Nehemiah 1:1-3:14, 1 Corinthians 7:1-24, Psalms 31:19-29, Proverbs 21:4

What God said to me – In ancient times cities were surrounded by walls for their protection.  They had gates that were opened and closed at certain times and watchmen on the walls to spot danger approaching.  The walls brought a level of comfort and sense of peace when they were maintained but were a cause of reproach when they were broken down because it showed they had either succumbed to an attack or they were negligent or careless in their maintenance.  When the people of Israel began returning to Jerusalem after their captivity in Babylon, they rebuilt the temple but until the time of Nehemiah, they had neglected the walls which had been torn down when the city was destroyed so it was vulnerable to attack.  Nehemiah came for the express purpose of rebuilding the wall and he rallied them to do the work with various groups and families taking responsibility for each section.  In the same way, My people, the church, are to work together for the building up of the body so it is strong and mature and above reproach.  Each one of you is to work diligently in the ministry to which I called you using the gifts I have given you – as each one is diligent to work and to serve in this way, then the entire body is strengthened.  You be faithful to take care of your “piece of the wall” so the enemy cannot find an easy point of entry because when one of My children falls, all are affected and My church becomes an object of reproach rather than of blessing.

Ezra 10, 1 Corinthians 6, Psalms 31:9-18, Proverbs 21:3

What God said to me – When you get married you are no longer the “Lone Ranger”- there is another person for you to consider.  I designed marriage so that two become one and therefore everything one does will affect the other.  A good spouse stops to think how the money they spend or the time the time spent on jobs or hobbies or the way they take care or don’t take care of their health impacts their mate.  Whether you realize it or not, the same things apply to My children.  The one who joins himself to Me is one spirit with Me.  Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from Me, and you are not your own.  Just as a good spouse considers their mate in all they do, My children should consider Me – are the things you do and say pleasing to Me – are you taking care of your body as My temple – do you guard your heart and mind from exposure to ungodly, immoral things?  You have been bought with a price, therefore glorify Me in your body.

Ezra 8:21-9:15, 1 Corinthians 5, Psalms 31:1-8, Proverbs 21:1-2

What God said to me – There are many platitudes used to justify sin and rebellion – “do your own thing” – “live your truth” – “follow your heart”.  They sound wise but they all are just different ways of doing what is right in your own eyes, not Mine.  The heart is desperately wicked so if you base your thoughts and actions on it, you probably are not doing what is right in My sight.  There is no such thing as “your truth”, there is only Mine.  One of the reasons I have given society over to face the consequences of their sin is that they have exchanged My truth for a lie.  My word is truth so it is the only standard by which you must live if you want to please Me.  If you truly want to walk in a manner worthy of your calling, then you must be wholly devoted to My word.  It is impossible to walk with Me apart from it.