Day 223 Bible Reading: Nehemiah 1-2, 1 Corinthians 7:1-24, Psalm 31:19-24 and Proverb 21:4 
The Games of the XXXI Olympiad or commonly known as the 2016 Olympics hosted 10,500 athletes representing 206 nations. Do you get tears in your eyes or swelling in your chest when your home country wins a medal? How about when your national anthem plays, as your country's flag ascends the flag pole? Do you sense a national honour or pride? Nehemiah possessed a deep Jewish soul mindset for his native homeland- God's promised land - back in Jerusalem. Nehemiah felt strongly about God's people and the city. What a wonderful lesson for us to learn to become a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)." Is your heart set on heaven and the kingdom of God? Which nationality did you mention most with pride? Your earthly citizenship or nationality of the Kingdom of God?
"They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand." – Nehemiah 1:10 (English Standard Version)
"Heavenly Father, just as Nehemiah had an intense devotion and connection with his Jewish heritage, may you change my mindset, so that my mindset will operate my new identity as your chosen people. Amen."
