Do you sit at the feet of capable Bible teachers?
18 Jun 26
Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One
Readings:
Nehemiah 7
Nehemiah 8
Acts 3
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20).
Do you sit at the feet of capable Bible teachers?
Not only the physical wall of Jerusalem needed repair, but the people also required a spiritual renovation. For this reason, Ezra the scribe, along with qualified Bible teachers, do the following before the people: “So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8). Likewise, Jesus provides able teachers in the church age. Paul writes, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-12). The Lord has graciously provided capable instructors of His Word; we are responsible for learning from them.
Employment Point: Posture yourself to receive godly instruction from qualified teachers.
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Reflections
The thing about being a child of God is we cannot stop learning. This journey of faith requires a lot of learning and relearning. On top of that, we too need to approach learning with an open and humble attitude. We won’t know who the Lord send to teach us new things. You may even be surprised some of life’s most important lessons come from our enemies.
“After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.”Nehemiah 7:1-2 NIV
- when we are in a position of power, such as Nehemiah, appointments of the right people to be in charge becomes of vital importance. Especially more so if these appointments hold even more importance to the whole city! We saw how Nehemiah chose his men. People who have integrity and feared God more than most people do. You can’t go wrong with these people for they would not want to do anything wrong to incur His wrath.
“Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”Nehemiah 8:5-6 NIV
- this is such a great sight. I can imagine how the people all bow down in worship and praising God. Indeed thank You Father for everything and the blessings that You have given us. You are worthy of praise
“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.””Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
- in fact on a daily basis, we ought to dedicate our day as holy to our Lord. May His peace and joy fill us and bring joy to the people who meet as well.
“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.””Acts 3:6 NIV
- what do we have that is more important than silver and gold? We know Jesus, we are His and we know He has the power from the Father the ability to heal, to forgive sins and the power to do a lot more things in His power
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Keep Recognizing Jesus
BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
June 18
…Peter…walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid… —Matthew 14:29-30
The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn’t our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter’s continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.
We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “…why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD
Jesus Christ reveals, not an embarrassed God, not a confused God, not a God who stands apart from the problems, but One who stands in the thick of the whole thing with man.
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Reflections
Peter walking on water parable has been a constant reminder of us having the need to focus on Jesus. When our main focus is on Him, He is bigger than anything else, definitely bigger than our challenges or struggles in life. If we shift our focus on the problems, that becomes bigger and makes us lose sight on the Lord.
The only way to stay afloat and above all else is really to keep our focus on Him. When it is more of Him and less of us, everything else becomes smaller and insignificant. We must be reminded to not let our doubts come between us and the Lord. To continue to have faith and trust in Him fully, regardless of the circumstances we are facing.
Imagine this.. who is greater. Our Lord or being diagnosed with cancer. A person or our Abba Father. The works of God or the toil of men. We get to choose but are we choosing what is right or are we allowing the waves to overwhelm us?
“Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him”. This is something which I believe most of us would battle with. It is not the norm for us to just drop everything and do what he says. However, that is whatever He is training us to do. To allow Him to take the wheel and drive us wherever He is bringing us. To forego all inhibitions, cares or worries and just do it.
When we get held back by the “buts” or “what ifs”, we totally miss the opportunity to experience Him on a different level. Remember that if we continue to do what we do, we will only experience what we have always experienced and will never experience a breakthrough.
In order for breakthroughs to come into our lives, we need to take a step out of our comfort zone. We need to do the things we were not comfortable with but with promised fruitfulness. We cannot have complete trust in men but we can have full faith in God that He always delivers. The risks we take are still considered calculated risks for He is someone we know, not a stranger. If we can trust an insurance agent whom we do not know really well to protect us, what more the love from our Abba Father who knows our every need and want?
Let’s pray:
Abba Father, we thank You for ministering to us personally and for teaching us Your ways. Help us to be able to let go of the inhibitions in our hearts and minds and be able to step forth in faith that You Lord, is greater than anything in this world. Help us to be reckless in full obedience to You and recognising that You are our Lord and our God, the creator of heaven and earth. Help us to be able to hear You every time and not doubt. Help us Father, with our unbelief! In the name of Jesus we pray! Amen 🙏🏻
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