for the poor and oppressed? Do I protect them from injustice? Do I defend them?
· Do I handle my finances unjustly?
· Am I dishonest?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Do Not Prophesy
Amos 7:16-17 - Now then, hear the word of the LORD. You say, “‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and stop preaching against the descendants of Isaac.’ “Therefore this is what the LORD says: “‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be measured and divided up, and you yourself will die in a pagan country. And Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.’”
Jeremiah 22:2 - ‘Hear the word of the LORD to you, king of Judah, you who sit on David’s throne—you, your officials and your people who come through these gates.
Amos 2:12 - “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
Hosea 4:13 - They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.
Application:
· The victorious Messiah will someday appear as the culmination of David's royal line.
· Do I exhibit insensitivity to God's working among His servants?
· Do my idols lead to erosion of my morals?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Jeremiah 22:2 - ‘Hear the word of the LORD to you, king of Judah, you who sit on David’s throne—you, your officials and your people who come through these gates.
Amos 2:12 - “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
Hosea 4:13 - They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.
Application:
· The victorious Messiah will someday appear as the culmination of David's royal line.
· Do I exhibit insensitivity to God's working among His servants?
· Do my idols lead to erosion of my morals?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Kingdom
Amos 7:10-15 - Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. For this is what Amos is saying: “‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.’” Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.” Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
Amos 2:12 - “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
Genesis 37:2 - This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
Ezekiel 2:3 - He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day.
Application:
· Do I show disdain for God's servants? Am I insensitive to God working through His servants?
· Do I struggle with God? Have I overcome?
· Am I rebellious against God?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
Amos 2:12 - “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
Genesis 37:2 - This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
Ezekiel 2:3 - He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day.
Application:
· Do I show disdain for God's servants? Am I insensitive to God working through His servants?
· Do I struggle with God? Have I overcome?
· Am I rebellious against God?
All Scripture verses taken from NIV
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