Points of the covenant

[30] And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons: [31] And [if] the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, [that] we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and [that] we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt. [32] Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God; [33] For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy [things], and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and [for] all the work of the house of our God. [34] And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring [it] into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as [it is] written in the law: [35] And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD: [36] Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as [it is] written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God: [37] And [that] we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. [38] And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. [39] For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where [are] the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God. Nehemiah 10:30-39

What was in the covenant? The people had been away from God and His Word for so long, when they heard it (Nehemiah 8 & 9) they wanted to put it “into action”.

Here are the points:

~ Not intermarry with the “people of the land”
Deuteronomy 7:3
~ To keep the Sabbath, no buying of goods
Exodus 20:10
~ Seventh year rest of the land
Leviticus 25:4
~ Release of debt
Deuteronomy 15:2
~ Pay for the upkeep of the house of God
Exodus 30:16
~ Lots draw for keepers of wood for offering

~ First fruit offerings
Proverbs 3:9
~ Tithes and uses of
Numbers 18:26
~ Will not forsake the house of God – the assembly of themselves as well as upkeep of temple

After neglecting the Lord and His Word, they were now ready to obey and “do the right thing”.

At one time or another we all have neglected the Word. We neglect it by being “too busy”. We neglect it by not doing what it says or doing it half heartedly. Spend time reading God’s Word, not reading what people say about God’s Word.

Make a commitment today to spend time with the Lord in His word.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalm 119:16

Have a blessed day,
Donna

December update

It’s been a while since I wrote. December is a busy month, for most families. What have we (my husband/family) been up to? Here is the short list:

Doctor’s appointments

Helping at Gifts to Give

Sing along at historical society

Live nativity

Dropping off gifts to Hope Haven Mission

Training at Coastline elderly

Local high school orchestra and Pilgrim handbell ringers – we had never been to hear bell ringers before, it was very enjoyable.

Salvation Army adopting families program

Visiting and Bible studies at Whaler’s Cove and Cedars Assisted Living

Ladies Bible study at Freedom Road

Visiting with family and friends

I pray that all had a wonderful Christmas. Looking forward to the New Year, may we all remember to put the Lord first in everything: thoughts, actions and deeds.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Colossians 3:12

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Safe Harbor

As I look outside my office window, I reflect on the view and how blessed I am to work in a beautiful place. The water is serene and still as the boats gently float attached to the moorings. Sometimes I live my life more like a wild storm then being in the middle of a safe harbor.

Christ is the safe harbor. I need to pull into the harbor, and rest in the calm and tranquil waters; no matter what the problem He is there.

Hebrews 13:5 says,” for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

This doesn’t mean sometimes, or once in a while, but never leave us. He is there through each and every storm of our life.

Each one of us has problems in his/her life, some are very small and really insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Some problems are extremely large and we wonder if we will ever get over it. We need to trust Christ to see us through.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

There are so many problems we may go through in this life, the big question is: How do I handle these problems in the light of God’s word? I am not an expert at always doing the right thing, but through the years I have learned, most of the time, to look at God’s word to see how to handle a problem.

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5

Are you going through rough and choppy waters?

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Psalm 93:3 -4

Stormy seas – problems in your life

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Psalm 107:29

Is the current against you (people or circumstances against you)?
Quite a few years ago my husband had a problem with someone spreading lies about him. Throughout the whole episode we trusted God to work it out. The offender soon stopped when he could not get the desired results, getting people to dislike my husband.

One day I was reviewing some of my Bible notes I noticed that just before this happened I had studied and made notes on a few verses. The verses had to do with the problem we were about to face. Here are the verses:

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psalm 143:8

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Pro 11:13

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Pro 12:19

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. Pro 20:22

God was preparing me for the current that would be working against us. These verses helped me to do the right thing. My usual reaction is to speak first and think afterwards. God had different plans and His plans are always right. He worked the whole problem out, we never said a word but people knew the truth.

Dashed upon the rocks - painful.

Are there problems in your life that feel like you are being dashed upon the rocks? God will make a way.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1Corinthians 10:13

Is the foamy surf making the way unclear? Are you discouraged?

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Psalm 119:71

When discouragement comes, we need to look UP.

How can we stay in the safe harbor?

* Time alone to read, think, pray, journal – set time aside to spend with God

* Prayer walks

* Do something where there will be immediate visible progress – focus on others

* Rest

* Play music that ministers to you

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26:3-4

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Grateful For

1. The Lord’s Day – everyday should be dedicated to the Lord but Sunday should be a day of rest as we meditate on what the Lord had done for us.

2. Meditation – Keep your mind stayed on God. Isaiah 26:3

3. Health – I am extremely thankful that I have good health and take no pills except for vitamins.

4. Rest – God gives us rest for our souls as well as physical rest. Exodus 33:14

5. The absolute Greatness and Goodness of God.

Exodus 34:6-7 … The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, [7] Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…

What are you grateful for today? Take a few minutes and thank God for at least 5 things.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Update

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

We take so much for granted. We go about life without a care in the world. Then something upsets our course. It may be an accident, an illness, an injury or an operation. Whatever it is, causes a cramp in our style. This is what my husband has been through for the last few months. He has always been active and healthy. In late December he injured his back and has been pretty much out of commission.

He didn’t stop most of his activities, he just did them in extreme pain. He has never been a complainer but when you live with someone for a long time you recognize by the way they do things when they are in pain.

After exhausting all options he opted for surgery. The surgery was outpatient and he was told he would be driving after two days. He has not driven since late December.

As I reported in my last post, he could not lift his left leg. The operation was more intense than first thought. There was trauma to the nerves which affected his leg. He was transferred to a good rehab facility.

Mark has worked very hard to get mobility. He came home today. Praise God! Last week he could not move his left leg. After 3 hours of rehab a day he is walking with a walker, going up and down stairs and getting dressed by himself. A week and a half ago he could not do basic ADLs. The "activities of daily living," or ADLs, are the basic tasks of everyday life, items that most of us take for granted including, bathing, dressing, walking, climbing stairs, driving and transferring.

His left leg is still numb from the knee down but the exercises and movement are making it stronger. He has some feeling when touched, more like pins and needles, which is a good thing.

I thank God every day for what He has given us. Throughout the last few weeks I have prayed Proverbs 3:5-6. Lord, help us to trust you with all our hearts and not to lean on our own ways. Help us to recognize you in everything as you direct our path.

As Mark continues to grow stronger each day, we need to remember that God is in control. The last few months have been a little draining at times but then I remember this is only “a bump in the road” of life. I’m glad I learned the principles of Isaiah 26:4, Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

He has been our strength and comfort throughout this time. Thank you for your prayers.

Have a blessed day,
Donna