Day 273 – The Lord’s Work
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read the conclusion of Zechariah. There is a promise – on the day of the Lord he will redeem the earth. Those who have been under the heel of others will be vindicated. Everyone’s deeds shall be known. Nehemiah does the Lord’s work. When he encounters difficulty and opposition, he […]
Day 272 – The Call of Nehemiah
Thoughts and Reflections Today we read about Jerusalem’s restoration. Zechariah writes 500 years before Jesus comes, he tells us of mourning for “him whom they have pierced.” Jesus was pierced on the cross for us. In Nehemiah, we see a third wave of the people’s return to the Holy Land. The walls of Jerusalem have […]
Day 271 – Israel’s Foreign Wives
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read Ezra returns to the Holy Land. When he returns he finds that many people have intermarried. The Lord warned the people about not marrying non-Jewish spouses. God’s people were to be set apart and called to live differently. The people intermarrying weakens the bond of the Convent and losing […]
Day 270 – God’s Favor with Ezra
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read Ezra is friends with Artaxerxes, the king of Persia. His blessings are not due to his own skill but because the hand of the Lord is upon him. Ezra proclaims the people should fast to humble themselves before God. He does not ask the king for protection since he […]
Day 269 – The Day of Small Things
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read that the temple rebuilding was stopped in Ezra 4 and started again in Ezra 5. Officials asked who gave them permission to do so. They forgot that Cyrus had sent the people back to the Holy Land with instructions. It is important to keep track of the details. After […]
Willamette Garage Food Carts
After years of an abandoned gas and service station, the old station was repurposed as a food cart destination in West Linn. Many great food carts, outdoor seating, and drinks are on site—a perfect gathering place for family and friends to enjoy a mix of cuisines. Location
Day 268 – Rebuilding the Temple
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read in Ezra that the temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem. The people remember and long for the previous temple that was once there under Solomon. The new temple is smaller than before. This is both positive and negative. The positive is that the people remember was there before. The negative […]
Day 267 – Indifference and Apathy
Thoughts and Reflection Today we learn that Ezra fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah. God allowed the people of Judah to go into exile not to destroy them but to reform them. They now have the ability to go home. The book of Haggai is only two chapters but there are three parts – Apathy, discouragement, […]
Day 266 – Son of the Father
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read about the sacrifice of Jesus within his trial before Pilate and the crowd choosing to free Barabbas over him. When we look at the name of Barabbas it translates to the “son of the father” however he is a murderer. Jesus is innocent and is the true Son of […]
Day 265 – Sins of Omission
Thoughts and Reflection Today we read two parables. The parable of the wise virgins teaches us the importance of being prepared. Oil is a symbol of the virtues that we should be developing in our lives. The next parable of talents tells us that we must use what we have been given and not return […]