Developing a love and respect for God’s word is bound to bring breakthroughs in you

r life. How do you respond to the word of the Lord? Do you sit there indifferently and unmoved? Are you texting, playing with the baby or on social media while the word is being read or preached? Are you preoccupied with your phone or other things like talking to your neighbor, searching through your purse, going to the rest room, chewing candy or gum or talking to a friend while the word is being preached? If so, is it any wonder why you are not benefitting as you should from the Word? Do you read God’s word privately? These devotions are being provided as a resource to help you spend the first fruits of your day with the Lord in his word. Do whatever you have to do to make time for him. If it means getting up earlier, having lunch with God and his word privately in your car or some other private place or skipping lunch or breakfast to spend time in his word it will all be worth it. It will cost you some sort of sacrifice to put God first in your life. You cannot offer to God what costs you nothing. Respect for God’s word means that you will do what is necessary. It means you will value it and be attentive to it. It means that you reverence it and hold it in high esteem. A few weeks ago, we talked about honor. God deserves the greatest honor of all. Scripture is our example of how we should respond to God. Let’s go to the book of Nehemiah together with your family or a friend and as we read pray and ask God to give you this reaction to his word. Read Nehemiah chapter 8 verses 1-12

The following questions are provided to lead you into worship as you read the chapter. Don’t miss it.

1. In verse one, how do we know that the people were unified as they gathered?

2. What did the people ask Ezra to bring out?

3. The book of the law is sometimes called the Pentateuch which means “five books”. It is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. It is also called the “Torah” or the “Five books of Moses.” What are the first five books of the Old Testament? This is what Nehemiah read to them. The entire five books!!

4. Who specifically did Ezra read the books to?

5. How long did it take Ezra to read these books?

6. How do we know the people were not distracted from hearing the word of the Lord?

7. For what purpose does verse 4 say the pulpit was made? How can we show more respect for the purpose of the pulpit as they did?

8. What did the people do when Ezra opened the book?

9. Did the people remain quiet when Ezra began praising the Lord?

10. What four things did the people do in response to Ezra blessing the Lord?

11. What role did the Levites play along with the other ministers.

12. Why did Nehemiah and Ezra tell the people not to weep?

13. Why were the people weeping?

14. Why were the people told not to be sorry today?

15. Why then did the people rejoice?

16. What response will you give to the public reading of God’s word next time?

17. Will you talk to God now about what you have discovered by reading/studying this?

18. Do you have cause to repent and/or give thanks after reading this?

19. Don’t miss this opportunity to commune with God about the things you have just read.

20. Have a wonderful time of fellowship with the Lord through his word, then testify about your experience.