Mon.’s Devo - The Glory of God’s Creation 8-31-20

Read: Job 37:1-39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 22:13 Elihu continued his dialog of God’s greatness revealed in nature. He has a gift for describing thunder and lightning in a way you can see it and feel it. Then he asks Job if he can do that? He sarcastically asks Job to teach them how to talk to God since they are too arrogant. His point is that people who are wise fear God. Finally, God answers Job from the whirlwind. He asks Job question after question starting with, “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such arrogant words?” I have to say that God sounds a lot like Elihu which might by why God didn’t rebuke Elihu at the end. I like to read what God says, not as questions to Job but as insights to creation. He lets us in on how he created everything and his great wisdom and majesty is revealed in everything he made. What is so incredible is how he carefully God thought out his making of every animal and its characteristics and ways. We are all so different yet God has given each of us a part of himself that we portray to the world. Everything God made is an instrument in his orchestra. There is a word that Paul says twice that jumped out at me and it is the word “confidence”. That was he was trying to build in the church. Confidence in God’s ability to bring us to our promised land which is heaven. When we can see the end and the reward, we can endure the troubles of the day. When we lose sight of the reward, we faint and stumble. Jesus is our reward and our goal is to please him in this world with our lives. Lord, truly the earth manifests your glory and wisdom. May we never stop marveling over your creation and your great power to watch over and protect us.

Sun.’s Devo - We Are the Light of the World

Read: Job 28:1-30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 22:7 Elihu continues judging Job’s claims of innocence. He claims that Job is a man of irreverent talk, then continues to talk irreverently about Job. What Elihu says about God has a lot of wisdom as does the other men’t speeches. They just got it wrong about Job. He asks Job if he things God should tailor his justice to meet his demands. He thinks that Job deserves God’s maximum penalty. He adds rebellion and disrespect to Job’s list of sins. Elihu continues explaining God’s great love for humanity…all except for Job. Elihu says that God is great and worthy of praise and who can tell him what to do or declare their innocence. Paul explained this very thing. The people of this world cannot understand the redeeming power of God to make a person righteous. It is not our righteousness we are proclaiming or living; it is God’s righteousness living through us who yield to it. It is our light that shines brighter and brighter the more we die to expose it. We go through troubles, trials, suffering and pain in this world but God is always with us empowering us to go through it with joy. In the Old Testament their righteousness was in their deeds, in the New Testament our righteousness is in Christ who lives in us. Lord, may your righteousness live through us to lighten the world and give them a way to You and peace in our troubled times.

Sat.’s Devo - Let Your Light Shine

Read: Job 31:1-33:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 22:8-9 Job seems to be going through his check list of anything he could have done and presents his own case to himself and his friends. He hasn’t lusted after another woman. He explains that those who go the way of sexual sin end up in hell and losing everything. How true is that? He hasn’t been unfair to his servants and slaves. He realizes they are both equal in God’s eyes. He has always cared for the orphan, the widow, and the homeless. He hasn’t put his trust in his riches although he had plenty. He hasn’t worshipped the sun or the moon or wanted his enemies to meet disaster. He has never turned away a stranger or tried to hide his sins. He hasn’t feared what others thought or been afraid of facing the crowd. Of all this he signs his name that it is true. If anyone can bring an accusation against him, and he is guilty of it, he will repent. Amen. Job was finished. There was another younger guy who had listened to all of the words of Job and his friends but he had remained quiet in honor of their age. When he saw that Job’s friends were not able to convince Job of his sin and that Job was still standing on his own integrity, he couldn’t stay quiet another moment. He felt he had to speak up. His name was Elihu, son of Barakel the Buzite. The word “Buzite” means “contempt for those in authority or disrespect for those older”. That would describe Elihu. He claimed that even though he was younger, he had the spirit of God which made him wiser than them. In his arrogance, he warns them he is not going to flatter them. That was an understatement. He started with Job and his plea for innocence. Elihu explained that God speaks through dreams and disciplines people with pain and sickness. He also speaks through angels and restores people’s health and youth when they are on their death bed. This visitation should cause the person to repent and humble himself before his friends and admit his guilt. He then gave Job a chance to rebuttal but warns him that he is not through. In Corinthians, Paul explained that our lives can be read like a book and show the way to Jesus just like the Word was written on stone tablets. It is because now, the Word is written on our hearts. The old covenant started in glory and ended in death but the new covenant starts in death, the death of Jesus and ourselves and ends in great glory. The new covenant gives us confidence to be very bold. We cannot veil ourselves like Moses had to because the glory of God was so bright on his face. It was the people who asked him to put the veil on because they could not look on his face. That veil is now on the face of the unbeliever veiling their minds from being able to see the truth. Only belief in Jesus as the Messiah will take that veil away. Lord, may we let our light so shine from our unveiled faces that we glorify the hearts of those who’s faces are veiled. May we bring hope and life to those perishing.

Fri.’s Devo - Wisdom and Understanding

Read: Job 28:1-30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 22:7 Job observes that man can find gold and silver but cannot find wisdom or understanding. He knows that wisdom and understanding are so much more valuable than gold or silver or any gem that can be found in the earth. Wisdom and understanding can only be found in God. The fear of the Lord is true wisdom and to forsake evil is real understanding. Job reminisced about his past, when he walked in God’s favor and safety. God was his friend and his presence could be felt in his home. His children were in his life and he was blessed with not only material wealth, but honor and respect. Now, his children were gone and he was mocked by those he once helped. He believes that God is to blame and is persecuting him. We know that it was Satan that did all of this to Job, but he didn’t have privy to that information. I feel like there are many in the world, Christians and the unsaved, who think all that is going on the world is the work of God and his judgment, but it is not. It is Satan who is bringing all of this and God is turning it for our good. God is always the one that gets blamed for Satan’s dirty work so let’s just praise God more and make the devil really mad. Paul when to Troas to preach the Good News but didn’t feel right about staying because he hadn’t heard from Titus about how the church was doing in Corinth, so he left to go find Titus in Macedonia. Paul describes our lives as Christians as a sweet perfume rising up to God. That is how precious we are to God. But our fragrance of perfume to God is not that to unbelievers. It is a dreadful smell of death and doom. We remind them of their end if they don’t repent and they don’t like that. They want to keep doing their evil and living their lives for themselves. There is a difference between those who preach for profit, and those who preach with a sincere heart and with Christ’s authority and the fear of the Lord. Paul was the latter. Lord, help us to live our lives and share the good news to others with a sincere heart and with no personal motives. May we walk in Your wisdom and understanding.

Thurs.’s Devo - A Clear Conscience

Read: Job 23:1-27:23; 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11; Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 22:5-6 Reading Job’s cry to have an audience with God makes me so thankful that we live in the dispensation of grace where we understand that we can present our case before his throne room of grace and he will hear us. Job sees all the injustice in the world and wonders why God doesn’t do anything about it. Bildad’s reply was that God is so holy that no man could ever be innocent before God. Job responded with “how you have enlightened my stupidity!”. You have to laugh at their responses to one another! Job exclaims the majesty and power of God on the earth. Then he defends his own integrity and his clear conscience. He concludes that righteousness will win out in the end. In Corinthians, Paul said the same thing Job said. Paul said that with confidence and a clear conscience they have lived with God-given holiness and sincerity in their dealings. They have done that through God’s grace that enables us to walk in power over sin. Apparently on Paul’s last visit to Corinth had had met a man who rudely attacked him or his teaching so he mentions him. Paul tells them that it is now time to forgive him and comfort him so that he won’t become overcome with discouragement. He doesn’t want Satan to get the victory. Love always covers a multitude of sins. Lord, help us to walk in love and walk in a clear conscience.

Wed.’s Devo - God’s Power to Deliver Us

Read: Job 20:1-22:30; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 22:2-4 Zophar had had enough of Job’s insults so he felt compelled to give his opinion. He gave a long saga describing the life of the wicked which, in his opinion, always ends in destruction, humiliation and judgment. Job, in his state of devastation for no reason, cannot agree. In his eyes, the wicked prosper and die a heroes death. Sure, they are judged in the hereafter, but not necessarily on earth. Eliphaz then gives his two cents and says that what man does on earth doesn’t mean anything to God. Job’s righteousness doesn’t move God, but his sin will. Then he suggests how Job might have sinned and “missed” it. He begs Job to repent of his evil ways and return to the Lord. Then, God will surely forgive him and shine his light upon him once more. Paul in Corinthians encourages the people to have comfort and to comfort one another. He gives his own story of comfort. When he was in Asia, they stood in the face of death, but God delivered them and he will do it again. Lord, may we place our confidence in you who will continue to rescue us.

Tues.’s Devo - Walk in Love

Read: Job 16:1-19:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 22:1 Job rebuked his friends for all their criticism when what he needed was comfort and encouragement him in his loss. Once again, Job cried out for a mediator like a lawyer to help him present his case to the Lord. That mediator was given to us in the person of Jesus Christ and then Jesus gave us another one called Holy Spirit. Job cried out for the earth to defend his innocence and stand up for him since no man will do it. He told his friends to go home and come back with a better argument because none of what they had said yet was acceptable or right. Bildad spoke up and gave a speech about the wicked as if Job fell in that category. Job defended himself and cried out for mercy from his friends. Everyone had turned against him yet he ended in a praise to God and his Redeemer. He declared that his end would be victory. It is his ‘friends’ who should fear punishment. I can’t help but see the contrast of they way Job’s friends treated him and the way Paul treated the ones who served him. Paul honored them and commended what they did. What we do for the Lord is not measurable in human standards but God is writing it all down and will reward us according to our obedience. The ministry of spreading the Gospel is a team effort and everyone does their part no matter how small or unimportant it may seem. It is all important and huge in God’s eyes. We are all working for the Lord. Paul’ encouragement to his team was to be on guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong and do everything with love. Lord, as members of your family, help us to do all the things Paul told his team. May we bring encouragement and give strength to our fellow brothers and sisters and walk in love.

Mon.’s Devo - Death and Resurrection

Read: Job 12:1-15-35; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 21:30-31 Job loses all restraints with his friends. He sarcastically tells them that they know everything and when they die, wisdom will die with them. Then he defends his own knowledge. In his experience with his loss he has learned that people who are at ease have no problem mocking those in trouble. True wisdom, power, counsel and understanding belong to God alone. God rules over all the affairs of man. He puts people in office and takes them out of office, builds up nations and tears them down. He rules over both the deceived and the deceivers. Job decided that he wanted to argue his own case before God’s throne of grace. He has two requests: that God would remove his heavy hand from him and that God would not terrify him with his awesome presence when he stands before him. He has his questions ready. He wants to know what he has done that has deserved this. Why has God made him his enemy? He concludes by saying he wishes that his sins were sealed in a pouch and that God would cover his guilt. Job is giving us the cry of a people who have no hope and no salvation. Jesus came to earth to give us all of this: freedom from our sins and a covering of our guilt. He gives us an audience with himself and the chance to plead our case. He gives us access to Him. Job’s friend, Eliphaz speaks next and calls Job a windbag. He accuses Job of being disrespectful to God and arrogant. He refers to the wisdom of the aged which has been passed down to him for generations, so it must be right. He starts with a long description of the wicked of the earth. Their end will be early death and fire. In Corinthians, Paul is still giving his defense for the resurrection. He points out that if they didn’t believe in the resurrection then they wouldn’t be baptizing for people who were dead. This was a practice that they did in Corinth for a person who had died without being baptized. Paul used this to make his point. When we die, our bodies are put in the ground as a seed that will burst forth on the resurrection of the dead when the trumpet sounds. That is when we will get our new bodies and death will be no more. First the natural, then the spiritual. Adam was the first man and he was natural. Jesus was the second Adam and he was spiritual. The first Adam represents our natural birth and Jesus represents our spiritual born-again, birth. The natural man dies and is buried in the ground. The spiritual man raises to walk in a new life. Lord, may we walk in newness of life and walk as Jesus walked on the earth.

Sun.’s Devo - Resurrection Power

Read: Job 8:1-11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 21:28-29 Job’s second friend, Bildad the Shuhite spoke up. His name and origin means “love is confusing to the depressed”. How true. He accused Job of twisting the justice of God. He thinks that Job’s children must have sinned since Job is adamant that it wasn’t him. If Job is as righteous as he claims, then Bildad says that God will restore everything he has lost. Job agrees with him and knows what he says is true in principle, he is having a hard time with saying he can stand before God as a righteous person because who is righteous before God; He just doesn’t know of a particular sin that he could be being tried for. Job gives us a window into the heart of man before Christ. He says, “even if I was right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy.” “If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.”” Today, we have everything Job was wanting, in the blood of Jesus Christ. He enables us to walk in mercy and not fear of judgment. He is our mediator and we no longer fear judgement. Being born again allows us to talk to God without fear and to walk in the power of God and not our own strength. Job cries out and wants God to tell him why he has allowed all this to happen to him. Job’s third friend, Zophar the Naamathite steps up to give his thoughts on Job’s story. He is the more ruthless of the three. He believes that Job has masked his sin in all his many words. He accuses Job of mocking God and refusing to admit that he is being punished for his sin. He encourages Job to repent and all will be well with him. In Corinthians, Paul reminds us of our foundation which is the Good News of salvation. The foundation of the Good News was not just the cross, but the power of the cross was the resurrection. Apparently there was argument about resurrection. Paul reminded them of the facts and all the people that saw Jesus after his death. He gave the order of resurrection. Christ was the first resurrected as the first fruit of the harvest of resurrection. Then we will be resurrected when he comes back. After he comes back the end will come and he will turn the Kingdom over to God. He will have destroyed every ruler and authority and power. Right now Christ is reigning and he is humbling all his enemies under his feet and the last enemy will be death. Lord, thank you for your resurrection life you have put in us. Thank you that we have forgiveness and right standing with you because of the blood. Help us to walk in your resurrection power today.

Sat.’s Devo - Job’s Problems; Paul’s Problems

Read: Job 4:1-7:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18-40; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 21:27 Eliphaz was the first of Job’s three friends that spoke up. He believed that from his experience, men suffer because they have sinned in some way and since Job was definitely suffering, he must have sinned. Job would have been diagnosed with suicidal depression if he lived in our day. He would have been given an anti-depressant and been on clinical watch. But, he did take up for himself. He told Eliphaz to stop assuming his calamities were due to his sin. He accused Eliphaz of not helping him at all because he was afraid. He was afraid that Job might ask him to give him some money or to fight for him. He told his friend that all life is a struggle and everyone has something to complain about sometime in their life. Job ended by praying to God to remember him in his misery and give him some relief. He questioned if God was mad at him for some reason. There is not a one of us that can’t relate to Job and his questions about why this happened to him. It helps me to remember that trials come to everyone and sometimes it is because of a repercussion of something we have done, sometimes it is a lesson in life and sometimes it is just because we live in a fallen world where things are broken. We just have to trust that God is with us and will bring us through it, teach us life lessons, comfort us and rebuke us if we need that. The bottom line is that God is our good father who tenderly loves us and works everything for our good. In the letters of Paul, he is usually answering their questions and we only have his answers many times without knowing the question or the problem. The church in the Greek city of Corinth was so different from a Jewish city church. The Greeks worshipped many gods and many of their gods were women. Greek women were not oppressed like in Jewish communities. So when Greek women got saved, they were not the submissive women like the Jewish wives. They spoke up in church and were very vocal. Paul, being a Jew had a hard time with their strong woman culture. The churches were like day cares with very immature Christians. Those with the gift of prophesy thought they could interrupt the teaching and give their word from God or it might leave them. Paul wrote that the Spirit would remain with them. They could wait till the person speaking finished speaking before they gave their word. Since the women usually sat up in the balcony and the men on the bottom floor, they could not always hear what was being said so they would yell down to ask questions. Paul instructed them to stop yelling in church and just wait till they got home to ask their husbands any questions they might have. It was all to have a more peaceful, orderly service. (They obviously didn’t know about three songs, a sermon, and a prayer set-up.) Lol! Lord, give us your peace concerning things we do not understand and help us to have patience to wait for your deliverance.

Fri.’s Devo - Job’s Beginnings

Read: Job 1:1-3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 21:25-26 No one knows who wrote Job but some believe that the author was Moses. Job is believed to have been written around 2000 B.C. Job was a Gentile and probably a descendant of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. He was a very rich man living a semi-nomadic lifestyle. He and his wife had seven sons and three daughters as well as hundreds of animals. Job was very religious and offered sacrifices after every party his children had just in case they might have cursed God while they were drunk or in high spirits. God had a convention of his heavenly beings and Satan was there. When it came Satan’s time to give an account of his exploits, he explained that he had been traveling up and down from heaven to earth and all across the land. God asked him if he had noticed Job who was honest and upright. Satan had noticed Job but his complaint was that Job was so loyal to God because God had given him everything he could ever want. Satan continued that if he took it all away, he would curse God to his face. God disagreed and told Satan that he could test Job with all he had. Satan had absolutely no mercy. He took it all, his kids, cattle and money. But, Job didn’t curse God, he blessed God. It was His anyway so he was just grateful to be his steward. When that didn’t work, Satan was in heaven again for an accounting and they talked about Job again. Satan explained that the first test failed but he knew the second test would not. He wanted to touch his physical health. God allowed him to do what he wanted as long as he didn’t kill him. Satan gave him itching boils. It was tormenting because there was no relief. Job’s three friends learned of his reversal and came to visit. They were so appalled at the change in Job’s appearance and his possessions that they were speechless. They should have remained speechless and gone home after that, but they stayed. Job was the first to speak and he cursed the day he was born. He did say some things we should pay attention to. He said, ”What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.” Did Job’s fear choose Satan’s ammunition? I believe that is what he is saying. We can curse ourselves by the things we say and the fears we have or we can bless ourselves by the things we say and the faith we have. In Corinthians, Paul encourages us to both pray in tongues and in English. Praying in tongues is praying the mysteries of God and we need to do that, but prophesying is saying the mysteries of God to people. Prophesying is revealing the mysteries of God so that people can understand them which edifies the Body. It is important to speak in tongue to edify yourself to speak prophecy to others. Lord, may we speak your mysteries to you and to others. May we speak and walk in faith.

Thurs.’s Devo - Divine Reversals

Read: Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24 Esther is the book of divine reversals. Haman, compelled by hatred and revenge wanted to kill Mordecai and all of his people. Instead, Haman was killed on the very pole he constructed to kill Mordecai on. Instead of Mordecai’s people being killed, Haman’s people and his 10 sons were killed. The honor that Haman craved went to Mordecai who never sought to be exalted. The Jews who were destined to be killed, got to kill their enemies. People stood up for the Jews and they were honored instead of hated. Mordecai was allowed to use the king’s ring to make a law to counter Haman’s law and the mourning of the people turned to gladness and celebration. A new holiday was established called Purim which will be celebrated next year on February 25-26. Corinthians gives us a list of the members of Christ’s body. The most important is the apostle. In the Greek, that word means a delegate, one sent by God, with miraculous powers. Next in importance to the body is the prophet. In the Greek that word means a foreteller, an inspired speaker or poet. I would think that that would include people who write songs that inspire us and pour life into us. The next is a teacher which means an instructor, doctor, or master. Then a person who moves in miracles and power. Next are people with the gift of healing and cures. I would think that they would include miraculous healing and inventors of medicines that heal people. Next are people who have the gift of helps or bring relief to people. That could include nurses, care-takers, spiritual mothers and fathers, etc. Next are the leaders who direct the government in the state and the church. Next are the ones who speak in tongues. Last of all, Paul tells us how to operate these gifts and it is through love. All of the gifts of God are useless and can be harmful if they don’t come through the vessel of love. There are three things that are eternal: faith, hope, and love but love is the greatest. Lord, thank you for this reminder. Love is the most important thing. Help us to walk in love today. Thank you for divine reversals.

Wed.’s Devo - God’s Turn Around

Read: Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22 Mordecai heard the decree read to annihilate the Jews and tore his clothes, put on burlap and asked and went into the city wailing and all the way to the palace gate. The Jews fasted and prayed and wore clothes of mourning. When Esther heard of what Mordecai had done, she sent clothes for him by her eunuch. She told him to ask what was going on. Mordecai begged her to go and speak to the king about it but Esther knew that it might cost her her life to do that. (I have to say that Esther’s reaction was so human. The edict said she would die, but common sense doesn’t always come into play in a crisis.) Mordecai explained that just because she was in the palace wouldn’t excuse her and maybe she was placed there for this very moment. That was when Esther went into action. She called for a three day fast and called on the Lord for help. God gave her perfect strategy. She dressed to look like a queen and went to see the king. He raised the scepter to her because God gave her favor. Instead of giving him the request, she baited him. She invited him and Haman to a banquet instead. God had some things he needed to orchestrate. Haman went home elated and proud, until he saw Mordecai standing fearlessly instead of bowing when he passed. Haman went home to build a 75 foot pole to impale Mordecai on and Esther went to the palace to plan a banquet to end Haman. We all know the conclusion. Haman ended up impaled on the pole and Mordecai ended up with Haman’s job. All because of insomnia of the king. When he couldn’t sleep that night, he ordered the books of his kingdom to be brought to him and he just happened to open to the part where Mordecai saved his life. He realized he had not rewarded him so he asked Haman what he should do for someone he wanted to honor. Haman told the king what he wanted to happen to himself because he thought he would be the recipient of this honor. Instead, what he wanted fell to Mordecai and he had to be the one to deliver it. This was the beginning of his demise. What a picture of what is going to happen in America. What the devil is planning for our demise is going to be the shoe that he has to wear. Let’s just keep praying and believing. In Corinthians, Paul talked about spiritual gifts which in the Strong’s Concordance means “supernatural” gifts. We all have them! They are given out to people in the body to benefit the others. These gifts are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. They are given by the Holy Spirit and he empowers us to do them. We are to covet these gifts and ask for them. Their purpose is not to make us look great but to glorify God and help the body. We are all suppose to work together in our gifts and use them together as one big machine on the earth. We need one another and each one’s gifts. They are to bring us together, not divide us. We can not measure someone’s gifts by human measurements because some of the most hidden gifts are the most important. God sees everything hidden and exposed and judges the hearts which is most important to him. Lord, help us to keep our hearts pure and repentant. Thank you that you are the God of triumph and your Word succeeds in everything it says.

Tues.’s Devo - Refuse to Bow

Read: Esther 1:1-3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20 Esther means “I will be hidden”. She was hidden until it was time for her to come out. The book of Esther happened between the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. Ahasuerus which means “I will be silent and poor” was believed to have been King Xerxes 1 who ruled after Darius 1 in 485 B.C. He ruled for 20 years over 127 provinces . He lived in the Persian capital of Shushan. In spite of his name, Ahasurus was anything but poor in material things. He did seem to be poor in leadership. In one of his drunken feasts where he supplied his guests with as much wine as they wanted, he decided to bring his wife, Vashti out to parade in front of him and his drunken friends. She was across the hall hosting a party for the women and refused to come. This made Xerxes so mad that he impulsively wanted to act. His advisors advised that she be banished from his presence to teach all the wives to have respect for their husbands. Xerxes fell for it and had Vashti banished. When he was sober, he regretted his decision and the advisors could tell he was not happy. So to save their skins they devised a plan to have a beauty contest and bring the most beautiful women from his kingdom to spend a night with him and he could choose who pleased him the most. Meanwhile, Mordecai, a Jewish man who had been exiled there had an orphaned niece that he had adopted and raised. Her name was Esther and she was beautiful. She was taken into the harem of the king to be a candidate. Esther won the contest and was made queen. King Xerxes elevated Haman to be his most powerful official in the empire and ordered that everyone bow before Haman. Mordecai refused to bow which made Haman so mad that he had Mordecai investigated and learned that he was Jewish. Haman sought to bring him and his people down. One day Mordecai learned of a plot to assassinate King Xerxes and let Esther know. Esther told the king and it was found to be true so the men were killed. Haman was determined to wage war on the Jews so he convinced the king to agree with him. Lots were casts as to when this would occur and it fell on the 12th month of the year…almost a year later. This would be right before the month of Passover. On that day, the Jews all over the provinces were ordered to be killed, slaughtered and annihilated on a single day. The day the decree went out, the king and Haman sat down to drink and the city went into confusion. So, without reason or warning, the Jews were given their death sentence. In Corinthians, we have a huge key to what is going on in our nation. Paul says that there must be divisions among us in the church so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized. Wow! Then he explains in detail about the Lord’s Supper. He calls the imposters out showing that they are not really interested in honoring the Lord. They are interested in their own interests. So if we treat what is holy like it is not important we will reap weakness, sickness and some of us may die. The blood of Christ is very serious business with God. There is a huge division in the church today and it is over which kingdom are we a part of. There is the kingdom of this world which is full of fear and hatred or the kingdom which is above which is full of faith, righteousness and love. Lord, help us to call holy what you call holy and to value the Blood of the Lamb as the power of God to save. May we refuse to bow before laws that violate our freedom in you and cause us to bow to lies and deception. May we stand for righteousness unafraid.

Mon.’s Devo - Dedication of the Wall

Read: Nehemiah 12:27-13:31; 1 Corinthians 11!1-16; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 21:17-18 It was time to dedicate the wall of Jerusalem so the Levites, singers and priests came together to prepare for the ceremony. They purified themselves first then the people, the gates and the wall. Two large choirs were formed to walk on the wall. Both began at the Dung Gate and went in opposite directions until they met and went to the Temple together. The whole time they walked on the wall they were singing, playing their instruments and praising the Lord. It was like having surround sound in the city. Many sacrifices were made and gifts given to the Lord that were placed in the treasury rooms around the Temple. They read the Law and heard that the Ammonites and the Moabites were not allowed in the Temple because they had refused to give Israel water when they come out of Egypt and they had hired Balaam to curse Israel. So they were asked to leave the celebration. Tobia, the man who had been Nehemiah’s adversary in building the wall had been given access to the Temple treasury. When Nehemiah returned from Babylon and heard of this he was furious and threw him out and demanded that the rooms be purified and brought back the articles of God’s Temple. He also learned that the Levites had not been paid for their service and the Temple had been neglected. Nehemiah saw that the people were working on the Sabbath so he confronted the nobles of Judah. He commanded that the gates of Jerusalem be shut for the Sabbath and not be allowed to open til it was over. He found out that the men of Judah had married foreign wives. One of the sons of the high priest had married a daughter of Sanballat, his adversary and he banished him from his presence. Nehemiah was constantly calling God to remember what he had done. In Corinthians, Paul tells his followers to imitate his walk because he was imitating Christ’s walk. He explained that everything God created represents who he is. God set up the man to represent Him and the woman to represent the Bride. We are covered by Jesus just as the woman wore a scarf over their heads to represent that they were married and covered by their husband. If we are in Christ we are covered by the Lord’s covering and nothing can harm us as long as we stay under his authority. Lord, help us to see that submission is safety and a good thing. Our marriage to Christ enables us to rule and reign with Christ over all the earth.

Sun.’s Devo - Returning to Jerusalem

Read: Nehemiah 11-12:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14-33; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 21:14-16 When the exiles came back from Babylon and Persia they settled in their own land but the ones listed today settled in Jerusalem. Those listed from the tribe of Judah were all outstanding men. The ones from Benjamin were 928 and of them was the chief officer and the second in command over Jerusalem. There were 822 priests who supervised the Temple of God. The Levites were in charge of the work outside the Temple and led in thanksgiving and prayer. The gatekeepers guarded the gates. Other priests, Levites and Israelites lived wherever their family inheritance was in other towns of Judah. Another group of exiles came with Zerubbabel and Jeshua the high priest. A record of all the priests and Levites. All the names and information about them was kept in The Book of History. It was a picture of God’s Book of Life which holds the names and lives of all his children that will accept him as their Lord. It will be opened in the end and read for all to hear. In Corinthians, Paul was trying to get them to prioritize others above themselves. It had nothing to do with whether you ate food offered to idols as it had to do with giving up your freedom to help someone weaker. Eating food offered to idols was not going to cost someone their salvation but exercising that right might hurt the conscience of someone who it was a big deal to. Sometimes being “right” is not always “right”. Lord, give us discernment to walk out or convictions but not crush someone weaker than us in the process. Thank you that our names are written in your book. May that book expand more and more.

Sat.’s Devo - Renewing the Covenant

Read: Nehemiah 9:22-10:39; 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 21:13 Nehemiah continues the reminding the people the history of their ancestors and all the failures they had had, yet how faithful God had been to them when they returned to him and repented. We could read this and put America’s name in it and tell her history of mistakes and times that God has been so faithful when we returned to Him. They found themselves slaves in the land of plenty which the Lord had meant to be theirs for their enjoyment. On this day, they were making a covenant to serve the Lord according to his laws and putting it in writing. All of the priests, Levites and leaders of the people personally signed it. The people met and agreed to the covenant and swore to obey it. They agreed to not let their daughters marry the pagan people of the land, pay their tithes, not trade on the Sabbath, give their land its Sabbath rest every seven years, give the annual Temple tax, bring their first fruits and first born to the Lord and not neglect the Temple of God. In Corinth, the temptations they faced were mostly sexual since the city was the ‘sin city’ of the world. Paul reminded them that though they were free in Christ, it did not mean they were free to sin. They were free to minister life but a slave to righteousness. He reminded them of the children of Israel and how God killed many of them who sinned even though they had all seen and experienced the great miracles of God and drank the water from the rock. That rock was Jesus. So, even though they were God’s children, He still punished them for their wickedness and He is the same God today. Paul warned them of putting Christ to the test, because they would reap the consequences of their sin. It is the same for us. We all have our story of what God has done for us. When we are tempted, God always makes a way of escape for us. Lord, it is so good to walk with you with no guilt and shame. Help us to chose righteousness and to take the way of escape when we are tempted. May we one day be free to enjoy this wonderful nation that you raised up for our enjoyment and for Yours.

Fri.’s Devo - Reinstituting the Fall Feasts

Read: Nehemiah 7:73b-9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:1018; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 21:11-12 On the first day of the seventh month of Tishri, the people assembled. It was the day of the Feast of Trumpets. Jesus, the living Word will appear at the last Trump on this very day. For them, the Word was read and explained to them which hadn’t happened in years. They came face to face with the Word just like one day the saints will come face to face with the Messiah. When the people heard what the Word said and how they had not followed it, they cried and were very sad. But, Ezra told them it was not a day to cry but to celebrate and be glad. One day, when Jesus appears, we will be sad when we behold his holiness, but he will wipe away every tear from our eyes and tell us that it is not a day for sadness but for rejoicing. The prodigal son felt the same way when he first returned to his father. The priests and Levites met to plan the next feast that would happen on the fifteenth which was the Feast of Tabernacles. Everyone was instructed to cut down branches of the olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm and willows and build a temporary shelter for them and their families to live in for seven days. They erected these all over Jerusalem and celebrated God tabernacling with them for seven days. On the 24th of Tishri, they met and fasted and repented of the sins of their own lives and the sins of their nation. They stood for three hours while the Law was read to them then for three more hours they confessed and cried out to the Lord repenting of their sins. At last, they stood and praised the Lord for all he had done for them as a nation. It is important to remember that Paul’s letters are answers to questions asked him in letters from those churches or they are responses to problems shared with Paul. Apparently, the people were complaining about the offerings given to the pastors and supporting evangelists like Paul. Paul explained how God set it up in the law that the priests and Levites were to be paid out of the offerings brought to the Temple. He went on to defend his own ministry. He never asked them for money because that was not his motive. He had a calling on his life and he was going to do that whether he got paid for it or not. Lord, help us to support those who give of themselves to minister to us. May we return to the things that you honor and deem important.

Thurs.’s Devo - The Trials of Following God

Read: Nehemiah 5:14-7:7-3a; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10; Ezra was the governor of Judah for 12 years and never took a salary or imposed high taxes on the people like the governor before him. (This sounds familiar.) He fed 150 of his officials from his own table with his own expenses and devoted himself to finishing the wall around Jerusalem. Sanballat, Tobiah and Goshem devoted themselves to stopping him. When they found out he had completed filling in the gaps and putting up the gates they sent messages wanting to meet with Ezra. Ezra ignored them because he learned of their plot to kill him. Ezra sent them a message saying that he was busy with more important things. The fifth message they sent said that they believed that Ezra was planning to rebel against the king and become Judah’s king. They heard that Ezra had made his people proclaim him king and Sanballat was going to make sure the king heard about it. Ezra told him he was lying and making it all up to intimidate him and get him to stop building. Later, Ezra went to visit one of the priests who was confined to his home. This priest wanted Ezra to hide with him inside the Temple and bolt the doors because God had told him that Ezra’s enemies were coming to kill him. Ezra refused to hide in fear. He was the leader and he wanted to act like one. Ezra learned that Tobiah and Sanballat had told him to prophesy that so he would sin and they could discredit him. Ezra took this to God and told him to remember all the evil they were doing. They finished the wall in 52 days and when their enemies heard about it, they were afraid. Sadly, many of the people had sworn allegiance to Tobiah because his father-in-law was a wealthy man. The wall was finally finished and Ezra set two people to govern and guard the city. Both of their names mean “grace”. They were to keep the gates shut and barred and guarded. Ezra then called all the original people who had returned to Israel and had them registered as citizens. He gave them ownership of the city which made them feel responsible. They gave gifts to restore worship for the Temple. In Corinthians, Paul was addressing everyone’s dispute about whether it was an offense to God to eat meat offered to idols. To some, idols were not real so they had no problem eating meats offered to idols. But to others, it was a big deal, so Paul was just saying to respect both sides of the argument. The problem was that part of the sacrifice the heathen offered to idols was offered to the priests and some they got to keep. They were often offered this meat at people’s private homes and it was sold in the markets so Christians were constantly exposed to the temptation of receiving them, which was forbidden (Nu 25:2; Ps 106:28). It was a tricky decision to make for the people who wanted to please God and do what was right. Paul just concluded with asking them to be sensitive to others convictions and to not cause another believer to stumble. Lord, thank you that we are protected by grace and when we follow you, you cause our enemies to fear us.

Wed.’s Devo - Comfort in the Waiting

Read: Nehemiah 3:15; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7 The different families repaired the section of the wall that they were assigned and all was going well until Sanballat learned they were rebuilding the wall. He mocked their work, making fun of all their hard efforts. Tobiah his friend commented that if a fox walked on the top of it, it would collapse. Nehemiah was the son of Hacaliah. Their names mean “the comfort of Jehovah while waiting on the Lord.” Nehemiah was just that. When Sanballat and Tobiah tried to hurt the morale of his brothers he prayed that their words would fall back on them and they would become captives in a foreign land. God called their sins to remembrance. Finally, the wall was joined and finished half way up. Sanballat and Tobiah and their people found out and they made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion. Nehemiah and the Jews prayed for God to help protect them. Sanballat was planning to surround them and attack from all directions so there would be no way of escape for them. Nehemiah placed guards in the exposed areas and lowest parts of the wall and stationed the families to stand guard over their own people. He reminded them not to be afraid because the Lord would fight for them. They finished the work with with armed guards day and night. That was not the only problem they faced. They had internal problems also. There was a famine going on and they had mortgaged their fields, vineyards and homes to their fellow Jews just to pay for food. They had even sold their children into slavery to their rich Jewish neighbors. Nehemiah was outraged when he learned all this and called a meeting. He rebuked them for treating their fellow brothers and sisters like foreigners. He told them to stop charging interest and pay back any interest they had charged. He told them that if they failed to keep their promise a curse would fall on them and they would lose their homes and property. The people agreed to do this. In reading the letters to the church at Corinth we have to remember that sexual promiscuity and practices were so perverse at Corinth that Paul advised young virgins not to marry until a maturity came to the church as a whole. He was trying to get them to simplify their lives and put the Lord first. Since their main focus had been the opposite sex, he tried to get them to refocus on what was right before them. If they were married, then focus on their marriage, not the grass on the other side. Most importantly, he wanted them to focus on the Lord’s work and His order of things. Lord, thank you that in the midst of the shaking going on, you are at the helm of our ship and you cause all things to work for our good. You are our comfort in the waiting and we are waiting on You.

Tues.’s Devo - Rebuilding the Wall

Read: Nehemiah 1:1-3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4 Nehemiah was the cup bearer to King Artexerxes which was a most trusted and honored position. He kept the king from being poisoned which meant he tasted his wine first and was willing to die for the king. It would be like the secret service for the President today. While Nehemiah enjoyed the luxury and privileges of the palace, his heart was in the settlement of Jerusalem. When he got news that things were not going well in Jerusalem and its walls and gates had been torn down leaving it defenseless, he mourned, fasted and prayed. His prayer started out with repentance for himself, his family and his nation. He reminded God of his promise to bring them back to Jerusalem if they repented and honored his namesake. In the month of Passover, Nehemiah asked the king if he could go to Jerusalem and help rebuild the wall. The king listened to his plan and gave him his blessings and sent him with provision and security. He was met by three adversaries: Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab. The first two names mean opposites. Sanballat means “hatred” and Tobiah means “the goodness of God”. Through their hatred the people would see the goodness of God. Geshem’s name means “rain”. They were definitely trying to bring rain to their plans. They were very upset that someone was coming to help the people of Israel. At first they tried to intimidate them and question their authority. They accused them of rebelling against the king who had given them permission to be there. Nehemiah didn’t pull the ‘king card’ but instead answered that God, not the king would be the one to help them. He told them what he was going to do which was to rebuild the wall and he told them that they had no share, legal right or historic claim in Jerusalem. They were the ones who didn’t have the authority to be there. Then, with the high priest leading, they began to rebuild the wall. The people, in their assigned section, went about building the wall. There were goldsmiths, perfumers, women, and people from all walks of life, working with one mind to build the wall. In Corinthians, it is helpful to know that in their time, it was unheard of that one woman could be enough for their desires. Divorce and sexual promiscuity was a way of life so what Jesus and Paul preached about having one husband and one wife was radical. Salvation was new so many became Christians when their spouses were not. Paul addressed this telling them that if their unbelieving spouse wanted to remain married to them, they should. By wanting to stay with a believer, they are showing that their heart could be changed. Marriage is a covenant that should not be broken unless God breaks it. Paul concluded his sermon with the call to remain in whatever situation you were in when you got saved whether married or a slave. Now you are the Lord’s and he will move you wherever he wants you to go. Lord, help us to remember that we were bought by You and belong to You. You have the master plan and we trust your plan.

Mon.’s Devo - The List of the Forgiven

Read: Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3 Ezra lay on the ground in front of the Temple repenting for the sins of the people. Some of the guilty joined him and also repented. They asked him to help them right their wrong. Ezra gave the people three days to come to Jerusalem and meet to talk abut the situation. They met in the pouring rain. Ezra explained their sin of marrying strange wives and told them what they must do. They all agreed but also agreed that it would take some time because so many of them were guilty and it was the rainy season. Two priests and two Levites were appointed to help them perform the divorce ceremony and write out provisions for the wives. It took three months to finish the task, but they were done by the first of the first month of Nissan. They offered trespass offerings for their sins. The list of the guilty were written in the book. Some of them even had children adding to the severity of their sin. They got everything put in order right before Passover so they could celebrate it with freedom. Once they were atoned for their names were remembered for their faithful repentance, not their sin. In Corinthians, Paul rebuked them for bringing their fellow Christians to a courtroom to try a case when they should have settled this outside of the law with grace and forgiveness. He even went so far as to say, ‘why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that?’ instead of fighting for your rights. Now, that is something to think about. He was saying that maybe we should just allowed ourselves to be wronged by a fellow believer and forgive them. Instead, he told them that they were the ones doing the injustice to others. Paul reminded them that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Then he gave a list of others who would not inherit the kingdom of God, reminding them that they were once in this group but shouldn’t be in it now that they have been saved. He gave them the opportunity, like Ezra to change their names from the list of sin to the list of forgiven and righteousness. Paul explained the effects of sexual sin. It not only affects your spiritual soul but your body. Our bodies are to be the Temple of the Holy Spirit and God paid a high price for us…His son, so we must honor God with our body. Lord, help us not to get lured into the apathy of the world in terms of sin and especially sexual sin. Help us to remember that we are married to you in our spirits and have divorced the world. May we stay faithful and in love with you. Thank you that you forgive us and write our names in your Book of the Forgiven and Saved.

Sun.’s Devo - Ezra’s Return to Jerusalem

Read: Ezra 8:21-9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2 Ezra had to take over a thousand people plus lots of gold and silver across land that was know for having robbers and murderers. Ezra was too embarrassed to ask for army protection from the king because he didn’t want the king to think that they doubted their God’s ability to bring them safely to Jerusalem. So instead, he asked his people to pray and fast for safety. They fasted from the 12th to the 15th of Nissan which was Passover. Then they set out to travel again and God protected them all the way. When they arrived in Jerusalem, Ezra was told that many of the people along with some of the Levites and priests living there had taken up the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites and other nations that God had told them to drive out of their land. They had married their women and polluted the Jewish race. Ezra was appalled and speechless. He tore his clothes and bowed to cry out to the Lord. He prayed a prayer of forgiveness and repentance for his nation who was bent on sinning. Paul was facing the same revelations in Corinthians. He was hearing stories of the sexual misconduct of the body of Christ in Corinth. A man in their church was living with his mother-in-law and they were proud of their tolerance of them when Paul said they should be appalled and remove him from their fellowship. They needed to not only throw him out of their fellowship but turn him over to Satan so that his sinful nature would be destroyed and he himself would be saved on Judgment Day. His sin would be like yeast that would spread to the others if they didn’t squelch it. Paul made it clear that we don’t judge or disassociate with sinners in the world because we are not their judge. We are the judge of those in our fellowship and spiritual family. Lord, we repent of the sin of the Church and our nation. We pray your mercy and forgiveness.

Sat.’s Devo - The Second Return to Jerusalem

Read: Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30 Years after Artaxerxes became the king of Persia he sent Ezra to Jerusalem. Ezra had been a descendant of Aaron the high priest during Moses’ time. He taught the scriptures and was a scribe who was well versed in the Law. He arrived in Jerusalem the first day of the first month of the religious calendar. This was the month of Passover and Unleavened Bread. He began teaching the people about what the Law said. He also came bearing a letter from King Artaxerxes blessing all the Jews who returned to Jerusalem. He sent with Ezra, silver and gold to buy sacrifices to sacrifice on behalf of the King and gave him the authority to use whatever was left over for the use of the Temple in any way Ezra deemed fit. All of their needs would be paid for out of the royal treasury. He had laden Ezra with 7,500 pounds of silver, 500 bushels of wheat, 550 gallons of wine, 550 gallons of olive oil and an unlimited supply of salt. He also decreed that the priests, and anyone associated with working in the Temple were tax exempt and toll free. He gave Ezra the authority to appoint all the governing positions and to have them govern according to the Law in the Book. He also gave him the authority to punish anyone who refused to obey the Law however he thought appropriate. Around 1336 Jews came with Ezra from Babylon. Along the way, Ezra examined the list of people with him and realized that not one Levite had volunteered to return so he sent for the leaders of the people to encourage Levites that they knew to come with them. They were able to find 261 Levites. In Corinthians, Paul exposed his vulnerability to his followers. He reminded them that just because he was the leader didn’t make him perfect or right all the time. I can totally relate to Paul’s heart because as a teacher of God’s Word, I understand the grave responsibility to try to be right, knowing that I am only human. My heart, and Paul’s was to always be pointing people to the source that is Christ. He is always perfect and always right. We see through a glass darkly so we sometimes get it wrong but Jesus never gets it wrong. Paul suffered much for the sake of the gospel and didn’t look like the fulfillment of all he preached, but his soul was rich. He didn’t just come with a lot of talk but he actually lived the power of God in his life. Lord, to live the power of God is our goal. May we not look at all we are suffering and fearing but at all the opportunities we are having to show forth your love and grace.

Fri.’s Devo - God’s Decree

Read: Ezra 4:24-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27 The Jews had stopped work on the Temple but God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to tell them to start building again. So, in the second year of King Darius’ reign, they did. People around Jerusalem got wind of what they were doing so the governor and his officials from the province to the west came to question who had given them the authority to build. They wanted a list of the names of all the men working on the Temple…just as a little intimidation. They told them that they were sending a letter to King Darius to get his ruling on the building. God was with them and they were able to keep building until the answer came back from Darius. Darius found the decree that Cyrus had given many years before and found that they were to fund the building and help in any way possible. Darius upheld the decree and told the ones who had reported it that if they hindered their work and didn’t help them then they would be impaled on a board taken from their own house. Needless to say there was a huge attitude change in the governor and his officials and great rejoicing for the builders of the Temple. They finished on Adar the second which was a month before Passover. It was dedicated on Passover with a huge celebration of sacrifices and joy. God has made a decree over America that it will be a land of the free and he is watching over his word to perform it. In Corinthians, the people were putting too much importance on the people they were following and their favorite ministers. Paul kept pointing them back to God. God was the only one who could actually change a heart. Paul had planted seed and Apollos had watered the seed, but God had made the seed grow. Paul and Apollos were just workers who would be rewarded for their labor, but God is the owner of the field and we are all buildings in his field. Our house is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. We are the ones who build up the walls and put the furniture in it. We can use gold and silver or hay and straw. Gold and silver is wisdom only gotten from God and his Word. Hay and straw is what man does in his own strength. In the end, our building will be tested by fire and whatever is left is what we will be rewarded for. We are building this temple inside us to house the Holy Spirit. Lord, we praise you for your mighty and wonderful plan for us. Thank you that when you make a decree you follow it through.

Thur.’s Devo - Don’t Despise Small Beginnings

Read Ezra 3:1-4:23; 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 20:24-25 The Jews met in the 7th month which is the time of the fall feasts of Trumpets, Yom Kippor and Tabernacles. They all met with the same purpose and that was to rebuild the altar to the Lord and sacrifice offerings to him. They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles which is the feast celebrating the fact that God wants to tabernacle with us on earth. In the mid spring, the time of the spring feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread and Pentecost, they began the construction of the temple. Since the spring months represent our salvation and the beginning of our own temple-building in us, it was a very appropriate time to start building the temple on the earth. They laid the foundation of the Temple with blowing of trumpets, cymbals, singing and shouting praises to God. Many of the older people who had seen the first temple, cried because this one was so much simpler and not as glorious. The ones who had never seen the first one rejoiced that a Temple was being built. They had seen the mature Temple, but this was a new start and looked small. Enemies of Judah and Benjamin came and said they wanted to help them rebuild, but they refused to let them have any part of it. So they tried to discourage them and frighten them in their work. They bribed people to work against them and to frustrate their plans. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus until King Darius took the throne (20 years). After Darius, Artexerses came to the throne. During his reign, enemies of the Jews sent letters to Artaxerxes full of propaganda about how rebellious and evil the Jews were and how their work needed to be stopped. In it they lied saying the if it was completed they would refuse to pay their taxes to the king. The king did do his research and found that Jerusalem had been a hot spot of contention so he had all the work on the temple stopped. In Corinthians, Paul explained further that the wisdom of God is not understood by the world because they don’t have the spirit of God in then to understand spiritual things. But, we who have the spirit of God in us can understand the things of God which are not of this world, but are higher. When we become saved, we have the mind of Christ but we have to crucify our thoughts to receive his. Our thoughts are full of fear and doubt but God who knows everything is not afraid but totally confident. Lord, help us to let your mind in us be what rules our thoughts and our actions. Thank you that you are in total control.

Wed.’s Devo - God’s Story

Read: Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:8-14; Proverbs 20:22-24 King Cyrus was the king of Persia and pretty much ruled the world and all the kingdoms. Jeremiah had prophesied that God would cause those in captivity to return (Jeremiah 33) and it was now time for this to happen. Cyrus, a pagan king proclaimed that God had given him all the kingdoms of the earth and appointed him to build a Temple at Jerusalem for Him. Any of his people were invited to return to rebuild this Temple. He encouraged people who knew them to contribute to the rebuilding of the Temple. God stirred the hearts of Jews everywhere to return to their homeland and rebuild and settle in Jerusalem. King Cyrus took all the vessels that his predessessors had stolen from the original temple. They took these with them. A list was made of all who returned and who the leaders were. Nehemiah and Mordecai were mentioned with the leaders. A total of 49,897 people returned with many animals. They also were given an abundance of gold and silver and robes for the priests. The priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and Temple servants and some of the common people settled near Jerusalem and the rest went back to their inheritance where they had come from. Paul’s letter in Corinthians is like music to my ears. In this world where it looks like the world’s wisdom and inventions are about to take over the world it is nice to know that God calls their wisdom foolishness. They call our faith foolishness. We have the wisdom of God, the mind of Christ and the Word of God. We are the kings and priests and rulers of the world and when we realize it, we will overcome. We need a renewing of our minds. Lord, help us to see through your eyes and not the rhetoric of the world. Let us hear your narrative and walk in it.

Tues.’s Devo - Time to Restore the Temple

Read: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21 Josiah instituted the Passover and had the Ark put in the Temple to stay. All the priests were sanctified and put in their offices. Josiah, his officials, and the Levite leaders gave 41,400 animals to be given to the people for their sacrifice. The priests followed the instructions of the Law of Moses and never since the days of Samuel had there been a Passover like Josiah’s. The people celebrated seven days. Josiah restored the Temple but thirteen years later, King Neco of Egypt led his army past Josiah’s land. Josiah thought he was coming to attack him so he went out with his army to meet him. King Neco told him he was not coming to attack him but was on his way to fight another nation. He explained that God had told him to hurry and warned Josiah not to interfere because he was on a mission from God. He was actually telling the truth. Josiah didn’t believe him so he attacked him and was fatally wounded in the battle. He went home to die. His son, Jehoahaz was crowned king but only reign three months. The king of Egypt (Neco) took Jehoahaz to Egypt as a prisoner and set his brother as king of Judah. His name was Eliakim but Neco changed it to Jehoiakim. He reigned 11 years doing evil. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and captured Jerusalem and led Jehoiakim in chains to Babylon. He also took treasures from the Temple and put them in his palace. Jehoiachin was made king next but he only reigned three months and ten days. He did evil, so Nebuchadnezzar took him to Babylon and placed his uncle, Zedikah as the king in Judah. He also did evil and refused to listen to Isaiah and repent. The leaders of the priests and the people became more unfaithful to God and turned to idols even though God sent his prophets to warn them. The people mocked the prophets and refused to listen to their words. God brought the king of Babylon against them. He killed all ages with no mercy. Nebuchadnezzar took all the treasures of the Temple, burned it, tore down the wall of Jerusalem and burned all the palaces and anything of worth. Survivors were taken to Babylon and become slaves. The land enjoyed 70 years of peace and its Sabbath rest until the Persians came to power. King Cyrus of Persia took over the world and in his first year, he sent a proclamation to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem for God. Corinth was a Greek city known for its prostitution and the worship of Aphrodite or Venus who was the goddess of licentious love. A thousand professional prostitutes served in the temple dedicated to her worship. This spirit of licensiousness had crept into the church and Paul wrote this letter to address it and other doctrinal problems. First, Paul addressed their identity in Christ and who they were now that they have given their lives to Him. He urged them to walk in unity and not division. There was division about who was their leader and he pointed them back to Christ. He is the leader, period. Lord, help us to look to You only as our leader and the commander of our faith.

Mon.’s Devo - Josiah’s Reign

Read: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:10-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19 After Manasseh repented and turned to the Lord, he cleansed the nation of idolatry and built up his military and its walls. When he died, his son Amon reigned only two years. He was an evil king who practiced idolatry. His own officials assassinated him in his palace. The people of the land killed his murderers and placed his son, Josiah on the throne. Josiah was 8 years old and he was the Josiah that had been prophesied years before when Jeroboam burned incense on the altar in 1 Kings 13:2. The prophesy had said that Josiah would burn the bones of the false priests on that very altar which is exactly what Josiah did. Josiah lead a massive clean-up of all the idolatry in the land. Then he repaired the Temple and restored worship. While the priests were cleaning out the Temple, they found a copy of the law of Moses. They brought it to Josiah and read it. He realized that they had disobeyed its laws and the penalty would be their demise. He called the nation to repentance and sent the priests to inquire from God about their sin. The prophetess, Huldah was asked to tell them what God’s word to them was. She said that God was not happy but because they repented their judgment would not happen during Josiah’s reign. Josiah then took God’s Law and gathered the people to Jerusalem where he publicly proclaimed his loyalty to follow the Law. He also required the people to make a similar pledge to the Lord. He remained loyal to the Lord throughout his reign. In Romans, Paul continued honoring the people who had ministered with him then he gave them a final warning. He told them to watch out for people who caused divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what he had taught them out of God’s law. He encouraged them to continue doing what was right before God. The God of peace would soon crush Satan under their feet. Glory to God who is able to make us strong and in His great plan welcomed the Gentiles to believe and obey him. Lord, thank you that You make us strong and able to defeat the devil and his evil plans. Thank you for your great plan to save the Gentiles along with the Jews.

Sun.’s Devo - God Honors the Faithful

Read: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18 Jerusalem was attacked by King Sennacherib of Assyria. Their water source was outside of the wall so to keep the Assyrians from getting their water, they stopped the water flow from the mountains. Hezekiah also strengthened all the weak parts of their wall and built a second wall around the first one. He strengthened his military and encouraged the people to trust in God who was more powerful than any man. When King Sennacherib arrived and heard all King Hezekiah had done and said, he mocked him and his faith in God. He lied and told the people that their king had torn down all the Lord’s shrines and altars and reduced their worship to the Temple. He boasted in all he and his army had done to other countries. He told them that their God would not be able to rescue them. He also sent letters denying God’s power as if he was a god like the pagan gods. Hezekiah and Isaiah cried out to the Lord and he sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army and all his commanders and officials. Sennacherib had to go home with his tail tucked between his legs. He was killed by his own sons in his pagan temple. Hezekiah gained the respect of the people and God blessed him with gifts from the surrounding nations. Hezekiah became ill and was about to die when he cried out to God. God healed him and promised him fifteen more years (Isaiah 38:5). Instead of living out those years serving God, he became prideful and produced an heir during that time that didn’t grow up to serve the Lord. His name was Manasseh. When he became the king he served idols. God sent many prophets to warn him to turn back to the Lord, but he refused to listen. So, God sent the commanders of the Assyrian army to take him captive to Babylon. It took that for Manasseh to humble himself before the Lord. When he did, God brought him back to Jerusalem and to rule his kingdom. Then Manasseh realized that God alone is the only God. Paul ended his letter to the Romans. He had finished his work in the regions he was in and was headed back to Rome. He planned to stop by Jerusalem with a gift for the believers there. He asked them to pray for his protection while he was there. Then Paul gave a list of men and women he wanted to honor for their faithful service to him and to God. Lord, may we be remembered for our faithful service to You and your kingdom.

Sat.’s Devo - Hezekiah’s Reform

Read: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15 Hezekiah invited all of Judah and Israel to come celebrate the Passover with them. They were going to have the celebration a month later than usual since there were not enough priest sanctified earlier. They sent runners to most of the land and letters to Ephraim and Manasseh on the east side of the Jordan. They called the people back to the Lord and most of the people scoffed at them. But, many of them from the tribes of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. Judah, as a nation returned to the Lord. The fathers who had not sanctified themselves let the priests offer their lambs. Hezekiah prayed for them to be cleansed and the Lord heard his prayer and cleansed the people. The people celebrated for seven days and enjoyed it so much, they continued another seven days. The people who attended from Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh went home renewed and cleansed their land of their idols. Hezekiah announced how much it would cost the people to restore the Temple and keep it in operation and the people gladly gave. They gave both tithes (what was required) and offerings (what they wanted to give above the tithe). They gave so much that Hezekiah had to have treasury rooms built to hold the offerings. Hezekiah’s reign was so blessed and successful because he put the Lord first and honored him with all his heart. In Romans, Paul commended those who served the ones who were was. He made a declaration that his ambition had always been to preach the Good News to anyone who would hear it. Lord, may that be our declaration to preach your Good News to anyone who will listen.