Read: Ezra 5:1-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27
God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to stir up the people to rebuild the temple. When the governor and his officers found out what they were doing they questioned their authority to rebuild. They were given the history of the Jewish nation and the decree of Cyrus giving them permission. The governor sent this information to Darius the king of Babylon. Darius had his men search their archives till they found the decree of Cyrus and the Jews were right. Darius ordered the governor to help them with funds and supplies and threatened them with their life if they didn’t obey.
This was a turn of events! They were able to finish the temple right in time to celebrate the Passover feast. Passover is all about salvation by the blood of a lamb. It is revival of the soul. They shared this feast with all the exiles and anyone who wanted to separate themselves from their gods to follow the true God. It was a great celebration of joy because God had changed the attitude of the king of Babylon to help them in the work on the house of God. We need a change of attitude in America. If God could do it then, he can do it now.
In Corinthians, Paul continues to move the focus off of men in authority and on to the Lord who is the authority. In Ezra, they were building a physical temple for all to see, but now that temple is us. God is putting his presence inside of us to be the light to the nations.
Lord, we do pray for an attitude change in our nation. Give the people a hunger for You and your temple. May the temple you have established in all of us shine brighter and brighter and may revival come to our nation.
Monday, August 7, 2017
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Sun.’s Devo - A New Thing
Read: Ezra 3:1-4:24; 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4; Psalm 28:1-9: Proverbs 20:24-25
Once the Jews that came back to rebuild Jerusalem were settled in their homes, they set about rebuilding the altar so they could institute sacrifices. They had it finished for the Feast of Tabernacles. It was time for God to tabernacle with his people once again. They did this in spite of their fear of the people around them. Revelation 12:11 says that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony and the fact that we don’t love our lives unto death. In other words, we don’t fear what man can do to us. This was the attitude of the Jews.
They gave their money to rebuild the temple. They had a huge celebration when the laid the foundation for the temple. The people that had seen Solomon’s temple wept because it was nothing compared to it but the younger people wept for joy because they had nothing to compare it to.
Every generation God does a new thing. He changes the way we do church, the songs, missions, everything. It is easy to look back and only see the good in the past and wish it was like it was, but that is not profitable. We need to adjust our minds to the new thing God is doing and be a part of it.
We are not the only one who hates change…the devil hates change also when it is God’s changing. Satan raised up adversaries to discourage and stop the work of the Lord. He finally accomplished that and they were made to stop building.
It is easy to let discouragement steal our power and desire to press on, but we can’t let that happen. Satan will always fight God’s moving, but if we contend, we will win.
Paul taught the Corinthians about a wisdom that we have available that comes from God. We can know things that no man can conceive. God’s wisdom looks foolish to the world because they can’t understand it.
Lord, thank you for rebuilding faith in our nation. Thank you for raising up Godly men to rule us and reestablish your truth. May we not be afraid of the threats of the enemy but have your wisdom to see through them.
Once the Jews that came back to rebuild Jerusalem were settled in their homes, they set about rebuilding the altar so they could institute sacrifices. They had it finished for the Feast of Tabernacles. It was time for God to tabernacle with his people once again. They did this in spite of their fear of the people around them. Revelation 12:11 says that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony and the fact that we don’t love our lives unto death. In other words, we don’t fear what man can do to us. This was the attitude of the Jews.
They gave their money to rebuild the temple. They had a huge celebration when the laid the foundation for the temple. The people that had seen Solomon’s temple wept because it was nothing compared to it but the younger people wept for joy because they had nothing to compare it to.
Every generation God does a new thing. He changes the way we do church, the songs, missions, everything. It is easy to look back and only see the good in the past and wish it was like it was, but that is not profitable. We need to adjust our minds to the new thing God is doing and be a part of it.
We are not the only one who hates change…the devil hates change also when it is God’s changing. Satan raised up adversaries to discourage and stop the work of the Lord. He finally accomplished that and they were made to stop building.
It is easy to let discouragement steal our power and desire to press on, but we can’t let that happen. Satan will always fight God’s moving, but if we contend, we will win.
Paul taught the Corinthians about a wisdom that we have available that comes from God. We can know things that no man can conceive. God’s wisdom looks foolish to the world because they can’t understand it.
Lord, thank you for rebuilding faith in our nation. Thank you for raising up Godly men to rule us and reestablish your truth. May we not be afraid of the threats of the enemy but have your wisdom to see through them.
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Sat.’s Devo - Rebuilding the Temple
Read: Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23
The book of Ezra is amazing to me. God put it on the heart of a non-Jewish king to send God’s chosen people back to their land to build their temple for God. He even told the people living in their towns to support them with silver, gold, goods, livestock and offerings. Cyrus brought out of his treasury all the articles that had been taken from the temple Solomon had built so they could carry them back. Almost 50,000 people responded and went back to rebuild Jerusalem. Talk about a life change!
To me, this means that during this time in our history there is a major shift in the church. The interesting thing is the outside world is going to fund this next move of God. The things that have been stolen from us like authority, the Holy Spirit, tongues, healing, deliverance, miracles, revelation, holiness, worship… the treasuries of God are going to be restored. We are living in exciting times!
Paul continues to teach the people of Corinth that it is not the wisdom and eloquent speech that has power but the simplicity of the gospel. Paul himself was not an eloquent speaker but he came demonstrating the power of the Spirit and teaching the truth. They needed to get back to the basics.
This is a good reminder to us. Because we have lost the demonstration of power, we have come to rely on people who can entertain us and speak well. I pray for less of that and more of the demonstration of God’s power.
The book of Ezra is amazing to me. God put it on the heart of a non-Jewish king to send God’s chosen people back to their land to build their temple for God. He even told the people living in their towns to support them with silver, gold, goods, livestock and offerings. Cyrus brought out of his treasury all the articles that had been taken from the temple Solomon had built so they could carry them back. Almost 50,000 people responded and went back to rebuild Jerusalem. Talk about a life change!
To me, this means that during this time in our history there is a major shift in the church. The interesting thing is the outside world is going to fund this next move of God. The things that have been stolen from us like authority, the Holy Spirit, tongues, healing, deliverance, miracles, revelation, holiness, worship… the treasuries of God are going to be restored. We are living in exciting times!
Paul continues to teach the people of Corinth that it is not the wisdom and eloquent speech that has power but the simplicity of the gospel. Paul himself was not an eloquent speaker but he came demonstrating the power of the Spirit and teaching the truth. They needed to get back to the basics.
This is a good reminder to us. Because we have lost the demonstration of power, we have come to rely on people who can entertain us and speak well. I pray for less of that and more of the demonstration of God’s power.
Friday, August 4, 2017
Fri.’s Devo - Bad Kings…then Cyrus
Read: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21
Josiah follow the law and did everything it said concerning the Passover. The people enjoyed a passover celebration that hadn’t been celebrated in that way since David’s time. Josiah was responsible for setting the temple in order according to what God had written. Then Josiah got involved in a battle that was not his to fight. Neco, the king of Egypt told him so and he refused to listen. It costs Josiah his life, and Judah’s. His son, Jehoahaz became king and he did not follow the Lord. He was dethroned by the king of Egypt and his brother, Jehoiakim became king. He was not a godly king either. Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon attacked and bound him in chains and took Jehoiakim to Babylon. His son, Jehoiachin became king. He only reigned for 3 months and King Nebuchadnezzar took him to Babylon also. His uncle, Zedikiah was made king. He did evil in God’s eyes and refused to listen to the words of Jeremiah. He even rebelled against the king of Babylon. God sent them prophets to turn Judah back to him but the people ridiculed them and wouldn’t listen. Finally, God sent the Babylonians to conquer them. They robbed the temple, burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value. The people were taken captive to Babylon. The land lay dormant 70 years to enjoy all the Sabbaths it had been robbed of and to fulfill Jeremiah’s prophecy.
After the seventy years, God put it on the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia to send Jews back to Jerusalem to build the temple for God.
Many prophets today believe that this king Cyrus is like our president. He has been called to bring the temple of God back into our nation and be built up again. We know that this is not a physical building but a spiritual one in the hearts of all Christians. Our nation was built on the foundation of Christ and is returning to its roots, but not without a struggle.
We begin First Corinthians today. Paul established the church in Corinth during his second missionary trip and stayed there eighteen months. He had left to visit his other churches when he heard news that some of the members in the church in Corinth had become morally lax. Paul penned this letter to admonish them to lay down their differences and stop exalting their leaders over each other. The most important person to follow was Jesus.
We all have our favorite teachers and preachers but the bottom line is that they are only people. Jesus is the only one worthy of our worship and adoration.
Lord, thank you for what you are doing in our nation. Help us to not lose hope or courage. You are establishing your kingdom in our hearts and on the earth. May we look to you as the author and finisher or our faith.
Josiah follow the law and did everything it said concerning the Passover. The people enjoyed a passover celebration that hadn’t been celebrated in that way since David’s time. Josiah was responsible for setting the temple in order according to what God had written. Then Josiah got involved in a battle that was not his to fight. Neco, the king of Egypt told him so and he refused to listen. It costs Josiah his life, and Judah’s. His son, Jehoahaz became king and he did not follow the Lord. He was dethroned by the king of Egypt and his brother, Jehoiakim became king. He was not a godly king either. Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon attacked and bound him in chains and took Jehoiakim to Babylon. His son, Jehoiachin became king. He only reigned for 3 months and King Nebuchadnezzar took him to Babylon also. His uncle, Zedikiah was made king. He did evil in God’s eyes and refused to listen to the words of Jeremiah. He even rebelled against the king of Babylon. God sent them prophets to turn Judah back to him but the people ridiculed them and wouldn’t listen. Finally, God sent the Babylonians to conquer them. They robbed the temple, burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value. The people were taken captive to Babylon. The land lay dormant 70 years to enjoy all the Sabbaths it had been robbed of and to fulfill Jeremiah’s prophecy.
After the seventy years, God put it on the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia to send Jews back to Jerusalem to build the temple for God.
Many prophets today believe that this king Cyrus is like our president. He has been called to bring the temple of God back into our nation and be built up again. We know that this is not a physical building but a spiritual one in the hearts of all Christians. Our nation was built on the foundation of Christ and is returning to its roots, but not without a struggle.
We begin First Corinthians today. Paul established the church in Corinth during his second missionary trip and stayed there eighteen months. He had left to visit his other churches when he heard news that some of the members in the church in Corinth had become morally lax. Paul penned this letter to admonish them to lay down their differences and stop exalting their leaders over each other. The most important person to follow was Jesus.
We all have our favorite teachers and preachers but the bottom line is that they are only people. Jesus is the only one worthy of our worship and adoration.
Lord, thank you for what you are doing in our nation. Help us to not lose hope or courage. You are establishing your kingdom in our hearts and on the earth. May we look to you as the author and finisher or our faith.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Thurs.’s Devo - Great Epitaths
Read: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:8-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19
Manasseh came home a new man. He reversed all the evil he had done and died in peace. His son, Amon became king and followed in the old ways of his father. He fell deeper and deeper into sin until his own officers killed him. The people of the land killed the officers and put Amon’s son, Josiah on the throne. This is the very Josiah that the prophet named would burn incense upon the altar in Bethel. God split the altar as a sign of his displeasure of Jeroboam in 1 Kings 13.
Even though Josiah was only eight years old and had a father that had been evil, he began to seek the Lord. He led a massive campaign to rid the land of idolatry. In his 18th year as king, he collected the offerings and started repairing the temple. One of the priests found a copy of the law and brought it to the king to read. When Josiah read it, he realized how far they had strayed from following it. He asked the priest to find a prophet to ask what to do. They found a prophetess, Hildiah and asked her. She sent word to Josiah that all the curses he had read would come upon Judah because they had rebelled continuously against him, but Josiah would not see this happen because he had humbled himself and his heart was right.
Josiah had the words of the law read to the people and had them make a covenant to God that they would follow him and his laws. All his days were spent serving the Lord. What a great epitaph!
Paul lists, by name, all the people who had been so faithful and helpful in his ministry. This is like their epitaphs. Just like them, our name is written in God’s book along with all the things we have done for him. One day, it will be read for all to hear.
I pray Paul’s blessing over us today…”May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.” May the mystery of our Savior be made known to all the nations. Amen.
Manasseh came home a new man. He reversed all the evil he had done and died in peace. His son, Amon became king and followed in the old ways of his father. He fell deeper and deeper into sin until his own officers killed him. The people of the land killed the officers and put Amon’s son, Josiah on the throne. This is the very Josiah that the prophet named would burn incense upon the altar in Bethel. God split the altar as a sign of his displeasure of Jeroboam in 1 Kings 13.
Even though Josiah was only eight years old and had a father that had been evil, he began to seek the Lord. He led a massive campaign to rid the land of idolatry. In his 18th year as king, he collected the offerings and started repairing the temple. One of the priests found a copy of the law and brought it to the king to read. When Josiah read it, he realized how far they had strayed from following it. He asked the priest to find a prophet to ask what to do. They found a prophetess, Hildiah and asked her. She sent word to Josiah that all the curses he had read would come upon Judah because they had rebelled continuously against him, but Josiah would not see this happen because he had humbled himself and his heart was right.
Josiah had the words of the law read to the people and had them make a covenant to God that they would follow him and his laws. All his days were spent serving the Lord. What a great epitaph!
Paul lists, by name, all the people who had been so faithful and helpful in his ministry. This is like their epitaphs. Just like them, our name is written in God’s book along with all the things we have done for him. One day, it will be read for all to hear.
I pray Paul’s blessing over us today…”May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.” May the mystery of our Savior be made known to all the nations. Amen.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Wed.’s Devo - How to Lay Waste a Curse
Read: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:7; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18
Hezekiah was such a good king so the Lord gave him wisdom in how to defeat the Assyrians who were on their way to Jerusalem. He took away their water source outside the city and built up the walls around Jerusalem. The leader of the Assyrian army was Sennacherib which means “the thorn laid waste”. So this story is how to stop a curse since a thorn is the picture of a curse. Sennacherib came throwing curses at Hezekiah about his god. He even wrote these curses on paper insulting God. He told the people that no other nation’s god could save them so theirs wouldn’t be able to either. Instead of turning in fear and believing them, Hezekiah had already established the righteousness of God in his kingdom so all he did was find the priests to pray with him.
God’s angel slew all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. Sennacherib went home in disgrace knowing that the God of Hezekiah was no ordinary god. When he went into the temple of his god, his own sons killed him with the sword.
Hezekiah continued to prosper and become very wealthy and his kingdom very secure in the Lord until he died and his son, Manasseh came to rule. Manasseh rebelled against the ways of his father and did everything against the Lord he could do. He restored idolatry of every kind and brought it into the temple of the Lord. He was taken away by the very people his dad defeated. He was lead in chains with a hook in his nose. In prison, in Assyria, he cried out to the Lord and humbled himself. God heard him and brought him back to his land to rule his kingdom.
In Romans, Paul is ending his letter to the Christians in Rome. He loves the people in his churches, but he shares with these his own personal struggles and gives them details of how to pray for him. He shares how the Gentile Christians are reaching out to the poor Jews in Jerusalem. He makes the correlation about the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews shared with the Gentiles their spiritual inheritance and blessings so it is fit that the Gentiles share with the Jews in their material blessings.
Lord, may we freely give of our spiritual blessings and our material blessings for the kingdom’s sake. Thank you that we are blessed and not cursed.
Hezekiah was such a good king so the Lord gave him wisdom in how to defeat the Assyrians who were on their way to Jerusalem. He took away their water source outside the city and built up the walls around Jerusalem. The leader of the Assyrian army was Sennacherib which means “the thorn laid waste”. So this story is how to stop a curse since a thorn is the picture of a curse. Sennacherib came throwing curses at Hezekiah about his god. He even wrote these curses on paper insulting God. He told the people that no other nation’s god could save them so theirs wouldn’t be able to either. Instead of turning in fear and believing them, Hezekiah had already established the righteousness of God in his kingdom so all he did was find the priests to pray with him.
God’s angel slew all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. Sennacherib went home in disgrace knowing that the God of Hezekiah was no ordinary god. When he went into the temple of his god, his own sons killed him with the sword.
Hezekiah continued to prosper and become very wealthy and his kingdom very secure in the Lord until he died and his son, Manasseh came to rule. Manasseh rebelled against the ways of his father and did everything against the Lord he could do. He restored idolatry of every kind and brought it into the temple of the Lord. He was taken away by the very people his dad defeated. He was lead in chains with a hook in his nose. In prison, in Assyria, he cried out to the Lord and humbled himself. God heard him and brought him back to his land to rule his kingdom.
In Romans, Paul is ending his letter to the Christians in Rome. He loves the people in his churches, but he shares with these his own personal struggles and gives them details of how to pray for him. He shares how the Gentile Christians are reaching out to the poor Jews in Jerusalem. He makes the correlation about the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews shared with the Gentiles their spiritual inheritance and blessings so it is fit that the Gentiles share with the Jews in their material blessings.
Lord, may we freely give of our spiritual blessings and our material blessings for the kingdom’s sake. Thank you that we are blessed and not cursed.
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Tues.’s Devo - Prosperity
Read: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15
Since there was not time to get ready for Passover in that first month they decided to celebrate it a month late. God did not care that they missed the date, it was their heart that was right and acceptable to him. Hezekiah sent invitations to all the people of his nation asking them to join him in Jerusalem for the Passover and imploring them to turn back to God. The people scorned and ridiculed them but some did humble themselves and came to Jerusalem. These people enjoyed two weeks of fellowship, fun, and worship. The rest stayed home and went to work as usual. Sounds like today. God is doing and is going to be doing some amazing things. All are invited, but many will ridicule and stay home doing life as usual. They will totally miss out on the wonderful things God will be doing. But, the ones who hear the call and answer will come and enjoy the fellowship, fun and worship.
There were so many offerings offered the king had to build places to store them. When people’s hearts get turned toward the Lord, they give abundantly and everyone prospers. Hezekiah turned his nation back to God and sought God with all his heart. The last sentence says, “And so he prospered.”
Hezekiah did what Romans tells us to do…bear the weak and make them strong. When the Church walks in unity and love, they are unstoppable and totally blessed and fulfilled. There is no greater feeling than the one you get when you help other people get to where they need to be. Our goal is not to just give to the poor but to enable them to help themselves. Everyone needs to know that they are needed.
Lord, help us to bring out the best in those we are around today. May we use our gifts to help others use their gifts.
Since there was not time to get ready for Passover in that first month they decided to celebrate it a month late. God did not care that they missed the date, it was their heart that was right and acceptable to him. Hezekiah sent invitations to all the people of his nation asking them to join him in Jerusalem for the Passover and imploring them to turn back to God. The people scorned and ridiculed them but some did humble themselves and came to Jerusalem. These people enjoyed two weeks of fellowship, fun, and worship. The rest stayed home and went to work as usual. Sounds like today. God is doing and is going to be doing some amazing things. All are invited, but many will ridicule and stay home doing life as usual. They will totally miss out on the wonderful things God will be doing. But, the ones who hear the call and answer will come and enjoy the fellowship, fun and worship.
There were so many offerings offered the king had to build places to store them. When people’s hearts get turned toward the Lord, they give abundantly and everyone prospers. Hezekiah turned his nation back to God and sought God with all his heart. The last sentence says, “And so he prospered.”
Hezekiah did what Romans tells us to do…bear the weak and make them strong. When the Church walks in unity and love, they are unstoppable and totally blessed and fulfilled. There is no greater feeling than the one you get when you help other people get to where they need to be. Our goal is not to just give to the poor but to enable them to help themselves. Everyone needs to know that they are needed.
Lord, help us to bring out the best in those we are around today. May we use our gifts to help others use their gifts.
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