[Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR MONDAY MAY 16

[Donnie Parrett]

DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR MONDAY MAY 16

MEMORY SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK

Proverbs 3:5 & 6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. 
 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

___

WORD OF WISDOM

If you don't take the time to do it right, you'll have to find the time to
do it twice.

___

DAILY DEVOTION

Shift the Winds


The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? Now you will see
whether or not what I say will come true for you."
(Numbers 11:23, NIV)

	 When the Israelites were in the desert headed toward the Promised
Land, they complained that there was no meat to eat. God told Moses that He
was going to give them meat, not just for a day but for a whole month. When
Moses expressed his disbelief, God responded by saying, "Do you think the
unfavorable conditions somehow limit Me? I created the universe. Nothing is
too difficult for Me."
The next morning God shifted the winds and caused a huge flock of quail to
show up in their camp. For two days they gathered a staggering amount of
quail. God controls the winds and the quail. You may not see how your
situation can work out, none of the conditions are favorable, but stay
encouraged. God has it figured out. He knows how to shift the winds. He
knows how to bring the quail, the right people, good breaks, healing,
promotion, and restoration. He's not limited because you're in a desert
place. When you believe, all things are possible.
	 
A Prayer for Today

"Father, thank You that You created the universe, and You control the winds
and bring Your blessings to me. When it looks too big for me, I know that
with You all things are possible. I believe that You are not limited by any
unfavorable conditions that I face. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

___

DAILY BIBLE READING

Nehemiah 7-9 New King James Version
List of Returning Exiles
7 Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the
gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 that I gave
the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the
[a]citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.

3 And I said to them, "Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the
sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut and bar the doors; and
appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch
station and another in front of his own house."

The Captives Who Returned to Jerusalem
4 Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few, and
the houses were not rebuilt. 5 Then my God put it into my heart to gather
the nobles, the rulers, and the people, that they might be registered by
genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of those who had come up
in the first return, and found written in it:

6 These are the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of
those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had
carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city.

7 Those who came with Zerubbabel were Jeshua, Nehemiah, [b]Azariah, Raamiah,
Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, [c]Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah.

The number of the men of the people of Israel: 8 the sons of Parosh, two
thousand one hundred and seventy-two;

9 the sons of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy-two;

10 the sons of Arah, six hundred and fifty-two;

11 the sons of Pahath-Moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand
eight hundred and eighteen;

12 the sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;

13 the sons of Zattu, eight hundred and forty-five;

14 the sons of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty;

15 the sons of [d]Binnui, six hundred and forty-eight;

16 the sons of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-eight;

17 the sons of Azgad, two thousand three hundred and twenty-two;

18 the sons of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-seven;

19 the sons of Bigvai, two thousand and sixty-seven;

20 the sons of Adin, six hundred and fifty-five;

21 the sons of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety-eight;

22 the sons of Hashum, three hundred and twenty-eight;

23 the sons of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-four;

24 the sons of [e]Hariph, one hundred and twelve;

25 the sons of [f]Gibeon, ninety-five;

26 the men of Bethlehem and Netophah, one hundred and eighty-eight;

27 the men of Anathoth, one hundred and twenty-eight;

28 the men of [g]Beth Azmaveth, forty-two;

29 the men of [h]Kirjath Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and
forty-three;

30 the men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one;

31 the men of Michmas, one hundred and twenty-two;

32 the men of Bethel and Ai, one hundred and twenty-three;

33 the men of the other Nebo, fifty-two;

34 the sons of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;

35 the sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty;

36 the sons of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five;

37 the sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-one;

38 the sons of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.

39 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred
and seventy-three;

40 the sons of Immer, one thousand and fifty-two;

41 the sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven;

42 the sons of Harim, one thousand and seventeen.

43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel,

and of the sons of [i]Hodevah, seventy-four.

44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred and forty-eight.

45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum,

the sons of Ater,

the sons of Talmon,

the sons of Akkub,

the sons of Hatita,

the sons of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-eight.

46 The Nethinim: the sons of Ziha,

the sons of Hasupha,

the sons of Tabbaoth,

47 the sons of Keros,

the sons of [j]Sia,

the sons of Padon,

48 the sons of [k]Lebana,

the sons of [l]Hagaba,

the sons of [m]Salmai,

49 the sons of Hanan,

the sons of Giddel,

the sons of Gahar,

50 the sons of Reaiah,

the sons of Rezin,

the sons of Nekoda,

51 the sons of Gazzam,

the sons of Uzza,

the sons of Paseah,

52 the sons of Besai,

the sons of Meunim,

the sons of [n]Nephishesim,

53 the sons of Bakbuk,

the sons of Hakupha,

the sons of Harhur,

54 the sons of [o]Bazlith,

the sons of Mehida,

the sons of Harsha,

55 the sons of Barkos,

the sons of Sisera,

the sons of Tamah,

56 the sons of Neziah,

and the sons of Hatipha.

57 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai,

the sons of Sophereth,

the sons of [p]Perida,

58 the sons of Jaala,

the sons of Darkon,

the sons of Giddel,

59 the sons of Shephatiah,

the sons of Hattil,

the sons of Pochereth of Zebaim,

and the sons of [q]Amon.

60 All the Nethinim, and the sons of Solomon's servants, were three hundred
and ninety-two.

61 And these were the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub,
[r]Addon, and Immer, but they could not identify their father's house nor
their lineage, whether they were of Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah,

the sons of Tobiah,

the sons of Nekoda, six hundred and forty-two;

63 and of the priests: the sons of Habaiah,

the sons of [s]Koz,

the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the
Gileadite, and was called by their name.

64 These sought their listing among those who were registered by genealogy,
but it was not found; therefore they were excluded from the priesthood as
defiled. 65 And the [t]governor said to them that they should not eat of the
most holy things till a priest could consult with the Urim and Thummim.

66 Altogether the whole assembly was forty-two thousand three hundred and
sixty, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were seven
thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred and
forty-five men and women singers. 68 Their horses were seven hundred and
thirty-six, their mules two hundred and forty-five, 69 their camels four
hundred and thirty-five, and donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

70 And some of the heads of the fathers' houses gave to the work. The
[u]governor gave to the treasury one thousand gold drachmas, fifty basins,
and five hundred and thirty priestly garments. 71 Some of the heads of the
fathers' houses gave to the treasury of the work twenty thousand gold
drachmas, and two thousand two hundred silver minas. 72 And that which the
rest of the people gave was twenty thousand gold drachmas, two thousand
silver minas, and sixty-seven priestly garments.

73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the
people, the Nethinim, and all Israel dwelt in their cities.

Ezra Reads the Law
When the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.

Ezra Reads and Explains the Law
8 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that
was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the
Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the
priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who
could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then
he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate
[v]from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could
understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the
Law.

4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the
purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah,
Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael,
Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 And Ezra opened
the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the
people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed
the Lord, the great God.

Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands.
And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the
ground.

7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah,
Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people
to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read
distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and
helped them to understand the reading.

9 And Nehemiah, who was the [w]governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the
Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to
the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when
they heard the words of the Law.

10 Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and
send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to
our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is
holy; do not be grieved." 12 And all the people went their way to eat and
drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the
words that were declared to them.

The Feast of Tabernacles
13 Now on the second day the heads of the fathers' houses of all the people,
with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to
understand the words of the Law. 14 And they found written in the Law, which
the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in
booths[x] during the feast of the seventh month, 15 and that they should
announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, "Go out
to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle
branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it
is written."

16 Then the people went out and brought them and made themselves booths,
each one on the roof of his house, or in their courtyards or the courts of
the house of God, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the open
square of the Gate of Ephraim. 17 So the whole assembly of those who had
returned from the captivity made [y]booths and sat under the booths; for
since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of
Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness. 18 Also day by
day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law
of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was
a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner.

The People Confess Their Sins
9 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were
assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with [z]dust on their heads. 2
Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners;
and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the
Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they
confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.

4 Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani
stood on the [aa]stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to
the Lord their God. 5 And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah,
Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said:

"Stand up and bless the Lord your God
Forever and ever!

"Blessed be Your glorious name,
Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
6 You alone are the Lord;
You have made heaven,
The heaven of heavens, with all their host,
The earth and everything on it,
The seas and all that is in them,
And You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You.

7 "You are the Lord God,
Who chose Abram,
And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans,
And gave him the name Abraham;
8 You found his heart faithful before You,
And made a covenant with him
To give the land of the Canaanites,
The Hittites, the Amorites,
The Perizzites, the Jebusites,
And the Girgashites-
To give it to his descendants.
You have performed Your words,
For You are righteous.

9 "You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt,
And heard their cry by the Red Sea.
10 You showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh,
Against all his servants,
And against all the people of his land.
For You knew that they acted [ab]proudly against them.
So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day.
11 And You divided the sea before them,
So that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land;
And their persecutors You threw into the deep,
As a stone into the mighty waters.
12 Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar,
And by night with a pillar of fire,
To give them light on the road
Which they should travel.

13 "You came down also on Mount Sinai,
And spoke with them from heaven,
And gave them just ordinances and true laws,
Good statutes and commandments.
14 You made known to them Your holy Sabbath,
And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws,
By the hand of Moses Your servant.
15 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger,
And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst,
And told them to go in to possess the land
Which You had [ac]sworn to give them.

16 "But they and our fathers acted [ad]proudly,
Hardened[ae] their necks,
And did not heed Your commandments.
17 They refused to obey,
And they were not mindful of Your wonders
That You did among them.
But they hardened their necks,
And [af]in their rebellion
They appointed a leader
To return to their bondage.
But You are God,
Ready to pardon,
Gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger,
Abundant in kindness,
And did not forsake them.

18 "Even when they made a molded calf for themselves,
And said, 'This is your god
That brought you up out of Egypt,'
And worked great provocations,
19 Yet in Your manifold mercies
You did not forsake them in the wilderness.
The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day,
To lead them on the road;
Nor the pillar of fire by night,
To show them light,
And the way they should go.
20 You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them,
And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth,
And gave them water for their thirst.
21 Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness;
They lacked nothing;
Their clothes did not wear out
And their feet did not swell.

22 "Moreover You gave them kingdoms and nations,
And divided them into [ag]districts.
So they took possession of the land of Sihon,
[ah]The land of the king of Heshbon,
And the land of Og king of Bashan.
23 You also multiplied their children as the stars of heaven,
And brought them into the land
Which You had told their fathers
To go in and possess.
24 So the [ai]people went in
And possessed the land;
You subdued before them the inhabitants of the land,
The Canaanites,
And gave them into their hands,
With their kings
And the people of the land,
That they might do with them as they wished.
25 And they took strong cities and a rich land,
And possessed houses full of all goods,
Cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves,
And [aj]fruit trees in abundance.
So they ate and were filled and grew fat,
And delighted themselves in Your great goodness.

26 "Nevertheless they were disobedient
And rebelled against You,
Cast Your law behind their backs
And killed Your prophets, who [ak]testified against them
To turn them to Yourself;
And they worked great provocations.
27 Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their enemies,
Who oppressed them;
And in the time of their trouble,
When they cried to You,
You heard from heaven;
And according to Your abundant mercies
You gave them deliverers who saved them
>From the hand of their enemies.

28 "But after they had rest,
They again did evil before You.
Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies,
So that they had dominion over them;
Yet when they returned and cried out to You,
You heard from heaven;
And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,
29 And [al]testified against them,
That You might bring them back to Your law.
Yet they acted [am]proudly,
And did not heed Your commandments,
But sinned against Your judgments,
'Which if a man does, he shall live by them.'
And they shrugged their shoulders,
[an]Stiffened their necks,
And would not hear.
30 Yet for many years You had patience with them,
And [ao]testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets.
Yet they would not listen;
Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
31 Nevertheless in Your great mercy
You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them;
For You are God, gracious and merciful.

32 "Now therefore, our God,
The great, the mighty, and awesome God,
Who keeps covenant and mercy:
Do not let all the [ap]trouble seem small before You
That has come upon us,
Our kings and our princes,
Our priests and our prophets,
Our fathers and on all Your people,
>From the days of the kings of Assyria until this day.
33 However You are just in all that has befallen us;
For You have dealt faithfully,
But we have done wickedly.
34 Neither our kings nor our princes,
Our priests nor our fathers,
Have kept Your law,
Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies,
With which You testified against them.
35 For they have not served You in their kingdom,
Or in the many good things that You gave them,
Or in the large and rich land which You set before them;
Nor did they turn from their wicked works.

36 "Here we are, servants today!
And the land that You gave to our fathers,
To eat its fruit and its bounty,
Here we are, servants in it!
37 And it yields much increase to the kings
You have set over us,
Because of our sins;
Also they have dominion over our bodies and our cattle
At their pleasure;
And we are in great distress.

38 "And because of all this,
We make a sure covenant and write it;
Our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it."

Footnotes
Nehemiah 7:2 palace
Nehemiah 7:7 Seraiah, Ezra 2:2
Nehemiah 7:7 Mispar, Ezra 2:2
Nehemiah 7:15 Bani, Ezra 2:10
Nehemiah 7:24 Jorah, Ezra 2:18
Nehemiah 7:25 Gibbar, Ezra 2:20
Nehemiah 7:28 Azmaveth, Ezra 2:24
Nehemiah 7:29 Kirjath Arim, Ezra 2:25
Nehemiah 7:43 Hodaviah, Ezra 2:40; or Judah, Ezra 3:9
Nehemiah 7:47 Siaha, Ezra 2:44
Nehemiah 7:48 MT Lebanah
Nehemiah 7:48 MT Hogabah
Nehemiah 7:48 Shalmai, Ezra 2:46; or Shamlai
Nehemiah 7:52 Nephusim, Ezra 2:50
Nehemiah 7:54 Bazluth, Ezra 2:52
Nehemiah 7:57 Peruda, Ezra 2:55
Nehemiah 7:59 Ami, Ezra 2:57
Nehemiah 7:61 Addan, Ezra 2:59
Nehemiah 7:63 Or Hakkoz
Nehemiah 7:65 Heb. Tirshatha
Nehemiah 7:70 Heb. Tirshatha
Nehemiah 8:3 Lit. from the light
Nehemiah 8:9 Heb. Tirshatha
Nehemiah 8:14 Temporary shelters
Nehemiah 8:17 Temporary shelters
Nehemiah 9:1 Lit. earth on them
Nehemiah 9:4 Lit. ascent
Nehemiah 9:10 presumptuously or insolently
Nehemiah 9:15 Lit. raised Your hand to
Nehemiah 9:16 presumptuously
Nehemiah 9:16 Stiffened their necks, became stubborn
Nehemiah 9:17 So with MT, Vg.; LXX in Egypt
Nehemiah 9:22 Lit. corners
Nehemiah 9:22 So with MT, Vg.; LXX omits The land of
Nehemiah 9:24 Lit. sons
Nehemiah 9:25 Lit. trees for eating
Nehemiah 9:26 admonished or warned them
Nehemiah 9:29 admonished them
Nehemiah 9:29 presumptuously
Nehemiah 9:29 Became stubborn
Nehemiah 9:30 admonished or warned them
Nehemiah 9:32 hardship