Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
Ezra 2:1
Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, everyone unto his city;
Finally, after seventy years in captivity, the news has come that you are free to return to your home from where you and your family were taken. We can imagine the joy of their hearts and their excitement in returning home. I know that when we are away from home for even a few days, we are ready to get back to the familiar and comfortable surroundings of “home.”
Those Israelites were just as excited even though for them it had been several years, and in many cases, even years before they had been born. But the hope of home had been placed in their hearts by the stories and reports from their fathers of what it had been like. There were the memories of a time when Israel had been great. The fields abounded in crops; the vineyards had plenty of grapes for the juice they enjoyed. The rivers ran with an abundance of fish, and there was a plentiful supply of waterfowl. The herds provided all that was needed for milk, cheese, and meat. What more could a young person look forward to as they remembered the stories of their fathers? Yes, there was much excitement at the thought of going home.
Besides all that, they were returning to their place of worship. They were going to be able to rebuild their temple. Once again there would be order in their lives as they would be able to call on God and have fellowship with Him. The king had returned all the vessels of the old temple to use in the new temple. Ezra 1:11, All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
Going home would be exciting! But what about us today? Are we content where we are? You say, “Of course, we are in our home.” But for the Christian, we are not home yet. Paul in Philippians 3:20 stated, For our conversation (manner of life) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not home yet! There’s an old song that says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.” How wonderful that we have a future home in heaven where we will be able to have perfect fellowship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Are you ready to go “Home?”
Bible Reading for the Year
July 21st, Psalms 38-40; Acts 23:12-35
Prayer Needs
Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. Please keep praying for complete healing. She will be getting a biopsy early Tuesday morning.
Please pray for Linda Franks who will have thoracic surgery on Thursday, July 23rd.
Please continue to pray for Dr. Joe Jordan. He is doing physical therapy but still has a long way to go. Pray for him to get stronger! He had an appointment with his hematologist on the 14th, and he will have to take the first of 5 shots to improve his red blood cell count on Tuesday the 21st.
Please pray for Lance and Erin Pippin. They left last Saturday morning for a mission’s trip to Mexico with YUGO ministries and arrived safely. They will be giving away clothes, food, and helping build houses. They return this coming Saturday. Pray for their safety and God’s blessing on their ministry.
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. Friday the 17th, she saw her cancer doctor for the results of her bone marrow biopsy. Praise the Lord!! No bone cancer! She continues her chemo treatments this week.
Please continue to pray for Kenny Deans. He had an appointment on Tuesday, July 14th, with his kidney doctor. He had a scan of his kidneys; the doctor doesn’t have the scan results yet.
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is facing some difficult challenges.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. He seems some better, and the pain has decreased some.
Please pray for Carolyn Tyson’s sister, Shirley Deal. She now has an infection and is under hospital care.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia