Nehemiah Journey: Day 46 of 52 (October 21, 2021)

First of all today, I want to wish my mom a happy birthday. Today is her birthday and it is a good solid round number! Happy Birthday Mom! Love you!

We learned from Nehemiah 7 how Nehemiah planned to maintain the improvements made through the people working together and the blessing of God. We must be diligent to guard the ground which we gain in our walk with the Lord. As we develop healthy spiritual habits, we need to be constantly on guard not to slip back into old unhealthy ones. We must live daily empowered by the Holy Spirit of God and not our strength.

Paul describes how we can maintain this diligence in Ephesians 6:10–19:

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.

I pray God would grant us the strength to walk in this type of diligence day by day as we continue to keep and gain ground for the Gospel in our lives, our families, our city, our nation, and to the uttermost parts of the earth!

Action Steps:

• Pray for Sunday as we study in Nehemiah 9 about who our God is and what He has done.
• Pray for our Family Fall Fest next Wednesday, October 27^th from 5:30–7:30 pm.
• Pray for God to help us stay alert through the power of the Holy Spirit to live honoring to Him!