Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
Ezra 4:3-4
But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us. Ezr 4:4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
There will always be opposition in the world. That is what Israel found when they returned to the land after 70 years of captivity. You would think that after such a long period of time, they could expect a little compassion and sympathy from those surrounding them, but it does not always happen that way.
Jesus told his disciples that they would encounter problems in the world. He told them in John 15:19, If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. This is the reason for many of our problems in this world, because we are not of the world. Here is a test. Are you facing trials and problems in your daily life? If not, it is possible that you do not belong to the right team. Yes, I mean you might not belong to the Lord because the enemy usually attacks those who don’t belong to him.
The children of Israel were trying to do a work for the Lord in rebuilding the temple. Their enemies came to try to join in the work, yet they were not there to help but to hinder. This was the reason that the leaders turned them away. But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel.
Even with the rejection, their enemies did not stop. They continued to hinder the work of the Lord. Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building. We have to realize that there will be ongoing opposition when we try to serve the Lord; therefore, we must keep on in the battle and look to the Lord for the strength we need to overcome. John told us in 1 John 4:4, Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Yes, we have God’s help to overcome the enemy, so let’s take courage as we continue serving our Lord.
We can be encouraged because we know that we are doing something right when the world does not like us. Let’s draw our strength from the Lord by seeking His wisdom from His Word through the Holy Spirit who lives and abides in us. 1 Corinthians 15:58 should be our motto. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Bible Reading for the Year
July 23rd, Psalms 44-46; Acts 25
Prayer Needs
Linda Franks’ surgery had to be rescheduled because she has a sinus infection and is on medication for it.
Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. Please keep praying for complete healing. She had a biopsy on Tuesday and will soon begin a new treatment plan. She was able to go home from the hospital Wednesday afternoon.
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 began with 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