365 Devotionals: Times of Restoration

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22 AMP

The Seeds of Promise Devotional Series

The ComPASSION of The Christ

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a straight and right way for us, our little ones, and all our possessions. Ezra 8:21 AMP

Morning Prayer

Are you ready to begin today’s devotional? Let’s begin with prayer.

“Find your own Calcutta.” – Mother Theresa

I pray that the LORD will richly bless you with gifts from heaven that only He can provide. As you draw nearer to God, may He camp His angels around you and walk with you from day to day, showing His divine care and demonstrating His power.

May He continue to carry you when you are weak, nurture you to wholeness, cry with you, laugh with you, encourage your heart, and teach you how to abound. May every wound be healed and your mind renewed. May your heart lose fear and gain abundant faith. May you grow in love toward Him because He cares for you.

May God touch your heart as you learn and grow in the arts of daily devotion. May His Spirit guide and speak to you and reveal to you the plans that He has for your life (Jeremiah 29:11), that your hope and joy will be full. May you embrace His will and be emboldened to follow Him with your whole heart.

May your questions be answered according to His will. May you understand His love for you in a personal way, and overcome any obstacle(s) that hinder(s) you from going to His throne of grace. May you find what you need to grow as you are watered with His anointing. May God bring His true servants to your path, to help you on your journey, to bring you courage, friendship, and a good example.

May you meet the Holy Spirit in a new way – to bear your every burden and keep you in a straight path full of wisdom, strengthening you in you every virtue. When you have received of the LORD, may you be a light to others, steadfast in the faith, nothing wavering, keeping your eyes on Christ.

As you commune with the King more and more, may your offering be pure and acceptable in His sight. I pray that you will do the work that is required to maintain your closer walk with God. May you find fulfillment in worshiping Him. May your heart be open to receive the power of God in your life. May you stand on His promises and enjoy the journey. These and other blessings I pray for you in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Bible Basis

June	Book	Read From	Read To	Devotional
4^th	Ezra	Chapter 8	Chapter 9	The ComPASSION of The Christ

Memory Verses

hen we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way. Ezra 8:31 | O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this. Ezra 9:15 | [It is of] the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:22

Key people

Here is a list of key people found in today’s reading (in order of appearance) with bios from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

This post is under construction.

Today’s Devotional Reading: Ezra 8 – 9

Ezra 8 Amplified Version (AMP)
Ezra 9 Amplified Version (AMP)

Reflection

In Christ we have witness of the very nature of God our Heavenly Father. Jesus is the epitome of His holy character and feeling toward us. It is a comfort always to understand and experience in this life, what is the love of God – that which He manifests through other people as well as His divine presence.

Yet we must recall in His tender mercies, that He is a teaching father; a good example; who would not have us ignorant, nor failing in following after Him. Therefore, He will intervene when we stray from His lightened path.

For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth. Proverbs 3:12

When we take His mercy for granted, we step out from the covering of His shadow (Psalm 91:1) – which is able to hide us from the very presence of evil. But how many times have we done what is unworthy of His grace toward us? Were it not for mercy, had we not a Savior, where would we be?

May we thank Continually for His mercy toward us, without which we could have no hope of resurrection. Now are we who trust in Him the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3), made possible by the compassion of Christ, who got what we deserved (Isaiah 53:5) – and that not by force, but by choice. His life could not be taken from Him, but He gave it away.

⁴⁶And said to them, Thus it is written that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer and on the third day rise from (^[a] among) the dead, ⁴⁷And that repentance [with a view to and as the condition of] forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47 AMP

What is your testimony? Though we may tell of God’s goodness a thousand times, it is not enough. For this is the meat whereby we overcome. And that which fills our belly can not be compared to that which nourishes our souls.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 | He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Revelation 2:11 | He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Revelation 2:17 | 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 2:26-29

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Image Source: 365 Seeds of Promise by Shenica Graham.