Heart of A Shepherd Inc

Pastor Smith's series on Hebrews, "Faith in the Supremacy of Jesus Christ," continues in this third study from Hebrews 12, titled "No Reserve. No Retreat. No Regrets." After a brief introduction reflecting on the heroes of the faith named in Hebrews 11, this sermon considers five mandates for living life with "No Reserve. No Retreat. No Regrets." The message ends with a strong invitation to five resolves.

Today’s second Bible study is from Nehemiah 10. This chapter lists those who signed the covenant. The leaders were named, and the people publicly affirmed their support for the covenant with the Lord and accepted its promise of blessings and curses.

Our study of the Book of Nehemiah continues with today’s Scripture reading from Nehemiah 9-10. In the first of two devotionals, the congregation of Israel reflected on examples of God’s grace and mercy, as well as on their forefathers' disobedience. After confessing the nation's sins, Israel's leaders renewed their covenant with the LORD.

Our Scripture reading continues in the Book of Nehemiah, and today’s Bible study is from Nehemiah 8. With the walls rebuilt, Nehemiah turned his attention to the spiritual renewal of the people and nation. As you read Nehemiah 8, we will consider four keys to spiritual awakening and national revival.

Our second Bible study today is based on Nehemiah 7. After finishing the wall and setting the gates (Nehemiah 6), Nehemiah set out to organize security for Jerusalem and the Temple. Nehemiah then directed that a genealogical census of the people be taken, revealing that some were not of the families they claimed.

This is the first of two Bible studies for today. In Nehemiah 6, we find Nehemiah facing enemies who slandered, libeled, and tempted him to evil. Nehemiah’s response reveals qualities of servant leadership that we would do well to emulate.

1) God the Father disciplines His spiritual children as an earthly father disciplines his children (Hebrews 12:5). 2) A son without a father’s chastening is treated as an illegitimate son (Hebrews 12:8). 3) God disciplines His children so that their lives will be holy (Hebrews 12:9-11).

Today’s second Bible study focuses on Nehemiah 5. Because of the intense work on Jerusalem’s walls and gates, the people neglected their fields, leading to financial hardship for their households. Many families facing mounting debts were foreclosed on by the wealthy. Nehemiah 5 records Nehemiah’s bold confrontation with the rich oppressors.

Today’s Scripture reading is Nehemiah 4, which concerns rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. This Bible study reminds us that God’s work always faces opposition. Nehemiah’s life serves as a model for how we should respond to enemies.

Today’s scripture reading, Nehemiah 3, records the men and their families who labored to build the walls and gates of Jerusalem. The Sheep Gate and the Eastern Gate are particularly noted for their prophetic significance. Faithful laborers and indolent slackers were both noted by God and by Nehemiah.

Continuing with today’s devotional study, we come to Nehemiah 2. Because he was “the king’s cupbearer” (Nehemiah 1:11), Nehemiah was providentially positioned to be used by God. After four months of prayer and fasting, Nehemiah petitioned the king to send him to Judah to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:5).

Our two-year chronological study of the Scriptures continues with two devotionals for today: the first from Nehemiah 1, and the second, to follow, from Nehemiah 2. The Book of Nehemiah records the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and documents the challenges Nehemiah and the people faced. In Nehemiah 1, Nehemiah receives the devastating news about the condition of Jerusalem.

This sermon continues Pastor Smith's study of the Book of Hebrews, with a message titled "Running Life's Race" from Hebrews 12:1-3. Hebrews 11 established that the Old Testament saints were saved not by their works but by their faith in God's Word and His promise of a Redeemer. Hebrews 12 reminds us that the believer's life is a spiritual marathon, not a sprint. Two examples of faithfulness appear in the opening verses of Hebrews 12. The first is the faithfulness of the saints who preceded us and are named in Hebrews 11; through their testimony and examples, they are called the "great cloud of witnesses." The second example of faithfulness is Jesus, of whom we read: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). ,

Today’s Scripture reading (Ezra 10) concludes our study of the Book of Ezra. Overwhelmed with grief, Ezra recognized that the people's sins had put the nation in danger of God’s judgment. What hope could there be for a nation that had not only sinned against the LORD but also compromised its bloodline by intermarrying with the heathen?

Today’s second Bible study is from Ezra 9 and records Ezra’s first crisis after arriving in Jerusalem. Soon after presenting his commission papers to the Persian officials governing Jerusalem, Ezra learned that the Jews had compromised their homes and families by intermarrying with the heathen who had settled in Israel (Ezra 9:1). Ezra’s response is a lesson in how pastors should shepherd their churches and how parents should shepherd their homes and children.

Today’s Scripture reading is from Ezra 8-9. This Bible study, based on Ezra 8, is the first of two devotionals for today. In chapter 7, Ezra received King Artaxerxes’ approval to lead a second delegation of Jews back to Jerusalem and Judah. In chapter 8, with the king’s blessing and letters of authority, Ezra and his delegation set out for their homeland.

This study reminds us of the manner and character of the men God calls and uses.