JOURNEY THROUGH THE WORD
2009-2010

I would like to invite you to join us once again as we take another walk through the Word. This trek through the pages of the Book will be quite different than our last trip. I will be using the One Year Chronological Bible. Although it says that it's designed for one year, once again we are stretching it over two years. The one year schedule has reading for every day. Our schedule is only Monday through Friday and we skip all major holidays. (I apologize to those who live outside the U.S.A, but I've incorporated July 4, Labor Day, and Memorial Day as major holidays)

I am posting two reading schedules for the first quarter in 2009. One schedule is for those who will also be using the One Year Chronological Bible. The other schedule is for those who will be using a different Bible.

Right now, the One Year Chronological Bible is on sale at Family Christian stores and also on Christian Book Distributors. (christianbook.com) I am sure that most Christian books stores have them on sale, so check the one nearest you.

If you need any more information, please let us know.

READING SCHEDULES

For those using the Chronological Bible:
READING SCHEDULE
2009
1ST QUARTER

JANUARY 2009
Date Pages Read up to, but not including
Fri 2 1-5 Cain, Able, and Seth
Mon 5 5-8 The Flood Covers the Earth
Tue 6 8-12 Descendants of Shem
Wed 7 12-16 Abram Rescues Lot
Thu 8 16-20 A Son Promised to Sarah
Fri 9 20-23 Abraham Deceives Abimelech
Mon 12 23-27 Isaac Marries Rebekah
Tue 13 27-31 Isaac’s Descendants
Wed-14 31-35 Jacob Flees to Paddan Aram
Thu 15 35-39 Jacob’s Wealth Increases
Fri 16 39-43 Jacob Sends Gifts to Esau
Mon 19 43-46 Jacob’s Return to Bethel
Tue 20 46-50 Joseph’s Dreams
Wed 21 50-54 Joseph in Potiphar’s House
Thu 22 54-57 Joseph Made Ruler of Egypt
Fri 23 57-61 A Feast at Joseph’s Palace
Mon 26 61-64 Jacob’s Journey to Egypt
Tue 27 65-67 Jacob’s Death Draws Near
Wed 28 67-70 Jacob’s Death and Burial
Thu 29 71-74 Job’s First Speech
Fri 30 74-78 Job’s Second Speech: …

For those using a different Bible

December 22-31, Song of Solomon

Do not arouse or awaken my love,
Until she pleases.
Song of Solomon 8:4

Wow! What a lovely journey we have had!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed the past two years together. Didn't you just love finishing our time walking through the song of all songs, which is Solomon's. I can identify with that young lady (except the young part, but I do remember!) One minute she is walking on cloud nine, and the next she is stumbling in the darkness or just plain giving up! Thank God for the pursuit of her Bridegroom who doesn't allow her to sit in her gloom.

Did you notice how the story built? With each narrative, the bride sees more qualities in her Beloved and her description of Him gets longer. And as she grows, His description of her more closely resembles her description of Him. Obviously, she is growing into His image!

Did you also notice that three times in this short book, the Bridegroom tells the daughters of Jerusalem not to "arouse my love, until she pleases"? He will not force her to love Him; He desires the free flowing myrrh that comes from her heart. Some folks want a relationship with Him to keep them from eternal hell. Others want a relationship with Him so they will see their loved ones when they die. But then there are those who want a relationship with Him because they have fallen in love with Him! Each time she matures with a greater revelation of who He is, her love grows. That's the kind of relationship that captures His heart.

Ahhh, yes!!!! What a beautiful book! Can't wait until our next journey takes us through it's pages. I hope you will join us as we make our way through the Word once again. I will post a second blog that gives you all the details.

Thank you for walking with me through this precious Bible. I hope you have grown in your love for it, and are eager to continue in the privilege of making it a part of your daily walk. May 2009 be filled with revelation of the Bridegroom, and may He grant you wisdom and understanding in the days to come. May you experience His touch on your life that brings you health and happiness, and may He faithfully provide your every need.

In His love,
Shirley

December 15-19, Revelation 7-22

The Spirit and the bride say,"Come."

And let the one who hears say, "Come."

And let the one who is thirsty come;

let the one who wishes

take the water of life without cost.

Revelation 22:17

Some of you who have sat through hours and hours AND HOURS of my teachings on Revelation are aware that the best we can do is give you the "red bus tour" through this complex book. You know the "red bus" tours, don't you?" If you ever want to see all of London in a day, hop on the red bus. If you want to see New York in a day, hop on the red bus. I think every major city has one. The most you will get is an overview, but you can say you've seen it all.

It is my belief that Revelation is often misunderstood because people read through it, assuming that it is written in chronological order. Remember when you read through Genesis. Genesis 1 told us about the days of creation. Chapter 2 elaborated on chapter 1, but it was still the same event. At this stage in my studies, I am persuaded that the book of Revelation does the same thing. If you compare the seven trumpets with the seven bowls of wrath, I think you will understand more clearly why I lean this way. I believe the sound of the trumpets precede the pouring out of the bowls. Chapter 12 follows the blowing of the last trumpet. This is a strategically placed chapter. It is an overview of all that has happened from the time of the Old Covenant, and all that has and will take place in the New Covenant. The woman with the crown of twelve stars that gives birth to the Man Child, is Israel. The church is the rest of her offspring. There is such rich imagery in this chapter and we could camp here for a long time. But we really need to keep moving. When we hit chapter 13, we find ourselves back in the darkness that we felt in the time of the trumpets. Only this time, we are given far more details of that epoch in time.

What is the beast that has ten horns? Who is the false prophet? Who is the second smaller beast that has two horns? People have been trying to guess these answers through the ages. I'm sure if I had lived in the time of Hitler, I would have been thoroughly convinced that he was the anti-Christ. For sure, he had the spirit of anti-Christ, but he was not THE anti-Christ. Although I can't give you the answers to these questions, I can briefly give you some of my thoughts. Here it goes. I hope you can follow my thinking!

We see at the end of Revelation that the bride, the New Jerusalem comes down from God. The city covers 1,500 miles. If you take a map of the area surrounding Israel, use the scale of the map to cut out a 1,500 equivalent, you will find that the nations incorporated in the 1,500 mile perimeter are quite surprising. Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Southern Russia (aka called Magog in the Bible), and Libya. Ten key nations are represented. Hmmm! Are you seeing a common denominator. Are these the ten horns of the beast in Revelation? I personally think so. Is it any wonder that that there has been tension and uprising in this region for as long as it has existed? But what about the seven heads?

In 1945, after World War II, the British began their preparations to leave Israel, the land they had occupied since their victory over the Turks in 1917. Their victory over the Turks was largely due to the help of a Jewish chemist, Cheim Weizman, and Lord Balfour made the declaration that Israel should be returned to the Jews. In an effort to unify the Arab nations with the view of "driving the Jews into the sea," once they took occupation of the land, the Arab League of Nations was birthed. It was ratified with the signatures of SEVEN nations: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, and Syria. This organization was also built to establish peace among the Arab nations. Obviously, that didn't happen!!! There are two things all these nations have in common, Islam and their hatred of Israel. Through these seven heads, a league was formed that now envelops the ten horns found within the territory of the future bride of Christ, the New Jerusalem. Is all this coincidence? Not hardly!!!

What an exciting time we live in. Watching the evening news is like watching Bible prophecy unfold. When you begin to fear, settle yourself and hear the call of the Spirit and the Bride. Better yet, be one of the ones who hears and let your voice join theirs and cry out to others, "Come! Come and drink of the waters of life! It's free!"

December 8-12, Daniel 11-12, II Thessalonians, Jude, Revelation 1-6

"But when these things begin to take place,
straighten up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption is drawing near."
Luke 21:28

The most difficult part of any race is always near the finish line. And one thing about a marathon is that each runner finds his own pace. For most of the participants, the goal is not to be the first across the line, but to finish the race. I know that we have individuals at all different places on the course. We've heard from some who have crossed the finish line, some who are right on track, some who gave up somewhere on the course, and others who are lagging behind but determined to finish. For those who are done - CONGRATULATIONS!!! To those who gave up at one point or another, I encourage you to begin to prepare yourselves for the next challenge. For those who are right on track, keep it up, your almost there. And for those who are lagging behind, don't give up! You can do it!!!!!!

This week our course takes several turns. We finish up Daniel with the encouragement that, "the end is still to come at the appointed time." We need to take to heart God's words to Daniel when He said, "Many will be purged, purified and refined; but the wicked will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand." If we are looking for the world to get better, politicians to be more pure, and people to act more godly, we are going to be extremely disappointed. Folks it's about to get a lot darker!!! We ain't seen nothing yet!

We finished our time with Daniel on Monday just in time for another mail call. We see that the Spirit through Paul wrote words of warning to the last-day saints, and once again the picture is pretty bleak. While some Christians are watching for a great revival to come to usher in Christ's return, Paul tells us He will come after a great falling away. Some believers are excited about the preparations being made by some zealous Jews who are making plans to build the Temple, but Paul tells us that it will be the man of lawlessness that sit in it. Deception, deluding influences, false signs and wonders; all of these will be the harbinger of Christ's coming.

In the recent elections in the USA we've seen the sky grow darker. At the end of the democratic convention when Obama won the nomination to represent the democratic party in the presidential election, I watched in horror as Dr. Joel Hunter, an "evangelical" pastor from Florida, led those at the convention to pray to all gods. Yes, the democratic convention was literally offered to the gods!!!! When I opened my eyes the next morning and my spirit was troubled, I heard these word, "I will not share my glory with another." Will God overrule their prayers? Eventually, but not until He's allowed them to run their course. The night Obama won the election, he promised to make this a better nation for all people both young and old, for all races and for THE GAYS. Don't be surprised in the days to come when, in an effort to be politically correct and to be accepting of all religions, Christians and Jews are singled out as the trouble makers. How dare we believe that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man! How dare we believe in only one God! For sure, the sky is getting much darker!!!

If ever we needed to take heed to Paul's prayer, today we need to listen to his words when he said, "To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power;" (II Thess. 1:11) Folks, this is not the time for complacency or compromise if we are going to be counted worthy of our calling! Paul's final word is, "Finally, brethren, pray...." My heart is crying out, "Oh God, teach me the power of prayer!" It seems like there are so many things that crowd in to rob my time. The Word and prayer must take greater priority in our lives. You may get tired of hearing me preach this same message, but I believe it is even more urgent today than ever before!

On Wednesday we met up with Jude. His message reiterates everything that Daniel and Paul have said. His description of people in the last days is pretty dreary: "In the last time there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts, These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit." Days without sunshine can be depressing. Thank God for the promise that, "The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn growing brighter and brighter until the full day." This is the time we obviously need to keep looking up and in if we are growing in the Spirit and He is increasing in us.

We end this week with John as he shares with us the revelation he received from Jesus. But before God revealed to him the end times, Jesus evaluated their present lives. He weighed out their good traits with their bad. With each letter to each church, He closed by saying, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Did you notice that Jesus used the word "churches" and not "church." We cannot pick and chose which letters we embrace and leave the others as though they are for someone else. We are to hear all the letters to all the churches. I pray that you will evaluate your life in light of each letter. If we are going to overcome, we need to have revelation of each facet and know how to apply it to ourselves. Is it any wonder Jesus said, "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near."

Yes, it is getting darker in this world, but remember, "When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!"

December 1-5, Daniel 1-10

I saw a dream and it made me fearful; and these fantasies as I lay on my bed and the visions in my mind kept alarming me.
Daniel 4:5


I'd like to introduce you to our new traveling companion for this week. His name is Daniel, aka Belteshazzar. He was from the royal line of David. He was just a young fellow when he was carried away to Babylon. Couldn't have been more than fifteen years old. Good looking! Intelligent! But above all his attributes, he loved God. He had been given the name "Daniel." That's an interesting name, considering the time he was born. Literally interpreted, it means "my Judge is God."

If ever there was a person who would have had a right to be afraid of the dark, Daniel would certainly have qualified. His visions of the night were so traumatic that they left him weak, sometimes ill, and often perplexed. The prophetic messages of his visions and dreams were so accurate that some godless people find it difficult to believe they were written before the events took place. If we were to study out each verse, we would hear the predictions of the Medes and Persians, Alexander the Great, and the Roman Empire. We would learn about Egypt and her fate, and much more.

But the subject that seems to intrigue readers the most, is the mystery of end-times. To a Jew, end-times refers to the culmination of events that ushers in the Messianic reign. As you listen to Daniel share the words he received, there is one calculation that is really exciting, but often misunderstood. On Friday, you will hear Daniel praying. He has been reading Jeremiah's writings and sees that he, as well as his nation, missed the message Jeremiah brought them. Children are usually influenced by their parents opinions, and I imagine Daniel was no different. When he read what Jeremiah had spoken and saw that his words were true, Daniel didn't excuse himself because he had been a youth; he embraced their error as his own. Rather than wasting time trying pin the blame on someone, he began to intercede. The result was that God sent the angel Gabriel to give him insight. Keep in mind that this was the same angel that came to Mary. This is where the calculation gets interesting. He tells him that they will remain in captivity for 70 weeks. The word translated "weeks" actually means units. We know that the unit was not a week, but was really a year, equaling the seventy years they were in captivity. Why seventy? Because they would remain in captivity one year for each year they failed to give the land its sabbath rest. The land was to be given a sabbath rest every seven years. They failed to do this for 490 years. It goes on to say that after the 7 "weeks" there will be 62 weeks. Remembering that the unit of measure is 7 years, the equivalent of a sabbath for the land, that calculates to 434 years. The 70 years were to make up for the sabbath rests they didn't keep; the 62 "weeks" was God's response to their sins. The years between the rebuilding of the Temple and the coming of Christ were dark years. They were the years of God's silence! You will find no book in your Bible written in that period. The Temple, although rebuilt, never had the shekinah dwelling in the Holy of Holies. The nation did not regain its former glory.

It says that after that time the Messiah would come. It goes on to say that He would be killed and that the city and the sanctuary would be destroyed. If you do the math from the time of their captivity, the 70 years, the years that would follow their release, and the time Messiah would come, you discover that that is exactly what happened. Messiah did come, born in a manger. He was killed, and the Temple that had been rebuilt was once again destroyed.

It's interesting to read what the Jewish teachers say about this period of time. Listen to these words.

"Had the Jews not sinned again during this period, the complete redemption would have occurred upon it completion." (Book of Daniel, Artscroll Tanach Series, pg 260)

The truth is, it was completed!!! This brings even greater light to the words Jesus spoke when He hung on the cross, "It is finished!" Israel's years of punishment were ended. The full price for sin had been paid! Jesus paid the price for us individually and He completed the debt the nation Israel could never pay! How amazing is God's grace!!! And that's why Jesus went about preaching the good news of the KINGDOM!!! How cool is that?!?!?!?!

November 24-26, Esther 4-10 & II John

'The elder to the chosen lady
and her children,
whom I love in truth;
and not only I
but also all who know the truth,"
II John 1:1

We only have a short jaunt this week before we relax for Thanksgiving!!! Oh how I love Thanksgiving!!!!!!!! This week we finish up our time with Queen Esther. What an inspiration. She was not just another pretty face, that's for sure!

On Wednesday, we read the letter John writes. (Please make a special note that we are reading II John and NOT III John.) Why are Esther and II John linked together? Because in both books, we see that God not only loves women, He uses them in special ways. The account of Esther shows that God used a woman to begin the reinstatement of the people to the land of Israel following their 70 years of captivity. John's letter shows that women in the early days of the church also had their place in God's plan.

We don't know the name of the woman John is writing too; the only thing we do know is that she was "chosen" for the position she filled. Just as Esther had been chosen for her part in history, and just as Deborah was fulfilling God's plan, this woman had been selected for God's purposes. We also know that she had a sister who was also chosen.

Some would try to tell us that these are not really women, but the term is used for the local church. I guess if you didn't believe God would uses women in a headship capacity, you'd have to find some way to negate that John was writing to a woman. But if he is referring to the church as the chosen lady, than who are her children? We, the chosen, make up the church. It makes no sense that John would write to the church as the "chosen lady" and then write to all her children. Using their reasoning, if John is addressing the church, that would incorporate all believers and there would be no children! Clearly John, the elder statesman, is addressing a woman who is overseeing people who are younger in the faith.

John's letter to this woman is in character with who John was. Obviously, John had much respect for women. Jesus, Himself, felt He could entrust Mary into his care. Would He have done so if He felt John had a prejudice against women? Perhaps it was the time spent with Mary, the mother of Jesus that brought John even greater respect for God's use of woman. Although that is speculation, I have to believe that there is much truth to it. Mary, like Esther, was used to change history and turn the tide of her times. Also, like Esther, she had been selected for that specific moment in time. What must it have been like for John to hear, first-hand, from the woman who had been chosen by God? I'm sure he was the first to hear some of the details of her call; details that she had pondered and treasured in her heart for years. Knowing that God's heart was open to women, John opened his heart also. When you don't try to explain the heart of this precious letter away, the words become very tender and loving. John knew how to speak to women!

1. He started by recognizing her call.

"The elder to the chosen lady..."

2. He encouraged her in the work she has done.

"I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth..."

3. He addressed her with respect and not as lording over her.

"And now I ask you, lady..."

4. He acknowledged her walk.

"And this is the love, that we walk according to His commandment..."

John is not the only one who acknowledged a woman as the leader of a church. What are the names of the others mentioned in the New Testament? Also, what was the name of the woman who was an apostle?

Thank God for the work of the cross! The disciples knew that Christ's finished work would open new doors for women. Peter declared it when he said, "And it shall be in the last days," God says, "that I shall pour forth of My Spirit upon all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even upon my bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit." The word used for “prophesy” is also used for declaring a message, or to preach.

When God called me into ministry in the early '70's, I struggled with the prejudice against women in teaching and preaching roles of the church. I wish I could say that in the last almost 40 years, things have completely changed. Although it is not as prevalent as it was back then, in many circles, that prejudice still remains. But what I have learned is, there are many male leaders in this world who have the heart of John. They have seen God's Spirit poured out on women and embraced the Spirit of Christ on their lives. Thank God for their accepting hearts and the blessing they are to those of us of the female gender who appreciate their love and encouragement. Blessings on your head!!!

November 17-21, Ezekiel 41-48, Esther 1

And it will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes will live. And there will be very many fish, for the waters go there, and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. Ezekiel 47:9

Last week we finished our time with Nehemiah. We saw the Temple completed and the wall around Jerusalem restored. We moved on to sit with the Ephesians and hear the letter read that Paul wrote. He reminded them that the Temple being built in the New Covenant period was not a building made with earthly stones and mortar, but was being erected out of lives that were being built upon the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus being the Cornerstone. This week we meet up with Ezekiel again. With the help of the Spirit, we are given a glimpse into the Temple that will be built to house the Messiah during His thousand year reign.

Perhaps some of you will find the vision Ezekiel shared to be a bit confusing. Although it sounds a bit like the words found in Revelation 21, there are some discrepancies that become difficult to understand if we try to fit them together as one. Here are a few questions we need to ask ourselves.

1. If this is a description of the Temple that Christ will reign in for eternity, why is there such detail given to its structure? Revelation tells us that there is no Temple; that the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple.
   
2. Why is the Eastern Gate closed and opened for the coming and going of the Messiah when it tells us in Revelation 21 that the gates are never closed?
3. Why are sacrifices being given?
4. Why is the land divided in the prescribed portions when we are told in Revelation 21 that the city is 1,500 miles square (actually cubed) and the boundaries given won't even exist?

I could list many more questions, but I will leave them for your to ask. So why is there such variance between these two passages? Are they really in conflict with each other? The answer is "NO, they are not in conflict." Ezekiel's vision is the revelation of the Millennial Reign, the 1,000 year reign spoken of in Revelation 20. It is during this 1,000 year earthly kingdom that the Jews will see the total fulfillment of all that was promised them under the Old Covenant. Messiah will truly sit on the throne of David in Zion. The Jews will celebrate with understanding their sacrifices, and know that each one pointed to the Christ whose name is Jesus. Just as we are supposed to eat Passover with the understanding of what Christ did, they will offer their gifts with grateful hearts. It is not that they will believe their righteousness comes through their sacrifices, but will know they represent the One who fulfilled them.

I have heard it preached all my life that there is a short window of time during the seven year tribulation when the Jews will be grafted back in. Paul speaks about their restoration in Romans 11. He tells us that this period will be of such glory, that it will supersede the riches they afforded to mankind when they were cut off. It is my personal belief that this promise is fulfilled, not in a short period within the time of "Jacob's troubles," but in the glorious time of the earthly reign of Christ. Ezekiel is writing to Jews who have been taken captive; exiled from their land because of disobedience. His words restored their hope! All God said to them throughout time will come to pass! We know that these promises were not fulfilled in Christ's first coming, but you can be sure they will happen!!!

RULING WOMEN
On Friday, we have the privilege of being introduced to a Queen. The book of Esther tells us about the beginning of the end of the Jews captivity in the land of Babylon. Don't you find it intriguing that the dethroning of one queen and the establishing of another, becomes the catalysis of the restoration of the Jews? It was women who turned the hearts of kings that got them into the mess they were in, and it would be a godly women God would use to influence their freedom. Solomon was swayed by his foreign wives. Ahab was captivated by Jezebel. We have already seen that those kings who aligned themselves with Ahab and his descendants, brought the demise of the nation. Now we see a woman have such influence on the king that she changes the course of history.

I leave you with a riddle. ("riddle" - a word puzzle that takes thought and ingenuity to solve) I hope you will take time to meditate on it. Personally, I thought it was pretty cool!!! I don't know how I missed it every other time I read through Esther. Here's two questions.

1. What tribe was Esther from?
2. What significance does that have?

Happy meditating!

November 10-14, Nehemiah 12-13, Ephesians 1-6, Ezekiel 40

I pray that the eyes of your heart
may be enlightened ...
Ephesians 1:18

As we come to the end of our time with Nehemiah, we have the opportunity to once again hear from our old friend Paul. Thank God for the days Paul spent in prison! Really! I really do mean it with my whole heart!!! Thank God for the days Paul spent in prison. Paul was a busy man. When he was on his missionary journeys, he hardly ever had a moment to himself. If he wasn't out somewhere in the cities debating the truths of God's Word with the Jewish leaders, you could find him in the city squares confronting the pagans concerning their false gods. And when he was away from the unbelieving population, he was meeting with the church to strengthen them in their faith. About the only place Paul really found time to write was when he was in prison. Have you ever considered that that might be one of the main reasons God confined Paul to prison so often? Sure Paul could have, and often did, say many of the same things to them in person. But without his prison stays, there would be very few written letters for us to glean from today.

While Paul was being held prisoner in Rome, he was compelled to write to the believers in Ephesus. This letter makes its way into the text of many messages. Often have a tendency to focus on chapter four which teaches us about the five equipping gifts God has given to the church. Or we spend time on chapters five and six that deal with family relationship. But as we absorb the many facets of teaching Paul addresses in this power packed letter, we also get a glimpse into Paul's everyday life in prison. It's actually scattered throughout the letter. Let me highlight some of the bullet points.

Ephesians 1:18-19 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may b filled up to all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Ephesians 6:19-20 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

From the very beginning of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, to the very end, there is one theme that continues to enfold all others: Pray! Pray!! Pray!!! Obviously, Paul spent much of his day, and probably many of his nights, passing his time in the presence of God, praying for the saints and the spread of the gospel.

Paul not only tells the Ephesians what issues to pray about, he gives them insight into his personal prayers. I would encourage you to slow up when you come to these special messages and make a list of what prayers and petitions were closest to his heart. If we want to see the world we live in change, and to see the gospel have an effect on the people with whom we come into contact, we would do well to learn how to pray. Paul's words in this powerful letter can give us some guidelines to a more affective prayer life. If we truly believe that this Bible is the inspired word of God, then let's embrace its message with excitement.

Once we have gleaned its message, hopefully we will take (MAKE) more time to do it, rather than just study it. I have a tendency to send up those quick prayers throughout the day, but Paul was a man who knew how to get absorbed in prayer. I know this has been a pleasant reminder to me that prayer is not a fast-food counter where we rush up and give our quick orders, expecting it to be filled quickly. There is a vast difference between sitting in a McDonald's drive-thru, and sitting at a king's banquet table. I trust we will take the message of prayer from this letter and let it revitalize us. I know I, for one, am hearing God's gentle rebuke. I have a feeling I'm not alone!

November 3-7, Nehemiah 1-11

And all the people gathered as one man at the square
which was in front of the Water Gate, and the asked Ezra the scribe
to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel.

And he read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law. (Nehemiah 8: 1 & 3)

Ever ridden on a donkey? I've been on a horse and a camel, but never a donkey. This week we begin our journey with a midnight donkey ride around the walls of Jerusalem. Our guide is none other than Nehemiah.

Nehemiah's name was not just a tag, it was a description of His life; "The Comfort of Jehovah." The word "comfort" contains two meanings. As we read Nehemiah's account, we quickly see that both definitions can be seen in the events. The Hebrew word itself means to "breathe deeply," as when one would sigh, which results in a change of heart and mind.

When I was a child (and through my teen years), I will never forget the times my dad was displeased with my actions. Once he had expressed his thought (in one fashion or another) there was often a long silence. Finally my dad would take a deep breath and once he did, I knew it was over; my punishment or reprimand was complete. This is the kind of breath that is described in Nehemiah's name. God had spoken in the days of Jeremiah that he would be seventy years before His punishment of Israel's sins would be complete. In the day of Nehemiah, God truly took a deep breath, His anger had been expressed and He was ready to move on to a new chapter with His people.

The second meaning of the name speaks of "comfort." It expresses compassion for the difficulty one has faced and the desire to bring comfort. Nehemiah's life was also an expression of this facet of God's Fatherly heart. Often when a parent has punished a child, there is a heart of compassion that wells up. Although they were the one to have inflicted the pain, they are also the one who will give the hug that says, "I still love you." God did not just feel sorry for His children whom He had disciplined; He comforted them!

What was the heart of Nehemiah's great sadness? Unlike the time of Ezra when the emphasis was on the rebuilding of the Temple, Nehemiah was concerned about the fallen walls and broken down gates of the city. Although the Temple had been restored, the protection of the city was still non-existent; it still lay vulnerable to enemy attacks.

I trust that we as believers are seeing the correlation. There are so many believers today that have submitted themselves to God's reign in their heart, and yet the walls that keep us from the attacks of the enemy, and the watchtowers that give the wisdom to know when we need to shut the gates are completely torn down. As a result, believers are overcome by the very things they know they shouldn't do. There is no barrier to keep them from the attacks of the enemy.

Did you notice where this part of the restoration of Jerusalem's walls began? It began with Nehemiah confessing the sins of the sons of Israel. He embraced the their sin as his own, confessing his sins and the sins of his father's house. Nehemiah could have been content to be the closest servant to the king, the one who tasted his wine and assured his safety, but his desire for the safety of God's dwelling place took first place in his heart.

There is so much we can learn from this righteous man. When the king asked him "What would you request?" Nehemiah didn't hand him his wish list. It says, "So I prayed to the God of heaven." Nehemiah knew he needed God's wisdom and direction to effect change to the magnitude of the problem he faced. Man's authority, not even the king's would make the difference if God was not in it.

Once Nehemiah arrived on the scene, he took a quiet survey of all that needed to be done, no matter how discouraging it was!!! Some of the places he visited on that informative night were impossible to cross. But Nehemiah was determined that God's ability to bring success was greater than the ruin that stood in his way.

In spite of opposition, separation, and exhaustion, the walls began to be built. A sword in one hand and a hammer in the other, and with man doing his part, the walls began to be put into place. Whether they were building or fighting, there was a constant awareness that they needed each other! Walls were connected to gates, gates were overseen by watchtowers. Gates were named for what they let in or let out. There are so many facets of truths we could look at if we decided to take our time to fully investigate the wall and gates!!!

One of my favorite portions in Nehemiah comes on Thursday as we stand in the city square by the Water Gate. The Water Gate was named after its location near the Gihon Spring. This was the spring where Hezekiah dug the tunnel so that the people would continue to have water when the city was under siege. It was also the gate that the water was brought into the Temple during the Feast of Booths (Succoth), also known as the Feast of the Drawing of Water. It was at this time of year that the wall was completed, and so the choice of the Water Gate for the reading of the Law held even more significance. The washing of water with the Word marked God's restoration of His people as they stood for hours with a hunger to hear what God required of them. Is it any wonder that Jesus said, "Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." The children of Israel had been without water for 70 years. They were finally thirty enough to desire long drinks of God's water. A sip just wouldn't do!!!

We end our week with the leaders, priests and people signing an agreement to keep God's Word and His ways. It was an open display of commitment and accountability. May we, also, stand in the square, drink the water, and sign on the dotted line!

October 27-31, Ezekiel 39, Ezra 1-10

"Whoever there is among you of all His people,

may his God be with him!
Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah,
and rebuild he house of the Lord, the God of Israel;
He is the God who is in Jerusalem." Ezra 1:5

This week we have left the Ezekiel Road that we have been traveling. We will return to it in a while, but for now we are going to journey back to Jerusalem and see the restoration of the Temple that Ezekiel saw burned and destroyed.

As we check our calendar, we find that it is the first year of Cyrus king of Persia's reign. This is the kingdom God showed Daniel when He gave him the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzer's dream. It was represented in the breast of silver. Silver has always been used in Israel as the redemptive quantity to buy back the first-born. The dynasty of the Medes and Persians lived up to God's word. It was under their reign that Israel was restored to her land.

We have already read this week how God stirred the heart of King Cyrus to send back all those in captivity who had a heart to return to Jerusalem. Cyrus had one goal in mind when he sent them. It was not to build a nation, but to build the Temple, the house of the Lord, the God of Israel. As we survey the progress of the Temple in our journey this week, we will discover some great clues that will help us understand the steps in building a habitation for God.

The first thing we discover is that it was to be built by people who are had a desire for God's residence in their midst. Some of the Israelites had become quite comfortable in their captivity and preferred to stay within their comfort zone. The shambles awaiting them in Jerusalem was greater than their excitement to see the work completed. If there is one thing the building of the Temple would require, it was total commitment!!!

We are given the list of those who returned with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Mordecai (Queen Esther's cousin) and the rest of the leaders. We are introduced to the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon. These six categories played and important part in the work that lay ahead. We will continue to hear them mentioned over the next couple of weeks. What do we know about each of these categories and why are they so important to the building of the Temple? Perhaps it would serve us well to get familiar with them before we move on.

Priests - (Kohanim) This priestly order was made up of direct descendants of Aaron. They were the ones who served God in the giving of the sacrifices. The High Priest was always chosen from this order. Only a high priest could enter the Holy of Holies. Although they were descendants of Levi, they held a chosen position among the Levites.

Levites - The Levites were also priests, but were of a lower order than the Kohanim. Their duties were to serve the priests in their work in the Temple. They also were teachers of the Law and had been scattered among the nation before it went into captivity.

Singers - This division of Levites were chosen and appointed to sing praises to God as the sacrifices in the Temple were offered.

Gatekeepers - The gatekeepers were also from the priestly order of Levites. They were to open the Temple gates in the morning and close them in the evening. They also stood guard over the Temple treasury where the gifts an offerings of the people were kept.

Temple Servants - This group of people were the descendants of the Gibeonites. You may remember their story from the time of Joshua. They were the ones who tricked Joshua and the elders of Israel into making a friendship covenant with them when the children of Israel were coming in to take their promised land. They had captured Jericho and Ai, and the people of Gibeon, who were from Hivite descent, knew they were on the short list of cities to be taken. When it was discovered who they really were, Joshua made them hewers of wood and carriers of water. We hear of them again in David's lifetime, but David had made them servants of the Temple to cut the wood needed for the daily sacrifices and to carry the needed water for the cleansing of the priests as well as the sacrifices. These servants became well respected and their descendants were considered with honor. (Joshua 9:7)

Descendants of Solomon's Servants - These servants were from the descendants of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites. Each of these were nations that the Israelites had been told to conquer, and yet they failed to drive them out. Instead, Solomon made them servants. Like the Temple servants, once again we see a group who had once been despised, now mentioned with honor. (I Kings (:20-21)

Throughout our journey this week, we see that the job of restoring the fallen Temple is not easy. Jealousy and opposition will do everything it can to stop progress. But each time the enemy tries to stop the work, God turns their attack on them and it works out for the good of those laboring to build.

We see the power of the Word of God, the Torah, and also of the word of the prophets working together to bring the building to completion. Ezra's job was to educate the people, giving them understanding of the Law, while Haggai and Zechariah encouraged them to finish what they had started.

Ezra 7:9b-10 give us clear understanding of Ezra's great success.

and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statues and ordinances in Israel.

Why was God's hand on him? Because he not only wanted to know the word; he wanted to do what it said. He was not asking the people to do anything that he, himself, was not willing to do. In other words, he practiced what he preached!

There are so many lessons to be learned along the way. We could stop and camp in so many wonderful places. I hope you are finding your place and discovering your building project so that God's presence may reign in our lives.

Welcome!

Welcome to our new blog site home. I hope you've found it with a limited amount of trouble. I am just learning my way around. This site has considerably more options than our last one. It may take a bit of time to see what is most beneficial and what is not. I pray that the Spirit of God will rest in this place and that we will experience the joy of watching His Word unfold as we continue to journey through the Scriptures together. It's great to have you along! Thanks for making the effort to join us.