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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.

Today's Scripture reading (Esther 10 and Ezra 7) concludes our study of the Book of Esther. The concluding thoughts in Esther 10 focus on Mordecai and his promotion to second-in-command to the king of Persia. A second devotional will follow, taken from Ezra 7.

Our chronological study of the Bible continues with Esther 9 and the events following Haman’s hanging (Esther 7) and Mordecai’s elevation to authority throughout the Persian Empire (Esther 8). Esther 9 records the origin of the Feast of Purim, which celebrates the unseen hand of God in sparing the Jews, a story that is told in Jewish households and synagogues.

In this study, you are invited to consider the sacrificing faith of Abraham (Hebrews 11:17-19), the prevailing faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (Hebrews 11:20-22), the miraculous faith of the Children of Israel (Hebrews 11:29), the trusting faith of the harlot Rahab (Hebrews 11:31), and numerous examples of faith (Hebrews 11:32-38).

Today's second Bible study focuses on Esther 8 and follows the hanging of Haman, the Jews' mortal enemy. Esther 8 records Mordecai's elevation to a position empowering him to intervene and save his people from Haman's genocidal edict.