Sunday (10/2)

This week we are returning to our read through of the Old Testament of the Bible by turning to portions of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were written together as one scroll to tell some of the stories of the Israelites returning from exile after the Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. The stories within the two books take place after the Persians had taken the place of the Babylonians as the reigning political power within the lands where the Jews in exile lived. The books document the rebuilding of the Temple, Ezra’s desire for spiritual and social renewal, as well as Nehemiah’s passionate effort to lead the Jews returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls around the city.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through 2 Kings, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament. The video is a summary of the Hebrew scriptures. It is available on YouTube.

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss the verses with another person or small group.

8. Use a Study Bible. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

 

Monday (10/3)

Read the verse from Psalm 80 that is below to begin your devotional time:

“Turn us again to yourself, O God of the armies of heaven.

Look down on us, your face aglow with joy and love —

only then shall we be saved.” – Psalm 80:19 TLB

 

You are encouraged to watch the Overview: Ezra-Nehemiah video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube before reading the verses for this week:

Overview: Ezra-Nehemiah by the Bible Project

 

Read Ezra 1. As you read the bible verses, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal a word, phrase, or verse from the biblical text that is specifically for you for today.

 

Pray for refugees throughout the world, as well as people who are returning to homes and communities that have been destroyed by natural disasters or war.

 

 

Tuesday (10/4)

Read Psalm 80:19 to center yourself in God.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. If you struggle to listen, focus on the physical sounds you hear. The Spirit of the Lord can use the noises you hear to help you set your thoughts on the One who enables your to hear and perceive.

 

Read Ezra 3:7-13 and 6:13-18. Choose a question or two from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)

• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

 

Wednesday (10/5)

Read Psalm 80:19 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

Read Ezra 7 and 8:15-36. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray through your day, including for the people you will be with or have been with, as well as what you will do or what you have done.

 

 

Thursday (10/6)

Read Psalm 80:19.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening. Be still physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritual, knowing that God is in charge and in control (Psalm 46:10). Don’t let your mind drift towards to-do-lists or tasks,

but stop long enough to let your thoughts cease so that your only focus is being with the Lord.

 

Read Nehemiah 1:1-2:20. You are encouraged to use the questions and suggestions from the Sunday list of this devotional to help

guide your study time.

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (10/7)

Read Psalm 80:19 to begin your time with God.

 

Read the section titles for chapters 3 and 4, then read Nehemiah 5:1-19. Invite the Lord to speak to you through the words of scripture.

 

Pray for those in need within our community, including the poor, the homeless, those with mental illnesses, addicts, those who have physical problems, widows/widowers, and orphans.

 

Look for opportunities to bless those in need in the coming days as a way to put your faith in action as an obedient disciple of Christ.

 

 

Saturday (10/8)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to worship God, rest, and enjoy life-giving recreation to experience restoration. Are you setting aside an hour, part of a day, or an entire day as a way to observe the Sabbath? You may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath until you are eventually able to worship, rest, and engage in living-giving recreation for an entire day each week.

 

Read the section titles for chapters 5 through 7, then read Nehemiah 8:1-18. Invite the Lord to speak to you through the words of scripture.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat.

 

Read Psalm 85.

 

Pray and live in response to our God. You may find it helpful to use some of the words of the psalm as a guide for your prayer.