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EverydayWord

by Pastor Derrick J Dawkins

Christianity Religion

Season 6

“Remember, Repent, and Commit”

Nehemiah 9–10 shows what true spiritual renewal looks like after people have heard and understood the Word of God. In chapter 8, the people listened to Scripture. They understood it. They wept. They rejoiced. And they obeyed. Now in chapter 9, the Word leads them into deep confession. The people fast. They humble themselves. They separate themselves from sinful influence. They read Scripture. They confess their sins. And then they look back over their entire national history. They remember God’s faithfulness. They remember their ancestors’ rebellion. They remember God’s mercy. Again and again, Israel failed. Again and again, God showed compassion. Chapter 10 then moves from confession to commitment. The people make a covenant. They promise to obey God’s Word. They address marriage, Sabbath, debt, giving, worship, firstfruits, tithes, and support for the house of God. These chapters teach us that genuine revival does more than produce emotion. It remembers God’s faithfulness. It confesses sin honestly. And it makes concrete decisions about how life will change. Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word. Because as Scripture declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

“Guard the Work and Return to the Word”

Nehemiah 7–8 shows us what must happen after a major building project is completed. The wall is finished. But Nehemiah understands that a finished wall does not automatically create a faithful people. Chapter 7 focuses on order, leadership, security, identity, and responsibility. Nehemiah appoints trustworthy people. He organizes the city. He takes steps to protect Jerusalem. He reviews the genealogical record of those who had returned from exile. The wall was complete, but the community still needed structure. Then chapter 8 shifts the focus from the wall to the Word. The people gather together. Ezra brings out the Book of the Law. He reads it publicly. The people listen. The Levites explain the meaning. The people begin to weep as they understand how far they have fallen short. But they are also told: “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Then the people respond to Scripture by obeying what they learn. These chapters teach us that after God helps us build something, we must guard it, organize it, and bring everything back under the authority of His Word. Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word. Because as Scripture declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

“Build, Stand, and Finish”

Nehemiah 4–6 shows us what happens when God’s people begin making real progress. The wall is rising. The gaps are closing. Jerusalem is becoming stronger. And opposition becomes more intense. In chapter 4, the enemy uses ridicule, threats, intimidation, and fear. Nehemiah responds with prayer, preparation, watchfulness, and continued work. In chapter 5, a different problem appears. The greatest danger is no longer outside the wall. It is inside the community. Poor families are being financially exploited by wealthier Jews. Nehemiah confronts the injustice because a successful building project means little if people are being mistreated. Then chapter 6 brings another wave of attacks. Nehemiah is invited away from the work. False accusations are spread about him. A spiritual-sounding trap is designed to make him afraid and compromise his integrity. But Nehemiah refuses to come down. And after only fifty-two days— the wall is finished. These chapters teach us: Pray when opposition comes. Prepare wisely. Correct injustice inside the community. Refuse distractions. Protect your integrity. And stay at the assignment until the work is finished. Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word. Because as Scripture declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

“Rise Up and Build”

Nehemiah 2–3 moves us from burden and prayer to vision and action. In chapter 1, Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem’s walls were broken and its gates had been burned. He wept. He fasted. He prayed. But prayer was preparing him to act. In chapter 2, God gives Nehemiah an opportunity before King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah asks for permission to go to Jerusalem. He asks for letters of protection. He asks for building materials. Then he arrives in Jerusalem, quietly inspects the damage, gathers the leaders, explains what God has placed on his heart, and says: “Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem.” The people answer: “Let us rise up and build.” Chapter 3 then shows what happens when a vision becomes a shared assignment. Priests build. Government leaders build. Craftsmen build. Merchants build. Families build. Women help build. People repair sections near their own homes. Some repair more than one section. Not everyone does the same job. But everyone’s section contributes to the same wall. These chapters teach us that prayer should lead to preparation, vision should lead to action, leaders must inspect before they direct, opposition should not determine our obedience, and great work becomes possible when everyone faithfully builds their part. Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word. Because as Scripture declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

“Confess, Pray, and Prepare”

Ezra 10 and Nehemiah 1 bring together three essential parts of spiritual restoration: Confession. Prayer. Action. Ezra 10 continues the crisis discovered in Ezra 9. The returned exiles had again entered relationships that threatened their covenant faithfulness to God. Ezra had fallen before the Lord in grief. He had confessed the nation’s sin. Now chapter 10 asks the difficult question: What does repentance require us to do after we confess? The people acknowledge their sin. They gather in Jerusalem. The matter is investigated carefully. Corrective action is taken. The chapter teaches us that biblical repentance involves more than feeling sorry. When possible, repentance changes direction. Then we enter the book of Nehemiah. Jerusalem has a rebuilt Temple, but the city itself remains vulnerable. Nehemiah receives news that Jerusalem’s wall is broken and its gates have been burned. His first response is not a building plan. It is prayer. He sits down. He weeps. He fasts. He worships God. He confesses sin. He remembers God’s promises. And only then does he begin preparing to approach the king. Ezra 10 teaches us to deal seriously with sin. Nehemiah 1 teaches us to allow a burden to drive us toward God before it drives us toward action. Together they teach: Confess honestly. Repent practically. Pray deeply. And prepare faithfully for what God may call you to rebuild. Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word. Because as Scripture declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

“Seek God, Trust Him, and Confess Sin”

Ezra 7–9 introduces us personally to Ezra, the priest and scribe whose name is attached to this book. Ezra was not simply a religious leader. He was a man who had committed his heart to God’s Word. Scripture gives us the secret of his life: Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, to do it, and to teach it. That order matters. He sought God’s Word. He practiced God’s Word. Then he taught God’s Word. Chapter 7 shows God opening another door through King Artaxerxes. Chapter 8 shows Ezra preparing for the journey. Chapter 9 then brings a painful surprise. These chapters teach us to prepare our hearts before teaching others, trust God while acting responsibly, handle resources with integrity, refuse spiritual compromise, and confess sin honestly when God exposes it. Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word. Because as Scripture declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

“Start Again and Finish the Work”

Ezra 5–6 shows what happens when a work that had been stopped begins again. In Ezra 4, opposition had succeeded in bringing the Temple construction to a halt. The foundation existed. The people were back in the land. But the house of God remained unfinished. Then God sent His Word through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Their preaching awakened the people. Zerubbabel and Jeshua began rebuilding again. Immediately, government officials questioned the work. But this time the people did not simply quit. They kept building while the matter was investigated. A letter was sent to King Darius. The Persian records were searched. And something remarkable happened: The original decree of Cyrus was found. The very government authority that could have stopped the project instead ordered that the work continue. More than that— the government was commanded to help pay for it. Then the Temple was completed. It was dedicated. Sacrifices were offered. The priests and Levites were organized. Passover was celebrated. And the people rejoiced because the Lord had turned the heart of the king toward them. These chapters teach us that a delayed assignment can begin again, God’s Word can restore courage, opposition should be answered with truth and integrity, God can use authority to protect His purposes, and what God calls us to rebuild should not remain permanently unfinished. Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word. Because as Scripture declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

“Worship, Build, and Stand Firm”

Ezra 3–4 shows us what happens when God’s people finally arrive home and begin rebuilding. Chapter 3 begins with worship. Before the Temple walls rise— the altar is rebuilt. Before the building is finished— sacrifice begins. Before everything looks restored— the people gather before God. Then the foundation of the Temple is laid. Some people shout for joy. Others weep because they remember the glory of Solomon’s Temple. The same moment produces both celebration and sorrow. Chapter 4 shows what often happens next: opposition. The rebuilding begins, and adversaries appear. Some first offer to “help.” When their offer is rejected, they discourage the workers. They trouble them. They hire counselors against them. They make accusations. They write letters to political authorities. Eventually, the work is forced to stop for a season. These chapters teach us that restoration must begin with worship, rebuilding takes patience, different generations may respond differently to change, not every offer of help is spiritually healthy, and opposition does not necessarily mean we are outside God’s will. Sometimes opposition comes precisely because rebuilding has begun. Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word. Because as Scripture declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

“Return, Rebuild, and Remember”

Ezra 1–2 begins a new chapter in Israel’s history. Second Chronicles ended with Jerusalem destroyed, the Temple burned, and the people living in captivity in Babylon. But God had not forgotten them. The seventy years of judgment prophesied by Jeremiah were reaching their appointed conclusion. Then God did something nobody in exile could have arranged for themselves: He moved the heart of a king. Ezra 1–2 teaches us: God keeps His promises. God can move powerful people. God calls His people to respond. Restoration requires sacrifice. And rebuilding begins when ordinary people are willing to leave comfort behind and obey God. Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word. Because as Scripture declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

“Return to the Word and Finish Faithfully”

Second Chronicles 34–36 brings the book of Chronicles to a powerful and sobering conclusion. Chapter 34 introduces Josiah, one of Judah’s greatest reforming kings. He begins seeking God while still young. He tears down idols. He repairs the Temple. Then something remarkable happens: The Book of the Law is found. When Josiah hears God’s Word, he tears his clothes in grief because he realizes how far Judah has wandered from the Lord. He humbles himself, seeks further understanding, gathers the people, reads God’s Word publicly, and renews the covenant. Chapter 35 records Josiah’s great Passover celebration. Worship is restored according to Scripture. But the chapter ends tragically. Josiah enters a battle God had not assigned to him. He refuses a warning and is mortally wounded. A godly king who had done so much right still made one disastrous decision. Chapter 36 then records Judah’s final decline. King after king does evil. The priests and people become increasingly corrupt. God repeatedly sends messengers because He has compassion on His people. But the people mock His messengers, reject His prophets, and despise His Word. Eventually, Jerusalem falls. The Temple is burned. The people are carried into Babylon. Yet Chronicles does not end with destruction. After seventy years, God moves the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to allow the people to return and rebuild the Temple. Judgment is real. But God’s covenant purposes are not finished. These chapters teach us to seek God while we are young, return continually to His Word, respond humbly to correction, worship according to truth, avoid unnecessary battles, listen while God is still warning us, and never forget that God remains faithful even after seasons of devastating failure. Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word. Because as Scripture declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

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