Genesis 1:1–2:17 ; Psalm 1 ; Matthew 1 "Genesis 1," © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Oil on Canvas Happy New Year ! Today we come to 2026 – a new year – and I want to wish you and your loved ones a whole year filled with new beginnings and God’s special blessings. Like last year, we begin this new year with the books of Genesis, Psalms, and Matthew. Genesis is actually God’s first book of revelation in which God discloses His truth about the beginning of everything .

Nehemiah 11:22-13:31 ; Psalm 150 ; Proverbs 31:21-31 ; Revelation 21-22 "Self-Portrait, IV" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink & Watercolor on Paper Our readings for the year now conclude with Nehemiah 11:22–13:31. Here, we see a list of the rest of the towns in the land and the exiles who settled there. Yesterday, we stated that God is personally concerned about people who make promises , and He does not take that lightly – He holds us accountable for what we say (cf

Nehemiah 9:38-11:21 ; Psalm 149 ; Revelation 20 "Basket of Flowers" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Yesterday, in Nehemiah 9, we encountered the predicament of the people of Israel – that they confessed their enslavement because of their sin which caused them great distress (verses 36-37). Today, in Nehemiah 9:38–11:21, we see the promise they make to the Lord, and subsequently, a long list of the participants who made that promise. They agr

Nehemiah 9:1-37 ; Psalm 148:7-14 ; Revelation 19:11-21 "Arkansas Farm Scene" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Colored Pencil on Paper In Nehemiah 9:1-37, we see the “gathering together” of the exiles, both Israelites and foreigners, to “praise the LORD” and to “confess their sins” (verses 1-5) – for “two quarters of a day” (verse 3). Shebaniah and Pethahiah, two Levites, called upon the people “to stand,” while they prayed one of the most incredible prayers recorded in Sc

Nehemiah 7:4-8:18 ; Psalm 148:1-6 ; Revelation 18:17-19:10 "Portrait of Eric" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Colored Chalk on Paper In Nehemiah 7:4-73–8:18, we find that Nehemiah has completed the wall of Jerusalem, set the doors in place, and appointed the gatekeepers (cf., Nehemiah 7:1). Now he calls for an assembly to register the exiles by families. Chapter 7 contains a list of those who returned from captivity. In chapter 8, we read of another assembly for people

Nehemiah 5:1-7:3 ; Proverbs 31:10-20 ; Revelation 18:1-17 "My Gloves & My Scarf" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Today we read Nehemiah 5:1–7:3, where we saw that some of the poorest Jewish exiles had to mortgage their fields, subject their sons and daughters to slavery, and pay interest on loans – just to provide food for their family members. Nehemiah became angry about this and warned his countrymen that they were exacting usury, which was a vio

Nehemiah 3-4 ; Psalm 147:12-20 ; Revelation 17 "Still Life With Salt & Pepper" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pen & Ink on Paper Today in Nehemiah 3-4, we see Nehemiah’s journal of the reconstruction process of the wall at Jerusalem. As he goes around from gate to gate to inspect and evaluate the progress, Nehemiah identifies those who participated with him in each section of repairs and wall-building. Most of the participants were not professional masons – they includ