Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture Neh 5:15 But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

Observation: If you look anywhere on this earth you see people taking advantage of other people. Governments oppressing people, taking what little they have, the rich taking from the poor, people cheating others and we feel at times we must do the same to keep up with all of this evil, but that is not what God calls us to do. We are to take care of others, fight oppression, help those that need it and to treat others fairly no matter how we might be treated. If we fear God we will do what He calls us to do and to be generous of all the Lord has given us.

Application: I do cheat whether it’s taking something from work or not giving what I’m supposed or cheating on my taxes. I want to keep whatever I have and all that I have was given to me by my Lord. I need to be more generous and fair with all that I have and that includes my time. I need to look at others as God’s children and my God is a protective Father. I need to see others as God sees them and never cheat anyone, but to give unconditionally.

Prayer: My Lord I’m selfish and I worry all the time about money and how I will pay the bills I have accumulated. Help me be more generous and take this burden from me I beg of you. Show me how to be more generous towards your children and my focus would be on you.

Scripture Neh 4:14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Observation: I’ve been so afraid all of my life of people, situations, pain, failure, you name it and at one time or another I was afraid. What a terrible way to live your life in constant fear and yet there is nothing to be afraid of. When the Bible tells us to fear the Lord it means that is the only thing we should consider. Before we make a decision or sin think of the consequences that God can bring and only that. Even if someone threatens your life, your life is still in the hands of God, because our real life, or eternal life is what we should live this life for. God will direct or paths and protect us and guide us if we make Him first in our lives. There is nothing to fear if you walk in the protection of our Lord.

Application: I may not be as bad as I was about being afraid, but I still am at times. I forget about my God who has protected me all of my life and has guided me through so many things and I fear the things of this world, stupid things that don’t matter. I can accomplish so much more for my Lord if I would stay in constant focus of Him instead of this evil world. I need to draw closer to my Lord each moment of each day and not to be so involved in this temporary place that I live in now. I have a new home that fear will no longer excess and that is what should be on my heart.

Prayer: My Lord, thank you for always watching over me. I thank you for trials in my life, because when I allow them they will strengthen me and allow me to see you more clearly. I thank you for your love, mercy and grace in my life and all that you have placed in it. Help me stay focused on you, give me the courage to live a life that will please you. I’m so tired of letting you down, give me courage to live. I love you my Lord help me show you how much.

Scripture Neh 3:5 Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.

Observation: Sometimes we feel we’re too good to get dirty and help, that our time is too precious. Everything we have comes from God and that includes our time. We are set apart to do good works and typically good works is just that work. Jesus turned his back on no one, He was always ready to help and do what it takes. One thing that should set us apart from others is our willingness to help no matter what and that the most important thing to us is doing God’s will. No matter what our position is in this world our true position is servant, according to our Lord who came to serve all.

Application: I need to remember this as I set myself apart at times because the way God has blessed me. He has taken care of all of my needs and has blessed me with gifts and talent. May I never forget all that He has given me is for His glory and not my convenience. I’m called to help and be part of the body and to be used by God. It’s time that I become useful.

Prayer: My Lord you know me all the evil and selfishness that is in me and yet you still love me. I don’t understand your love, but I do what to honor you with whatever time I have left here in this world. Help me please see others as you see them and give me the strength to persevere through this live and do what honors you. I love you, your servant, Mark.

Scripture Neh 2:18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

Observation: That is what we are called to do, to tell others how God has worked in our life, our testimony. We should be bold when telling our testimony, knowing that God is with us and He will soften the hard hearts. It doesn’t matter what the results are, we are called to be obedient and tell of our many blessings. After Nehemiah told how God worked in his life they decided to follow him, because they knew that God was leading him.

Application: I have so much to tell others how God has blessed and protected me all of my life and it’s time to use that testimony to comfort others and draw them close to God. I think I’ve done everything to tell my story and give others my book, but maybe that is not how God wants me to do it. Instead of going to the church maybe my Lord wants me to tell strangers and those that He surrounds me with. I need to go to Him in prayer and continue to ask direction on which way He desires me to do.

Prayer: My Lord guide your servant to do all that you want me to do. Give me wisdom and discernment to tell how you have entered my life and about your mercy and grace that is available to everyone who asks. Use me as a vessel to help bring others closer to you. I love you and want to finish well, your servant.

Scripture Neh 1:4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Observation: Nehemiah sat down and wept for the nation of Israel because Jerusalem was destroyed, He mourned, fasted and lifted his voice to God in prayer for Jerusalem. How often do we weep over others and take their needs before God with a broken heart. I’ve fasted before, but for me and my request, I’ve wept before God but again it was for me. God has called us to look for the needs of others, even above our own and praying for them must be on the top of the list, but not just to bring the request before our Lord, but to have a broken heart for those who need God’s grace.

Application: I need to stop looking in the mirror and look around me and see how broken this world is and how much it needs God. I need to have a heart for others and feel the emotion of others, because without God they are distend for disaster. People know when you are sincere and when you’re not I need to be truly concerned for those around me and cry out to God for them.

Prayer: My Lord forgive this selfish sinner and break my heart for others so that I may intercede on their behalf. May I feel their pain and be unable to turn away and that I will put their needs before my own. Make me a man after your own heart Lord.

Scripture Ezra 10:11 Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do His will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the pagan wives.”

Observation: We are called to do God’s will, but we can’t do it if we blend into the world so well that no one notices that we are Christians. We hate to rock the boat or stand out from the crowd or make ourselves noticed or not to fit in, but unless we do we can’t do the will of God. We are called to be in the world, but not to be part of this sinful place. We are called to be holy (set apart) people around us should know that our Master is God and that is who we serve no matter what persecution we might come up against.

Application: I have a tendency to fit in the world because I look for praise more from man than from God and that needs to stop right now. I need to show myself as a servant of Jesus wherever I am. I need to do better at work and control my anger and pride and to show love and concern for others I need to represent my God much better than I do. No matter where I’m at our whom I’m with I need to show Jesus in my actions, speech and works.

Prayer: My Lord forgive your servant for looking out for myself and not for you. Make me a better example of your love and mercy to others. May there never be a doubt that I’m a child of God and use the gifts, talents and testimony you have blessed me with to make a difference for you.

Scripture Ezra 9:6 And I said: “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens.

Observation: This country should be ashamed and humiliated the way we treat our God. We have taken His name from our schools and government and have blasphemed our Lord in the news, movies and television. We deserve to be destroyed even those called by His name remain silent, which is just as bad. I can’t understand why God doesn’t just destroy this place as He did Sodom and Gomorrah, we surely deserve it. We are not worthy to even come in our Lord’s presence in prayer, yet He desires us to do so.

Application: I need to speak up whenever possible to defend my Lord’s Holy Name. I need to live a life separate from the world so that it would be pleasing to my God. I’m no different most of the time, looking at things I shouldn’t be looking at or saying things that don’t reflect my Savior’s grace to me. I need to be a better representative to my Master and serve Him the way He deserves to be served.

Prayer: My Lord help me focus my thoughts on you that my mind would stop drifting from one thing to the next. Help me live the way you call me to live and to be the man you want me to be. I can’t do it on my own, I’m a sinner and have very little self control. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit and guide me through this life. I love you and want to honor you, please help me.