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Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 7-8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A night view from inside Jerusalem’s Old City walls looking towards David’s Citadel near the Jaffa Gate entrance. Built to strengthen a strategically weak point in the Old City’s defenses, the Citadel that stands today was constructed during the 2nd century BC and subsequently destroyed and rebuilt by, in succession, the Christian, Muslim, Mamluk, and Ottoman conquerors of Jerusalem. It contains important archaeological finds dating back 2,700 years.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Nehemiah 8:12
And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.
Imagine the scene. A choir of 245 singers and Ezra, the priest, stepping forward to lead the worship, the prayers, and the reading of Scripture. When Ezra blessed the Lord, the people said, “Amen, Amen,” lifted up their hands, and bowed their heads. This was not only reading, it was expository preaching, giving the sense of the passage, and helping the people understand the reading. We would be blessed to have such a meeting in our places of worship! “Amen, Amen.”
Malachi, the Prophet author of the last book in the Hebrew Scriptures, was there. He was probably participating as a Levite. Over and over “the children” are mentioned in the list of families present. Malachi proclaimed that God would “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6a). These are the final words of the last book in the Bible from which Jesus and the Apostles would have read. This bonding of families was happening as the people in the temple square wept, rejoiced, and “understood the words that were declared unto them.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, please grant me the grace to share Your Word with others every day. May I understand the meaning of Scripture so that those to whom I’m hoping to communicate will understand and respond, as the people did in today’s reading. I pray for all who read this blog. May it be a strong Word from You! “Amen, Amen!”
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Norma-Jean, our children and I have some of our favourite and most cherished memories from a time in the 70’s when we got away from the pressures of daily life in our old 1958 ex-bread truck, which had been converted into a camper named Jonah (sometimes, like the prophet, it didn’t want to go!). We did this in the month of July for several years. No telephones, no appointments, no commitments other than to each other. Our hearts, as in the words of Malachi, were truly turned to each other. I highly recommend such quality time to families everywhere.
Yours to help us all to “understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8b),
David
P.S. I believe that our priorities should be God first, family second, ministry and work in general third.
The epitome of respect and glory comes through in today’s reading as blessing God. Envisioning being there in ceremony with Ezra and the choir takes us into the very presence. We are ever thankful for the many blessings bestowed upon us, Lord. Praying for Eleanor’s husband Edward and Luisa’s husband (I am sorry I don’t know his name) as they deal with cancer. Praying for Maria, Bill, Cassandra; everyone dealing with pain and needing healing. Amen.
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
Psalm 30:2 ESV
I Shall Not Want, Audrey Assad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgqDY1whzoc
Amen to your prayer Beverlee.
Amen Beverlee
Thank you for listing the prayer requests.
God Heal Them In Jesus Name!!!
Amazing amount of info in today’s reading. More amazing is the fact that God knows every single person! I will praise Him at all times. Joining Beverlee in praying for those facing serious situations during this difficult time in the world. May God keep you all under His Wings and give you nourishment and healing comfort today in Jesus Name, Amen
Amen to your prayer Doreen.
Amen Doreen
Amen to David’s prayer this morning.
Praying for all health needs.
Blessings all
Luckily for posterity the Jews kept accurate records.They would not be boring to a genealogist.I just added Edward to my prayer list but I don’t have Luisa’s husband’s name either.Please add Eunice to your lists.She is a very spiritual lady whom I mentioned before as being a guest on 100 Huntley St in the 70’s.She’s 92 and needs tubes put in her eyes to prevent blindness.She recently lost a son to cancer and her nearby son just had a heart attack and stints put in.He’s home now doing well.She is a true inspiration and actually followed where God led her and her late husband,Jack.
Keep praying for the fire fighters out west and God’s blessing for success in fighting the fires,in Canada and the US.Expect food prices to be higher still this winter.May God bless “yall”.
May
May the Savior’s Spirit make peace in your soul;
May His grace fill your heart with love,
And in your dreams may his words console
With the promise of His home above,
Then when you wake with His name on your lips,
May His joy lead you through your day,
As your smile will forever eclipse
The sorrow you find along your way.
G W (Bill) Marshall / 3-Nov-13
I’m hearing impaired and find her voice difficult to decipher the words so I googled and here she is again with lyrics,if anyone else has the same problem.Thank you,Beverlee for another beautiful song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Td9cZajyE
Thanks Bill , Beautiful song but I too needed to see the words written to understand the song., Thank you Beverlee for suggesting this song .She sings so beautifully!
She does sing beautifully, Elfreda; sometimes the links don’t want to cooperate once they are posted.🌞
Thank you Beverlee for your prayers for Edward and Luisa’s husband I believe his name is Joseph. Also for the others you mentioned.
I am not quite up to par as I fell in the bathtub on Sunday. I hurt my back as I went down very hard. I am feeling a bit better today, praise God. Eleanor M.
So very sorry to hear that, Eleanor. I was wondering because we have not heard much from you of late. I am holding you in prayer, for healing and cease of pain. May the precious blood of Jesus cover you and bring you comfort and rest, dear sister-in-Christ. 🙏
Bill:Thanks for adding Edward to your prayers .
Thx You Beverlee for prayers/ music.
Praying with you all -for all healing needs; as well as, cessation of fires, perseverance and safety for Fire-fighters.
Lovely poem Bill.
Hope Rob is well.
Agreeing in prayer to diminish the forest fires out west and safety and protection for the firefighters. Also wondering how Rob is; away or taking a rest/break. Holding him in prayer, too. 🙏🙏
Thank you all for your prayers for my husband, Joseph. I also am praying for everyone on this blog and your prayer requests.
Very sorry to hear about your fall, Eleanor. I am agreeing with Beverlee’s prayer for you.
I also have been wondering about Rob. A while ago he stated that he was well but wasn’t posting because he wanted to give others a chance to share their comments. We miss his prayers and comments.
God bless each and everyone of you!
God Bless you all and I’m praying for all your needs.
Thank you for your prayers for Cassandra.