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These Devotional Thoughts Are Meant to Help You Understand God's Word

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By Stacey Wilson, Kathy Coryell, Melissa Webb, Serena Sinclair, and Esther Campbell These devotional thoughts are meant to help you understand God’s word and how it applies to your life. Read the verses in your own Bible or Bible app. A pen and journal are helpful to write out your thoughts and answers to the questions. Devotions are meant to be a conversation: God speaks to you through His word, and you talk to Him in prayer. Don’t just get to know the Bible – grow closer to God. True spiritual maturity is not measured in Bible knowledge but a life transformed by Jesus. So make a commitment each day to live what you have learned. The Exposition: Nehemiah's Background Good memories warm our hearts and refresh our souls. Traditions of family gatherings, breaking bread together, giving gifts, wafts of cinnamon and coffee filling the air, tiny feet pitter pattering throughout the house, endless games of spoons with your cousins, scurrying everyone out the door to Sunday services . remembering the blessings of our past inspires us to keep these sweet traditions alive for our children and grandchildren. Even if you didn’t experience these Hallmark traditions, by no means does this prevent you from creating timeless, new, God honoring traditions. For Nehemiah growing up during the Babylonian exile, we don’t know the entire heritage that marked the adolescent years of this dynamic leader, but we know that separation from his homeland didn’t keep him from visioneering restoration for his people. History tells us that throughout Israel’s Babylonian exile, the Jewish people retained their national spirit and religious identity. Jewish cities were established, and the Jewish religion was practiced. In all likelihood, this was part of Nehemiah’s upbringing. Growing up in a foreign country laden with idol worship did not sway Nehemiah’s loyalty from his Jewish heritage. In fact, nothing could rival Nehemiah's passion for God, least of all his hefty position in the court of King Artaxerxes. The moment he heard of Jerusalem's destruction, his heart grieved for his homeland, Jerusalem (verse 4). It didn’t matter that Nehemiah had probably never traveled to Jerusalem, he mourned for what was lost and for the disgrace that had fallen upon his beloved homeland, just as a child grieves for a safe, loving, unified home they’ve never experienced. Perhaps from the stories of his parents and relatives, Nehemiah knew that Babylon would never be Jerusalem, despite the synagogues and freedom to practice their Jewish traditions. Practicing religion however is not the same as devotion. Some Jews became so comfortable in their Babylonian prosperity, they were perfectly content living in a culture of wealthy idolatry. This is when God rose up prophets such as Ezekiel, to speak a bold prophetic message warning the Jews to banish idols and return to their God. Can we pause and ask the same question? Are we completely content living in the limelight of American culture? A culture that ecstatically cheers for sports’ celebrities and Voice contestants while waiting for the cliffhanger of Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. Is it possible that our mega choices of fast food, brand names, vacation getaways and other entertainment choices land us on the same plateau as historical Babylon? 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” When God’s eyes scrutinized the land searching for a leader to restore the foundation of Jerusalem, His eye focused upon one man, Nehemiah, King Artaxerxes’ cupbearer. Imagine God’s happy heart as He lovingly watched his faithful son, Nehemiah, serve a Persian King while keeping his heart true to his heavenly Father. Reflection: What parts of American culture compete for my devotion to God? What is my strategy for removing the idols in my life that compete for my devotion to God? Are there traditions I can initiate within my family to build God honoring memories? Joshua 24:14 So fear the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone. Romans 12:1, 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Examine: Soak in God’s Presence and allow the Holy Spirit to spotlight areas of selfishness that compete with devotion to God. Prayer: Father I come to you without an agenda, with hands lifted in surrender, please spotlight any area that is rivaling my affection and loyalty to you. My heart’s desire is to put you first in all things, so I can know your will for me. I praise you heavenly Father that I can trust you to show me the way and give me the strength to obey through the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen. 1. Pray for God to be Covenant Grove’s vision as we plan to build. 2. Pray for the Youth ministry of CG: High school, Middle School, and all their leaders. 3. Pray for the children at CG and all ministers, teachers, and helpers involved. 4. Pray for the young adult ministry and its leaders. 5. Pray for the Covenant Grove’s board members and their spiritual walks. 6. Pray for the worship team including the media and tech teams. 7. Pray for the ushers and hospitality teams. 8. Pray for the facilities team who pay attention to our campus grounds and buildings. 9. Pray for our finance team. 10. Pray for our various prayer teams that they will be consistent and faithful to praying daily. 11. Pray for endurance, protection, wisdom and joy for our pastors and ministers. 12. Pray that our pastors’ and minister’s families will be strong in Christ. 13. Pray that the Building Hope Initiative will draw more people to deeper and fuller devotion in Christ. 14. Pray for healing and perseverance for many who suffer from physical ailments. 15. Pray for those in our church who suffer from depression, insomnia, anxiety, anger, and other mental health problems. 16. Pray for the short-term missions that go out of our church. 17. Pray for missionaries who devote their lives to Christ overseas. 18. Pray for the mission of Covenant Grove: “to transform religious and irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Christ.” 19. Pray for the planning, development, and resources for future physical buildings and places of worship on the campus of Covenant Grove Church. 20. Pray that all who attend Covenant Grove will be discipled in biblical truth and Christ’s love. 21. Pray that all who attend Covenant Grove will grow in faith through the fellowship of godly believers. 22. Pray your commitment, financial and/or otherwise as we launch the Building Hope Initiative. (Repeat) Read Nehemiah 1:1-4 Nehemiah 1:4 “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” The story of Nehemiah is really a story within a story. The story of the people of God’s promise, the Israelites, is one of recurring themes. God saves them, they rejoice, they fall away from God and sin, they suffer, the return to God, and then God saves them again. It’s easy to be the onlooker and say, “What were they thinking?” But isn’t this also the story of me, you, and us? The tragedies of life often begin when we are comfortable because we let our guard down; we sleep, essentially, and forget to connect with God, and we may even elevate ourselves thinking we deserve the things we have. Then, BOOM! It hits us. Scrambling to our knees, we cry out to God. This is where Nehemiah is. Maybe it’s where you are. I know it’s where I am. And in this moment, where you are on your knees, this moment is the most POWERFUL position you can take. Humbly, as you kneel, God sees you. Christ weeps with you. The Holy Spirit moves in you uttering the words you cannot say. Purpose – Holy Purpose – is made in this moment. (Consider fasting from something tomorrow.) Read Matthew 6:16-18 Matthew 6:18 “Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Consider fasting today. It may be fasting from food, a meal, media, shopping, your phone, the gym, or anything that you consume regularly. These words from Jesus in Matthew give us some direction. Fasting is not something we do to show off our holiness. In fact, showing off is not holy at all. It’s a time (a day or longer) to give up an essential thing to replace it with focus on God – the sustainer and provider of our lives. When that hunger pang announces that you lack food, or that text signal announces that you have a message, turn to God. He is your ultimate hope. He is the Bread of life. He answers your every call, and if we listen, we can hear Him calling to us. Talk to Jesus, praise Him, thank Him, confess your sins to Him, read a Psalm, and then sit with Him for a few moments to give the Holy Spirit the space to speak Truth into your life.
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