Joshua 1

Nehemiah was working to straighten out some wrongs that the people had been doing.  One of these wrongs was who they were marrying.  “Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?” (Nehemiah 13:27)  God had given strict commands about who they could marry and why.  “You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your…

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God’s people began showing an attitude of gratefulness to Him and listing some of the great things He had done.  “You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.” (Nehemiah 9:6)  Their attitude at this time also included humbleness and acknowledgement of the wrong…

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As the Jews were rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, some opposition arose against them.  “And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.” (Nehemiah 4:8)  In the next verse we read of the two things the Jews did as soon as they found out about the opposition to their work.  “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” (Nehemiah 4:9)  This is a great example to…

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As we learn God’s Word, we should be like Ezra and have a zeal to share with others.  “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)  In his letter to the Colossians, Paul talks about the change in us that happens as we put off the old man and become Christians.  Having a desire to teach others like Ezra did is…

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Mordecai became honored and loved because he unselfishly used what he had to help all Jews.  “For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.” (Esther 10:3)  Paul tells us to also live unselfishly and strive to be like the greatest Servant that man has ever known.  “Do nothing from selfish…

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Esther was about to risk her life and go before the king to beg for safety of the Jews.  She gave Mordecai orders on what to do first.  “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and…

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We have a proverb that reminds us where we can find protection.  “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Proverbs 30:5)  There is a psalm that makes a very similar statement.  “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” (Psalms 18:30)  Jesus tells us that for that true and perfect word of God to be of any benefit…

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The prophecy that Zechariah shared with the people included a promise from God of saving.  “On that day the LORD their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.” (Zechariah 9:16)  There was another prophecy that also brought us a promise of saving.  “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this…

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God has always been forced to deal with stubbornness from His people and the Bible makes it clear that this angers Him  “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 7:11-12)  Paul tells…

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God spoke thru the prophet Haggai giving the people something they needed to do.  “Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:5)  Again in verse 7 we see repeated “consider your ways”.  Like was commanded to them, sometimes we need to do a self-examination and consider our ways, making sure they are in accordance with God’s Word.  James reminds us to compare our lives to God’s Word, and be willing to make changes when we are not…

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