Sat.'’s Devo - God’s Answer

Read: Job 37:1-39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 22:13 Elihu finished his speech with talking about how God speaks through the miracles of God in the heavens like thunder and lighting, rain and snow. He said that God makes these things happen either to punish people or show them his unfailing love. All who are wise show him reverence. *** Then God answered Job out of a whirlwind. He asked Job who it is that questioned him without knowing what he is talking about. Then God has some questions for Job. He asks him where he was when He laid the foundations of the earth. Then God goes through creation explaining how he did it. *** When God talked about the light he said that it disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is about to do violence. Light expels darkness. *** God explained that he created the stars and the constellations to move through the seasons. The animals were made with different characteristics that magnify their creator. Everything God created was done with his great wisdom for his purposes. *** For this same reason, Paul talked about the resurrection. Everything God has done is for a great day of glory. God’s grace has led many to him and we will all share in a day of thanksgiving and praise. We are God’s glory on the earth. Our bodies might be dying but our spirits are renewed every day. We live for eternity. One day our dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. Then we will be judged for our deeds and rewarded or punished. If we have lived for Christ, we will live eternally with him. *** Lord, we look forward to that day when all we have put our faith in will be manifested before our eyes. Until that day, may we be diligent and grateful and put on your glory for the world to see you.

Fri.’s Devo - God’s Mercy and Goodness

Read: Job 34:1-36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 22:10-12 Elihu is still talking. His whole purpose is to defend God and his justice and power and that God does hear the cry of the oppressed. He insinuates that Job needs to repent and tell God he won’t sin anymore. He accuses Job of rejecting God and wanting God to tailor his justice to Job’s demands. He thinks Job deserves the maximum penalty for the way he has talked. He accuses Job of being rebellious and disrespectful to God. *** Elihu argues that it is wrong for Job to claim he is righteous before God. He claims that our sins have no effect on God but they do have affect on other people. *** He states that when the oppressed complain when God doesn’t answer them the reason is their pride. He does listen and will bring justice in time. He is concerned about wickedness and does respond to them in anger. He will bring justice to the afflicted and exalt the innocent. *** Those who are being punished because of their pride God commands that they turn from evil. When they do, He blesses them with prosperity, but if they don’t they will face death. He encourages Job that God is leading him away from this place of destress and will set his table with the best food. Job is obsessed with whether the godless will be judged, but Elihu tells Job not to worry about them. God’s justice will be upheld. *** All of this testing will keep him from a life of evil. Instead of wondering what he had done wrong he needs to glorify and praise God for all He has done. *** In Corinthians, Paul has to defend his beliefs also. He reminds them of the new covenant which brought God’s mercy. The good news is hidden behind a veil so those on the outside can’t see the glorious light on the other side. *** Paul didn’t go around exalting himself, but as Christ’s servant he preached about Jesus Christ as their Lord. God in his mercy allowed them to see behind the veil into the light of God through the face of Jesus Christ. Now that light shines in their hearts. *** Paul said that they face the threat of death every day but it will result in eternal live and the life of Christ will be evident in their dying bodies. *** Lord, we are the light of the world just as you were the light of the world. May your light shine though us to those we meet today. May we bring hope and peace to those who are distressed and afraid. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies.

Thurs.'s Devo - Elihu Speaks

Read: Job 31:2-33:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 22:8-9 Job cries out for justice. He knows he has lived with integrity and will bet all he has on that truth. He claims he has not given in to lust, or been unfair to his servants. He has given to the poor and shared what he has with orphans and widows. He has tried to help those he saw in need. He has not flaunted his wealth. He has opened his door to the stranger and not tried to hide his sins. He has been a good neighbor. With this, Job finished his talking. *** His friends also had nothing else to say,but Elihu was angry. He had been sitting and listening to all that had been said and when the others weren't going to challenge Job, he spoke up. *** He was younger than them but the Spirit of God was in him and he had something to say. He told them that none of them had answered Job's argument. Job had said that he was innocent and had no guilt and that God was picking on him. Elihu said Job was wrong becuase God was greater than him, and who was he to bring a charge against God. God does speak to people in dreams and visions. He disciplines people on their sickbeds while they are dying. God rescues many from dying and gives them life. *** Paul tells his people that they are his letters of recommendation written on their hearts. They are the result of their ministry. Paul trusts in the God in them. They trust in the covenant God has given them that was not written on tablest but written by the Spirit on their hearts. The old Covenant was writen on stone and ended in death, but the new covenant replaced it with glory that leads to life. *** Moses had to put a veil over his face to hide the glory because it scared the people. That same veil has been put over their hearts because they refused to behold the glory of God. They hardened their hearts, but when they turn back to the Lord, the veil is taken away. This Spirit of God makes us free from the law of death and brings us into the glory of God. *** Lord, thank you for your new covenant of life. Thank you for sharing your glory with us.

Wed.’s Devo - Words of Life

Read: Job 28:1-30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 22:7 Job continues his defense to prove his innocence. He was once a revered and respected man in his community and now he has no honor. He helped those in need and gave advice to kings. He signs his name to his defense and his words are ended. *** His three friends have nothing else to say either. But there is a younger man who has listened to all their conversations and his name is Elihu. He now thinks it is time to put in his assessment. In the end, the Lord doesn’t rebuke him. Elihu defends God and tells Job that he is accusing the Lord wrongly, which he was right. He says that God is not picking a quarrel with Job and doesn’t consider him his enemy. God does respond to people. He speaks over and over in dreams and visions. He disciplines people as they lie in their beds sick. God rescues some with his angels and restores their youth. He rescues some from the grave. Elihu says he is anxious to see Job justified. *** In Corinthians, Paul tells the church that they are witnesses of who Paul was and what he teaches, just like we are God’s witnesses to the world by the life we live. *** Paul came teaching about the new covenant of the spirit and not written laws. The old covenant ended in death, but the new one gives life. The old way brought condemnation and the new covenant makes us right with God. The glory of the old covenant was once revealed on Moses’ face but it was destined to fade away. A veil covered the people’s minds just like the veil over Moses’ face. But when a person turns to Jesus, the veil is taken away and they can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. When we behold him, we become like him. *** The Psalms we have been reading throughout the reading of Job have been a reflection of Job’s heart as well as David’s. They had no mediator, but they had God and they put their trust in him. *** Lord, may our lives reflect your glory and may we be your shining witnesses in this dark world.

Tues.’s Devo - Maintaining Integrity

Read: Job 23:1-27:23; 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11; Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 22:5-6 Job defends his stance with the Lord. He states that if he could sit down and talk with the Lord, he knows God would give him a fair hearing. His case is that he has stayed on God’s path and follow his ways and not departed from his ways. He treasures God’s word more than his daily food. He knows that when he tests him, he will come out as pure as gold. He knows that God controls his destiny. *** Job wonders why God doesn’t judge the evil people who are doing horrible things. He knows that God watches what they do and is aware of their ways. *** Bildad gives his reply. He asks Job how he can say he is innocent before God. He asks Job how he thinks he has been the world’s great savior? All creation is afraid of God’s great power, but Job. *** Job answers that as long as he lives he will never concede that Bildad is right. He defends his integrity and claims that his conscience is clear. *** Job claims that the wicked may enjoy their wealth, but their children will not be the ones to enjoy it. Their wealth is stored up for the righteous. *** In Corinthians, Paul, like Job defends his integrity. He reminds the people of how he and his team have conducted themselves. It is God who enables us to stand firm or Christ. He gave us his Holy Spirit as a first installment that guarantees all his promises are true. *** Paul explains the reason he hadn’t returned to them. He would have had to give them a severe rebuke. He has waited so they could set things right, so that when he did come it would be a joyful visit. *** There had been a person who had come into the church and was living in incest. Paul had had to rebuke the church for letting this man stay. He had told them to expel the man and turn him over to Satan for the saving of his soul. When they did what Paul told them to do it caused the man to repent. Now, Paul encouraged them to forgive and comfort him. By doing this, they had outsmarted Satan. *** Lord, may we live lives of integrity and love your ways more than life. You work all things for our good.

Mon.’s Devo - Maturing Through Our Trials

Read: Job 20:1-22:30; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 22:2-4 Zophar takes another turn. He feels compelled to reply to Job’s words. He believed that those who became wealthy while living as sinners will lose it all one day like what happened to Job. Then all their goods would be consumed, revealing their guilt and sin. *** Job asks if that’s the best consolation Zophar can come up with. He has something to say and then they can continue mocking him again. From his observation, the rich live great lives and die heroes. It would not be fair to punish their children for something they did. The rich and the poor both die and return to dust. Many rich are never judged on this side of heaven. *** Eliphaz speaks again and asks if a person can actually help God. What good does it do for the Lord if you are righteous? Then he says that Job’s pride got him in his predicament. He is not buying that Job is righteous. He tells him there is not limit to his sins. *** Then Eliphaz gives a list of sins he must have committed. They are nothing short of slander. He pretty much says that Job has no fear of God. His advice to Job is to submit himself to the Lord and then he will have peace and things will turn around for him. Then his life would become a testimony and a help to others. That might be great advice for someone who had done the things he accused Job of but Job had done none of them. He was innocent before God. *** Paul writes his second letter to the church in Corinth. He speaks of the comfort God gives us in persecution and trials. We fellowship with Christ in our sufferings because he suffered for us. *** Paul and his team suffered greatly in Asia and thought they wouldn’t make it out alive, but in the midst of it they trusted in God completely and he delivered them out of danger. They learned that God can rescue them from anything. Through it their faith grew greatly. *** Lord, may we use every opportunity as a stepping stone to faith and growth in you. Thank you for all the times your have delivered, healed, saved and comforted us in our trials. We know that you will bring us through what is up ahead.

Sun.’s Devo - Do Everything in Love

Read: Job 16:1-19:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10: Provers 22:1 Job scolds his friends for being miserable comforters. If their situations were reversed he would try to encourage them instead of being judging and condemning. Once again he cries out for a mediator between him and God. *** Bildad speaks up and describes the wicked and their fate. He insinuates that it is the same fate that has come to Job so he must be wicked. *** Job tells him that his sin is none of their business. Job blames God for all his woes and never once considers that his enemy is Satan and not God. He claims that God is persecuting him. He warns his friends of the judgment to come that everyone will face. He tells them that their attitude deserves punishment. *** In Corinthians, Paul gives the people practical advice in how to collect money for the Jews in Jerusalem that are being persecuted. He tells them to put aside money at the first day of the week and by the time he gets there, they will have plenty and it wont be a such a hardship on them. *** Paul’s plan was to come to Corinth and spend the winter with them then take their gift with him to Jerusalem if they wanted him to. He was writing from Ephesus where he wished to stay until after Pentecost because God was moving so greatly there. *** Paul was sending Timothy to them now and asked them to treat him with respect even though he was young. Paul mentions others who were faithful in the ministry of spreading the gospel. He encourages them to stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong and to do everything in love. *** Lord, may we do as Paul said. May we stand strong in the day you have chosen us to live in. May we give freely of what you have given us and may we do everything in love as we occupy until you return.

Sat.’s Devo - The Resurrection

Read: Job 12:1-15:35; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 21:30-31 Job admonished his friends for acting like they knew it all. Job accuses them of laughing at him because he called on God and expected to hear from him. *** Job went on to say that even nature understood that disaster comes from the hand of God from time to time. God’s wisdom is what stands. God is the one who reveals mysteries and rules over nations. *** Job would love to present his case before God. He would ask him to remove his heavy hand from him and not to terrify him with his awesome presence. He wants to know what he has done wrong and for God to show him his rebellion and sin. *** Job wishes to die but he also hopes in a resurrection. He longs for God to cover his guilt. *** Eliphaz tells Job he is full of empty talk and accuses him of having no fear of God. He asks him if he thinks he has a monopoly on wisdom. He thinks Jobs questions mean he has turned against God. He reminds Job of wealthy rulers who lost it all because of their sins. *** In Corinthians, Paul talks about the resurrection. The resurrection is the very reason they risk their lives telling people about Christ. *** Even nature proves the resurrection. The bodies in the heavens don’t die but continually shine. They are a picture of our resurrected bodies. We die in weakness but will be raised in strength. We who are now natural bodies will one day be raised as spiritual bodies. It is just like Adam who was the first man. He had a natural body that died. But the second Adam, Jesus came from heaven and was raised a spiritual being. *** When the time comes and the last trumpet blows, our bodies will transform into our heavenly body. Death will be swallowed up in victory like Isaiah said in Isaiah 25:8. The law caused death, but the Spirit gives life. This should cause us to want to live enthusiastically for the Lord because nothing we do for the Lord is ever useless. *** Lord, may we live with eternity in the forefront of our minds. Thank you for the promise of our resurrection.

Fri.’s Devo - Jesus Our Mediator

Read: Job 8:1-11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 21:28-29 Bilhad spoke up and challenged Job’s statements. He asked if God twisted justice. Surely Job or maybe his children sinned. There had to be a cause and effect for all this to be happening. He suggested that Job intercede for his children, (something Job had done regularly.) *** Bilhad said if Job would pull up the root of the cause then he would once again be able to experience joy. *** Job agreed with Bilhad’s principle, it just didn’t apply to his situation. How could a mortal man ever be declared innocent in God’s sight. He did not think it was possible to reason with God and win. Job definitely didn’t think he was innocent, he just knew he had not done something to merit what had happened to him. *** Job wished for a mediator who could bring him and God together. (Thank God, we have that mediator…Jesus Christ.) Job desires to know what he has done that has so offended God. He wants to know why God created him in the first place. *** Zophar gave his opinion. He thinks Job is mocking God with all his words. The said that God is doubtlessly punishing him far less than he deserves. Who was Job to question God? Zophar tells him to repent and get rid of his sins. *** Isaiah, who came much later said, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”(Isaiah 1:18) God does want to have conversations with us and he proved it at the end of Job. *** In Corinthians, Paul challenges the teaching that there is no resurrection. Paul reminds them that there were witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection and their whole gospel is built on that principle. Christ was the first of a harvest of souls that will be resurrected. Christ is the answer to death. Death came in through Adam and was defeated by Christ. When Christ comes back, all will be raised. Once every ruler and authority and power is defeated,the Kingdom will be turned back over to God. The last enemy to be destroyed will be death. Then God will be supreme over everything everywhere. Lord, thank you for your resurrection power. We look forward to the day that death is defeated and God reigns supreme. May we occupy until Christ comes doing your will.

Thurs.’s Devo - Job’s Defense

Read: Job 4:1-7:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18-40; Psalm 37:30-40; Provers 21:27 As Job and his three friends sat in silence, Eliphaz from Team finally spoke up. He began by saying all the good things Job had done, then he added that his experience showed that you reap what you sow. *** He went on to tell about a dream he had had where God asked him two questions: can a mortal be innocent before God? and can anyone be pure before the Creator? *** Eliphaz added that even the angels that rebelled against God were charged with foolishness in God’s court. *** He added that he had seen fools become successful for the moment but then fall into sudden disaster, suggesting that this is what happened to Job. Then he gave Job his advise about what he should do. He told him to present his case to God in his court and let God correct him. He gives him the seven disasters that God will deliver him from if he repents: death, power, slander, fear, destruction, famine, and wild animals. *** Job responded and defended his complaints. Job doesn’t have the strength to go on and now his friends are accusing him of being the one responsible for his misery. This was not helping him at all. He told them to stop accusing him without any proof. They assumed he had done wrong, but he hadn’t. He asked the question, is not all life a struggle? *** Then Job prays and pours out his soul to God. He begged to die and if he has sinned he asks what it was he had done. He asks why can’t God just forgive his sin and take away his guilt. *** In Corinthians, Paul thanks God that he speaks in tongues more than any of them. But he explains that when he is in the church meeting, he speaks in English so they can understand him. He admonishes them to be mature in their walk with the Lord but be innocent to the things of the world. *** Speaking in tongues in the church is a sign to the unbelievers because when they hear the unknown tongue spoken and then someone else tell what it means, they will become believers for they have just witnessed a miracle. What the Spirit can reveal is secret things that man does not know. It can reveal hearts and be a great testimony to God. *** In their church many were speaking in tongues and it was taking up the whole time, so Paul told them to limit it to two or three. They were to take turns speaking and honor each other’s revelations. *** Lord, I pray that we would mature in hearing your voice and be bold in speaking it. May we do it properly and in your order.

Wed.’s Devo - Job’s Test

Read: Job 1:1-3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 21:25-26 Job means “the cry of woe”. He lived in the land of Uz which means “counsel”. He was a very rich man who feared God and lived his life with integrity. He and his wife had 10 children: 7 sons and 3 daughters. Job became the center of a challenge God made with Satan, unbeknownst to Job. *** One day God met with his heavenly court and Satan, the Accuser came. God asked Satan where he had been and he told him he had been patrolling the earth. God asked if he had observed Job and his fear of him. Satan said he feared God because he was protected with blessings and prosperity. So God told Satan he could test him in the area of his possessions. *** Satan lost no time in taking it all in one day. He took his children and everything he had. Job’s immediate response was to bow and worship the Lord. He proclaimed that everything he had had come from God and now he had taken it away. Then he praised the Lord. *** God met again with his heavenly court and Satan came with them. Once again God asked Satan where he had been and he replied he had been patrolling the earth, watching. God asked Satan if he had noticed Job’s reaction, and he had. Satan said that a man would give up everything to save his own life, but if you take away his health he would surely curse the Lord. God trusted Job so much he allowed Satan to take his health, but he could not take his life. *** Satan lost no time. He put itching boils all over Job’s body. Job sat in the ashes scraping his boils with broken pottery. Even his wife told him to curse God and die. *** Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar came to visit him. They were devastated when they saw him. They sat with him a week not saying a thing. *** Finally Job spoke up and cursed the day of his birth. He wondered why God would create a person who had no future. What he had feared had happened to him. He had lost his peace. *** We read about how Haman told the king how he would like to be honored only to have to do that to Mordecai. We see the reverse here. Satan knew what Job feared and he did that to him. But, no fear, God always has the last say. *** In Corinthians, Paul says that love should be our highest goal but when it comes to spiritual gifts we should desire above all the ability to prophesy. Prophesy strengthens, encourages and comforts others. *** Speaking in tongues is great to build up the speaker, but unless there is someone there to interpret what is being said, it only benefits the one speaking in tongues. Paul encouraged them to look for ways to help build up one another. *** Lord, help us to tend to our own garden by speaking in tongues, reading our Bible and talking to God. But, let us desire to use our gifts and energy helping others. May we be encouragers and strengthen our brothers and sisters with God’s words.

Tues.’s Devo - Divine Reversals

Read: Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24 Once Haman was out of the way, Mordecai was put in his place and given the king’s ring. Now he had the authority to put laws into place. Since what the king had written with his ring couldn’t be revoked, Mordecai wrote a new law to counteract his law. It gave the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies on the set day. So the opposite happened to what Haman had wanted. The Jews overpowered their enemies and all the nobles and governors in the provinces helped the Jews because they were afraid of them and of Mordecai. In Susa alone, they killed 500 men who came against the Jews. *** The next day, the king called in Esther and asked what else he could do for her and she asked for another day for the Jews to defend themselves and if the bodies of Hamans ten sons could be impaled on a pole. The king agreed. The sons were impaled and 300 more men were killed. The Jews took none of their plunder. In the other provinces they killed 75,000 of men who hated them and didn’t take any plunder. The next two days they rested and had a celebration of their victory. They rejoiced and gave gifts to one another. Mordecai sent a message saying that every year they would celebrate this great victory and called it Purim meaning “lots”. It was the day that Haman’s evil plot backfired and Haman and his sons were impaled on a sharpened pole. *** Mordecai became the prime minister with authority next to that of the king and was held in high esteem. He continued to work for the good of his people and to speak up for the welfare of all their descendants. *** Esther is the story of divine reversals. We are about to experience that same story in our world as we will see the defeat of those who want to annihilate us. We will come out the victors and see the goodness of God in the land of the living. *** In Corinthians, Paul lists the gifts of the church: apostles, prophets, teacher, miracles, healing, helps, leadership, and speaking in tongues. Then he showed them how to do their different offices - with love. No matter how good they might be in their gifts, if it isn’t done in love, it will not prosper or help God’s body. *** Paul explains what love looks like in verses 4-7. Those are so good to read over and over. All the gifts will become useless in time, but love will never expire. Faith, hope and love are the foundation of God’s kingdom. *** Lord, may we not forget the power of faith, hope and love. Thank you for stories to build up our faith like Esther. Thank you that you are always working for the good of your children and their posterity. May we exercise your gifts in our lives and do them through love.

Mon.’s Devo - For Such a Time as This

Read: Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22 When Mordecai heard the evil decree to kill the Jews and take their land, he tore his clothes, dressed in burlap and ashes and went out crying with a loud wail. This was repeated by the Jews throughout the provinces as the news traveled. *** Esther heard that Mordecai was in mourning and sent word to find out why. He explained the decree and told her that she had to appeal to the king for her people. She was afraid to approach him because it might cost her her life. Mordecai told her it would cost her her life if she didn’t and maybe this was why God had made her the queen. She agreed to go to the king if all the Jews would fast for three days. *** On the third day, Esther went to the king and he held up his scepter to her. When he asked her her request, she asked for him and Haman to come to a banquet she would prepare. He agreed. *** Haman and the king went to the banquet but when the king asked Esther what her request was she asked them to come the next night to a banquet and then she would give him her request. They gladly agreed. *** Haman went home happy and boasted to his wife and friends about all his wealth, position and favor with the king. Then he told them about Mordecai who refused to bow to him. They suggested he erect a pole 75 feet tall in his backyard and asks the king permission to empale Mordecai on it the next day. *** Than night the king couldn’t sleep and he called for the books of his kingdom to be read to him. When he reached the part where Mordecai reported the assassins, he asked what had been done to reward him. Nothing had been done. *** Then next morning the king asked Haman what he would do for the man the king would want to honor. Haman thought it had to be him, so he told him what he would want done to him to show the world how the king honored him. *** The king liked his idea and told him to go and do it for Mordecai. So Haman had to put Mordecai on the king’s horse with the king’s robe on and yell, “this is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!” Mordecai went home humiliated. *** He told his wife and friends about what had happened and they changed their tune. They told him since Mordecai was of Jewish origin, he would never succeed in his plans against him. It would be fatal to try. (Now they tell him.) *** Haman didn’t have time to think about it because the king’s eunuchs arrived to escort him to Esther’s banquet. *** When the men had had their wine, the king asked Esther what her request was. This was when Esther exposed Haman for plotting to kill her and her people. The king was enraged and went immediately to get someone to take Haman to his death. Haman fell on Esther to beg for his life. When the king came back in he accused Haman of assaulting his wife. *** The kings eunuch told the king that Haman had erected the pole in his yard to impale Mordecai on. The king told him to use it for Haman. So Haman was impaled in his own yard on the pole he had erected for Mordecai. *** In Corinthians, Paul was asked about spiritual gifts. Paul explained that the Spirit of God would never curse Jesus. There were different kinds of spiritual gifts but they all came from the Spirit of the Lord. They did different services but they all served the Lord. They worked in different ways but God was the one who worked them. *** Everyone is given a spiritual gift. Some have the gift to give wise advice, another has the gift to give a message of knowledge. Another has the gift of great faith and to another God gives the gift to heal. He gives one person the power to perform miracles and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives to one the ability to discern whether a spirit is from God or not. Another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages while another can interpret the unknown languages. God’s Holy Spirit decides who gets what spirit and gives it to them. *** God set up the Church to run like our bodies do. Each member of the Body of Christ has its purpose just like each member of our physical body does. We all need each other. Every part is extremely important whether they are seen or not. Each part is necessary in the whole success of the body. God made it this way so we would work together in love and unity. *** If one part is suffering, the whole body suffers and if one part is honored, the whole body is honored. *** Lord, may we have eyes to see the way the Kingdom is supposed to work. May we stop competing against one another and work together in love. May we learn our spiritual gifts and how to use them to give help the rest of the body.

Sun.’s Devo - Esther’s Rise

Read: Esther 1:1-3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20 Esther happened about 50 years after the Jews were allowed to go back to Jerusalem. Xerxes was the king who ruled 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. His throne was in Susa. Xerxes gave a lavish banquet for his nobles and officials that lasted 180 days. Then he gave a banquet for the people that lived in his fortress of Susa which lasted for seven days. The queen, Vashti also gave a banquet for the women of the fortress. *** On the last day of the banquet when the men were good and drunk, he asked for Vashti to come so the men could gaze on her beauty. She was busy with her banquet and refused to come. This embarrassed the king and made him furious. He consulted with his advisors who knew all the Persian laws to see what could be done legally to punish Vashti. *** They were cunning and knew that if Vashti got away with this, it would affect how their wives treated them. They advised him to send a letter to all the provinces saying that every man should rule his own home and what he says should be obeyed. He followed their advise and banished Vashti from his presence. *** After a while, the king regretted his decision and missed Vashti. His advisors came up with a plan to replace Vashti. They would bring all the beautiful women of his kingdom to his palace where they would go through beauty treatments. Then he would have his pick. This pleased him. *** Meanwhile, there was a man named Mordecai whose family had been taken with King Jehoiakim and the nobility to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. His family were from the family of Saul. He had a cousin named Esther who had become an orphan and he adopted her into his own family and raised her as his own daughter. *** Esther was beautiful and had been taken into the king’s harem. Mordecai told Esther not to share her nationality with anyone. Everyday, Mordecai would check up on Esther. Her beauty treatment lasted a year and a half. When it was time to go before the king she took the advise of Hegai who was in charge of the harem. God had given her favor with Hegai and he gave her good advice. *** The king was so delighted with Esther, he crowned her the queen right away. He held a great banquet in her honor. *** One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate he overheard two of the kings’ eunuchs plot to assassinate the king. He told Esther to tell the king and give Mordecai the credit of the report. The plot was investigated and the men were impaled on a pole. *** Later, Haman was promoted over all the other nobles making him the second most powerful man in the kingdom. Everyone was ordered by the king to bow before Haman whenever he passed them. Mordecai refused to bow to him or show him respect. The palace officers told on Mordecai and also told that he was a Jew. When Haman noticed this, he was outraged. He looked for a way to not only kill Mordecai but all the Jews throughout the empire of Xerxes. When he was casting lots or purim for the years events, he scheduled a day to get rid of the Jews. He told the king that there were some people in his kingdom that were scattered throughout his province who refused to obey his laws. He wanted permission to issue a decree to get rid of them. He would personally give 10,000 large sacks of silver to do this. The king agreed and gave him his signet ring to make it a law. *** On the 13th day of Nisan (two days before the Passover) the law went forth to all the provinces that on the 13th day of Adar, the next year the property of the Jews would be given to whoever killed them. This date was exactly a month after Nisan. So they had 13 months to worry about being killed by their neighbors for their property. *** The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa fell into confusion. *** Confusion was also going on in the churches in Corinth. Paul said that it sounded like it was more harmful when they met than when they didn’t. There were many divisions. The Lord’s Supper was being blasphemed. Some were getting drunk while others were going hungry. *** Paul went over with them the first Last supper Christ had with his disciples. He explained the significance of the supper. It was a covenant between God and his people confirmed with blood. It was to be repeated to remember that solemn covenant. They were to take this supper with extreme honor to God. Those who didn’t were eating and drinking God’s judgment upon themselves. That was why they were weak and sick and some had died. *** Lord, help us to put everything in your order in our churches and in our lives. Show us the things that do not give your honor. Help us to love the things you love and hate the things you hate. All for your glory!

Sat.’s Devo - Cleansing the Temple

Read: Nehemiah 12:27-13:31; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 21:17-18 All the Levites throughout the land were called to Jerusalem to help in the celebration of the dedication of the wall. The priests and Levites purified themselves, then the people. *** Nehemiah led a group of priests and musicians to the top of the wall and they began walking southward singing and playing their instruments. Another group began walking northward around the top of the wall. They sang and played their music. It was like surround sound in the city. The celebration and joy of the people could be heard far away. On that day, they appointed men to be in charge of the storerooms for the offerings. Sacrifices and offerings were given. The people took joy in the priests and Levites and gave to the Temple. *** The book of Moses was read to the people and they got to the place that said no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be permitted to enter the assemble of God became they hadn’t provided food and water in the wilderness to God’s people. Instead, they had hired Balaam to curse them, but God turned Balaam’s curse into a blessing. *** Nehemiah left Jerusalem to go back to Babylon to serve King Artaxerxes but when he returned years later he found out that Tobiah, an Ammonite and the one who greatly opposed the Jews while building the wall had been given a storeroom in the Temple by the priest, Eliashib. Nehemiah threw all Tobiah’s belongings out of the room and had it purified and brought back the articles for God’s Temple and grain offerings and frankincense. *** Satan’s plan is first to attack from the outside and if he can’t enter there he will look for any door he can find. Tobiah’s door was that he was a relative to Eliashib, the priest. He probably found some way to blackmail him, flatter him, or guilt him into giving him the room. Nehemiah took care of Tobiah. *** Nehemiah also found that the Levites had not been given their portions of food and so the singers had to return to the fields to work to provide for their families. Nehemiah confronted the leaders and demanded to know why the Temple of God had been neglected. He called back the Levites and restored them to their jobs. The people began to give their tithes again. Nehemiah placed responsible men of integrity to watch over the tithes and distribute the money fairly to the Levites. *** Nehemiah saw how the people were working and selling their grain on the Sabbath. He shut this down and rebuked them. He had the gates of the city closed on Friday afternoon and not opened again until after the Sabbath. *** Next, Nehemiah found that some of the men had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Their children spoke those languages instead of Hebrew. Many of the people couldn’t speak Hebrew. Nehemiah confronted them and cursed them. He beat some of them and pulled out their hair. He made them swear that they wouldn’t let their children intermarry with the pagan people. *** When Nehemiah found out one of the priests had married the daughter of Sanballat another enemy of the Jews, he banished him from his presence. He banished everything that was foreign from the Temple and assigned the tasks to the priests and Levites and made sure they knew what to do. He prayed God would not forget all he had done for his name’s sake. *** In Corinthians, Paul went in great detail to put the order of things. Women are under man and man is under Christ. We can say it another way: Christ covers us all - he covers man who is to cover the woman. They all work together as one. In Paul’s day, the woman was to wear a covering over her head when praying to show that she is under her husband. The husband was not to cover his head to show that he was the made in the image of God and reflects God’s glory. The man is a picture of Christ who became a man. The woman is the picture of the Body of Christ who is his bride. Woman was made from man so she reflects man’s glory. We are made from Christ and reflect his glory. Christ stood before God in his glory. *** Lord, may we honor you and your glory through our lives. Help us to keep our temple’s clean and not neglect your purifying process.

Fri.’s Devo - The Law of Love

Read: Nehemiah 11:1-12:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14-33; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 21:14-16 They chose lots to see which families would move to live in Jerusalem. A tenth were chosen and the rest of the people went back to live in their homes outside of Jerusalem. Volunteers were also asked to come and resettle in Jerusalem. The list was given of the people who were to live in Jerusalem. *** A list of priests and the high priest, Jeshua returned with Zerrubabel. Six Levites returned with him. A record was kept of all the priests, high priests and Levites that served in Jerusalem. The book was The Book of History. It is probably in the Vatican along with all the archives of books we will hopefully one day soon have access to. *** Paul in Corinthians begged the people to run from worshiping idols. He reminded them that when they take the Lord’s communion the blood represents his blood and the bread represents his body. They all share in Christ and are united when they eat the Lord’s Communion. *** The people were taking of the Lord’s supper then going and partaking in the idol ceremonies and eating their food. This was wrong. Paul explained that it wasn’t the food that was bad, it was their worship that was wrong. *** Some of the merchants would sell the food offered to their idols and Paul explained that this wasn’t bad because the food was not altered. They could buy this food - it was just food. But, it was not OK to worship the idols. He also told them that if someone who did worship idols asked you to their house to eat, they didn’t have to worry about the meat if it was offered to idols. Eating it would not hurt them. *** Then Paul goes on to say that if someone brings up the fact that you are eating food offered to idols and this offends them, then out of love for them shouldn’t eat it in front of them. We are to honor others consciences as much as we can. *** Lord, help us to be sensitive of others but I pray most of all that we would be free of religious laws that aren’t offensive to you. May the law of love cover all!

Thurs.’s Devo- Repentance

Read: Nehemiah 9:22-10:39; 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 21:13 The leaders of the Levites continued their prayer to the Lord praising all God had done for them over the ages because they were his chosen possession. He had helped them conquer nations and possess the land he had promised them. As soon as they had peace, they because proud and turned away from the Lord. God had sent his prophets to turn them back but they refused to listen so the Lord allowed the people of the land to conquer them. But by God’s great mercy, he left a remnant of them alive. They were a part of that remnant. *** They made a promise and put it in writing and all the people agreed that they would not let their daughters or sons marry the pagan people. They would not trade on the Sabbath. They would let their land rest every seventh year and cancel all debts. They would pay the annual Temple tax to keep the Temple in operation. They would bring their allotment of wood for the sacrifices and the first fruits of all their produce. They would give their first born to the Lord. One of the priests would receive the tithes of the people and put them in the storerooms. They would not neglect the Temple of God. *** Paul defended his ministry. He had become a slave to man for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. He had followed the law when he was with the Jews and he had lived free from the law when he was with the Gentiles. He found a common ground with everyone in order to fellowship with them and share his faith. *** Paul reminded them of their ancestors who were all saved from Egypt and led through the wilderness. Christ was with them as the rock and saw all they did. Some worshiped other idols and engaged in all sorts of perversity and sin. They ended up dying in the wilderness and not entering into their promise. *** Paul warned them and us of testing the grace of God with their/our sins. Jesus knows and experienced the same temptations we do and he didn’t sin because God always gives us a way of escape and can help us endure our temptations if we let him. *** Lord, may we turn to you when tempted and allow you to show us the way out. May we choose to walk in holiness and truth.

Wed.’s Devo - The Feast of Tabernacles

Read: Nehemiah 7:73b-9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 21:11-12 On the first day of the seventh month, the people gathered just inside the Water Gate to hear the the Book of the Law being read. This was the day of the Feast of Trumpets. Ezra led the people in praise and agreement to the Law. The Levites read it and explained what it meant. Ezra and Nehemiah also interpreted its meaning. The people were sad to hear of how they and their ancestors had not honored the Lord or obeyed him. Nehemiah told the people not to be sad, because today was to be a day of celebration and joy. *** The next day they read that this was the month to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles where they were to build booths from certain branches and live in them for seven days. So the people went out and gathered the branches and built their booths for their families. *** They gathered again to celebrate that feast. The people fasted and repented as they listened to the words read from the Law. The Levites recalled to them the story of their history and how Moses led them out of slavery and Egypt and supplied their needs in the wilderness. He gave them water from a rock and manna from heaven. They lacked nothing and their clothes did not wear out and their feet didn’t swell. *** In Corinth, Paul was defending the preachers of the gospel. They were no different than farmers who worked hard in their fields. They deserved to eat the produce of their work. In the same way the preachers of God’s Word deserved compensation for their work from the church. 
 *** Paul made it clear to them that he had a secular job and didn’t ever ask for them to support him, but it was right to pay their spiritual leaders. *** Lord, help us to pay attention to what you are paying attention to. May we serve our leaders in our churches and may we also use our talents in the world that you rule.

Tues.’s Devo - The Wall is Completed

Read: Nehemiah 5:14-7:73a: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10 The entire time Nehemiah was the governor of Judah, he didn’t receive his allowance for food and wine. He paid out of his own pocket to feed150 Jewish officials and any visiting officials. The governor before him had put heavy burdens on the people but, Nehemiah couldn’t do it. He asked God to remember what he had done for his people. *** Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and their followers found out that the gaps and been filled and and the gates were built. All that was left to do was to set the doors in the gates. These men plotted to draw Nehemiah away from his city and kill him but Nehemiah refused to meet with them. They sent five letters asking for a meeting and Nehemiah refused them all. Next, they tried sending a false prophet to tell him that he should hide in the Temple because they were coming to kill him. He refused to run in fear. Once again, Nehemiah prayed that God would see all they were doing to intimidate him. *** On the 25th day of Elul, the wall was finished. It had only taken them 52 days. When their enemies found out, they were the ones who were afraid and intimidated. They saw that God had helped the Jews. *** Nehemiah set up times when the gates would be open and when they would be shut. He stationed guards at the gates and around the city. *** A list had been made of all the exiles who returned to Israel and it totaled around fifty thousand people. They brought gifts to the Nehemiah for the work of the Lord and to set up the priests to sacrifice and worship the Lord. *** Paul makes the point that eating food offered to idols offends some but if you don’t give idols any power then there is nothing to worry about. You can eat whatever you want, but if you are with someone who this offends, then you need to put them first. It’s the living that are important, not some dead idol. Paul just warned them not to let their freedom cause another believer to sin. Perception is belief and belief is faith. The spiritual world on both sides is fueled by faith. *** Lord, may we put our faith in you and you alone. May we live our lives to serve you and others above ourselves.

Mon.’s Devo - Armed and Dangerous

Read: Nehemiah 3:15-5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7 Every family repaired the wall and gates around their own houses. Some like Baruch were so zealous he repaired the section for himself and for the high priest. *** When Sanballat found out they were successfully rebuilding the wall he was most upset. He mocked the Jews and tried to discourage them. His friend, Tobiah said that the wall would collapse if a fox walked on top of it. *** Nehemiah prayed that God would hear their mocking and let their words fall back on their own heads. He asked God not to ignore their guilt or blot our their sins. *** Finally, the wall was completed up to a half of its height. All the gaps were filled in. When Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard the gaps were all being repaired they were furious. They made plans to come and fight them and stop the work, but Nehemiah and the people of Israel prayed and guarded the city around the clock. *** The people began to tire of all the work. They kept hearing of the threats of the enemy of war. The Jews who lived closest to their enemies reported their threats so Nehemiah placed armed guards at the lowest parts of the wall to stand while they worked. *** Nehemiah called all the people together and charged them not to be afraid of the enemy because God was with them. They returned to work on the wall with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. Nehemiah patrolled the wall carrying a trumpet. When he saw trouble he would blow the trumpet and all would know to come and help. The whole community did their part to finish the work. *** During this time, some of the men and women protested that their fellow Jews were charging them interest on loans they were having to make to feed their children. This made Nehemiah angry at the Jews for charging their own people interest on loans. He shamed them and told them to repay the interest they had charged. They repented and payed them back. He told them if they didn’t repay them God would shake them out of their own property and homes. *** They all responded with an “Amen”. *** In Corinth, Paul continued talking about families. To understand Paul’s advice we need to understand the situation of their day. Corinth was a city of sexual perversion and prostitutes. There were over a thousand professional prostitutes at their “Temple” of their god, Venus. She was the goddess of licentious love. This spirit spilled into the church and many converts were from this worship. *** Paul was trying to get them to focus on their marriages but most importantly on the marriage they had with Christ. He encouraged them to be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. He was trying to teach them to not make decisions based on their passions but based on patience and waiting on God’s will. *** Lord, may we patiently wait for your salvation. May we be salt and light in this dark world. May we fight a good fight of faith armed with the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sun.’s Devo - Building 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. His name means “God comforts”. *** Nehemiah was a devout Jew who learned from some of the Jews who had returned from the province of Judah that Judah was in trouble. Her wall had been torn down and the gates had been burned by fire. Nehemiah was devastated. He fasted and prayed for months. *** By the spring, in the month of Passover, Nehemiah could no longer hide his concern. The king asked him why he was so sad and he told him about Jerusalem. When the king asked how he could help, Nehemiah asked if he could go and rebuild the city. The king asked him how long he would be gone and we are not told his response but he ended up being gone 12 years. The king gave him permission as well as letters and an army escort. *** When he came to the governors of the province he delivered the king’s letters to them. Sanballat and Tobia were officials who were upset that someone had arrived to help the Jews. *** Nehemiah went straight to Jerusalem by night and examined the walls and the gates. He then went to the city officials and told them why he was there. The officials were willing to get to work, but Sanballat and Tobia tried to stir up trouble for them. Nehemiah told Sanballat and Tobia that God would help them succeed and they had no share, legal right or historic claim in Jerusalem. *** Eliashib, the high priest led with example and along with the priests. They began rebuilding their part of the wall. People built what was near them. Some refused to work with the construction supervisors, others had great attitudes and did whatever needed to be done. Some worked with their daughters. They rebuilt the wall and set up the gates with bolts and bars. *** In the church in Corinth, sexual sin was rampant. Paul told them they should each have one spouse and that was enough. Paul, himself was single and satisfied so they should be satisfied with one wife or one husband. He told the husbands not to leave their wives and vice versa. Even if the spouse is an unbeliever if they agree to stay married, then they should stay with them. The believing spouse brings holiness into the marriage which will spill over to the children. But, if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave then they should be allowed to leave. If they choose to stay then there is a great possibility they may be saved also. *** He encouraged them to continue to live in whatever situation the Lord placed them in because it was the Lord who called them. *** What a great word for us. Our lives are our testimony of Christ and we are called to take up our cross and follow him. He didn’t say it would be easy. In fact, he told us to fellowship with him in our sufferings as he fellowshipped with his Father in his. *** Lord, we are grateful for our lives and the fact that you know us and where we are. Help us to fellowship with you in the midst of our sufferings and use it to further your gospel of love.

Sat.’s Devo - Righting their Wrongs

Read: Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3 As Ezra was interceding and weeping over the sins of the nation, other people joined him. Shecaniah came to him and confessed that they had been unfaithful to God for marrying pagan women of the land. He came up with a plan for them to divorce them and asked Ezra to help them in doing this. *** Ezra got up off his knees and demanded that the people and the priests swear that they would do this. When they did he got up and went to the room of Jehohanan, the priest and spent the night fasting. *** A proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should come to Jerusalem within three days. If them didn’t they would forfeit all their property and be expelled from the assembly of the exiles. *** All the people came on the twelfth day of the ninth month. It was December so it was cold and raining. They stood outside while Ezra told them their sin. They agreed to repent and divorce their wives and separate themselves from their pagan women. They worked on this for the next three months. By the first day of the first month they had completed it. The fourteenth day of that month would be Passover. *** In Corinthians, Paul told them how to handle disputes among believers. They were not to file legal lawsuits against other believers but handle it in the church. It is a terrible witness to the world when Christians sue one another. *** Paul even went on to tell them to let them cheat you because God is the one who judges in the end. The guilty ones will not inherit the Kingdom of God. *** Paul was especially strong in his preaching against sexual sins since this was a sin against your own body that was suppose to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. That was why Ezra was so upset that they had married pagan women. When we are joined to God, we are one spirit with him and we should have no other gods. *** Lord, may we honor you with our bodies. May we rid ourselves of wrong thoughts and anything that robs us from our inheritance with Christ.

Fri.’s Devo - True Repentance

Read: Ezra 8:21-9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2 Ezra was asked to lead this great exodus of exile from Babylon to Jerusalem and to carry millions of dollars worth of silver and gold. He had the people fast and pray for a safe journey because he was ashamed to ask the king to send soldiers with them to protect them. He had to put his trust in the Lord to keep them safe. They would be traveling through areas known for attacking people and robbing them. *** Ezra appointed 12 leaders of the priests to be in charge of transporting all the silver and gold and precious objects. They were to present them to the priests as the Temple and have them weigh them again. *** They left on the 12th day of Nisan and arrived safely. The priests then took the treasures to the Temple and presented them to the priests there. When they were weighed, nothing had been stolen or lost. The new exile sacrifices burnt offerings to the God of Israel. *** Some of the Jewish leaders came to Ezra and explained to him that the people in Jerusalem had intermarried with the people of the land and had taken up their evil practices of idolatry. Ezra was shocked that this could happen and tore his clothes, pulled hair from his head and beard. All who feared the Lord came and sat with him. *** Ezra got on his knees and prayed and interceded for the people and their sins. He prayed a very humble prayer of sorrow and repentance. *** In First Corinthians Paul was just as sad when he learned of the sexual immorality going on in the church in Corinth. A man in the church was living in sin with his step-mother. The church was proud instead of repentant and shamed. Paul told them instead of having grace for this man he should be removed from their fellowship. *** Paul told them to have a meeting and then throw the man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature would be destroyed and he himself would be saved on the day the Lord returns. *** To let this man stay would allow others to do the same thing. It would corrupt the whole church. Paul had written to them telling them not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin while claiming to be a believer. The job of our leaders in the church is to judge the church, not the world. God will judge them. *** Lord, may we examine our hearts and purify ourselves. May we get rid of all the things that tempt us to defile our temples. May we choose holiness and purity for your glory.

Thurs.’s Devo - The Favor Given to Ezra

Read: Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30 Ezra was of the 17th generation from Aaron. He was a scribe that was well-versed in the Law of Moses. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon with King Artexerxes’ blessing. He gave Ezra everything he asked for because God’s hand was upon him. *** Ezra arrived in Jerusalem bringing other priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and Temple servants. He had left Babylon on Nisan one, the first day of the new year and arrived five months later on the first day of the fifth month of Elul. He came with a copy of a letter from the king. *** The letter stated that he wanted Ezra to find out if the people of Judah and Israel were living according to the law of Moses. He was also to take silver and gold from the king’s treasure as an offering to the God of Israel. The people of Babylon could give him gold and silver also. Their donations were to go to buying animals to be sacrificed and any left over could be used however they felt was in the will of God. *** The king sent back cups that had been taken to Babylon from the Temple. The letter also stated that the provinces west of the Euphrates River were to give Ezra whatever he requested of them up to 7,500 pounds of silver, 500 bushels of wheat, 550 gallons of wine, 550 gallons of olive oil, and an unlimited amount of salt. He also commanded that all the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Temple servants and any other worker in the Temple were tax exempt. *** Ezra was given the authority to appoint magistrates and judges who knew the law of God to govern the people west of the Euphrates River and to teach them the law. Anyone who refused to obey it would be punishable by death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment. *** Ezra praised the Lord for the favor he had been given. He listed all the family leaders who were going with Ezra back to Jerusalem and found that there were no Levites on the list. So he sent messages to some of the Levite families to ask for volunteers to return. Sherebiah, Hashabiah and Jeshaiah offered to come and brought their families. They totaled 220. *** In the New Testament, Paul continued his letter to Corinth. He explained that Apollos and him were mere servants of Christ whose job was to explain the mysteries of God. Paul even said that he didn’t always trust his own judgment or believe he was always right. But, God was his judge. They should wait and let God judge everything when He returns. Then every secret motive will be revealed. He will reward and judge. *** The people had been led astray by teachers who lived in great abundance and taught abundance. Paul and Apollos had paid the price for what they believed and were still paying the price. Paul said that the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk but living by God’s power. *** Lord, may we live by your power and not worry about what others think of us. May your Kingdom come!

Wed.’s Devo - Finishing the Work

Read: Ezra 4:24-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27 The work on the Temple had stopped. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied, encouraging the people to continue building and to trust in the Lord to help them. Zerubbabel and Jeshua started building again. *** Tattenai, the governor of the province and Shethar-bozeni and their colleagues came to Jerusalem to ask them who gave them permission to start building again. They wanted the names of all the men working on the Temple. They sent Darius a letter concerning what the Jews were doing but they didn’t have them stop until they heard back from Darius. *** The letter said that when they asked the workers for a list of workers and who had given them the authority to start building again they said that they were servants of the God of heaven and earth. King Cyrus had sent them to rebuild it and had given them all the things that he had taken from their first temple. 
 *** Tattenai asked that King Darius make a search in his archives to find out if this was true. *** When the letter reached Darius, he did make a search and found the decree by Cyrus. He sent back a letter telling them to let them build and to help them by paying the full construction costs from taxes they collected. They were to give the priests all the bulls, rams and lambs needed for their sacrifices as well as wheat, salt, wine and olive oil. If they didn’t do this they would be impaled on a beam pulled from their own house. *** So the work could continue on the Temple and the people were greatly encouraged by what the Lord was doing for them. *** The Temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar. It was then dedicated with great joy. During the ceremony they sacrifices 100 bulls, 200 rams and 400 male lambs. Twelve male goats were presented as a sin offering for the twelve tribes of Israel. On the fourteenth day of the first month they celebrated the Passover and Unleavened Bread for seven days. There was much joy throughout the land. *** In Corinthians, Paul told them that the people they put on a pedestal like Apollos and Paul were just servants of God. He made it clear that Christ is the foundation and Apollos and Paul just built on that foundation. The material they used will one day be put to the test with fire and what was built of God will stand. *** Lord, may we build on nothing less than Jesus Christ and his righteousness.

Tues.’s Devo - The Mystery of God

Read: Ezra 3:1-4:23; 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 20:24-25 Once the exiles had settled in their towns the priests began rebuilding the altar of the Lord on the place where it had been before. They did it even though they were afraid of the local residents. When they had it built they began to offer sacrifices on it each morning and evening. They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles and received offerings fifteen days before the feast. They sacrificed the number of animals designated for the whole week of the feast and then began laying the foundation for the Temple to be built. *** They hired masons and carpenters and bought cedar logs from Tyre and Sidon paying them with food, wine and olive oil just like Solomon had. *** They began the construction in the second year around the mid spring. The Levites rebuilt the Temple supervised by Jeshua the priest and his family. When they finished the foundation, the priests put on their robes and blew the ram’s horns and gave praise and thanks to the Lord with music and singing. *** The younger generation gave shouts of joy, but the older ones who remembered the greatness of Solomon’s Temple wept in sadness. *** The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the Lord and they went to Zerubbabel and the other leaders and asked if they could help. Zerubbabel could smell a rat and wouldn’t let them help. Next, the local residents tried to discourage and frighten them to keep them from finishing. They even bribed the workers to frustrate their plans. This persecution lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne. *** The enemies of the Jews, Bishlam, Mithredath and Tabeel saw their chance and had the governor write a letter to King Darius accusing the Jews of building a city that would rebel against him and refuse to pay him tribute. They encouraged him to look them up in the history books and read about all the trouble they had caused in the past. *** Darius did have them researched and agreed that they were indeed a rebellious people who would cause him trouble if they had a city of their own. He told Rehum, the governor to have them stop their work and not let the city be rebuilt. So with a show of strength, they had the Jews stop their building. *** In Corinthians, Paul explained to a group of mature believers that the wisdom of God was hidden especially from God’s enemy, the devil or he wouldn’t have crucified Christ. That was he greatest mistake. God hid the truth from him, but God doesn’t hide the truth from us. We have his spirit and his spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Those that don’t have his Spirit cannot understand the wisdom of God because it is not revealed to their understanding. We can understand God’s mysteries because we have the mind of Christ. *** Paul went on to tell them that when they said they were followers of Paul or Apollos they were acting just like the world. We are too if we think our pastor or our religion has all the truth. *** Lord, may we be one as you and the Father are one. May we do and speak truth that leads to unity and love.

Mon.’s Devo - Back to Jerusalem

Read: Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23 Jeremiah had prophesied that Israel would be away from their land for 70 years then return. God moved on Cyrus’ heart to send the Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple to the Lord. He told all the Jews who now lived in Babylon that they could get donations from their neighbors to help them pay their way to return to Jerusalem. He would give them all the 5,400 items in his storehouse that had been taken from the Temple. *** A list of all the families was made and also a separate list of the families who were priests, Levites and temple servants. Other people went who could not prove their genealogy. In all there were 42,360 who returned in addition to 7,337 servants and 200 singers. 
 *** When they arrived they gave offerings of 61,000 gold coins, 6,250 pounds of silver and 100 robes for the priests. All of this was to go towards the rebuilding of the Temple. *** Paul explained to the church at Corinth that the message of the cross sounded foolish to those who couldn’t understand. They couldn’t see that to those who believed, it was the power of God. God hid his wisdom in the cross and the wisest people on the earth couldn’t find it. The Jews were looking for signs from heaven and the Greeks were looking to the wisdom of man but God in his wisdom hid the truth in the crucifixion of Christ. It was through his death that God’s power was displayed. Death was defeated and Christ was resurrected. *** Lord, may we always remember that that is your plan. You bring life out of death and joy out of pain. We trust that you are working everything for our good if we just trust you and follow your plan.

Sun.’s Devo - The Fall of Judah

Read: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21 Josiah announced that all Israel would be celebrating the Passover together in Jerusalem. He had the Ark moved to the Temple to stay there permanently and told the priests and Levites to prepare for the Passover. Josiah provided 30,000 lambs to be sacrifices along with 3,000 cattle. The priests and Levites also offered a vast amount of animals to be sacrificed. They carried out the Passover as was written by Moses. Never since the time of Samuel had there been such a Passover. *** King Neco from Egypt let his battle to attack Carchemish on the Euphrates River and Josiah marched his army out to fight him. Neco sent a message saying he was not attacking Israel but just passing by it. He had no quarrel with Israel. But Josiah attacked him anyway and was killed in battle. All Israel mourned his death. *** The people made Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz the next king. Three months later, Neco came and took him prisoner to Egypt and put his brother Eliakim as the next king of Judah. He changed his name to Jehoiakim. *** Jehoiakim reigned 11 years and was an evil king. King Nebuchadnezzar came and took him in chains to Babylon along with treasures from the Temple. Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin became the next king. *** Jehoiachin only reigned for three months and ten days before he was taken to Babylon along with more of the treasures from the Temple. Nebuchadnezzar installed Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedikiah as king. He reigned 11 years and was very hard and stubborn. He refused to turn to the Lord even though God sent Jeremiah to speak to him. *** The people and the priests became more and more unfaithful also and God sent his prophets to warn them over and over but they refused to listen. God turned them over to Nebuchadnezzar who took them to Babylon along with more of the treasures from the Temple and the palace. His army burned down the Temple, tore down the walls and burned the palace of the king and destroyed anything of value. *** Just as Jeremiah had prophesied, the land lay desolate for 70 years while the land enjoyed the Sabbaths it had been denied. *** After the 70 years, Cyrus came to the throne in Persia. He decreed that a Temple for God be built in Jerusalem and he allowed anyone who wanted to return and help, could go with his blessings. *** Paul wrote to the church in Corinth commending them for the gifts God had given them. God would keep them strong to the end because they had partnered with Jesus. He appealed to them to live in unity and not be divided by different personalities. Jesus isn’t divided, he is one and he wants us to be one also. *** Lord, as we go to our churches may our hearts be to worship You and not our pastors. May your anoint our pastors to give the words from You and may we walk out your purposes this week.

Sat.’s Devo - Josiah’s Reforms

Read: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:10-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19 When Manasseh repented he rebuilt the outer wall of the city and fortified the towns of Judah. He removed all the foreign gods and the idol out of the Lord’s Temple. He tore down all the altars he had built around the Temple and restored the Lord’s altar. He encouraged the people to give up their pagan gods and worship the Lord, but the people still worshipped their gods at the shrines. When he died, he was buried in his palace and his son Amon became the next king. *** Amon was only 22 years old and he did evil like his father had done most of his life. Amon was assassinated by his own officials. The people killed his assassins. They made Amon’s son Josiah the next king. *** Josiah was only 8 when he became king and he reigned 31 years doing good his entire life. He sought the Lord and when he was 20 he began to destroy all the pagan shrines and graven images. He smashed all the Asherah poles and scattered the ashes over the bones of the graves of the pagan priests. He did this in the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon and even to Naphtali. Then he returned to Jerusalem. *** When he was 24 he purified the land and the Temple. While they were repairing the Temple with the money they received from the people, they found a copy of the law and brought it to the king and read it to him. He tore his clothes and sent his officials to the Temple to speak to the Lord about what it said because he knew they had greatly offended the Lord by not keeping the words in the book. *** The prophet Hulda sent word back to Josiah telling him that God was indeed angry with Israel and would bring disaster on Jerusalem for abandoning him for false gods, but because Josiah had repented and was following him with all he knew to do, he would not bring the disaster until he had died. *** Josiah continued to clean up his land and remove all the detestable things from his land. He required everyone to worship the Lord. They made a covenant before the Lord to follow and worship only him. *** In Romans, Paul continued to give the names of those he wanted to acknowledge for their hard work for the Lord. He appealed to the people to not be divided by false teaching from those who only wanted to benefit themselves. He told them to stay pure and obedient to the Lord and soon the God of peace would crush Satan under their feet. *** Lord, thank you for the rewards of following you are victory and life. We choose your life and your righteousness.

Fri.’s Devo - Hezekiah’s Victory and Manasseh’s Defeat

Read: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18 Hezekiah followed the Lord whole-heartedly. King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah and tried to break through the walls of the fortified towns. He was headed to Jerusalem, so Hezekiah had his officials stop the springs outside the city so the Assyrian army wouldn’t have any water. He repaired all the weak places in his walls and fortified his defenses. *** Hezekiah put the city under military law and had them meet at the city square. He told the people to be strong and not afraid because the Assyrians might have a mighty army but they were mere humans. They were protected by the Lord and heaven’s army. *** Senecherib sent a message to Hezekiah saying that his God could not stand against him and his army. No other nation’s gods could stop them when they attacked so why should they think their God could stop them. They mocked the people standing on the wall and they spoke in Hebrew so they could understand what they were saying. They were trying to intimidate them so it would be easy to take the city. *** Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed and the Lord sent one angel who destroyed the whole Assyrian army and Sennacherib was forced to return how in disgrace. He was killed by his own sons when he entered into the temple of his god. *** Hezekiah amassed great wealth and honor. Many nations gave gifts to the Lord and to him. Ambassadors from Babylon came to hear from him about his victory over the Assyrians. It was a test that Hezekiah failed. In his pride, he showed them all his kingdom. In the Kings it said that God sent a prophet to tell him that since he showed them everything he had it would all end up being theirs one day. *** Manasseh his son became the next king when he died. Manasseh was only 12 when he became king and must have had some wicked advisors because as much as Hezekiah followed the Lord, Manasseh followed false gods. He did the most evil things and built pagan altars all over the land. He practiced every kind of evil which lead to the takeover of the land by the Assyrians. He was led to Babylon by a ring in his nose. *** In Babylon, Manasseh ended up repenting and praying to the Lord. God forgave him and eventually gave him back his kingdom. Then Manasseh realized there was only one God - Jehovah! *** In Romans, Paul is finished with his journey to the towns he wanted to visit. He is now excited about coming to Rome to visit the church there. First, he has to stop by Jerusalem to give them the gift the people had given to help those in need there. The persecution was the greatest in Jerusalem and Paul had raised money for them in his travels. *** Paul asks for their prayers as he travels there. In the meantime, he is sending Phoebe and asks them to receive her with love and hospitality. He sends his love to Priscilla and Aquila who worked with him in the ministry. *** He also tells them of Epenetus who was his first convert in Asia and gives more of his fellow workers names that he wants them to welcome with hospitality. *** Lord we honor you as the King and Lord, but help us to also honor our leaders and those who have labored in the Lord.

Thurs.’s Devo - Passover was Reinstated

Read: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15 King Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover which hadn’t been celebrated in large groups for decades. It was to be celebrated a month later than the prescribed time because enough priests could not be purified by the time of Passover. *** The runners carried letters telling the people to return to the Lord and to meet to pray for those still in captivity. Most of the people laughed at them and made fun of them but some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. God moved on the hearts of the people of Judah and they met to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. They removed the pagan altars from Jerusalem and threw them into the Kidron Valley. *** They celebrated the Passover which shamed the priests and Levites who hadn’t purified themselves. They repented and purified themselves and took their places at the Temple and took the blood of the pascal lamb and sprinkled it on the altar. *** Many of the people hadn’t purified themselves so the Levites had to offer their lamb for them. King Hezekiah prayed for the people and they were allowed to eat the meat from their lambs and God heard his prayer. *** The people joyously celebrated the Passover for seven days with singing and trumpets and praise. The people were so moved they decided to celebrate another week. Hezekiah gave 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep and the officials offered 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep so they had plenty to eat and celebrate with. God was pleased. *** The people left rejuvenated and went home and got rid of the idol worship in their towns. *** Hezekiah organized the priests and Levites into divisions to offer the daily burnt offerings and peace offering so they could have continual praise and worship in the Temple. He required the people to bring a portion of their goods to the priests and Levites to pay to keep them serving in the Temple. The people responded with joy and brought so much of their first fruits that there were piles of offerings. Storerooms were set up to store the abundance and it was apportioned as necessary to the priests and Levites and their families. *** In Romans, Paul makes it clear that we don’t live our lives for ourselves but to serve others and encourage them to walk in holiness and joy with the Lord. Our goal is harmony and unity of heart with God’s people. Paul reminded them that God had prophesied that He would one day rule over the Gentiles and they would put their trust in him. *** Paul prayed that God would fill us with joy and peace because we trust in him. He explained to the Roman church that the reason it was taking him so long to get to them for a visit was because he was going to places that had never heard of Christ and the Good News of the Gospel. Paul was a true evangelist. *** Lord, may we have undivided hearts to serve you with the gifts you have given us. May we be true to our calling as Paul was to his.