Category Archives: Our Daily Text

Insights from devotional times in the Sahara Desert, which may also serve as sermon ideas.

Three things to remember when we face opposition

what to do when we face oppositionNehemiah 6:1-2 (LITV)

And it happened, when it was heard by Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall, and that no break was left in it though at that time I had not set up doors on the gates, Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do evil to me.

When we are serving God, it is very normal for us to face opposition.

This happens because those who benefit from things remaining as they are will do anything to stop us from changing the way things are. (more…)

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Bethlehem retains its honor at Christmas!

Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem…

I’ve been repurposing the website to help visitors to Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island have a great vacation, with a purpose… However, Pastor Burt Lowry shared a very encouraging message this past Sunday at Ellsworth Assembly of God… And I wanted to share with you.

Pastor Lowry gave credit to the work of Kenneth E. Bailey for much of what He discovered about Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Christ. Throughout his life, Dr. Bailey studied Middle Eastern languages and culture, particularly as it relates to where Christ lived.

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Who will stand up for the weak?

take a stand

So often in our world, troubles and hard times remain where they are because no one is willing to stand against the ones who seek to take advantage of the weak, those who refuse to let the walls of protection be rebuilt.

Then one day, God provides a courageous Nehemiah to demand that the walls be rebuilt.

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard all this, they were very displeased that someone had come to seek benefit for the Israelites. (Nehemiah 2:10)

Nehemiah received the authority from the King of the Empire to stand up and refuse to keep things as they are.  The walls will be rebuilt.  The lives of the weak will no longer be trampled down by oppression.

Troubles can continue for years and years without resolution, because no one is willing to stand up and say what needs to be said. (more…)