Years ago, when I took classes to teach preschoolers, an instructor told us, “Catch’em being good.” Kids want attention; if you give them attention for good behavior, they’re much less likely to seek your focus by misbehaving. Every choice of life comes with consequences. I much prefer good consequences—in other words, I prefer God’s blessing. Here’s the thing we have to understand: we cannot earn salvation with good works. Only asking Jesus to forgive our sins will bring salvation. But once we’re saved—once we’ve received Christ’s glorious gift of grace—working to bring Him glory should be a natural response. We KNOW what we’ve been given; now let’s DO what we can to further His kingdom and bring more into the family of God.
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Before God and man
Remember the scripture about removing the plank from one’s own eye before trying to help a brother with the speck in his eye? Nehemiah’s prayer reminds me of this. He was begging God for help in restoring this city. Before asking God to do him a favor, he first wanted…
Seek God’s guidance
As we’ve noted on previous days, Nehemiah became aware of the broken down state of Jerusalem and the despair of its inhabitants, and his heart was moved—he cared. His grief over the city and the Jewish people drove him to his knees. He pleaded with the great and terrible (awe-inspiring)…
Hymn day: “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior”
HYMN DAY! “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” by Fanny J. Crosby is so tender and humble. Crosby wrote so many wonderful, deeply emotive and applicable hymns. “Whom have I on earth beside Thee?” He is our All in All. Pass me not, O gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry;…

