June 28, 2024 Study His WordBINU SAMUEL Lee en español "... for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel." Ezra 7:9-10 (NIV) About a month after my husband and I moved into our first home, we purchased a pool table. My husband was passionate about the game and also quite convincing. He couldn't wait to enjoy his favorite pastime in his own home. Once our sons were old enough to see the top of the pool table, my husband wasted no time in teaching them the game. By the time our little guys were in elementary school, they were pool pros, and my husband was one proud daddy. If my husband, an earthly father, couldn't wait to engage with his children over his favorite pastime, how much more does our heavenly Father beam with excitement when we take an interest in what interests Him - His Word? In the Old Testament book of Ezra, we meet Ezra himself in Chapter 7. He is described as "a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel" (Ezra 7:6a, NLT). Ezra came up to Jerusalem from Babylon after God’s temple was rebuilt. He was determined to study, obey and teach the law of the Lord. God honored Ezra's passion for His Word by placing His hand upon him and giving him favor (mentioned three times in Ezra 7!). "... for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel" (Ezra 7:9-10). God's Word is the very heart of God. John 1:1 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (NIV). Time in God's Word is time with God! What other book are we able to read with a perfect, holy Author sitting next to us, ready and willing to speak to us and deepen our understanding of what we are reading? The more time we spend reading our Bibles, the more we grow in our intimacy with God. It's inevitable! Those little pool pros are now young men. Although late-night, father-son pool tournaments are still loads of fun, what excites my husband and me beyond words is seeing our boys love God and study His Word. There truly is "no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 1:4, NIV). Like Ezra, may we be ready scribes, eager to read, study and obey God's Word. Our heavenly Father can't wait to share His heart with His children! Dear Jesus, thank You for hearing our prayers. Please give us a genuine hunger to read and study Your Word. May it take root and transform our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS She Speaks 2024: A Conference for Christian Communicators is happening from July 19-20, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina! This isn't just going to equip you in your calling; it's going to point you to the One who has called you. It isn't just going to help you figure out your right next step; it's going to fill you up to do ministry for years to come. What are you waiting for? Click here to sign up now! Have you ever wondered why you may anxiously obsess over something? The truth is whatever consumes our thinking deeply affects our quality of life, but is it possible to really "boss around" our thoughts? Lysa TerKeurst, counselor Jim Cress and Dr. Joel Muddamalle are covering this and more in a recent Therapy & Theology conversation, "Can We Control What We Think About?" Watch now. To help you engage in God's Word every day, pick up a copy of Quest for More: A One Year Devotional Through the Bible, co-written by today's devotion writer, Binu Samuel. ENGAGE Find Binu Samuel's blog here, or connect with her through Facebook and Instagram. FOR DEEPER STUDY Deuteronomy 32:47a, "These instructions are not empty words-they are your life!" (NLT). Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (NIV). Do you desire to grow deeper in God's Word? Make a plan for how you can practically accomplish this. Consider joining a Bible reading plan, or simply start with the book of Matthew, reading one chapter daily. In the comments, let us know how you're currently studying the Bible or how you plan to engage more in God's Word. © 2024 by Binu Samuel. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Study His Word – Encouragement for Today – June 28, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

June 28, 2024 Study His WordBINU SAMUEL Lee en español "... for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel." Ezra 7:9-10 (NIV) About a month after my husband and I moved into our first home, we purchased a pool table. My husband was passionate about the game and also quite convincing. He couldn't wait to enjoy his favorite pastime in his own home. Once our sons were old enough to see the top of the pool table, my husband wasted no time in teaching them the game. By the time our little guys were in elementary school, they were pool pros, and my husband was one proud daddy. If my husband, an earthly father, couldn't wait to engage with his children over his favorite pastime, how much more does our heavenly Father beam with excitement when we take an interest in what interests Him - His Word? In the Old Testament book of Ezra, we meet Ezra himself in Chapter 7. He is described as "a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel" (Ezra 7:6a, NLT). Ezra came up to Jerusalem from Babylon after God’s temple was rebuilt. He was determined to study, obey and teach the law of the Lord. God honored Ezra's passion for His Word by placing His hand upon him and giving him favor (mentioned three times in Ezra 7!). "... for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel" (Ezra 7:9-10). God's Word is the very heart of God. John 1:1 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (NIV). Time in God's Word is time with God! What other book are we able to read with a perfect, holy Author sitting next to us, ready and willing to speak to us and deepen our understanding of what we are reading? The more time we spend reading our Bibles, the more we grow in our intimacy with God. It's inevitable! Those little pool pros are now young men. Although late-night, father-son pool tournaments are still loads of fun, what excites my husband and me beyond words is seeing our boys love God and study His Word. There truly is "no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 1:4, NIV). Like Ezra, may we be ready scribes, eager to read, study and obey God's Word. Our heavenly Father can't wait to share His heart with His children! Dear Jesus, thank You for hearing our prayers. Please give us a genuine hunger to read and study Your Word. May it take root and transform our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS She Speaks 2024: A Conference for Christian Communicators is happening from July 19-20, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina! This isn't just going to equip you in your calling; it's going to point you to the One who has called you. It isn't just going to help you figure out your right next step; it's going to fill you up to do ministry for years to come. What are you waiting for? Click here to sign up now! Have you ever wondered why you may anxiously obsess over something? The truth is whatever consumes our thinking deeply affects our quality of life, but is it possible to really "boss around" our thoughts? Lysa TerKeurst, counselor Jim Cress and Dr. Joel Muddamalle are covering this and more in a recent Therapy & Theology conversation, "Can We Control What We Think About?" Watch now. To help you engage in God's Word every day, pick up a copy of Quest for More: A One Year Devotional Through the Bible, co-written by today's devotion writer, Binu Samuel. ENGAGE Find Binu Samuel's blog here, or connect with her through Facebook and Instagram. FOR DEEPER STUDY Deuteronomy 32:47a, "These instructions are not empty words-they are your life!" (NLT). Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (NIV). Do you desire to grow deeper in God's Word? Make a plan for how you can practically accomplish this. Consider joining a Bible reading plan, or simply start with the book of Matthew, reading one chapter daily. In the comments, let us know how you're currently studying the Bible or how you plan to engage more in God's Word. © 2024 by Binu Samuel. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Study His Word – Encouragement for Today – June 28, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1865 - The Army of the Potomac is disbanded 1902 - Germany, Italy, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire renew their Triple Alliance for six more years 1941 - German and Romanian soldiers kill 11,000 Jews in Kishinev 1950 - North Korean forces capture Seoul, South Korea in opening phase of the Korean War 1958 - American swimmer Nancy Ramey sets world record for 100m butterfly in 1:09.6 in Los Angeles, California 2000 - Cuban exile Elián González returns to Cuba following a Supreme Court order. 2002 - Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: Coldplay, and Rod Stewart headline; other performers include Roger Waters, Isaac Hayes, Ani DiFranco, The Charletons, and The White Stripes 2013 - Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole's final "Sportscentre" broadcast on TSN 2015 - US Senior Open Men's Golf, Del Paso CC: Jeff Maggert shoots final round 65 (-5) to win by 2 strokes from defending champion Colin Montgomerie of Scotland 2020 - COVID-19 cases surge in southern and western US states with California, Texas and Florida closing bars, Arizona reports 20% of tests returning as positive More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1778 - Mary Ludwig Hayes "Molly Pitcher" aids American patriots 1960 - 10.40" (26.42 cm) of rainfall, Dunmor, Kentucky (state 24-hour record) 1964 - Organization for Afro-American Unity formed in New York by Malcolm X 2015 - David Sweat shot and captured near Canadian border. 2nd prisoner to escape maximum-security Clinton Correctional Facility June 6 2018 - Fire starts on Winter Hill on Lancashire moorland, England, lit by arson 2023 - South Koreans become a year or two younger as country drops two traditional age-counting systems to align with international standards (used to be aged one at birth) More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1884 - Lamina Sankoh, Sierra Leonean pre-independence politician and nationalist, born in Freetown, Sierra Leone (d. 1964) 1913 - George Lloyd, English composer (The Serf; Pervigilium Veneris (The Vigil of Venus); John Socman), born in St. Ives, Cornwall, England (d. 1998) 1942 - (Martin) "Chris" Hani, South African politician (Secretary-General of South African Communist Party, 1991-93), born in Cofimvaba, Transkei, South Africa (d. 1993) 1946 - Robert Xavier Rodriguez, American classical composer, born in San Antonio, Texas 1957 - Georgi Parvanov, 3rd President of Bulgaria (2002-12), born in Sirishtnik, Bulgaria 1976 - Seth Wescott, American snowboarder (Olympic gold 2006,10), born in Durham, North Carolina More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1975 - Rod Serling, American screenwriter and TV host (The Twilight Zone; Night Gallery), dies after multiple heart attacks at 50 2004 - Anthony Buckeridge, English author (Jennings), dies at 92 2006 - Jim Baen, American sci-fi publisher and editor (b. 1943) 2010 - Robert Byrd, US Senator (Democrat-WV, 1959-2010), majority leader and once the longest-serving Senator in history, dies at 92 2021 - Sergio Victor Palma, Argentine boxer (WBA Super Bantamweight champion 1980-82), dies from COVID-19 at 65 2023 - Lowell P Weicker, American politician (US Senator from Connecticut (R), 1971-88): Governor of Connecticut, 1991-95), dies at 92 More Famous Deaths »