NEHEMIAH MOMENT – (28MAY19) The people of Israel, including
the leaders, came together to affix their seals on a written agreement to say
that they would obey the Law. They agreed to not intermarry with foreign
nations, buy or sell on the Sabbath, and leave their fields unworked every
seventh year. They agreed to contribute wood, money, and give their first
fruits when due in accordance to the law. The people were trying to get their
lives right with God again, so that they would have His favor once again and be
in good standing.
Just as Israel decided to get themselves right with God and
honor their commitment to Him, we must each do the same as well. We are living
in the last days and Jesus is soon to return. It is time that we all get our
houses in order because the events that are soon to take place will be a test
to the strongest person of faith. Yet, we know that God sent His Son Jesus to
save us from our sins and Jesus left so that the Holy Spirit could come and do
a work in His body. Although we are not under the Mosaic Law, God still has a
standard that is within the Ten Commandments for us to obey and was summed up
into two commandments by Jesus – love God and love one another. When we do
these two, we are honoring all Ten. We cannot claim to love God but break His
commandments. We cannot claim to love our neighbor and yet, dishonor them at
the same time. Will we ever be perfect in this life within ourselves? NO! Yet,
we are made perfect through the work that Jesus did for us on the cross. Let us
take great care to allow the Holy Spirit to do a work in us, so that we are in
good standing with the Lord, and will one day hear Him say, “Well done.”
Something to ponder…
QUESTION OF
THE DAY – (28MAY19) The Children of Israel spent 70 years in exile and then
they became serious about their commitment to the Lord. The question some may
ask is, “Why did it take disaster for them to turn their hearts to God?” That’s
a good question. We can ask ourselves the same question today. Why are we just
as stiff-necked as Israel was while knowing what the final outcome is going to
be? The sad thing about humans is that we often do not take things serious
until things begin to get serious towards us. If you recall, when the disaster
of 911 took place where the airplanes went into the Twin Towers, people
everywhere was calling on the name of GOD. No one was talking about it being
politically incorrect, or that it was offensive to certain secular and ungodly religious
groups. People everywhere were holding prayer vigils, churches were filled, and
even the news reporters were calling on people to pray with tears in their
eyes. Yet, some 18 years later, the name of Jesus being said is repulsive to
many. What will be the next tragedy to take place in America that will make us
fall on our knees and cry out to Jesus once again? Something to ponder…
NEHEMIAH
MOMENT – (28MAY19) The Israelites were transitioning into their new life now
that they were no longer in exile. They cast lots for those who would be
residents of Jerusalem as the others filled the surrounding towns in Judah and
Bethlehem. Even though they were still under the rule of the Persians, God
allowed them to transition back to their homes as He promised that He would if
and when they returned wholeheartedly to Him.
It is
amazing how God being the gracious Father that He is and has always been willing
to give us chance after chance to get things right with Him. Regardless of how
many times we turn away from Him, His mercy, grace, and longsuffering totally outweigh
His wrath and anger. We have often done things time and time again to displease
Him and yet, He forgives. God did not have to send His Son Jesus to die for our
sins, but He loved us so much that He did not wish for anyone to be lost. Jesus
paid the ultimate price despite our being undeserving of His sacrifice. At the
end of all things, we will never be able to say that God was unjust. He would
have done all that He could to save us from an eternity without Him. That
choice is up to us. Everyone would have been given a chance to do what was
right. Time is, however, running out so it is of great importance that we
continue to pray for the lost because one day, there will be no more chances to
make a choice for Christ. Something to ponder…
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