NEHEMIAH - The view you have of God shapes everything else about your earthly and eternal life. Jesus told His closest followers to consider God a heavenly Father. He was loving, but manifested a certain kind of love. It was a Fatherly love. It was a firm and shaping love. But it was a full love nonetheless.

JOHN: THE GOSPEL OF BELIEF - Is there a way to know divine truth with certainty? Is there a way to receive more from Christ than good teaching and good ideas? Then and now the answer is yes. But not everyone will receive. Then and now our Lord always deals only with the core of our beings. Belief in Jesus that bears fruit must be a humble belief that deals honestly with conscience. It must lay aside self-deceit and pride. That means we constantly have to review our own motives. It means we must constantly examine how much of our decision making is influenced by the desire to look good to others rather than to bring glory to God. It means we must quit justifying ourselves in the presence of Jesus’ words.

NEHEMIAH - There is a day of universal judgment coming. All the scores will be accurately kept. But until that day, what is your calling? Do you know? How faithful are you to the ministry God has given you? How’s your distinct witness of patience and faithfulness to the Lord? Are you getting all gummed up in anger, frustration, or worse - retaliation? Make no mistake about it. Every Christian must live life with a sense of calling. Don’t just drift and go to church. Your calling is what makes you strong. Your calling is what makes you safe. Your calling is what gives you joy. Don’t get sidetracked.

JOHN: THE GOSPEL OF BELIEF - The real reason anyone rejects Jesus is He exposes something of either our inward rebellion or pride in our own moral accomplishment. And Jesus makes it plain that we all stand in need of divine forgiveness and redemption. Jesus rebukes this world’s inward wickedness. He says He exposes the things in my heart that I can keep secret from everyone else.

NEHEMIAH - This passage in Nehemiah is about your calling as a builder, role model, and leader in God’s Kingdom. Sooner or later, it is the enemy’s plan to thwart the role of leadership in the Kingdom of God. Not just in the obvious leadership sense but also in your calling as Christ’s ambassador and the effort you put out to make a difference for Him.

JOHN: THE GOSPEL OF BELIEF - You may know a little or almost nothing at all of saving life in Christ. Or you may live close to the trimmings of religion but don’t commit your own love and trust to following Jesus Christ. If you are willing, you can know Jesus at a deeper level than you presently think. You can know Him - not just know about Him - or listen to what others have come to know of Christ. Know for yourself. Believe in Him. Let His Spirit into your heart today.

NEHEMIAH - God is a gracious God. But He is not a tame God. He will never be re-made in our image or likeness. He doesn’t randomly shower redeeming grace like candy from heaven. It’s given to those who, in honest, humble, soul-searching repentance, tremble at His holiness and at His Word.

JOHN: THE GOSPEL OF BELIEF - Jesus died and rose again once for all. Therefore, being chosen by Jesus Himself isn’t the same as listening and responding and repenting and following. Remember to hear that grace-filled exhortation every day.

NEHEMIAH - If you just keep doing what you are doing, you will only get what you’ve already got. Or, to put it in Biblical terms, you have to sow more to reap more. Count the cost and pay the price. That’s the only way to find life eternal.

JOHN: THE GOSPEL OF BELIEF - Jesus wanted us all to be able to look into every word He said. He wanted things to be verifiable. His truth was public and open to scrutiny. It would always stand up. That’s the way it is with Jesus. You are invited to inspect Jesus. You can know Him and feed on Him and trust in Him. He’s a sure hope in an unsatisfying world. And He’s still the only way to Father God and the only source of eternal life.