Divine Encounters

Day 244 Reading: Malachi 1:1 - Malachi 4:6 The Book of Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. May I say thanks be to God for helping us get this far. I appreciate your taking the time to read this blog as we journey together through the Bible in one year.  Malachi was prophesying to the children of God at the same time as Nehemiah was rebuilding Jerusalem. Malachi deals with the corruption that is evident in the nation. The priests have become wicked and have no fear of God. The people have violated the law and as Nehemiah and Ezra, both found the priests had married outside of the remit as per the Law of Moses. The priests had married foreigners and the tithe was no longer revered. The priests seem to be living under a false sense of security because they were priests. This false sense of security empowered a deception to take hold of their souls. Reading the Book of Malachi and hearing the many questions God's children have against giving in a church; we also...

Day 138 Reading: Nehemiah 11:1 - Nehemiah 13:31 Life is a school we begin at birth and graduate when we depart. To think that school is only that duration we get educated is the beginning of death. It is commonly said that anyone who stops learning has started dying. This is one of the reasons I read the Bible. There is a lot of knowledge that is hidden within it. Nehemiah is loaded with lessons to glean. Servant Leadership . Nehemiah served the people. When serving as the governor of Judah he gave up his perks for the people's benefit. Lord give us leaders who think about the people first. Abhorred corruption . Nehemiah found that Eliashib had given Tobiah a room in the House of God. Tobiah was an enemy of Nehemiah and was against the rebuilding of the wall. Nehemiah quickly corrected the wrong. He feared God and served God reverently. He appointed men who were faithful and could be trusted.  Prayerful . The book of Nehemiah begins with prayer. His burden for that whi...

Day 137 Reading: Nehemiah 8:1 - Nehemiah 10:39 I am not alive because I deserve it and neither are you. We are alive and where we are in life because God is merciful. Many don't understand God's mercy. Many go through life thinking they deserve or are owed by God the best in life. That is a proud attitude. You see God is Holy. We are sinners. We are unclean yet we are loved by God who is pure and all powerful.  Nehemiah and Ezra summoned the people to listen to the Book of the Law. Ezra read the Book of the Law and was surrounded by people who helped the people understand the commandments and statutes. The whole purpose of reading the Law was to not only remind people of the Covenant God had made with them but to also get them to see the mercy of God. The reading of the law brought conviction to the hearts of the people. This conviction resulted in people weeping, however, Nehemiah and Ezra resolved that it was not to be a day of mourning but a day of joy.  Jo...

Day 136 Reading: Nehemiah 5:1 - Nehemiah 7:73 God is raising a new generation of leaders. 500 years ago the Reformation began when Martin Luther placed 95 theses or disputation on the power of indulgences. This brave act by Martin Luther began the schism of the Catholic Church and gave birth to the Protestant movement. Martin Luther was not the likeliest character to begin a new move of God and neither was Nehemiah. God is raising Nehemiahs who will rebuild the walls of cities. Nehemiah was not called or anointed like David or Saul. We meet Nehemiah serving the king in a position that may well be described as a civil servant in today's terms. Nehemiah was even promoted to become the Governor of Judah while living in Jerusalem. I believe God is raising a Nehemiah-like generation of leaders who will change the nations. Their only interest is in the well-being of the people.  In this new move, there will be a synergy where the people come together and rebuild the wall...

Day 135 Reading: Nehemiah 1:1 - Nehemiah 4:23 One of the things I am learning is that God is not interested in my being so heavenly minded that I am not of any use here on earth. God placed man in the Garden of Eden here on earth, not heaven. We are created to be creators here on earth. God made us for work. If God made the earth how much more should we also work if we are His children? We have a responsibility to work and at the same time be vessels that bring honour to God's Kingdom. Today we begin the book of Nehemiah. This gentleman was not a king but the cupbearer for the King and he did mighty things for God.  Nehemiah was burdened with the state of Jerusalem. We are told of how he enquired to know the state of the returnees from exile and was perplexed at the sad state they found Jerusalem. He was saddened to hear that the Jerusalem, the focal point of the children of Israel, was desolate. He took it to prayer that God would restore Jerusalem. We meet Nehemiah p...