Nehemiah 13:15-22As we reach the end of Nehemiah, we see the relief of the walls finally completed despite all the pushback along the way. However, we see that when Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem, he finds things out of order. In the Ten Commandments, the fourth is “Remember the Sabbath Day”, yet the people inside the walls started to get away from it over time, just like their ancestors did previo...  Read More

Nehemiah 13:10-14 Now, this may be an odd devotional for me to write as a person who is in a position of leadership here at Emmanuel. However, these passages and principles are so important for us to know, we cannot just skip over them. It is important for us to care for our leaders in multiple ways. How often do we look to pray for our spiritual leaders? How often are we looking to encourage them...  Read More

Nehemiah 13:1-9Nehemiah cracks down in this passage on those who stood against him when he was trying to rebuild. He makes sure there is a consequence to those leaders who would not listen or were trying to openly oppose them. He quite literally throws out their things. He also has the rooms purified! This was a special place, an important place. While reading this, I asked the question, "Who is i...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   Just because you’re living for God now does not mean that you will be living for God tomorrow! Let that resonate in your mind for a minute. Nehemiah learned this lesson the hard way with the people he was attempting to lead. Nehemiah had returned to Babylon, most likely summoned back to his role as Cupbearer to the King. His work was complete. The walls were restored, an...  Read More

Nehemiah 12:27-47  I enjoyed reading about the joyful celebration of the dedication ceremony, which, as verse 27 describes, was filled with “songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.” To summarize the remainder of today’s passage, the Levites were called to lead the service and first went through acts of purification. Then, 2 groups of choirs and musicians were organize...  Read More

1 Corinthians 9:14I think if you were to poll pastors on what is the most controversial (if not difficult) topic to preach on, it would be on giving (tithing). Why? Because it is about money. Tithing, or a tenth, goes back to the book of Genesis when Abraham gives a tithe to Melchizedek as a way of expressing thanks to God for a victory. This became part of the Mosaic law. The New Testament does n...  Read More