Nehemiah: Building With One Hand and a Weapon in the Other

In Nehemiah 3 we learned that the work of the Lord is not solo work. The vision God has given us is not ours alone. It will take the help of like minded people to get the "good work" done. Our diligence today can have everlasting effects tomorrow. 

Nehemiah 4 Facing the Opposition 

Nehemiah faced opposition right from the get go. I believe that he would have had even more trouble if he hadn't had the foresight to ask the king for the two letters (you can read more about that here...Neh 2:7-9).  

Sanballat and Tobiah, remember them? Well, their back. So the mockery and ridicule continues. They hurled insults at the Jews calling them feeble, weak. At one point Tobiah even says that the wall they were building would not hold up. It would break down even if a fox climbed onto it. So what was our good man Nehemiah going to do this time? Pray of course. Nehemiah's first response was to pray. Then he went on building. Let's follow Nehemiah's example. Take it to God and get back to work (Pastor Scott Hunter). Wow! I admire Nehemiah so much, help me Lord to reach this point of maturity in You, cuz that's not what I would've done! (just saying). 

When we are doing the "good work" for the Lord, everyone is not going to support us but the right people will. We need to trust God to handle our Sanballat's and Tobiah's. After Nehemiah prayed, the people worked more fervently than ever. Nehemiah was their constant reminder of the goodness of God. 

The more work they did, the more opposition they faced. The more work they did, the angrier Sanballat and Tobiah became. They plotted to kill Nehemiah and the Jews. Again, Nehemiah prayed. Then he stationed workers with weapons all around the wall. So they essentially worked with one hand and held a weapon in the other! Our "weapon" against the enemy is the Word of God. We continue to do God's work with our "weapon" in hand. 

Therefore, we give due diligence to His Word. It's just like taking an exam. If we have not studied the required material, chances are, we are not prepared. When we are not prepared, we have not given ourselves the opportunity to achieve the desirable outcome. The Word of God prepares us and gives us the opportunity to respond rightly in the face of opposition. 

Regardless of what the Lord is asking us to do in obedience, we must have a response to the opposition. Because when we step out in His name, the attacks will come (SRT). Let's let no one put an end to the work we are doing for His Kingdom. In spite of the opposition the work must go on.


Lord, help us to hold tight to your Word. Let it penetrate our hearts as we turn our face towards you. We need your help to remain faithful to reading your Word daily. In Jesus name, Amen. 

*image from praying.kansasbob.com

Nehemiah: Just Do It

image from highsnobiety.com

Nehemiah 2:9-20

In the first part of Nehemiah Ch 2, we learned the importance of patience and waiting on God’s timing. Today, let’s take a look at Nehemiah’s action steps as he prepares to rebuild the city of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was careful not to share what God had given him to do with everyone right away. No one knew what he was up to when he reached Judah. He took some very crucial steps before exposing the plan God had placed in his heart.

1)    Nehemiah was inconspicuous (Neh 2:11-12). He was in Jerusalem 3 days before going out into the night with a few men. He did not draw attention to himself, he remained under the radar. We should hide the things of God in our hearts and wait for His perfect timing, sharing with only a few that are closest to us spiritually.

2)    Nehemiah conducted an inspection (Neh 2:13-15). He needed to see first hand what he was dealing with. He examined the ruined walls and gates. We should examine our motives, check ourselves, and deal with our own brokenness.

3)    Nehemiah then gathers the people of Jerusalem together. He reminded them of the shame and disgrace the ruined Jerusalem brought to their people and their need to rebuild (Neh 2:17).  We should repent, recognize that we are full of shame and disgrace and are ruined without Christ.

4)    Nehemiah told the people about the grace of God and how God’s grace led him to find favor with the king that supported his work. The people responded and agreed to help with re-building. Nehemiah gave them hope. So they began what the bible refers to as “ the good work”. We should embrace God’s forgiveness and grace. Move forward with the call of God on our lives with the people of God willing to help us succeed.

5)    Nehemiah faces and responds rightly to opposition (Neh 2:19-20). Nehemiah and his people were mocked and ridiculed. Tobiah and Sanballat, Nehemiah’s number one enemies led the charge. Just like Nehemiah when we are doing God’s work, the naysayers try to discourage us: “That will never work.” “Are you sure you heard from God?” “This is too much, you are way in over your head.” “You need to pray some more.” “What is that church up to now, what are they talking you into doing?” Let’s respond like Nehemiah: “The God of heaven will give us success. We are His servants and we will rebuild this wall (we will stand on His word). You have no share, no claim, or historic right to it (in other words- leave us alone, this is not your call, not your jurisdiction, not your inheritance, and no one asked you to share in the work to get it done!) We should rely on God when faced with adversity and be confident that He will strengthen us to complete the good work He has called us to do.

Dear Lord, help us to put our trust in your ability to help us succeed in the work you've called us to do. In Jesus name, Amen.

Nehemiah: Patience

image from sharefaith.com

 

Nehemiah 2:1-8        
   
In Nehemiah 1, we learned that Nehemiah was in great distress over Jerusalem. He mourned for days and fasted, prayed, and confessed. 

Nehemiah was cup bearer to King Artaxerxes. As cup bearer, Nehemiah was responsible for tasting the wine before it was given to the king to ensure it had not been poisoned. Nehemiah had a job that put him in a unique position, he had access to the king. 

Nearly 4 months had passed since hearing of the news before Nehemiah encounters the king in Ch 2. The king senses that something isn't quite right with Nehemiah and asks "Why are you sad?" Now, as cup bearer it was important that Nehemiah have a pleasant demeanor in the presence of the king. But because of his grief, he was unable to pretend to be happy. Although Nehemiah was grieved and afraid, he responded boldly to the king. He realized that God had finally allowed for this moment to come. "May the king live forever!" "Why shouldn't I be sad when my hometown is buried in ruins and its gates destroyed by fire?" The king asks the million dollar question, "What is it that you want?" Nehemiah prayed before answering, "If it pleases you (If I please you), send me to Judah where my ancestors are buried so I can rebuild it." And BOOM...just like that, the king grants Nehemiah's request.  

Nehemiah was an ordinary servant who would do extraordinary things, but he did them by moving with God. Not running ahead but walking beside. Nehemiah's reliance on God is first displayed in this chapter by his willingness to wait. (SRT)

He was willing to wait on God's timing and not take matters in his own hands. Nehemiah waited 4 months before God moved on his behalf. Guess what Nehemiah was doing in the meantime....praying. Nehemiah was a man of prayer. How many times have we become impatience in our waiting? Let's learn to pray while we wait. Let's be resistant in our need to move ahead of God. What ever it is that we are asking God for, let's remember to pray and wait! 

Nehemiah's willingness to pray and wait put him in the very place God had prepared for him in advance. Ephesians 2:10 says,  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

Dear Lord, thank you for your words today. Help us to remember to pray while we wait. In Jesus name. Amen!

Yours Truly~Freedom

Getting Started

photo from 123rf.com

My experience as a Christ follower comes with many ups and downs. I've had some "high, highs" and some low, lows". But through it all, I am convinced that God has proven to be faithful time and time again in my life. I have decided to document my handwritten journal entries as an addition to my blog over the next few weeks and months. This is my personal endeavor into the Word of God.

I am a part of an online community (since the summer of 2012) called She Reads Truth (SRT). This community has been a welcomed addition to my life as I dig deeper into God's Word. We have completed a study on the book of Nehemiah. While wrapping up the study with my online group, my church announced that we would be starting a message series called "Change Your World in 52 Days: The Story of Nehemiah". I've learned a lot about Nehemiah. His story has absolutely changed the way I view myself as a follower of Christ. I have gained great knowledge and valuable insight from studying Nehemiah's life. This old testament book and SRT has been my motivation to share my insight about the Word of God and ways it applies to our daily life. 

I will always try my best to give credit where credit is due. Most of what I write will be my very own thoughts, or applications from the bible, or revelation, all of which I hold up against the Word of God for truth and understanding. However, as I study the Word, I have also found helpful insight from other sources. This could range from pastors/church leaders, bible studies, bible commentaries, fellow Christ followers and life itself. Just the basic, ordinary day-to-day grind of life can offer valuable insight into who God is, how He loves, and how He is at work in our lives. 

Lord, today I pray that if what I have to say blesses anyone's life in any way that all glory be given to you. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Yours Truly~Freedom

The Purpose Driven Life

These are a couple of reposts of my thoughts as we read this book (other post deleted). Although we have completed this book we will revisit it again this year. I wanted to keep this as a part of my blog for my personal benefit.

Tuesday July 3, 2012 1:07 am

Thinking about my purpose as we enter day 37 of The Purpose Driven Life

Have you ever thought of your purpose? Perhaps you should begin with this question, What on Earth Am I Here For? See where this leads you.

Yours Truly~Freedom

Monday June 25, 2012 1:00 am

My husband and I began reading a book called The Purpose Driven Life  this summer. Although I have had this book since 2010 and had heard nothing but rave reviews about it even before I ever purchased it, I could not get into it when I first purchased it. I got to chapter 7 and put it down. Fast forward to summer 2012. 

Then one day out of the blue my husband picked it up and began reading it. He was thoroughly enjoying it. I began to gain a new interest in the book based on his natural gravitation towards it. Let's put things into perspective. First off, my husband does not like to read. Secondly, this is a chapter book with 40 chapters. Finally, to read this book, a 40 day commitment must be made to get through it which includes note-taking and discussions after each reading. Did I mention my husband does not like to read. He was reading through it like he had enjoyed reading his whole life. We decided to read it together over a 40 day period of time (the design of the book). So I caught up to where he was and to my surprise it was as if I had never picked up the book in my life. I gained a lot of insight and couldn't wait to get to the next chapter. Not to mention I am enjoying the time I'm spending with my husband doing something neither one of us have ever done together-a book study. 

We are currently on day 29 and time has truly flown by. One of the secrets to reading this book is to take it one day at a time. We don't think of it in terms of the 40 days. We just read one chapter at a time, one day at a time. And here we are 29 days later. Of course we have missed a day or two along the way (although we make an effort not to), life happens, we just pick up where we left off. We are learning a great deal from this book. The author, Rick Warren, has a lot of thoughtful insight into God's Word. It's been a blessing to myself and my husband. I believe that my entire family will reap the benefits from what we are learning as we uncover our Purpose Driven Life! 

Yours Truly~Freedom

A "New" Year

image from x-streamers.com

Truly looking forward to a "New" Year. Out with the old way of business as usual. There are many things that I could dwell on from the past year that I would like to get a "do over" on, but I'm learning to learn from the past and not dwell on it. Keeping all things in perspective, I have my health, family, a steady job, and most importantly my faith in Christ. However, I know that I have much to look forward to as I hold fast to the promises of God for my life. My husband and I have four focus areas for our "New" Year: Faith, Family, Finances, and, Fitness. We are stepping out with a plan with measurable goals not a New "Fail" Resolution.  I hope that you are able to reflect on the past, learn from it, and move forward into your "New" Year! 

Yours Truly~Freedom

I Wonder...Why?

Have You Ever Wondered...

Part I

photo by: Jalal Volker

Have you ever wondered

why the death of one person can 

shatter so many lives,

why love that was so hard to find 

is so easily lost,

why a single event can

alter the path of your future,

Have you ever wondered why?

Have you ever wondered

why little girls dream of their prince charming

only to find that love is not a fairytale,

why little boys feel invincible only to find that 

 the world is not theirs alone to conquer,

why mommies and daddies find it hard to let

their little ones make mistakes of their own,

Have you ever wondered why?

Have you ever wondered

why their is so much lack in a world 

 that's filled with plenty,

why the easy way out is the way 

most often chosen,

why the values of honesty and love are

overrated but deciet and disappointment are expected,

Have your ever wondered why?

Sometimes I Wonder...... Why?


Yours Truly~Freedom