What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” —Mark 1:24-25 I was talking with someone recently that I have known for years. I remember the first time I shared the gospel with this person. There was no doubt the Holy Spirit led in the situation, but the person was not interested. In this latest conversation this person stated that he “just does not believe in that stuff.” I asked if I could share something with them and they said yes and…

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:11 We have probably seen people being rescued from flood waters at one time or another. Sometimes helicopters are used. They lower baskets for people to get into or just ropes for them to hang onto. Imagine this for a moment. You are standing on the roof of your house with raging waters all around it. The water level is rising quickly and your house could be swept away at any second. Then, a helicopter appears and lowers a rope to you. It is right in front of you. All…

For nothing will be impossible with God. —Luke 1:37 If nothing was impossible for you, what would you do? But, we are very limited when compared to the Lord God Almighty. Mankind can accomplish much and has. Much has been for good and unfortunately much that has also been created to be used for evil. It all comes down to the motivation of man. Still, when man creates something he has to have the raw materials to do so. Man has never been able to create something from nothing… and he never will. Even when man creates something he is showing that the something needs a creator to be created.…

But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. —Malachi 1:6-8 You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he…

Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services. —Nehemiah 13:14 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:21). “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted…

“We will not neglect the house of our God.” —Nehemiah 10:39 When buildings are not being used it is very evident when the grounds are not kept up regularly, windows are broken and the wood has been in need of paint for some time. Lights are never seen it the building nor people going in or out. The purpose for which the building was built is not being fulfilled and the building stands neglected. This was not to be the case for “the house of our God.” In the context of the verse above we see that the Israelites were committed to the ongoing function, upkeep, support and ministry of…

And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of…

Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? —Nehemiah 5:9 I used to work at a shipyard and one day there was a specific situation that brought reproach from an unsaved person. A fellow who professed to be a Christian was looking at a pornographic magazine on his lunch break when this lost person walked by, saw what he was looking at and said, “I thought you were a Christian. Why are you looking at that?” As believers we are forgiven people, but we are not perfect people. Still, we are to seek to live holy lives so we do not…

…for the people worked with all their heart. —Nehemiah 4:6 When I am doing a job I seek to put my heart into it and continue until it is done. Recently I was filling and grading the parking lot at our day care using a mini excavator. The little excavator did the job but took a whole lot longer than a bigger machine would have taken. I put my “heart” into the project and 12 hours later I finally walked into the house to clean up. Do I put “all my heart” into serving the Lord? Hmmmm…. Or not? Who am I truly serving— the Lord God Almighty or self?…

Next to him… —Nehemiah 3:17 Construction sites are interesting to observe as each person does their job. Road crews have their dirt workers filling and cutting, blasting and draining as they operate all kinds of earth moving equipment. Even before then you have the planners and surveyors. Then as you watch the actual work the area begins to be slowly transformed into a roadway. If may not appear to be such for quite some time, but as each worker does their part in building then the road is completed for people to drive on. That was only possible because of each person working side by side with his fellow worker…