Morning Prayer:

Father God, I greet you this  morning with love and thanksgiving. Thank you for every hour today that we have the opportunity to listen and obey. Walk with us today, as we walk close to you. Thank you for guarding our mouth gate, our ear gate and our eye gate. Please allow us to be a light to all we meet. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

The prayer said this morning will set the tone for our day today. The Holy Spirit may lead us to do something that our mind or ego may not like, but as followers of Christ we are His instruments. Just as Nehemiah told the people of Israel, in verses 10 of Nehemiah, not to be sad when they heard the Lord’s instruction on how to live holy, so should we not be sad when we read what the bible says on how we should live today. The Bible was not written and inspired to make us feel like we are missing out on life, it was meant to bring us long life and joy.

Nehemiah 8: 5-10

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. ⁶ Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

⁷ The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there.⁸ They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear  and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

⁹ Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

¹⁰ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of theLord is your strength.”

Please enjoy today’s worship video by VaShawn Mitchell entitled, “Joy.”