YES! Genealogies!! Who needs stories when you can just cozy up with a good list of who begat whom, am I right? I bet you love them just a little bit too. I mean, who hasn’t gotten the chills from the genealogy at the end of Ruth, when you realize she fits right into the line of Judah and became the great grandmother of King David? That list prompts the realization that God had a plan for our sweet Ruth all along. Genealogies show us God’s sovereign plan for our salvation and His intimate love for individual people.
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he needed to do more than stack bricks and hang gates; he needed to rebuild a people. These people were born into exile. They had never actually seen Jerusalem. They’d only heard stories about it. All they knew was life without a home, without traditions, and without community. They had nothing. So as Nehemiah began to rebuild Jerusalem, he also had to learn how to rebuild the community. And each one of those people mattered.
This genealogy in Nehemiah chapter 7 is a list of the Israelites released by Cyrus from exile in 538 BC that Nehemiah recounted in making a new census when he came back to the city. It’s a wonderfully meticulous list that even includes the number of mules that moved back to the city (there were 245). More importantly, it tells us a lot about who these people were and how much people matter to God. In verse 7, twelve leaders are listed, and those twelve were representatives of the twelve tribes—showing us that they weren’t just a part of the covenant but were once again whole and entitled to the full blessings of God’s covenant promises.
Each family’s descendants were also counted. Some families were massive (Senaah had 3,930 descendants!), and some families’ reunions were more modest (Beth Azmaveth had only 42). Regardless of how large or small, they were counted by family and not all heaped together because individuals and their lineage matters to God.
Priests, Levites, musicians, and gatekeepers were also counted, indicating that our callings matter to God. Temple servants were listed using their foreign names because they were not Hebrew-born, having joined with Israel through conversion to their God. Because God redeems the lives of His servants (Psalm 34:22), He makes them equal inheritors of the covenant with those who could trace their lineage all the way back to Abraham.
And finally, there were some who searched the records but were unable to discover their heritage because their families had been so torn apart by the exile. These, too, were listed, and their value was not diminished. Children born into captivity were valued just the same, regardless of their parentage.
From there, the people settled back into their towns and began to knit their lives together. That’s as close as we get to “happily every after” in the book of Nehemiah. But in reading this book, we see that God’s eye was always on His people, restoring not just a broken city but a broken people as well. He cares about each one of us, our families, our homes, and our lives. And if we are in Christ, we are co-inheritors of His covenant blessings just as much as any son of Abraham.
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113 thoughts on "The Exiles Returned"
Reading this is reminder that God cares for everyone no matter your background;we can all be Gods children if we just believe and accept his great love.
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Amen
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God cares for His ppl. Always trying to restore us to His Covenant and blessings. It is our inheritance as believers
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Genealogies show us God’s sovereign plan for our salvation and his intimate love for individual people.
The genealogy list reminds me that our name is important to God. He knows each one of us, and my name isn’t in the Bible, however I want my name in the heavenly Book of Life. Praise God that we all matter to God.
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I love studying out these genealogies. If you do a chain reference study of the names; you will see a story ( or many stories)start to emerge. It explains alot of the story.
PEOPLE matter to God.
I love Psalm 34:22- “But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him, will be condemned.”
We may not be physically from the line of Abraham that we have been grafted in as it says in His Word. The Lord has redeemed us!
Amen! ❤
Since the beginning of Nehemiah, there are so many lessons to learn and apply. I think the biggest for me is that he didn’t focus on how big and impossible the task of rebuilding his beloved city was – but instead focused on how big his God was. Trials came, opposition came, but he knew he was called of God for this job and he let none of that stand in his way.
We serve that same God – the God of the impossible – who makes all things possible! It will do me well to follow the example of Nehemiah and keep my eyes fixed on the God who can move mountains and stop the mouths of lions!!
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I’m glad Rebecca pointed out the importance of naming names in a genealogy, it can be very tempting to skim over it all, but in doing so we skip over lives that God felt they were important enough to mention & have written in His word.
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Thank you all for your prayers! The driving for Jeff has gotten much easier & far less scary – I attribute it to all the prayers being prayed for us.
And tomorrow I get to meet my friend of many years for the first time!
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Blessings to you all my sweet she’s! ❤️
Ahh, Sharon, I hope you have the best of days as you meet your friend!!!
Much love, Tina..♥️
Blessings on your first in-person visit with your friend! What a sweet treat! ❤
Recently I have been compelled to explore the holy land. I found myself watching many tours, archeology, documentary about Jerusalem and Israel. It is a very small country. The city of David was so small compared to the White House in the US, or the House of Parliament in Canada. The king’s garden in the city of David was a small area. I was thinking to myself, what a humble situation. The guide (a pastor) in the youtube video was walking around showing where the old wall boundaries were. The city seen now is what was built on top of the old city. Excavation underneath found various items that got my attention, mosaic floors, ritual baths near the Temple, gold coins some inscribed For the freedom of Zion, oil lamps, gold bells from priet’s garment the tassel part, pottery shards, etc. And I got so emotional seeing these things. It’s not fiction. This is evidence of a nation that lived through hardship. There was a layer of the foundation that was burned and black during the Roman time. Jewish people hid in underground tunnels, and pottery pots were found where they kept food to survive. God loves His people, a small nation oppressed through exiles, but they still gathered what’s left to come and rebuild. Their houses are so small compared to western standards. But yet, their enemy is always next to their side. The two state solution from the UN has revealed (by the way, through this you know which nations bless and which nations curse Israel). The sheep and the goat nations are separated. “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left” (Matthew 25:32). Pay attention and you will see. Are you left or are you right? The Bible shows which side to stand on. Let those who have ears hear. Don’t get caught up in the division and distraction of social media. Wake up. When they say “peace and safety”, it is not so. Two state solution, it all sounds so cool, peace and co-existence, what’s not to like? Watch and pray. Unless you dig deeper into these things, you won’t see the fabricated lies. The spirit of prophecy has called it, “when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape”. Please pray for Israel. It’s all hush hush about them. Yesterday I sat and checked the list of countries who voted for and who voted against. Only a minority voted for. What a narrow road. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Jesus said, watch the fig tree (Israel), when the leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap (Luke 21: 29-36). Be careful. God says, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you”, He is not joking. He will carry it out. Blessed are the nations that stand with Israel. Bless the USA. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May those who love Israel prosper. Let those who have ears let them hear what the Spirit is saying. Be blessed dear God’s people.
I love watching those documentaries also. It really adds to the whole picture.
Israel will always belong to the Lord. I mentioned the replacement theory that is gaining traction. And the hate for Israel is being driven by false narratives. I have a license plate supporting Israel and never thought when I bought it after the attack upon them that the script would get flipped! I would really heed Christians to pay attention and know the signs. And stay in the word, and write it on your heart. We might have a great revival now but then Jesus comes for his bride. That is what the bride is to do, keep watch, with their lamp full of oil and prepared!
What beautiful and true words. Our God is so Awesome!
Beautiful post, Mercy! Great Scripture reminders! ❤
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I’ve been trying to read today’s study, but I have vertigo. Not feeling well. Hopefully later today.
Praying Traci.
So sorry to hear Traci, that’s an awful feeling. It happened to me a few weeks ago & I ended up in the ER. Praying it passes quickly!
Ahh, Traci..praying the spinning subsides sooooon. I’m so very sorry for your troubles… holding you close dear friend…much love..♥️
Sorry Traci! I had that only for about 1 minute here recently. It feels crazy. I hope it went away, and stays away!
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The song Same God has been the anthem of my summer it seems. He is the same God to us as He was to all of these people listed. It’s so cool to think of, hard for me to wrap my mind around at times. Over the last months I’ll just hear Him whisper I am that same God. He is the same God and we are the same people, facing the same old things… SIN. Thank you Jesus that you have revealed yourself to me, that my name is written in the lambs book of life. That you came and that you died and that you rose for our sin problem. Lord I pray for those walking around unaware of your goodness, unaware of who you are and what you want to be for them. I can’t imagine enduring this life without you Jesus. Cannot imagine. What a dark and heavy life that would be. Open their eyes to your peace and your love and your kindness. One day there really will be peace in our land …. There will be a new heaven and a new earth full of your glory. No more sin, no more evil, no more pain. I get so tired of it here and I long and ache for that day!
Yes, Amen!
That is a favorite of mine too, and I just played it for us at jail not 30 minutes ago! Our lesson was “Hearing from God.” And I said he is the Same God that talked to his people in the Old Testament, and the New Testament, and still talks to us today!!
I get tired too of the blatant sin that is no longer hidden but is everywhere and even glorified. It’s heartbreaking. But I swear this has to be the birthing pains! It can’t get much worse. He has told us what to watch for.
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He knows us and notices us. He takes record of our lives. He is with us wherever we go. And He is in charge of the people and church members He puts around us. The Lord is sovereign over our movements and our relationships. And that is a comfort.
Yes! Thank you Jesus!
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This has helped me understand the reason for the OT genealogies and now I know better than to skim through them! I understand the purpose and see these differently now.
Those genealogical are fascinating
Wow! What a beautiful revelation of God’s great care for His people! The wall, a physical reminder of the rebuilding of His people, aka, us. An Ebenezer stone for me. A reminder of how God rescued me and made me new!
As I read the list, I thought of my own family, our family of six, growing up on the farm. We had a Godly heritage in our parents. We were brought up in the Lord. We all went our separate ways and raised families of our own, passing on that Godly heritage. We continued to stay in contact after our parents passed. Today, I am the last of those six. My heart is so heavy as my last brother passed away on Saturday and his memorial is tomorrow. I am a blubbery mess as I cannot attend. My family and therapist think it is too soon after my back surgery to travel 14 hours. I have not traveled one hour since surgery, let alone 14. Flying is out as I would not last in the uncomfortable seats. My heart is breaking. He always called me his favorite sister. I said it was because he had no choice, I was his only sister. Rest in peace my brother, I love you!!❤️
Oh Elaine. This breaks my heart for you. I am so sorry, praying that you feel the comfort of our Father and that you can find peace in all of the memories that you guys have shared. He is close to the brokenhearted. I have found after losing my dad that the veil is so so thin. Your people are not far from you, and the Comforter is so near your broken heart. Also, I too am from Indiana.
Oh, Elaine.. this breaks my heart.. I am so sorry.
Praying your heart soon knows peace and that you feel the love of God envelope you in a way that only God can..
Praying also for the day of the funeral, that as the service is on you hold close the .memories and the love you shared with your brother.. he will be close..
Hopeful you are healing well after surgery ..
God bless you Elaine. ♥️
I’m so, so sorry Elaine.
I hope your back is better and less pain overall.
I am so sorry Elaine. My sincere condolences. May his memories and his precious thoughts for you, his favorite sister, live on. ❤️
I am so sorry for your loss Elaine and that you can’t be at your brother’s service, how heart breaking that must be for you. Although, I’m sure he would understand, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Prayers of peace and comfort as you mourn for him from afar. ❤️❤️
Praying for you.
I know it’s not the same, but could the service be live-streamed for you?
Elaine, my heart goes out to you in the loss of your precious brother and not being able to attend his service. I had to miss my dear sister’s funeral due to my husband’s health issues at the time. It is so hard and it denies us the opportunity to share the load of grief as well as helping to lighten the load for others. May you feel the peace of e the Comforter during this time. Hugs! ❤
Elaine, I’m so very sorry for your loss and the deep heartache you are carrying. May the Lord’s comfort be near❤️
Hooray for Rebeca Faires commentary on lineage lists! It brought so much clarification to what could be a dry recitation. Also appreciated the deep dive of KAREN SWANSON. So many hidden gems! So wonderful to know we are seen by our creator!
Lord, thank You for knowing my name and caring about my family and my home. Help me to let You rebuild not just the outside parts of my life, but the inside too. Restore me and use me to strengthen those around me, just as You did with the people of Jerusalem.
Praying along with you. ❤️
It is amazing all the precise records and genealogy we are reading in this chapter of Nehemiah all these years later! We live on the same land my husband’s family has since 1868, it is amazing to think of all the faithful generations before us, and connect with what those exiles were feeling returning to the land of their ancestors, walking that same ground!
Wow..that’s quite amazing!!
Like Kelly, this reading brought our country’s (USA) spiritual needs front and center. Father, your children need Your guidance in facing the obstacles that are meant to smother our faith/our voices. Please ‘strengthen our hands” and our hearts!
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Like SEARCHING, I thought immediately of the book of life and how sad (beyond description) it would be not to see your name written there!
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These people were born into exile. I thought, yep, so were we! Praise God He knows our names, our people, where we came from, and where we are headed!
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Apologies in advance for the length of quotes from Warren Wiersbe (study Bible) but there is so much good stuff there:
7:1-3
We need guards at the gates, faithful men and women who will not allow false Christians to get in and take over the ministry (2 Cor. 11:13–15). We need watchers on the walls to warn us when the enemy is approaching. Christian parents need to guard their homes lest the enemy gets in and captures their children. The enemy enters and plants his counterfeits while God’s servants are asleep and overconfident (Matt. 13:25), so we must be awake and alert.
Wiersbe said of those names listed “these people were God’s bridge from the defeats of the past to the hopes of the future. These Jews were the living link that connected the historic past with the prophetic future, making possible Jesus’ entrance into the world.”
Back to Wiersbe:
One of the key lessons we can learn from chapter 7 is that people are important to God. …
Today, God is still calling people to leave their personal “Babylons” and follow Him by faith. The church is living in a day of “disgrace” (2:17), and we have “ruins” all around us that need to be rebuilt. “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” David asked (Ps. 11:3). The answer is plain: the righteous can rebuild what has been torn down and start over again! If you think that an enemy victory is final, then you have lost your faith in God’s promises. Those who are willing to pay the price will always have a new beginning.
This chapter also reminds us that God keeps accounts of His servants. He knows where we came from, what family we belong to, how much we gave, and how much we did for Him. When we stand before the Lord, we will have to give an accounting of our lives before we can receive our rewards (Rom. 14:7–12), and we want to be able to give a good account.
A third lesson we must learn is that the Lord is able to keep His work going. The first group of Jewish exiles left Babylon for Judea in 538 B.C. and, in spite of many difficulties and delays, they rebuilt the temple and restored the worship. Eighty years later, Ezra and another group returned, and fourteen years after that, Nehemiah arrived and rebuilt the walls and gates. During the days of Zerubbabel, God raised up the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to give God’s message to His people. No matter how discouraging the situation might be, God is able to accomplish His purposes if we will trust Him and do His will. We must not be discouraged!
Finally, and most important, we must all be sure that we know we are in the family of God. No matter how much they argued or protested, the priests without legitimate genealogies could not enter the temple precincts and minister at the altar. God is not impressed with our first birth; He wants us to experience a second birth and become His children. If you are not certain of your spiritual genealogy, read John 3:1–18 and 1 John 5:9–13, and make sure that your name is written down in heaven (Luke 10:20).
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Love, hugs,and prayers! ❤
Wowzer..SO good Cee Gee, thanks for sharing. Wiersbe is a favorite, so wise and good with commentary to relate to us! My mom used to say always that we MUST pay attention to what is happening!! This is 30 years ago. She WAS paying attention of how her kids were getting slowly attuned to things of the world, God being pushed aside, and popularizing it more and more. Now I see it so clearly, but it took being in my Bible daily. (for years..!) We have to be diligent. Alert. My son got hijacked now. He sees evil as okay (if not good) (to each their own as long as it’s not hurting me) We don’t like to call things sin and evil. But the things of this world are indeed the devil’s and apart from God. Although we want people to have their truth, there is only God’s truth we must live by. And we share that because we love them. My mom loved me enough to tell me and I thank her for it.
Thanks, Rhonda! Sorry to hear that about your son and pray he will wake up soon to the real truth! Your mom must have been one very special lady! Her legacy is alive in you now! ❤
“No matter how discouraging the situation might be, God is able to accomplish His purposes”- goose bumps. You can post two pages of notes and I will sit and read. It’s so good! Please don’t feel bad for taking up the real estate here :D
Ditto for your posts, Mercy! Thank you! ❤
Good stuff, Cee Gee!
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Meant to say “thank you, Kristy! I am blessed by your shares! ❤
I will admit it is difficult for me to read through genealogies, but it definitely sheds light on God’s deep and PERSONAL love for each of His children.
This story I heard in church years ago always sticks with me. During a missions trip, the team had brought bibles translated into a language for the people group who had never been exposed to the Bible before. There were many new believers created that trip, and when one man was asked what part of the Bible stuck out to him and led him to give his heart to Jesus- he said it was the genealogies. He explained that any God who cares so much about each of his children to list them by name like that, is a loving God that he wants to know. I will never forget that story everytime I read genealogies.
Wow! Thank you for sharing. How amazing is that and how true! So cool!
Praise Yahuah! Our house follows the Sons of Zadok calendar. Today we celebrate Feast of Trumpets. Blessings to you all!
He cares about individuals and their families! How beautiful that the God who created me also created generations before me who loved Him and sought after Him. One of my most precious memories is from my best friend’s wedding when her Father sang Kari Jobe’s “The Blessing” to her & her new husband! What a tender moment hearing him sing,
“May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children”! I don’t know if I’ll get married and have children, but that song is a reminder of God’s faithfulness through it all!
Whether you have biological children or not, God calls us to build his kingdom on earth. We can have many spiritual descendants. I have 5 children, and while I long to be a grandmother, there are no guarantees. But I am investing my life in one of our church’s mission partnerships in Guatemala, so I tell people that I already have at least one hundred Guatemalan grandchildren. I can’t remember all of their names, but I intend to visit them as long as I am able and support them for the rest of my life and beyond.
Beautiful comments and insights. Whenever I read genealogies, it reminds me that God sees each one of us. He is rebuilding and restoring in our lives as well as using us to build, rebuild, restore and serve wherever we are.
God lives us so much! Praying for all!
Where we come from is important, how history, our people really matter and are a part of what sets us on the path of where we are today. What a sense of comfort and belonging they must have felt to finally have a “place” and then have their names written down. It reminds me that the Lord knows our names. When we are His, when we choose to walk with Him, our names are recorded in the Book of Life and Megan C mentioned the other thing that comes to mind that his eye is on the sparrow. Both of these thoughts are such a great comfort to me in knowing we belong to Him. We are His. He knows our names. Thank you Lord ❤️
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I appreciated the devotional that shined good light (I don’t know if I would call it “riveting” such as Searching did (laughing emoji!) on the scripture today. I tend to skip through lists often, but when it’s our names and family of course it would be different. Back in my younger years we didn’t care so much of family line and generations (we were too self-absorbed), and then it was made popular with the genealogy kits and shows a couple of decades ago. If I asked my parents about their grandparents they never knew anything about them, strangely not knowing where they were from or anything. Luckily my sister met with some family members to record some memories and stories. My husband has cassette tapes that his father recorded his memories from going to WW2 at just 19 years old. (unfortunately I have yet to listen, in need of a cassette tape player and time/prioritizing) But what a blessing to hear about your lineage. I always encourage people to journal so they are leaving a wonderful treasure to their families in the future. I guess many will just send them to their FB pages, lol.
When we accept Jesus we are joined into God’s family. Israel will always be the apple of his eye. Replacement theology is trying to rewrite and is gaining traction, but do not be fooled, Jesus will come back to the land of Israel to reign and rule. Our name must be written in the book of life to see our heavenly home prepared for us! I want to take as many people with me as possible. God wants us to be part of the process…Jesus tells his disciples, follow and obey me, and go into the world and tell everyone about me!! What an opportunity and joy, and PRIVILEGE. We can even do this by praying for people!Nothing is more amazing then ministering to lost people and seeing the transformation happen in the forthcoming months after. We see darkness turn to light! Fear and anxiety turn to peace, and ashes to beauty. A heaviness is lifted. Thank Jesus, for dying on that cross, so that any and all can come into your family. We love you Lord. Keep sanctifying us, we can never quit learning your word. You want us in community and family to sharpen one another. We are thankful for SRT and the studies that apply today as they did then and throughout time! There is nothing new under the sun, and we are not only seeing it, evil called good and good evil. Birthing pains are here, we are ready for you Jesus, with our lamps burning!! I am waiting for you, my bridegroom!Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your acceptance. Thank you for transformation and restoration! You are Lord of lords, and King of kings! Destroyer of the evil one. Hallelujah!!
Amen!
So beautiful ❤️
Come, Jesus, come! Please!
Another great word, sister! ❤
Thank you, Rebecca Faires, for your devotion this morning. You helped me see what was hidden in an otherwise difficult chapter to read, let alone pronounce.
Jane K I couldn’t agree more!
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Here I go again. Digging deep to figure out the why. Did anyone else notice that at one point the word descendant is used? And then it switches to men. And then it switches to people. Too long to explain, but there’s a great commenrary description about the why of those three words. There’s a reason (as the Bible always does) that those three different words have been chosen. Key takeaway however …..a descendant = children of a specific ancestor which tracks families and Men = the total male population within those descendants (so each individual male). If you want to go deeper, great commentary about why they separated out… in verse 57…. the descendants of Solomon’s servants. Fascinating stuff.
Thank you for sharing this insight:)
His eye is on the sparrow, and He watches over me.
God sees all and knows all. And He cares for all. He wants to restore us to unity.
Lord, bring us all to a place of unified community. This world is broken, but you Lord can bring holy restoration and life changing peace. Amen.
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L’Shana Tovah,everyone. Tuesday night sundown and Wednesday morning the shofar was blown and the year 5876 was declared. This is the new year on G-d’ s calendar. You may know this holiday as Rosh Hashana.
We have now entered in the 10 Days of Awe that is the 10 days of mending broken relationships with our fellow man and woman before that great Day of Atonement.
Mending and rebuilding has been our theme.Before Jews can go before G-d in 10 days we have to mend our fences with our fellow man.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:6.
May all of your names be inscribed in the Book of Life!
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Happy Rosh Hashana sister. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and shine His face upon you, now and always.
As I was reading through this riveting and comprehensive genealogical list, I thought of my limited knowledge of my family history – much of it lost to me through lack of official records and fading memories. Can you imagine being able to trace your ancestors from now back to one of these families we read about today – and seeing your family name in God’s word? It would be the coolest thing but a total zero to compared to seeing our names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I have been praying to the point of sobbing this morning in thankfulness for my name being there and praying for friends and families whose names aren’t (that I know of). Lord, may they come to know You.
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Couple songs on repeat this morning,
a century+ old hymn, A New Name In Glory, written by C. Austin Miles (1910)
Gaither version is good
3rd verse –
In the Book ’tis written, “Saved by grace.”
Oh, the joy that came to my soul!
Now I am forgiven, and I know
By the blood I am made whole.
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And There’s A New Name Written Down In Glory –
Charity Gayle’s live version ❤️
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EBONY BULLOCK ❤️❤️
GRAMSIESUE ❤️ building something new, amen! Good to see you, sister.
ADRIENNE ❤️ praying for your mother’s healing and that any side issues are resolved quickly
GRAMMIE D ❤️ praying about the upcoming court date, and for total victory in this longtime battle
MERCY ❤️ not every invitation is an opportunity, some are traps. Unless we push more than the evil one, we can’t overcome. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
TRACI GENDRON ❤️
KRISTY ❤️ don’t water down the truth
HANNELORA WALD ❤️ praying for the needed strength
CHERYL BLOW ❤️
TRICIA C ❤️
VICTORIA E ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️
ASHLEIGH H ❤️ praying for healing in these physical and financial struggles, sister
KELLY (NEO) ❤️
Hi Searching! It’s really good to see your comments! I’m trying to log on earlier and come back again later ! Praying for you dear sister !
Funny you said that because yeah, I noticed you have been early! You used to always be the first comment I would see when I would go back and check the previous day!
Praying over these requests!
Thank you so much.
Thank you for your prayers! ❤️
Thank you, Searching, for your prayers! ❤️
Searching, I have been talking to my family a lot lately about how thankful I am that God revealed himself to me and them. What a gift to walk this life with Him.. It has brought me to tears many times lately. Why me? And why not others. I do not know but I am so so grateful. My heart breaks for people trying to endure this life without Him. Open their eyes, Jesus!
Amen. ❤️
Great reflection and song! ❤
Amen
We have a programme here in England called ‘Who do you think you are?’ Celebrities get to find out (if they didn’t know already) who or where they csme from, their history, their family journey, their lineage!
It’s fascinating! Going back a couple, maybe more generations to find out your great, great was actually a convicted felon, or that they left home and made a new home elsewhere, leaving family wondering and never knowing what became of them..
One celebrity went back to find his great great was a seaman, who landed on African soil, fell in love and married a local lass. They had 3 children, he fell ill and returned to England with the promise of returning.. he never did!
Amazingly though, through this search, the celebrity found a distant cousin, who had been entrusted with an envelope (this had been passed down with each passing member of the family), hopeful that the African side would come looking..the contents of this envelope a letter from his great great to the family he left behind, explaining why he never returned but that he had never forgotten them … goosebumps!!@
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Sorry, back to the list of nearly 50,000 people, who had roamed all walks of life, now returning from exile displacement…
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To find or return to stand on that soil of home, where you belong, oh man,that is huge. HUGE.
To be able to set foot on those soils that have only ever been stories or ‘one day’ dreams..HUGE!
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I wonder if there is much difference in the journey back to the Father?
Is it a grander scale journey? Returning to the Father God who has never given up the hope that you will return to Him.. to the home soil of His embrace, of His love, ALL costs paid by His Son, Jesus Christ. I imagine, His (Gods)letter of love, The Bible, would, could and should be our accountability ‘tally’ censor, whatever we might call it, for sure, it is, no matter the journey, however long we are in ‘exile’, our way back to him, our way back to the place of peace, hope, love, our way back home!
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BUT GOD..
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AMEN.
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Merry Wednesday my dears, wrapped in happy love, covered in a prayer of grace and hope over each of you..
Much love..
Tina..♥️♥️♥️
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Tina, we also have that program here. I have found that we tend to get some of our programming ideas from your country. Have a blessed Wednesday.
Love this!
Anen
Amen❤️
“God’s eye was always on His people, restoring not just a broken city but a broken people as well.”
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Lord, hear our cries to restore Your church in the USA. We are a broken people calling evil good and good evil. Spirit stir our hearts, MY heart, to true repentance so that we can move forward in unity (not conformity) and love.
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GRAMSIESUE – beautiful observation yesterday.
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ASHLEIGH H – praying the Lord strengthens you trough the trials and brings healing quickly.
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ADRIENNE – praying for Connie’s quick and complete healing.
Amen, sister. “We are a broken people calling evil good and good evil.”
Thanks much.
Amen! There’s a line from the song “Fruit Takes Time” by SEU Worship which says “Asked Him to heal His church, And He put my face to a mirror.” Phew! That convicted me!
Yes! I echo your prayer!
Amen to that prayer Kelly!
Amen❤️
Amen
Wow.. that’s a lot of people and animals and money!
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I will not think of “Let us go into the house of the LORD” the same way again. The wonder and awe and amazement that musta been felt.
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Mind blown emoji.
Praying for your mom. I am so sorry to hear, hope she is holding on strong.
Thank you, Mercy.